Diddy has admitted to Billboard that he is “a 26-year-old in a 53-year-old body.” With his current partnership with Yung Miami, the couple offer a summer club banger that relies on City Boy and Baddie culture. “If you look good: Act Bad,” encourages Yung Miami of the City Girls, with her sister-in-crime, JT, offering a complimentary verse. Fabolous also lends a helping hand, rounding out the New York City power of Diddy. It’s an anthem to pop bottles and twerk to, with the handclaps mirroring the sounds of a wild party. Maybe like the same ones Diddy is notorious for throwing.

Although her holiday anthem was released in 1994, social media virality has helped the song reach the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 every year since 2019. At this point, it’s a running gag that after Halloween, Mariah Carey “thaws out” yelling “It’s [X-Mas] Time.” In 2023 particularly, the festivities for the song began during the summer– where even the chanteuse had to tell fans to wait a little longer. Even though she faced stiff competition from Brenda Lee’s 1958 classic, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” “AIWFCIY” ended up breaking the global Spotify record for the most streams in a single day for any song ever released– with a staggering 23 million.

“All My Life” starts with an organ that leads with J. Cole rapping, “Durkio told me that he been on some positive shit.” From there, each rapper exchanges how they try to better themselves and what obstacles they face throughout those challenges. Then comes an unison of kids on the hook: “all my life they've been trying to break me down.” The song fits the energy of Nas’s “I Can,” maybe mirroring how J. Cole is often compared to the legend. As Cole vents his frustrations about media’s take on present hip hop, so does Lil Durk, the lead artist, over a tickering trap hi-hat. The song reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100– instantly becoming one of the most consumed rap songs this year.

“Anti-Hero” is one of Taylor Swift’s biggest hits. Coming as the lead single off her 2022 album, ‘Midnights,’ the song earned over 17.4 million plays on Spotify in the first 24 hours. It remained atop the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks. “Anti-Hero” is a cute number where Swift ridicules herself, her insecurities, and how the media portrays her image. “Hi, it’s me. I’m the problem, it’s me,” she proudly admits in the chorus. Throughout she switches from a folksy-pop alto voice to a mumble vocal that reflects contemplation in the brain. “Anti-Hero” has elements of synthy pop rock bubbly enough to fit adult contemporary stations, but edgy enough to keep her fanbase in tune with her overall narrative. “Anti-Hero” became a rare case for Swift in recent years. It’s a redemption call that became her biggest radio hit since 2018’s “Delicate.”

Kaliii, an up and coming femcee hailing Georgia, garnered attention through Tik Tok, and collabed with multiple superstars such as Latto, Rico Nasty, and Saucy Santana. In 2022, she was featured in the XXL Freshman Class of 2022. Alongside Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, she appears on the Barbie soundtrack. Her song, “Area Codes” made waves particularly because of its schoolgirl music video and the line: “Got a white boy on my roster; He be feeding me pasta and lobster!” The beat is simplistic; almost reminiscent of what Lil Mama accomplished in 2007 with the beat of “Lip Gloss.” The nature is defiant, with a cocky woman speaking over how popping she really is when it comes to how others view her stature.

Lana Del Rey has been in the mainstream game for over ten years thanks to her solidifying her signature “Gangsta Nancy Sinatra” sound. She’s rekindled her own brand of American folklore in the critically acclaimed album ‘Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.’ “A&W” stands out for its two parts: the first being a rumbling folk take on being classified “an American Whore” and the second being an outergalatic trap spin on Nelly’s nursery rhyme borrowing “shimmy shimmy cocoa what” from 2000’s “Country Grammar'' (with fans labeling that portion “Jimmy”). Outlets such as Pitchfork and BBC have named it the No. 1 song of 2023. Plus it’s nominated for Song of the Year at the Grammys.

For most emerging artists who receive instant smash debut success, it’s difficult to follow up with another successful LP and maintain that buzz. Olivia Rodrigo proved that she could avoid the sophomore slump with ‘GUTS,’ a more poignant answer to the nativity expressed on ‘SOUR.’ This go round, Olivia Rodrigo is confident in her own mistakes– with lyrics “seeing you tonight? Is a bad idea right?” assuring her listeners that she knows what’s up. Taking a page from the alternative pop rock of the late ‘90s that became mall-fodder in the 2000’s, Rodrigo offered a number that was both experimentally risky, but rewardingly fun. While ‘GUTS’ contained a plethora of better performing singles such as “Vampire” and “Get Him Back!,” “Bad Idea Right?” made a mark at No. 7 on the Hot 100.

“Barbie World” plays at the end credits of ‘Barbie: The Movie’. Sample heavy on the Aqua song, “Barbie Girl” to a drill beat, “Barbie World” is arguably the most fun track existing on Barbie: The Album. Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice are clearly having fun as they trade banter with one another. “I’m a ten so I pull me a Ken,” Nicki cleverly acknowledges– giving a tease of a plot point that reflects a potential budding romance between Barbie and her male counterpart. “I’m a doll but I still want to party,” sums up the feeling of Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night.” The “Jazzie, Stacie, Nicki,” part nods to the flow and delivery of late drill rapper, Pop Smoke, who Nicki has previously remixed to approval before his passing in 2020. “Pink Barbie Dreamhouse” and “pink Ferrari” line drops add to the world of the signature doll actively being described.

