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Triple J Hottest 100
Current: Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2025
"The world's greatest music democracy"
Awarded forThe year's top 100 songs as voted by listeners
DateFourth Saturday in January
CountryAustralia
Presented byTriple J
First award5 March 1989; 36 years ago (1989-03-05)
Currently held byOlivia Dean – "Man I Need" (2025)
Most winsBernard Fanning (4 wins)[a]
WebsiteTriple J Hottest 100

The Triple J Hottest 100 is an annual music poll presented by the Australian youth radio station Triple J since 1989. Listeners are invited to vote for their favourite songs of the year in an online ballot conducted before the new year.

In its early years, the Hottest 100 was broadcast in March, then on various days in January and February. From 1998, it was consistently held on Australia Day (26 January), before moving to the fourth weekend of January starting in 2017. Generally the Hottest 200 (songs 200–101) is also held on this weekend.

The poll has grown from 500,000 votes in 2004 to a peak of over 3.2 million in 2019, and it has been referred to as "the world's greatest music democracy".[1] British singer Olivia Dean's song "Man I Need" is the latest song to top the Hottest 100. A special Hottest 100 of Australian Songs was broadcast on 26 July 2025 to celebrate Triple J's 50th anniversary.

Since 2015, the countdown has raised more than $3.3 million for various Australian charities through donations and merchandise sales. ABC Music issued compilation CDs following each year's countdown until 2022. In 2023, Triple J launched Triple J Hottest, an online radio station featuring a playlist of tracks from all previous Hottest 100 countdowns.[2]

History

[edit]

1988–1991: The Hot 100

[edit]

In 1988, Triple J producer Lawrie Zion had the idea to run a poll to determine his listeners' 100 favourite songs of all time.[3] The idea was taken from Brisbane community radio station 4ZZZ, which developed the original Hot 100 in 1976.[4] 4ZZZ themselves borrowed the idea from an Adelaide radio station and British magazine NME.[5]

For the Hot 100, before Triple J had become a national broadcaster, Sydney listeners were required to write their 10 favourite tracks on the back of an envelope.[6] Some entries were sent into the station written on a variety of items, including paintings, sculptures, and hand-rolled cannabis cigarettes.[7] The results of the first poll were counted down on Sunday, 5 March 1989.

The station repeated the event the following year when it started broadcasting to other capital cities besides Sydney. In 1991, Triple J was forced to change the poll's name to Hottest 100 to avoid legal action with 4ZZZ.[citation needed]

In the poll's first two years (1989 and 1990), the winner was "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division, while 1991's favourite song was "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, which had been released that year.

1992–1995: The Hottest 100

[edit]
American comedian Denis Leary topped the first annual Hottest 100 in 1993

Realising that the poll's results were unlikely to significantly change from year to year, Triple J rested the Hottest 100 in 1992 and relaunched it as an annual poll the following year.[8] The new system required listeners to vote for their favourite songs of that year. Denis Leary's comedy anthem "Asshole" was voted number one in 1993.[8]

The inaugural Hottest 100 compilation CD, Triple J Hottest 100 (The Hottest Of The Hottest), was released by ABC Music in 1994.

1996–2016: Rise in Australian music

[edit]

In 1996, Spiderbait became the first Australian act to reach number one. Since 1999, Australian acts have made up the majority of the polls.[9]

The first Hottest 100 DVD, Triple J Hottest 100: The Hottest Videos For 2002, was released in 2002. Queens of the Stone Age's "No One Knows" was voted into the top position in that year, while Grinspoon, Motor Ace, Darren Hanlon, Machine Translations and Ms Dynamite were other Hottest 100 artists featured on the release.[10]

In 2003, Powderfinger became the first act to be featured three times within the top 10 of the countdown, with "(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind", "Sunsets" and "Love Your Way" being voted in at No. 4, No. 7, and No. 10, respectively.[11]

After its beginnings as a write-in poll, the Hottest 100 progressed to phone-in voting, which then progressed to SMS and online voting. In 2003, only web votes through the Triple J website were accepted, with registration required and a limit of 10 votes applied. In 2004, the guidelines were expanded so that voters were entitled to 10 internet votes and 10 SMS votes.

In 2014, Chet Faker repeated Powderfinger's achievement from 2003 by placing three times in the top 10 positions. Faker reached the number one spot with "Talk Is Cheap" and the seventh and eighth positions respectively, with "Gold" and "1998". All three songs came from Faker's 2014 album Built on Glass. Chet Faker placed a total of four times in the entire poll, with a Like a Version cover of Sonia Dada's "You Don't Treat Me No Good" in the 22nd position. The 2014 Hottest 100 poll received a record of 2,099,707 million votes, cast by 258,762 voters from 188 countries.[12]

2015: Taylor Swift controversy

[edit]
Taylor Swift's hit 2015 single "Shake It Off" was notably banned from that year's Hottest 100.

Following a 13 January 2015 article on BuzzFeed, the "#Tay4Hottest100" hashtag campaign began during the voting period for the Hottest 100 poll for 2014 to promote Taylor Swift's hit single "Shake It Off". According to those critical of the campaign, the Hottest 100 is reserved for non-mainstream artists who were "discovered or fostered by Triple J" and provides valuable exposure for artists in the outer circles of the music industry.[13][14]

The campaign led to discussion[15] about the broader cultural implications of the controversy generated by Swift. The Guardian's Elle Hunt wrote: "... the virulent response to #Tay4Hottest100 has revealed the persistence of a dichotomy I'd thought we'd thrown out long ago: that of high art versus low."[16][17] Writing for The Conversation on 23 January 2015, Charles Darwin University academic Gemma Blackwood concluded:

The cultural and economic meanings attached to the celebrity-sign of "Taylor Swift" seems antithetical to Triple J's self-representation as a place for exciting new music, with a supposed focus on emerging Australian talent. This perhaps explains why Swift is excluded from the playlist when other "mainstream" American artists and chart toppers ... are still played on the station heavily: the alignment and transfer of values of what is considered "cool" and "hip" between the station and its chosen artists ... It raises the question: what responsibility does a national youth broadcaster have in the shaping and the adapting of young musical interests?[18]

Station manager Chris Scaddan told the media that the Swift campaign was within the rules of the poll, later instructing Triple J employees not to comment to "media, friends, family" about the campaign, as "it will all become clear when we get to the countdown next Monday." The station said: "we don't comment on voting campaigns whilst Hottest 100 voting is open. It draws attention to them and may influence the results of the poll."[19] Marketing website Mumbrella suggested on 20 January that a Facebook post by KFC incorporating the "#Tay4Hottest100" hashtag was against the Hottest 100 rules and could see Swift disqualified.[20] The Guardian submitted a freedom of information request to the ABC in regard to the station's response to the campaign.[21]

After journalist Peter Vincent reported that the Swift campaign had "swallowed" the Hottest 100 for 2014, citing research from the University of Queensland that showed that over 7,341 Hottest 100 posts in a 30-day period leading up to the poll results related to Swift, "Shake It Off" was eventually disqualified by the radio station in an announcement on 26 January 2015. The official announcement read: "it became pretty clear, pretty quick that a lot of people just wanted to prod some 'hipsters' for the lulz", acknowledging that the station "had a heap of fun" with the campaign, while also acknowledging Swift is "smart", "cool" and "successful". The song would have placed in 12th position if it had been allowed to compete.[22][23]

On the inside cover of the Triple J Hottest 100 Volume 22 CD, bold capital initials spell out "TAYLOR SWIFT BAN".[24]

2017–present: Announcement of date change

[edit]
See also: Triple J Hottest 100, 2017 § Announcement date
The Hottest 100 was moved from Australia Day from 2017, in response to growing controversy surrounding its marking of colonisation.

In mid-2016, support grew for a campaign calling on Triple J to change the date of the Hottest 100 due to ongoing debate about the meaning of the date of Australia Day to Indigenous Australians.[25][26] Calls were led by Indigenous activists, with Australian hip-hop duo A.B. Original and their protest single "January 26" playing a particularly instrumental role in drawing support to the cause. Triple J responded to the campaign in September 2016, announcing a review over whether the date of the Hottest 100 should be changed.[27]

The review of the date continued into 2017, including consultation with Reconciliation Australia, the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, and the National Australia Day Council, while the 2016 Hottest 100 was held on Australia Day without change. In August 2017, Triple J launched a survey asking for public opinion on whether the date should be changed.[28] 60% of participants voted in support of moving the date; 39% responded to not change it.[29]

In 2017, Triple J announced that they would no longer hold the Hottest 100 on 26 January. Instead, the Hottest 100 would be held on the fourth weekend of January each year, beginning with the 2017 countdown on 27 January 2018.[29]

Some organisations offered alternatives to Triple J's Hottest 100 in response to the date change. These include nationwide rock radio station Triple M broadcasting an Ozzest 100 countdown of only Australian songs on 26 January,[30] and Senator Cory Bernardi's Australian Conservatives publishing an AC100 playlist of Australian music on Spotify.[31]

