The Spotify charts are shaking up as Djo’s latest track skyrockets to the top, marking a notable shift in streaming dynamics as we kick off 2026.
The first week of January 2026 has brought a significant change to the Spotify Global Charts. Traditionally dominated by holiday classics, this year’s transition has been marked by the rise of unexpected hits. Following the much-anticipated finale of Netflix’s blockbuster series, Stranger Things, Djo—the musical venture of Joe Keery—has surged to the number one spot with his 2022 track “End of Beginning.” The song amassed an impressive 6.527 million streams in just a single day, resonating with fans as they bid farewell to the beloved series.
This shift effectively ended a long-standing 78-day reign at the top by Taylor Swift. Even though Swift’s dominance was temporarily halted, she remains the most-streamed artist in the world, with her latest single, “The Fate of Ophelia,” still thriving. Recently, it crossed the remarkable milestone of 765 million total streams, showcasing her enduring popularity in the music scene.
The impact of the Stranger Things finale did not stop there. In what some are calling a new “Kate Bush moment,” iconic tracks from Prince saw a significant resurgence as well. His classic “Purple Rain” experienced a staggering 243% increase in global streams, with a notable 577% surge among Gen Z listeners. This illustrates how media events can dramatically influence streaming patterns.
Moreover, The Weeknd made history this week by hitting a milestone with his 2019 smash hit, “Blinding Lights.” This track has now become the first in Spotify’s history to exceed 5.2 billion streams. With its continued popularity, the song generates over a million streams daily, cementing its status as a hallmark of the digital music age.
As of January 4, 2026, the top artists on Spotify by monthly listeners show the following standings: Ariana Grande leads with 124.6 million listeners, followed closely by Justin Bieber at 122.3 million. The Weeknd stands at 122.1 million, while Bruno Mars and Taylor Swift follow with 115.0 million and 114.2 million monthly listeners, respectively. These stats underline the competitiveness of the current streaming environment and the ever-evolving tastes of music fans around the world.
