Quick Read
- The 2025 triple j Hottest 100 saw a significant increase in Australian artists, following efforts to boost local representation.
- Australian hip-hop group Hilltop Hoods reclaimed their all-time record for the most entries in the Hottest 100, totaling 27 tracks.
- British pop star Lily Allen made a strong comeback with two songs, ‘Pussy Palace’ and ‘West End Girl,’ and teased an Australian visit.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, known as ‘DJ Albo,’ publicly shared his votes, including tracks by Lily Allen and Hilltop Hoods.
- The countdown’s global reach was evident, with international fans streaming the broadcast from various continents.
SYDNEY (Azat TV) – The highly anticipated triple j Hottest 100 countdown for 2025, broadcast on January 24, 2026, has concluded, revealing Australia’s favorite songs and marking a significant year for local talent. The annual poll, known for its cultural impact, saw a notable resurgence of Australian artists and several record-breaking achievements, indicating a shift from previous years’ trends.
Australian Talent Takes Center Stage
A central theme of this year’s Hottest 100 was the emphatic return and strong performance of Australian artists. Following concerns about declining local representation in the previous year’s countdown—which featured the lowest number of local acts since 1996—triple j implemented a new voting page feature allowing users to search specifically for Australian artists. This initiative appears to have paid off, with a significant portion of the list dominated by home-grown acts.
Artists such as Spacey Jane, Tame Impala, Ocean Alley, Keli Holiday, and Royel Otis, who secured back-to-back entries at No. 34 and No. 35 with ‘moody’ and ‘who’s your boyfriend,’ showcased the depth of Australian music. Other notable local entries included The Terrys, electropop group Parcels, and the Melbourne band Playlunch, who celebrated their first Hottest 100 appearance with a cover of ‘It’s Raining Men’ at No. 73. Early on, Australian electronic DJ Ninajirachi made her debut at No. 99 with ‘Delete,’ while indie rock duo Old Mervs also secured an early spot with ‘Don’t Go’ at No. 98, according to Rolling Stone AU/NZ.
Records, Comebacks, and Viral Moments
The 2025 countdown was rich with significant milestones and artist comebacks. Australian hip-hop legends Hilltop Hoods reclaimed their long-held record for the most all-time entries in the Hottest 100, surpassing US superstar Billie Eilish. With three tracks in the countdown, including ‘Don’t Happy, Be Worry’ at No. 67 and ‘Something Bigger Than This’ and ‘Never Coming Home’ (featuring Six60) at No. 86 and No. 85 respectively, their total entries now stand at 27, as reported by Billboard.
British pop star Lily Allen made a strong comeback, with her track ‘Pussy Palace’ landing at No. 38 and ‘West End Girl’ from her ‘wildest divorce album in history’ at No. 88. Allen, aged 40, expressed her surprise and gratitude for the continued listenership, noting the rarity of such opportunities for women her age in pop music. She also hinted at an upcoming visit to Australia later in the year. G Flip, an Australian musician, secured multiple entries, including ‘In Another Life’ at No. 50 and ‘Bed On Fire’ at No. 74, continuing their impressive run in the countdown.
Other notable moments included Lola Young’s tracks ‘d£aler’ and ‘One Thing’ at No. 60 and No. 57, marking her return to the charts after collapsing onstage at a festival. Drake also made his first Hottest 100 appearance since 2023 with ‘Nokia’ at No. 59, while Djo (aka Joe Keery from Stranger Things) had multiple entries, including ‘Potion’ at No. 100 and ‘Delete Ya’ at No. 66. Viral TikTok soundbites also found their way onto the list, with PinkPantheress’ ‘Illegal’ at No. 64 and Addison Rae’s ‘Headphones On’ at No. 65.
A Cultural Barometer Beyond Music
Beyond the musical entries, the Hottest 100 continued to function as a significant cultural snapshot for Australia. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, known as ‘DJ Albo,’ publicly shared his voting preferences, which included Lily Allen’s ‘West End Girl,’ Olivia Dean’s ‘Man I Need,’ and Hilltop Hoods’ ‘Don’t Happy, Be Worry.’ This demonstrated the countdown’s broad appeal across different demographics, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
The event also sparked quirky online interactions, with triple j’s Instagram page seeing a surge of irrelevant sports comments, inexplicably mixing cricket, AFL, and soccer references into the music discussion. This lighthearted social media trend underscored the countdown’s ability to engage audiences in unconventional ways. Furthermore, the Hottest 100’s reach extended globally, with ABC’s live coverage highlighting international fans streaming the broadcast from Europe, the United States, and Southeast Asia, reinforcing its status as a worldwide cultural event.
The 2025 Hottest 100 ultimately reflected a vibrant and diverse music landscape, showcasing a renewed emphasis on Australian artists while embracing global pop culture phenomena and enduring industry veterans. Its capacity to capture public sentiment, celebrate musical achievements, and spark national conversation solidifies its role as a unique cultural institution.