Category: Hip Hop

This is your essential collection of 2026 hits, bringing together the songs that have defined the year across charts, streaming and beyond on Spotify and Apple Music. From global chart-toppers to standout album cuts, Best of 2026 captures the breadth of contemporary music at a moment when genres continue to blur and evolve. Spanning pop, hip-hop, R&B, rock and more, the playlist reflects the diversity of today’s musical landscape. Alongside some of the year’s biggest names, including Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Dean, and Kacey Musgraves, Best of 2026 also highlights breakthrough voices making their mark for the first time.

It’s this balance, between the established and the emerging, that gives a clearer picture of what 2026 sounds like. Rather than focusing on a single scene or style, Best of 2026 follows the energy of the year itself. Big, culture-shaping singles sit alongside deeper cuts that have resonated with listeners, offering a more complete view of how music is being heard and shared. Whether driven by streaming, live performance, or word of mouth, these are the tracks that have connected with audiences in real time.

We’ll be updating this playlist regularly as the year unfolds, so it will offer an evolving snapshot of 2026’s defining sounds. Whether you’re revisiting the biggest moments so far or catching up on what you’ve missed, be sure to check out Best of 2026 as your go-to destination for the music shaping the year.

 

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Jeremih’s “Birthday Sex” is still as recognizable as the day that it dropped. As far as bedroom bangers of the last decade, it’s a staple, and as far as birthday songs go… well, it’s certainly up there too.

The concept of “Birthday Sex” proved to be the game-changing record that Jeremih needed to catapult his budding music career from studios in Chicago to the bright lights of Def Jam Records. Since his debut in 2009, Jeremih has gone on to earn multi-Platinum plaques, Grammy nominations, ASCAP awards, and while he’s gone on to have bigger hits, none of this seems conceivable without the kick-in-the-door record that is the many-times Platinum “Birthday Sex.”

Listen to Jeremih’s “Birthday Sex” now.

The song was officially released on February 25, 2009 through Def Jam Records, but the song’s genesis reaches back to late 2008. We reach back in time with Jeremih and Grammy-nominated producer Mick Schultz to talk about the song’s creation, its immediate surge in popularity, and its legacy years later.

‘Birthday Day Sex”s beginnings

Curtis Mayfield, Chaka Khan, and Donny Hathaway are just a few of the reasons why Chicago has carved out a history as an epicenter for incredible R&B. In 2008, Jeremih attempted to embark on his own path to music stardom. Growing up in a musically-inclined family, teaching himself how to play instruments, and even dabbling as a producer early in his career, Jeremih eventually met his now-frequent collaborator and producer Mick Schultz while they were both enrolled at Columbia College. The sessions together, as Schultz would describe, showed “instant” chemistry between the two and it would be in those sessions that “Birthday Sex” would be conceived.

Mick Schultz: “I had moved to Chicago from St. Louis to go to Columbia College. I was basically making music 24/7. I was working with anyone that I could meet at the school, just to collaborate to make a song. Jeremih came one day to work with another artist that I was working with, and that’s how we met. It was very random. The chemistry, at least in my head, was instant.”

Jeremih: “When I started working with Mick, I had to tap into another skill I never thought I would pick up, which was writing. I want to say ‘Birthday Sex’ was one of the fourth or fifth songs that I actually wrote. I brought in one of my childhood friends, Keith James, and we actually created that song in one day together. At the time, we didn’t know exactly what we were making, but it was probably the fourth or fifth song we created together.”

The power of ‘Birthday Sex’

Some songs just capture your ear and through the latter part of 2008 into the beginning of 2009, “Birthday Sex” started to grow organically throughout Chicago. The song began to expand beyond the borders of the R&B epicenter and started to get nationwide spins from radio stations. The Internet played a role, too, which eventually led to a deal with Def Jam to release Jeremih’s first album, the self-titled Jeremih.

Mick Schultz: “We put some records together, we tried to do the label thing, but we had nothing going on… We probably did, like, 15 songs. What ended up being the album was those 15 songs. One of those songs was ‘Birthday Sex’ which we made in the summer of 2008. ‘Birthday Sex’ and maybe five other favorites of my manager’s, at the time, were taken up to the local radio station, Power 92. He had a strong relationship there because he did radio promo. He took the records up there and played it for the music director, Bam. From what he told us, Bam asked if we could leave ‘Birthday Sex’ with her, because she loves the record. I said ‘Of course!’ I think she played it on literally Halloween, back to back, at 5:00 PM, which is prime time.”

Jeremih: “I remember [the first time hearing it on the radio], I was riding down Michigan Ave – which is crazy because it was conceived [in a studio] on Michigan Ave and I blast that shit so loud on the radio.”

Mick Schultz: “Honestly, it’s like the most organic story ever. Like, it literally just went viral. At least in Chicago, it just took off. I remember I was running Jeremih’s MySpace at the time and once it played on the radio, that thing just blew up. Then we put a YouTube together, and it started blowing up. It got millions of hits. It was organic. The song really started buzzing after that.”

Jeremih: “You know what’s crazy? I shot two different videos for ‘Birthday Sex.’ I shot one version of the video… and it reminded me of a video that I swore I just seen The-Dream do… I wanted to recut it, and we recut it to another version with a little bit more taste. The first video was shot in New York, and y’know, girls hopping out the cake, bitches dancing around me. After the second video in LA, it got people to see my face. At that point, the song was so big anyway, but I had to put something out for the people.”

The legacy of the song

Years later, “Birthday Sex” still lives, breathes, and thrives. On YouTube, the video has hundreds of millions of views (probably due to a birthday every day). With playlists powering old songs and the allure of nostalgia, “Birthday Sex” is now a Hall of Fame-caliber slow jam of the 2000s. Its concept will never expire and its influence can still be heard today in the sound of budding R&B acts. 

