Ed Sheeran has secured the title of the most played artist in UK , awarded by the music company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), for the sixth time in eight years.
The figures for 2022 represent the most frequently heard music in the UK across various mediums, including streaming, radio, broadcast, and public performance venues, for which PPL grants licenses for the use of recorded music.
Dua Lipa’s chart-topping year in 2020 interrupted Sheeran’s dominance, preventing him from achieving an uninterrupted streak over the past six years.
Only Dua Lipa’s chart-topping year in 2020 prevented Sheeran from a clean sweep of the past six years. Sheeran’s 2022 victory is most likely thanks to the popularity of his 2021 album =, which is certified three-time platinum in the UK with more than 900,000 units sold.
Sheeran first broke into the PPL’s top five Most Played Artist in 2012 , when he released the album +. As a result ,his stats give him comparable staying power to Coldplay, the only other band in this year’s Top 10 who appeared in the 2012 list where Sheeran debuted.
Sheeran’s Statement
Sheeran said in a statement: “Thanks to everyone who continues to listen to and enjoy my music. I never take it for granted.”
The Top 10 is dominated by UK pop stars, including the British-Kosovan Lipa at No 2. The highest charting foreign artist is French superstar DJ David Guetta at No 3; US superstar Taylor Swift caps the list at No 10.
Coldplay are the only band on the list, which is 70% male, with Lipa and Swift joined by UK dance star Becky Hill at No 9.
Additionally, PPL also revealed the most-played songs of 2022. Harry Styles topped the list with the ubiquitous As It Was. Sheeran and George Ezra both have two songs in the Top 10, respectively Overpass Graffiti at No 8 and Shivers at No 9, and Anywhere for You (Tiger Lily) at No 5 and Green Green Grass at No 7.
