UK artists failed to make top 10 bestseller charts in 2024 for first time in 20 years

UK artists failed to appear in the top 10 bestselling albums or singles charts in 2024 for the first time in more than 20 years, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

Per new figures, the IFPI found that no British artists ranked higher than 15th in 2024’s bestselling singles, the first time this has happened since 2005.

UK artists have appeared in at least one or both of the top 10 bestselling albums and singles categories for the past two decades, since at least 2003.

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In 2022, British acts made up seven of the top 10 categories combined. Last year, those lists were predominantly made up of American and South Korean acts, including Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Seventeen.

It follows a particularly successful year for British artists like Charli xcx, Central Cee, and Ezra Collective, none of whom appeared in last year’s bestselling charts.

Speaking to the BBC, the CEO of UK record industry body BPI, Jo Twist, said it’s “undoubtedly becoming much harder to break talent in a hyper-competitive global music economy”.

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“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,” she said.

She added 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”.

Check out a list of the top 10 albums and singles charts for 2024 below, and read the full report here.

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

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter