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.
7. Drake (7.3K)
The Hip Hop/Pop artist maintains a high position, with a significant overall influence on the city’s streaming history. Drake's status as one of the world's most consistent hitmakers ensures his music continues to command attention across the UK, cementing US Hip Hop’s dominance in the top ranks of Leeds’ most-viewed acts. | Getty Images
8. Audrey (8.6K)
Audrey, or Audrey Nuna, is an American singer and rapper known for her blend of Alternative, R&B, and Pop. She is also a breakout singing voice in the Netflix hit KPop Demon Hunters, providing the voice for the character Mira. | Monica Schipper/Getty Images
9. REI AMI (8.6K)
Categorised as Mainstream Pop, Alternative, and Hip Hop, REI AMI is listed as one of the breakout singing voices behind the soundtrack of the hit Netflix animation, KPop Demon Hunters. Her high daily views in Leeds reflect a strong local affinity for artists linked to contemporary animation and the genre-blending sounds of global pop. | Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Netflix
10. Rihanna (8.8K)
Rihanna is a Superstar Pop and R&B artist whose immense catalogue of hits ensures her consistent placement among the top-streamed acts globally. Despite relatively few new musical releases in recent years, her enduring legacy maintains strong daily viewership, confirming her status as an enduring, universally popular favourite among the Leeds streaming community. | Getty Images
11. Taylor Swift (9.6K)
The Long Tail Pop and Country Superstar continues to command immense attention, with billions of views for her biggest hits like "Shake It Off" and "Blank Space." Her large, dedicated international following naturally translates into significant daily views in a major city like Leeds. | ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
12. HUNTR/X (10.3K)
HUNTR/X, listed as Mainstream Pop, is a trio composed of Rei Ami, EJAE, and Audrey Nuna (who also appears as a solo act), and is the breakout singing voice for the soundtrack of the animation KPop Demon Hunters. | Submitted