Arijit Singh dethrones global icons to become most-followed artist on Spotify

In a defining moment for Indian music on the world stage, Arijit Singh has officially become the most-followed artist on Spotify globally — leaving behind an elite league of global music heavyweights including Taylor Swift, BTS, Billie Eilish, Ed Sheeran, and The Weeknd.

As of July 1, Singh boasts a staggering 151 million followers, outpacing 14-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift at 139 million, Ed Sheeran at 121 million, and BTS at around 80 million. This is the third time Arijit has clinched the No. 1 spot on the platform, cementing his legacy as a global music phenomenon.

Singh’s meteoric rise is powered by timeless hits like “Tum Hi Ho”, “Kesariya”, and “Tum Kya Mile”— as well as newer chart-toppers like “Dhun” from Saiyara and “Jaane Tu” from the upcoming Vicky Kaushal film Chhaava. His follower base, which stood at 118 million in 2024, soared past 150 million in just under a year—a feat no other Indian artist has come close to achieving.

Spotify’s entry into India in 2019 was seen as a late arrival, but Singh’s global dominance underscores how dramatically the Indian music scene has reshaped the streaming landscape.

Arijit, a National Award winner and one of India’s most revered voices, continues to break barriers — not just as a singer, but as a composer and producer with pan-genre appeal. His recent collaboration with Ed Sheeran on the much-hyped track Sapphire further solidified his international presence.

Only one other Indian artist — Oscar and Grammy-winning composer AR Rahman — features in the top 20 Spotify artists list, with 49 million followers. Meanwhile, Diljit Dosanjh, with nearly 33 million followers, is rapidly becoming a breakout global star himself.

Taylor Swift, despite her $2 billion-grossing Eras Tour and last year’s hit album The Tortured Poets Department, has not released a new album in 2025, possibly slowing her follower growth. Billie Eilish, fresh off an Academy Award win, dropped her third album Hit Me Hard and Soft in 2024, while K-pop titans BTS continue to maintain a strong 80 million-strong Spotify presence.

But this moment clearly belongs to Arijit Singh. In an industry long dominated by Western artists, his climb to the top is more than personal triumph — it’s a seismic shift for Indian music on the global stage.