The most popular artist on Spotify has never released an album or single, yet beat Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Rihanna, BTS
The streaming platform Spotify is one of the largest music platforms in the world. Most music artists globally boast millions of followers on the platform, which validates their stardom. So, it is reasonable that the biggest names in music today - like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Eminem, and Drake - are among the top 10 in the list of most followed artists on the platform. Yet, they were all beaten for the top spot by one man who has never released a studio album or single. (Also read: India's Spotify 2024 report card: I-pop on rise, Ranveer beats Joe Rogan, Punjabi tunes rule, Aashiqui 2 still…)
Indian playback singer Arijit Singh is the most-followed artist on Spotify globally. With 144 million followers on the music streaming platform, Arijit beat Taylor Swift (136 million) and Ed Sheeran (120 million) to the top. Four other artists - Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, and Eminem - have over 100 million Spotify followers each. Some other global superstars are surprisingly not in the top 10, including BTS (#11), Rihanna (#13), Coldplay (#16), and Selena Gomez (#21). Pop superstar Beyoncé does not even make it to the top 25. Other Indian artists in the top 25 include AR Rahman (#15), Pritam (#23), and Neha Kakkar (#24).
Arijit Singh began his career as a contestant on the reality show Fame Gurukul at the age of 18. Immediately after the show, Arijit was signed by Tips for his maiden album, but it was never released. He eventually turned into a music producer and programmer, working for several successful composers. Eventually, he made his singing debut in 2010 with the Telugu song Neeve Na Neeve Na. In 2012, he found success in Hindi music as well with the song Raabta. However, his real breakthrough was the successful soundtrack of the 2013 film, Aashiqui 2, in which he sang most of the songs, all of which were chartbusters. Over the last decade, he has sung several chartbusters, winning the National Film Award twice and the Filmfare Award seven times. He has also collaborated with successful international artists like Ed Sheeran and Martin Garrix.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
24 minutes ago
- The Hindu
How Duchess Kumari Brings Vintage Charm to Modern Indian Fashion
It was during the shoot for Love Story of 90's, that former Miss Universe India contestant Divita Rai and her co-star actor Adhyayan Suman shared their common desire to venture into the world of fashion. Alka Suman — Adhyayan's mother, and designer who runs Label Alkaline — has been in the fashion industry for several years and the duo wanted to spotlight her creations on a larger platform. 'Alka aunty has a huge inventory of fabrics, and has been doing this as a personal interest for many years,' says Divita, 'Adhyayan and I felt there was a need for an affordable luxury label, and we wanted to own our heritage and also give it a contemporary twist.' The name of the brand, Duchess Kumari, spotlights their ethos of giving Indian crafts a Victorian touch. The label's first collection features a heady mix of rich Indian textiles such as brocade, raw silk, Chanderi, and ikkat, coupled with contemporary design elements such as bows, polka dots, pearls, and crystal embellishments. Divided across categories such as cocktail wear, resort wear, luxe wedding wear, and high fashion, the range comprises dresses, jackets, skirts, pantsuits, kaftan pant sets, skirt sets, and more. While Alka is the Indian textile expert, Divita has brought in the contemporary touches to the apparel. 'I have been working in the field for 35 years, and draw inspiration from designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee. My focus has been on crafting salwar suits, kurtis, etc in rich Indian textiles like Banarasi, Chanderi, with ethnic, vintage embroidery,' says Alka, who has a team of karigars in Mumbai who work from home. 'Divita and Adhyayan pushed me to launch this label, and I will keep adding designs to the label once they are ready. We don't go by seasonal launches, or fixed collections,' she says, adding that the team is now focussing on lighter fabrics such as linen and mul for the summer. Elaborating on the first drop — a combination of dresses, skirt sets, pant sets — Divita says the aim was to craft occasion wear and statement pieces in the mid-luxury range. 'Our first range has eight bespoke pieces, and 24 ensembles in the pret line. We will be adding more to these as a part of the summer range,' says Divita, who has given the apparel a contemporary spin. This has been done by way of embroidered buttons, bows on collars, etc. 'This has been done to reject the brand's duality,' she adds. For example, Bella, a magenta pink dress is crafted in raw silk, but the velvet bow at the collar gives it a Victorian touch. Similarly, the Scottish checks pantsuit set has been given an Indian touch with hand embroidery, and Sanyukta, a double tissue skirt set comes with a Victorian style blouse with puffed sleeves, embroidered suspenders, and an emerald silk collar bow. 'With our outfits, we are not leaning heavily on casual wear or bridal apparel, but are in between the cocktail and occasion wear range,' says Divita, adding how the team ensures every piece becomes an extension of the wearer's story. 'We believe true royalty isn't about status; it's about owning your narrative,' she concludes. The pret line is priced upwards of ₹4,000, and bespoke wear starts at ₹25,000 on
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
28 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Enrique Iglesias returns to India with big Mumbai show; check date, tickets
