The 25 Most Popular Singers In The World

Music is a highly competitive industry and features the world’s most popular singers and entertainers.

Some of these artists have been around for a decade or more, while others are just stepping into the spotlight.

Either way, they’re accomplished musicians boasting a variety of accolades and countless chart-topping hits.

No matter your preferred genre, you won’t have any trouble finding an artist that suits your taste on this list.

 

The 25 Most Popular Singers In The World

We’ve done our due diligence and picked, what we think, are the greatest male and female singers based on their popularity.

So, without further ado, here’s our list of the 25 most popular singers in the world: 

 

25. Halsey

Halsey’s real name is Ashley Nicolette Frangipane, and she’s made a name for herself with her distinct vocals and alternative pop music.

She got her start self-releasing music on social media, which captured the attention of Astralwerks Records, which signed her in 2014.

A few of her most successful tunes include “Colors, “Gasoline,” and “Without Me.”

Throughout her career thus far, Halsey has won a Billboard Women in Music Award, three Billboard Music Awards, one American Music Award, one GLAAD Media Award, and one MTV Video Music Award.

 

24. Sam Smith

Samuel Frederick Smith is an English singer and songwriter who has dominated the pop, R&B, and soul genres, selling over 33 million albums and 227 million singles worldwide.

In 2012, Smith was featured on Disclosure’s song, “Latch,” which led to a record deal with Capitol Records. “Lay Me Down,” “Stay With Me,” and “I’m Not The Only One” are some of his most popular tunes.

If you’re a fan of Sam Smith, you should check out our best happy songs playlist, which includes his pop hit, “Money On My Mind.”

Some of Smith’s achievements are four Grammys, three Billboard Music Awards, one Golden Globe Award, one Academy Award, and three Brit Awards.

 

23. Zayn Malik

Zain Javadd Malik (Zayn) is a British singer who started as a lead singer of the beloved boy band, One Direction, who released successful tracks like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “One Thing.”

In 2015, Zayn left the group and obtained a solo recording contract with RCA Records. A few of his most popular hits are “Pillowtalk,” “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” and “Dusk Till Dawn.”

Zayn has earned one American Music Award, one MTV Music Award, one iHeartRadio Music Award, three Teen Choice Awards, two BMI London Awards, and one Billboard Music Award.

 

22. Charlie Puth

Charlie Puth’s real name is Charles Otto Puth Jr., and he ranks among the most popular singers, songwriters, and record producers in the pop and R&B genres.

He gained popularity after uploading a cover of Adele’s “Someone Like You” on YouTube, and in 2015, he signed with APG and Atlantic Records.

There, he released some of his best-known tunes like “See You Again,” “One Call Away,” “Attention,” and “We Don’t Talk Anymore.”

Puth has won two Billboard Music Awards, one Hollywood Film Award, and one Teen Choice Award, and has received two Grammy nominations and one Golden Globe nomination.

 

21. Demi Lovato

Demetria Devonne Lovato is a singer, songwriter, and actress famous for her belting ability and rock-infused pop sound.

She’s also among the most popular singers in the world who got their start on Disney Channel.

After starring in Camp Rock, she signed to Hollywood Records and began releasing music as a solo artist. Some of Demi’s popular tunes are “This Is Me,” “Skyscraper, and “Heart Attack.”

Lovato’s accomplishments include one MTV Video Music Award, one ALMA Award, five People’s Choice Awards, fourteen Teen Choice Awards, two Latin American Music Awards, and one Guinness World Record.

 

20. Post Malone

Austin Richard Post (who performs as Post Malone) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer known for his varied vocal styles and ability to blend genres.

After moving to L.A. and self-releasing mixtapes, Malone signed with Republic Records. A few of his most popular hip hop tracks are “White Iverson,” “Congratulations,” and “Rockstar.”

Post Malone has won ten Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and one MTV Video Music Award, and is the first solo artist to top Billboard’s Rap Airplay charts.

 

19. Doja Cat

Doja Cat’s birthname is Amala Ratna Zandile Dlamini, and she’s a rapper and singer who has taken the hip hop world by storm.

As a teenager, she self-released music on SoundCloud and eventually signed with Kemosabe and RCA Records.

If you’re into Doja Cat’s music, check out our best TikTok songs playlist, which includes her hit, “Woman.” A few of her other crowd favorites are “Say So” and “Kiss Me More.”

Among her accomplishments are five American Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and one Grammy.

 

18. Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Isabel Rodrigo is an American actress, singer, and songwriter and is the youngest person on this list to achieve mainstream fame.

After scoring a leading role in Disney’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, she went on to sign with Interscope and Geffen Records. Some of her most recognized songs include “Drivers License,” “Good 4 U,” and “Deja Vu.”

So far, Rodrigo has achieved two Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles and one Billboard 200 #1 album. She’s also won an American Music Award, four MTV Video Music Awards, and seven Billboard Music Awards.