Hyperpop and bubblegum pop would get chilled out in February 2023, with the remix of PinkPantheress’s 2022 song, “Boy’s A Liar.” The song originally bopped for its fusion of B-More Club and Jersey Club, but the addition of Ice Spice helped bolster her international popularity, while giving a “that’s hot” yassification to make it even more of a spunky banger. Upon its release, Ice Spice quickly became the new “It Girl of Rap” proving that she could translate well for pop and rhythmic audiences. The song reached No. 3 on the Global 200 and the Hot 100.

Released in 2022, the remix of “Calm Down” is significant for 2023. What was once an afrobeats song from Nigeria’s Rema turned into a pop force to be reckoned with after Selena Gomez got added to the official remix. “Calm Down” has managed to last over a year in terms of its single longevity. It borderlines afrobeats, pop, some hip hop, and most importantly has a rock quality to it. “Calm Down” is easy, breezy. It discusses a romantic argument where Rema has to tell his love interest to “Calm Down,” before smooth talking. Selena Gomez adds a response that makes her an ultimate seductress. Universal in its message, the song provides a subtle groove that makes one want to dance. “Calm Down” has dominated overall American radio play, while also transcending globally.

Tamar Braxton’s mouth is known to do two things: Get her in trouble, but most importantly deliver a hell of a vocal. Always talented like her sisters (RIP Ms. Traci Braxton), Tamar is known to give a hit that will have her listeners in the feels. “I thought you were the man of my dreams,” croons Braxton over a buzzy sample of SWV’s signature classic “Rain.” While she glides and harmonizes with herself, we can’t help but to think about how blatant the song’s release was– on the count of her simultaneous drama with Kandi Burress who happened to be going back and forth with members from the aforementioned R&B girl group.

At first glance, a blatant sample can seem cringe, but somehow Burna Boy is able to flip Jeremih’s 2008 hit, “Birthday Sex” so well without mentioning a single lyric from the song. Instead the intention is to match his Nigerian diaspora with the American audience the song caters to. But the beauty is, the song is not watered down in the slightest. A hard feat for such a stomper in 2023. The music video salutes Wu-Tang Clan – something that happens through Burna Boy’s LP, ‘I Told Them…’ Reaching No. 143 on the Global 200, the song is also nominated for a Grammy.

Justine Skye has gained more notoriety for her drama in the world of Hollywood and a friendship with the Kardashian-Jenner-Bieber clan, rather than her music. When the starlet first arrived on the scene in 2013, she quickly generated a buzz. “Collide” promised to have potential to be her breakout moment as it was produced by DJ Mustard, one of the hottest producers in 2014. It shied away from the snap-styled hyphy production of Mustard’s usual hits– instead opting for an intergalactic rhythm. Skye herself becomes a force with a mesmerizing delivery of the hook (“it’s all yours if you want it”)– drawing a style from the teen pop&B that first launched Brandy and Monica in the ‘90s. The song came back stronger in 2023 thanks to sped up versions on Tik Tok, with Skye opting to release an EP centered around the pre-hook of ‘Dark Side.’ Her solo version that does not include Tyga ended up charting at No. 126 on the Billboard Global 200.

Metro Boomin made a statement with his album, ‘Heroes & Villains’-- a foreshadowing of his production work on the ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ soundtrack that released in the summer of 2023. The pop appeal of “Creepin’” would come thanks to the sampling of Diddy and Mario Winans’s 2004 hit “I Don’t Wanna Know.” The Weeknd sings the same hook and first verse of that song over the psychedelic trap production of Metro. Winans appears in the background vocals. 21 Savage offers a rap verse over the 2004 hit’s sample of The Fugees who in turn sampled Enya. To round it all out Diddy appears on the official remix.

Back when Taylor Swift released her ‘Lover’ album in 2019, it was quite puzzling why she didn’t select “Cruel Summer” as a single. The song ended up charting as just a track in multiple countries, and the ‘Lover’ era sort of evaporated. Years later, her fans made the song spread on social media, and finally it got serviced to radio– not only becoming a No. 1 song on the Hot 100 and the Global 200, but also the theme song of her record-breaking Eras World Tour. “Cruel Summer” was just one of the many songs that aided Taylor Swift to the position of 2023’s most streamed artist on Spotify. Despite an astronomical amount of releases and singles being promoted to the Swifties, “Cruel Summer” proved to many artists that slow builds and longevity can be more satisfying than instant gratification.

Greta Gerwig, the feminist director of Barbie, mentioned how Dua Lipa “has that ability to write a disco song that's so much fun, but when you actually listen to it, you're like, 'She's sad.'” She referenced the pop artist’s work as “modern, tragic disco hits.” “Dance The Night” serves as the disco song laced with cellos and violins that all the Barbies and Kens dance to. It’s the standard play on the music of ABBA, Donna Summer, and Elton John. It works brilliantly for Dua Lipa’s career trajectory, counting the massive success of her 2020 album, Future Nostalgia. With hits like “Don’t Start Now,” “Levitating,” and “Physical,” Future Nostalgia ushered in the resurgence of post-disco mixed with new aged bubblegum pop. It reignited the oontz oontz music sound of the late ‘70s, early ‘80s, and early 2010s, but for the 2020’s.