After a 12-year hiatus, the king of Latin pop is finally heading back to India – and the city of dreams is ready to dance. Enrique Iglesias, the voice behind iconic hits like Hero, Bailamos, and Tonight, is all set to light up Mumbai with a concert that promises pure pop euphoria. On 30 October 2025, the MMRDA Grounds in BKC will transform into a sea of nostalgia, rhythm, and electrifying energy as over 30,000 fans gather to witness the Grammy-winning superstar's grand return. With India's live music scene roaring back to life, this isn't just a concert—it's a cultural moment fans have waited over a decade for. What to expect from Enrique's India concert Fans can expect a power-packed performance as Enrique Iglesias brings a setlist that spans decades – mixing his early 2000s chartbusters with his latest global hits. Promoters have promised a world-class spectacle, complete with stunning visuals, immersive effects, and a stage design fit for a global icon. The excitement hit fever pitch the moment Enrique himself confirmed the news on social media, posting, 'India!!! See you on 30 October!' – a message that instantly sparked a wave of celebration among his Indian fanbase, flooding timelines with anticipation and nostalgia. This highly awaited concert marks Enrique Iglesias' first performance on Indian soil since his blockbuster 2012 tour, which saw packed venues and ecstatic crowds. His Mumbai show is a key stop on his ongoing global tour and will take place just ahead of his Abu Dhabi performance. The event is being brought to life by EVA Live in collaboration with BEW Live, promising fans a top-tier international concert experience right in the heart of the city. Enrique in India: How and where to book your Enrique Iglesias Mumbai show tickets Fans eager to catch the live experience can now register via the District App, with tickets set to roll out in multiple phases. This staggered release aims to ensure smooth access for concertgoers and build anticipation as the big day approaches. Mastercard Pre-sale Phase 1: Starts: Friday, June 20, 12 PM IST Ends: Sunday, June 22, 12 PM IST Available on: Mastercard Pre-sale Phase 2: Starts: Sunday, June 22, 12 PM IST Ends: Friday, June 27, 12 PM IST Available on: District App General sale start date: Friday, June 27, 5 pm IST Adding to the excitement, Mastercard users will get access to exclusive packages that go beyond the concert, offering special artist interactions and curated experiences rooted in local culture. Describing the event as a 'historic moment,' EVA Live founder Deepak Chaudhary said, 'With the renewed enthusiasm for legendary global acts, Enrique's return highlights our commitment to bringing world-class entertainment to Indian audiences.' Enrique concert in India: Fan reactions Fans across India are buzzing with excitement over Enrique Iglesias' return. One thrilled user called it a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to see their childhood hero live, while another jokingly lamented the lack of a Delhi show, but confirmed they'd travel to Mumbai anyway. The announcement comes amid a growing wave of international acts performing in India, following recent appearances by Coldplay, Akon, and Maroon 5. With the countdown underway, Mumbai is all set to sing, dance, and relive the magic of Enrique Iglesias.
Indian Express
28 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Elizabeth Hurley celebrates 60th birthday naked and ‘in love' with Billy Ray Cyrus: ‘It's been a wild ride'
Elizabeth Hurley is celebrating her 60th birthday while gushing about being in love and feeling blessed for having friends and family to look after her. To mark her big day, the actor shared a bold photo on Instagram, posing nude in a field while using her posture to keep the image tasteful and elegant. In the caption, she wrote how wild this year has been for her, celebrating 30 years of working with Estée Lauder, 20 years of her swimwear brand, and most importantly, announcing she's in love with Billy Ray Cyrus. The duo went Instagram official on April 20, 2025. While the exact timeline of their relationship is unknown, it is being said that they fell in love while filming Christmas in Paradise in 2022. 'Happy birthday to me! This year has already been a wild ride; my 30th year of working with the Estée Lauder Companies, my 30th year as the Global Ambassador of the @esteelaudercompanies Breast Cancer Campaign, the 20th,' The Bedazzled star wrote alongside the picture. 'I'm in love. Feeling very blessed and grateful for having the best friends & family in the world. Pic taken this afternoon… in my birthday suit,' she added, loading the caption with a bunch of red hearts. Also read: Elizabeth Hurley, once married to Indian tycoon Arun Nayar, confirms romance with Billy Ray Cyrus in Easter kiss snap The actor's son Damian Hurley dropped a comment: 'Hahahah I LOVE YOU, happy birthday mama xxx,' followed by celebrities like Heidi Klum, who wrote, 'Congratulations beautiful smart funny Elizabeth, Wishing you the best birthday. Love you.' The country singer also celebrated Hurley's big day, posting a separate Instagram picture with her and calling her the 'love of my life' in his birthday message. A post shared by Elizabeth Hurley (@elizabethhurley1) Elizabeth, who first visited Billy Ray's estate in Nashville during Easter celebrations, quietly soft-launched their romance through social media posts filled with PDA moments like country walks and off-road rides, without fully spilling the beans. While Hurley's son has now publicly shown support, Cyrus's daughter Miley recently also opened up about her bond with him amid reports of their feud. She had cut ties with him back in 2023 after his divorce from her mother, Tish. Miley now wishes happiness for both, saying in a recent interview, 'At first it's hard, because the little kid in you reacts before the adult in you can go, 'Yes, that's your dad, but that's just another person that deserves to be in his bliss and to be happy.'' Also read: Elizabeth Hurley wants a 'funny' boyfriend According to reports, Elizabeth had first reached out to Billy Ray via text when he was going through his messy divorce from Firerose, his third wife. They started chatting more often and came close. Now, Billy Ray is hoping this new chapter will also help him fix things with his kids. His split from Miley's mom, Tish, back in 2022 after nearly 30 years of marriage had caused serious tensions in the family. However, recently, a source who spoke to the Daily Mail revealed, 'Billy Ray met Elizabeth in 2022 on the set of their Christmas film, which they both starred in. Tish had her thoughts and suspicions at the time that he was cheating on her with Liz, but Billy Ray flat-out denied it.' The insider called their relationship, 'a slap in the face.' Sources say Billy Ray is now trying to spend more time with his kids. He's even willing to apologise to Tish's current husband, actor Dominic Purcell, just for the sake of peace between the two families. Despite all the past drama, insiders say Billy Ray feels lucky to have found Elizabeth. In a recent interview with Apple Music Country's The Ty Bentli Show, the country singer opened up about meeting Hurley on the filming set and said, 'We did very few scenes together, but the couple times we were in the same scene there was a chemistry. We just laughed and it was at a time I wasn't laughing a lot, and I found it the oddest thing.'
