LONDON: British folk-pop phenomenon Ed Sheeran on Monday was named the best-selling artist in the world in 2017 by the global recorded music industry group IFPI.

Sheeran’s Divide was the best-selling album of last year and ‘Shape of You’ was the best-selling single, London-based IFPI said in its announcement.

Sheeran is the fifth recipient of the Global Recording Artist of the Year Award after One Direction (2013), Taylor Swift (2014), Adele (2015) and Drake (2016).

“The success Ed has achieved is astonishing and testament to his ability to write and perform songs that connect with a truly global fan base,” IFPI chief executive Frances Moore said in a statement.

Drake came second in the ranking, followed by Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Imagine Dragons, Linkin Park and The Chainsmokers.

The ranking includes digital and physical album and single sales, as well as audio streaming.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2018