If 2020 became the year when the world was turned upside down, 2021 was also the year we grew acclimated to seeing things the wrong way. People all across the world began to embrace the unknown, championing all or most-streamed artist that make every one of us unique as a result of “normal” being tossed out the window.
Spotify’s 2021 Wrapped embraces this concept—the millions of strange and delightful ways to listen to music and live in a world that never ceases to surprise us. Today, we’re revealing the top artists, albums, songs, podcasts, and many more that characterised how much more than 381 million people across the world listened to it and found audio in the year that went from “unprecedented” to “precedented.”
Wrapped, as always, lets us think on the importance of audio in our listeners’ lives—and how our favourite creators partly inspired the world surrounding.
Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican reggaeton musician, has won the title of most-streamed artist on Spotify for such second year in a row. Furthermore, despite not releasing a new album this year, he has gotten over 9.1 billion streams. Taylor Swift, whose Red (Taylor’s Version) provided old and the new fans equally a cause to experience the artist’s early pioneering work, came in second. BTS rounds out the top three for 2021. Thanks to their track “Butter,” the worldwide popular k-pop trio enjoyed a breakout year.
Drake, who released Certified Lover Boy in September, as well as Justin Bieber, whose 2021 album Justice includes collaborations with musicians from all around the world, are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.
Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers licence,” which has over 1.1 billion listens, is perhaps the most popular song in the world in 2021. The viral hit “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X has climbed to second place, announcing the artist’s debut studio album. With his Justin Bieber duet “STAY,” Kid LAROI makes his first appearance in the top ten. Olivia Rodrigo is back in fourth place, this time with “good 4 u,” which was also named Spotify Song of the Summer in 2021.
When it comes to choosing the best albums of 2021, Olivia Rodrigo reigns supreme—her debut album SOUR has a sweeter taste to it. Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa comes in second, followed by Justin Bieber’s Justice, Ed Sheeran’s ÷, as well as Doja Cat’s Planet Her in third, fourth, as well as fifth, respectively.
The top songs, artists, albums, as well as podcasts were not the first items we discovered when we examined at Spotify trends in 2021. We learnt about the moments that brought listeners together—as well as the moments that stood out now for their distinctiveness.
Also Read: Who is the most viewed female artist on YouTube 2021?
