Ariana Grande is brunette (and touring) again. Harry Styles is still one of the most sought after artists. Hunting for random monsters is back in; instead, this time, you’re trading virtual Pokéballs for blind boxes to hang on your bags. 2026 really is 2016 in a different flavor.
This was the era when Asian and Latin artists were forging their paths towards mainstream Western popularity, slowly introducing the world to discoveries beyond mainstream Top 40 pop. And, within the ten-year timespan the music scene has changed — not quite shifted, just evolved. Global acts continue to diversify Billboard charts, Spotify playlists, theater marquees, and major industry awards, cementing many of them as household names when ten years ago, no one would’ve blinked at the mention of them. Still, without their genesis in 2016, there wouldn’t be these breakthroughs in 2026. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit some major moments from that year that shaped present-day successes.
South Korea’s Smashing Sensation is Anything But One-Note
South Korea is known for giving us some of the best girl groups out there. Among them is none other than BLACKPINK, which debuted under YG in 2016. Consisting of members JENNIE, LISA, ROSÉ, and JISOO, the four-member girl group was the first to debut under YG in seven years. Along with their announcement, the group debuted with their single album SQUARE ONE, consisting of “BOOMBAYAH” and “WHISTLE.”
Both singles took the number one and two spots on the Billboard World Chart. The latter also earned its first music show win at Inkigayo (a South Korean music show) within 14 days of debuting. BLACKPINK was gaining recognition not only in Korea, but worldwide. SQUARE TWO included “PLAYING WITH FIRE” and “STAY.” Only a few months later, the group earned their first awards at the Golden Disc Awards, Asia Artist Awards, Mnet Asian Music Awards, Seoul Music Awards, and Melon Music Awards.
With the group almost hitting its ten-year mark together, the past decade have been nothing but headlines. With the members starting their solo careers, the group is still active and releasing music, with their latest single being “JUMP,” and the end of their worldwide tour, DEADLINE, concluding this past month. The group is set to release their new mini-album of the same name on February 27, 2026.
Aside from the group’s career, the members have established their own sound and influence over the past years. 2026 seems to be a big year for the girl group members, with ROSÉ being nominated for the Grammys for her collaboration with Bruno Mars on “APT.,” JENNIE headlining Gov Ball in New York City as well as Summer Sonic in Japan, and LISA and JISOO continuing their acting careers with projects around the world. The group doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.
Bridging the East to the West One Rapper at a Time
@nonawav aaaaa Bape® x 88rising collab is here!!! see us and @Rich Brian in the collection #nona ♬ sad face 🙁 – 88rising & no na
No one knew who Brian Imanuel was before 2016, though some who frequently fell into YouTube and SoundCloud rabbit holes might have recognized his then stage name, Rich Chigga, the Indonesian rapper of Chinese descent behind “Living the Dream” and “Dat $tick.” The latter caught the attention of 88rising, a Sean Miyashiro and Jaeson Ma-founded label scouting for Asian artists to bring into the fray of the American music landscape.
Alongside other acts like internet star-turned-R&B artist Joji and Chengdu, China-based hip hop band Higher Brothers, Brian’s career continued to blossom under the label. With his 2018 debut album Amen peaking at number 18 on the Billboard 200, becoming only the second Southeast Asian to do so, it charted Indonesian music on the American map. Soon, 88rising became home to an impressive lineup of artists from the archipelago — NIKI, Stephanie Poetri, Warren Hue, and most recently, girl group no na, who are having their own internet-sensation moment.
From Japan to Korea to the World
The public was abuzz when one of Japan’s biggest girl groups, AKB48, announced their 43rd single would feature four legendary graduates (former members) in the lineup of performers. More uproar followed suit a few weeks later when Miyawaki Sakura, who was still a member of AKB48’s sister group HKT48 at that time, was revealed as the centerpiece. She had previously shared the spotlight with Watanabe Mayu for the group’s 38th single two years prior, but this time, she was picking up the mantle solo.
This center position would continue into her stint as a contestant on Produce 48, which led to her South Korean debut with IZ*ONE in 2018. Though the group disbanded in 2021, Sakura would re-debut the following year in the girl group most people today would know her from. Alongside fellow Produce 48 alumni Kim Chaewon and three (now two) other girls, they became LE SSERAFIM. This has taken Sakura from humble beginnings in Hakata, Fukuoka to global stages around the world, including Coachella.