Top tens and summaries

[edit]
Note: All-time countdowns
List of Triple J Hottest 100 countdowns by year, with top tens and highlights
Year Top ten Highlights
All time (1989)[32]
  1. Joy Division – "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (1980)
  2. Hunters & Collectors – "Throw Your Arms Around Me" (1984)
  3. The The – "Uncertain Smile" (1983)
  4. The Jam – "That's Entertainment" (1980)
  5. New Order – "Blue Monday" (1983)
  6. Dead Kennedys – "Holiday in Cambodia" (1980)
  7. The Smiths – "How Soon Is Now?" (1985)
  8. Hunters & Collectors – "Talking to a Stranger" (1982)
  9. The Sugarcubes – "Birthday" (1987)
  10. The Cure – "A Forest" (1980)
All time (1990)[33]
  1. Joy Division – "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (1980)
  2. Hunters & Collectors – "Throw Your Arms Around Me" (1984)
  3. The Smiths – "How Soon Is Now?" (1985)
  4. The The – "Uncertain Smile" (1983)
  5. New Order – "Blue Monday" (1983)
  6. The Stone Roses – "Fools Gold" (1989)
  7. The Smiths – "This Charming Man" (1983)
  8. The B-52's – "Rock Lobster" (1979)
  9. R.E.M. – "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" (1987)
  10. The Jam – "That's Entertainment" (1980)
  • The second of the original series of Hottest 100s which allowed choices from any year.
  • The Cure scored seven songs in the countdown.
All time (1991)
  1. Nirvana – "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (1991)
  2. Joy Division – "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (1980)
  3. Nirvana – "Lithium" (1991)
  4. Hunters & Collectors – "Throw Your Arms Around Me" (1984)
  5. Andy Prieboy – "Tomorrow Wendy" (1990)
  6. The Smiths – "How Soon Is Now?" (1985)
  7. The Stone Roses – "Fools Gold" (1989)
  8. The Cure – "A Forest" (1980)
  9. Violent Femmes – "Blister in the Sun" (1982)
  10. New Order – "Blue Monday" (1983)
  • The third of the original series of Hottest 100s which allowed choices from any year.
  • The Cure scored nine tracks in the countdown. Although not a part of the official countdowns, this record remains unbroken as of 2024. The closest artists to approach the record are Charli XCX and Billie Eilish who both had eight tracks in the 2024 countdown.
1992 No Hottest 100 Held
1993
  1. Denis Leary – "Asshole"
  2. Radiohead – "Creep"
  3. The Cranberries – "Linger"
  4. Blind Melon – "No Rain"
  5. The Breeders – "Cannonball"
  6. Rage Against the Machine – "Killing in the Name"
  7. U2 – "Lemon"
  8. Pearl Jam – "Go"
  9. The Cruel Sea – "The Honeymoon Is Over"
  10. Atomic Swing – "Stone Me Into the Groove"
  • Return after list hiatus in 1992.
  • The new format only allowed songs released as singles within the previous calendar year.
  • The Cruel Sea and Michael Stipe (twice with R.E.M.) scored three tracks in the countdown.
1994
  1. The Cranberries – "Zombie"
  2. Nine Inch Nails – "Closer"
  3. The Offspring – "Self Esteem"
  4. The Offspring – "Come Out and Play"
  5. Silverchair – "Tomorrow"
  6. Veruca Salt – "Seether"
  7. Nirvana – "About a Girl"
  8. Max Sharam – "Coma"
  9. Tom Jones – "If I Only Knew"
  10. Severed Heads – "Dead Eyes Opened"
  • Soundgarden scored four tracks in the countdown. Setting the record for most appearances in a single countdown.
  • "Zombie" becomes the first No. 1 song with a female vocalist.
  • The Offspring scored back to back tracks at positions No. 3 and 4; the first time in an official countdown that a band scored two songs in the top 5.
1995
  1. Oasis – "Wonderwall"
  2. The Smashing Pumpkins – "Bullet with Butterfly Wings"
  3. Coolio featuring L.V. – "Gangsta's Paradise"
  4. The Presidents of the United States of America – "Kitty"
  5. Björk – "It's Oh So Quiet"
  6. Everclear – "Heroin Girl"
  7. Custard – "Apartment"
  8. Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and Kylie Minogue – "Where the Wild Roses Grow"
  9. TISM – "(He'll Never Be An) Ol' Man River"
  10. TISM – "Greg! The Stop Sign!!"
1996
  1. Spiderbait – "Buy Me a Pony"
  2. Tool – "Stinkfist"
  3. Ben Folds Five – "Underground"
  4. Butthole Surfers – "Pepper"
  5. Bush – "Glycerine"
  6. Powderfinger – "Pick You Up"
  7. The Prodigy – "Breathe"
  8. Allen Ginsberg – "Ballad of the Skeletons"
  9. Weezer – "El Scorcho"
  10. Babybird – "You're Gorgeous"
1997
  1. The Whitlams – "No Aphrodisiac"
  2. Blur – "Song 2"
  3. Chumbawamba – "Tubthumping"
  4. The Verve – "Bitter Sweet Symphony"
  5. Pauline Pantsdown – "Back Door Man"
  6. Blink-182 – "Dammit"
  7. Radiohead – "Paranoid Android"
  8. Marilyn Manson – "The Beautiful People"
  9. Radiohead – "Karma Police"
  10. Jebediah – "Leaving Home"
All Time (1998)
  1. Nirvana – "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (1991)
  2. Hunters & Collectors – "Throw Your Arms Around Me" (1984)
  3. Pearl Jam – "Alive" (1991)
  4. Jeff Buckley – "Last Goodbye" (1994)
  5. Radiohead – "Creep" (1992)
  6. Led Zeppelin – "Stairway to Heaven" (1971)
  7. Metallica – "One" (1988)
  8. Queen – "Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975)
  9. Metallica – "Enter Sandman" (1991)
  10. Pearl Jam – "Black" (1991)
1998
  1. The Offspring – "Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)"
  2. Ben Lee – "Cigarettes Will Kill You"
  3. Custard – "Girls Like That (Don't Go For Guys Like Us)"
  4. Hole – "Celebrity Skin"
  5. KoЯn – "Got the Life"
  6. Regurgitator – "! (The Song Formerly Known As)"
  7. Jebediah – "Harpoon"
  8. Powderfinger – "The Day You Come"
  9. You Am I – "Heavy Heart"
  10. The Living End – "Save the Day"
  • Regurgitator scored four tracks in the countdown; equaling the record for most appearances in a single countdown set by Soundgarden in 1994
  • Regurgitator frontman Quan Yeomans was involved with six tracks (including three in succession from No. 26 to No. 28): four with Regurgitator and twice with Happyland.
  • The list included two versions of the song Harpoon: the original by Jebediah at No. 7 and Something for Kate's cover at No. 85.
1999
  1. Powderfinger – "These Days"
  2. Killing Heidi – "Weir"
  3. The Tenants – "You Shit Me to Tears"
  4. Fatboy Slim – "Praise You"
  5. Placebo – "Every You Every Me"
  6. Bloodhound Gang – "The Bad Touch"
  7. Rage Against the Machine – "Guerrilla Radio"
  8. Limp Bizkit – "Nookie"
  9. Pearl Jam – "Last Kiss"
  10. Red Hot Chili Peppers – "Scar Tissue"
  • Powderfinger and Silverchair scored four tracks each in the countdown, equaling the record for most appearances in a single countdown set by Soundgarden in 1994 and Regurgitator in 1998.
  • The 1999 countdown held the record for the most Australian artists in a countdown, with 52. This record was equaled in the 2007 countdown, and later broken in the 2014 countdown.
  • Killing Heidi set the record for the highest ranking song by an Unearthed artist.
2000
  1. Powderfinger – "My Happiness"
  2. U2 – "Beautiful Day"
  3. Powderfinger – "My Kind of Scene"
  4. Wheatus – "Teenage Dirtbag"
  5. Coldplay – "Yellow"
  6. The Avalanches – "Frontier Psychiatrist"
  7. Red Hot Chili Peppers – "Californication"
  8. Foo Fighters – "Generator"
  9. Paul Kelly – "Every Fucking City"
  10. The Dandy Warhols – "Bohemian Like You"
  • Rage Against the Machine scored three tracks in the countdown.
  • Powderfinger became the first artist to have two Hottest 100 No. 1 tracks, in 1999 and 2000.
  • Powderfinger became the second band to achieve two songs in the top five, the first Australian band to do so.
2001
  1. Alex Lloyd – "Amazing"
  2. Something for Kate – "Monsters"
  3. System of a Down – "Chop Suey!"
  4. Basement Jaxx – "Where's Your Head At"
  5. John Butler Trio – "Betterman"
  6. Alien Ant Farm – "Smooth Criminal"
  7. Weezer – "Island in the Sun"
  8. The Avalanches – "Since I Left You"
  9. Gorillaz featuring Del tha Funkee Homosapien – "Clint Eastwood"
  10. Cake – "Short Skirt/Long Jacket"
2002
  1. Queens of the Stone Age – "No One Knows"
  2. Grinspoon – "Chemical Heart"
  3. The Waifs – "London Still"
  4. 1200 Techniques – "Karma"
  5. The Vines – "Get Free"
  6. Machine Gun Fellatio – "Pussy Town"
  7. Eminem – "Lose Yourself"
  8. Machine Gun Fellatio – "Rollercoaster"
  9. Red Hot Chili Peppers – "By the Way"
  10. Silverchair – "The Greatest View"
  • Queens of the Stone Age and Silverchair scored five tracks each in the countdown. Setting the record for most appearances in a single countdown.
  • Dave Grohl was involved with ten tracks (including three in succession from No. 11 to No. 13): five with Queens of the Stone Age, four with the Foo Fighters, and one with Nirvana.
  • Grinspoon equal Killing Heidi's record of the Highest placing of a Triple J Unearthed artist at No. 2.
  • Mark Lanegan became the oldest person to win the Hottest 100. He was 42 when it was announced that "No One Knows" won the countdown.
  • 2002 had the lowest number of different artists represented of any Hottest 100.
2003
  1. Jet – "Are You Gonna Be My Girl"
  2. OutKast – "Hey Ya!"
  3. The White Stripes – "Seven Nation Army"
  4. Powderfinger – "(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind"
  5. Coldplay – "Clocks (Röyksopp Trembling Heart Mix)"
  6. The Cat Empire – "Hello"
  7. Powderfinger – "Sunsets"
  8. John Butler Trio – "Zebra"
