On October 14th, 2022, Drake became the first artist in the world to reach 50 billion streams on Spotify. Celebrating the mind-blowing record in typical Drake fashion (over-the-top and extravagant), the Toronto-based rapper teamed up with soccer team FC Barcelona to celebrate.
FC Barcelona wore the OVO Sound logo (Drake’s record label) on the front of their jerseys during the El Clásico game vs. Real Madrid that took place on October 16th, 2022.
“To celebrate being the first artist with 50 billion streams on @spotify @FCBarcelona will wear the OVO owl at El Clasico on Sunday – this doesn’t feel real but it is,” Drake wrote in an Instagram caption.
FC Barcelona took a 3-1 loss to Real Madrid on Sunday – but they sure looked hip doing it.
How Exactly Did Drake Surpass 50 Billion Spotify Streams?
If you’re wondering how the Canadian artist managed to surpass 50 billion streams on Spotify, (because that’s a lot of streaming for a planet of 7 billion people), most of Drake’s singles become instant hits.
Here are just a few milestones from his career:
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- His fifth album Scorpion was so popular that seven tracks were in the top 10 list on the Billboard 100 at the same time, surpassing a record previously held by The Beatles since 1964
- He has the most Billboard Music Award wins at 29 awards, from 81 nominations
- In 2021, he joined Ariana Grande and The Beatles as the only acts in history to rule the top 3 positions of the Hot 100 simultaneously in the same week
- His 2018 hit “God’s Plan” broke both Apple Music and Spotify first-day streaming records
It comes as no surprise that the 35-year-old rapper is worth over $150 million. Despite his riches and ability to live anywhere in the world, he’s a proud Canadian and committed to living in his hometown. He made headlines for building a 50,000 sq. ft mega mansion in Toronto’s posh neighborhood Bridle Path, complete with an NBA size basketball court, studio lounge and marble bathroom.
FC Barcelona Wants to ‘Bring Football and Music Together’
This is the first time in history that FC Barcelona has swapped their sponsor’s logo with an artist’s logo. Unfortunately for fans, the jersey is not available for sale.
“One of the main ideas behind the alliance between FC Barcelona and Spotify is to bring football and music together in order to connect with new audiences around the world,” said a statement from FC Barcelona. “As both are capable of bringing people together and exciting fans, for the first time, the men’s football team will enter the pitch for Sunday’s Clásico wearing a jersey featuring the logo of an internationally acclaimed artist – rapper and singer Drake, winner of 4 Grammy awards and the first to surpass 50 billion streams on Spotify – rather than their main partner’s logo.”
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Lead image by Eakrin/Adobe Stock.
