In a remarkable achievement, Kendrick Lamar’s single, “Not Like Us,” has soared to the top of Apple Music’s global song chart for 2024. This marks Lamar’s first-ever No. 1 on the year-end global songs chart, showcasing his continued influence and popularity in the music industry.
Top songs of 2024
Following Lamar on the chart is Benson Boone with his hit “Beautiful Things,” which secured the second spot. Sabrina Carpenter’s catchy track “Espresso” came in third, while Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” rounded out the top five. Notably, “Cruel Summer” experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks to its inclusion in Swift’s 2019 album Lover.
Female representation in music
This year’s chart also highlights a significant milestone in female representation, with 39 out of the 100 songs on the list coming from female-identifying artists. This achievement marks a record in the global chart’s seven-year history, reflecting the growing influence of women in the music industry.
International hits and trends
In an interesting twist, the Japanese hip-hop group Creepy Nuts made waves with their track “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” which not only topped Apple Music’s most-read lyrics but also led the Sing chart, indicating its popularity among fans who enjoy singing along. This trend underscores the increasing global appeal of Japanese music, as seen in 2023 when another Japanese group, YOASOBI, topped the Sing chart with their song “アイドル (Idol).” This year, “Idol” continues to hold strong at No. 2.
New charts and features
Apple Music has introduced a new Shazam Global Radio Spins chart, which tracks the most-played songs on radio stations worldwide. Leading this chart is Dua Lipa’s “Houdini,” followed by Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” and Tate McRae’s “Greedy.” Additionally, Apple Music’s Replay feature allows subscribers to engage with their most-listened-to music, similar to Spotify’s Wrapped playlist, providing a personalized experience for users.
Billie Eilish: Artist of the Year
In a year filled with accolades, Billie Eilish was named Apple Music’s Artist of the Year for 2024. Eilish’s remarkable journey includes becoming the youngest artist to win two Academy Awards and releasing her critically acclaimed third album, Hit Me Hard and Soft. This album has garnered seven nominations for the upcoming 2025 Grammy Awards. At this year’s awards, Eilish took home two Grammys for her song “What Was I Made For?” from the blockbuster film Barbie.
Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s senior director of Content and Editorial, praised Eilish’s growth as an artist, stating, “It’s always special when a young artist can connect with so many people so quickly. But what’s been truly remarkable about watching her evolve over the course of this last year isn’t just that her voice and artistry have continued to resonate so widely. It’s that she’s blossomed as bravely and honestly as she has — on her own terms, in her own way.”
As we reflect on the music landscape of 2024, Kendrick Lamar’s triumph and the rise of diverse voices in the industry signal a promising future for artists across genres. With the continued evolution of music consumption and the celebration of female artists, the coming years hold exciting potential for the global music scene.