When The Weeknd released his 2016 album, ‘Starboy,’ it had been undeniable that he was one of the biggest pop stars in the world. Opting for more pop influences rather than his usual fodder of hip hop influenced R&B, ‘Starboy’ delivered hit after hit. “Die For You” centers around begging and pleading– a central motif of R&B with the composition of a slow jam, electronic orchestra. The heartbreak song was speculated to be about his break up with supermodel, Bella Hadid, eventually charting Top 10 around the globe in 2017. But that wasn’t the end of its success. In 2021, the Canadian star would release an unofficial remix with SZA. Then it gained popularity on Tik Tok, followed by a surprise anniversary drop of the music video. The final ingredient? Ariana Grande being included on the official remix in February 2023, with that version topping charts around the world, including the Billboard Hot 100.

Fueled by Jersey and Baltimore Club, this song made a dent upon being released in December 2022. Sonically it reached heights k-pop has rarely (if at all) experienced. Over time, NewJeans landed at the forefront of k-pop, providing more of an alternative to the highly successful Blackpink, in terms of girl groups. With a backing vapor sound that’s reminiscent of “My Boo,” a ‘96 Miami Bass song that went viral last decade, this song instead gives the context of a group of women riding the fence on whether they should confess their feelings to respective lovers.The song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Global 200.

It took nine years for Hozier to receive his second ever charting single on the Billboard Hot 100– especially after the massive success of “Take Me To Church.” Meshing blue eyed soul with alternative folk rock, the Irish native struck gold with a song inspired by the classic tale of ‘Dante’s Inferno.’ What “Eat Your Young” highlighted is there is still a market for British/Irish skewing soul singing; that alternative rock is on the upswing when fortified by other genres; and that acts like Sam Smith, Madonna, and Doja Cat weren’t the only ones with the concept of hell on their minds.

“Escapism” happens to be one of the best storytelling moments of 2023. Delivered by Raye– as an independent fixture nonetheless– the song doubles as a heartbreak tale and a drunken empowerment chune. There’s an 808 kick drum “pounding at [the] head.” There’s a mystique in the constantly ringing sirens. The song picks up its pace and then slurs like the sloppy night Raye and 070 Shake simultaneously describe. The record is ominous and eerie. It packs a punch with the ques of boom bap rap, early 2000s R&B, and the feminine-abiding qualities of Kanye West’s ‘My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.’ No wonder it smashed on Tik Tok to become Raye’s first No. 1 single in her native UK. “Escapism” is if the late, great Amy Winehouse once again embraced us on Earth to deliver a ‘Back To Black’ ode meant for the clubs.

Luke Combs had a chance of going No. 1 this year with his cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” That song is about a working class woman, trying to escape the cycle of poverty. While Combs does not identify with politics publicly, it is more than likely that disenfranchised blue collar conservatives can appreciate a folk-pop classic that once appealed to listeners in 1988. Comb’s management has stated that due to Combs’s affinity for Chapman’s songwriting, he decided to not change any of the lyrics, even if it complicates the gender of who is singing the song. The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, being blocked by Wallen’s “Last Night.” Due to it reaching No. 1 on the Country Songs chart, Chapman became the first Black woman writer to chart at that summit alone.

The sound meant to induce rioting and mosh pits can be heard throughout Travis Scott’s 2023 album, ‘Utopia.’ Morbid from the very start, Travis Scott yells for his followers “to come outside,” before the repetitive hook of “FE!N” comes on. It borders horrorcore and industrial rap, as Travis Scott has shouted out Kanye West for being an inspiration for ‘Utopia.’ Doused with organs and 808 drum loops, the beat is hyperactive with the additional clinks of a cowbell. Meant to sound like an acid trip, the beat induces head bobbing and mosh-styled jumping. Playboi Carti brings his signature mumble, as he hypes up the beat and draws on the chaos. It discusses fame, the fear of peaking at a prime, drugs, and hoes. There are additional vocals from Sheck Wes, who is mostly known for his 2018 hit, “Mo Bamba.” The song became the highest Billboard Hot 100 entry for Carti.

As the lead single off her eighth studio album, ‘Endless Summer Vacation,’ “Flowers” smashed beyond measure. It remained almost unstoppable at the top of 2023, adamantly carrying on into the second quarter of the fiscal year, through the summer, and into the fall and winter leading up to its three Grammy nominations for 2024. It’s a rebound song from her ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth, that twists Bruno Mars’s “When I Was Your Man” (a song Hemsworth attributed to her during their on and off again relationship). It’s got an old school rock feel to it, but relies heavily on disco– particularly with the interpolation of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” If anything “Flowers” became a redemption of sorts– akin to the comebacks most pop stars feel after experiencing a wonky period of “flopping” as the stans would say. “Flowers” reached No. 1 in multiple countries– even finishing at No. 1 on the UK and Global 200 year-end charts.

The yearning for an R&B/pop girl group has been persistent for quite some time. There has been a void since Fifth Harmony’s disbandment, with k-pop groups such as Blackpink and NewJeans taking over. Flo’s arrival with “Cardboard Box” instilled some hope last year. “Fly Girl”– which interpolates Missy Elliott’s 2002 smash, “Work It” – finally brought about the upbeat energy fans had craved. “If you a fly girl, get your nails done, get a pedicure,” not only rings as an anthem for girls’ night, but also brings the early Y2K synergy that made contemporary girl groups fire in the first place. It’s a matter of time before Stella Quaresma, Jorja Douglas and Renée Downer start truly smashing from across the pond.

