The Weekend Series: our Hottest 100 number one predictions
The countdown that stops the nation is imminent and speculation is flying around who will take top honours. Triple J’s Hottest 100 is an Australia Day institution, but half the fun is guessing what song is Australia’s favourite. Here are our picks for who has the best chance of snagging that coveted number one spot for 2015.
Kendrick Lamar – ‘King Kunta’
There was much anticipation for Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly. Many were uncertain if it would top the lofty highs set by previous record, good kid, m.A.A.d city but fears were allayed once ‘King Kunta’ arrived. This bouncy tune packed a ferocious punch from the rapper as well as a heavy dose of funk.
Major Lazer and DJ Snake feat. MØ – ‘Lean On’
It was a banner year for EDM around the world, and it seemed as if Diplo had a hand in a lot of its success. As part of Major Lazer, Diplo and Co. set about setting the airwaves on fire again with the new record Peace Is The Mission, bringing on board DJ Snake and MØ for lead single, ‘Lean On’.
The Rubens – ‘Hoops’
The Menangle, New South Wales five-piece blew audiences away with 2012’s self-titled, J Award-winning album. The Rubens did it again in 2015 with the stellar sophomore effort, Hoops, which reached number two on the Australian charts thanks to the ferocious second single, which shares its name with the album.
The Weeknd – ‘Can’t Feel My Face’
Abęl Tesfaye, also known as The Weeknd, spent most of his career lurking on the fringe of mainstream RnB until the release of his second studio album, Beauty Behind the Madness. The album wouldn’t have broken through as hard were it not for the popularity of ‘Cant Feel My Face’, a Michael Jackson-esque hit, which earned high rotation airplay for most of 2015.
Tame Impala – ‘The Less I Know The Better’
Hailed as the best Australian band currently operating, Tame Impala lived up to incredible amounts of hype with its third album Currents. The album produced several hit singles but ‘The Less I Know The Better’ currently has the best odds of delivering Tame Impala’s first Hottest 100 number one.
Honourable mentions:
Drake – ‘Hotline Bling’, Courtney Barnett – ‘Pedestrian at Best’, Chet Faker and Marcus Marr – ‘The Trouble With Us’, Jarryd James – ‘Do You Remember’, Meg Mac – ‘Never Be’