The number of people around the world who pay for a music streaming service is increasing, and streaming is the primary method of listening to music for many already.
Spotify dominates the global music streaming market with a 36% market share, and more than 365 million active monthly users. While some lists rank musicians based on subjective characteristics – likeability, for example, when it comes to Spotify, the data is undoubtedly objective. The number of monthly listeners an artist has on the platform is a very good indication how popular they are around the world. (Here are some famous musicians who never topped the Billboard Hot 100.)
To determine the most streamed artists on Spotify, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the platform’s streaming data as of Aug. 1, 2022. Artists were ranked based on their number of monthly listeners in July 2022. Data on their follower count and most-streamed song is also for July.
Click here to see the most streamed artists on Spotify
Though Ed Sheeran currently occupies the No. 1 spot with the most listeners by far, any of the artists in the next four spots could have ranked first in his place. The British-born pop star only climbed to the top in the last few months. Before then, it was Canadian artist The Weeknd who reigned. Who will it be in the months to come? (Speaking of The Weeknd, take a look at the real names of the most famous rap and hip-hop artists.)
20. Rihanna
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 51.2 million
> Spotify followers: 49.6 million
> Most-streamed song: This Is What You Came For (with Calvin Harris) (1.3 billion streams)
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19. Shakira
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 51.5 million
> Spotify followers: 24.3 million
> Most-streamed song: Hips Don’t Lie (feat. Wyclef Jean) (1.0 billion streams)
18. Ariana Grande
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 51.8 million
> Spotify followers: 81.9 million
> Most-streamed song: 7 rings (1.8 billion streams)
17. Kanye West
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 51.9 million
> Spotify followers: 17.9 million
> Most-streamed song: Stronger (1.0 billion streams)
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16. Eminem
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 52.1 million
> Spotify followers: 57.9 million
> Most-streamed song: Lose Yourself (1.5 billion streams)
15. Imagine Dragons
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 53.5 million
> Spotify followers: 41.6 million
> Most-streamed song: Believer (2.2 billion streams)
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14. Coldplay
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 53.8 million
> Spotify followers: 37.2 million
> Most-streamed song: Something Just Like This (with The Chainsmokers) (1.9 billion streams)
13. J Balvin
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 54.4 million
> Spotify followers: 34.7 million
> Most-streamed song: I Like it (with Cardi B & Bad Bunny) (1.4 billion streams)
12. Post Malone
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 54.8 million
> Spotify followers: 37.7 million
> Most-streamed song: rockstar (feat. 21 savage) (2.5 billion streams)
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11. David Guetta
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 55.1 million
> Spotify followers: 24.6 million
> Most-streamed song: Titanium (feat. Sia) (1.2 billion streams)
10. Calvin Harris
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 56.5 million
> Spotify followers: 22.9 million
> Most-streamed song: One Kiss (with Dua Lipa) (1.5 billion streams)
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9. Taylor Swift
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 56.9 million
> Spotify followers: 56.3 million
> Most-streamed song: Shake It Off (815.1 million streams)
8. Doja Cat
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 58.8 million
> Spotify followers: 20.8 million
> Most-streamed song: Kiss Me More (feat. SZA) (1.3 billion streams)
7. Bad Bunny
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 63.0 million
> Spotify followers: 52.5 million
> Most-streamed song: Me Porto Bonito (470.4 million streams)
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6. Drake
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 64.1 million
> Spotify followers: 65.7 million
> Most-streamed song: One Dance (2.4 billion streams)
5. Dua Lipa
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 70.7 million
> Spotify followers: 35.4 million
> Most-streamed song: Don’t Start Now (2.0 billion streams)
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4. Harry Styles
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 71.3 million
> Spotify followers: 22.3 million
> Most-streamed song: Watermelon Sugar (1.9 billion streams)
3. Justin Bieber
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 72.5 million
> Spotify followers: 63.9 million
> Most-streamed song: STAY (with The Kid LAROI) (2.0 billion streams)
2. The Weeknd
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 76.7 million
> Spotify followers: 47.9 million
> Most-streamed song: Blinding Lights (3.1 billion streams)
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1. Ed Sheeran
> Monthly Spotify listeners: 81.5 million
> Spotify followers: 100.6 million
> Most-streamed song: Shape of You (3.2 billion streams)
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