Jeremih: “[‘Birthday Sex’] was definitely a stepping stone for me. [It’s wild] for me to even hear it this year playing on the radio, just how much of a classic it was… It changed my life and it actually brought a bunch of new lives to the world. As much as they call me Jeremiah, I seen a lot of baby Jeremihs born within the last 10 years.

“In hindsight, a lot of people counted me out. Everyone does when you have such a huge record. They say ‘Top that! What you gonna do next?’” But I can easily say that every year, I’ve had something that I knew – whether it was mine, or someone else’s, that had a similar sound that I created with ‘Birthday Sex.’ Not only are there a lot of baby Jeremihs, but there’s a lot of people that have emulated my sound for the last couple of years. We’ve made that much of an impact on the game, that I scroll down the timeline, and think I’m hearing myself.

“That song doesn’t make me as an artist as much as people wanted it to. To look back at it, to get in the game. Luckily, it’s a birthday every day. When I think about why I created it, looking back, I think it was probably one of the most creative, timeless songs of this last decade.”

Listen to Jeremih’s “Birthday Sex” now.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2019.

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If you’re looking for the best viral and trending songs right now all in one playlist, Viral 100: Trending Songs offers a definitive guide to what’s shaping music culture today. Available on Spotify and Apple Music, this playlist brings together the most talked-about tracks across streaming platforms, charts, and global listening trends. Designed as a real-time reflection of what’s popular, Viral 100 captures the full spectrum of modern music discovery. You might find Sabrina Carpenter delivering a standout pop hit, The Weeknd continuing to define contemporary R&B, or even a timeless Marvin Gaye classic finding its way back into the spotlight.

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Pharrell Williams’ reach seems to extend in all directions. To say he’s an icon of hip-hop, pop, art, fashion, and film would dilute his influence. There’s no one else like him. When he’s not collaborating with Chanel, scoring hit movies, or sporting a Vivienne Westwood hat that launched a thousand memes, he’s an in-demand producer for the biggest artists in music.

After spending the early years of his career creating hits for other artists, Pharrell and his cohorts The Neptunes began to mastermind entire careers. Pharrell would push the envelope of his own success further with his involvement in streetwear labels Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream. And if all that wasn’t enough, he experienced unprecedented success a few years later with some of the biggest collaborations of the decade.

Teddy Riley’s protégée

Pharrell’s career began long before skated onto the scene with N*E*R*D. Pharrell and his Neptunes partner, Chad Hugo, were “discovered” by New Jack Swing pioneer Teddy Riley back in Virginia Beach. Riley took the duo under his wing and they became acolytes of the Teddy Riley school of production. Pharrell earned one of his earliest production credits for Wreckx-N-Effect’s 1992 hit “Rump Shaker,” writing Riley’s verse and helping out with production. From then on out, Pharrell would lend his touch to many of Riley’s biggest productions including SWV’s “Right Here” (those are his backing vocals on the Human Nature Radio Mix) and Blackstreet’s “Tonight’s The Night.”

Imbued with intrigue

Pharrell’s career was imbued with intrigue from the moment it began. N*E*R*D’s debut album, In Search Of…, is an influential and genre-bending classic. Yet there are two distinct versions of the album – one with electronic production, the other with a rap-rock full-band sound. For obsessives and completists (Tyler, The Creator among them), the ball was already rolling: both were essential to unlocking Pharrell’s genius. At the time of the album’s release, Pharrell and The Neptunes were also helping to establish the careers of other future legends, including Kelis and Clipse.

In the early part of the new millennium, Pharrell would also work with Scarface, Noreaga, and Britney Spears. He continued to foster relationships with other titans. When Jay-Z was recording his would-be-retirement record, Black Album, he tapped The Neptunes to produce its lead single, “Change Clothes,” featuring Pharrell’s now-classic vocals on the track. The production duo would also spawn one of the biggest hip-hop records of the early-00s, Nelly’s infectious “Hot In Herre,” helping to usher in the Dirty South sound in the process. The summer jam went No.1, making The Neptunes became the hottest production team of the era.

Fly-or-die hitmakers

N*E*R*D’s second album, Fly Or Die, received a warm reception from both critics and fans, but the group’s own singles never charted as high as their efforts for other artists. That didn’t stop 2004 from being The Neptunes’ biggest year ever.

Listen to the best of Pharrell Williams on Apple Music and Spotify.

This meant more exposure for Pharrell, as fellow producer Chad Hugo always preferred to maintain a low profile. Months after Fly Or Die, Gwen Stefani released her debut solo studio album, Love.Angel.Music.Baby, finding her creative muse in Pharrell. After suffering from writer’s block during the recording process, the former No Doubt frontwoman heard material from Pharrell’s forthcoming solo record and was motivated to create something with more attitude. The resulting No.1 single “Hollaback Girl,” co-written by Stefani and Pharrell, was a career-defining moment for them both, and proved Gwen wasn’t going anywhere.

Neither was Snoop Dogg. Ten years after the release of his debut album, Doggystyle, Snoop was a veteran. A lot of rappers get dismissed after a decade, but for Snoop, that wasn’t the case. This was surely thanks to his larger-than-life persona, but he also had a big assist from Pharrell. Snoop’s R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece album included four Neptunes-produced tracks. Among them was the legendary “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” which became Snoop’s first No.1 single, 12 years after being in the game.

Like “Hollaback Girl,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot” became a cultural staple and another notch in Pharrell’s championship belt. The song would also be Pharrell’s biggest for almost another ten years, even as he continued on his upward trajectory.

Going solo

In 2005, Pharrell released his long-awaited solo debut, In My Mind. he had been teasing the album for years, and even released a prequel mixtape, In My Mind: The Prequel, a few months prior, Pharrell’s solo effort failed to make the same impact as the Neptunes-produced singles that established him as a kingmaker.

