BTS have once again made history. The Grammy nominated group have officially been named the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year for the second year in a row, making them the first artist ever to achieve this incredible feat. In a music landscape filled with some of the biggest names across the globe, BTS stood tall at the very top, edging out renowned artists like Taylor Swift, Adele, Drake, Ed Sheeran, The Weeknd, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Seventeen, and Olivia Rodrigo.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the recording industry worldwide, revealed the exciting news recently. The IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year Award is one of the most prestigious honors an artist can receive. What sets it apart is that it does not just reflect the performance of a single album or a short period of time. Instead, it is a comprehensive award that takes into account an artist’s entire discography across all formats including digital downloads, physical album sales, singles sales, streaming on all platforms, and vinyl records and measures their influence and success across every country around the world.

BTS’ achievement is a remarkable testament to their global impact. It highlights not just their recent projects, but their entire body of work, from earlier albums to their most recent releases. It is a celebration of their consistency, their innovation, and their ability to connect with people across cultures, languages, and borders.

2021 was another massive year for BTS. They released “Butter,” which dominated charts worldwide and became one of the biggest songs of the summer. “Permission to Dance” followed soon after, delivering a feel good message of hope and positivity. In addition to their English language singles, BTS continued to achieve strong performance with their Korean tracks and albums, showing their versatility and universal appeal. Their impact was not limited to music charts either. They performed at major award shows, appeared at the United Nations, collaborated with global brands, and continued to be influential cultural ambassadors.

What makes this award even more special is the competition. The 2021 IFPI Top Ten list features some of the biggest and most successful names in the industry. Taylor Swift, who came in second, had a major year with the re release of her albums “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” and “Red (Taylor’s Version).” Adele’s much anticipated comeback album “30” also made waves around the world. Drake, Ed Sheeran, and The Weeknd continued their reign over streaming platforms with huge hits. Billie Eilish and Justin Bieber both released critically acclaimed albums. Seventeen and Olivia Rodrigo made their mark with massive successes as well. Yet despite all this fierce competition, BTS managed to secure the top spot a reflection of their massive and dedicated fanbase, ARMY, and the strength of their music.

BTS’ journey to this point has been filled with hard work, perseverance, and authenticity. They debuted in 2013 from a relatively small company and rose to become one of the most powerful musical acts in the world. Their music, filled with honest emotions and meaningful messages, combined with their humility and strong work ethic, continues to touch millions. Being crowned the IFPI Global Recording Artist of the Year for two consecutive years is not just an acknowledgment of their musical achievements, but also of their cultural significance.

Moreover, BTS are trailblazers in many ways. They have opened the door for many non English speaking artists to dream bigger, proving that language is no barrier when it comes to music. They have set new records, broken old ones, and rewritten the rules of what it means to be a global superstar in the digital age.

The IFPI Global Recording Artist chart is highly respected because it accurately captures music consumption across all formats and regions. It paints a full picture of who the most impactful artists truly are, rather than focusing on one specific country or platform. BTS’ dominance in this ranking shows that their success is not limited to one part of the world but is truly universal.

As the music industry continues to evolve with the rise of streaming, digital platforms, and global connectivity, BTS are at the forefront of this change. They continue to show that great music transcends borders and brings people together, offering messages of love, hope, and resilience at a time when the world needs it most.

In winning this award again, BTS have etched their names even deeper into history. They have set a new standard for what it means to be a global artist in the modern era. As they move forward into the future with new projects, collaborations, and performances, one thing is certain their impact will only continue to grow.

Congratulations to BTS for making history once again. They are not just the biggest boy band in the world. They are, truly, Global Recording Artists of a Generation. It is weighted based on the relative value of each method of consumption.

“2021 saw BTS continue their world dominance. Butter, which was released in May 2021, was an instant success and charted at #1 in the US Billboard Hot 100 Chart for seven consecutive weeks. In July, the group’s new single Permission to Dance also debuted at #1 on Hot 100, replacing themselves at the top spot. In September, Coldplay and BTS released a new single My Universe which also charted at #1 in the US. In Asia, BTS released their Japanese language greatest hits album BTS, THE BEST which topped the Oricon Year End Album Chart – the first time a non-domestic act has done so in 37 years. The CD release of Butter topped the Gaon year-end charts in South Korea, incredibly the sixth year in succession that BTS have managed this feat, with six separate releases.” IFPI

“BTS’ phenomenal success over the last year is a testament to their creativity, hard work and ongoing commitment to continuing to find ways to bring their music to the world. By performing in three different languages, they demonstrate their extraordinarily unique global appeal and their dynamic and passionate fanbase has helped to make them the first artists in history to top the Global Artist Chart in two consecutive years.” Frances Moore, Chief Executive, IFPI

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