For the eleventh year running, Drake has retained his crown as the world’s best-selling rapper, a streak that now stretches across more than a decade.
According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the Canadian superstar ranks No. 3 overall on its 2025 Global Artist Chart. Only Taylor Swift and Stray Kids sit above him. Despite finishing third overall, Drake remains the highest-ranked rapper on the list, extending a remarkable run that has defined the streaming era.
The IFPI chart measures global music consumption across streaming platforms, digital downloads and physical sales, offering a comprehensive snapshot of worldwide demand rather than performance in a single country.
The 2025 Global Top 10 Artists (IFPI)
- Taylor Swift
- Stray Kids
- Drake
- The Weeknd
- Bad Bunny
- Kendrick Lamar
- Morgan Wallen
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Billie Eilish
- Lady Gaga
Swift maintains the No. 1 spot for the sixth consecutive year, but Drake’s consistency tells its own story. While other rappers like Kendrick Lamar (No. 6), Tyler, The Creator (No. 12), and Eminem (No. 15) appear in the top 20, none have matched Drake’s sustained global dominance.
The Streaming Numbers Behind the Streak
The IFPI honour comes on the heels of another historic run on Spotify. Earlier in 2026, Drake became the first rapper to surpass 2 billion Spotify streams in a year alone. Shortly after, he set yet another benchmark, becoming the first artist in Spotify history to have 300 songs exceed 100 million streams.
Industry data suggests the next closest rapper has fewer than half as many tracks above the 100-million mark. That gap underscores what separates Drake from the pack: catalogue depth and daily listening power, not just headline-grabbing hits.
In an era where first-week sales generate buzz but long-term streams determine legacy, both the IFPI rankings and Spotify milestones reveal the same pattern: steady, global demand.
Eleven straight years at the top is no accident. It’s the product of relentless output, crossover appeal, and an uncanny ability to evolve with audience tastes while staying unmistakably Drake.