Brits Billion Award Explained

BRIT Billion Award
Awarded For:Achievement of over 1 billion digital streams in the UK
Country:United Kingdom (UK)
Presenter:British Phonographic Industry (BPI)
Year:2023
Holder:Various (see Recipients)

The BRIT Billion Award is a special award given by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) to artist who have achieved over one billion digital streams in the United Kingdom. An extension of the BPI's music certification system, the number of streams is verified using data calculated by the Official Charts Company and is the first time in the fifty-year history of the system that an artist's combined success over multiple projects has been recognized as a collective total. The one billion career streams include tracks where the artist is the primary performer, as well as tracks where they appear as a featured artist.[1] [2]

The award was established in 2023 and first presented on May 4, 2023, to thirteen artists. To date, thirty-two recipients have received the BRIT Billion Award. The most recent recipient is KSI, who was presented with the award in November 2024. At 20 years old, Olivia Rodrigo is the youngest recipient. Ed Sheeran is the first (and only) artist to be awarded the gold version of the award for reaching ten billion streams. James Bay received his Brit Billion on October 8, 2024 as well.

Creation

The award was created to reflect the growing importance of streaming in the UK. In a statement announcing the initial recipients, Sophie Jones, Chief Executive of the BPI, explained: "for a recording artist, there can be few greater sources of pride than having a Platinum or Gold disc on their wall, but in an era when success in measured in the hundreds of millions and indeed billions of streams, it was clear that we needed a new and additional way to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement in recorded music, and I feel certain that having a BRIT Billion Award will become equally prized."[3]

The trophy itself is manufactured by Gaudio Awards in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire.[4]

Recipients

Image! width="250"
RecipientCountry of OriginRef.
4 May 2023ABBA[5]
AJ Tracey
Anne-Marie
Coldplay
Ellie Goulding
George Ezra
Headie One
Mariah Carey
Lewis Capaldi
Raye
Rita Ora
Whitney Houston
26 May 2023James Arthur[6]
4 June 2023Years & Years[7]
11 June 2023Becky Hill[8]
5 July 2023Clean Bandit
9 July 2023Lana Del Rey[9]
20 July 2023Queen[10]
30 July 2023Wizkid[11]
16 August 2023Olivia Rodrigo[12]
29 August 2023Billie Eilish[13]
28 SeptemberZara Larsson
4 October 2023Ed Sheeran
30 October 2023The Rolling Stones
1 December 2023Ella Henderson
13 December 2023Joel Corry
27 April 2024Jess Glynne
16 May 2024Mabel[14]
16 July 2024Burna Boy[15]
Camila Cabello[16]
24 July 2024Eminem[17]
5 November 2024KSI[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BRIT Billion is the landmark Award from the BRIT Certified scheme, celebrating a total of one billion UK streams.. Brits.com. 4 May 2023. 10 June 2023.
  2. Web site: BPI to launch BRIT Billion award in new landmark for BRIT Certified scheme. BBC News. 19 December 2022. Liam. Koneman. 10 June 2023.
  3. Web site: Lewis Capaldi, Mariah Carey and more honoured with new BRIT Billion award. Official Charts Company. 4 May 2023. Carl. Smith. 10 June 2023.
  4. Web site: BRIT Billion awards being made in Gloucestershire. BBC News. 29 May 2023. Dan. Ayers. 10 June 2023.
  5. Web site: Lewis Capaldi, ABBA and Ellie Goulding among recipients of inaugural BRIT Billion award. Evening Standard. 4 May 2023. Escher. Walcott. 10 June 2023.
  6. Web site: James Arthur receives BRIT Billion Award live on BBC’s The One Show. Brits.com. 26 May 2023. 10 June 2023.
  7. Web site: Olly Alexander receives a BRIT Billion Award for Years & Years at Mighty Hoopla. Brits.com. 8 June 2023. 10 June 2023.
  8. Web site: Becky Hill receives BRIT Billion Award at Manchester’s Parklife Festival. Brits.com. 15 June 2023. 24 June 2023.
  9. Web site: Presented with her BRIT Billion Award ahead of her headline show at @BSTHydePark on the weekend, Lana Del Rey is the latest artist to celebrate one billion UK streams! . BRIT Awards . Twitter . July 13, 2023 . July 13, 2023 .
  10. Web site: Queen Receives Brit Billion Award for Streaming Milestone: ‘We Are Still Around and We Hope to Entertain You a Little’. Variety. 9 August 2023.
  11. Web site: WIZKID BAGS BRIT BILLION AWARD FOR 1B STREAMS. The Guardian. 9 August 2023.
  12. Web site: Olivia Rodrigo becomes youngest act to receive Brit Billion Award . STV News. 18 August 2023.
  13. Web site: Billie Eilish Receives BRIT Billion Award . Billboard. 30 August 2023.
  14. Web site: x.com . 2024-05-21 . X (formerly Twitter).
  15. Web site: Burna Boy receives plaque for historic 2 billion UK streams. 2024-07-16 . Pulse.ng).
  16. Web site: Camila Cabello joins the BRIT Billions club . 2024-07-19 . KS95 94.5FM.
  17. Web site: Eminem Tops 7 Billion U.K. Streams, Receives Brit Billion Award . 2024-07-24 . Billboard.
  18. Web site: [File:KSI2019.jpg/ KSI presented with BRIT Billion Award ]. 2024-11-16 . Inkl.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Brits Billion Award".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2025, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.