So far, all recipients have come from North America (Taylor Swift in 2014 and 2019, Drake in 2016 and 2018) or the United Kingdom (One Direction in 2013, Adele in 2015, Ed Sheeran in 2017).
BTS came close to winning the main trade body award in 2018, when it finished in second place, and again in 2019, coming in seventh.
Despite the pandemic, the pop septet hit a record high last year.
In April 2020, the group ranked first on the Billboard 200 with Soul Map: 7, room # 1 in less than two years.
Soul Map: 7 it is one of the most pre-ordered albums of all time, notes the IFPI, and the album topped the charts in more than 20 countries.
That was just the beginning of a monstrous year for BTS. The Japanese language Soul Map: 7 ~ The Journey ~ exceeded 500,000 copies in two days of its July 2020 release. Later, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook became the first Korean act to achieve a Billboard Hot 100 leader when “Dynamite” reached the top and broke streaming records for the opening day on YouTube and Spotify. “Dynamite” won a Grammy nomination for best pop / group performance.
Before the year is over, Be invaded the global charts and gave the group fifth place on the Billboard 200.
“BTS is a global phenomenon,” comments IFPI CEO Frances Moore. “They had another excellent year, releasing three albums and continually finding creative and engaging ways to share their story with the world. They really show the power that music has to bring joy and happiness to people all over the world. “
BTS leads a Top 10 filled with American and Canadian artists and, surprisingly, devoid of British. The Top Five is completed by Taylor Swift, Drake, The Weeknd and Billie Eilish, respectively.
IFPI Top 10 Global Recorders of 2020
1. BTS
2. Taylor Swift
3. Drake
4. The Weeknd
5. Billie Eilish
6. Eminem
7. Post Malone
8. Ariana Grande
9. Juice Wrld
10. Justin Bieber