Over the years, however, the album would develop a cult following, and reveal itself as perhaps more influential than anyone, even diehard fans, had suspected. Self-proclaimed Pharrell superfan Tyler, The Creator has established himself not just as Pharrell’s heir apparent (if such a thing exists), but he’s enhanced Pharrell’s influence through his own work.

For the next few years, Pharrell and The Neptunes would work with everyone under the sun: Kings Of Leon, Lupe Fiasco, Beyoncé, 50 Cent, and Gorillaz among them. Coursing through pop music’s 21st-century history, it’s near impossible to trace his full range of influence. During this era, Pharrell didn’t have the same cultural clout as he did during the early 00s, but he continued to reshape the future sound of pop, hip-hop, R&B, and everything between, quietly behind the scenes.

Stealing the spotlight

Then in 2013, after creating more music in under two decades than most artists do in a lifetime, Pharrell went from being the man pushing buttons behind the scenes to standing front and center, thanks to a trio of career-defining singles.

Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” wasn’t just a comeback single for the French electro-pop duo, but a cultural phenomenon with cross-generational appeal. It would never have been possible without the talent involved, including Nile Rodgers’ disco bona fides and Pharrell’s smooth vocals and production flair. Then came “Blurred Lines,” with TI and Robin Thicke. Pop culture was enjoying a very specific wave of nostalgia, and the sound of “Blurred Lines” was a perfect follow-up to Pharrell’s Daft Punk collaboration.

With this groundswell behind him, Pharrell finally scored a hit of his own with the smash success of “Happy.” The omnipresent earworm became the biggest hit of 2014 and earned Williams a career first: an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song.

Still shaping the future

It’s safe to say that Pharrell is the only person beloved by both the godfathers of hip-hop and the little kids buying plush Minions at Target. He hasn’t slowed down since his 2013 hat-trick – which, fittingly, he celebrated by wearing a giant hat for most of the following year.

Whether it’s mentoring new singers on The Voice or designing collections for Chanel and Adidas, Pharrell is still helping to mold the careers of the biggest musicians on the planet. You wouldn’t have Ariana Grande’s culture-shifting Sweetener without him, nor Beck’s 2019 retro-futuristic reinvention, Hyperspace. The former helped turn Grande into the most dominant figure in pop; the latter took Beck in brand new directions even he had yet to explore. For Pharrell, decades into being a creative mastermind, it’s just business as usual.

Browse N.E.R.D.’s music on vinyl here.

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The title track to singer Montell Jordan’s 1995 debut album This Is How We Do It reigns as one of the decade’s most anthemic R&B moments. Settling somewhere between a sample and an interpolation of iconic golden era rapper Slick Rick’s cautionary “Children’s Story,” Jordan’s upbeat calling card captures a moment when the hip-hop and R&B worlds intertwined in a mutually appreciative way.

Singing in a honeyed and nimble lilt of a voice, Jordan lavishes the song’s bumptious production with an ode to a Friday night in his native South Central Los Angeles. “It feels so good in my ‘hood tonight/ The summertime skirts and the guys in Kani.” The song takes on extra resonance when you remember that this was a locale so often associated with internecine gang-related activity at the time. “All the gangbangers forgot about the drive-by/ You gotta get your groove on before you go get paid.” Nodding to the hip-hop heritage of the song’s sample source, Jordan breaks out into a brief rap at one point that’s based on the structure and tone of Slick Rick’s original narrative.

The runaway success of “This Is How We Do It” naturally casts a triumphant shadow over much of Jordan’s career. The track topped the Billboard charts and earned the singer a Grammy nomination. But there are plentiful other moments on Jordan’s debut that point to his knack for songs that exude a relaxed, feel-good atmosphere. The project’s second single, “Somethin’ 4 da Honeyz,” is a carefree slice of summertime bliss hooked around Jordan’s search for a romantic tryst. The song also highlights the singer incorporating cocksure hip-hop braggadocio into his lyrics. “While the beat is bumping/ From South Central to Compton, a little somethin’ somethin’,” trills Jordan, before casually comparing himself to soul music royalty: “Could very well be the next Aaron Neville/ Sounding like nobody ’cause I’m on another level.”

Listen to Montell Jordan’s This Is How We Do It now.

Jordan shows a fondness for infusing similar MC-style personal brags into his lyrics across the album, but key moments on This Is How We Do It also gesture toward the broader influence of hip-hop on the R&B scene at the time. “Payback” takes the form of a relationship revenge plot that drafts in Coolio for an extended verse; “Introducing Shaunta” is effectively a showcase for the rapper Shaunta (who’d go on to sign with Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Entertainment imprint); and deep album cut “Comin’ Home” resonates like a slice of bluesy G-funk with sinewey synth lines twisting around lonesome plucks of electric guitar. “No matter where I go/ I will always let you know/ That I’m singing this South Central LA style,” beams Jordan towards the track’s climax, conveying a hip-hop chest-out regional pride. It’s a testament to Jordan’s skill that nods like this never sounds anything less than natural.

Montell Jordan’s This Is How We Do It can be bought here.

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From the fall of the Berlin Wall to the premiere of Seinfeld, 1989 was a year of significant cultural shifts. Musically, the tides were also turning. As hair metal acts enjoyed their final years of glory, a new wave of rock was poised to take over. Hip-hop was exploding into the mainstream and electronic music was becoming more prevalent. It was the year that introduced many to such pioneering groups like Nirvana and De La Soul, while acts like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nine Inch Nails released their breakthrough albums. The album charts, meanwhile, were ruled by a diverse array of artists that spanned genres and generations – from Bonnie Raitt, Don Henley, and Aerosmith to Janet Jackson, Madonna, and the Beastie Boys. Below are some of the best albums of 1989.

