As 2023 comes to a close, numerous artists are highlighted across the globe. Music platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music are promoting their rankings, and sites such as Billboard are analyzing listening patterns and trends. Their data may be the key to uncovering which artists made it to the top this year.
Spotify runs an annual campaign that details top artists, genres, and listening trends. First on their list is Taylor Swift, a singer whose music moves between country, pop, and indie genres. Swift’s ability to reinvent herself and her sound continually resonates with a wide audience, consisting of both women and men. Her accomplishment this year can be attributed to the size of her fanbase and supported by the success of her ERAS tour. Additionally, Billboard’s “Top Artists” chart also placed Taylor at number one.
Following her is Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican singer and rapper, who has been instrumental in bringing Latin trap, a subgenre of Latin hip-hop music that originated in Puerto Rico, and reggaeton to a broader audience. He has increased in popularity since 2016 following his song “Soy Peor,” which showcased his unique style and stood out in the music industry. The timing of the song’s release coincided with the increasing use of social media and streaming platforms, and therefore the song reached a global audience quickly. Following the success of “Soy Peor,” Bad Bunny collaborated with other well-known artists, such as Drake and Cardi B, further boosting his popularity.
Even if Billboard charts may not agree, placing him at fifteen, fans of Bad Bunny were excited to see their favorite artist recognized. Some even feel that he should have dethroned Taylor Swift.
“I feel as if it’s unfair that Bad Bunny lost to Taylor Swift. The overall music of Bad Bunny was definitely better than Taylor, who plays relatively the same songs. Her album is only number one from her tours and advertising of the album. He definitely should have gotten number one,’’ said senior Mm Chowdhury.
The Weeknd stands at third place. The Weeknd’s music is typically alternative R&B and its lyrical depth has been a main feature, ensuring a steady stream of listeners. Drake also placed on Spotify’s Top Ten Artists list, labeled as number four. For decades, he has maintained a strong presence on popularity charts with his blend of rap and R&B music. Billboard agrees with Spotify’s placement, also ranking the singer in fourth, right behind SZA, who was placed at eight by Spotify.
“SZA should be around the top instead of eighth place, Travis Scott too. I don’t understand why Taylor Swift is at the top. I understand she’s a good artist, but I feel that people don’t listen to her as much as SZA, or Travis Scott … This is utterly ridiculous,’’ said sophomore Viesha Wooten.
The fifth Spotify entry is an artist who contributed to the Latin music surge. Peso Pluma stands in fifth place. Peso Pluma’s style is characterized by corridos tumbados, a music genre that combines traditional corridos, or ballads, with urban music. The artist himself likes to call his music “Regional Urban.” Although not as highly recognized by the Billboard, he still manages to snag 12th in their charts.
In an interview by Harper’s Bazaar, Peso Pluma expressed his excitement at being placed so high. He said, “Going global was always the main priority … I wanted my music to be heard all over the world, and I think that’s happening little by little.”
Despite alternating views on the artists, ranking on top in a sea of millions is an admirable feat, regardless of who does the ranking. Spotify and Billboard go on to detail the top ten and top one-hundred artists respectively, and several recognized musicians make an appearance within their charts. With 2023 coming to a close, we wonder, who will come out on top next year?
