Western music artists popular among university students: Ranking [2026]
After entering university, many students find their horizons and activities expanding, their musical tastes changing, and even discovering genres they weren’t interested in before.
Some may think, “I want to graduate from being an idol fan,” and start turning their attention to Western music.
The reasons for liking something vary, but for now, here’s a ranking of artists popular among university students.
Playlist
| Western music artists popular among university students: Ranking [2026] | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)Shakira |  play_arrow | The official song of the Soccer World Cup, a masterpiece that thrilled the world |
| 2 | Big AdventureEH!DE |  play_arrow | A hardcore-style artist. This artist… |
| 3 | Wake Me UpAvicii |  play_arrow | Avicii from Sweden, E... |
| 4 | Counting StarsOneRepublic |  play_arrow | A hit song that depicts the feelings of modern people |
| 5 | Boy With Luv feat. HalseyBTS |  play_arrow | BTS has been becoming popular as K-pop all around the world... |
| 6 | SacrificeBebe Rexha |  play_arrow | Bebe Rexha’s hit song “Sacrifice” |
| 7 | 24K MagicBruno Mars |  play_arrow | Music that expresses the purity of gold and the tone of victory |
| 8 | Rockabye ft. Sean Paul & Anne-MarieClean Bandit |  play_arrow | A dance track that fuses electro and classical... |
| 9 | Play HardDavid Guetta |  play_arrow | They’re an artist whose work seems likely to divide opinions, but… |
| 10 | Love AgainDua Lipa |  play_arrow | Multiple Grammy Award winner with worldwide recognition… |
| 11 | DALLA DALLAITZY |  play_arrow | ITZY: The captivating musicality of their debut song |
| 12 | Despacito ft. Daddy YankeeLuis Fonsi |  play_arrow | The tasteful flamenco hit song “Despacito” |
| 13 | Don’t Wanna Know (Audio) ft. Kendrick LamarMaroon 5 |  play_arrow | Another sweet and bittersweet love song has just been born… |
| 14 | We Will Rock YouQueen |  play_arrow | "We Will Rock You" is the will to win. |
| 15 | Back in BlackAC/DC |  play_arrow | A high-tone-voice, shout-style band, AC… |
| 16 | HelloAdele |  play_arrow | A song that conveys the despair of a heartbreak ballad through the artist’s vocal prowess. |
| 17 | Sing Me To SleepAlan Walker |  play_arrow | Alan Walker. A melodic-style Western music ar... |
| 18 | 2002Anne-Marie |  play_arrow | Anne-Marie’s … released in 2018 |
| 19 | Into YouAriana Grande |  play_arrow | American singer Ariana G... |
| 20 | Kings & QueensAva Max |  play_arrow | Powerful guitar sounds and electronic… |
| 21 | GirlfriendAvril Lavigne |  play_arrow | Along with an exhilarating pop-punk sound, it... |
| 22 | Kill This LoveBLACKPINK |  play_arrow | BLACKPINK is a group from the K-pop scene that... |
| 23 | HaloBeyoncé |  play_arrow | The globally popular songstress Beyoncé's 2008... |
| 24 | bad guyBillie Eilish |  play_arrow | The much-talked-about rookie artist, Billie Eilish |
| 25 | GIRL LIKE MEBlack Eyed Peas, Shakira |  play_arrow | Popular artist from Colombia, Shaki… |
| 26 | It’s My LifeBon Jovi |  play_arrow | A classic that sings of the courage to live true to oneself |
| 27 | This Is What You Came For ft. RihannaCalvin Harris |  play_arrow | Calvi, a highly popular DJ in the electro scene… |
| 28 | Good TimeCarly Rae Jepsen |  play_arrow | Let's get hyped with the classic youth anthem 'Good Time' |
| 29 | Yeah 3xChris Brown |  play_arrow | Characterized by a beep-beep, electro-style rhythm... |
| 30 | ParadiseColdplay |  play_arrow | These days, in the CD sections of music shops... |
