[imagesource: Kevin Mazur / The Recording Academy / Getty]

The Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL), which tracks music plays and dishes out royalties to artists, makes a list of the most listened to artists and songs from a given year, and last year’s bests have been revealed.

Ed Sheeran has held the title of the UK’s most listened to artist since 2017, but he’s been booted as a result of ‘New Rules’.

Per Sky News, Dua Lipa’s songs were played more than anyone else’s in the UK last year after her multi-award-winning album Future Nostalgia shot up the charts.

‘New Rules‘ made her famous in 2017, and ever since then, the 25-year-old has been a force to be reckoned with.

She even won critical acclaim during the Grammy Awards and Brit Awards last year.

Dua Lipa was understandably stoked:

“I’m incredibly proud that I was the most played artist on radio, TV and all across the UK. I so wanted Future Nostalgia to bring some happiness during such a difficult time.

“Thanks to everyone who supported it and also to PPL, who do important work in making sure artists and musicians are paid when their music is played.”

Ed Shereen had to settle for second place, having taken a break from making music to take care of his new baby daughter.

Although, the break hasn’t left him completely out of the loop as he apparently has new music coming out pretty soon.

Then there’s an 80’s sounding song that is the landmark track of 2020, which TikTok can be thanked for, too – The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ received the most plays of the year in the UK.

Without further ado, here is the full list of the UK’s most listened to artists and songs for 2020:

The most-played artists of 2020:

1. Dua Lipa

2. Ed Sheeran

3. Ariana Grande

4. Sam Smith

5. Calvin Harris

6. Little Mix

7. Coldplay

8. Justin Bieber

9. Maroon 5

10. The Weeknd

The most-played tracks of 2020

1. ‘Blinding Lights’ – The Weeknd

2. ‘Don’t Start Now’ – Dua Lipa

3. ‘Higher Love’ – Kygo and Whitney Houston

4. ‘Dance Monkey’ – Tones and I

5. ‘Adore You’ – Harry Styles

6. ‘Before You Go’ – Lewis Capaldi

7. ‘Physical’ – Dua Lipa

8. ‘Memories’ – Maroon 5

9. ‘This Is Real’ – Jax Jones and Ella Henderson

10. ‘Rain On Me’ – Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande

[source:skynews]