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Summer is here. Weather is nice. Days are long \u2014 and so are the nights.<\/p>\n
And most importantly, the tunes are on.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, the song of the summer has been a rap song\u2014literally, in 2024, Kendrick Lamar\u2019s “Not Like Us<\/a>” ruled everything\u2014but the genre has struggled recently. <\/a><\/p>\n Now we’re back. This is mainly due to Drake’s<\/strong><\/a> three-headed monster release of Iceman<\/a>, Maid of Honour<\/a>, and Habibti<\/a>, which has come and injected some energy into the game. The Drake stimulus is still real, and this time it’s lifting up the genre.<\/p>\n COMPLEX SHOP:<\/b> Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what’s next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.<\/a><\/p>\n Trying to handicap a ranking of what will be the song of the summer is tricky, though. Yes, you have Drake, but what about everything else? The evolving landscape of how we consume music complicates things: the rise of catalogue music\u2014often sparked by a well-placed sync in a show or film\u2014keeps older songs in the zeitgeist, blocking out new hits.<\/p>\n This year, we’re expanding our criteria beyond new releases\u2014because song of the summer doesn’t care about a release date. From new hits from Drake and Yung Miami to classics from Michael Jackson and Justin Bieber, here is our ranking of the songs most likely to define summer 2026.<\/p>\n Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj, \u201cBeauty and a Beat\u201d<\/p>\n Producer:<\/strong> Max Martin & Zedd<\/p>\n Justin Bieber’s Coachella<\/a> performance is reverberating into the summer. “Beauty and a Beat,” which features pre-MAGA Nicki Minaj<\/a>, is doing massive numbers on streaming\u2014it basically hasn’t left the top of the global Spotify charts since Coachella<\/a>\u2014to the point where it could really dominate the summer. \u2014Will Schube<\/p>\n Michael Jackson, “Billie Jean”<\/p>\n Producer:<\/strong> Quincy Jones & Michael Jackson<\/p>\n Speaking of catalogue songs. Powered by the success of Michael,<\/a> the King of Pop’s music has been all over the charts<\/a> the last couple of years. “Billie Jean” has been the big winner, hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 more than 40 years after its release. Lie and say you wouldn’t want to hear this at a barbecue. \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo<\/p>\n Jay Wheeler & Omar Courtz, “De Lejitos” (Remix)<\/p>\n Two Puerto Rican stars, Jay Wheeler and Omar Courtz,<\/a> connect for this seductive song for the baddies, “De Lejitos.” Don’t be surprised if this one’s still playing come Labor Day. \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo <\/p>\n KATSEYE, “Pinky Up”<\/p>\n Producer:<\/strong> “Hitman” Bang, Dwilly & Frants<\/p>\n This summer is all about fine dining and classy manners, at least according to KATSEYE<\/a>.<\/p>\n On \u201cPinky Up,\u201d they pay homage to the Spongebob method of \u201cwhen in doubt, pinky out,\u201d and seemingly got a boost by debuting this song at Coachella. On the track, KATSEYE<\/a> makes clear that \u201cPinky Up\u201d is less a bodily action than a way of life. \u2014Will Schube<\/p>\n Tame Impala & JENNIE, \u201cDracula\u201d<\/p>\n Producer: <\/strong>Kevin Parker<\/p>\n JENNIE<\/a> from BLACKPINK<\/a> breathed new life into this Tame Impala<\/a> banger. Might seem like an odd mix, but her inherent sweetness cuts against the track’s spooky undertow in a way that just clicks. \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo <\/p>\n Gracie Abrams, \u201cHit The Wall\u201d<\/p>\n Producer:<\/strong> Gracie Abrams & Aaron Dessner<\/p>\n Gracie Abrams and The National\u2019s Aaron Dessner continue to cook up magic, and \u201cHit The Wall\u201d is another grade-A hit to be featured on Abrams\u2019 new LP, Daughter from Hell. While father JJ might disagree with the title, it\u2019s surely made for good fodder as the culture continues to debate on the nepo baby allegations. <\/a> \u2014Will Schube<\/p>\n Omar Courtz, \u201cKOKO\u201d<\/p>\n Producer:<\/strong> Sky Rompiendo, Vaih & KARBeats<\/p>\n Omar Courtz has been making waves ever since his star making appearance on Bad Bunny\u2019s \u201cVeLD\u00c1.\u201d<\/a> The sensual “KOKO” is one of the standouts off of Por Si Ma\u00f1ana No Estoy, led by an infectious groove that only sounds better with a cold drink in your hand. \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo<\/p>\n Olivia Rodrigo, “Drop Dead”<\/p>\n Producer: <\/strong>Dan Nigro<\/p>\n \u201cDrop Dead\u201d is the lead single from Olivia Rodrigo\u2019s<\/a> you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, and the anthemic chorus from the smash hit are kinda at odds with the album title. \u201cThe most alive I\u2019ve ever been\/ But kiss me and I might drop d\u0435ad,\u201d Rodrigo sings during the chorus. Live in love or die trying. \u2014Will Schube<\/p>\n Chris Brown feat. Bryson Tiller, \u201cIt Depends\u201d <\/p>\n Producer: <\/strong>RiotUSA & Nico Baran<\/p>\n Chris Brown stays with a hit. And his latest features a slick nod to his tourmate Usher, flipping “Nice & Slow” into something that feels both modern and nostalgic. \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo<\/p>\n Rick Ross, French Montana, Max B, \u201cMinks In Miami\u201d<\/p>\n Producer: <\/strong>damn james!