 

17. Adele

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins is an English singer and songwriter notorious for her raspy, soulful voice and powerful ballads.

After graduating from The BRIT School, she signed with XL Recordings, where she began releasing some of her trademark tunes, including “Chasing Pavements,” “Rolling in the Deep,” and “Hello.”

The esteemed singer has earned fifteen Grammys, two Ivor Novello Awards, one Academy Award, one Golden Globe Award, and eighteen Billboard Music Awards.

 

16. Rihanna

Robyn Rihanna Fenty (Rihanna) is a Barbadian singer, actress, fashion designer, and businesswoman popular for her signature dance-pop sound.

She scored a recording contract with Def Jam Records when she was fifteen and began releasing her greatest tracks, including “Umbrella,” “Rude Boy,” and “Only Girl (In The World).”

Rihanna’s sold over 250 million records, making her the second best-selling female artist of all time, and has won nine Grammys, thirteen American Music Awards, and the NAACP’s President’s Award.

 

15. Sia

Sia Kate Isobelle Furler (stage name Sia) is a singer and songwriter from Australia best known for her intriguing sense of fashion and distinct vocals.

She performed in various groups and worked as a background vocalist throughout her early career until signing with Sony Music’s sub-label, Dance Pool.

Some of her most famous hits include “Chandelier,” “Cheap Thrills,” and “Elastic Heart.”

Throughout her career, Sia has earned nine Grammys, one MTV Video Music Award, twelve ARIA Awards, and one International Music Video Award.

 

14. Justin Bieber

Justin Drew Bieber is a singer and songwriter from Ontario, Canada, recognized for his versatile musicianship and trademark pop sound.

He was signed to RBMG Records in 2008 after one of his performance videos was discovered on YouTube. Some of his signature songs are “Baby,” “Love Yourself,” and “Sorry.”

As one of the best-selling music artists of all time, Justin Bieber has won two Grammys, two Brit Awards, twenty-three Teen Choice Awards, and twenty-one MTV Europe Music Awards.

 

13. The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, and he’s a Canadian singer-songwriter, actor, and record producer recognized for his dark lyrics and impressive vocal range.

In 2009, he started releasing music anonymously on YouTube, which led to connections with music producers. In 2011, he co-founded the record label XO and continued to release successful songs.

If you’re a fan of The Weeknd, then check out our best songs about sleep playlist, which features his hit, “Blinding Lights.” Some of his other hits include “Earned It,” “Can’t Feel My Face,” “Save Your Tears,” and “Starboy.” 

Among The Weeknd’s many accolades are seventeen Juno Awards, six American Music Awards, four Grammys, and twenty Billboard Music Awards.

 

12. Katy Perry

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (A.K.A. Katy Perry) is a singer, songwriter, fashion designer, and actress who has been a leader in pop music for the past decade.

After heading to L.A. as a teenager, Perry caught the attention of several record labels and signed with Java Records, Columbia Records, and Capitol Records.

Some of her most popular hits include “Roar,” “Teenage Dream,” “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.),” and “Dark Horse.”

The pop singer has won four Guinness World Records, five American Music Awards, one Brit Award, one Juno Award, and five Billboard Music Awards.

 

11. Lady Gaga

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (A.K.A. Lady Gaga) is an NYC-born singer, songwriter, composer, and actress recognized for her wild fashion sense and musical versatility.

After performing at open mic nights, Gaga signed with Streamline Records, where she released some of her greatest hits like “Poker Face,” “Just Dance, “Born This Way,” and “Bad Romance.”

As one of today’s most famous singers, Lady Gaga has won eighteen MTV Video Music Awards, sixteen Guinness World Records, and thirteen Grammys.

 

10. Camila Cabello

Karla Camila Cabello Estrabao is a Cuban-born actress, singer, and songwriter who got her start in the popular girl group, Fifth Harmony, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time.

Cabello was highly successful after auditioning for the X Factor in 2012 and joining Fifth Harmony, which led to hits like “Worth It” and “Work From Home.”

In 2016, she left the group and established a solo career, resulting in chart-topping songs like “Never Be The Same,” “Havana,” and “Crying in the Club.”

Cabello has earned two iHeartRadio Music Awards, five MTV Europe Music Awards, four American Music Awards, and two Latin Grammys throughout her music career.

 

9. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is an esteemed singer, songwriter, and actress, widely known as one of the best female singers of all time, thanks to her incredible vocal abilities.

She rose to fame after joining the girl group Destiny’s Child as lead singer in 1995, and in 2003, she left to pursue a solo career that made her an international sensation.

Some of the most successful songs from her solo albums are “Irreplaceable,” “Beautiful Liar,” “If I Were A Boy,” and “Halo.”

Beyoncé has won twenty-eight Grammys, twenty-four NAACP Image Awards, thirty-one BET Awards, and seventeen Soul Train Music Awards.

