Japan's Arashi Had World's Top Album in 2019
A 20th anniversary album of hit singles by Japanese boy band Arashi was the world's best-selling album in 2019. This is the first time a Japanese band has had the world's top-selling album.
The album 5x20 All the Best!! 1999-2019 was released in June. Including both physical and digital albums, it sold 3.3 million copies, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). Streaming was not counted.
"Arashi are an iconic Japanese band," said Frances Moore of the IFPI. Formed in 1999, Arashi have been chosen as the Artist of the Year by the Recording Industry Association of Japan a record six times, most recently in 2019. In November, they were also chosen to perform for Japan's new emperor.
The Recording Industry Association of Japan said that more than 2.7 million copies of Arashi's album were shipped in Japan.
Taylor Swift's album Lover was the next best-selling album of 2019, selling 3.2 million copies — 3 million in its first week.
South Korean boy band BTS was third with Map of the Soul Persona, which sold 2.5 million copies. BTS' album was the best-selling album of all time in South Korea, and it was also number one in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and the US – the first time a South Korean band was number one in each of those countries.
Fourth was Lady Gaga, with 1.2 million copies of the A Star Is Born soundtrack. Fifth was Billie Eilish, with 1.2 million copies of When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
However, based on all formats including streaming, Taylor Swift was the world's best-selling musician of 2019 – her second time, since she was also the best-selling musician of 2014. Frances Moore of IFPI called her "a truly global star."
