Hot 100
2026 so far · Top 10

The Grail List

The albums, songs and moments that have defined 2026 so far, ranked by our editors. We'll keep updating it until the year is out.

  1. 01
    Moment · February 2026

    Album of the Year, Then the Super Bowl

    Bad Bunny

    Debí Tirar Más Fotos became the first primarily Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year at the Grammys. A week later his Super Bowl LX halftime show sent 'DtMF' from No. 10 to No. 1 on the Hot 100.

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    Album of the Year, Then the Super Bowl
  2. 02
    Moment · September 2026

    'Choosin' Texas' Breaks the Hot 100 Record

    Ella Langley

    A 23rd week at No. 1 made it the longest-running No. 1 in Hot 100 history. It stayed on top for 24 weeks until 'Patient Zero' arrived.

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    'Choosin' Texas' Breaks the Hot 100 Record
  3. 03
    Album · May 15, 2026

    ICEMAN

    Drake

    It opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 463,000 units, his 15th No. 1 album, and topped Complex's best albums of 2026 so far.

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    ICEMAN
  4. 04
    Album · June 12, 2026

    you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love

    Olivia Rodrigo

    It opened at No. 1 with 485,000 units, the biggest debut by a solo artist in 2026, after lead single 'Drop Dead' topped the Hot 100.

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    you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love
  5. 05
    Album · March 20, 2026

    ARIRANG

    BTS

    BTS's first album in over half a decade moved 641,000 units in its first week and spent three weeks at No. 1. 'Swim' topped the Hot 100 and won Song of the Year at the VMAs.

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    ARIRANG
  6. 06
    Album · February 6, 2026

    The Fall-Off

    J. Cole

    It debuted at No. 1 with 280,000 units, his seventh No. 1 and hip-hop's biggest sales week since Playboi Carti's MUSIC.

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    The Fall-Off
  7. 07
    Album · January 30, 2026

    OCTANE

    Don Toliver

    No. 2 on Complex's midyear list, and Billboard's critics said it still sits at the top of rap's hierarchy for 2026.

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    OCTANE
  8. 08
    Song · January 9, 2026

    I Just Might

    Bruno Mars

    It debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, his 10th No. 1 and his first No. 1 debut, then won Best R&B at the VMAs.

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    I Just Might
  9. 09
    Album · April 24, 2026

    Kehlani

    Kehlani

    It made Billboard's 50 best albums so far and Complex's top 10, and became her first No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

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    Kehlani
  10. 10
    Album · March 27, 2026

    THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.

    RAYE

    Billboard's staff put her 17-track second album among the year's best, calling it a rare record that earns the 'wildly ambitious' label.

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    THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE.