Spotify’s 2018 Top Artists, Songs, Albums and Playlists

Spotify has revealed its 2018 lists of most streamed artists, tracks, playlists, podcasts and more of 2018.  Sure, there's plenty of Drake and Ariana Grande. But there are also some newer artists represented, along with a few surprises.

Spotify’s Global Top Lists 2018:

Most-Streamed Artists

Drake is the world’s most-streamed artist, with more than 8.2 billion streams this year. J Balvin, who made his top-five debut, had multiple hits on our global chart, such as “X” (with Nicky Jam) and “I Like It” (with Cardi B).

1. Drake
2. Post Malone
3. XXXTENTACION
4. J Balvin
5. Ed Sheeran*

*Ed Sheeran was the top-streamed artist in 2017

Most-Streamed Female Artists

Spotify’s top-streamed female artist, Ariana Grande, released her hotly-anticipated fourth album, “Sweetener,” in August. She had a momentous year with numerous charting singles, including her latest smash “thank u, next.” Grande’s music streamed more than 3 billion times in 2018.  

1. Ariana Grande
2. Dua Lipa
3. Cardi B
4. Taylor Swift
5. Camila Cabello

Most-Streamed Tracks

While it was the summer of “In My Feelings,” Drake’s track “God’s Plan” was actually the most-streamed song of 2018. Post Malone also scored two songs on this list with both “rockstar (feat. 21 Savage)” and “Psycho (feat. Ty Dolla $ign).”

1. God’s Plan – Drake
2. SAD! – XXXTENTACION
3. rockstar (feat. 21 Savage) – Post Malone
4. Psycho (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) – Post Malone
5. In My Feelings – Drake

Most-Streamed Artist Albums

Drake’s “Scorpion” was released on June 29, and before long was racking up 10 million streams an hour. Dua Lipa’s self-titled debut album also had a stellar year, and Ed Sheeran’s 2017 album “÷” made the top five as well.

1. Scorpion – Drake
2. beerbongs & bentleys – Post Malone
3. ? – XXXTENTACION
4. Dua Lipa – Dua Lipa
5. ÷ – Ed Sheeran*

*Ed Sheeran’s ÷ was the top album in 2017

Most-Streamed Groups*

Imagine Dragons is Spotify’s most-streamed group for 2018, but K-pop sensation BTS also enjoyed plenty of global listening. Maroon 5 and Migos come in third and fourth, and Coldplay took fifth.

1. Imagine Dragons
2. BTS
3. Maroon 5
4. Migos
5. Coldplay**

*Must have three or more members

** Coldplay was 2017’s most-streamed group

Most-Followed Playlists

Today’s Top Hits is 2018’s most popular playlist. It’s the best place to go to find out what’s trending in popular music—and about 22 million followers agree. Rounding out the top five is Songs to Sing in the Car, with Beyoncé’s “Halo,” and Camila Cabello’s “Havana” as the top two songs people are belting on their road trips.

1. Today’s Top Hits
2. RapCaviar
3. ¡Viva Latino!
4. Baila Reggaeton
5. Songs to Sing in the Car

Most-Streamed Exclusive Spotify Podcasts

As we continue to expand our repertoire of exclusive and original podcasts, these are the podcasts resonating the most with Spotify listeners.

1. Fest & Flauschig
2. The Joe Budden Podcast with Rory & Mal
3. Dissect
4. Amy Schumer Presents: 3 Girls, 1 Keith
5. TALK-O-MAT

Most-Streamed Podcast Genres

1. Crime and Mystery
2. Comedy
3. News & Politics
4. Health
5. Arts

Genres That Grew the Most in 2018

1. EMO Rap
2. Lo-fi Beats
3. Deep Talent Show
4. Ringtone
5. Brega Funk