  9. Hilltop Hoods – "The Nosebleed Section"
  10. Powderfinger – "Love Your Way"
2004
  1. Franz Ferdinand – "Take Me Out"
  2. Missy Higgins – "Scar"
  3. Eskimo Joe – "From the Sea"
  4. The Killers – "Somebody Told Me"
  5. Spiderbait – "Black Betty"
  6. Missy Higgins – "Ten Days"
  7. John Butler Trio – "Something's Gotta Give"
  8. Little Birdy – "Beautiful to Me"
  9. Powderfinger – "Bless My Soul"
  10. The White Stripes – "Jolene (Live Under Blackpool Lights)"
2005
  1. Bernard Fanning – "Wish You Well"
  2. Ben Lee – "Catch My Disease"
  3. Gorillaz featuring De La Soul – "Feel Good Inc."
  4. Foo Fighters – "Best of You"
  5. Gorillaz featuring Shaun Ryder – "Dare"
  6. Wolfmother – "Mind's Eye"
  7. The White Stripes – "My Doorbell"
  8. End of Fashion – "O Yeah"
  9. Wolfmother – "Joker & the Thief"
  10. Franz Ferdinand – "Do You Want To"
  • Wolfmother scored six tracks in the countdown, at that point setting the record for most appearances in a single countdown (equaled by Spacey Jane in 2022).
  • Gorillaz became the third band to place twice in the Top 5.
  • Bernard Fanning achieves a Hottest 100 No. 1 for the third time (the only artist to do so to date), including twice with Powderfinger in 1999 and 2000.
  • Ben Lee achieves No. 2 for the second time.
2006
  1. Augie March – "One Crowded Hour"
  2. Eskimo Joe – "Black Fingernails, Red Wine"
  3. Hilltop Hoods – "The Hard Road"
  4. The Killers – "When You Were Young"
  5. Scissor Sisters – "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'"
  6. Gnarls Barkley – "Crazy"
  7. Snow Patrol – "Chasing Cars"
  8. Gotye – "Hearts a Mess"
  9. Muse – "Starlight"
  10. The Grates – "19-20-20"
2007
  1. Muse – "Knights of Cydonia"
  2. Silverchair – "Straight Lines"
  3. Kings of Leon – "On Call"
  4. John Butler Trio – "Better Than"
  5. Faker – "This Heart Attack"
  6. Foo Fighters – "The Pretender"
  7. Daft Punk – "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (Alive 2007)"
  8. Cold War Kids – "Hang Me Up to Dry"
  9. Soko – "I'll Kill Her"
  10. The Panics – "Don't Fight It"
2008
  1. Kings of Leon – "Sex on Fire"
  2. MGMT – "Electric Feel"
  3. Kings of Leon – "Use Somebody"
  4. Empire of the Sun – "Walking on a Dream"
  5. MGMT – "Kids"
  6. The Presets – "Talk Like That"
  7. Pez featuring 360 and Hailey Cramer – "The Festival Song"
  8. The Presets – "This Boy's in Love"
  9. The Ting Tings – "That's Not My Name"
  10. Drapht – "Jimmy Recard"
  • Kings of Leon, Nick Littlemore and Vampire Weekend scored four tracks each in the countdown
  • Both Kings of Leon and MGMT placed twice in the Top 5, the fourth and fifth artists to do so. This is also the first time where two separate artists appeared twice in the Top 5.
  • The 2008 countdown marked the first time since 1995 that no Australian artist has featured in the Top 3 songs.
All Time (2009)
  1. Nirvana – "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (1991)
  2. Rage Against the Machine – "Killing in the Name" (1992)
  3. Jeff Buckley – "Hallelujah" (1994)
  4. Joy Division – "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (1980)
  5. Radiohead – "Paranoid Android" (1997)
  6. Queen – "Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975)
  7. Jeff Buckley – "Last Goodbye" (1994)
  8. Red Hot Chili Peppers – "Under the Bridge" (1991)
  9. Foo Fighters – "Everlong" (1997)
  10. Led Zeppelin – "Stairway to Heaven" (1971)
2009
  1. Mumford & Sons – "Little Lion Man"
  2. Art vs. Science – "Parlez Vous Francais?"
  3. Hilltop Hoods – "Chase That Feeling"
  4. Phoenix – "Lisztomania"
  5. Bluejuice – "Broken Leg"
  6. La Roux – "Bulletproof"
  7. Lisa Mitchell – "Coin Laundry"
  8. Lily Allen – "Not Fair"
  9. Muse – "Uprising"
  10. Florence and the Machine – "Dog Days Are Over"
2010
  1. Angus & Julia Stone – "Big Jet Plane"
  2. Little Red – "Rock It"
  3. Ou Est le Swimming Pool – "Dance the Way I Feel"
  4. Birds of Tokyo – "Plans"
  5. Boy & Bear – "Fall at Your Feet"
  6. Adrian Lux – "Teenage Crime"
  7. Cee-Lo Green – "Fuck You"
  8. The Wombats – "Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)"
  9. Art vs. Science – "Magic Fountain"
  10. Mark Ronson & The Business Intl. featuring Boy George and Andrew Wyatt – "Somebody to Love Me"
Australian Albums (2011)
  1. Powderfinger – Odyssey Number Five (2000)
  2. Silverchair – Frogstomp (1995)
  3. AC/DC – Back in Black (1980)
  4. The Living End – The Living End (1999)
  5. INXS – Kick (1987)
  6. Powderfinger – Internationalist (1998)
  7. The Presets – Apocalypso (2008)
  8. Wolfmother – Wolfmother (2005)
  9. The Avalanches – Since I Left You (2000)
  10. Regurgitator – Unit (1997)
  • Compiled in June 2011, and counted down between 28 June and 10 July.
  • The first Hottest 100 countdown that is not based on single tracks.
  • This is now the third Hottest 100 won by Powderfinger and the fourth won by Bernard Fanning.
  • Silverchair and Bernard Fanning both appeared five times in the countdown. Fanning appeared once solo and four times with Powderfinger.
  • Every one of Silverchair's studio albums reached the countdown.
2011
  1. Gotye featuring Kimbra – "Somebody That I Used to Know"
  2. The Black Keys – "Lonely Boy"
  3. Matt Corby – "Brother"
  4. Boy & Bear – "Feeding Line"
  5. M83 – "Midnight City"
  6. Lana Del Rey – "Video Games"
  7. San Cisco – "Awkward"
  8. 360 featuring Gossling – "Boys like You"
  9. The Jezabels – "Endless Summer"
  10. Hilltop Hoods featuring Sia – "I Love It"
  • The Wombats and Kimbra scored four tracks each in the countdown.
  • This is the first collaboration between artists to win the Hottest 100.
2012
  1. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz – "Thrift Shop"
  2. Of Monsters and Men – "Little Talks"
  3. Alt-J – "Breezeblocks"
  4. Flume – "Holdin On"
  5. Mumford & Sons – "I Will Wait"
  6. Major Lazer featuring Amber Coffman – "Get Free"
  7. Tame Impala – "Elephant"
  8. Frank Ocean – "Lost"
  9. Tame Impala – "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards"
  10. The Rubens – "My Gun"
  • Flume scored four tracks in the countdown.
  • "Thrift Shop" is the first hip-hop song to top the chart in Hottest 100 history. It also breaks the record of highest ranking hip-hop song, which was previously set by Coolio, Gorillaz & Hilltop Hoods. All of whom managed to place third in 1995, 2005, 2006 & 2009.
  • For the first time since 2008 no Australian artist featured in the Top 3.
  • The four highest charting artists in this year's countdown were all debutantes. This is the first time this has happened since the first countdown in 1993.
20 Years of the Hottest 100 (2013)
  1. Oasis – "Wonderwall" (1995)
  2. The White Stripes – "Seven Nation Army" (2003)
  3. Jeff Buckley – "Last Goodbye" (1994)
  4. Hilltop Hoods – "The Nosebleed Section" (2003)
  5. The Verve – "Bitter Sweet Symphony" (1997)
  6. Foo Fighters – "Everlong" (1997)
  7. The Killers – "Mr. Brightside" (2004)
  8. Powderfinger – "These Days" (1999)
  9. Gotye featuring Kimbra – "Somebody That I Used to Know" (2011)
  10. Powderfinger – "My Happiness" (2000)
2013
  1. Vance Joy – "Riptide"
  2. Lorde – "Royals"
  3. Daft Punk featuring Pharrell – "Get Lucky"
  4. Arctic Monkeys – "Do I Wanna Know?"
  5. Flume & Chet Faker – "Drop the Game"
  6. Arctic Monkeys – "Why'd You Only Call Me When You're High?"
  7. Lana Del Rey – "Young and Beautiful"
  8. Matt Corby – "Resolution"
  9. The Preatures – "Is This How You Feel?"
  10. London Grammar – "Strong"
  • Daft Punk and Ezra Koenig scored four tracks each in the countdown.
  • Two versions of "Get Lucky" appeared in the countdown, the original by Daft Punk at number 3 and San Cisco's cover at number 39; this is the first time it has happened since 2004.
  • Vance Joy is the first Triple J Unearthed artist to place first in the Hottest 100.
2014
  1. Chet Faker – "Talk Is Cheap"
  2. Peking Duk featuring Nicole Millar – "High"
  3. Hilltop Hoods – "Cosby Sweater"
  4. Milky Chance – "Stolen Dance"
  5. Peking Duk featuring Safia – "Take Me Over"
  6. Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars – "Uptown Funk"
  7. Chet Faker – "Gold"
  8. Chet Faker – "1998"
  9. Sia – "Chandelier"
  10. Ásgeir – "King and Cross"
  • Chet Faker scored four tracks in the countdown.
  • Chet Faker became the second artist to chart three times in the top 10 places after Powderfinger achieved the feat in 2003.
  • The 2014 countdown featured 55 Australian entries, breaking the previous record of 52, set in 1999 and equaled in 2007.[12]
  • Peking Duk are the sixth band to appear twice in the Top 5, the first to do so since Kings of Leon and MGMT in 2008.
  • Zach de la Rocha's appearance with Run the Jewels marks his first return to a Hottest 100 since 2001. His 13-year absence equals the record set by Robert Smith in 2010 and Ben Folds Five in 2012.
  • Hilltop Hoods finish No. 3 for the third time.
2015
  1. The Rubens – "Hoops"
  2. Kendrick Lamar – "King Kunta"
  3. Major Lazer & DJ Snake featuring MØ – "Lean On"
  4. Tame Impala – "The Less I Know the Better"
  5. Tame Impala – "Let It Happen"
  6. Marcus Marr & Chet Faker – "The Trouble with Us"
  7. Jarryd James – "Do You Remember"