| 31 | One More TimeDaft Punk |  play_arrow | Daft Punk’s exhilarating dance track |
| 32 | I’m Good (Blue)David Guetta & Bebe Rexha |  play_arrow | Mr. David Guetta and Ms. Bebe Rexha... |
| 33 | Paint The Town RedDoja Cat |  play_arrow | Doja Cat's smash hit song |
| 34 | SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire |  play_arrow | 70s Black music, disco… |
| 35 | Shape of YouEd Sheeran |  play_arrow | Ed Sheeran’s signature song “Shape of You” |
| 36 | I Don’t CareEd Sheeran & Justin Bieber |  play_arrow | Ed Sheeran and Justin Bi… |
| 37 | Love Me Like You DoEllie Goulding |  play_arrow | This song by Ellie Goulding is featured in the film… |
| 38 | Lose YourselfEminem |  play_arrow | Eminem’s masterpiece about living fully in the present |
| 39 | Mask OffFUTURE |  play_arrow | American rapper Future... |
| 40 | Work from Home ft. Ty Dolla $ignFifth Harmony |  play_arrow | Fifth Harmony’s smash hit |
| 41 | No MoneyGalantis |  play_arrow | The Swedish electronic music... |
| 42 | BelieverImagine Dragons |  play_arrow | Popular songs by Imagine Dragons |
| 43 | Mi GenteJ Balvin, Willy William |  play_arrow | A refreshing dance beat and energetic rhyt... |
| 44 | Say You Won’t Let GoJames Arthur |  play_arrow | Just listening to James Arthur makes me happ... |
| 45 | SwallaJason Derulo feat. Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign |  play_arrow | American singer-songwriter Ja… |
| 46 | On The Floor ft. PitbullJennifer Lopez |  play_arrow | It depicted a feverish night on the dance floor… |
| 47 | All of MeJohn Legend |  play_arrow | A song like a piano-and-vocal performance. But then again, it’s not exactly that... |
| 48 | Fast Car ft. DakotaJonas Blue |  play_arrow | A globally popular figure based in London… |
| 49 | What Do You Mean?Justin Bieber |  play_arrow | A commercial featuring Suzu Hirose, Piko Taro, and others... |
| 50 | CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!Justin Timberlake |  play_arrow | Energize yourself with bright, rhythm-filled music. |
| 51 | Wavin’ FlagK’NAAN |  play_arrow | A powerful song that conveys hope and courage |
| 52 | TQGKAROL G, Shakira |  play_arrow | The distinctive Spanish dance track “TQG” |
| 53 | StrongerKanye West |  play_arrow | Kanye West’s classic, an electro fusion |
| 54 | UnconditionallyKaty Perry |  play_arrow | American singer-songwriter, Kate… |
| 55 | Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)Kelly Clarkson |  play_arrow | Sing of the courage to overcome adversity with a powerful beat |
| 56 | This GirlKungs vs Cookin’ on 3 Burners |  play_arrow | A wealthy man trying to buy love with gifts... |
| 57 | Firestone ft. Conrad SewellKygo |  play_arrow | It was a hot topic at the Rio Olympics too. Tropica... |
| 58 | Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRockLMFAO |  play_arrow | LMFAO are rappers and da... |
| 59 | Bloody Mary (TikTok Remix)Lady Gaga |  play_arrow | Lady Gaga's 'Bloody Mary' Is Popular |
| 60 | Rain On MeLady Gaga, Ariana Grande |  play_arrow | Reigning as one of the world's foremost entertainers... |
| 61 | Old Town Road ft. Billy Ray CyrusLil Nas X |  play_arrow | “Old To…” released in 2018 |
| 62 | INDUSTRY BABYLil Nas X, Jack Harlow |  play_arrow | A rapper who keeps dropping one big tune after another... |
| 63 | NumbLinkin Park |  play_arrow | A Western music artist who’s really been around forever. Name recognition… |
| 64 | Black MagicLittle Mix |  play_arrow | Litt… is a British girl group. |
| 65 | Are You With MeLost Frequencies |  play_arrow | Originally by Easton Corbin... |
