For the first time in over two decades, zero UK artists have made it into the annual top 10 bestselling singles or albums charts worldwide.

Data from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) reveal that no British artists ranked higher than 15th in 2024’s bestselling singles, marking the first instance of this since 2005.

UK artists have consistently appeared in one, or both of the top 10 bestselling albums or singles categories every year since at least 2003.

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In 2022, UK artists accounted for seven of the 20 total spots across both categories. However, last year’s rankings were dominated by American and South Korean acts, including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Seventeen.

This comes after a particularly strong year for British artists like Charli XCX, Central Cee, and Ezra Collective, though none of them made it onto last year’s bestselling charts.

Jo Twist, chief executive of British record industry body the BPI, says: “British artists may have enjoyed stronger years on the international stage, which perhaps isn’t surprising given some of our biggest names were not in cycle in 2024.”

“There was still plenty to be excited about, as a new generation announced itself — not least Charli XCX, who enjoyed a breakthrough year globally, alongside international chart success for emerging artists such as Jordan Adetunji, Artemas and Good Neighbours, while the likes of Lola Young and Myles are now rapidly building an international following.”

Twist adds that “streaming has created many benefits, enabling more artists to succeed, but has also levelled the playing field for music markets around the world, opening up more challenges to the UK.”

It is “undoubtedly becoming much harder to break talent in a hyper-competitive global music economy,” she says.

Global bestselling singles of 2024

1. Benson Boone – Beautiful Things
2. Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
3. Teddy Swims – Lose Control
4. Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
5. Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
6. Hozier – Too Sweet
7. Post Malone – I Had Some Help (feat Morgan Wallen)
8. Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
9. Taylor Swift – Cruel Summer
10. Noah Kahan – Stick Season

Global bestselling albums of 2024

1. Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department
2. Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft
3. Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
4. Enhypen – Romance: Untold
5. SZA – SOS
6. Seventeen – Spill The Feels
7. Morgan Wallen – One Thing At A Time
8. Seventeen – 17 Is Right Here
9. Noah Kahan – Stick Season
10. Stray Kids – ATE

Calling out the “rigged” music industry this week, British artist Sam Fender said that “The music industry is 80 percent, 90 percent kids who are privately educated…“A kid from where I’m from can’t afford to tour, so there are probably thousands writing songs that are ten times better than mine, poignant lyrics about the country, but they will not be seen because it’s rigged.”

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The post “Streaming has levelled the playing field for music markets around the world”: No UK artists ranked in Top 10 global bestseller charts for first time in 20 years appeared first on MusicTech.