The Weeknd Divides Music Fans as ‘Most Popular Artist in the World’ – SEO Friendly Heading.

The Weeknd takes the crown (Picture: AFF-USA/Shutterstock)

The Weeknd has beaten the likes of Beyonce, Taylor Swift and Madonna to be named the ‘most popular artist in the world’ – but not everyone agrees with the statement. 

The Canadian hitmaker, 33, is known for a string of monster hits such as Blinding Lights, which dominated our pandemic playlists two years ago, as well as Can’t Feel My Face, Starboy and Die For You. 

His silky tones have earned him collaborations with the likes of Ariana Grande, Drake, Calvin Harris and Daft Punk, meaning his audience has stretched far and wide. 

Well, all of that apparently means The Weeknd – real name Abel Tesfaye – has set the Guinness World Record for becoming the first and only artist to reach 100million listeners on Spotify. He’s also clocked up the most monthly listeners with 111m as of March 20, 2023. 

It’s believed the singer got a big boost earlier this year when he released the remix of his hit Die For You featuring his longtime collaborator Ariana. The Weeknd currently boasts 30m more monthly Spotify listeners than Miley Cyrus, who is the second most popular artist with 82m. 

Ed Sheeran is third – and the second most-listened-to male artist – with 77.5m monthly listeners. 

The Canadian hitmaker is the most listened to artist on Spotify (Picture: Getty Images)

Miley Cyrus is around 30m behind The Weeknd in second place (Picture: Getty Images)

The Weeknd’s Die For You collaborator Ariana Grande has also made the list (Picture: Getty Images)

Holding between 78.5m and 81.6m monthly listeners are Shakira, Rihanna, Taylor and Ariana. 

The Weeknd being crowned by Guinness has truly stirred music fans with many in disbelief that he managed to beat other household names. 

‘The internet always elevating the undeserving mid artistes,’ one critic savagely commented on Twitter. 

Another quipped: ‘Interesting take. I can’t see it.’ 

Offering more of a balanced reaction, one chimed in: ‘Wow, kudos to him!!! It’s CRAZY to me to think that him out of all the people, Beyoncé, Drake, Michael Jackson, I don’t even like Taylor swift but we know she has a big audience as well!’ 

‘Im [sic] pretty sure around the world Rihanna, Beyonce and Eminem are waaay more known than him but still good for him,’ said one. 

Demanding all the answers, one commentator said: ‘In what bases is he considered most popular? on what social media platform is he the most followed ? They are so many questions yet no one to answer. Yes he is great, but most popular now that’s something.’ 

Rather bluntly, another argued: ‘Good for him, but I don’t believe it.’ 

However, there were many others who congratulated The Weeknd on the milestone. 

The Weeknd is yet to comment on the news but no doubt he’s chuffed.

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