NEW YORK (AP) — Kendrick Lamar’s hit song “Not Like Us” dominated Apple Music’s global charts in 2024, securing the rapper his first-ever No. 1 spot on the streamer’s year-end global songs list. Apple Music unveiled its highly anticipated year-end charts on Tuesday, along with personalized listening stats for subscribers through its Replay feature.
“Not Like Us” led the charge in a strong year for music, followed by Benson Boone’s emotional ballad “Beautiful Things” in second place. Sabrina Carpenter claimed the third spot with her upbeat track “Espresso,” while Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” rounded out the top five.
Swift’s “Cruel Summer,” originally released in 2019 on her Lover album, saw an unexpected resurgence in 2023, landing it among this year’s biggest hits.
Women Set a Record on Apple Music’s Charts
For the first time in the seven-year history of Apple Music’s global chart, 39 of the 100 top songs were by female-identifying artists, marking a historic milestone for gender representation in music.
Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift were among the standout contributors to this record-breaking achievement, with other female artists, like Billie Eilish and Dua Lipa, dominating various year-end lists.
Japanese Hip-Hop Breakthrough
Japanese hip-hop act Creepy Nuts made waves internationally with their viral hit “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born,” which topped Apple Music’s most-read lyrics chart in 2024. The track also led the platform’s Sing chart, which ranks the songs fans sang along to the most throughout the year.
This success highlights the growing global influence of Japanese music. In 2023, YOASOBI’s “アイドル (Idol)” topped the inaugural Sing chart and continues to perform well, securing the No. 2 spot this year.
New Shazam Radio Spins Chart
Apple Music introduced the Shazam Global Radio Spins chart in 2024, revealing the most popular songs on global radio. Dua Lipa’s infectious hit “Houdini” claimed the top spot, followed by Teddy Swims’ soulful “Lose Control” and Tate McRae’s energetic anthem “Greedy.”
Replay and Billie Eilish’s Remarkable Year
Apple Music’s Replay feature, the service’s answer to Spotify Wrapped, is also back, allowing users to review their most-streamed songs and artists of the year. Artists can now access their own listening stats through Apple Music for Artists, making it easier to share their achievements with fans.
Apple Music’s Artist of the Year honor went to Billie Eilish, whose 2024 accomplishments solidified her as a generational icon. At just 22, Eilish became the youngest person to win two Academy Awards, released her critically acclaimed third album Hit Me Hard and Soft, and received seven Grammy nominations for 2025.
Despite not releasing a new album this year, Eilish won two Grammys for her soulful ballad “What Was I Made For?” from the Barbie movie soundtrack.
Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s senior director of Content and Editorial, praised Eilish’s evolution:
“It’s always special when a young artist connects so deeply with people. But what’s truly remarkable about Billie is her ability to grow and express herself so bravely and honestly, all on her own terms.”
A Year of Milestones
Apple Music’s 2024 charts reflect a diverse and dynamic year for music, with Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping success, record-setting representation for women artists, and the growing global influence of Japanese music. As fans look back on their favorite tunes through Replay, the industry sets its sights on 2025 and the continued evolution of music’s biggest stars.
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