 

8. Bruno Mars

Peter Gene Hernandez (stage name Bruno Mars) is a Hawaiian singer, songwriter, record producer, and dancer.

He has sold over 130 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Mars rose to fame after signing with Atlantic Records and releasing his debut studio album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200.

His greatest hits include “Just The Way You Are,” “Count On Me,” and “The Lazy Song.”

The popular singer has won fifteen Grammys, thirteen Soul Train Awards, and eleven American Music Awards.

 

7. Selena Gomez

Selena Maria Gomez is an American actress, singer, and producer who has sold over seven million albums and 22 million singles as of 2017.

Gomez was a child star who starred in shows like Barney & Friends, Hannah Montana, and Wizards of Waverly Place. At sixteen, she signed to Hollywood Records and began releasing music.

A few of her most popular songs include “Same Old Love,” “It Ain’t Me,” and “The Heart Wants What It Wants.”

Among her many accolades are eighteen Teen Choice Awards, one Billboard Woman of the Year Award, and fifteen Guinness World Records.

 

6. Shawn Mendes

Shawn Peter Raul Mendes is a Canadian singer and songwriter who rose to fame after posting song covers on Vine’s popular video app.

He caught the attention of Island Records in 2014 and signed a deal with them, which led to the release of his self-titled debut EP.

If you’re into Shawn Mendes and need a good karaoke song, check out our best karaoke duets playlist, including “Seniorita.” Some of his other hits include “In My Blood,” “Treat You Better,” and “Stitches.”

Mendes is one of only five artists under eighteen to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200. The singer has won thirteen SOCAN Awards, eight Juno Awards, and two American Music Awards.

 

5. Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa is an English singer and songwriter famous for her mezzo-soprano vocals and unique disco-pop sound.

She signed with Warner Bros. Records in 2014 and immediately began co-writing and releasing hits, including “Hotter Than Hell,” “Blow Your Mind (Mwah),” and “New Rules.”

Her single, “One Kiss,” was the longest-running #1 single by a female artist in 2018.

Lipa has obtained massive success in the music industry, earning one American Music Award, two MTV Europe Music Awards, and three Grammy Awards.

 

4. Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish (born as Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell) ranks among the best-selling music artists of the 2010s and is best known for her dark tracks and pure-toned vocals.

Eilish started out making music with her brother, Finneas O’Connell, now one of the richest music producers in the world, and in 2016, signed with Interscope Records and Darkroom Records.

Her debut album topped the Billboard 200 and UK Albums charts, becoming one of the best-selling albums of 2019. “Ocean Eyes,” “Happier Than Ever,” and “Bad Guy” are a few of her most popular tracks.

The singer has become one of the most popular female singers in the world and won seven Grammy Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, one Golden Globe Award, and one Academy Award.

 

3. Taylor Swift

Taylor Alison Swift is a Pennsylvania-born singer and songwriter who has released countless successful albums in different genres.

She began her music career as a teenager, signing a record deal with Big Machine Records and a songwriting contract with Sony/ATV Music Publishing.

Some of her greatest hits include “I Knew You Were Trouble,” “We Are Never Getting Back Together,” and “Shake It Off.”

If you’re a fan of Taylor Swift, then check out our best songs about friendship playlist, which features “I’m Only Me When I’m With You.”

Taylor Swift is a pop icon who has earned thirty-four American Music Awards, fifty-eight Guinness World Records, one Emmy Award, and eleven Grammy Awards.

 

2. Ed Sheeran

Edward Christopher Sheeran is a singer-songwriter from England who has become one of the world’s best-selling artists, with over 150 million records sold.

Sheeran started writing songs when he was eleven years old, and in 2011, he independently released his debut EP, No. 5 Collaborations Project. This attracted the attention of Asylum Records, who he signed with that same year.

Among his most famous tunes are “Thinking Out Loud,” “Perfect,” “Shape of You,” and “Castle on the Hill.”

The folk-pop singer has earned massive success, winning two American Music Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, five Brit Awards, and four Grammy Awards.

 

1. Ariana Grande

Out of all vocalists, Ariana Grande tops them all (in our opinion) with her incredible four-octave vocal range and outstanding runs.

She’s currently one of the most popular female singers in the world and one of the hottest female singers right now. 

She started her career at age fifteen after starring on the Nickelodeon TV shows, Victorious and Sam & Cat. In 2011, she signed with Republic Records, which led to the release of chart-topping hits like “Break Free,” “7 Rings,” and “Dangerous Woman.”

Ariana Grande is the first and only woman to have five #1 debut singles. In addition to her chart-topping hits, she’s also won two Grammys, twenty-seven Guinness World Records, and nine MTV Video Music Awards.

 

Summary

Well, there we have it. Hopefully, you’ve enjoyed our list of the 25 most popular singers in the world right now.

These superstars are the cream of the crop in the music industry. How about a round of applause for these impressive vocalists?

Now go check out their hit songs!

Who’s your favorite popular singer? Leave a comment below.