Triple J Hottest 100
| Company type | Annual music survey |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music broadcasting |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | Australia, international online audience |
| Products | Annual music countdown, compilation CDs (until 2022), merchandise, online radio station (Triple J Hottest) |
| Owner | Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |
| Website | www |
The Triple J Hottest 100 is a yearly music survey conducted by the Australian youth broadcaster Triple J since 1989. Fans cast their votes online for their preferred tracks released during the year, prior to the arrival of the new calendar year.
Originally aired in March and later on various dates in January and February, from 1998 onward the countdown was held annually on Australia Day (26 January). In 2017, it shifted to the fourth weekend of January. The broadcast typically includes the Hottest 200 segment, featuring songs ranked 200 to 101.
Participation has surged dramatically, growing from half a million votes in 2004 to more than 3.2 million in 2019, solidifying its status as "the world's greatest music democracy." The most recent number one is "Good Luck, Babe!" by American artist Chappell Roan. To celebrate Triple J’s 50th anniversary, a special Hottest 100 of Australian Songs was broadcast on 26 July 2025.
Since 2015, proceeds from merchandise sales connected to the countdown have raised upwards of $3.3 million for Australian charities such as Lifeline. Annual compilation CDs were produced by ABC Music until 2022. In 2023, Triple J introduced Triple J Hottest, an online radio station dedicated to playing selections from previous Hottest 100 lists.
1988–1991: The Hot 100
The concept originated in 1988 when Triple J producer Lawrie Zion launched a poll inspired by Brisbane community station 4ZZZ’s Hot 100 dating back to 1976. Prior to Triple J’s national expansion, Sydney listeners mailed in their top ten songs, sometimes submitting their votes creatively on artworks, sculptures, or even hand-rolled cannabis cigarettes. The inaugural countdown was broadcast on 5 March 1989.
The poll expanded nationwide in the following year. To avoid trademark conflicts with 4ZZZ, the name was changed to the Hottest 100 in 1991. Early winners included "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division for both 1989 and 1990, followed by "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana in 1991.
1992–1995: The Hottest 100
Due to minimal annual variation in results, Triple J paused the poll after 1991 and revived it in 1993 as an annual vote restricted to songs released that year. The top spot in the relaunched poll went to American comedian Denis Leary’s satirical track "Asshole."
In 1994, the first official compilation CD titled Triple J Hottest 100 (The Hottest Of The Hottest) was issued by ABC Music, marking a commercial milestone for the poll.
1996–2016: Rise in Australian music
In 1996, Australian band Spiderbait became the first local artist to claim number one. From 1999 onward, Australian musicians have largely dominated the rankings.
The inaugural Hottest 100 DVD, Triple J Hottest 100: The Hottest Videos For 2002, was released in 2002. That year’s top track was "No One Knows" by Queens of the Stone Age, with appearances from artists such as Grinspoon, Motor Ace, Darren Hanlon, and Ms Dynamite.
In 2003, Powderfinger made history as the first act to secure three entries within the top ten: "(Baby I've Got You) On My Mind" at fourth place, "Sunsets" at seventh, and "Love Your Way" at tenth.
Voting methods evolved over time from handwritten submissions to phone-in voting and later SMS and online platforms. By 2003, only verified online votes were accepted with a cap of ten votes per user. In 2004, voters were allowed ten internet votes plus an additional ten via SMS.
In the 2014 countdown, artist Chet Faker equaled Powderfinger’s record with three top-ten tracks: number one "Talk Is Cheap", seventh place "Gold", and eighth position "1998", all from his album Built on Glass. Overall, Faker appeared four times including a Like a Version cover at number twenty-two. That year’s poll set a record with over two million votes cast by nearly 259,000 participants spanning across 188 countries.
2015: Taylor Swift Dispute
In early 2015, the "#Tay4Hottest100" initiative surfaced amid voting for the Hottest 100, aiming to boost Taylor Swift's track "Shake It Off". Critics contended that the poll was designed to highlight non-mainstream musicians "discovered or nurtured by Triple J," offering a platform for emerging artists. This campaign ignited discussions around cultural elitism and Triple J’s influence on the musical tastes of younger audiences.
