The Weeknd is the artist with the most monthly listeners on Spotify after beating… himself.

The Weeknd has broken his own record for the most monthly listeners on Spotify, following his latest music video for “Timeless”. Previously, the artist had set the record with 100 million monthly listeners in February 2023. Now, he’s knocked solidified his seat at the top further, with a staggering 120.5 million listeners.

Taylor Swift recently joined The Weeknd as the only other artist with over 100 million monthly listeners on the streaming platform, with Billie Eilish quickly catching up. The Weeknd’s “Timeless”, with Playboi Carti, and produced by Pharrell, is likely responsible for this extra hike in listeners. Additionally, the star’s latest single “Dancing in the Flames” has gone down well with fans, who are eagerly anticipating his upcoming album, “Hurry Up Tomorrow”.


“Timeless” debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and ranked as the most-streamed track for the week. This marks the highest debut of his career and his 19th Top 10 hit. For Playboi Carti, who is featured on the song, it is his fifth Top 10 entry. The duo first performed the track live in Brazil, and after its official release on September 27th, the song earned over 10 million streams within its first day across streaming platforms.

While the dizzyingly high streaming success of The Weeknd may seem out of reach for most (industry insights suggest indie artists are not served by DSPs, but don’t be disheartened!), there are some notes that independent artists can take. The collaboration between The Weeknd and Playboi Carti demonstrates the power of teaming up. By partnering with other musicians, even those in different genres, artists can tap into new fanbases and create fresh sounds. Joint projects, whether with local acts or more established names, offer opportunities for growth and exposure that go beyond solo releases. Building a network of collaborators can open doors to new creative ventures and expand your reach as an artist.

This story also highlights the importance of hyping new releases through live performances. By performing “Timeless” in front of a massive crowd in Brazil, anticipation and momentum was generated, leading up to the official release. Independent artists can use a similar approach by debuting unreleased tracks during live shows or sharing exclusive sneak peeks with their audience. This can generate buzz and give fans a reason to engage with the song when it hits streaming platforms.