As the year wraps up, Spotify’s annual Wrapped feature highlights the songs and artists that defined 2024 for listeners worldwide. From chart-topping hits to viral sensations, music fans had plenty to talk about.
“The world has not had a true iron-beast superstar for the past few years. Many of the songs on the list were propelled up by hype and inflated by social media,” said Reese Zhou (‘26).
The Year’s Top Songs
Starting the year strong, Jack Harlow’s Lovin’ on Me was a major hit during January and February. The song grew from 233,446,883 Spotify playlists at the start of January to 242,670,161 playlists by the end of February.
In March, Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ’Em dominated the Billboard charts, becoming her ninth solo number-one single and her 27th to make the top 10.
April saw the rise of Like That, a collaboration between Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar. Released on March 26, the song quickly gained traction, topping charts within a month.
Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s collaboration, I Had Some Help, took over during May and June. According to music analyst Hugh McIntyre, the track sold over 69,000 units in its first tracking period, securing its place atop the Country Digital Song Sales chart.
Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us, a response to a high-profile rap battle with Drake, became the chart leader in July. The track fueled interest in the genre, raking in millions in revenue while stirring up fan conversations.
From August to November, Shaboozey’s A Bar Song held an impressive four-month reign at the top of the charts. Its collaborative energy struck a chord with listeners.
“I think the more energy and the more people you put on a song, the more it’s felt, adding to the recording session,” said Shaboozey.
As of December, Kendrick Lamar’s Squabble Up sits atop the charts. However, Mariah Carey’s holiday classic, All I Want for Christmas Is You, is making its annual resurgence. In just two months, it has more than doubled its Spotify playlist reach, threatening Lamar’s spot.
“It feels like Mariah Carey just found an infinite money glitch or something. She doesn’t have to work a day in her life because every year, when Christmas rolls around, she gets that check,” said Zhou.
Reflecting on Music Tastes
With the release of Spotify Wrapped, students have the chance to reflect on their personal music journeys throughout the year. From viral hits to nostalgic holiday anthems, 2024 was another dynamic year for music fans everywhere.
