I have a confession: I have been cheating on my Spotify Wrapped.
For those who are unfamiliar, the music streaming platform Spotify gifts its users a final summation of their listening history towards the end of the calendar year. The report contains listeners’ top five genres, artists, songs and many more creative categories. Spotify Wrapped’s annual release is highly anticipated, and towards the final months of data tracking, users often joke about listening to specific songs or artists in an attempt to sway their data.
A few years ago when Wrapped was just gaining traction, a friend introduced me to last.fm—a platform that tracks the majority of the aforementioned data in real-time. With last.fm, users can choose the time frame for which they want to see their charts for most listened to artists, albums and tracks. Though not as expansive, the platform provides a quick fix for those of us who cannot wait until December for the annual Wrapped release. The charts are also a great indicator of what is likely to end up on one’s Wrapped, and therefore can be used to determine what to listen to less or more towards the end of the year.
As we approach the later months, I have been anxiously checking my last.fm to determine whether or not I feel it has been representative of my listening habits over the past year. Below, I will list my current top five versus what I think should be at the top of my charts.
Current charts:
5. “Rauw Alejandro: Bzrp Music Session Vol 56” – Rauw Alejandro, Bizarrap
Considering this was a featured song in a previous article of mine, I am unsurprised that it is in the top five. Rauw Alejandro has definitely been my favorite artist of the past year, and this collaboration as part of the independent Bzrp Music Sessions series has been a staple feel-good element in my rotation.
4. “Santa” – Rauw Alejandro, Ayra Starr, Rvssian
Featuring West African vocalist Ayra Starr and Jamaican vocalist and producer Rvssian, “Santa” was undoubtedly my song of the summer. Alejandro is known for experimenting with different musical backgrounds, and this fusion of Afro-Caribbean sounds is one of my favorites.
3. “Fiebre” – Bad Gyal
The lighthearted and melodic “Fiebre” brightened up the winter months during the 2023-2024 transition. Spanish artist Bad Gyal sings this upbeat tune, sure to get stuck in your head from the repetition throughout the song.
2. “PERRO NEGRO” – Bad Bunny, Feid
According to my 2023 Wrapped, Bad Bunny was my artist of the year. His most recent album—“Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va A Pasar Mañana”—was a deviation from his typical reggaeton sound. Featuring trap hits “Monaco” and “PERRO NEGRO,” the latter quickly became popular online and in my life. Colombian artist Feid is featured on the song, and the title is inspired by a nightclub in Medellín.
1. “Quevedo: Bzrp Music Session Vol 52” – Quevedo, Bizarrap
This past May, my childhood best friend and I spontaneously bought tickets to see Bizarrap. We went into the concert with few expectations other than needing to see this song live. The DJ seemingly ended his set with an unreleased remix, and we were prepared to be let down. However, as the crowd shouted the chorus, he reappeared on stage for an encore of his arguably most popular music session. We. Went. Crazy. My obsession with this song started when I was abroad last fall and planned a trip to Spain—Quevedo’s homeland—and it has been a daily reminder of memories of weaving through crowded foreign cities and concerts in search of the little pleasures in life.
Should-be charts:
5. “UNA NOCHE EN MEDELLÍN – REMIX” – Karol G, Cris MJ, Ryan Castro
As a follow-up to her award-winning album “Mañana Será Bonito,” Colombian artist Karol G released an extra mixtape, including a remix of Cris MJ’s “Una Noche En Medellín.” This song first appeared as the backdrop to travel videos for Colombia, one of my dream trips. After looking it up, I was immediately hooked and listened to it religiously during spring semester. It was the perfect transition song into summer, and remains a favorite now.
4. “DILUVIO” – Rauw Alejandro
The most-streamed song on Alejandro’s most recent album, “DILUVIO” was not an instant favorite, but grew on me after a friend recommended putting it on my fall 2023 semester playlist. With its ever-catchy chorus and accompanying rhythm, the track has become my favorite on the album.
3. “Santa” – Rauw Alejandro, Ayra Starr, Rvssian
As I mentioned, “Santa” was my song of the summer, and it has found its way into my fall rotation. Out of the five currently on top, this is the one I would maintain.
2. “LUNA” – Feid, ATL Jacob
In his personal discography, Feid has a knack for conveying emotion through song. Short and sweet, “LUNA” is about forlorn feelings towards someone he once treasured.
1. “Brickell” – Feid, Yandel
Another example of the artists’ ability to evoke feelings, “Brickell” is about a memorable day that is later painful because it is shared in a situationship where only one of the members seems to want commitment. Featured artist Yandel’s vocals only further the feeling of yearning for this possible love.
Honorable Mention: “EL RITMO QUE NOS UNE (feat. Selección Colombia)” – Ryan Castro
During this summer’s Copa America, I picked up watching soccer, specifically for the Colombian national team (shoutout James Rodriguez and Richard Rios). “EL RITMO QUE NOS UNE” was the team’s unofficial song for the season, gaining media attention from fans making videos in support and recordings of the team listening to it in the locker room with Feid and featured artist Ryan Castro. Even after their devastating loss following a goal by Argentina in the 112th minute of the final, this song remains a bop.
Unfortunately, I realistically have little control over what songs end up on top of my 2024 Spotify Wrapped. I am excited to see what makes the cut and what spills over into 2025!