Which artists do Spotify Wrapped’s teaser pay tribute to?

The leaves are orange and it’s positively baltic outside, meaning that Spotify wrapped is right around the corner. In preparation for the annual event, which let’s face it should be a national holiday, Spotify has teased this year’s most popular albums with customised artist-inspired logos.

Spotify has already stopped counting your streams in preparation for its Wrapped event, so you’ve only got a little time to wait before it’s confirmed that the Glee cast is your top artist for the third year running. No shame, we’ve all been there.

The music streaming platform is yet to confirm an official release date, but considering it’s already marketing its drop on Twitter, it’s reasonable to assume it’s right around the corner. In the meantime, see if you agree with the theories surrounding the Wrapped brain teaser.

1. It’s obviously Sabrina Carpenter

This one is perhaps the easiest of the bunch and clearly points to Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso. She had a busy year in 2024, releasing the hit single Espresso followed by her Short n’ Sweet album with tracks like Please Please Please, Good Graces and Taste – all of which you’re no doubt singing now thanks to a little-known phenomenon called the Sabrina Carpenter effect.

2. 2024’s top dog Chappell Roan

We haven’t seen a meteoric rise to fame like Chappell Roan’s since Billie Eilish, though it’s not surprising with tracks like Pink Pony Club, Femininomenon, and Red Wine Supernova. She’s also gathered a cult-like following thanks to her unwavering approach to fame.

Though her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess was released in 2023, it’s almost guaranteed to feature heavily in this year’s Spotify Wrapped.

3. Beyonce?!?

Hot off the heels of her Renaissance success in 2022, Beyonce released her take on country music, Cowboy Carter, in March 2024. Spotify Wrapped’s teaser seemingly pays tribute to the album with the belt buckle design and gold plating, after all, what other color do you give to the music industry’s gold standard?

Some have suggested that it could point to Ariana Grande’s Eternal Sunshine, but I don’t see it.

4. There’s no mistaking Charli XCX

After months of seeing this signature green colour on everything from merchandise to Kamala Harris’ American Presidential campaign, there’s no mistaking it for anything but a tribute to Charli XCX’s Brat. Though songs like 360, Apple, and Von Dutch will be staples in this year’s Spotify Wrapped, some Twitter users have said that its inclusion ruins the aesthetic of the post.

“She’s that messy girl who wants to be different so bad,” one person said, as another echoed, “The brat one looks like a regular Spotify logo but reversed.”

5. Studs and leather points to Don Toliver

This one has really got Twitter stumped, but the prevailing theory looks to be Don Toliver’s 2024 album Hardstone Psycho. They bear similar aesthetics with the black leather and studs and definitely fall in line with his style of music.

6. This one lacks some flavour, must be Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift dominated the 2024 music scene with the release of The Tortured Poets Department, and though some said it lacked the emotional punch as earlier albums, she was always going to be featured on Spotify Wrapped’s promotional material as one of the most notable musicians on the planet.

Still, they obviously ran out of creativity on this design, which coincidentally, falls in line with the album itself.

7. Megan Thee Stallion was inside a snake

Another easy one. Megan Thee Stallion’s self-titled album was released in June with 16 tracks and collaborations with Victoria Monét, GloRilla, and UGK. Spotify Wrapped’s teaser alludes to her 2023 track Cobra where in the video she crawls from inside a snake.

8. Blue tones and bubbles suggests Billie Eilish

This one had me scratching my head for a while, after all, it could point to Katy Perry’s drowning career or Ariana Grande barely coming up for air between her packed schedule. Nonetheless, both Twitter and I believe that it’s Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft which featured her falling into the ocean, hence the bubbles.

9. Olivia Rodrigo’s signature colour is purple

Much like Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo has done such a brilliant job with her marketing that now this specific shade of purple is instantly associated with her. She has also been on a wild ride in 2024, performing tracks from her 2023 Guts album around the world.

Featured Image credit: YouTube/Chappell Roan/Charli XCX & Spotify