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 continue today with our next batch of ten artists, covering a little hip hop and a lot of 90s alternative rock.
#120: Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
iTunes stats: 87 plays
Previous ranking: #125
The punk rock supergroup, formed in San Francisco in 1995 and who only do covers, added 21 additional listens to the four tracks that are in my collection.
#119: Arrested Development
iTunes stats: 88 plays
Previous ranking: #122
The Atlanta-based new age rap band rises three slots thanks to 21 new listens to their three songs in my collection over the past five years.
#116: K’s Choice
iTunes stats: 91 plays
Previous ranking: #110
Only 18 new listens spread across the five different tracks from the arguable one-hit wonders from Belgium over these past five years led to a six-spot drop.
#116: MC Hammer
iTunes stats: 91 plays
Previous ranking: #122
The Oakland-born rapper, who served as a batboy for the A’s and earned the Hammer name due to a resemblance to Hank Aaron, added 24 plays to the five tracks in my collection. Oh yeah, he was also the headliner of my first concert way back in 1992.
#116: Collective Soul
iTunes stats: 91 plays
Previous ranking: #112
A small four-spot drop for the Georgia-based band, despite 19 new plays spread amongst the four songs I have in my collection.
#114: Skid Row
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous ranking: #116
The New Jersey band added 22 additional listens to the five songs that are in my collection, giving them a 31% increase.
#114: Oasis
iTunes stats: 92 plays
Previous ranking: #115
The three-time Grammy nominees from Manchester, England drop a single slot after adding 21 new plays over the past five years.
#113: The White Stripes
iTunes stats: 93 plays
Previous ranking: #112
Named the sixth greatest duo of all time by Rolling Stone in 2015, the three songs in my collection added 21 new plays over these past five years.
#112: Sublime
iTunes stats: 95 plays
Previous ranking: #108
The Long Beach based ska band added 18 new plays to the four songs they have in my collection.
#111: Nina Gordon
iTunes stats: 97 plays
Previous ranking: #112
The founding member of Veruca Salt adds 25 new listens to her solo work, rising a single spot on the chart.