Compiling our end of year top played list always brings out some surprising, and not-so-surprising results. Surprising? Of the four Beatles, Paul McCartney had the most play (not surprising), but the 2nd most played of the Beatles? Ringo! Not-so-surprising? Bob Dylan hit the top of our list of played overall for the umpteenth year in a row.
Some notable results from of our top 20 artists played: 14 were from women and 11 were BIPOC artists! Hearing a cast of diverse voices (in all definitions) on the radio or any streaming service is near impossible. I am so proud of KAXE/KBXE and our listeners for embracing and supporting equitable airwaves.
Top 10 New Artists in 2021 on KAXE/KBXE
10) Yola - Stand for Myself
9) Paul McCartney - McCartney III & McCartney III Imagined
8) Leon Bridges - Gold-Diggers Sound
7) Brandi Carlile - In These Silent Days
6) Valerie June - In the Moon and Stars: Prescriptions for Dreamers
5) St. Vincent - Daddy's Home
4) Allison Russell - Outside Child
3) Arlo Parks - Collapsed in Sunbeams
2) Lake Street Dive - Hypotheticals
Jon Batiste - We Are
Top 10 MN Albums Played in 2021
10) Buffalo Gals Band - Where the Heart Wants To Go
9) Lanue - Lanue
8) Sugar on the Roof - Hat Drop
https://sugarontheroof.bandcamp.com/album/hat-drop
7) Sarah Streitz - Cut Flowers
6) Charlie Parr - Last of the Better Days Ahead (3rd most played Minnesotan overall if you count all of his albums)
5) David Huckfelt - Room Enough, Time Enough
4) Dessa - Idles
3) Prince (2nd most played Minnesotan overall with all records combined)
2) Annie Mack - Testify
1) Bob Dylan - ALL THE RECORDS
And that's a wrap on 2021!
