Get ready for a musical journey through the 2010s, because we’re breaking down each artist who was crowned the top artist of the year for each year of the 2010s (as determined by data from various sources such as record sales, streaming numbers, and industry awards to create an irrefutable scoring system – yay, data!).
From pop superstars to hip hop heavyweights, the 2010s saw a diverse array of artists dominate the charts and captivate audiences around the world. But who came out on top as the top artist of the year for each year of the decade? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!
Quick facts:
- Only one group made the list – the rock band is just not what it used to be.
- Of the ten years’ worth of artists, four of ten are considered rappers.
- Only one artist ranks as the top artist in multiple years.
- The artists on this list are from all over the world – four for the USA, three from Canada, and 1 from both Australia and Barbados respectively.
So, without further ado, let’s take a trip down memory lane and revisit the top artists of the 2010s!
2010 – Rihanna (376 Points)
In 2010, Rihanna was slaying the pop game and ruling the charts with her fierce vocals and killer style. She released her fifth studio album, “Loud,” which was full of hit singles that had everyone singing along. Some of the standout tracks from the album include “Only Girl (In the World),” “What’s My Name?,” and “S&M,” which all became massive hits. “Loud” was a total success, debuting at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and eventually being certified multi-platinum in several countries.
In addition to slaying the music world, Rihanna also made headlines in 2010 for her high-profile and tumultuous relationship with singer Chris Brown. Despite the ups and downs, 2010 was a successful and eventful year for Rihanna, who proved once and for all that she was a pop queen not to be messed with.
Here are the top songs from this artist from this year:
- “Hard” (featuring Jeezy)
- “Rude Boy”
- “Love The Way You Lie” (Eminem featuring Rihanna)
- “Only Girl (In the World)”
- “What’s My Name?” (featuring Drake)
Here are the next closest artists:
- Bruno Mars (302 Points)
- Katy Perry (277 Points)
- Kesha (214 Points)
- B.o.B. (212 Points)
2011 – Katy Perry (337 Points)
Katy Perry was both the Artist of the Year and the Artist of the Summer for 2011! In 2011, Katy Perry was still reigning supreme as the queen of pop. She released a bunch of new singles and music videos from her “Teenage Dream” album, including “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.),” “E.T.,” and “The One That Got Away.” She also went on tour, performing all around the world on her “California Dreams Tour.” When she wasn’t busy slaying the music game, she made appearances on TV shows like “Saturday Night Live” and “Raising Hope,” and performed at the MTV Video Music Awards. Plus, she lent her voice to the character Smurfette in “The Smurfs” movie. Overall, 2011 was another successful year for the unstoppable Katy Perry.
Here are the top songs from this artist from this year:
- “Firework”
- “E.T.” (featuring Kanye West)
- “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)”
- “The One That Got Away”
Here are the next closest artists:
- Adele (269 Points)
- LMFAO (266 Points)
- Bruno Mars (246 Points)
- Rihanna (241 Points)
2012 – Maroon 5 (301 Points)
Maroon 5 was both the Artist of the Year and the Artist of the Summer for 2012. In 2012, Maroon 5 was still killin’ it in the music world with their catchy pop rock tunes. They released their fourth studio album, “Overexposed,” which included hit singles like “Payphone,” “One More Night,” and “Daylight.” The album was a massive success, reaching the top of the charts in numerous countries and going multi-platinum in several territories. The band also hit the road on their world tour, performing in venues across the globe. These venues included AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Wembley Stadium in London, England and ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Australia. All in all, 2012 was another amazing year for Maroon 5.
Here are the top songs from this artist from this year:
- “Payphone” (featuring Wiz Khalifa)
- “One More Night”
Here are the next closest artists:
- Fun. (287 Points)
- Flo Rida (224 Points)
- Rihanna (210 Points)
- Gotye & Kimbra (188 Points)
2013 – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (287 Points)
In 2013, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were total superstars and everyone was obsessed with their debut studio album, “The Heist”. Some of the standout tracks from the album include “Thrift Shop,” “Can’t Hold Us,” and “Same Love,” which all became massive hits. “The Heist” received widespread critical acclaim for its positive message and innovative sound, and it helped to establish Macklemore and Ryan Lewis as major players in the music world.