Teenage Heartthrob to Vegas Residency
You might have heard a few cries or yells in school halls during March 2015, and yes, it was serious. When news broke on social media that Zayn Malik was leaving the popular boy band One Direction, many questioned what was next for the young former member. That’s when 2016 came into play. After leaving the group to explore his solo career, ZAYN stated in an Entertainment Weekly interview, “They’re just two completely separate things, and this is now more fun for me, which is the main thing in my life — to have happiness and to do something that makes me feel like I’ve got a sense of achievement from what I’m doing.”
His debut single “PILLOWTALK” came to life, earning him his first number-one spot on both the UK Singles Chart and the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. He later released Mind of Mine, which also debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making him the first British artist in nearly 30 years to debut at number one in the U.S. with both a debut single and album.
Aside from being a devoted father, ZAYN collaborated with JISOO this past year on their single “EYES CLOSED,” which debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Global charts. This year, he held his first residency shows in Las Vegas, Nevada, spanning seven nights and featuring his biggest hits. He also recently announced his upcoming album, KONNAKOL, slated to drop on April 17. Pre-save links have been appearing on his Instagram stories, alongside a thank-you video marking ten years since “PILLOWTALK” launched his solo career.
Making History on the Coachella Stage
Korean hip-hop group EPIK HIGH made history in 2016 as the first major South Korean act to be invited to perform at the music festival Coachella. In a Billboard interview that year, member Tablo called it “a venue we always dreamed of performing at” and “we never imagined that we’d go on stage [there].” They brought to the stage a setlist of tracks that would appeal to new listeners, rather than their greatest hits or fan favorites, according to a Los Angeles Times interview. Despite their Sunday afternoon timeslot, the members didn’t let high expectations get them. “As long as we come out of there with a good memory,” member DJ Tukutz said, “that’s enough.”
Image courtesy of Coachella
In the years since, Coachella has seen a myriad of K-pop acts on its stages. EPIK HIGH reprised their Coachella appearance in 2022, the same year as 88rising’s HEAD IN THE CLOUDS FOREVER stage takeover that pulled acts like 2NE1 and aespa. A year later, BLACKPINK headlined the festival, and in 2024, groups like ATEEZ and LE SSERAFIM showed off their impressive stage presence and drew massive crowds at the Sahara Stage. This year, K-pop icons BIGBANG and TAEMIN are expected to perform, as well as global girl group KATSEYE.
From Trainee to Half an EGOT Status
Easy is probably not something EJAE could describe her career to be. While it’s not uncommon for aspiring idols in the K-pop industry to undergo multiple years of traineeship, the singer-songwriter’s 11-year journey did not end up with a debut. She couldn’t even make it past the first stage of SM Entertainment’s program. But her wits brought her further than a contract with the South Korean music mogul that ended in 2015.
She traded dreams of performing on stage for a passion behind the scenes, producing and writing for various artists. Her debut projects in 2016 include the song “whisper in the dark” for the K-drama MONSTER as well as credits on EXID’s tracks. Over the years, she continues to compile a long list of heavy hitters under her belt, including “Psycho” by Red Velvet, aespa’s “Drama” — two of SM Entertainments biggest groups today. She’s also one of the masterminds behind the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, earning her a Golden Globe and Grammy (with a pending Oscar nod) among other major accolades in 2026. She also released her debut solo single, “In Another World,” in October 2025.
Turning Far East into a Movement
“Like a G6” may have been released in 2010, but electronic hip-hop group Far East Movement continued to remain on the map in 2016 with the release of their album Identity. The 11-track album hosts a variety of features, including the collaboration track with American DJ Marshmello, “Freal Luv.” Ripe with 2016 house bass and trap beats, the song boasts an impressive roster of featured talent: singer Tinashe and EXO member CHANYEOL. The music video embodies the 2016 era right down to the editing style.
