As 2018 winds down, it’s time to take a look at the year in Israeli music. Recently, Spotify Israel did just that, reporting on the top songs and artists streamed in Israel via their service. Remember, however, that the results may be a bit skewed, since Spotify only became available in Israel this past Merch.
Here are some of their findings (as reported by Walla and others):
1. Omer Adam is the most listened-to artist in Israel.
This guy has had the most amazing 2018. Omer enjoyed a slew of #1 hits, an easy victory as “singer of the year” from the major Israeli radio stations, and unprecedented earnings of about one million shekel on the eve of Yom Ha’atzmaut alone. Now, he’s tops on Spotify for the year. As you’ve seen week after week on “The List” here on MyIsraeliMusic.com, it’s abundantly clear that Omer Adam was king of music in Israel in 2018. The rest of the top ten: 2. Drake; 3. Eminem; 4. XXXTENTACION; 5. Sia; 6. Idan Raichel; 7. The Beatles; 8. Post Malone; 9. Dua Lipa; 10. Eyal Golan
2. Drake? Eminem? Who cares? What about Israeli singers?
Good question. Spotify broke them down between male singers, female singers, and groups. Here are the top five in each category:
| Male Singers | Female Singers | Group | |
| 1. | Omer Adam | Eden Ben-Zaken | Hadag Nachash |
| 2. | Idan Raichel | Yuval Dayan | Mercedes Band |
| 3. | Eyal Golan | Yehudit Ravitz | Hatikva 6 |
| 4. | Arik Einstein | Jane Bordeaux | Full Trunk |
| 5. | Tuna | Sarit Hadad | Kaveret |
3. Maroon 5 owns the most listened-to song in Israel.
While “God’s Plan” by Drake was #1 worldwide, listeners in Israel preferred “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B. Perhaps it was Gal Gadot’s cameo in the music video that pushed the song over the top? Of course, Omer Adam held his own with spots #2 and #5. Rounding out the top five: 2. Omer Adam – Shnei Meshuga’im; 3. Marshmello & Anne-Marie – FRIENDS; 4. Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin – I Like It; 5. Omer Adam – Chaverot Shelach
4. Netta is number one.
Netta Barzilai, the Israeli winner of Eurovision 2018, easily topped the list of Israeli artists heard around the world. We’re speaking about “Toy”, of course, which received 27 million plays worldwide. In Israel, “Toy” was the fourth most popular song, coming in after three Omer Adam hits.
5. What other Hebrew music made it into Spotify’s top Israeli songs of 2018?
Here is the complete top 10 list:
- Omer Adam – Shnei Meshuga’im
- Omer Adam – Chaverot Shelach
- Omer Adam – Ohevet Oti Amiti
- Netta Barzilai – Toy
- Gil Vain & Ron Bochnik – Tzva’im
- Eden Hason – SheMishehu Ya’atzor Oti
- Stephane Legar – Comme Ci Comme ça
- Maor Edri – Allah Ma’ak
- Omer Adam – Rachok MiKulam
- Dudu Aharon & Ofek Hamalach – HaLev Shelach B’mamtina
Want more? Now’s your chance to hear the top 50 Israeli songs on Spotify for 2018. What song was your favorite?
