Music Hits 2016
The year 2016 brought a dynamic blend of pop, hip-hop, and electronic dance music that defined the charts and shaped playlists around the world. From streaming-era anthems to genre-blending collaborations, these tracks captured the sound of mid-decade pop culture.
Global chart-toppers
- Justin Bieber — Love Yourself
- Justin Bieber — Sorry
- The Chainsmokers feat. Daya — Don’t Let Me Down
- The Weeknd — Starboy
- Drake — One Dance (feat. Wizkid)
- Calvin Harris & Rihanna — This Is What You Came For
- Twenty One Pilots — Heathens
- Sia — Cheap Thrills (feat. Sean Paul)
- Lukas Graham — 7 Years
- DNCE — Cake by the Ocean
Notable genre trends in 2016
- Streaming dominance: Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music reshaped how hits were discovered and consumed.
- EDM-pop crossovers: Dance-floor energy merged with radio-friendly melodies, fueling global chart success.
- Hip-hop mainstreaming: Rap-driven anthems and collaborations dominated airwaves and playlists.
- Solo showcases: Artists leveraged bold, personal storytelling in singles, often paired with catchy hooks.
Essential 2016 playlist (handy standouts)
- Love Yourself — Justin Bieber
- Sorry — Justin Bieber
- Closer — The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey
- Starboy — The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk
- One Dance — Drake feat. Wizkid & Kyla
- Cheap Thrills — Sia feat. Sean Paul
- Formation — Beyoncé
- Heathens — Twenty One Pilots
- Starboy — The Weeknd feat. Daft Punk
- Don’t Let Me Down — The Chainsmokers feat. Daya
- Pillowtalk — Zayn
- Work — Rihanna & Drake
- Hello — Adele
- My House — Flo Rida
- Panda — Desiigner
Quick facts about 2016 music
- Major streaming milestones were reached as subscribers surpassed traditional sales for many artists.
- Visuals and short-form content gained traction, influencing single and video releases.
- Collaborations across genres became a defining strategy for chart performance.
Endnotes for listeners and collectors
- 2016 offered a wide spectrum of sounds, from intimate vocal footage to massive festival-ready bangers.
- A balanced mix of polished pop, infectious hooks, and bold experimental production defined the year’s sonic palette.