What Indian Music Charts Had To Say About 2023

As we approach the end of 2023—a year that has witnessed several unique and, simultaneously, not-so-unique trends in streaming data patterns and music listenership—we have compiled a few noteworthy highlights that have allowed us at Rolling Stone India to look back at this year through an analytically focused lens.

The significance of music streaming charts, exemplified by those released by Spotify, Apple Music, and JioSaavn, lies in their substantial impact on the industry, offering artists, record labels, and casual music enthusiasts updated and real-time insights into the current state of musical trends. These three platforms have managed to cover the length and breadth of the Indian music streaming landscape.

From Bollywood bringing Shah Rukh Khan back into the hearts of romantics, to the utter dominance of Arijit Singh, here are the key highlights that we have observed this year.

Dominant Genres:

Bollywood and Hip-Hop: The year 2023 saw a strong presence of Bollywood music and hip-hop. Bollywood music, specifically, made up a staggering 44 per cent of Spotify’s top tracks, while hip-hop constituted 28 per cent (as per data analysed by ‘The Indian Music Charts Podcast‘).

This is further justified by the releases of blockbuster hits such as Pathaan, Gadar 2, and most recently, Animal. Additionally, each year continues to reassure the growing rise of Indian hip-hop, with artists like King, DIVINE, Shubh, and Raftaar continuing to release new music.

An interesting comparison in this year’s trends, as opposed to the year 2017, is the notable shift from sad love ballads and pop music, such as those witnessed in “Raabta,” “Dil Diya Gallan,” and “Phir Bhi Tumko Chahunga,” to a stronger influence of hip-hop.

Arijit Singh’s dominance continues to hold strong. It is of immense note to point out Arijit Singh as a particularly influential artist, featuring in many top tracks that continue to grace the Top Ten lists of platforms well into December, with songs such as “Satranga” from Animal and “Apna Bana Le” from Bhediya.

Other notable artists include AP Dillon, whose superstardom has propelled himself exponentially, and rising star Anuv Jain, whose track “Husn” has quickly risen to become a viral sensation.

The platforms exhibit distinctive trends in music preferences. Apple Music showcases a notable emphasis on Punjabi music, while Spotify is dominated by Bollywood tracks.

Variances in top tracks and artists underscore diverse audience preferences across platforms. In terms of language and regional trends, as witnessed by the widespread usage of JioSaavn, Hindi music continues to hold prominence, accompanied by a substantial presence of Punjabi tracks.

With that being said, there also continues to exist a significant gender disparity, with the underrepresentation of female solo artists in top tracks across platforms. There is a desperate requirement for increased diversity within the industry at large.

There is an incredibly nuanced relationship between major record labels and independent artists, with unique challenges and opportunities that each entity encounters in this dynamic industry. Major labels, with their extensive resources and reach, offer artists substantial support in terms of marketing and distribution. However, there are tangible hurdles that independent artists face in terms of visibility and recognition, with more reason to place emphasis on the importance of carving out space for diverse voices.

This exploration into the dichotomy between major labels and independent creators offers a comprehensive understanding of the intricate web that defines the contemporary music scene, revealing the coexistence of challenges and opportunities that shape the industry’s trajectory.