Check out the full list of 1989’s best albums below, and listen to our 80s pop playlist on Spotify.

57: Barry White – The Man Is Back!

The R&B powerhouse’s 17th studio album is a perfect blend of sophistipop and soul and would set the stage for his great comeback in the 1990s.

56: Lisa Stansfield – Affection

The British singer’s debut solo album beautifully revived the soul music of an earlier decade with the sleek production of the late ‘80s and touches of hip-hop and dance music.

55: Meat Beat Manifesto ‎- Storm The Studio

The electronic group’s powerful debut pulls from dub, rock and hip-hop to create a sample-filled stew of politically charged dance music that was completely unique at the time of its release.

54: Dolly Parton – White Limozeen

The country maven’s twenty-ninth solo album proved that the country star could bounce back with grace and includes some of her most fun material.

53: Naked City – Torture Garden

The unlikely musical synergy of John Zorn and Yamatsuka Eye yielded a still unlikelier mash-up of grindcore and jazz for this one-of-a-kind record that burns bright and fast.

52: Paul McCartney ‎- Flowers in the Dirt

With some help from Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney’s eighth solo album is an ambitious and earnest comeback record that re-established the ex-Beatle as a pop titan.

51: Branford Marsalis – Trio Jeepy

Accompanied by alternating bassists Milt Hinton and Delbert Felix and drummer Jeff Watts, the jazz saxophonist’s 1989 album is among his most exuberant and inviting.

50: Ice-T – The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech… Just Watch What You Say

The Los Angeles rapper’s 1989 album offers a dystopian take on society and produced some of his most incisive and dark tracks.

49: Marisa Monte – MM

Featuring the hit single, “Bem Que Se Quis,” the classically trained singer’s debut live album took Brazil by storm and set her on the path to being recognized as one of the greatest singers of her generation.

48: Morbid Angel – Altars of Madness

The Florida metal band’s debut album shook up the scene by showing that there were even darker themes to explore and even faster guitar riffs to play, thus changing the sound of death metal forever.

47: Virgo ‎- Virgo

The Chicago house duo’s debut album still sounds as mysterious, reflective, and misty today as it did in 1989, proving that good music is timeless.

46: Rolling Stones ‎- Steel Wheels

After some time apart, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards reunited for this Rolling Stones album which is full of crowd-pleasing hits like “Sad Sad Sad” and “Rock and a Hard Place.”

45: The Cult ‎- Sonic Temple

From psychedelia to hard rock, the band’s 1989 album saw them experimenting with different styles to stunning effect.

44: Fine Young Cannibals – The Raw & The Cooked

The rock band’s final masterpiece saw them extending their genre blend approach to incorporate even more styles like Northern Soul and disco and produced a slew of hit singles including “Good Thing” and “She Drives Me Crazy.”

43: Technotronic – Pump Up The Jam: The Album

The Belgian dance group’s debut album includes the ubiquitous title track and put hip-house on a global stage.

42: Babyface – Tender Lover

The R&B powerhouse’s sophomore album includes hits like “Whip Appeal,” “It’s No Crime,” and the title track and made him a name to watch in contemporary R&B.

41: Gloria Estefan – Cuts Both Ways

The Latin pop queen’s solo debut did precisely as the title suggests, offering dancefloor stompers and affecting ballads as well as establishing her as a global pop star who could appeal to both Spanish and non-Spanish speakers alike.

40: Soundgarden – Louder Than Love

The grunge band’s second studio album cemented their transformation from local heroes to global ambassadors, putting the Pacific Northwest at the forefront of rock music.

39: Inner City – Paradise

Paris Gray and Kevin Saunderson’s debut album as Inner City spun the best elements of Detroit’s electronic scene into dance-pop gold as evidenced by the everlasting hit “Big Fun.”

38: UB40 – Labour of Love II

The pop-reggae group’s 1989 album is comprised exclusively of covers, including from the likes of Al Green, The Temptations, The Chi-Lites, and much more, adding new colors and textures to the originals.

37: 808 State – Ninety

The British group’s second album helped guide the direction of the following decade’s electronic music boom and marked the UK as a major player in the scene.

36: Big Daddy Kane – It’s a Big Daddy Thing

The rap pioneer’s second album is Kane at his creative peak as he expands his sound to include New Jack Swing and tackles topics from his sexual prowess to the benefits of staying in school.

35: XTC ‎- Oranges & Lemons

The band’s 1989 album is a psychedelic pop extravaganza full of off-kilter details, expansive arrangements, and kooky sound effects.

34: Sepultura – Beneath The Remains

The Brazilian heavy metal band’s third studio album launched them onto the international stage and introduced more accessible grooves into the genre.

33: Skid Row – Skid Row

Featuring an unforgettable vocal performance by Sebastian Bach, the metal band’s debut album was a commercial success due in no small part to hit songs “18 and Life” and “I Remember You.”

32: Titas – O Blesq Blom

The Brazilian rock band’s fifth studio album is as eclectic as art rock gets – from a serious contemplation of camel humps to paranoia and everything in between.

31: Bob Dylan – Oh Mercy

Thanks to excellent production by Daniel Lanois, Bob Dylan’s 1989 album reinvigorated his career and produced some of his most beloved work including songs like “Most Of The Time” and “Everything Is Broken.”

30: John Cougar Mellencamp – Big Daddy

Mellencamp’s reflective 1989 album takes the truth-telling of folk music and amplifies it into his most honest and pained record to date.

29: Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Road to the Riches

The hip-hop duo’s debut album is a perfect marriage of leftfield sampling, rapid-fire lyrics, and booming percussion and established the group as a force to be reckoned with.