| 66 | CAN’T HOLD US FEAT. RAY DALTONMacklemore & Ryan Lewis |  play_arrow | An energetic song that pushes your dreams forward |
| 67 | HIPMAMAMOO |  play_arrow | An idol who has been gradually gaining popularity in Japan as well… |
| 68 | Lean OnMajor Lazer |  play_arrow | Might end up getting cast in a Japanese mobile carrier commercial… |
| 69 | Uptown Funk ft. Bruno MarsMark Ronson |  play_arrow | It features an energetic, danceable beat... |
| 70 | AloneMarshmello |  play_arrow | My favorite artist. And a college student... |
| 71 | AnimalsMartin Garrix |  play_arrow | This song is a Western-style track you might hear played at clubs and similar venues. |
| 72 | All About That BassMeghan Trainor |  play_arrow | 『All About That Bass… |
| 73 | Beat ItMichael Jackson |  play_arrow | Michael Jackson’s classic song “Beat It” |
| 74 | FlowersMiley Cyrus |  play_arrow | Miley, a smash hit song about self-love |
| 75 | StarshipsNicki Minaj |  play_arrow | A dance track fusing electropop and reggae |
| 76 | Little ThingsOne Direction |  play_arrow | Regrettably, they suspended their activities in 2016… |
| 77 | High HopesPanic! At The Disco |  play_arrow | The importance of keeping hope alive |
| 78 | HappyPharrell Williams |  play_arrow | An exhilarating track that conveys happiness, a No. 1 hit in the U.S. |
| 79 | Fireball ft. John RyanPitbull |  play_arrow | A rousing tune you can dance to in samba and eurobeat |
| 80 | APT.ROSÉ & Bruno Mars |  play_arrow | Expressing the exhilaration of a party and the sweet feelings of romance |
| 81 | Never Gonna Give You URick Astley |  play_arrow | Rick Astley's iconic 1980s hit |
| 82 | We Found LoveRihanna |  play_arrow | This song that sounds bright is actually happy... |
| 83 | EspressoSabrina Carpenter |  play_arrow | Sabrina’s smash hit expresses confidence and charm |
| 84 | SeñoritaShawn Mendes & Camila Cabello |  play_arrow | Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello a... |
| 85 | All StarSmash Mouth |  play_arrow | Smash Mouth’s signature anthem |
| 86 | Eye Of The TigerSurvivor |  play_arrow | A famous song from Rocky III, a thrilling, heart-pounding classic! |
| 87 | FANCYTwice |  play_arrow | Many middle and high school students like K-pop idols... |
| 88 | Shake It OffTaylor Swift |  play_arrow | Taylor Swift’s hit song “Sh…” |
| 89 | Pump ItThe Black Eyed Peas |  play_arrow | A masterpiece that sampled a surf rock track |
| 90 | CloserThe Chainsmokers |  play_arrow | The Chainsmokers, released in 2016, … |
| 91 | Something Just Like ThisThe Chainsmokers & Coldplay |  play_arrow | Popular DJ duo The Chainsmokers… |
| 92 | STAYThe Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber |  play_arrow | The Appeal and Popularity of the Global Hit Song “Stay” |
| 93 | Mr. BrightsideThe Killers |  play_arrow | The Killers' classic youthful rock anthem |
| 94 | I Feel It ComingThe Weeknd |  play_arrow | A soul-stirring voice blended with a soothing rhythm... |
| 95 | Die For You (Remix)The Weeknd & Ariana Grande |  play_arrow | An American singer-songwriter who... |
| 96 | Don’t Be ShyTiësto & Karol G |  play_arrow | I don’t have any upbeat Western songs I can use for dance competitions... |
| 97 | WaterTyla |  play_arrow | Shocking music created by Tyra |
| 98 | With or Without YouU2 |  play_arrow | This is U2, a band from Ireland. The 80… |
| 99 | See You Again (feat. Charlie Puth)Wiz Khalifa |  play_arrow | This song, themed around friendship and parting, carries a bittersw… |
| 100 | StayZedd, Alessia Cara |  play_arrow | This song by the popular DJ Zedd is a bittersweet love so… |