Late pop icon Michael Jackson has surged to the number one spot on global digital artist rankings, surpassing Justin Bieber, according to data from multiple streaming chart aggregators monitoring worldwide music consumption.
The jump in rankings comes amid a wave of renewed interest in Jackson’s catalogue, sparked by the release of the biographical film MICHAEL.
The film has driven a significant spike in streams across major platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Shazam.
Industry tracking figures indicate a sharp increase in global listening numbers for Jackson’s music since the film’s debut, with millions of additional streams recorded within a short timeframe.
The resurgence has also pushed several of his classic songs back onto international music charts.
Consequently, Michael Jackson now occupies the top position in combined global digital artist rankings, while Justin Bieber has dropped to second place.
Analysts say the strong reception of the MICHAEL biopic has reignited interest in Jackson’s legacy, fuelling what they describe as a broader surge in streaming activity following the film’s release.
