Lewis Capaldi, ABBA, and Ellie Goulding have been announced as the recipients of the new BRIT Billion award, along with some of the biggest names, in celebration of hitting one billion streams in the UK.
The first inaugural BRIT Billion award, presented by BPI under the BRIT Certified Scheme, has been handed out to a selection of artists and is based upon data calculated by the Official Charts Company.
Global music pioneers Mariah Carey, Coldplay and Whitney Houston have joined ABBA in receiving the prestigious accolade, along with current chart-toppers Sam Smith, RAYE, George Ezra, AJ Tracey, Headie One, and Anne -Marie.
Capaldi, 26, whose debut album was the biggest-selling in 2019 and 2020, described the achievement as “pretty incredible”, after receiving his award in a video shared on Instagram on Thursday.
The Scottish singer’s 2019 single Someone You Loved became the most-streamed song in the UK of all time with over 600 million streams, and has found continued success this year, with three Number 1 singles off of his new album.
It’s no surprise Goulding, 36, is also a winner of the BRIT Billion award, having amassed impressive streaming numbers over the course of her nearly 15-year career in music.
Goulding has several Number 1 singles, including her debut single Starry-Eyed, Anything Could Happen and Under the Sheets, and her 4x Platinum hit Love Me Like You Do remains her most-streamed track in the UK to date.
The British talent gave thanks in receiving the BRIT Billion award on Instagram also, along with fellow recipient Rita Ora, who has scored 150 million UK streams, and whose win comes as she gears up to release her third album in July.
Posting a video with award in hand, Ora, 32, said: “It’s crazy, thank you so much to everybody who has been listening to my music over the years.
“Here’s to the new album in July, July 14 – and hopefully, another billion streams! Thank you, this is amazing!”
Speaking on the continuation of the BRIT Billion award, BPI Chair YolanDa Brown DL OBE said: “As a musician, nothing gives you a greater thrill knowing that people are listening to and enjoying your work.
“Being streamed in the billions represents a pinnacle of success – underlining the treasured bond that exists between artist and fan – and I congratulate all the inaugural recipient artists and their record labels on being honoured with a BRIT Billion award. And here’s to many more to come.”
