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Chappell Roan Tops Triple J’s 2024 Hottest 100 with Record-Breaking Votes

2024 Hottest 100 International Stars Dominate Countdown

American singer-songwriter Chappell Roan has claimed the top spot in Triple J’s 2024 Hottest 100 with her single Good Luck, Babe! The anthemic track resonated with listeners and became her biggest hit to date, solidifying her position as a rising global pop star.

Roan’s breakthrough year in 2024 followed the sleeper success of her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. Released a year earlier, the album steadily gained traction, transforming Roan from an underground artist into a household name. Good Luck, Babe!, released as a standalone single in April 2024, marked her transition to a new creative chapter, described by Roan as the “first song of the next chapter” in an email to fans.Chappell Roan attending the premiere of Netflix's concert film, *Olivia Rodrigo: Guts World Tour*. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Figure 1: Chappell Roan attending the premiere of Netflix’s concert film, *Olivia Rodrigo: Guts World Tour*. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Aussie Artists Struggle for Spotlight

Coming in second was Sydney-based duo Royel Otis with their indie-rock cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Murder on the Dancefloor, created for Triple J’s Like A Version. The track went viral, amassing over 67 million streams and reaching No. 1 on the US Alternative Airplay chart.

Despite Royel Otis’s success, Australian acts faced a tough battle in the 2024 countdown. Only 29 songs by Australian artists made the list, a significant drop from the 52 tracks in 2023 and 57 in 2022.

Triple J’s head, Lachlan Macara, pointed to the challenges posed by streaming and social media. “Australian artists are competing on a global scale,” he said. “Breaking through algorithms can be a real challenge.” He sees the results as an opportunity to discuss how to better support local music, adding, “Triple J remains committed to platforming Australian artists.”

The highest-ranking original Australian track was Dom Dolla’s Girl$, which placed seventh. Other notable local entries included tracks from RÜFÜS DU SOL and Amyl and the Sniffers.

International Artists Dominate

The countdown was dominated by international stars Billie Eilish and Charli XCX, both of whom set records. Eilish’s lovestruck ballad Birds of a Feather landed in third place, while she had six additional entries, bringing her total count across all Hottest 100 countdowns to 25.

Eilish’s record-breaking run dethroned Hilltop Hoods, who previously held the record with 24 entries. Eilish first appeared on the countdown in 2017 with Bellyache and has charted every year since, cementing her position as a favourite among Triple J listeners.

Charli XCX also enjoyed a strong year, with eight tracks from her album Brat featuring in the poll. Her collaboration with Eilish, Guess, reached sixth place, while her remixed track Girl, So Confusing, featuring Lorde, landed at No. 26.

 Billie Eilish at the Met Gala. Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Figure 2: Billie Eilish at the Met Gala. Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Declining Listener Numbers

Triple J’s influence as a tastemaker for Australian music has waned in recent years, as reflected in declining listener numbers. The station’s audience share dropped to 4.3% in 2023–2024, down from 5.5% two years prior. Younger audiences, traditionally Triple J’s core demographic, now discover music through platforms like TikTok and Spotify.

This year also marked the first Hottest 100 without long-time music director Richard Kingsmill, who left the station in late 2023 after 35 years. His departure coincided with Triple J’s 50th anniversary, a milestone that the station celebrated with renewed efforts to showcase the value of Australian music.

Despite challenges, Triple J remains a key supporter of local talent, playing more than 50% Australian music weekly—well above its government-mandated 40% quota. Macara hinted at big plans for the station’s future, saying, “We’ve got some big things cooking to remind people about the unique cultural worth of Australian music.”

Top Ten Highlights

The 2024 Hottest 100 featured a diverse mix of genres and artists. Notable entries included Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us, a fiery diss track that sparked widespread conversation, and Gracie Abrams’ That’s So True, which gained popularity through TikTok. Lola Young’s Messy, filled with raw emotion, secured fourth place, while Dom Dolla’s Girl$ represented Australia in the top ten.

Fred again.. and Baby Keem’s collaboration leavemealone rounded out the list at No. 10, showcasing the global appeal of Triple J’s countdown.

Billie Eilish’s Countdown Legacy

Eilish’s impact on the Hottest 100 remains unmatched. Her ability to connect with audiences across genres and platforms has made her a mainstay in the countdown for eight consecutive years. With 25 entries under her belt, she stands as a frontrunner for the title of Hottest 100 GOAT.

From her breakout hit Bellyache to her Grammy-nominated tracks like Birds of a Feather, Eilish has consistently delivered songs that resonate deeply with listeners. Her success underscores the evolving nature of music discovery and the global reach of modern pop artists.

Looking Ahead

The 2024 Hottest 100 reflects the growing influence of international acts and the challenges faced by local artists in an increasingly globalised music landscape. As Triple J celebrates 50 years of shaping Australia’s music culture, the station’s commitment to supporting homegrown talent remains as strong as ever.

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