  8. Hermitude featuring Mataya & Young Tapz – "The Buzz"
  9. The Weeknd – "Can't Feel My Face"
  10. Disclosure featuring Lorde – "Magnets"
2016
  1. Flume featuring Kai – "Never Be Like You"
  2. Amy Shark – "Adore"
  3. Tash Sultana – "Jungle"
  4. Hilltop Hoods featuring Montaigne and Tom Thum – "1955"
  5. Childish Gambino – "Redbone"
  6. DMA's – "Believe" (Like a Version)
  7. Illy featuring Vera Blue – "Papercuts"
  8. Flume featuring Tove Lo – "Say It"
  9. Peking Duk featuring Elliphant – "Stranger"
  10. The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk – "Starboy"
  • Violent Soho scored five tracks in the countdown.
  • 2016's countdown featured 66 Australian entries, breaking the previous record of 59 set in 2014.[38]
  • This countdown set a new record for the longest Australian winning streak in the Hottest 100 (2013–2016), beating the previous streak between 1999 and 2001.
2017
  1. Kendrick Lamar – "Humble."
  2. Gang of Youths – "Let Me Down Easy"
  3. Angus & Julia Stone – "Chateau"
  4. Methyl Ethel – "Ubu"
  5. Gang of Youths – "The Deepest Sighs, the Frankest Shadows"
  6. Lorde – "Green Light"
  7. Pnau – "Go Bang"
  8. Thundamentals featuring Mataya – "Sally"
  9. Vance Joy – "Lay It on Me"
  10. Gang of Youths – "What Can I Do If the Fire Goes Out?"
  • Kendrick Lamar, Gang of Youths, Lorde and The Jungle Giants scored four tracks each in the countdown.
  • Gang of Youths became the third artist to chart three times in the top 10, joining Chet Faker (2014) and Powderfinger (2003), and the seventh artist to place twice in the top 5.
  • Kendrick Lamar is the first African-American person to top the Hottest 100.
  • Kendrick Lamar becomes the first artist to place first in a countdown after previously coming second.
2018
  1. Ocean Alley – "Confidence"
  2. Fisher – "Losing It"
  3. Travis Scott – "Sicko Mode"
  4. Childish Gambino – "This Is America"
  5. Amy Shark – "I Said Hi"
  6. Dean Lewis – "Be Alright"
  7. Mallrat – "Groceries"
  8. Billie Eilish – "When the Party's Over"
  9. Ruby Fields – "Dinosaurs"
  10. Ocean Alley – "Knees"
  • Ocean Alley scored four tracks in the countdown, and became the second artist to be voted into No. 1 and No. 100 during the same countdown, after Powderfinger in 1999.
2019
  1. Billie Eilish – "Bad Guy"
  2. Flume featuring Vera Blue – "Rushing Back"
  3. Mallrat – "Charlie"
  4. Tones and I – "Dance Monkey"
  5. Denzel Curry – "Bulls on Parade" (Like a Version)
  6. G Flip – "Drink Too Much"
  7. Lime Cordiale – "Robbery"
  8. The Jungle Giants – "Heavy Hearted"
  9. Thelma Plum – "Better in Blak"
  10. Hilltop Hoods featuring Illy and Ecca Vandal – "Exit Sign"
2010s (2020)
  1. Tame Impala – "The Less I Know the Better" (2015)
  2. Gotye featuring Kimbra – "Somebody That I Used to Know" (2011)
  3. Arctic Monkeys – "Do I Wanna Know?" (2013)
  4. Violent Soho – "Covered in Chrome" (2013)
  5. Rüfüs Du Sol – "Innerbloom" (2015)
  6. Gang of Youths – "Magnolia" (2015)
  7. Foster the People – "Pumped Up Kicks" (2010)
  8. Flume featuring Kai – "Never Be Like You" (2016)
  9. Angus & Julia Stone – "Big Jet Plane" (2010)
  10. Matt Corby – "Brother" (2011)
  • Voting took place between 11 February and 9 March 2020, results were broadcast on 14 March 2020.
  • Tracks placing between 101 and 200 were aired between 10 and 13 March 2020.
  • Flume scored five tracks in the countdown and also was featured on two remixes with a total of seven appearances in the countdown.
  • Rüfüs Du Sol were the first artist to have a song and its remix by What So Not to appear in the same countdown.
  • Kanye West scored five tracks in the countdown.
  • Tame Impala's win marks the first time since 1991 that the winning song hadn't previously won any countdown.
  • Nine tracks in the countdown had not charted in a previous Hottest 100.[39]
2020
  1. Glass Animals – "Heat Waves"
  2. Spacey Jane – "Booster Seat"
  3. Flume and Toro y Moi – "The Difference"
  4. Ball Park Music – "Cherub"
  5. Tame Impala – "Lost in Yesterday"
  6. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion – "WAP"
  7. G Flip – "Hyperfine"
  8. The Jungle Giants – "Sending Me Ur Loving"
  9. Hilltop Hoods – "I'm Good?"
  10. Billie Eilish – "Therefore I Am"
  • Lime Cordiale scored five tracks in the countdown.
  • Flume becomes the first artist to have placed in each of the top 5 spots of the countdown.
2021
  1. The Wiggles – "Elephant" (Like a Version)
  2. The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber – "Stay"
  3. Spacey Jane – "Lots of Nothing"
  4. Olivia Rodrigo – "Good 4 U"
  5. Billie Eilish – "Happier Than Ever"
  6. Gang of Youths – "The Angel of 8th Ave."
  7. Doja Cat and SZA – "Kiss Me More"
  8. Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow – "Industry Baby"
  9. Rüfüs Du Sol – "On My Knees"
  10. Lil Nas X – "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"
2022
  1. Flume featuring May-a – "Say Nothing"
  2. Eliza Rose and Interplanetary Criminal – "B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All)"
  3. Spacey Jane – "Hardlight"
  4. Steve Lacy – "Bad Habit"
  5. Spacey Jane – "It's Been a Long Day"
  6. Spacey Jane – "Sitting Up"
  7. Lizzo – "About Damn Time"
  8. Ball Park Music – "Stars in My Eyes"
  9. Gang of Youths – "In the Wake of Your Leave"
  10. Joji – "Glimpse of Us"
  • Spacey Jane scored six tracks in the countdown, including three songs in the top 10 – a feat only achieved three other times in the countdown's history (most recently, Gang of Youths in 2017). The band also became the eighth artist to have two songs poll in the top 5.
  • Flume became the second artist after Powderfinger to top the Hottest 100 a second time, having previously had the No. 1 song in 2016.
  • Spacey Jane are the first artist to feature in the top 3 of a countdown for the third consecutive year. They also finished third for the second year in a row.
Like a Version (2023)
  1. DMA's – "Believe" (2016)
  2. Denzel Curry – "Bulls on Parade" (2019)
  3. Ocean Alley – "Baby Come Back" (2018)
  4. Lime Cordiale – "I Touch Myself" (2019)
  5. A.B. Original featuring Paul Kelly and Dan Sultan – "Dumb Things" (2016)
  6. Gang of Youths – "Blood" (2017)
  7. King Stingray – "Yellow" (2022)
  8. Thundamentals – "Brother" (2012)
  9. Chet Faker – "(Lover) You Don't Treat Me No Good" (2014)
  10. The Wiggles – "Elephant" (2021)
2023
  1. Doja Cat – "Paint the Town Red"
  2. G Flip – "The Worst Person Alive"
  3. Dom Dolla – "Saving Up"
  4. MK and Dom Dolla – "Rhyme Dust"
  5. Cassö, Raye and D-Block Europe – "Prada"
  6. Fred Again.. and Obongjayar – "Adore U"
  7. Billie Eilish – "What Was I Made For?"
  8. Troye Sivan – "Rush"
  9. Jack Harlow – "Lovin on Me"
  10. Post Malone – "Chemical"
  • G Flip scored a record seven tracks in the countdown. Breaking the record set by Wolfmother in 2005 and Spacey Jane in 2022.
  • Doja Cat becomes the first female African-American artist and rapper to top the Hottest 100.
  • Kylie Minogue marks her first appearance in the countdown since 1997, breaking the record for the longest gap between entries in Hottest 100 history with her 26-year absence.
  • Dom Dolla is the ninth artist to have two songs poll in the top 5. He also equals The Offspring's record set in 1994 for the highest consecutive appearances in a Hottest 100.
2024
  1. Chappell Roan – "Good Luck, Babe!"
  2. Royel Otis – "Murder on the Dancefloor" (Like a Version)
  3. Billie Eilish – "Birds of a Feather"
  4. Lola Young – "Messy"
  5. Gracie Abrams – "That's So True"
  6. Charli XCX featuring Billie Eilish – "Guess"
  7. Dom Dolla – "Girls"
  8. Kendrick Lamar – "Not Like Us"
  9. G Flip – "Cruel Summer" (Like a Version)
  10. Fred Again and Baby Keem – "Leavemealone"
  • Charli XCX and Billie Eilish both had eight appearances in the countdown, setting the current record for the most appearances by an artist in a single countdown.
  • The 2024 countdown featured 29 Australian entries, the lowest since 1996.
Australian Songs (2025)
  1. INXS – "Never Tear Us Apart" (1987)
  2. Hilltop Hoods – "The Nosebleed Section" (2003)
  3. The Veronicas – "Untouched" (2007)
  4. Missy Higgins – "Scar" (2004)
  5. Crowded House – "Don't Dream It's Over" (1986)
  6. Powderfinger – "My Happiness" (2000)
  7. Cold Chisel – "Flame Trees" (1984)
  8. Cold Chisel – "Khe Sanh (1978)
  9. Paul Kelly – "How to Make Gravy" (1996)
  10. Gotye featuring Kimbra – "Somebody That I Used to Know" (2011)
  • The first Hottest 100 specifically for Australian songs.
  • Bernard Fanning scored four tracks on the countdown; three with Powderfinger and one as a solo artist.
2025
  1. Olivia Dean – "Man I Need"
  2. Keli Holiday – "Dancing2"
  3. Tame Impala – "Dracula"
  4. Playlunch – "Keith"
  5. Raye – "Where Is My Husband!"
  6. Spacey Jane – "Whateverrrr"
  7. Olivia Dean – "Nice to Each Other"
  8. Sombr – "12 to 12"
  9. Disco Lines and Tinashe – "No Broke Boys"
  10. Ball Park Music – "Please Don't Move to Melbourne"
  • Olivia Dean and Spacey Jane scored five tracks each in the countdown.
  • Adam Hyde became the second artist after Ben Lee to have a song at No. 2 in a Hottest 100 for a second time, having previously featured at No. 2 song in 2014 with Peking Duk.

