The Year in Rock 2016 — Twenty One Pilots Fly to Even Greater Heights

Image Group LA/ABCTwenty One Pilots' cult following turned mainstream in 2015 with the release of their album Blurrfyace, but in 2016, the Columbus, Ohio duo -- made up of vocalist Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun -- became full-blown superstars.

-- Twenty One Pilots' 2016 dominance began with "Stressed Out," the second single from Blurryface. Thanks to lyrics like "My name's Blurryface and I care what you think" and "Out of student loans and tree-house homes/we all would take the latter," the song was dubbed a "millennial anthem." Beginning in November 2015, "Stressed Out" remained number-one atop Billboard's Alternative Rock Songs chart for 12 straight weeks before being toppled in February 2016. The track eventually gained traction on Billboard's Hot 100, and ended up peaking at number two on that chart.

-- With a gigantic hit on their hands, Twenty One Pilots followed up "Stressed Out" with the single "Ride." While not quite as huge as its predecessor, "Ride" was still a major success. It ruled Alternative Songs for seven non-consecutive weeks, and it peaked at number five on the Hot 100.

-- In support of Blurryface, Twenty One Pilots launched their Emotional Roadshow tour in May. The massive trek hit arenas and amphitheaters across the U.S., and concluded in August with a two-night, sold-out stand at New York City's Madison Square Garden. The Emotional Roadshow will continue in 2017 with another set of dates kicking off in January.

-- In addition to their Blurryface singles, Twenty One Pilots also released a new track called "Heathens," which they wrote for the Suicide Squad soundtrack. Like "Stressed Out" and "Ride," "Heathens" zoomed to the top of the Alternative Songs chart, and also peaked at number two on the Hot 100. Meanwhile, the "Heathens" video, which featured scenes from the Suicide Squad film, was among the top-10 most-viewed music videos on YouTube in 2016. 

-- Thanks to their chart dominance, Billboard named Twenty One Pilots the Top Rock Artists of 2016. On the magazine's year-end Hot Rock Songs chart, "Stressed Out," "Ride" and "Heathens" took the first three spots. Since the Hot Rock Songs chart began in 2009, no one artist has taken the first three spots on the year-end tally.

-- In November, Twenty One Pilots captured two American Music Awards: Favorite Pop/Rock Duo or Group and Favorite Alternative Rock Artist.

-- Twenty One Pilots also reached the ears of Grammy voters. The band is up for five awards at the 2017 Grammys: Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Stressed Out," and Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Song Written For Visual Media for "Heathens."  It's also eligible for an Oscar nod.

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