28: Nirvana – Bleach

The famed grunge band’s debut album is a window into the culture-shifting force they would become years later and is among their grittiest and angstiest records.

27: Boogie Down Productions – Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip-Hop

BDP’s 1989 album is an anti-commercial, hip-hop purist’s dream, bolstered by the searing lyricism of KRS-One over bare-bones production.

26: Don Henley – The End Of The Innocence

The Eagles’ drummer’s solo outing was a major commercial success, selling six million copies in the US, and showed a more mature side of the artist.

25: George Strait – Beyond the Blue Neon

The country singer’s ninth studio album includes three number one singles and has something for everyone, from foot-stomping dance songs to mournful ballads.

24: Faith No More – The Real Thing

The innovative rock band’s first album without Chuck Mosely was a risky gamble that paid off big time thanks to an amazing last-minute performance by Mike Patton.

23: EPMD – Unfinished Business

Featuring the hit single “So Wat Cha Sayin’,” the hip-hop duo’s second album refined their breezy approach to rap that would influence countless acts to come.

22: Godflesh – Streetcleaner

The metal band’s debut album is as doom-filled and industrial as it gets, with hair-raising lyrics and menacing production.

21: Jody Watley – Larger Than Life

The pop singer’s sophomore album includes the hit single, “Real Love” and the stellar R&B and hip-hop mash-up “Friends” with Eric B & Rakim.

20: Kate Bush ‎- The Sensual World

Home to the iconic track, “This Woman’s Work,” Kate Bush’s sixth studio album leaves no stone unturned in its examination of love and avoids schmaltz by taking an expansive view of the topic.

19: Lou Reed ‎- New York

Lou Reed’s 15th solo studio album is one of the greatest albums about the city to ever be recorded. Filled with details and distinct characters, it’s a bittersweet tribute to the city that never sleeps.

18: New Order – Technique

Partly inspired by the hedonistic pleasures of Ibiza’s party scene, the dance-rock band’s fifth studio album offers unique takes on acid house, Balearic beat, and more without ever sacrificing their trademark introspection.

17: Red Hot Chili Peppers ‎- Mother’s Milk

The rock band’s funk-rap breakthrough catapulted from the underground to the mainstream and helped carve out the singular path that the group has been on ever since.

16: Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever

Tom Petty teamed up with Jeff Lynne for his solo debut, taking the sound he had perfected with the Heartbreakers to new and exciting heights.

15: Neil Young – Freedom

After several years of mixed success, Neil Young came back in full force with this album that reestablished him as the generation’s fiercely principled folk-rock legend.

14: Motley Crue – Dr. Feelgood

After kicking drugs and alcohol, the heavy metal band came back stronger on their fifth studio album which is among their most successful to date.

13: Neneh Cherry – Raw Like Sushi

The singular Swedish artist’s debut album includes the hit “Buffalo Stance” and introduced her unapologetically feminist lyrics and fiery pop meets punk meets hip-hop sound to the world.

12: The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses

The rock band’s debut is an excellent mashup of the rock, pop and dance music that defined the music scene in Manchester at the time.

11: Aerosmith – Pump

With hits like “Dude (Looks Like A Lady)” and “Janie’s Got A Gun,” the established rock band’s 1989 album cemented their comeback and proved that some bands can age like fine wine.

10: Bonnie Raitt ‎- Nick of Time

With the help of producer Don Was, Bonnie Raitt’s comeback album features some of her best storytelling, including the title hit.

09: Madonna – Like a Prayer

The pop queen’s stylistically diverse fourth studio album includes the smash hit, “Like A Prayer,” and established her as a creator of trends and not a follower.

08: Nine Inch Nails ‎- Pretty Hate Machine

Though it didn’t make much of an impact when it was released, Trent Reznor’s 1989 album has become something of a slow burn, gathering more and more devoted listeners over the years due to its innovative use of guitars and synthesizers.

07: Pixies – Doolittle

The rock band’s quirky and at times chilling sophomore album would go on to influence a legion of future rockstars like Nirvana’s Kurt Cobain.

06: Soul II Soul – Keep On Movin

The influential British group’s debut album blended hip-hop, funk, R&B, and more to create a hybrid pop sound that would go on to define Black British music in the early 1990s.

05: The B-52s ‎- Cosmic Thing

Home to smash hit, “Love Shack” the new wave group’s enlisted producers Don Was and Nile Rodgers for an excellent comeback record that’s all killer, no filler.

04: Janet Jackson – Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814

The pop icon’s politically charged concept album proved that you didn’t have to compromise your morals on the dancefloor.

03: De La Soul ‎- 3 Feet High and Rising

The alt hip-hop pioneers’ debut album arguably created a genre in its wake, embracing whimsy and dreamy introspection in a way never before seen in commercially successful hip-hop.

02: The Cure – Disintegration

Inspired by a difficult bout with depression, the band’s 1989 album took the darkness of their previous work and exploded it into a completely realized album full of honesty and heart.

01: Beastie Boys ‎- Paul’s Boutique

A sampledelia favorite, the hip-hop group’s second album is an innovative treasure trove of sound that exploded the limits of hip-hop production and has inspired countless producers to date.

Looking for more? Listen to our 80s pop playlist on Spotify.

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The 2008 hit “Miss Independent,” from Ne-Yo’s album Year of the Gentleman, has reached one billion streams, joining the Spotify Billions Club.

Now an R&B classic, “Miss Independent” steadily built momentum after its release in November 2008 to reach the top ten. After debuting at number 98 on the Billboard Hot 100, the song made weekly jumps before hitting number nine in week eight, joining his previous single “Closer” in reaching the top ten. The song ultimately peaked at number seven in December 2008.

“Miss Independent” would go on to win Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song at the 2009 Grammy Awards. That same year, the single was certified platinum by the RIAA.