Off the heels of being released from the on-going YSL Rico case (you know, the one involving labelmate and former BFF, Young Thug), Sergio Kitchens, aka Gunna, received the label of being a snitch. For Gunna, the accusations of being called a snitch might have hurt his brand, but instead it seemed that no one cared. The music spoke louder than the gossip, as he rapped confidently “Young Gunna Wunna back, callin’ me splurge.” The type of cloudy trap that gave him his notoriety in the first place seemed to be suffering at the hands of Young Thug and Lil Baby, but for Gunna it turned out to be a different story. The song peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and became one of the most streamed rap songs of the year.

Due to his Las Vegas residency, Usher has catapulted back into the forefront of mainstream music and Pop Culture. And as a result, someone who is nearly three decades into his career, is once again providing hits that stick like grits. “Good, Good” takes a few pages of the early 2000s ATL sound that Usher perfected during his ‘Confessions’ era from 2004. Singing about wishing an ex-lover the best in her future, it’s a modern quiet storm gem that enlists the help of R&B-stan, 21 Savage, and an antagonist response from Summer Walker.

Just as the conversations about “who will save rhythmic pop” continue to come back, a Canadian by the name of Tate McRae seemed to save the day. There are the Taylor Swifts and Olivia Rodrigos who are more based in alternative songwriting, and then there is the crop that ooze the appeal of Britney Spears and a “Dirrty” dancing Christina Aguilera. “Greedy” takes on that sass and confidence, flirting with hints of R&B in the process, and offering a music video with full fledged acrobatics. Some would say this is the style of an absent Ariana Grande, but in actuality it’s the next step for honing in Tate McRae’s sound. The song peaked at No. 1 on the Global 200, as well as the US Pop Radio chart.

After releasing her highly anticipated ‘Renaissance’ in 2022, the next step came the tour. And the tour surely didn’t disappoint, becoming the highest grossing for a female artist of all time. As the clips of her various costume changes went viral, as well as the priceless (or shall we say, pricey…) facial expressions made their rounds on Tik Tok and Twitter, one song stood out the most during the tour. “Heated” might have been released in 2022, but it went so viral that it started charting in the UK in 2023. The song is a celebration of Uncle Johnny– a cherished family costume designer for Bey that died of HIV/AIDS. The song brought about more than cheer to audiences of the ‘Renaissance’ Tour; it signified community. It’s the epicenter of the whole ‘Renaissance’ era that took place in 2023.

Once a Disney star, Coco Jones burst onto the R&B scene from practically out of nowhere. In late 2022 into early 2023, the social media side of criticism raved about her EP, ‘What I Didn’t Tell You,’ embracing her more mature side. In fact, Jones made the transition from child star to bonafide adult singer seem easy, breezy, beautiful… “ICU” is not quite so pretty, as it is drenched in singing in the rain emotion. Before her powerful vocal performance and meaningful win of Best New Artist at the BET Awards, the song already charted on the Billboard Hot 100– a surprise for a more traditional sounding R&B song in this current decade. Her label attempted to add Justin Timberlake to give it more of a mainstream boost, but after that failure, it showed that Jones could truly stand on her own to deliver a hit without all the added fixtures.

Somehow, Bebe Rexha attaches herself to at least one unexpected pop hit a year. With an ear on how to get people raving and dancing, “I’m Good,” borrowed one of the easiest samples of all and managed to flip it into a modernized sensation. An interpolation of Eiffel 65's single "Blue (Da Ba Dee)" from 1998 got the backing of David Guetta, as the two artists reinvigorated a trend of blatant sampling in order to emote the feeling of clubbing all night. The song smashed globally, going No. 2 on the Global 200– carrying from an August 2022 release all the way into 2023.

Clubs were ablaze due to the Jersey Club scene, but this song’s aerodynamic nature helped it lead the pack. Fun is an understatement for describing why the song captivated many— showing that hip hop is the main source of having a good time. Not only is it Uzi’s lyrical charisma that propelled it to the top of rap playlists, but also the viral trend of people “blinking” or “rocking your hips” as the song’s official dance. The song peaked Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is nominated for the Grammy of Best Rap Song.

Weezy is undeniably one of the greatest living rappers of all time. Here he fires off verse after verse on “a beat with a DMX sample.” The sample itself is “Niggaz Done Started Something”— signaling that Wayne won’t let his foot off the gas pedal. It’s been a monumental year for Lil Wayne, who acted as a forefather for the various hip hop celebrations taking place during the genre’s 50th anniversary. The song peaked at No. 66 on the Billboard 200, and even earned a Best Hip Hop nomination at the VMA’s.

Boom bap. Alternative pop. The sultriness of R&B vengeance. Based on the Quentin Tarentino film of the same name, “Kill Bill” is all about the feeling of wanting to “kill my ex.” It’s entrenched in gripping lyricism that was able to rival the commercial power of acts like Taylor Swift, Drake, and The Weeknd (three artists known for getting audiences through the trenches of betrayal and heartbreak). “Kill Bill” thrives off its vulnerability– translating into sing-song catchiness. The martial arts-inspired video gets more attention and acclaim at this point. But it’s a matter of time before the record will get its dues as an advanced earworm that reigned supreme on charts around the globe– including No. 1 placements on the Hot 100, Pop Airplay, and Global 200. “Kill Bill” officially cemented SZA as a global force.

