The student news site of York Community High School

Students and staff share their top artists of 2021

December 27, 2021

Students+and+staff+share+their+top+artists+of+2021

Spotify Wrapped and Apple Music Replay took York by storm last week, telling all of us what our favorite artists, songs, genres, albums and more were this year. Hearing everyone talk about them gave me a thought, what is York listening to? A survey went out on Friday, Dec. 10, to find who the most popular artists at York were this year.

Taylor Swift

To absolutely no one’s surprise Taylor takes the top spot for York Students. With both “Fearless” and her re-released, re-vamped and re-recorded greatest hits album “Red,” York was overcome with Taylor Swift fever.

York feels a deep connection with Taylors’ music, “They represent my year because their songs understood how I felt.” sophomore Summer Miceli said.

Swift is by far one of the most influential artists of our generation and her ability to connect with everyone and anyone, which definitely aids to her overwhelming placement at number one. If you want a more in depth look at Taylor’s most recent album look at Grace Bernstein’s review of it on ThisIsYork.org.

Kanye West

Kanye makes the number two position on York’s list, with his album “Donda” releasing right before the school year and his music being in high circulation through the past decade. As one of the most critically acclaimed artists of the past decade, his music influenced a generation of artists, with six of his studio albums going platinum despite the varying themes in each of them.

“[Kanye] has made very diverse music and has been making music for a very long time so I can listen to my old favorites and check out his new stuff which keeps me interested,” sophomore Sam Leshuk-Morita said.

The duality of Kanye West and Taylor Swift cannot be understated. These two polar opposite artists from polar opposite genres find themselves as number one and two on York’s list. They were so different but they were also the most influential artists of their genres for this year and the past decade. Swift and West were above and beyond the most popular artists at York; these next artists, who didn’t quite reach the heights of Swift and West, are still majorly influential here at York.

Tyler the Creator

Tyler the Creator takes our bronze metal spot for York’s top artists. Again with his album “Call me When You Get lost” releasing this past year and his discography being one of critical acclaim and a crowd favorite he was a popular pick for many York students.

“It was just relaxing music to slow down to,” said senior Nick Kwentus.

Tyler is well known for his very distinctive sound and his variety in his music, having music for every person who can get past his less than mainstream sound and at times vulgar lyrics. His varying styles and his all together messages are enjoyed by many and his newest album, being heralded as one of his best, surely pushed his placement up on this list.

Harry Styles and Olivia Rodrigo

These two artists tie for the fourth place spot on York’s list. The artists were anomalies for different reasons on this list. Olivia Rodrigo’s placement is surprising because she has only one album released under her name. This year was her debut year with her album SOUR. Harry Styles placement is also surprising as the only person on this list who didn’t release an album this year. Styles still made people’s lists higher than a lot of other artists. Every other artist on this list had an album released this year. A great sound and a good message goes a long way with these artists, who’s music touched the hearts of many at York and who’s themes were overwhelmingly enjoyed and entertained by students here at York.

“I had songs from these artists on repeat when I was driving with my friends. I had a really good time and we just sang along while spending time with each other,” senior Hallie Weinshenker said.

The power of these artists comes from their ability to connect to the love and loss that many at York felt, with emotionally driven heartbreak songs being the new age of music.

Mac Miller

The late, great Mac Miller rounds out York’s list for top artists this year. Miller, who died in 2018, is still heralded as one of the greatest artists of the past decade. His music reaches people in a way many artists can’t. In a way he combined the themes of heartbreak that Swift mastered while joining West in the Hip-Hop/Rap game.

The overall attitude and message of Miller’s music has been the Hallmark of his career. The way he relates to everyone without discrimination and the waves he has made, even after his passing, will always be his crowning achievement. His spot at the end of this list is a mark of York’s love for Miller throughout this trying year.

This Is York • Copyright 2024 • FLEX WordPress Theme by SNOLog in