KEY POINTS

  • Ed Sheeran has been crowned as the most played artist of 2019 
  • The other artists on the list were Calvin Harris, Sam Smith, Coldplay, Rita Ora, and Pink 
  • A song named "Giant" by Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man claimed the first position on the list of most played songs 

After becoming Spotify’s second-most streamed artist of the decade, Ed Sheeran has now been crowned the most played artist of 2019 by the Phonographic Performance Limited.

According to Official Charts Company, the 28-year-old musician has claimed the numero uno position on PPL’s top 10 list for the fourth time in the last five years. The second and third spots were claimed by Calvin Harris and Sam Smith, respectively.

PPL is an organization that reveals the most popular songs and artists on the basis of airplay data on television, radio, and various public locations such as clubs, pubs, and shops.

The news comes just almost a month after the “Shape Of You” hitmaker was named the richest musician in the U.K. aged 30 or under. Sheeran actually topped the list for the second time. According to The Sunday Times, the musician added £40 million to his wealth last year and breached the £200 million mark overall.

In November 2019, Sheeran was named the artist of the decade by the Official Charts Company. According to the organization, the "Photograph" singer has the most number-one songs in this decade. The “Perfect” singer has a combination of 12 singles and albums at the numero uno position between 2010 and 2019.

The other artists on the list are Jess Glynne, Pink, Rita Ora, and Coldplay.

Meanwhile, on the list of most played tracks of 2019, a song named “Giant” by Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man clinched the number one position.

Peter Leathem, chief executive of PPL, congratulated all the artists who were featured on the lists. He also shared that British music was particularly very popular in 2019 because of artists like Ed Sheeran and Mabel.

“British music was particularly popular, with Ed Sheeran maintaining his popularity while acts such as Tom Walker and Mabel established themselves on the airwaves. Congratulations to all those featured in our charts as well as the music businesses that invest in and support their success,” Leathem said.

PPL’s Most Played Artist Chart of 2019

  1. Ed Sheeran
  2. Calvin Harris
  3. Sam Smith
  4. Jess Glynne
  5. Pink
  6. George Ezra
  7. Rita Ora
  8. Little Mix
  9. Coldplay
  10. Maroon 5

PPL’s Most Played Tracks Chart of 2019

  1. “Giant” – Calvin Harris & Rag ‘n’ Bone Man
  2. “Nothing Breaks Like A Heart” – Mark Ronson Feat. Miley Cyrus
  3. “Dancing With A Stranger” – Sam Smith & Normani
  4. “I Don’t Care” – Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber
  5. “Just You And I” – Tom Walker
  6. “Higher Love” – Kygo & Whitney Houston
  7. “Sweet But Psycho” – Ava Max
  8. “Someone You Loved” – Lewis Capaldi
  9. “Don’t Call Me Up” – Mabel
  10. “Walk Me Home” – Pink
Sheeran played his first gig 14 years ago in front of 30 people
Performing artist Ed Sheeran is pictured playing guitar. Getty Images/Kevin Winter