In 2013, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis continued to dominate the charts and win over fans with their music. They swept the Grammy Awards, winning four prizes, including Best New Artist, Best Rap Album, and Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “Thrift Shop.” They also performed at tons of high-profile events and concerts, and they continued to tour and promote their music throughout the year. It was a banner year for the dynamic duo, and they solidified their place as two of the biggest and most popular hip hop artists in the world in 2013.
Here are the top songs from this artist from this year:
- “Thrift Shop” (featuring Wanz)
- “Can’t Hold Us” (featuring Ray Dalton)
Here are the next closest artists:
- Pharrell Williams (267 Points)
- Justin Timberlake (225 Points)
- Bruno Mars (214 Points)
- Miley Cyrus (203 Points)
2014 – Iggy Azalea (341 Points)
Iggy Azalea was both the Artist of the Year and the Artist of the Summer for 2014. In 2014, Iggy Azalea was ruling the rap game with her debut studio album, “The New Classic,” which included hit singles like “Fancy” and “Black Widow.” The album was a massive success, reaching the top of the charts in numerous countries and also going multi-platinum in several territories (Australia, Canada, Unites States of America, and United Kingdom). Azalea also performed with Rita Ora at the MTV Video Music Awards. All in all, 2014 was a pretty epic year for one of the queens of pop rap.
Here are the top songs from this artist from this year:
- “Fancy” (featuring Charli XCX)
- “Problem” (Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea)
- “Black Widow” (featuring Rita Ora)
Here are the next closest artists:
- Ariana Grande (251 Points)
- Taylor Swift (199 Points)
- Meghan Trainor (190 Points)
- Katy Perry (179 Points)
2015 – The Weeknd (380 Points)
The Weeknd was both the Artist of the Year and the Artist of the Summer for 2015. In 2015, The Weeknd was tearing up the music scene with his critically acclaimed second studio album, “Beauty Behind the Madness,” which included hit singles like “Can’t Feel My Face” and “The Hills.” The album received widespread acclaim for its blend of R&B, pop, and electronic influences, and it helped to establish The Weeknd as a major force in the music industry.
“Beauty Behind the Madness” was a critical and commercial success, reaching the top of the charts in multiple countries and earning The Weeknd numerous awards and accolades. It was certified 4x platinum in the United States and went multi-platinum in several other countries. In addition to his music, The Weeknd gained attention for his distinctive style and aesthetic, which included his signature hairstyle and tattoos. He became known for his dark and moody image, which helped to set him apart from other artists in the industry. All in all, 2015 was a pretty killer year for the soulful Canadian singer.
Here are the top songs from this artist from this year:
- “Love Me Harder” (Ariana Grande featuring The Weeknd)
- “Earned It”
- “Can’t Feel My Face”
- “The Hills”
Here are the next closest artists:
- Taylor Swift (247 Points)
- Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson (226 Points)
- Justin Bieber (222 Points)
- Fetty Wap (215 Points)
2016 – Justin Bieber (429 Points)
In 2016, Justin Bieber was still the ultimate pop prince and everyone was obsessed with his music. He released his fourth studio album, “Purpose,” which was a total blockbuster and spawned several hit singles that had everyone singing along. Some of the standout tracks from the album include “Sorry,” “Love Yourself,” and “What Do You Mean?,” which all became massive hits. “Purpose” received widespread critical acclaim for its mature and introspective themes, and it helped to establish Justin Bieber as a serious artist with staying power.
In addition to slaying the music world, Justin Bieber also made headlines in 2016 for his personal life. He was involved in several high-profile relationships, and his on-again, off-again relationship with singer Selena Gomez had everyone on the edge of their seats wondering what would happen next. 2016 was a banner year for Justin Bieber, who continued to solidify his place as one of the biggest and most popular pop stars in the world.
Here are the top songs from this artist from this year:
- “Sorry”
- “Love Yourself”
- “What Do You Mean?”
- “Cold Water” (Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber and MØ)
- “Let Me Love You” (DJ Snake featuring Justin Bieber)
Here are the next closest artists:
- Drake (327 Points)
- The Chainsmokers (313 Points)
- Twenty One Pilots (271 Points)
- Rihanna (265 Points)
2017 – Justin Bieber (339 Points)
Justin Bieber was both the Artist of the Year and the Artist of the Summer for 2017. In 2017, Justin Bieber has started to become the king of pop. Biebs was able to dominate the entire year with a string of high-profile collaborations including “Let Me Love You” by DJ Snake, “Despacito (Remix)” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, and “I’m The One” by DJ Khaled with Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne.