Impact

[edit]

The Hottest 100 has been branded a "national institution" and "the world's greatest music democracy".[1][41] The countdown receives millions of votes every year— in 2019, a record of 3.2 million were cast.[42] In 2022, one in two Australians engaged with the Hottest 100 campaign, and 3.6 million people listened on the day, according to national ratings.[43]

Coming up in Australia, the Hottest 100 is a direct path to getting noticed, and trying to recreate that in the [United] States is overwhelming.

Mitch Galbraith of Ocean Alley[44]

Musicians who have taken out the number one spot have often seen a popularity boost after the annual countdown. Following Alex Lloyd winning the 2001 countdown with "Amazing", it became the most played song on Australian radio for the next year. The singer said commercial stations only started playing it after his win on Triple J; from royalties then received, he was able to buy a house.[44] Alternative rock band the Rubens won the Hottest 100 of 2015 and immediately had to upgrade the venues for their upcoming tour due to an influx of new fans.[44]

Voter turnout and fundraising

[edit]

Since the 2015 countdown, Triple J has annually partnered with an Australian organisation to donate all funds raised from Hottest 100 merchandise, usually a T-shirt branded with the countdown's logo. In total, these fundraisers have raised over $3.3 million for a variety of causes that the broadcaster deems most important to listeners each year.[45][46]

List of votes counted and fundraising history
Year Votes cast VR? Charity partner Amount raised Ref.
1990 (All Time) 10,000 Maybe N/a N/a [47]
1993 50,000 Maybe [48]
1995 100,000 Maybe [49]
1996 300,000 Maybe [49]
1997 250,000 [50]
1998 500,000 Maybe [50]
1998 (All Time) 100,000 [51]
1999 650,000 Maybe [52]
2000 900,000 Maybe [53]
2001 350,000 [54]
2003 383,000 [55]
2004 475,000 [56]
2005 606,060 [57]
2006 671,024 [58]
2007 700,000 [59]
2008 800,000 [60]
2009 1,100,000 Maybe [61]
2009
(All Time) 		500,000 [62]
2010 1,260,000 Maybe [63]
2011 1,378,869 Maybe [64]
2011
(Australian Albums) 		47,000 [65]
2012 1,516,765 Maybe [66]
2013 1,490,000 [67]
2013
(Past 20 Years) 		940,000 [68]
2014 2,099,707 Maybe [69]
2015 2,094,000 Australian Indigenous
Mentoring Experience 		$100,000 [70][71]
2016 2,255,110 Maybe $250,000 [72][73]
2017 2,286,133 Maybe $250,000 [74][75]
2018 2,758,584 Maybe Lifeline $631,000 [76][77]
2019 3,211,596 Maybe Greening Australia $250,000 [78][79]
2020
(2010s) 		1,869,659 N/a N/a [80]
2020 2,790,224 Lifeline $653,000 [81]
2021 2,700,000 $1,200,000 [82][83]
2022 2,436,565 Australian Conservation
Foundation 		$550,000 [84][85]
2023 2,355,870 Headspace $502,000 [86][87]
2024 2,489,446 We Are Mobilise $312,000 [88][89]
2025
(Australian Songs) 		2,655,826 N/a [90]
2025 TBA We Are Mobilise TBA

Notable artists

[edit]
Bernard Fanning
Dave Grohl
Bernard Fanning (left) and Dave Grohl (right) are among the most frequently featured musicians in the history of the Hottest 100. Fanning has the most overall wins, while Grohl made the most appearances in a single countdown in 2002.

Since its inception, the artist who has been featured the most in the annual countdown is Hilltop Hoods, who has appeared 28 times from 2003 to 2025; the second most appearances is shared by Billie Eilish and G Flip who have both featured 25 times; Tame Impala have the third most appearances with 23; followed by 22 songs by Powderfinger (between 1996 and 2009); the Foo Fighters (between 1995 and 2014); and Flume (between 2012 and 2022).

Powderfinger frontman, Bernard Fanning, is the only artist to have taken the top spot on four occasions—three times in the annual countdown, twice with Powderfinger in 1999 and 2000, and as a solo artist in 2005; additionally, he topped one all-time list in 2011 with Powderfinger on the Australian albums countdown. Flume (2016 and 2022) and Powderfinger are the only artists to have topped an annual countdown more than once.[91]

Dave Grohl, frontman of the Foo Fighters, has appeared in annual countdowns 32 times, including five times with Queens of the Stone Age in 2002, four times with Nirvana, and once with Them Crooked Vultures. Grohl also holds the record for the most appearances in a single countdown, racking up ten entries with the Foo Fighters, Nirvana and Queens of the Stone Age in 2002.

Hilltop Hoods have also featured in annual 15 countdowns, the highest total of any artist. The record for the most consecutive appearances belongs to The Living End, who featured in every annual countdown from 1997 to 2006.

When including all of Triple J's countdowns (adding the five Hottest 100 of All Time countdowns, the 2011 Australian Albums countdown, and the 2013 Twenty Years countdown), The Cure has made more appearances than any other band, with 31 entries in the All Time countdowns and five in the yearly countdowns. Powderfinger and Silverchair have been featured 30 and 28 times, respectively, in total. As for individuals, Dave Grohl has achieved 47 entries (24 with Foo Fighters, 15 with Nirvana, seven with Queens of the Stone Age, and one with Them Crooked Vultures), Bernard Fanning has 33 (30 with Powderfinger, three as a solo artist), and Robert Smith has 32 (31 with The Cure, one from a solo collaboration with Crystal Castles in 2010).[92]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Triple J Hottest 100

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from Grokipedia
The is an annual music poll conducted by , an Australian public youth-oriented radio station operated by the Australian , in which listeners vote for their top ten favorite songs released and played on the station during a specified twelve-month period, culminating in a live seven-hour radio countdown of the top 100 results. Originating from an idea proposed by triple j producer Lawrie Zion in 1988, the poll debuted in 1989 as the "Hot 100," initially focusing on all-time favorites via postal votes before evolving into an annual format emphasizing the previous year's tracks starting in 1993, with rules adjusted after a hiatus following 1991 to limit repeat winners. The countdown, historically broadcast on (January 26) to capitalize on national holiday listenership, shifted to the preceding or following weekend starting in 2017 after internal surveys indicated audience support for decoupling the event from ongoing debates surrounding the holiday's significance, including indigenous perspectives framing it as Day; this decision, while aimed at prioritizing music over political contention, sparked backlash from politicians and listeners who viewed it as politicizing a cultural staple. Beyond its standard yearly iteration, the poll has featured special editions, such as all-time rankings in 1998 and 2009 where Nirvana's "" topped multiple times, and Australian-focused variants like the 2011 Hottest 100 Australian Albums and a 2025 Hottest 100 of Australian Songs to commemorate triple j's 50th anniversary, highlighting shifts toward national content amid criticisms of international dominance and calls for artist nationality restrictions. As a of alternative and youth music preferences, the Hottest 100 has propelled artists like (first Australian number one in 1996) and influenced commercial success, though its outcomes reflect triple j's playlist curation—drawing from a pre-selected pool of tracks—which some argue embeds station biases favoring certain genres over broader commercial or indigenous outputs.

