The most popular trending videos and music videos on YouTube in 2020

On Dec. 1, YouTube released a slew of data that highlighted how creators were able to “innovate under challenging circumstances.”

“From videos and creators that released content both before and during the pandemic, the lists reflect how the world changed and how creators quickly adapted to our new normal,” the company said in a press release.

As part of this data set, YouTube determined the top trending videos on the platform for 2020. The video-sharing platform sorted top performing videos by content creators and musical artists separately.

These are the videos that YouTubers apparently couldn’t get enough of this year.

Top Trending Videos

10. “Some Good News with John Krasinski Ep. 1” – SomeGoodNews
18,348,725 views

The debut episode of John Krasinski’s uplifting news series scored some major numbers.

9. “Quarantine Stereotypes” – Dude Perfect
41,069,989 views

The comedy channel’s skit on different pandemic personality types was a hit with fans. 

8. “Ricky Gervais’ Monologue – 2020 Golden Globes” – NBC
16,532,391 views

Ricky Gervais’ opening remarks at the Golden Globes ceremony this year were met with a polarizing response, which of course meant everyone wanted to watch them.

7. “Minecraft Speedrunner VS 3 Hunters GRAND FINALE” – Dream
50,948,573 views

This Minecraft challenge had gamer Dream racing to win as three friends tried to stop him from doing so.

6. “I’m Coming Out.” – @NikkieTutorials
36,314,476 views

In this bittersweet video, beauty guru Nikkie de Jager revealed to the public that she was transgender after someone tried to blackmail her with her secret.

5. “I Bought The World’s Largest Firework ($600,000)” – MrBeast
56,696,014 views

In this video, altruistic YouTuber MrBeast put some of the world’s largest (and most expensive) explosives to the test.

4. “We Broke Up.” – Jeffree Star
33,082,016 views

In this video, controversial makeup artist Jeffree Star announced he and his boyfriend Nathan Schwandt broke up after five years.

3. “First Debate Cold Open – SNL” – Saturday Night Live
29,895,520 views

In this Saturday Night Live skit, Chris Wallace (played by Beck Bennett) moderates the first presidential debate between Donald Trump (played by Alec Baldwin) and Joe Biden (played by Jim Carrey).

2. “Building the Perfect Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder” – Mark Rober
49,822,915 views

Mark Rober’s hilariously elaborate bird feeder was designed to keep squirrels out by nearly any means necessary.

1. “8:46 – Dave Chappelle” – Netflix is a Joke
29,008,498 views

Comedian Dave Chapelle discussed racial equality in this short Netflix special.

Top Music Videos

10. Lil Baby – “The Bigger Picture (Official Music Video)”
98,951,037 views

Lil Baby used his platform to speak out against police brutality for an effectively moving video.

9. YoungBoy Never Broke Again – “Lil Top [Official Music Video]”
95,406,857 views

YoungBoy Never Broke Again kept it simple and rapped in a warehouse with his homies for this viral hit.

8. Drake – “Laugh Now Cry Later (Official Music Video) ft. Lil Durk”
180,914,302 views

Drake’s easy breezy and always meme-able video for this smash hit was filmed at Nike’s headquarters

7. Roddy Ricch – “The Box [Official Music Video]”
264,177,205 views

It’s the song that spawned millions of viral TikToks and memes and solidified Roddy Ricch as a major player in hip-hop.

6. DaBaby – “ROCKSTAR FT RODDY RICCH [Audio]”
235,648,844 views

“Rockstar” nabbed DaBaby three Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year.

5. Cardi B – “WAP feat. Megan Thee Stallion [Official Music Video]”
298,119,008 views

Cardi B returned from a long hiatus with this ferocious Megan Thee Stallion collab that broke records and made lots of men upset. 

4. NLE Choppa – “Walk Em Down feat. Roddy Ricch (Official Music Video)”
153,632,659 views

The track off of NLE Choppa’s debut album Top Shotta saw NLE Choppa and Roddy Ricch chilling in a futuristic city neighborhood. 

3. Lil Baby x 42 Dugg – “We Paid (Official Video)”
185,245,050 views

Lil Baby and 42 Dugg boast about their affluence and glow-ups on this track from Lil Baby’s second studio album My Turn.

2. 6IX9INE- “GOOBA (Official Music Video)”
639,031,435 views

The success of Tekashi 6ix9ine’s colorful summer jam proved most people didn’t care the hip-hop community labeled him a snitch.

1. Future – “Life Is Good (Official Music Video) ft. Drake”
1,299,568,333 views

Future and Drake collaborated again to serve drive-thru fast food and feel-good trap in “Life is Good.”

If you enjoyed this story, check out the 15 most-liked YouTube videos of all time.

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