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One Direction is Top Act 2013

January 30, 2014

British-Irish boy group One Direction has been recognized as the most popular music act of 2013, measured in downloads, video streams and CD sales worldwide.

https://p.dw.com/p/1AzXs
Boy band One Direction
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

For the first time, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) has evaluated all sales media and platforms to determine the most successful artists worldwide. The top spot is occupied by One Direction, first seen on the British casting show "The X-Factor." The boy group placed third there, but their first single was Number One in the British and Irish charts in 2011. On their latest success, band member Niall Horan said: "It’s incredible news. It’s wonderful to have an evaluation that includes everything, from iTunes to record stores to YouTube and Spotify."

Weighing into the calculation was the group's new studio album "Midnight Memories" with hit singles "Story Of My Life" and "Best Song Ever," said an IFPI spokesman, observing that the video generated 200 million clicks on YouTube alone. Ranking second and third were US stars Eminem and Justin Timberlake.

Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan of One Direction at a performance on November 26, 2013
Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan of One DirectionImage: Getty Images

The IFPI represents the recording industry with 1300 members in 66 countries and trade associations in 55 countries. Its top ten Global Recording Artists 2013:

1. One Direction

2. Eminem

3. Justin Timberlake

4. Bruno Mars

5. Katy Perry

6. Pink

7. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

8. Rihanna

9. Michael Bublé

10. Daft Punk

jb/cp/rf (dpa)