Origins and Format Establishment

Inception as the Hot 100 (1988-1991)

The concept for the Hot 100 originated in 1988, when Lawrie Zion, a staffer at Sydney-based radio station 2JJ, proposed polling listeners to identify their favorite songs of all time. This initiative aligned with the station's focus on alternative and , aiming to gauge audience preferences beyond mainstream charts. In 1989, coinciding with 2JJ's rebranding to and its expansion to a national network, the first Hot 100 poll was conducted. Listeners submitted their top 10 all-time favorite songs via postal mail, reflecting the era's limited digital infrastructure; votes were tallied manually, delaying the announcement to March 1989 due to the labor-intensive process. The inaugural 1989 Hot 100 ranked Joy Division's "" (originally released in 1980) as the number-one song, underscoring the poll's emphasis on enduring tracks rather than recent releases. Hunters & Collectors' "" placed second, highlighting early Australian representation amid international entries. The poll's all-time scope allowed for selections spanning decades, with results broadcast over several days to accommodate the countdown format. In 1990, the Hot 100 repeated the format, again crowning "" as the top song, which prompted discussions on preventing perennial dominance in future iterations. The 1991 edition marked a shift influenced by emerging , with Nirvana's "" (released October 1991) topping the list shortly after its debut, signaling the poll's responsiveness to rapid cultural changes despite its all-time criterion. This period established the Hot 100 as a listener-driven barometer of alternative music tastes, though manual voting and postal submissions limited participation scale compared to later digital methods.

Formalization as Hottest 100 and Early Rules (1992-1995)

Following a series of non-annual "Hot 100" polls in 1989, 1990, and 1991—which focused on all-time favorites and saw repeat winners like Joy Division's ""— paused its standard format in 1992 to restructure. That year, the station instead aired a special "Hottest 100 of All Time" countdown, topping with Nirvana's "," reflecting listener preferences across decades rather than a single year. This transitional poll marked the shift away from evergreen selections toward a formalized annual event, with the name updated to "Hottest 100" to distinguish it from prior iterations and potential conflicts with similar polls elsewhere. The relaunched Hottest 100 debuted in late (counting votes for 1993 songs, aired January 1994), establishing it as an annual listener-voted countdown of the top 100 songs from the preceding . Early rules emphasized and breadth: listeners submitted their personal top 10 songs via postal mail, limited to one vote per person to prevent duplication, with no requirement that tracks be played on or restricted by genre or nationality. Approximately 50,000 votes were cast in the inaugural annual edition, underscoring rapid engagement. Denis Leary's satirical track "" claimed the top spot, highlighting the poll's openness to non-traditional music formats. These rules persisted through 1994 and 1995, with the countdowns maintaining the focus on calendar-year releases—yielding winners like ' "" in 1994 and Oasis' "" in 1995—while votes continued via mail until digital methods emerged later. The format prioritized raw listener input over curation, allowing international and diverse entries to dominate, though Australian acts featured prominently in early lists. No formal verification of song release dates was emphasized initially, relying on voter self-reporting, which fostered inclusivity but occasional disputes over eligibility.

Historical Evolution

Growth in Scope and Australian Emphasis (1996-2016)

During the period from to 2016, the Triple J Hottest 100 poll expanded considerably in scale, transitioning from a relatively modest to a cornerstone of Australian culture with widespread public engagement. Participation surged as the event gained national prominence, often coinciding with broadcasts that drew listeners to house parties, bars, and live events across the country. This growth was supported by Triple J's national reach via the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the gradual introduction of digital voting methods, which broadened accessibility beyond initial postal submissions. By the mid-2000s, the poll had attracted hundreds of thousands of votes , reflecting its into a highly anticipated ritual that captured evolving youth tastes amid rising penetration. A defining feature of this era was the increasing prominence of Australian artists, underscoring the poll's emphasis on domestic talent despite its global eligibility. In 1996, Spiderbait's "Buy Me a Pony" marked the first time an Australian track claimed the number-one spot, signaling a shift toward greater local representation in a list that previously favored international acts—29 Australian songs featured that year out of entries from eight countries. This momentum built to 1999, when Australian tracks achieved a majority for the first time with 52 entries, highlighting listener preference for homegrown music amid a diverse field including American and British artists. The trend of Australian dominance solidified in the , with local songs comprising no fewer than 50% of the list from onward, peaking at a record 66 in 2016—the highest ever—amid 23 distinct Australian artists charting. This period saw sustained success for acts like , who topped the poll multiple times (e.g., "My Happiness" in 2000), and emerging indie and rock bands, reinforcing the Hottest 100's role in elevating on both national and international stages. While international entries persisted, particularly from genres like hip-hop and electronic, the poll's structure and voter demographics—predominantly Australian—fostered a causal link between Triple J's youth-oriented programming and the prioritization of local content, contributing to the station's reputation for championing under-the-radar domestic releases.

Shift in Announcement Timing and Rationale (2017-Present)

In November 2017, announced that the Hottest 100 countdown would shift away from (), effective for the 2017 edition broadcast on January 27, 2018. The decision followed listener surveys indicating 60 percent support for the change, amid growing public debate over the date's association with Indigenous dispossession, often termed Day. stated the poll originated in 1988 without intent as an event and aimed to preserve its focus on music celebration, free from political contention, while reserving January 26 for dedicated programming on national reflection. The new format established the announcement on the fourth Saturday of January, typically the weekend immediately following or adjacent to , allowing separation from associated protests and enabling broader participation. This timing has persisted annually through the 2024 countdown, with no reversion despite initial opposition; for instance, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield urged the to reject the shift as "bewildering," arguing it undermined a longstanding national tradition. countered that the event's global listener base and non-partisan ethos justified decoupling from the date's symbolism. Critics, including some politicians and listeners, contended the move prioritized activist pressures over cultural continuity, potentially alienating audiences who viewed the original timing as apolitical entertainment. Supporters highlighted alignment with public broadcaster responsibilities to navigate societal sensitivities without endorsing division. Listener feedback post-shift showed mixed reception, with some reporting diminished listenership due to the perceived politicization, though maintained the adjustment enhanced inclusivity for the poll's primary demographic of younger Australians.

Voting Mechanics and Eligibility

Core Voting Process and Restrictions

The Triple J Hottest 100 voting process centers on public participation via an online ballot hosted on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's (ABC) website or app, where listeners rank their preferred tracks from the eligibility period. Voters may select a minimum of one and a maximum of ten distinct songs, with the first ten selections in their shortlist automatically prepared for submission upon completion. Voting opens typically in mid-January and closes several days before the countdown broadcast, such as by 5:00 PM AEDT on the prior to in recent years. Submissions are limited to one per individual, enforced through registration or IP-based verification, to prevent multiple entries. Song eligibility requires an initial official release—either online or commercially—within the defined annual window, standardly from December 1 of the prior to November 30 of the poll year, ensuring focus on . Eligible tracks encompass original releases, covers, and unreleased live performances debuted in the period, but exclude live renditions or significantly reworked versions of songs previously released outside the window. Voters can choose from a pre-curated list of suggested tracks or manually add qualifying songs not included, broadening access while maintaining criteria. Ineligible votes, such as those for non-qualifying tracks, are discarded during tallying, with results determined by aggregate vote counts to compile the ranked list of 100 songs. Key restrictions emphasize integrity and authenticity: duplicate selections of the same song within a single ballot are prohibited, and organized campaigns promoting specific artists or tracks that undermine the poll's spirit—such as bulk voting or promotional competitions—may result in disqualification of associated entries. Triple J expects participants to be genuine listeners engaging fairly, without external incentives, to reflect organic listener preferences rather than manipulated outcomes. These measures, rooted in the poll's listener-driven ethos since its inception, aim to preserve credibility amid growing participation, which has exceeded millions of votes in peak years.

Rule Changes Over Time and Their Implications

The Hottest 100 originated in 1989 as the "Hot 100", an all-time poll where listeners submitted their top 10 favorite songs via postal votes, with results announced in March. Joy Division's "" topped both the 1989 and 1990 polls, prompting a one-year hiatus in 1992 to revise rules and avoid perennial dominance by established tracks. In 1993, the poll relaunched as the Hottest 100 with a fundamental shift to an annual format, counting only songs released in the preceding 12 months, and votes transitioned toward broader listener input. This change from an evergreen all-time list to a time-bound yearly snapshot aimed to capture contemporary tastes and promote emerging music, though early iterations retained some flexibility in eligibility, permitting occasional inclusions of tracks from prior years—as seen in results featuring songs beyond the immediate previous year. Eligibility criteria formalized around 2012, standardizing the window to December 1 of the prior year through November 30 of the countdown year, accommodating Australia's summer release cycle and excluding holdovers to maintain recency. Voting mechanics evolved from postal submissions to an online system by the early , enforcing one submission per person for up to 10 unique songs from a curated list, with no cap on multiple entries per artist in the standard poll. By 2022, rules expanded to accept nominations for any qualifying release, regardless of prior airplay on , reducing station-curated bias in favor of pure listener preference. These alterations have broadened participation—from approximately 50,000 votes in to over 2 million annually by the —fostering a more dynamic reflection of while tying outcomes to recent releases, which incentivizes timely artist strategies but has sparked disputes over borderline eligibilities, such as late-year drops missing voting deadlines. The annual reset diminishes legacy acts' advantages, elevating indie and Australian talent in early counts (e.g., first Australian number-one in 1996), yet online has amplified viral international pop, diluting local emphasis and prompting critiques of diluted "Australianness" amid rising non-Australian dominance post-2010. Special polls, like the 2025 Hottest 100 of Australian Songs, introduce shortlist limits (e.g., three tracks per artist) to curb vote fragmentation, illustrating adaptive measures for equity in themed editions but absent in the core format. Overall, iterative refinements prioritize accessibility and timeliness, enhancing the poll's role as a cultural while exposing tensions between inclusivity and curatorial intent.