The track’s music video featured a number of celebrity cameos, including actors Gabrielle Union and Lauren London and musicians Keri Hilson and Trey Songz. In the video, Ne-Yo plays an employee with a thing for his boss (Union), who’s more interested in her job than him. She does, of course, return his flirtations in the end.

Ne-Yo’s next move is a 2026 world tour with Akon, kicking off on April 24th at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. From Ireland, the two artists will travel throughout the U.K. and Europe before heading to North America on June 17th. There, they’ll perform in major cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. The tour will wrap up on Friday, August 21st at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, CA.

The R&B singer is working on a country-inspired album for his next release. “I’m doing a project that’s inspired by all the things I love about country music,” he told IHeartRadio. He’s reluctant to call the project a ‘country album,’ however. “I honestly feel like it would be disrespectful for me to say I’m doing a country album when I know for a fact that there are artists that eat, sleep, live, and breathe country music 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Shop Ne-Yo’s music on vinyl or CD now.

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Daniel Caesar has announced his first headline arena tour in support of Son Of Spergy. The 2026 run begins on May 16 in Singapore and will continue across Asia before moving into a 30-date North American arena leg with stops in cities including Chicago, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Dallas, San Francisco, Anaheim, and Toronto.

Tickets for the North American dates will be available through an artist presale beginning Thursday, April 2 at 10 a.m. local time, with the general onsale following on Friday, April 3 at 10 a.m. local time. Faye Webster and 070 Shake will appear as support on select North American dates, while presale and onsale details for the Asia shows are set to be announced locally. The tour will also include seven Canadian dates, including a hometown stop in Toronto.

The announcement arrives as Caesar continues a strong stretch around Son Of Spergy, which was released in October 2025 via Republic Records. The album includes the singles “Have A Baby (With Me),” “Call On Me,” and “Moon,” and features appearances from Sampha, Bon Iver, Blood Orange, Yebba, 646yf4t, and Norwill Simmonds. In the press materials, Caesar says the project is rooted in reconciliation with his father, adding, “The album is about me realizing that I am exactly like him. In that sense, it’s about having patience, respect, and admiration for myself.”

The tour news follows Caesar’s recent run of high-profile activity, including a return to NPR’s Tiny Desk, where he performed with a piano and 12-piece choir, while the singer also picked up major recognition at the 2026 JUNO Awards, including the International Achievement Award, Best Contemporary R&B Recording of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.

Browse Daniel Caesar’s music on vinyl and CD here.

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Toronto-born rising singer has returned with a new single entitled “Hall Of Fame,” which is out now via XO Records/Republic Records. The new single coincides with some other exciting news: Chxrry’s debut album, U, Me, and My Ego is officially on the way.

The track, which features Chxrry singing over a beat that pulls from different strands of electronic and dance music, was produced by Believve. The self-empowerment anthem features Chxrry singing during the chorus: “I know, I, I’m too sexy to go home/ Mm, don’t sleep, baby, you don’t wanna miss the show.”

Though “Hall Of Fame” marks the beginning of a new era for Chxrry, it also signals the end of a very exciting time for XO’s first female artist. Chxrry began the year overseas supporting Mariah The Scientist on her European tour. The new song also follows 2025 singles from Chxrry, “Groupie” and “Main Character.”

Chxrry spoke with Viper Magazine last month to discuss her rapid rise and this next era of new music. Though the singer inked a deal with XO less than five years ago, she suggested that her ascent has taken more time than fans might think, adding that she isn’t close to reaching some of the goals she has set for herself.

She explained: “I feel like most would say it’s been quick, but for me it feels like I’ve been working at this my whole life. So I don’t know if there’s really a journey. It never feels done. I never feel like there’s a peak. There are moments where I’m like, ‘oh, that was really cool,’ but I always feel incomplete.

She also spoke about why people are drawn to her music. Outside of the catchy hooks and incisive lyrics, Chxrry suggests there’s a relatability to her songwriting: “…I think people really are drawn to people who believe in themselves a lot, and who are a little bit delusional about their dreams and their talents. And so I realized that early on.”

Listen to Chxrry’s “Hall Of Fame” here.

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The best albums of 1990 offered a delectable sampling of what this musically-rich decade would have to offer. With the proliferation of global media, music videos, and technology, artists were able to reach – and inspire – more fans than ever before, and that influence would reverberate throughout the decade.

Change was in the air, as a new generation of artists offered a fresh take on R&B, including En Vogue, Guy, and Keith Sweat. Dance music exploded into the mainstream, while rap and hip-hop became more popular than ever, thanks to the funky grooves of A Tribe Called Quest, the decadent stylings of MC Hammer, and the politically-charged lyricism of Public Enemy.

It was the year that introduced us to Mariah Carey, the Black Crowes, and the Chicks. Waiting in the wings, meanwhile, were a slew of underground rockers poised to take over the airwaves. Spanning many different genres, here are the best albums of 1990:

Can’t get enough 90s music? Listen to our 90s Music playlist here.

58: Lalah Hathaway – Lalah Hathaway

A gifted vocalist, Lalah Hathaway’s self-titled 1990 album is a near-perfect collection of early 90s R&B tunes. Start with “Heaven Knows” if you aren’t familiar.

57: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – The Good Son

Pulling influences from gospel, the blues, and traditional Brazilian religious music, The Good Son finds Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds illuminating life’s darkness with the spirit of love.

56: Héroes del Silencio – Senderos de Traición

Héroes del Silencio’s 1990 album Senderos de Traición is impassioned and soulful. Standout cuts include the breezy jam “Despertar” and the rocking epic “Senda.”

55: The Shamen – En-Tact

Ethereal melodies meet rolling electronic beats throughout The Shamen’s fourth full-length album, which featured standout tune “Move Any Mountain.”

