2020 was a whirlwind of a year but that didn't let amazing artists to create fire tracks along the way! A lot of hit songs emerged in 2020 that we can safely say were huge bops! Here are the Monster Yearender highlights - Best of 2020:
SONG OF THE YEAR - Inside Friend by Leon Bridges ft. John Mayer
This Monster hit by Leon Bridges and John Mayer has topped our charts for a long time since it's release. A laidback-soul track, "Inside Friend" came out in April 2020 but was recorded back in 2019, a first collaboration between Bridges and Mayer. The idea of the song came out when both artists were joking around on what an "ideal date between an introvert or homebody would be like."
LSS HIT OF THE YEAR - Yummy by Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber has been releasing music left and right last year, even coming out with an album titled "Changes" at the start of 2020 and creating a hit track with Ariana Grande titled "Stuck With U" around May. Justin had chart-topping songs on his album "Changes" but "Yummy" just hit the LSS spot on the Monster!
OPM SONG OF THE YEAR - Keeping Me Up by Leanne & Naara
Leanne & Naara's song "Keeping Me Up" were truly at a peak last year, topping the Monster Hit List for 5 consecutive weeks! The duo has definitely been fan favorites as they've been upping their sound since this hit single of theirs. A lot of positive buzz around these two and their songs and we see why they were always on top!
R&B ACT OF THE YEAR - The Weeknd
Of course, The Weeknd takes home the win for R&B act of the year with the release of his highly-anticipated and sought after album Afterhours (in which we think 100% deserves that Grammy nomination!) The Weeknd is just the gift that keeps on giving and hopefully won't and will never stop making music in which we can both groove and cry to at the same time.
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Doja Cat
What started out as a viral "cow song" turned Doja Cat into one of the newest and popular rapper in the industry. With songs combining rap with sweet pop like "Say So", creative use of samples for "Freak", fierce feminine beats on "Like That" and more! This striking rapper is rapidly rising to the top and will have no problem staying there!
MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber is still keeping his reputation as one of the highly-billed artists in the industry and plans to probably keep it that way with chart-topping hits here and there. No surprises, just excitement for more amazing songs from this brilliant artist!
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Jhené Aiko
Jhené Aiko just continues on serving with soulful, r&b tracks that always have a place in the charts. With powerful yet breezy anthems and a golden voice to match, it's no wonder Jhené Aiko earned the spot of Female Artist of 2020.
GROUP OF THE YEAR - BTS
This K-pop group is on a current high and taking over the world with millions of fans and major collaborations with international artists, BTS just breaks the records in all ways and they're here to stay! Armys all over the world couldn't help but be proud of their boys and we see how this group deserves all the fame they're getting!
OPM ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Leanne & Naara
Following their continuous #1 spot on the Monster, it's expected that the talented duo of Leanne & Naara will be the OPM Artist of 2020! These ladies are exerting all their efforts for the love of music and they're earning every bit of reward they deserve from all their creative hard work.
OPM NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR - Bea Lorenzo
Bea Lorenzo is making a name for herself thru colorful harmonies. With her songs on the rise, Bea wouldn't have a hard time earning her spot in the world of OPM!
The Monster also recognizes fresh Filipino talent thru Indieground and this year we've had a handful of astonishing original songs from rising, independent Filipino artists! Here's the spotlight on the Indieground artists that earned their 2020 breakthrough:
INDIEGROUND FEMALE ARTIST OF 2020 - Majo Elli for "Move"
Majo Elli is a bedroom artist leaning towards indie music with influences of jazz and R&B. Her Indieground single "Move" earned her the title for Female Artist of 2020 for it's sweet yet personal story and her calming vocals to go along with it. Surely a must-have artist on your playlist!
MALE ARTIST OF 2020 - Young Cocoa for "Manila"
Young Cocoa (real name Elyon Barrera) is a young brilliant creative, spitting dope anectodal bars and flows. His Indieground song "Manila" is an ode to the city and his experience with it. Young Cocoa doesn't just rap but tells stories and it resonates with the songs he creates. We're for sure feeling the energy this young, upcoming artist brings out on the soundwaves!
BAND OF 2020 - Yamashita Treasure with "Day After Day"
Yamashita Treasure delivers groovy, nostalgic beats that'll make you want to lounge and relive good memories. Their song "Day After Day" was released in 2019 and has been part of the first batch of Indieground songs for 2020. The band has so much potential with their classic, vibey sound that's surely something new in the fresh generation of OPM.
TOP 40 SONGS OF 2020:
1. Inside Friend - Leon Bridges ft. John Mayer
2. Intentions - Justin Bieber ft. Quavo
3. Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
4. Give Me Love - JOJI
5. Keeping Me Up - Leanne & Naara
6. Free Love - Honne
7. Cabin Fever - Jaden
8. Sugar - Brockhampton
9. Happiness Over Everything - Jhené Aiko ft. Future
10. Stuck With U - Justin Bieber ft. Ariana Grande
11. SUPALONELY - BENEE ft. Gus Daperton
12. Blueberry Eyes - MAX ft. SUGA of BTS
13. Holy - Justin Bieber ft. Chance The Rapper
14. Freak - Doja Cat
15. In Your Eyes - The Weeknd ft. Doja Cat
16. Honey In The Summer - PUBLIC
17. Positions - Ariana Grande
18. Kapalaran - Bea Lorenzo
19. Yummy - Justin Bieber
20. Say So - Doja Cat
21. Up All Night - Khalid
22. Daylight - Joji and Diplo
23. Dynamite - BTS
24. Just Friends - Audrey Mika
25. Adore You - Harry Styles
26. Deathbed - Powfu ft. Beabadobee
27. Ambrosia - Kiana V
28. Ice Cream - Blackpink ft. Selena Gomez
29. Break My Heart - Dua Lipa
30. Go Crazy - Chris Brown ft. Young Thug
31. Snail - BENEE
32. Time - Childish Gambino ft. Ariana Grande
33. It Should Be Me - Inigo
34. Lost In The Wild - WALK THE MOON
35. Tangerine - Glass Animals
36. No Judgement - Niall Horan
37. What You Know Bout Love - Pop Smoke
38. Toosie Slide - Drake
39. What A Man Gotta Do - Jonas Brothers
40. Laugh Now Cry Later - Drake ft. Lil Durk
And there you have it, the Monster's Best of 2020! Tune in on the Monster Hit List with Hazel Hottie every Fridays, 7-8 PM and vote for your favorite songs and artists that you feel deserve the top spots! Also keep an ear out for Indieground tracks that are played on the Monster as well!