Flume achieves a record-breaking win in this year's questionable Hottest 100

For the last three decades, Australians across the country have weighed in on their favourite Aussie and indie tracks of the year for the Triple J Hottest 100. It's a big deal, with audiences nationwide gathering around the radio for the big reveal that takes place on the fourth weekend of January each year.

This year, an all-time high of 2.5 million votes were submitted and electronic golden boy Flume topped the list with his track 'Say Nothing' featuring May-A. Viral TikTok track 'B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All)' by Eliza Rose and Interplanetary Criminal came in second, followed by Spacey Jane's 'Hardlight', Steve Lacy's 'Bad Habit' and Spacey Jane's 'It's Been A Long Day'. 

It's Flume's second time topping the list after bagging the coveted spot in 2016 with his track 'Never Be Like You' featuring Kai. He's the only artist in the list's history to rank a song in every position of the top five, and he's also now just one track away from tying with Tame Impala for the most Hottest 100 song tallies, with Kevin Parker's project sitting at an impressive 18 inclusions.

There were also ten tracks from First Nations artists, smashing the previous record of six. And with their tracks 'Show Business' and 'A Whole Day's Night', Aussie hip-hop legends Hilltop Hoods clocked in at 23 entries, snatching the title of most entries on the list from Powderfinger and Foo Fighters. 

This year was record-breaking in a number of ways, but not all listeners were pleased and many took to social media to decry the results. 

Wait so apparently Taylor Swift isn't allowed on the Hottest 100 but independent struggling artist Beyonce is?

Makes sense.

— Ben Quagliata (@bensquag) January 28, 2023

The fuck is wrong with the youth of today? The JJJ I grew up listening to would never EVER have had fucking Drake, Post Malone, Machine Gun Kelly, Lizzo and Beyonce getting songs in the #hottest100 let alone multiple. pic.twitter.com/9LZr1d7oF1

— Andrew (@diemrbond) January 28, 2023

This year’s Hottest 100 is garbage - and I never say that - I’m usually screaming it was the best year ever.

— Death by a Thousand Tweets (@pittworldwide) January 28, 2023

Flume could honestly make a song of a constant high pitch squeal and it will still make the hottest 100

— Cream Pied Piper (@EmoPrincessBen) January 28, 2023

The fact that Hilltop Hoods got 23 entries in the #Hottest100 is an indictment on not only JJJ listeners but our country as a whole

— Action Bailey (@Fathairylazy) January 28, 2023

Many listeners took issue with mainstream artists like Drake, Beyoncé and Machine Gun Kelly making the list, as it's meant to highlight Aussie and independent artists. Drake and Beyoncé both earned two appearances on the list, with Machine Gun Kelly coming in at number 69 for his track 'Maybe' featuring Bring Me the Horizon. Regardless, the list is created by democratic vote, so if you count yourself among those displeased with the results, then be sure to vote again next year. 

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