54: Pat Metheny – Question and Answer

A fine set of tasteful and virtuosically performed cuts, Question And Answer sees guitarist Pat Metheny and band displaying their lovely sense of improvisational chemistry.

53: John Scofield – Time on My Hands

Ranging from the straight-up jazz balladry of “Let’s Say We Did” to the rock-influenced fusion of “Fat Lip,” John Scofield and his band apply serious chops to a wide range of styles.

52: Entombed – Left Hand Path

An aggressive, violent piece of work, Left Hand Path is thrilling. Songs like “Supposed To Rot” and “The Truth Beyond” wrestle with mortality in the most explosive way possible.

51: Death – Spiritual Healing

For their third album, Spiritual Healing, brutal cuts like “Living Monstrosity” and “Killing Spree” find Death delving deep into the darker side of human nature.

50: Oleta Adams – Circle of One

Soulful, optimistic, and bursting with emotion, Circle of One features some timeless performances from Oleta Adams, including the classic ballad “Get Here.”

49: Slayer – Seasons In The Abyss

The virtuosity displayed on songs like “War Ensemble,” “Hallowed Point,” and more highlight Seasons In The Abyss as a hellish, brain-shattering display of speed, volume, and fury.

48: Reba McEntire – Rumor Has It

A relaxed and soulful update of contemporary country, Rumor Has It is full of bittersweet songs about life and longing.

47: George Strait – Livin’ It Up

Livin’ It Up finds George Strait employing his signature vocal style on a heartfelt 1990 album that lingers on topics like love and loneliness.

46: Deee-Lite – World Clique

A colorful, kaleidoscopic disco ball of a record, Deee-Lite’s World Clique is driven by its pumping dance beats. “Groove Is In The Heart” is the highlight here, an incredibly catchy, sampladelic masterpiece that still rocks the party.

45: MC Hammer – Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em

Anchored by the massive radio hit “U Can’t Touch This,” Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em was one of the biggest rap records of the decade, solidifying MC Hammer as a crossover star at a time when rap wasn’t yet a mainstream concern.

44: Los Prisioneros – Corazones

Chilean rock band Los Prisioneros’ fourth album, Corazones, combines slick production with soulful, impassioned performances.

43: Iron Maiden – No Prayer for the Dying

No Prayer for the Dying is a rocking and relentlessly wild ride. Beneath the 1990 album’s drama and humor are some really complex grooves and heavy riffs.

42: Temple of the Dog – Temple of the Dog

With its gnarly riffs that traverse punk, metal and classic rock, Temple of the Dog laid an important foundation for the sound that would eventually be labeled grunge.

41: Soda Stereo – Canción Animal

Full of big hooks and undeniable songs, Canción Animal is one of the best Latin rock albums of the early 90s.

40: Bell Biv DeVoe – Poison

A unique melding of hardcore hip hop beats and smooth R&B vocals, Poison was cutting-edge when it arrived and its sound and attitude remain influential today.

39: Whitney Houston – I’m Your Baby Tonight

The most dynamic voice of her generation, Whitney Houston shines on standouts like the title cut and the explosive ballad “All The Man That I Need.”

38: Johnny Gill – Johnny Gill

Johnny Gill brings lovelorn ballads and dramatic vocals for his self-titled 1990 album. The record still holds up beautifully: “My, My, My” is an enduring R&B classic.

37: Tony! Toni! Toné! – The Revival

A versatile and inventive album, The Revival is full of gorgeous ballads like “Whatever You Want” and uptempo club classics like “Feels Good.”

36: Black Box – Dreamland

Full of lively and anthemic dance cuts, Dreamland is fun and soulful.“Everybody Everybody” is a club classic and “Forever” is a fantastic Earth Wind & Fire cover.

35: Eric B. & Rakim – Let the Rhythm Hit ‘Em

While funky, uptempo cuts like “No Omega” and the title track highlight the duo’s ability to hit hard and fast, “Mahogany” and “In The Ghetto” slow the pace and focus on Rakim’s vivid storytelling.

34: Bathory – Hammerheart

Taking metal to mythic, spiritual heights, Bathroy’s album Hammerheart burns brightly and turns the volume up loud.

33: The Chicks – Thank Heavens for Dale Evans

The Chicks’ debut leans heavily on a traditional country sound and comes out the other side with some beautiful results. The performances on songs like “Long Roads” are dynamic and the vocal harmonies are lush and sweet.

32: Nitzer Ebb – Showtime

Nitzer Ebb’s Showtime is a dark industrial masterpiece. Full of pounding rhythms and foreboding vocals, the album is threatening and heavy.

31: Guy – The Future

Led by genre architect Teddy Riley, The Future contains New Jack Swing-era classics like “Wanna Get With U” and “Let’s Chill.”

30: Pantera – Cowboys From Hell

A vicious and furious beast of an album, Cowboys From Hell’s has some truly powerful moments and songs like “Cemetery Gates” and the chaotic “Clash With Reality.”

29: Uncle Tupelo – No Depression

Whether you consider Uncle Tupelo a countrified rock band or a rocking country band, their influence on both is undeniable. “Graveyard Shift” and “No Depression,” in particular, give insight into the band’s power and forward-thinking sound.

28: Pet Shop Boys – Behaviour

The chilly, electronic beats on cuts like “Being Boring,” “My October Symphony,” and “This Must Be The Place I Waited” provide a perfect backdrop for Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe’s songs about desire and heartbreak.

27: The La’s – The La’s

Liverpool jangle pop heroes The La’s debut album wins on the strength of its earnest, emotional songs. The entire album is top-notch and “There She Goes” is an enduring classic.

26: Pixies – Bossanova

Pixies’ Bossanova is more subdued than the albums that preceded it, but the band’s furious guitar noise and Frank Black’s idiosyncratic vocals remain.