<\/p>\n Summer sounds better when soundtracked by Ricky Rozay. <\/a><\/p>\n He\u2019s just got a voice that works well with oppressively warm days and long nights. On the Masta Ace-sampling \u201cMinks in Miami,\u201d he links up with rap\u2019s revived hottest duo, French Montana<\/a> and Max B<\/a>, offering up toasts during the chorus when they chant: \u201cPop bottles of Belaire and let’s go celebrate.\u201d \u2014Will Schube<\/p>\n Drake & Sexyy Red, “Cheetah Print”<\/p>\n Producer:<\/strong> SkipOnDaBeat, Smash David, Digital Jet & Sean Turk<\/p>\n Out of the 43 songs Drake dropped this year<\/a>, “Cheetah Print” might be the strangest. The song is driven by an ’80s-inspired electro beat before transforming into a track that samples a cruise classic, Mister C’s “Cha Cha Slide.” The weirdness might be exactly what makes it stick. \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo <\/p>\n Fenix Flexin & Purps On The Beat, \u201cRUBBERZ\u201d<\/p>\n Producer:<\/strong> Purps On The Beat<\/p>\n This song has only been officially out for a couple of days, but it’s all over. Fenix<\/a>, who cut his teeth as a member of Shoreline Mafia, shows off his versatility with an 80s-inspired bop so off-kilter that some fans were wondering if it was actually AI. \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo <\/p>\n BossMan Dlow, “Motion Party”<\/p>\n Producers:<\/strong> DB!, K6WYA, Gitt Fai & Dub tha Prodigy<\/p>\n Props to BossMan Dlow for actually trying to make both sexes dance. “Motion Party” samples one of the great XXX anthems of all time, Khia\u2019s \u201cMy Neck, My Back (Lick It),” but does so in a way that lets the song stand on its own. \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo<\/p>\n BTS, \u201cSwim\u201d<\/p>\n Producer: <\/strong>Tyler Spry & Leclair<\/p>\n The BTS Army<\/a> endured a four year hiatus and were repaid with one of the K-pop group\u2019s biggest singles to date. \u201cSwim\u201d is the band\u2019s latest statement of intent, a declaration that they\u2019re back and not going anywhere. \u2014 Will Schube<\/p>\n Don Toliver, “E85”<\/p>\n Producer: <\/strong>206DEREK, Aaron Paris, Jaasu & Travis Scott<\/p>\n If it wasn’t for Drake, Don Toliver would be the rapper of the year.<\/a> He has four songs all over the Billboard charts. “E85” is of course the real winner, super addictive and one you’d expect to hear all summer long. \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo <\/p>\n Pinkpantheress & Zara Larsson, \u201cStateside\u201d<\/p>\n The fun thing about the modern internet is that a song can go viral at any time. There\u2019s rarely a method to the madness, but once in a while, a deserving song gets a nod. Cue the Zara Larsson-featuring remix of Pinkpantheress<\/a>\u2019 \u201cStateside,\u201d a standout from Fancy That that is making its mark months after its release. \u2014Will Schube<\/p>\n Yung Miami, “Spend Dat”<\/p>\n Producer:<\/strong> J. White Did It<\/p>\n This started out as an internet joke, with people making fun of the heavy-handed way<\/a> Jadakiss and Fat Joe were responding to the song, which made its premiere on their podcast.<\/p>\n But look who’s laughing now? That was April. The song hasn’t gone anywhere and it’s now on the Billboard Hot 100. A win that Joe and Jada gladly accept.<\/a> \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo<\/p>\n DaBaby, “Pop Dat Thang”<\/p>\n Producer: <\/strong> KayoTheWizard & Sean Da Firzt<\/p>\n Some people are simply uncancellable. After saying a bunch of stuff that would make others outcasts and pariahs, DaBaby has weathered the storm, returning to the upper echelon of rap for the first time in a few years. Also, don\u2019t sleep on the remix, which gets some help from GloRilla and YKNIECE. \u2014Will Schube<\/p>\n Drake, “Shabang”<\/p>\n Producer: <\/strong>Maneesh & 40<\/p>\n It\u2019s nice hearing Drake and 40 reunited.<\/p>\n After a few years in the wilderness, Drake returned home on ICEMAN, again linking up with his longtime right hand man 40 on some standouts from his latest era. \u201cShabang\u201d is one of those hits, a joyous, R&B-rap hybrid with a memorable title that removes Drake from his beefs and squabbles and presents him as a hitmaking extraordinaire.<\/p>\n This would be our pick for song of the summer, if it wasn\u2019t for another Drake song\u2026 \u2014Will Schube<\/p>\n Drake, “Janice STFU”<\/p>\n Producer: <\/strong>b4u, FNZ & Rog\u00e9t Chahayed<\/p>\n Drake is back where he belongs.<\/p>\n The No. 1 rap record of the last couple weeks is a song that blends old-school Drake \u2014 flipping Lykke Li \u2014 with newer instincts, leaning into exaggerated vocal inflections. Don’t let the catchy chorus fool you, this is also an elite, razor-sharp rap performance, among the best on Iceman. \u2014Dimas Sanfiorenzo<\/p>\n C+C Music Factory Founder Threatens Lawsuit Against Rapper Freedom Williams for Using Group’s Name<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n Drake’s ‘Iceman’ on Track to Bag Third Straight Week at No. 1<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n20.<\/span><\/h2>\n
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