In celebration of this year’s National Album Day, PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) has released a list of the most played female artists of the 21st century. The report is based on airplay data and music usage from UK radio stations and TV channels. The US pop star Pink hit the number one spot and beats off the competition of other female artists like Adele, Madonna or Rihanna.
To celebrate @AlbumDayUK, which this year is spotlighting women , we have compiled a chart of the most played female artist of the 21st Century in the UK using PPL airplay data. Huge congratulations to @Pink who reached the top spot. #NationalAlbumDay pic.twitter.com/Km3xA6Crb3
— PPL (@PPLUK) October 11, 2021
Pink whose career began in 1995 earned three UK No1 singles for “Lady Marmalade” in 2001, “Just Little Pill” in 2022 and “So What” in 2008. She also had three No 1 Albums with Funhouse (2008), Beautiful Trauma (2017) and Hurts 2B Human (2019). She had many more Top 10 over the two decades of her career. Pink’s best selling single in the UK was “Just Give Me A Reason” from 2013, which gathered 1.6 million chart sales.
Within the Top 20 most played female artists, more than a third are British musicians with Adele and Little Mix hitting the top ten.
Chief Executive Officer of PPL Peter Leatham commented: “National Album Day is a fantastic platform to showcase the importance of the album format and PPL is proud to be part of the celebrations this year with our chart of the century’s most-played female artists“.
“This chart brings together an incredible array of talent who have recorded some of the UK’s favourite music, including a number of the biggest and most influential albums of all time“.
The fourth edition of the National Album Day will take place on 16th October and honours the art of the album. “This year, it will spotlight women artists and their huge contribution to music and culture through the format”. It will be presented alongside BBC Sounds and Bowers & Wilkins.
To celebrate #NationalAlbumDay, there’ll be 40+ releases available exclusively on Sat 16th Oct including @NinaSimoneMusic, @solangeknowles, @amywinehouse, @garbage, @MariahCarey, @didoofficial, @roisinmurphy & more Find all the releases here >> https://t.co/k78msmq51x pic.twitter.com/wbuConFUBM — National Album Day (@AlbumDayUK) August 17, 2021
Kylie Minogue who also reached the top 10 on the list has been recently announced as National Album Day ambassador. Minogue replied to the news: “I’m so proud to be a part of National Album Day alongside such amazing, inspirational female artists!”. “It’s mind-blowing to me and I’m so touched to know my music is continuing to be enjoyed by so many people!” she continues.
I’m so proud to be a part of National Album Day alongside such amazing, inspirational female artists! https://t.co/ke0DncmTJi
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) October 1, 2021
Minogue also celebrates the anniversary edition of her album from 2001, Fever which will be released in multiple formats. The reissue of the album will be available on 15th October in the UK and Australia, and 19th November for the rest of the world. It can be pre-ordered here.
The full Top 20 most played female artists of the 21st century are as follows:
1. P!nk
2. Madonna
3. Katy Perry
4. Rihanna
5. Lady Gaga
6. Adele
7. Beyoncé
8. Kylie Minogue
9. Little Mix
10. Whitney Houston
11. Taylor Swift
12. Sugababes
13. Kelly Clarkson
14. Dua Lipa
15. Ellie Goulding
16. Christina Aguilera
17. Diana Ross
18. Jess Glynne
19. Rita Ora
20. Ariana Grande