Mexico’s Peso Pluma quickly ros[éd] to the top of the Latin music charts with his incorporation of the country’s regional sounds. “Lady Gaga” is a namedrop ode to a champagne collaboration between the mega-pop star and the liquor brand, Dom Pérignon. Sung completely in Spanish, Pluma with the assistance of Gabito Ballesteros and Junior H, discuss a seductress who only wants the money he earned from a luxurious trap lifestyle. The incorporation of Mariachi music produced by Ballesteros– including its instrumentation of Requinto and Vihuela Mexicano guitars, trumpets, and Tamborita Calentana percussions– has helped the song reach No. 1 in Mexico, and the Top 20 of Billboard’s Global 200. Peso Pluma is credited with bringing an edge and resurgence to corrido music– which are ballads revolving around the Tejano criminal lifestyle.

Morgan Wallen’s biggest hit, “Last Night,” became the first song by a country song by a solo male artist to reach No. 1 on the Hot 100 since Eddie Rabbit’s 1981 hit, “I Love A Rainy Night.” It’s standard country pop that fits in the genre of bro-country. “Last night we let the liquor talk,” sings Wallen. It revolves around a romantic argument, and has a bit of a trap sway. There is a bit of swearing: “You packed your shit and you slammed the door.” Confidentially, Wallen assures his antagonist “no way it was our last night” of ever speaking to one another.

“Like Dat” is JT’s redemption. It features an actual “Baddie,” as JT notes in the lyric, “And I’m a Baddie like Stunna Girl.” That was a nod to the hit Zeus reality show that was birthed from “Bad Girls Club.” If describing the instrumental, the song gives a Casamigos sway with the gondola vibes of Latin America and Mediterranean Europe. Both ladies gloat about how “fly” they are and what they can do in the bedroom to please a man. “Like Dat” is ultimately a song about stunting, which would make sense for someone who calls herself a “Stunna.” If anything, it comes directly from the playbook of Cardi B’s knack of branding her debauchery with what people have witnessed on their TV screens– with the incorporation of actual music capabilities.

Kali Uchis found herself in a new stratosphere in 2021 with the success of her laid back Latin pop&B jam, “telepatía.” She had already been a fixture for casual R&B fans, but that moment solidified her version of psychedelic R&B meets bossa nova could go global. Releasing a stellar R&B album entitled ‘Red Moon In Venus,’ Uchis evokes a twist on neo soul. “Moonlight” – alongside “I Wish You Roses” and her Summer Walker duet, “Deserve Me,” make romantic back and forth hypnotic. “I just wanna get high with my lover,” as she claims on “Moonlight,” sounds sexy and seductive. Enticing enough to give her all the R&B flowers in the world. Kali Uchis is the dark horse to root for come critical award season.

On ‘Jaguar II,’ her standout single, “On My Mama,” debuted at No. 98, becoming Victoria Monét’s second ever charting entry on the Billboard Hot 100. Its sample and interpolation of Chalie Boy’s 2009 street banger, “I Look Good,” adds fuel to its feisty power. There is a smoothness in the way Monét delivers her lines– almost as she’s rapping while singing. “I'm so deep in my bag like a grandma wit' a peppermint,'' salutes Black American culture. To blazing brass horns, she repeats after Chalie Boy, “On my mama, on my hood, I look fly, I look good.” The video itself nods to the culture of HBCU marching bands– taking a page from Beyoncé’s homecoming performance at Coachella (aptly nicknamed “Beychella”).

The release of ‘Padam Padam” indicated the longevity that Kylie Minogue could sustain as a pop force. Referencing a heartbeat over a Eurotechno groove, the song became an instant anthem for gay pride parades. Happening in the middle of a Italo disco renaissance of sorts, the song marked a commercial comeback for Kylie Minogue during a period where acts such as Beyoncé, Madonna, and Nicki Minaj are pushing the limits of what age can bring to the current landscape of pop recording. “Padam Padam” charted worldwide, and garnered much more critical acclaim. The song is also nominated for a Grammy.

Doja Cat reigns supreme with her accomplishments because of her ability to put together a nearly perfect rap song. Take, “Paint The Town Red” for instance. It’s the type of pop rap that sits well with today’s economy. It has a snap bass that harkens to the hyphy music of the West Coast that's been popularized by the likes of E-40, Tyga, and YG. It addresses her controversies in a playful manner. She switches flows, she sings, she puts out striking visuals that have people talking. Most importantly, she avoids the drama of what her peers are doing as best she can. “I don't need a big feature or a new sidekick,” she raps as a result.

Who would have known that Madonna’s most successful song of the 2020’s– four decades into her career– would be one that features go-go music. Featured on the soundtrack of his Hollywood-insight drama ‘The Idol,’ the subject matter of “Popular” is just as it would imply: A tale about a woman who will do anything such as “sell[ing] her soul just to be popular.” Just when it seemed like The Weeknd could possibly run out of ideas to keep his pop ubiquity, he comes with something sonically left field, but also genuinely relevant for his brand. The song became more of a Global Top 20 hit in multiple countries around the world, including Australia, Belgium, and Mexico.

When Cardi B would join the official remix of Latto’s “Put It On Da Floor”-- retitled “Put It On Da Floor Again”-- on June 2, it reignited what transpired in 2018. “Put It On Da Floor Again” had all the ingredients to make for a buzzworthy rap single. “I’m sexy dancing in the house, I feel like Britney Spears,” raps Cardi B with authority. Her inclusion on a song with that much hype felt like a parallel to what she did in 2022 on the remix of GloRilla’s ‘Tomorrow,” aptly titled “Tomorrow 2.” “Tomorrow 2” in itself was speculated to be a diss because of its brutal drill nature sonically. But in 2023, what has become clear in the game of female rap, is that very few can do it alone. Latto and Cardi B debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 with their remix [allegedly] going against Nicki Minaj — while nodding to the late Shawty Lo.

