What have people been listening to in the UAE this summer? Hip-hop and a Bisaya hit

It's been a summer of hip-hop for music fans in the UAE

The most streamed song of the summer in the UAE and globally goes to DaBaby with 'Rockstar'. Courtesy Spotify 

Spotify has revealed its the most-streamed songs in the UAE over the past few months – it’s been a summer of hip-hop, with an Abu Dhabi musician from Cebu also featuring on the list.

The most-listened-to song of the summer in both the UAE and globally goes to US rapper DaBaby with his hit Rockstar.

The track, featuring Roddy Ricch, has been a mainstay on global charts and is one of the year’s most played songs on Spotify’s popular RapCaviar playlist.

The track's soaring success is not lost on DaBaby, who told Spotify: "I knew Rockstar was going to be a hit while I was creating the record, but to watch the world make it into a global hit is an amazing feeling."

Demonstrating the growth of interest in Arabic hip-hop across the UAE is regional rap star DJ-MK, who comes in second on the most-streamed list with his hit single Wanasah. He is followed by a host of US rappers including StaySolidRocky, Drake, Lil Mosey, Travis Scott, The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch.

Filipino artist Brian Pepito, who lives in Abu Dhabi, also makes it into the top 10 most-streamed songs with his track Bisayang Gwapito.

Pepito, also known as Brakz, released Bisayang Gwapito in January this year, and it's featured in the Tatak Pinoy playlist, and is the only song in the Cebuano language on that list.

Globally, The Weeknd's Blinding Lights is the second most-streamed song this summer, followed by Roses - Imanbek Remix by SAINt JHN, which has been popular on a number of Spotify's workout playlists.

See the full list of this summer’s most streamed songs below, based on streams from June 1 to August 15, 2020.

Most streamed songs of the summer UAE:

1.           Rockstar by DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch

2.          Wanasah by DJ MK

3.           Party Girl by StaySolidRocky

4.           Toosie Slide by Drake

5.           Blueberry Faygo by Lil Mosey

6.           Goosebumps by Travis Scott

7.           Blinding Lights by The Weeknd

8.           The Box by Roddy Ricch

9.           Bisayang Gwapito by Brian Pepito

10.         Death bed (coffee for your head) by Powfu, beabadoobee

Most streamed songs of the summer globally:

1.           Rockstar by DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch

2.           Blinding Lights by The Weeknd

3.           Roses - Imanbek Remix by SAINt JHN

4.           Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat) by Jason Derulo and Jawsh 685

5.           Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles

6.           Death bed (coffee for your head) by Powfu, beabadoobee

7.           Rain On Me by Lady Gaga featuring Ariana Grande

8.           Toosie Slide by Drake

9.           Breaking Me by Topic, A7S

10.         Dance Monkey by Tones and I