IFPI, the
Released in 2017, Havana is the lead track from Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello’s eponymous debut solo album. Drawing on influences from Cabello’s Cuban heritage, the track, and the subsequent remix version with Spanish lyrics from Daddy Yankee, reached number one in 95 countries, rocketing Cabello to global solo success. In June 2018, Havana became Spotify’s most-streamed song ever by a solo female artist with 888 million streams. Across all providers, it has now been streamed over 2.6 billion times in total worldwide.
Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI, said: “Havana truly was the stand-out hit of the year. Momentum behind the track continued to build and build at an extraordinary rate as it consistently topped charts and leading playlists. Camila Cabello is a perfect example of an artist who has drawn on her musical roots to produce her own unique sound that is capturing the hearts of fans all over the world.”
The second best-selling single, God’s Plan by Drake, was released in January 2018. The track from his album Scorpion, broke multiple global streaming records upon release, including first-day streaming records on both Spotify and Apple Music. On Apple Music the track reached over 14 million streams in its first day and more than 60 million within its first week of release.
Shape of You by Ed Sheeran was the third best-selling single of 2018, maintaining a strong chart position since the track took the number one spot in 2017. It was the lead single from Sheeran’s global smash album ÷ and reached number one in multiple countries.
This Global Digital Single of 2018 is the second award from IFPI’s global charts, following the announcement that Drake was the Global Artist of the Year 2018.
The IFPI Global Digital Singles Chart is the only ranking to accurately capture engagement with tracks across audio streaming, video streaming and permanent downloads on a global basis.
TOP 10 GLOBAL DIGITAL SINGLES OF 2018
Rank/Artist and song title/Global total converted track equivalent (millions)
1 Camila Cabello (feat. Young Thug) – Havana 19.0
2 Drake – God’s Plan 15.3
3 Ed Sheeran – Shape Of You 14.9
4 Ed Sheeran – Perfect 13.5
5 Maroon 5 (feat. Cardi B) – Girls Like You 11.9
6 Luis Fonsi (feat. Daddy Yankee) – Despacito 11.8
7 Tia Ray – Be Apart 10.9
8 The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something Just Like This 10.0
9 Marshmello & Anne-Marie – FRIENDS 9.6
10 Post Malone (feat. Ty Dolla $ign) – Psycho 9.2
Catrise J is the owner of Vault of 1520 and Content Creator for Dirty Glove Bastard (DGB). Catrise is a self described “free-spirit” and always shares what’s on her mind. She enjoys Hip Hop, nature, reading, 420 and 90’s R&B. Her idols include Angie Martinez, Tupac, Oprah, and Warren Buffet. You can connect with Catrise on social media.
