BY: Alexis Eichelberger

Although it’s been a strange year for most, 2020 has been a stellar year for musicians. Artists have used their time in lockdown to create sexy and surprising new songs. But a select few stand out from the pack.

Here are 15 of the hottest musical artists who made their mark in 2020:

 

Harry Styles

Harry Styles released his sophomore solo album Fine Line at the end of 2019, and its success carried him through 2020. The album received rave reviews and could be Grammy  material. On top of it all, Styles’ single “Watermelon Sugar” is his first number one on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Dua Lipa

Future Nostalgia, the stellar sophomore album from Dua Lipa, is another record that’s generated plenty of Grammy buzz. With a beautifully cohesive electro-pop sound, fantastic music videos, and Dua’s sexy allure, Future Nostalgia became a phenomenon this year.

 

Megan Thee Stallion

In 2019, we had Hot Girl Summer. In 2020, Megan Thee Stallion officially became everyone’s favorite female rap star. Her viral hit “Savage” earned Beyonce’s blessing, and the remix reached number one on the Hot 100. “WAP,” Megan’s notorious collab with Cardi B, came soon after and continues to inspire us.

 

DaBaby

Another rising rap star that took over the genre this year is DaBaby. His track “BOP” took off at the end of 2019, but as an artist, he reached new heights in 2020. “Rockstar,” a collab with fellow up-and-comer Roddy Ricch, sat solidly in the number one spot on the Hot 100 for several weeks.

 

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus has had a banner year, and she still has an album due next month. Her single “Midnight Sky” is a pop-rock masterpiece, and her cover of Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” is a viral sensation. Most recently, she gave a breathtaking live performance on MTV Unplugged and announced a seventh album. Plastic Hearts will be out on November 27.

 

Selena Gomez

After taking time out of the spotlight, Selena Gomez made her triumphant return to music with her dreamy third studio album, Rare. She also recently dropped a delicious single alongside the Kpop queens of BLACKPINK, with “Ice Cream.”

 

BLACKPINK

Speaking of Kpop queens, BLACKPINK took over the world as one of the biggest international acts and most successful female Kpop groups ever. The group released its debut studio album The Album in October, along with a Netflix documentary about their journey to stardom. 

 

Ariana Grande

It seems like every time we think we’ve seen Ariana Grande’s best, she outdoes herself the next year. This year, she dropped two perfect duets with Justin Bieber and Lady Gaga. In October, she released the first single from a new album. And we’re just days away from hearing Positions in full. We have high expectations.

 

Doja Cat

Sweet and sassy Doja Cat made her mark in 2020. Songs like “Say So” and “Boss Bitch” made her an internet phenomenon turned mainstream success story, and her unapologetic sexiness makes her irresistible. According to the Positions tracklist, she’s also featured on Grande’s new album.

 

Conan Gray

After being a prominent YouTuber for several years, Conan Gray officially launched his music career this year. His debut album Kid Krow is a pop masterpiece. “Maniac” is an instant fan favorite, and the track “Heather” recently became a cultural phenomenon on TikTok. 

 

King Princess

King Princess released her debut album, Cheap Queen, in late 2019, and its impact continues. King Princess was also set to open for Harry Styles in Europe this year, but the coronavirus pandemic canceled that. We still anticipate big things to come for her in 2021.

 

Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish had an unbelievable start to 2020, winning all four major Grammy Awards (Best New Artist, Best Album, Best Record and Best Song), plus Best Pop Vocal Album. She also released two new songs this year. First came the theme for the newest James Bond film, “No Time To Die.” The other was a soft, vulnerable ballad, “My Future.” 

 

The Weeknd

How many times did you listen to “Blinding Lights” this year? The Weeknd’s song was one of the biggest hits of 2020. It came from his fourth studio album After Hours, which was released in March. It debuted at number 1 on the Hot 100 and received rave reviews.

 

Ava Max

We fell in love with Ava Max after she released “Sweet But Psycho” in 2018. After two years of waiting, she finally released her debut album Heaven & Hell this year. It’s a collection of high-energy dance pop tracks, and it brought us the energy we needed to get through this wild year.

 

YUNGBLUD

In recent years, YUNGBLUD has emerged as one of everyone’s favorite alt-boys. His edgy and irreverent style that blends pop-punk with hip-hop made him stand out in 2020. YUNGBLUD is set to release his second studio in just a few weeks on Nov. 13 and we can’t wait for him to wow us once again.