YouTube is celebrating 10 years of their billion views videos clubs and how it all started.
On July 15, 2012, music video history was forever changed as Psy’s “Gangnam Style” video made its unforgettable debut on YouTube. Psy immediately took the world by storm, with viewers around the globe flocking to YouTube to experience and share the viral sensation. Less than six months later on December 21, 2012, the game-changing video would go on to earn the honor of being the first music video ever to hit one billion views on the platform, establishing YouTube’s Billion Views Club (BVC).
“Today marks the 10th anniversary of Psy’s “Gangnam Style” music video release and we’re honoring the YouTube Billion Views Club trailblazer alongside many of the record-breaking videos that have joined the famed club ever since.”
With over 4.4 billion views on the video to date, Psy demonstrated the immense power that music videos on YouTube have in connecting artists with their fans around the world, while inspiring others to reach record-breaking milestones of their own.
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“Being the first artist to reach 1 billion views on YouTube was an extraordinary feeling 10 years ago and it still is today. To have played a role in paving the way for music of all kinds to transcend borders is a true honor.” said Psy.
It took over a year for another music video to match the achievement — Justin Bieber’s hit “Baby” — but 10 years later YouTube’s Billion Views Club has grown to include some of the most iconic music videos that have stood the test of time and made an impression on viewers worldwide. Achieving the billion views milestone on YouTube remains nothing short of extraordinary and is being honored today in a Billion Views Club custom YouTube logo created especially for the anniversary.
“When Psy’s Gangnam Style reached 1 billion views on YouTube it was an extraordinary moment that made history,” shared YouTube’s Sun Lee, Director, Music Partnerships (Korea & Greater China) & Artist Relations APAC. “The combination of singing in Korean, incorporating unique dance moves into his music video and the global reach of YouTube, led to achieving this incredible milestone which is still cherished by many around the world.”
As YouTube’s BVC turns 10, we look back on these and many other unforgettable music videos that have made their place in history as part of the club; including a genre- and generation-spanning collection of some of the most memorable music videos ever made. The elusive list features the likes of Luis Fonsi’s record-breaking sensation “Despacito ft. Daddy Yankee,” BLACKPINK’s “How You Like That,” Drake’s “Hotline Bling,” a-ha’s “Take On Me,” Shakira’s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again ft. Charlie Puth,” Katy Perry’s “Roar,” Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow,” Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters,” Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk (Official Video) ft. Bruno Mars,” Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy,” and the club’s most recent entry with BVC first-timer Coolio for his ‘90s hit “Gangsta’s Paradise”.
It’s easy to forget just how big a billion really is. If released pre-internet, while it’s not the only metric for timelessness, it means the music has traveled through time and the fandom came with it and evolved.”Ryan ThorntonHead of Catalog Music, YouTube.
There are more YouTubers as well who have crossed a billion views. You can check them out on YouTube’s official blog that they shared on the occasion.
