2021 was another year that was filled with great songs by amazing artists! As this year ends and a new one begins, we look back on the chart-topping songs and artists that dominated 2021! Here are the Yearend Countdown Awards of 2021:

SONG OF THE YEAR: Peaches by Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar and Giveon

"Peaches" was the ultimate song of 2021 as it topped the Monster Hit List for 5 consecutive weeks! The collaboration between these pop/R&B artists truly made an impact on its reception, matched with the groovy beats of the song. This song came to life after Bieber wrote the song, worked around it and contacted Giveon & Daniel Caesar to join him in this funk-pop track!

COLLABORATION OF THE YEAR: "Cold Heart" by Elton John and Dua Lipa

This collaboration between modern pop icon Dua Lipa and the legendary Elton John is a match made in heaven! This disco-dance track is something new and something old as it was also a mashup of Elton John's classic songs like "Rocket Man", "Sacrifice", "Kiss The Bride" and "Where's the Shoorah?" Safe to say the outcome became something truly incredible! 

BIG BALLAD OF THE YEAR: "Angel Baby" by Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan channeled his inner joy in this powerful track. His goal is to create a "love struck, mega pop, gay power ballad”. This song expresses Troye Sivan's happiness and celebration of his life by experiencing joy with his newfound love. Power pop is very big on this singer as he goes on to reveal more layers of himself through raw and real songs. 

DANCE SONG OF THE YEAR: "Permission To Dance" by BTS

BTS has been uplifting us with their recent releases and "Permission To Dance" just keeps the hype up more and more! An upbeat, dance-pop track, "Permission To Dance" is the band's third English single, following "Dynamite" in 2020 and "Butter" in early 2021. Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran also contributed to the writing of this song, making this his second song for BTS. The band has been very vocal about their intentions on all of their recent song releases, stating that they want to spread joy and positivity by uplifting the listeners through their music, despite the current situation. This track truly makes us want to stand up, vibe and just dance our worries away! 

LSS HIT OF THE YEAR: "Kiss Me More" by Doja Cat ft. SZA

Doja Cat has been topping the Monster Charts left and right! With her latest collaboration with SZA, "Kiss Me More" eventually reached the Monster Hit List #1 spot for weeks. The track is a fusion of bubblegum pop, R&B, dance and disco. With the reviews and reception "Kiss Me More" has gotten, no wonder it was nominated for Record Of The Year, among others, at the 64th Grammy Awards. Doja Cat and SZA just knows how to hit the right spot! Crossing our fingers for more collaborations between these two powerful ladies in pop and R&B.

OPM SONG OF THE YEAR: "Anticipation" by Leanne & Naara

Leanne & Naara has been a staple at the Monster Charts, with their pop soul-infused songs always reaching #1 on the Monster Hit List. "Anticipation" was produced by Canadian-Filipino producer August Rigo (who has also worked for several artists like One Direction, BTS, Justin Bieber to name a few and also guested on All Out back in 2020!) The song is described as "a blend of classic neo-soul R&B with a modern take". Leanne & Naara also tried something new in this track, incorporating a rap-style singing at the chorus, in which Naara was hesitant at first. But look at how the song turned out! It's definitely the type of song we'll have on repeat! 

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Justin Bieber

For the second year in a row, Justin Bieber remains as the Monster's Male Artist of the Year! Justin Bieber has been blessing us with hit songs and chart-topping albums every year. It's no doubt that he remains at the top as he never stops releasing highly-anticipated songs and collaborations with amazing artists! 

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa opened the year with the Moonlight Edition of her 2020 hit album Future Nostalgia, adding 6 more tracks to the album including collaborations with Miley Cyrus, J Balvin and more! Dua Lipa has rebranded her sound a bit by adding funky 80s groove to her modern pop songs, which totally matches her "future nostalgia" theme. She has been reaching great heights, even collaborating with Elton John for her last release of 2021. We hope that this year will feature more dance-worthy, nostalgic tracks from the singer! 