Chris Scaddan, the station manager, verified that the campaign adhered to voting regulations but advised staff to refrain from making public remarks. Marketing outlet Mumbrella raised concerns that a KFC Facebook post incorporating the hashtag might breach rules, potentially leading to disqualification. The Guardian sought ABC’s official stance through freedom of information requests.
Analysis revealed more than 7,300 posts mentioning Swift during the voting period, prompting Triple J to disqualify "Shake It Off" on 26 January 2015. While acknowledging that much of the campaign was humorous in nature, the station also recognized Swift’s commercial success. Had it been eligible, the song would have secured 12th place.
Interestingly, the inside cover of the Triple J Hottest 100 Volume 22 CD prominently displays "TAYLOR SWIFT BAN" in uppercase letters.
2017–Present: Change of Date Announcement
By mid-2016, increasing pressure mounted for Triple J to reconsider holding the Hottest 100 on Australia Day due to ongoing debates about its significance for Indigenous Australians. Indigenous activists, particularly hip-hop duo A.B. Original with their protest anthem "January 26," spearheaded this movement. In September 2016, Triple J declared it would review whether to alter the countdown date.
The evaluation process extended throughout 2017 and involved consultations with organisations including Reconciliation Australia, the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, and the National Australia Day Council. Despite this, the 2016 countdown took place as usual on Australia Day. A public survey conducted in August 2017 indicated that 60% supported shifting the date.
Following these findings, Triple J confirmed that from the 2017 countdown onwards, the Hottest 100 would no longer be held on 26 January but instead moved to the fourth weekend of January, beginning with the event on 27 January 2018.
In reaction, several groups introduced alternative events for Australia Day: rock station Triple M broadcast an Ozzest 100 featuring exclusively Australian music, while Senator Cory Bernardi's Australian Conservatives launched an AC100 playlist on Spotify showcasing Australian artists.
Top Tens and Summaries
| Note: All-time countdowns |
| Year | Top Ten | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| All Time (1989) |
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| All Time (1990) |
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| All Time (1991) |
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| 1992 | No Hottest 100 Conducted | |
| 1993 Countdown |
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| 1994 Countdown |
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| [[Triple J Hottest 100, 1995}} |
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| [[Triple J Hottest 100, 1996}} |
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| [[Triple J Hottest 100, 1997}} |
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| [[Triple J Hottest 100, 1998}} |
Powderfinger}, You Am I}, Living End} |
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| [[Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time, 1998}} |
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Killing Heidi}- Weir Fatboy Slim}- Praise You Placebo}- Every You Every Me Rage Against the Machine}- Guerrilla Radio Pearl Jam}- Last Kiss Red Hot Chili Peppers}- Scar Tissue |
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Powderfinger}- My Happiness, My Kind of Scene U2}- Beautiful Day Coldplay}- Yellow Avalanches}- Frontier Psychiatrist Foo Fighters}- Generator Paul Kelly}- Every Fucking City Dandy Warhols}- Bohemian Like You |
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Alex Lloyd}- Amazing Something for Kate}- Monsters System of a Down}- Chop Suey! Basement Jaxx}- Where's Your Head At John Butler Trio}- Betterman Alien Ant Farm}- Smooth Criminal Weezer}- Island in the Sun Avalanches}- Since I Left You Gorillaz ft Del tha Funkee Homosapien}- Clint Eastwood Cake}- Short Skirt/Long Jacket |
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Queens of the Stone Age}- No One Knows Grinspoon}- Chemical Heart Waifs}- London Still 1200 Techniques}- Karma Vines}- Get Free Machine Gun Fellatio}- Pussy Town, Rollercoaster Eminem}- Lose Yourself Red Hot Chili Peppers}- By the Way Silverchair}- The Greatest View |
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Jet}- Are You Gonna Be My Girl Outkast}- Hey Ya! White Stripes}- Seven Nation Army Powderfinger}- On My Mind, Sunsets, Love Your Way Coldplay}- Clocks remix Cat Empire}- Hello John Butler Trio}- Zebra Hilltop Hoods}- Nosebleed Section |
... [Subsequent years continue in similar summarized format] ... | |
Impact
The Hottest 100 is widely recognized as a "national institution" and celebrated as "the world's greatest music democracy." Each year, it draws millions of votes, setting a record of 3.2 million in 2019. In 2022, approximately half of the Australian population participated in the event, with 3.6 million listeners tuning in on the broadcast day, according to national audience figures.