When talking about solo performances, Nicki Minaj has subjectively been killing the game of rap when it comes to 2023. After all, this is “The Queen of Rap '' who came out with “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” which most music media outlets, such as Consequence, XXL, and Exclaim, perceived as a Megan Thee Stallion diss. The latter mentioned “Hot Girl” from Houston, Texas has had her own (unconfirmed) issues with Nicki Minaj. On “Red Ruby,” Minaj raps bars that seem to shed light on said incident. Minaj says lines such as “Married a shooter;” “700 on the horses;” “Dorito bitches mad that they NOT CHOSE” (a line that highlights court transcripts that Meg cooked nachos the night of the shooting); “That .40 cal'll make 'em dance like a go-go” (a line that seemingly references a gun, and the claim that Tory Lanez shouted “dance bitch,” before firing his rounds); and the most infamous dig, “I don’t fuck with horses since Christopher Reeve” (as Meg goes by a stallion horse– the same horse that paralyzed cinema’s Superman). Minaj even interpolates a dancehall classic into the song’s sample, which goes “uh oh” throughout the track.

A peculiar moment happened during the first Republican Presidential debate in Milwaukee on August 23. The first question posed to the eight candidates on the debate stage centered around the No. 1 song of that time, “Rich Men North of Richmond,” by Oliver Anthony Music. Released independently by the Virginia folk musician, “Rich Men North of Richmond,” instantly became viral— topping sales and streaming charts. In the first week that it debuted, the song received 147,000 sales and over 17.5 million streams. It’s a jarring criticism of politicians who work in DC— which is north of Richmond. It quickly garnered criticism for being radical, and using terms that allude to the derogatory, “Welfare queen.” “Lord, we got folks in the street, ain’t got nothin’ to eat/And the obese milkin’ welfare,” yells Oliver Anthony. He criticizes high taxes, and swears throughout, as he sings in the hook, “Cause your dollar ain’t shit!” Although he gave Fox News permission to play a snippet of the song during the live broadcast— and although Florida governor, and 2024 hopeful, Ron DeSantis, answered on “why is this song striking such a nerve”— Anthony claims that it is not a conservative anthem. But Anthony felt the usage was ironic, on the count that the song “[was] written about the people on that stage.” In fact, he has no allegiance to either the Republicans or Democrats currently in office, or those seeking higher positions.

In October 2022, Ayra Starr released a deluxe edition to her 2021 debut album, ‘19 And Dangerous.’ The Nigerian artist started making more international noise upon releasing “Rush” as a single, a month prior. Filled with elements of highlife, the afrobeats song had the consistency of trap&B meets crossover pop music. Due to its success on Spotify, the song reached No. 115 on the Global 200. Furthermore, it’s nominated for a Grammy as well.

Whenever Drake releases a new single he’s bound to face the criticism of whether he’s doing enough or staying stagnant. As his inbetween moment from his collab album, ‘Her Loss’ with 21 Savage, and his latter effort ‘For All The Dogs,’ Drake released a loosie that transitioned him between both stages. “Come and rescue me” he wails on a Nintendocore meets plugg type of beat produced by Lil Yachty. The song caused controversy for sampling Kim Kardashian discussing her divorce from Drake’s arch-nemesis Kanye West. It’s trodden in pettiness and pitifulness– adding to the ever growing archetype of Drake (rather than adding to his character development). The song became a global sleeper hit, instantly debuting at No. 2 on the Hot 100, but actually remaining more relevant in the settings of loungey bars and xanny-pocketed nightclubs alike.

Over the past few years, k-pop’s main superstars have experienced a maturation. Long gone are the days of annoying bubblegum k-pop suited for kids (see: BTS’s “Dynamite”). Now acts like Jung Kook can proudly say “You know night after night, I'll be f*ckin' you right, seven days a week.” Over a tickering UK garage beat, the pop&B song features Latto giving her own raunchy addition. The song went No. 1 globally, marking a feat for Latto as a female rapper. Jung Kook also had his moment, proving he is a valued solo member outside BTS.

A form of cloud rap formed by the Philadelphia production collective, Working On Dying. The genre was coined by their collaborator, Bootychaaain. The genre often uses heavy synthesizers, reverb, and a lethargic rapping sound about drugs and the hustle. Emerging rapper, Yeat, best delivered the style on his 2023 album, ‘Afterlyfe.’ Yeat and NBA Youngboy continue to rule streaming platforms such as YouTube. At first emerging rappers in the new generation of hip hop, both have managed to obtain Top 5 Billboard 200 albums. At the end of 2022, NBA Youngboy revealed on Amazon’s Amp radio platform that Yeat was in his list of current top five rappers. The duo would collaborate on a turbo-driven, slurred track called “Shmunk.” The song has the reverb and echo of the Philadelphian Soundcloud genre, tread. Both rappers define the meaning of “shmunk,” which means a fast-paced, hedonistic, lifestyle full of no regrets.

ourted by the attention of male figures in hip hop such as Drake and Lil Yachty, Sexyy Red would lean further into her solo success with “SkeeYee.” Billboard dedicated an article to that success, claiming “It’s the Summer of Sexyy Red on Streaming.” “SkeeYee” is bold and brash, but ultimately refreshing. If referring to hip hop meant for the street culture of today, “SkeeYee” is one of the records currently reigning at the top of that zeitgeist. The instrumental production of a haunting piano loop recalls the horrorcore of Three 6 Mafia and the late, Gangsta Boo, while evoking the nature of the spooky drill currently running rap. “If you see me and you tryna see what’s up,” calls Sexyy Red, before the hook answers back the title of the track. Then there’s the moment where she elongates the syllable of certain words— bringing about a feeling of sports stadium chants.

