SoundCloud announces ‘The SoundCloud Playback’ 2021 featuring fan-powered top picks plus a newly expanded ‘Your 2021 Playback’. The Playback (SoundCloud’s end of year review) spotlights the year’s top artists, tracks, biggest debuts, hardest hits and engaging artist-to-fan moments. Powered by fans and communities driving what’s next in music culture, ‘The SoundCloud Playback’ is rooted in music discovery from emerging and established creators, making it the antithesis of expected mainstream round-ups.
The Top Artist spot goes to YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who continues his run of releasing hit after hit and having the most fan engagement on SoundCloud in 2021. Polo G’s “Rapstar” was on repeat worldwide, taking three top spots — the Longest Run for most consecutive weeks on SoundCloud’s charts, Hit of the Year with the most plays by fans, and Hardest Hit with the most engagement of all drops in the first 24 hours of release. SoFaygo had a year to remember, from his first live show to being the most listened to Top Independent Artist – one of six new categories this year. A.G. Cook – Dream Logic featuring the talents of artists such as Charli XCX, oklou, and Jónsi, and exclusive to SoundCloud’s ‘Scene’s’ series on PC Music, had the top DJ Mix of the year.
Fans are able to share their personalized ‘Your 2021 Playback,’ which includes their most-played tracks of the year. New to ‘Your Playback’ is the addition of more deeply curated music discovery playlists powered by fan listening:
- ‘Your Top Artists of 2021’: Listeners can view their most-listened to artists of the year.
- ‘Hidden Gems’: A personalized playlist of undiscovered tracks to enjoy in the year ahead.
- ‘Independent Artists You Powered in 2021’: SoundCloud Go and Go+ subscribers can see the independent artists they directly supported through fan-powered royalties.
The SoundCloud Playback 2021 Top Fan Picks
Top Artist: YoungBoy Never Broke Again
Most fan engagement on a 2021 release of any artist on SoundCloud.
Fan-Powered Artist: Sweely **NEW**
Independent artist with the most growth in fan engagement on SoundCloud in 2021, driving major fan-powered royalties payouts.
Hit of the Year: Polo G “Rapstar”
Most plays on a 2021 release.
Longest Run: Polo G “Rapstar” – 7 weeks at #1
Most consecutive weeks spent topping the New & Hot chart in 2021.
Hardest Hit: Polo G “Rapstar”
Most fan engagement on a track within 24 hours of all tracks on SoundCloud in 2021.
Top Independent Artist: SoFaygo **NEW**
Most fan engagement on a 2021 release for an independent artist.
Hardest Independent Hit: BabySantana “Antisocial 2” (feat. Slump6s, Yung Fazo, Xhulooo, SSGKobe) [prod. Maajins & Mudd] **NEW**
Most fan engagement on an independent artist’s track within 24 hours in 2021.
Top DJ Mix: A. G. Cook – Dream Logic
Most played eligible DJ set exclusive to SoundCloud in 2021.
Biggest Debut: A1 x J1 **NEW**
Most plays on a first upload in 2021.
Top Comments Award: TY “먹구름 (Dark Clouds)” **NEW**
Most comments on a track in the first week of release in 2021.
Jam of the Summer: Trippie Redd “Holy Smokes” (ft. Lil Uzi Vert) **NEW**
Most fan engagement on a track released within June – August 2021.