Although the group are no longer as active in the music sphere, members Kev Nish (Kevin Nishimura) and Prohgress (James Roh) co-founded the Pacific Bridge Arts Foundation. The foundation aims to provide resources, workshops, and mentorship to Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in arts and culture. Both Nishimura and Roh also have involvement in the non-profit organization Gold House, which focuses on Asian Pacific leaders worldwide.
Winning Big With BTS
2016 was a notable year for artists worldwide. For the globally recognized K-pop group BTS, the year marked a turning point in their domestic success in South Korea. Three years into their career, BTS released two albums in 2016: The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever and Wings. By the end of the year, BTS had picked up six music show wins for the latter’s title track “Blood Sweat & Tears.” They performed it alongside their hype track “Fire” at the Melon Music Awards (Melon is South Korea’s largest music streaming platform).
That night, BTS won their very first daesang (grand prize) award, Best Album of the Year, for The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever. Shocked and teary-eyed, they expressed their gratitude to their fans, ARMY, for the award. BTS performed “Blood Sweat & Tears” again on the Mnet Asian Music Awards stage and took home the daesang for Artist of the Year.
This year, with all seven members having completed their required military conscription for South Korea, BTS have announced a brand new album, ARIRANG, out on March 20. It will be their first album as seven members since 2022’s Proof. Alongside the album, BTS will embark on a world tour of the same name. Kicking off in Goyang in April, the tour will stop in Tokyo before moving overseas to the first of many sold-out North American and European stops.
[공지] BTS (방탄소년단) 정규 5집 발매 및 월드투어 개최 안내 (+ENG/JPN/CHN/ESP)
— BTS_official (@bts_bighit) January 4, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/wgQbJBuWDe#BTS #방탄소년단 pic.twitter.com/7g9vRXpiQC
The Beginning of Bad Bunny
On the other side of the world, 2016 marked the start of what would become a breakout year for one of the most recognized Latin artists of our time, Bad Bunny. With the release of his first single, “Diles,” the track caught the attention of DJ Luian, who signed him to his label and later released a remix featuring Farruko, Ozuna, Arcángel, and Ñengo Flow.
His second single, “Soy Peor,” ultimately marked a turning point in the singer’s career, charting at number 19 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and earning a remix with J Balvin, Ozuna, and Arcángel. Following the success of both singles, Bad Bunny went on to collaborate with some of the biggest names in Latin music, including KAROL G on “Ahora Me Llama,” Becky G on “Mayores,” and, of course, the global hit “I Like It” with Cardi B and J Balvin.
Ten years later, Bad Bunny is on a winning streak. He took home Best Global Music Performance for “EoO,” Best Música Urbana Album, and Album of the Year for “DeBí TiRaR MáS FOToS” at this year’s Grammys. The following week, the singer is set to perform at this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show in the United States, marking him as the first solo Latin artist to headline the show and perform fully in Spanish. Along with his performance, Bad Bunny will continue his DeBí TiRaR MáS FOToS World Tour, with Europe, Japan, Australia, and South America next in line.
Japan’s Number-One Heavy Metal Band
BABYMETAL was among the artists in 2016 making the most noise around the world, both literally and figuratively. Debuting in 2010 as a three-member group, BABYMETAL changed the way metal was perceived by blending J-pop with heavy metal and adding choreography along the way. The members consist of Su-metal, Moametal, and Momometal, alongside a group of backing musicians known as the Kami Band.
In 2016, the band released their second full-length album, METAL RESISTANCE, featuring twelve new tracks that explored different genres. That same year, the group made their U.S. television debut performing “Gimme Chocolate!!” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, concluded their world tour in Tokyo, and opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers on The Gateway World Tour in the UK.
Ten years later, the group seems unstoppable. With another world tour underway, the members are traveling across Australia and making a stop in Belgium this summer. As they perform songs from their latest album, released this past year, METAL FORTH, the group is also set to appear at this year’s Sweden Rock Festival.
It’s only the beginning of the year. There is undoubtedly more time for global artists from all around the world to shine in the American music industry, becoming beacons of escapist hope amidst the current climate. Just like the milestones in this list, the likes of Olivia Dean and Lola Young taking home music’s most prestigious awards might just be the beginning to their careers that would blossom well into 2036.
Want to get in touch with some more major music news from this year? Check out the debut of our recap series Backstage Banter, which we did on Grammys night.