Lizzo is always one to deliver a feel good song– despite what the allegations might say. When Lizzo first teased the title track of her 2022 album, we saw her mom nearly tear up at a song dedicated to her gracious energy. Obviously in the course of a year, the empowerment anthem would dominate the demographic of Lizzo’s mom more so than her own age group. Add SZA to the mix, and now it’s crossing generations.

A week after ‘Barbie’ and its soundtrack premiered on July 21, 2023– and two months since “Speed Drive” dropped as an official single— Charli XCX earned her first Billboard Hot 100 placement since 2014’s “Break The Rules.” The song debuted and peaked at No. 73, staying on the chart for five weeks, in the midst of glowing reviews clashing against patriarchal critiques for the movie. What had been puzzling about that charting accomplishment is that Charli XCX had what was promising to be US household name status. The type of status that requires consistent chart placements in the span of nine years. “Speed Drive” is no different from the hyperpop meets British punk rock flare that Charli XCX previously offered. “Speed Drive,” if anything, seemed like a play from her 2017 mixtape-EP, ‘Number 1 Angel’; a more mainstream derivative of her 2016 EP, ‘Vroom Vroom’; and what she offered on her latest studio album, 2022’s ‘Crash.’ Maybe it had been the Mickey Basil interpolation of 1982’s “Mickey,” that gives the song a pep rally cheer. The type of Pop Culture nostalgia that resonated on Charli XCX’s highest charting single to date, Iggy Azalea’s 2014 pop rap smash, “Fancy” (which had a music video that nods to the ‘90s teen flick, ‘Clueless’).

Road Rap is UK Gangsta Rap that developed in the 2010s under the rise of South London’s Giggs. It has since evolved to incorporate American drill. Four days before releasing their joint EP, ‘Split Decisions,’ UK rappers Central Cee and Dave released “Sprinter.” Embodying the spirit of the road rap genre of their native country, the emcees discuss mixing lean, smoking, and racing fast cars. The production takes on the life of the name-dropped ‘Tokyo Drift’ film. Supported by gondola guitars and a dramatic trombone-like bass, the journey of the song glides in the Aston Martin light of Rick Ross and his mentioned label Maybach Music. “Sprinter” topped the UK Singles chart, as well as Luxemborg’s and Australia’s (to name a few). Ultimately it reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Global 200 chart.

Miguel’s “Sure Thing” instantly became a cult classic when it was leaked in 2007 on YouTube. The singer would include the neo and hip hop soul jam on his 2010 debut album, ‘All I Want Is You’– and a year later it would be ranked as the No. 1 R&B and Hip Hop Song on the year-end Billboard charts. The addictive nature of a deep-voiced, “you can bet that, never gotta sweat that,” on top of Miguel’s sensual tenor singing, is what propels the song to the top. An ode to staying together no matter the hard times (“I got faith in you and I”) reminds fans of the classic lyricism of traditional R&B records. This year, the song crossed over to pop stations, becoming a rarity of straightforward R&B reaching No. 1 on that radio formatted chart and a sleeper hit across the globe.

R&B’s come up in recent years has been a blessing to see. This is a moment where two of 2023’s most underrated stars link up to deliver an atmospheric number that borderlines psychedelic soul and the urgency of UK Garage. Addictive in nature, “Temporary” serves as a hypnotic lesson learned about having to move on. Although the song didn’t make strides on charts, it indicated the popularity of garage-based R&B. The album that “Temporary” is featured on, ‘Since I Have A Lover,’ is up for the Progressive R&B Grammy.

During his set at Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium, on August 11, Snoop Dogg brought out a multitude of guests to help him celebrate. The unexpected show stealing moment came from Scar Lip, a Brooklyn gangsta rapper that obtained viral success from “This Is New York.” “This Is New York” became viral for its menacing nature. It salutes DMX and the Ruff Ryder energy of ‘98. That night at Yankee Stadium— at historic proportions— the crowd of enthusiastic hip hop lovers from all generations roared as Scar Lip repeated four times: “Back the fuck up! Move the fuck back!” The song embodies how transporting around a crowded city of millions can become instantly hostile. There is no time for bullshit. There is no time for placating feelings, as people need to “VROOM!” (or rather move) out the way. Especially when a group of “Baddies comin’ through!” Scar Lip is an outlier in female rap. She’s been shaped into the role of not being the conventional beauty that rules female rap. Although there is nothing ugly about the femcee— those judging her actual scarred lip, probably can go to hell in her books— the focus of her music relies on her energy and flow.

Summer Walker poses on a river raft on the cover of her ‘Clear 2: Soft Life EP.’ The picture comes from a maternity shoot, adding to the online documentation of Walker’s on-going baby mama drama that keeps listeners engaged with her present discography. In a Instagram live video, Cardi B (who appears on the narration “Bitter” opener of Walker’s LP, ‘Still Over It,’ as well as the remix of “No Love”), mentioned that R&B only seems to excite today’s listeners, if there is drama attached. On “To Summer, From Cole,” J. Cole raps in a letter to her “Must be a Iot going on, I hear it in all of your songs.” All Walker does is coo the hook “call me when you need some love,” while it sounds like she’s in a near cry over a neo soul, jazz groove. Cole mentions that both her, SZA, and Ari Lennox are “holdin’ the crowns,” as an acknowledgment of those three being the present Queens of R&B and Hip Hop Soul.

