Drake Secures Eleventh Straight Year as World's Top-Selling Rapper
Drake has been officially named the best-selling rapper worldwide for the eleventh consecutive year, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). The organization's 2025 Global Artist Chart ranks him No. 3 overall, behind only Taylor Swift and Stray Kids, solidifying his position as the highest-ranked rapper on the list for over a decade.
IFPI 2025 Global Artist Rankings and Top Performers
The IFPI ranking measures worldwide performance across streaming, downloads, and physical sales, reflecting total global consumption rather than performance in a single territory. Other rappers featured in the 2025 top 20 include Kendrick Lamar at No. 6, Tyler, The Creator at No. 12, and Eminem at No. 15.
The top 10 best-selling artists for 2025 worldwide are:
- Taylor Swift
- Stray Kids
- Drake
- The Weeknd
- Bad Bunny
- Kendrick Lamar
- Morgan Wallen
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Billie Eilish
- Lady Gaga
Swift maintains the No. 1 position for the sixth year in a row, while Drake's placement at No. 3 makes him the highest-performing rapper globally for the eleventh straight year.
Streaming Milestones and Record-Breaking Achievements
The IFPI recognition follows a series of streaming records for Drake in early 2026. Earlier this month, he became the first rapper to surpass 2 billion Spotify streams in 2026 alone. Shortly after, he was confirmed as the first artist in Spotify history to have 300 songs exceed 100 million streams.
According to available figures, the next closest rapper has fewer than half as many tracks past the 100 million mark. This milestone demonstrates his catalogue volume and sustained daily listening, extending beyond individual hits. Both the IFPI ranking and Spotify records point to the same pattern of long-term global demand.
Factors Behind Drake's Sustained Success
Drake's sustained performance is built on multiple factors working simultaneously:
- Consistent Output: While some peers have slowed release schedules, Drake has maintained a steady stream of projects, features, and collaborations. His catalogue spans nearly two decades, and streaming platforms reward volume over time.
- Musical Range: His music blends rap and R&B with melodic pop structures, allowing it to move across playlists and demographics. This versatility broadens his listening base beyond a single audience segment.
- Strategic Timing: Drake has consistently managed release cycles in ways that keep attention active. Even in years without a solo studio album, his catalogue continues to grow in streams. This consistency is difficult to replicate in a genre where commercial peaks often rise and fall quickly.
Upcoming Album and Future Prospects
Drake's ninth studio album, ICEMAN, is expected in 2026, though an official release date has not been confirmed. The project follows his 2025 collaborative album Some Sexy Songs 4 U and will mark his first full-length solo release since 2023's For All The Dogs.
He recently hinted at the album on Instagram Stories, posting a video of himself walking outside and commenting on the temperature with the caption, "Ooo, it's freezing." With a new album pending and two major Spotify records already secured this year, Drake enters 2026 with the same distinction he has held for over a decade.
