In a year marked by significant milestones, Taylor Swift emerged as the most-streamed artist globally, achieving unprecedented success across various platforms. Despite the intense rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake that captivated the R&B scene, Swift's dominance remained unchallenged. Her latest album release and record-breaking tour solidified her status as the wealthiest female musician. Meanwhile, the feud between Lamar and Drake generated substantial financial gains for both artists, with Lamar's diss tracks leading the charts.

Swift's Unparalleled Streaming Success

Taylor Swift's influence on the music industry reached new heights in 2024. She was crowned the top global artist on Spotify, boasting over 26.6 billion streams worldwide. Additionally, she secured the number one spot on Apple Music's streamed artist list. Swift's achievements extended beyond streaming platforms, as she topped Billboard's top artists of 2024 list for the fourth time, driven by her performance on the Billboard 200 albums chart and Hot 100 songs chart, alongside her successful touring activities.

The year saw Swift release a 31-song album, which further fueled her streaming numbers. Her Eras Tour became the highest-grossing tour in history, generating over $2 billion. This monumental success propelled Swift to become the world's richest female musician, surpassing Rihanna. Her unparalleled popularity and consistent output have made her an unstoppable force in the music industry, cementing her legacy as a cultural icon.

R&B Feud Generates Financial Windfall

The feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake dominated the R&B world, resulting in significant financial gains for both artists. Lamar's "Not Like Us," a diss track targeting Drake, became the most-streamed song on Apple Music. The conflict also led to other chart-topping hits, such as Benson Boone's "Beautiful Things" and Sabrina Carpenter's "Espresso." Despite the drama, the feud contributed positively to their careers, with Lamar emerging as the financial winner.

Lamar's "Not Like Us" generated approximately $7.6 million in revenue from streaming, sales, and publishing. His collaboration with Future and Metro Boomin, "Like That," brought in around $4.6 million. In contrast, Drake's diss tracks "Family Matters" and "Push Ups" each earned nearly $1 million. While Drake outsold Lamar in album units, the feud collectively amassed $15.4 million across platforms. This financial windfall underscores the impact of public disputes on artist earnings and highlights the competitive nature of the music industry.