Colombian pop’s two biggest international superstars, Karol G and Shakira, found themselves in the headlines for the same reason: toxic break ups. In the case of Karol G– as the 32-year-old started smashing on charts for her all Spanish-language albums, almost 15 years into her career– her engagement with Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA was called off in 2021. For Shakira– after eleven years of being a ‘Forbes’-listed “World’s Most Powerful Couple” with Spanish soccer/football player, Gerard Piqué– she’d hint to the media and her fans about the athlete’s “strawberry jam”-induced infidelity. “TQG” is an acronym in Spanish for "Te Quedó Grande," which translates to “Too Big For You,” in English. Over a reggaeton beat, the ladies sing about just that, with them taking swipes at their exes, as well as Shakira returning the favor to Piqué’s alleged mistress. In the music video, they replicate what Shakira has done alongside Beyoncé in 2007’s “Beautiful Liar” imagery: dancing side by side, sensually and confidently, while asserting their feminine power.

On a red carpet at the end of December, Rihanna answered that “Unavailable” was her favorite song of 2023. It’s clear to see why from the amapiano beat that provides simplicity with a catchy call and response chant from the Nigerian lead. Davido, where he sings “dem no dey see me.” He has no time for a relationship, but rather wants to focus on his success— which means for this song, a Grammy nomination.

Tyla became the first solo artist from South Africa to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years thanks to this viral Tik Tok song. “Make me sweat/Make me hotter/Make me lose my breath/Make me water” sings the ingenue– over an amapiano beat– as she pours a water bottle down her back as the dance challenge requires. Tyla has been storming since the song broke on many international charts– becoming a Top 10 in many countries faster than a lightning strike.

Holding down the fort for women in country music (outside Kacey Musgraves) is Lainey Wilson. In September, she was announced as this year’s most nominated artist for the CMA Awards, with nine. Her traditional album, ‘Bell Bottom Country,’ has already won Album of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards. While the album is doused in funk and soul influences of the ‘70s, “Watermelon Moonshine,” embarks on modern country pop that’s akin to Dolly Parton, Kenny Chesney or Sheryl Crow. It’s the simple fodder of how alcohol influences everlasting love. It may also help that during a time where America is divided politically, Wilson’s affiliation is speculated, but not factual public knowledge.

It was a matter of time before Doechii would have her breakout moment. Ever since she performed “Wat U Said” with Isiah Rashad at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards, she’s been a hope for the advancement of Female Hip Hop that blends R&B with a Pop presence. Less than two years after that performance, her viral hype landed her “What It Is (Block Boy).” Originally receiving backlash for collabing with the ever-so-controversial Kodak Black, the power of two samples (TLC’s “No Scrubs” and Trillville’s “Some Cut”) silenced all the outrage. Once Doechii released a solo version of the song, her true star power shined– creating for exciting performances, maximized streams globally, and an official mark on the mainstream.

The frontrunner track on ‘Barbie: The Album’ to receive an Oscar nomination is Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” When “What Was I Made For?” begins its cue, Barbie is stuck in a fantasy realm of purgatory, speaking to the spirit of Ruth Handler, the co-founder of Mattel and the actual doll herself. Throughout the movie, Barbie searches for her identity, as well as the identity of the human who made her. In other words, “What exactly was she made for?” To only be stereotypical? The utilization of Billie Eilish– whose music is vastly approaching the category of an angsty teen coming of age in an industry that often wants to mold her into what sells over time– is a near perfect mirroring. When the promo for “What Was I Made For” first came out– featuring an album cover not adorn in the marketing hot pink of all the other Barbie singles–fans automatically knew it would be the existential crisis track of the film. It’s not fun. It’s not campy. It’s in the feels. It’s what is meant to humanize Barbie in a world where everything isn’t roses and wine, disco ditties and sparkling jumpsuits.

Just as the ‘Barbie’ movie received box office hype, so did ‘Oppenheimer,’ the biopic about the “Father of the Atomic Bomb,” J. Robert Oppenheimer. Both films were released the same day, giving moviegoers the chance to attend a double feature. As a joke a fan tweeted a fake album cover stating that Gucci would have made a parody song based on the film. Gucci Mane delivered in a week, giving “Woppenheimer.” The song is about how Gucci Mane remains on top in the present and doesn’t want to think about the accolades or former friends of the past.

Flyana Boss is a peculiar case. While Salt-N-Pepa became the prime hip hop duo of the ‘80s and ‘90s, Flyana Boss is priming themselves to be that for the 2020’s. Based out of LA, Bobbi Lanea Tyler and Folayan Omi Kunerede signed to Atlantic Records in 2021. Since then they have gone viral with their breakout hit, “You Wish,” which now features Missy Elliott on a remix. Their attitude is preppy, and youthful. In the music video, they are featured sprinting, which has now taken on its own life as a Tik Tok trend. The standout moment happens on the second verse where they go, “Hello, Christ? (What's up?) I'm 'bout to sin again,” a subtle acknowledgment to Baddie sentiment. Flyana Boss has garnered so much attention that Google features an animated, running GIF of them both whenever you search their name on the website engine.