Key Controversies

Taylor Swift Ineligibility Dispute (2015)

In January 2015, Triple J disqualified 's "" from the 2014 Hottest 100 countdown, sparking widespread debate among listeners. The song, released on August 18, 2014, had garnered significant voter support, prompting a fan-led campaign under the #Tay4Hottest100 to advocate for its inclusion. Triple J's decision was announced by presenter Lewis McKirdy shortly before the broadcast on January 26, 2015, ending speculation that had built over the prior weeks. The disqualification stemmed from Triple J's eligibility rules, which allow the station to exclude songs that "have benefited from competitions or commercial campaigns." Specifically, a advertisement featuring "" was cited as providing undue commercial promotion, alongside organized online efforts such as a article urging readers to vote for the track. Triple J maintained that these factors violated the poll's intent to reflect genuine listener preferences rather than coordinated or sponsored pushes. Critics among Swift's supporters argued the decision unfairly penalized organic popularity, viewing it as an elitist stance favoring alternative genres over mainstream pop, though the station emphasized adherence to established guidelines. The controversy highlighted tensions between Triple J's youth-oriented, alternative music focus and broader commercial influences in voting. In response to the backlash, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), which operates , later clarified in 2023 that no outright ban on Swift existed, attributing the 2015 exclusion solely to the commercial endorsement issue with that specific entry. The ABC refused requests for internal documents on the disqualification, citing exemptions under Australian law. Following the incident, introduced a "troll clause" in subsequent rules to address potential manipulative campaigns, underscoring efforts to preserve the poll's integrity amid rising voter participation.

Claims of Manipulation and Internal Bias

Claims of external manipulation in the Triple J Hottest 100 have centered on vulnerabilities in the online voting system, which lacks robust anti-fraud measures such as , relying instead on basic email verification that can be circumvented using bulk disposable accounts, VPNs, and automated scripts. In , security researcher Matt Way demonstrated how votes could be fabricated en masse to favor or specific tracks, drawing parallels to hacked polls like TIME magazine's "most influential" list manipulated for . Triple J has acknowledged such risks, stating in that manipulated votes could be disqualified, as seen in monitoring efforts against a fan campaign attempting to propel his tracks into the countdown. Historical incidents include the 2002 promotion of a fictional troll entry, "Salmon Hater," by hosts and Will Anderson, who aired the track and urged votes shortly before the poll closed, resulting in it charting at number 26 and displacing legitimate entries. This prompted to implement stricter rules against coordinated campaigns, including a "Taylor Swift clause" barring organized pushes, though the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has rejected broader allegations of poll manipulation or censorship, as in a 2009 controversy. Accusations of internal rigging, such as 2013 claims surrounding ' "Hoops" win while the band was in-studio, stemmed from perceived coincidences but lacked evidence of station interference. Internal bias allegations primarily involve Triple J's curation practices favoring indie and over mainstream genres like pop and R&B, allegedly pressuring artists to conform to station tastes for and thus influencing voter familiarity. A 2014 Fairfax Media report cited musicians claiming this homogenizes Australian output, with one anonymous arguing it stifles creative diversity nationwide. Triple J's manager Chris Scaddan countered that selections prioritize "" across genres without rigid criteria, deliberately avoiding overtly commercial sounds. An economic analysis by Lenten and McKenzie in the Economic Record (2018) found that tracks featured on official Hottest 100 compilation CDs—often excluding top-voted songs due to licensing—overperformed in subsequent polls like the 2013 "20 Years" countdown, suggesting station-driven exposure creates unintended biases toward curated rather than purely voter-preferred content. Critics attribute this to broader institutional preferences at for niche acts, though the station maintains the poll reflects listener votes with minimal intervention beyond eligibility rules. Gender representation critiques have also surfaced, with analyses noting female artists' underrepresentation in historical polls like the 2009 all-time list, linked to entrenched rock canon dominance rather than explicit policy.

Australia Day Linkage and Associated Protests

The Triple J Hottest 100 countdown was traditionally broadcast on 26 January, coinciding with the since the poll's early years, which amplified its cultural reach during national celebrations. This alignment drew scrutiny from Indigenous groups and allies who designate the date as Day or Survival Day, framing it as commemorating British rather than unity. Critics argued the event's high visibility on this day implicitly endorsed a narrative contested by First Nations perspectives, prompting calls for boycotts of programming. Protests escalated in the mid-2010s alongside broader Invasion Day rallies, with events in cities like drawing up to 50,000 participants in , some explicitly targeting cultural fixtures like the Hottest 100 for perpetuating divisive symbolism. Indigenous artists and advocates, including public figures, urged to decouple the poll from 26 , citing it as part of wider demands to recontextualize national observances. In response, initiated a listener survey on the timing, receiving over 200,000 responses; independent analysis showed 60% favored relocation to sidestep political contention, while 29% opposed it. On 27 November 2017, announced the shift to the fourth Saturday in January starting 2018, stating the poll originated without ties to and aimed to prioritize music over debate. The preceding 26 January would feature Blak Out programming focused on First Nations artists. Reactions divided: supporters viewed it as respectful accommodation of Indigenous concerns, while detractors, including Communications Minister Mitch Fifield and Senator , criticized it as unnecessary capitulation prompting review requests. Post-change, Day protests persisted annually, though the Hottest 100's direct linkage diminished, with ongoing rallies in 2025 drawing thousands across cities like and .

Results Patterns and Data

Annual Winners, Top Tens, and Summary Statistics

The Triple J Hottest 100 has featured a range of annual winners since the poll's establishment as an annual event in 1993, with novelty track "" by claiming the inaugural top spot. Early international dominance gave way to Australian acts from 1996 onward, exemplified by Spiderbait's "Buy Me a Pony" as the first local #1. achieved a milestone as the first artist with consecutive wins in 1999 ("My Happiness") and 2000 ("My Kind of Scene"). Flume holds the record for the most #1 victories with three: "Never Be Like You" (feat. Kai) in 2016, "Rushing Back" (feat. Vera Blue) in 2019, and "Say It" (feat. Tove Lo) in 2022. International breakthroughs increased post-2016, including Kendrick Lamar's "HUMBLE." in 2017 and ' "" in 2018. Recent polls reflect this shift, with non-Australian artists topping in 2020 (, ""), 2023 (, "Paint The Town Red"), and 2024 (, "Good Luck, Babe!"). The 2024 winner set a record for the highest vote total for a #1 song. Top 10 placements often highlight emerging indie, electronic, and hip-hop tracks, with Australian representation varying by year. In 2024, the top 10 included four Australian entries amid a strong showing from international pop acts like and . Earlier countdowns, such as 2000, featured multiple tracks from in the upper ranks, underscoring occasional genre clusters. Summary statistics indicate Australian artists secured approximately 70% of #1 positions from 1993 to , though international wins rose to 50% in the – period, correlating with global streaming trends. No single genre dominates wins, but electronic and account for over half of top spots historically. Female-led wins remain rare, with Chappell Roan's victory as the first solo female debut #1. In the early years of the Triple J Hottest 100, rock genres dominated outcomes, comprising approximately 75% of songs in the , aligned with the station's alternative and focus. By the , rock's presence had declined sharply, reaching lows of just 6 songs in both 2018 and 2019, though it saw a modest rebound to 11 entries in 2022. This shift correlates with the rise of hip-hop—from near absence in the to increasing shares by 2012—alongside , , and indie, facilitated by digital platforms expanding access to global sounds beyond traditional rock circuits. Artist demographics in outcomes reveal persistent imbalances. Male artists have overwhelmingly prevailed, with female representation in top placements remaining limited; analyses of polls up to show female acts comprising under 20% of featured artists in some counts, despite over 50% of voters identifying as women in years like . In the 2025 Hottest 100 of Australian Songs—a variant poll—female-only acts accounted for only 7 of 100 entries, underscoring ongoing gender disparities in selected outcomes. Female solo winners in the main poll emerged later, with instances like and marking breakthroughs amid broader male dominance. Nationality trends highlight diminishing Australian prominence. Recent polls show Australian tracks falling to 29 in the top 100—the lowest in nearly three decades—down from 52 in 2023 and 57 in 2022, equating to under 30% local content despite the station airing over 50% Australian music weekly. This decline reflects voter preferences tilting toward international acts, particularly from the and , in genres like pop and hip-hop, even as Australian artists maintain niche strongholds in indie and electronic.

