Spotify’s top-streamed artist of 2014

Capturing the attention of people all over the world with his fiery red hair and heart-breaking lyrics, Ed Sheeran has moved his way up from the streets of London to the A-team. Sheeran recently grabbed the title of Spotify’s 2014 most streamed artist of the year with up to 860 million streams. Sheeran replaced Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, who claimed the top-spot in 2013.

According to Associated Press and Billboard staff, “Sheeran’s latest album, X, is the most steamed album worldwide with 430 million streams. His Spotify success mirrors his huge box-office clout.”

Presented by Spotify’s data, Pharrell Williams’s “Happy” was the most streamed song worldwide, Katy Perry was the most streamed female act and Coldplay was the most streamed group of the year. Spotify says that more than 50 million Spotify users listened to over seven billion hours of music throughout the year of 2014 which is the equivalent to almost 800,000 years.

When surveyed, 62 out of 100 Homestead students voted that Ed Sheeran was their favorite artist compared to Katy Perry and Pharrell Williams. “Ed Sheeran is clearly a very talented artist, so it doesn’t surprise me that he is the top global artist on Spotify,” Allie Petersen, senior, said.

With 2014 coming to a close, it’s time to look back at the music that proved to be the best and most popular around the world. Kelsey Wagner, senior, said, “Ed Sheeran’s music will continue to touch the hearts of people around the world for years to come.”