GROUP OF THE YEAR: BTS

The boy band that is taking the world by storm — BTS! The Grammy-nominated K-pop group has received countless of wins in the past year or two and is quickly rising to the top! The group consisting of RM, Jin, SUGA, j-hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook have continuously worked hard to release meaningful, lively tracks in their current era and safe to say, everybody's getting the BTS fever! The band ended 2021 on a high note with a Coldplay collaboration for "My Universe", a 4-day live concert titled "Permission To Dance On Stage - LA" and a much-needed break/vacation as they get themselves ready, recharged and inspired for their anticipated comeback in which they describe as a "new chapter". We're definitely waiting as BTS are preparing for something new and different that we'll know, for sure, will skyrocket up the charts in no time! 

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Olivia Rodrigo

From starring on a lead role in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series to releasing her first single about an experience of love and heartbreak, topping the music charts and even getting a Grammy nomination — Olivia Rodrigo and her album "SOUR" is the ultimate Gen Z anthem! The catchy, pop and ballad tracks in her album easily caught the attention of audiences and have been used on several social media platforms, especially on TikTok. Olivia delivered to her a side we first didn't know she had - angsty, tough and carefree! We're looking forward to more different sides of the rapidly rising artist in the upcoming year. 

R&B ACT OF THE YEAR: Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)

Silk Sonic is a blessing from the music gods! The fusion of renowed R&B/pop singer Bruno Mars and soul/hip-hop rapper Anderson .Paak. Initially, the duo started to form way back 2017 when Anderson .Paak opened for Bruno Mars in the European leg of the latter's 24K Magic World Tour and started to work on music together. Just last year, the duo locked in and made an album together thus the beginning of superduo Silk Sonic! The duo's musical style is a fusion of pop, R&B, soul, funk and even disco. Silk Sonic's tracks and album, "An Evening With Silk Sonic" is best described as "sexy, smooth and radiates confidence and charisma". We're pretty sure there's more Silk Sonic has to offer and by all means, we will be more than glad to experience more music from this superduo! 

OPM NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Young Cocoa

Stemming from Indieground back in 2020, and now a part of the Monster Charts — Young Cocoa has come full circle! The self-made artist started off having his single "Manila" from the Indieground Playlist of 2020 and has since then moved on to entering the Monster Hit List with his recent single "Zesto". Young Cocoa exudes urban vibes that gives off Manila energy that will make you instantly bop your head just from the first note of his songs! We're happy to see Young Cocoa thrive in the local scene and in no time, fully make a name for himself! 

BREAKOUT FIL-AM ARTISTS OF THE YEAR: Olivia Rodrigo, Bella Poarch and Joseph Barros from Peach Tree Rascals

We're very proud to see our fellow Filipinos thriving in the international scene!

Olivia Rodrigo, who's Filipina-American, as we already know earned her major acting role in the teen musical drama High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Not long after, she has rose up in the music industry with her first single "driver's license" and eventually her Grammy-nominated album "SOUR".

Bella Poarch rose to fame after becoming viral for her TikTok lip-syncing video and soon after, her TikTok content. The US-based Filipina used to be a part of the United States Navy before achieving her social media fame. Following her TikTok success, she dived into the world of music and got signed to Warner Records in May of 2021. She shortly released her first single "Build A B*tch" and its accompanying music video which also featured famous internet personalities including social media star Bretman Rock and streamer Valkyrae, who are also Filipino! Bella Poarch continues to work on her TikTok account and release new music, with her latest titled "Inferno" featuring Sub Urban.

Joseph Barros is a part of alt-jazz, funk and hip-hop Bay Area musical collective "Peach Tree Rascals". The group is composed of second-generation childrens of immigrants and all members met in high school. They gained fame after their song "Mariposa" went viral on TikTok and have been releasing EPs and an album since. Joseph Barros' parents are full Filipino with his father originally coming from Boracay. 

There you have it! The song and artist winners of the 2021 Yearend Countdown! It definitely has been a year of music with the consistent artists on the Monster charts and new, rising ones making their way to the Monster playlist.

Check out the Best of 2021 video on the RX93.1 Youtube channel:

For the full list of the the 2021 Top 40 songs, you can check it out here!