Canada’s The Weeknd named Spotify’s highest-earner since 2015

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It’s a big week for Canadian artist The Weeknd. 

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Ahead of shows at Montreal’s Parc Drapeau and Toronto’s Rogers Center, the 35-year-old R&B performer also known as Abel Tesfaye has just been crowned Spotify’s highest earner of the past decade.

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A new Spin Genie study revealed that The Weeknd topped the list of highest-earning Billboard hits since 2015 based on Spotify streams, thanks in large part to his 2020 hit “Blinding Lights” (he also recently launched a Nespresso collection — check out our exclusive interview). According to the study, the song has had 4.84 billion Spotify streams since its release, earning The Weeknd an estimated $27 million in revenue. 

It wasn’t the artist’s only song to crack the top 10 list either – “Starboy” featuring Daft Punk came in at number four, with 3.89 billion Spotify streams and an estimated $21.7 million in revenue. 

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Fellow Canadians Drake and Justin Bieber were the only other Canadian artists on the list of top earners. Drake’s “One Dance” came in at number seven with 3.63B streams and an estimated  $20.3 million earned. Bieber’s 2021 song “Stay” was number eight, with 3.55 billion streams and an estimated $19.8 million earned in revenue. 

Curious about the other artists on the list? See the top 10 below and read the full report here. And for even more from your favourite musicians, check out a subscription to VEEPS All Access for artist interviews, concerts and more.

Spotify’s top-earning Billboard songs songs since 2015

1. “Blinding Lights,” The Weeknd – 4.84B streams, $27.0M earned
2. “Shape of You,” Ed Sheeran – 4.36B streams, $24.3M earned
3. “Someone You Loved,” Lewis Capaldi – 3.9B streams, $21.8M earned
4. “Starboy,” The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk – 3.89B streams, $21.7M earned
5. “As It Was,” Harry Styles – 3.87B streams, $21.6M earned
6. “Sunflower,” Post Malone and Swae Lee – 3.82B streams, $21.3M earned
7. “One Dance,” Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla – 3.63B streams, $20.3M earned
8. “Stay,” Justin Bieber and Kid Laroi – 3.55B streams, $19.8M earned
9. “Perfect,” Ed Sheeran – 3.43B streams, $19.1M earned
10. “Heat Waves,” Glass Animals – 3.38B streams, $18.9M earned

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