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'Put the crown on': The Weeknd breaks two Guinness records, claims world's most popular artist title

The Weeknd's 'Blinding Lights' is the biggest single ever with most Spotify streams and spending 90 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The Weeknd has broken two new records on Spotify, cementing his position as the world's most popular artist. The Guinness World Records announced the title on Monday, March 20, after studying Spotify data, but the internet community doesn't necessarily agree with the title, naming other artists who appear to be more well-known than the 'Blinding Lights' singer.

The Weeknd smashed two records on Spotify: the first was for the most monthly listeners in Spotify history, surpassing the 111 million barrier, and the second was for the first artist to surpass the 100 million monthly listeners' mark generally. He recently surpassed Michael Jackson as the only performer with multiple No. 1 hits from three of his albums with the release of his recently released 'Die For You' (remix) with Ariana Grande. The song 'Blinding Lights' from 2020 is also the biggest single ever, garnering the most Spotify streams and spending a total of 90 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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'You gotta always give credit where it's due'

Swae Lee of Rae Sremmurd believed that The Weeknd had earned the title long before it was recognised by Guinness World Records. He stated, "He has one of the best voices ever known to music and he can sing like that... his live performance is incredible," according to TMZ.

Lee stated, "He should have more. He deserves 600 million. I think he's incredible in this day and age, like, it's very fitting man. Put the crown on." When asked what he would reply to those who believe that since MJ is the only King of Pop, the title cannot be passed on after him. "You gotta always give credit where it's due," said Lee, acknowledging that MJ is the 'King of Pop'.

'Nobody knows bro in Africa'

Several of The Weeknd's supporters cheered him on for his accomplishment after learning that the artist had broken records. One fan wrote, "They're right, hes carrying the music industry." Another fan wrote, "Ugh i love him so much." A third fan wrote, "Indeed. Most popular artist of 20s decade so far." 

The majority of users on the internet, however, mocked the singer of 'Starboy' for being the most well-known person in the world. One person wrote, "I ain't never heard nobody say 'aye play that new the weeknd real quick' someone's lying." Another person wrote, "It's funny Guinness used Spotify on naming the most popular musician in the world... that's ridiculous."

A third person wrote, "Damn, now imagine if Spotify or social media existed when Michael was in his prime, that'd be beautiful." This other person wrote, "The Weeknd is NOT more popular than Beyoncé, Michael Jackson, Taylor Swift, or Madonna!"

"Should've just given him 'most popular artist on Spotify' or something," another person wrote. "You mean Saturdays and Sundays right, cos that’s the only weekend people are more familiar to," one person sarcastically wrote. "Nobody knows bro in Africa," this other person tweeted.

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online