Top 10 Hottest Songs of 2016

For a song that wasn’t originally supposed to come out it in 2016, it definitely made an impact. After some coaxing on Twitter by Justin Bieber to release the song, the DJ duo decided to give in to Justin’s excitement and put it out ahead of schedule. As a mid-tempo dancehall meets Eurodance track, it has a more chilled out feel than other efforts from Major Lazer, but its ballad quality works with Justin’s hopeful vocals and MØ’s energy. While you might think this sounds like a slow burn song, it debuted at number 2 on the Hot 100, and showcased a little of what’s in store for the duo’s upcoming album Music Is the Weapon. 
 

Making a return to the mainstream charts this song brought Mike Posner back into our lives after a lengthy hiatus. Originally written and performed a down-tempo folk song, it’s the SeeB remix that became a hit. The DJ trio took Mike’s introspective tune about his drug use and struggles with fame and paired it with a tropical house beat to make it pop for listeners. It worked and the song burst on the airwaves, landing it spots in top ten charts all over the world. In addition, it became Posner’s highest charting single and got him a Grammy nod for Song of the Year.
 

Twenty One Pilots have been gaining momentum for some time now but this track cements them as a major players in the music industry. Creepy and haunting, the melody and lead singer Tyler Joseph’s voice have a hypnotizing affect that make the track unforgettable. Written for the “Suicide Squad” soundtrack, it’s still true to the band’s sound while it also managed to appeal to a broader audience. Mainstream success is working for the duo, as they’ve earned three Grammy nominations for the 2017 awards including Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance. 
 

While the drama surrounding the song’s writing credits did make for a pretty epic case of he said, she said between Calvin and Taylor Swift, at the end of the day no one would care if the song wasn’t a damn good one. Sung by Rihanna, this was the perfect summer song for a feel-good time. Bouncy, playful, and sexy, this tune has a timeless quality to it that makes it infectious and something you just have to dance to. Calvin may have to thank Taylor since it is his highest peaking single as a lead artist but we’ll stay outta that one. 
 

This DJ duo has come a long way since “#Selfie”, with 2016 being the year to mark their dominance in the EDM game. Andrew Taggart, one half ofthe duo, sung this mournful track in collaboration with Halsey, another up-and-comer who’s making a name for herself. Lyrically, the song discusses a break-up that neither side seems to be quite over. It hits just the right points of nostalgia with references to Blink-182 that resonate with a millennial audience. The song gave Drake a serious run for his money with song of the summer and also allowed the duo to surpass Calvin Harris for the most number one Dance/Electronic songs to top the charts. 
 

2016 was a big year for Bey with songs like “Formation” becoming both a hit and a hot topic in the cultural conversation. Musically though, “Sorry” is one that stole our hearts. With this rebellious tune she’s giving the ultimate eff you, middle fingers up send off to the people who have betrayed her. She’s definitely not sorry as she strikes the balance between being vengeful yet carefree. And we can’t talk about this song without mentioning the infamous “Becky with the good hair” line that spurred endless conversation about who that could be. At the end of the day Becky’s identity doesn’t matter but we’re glad she pissed Beyoncé off enough to bless up with this gem. 
 

Rihanna and Drake has got to be one of the best musical pairings out there and this song proves that they still got it. Steamy and sultry, the lyrics explore two sides of a relationship where Rihanna wants something more serious, and Drake’s just down for a good time much like their earlier collaboration “What’s My Name?” While many couldn’t get the word “work” out of their heads for days, Rihanna was unapologetic in channeling her island roots as she peppered in some Jamaican patois. It became Riri’s fourteenth number one hit, making her the solo-artist with the third most number ones under her belt. 
 

Something of sleeper hit this one managed to have a complete takeover in 2016. Desiigner originally put the track out in December 2015 but it wasn’t until Kanye West heavily sampled it in his song “Pt. 2” that a broader audience began to take notice. Re-released in February 2016, the song took off from there. Desiigner’s unique flow and wordplay paired with the slick beat made it stand out from anything else on the radio, and rise above the other trap songs out there. The song reached number one on the Billboard charts, breaking a 41-week streak of non-Americans in the top spot. Not too bad for a song about a car. 
 

Originally written for Rihanna, we’re glad that Sia ended up recording this one. Relaxed yet infectious, this was the perfect song to have on for a good time. The synth-pop meets dancehall rhythm paired with Sia’s raspy vocals makes it a dynamic earworm. There are two versions of this song, one without Jamaican star Sean Paul, but it’s his verse that takes the song from great to legendary. The single was a major success and became Sia’s first number one hit as a lead artist, as well as being Sean Paul’s first number one since 2006’s “Temperature.”
Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
 
“Starboy” (2016) 
The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk
 
“Hymn for the Weekend” (2016) 
Coldplay feat. Beyoncé
 
“Famous” (2016) 
Kanye West feat. Rihanna
 

What would this year have been without this single? Nothing. We kid… But seriously this dancehall track dominated the airwaves. Using a sample ofKyla’s 2008 underground hit  “Do You Mind,” Drake crafted a playful song that embodies how fun and carefree a night spent on the dancefloor can be. What’s more is that the song marks Drake’s first number one hit as a lead artist. And on top of that record, he now holds the record for most streamed song on Spotify with nearly a billion streams and counting. With his Hennessy in his hand, Drake made not only the song of the summer but also the song of the year.