Music. It is a powerful thing that brings people together, creates memories, and evokes emotions. It is the universal language that speaks to the soul. It forms the soundtrack of our lives.
It has now been five years since we last counted down the Top 200 artists in my iTunes library, featuring the songs I have listened to the most since 2007. It is time to do so again, seeing which performers still resonate and if any newer ones have joined the fray. So, without further ado, here are my most listened to artists, based on number of plays as of January 1, 2026.
We wrap up the first half of the list today with our next batch of ten artists, crossing over from play totals of two digits into three and featuring the highest charting debut.
#110: Chance the Rapper
iTunes stats: 99 plays
Previous ranking: #89
The two clips from the Chicago born rapper’s intro video for the 2016 White Sox gained only six new plays over the last five years.
#109: Pink
iTunes stats: 100 plays
Previous ranking: #107
The three-time Grammy winner added 22 additional listens to the four songs that are in my collection.
#108: The Strokes
iTunes stats: 102 plays
Previous ranking: #110
The alternative band from New York rises two spots on the list thanks to 29 new listens to four songs off their debut album, not including a mash-up with Christina Aguilera.
#107: The Outfield
iTunes stats: 103 plays
Previous ranking: #85
With their only song in my collection being the walkup music for former White Sox infielder Gordon Beckham, the group from London’s East End added a mere four plays over these past five years.
#106: Blues Brothers
iTunes stats: 104 plays
Previous ranking: NR
Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi performed the blues standard in the 1980 film of the same name, which saw a 215% increase after getting added to my White Sox victory playlist.
#105: Ludacris
iTunes stats: 105 plays
Previous ranking: #103
A two-spot drop for the Atlanta-based rapper, thanks to 22 additional listens to his three songs over the past five years.
#104: INXS
iTunes stats: 106 plays
Previous ranking: #108
One of Australia’s highest selling music acts of all time, the band increased their listens by nearly 38% to move up four slots.
#103: Sam Phillips
iTunes stats: 109 plays
Previous ranking: #95
Thanks to four musical cues from her work on Gilmore Girls, the alternative artist from Glendale, California adds 20 new plays to her total.
#102: Smash Mouth
iTunes stats: 112 plays
Previous ranking: #98
The former ska band from San Jose, California, who lost their lead singer Steve Harwell in 2023 to liver failure, picked up 27 new listens to drop just four slots.
#100: Mazzy Star
iTunes stats: 113 plays
Previous ranking: #96
While the Santa Monica-based band fronted by Hope Sandoval has six tracks in my collection, only four contributed to the play total, which increased nearly 32% thanks to 25 added listens.