Taylor Swift Inherits Adele’s Record: A Historic Year for Music

In 2024, Taylor Swift and Adele—two of the world’s most prominent female artists—have once again dominated the music industry. But this time, Swift is stepping into Adele’s shoes as she surpasses a monumental milestone that was once held by the legendary British singer. According to Luminate, the renowned music data company, Swift’s album The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD) has officially claimed the title of the most popular album in the United States for 2024, cementing her place in history.

Breaking Records and Setting New Standards

Released on May 4, 2024, TTPD debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, staying at the top for an impressive 17 non-consecutive weeks by December 21, 2024. This achievement places Taylor Swift in the spotlight, but it’s not just another number on the chart—it’s a record that has only been matched by Adele’s 21, which held the No. 1 spot for 24 non-consecutive weeks between 2011 and 2012.

The Tortured Poets Department is a significant milestone for Swift, as it’s the first album by a female artist to end the year at No. 1 on Luminate’s year-end chart since Adele’s 25 in 2015. Swift’s accomplishment also makes her the first artist in Luminate history (dating back to 1991) to have three different albums achieve this prestigious year-end No. 1 ranking, joining Fearless (2009) and 1989 (2014). Before Swift, Adele was the only artist to achieve this feat with two albums: 21 (2011-2012) and 25 (2015).

Massive Sales and Streaming Numbers

In 2024, TTPD achieved a staggering 6.955 million equivalent album units in the U.S. alone. This marks the highest consumption of music in a year since Adele’s 25 sold 8.008 million units back in 2015. Remarkably, half of TTPD’s sales came from traditional album formats, including CDs, vinyl, and digital downloads (3.491 million units), while streaming accounted for 3.434 million units. Additionally, track equivalent albums (TEA) contributed 30,000 units.

Notably, TTPD has also become the most-streamed album of 2024, racking up a monumental 4.490 billion streams across all platforms, further solidifying its massive success. The album’s reach and staying power are undeniable, with the public’s demand for Swift’s latest work growing throughout the year.

A Surprise Expansion and Diverse Releases

The journey of TTPD took an unexpected turn just two hours after its initial release on April 19, 2024, when Swift surprised fans with an expanded edition, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology, featuring 15 new tracks—bringing the total number of songs to 31. Initially available exclusively through digital downloads and streaming platforms, the Anthology version later received physical releases of CDs and vinyl at Target in November 2024, with four additional acoustic tracks.

The album’s varied formats played a key role in maintaining its relevance throughout the year. With over 40 different versions of TTPD released across the U.S., including physical formats like vinyl, cassettes, and digital downloads, it’s no wonder the album maintained its high demand throughout 2024. Furthermore, 10 songs from TTPD landed in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, with Fortnight (ft. Post Malone) clinching the No. 1 spot.

Other Top Performers of 2024

Although Taylor Swift dominated 2024, she wasn’t the only artist to have an outstanding year. The Luminate Year-End Top 10 for albums also featured heavy-hitters like Morgan Wallen, Sabrina Carpenter, SZA, Billie Eilish, Noah Kahan, Chappell Roan, Zach Bryan, Future, and Metro Boomin, each contributing to the diverse music landscape of 2024.

As Taylor Swift continues to break records and push the boundaries of success in the music industry, it’s clear that 2024 has been another remarkable year for her—and a year that sees her stepping into the very same territory previously claimed by Adele. For both of these powerhouse artists, the future looks incredibly bright.