Every Year’s #1 Album on Apple Music Since 2016 — Full Breakdown
Apple Music’s yearly global streaming chart reveals how dramatically music consumption has evolved over the past decade, shifting from hip-hop dominance to a more diverse global rotation that includes pop, Latin, country, and alternative sounds. Since 2016, only a handful of artists have consistently shaped the streaming landscape at its highest level.
Below is a detailed breakdown of Apple Music’s #1 most streamed albums globally each year (2016–2025) and the impact behind each project.
2016 — Drake | Views
Canadian superstar Drake kicked off the streaming era dominance with Views, an album that perfectly aligned with the rise of Apple Music and playlist-driven listening. Powered by global smashes like One Dance and Controlla, the project wasn’t just commercially successful—it defined how albums could dominate streaming platforms for months.
At this point, Drake was not just a hitmaker; he was shaping how music was released, consumed, and measured globally.
2017 — Drake | More Life
With More Life, Drake pushed the boundaries further, branding the project as a “playlist” rather than a traditional album. It reflected the changing nature of streaming culture, where listeners prioritized continuous flow over rigid album formats.
The project’s global sound—mixing dancehall, grime, R&B, and hip-hop—helped him maintain unmatched international streaming dominance.
2018 — Drake | Scorpion
Scorpion marked a historic peak. With records like God’s Plan, Nice For What, and In My Feelings, Drake achieved one of the most dominant streaming runs ever recorded.
The double album format allowed massive replay value, pushing him to a third consecutive year at #1 and solidifying his early streaming-era legacy.
2019 — Billie Eilish | WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?
Billie Eilish changed the tone entirely in 2019. Her debut album introduced a darker, minimalist pop sound that resonated deeply with Gen Z audiences.
Tracks like bad guy and bury a friend became cultural moments, proving that streaming success was no longer limited to rap or mainstream pop structures. Billie represented a generational shift in global listening behavior.
2020 — Roddy Ricch | Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
Roddy Ricch delivered one of the most explosive breakout years in streaming history. The album’s success was driven by The Box, which became a viral phenomenon across TikTok and streaming platforms.
Roddy Ricch’s win reflected how social media virality had become a major force in determining global streaming success.
2021 — Morgan Wallen | Dangerous: The Double Album
Morgan Wallen marked a turning point for country music in streaming. Dangerous showed that country could dominate globally when packaged with strong storytelling and mass appeal.
Its extended tracklist and consistent streaming performance kept it at the top throughout the year, signaling a genre expansion beyond traditional pop and hip-hop dominance.
2022 — Bad Bunny | Un Verano Sin Ti
Bad Bunny delivered a cultural takeover with Un Verano Sin Ti. The album blended reggaeton, Latin trap, and Caribbean influences into a globally accessible sound.
It wasn’t just a Latin music win—it was a global one, proving non-English albums could dominate worldwide streaming charts at scale.
2023 — Morgan Wallen | One Thing At A Time
Morgan Wallen returned with another massive streaming performance. One Thing At A Time reinforced his consistency and showed how country music had secured a strong and loyal streaming base.
The album’s length and steady rollout strategy helped it maintain dominance over time rather than relying on short-term viral spikes.
2024 — Taylor Swift | THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT
Taylor Swift dominated 2024 with one of the most anticipated releases of the decade. The album broke immediate streaming records upon release and sustained strong global performance due to her massive fanbase and continuous engagement strategy.
Taylor Swift’s success highlights how established global pop acts continue to thrive in the streaming era through direct fan connection and strategic releases.
2025 — Morgan Wallen | I’m The Problem
Morgan Wallen once again topped the chart, becoming one of the few artists to repeatedly dominate Apple Music’s yearly global album rankings.
His continued presence at #1 reflects both his massive U.S. streaming base and the growing international reach of country music as a mainstream streaming force.
Final Takeaway
Across the decade, one thing is clear: streaming dominance is no longer tied to one genre. Hip-hop laid the foundation, pop expanded it, Latin music globalized it, and country music surprised it.
From Drake to Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift, Apple Music’s yearly leaders reflect a constantly evolving global soundscape where multiple genres can now reach the very top.