He participated in a number of charitable events and causes, and he donated his time and money to organizations that supported various causes, including education and children’s health. It was a banner year for Justin Bieber, and he continued to solidify his place as one of the biggest and most popular pop stars in the world.
Here are the top songs from this artist from this year:
- “Let Me Love You” (DJ Snake featuring Justin Bieber)
- “Despacito (Remix)” (Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber)
- “I’m The One” (DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne)
Here are the next closest artists:
- Ed Sheeran (300 Points)
- Bruno Mara (237 Points)
- DJ Khaled (216 Points)
- Daddy Yankee & Luis Fonsi (215 Points)
2018 – Drake (570 Points)
Drake was both the Artist of the Year and the Artist of the Summer for 2018. In 2018, Drake was still the king of rap, dropping his fifth studio album, “Scorpion,” which included hit singles like “God’s Plan” and “In My Feelings.”
“Scorpion” is a double album that includes a mix of hip hop, pop, and R&B influences. The album’s sound is characterized by its use of smooth, melodic vocals and its blend of electronic and hip hop production. The album also includes collaborations with other legendary artists, including Michael Jackson and Jay-Z, which helped to add to its diverse sound and appeal. “Scorpion” is a reflection of Drake’s signature blend of introspection and braggadocio, with lyrics that touch on themes of love, relationships, and personal growth. The album also includes more introspective tracks that delve into Drake’s personal life and experiences, including his struggles with fame and his relationship with his family. It was certified 9x platinum in the United States and went multi-platinum in several other countries. All in all, 2018 was another killer year for the Canadian rap superstar.
Here are the top songs from this artist from this year:
- “God’s Plan”
- “Diplomatic Immunity”
- “Look Alive” (BlocBoy JB featuring Drake)
- “Walk It Talk It” (Migos featuring Drake)
- “Nice For What”
- “Yes Indeed” (Lil Baby featuring Drake)
- “Nonstop”
- “In My Feelings”
- “I’m Upset”
- “Emotionless”
- “Don’t Matter To Me” (featuring Michael Jackson)
- “MIA” (Bad Bunny featuring Drake)
- “Going Bad” (Meek Mill featuring Drake)
Here are the next closest artists:
- Cardi B (476 Points)
- Post Malone (324 Points)
- Maroon 5 (208 Points)
- Travis Scott (170 Points)
2019 – Post Malone (457 Points)
In 2019, Post Malone was the king of the music world, and everyone was obsessed with his unique sound and catchy, relatable lyrics. He had released his debut studio album, “Beer Bongs & Bentleys,” the previous year, and it was filled with hit singles that had everyone singing along. Some of the standout tracks from the album include “Rockstar,” “Psycho,” and “Better Now,” which all became massive hits. “Beer Bongs & Bentleys” received widespread critical acclaim for its unique sound and relatable lyrics, and it helped to establish Post Malone as a major player in the music world.
Post Malone continued to dominate the charts and tour extensively in support of “Beer Bongs & Bentleys.” He also released a number of new singles, including “Goodbyes” and “Circles,” which both became massive hits. In addition to his music career, Post Malone also made headlines in 2019 for his personal life, including his relationship with model Ashlen Diaz. It was a banner year for Post Malone, who solidified his place as one of the biggest and most popular musicians in the world.
Here are the top songs from this artist from this year:
- “Sunflower” (featuring Swae Lee)
- “Better Now”
- “Wow.”
- “Goodbyes” (featuring Young Thug)
- “Circles”
- “Take What You Want” (featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott)
Here are the next closest artists:
- Lil Nas X (249 Points)
- Billy Ray Cyrus (220 Points)
- Ariana Grande (206 Points)
- Lizzo (204 Points)
Summary and Final Thoughts
And there you have it, a decade of top artists! The 2010s were sure filled with incredible music and unforgettable artists. Pop music dominated the charts, electronic dance music (EDM) had its moments, rap remained as influential as ever, R&B and soul music also had a strong presence, and we saw some glimpses of a resurgent wave from indie rock and alternative music. All in all, the 2010s were a diverse and exciting decade for music, with something for every type of music fan. We can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store for us.
So here’s to all of the amazing artists of the 2010s, who kept us dancing, singing, and feeling all of the feels. We can’t wait to see what the next decade has in store for us, but we’ll always have the memories of the top artists of the 2010s to keep us company. Cheers to the next decade of music!
We’ll see you for the next series!
