You weren’t the only one playing The Weeknd on repeat this year! Stars like Tove Lo, Charlie Puth, and Carly Rae Jepsen couldn’t get enough of the “Can’t Feel My Face” singer. Drake was popular among fellow musicians, too — as were Justin Bieber and Kendrick Lamar.
Us Weekly asked this year’s radio rulers to share which tunes topped their 2015 playlists. See their picks below!
Ed Sheeran
“What Do You Mean?” by Justin Bieber: “As soon as I heard that song, I said, ‘F–k, I should have done that.'”
Mark Ronson
“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar: “It’s the bravest, most unique song hip-hop banger in years. For starters, it opens with a Gary Bartz-like avante garde sax solo, plus the lyrical content is mainly a fiery religious sermon on battling the Devil’s temptation. But all this would mean nothing if the track wasn’t such a banger. Kendrick’s flow is so absolutely jaw-droppingly good.”
Luke Bryan
“We Went” by Randy Houser: “I can never get it out of my head!”
Nick Jonas
“Hotline Bling” by Drake: “Already a classic. It’s great. He’s doing some great things and always been a big inspiration for me. It’s why he inspires me. I would love to work with him someday.”
Carly Rae Jepsen
“I Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd: “It was the theme song when I got my wisdom teeth pulled! I kept laughing to myself and the Oxycodone bottle, ha! But in all realness, great tune and rad artist.”
A$AP Rocky
“Eventually” by Tame Impala: “I have such a strong connection to it.”
Selena Gomez
“L$D” by A$AP Rocky: “When I heard it, I thought it was so cool that I reached out to him to rap on ‘Good for You.’ He called me two days later and wanted to be a part of it. He wanted to change the production and I said, ‘Do whatever you want, man!'”
Demi Lovato
“Talking Body” by Tove Lo: “I have so many good memories associated with it all year long.”
Meghan Trainor
“BURNITUP!” by Janet Jackson feat. Missy Elliot: “It’s bold! The beat is different and crazy. Missy Elliot kills it per usual and Janet is like extra funky on it. It goes hard!”
Future
“Legend” by Drake: “The song represents how we feel when we are working hard on what we love to do. It represents our passion for our craft more than it is bragging. Dope waves.”
Fetty Wap
“Computers” and “Hot N—a” by Rowdy Rebel and Bobby Shmurda: “Before the world knew about ‘Trap Queen,’ these guys showed me love and support. Sqquaaaa! This is the best song ever besides mine, hahaha. Dope beats, catchy hooks, turn-up songs. Monty and I even did a freestyle mix to ‘Computers’ because we were such fans of the song.”
Silento
“Hotline Bling” by Drake: “It’s so completely catchy and real.”
OMI
“See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth: “I really respect Paul Walker as an actor and this track is the perfect tribute to his untimely departure.”
Rachel Platten
“Naked” by X Ambassadors: ” I love their whole album! But once the beat drops, I can’t stop moving. The groove is sexy, soulful, electronic and organic all at the same time. And the words… well… wanna get naked.”
Andy Grammer
“The Men That Drive Places” by Ben Rector: “A truly amazing track that makes you stop everything you are doing in life and feel something deeply. This song destroys me in the best way.”
Nicolas Petricca of Walk the Moon
“Coffee” by Miguel: “Miguel paints a picture in my head so effortlessly. I forget about what genre I’m listening to and just get into the song. His unique way of combining musical styles always makes me want to go write music. That’s how I know it’s true greatness.”
Big Sean
“My Way” by Fetty Wap feat. Drake: “This song is a banger and it sounds so good every single time you hear it.”
Jason Derulo
“Coco” by O.T. Genasis: “It was the biggest moment in all music. Definitely my favorite. I also love the laid-back, chill vibe of Selena Gomez’s ‘Good for You.’ I love where she’s going with it.”
Wiz Khalifa
“Don’t Go Nowhere” by J.R. Donato: “I like the production and the song is so new and just so hot.”
Tori Kelly
“Beautiful” by Mali Music: “It always puts me in a good mood and makes me appreciate the people in my life — including my fans.”
Charlie Puth
“The Hills” by The Weeknd: “‘The Hills’ set the precedent for what 808s are probably going to sound more like this year and next year in production. Since 2012, 808s have gotten progressively more distorted thanks to producers like Boi Wunda and Mike Will Made It. ‘The Hills’ has the most distorted low-end syths on pop radio wright now with a major pubch and beautiful melodies. It’s a true work of art.”
Timothy Thomas of R. City
“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar: “Because it represents the struggle but from a place where even though we’re going through it in whatever way, don’t worry, we’re gonna be alright.”
Theron Thomas of R. City
“Lean On” by Major Lazer: “As much as I play this song, I honestly don’t know what it is about! I love the beat and the melody. It just gives me an international and Caribbean feel like I hear island elements on it.”
Alessia Cara
“What Do You Mean?” by Justin Bieber: “This is so hard but it’s the only song I’ve heard a billion times and still love it like the first time.”
Tove Lo
“Real Life” by The Weeknd: “It’s beautiful, cocky, vulnerable, powerful. I also think he sings like Michael Jackson sometimes and that got me hooked. Also, I had a really sexy week in Rio with this on repeat!”
Natalie La Rose
“Time of Our Lives” by Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo: “It’s the perfect summer song with an old-school disco vibe and it’s very relatable. It makes me wanna forget all my worries and enjoy life!”
Shawn Mendes
“Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran: “Melodically and lyrically, it’s such an amazing song on all levels.”
Kelsea Ballerini
“Girl Crush” by Little Big Town: “I’m such a sucker for a good song and it’s the most well-written song on country radio this year.”
Hunter Hayes
“Traveller” by Chris Stapleton: “It’s undeniable. He has a gift for whatever he touches and a natural ability to make you feel something.”
Hilary Duff
“Lean On” by Major Lazer: “I cannot sit still to it! I just can’t get sick of it. You won’t really understand this unless you are friends with me.”
