Adele continues to dominate the music industry as she is named the 'most popular act in the world' after winning IFPI award

Since she came out of hiatus with her third album, 25, in November she has single-handedly broken records and dominated the music industry.

And as befitting such a career high, Adele has been named 2015's most popular recording artist in the world by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

Topping the music industry trade body's chart of the ten most popular musical acts, the 27-year-old singer beat the likes Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber to the number one spot.

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Global domination: Adele has been named 2015's most popular recording artist in the world by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)

Global domination: Adele has been named 2015's most popular recording artist in the world by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)

The London-born Hello singer has been awarded the IFPI Global Recording Artist Of The Year Award, after bagging the number one spot on the body's list of the most popular acts in the world.

Determined by an artist's worldwide popularity across physical formats, downloads and streams, Adele's place was secured and driven by her smash No.1 hit, Hello. 

The track, which was the the lead single off of 25, was number one in more than 30 countries worldwide, including the US, Germany, France, Italy, Australia and the UK. 

See more of the latest news on Adele as she's named 'most popular act in the world' 

The best in the world: Topping the music industry trade body's chart of the ten most popular musical acts, the 27-year-old singer beat the likes Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber to the number one spot

The best in the world: Topping the music industry trade body's chart of the ten most popular musical acts, the 27-year-old singer beat the likes Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber to the number one spot

Another award: The London-born Hello singer has been awarded the IFPI Global Recording Artist Of The Year Award, after bagging the number one spot on the body's list of the most popular artists in the world

Another award: The London-born Hello singer has been awarded the IFPI Global Recording Artist Of The Year Award, after bagging the number one spot on the body's list of the most popular artists in the world

And following hot on the heels of its success was the album itself, which has notched up worldwide sales of over 15 million since its release in November. 

But the singer is not alone in championing British music globally, as other UK acts in the top 10 include Ed Sheeran, One Direction, Coldplay and Sam Smith.

And Give Me Love singer Ed gave Adele a run for her money as he took second place, one up from the third spot he occupied on the 2014 ranking.

The Brits are coming! The singer is not alone in championing British music, as other UK acts in the top 10 include Ed Sheeran at number two, One Direction at five, Coldplay at six, and Sam Smith at number eight

The Brits are coming! The singer is not alone in championing British music, as other UK acts in the top 10 include Ed Sheeran at number two, One Direction at five, Coldplay at six, and Sam Smith at number eight

The 24-year-old singer, who released his second studio album x in June 2014, sold out Wembley stadium on three consecutive nights last summer. 

IFPI'S TOP 10 GLOBAL RECORDING ARTIST OF 2015 

1 - Adele

2 - Ed Sheeran

3 - Taylor Swift

4 - Justin Bieber

5 - One Direction

6 - Coldplay

7 - Maroon 5

8 - Sam Smith

9 - Drake

10 - The Weeknd 

 

Meanwhile Taylor Swift's global success with 1989, her fifth studio album, earned her third place - falling just short of her BFF Ed in the chart.

A short drop from the number one spot she bagged in last years poll to secure the 2014 IFPI Global Recording Artist gong. 

And following hot on their heels were Justin Bieber in fourth spot and One Direction (recipients of the 2013 Global Recording Artist award) were placed fifth.

Meanwhile Coldplay ranked a commendable sixth place, while Sam Smith achieved number eight in the proceedings thanks to his global success off of the back of 2014's In The Lonely Hour.

IFPI's Global Recording Artist award and top 10 chart is the only ranking to accurately capture the popularity of artists across streaming channels, alongside digital and physical album and singles sales on a global basis. 

The bronze medal: Meanwhile the winner of the 2014 award, Taylor Swift, came in a respectable third following the global success of 1989, her fifth studio album - falling just short of her BFF Ed in the chart

The bronze medal: Meanwhile the winner of the 2014 award, Taylor Swift, came in a respectable third following the global success of 1989, her fifth studio album - falling just short of her BFF Ed in the chart

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