We all think we know what Leeds listens to, right? We assume it’s the usual mix of global megastars—the kind you see plastered across arenas - along with a healthy dose of post-punk, right?
But when we took a deep dive into the raw data, the results were a lot different from what some in the newsroom have led on regarding their listening habits this month; could that be because Spotify Wrapped is done and dusted for another year?
Using metrics from the industry analytics platform Soundcharts, which tracks what professionals and labels really pay attention to, we grabbed the figures for the 15 most-streamed musical acts on YouTube within the Leeds market over the last four weeks.
From the unstoppable force of UK Rap to the surprising dominance of K-Pop animation soundtracks and essential Bollywood classics, this is your definitive look at the artists you and the rest of Leeds were streaming this month - and thankfully, not a lot of Christmas songs on there, so far.
1. Andrew Choi (6.7K)
Andrew Choi is a South Korean singer and composer, known for providing the singing voice for the character Jinu in the Netflix animation, KPop Demon Hunters. His presence in the 'Long tail Pop' category suggests a dedicated following in the city, capitalising on the growing popularity of Korean-influenced music and animation with the Leeds audience. | Provided
2. Alka Yagnik (6.8K)
One of the two Asian Superstar acts in the top 15, Alka Yagnik is a Bollywood veteran and "Melody Queen" of Indian Cinema. Her high ranking demonstrates a strong and established South Asian community in Leeds, contributing to her significant daily view count. | SUJIT JAISWAL/AFP via Getty Images
3. Arijit Singh (6.8K)
Arijit Singh, an Indian playback singer, composer, and instrumentalist, is a leading figure in contemporary Hindi film music. His high daily views underscore the substantial presence and cultural influence of Asian pop music in the Leeds streaming landscape, reflecting the city's diverse community. | PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP via Getty Images
4. Mariah Carey (7.0K)
The superstar pop and R&B icon experienced the largest growth percentage in the entire list over the 28 days, soaring by. This phenomenal seasonal surge is directly attributed to her 'Holiday' classification, indicating that the immediate run-up to Christmas has driven Leeds viewers to her catalogue, primarily for her ubiquitous festive hits. You know the one... | Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Apple Music
5. 50 Cent (7.1K)
A Hip Hop Superstar, 50 Cent’s enduring popularity is confirmed by iconic hits like 'In Da Club' and 'Candy Shop.' His consistent viewership places him above many contemporary artists and cements the enduring influence of classic US rap in the top ranks. | Getty Images
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6. Ariana Grande (7.3K)
Ariana Grande saw growth in daily views over the 28 days. Her consistent chart presence and career activity translate into major streaming figures and sustained popularity among young Leeds fans - and it helps 'Wicked: For Good' hit cinemas recently. | Getty Images