🎵 12 Essential Sources for Discovering New and Trending Music
From Spotify playlists to TikTok music charts, these are the platforms I use to discover music - the secret sauce.
When speaking with several DJs this past month, one common question I received was “Where do I find my new and trending wedding music”?
The answer is - many sources. As expected, you cannot rely on just one music source. There are many different styles of music and places where people consume their music.
12 Sources for New and Trending Wedding Music
Let’s start with how YOU want to digest music ideas!
Podcast? Listen to or watch the Wedding Songs Podcast.
Online? Read/play my Ceremony and Reception Playlists.
Book? Read the Wedding DJ Songs Planner.
1:1? Schedule a mastermind.
Okay. Okay. Enough self-promotion. Please forgive me but I want to make sure you know all that I offer to the “wedding community”.
Before I start, I want to say that my overall goal is to suggest songs that are not popular and are played at every wedding. I love incorporating hidden gems, odd backtracks trending, and the like. I always try to stay ahead of the curve of what may take off while sharing amazing love songs few have heard yet. Lyrics are important to me and the meaning of the songs.
I hope you enjoy my list of favorite music sources for discovering new and trending wedding songs. If you have a favorite, simply reply to this email or share in the comments.
Talk to Your Couple
First and foremost, no other DJ or music expert knows what will make your couple and guests happy. Talk with your couple and understand what music they like and want to hear at their wedding. The following sources are meant as a guide and not a bible.
Spotify - New Music Friday
Every Friday Spotify shares a list of new songs released from the prior week. This encompasses most genres.
Notes: I loved it more about a year ago as I would know at least half of the artists on the list. However, now it seems like they are digging deeper to find artists to promote. It is a good list to know what the new songs are that will be trending soon and a few hidden gems.
Billboard & TikTok Top 50
TikTok and Billboard collaborate on a list of trending songs in TikTok.
Notes: This is the place to go to know what songs are trending for younger crowds to stay up on new music. The list is updated weekly and based on creations, video views, and user engagement.
YouTube Music Released
A weekly list of new music videos released on YouTube.
Notes: First, be sure to keep playing the last song on the list until you get to the bottom. The list is similar to Spotify above but does give you a few hot songs not found anywhere else.
Shazam Top 200
A list of top songs getting shazam’d by country and genre.
Notes: The top 200 is pretty similar to other song charts so I probably only check it once a month. The cool feature I really like is when you change the country setting from United States to global. Then, you will get a more in-depth look at popular songs by genres like Afrobeats, Reggae/Dancehall, and Latin.
Apple Music Top 100
A list of the 100 most played songs in the United States.
Notes: Another list of popular hits that are trending right now. If you are trying to stay up on new music, it is a great place to start and review. Plus, as you review the list, you will notice songs that have staying power like “Last Night” and “Saturn”.
Billboard Hot 100
The go-to source of music charts. It takes into account radio airplay, streaming, and sales.
Notes: Wow has this chart changed? A superstar can release an album and hold all of the top 10 spots. They have song charts by genre but they are part of the paid subscription at $14.99/month. (I do not subscribe.) You can also check out the Billboard 200 album chart to see which artists are trending.
The remaining music sources are part of the “secret sauce”, I am only sharing the remainder of the list with paid subscribers. Be a paid subscriber.