Artists who secure the number one position frequently see a notable surge in their popularity. For instance, after Alex Lloyd's 2001 victory with "Amazing," the song became the most frequently played track on Australian radio throughout the following year. This increased airplay generated royalties that allowed Lloyd to purchase a home. Likewise, alternative rock group the Rubens had to move to larger venues for their tours following their 2015 win due to heightened demand.
Voter turnout and fundraising
Since 2015, Triple J has collaborated annually with Australian charities, donating all profits from Hottest 100 merchandise—mainly branded T-shirts—to organizations reflecting listeners' values. These fundraising efforts have amassed more than $3.3 million in total.
| Year | Votes cast | VR? | Charity partner | Amount raised | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1,378,869 | Template:MaybeCheck | N/A | N/A | [1] |
| 2011 Australian Albums | 47,000 | [2] | |||
| 2012 | 1,516,765 | Template:MaybeCheck | [3] | ||
| 2013 | 1,490,000 | [4] | |||
| 2013 Past 20 Years | 940,000 | [5] | |||
| 2014 | 2,099,707 | Template:MaybeCheck | [6] | ||
| 2015 | 2,094,000 | Australian IndigenousTemplate:BrMentoring Experience | $100,000 | [7] | |
| 2016 | 2,255,110 | Template:MaybeCheck | Australian IndigenousTemplate:BrMentoring Experience | $250,000 | [8] |
| 2017 | 2,286,133 | Template:MaybeCheck | Australian IndigenousTemplate:BrMentoring Experience | $250,000 | [9] |
| 2018 | 2,758,584 | Template:MaybeCheck | Lifeline | $631,000 | [10] |
| 2019 | 3,211,596 | Template:MaybeCheck | Greening Australia | $250,000 | [11] |
| 2020s | 1,869,659 | N/A | N/A | [12] | |
| 2020 | 2,790,224 | Lifeline | $653,000 | [13] | |
| 2021 | 2,700,000 | Lifeline | $1,200,000 | [14] | |
| 2022 | 2,436,565 | Australian Conservation Foundation | $550,000 | [15] | |
| 2023 | 2,355,870 | Headspace | $502,000 | [16] | |
| 2024 | 2,489,446 | We Are Mobilise | $312,000 | [17] | |
| 2025 Australian Songs | 2,655,826 | N/A | N/A | [18] |
Notable artists
Among the most featured artists in the yearly countdown are Billie Eilish and Hilltop Hoods, both boasting 25 entries; Powderfinger with 22 tracks charting from 1996 to 2009; Foo Fighters also with 22 appearances between 1995 and 2014; alongside Tame Impala, Kanye West, and G Flip, each having secured 19 entries. Bernard Fanning of Powderfinger has topped the countdown three times—twice with his band (1999 and 2000) and once as a solo artist (2005). The only artist to achieve multiple number one spots is Flume, who has done so twice. Dave Grohl—frontman of Foo Fighters—has been featured on the countdown a total of 32 times across various projects including Nirvana, Queens of the Stone Age, and Them Crooked Vultures.
The Foo Fighters hold the record for appearing in the most distinct years on the list with participation spanning thirteen annual countdowns and six consecutive years from 1995 through 2000. Conversely, The Living End boasts the longest unbroken streak with entries in ten consecutive years from 1997 to 2006.
When considering all Triple J countdowns—including the Hottest 100 of All Time as well as the special editions like the 2011 Australian Albums and the 2013 Twenty Years countdown—The Cure leads with a total of thirty-six entries. Following closely are Powderfinger and Silverchair, with thirty and twenty-eight entries respectively. On an individual level, Dave Grohl has amassed forty-seven entries through his various bands; Bernard Fanning totals thirty-three including solo work; while Robert Smith has accumulated thirty-two entries overall.