I am aware this is not a subject where exact science comes into play, and opinions will most likely vary wildly, but I got to thinking this week: Who are the core artists for Hot AC right now and who may get themselves on the list in the next year or two?
Another question came to mind while thinking about those first two: Does Hot AC need core artists these days, or should it be more like Top 40, just finding the best songs and not focusing on any sense of artist development?
My answer to that last question is YES, Hot AC should have core artists and do their part in artist development, while also finding the best songs at the time to play for their audience. Hot AC traditionally has not been the format to break new music, although some stations have been better at doing that than others. Without a doubt, there are exceptions such as Lewis Capaldi, who grew more from Hot AC to Top 40 instead of the other way around.
Overall, though, the format is more reflective of the songs that have worked at Top 40, Alternative, and, in some cases, AAA. For the purpose of this discussion, let’s look back ten years to the year 2015.
Back then, I think you could safely say that Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons, Kelly Clarkson, Ed Sheeran, and Katy Perry could all be considered core to the format. Fast-forward to today, and I think you can say Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Sabrina Carpenter and the two holdovers, Ed and Taylor, are on the list.
For Ed and Taylor, that is a big accomplishment, ten years of staying power at an adult format that seems to push harder to appeal to the young end of the demo. Now, your lists may vary slightly, like I stated, this is not an exact science.
Over the last week, I polled some of my Hot AC programmer friends to see their answers to the second question I put forth in this piece. Who, in your opinion, is the artist with the best chance to make it to the “core” level in the next year or two?
One of them told me it’s a challenge since so many come and go quickly, but you feel at the time they are in the spotlight that they will just keep growing into being core. They said look at Charlie Puth, Shawn Mendes, and Halsey!
Some of the names I got from these programmers, and I can’t argue with their assessments, are Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Myles Smith, Gracie Abrams, Tate McRae, Teddy Swims, and Billie Eilish.
Will any of those eventually be considered core to the format? Time will tell, but I think the biggest takeaway for Hot AC programmers is to find the best songs, no matter the genre, while also searching for depth from those artists with the songs they choose.
Be proactive with your listening and discovery. The Hot AC audience is open to becoming vested in the artists we play. They are eager to hear more than just one big hit if it is there.
View those songs as not-so-secret weapons, the special sauce that can help you stand out from a Top 40 competitor in your market.
One thing is for sure: the way things move and with attention spans being more minuscule by the day, the core artist list for Hot AC will most likely be drastically different in two years, with at least a few artists we are unaware of currently.
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Jim Ryan is a Music Radio columnist for Barrett Media. In addition, he runs Jim Ryan Media LLC, a consulting company which assists major market radio brands and top talent including national radio personality Delilah. Prior to relaunching his consultancy in 2025, Jim spent 15 years with Audacy/CBS Radio, serving as SVP of Programming. Among his responsibilities included programming WNEW-FM and WCBS-FM. His career includes additional programming stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston. Jim was voted the #2 PD of 2024 in Barrett Media’s Top 20 series in the AC category. He can be reached by email at Jim@JimRyanMedia.com.