25: Enigma – MCMXC a.D.

Enigma’s MCMXC a.D. is full of hip hop-inflected beats as well as some truly ethereal synths and vocals. It’s ambient with a pulse and mood music with groove.

24: Keith Sweat – I’ll Give All My Love To You

One of the best R&B singers of the 80s and 90s, Keith Sweat wails and begs for love, baring his soul for all to see.

23: En Vogue – Born to Sing

Funky, contemporary beats meet fiery solos and dreamy harmonies. Born to Sing is one of early 90s R&B’s finest moments.

22: Megadeth – Rust In Peace

Full of monster riffs and pummeling grooves, Rust In Peace proved why Megadeth were still masters of metal as the 80s gave way to the 90s.

21: Cocteau Twins – Heaven Or Las Vegas

Groovy, lush and dreamy, Heaven Or Las Vegas’ uptempo beats provide a driving pulse to Cocteau Twins’ psychedelic sound.

20: Gang Starr – Step in the Arena

DJ Premier’s neck-snapping beats and GURU’s direct, insightful rhymes combine on Step in the Arena, one of the best rap albums of the early 90s.

19: Brand Nubian – One for All

Over dope, head-nodding beats, Lord Jamar, Grand Puba, and Sadat X trade fly, righteous bars culminating in one of the best debuts in rap history.

18: A Tribe Called Quest – People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

Pulling from a variety of jazz, soul, rock, and funk samples, A Tribe Called Quest’s remarkable debut explores hip hop’s more colorful, kaleidoscopic potential. Full of quirky, relatable rhymes and funky grooves, People’s Instinctive… is a fun and inventive snapshot of early 90s Black bohemia.

17: George Michael – Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1

George Michael’s Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1 is practically beaming with spiritual power. Songs like “Freedom! 90,” and “Waiting For That Day” are potent highlights of Michael’s vocal gift.

16: Ride – Nowhere

With gorgeous songs like “Here And Now,” “Polar Bear,” and “Dreams Burn Down,” Nowhere is engulfed in waves of blissfully distorted sound.

15: Black Crowes – Shake Your Money Maker

Glammed-out with a bluesy heart, Black Crowes‘ 1990 debut Shake Your Money Maker “Jealous Again” and “Hard To Handle” were radio hits that transported the sound and swagger of the past into the 90s.

14: The KLF – Chill Out

Chill Out reenvisions ambient music as a blissful psychedelic trip to the beyond. It’s an album that is designed to heal and soothe.

13: Judas Priest – Painkiller

The 12th album from Judas Priest, Painkiller finds the band reasserting its position as a vital force in mainstream metal. Standout cuts like “All Guns Blazing” and “Between The Hammer & The Anvil” are nasty, swirling maelstroms of power.

12: Garth Brooks – No Fences

One of the biggest country music stars of the era, Garth Brooks ruled the 90s. “Wild Horses” and “New Way To Fly” are great places to start (or revisit).

11: Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted

Co-produced by Public Enemy’s legendary Bomb Squad crew, Ice Cube’s 1990 debut solo album is as loud, noisy, and righteously pissed off as any record in rap history.

10: Sonic Youth – Goo

Sonic Youth’s major-label debut finds the band smoothing out their experimental edges and pushing further into radio-friendly alt-rock territory. While Goo’s sound may be more accessible, the band retains its noisy proclivities on punky tunes like “Mildred Pierce” and the soaring Karen Carpenter tribute, “Tunic (Song for Karen).”

9: Happy Mondays – Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches

A bright and over-the-top mixture of brit-pop and electronic dance music, Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches signaled the dawning of the 90s and predicted some of its greatest stylistic innovations.

8: Angelo Badalamenti – Soundtrack from Twin Peaks

Angelo Badalamenti’s bizarre and cinematic score was a perfect match for Twin Peaks’ surreal and scenic imagery.

7: Depeche Mode – Violator

With its songs exploring the darker corners of desire and faith, Depeche Mode’s Violator is a heavy, existentialist epic.

6: Mariah Carey – Mariah Carey

From the stunning opening “Vision Of Love” to the closer, “Love Takes Time,” Mariah Carey’s self-titled debut is a classic packed with hits. With its smooth, champagne-souled out arrangements and Mariah’s powerful and soaring voice, the album dominated the charts and introduced the world to a generational talent.

Buy Mariah Carey’s music on vinyl now.

5: Sinead O’Connor – I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got

Sinead O’Connor’s sophomore effort, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got is one of the most remarkable singer-songwriter-driven albums of the early 90s. The songs are soulful and socially conscious, while her cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” rivals the original.

4: LL COOL J – Mama Said Knock You Out

Don’t call it a comeback! LL COOL J’s rhymes and super-producer Marley Marl’s beats collide for this thrilling return to form.

Buy LL COOL J’s music on vinyl now.

3: Neil Young and Crazy Horse – Ragged Glory

Neil Young and his band took a back-to-basics approach for their 1990 album, Ragged Glory, prioritizing live takes and the sound of Young’s inimitable guitar playing.

2: Jane’s Addiction – Ritual De Lo Habitual

A near-perfect melding of punk, hard rock, and alternative, Ritual De La Habitual is a bold musical statement that contains the enduring hit “Been Caught Stealing.”

1: Public Enemy – Fear of a Black Planet

Public Enemy’s third album is a fiery collage of Black radical politics and sonic bombast. Cuts like “Welcome to the Terrordome,” “Burn Hollywood Burn” and “Fight The Power” are among the group’s finest moments.

Buy Public Enemy’s music on vinyl now.

Can’t get enough 90s music? Listen to our 90s Music playlist here.

​Discover more about the world’s greatest R&B artists | uDiscover Music