Voter Participation Metrics and Fundraising Ties

Voter turnout for the Triple J Hottest 100 has fluctuated significantly, peaking at 3,211,596 votes in 2019 before declining in subsequent years. In 2020, participation fell to approximately 2.8 million votes, followed by 2.5 million in 2021 and 2.4 million in 2022. The 2023 countdown saw a further decrease, while 2024 recorded nearly 2.5 million votes, including one physical write-in submission. These figures reflect votes cast online for up to 10 eligible songs from the previous calendar year, with no cost to participate, though one vote per person is enforced via and device limits to curb multiple submissions. Demographic data indicates strong engagement from younger audiences, with the 18-29 age group comprising the largest voter base in recent polls. Participation extends beyond urban centers, with regional areas like Ballina outperforming and Launceston surpassing in vote volume; international submissions also contribute, including from maritime locations. The decline since 2019 correlates with broader listenership shifts, though official analyses attribute sustained turnout to the event's cultural ritual status among Australian youth. Fundraising efforts are not directly linked to voting eligibility but are integrated into the Hottest 100 through merchandise sales and optional donations to partnered charities. Since 2015, these initiatives have generated over $3 million for causes including via Headspace and solutions via We Are Mobilise. In 2023, t-shirt sales and contributions raised $548,960 for Headspace's early intervention programs. The edition partnered with We Are Mobilise, directing proceeds from limited-edition apparel toward innovative housing projects, with donations encouraged alongside vote promotion but remaining voluntary and separate from .

Broader Impact

Role in Shaping Australian Music Exposure

The Triple J Hottest 100 amplifies exposure for Australian music by aggregating listener votes into a high-profile broadcast to a national audience, often resulting in post-announcement surges in streaming and sales for qualifying tracks. With voter participation exceeding 2 million annually in recent years, the poll functions as a discovery mechanism, elevating alternative and independent Australian artists beyond commercial radio constraints. High placements correlate with tangible career advancements, as evidenced by winners reporting financial gains substantial enough to fund home purchases, underscoring the poll's economic ripple effects on domestic talent. Aligned with Triple J's foundational charter to prioritize local content since its 1975 inception as a youth-oriented station promoting Australian bands, the Hottest 100 has historically spotlighted genres like and electronic music underrepresented in mainstream outlets. For example, special editions such as the 2025 Hottest 100 of Australian Songs, which drew 2.65 million votes and crowned INXS's "" as the top entry, generated widespread media buzz and renewed interest in archival domestic hits. This format temporarily counters the regular poll's internationalization trend, fostering monetization opportunities for local creators through heightened visibility. Despite these boosts, the poll's influence on Australian music exposure has waned amid declining local entries, with only 29 Australian artists appearing in the 2024 countdown—the lowest tally since 1996—reflecting broader shifts toward global streaming algorithms and international acts. Tracks from artists like or that do chart still benefit from the platform's reach, but the overall pattern suggests reduced shaping power for emerging Australian talent compared to the poll's peak eras. Triple J's ongoing commitment to Australian promotion persists, yet causal factors like algorithmic preferences on platforms such as increasingly compete with the poll's traditional discovery role.

International Perception Versus Domestic Critiques

The Triple J Hottest 100 is frequently characterized as the world's largest annual due to its , which peaked at over 3 million in past editions and routinely exceeds 2 million, enabling a broad snapshot of listener preferences in alternative and independent genres. This scale, combined with online streaming of the , positions it as an influential event for global music enthusiasts tracking youth-driven trends, particularly in indie, hip-hop, and electronic , where international winners like in 2017 and tracks in recent years highlight cross-border appeal. In contrast, domestic discourse often centers on critiques of insufficient Australian representation, with the 2024 poll featuring only 18 Australian artists—the lowest number recorded—amid a top 10 dominated by overseas acts such as Lola Young, Billie Eilish, and Charli XCX. Australian commentators attribute this to factors like globalization, streaming algorithms favoring international releases, and perceived station preferences for viral, TikTok-driven tracks over local output, sparking debates on national music identity and "tall poppy syndrome" discouraging domestic support. While some defend the poll's inclusivity as reflective of genuine voter tastes in a borderless digital era, others, including media figures like Karl Stefanovic, decry omissions of iconic local acts, viewing the results as symptomatic of broader cultural erosion rather than organic preference. These tensions underscore a divide: abroad, the Hottest 100's democratic mechanics and eclectic outcomes are lauded for democratizing music discovery without national boundaries, whereas in , they fuel perennial laments over lost local dominance, with voter data showing a three-decade low in domestic entries tied to intensified global competition.

Criticisms and Analytical Perspectives

Alleged Preference for Niche Over Mainstream Genres

Critics have alleged that the Triple J Hottest 100 demonstrates a systemic preference for niche genres, particularly indie, , and underground styles, over mainstream commercial music such as pop and hip-hop dominated by major label acts. This claim posits that the poll's outcomes reflect not only listener preferences but also curatorial influences from the station, which positions itself as a champion of emerging and non-commercial Australian and international artists. For instance, historical analyses of winners from 1993 to 2012 reveal a heavy skew toward rock and genres, with maintaining prominence even as broader rock representation fluctuated. A prominent example involves the repeated exclusion of mainstream pop artist , whose tracks have achieved massive commercial success yet rarely appear in the countdown. In 2015, Swift's "" was disqualified after a viral campaign (#Tay4Hottest100) encouraged votes, which deemed a violation of rules prohibiting organized promotions; the station argued this undermined the poll's organic integrity, though critics viewed it as resistance to mainstream intrusion. Similar absences occurred in subsequent years, including 2023, prompting accusations of bias against pop acts that do not align with 's alternative ethos, despite Swift's global sales exceeding 200 million records by 2023. Genre data further substantiates the allegation: a 30-year of Hottest 100 entries shows alternative and rock tracks consistently outperforming pop, with 2022 marking one of the least danceable lineups in a decade—indicative of lower representation for upbeat, commercial pop styles. Hip-hop has faced analogous challenges, particularly Australian variants, which struggle against entrenched rock dominance despite growing listener interest. Defenders counter that the poll mirrors the tastes of Triple J's core youth demographic, who self-select for niche via the station's programming, rather than evidencing deliberate exclusion; a analysis found no increasing mainstream trend, attributing outcomes to voter composition over institutional bias. Nonetheless, the station's mandate to promote "unsigned, independent and alternative" —funded by the ABC—has fueled perceptions of an inherent tilt away from chart-topping commercial fare.

Declining Australian Artist Prominence and Causal Factors

In the 2024 Triple J Hottest 100 countdown, Australian songs accounted for only 29 entries, or 29% of the list, marking the lowest proportion since 1996 and featuring just 17 distinct Australian artists. This represented a sharp drop from 52 Australian tracks in 2023 and 57 in 2022, with historical data indicating that local content had typically comprised over 40% of the countdown since the poll's early years, dipping below that threshold only twice prior to the 2020s. The trend extends to winners, where Australian acts have claimed the top spot in only 17 of the 36 polls held from 1989 to 2024, with international artists dominating recent years amid broader underrepresentation in top-10 placements. Several interconnected factors contribute to this decline. The of music consumption via streaming platforms has exposed Australian voters to a wider array of international releases, with algorithms on services like prioritizing high-virality global hits over local content, thereby reducing visibility for domestic artists. Voter demographics have also shifted, with significant international participation—evidenced by votes originating from outside —increasing the preference for non-local songs familiar through worldwide platforms. Within Australia, structural challenges in the music industry exacerbate the issue, including underinvestment in artist development and production quality relative to international competitors, leading to perceptions of diminished competitiveness in genres favored by Hottest 100 voters such as alternative and indie. The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) charts reflect parallel trends, with no original 2024 Australian songs entering the top 100, underscoring a broader erosion in domestic market share that limits breakout potential for Triple J-eligible tracks. Critics argue that policymakers' reluctance to address these imbalances, coupled with reliance on algorithmic curation over traditional radio promotion, has allowed international dominance to solidify, though some counter that evolving listener tastes simply reflect genuine preferences rather than systemic failures.

Influence of Station's Cultural and Political Orientation

Triple J, as a youth-oriented public broadcaster under the (ABC), has maintained a cultural orientation emphasizing alternative music, social awareness, and countercultural expression since its origins as 2JJ in 1975. This stance, frequently criticized by conservative observers as left-leaning , influences the Hottest 100 by shaping curation and demographics, which in turn affect song exposure and voter preferences. Historical complaints during the Fraser government's conservative era highlighted perceptions of ideological slant in programming, extending to music selection that favors indie genres often intertwined with progressive themes like and . The station's engagement with contentious issues exemplifies this orientation's impact on the poll. In 2017, Triple J relocated the Hottest 100 countdown from January 26 () to January 28 to avoid clashing with Invasion Day protests, a decision decried by figures as politicizing a music event and prioritizing activist concerns over national traditions. Such choices signal alignment with progressive causes, potentially amplifying visibility for artists addressing [Indigenous rights](/page/Indigenous rights) or anti-colonial narratives, while alienating segments of the broader Australian public. Further instances include the 2024 airing of Macklemore's "Hind's Hall," a track advocating pro-Palestinian positions amid the Israel-Gaza conflict, which drew formal complaints for lacking balancing content from opposing perspectives, underscoring accusations of unneutral music promotion. While the Hottest 100 remains listener-voted, Triple J's promotional platforms like Unearthed prioritize emerging alternative acts, fostering a voter pool dominated by 18-29-year-olds whose surveys reveal widespread skepticism toward establishment politics and affinity for reformist views. This self-reinforcing cycle may contribute to outcomes favoring niche, ideologically resonant tracks over commercially dominant or apolitical mainstream releases. Critics, including those wary of ABC's institutional leftward tilt, contend that such orientation creates an , diminishing representation of diverse musical voices and reinforcing urban, ful progressivism at the expense of regional or traditional Australian tastes. Defenders, however, assert that the station's mandate to serve inherently reflects evolving cultural priorities, with poll results mirroring genuine listener enthusiasm rather than imposed bias. Empirical analysis of outcomes shows persistent dominance of and electronic genres, aligning with Triple J's ethos but prompting debates on whether this truly captures Australia's sonic landscape or merely its progressive subset.

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