SoundCloud Announces ‘The SoundCloud Playback’ 2021 Featuring Fan-Powered Top Picks Polo G, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, SoFaygo and More Alongside the Release of the Newly Expanded “Your 2021 Playback”

New York, New York, Dec. 1, 2021 -- Today, SoundCloud launched ‘The SoundCloud Playback,’ music’s most distinctive end-of-year review. The Playback spotlights the year’s top artists, tracks, biggest debuts, hardest hits and engaging artist-to-fan moments. Powered by fans and communities driving what’s next in music culture, ‘The SoundCloud Playback’ is rooted in music discovery from emerging and established creators, making it the antithesis of expected mainstream round-ups.

The Top Artist spot goes to YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who continues his run of releasing hit after hit and having the most fan engagement on SoundCloud in 2021. Polo G’s “Rapstar” was on repeat worldwide, taking three top spots -- the Longest Run for most consecutive weeks on SoundCloud’s charts, Hit of the Year with the most plays by fans, and Hardest Hit with the most engagement of all drops in the first 24 hours of release. SoFaygo had a year to remember, from his first live show to being the most listened to Top Independent Artist - one of six new categories this year.  A.G. Cook - Dream Logic featuring the talents of artists such as Charli XCX, oklou, and Jónsi, and exclusive to SoundCloud’s ‘Scene’s’ series on PC Music, had the top DJ Mix of the year. 

To celebrate the launch of this year’s Playback, comedian, artist and writer, Zack Fox will host the first-ever ‘Playback Awards Show.’ Highlighting the top artists, music, and moments that mattered most in 2021, the "non-award" show will take viewers on a comedic journey through the year on SoundCloud. ‘Playback Awards Show’ premieres Wednesday, December 1st at 7 p.m. ET on YouTube and Instagram.

On December 2nd, fans will have the opportunity to share their personalized ‘Your 2021 Playback,’ which includes their most-played tracks of the year. New to ‘Your Playback’ is the addition of more deeply curated music discovery playlists powered by fan listening:

• ‘Your Top Artists of 2021’: Listeners can view their most-listened to artists of the year. 

• ‘Hidden Gems’: A personalized playlist of undiscovered tracks to enjoy in the year ahead.

• ‘Independent Artists You Powered in 2021’: SoundCloud Go and Go+ subscribers can see the independent artists they directly supported through fan-powered royalties.

FULL LIST OF TOP FAN-PICKS: ‘THE SOUNDCLOUD PLAYBACK’ 2021 

Top Artist: YoungBoy Never Broke Again

Most fan engagement on a 2021 release of any artist on SoundCloud. 

Fan-Powered Artist: Sweely **NEW**

Independent artist with the most growth in fan engagement on SoundCloud in 2021, driving major fan-powered royalties payouts.

Hit of the Year: Polo G “Rapstar” 

Most plays on a 2021 release.

Longest Run: Polo G “Rapstar” - 7 weeks at #1

Most consecutive weeks spent topping the New & Hot chart in 2021. 

Hardest Hit: Polo G “Rapstar”

Most fan engagement on a track within 24 hours of all tracks on SoundCloud in 2021. 

Top Independent Artist: SoFaygo **NEW**

Most fan engagement on a 2021 release for an independent artist.

Hardest Independent Hit: BabySantana "Antisocial 2" (feat. Slump6s, Yung Fazo, Xhulooo, SSGKobe) [prod. Maajins & Mudd] **NEW**

Most fan engagement on an independent artist’s track within 24 hours in 2021. 

Top DJ Mix: A. G. Cook - Dream Logic

Most played eligible DJ set exclusive to SoundCloud in 2021. 

Biggest Debut: A1 x J1 **NEW**

Most plays on a first upload in 2021. 

Top Comments Award: TY "먹구름 (Dark Clouds)" **NEW**

Most comments on a track in the first week of release in 2021.

Jam of the Summer: Trippie Redd "Holy Smokes" (ft. Lil Uzi Vert) **NEW**

Most fan engagement on a track released within June - August 2021.

About SoundCloud

SoundCloud is a next-generation music entertainment company, powered by an ecosystem of artists, listeners, and curators on the pulse of what's new, now and next in culture. Founded in 2007, SoundCloud is an artist-first platform empowering artists to build and grow their careers by providing them with the most progressive tools, services, and resources. With over 275 million tracks from 30 million creators heard in 190 countries, the future of music is SoundCloud.

Editor’s Note: Press assets available HERE