Major Lazer is one of the most electrifying and globally influential musical groups of the modern era, blending dancehall, reggae, electronic dance music, and pop into a sound that has captivated audiences across every continent. Founded by Diplo alongside Switch and later Jillionaire and Walshy Fire, the group has consistently pushed boundaries and redefined what dance music can be. Whether you are a long-time fan or just discovering their catalog, exploring the best Major Lazer songs is an adventure through some of the most infectious and culturally rich music of the past decade. If you love discovering iconic tracks and artist breakdowns, be sure to explore more on our songs category page.
Lean On (feat. MØ & DJ Snake)
Released in 2015 as part of the Peace Is The Mission album, “Lean On” became a historic breakthrough not just for Major Lazer but for global music as a whole. The song blended DJ Snake’s minimalist electronic production with MØ’s powerful and ethereal vocals, creating a track that felt simultaneously intimate and massive in scale. It became one of the most-streamed songs in Spotify history at the time of its release, topping charts in over 37 countries and cementing Major Lazer’s name as a truly worldwide phenomenon.
Que Calor (feat. J Balvin & El Alfa)
“Que Calor” arrived in 2018 on the Major Lazer Essentials compilation and stood as a vibrant celebration of Latin and Caribbean energy. The collaboration between Major Lazer, Colombian reggaeton superstar J Balvin, and Dominican dembow artist El Alfa created a track that is impossible to sit still to. Its fiery production, multilingual lyrics, and relentlessly danceable rhythm made it a standout hit that demonstrated the group’s commitment to genre-blending across cultures.
Watch Out for This (Bumaye)
“Watch Out for This,” also known as “Bumaye,” is one of Major Lazer’s most raw and dancehall-rooted tracks, showcasing their Caribbean influences in full force. The song features Busy Signal, The Flexican, and FS Green, and its thunderous bass and war-like energy made it an instant anthem in clubs and festivals worldwide. It embodies the original sound that Diplo and his collaborators set out to create when Major Lazer was first conceived as a project dedicated to bringing Jamaican sound system culture to a global audience.
Lean On – Sped Up
The sped-up version of “Lean On” tapped into the viral trend of accelerated remixes that took over streaming platforms in recent years, and Major Lazer embraced it through their Major Lazer Sped Up series. This version strips away nothing of the original’s magic while adding a breathless, kinetic energy that appeals to a younger generation of listeners discovering the song for the first time. It is a testament to how timeless the original production was that even an altered version managed to rack up millions of streams.
Light It Up (feat. Nyla & Fuse ODG)
“Light It Up” from the Peace Is The Mission album is a warm, sun-soaked anthem that effortlessly bridges reggae and pop music with an uplifting, feel-good spirit. Featuring the velvet-smooth vocals of Nyla and Ghanaian-British artist Fuse ODG, the song paints a picture of celebration and togetherness that resonated with fans globally. Its breezy production and instantly memorable hook made it a staple of festival playlists and radio stations throughout 2015 and beyond.
Cold Water (feat. Justin Bieber & MØ)
“Cold Water” was a cultural moment when it dropped in 2016, featuring the then-dominant Justin Bieber alongside the ever-compelling MØ, making it one of the biggest collaborations of that year. The track struck a deeply emotional chord with its themes of support and resilience through difficult times. Diplo’s atmospheric production gave the song a cinematic quality that elevated it beyond the typical summer single, earning it a place among the best Major Lazer songs ever made.
Bubble Butt (feat. Bruno Mars, Tyga & Mystic)
Released in 2013 on Free the Universe, “Bubble Butt” was a deliberately outrageous and fun track that demonstrated Major Lazer’s playful side without sacrificing musical quality. Featuring Bruno Mars and Tyga, the song was a club-ready explosion of bass and humor that became a viral sensation well before viral was a mainstream concept in music promotion. Its unashamed energy and satirical tone made it one of the most memorable tracks in the group’s catalog, beloved by fans for its pure, unapologetic fun.
Powerful (feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley)
“Powerful,” from Peace Is The Mission, is among the most emotionally resonant songs in the Major Lazer discography, weaving together the angelic voice of Ellie Goulding with reggae singer Tarrus Riley in a stunning display of cross-genre collaboration. The production balances electronic elements with organic instrumentation, resulting in a track that feels deeply human despite its polished finish. It is one of those songs that manages to be both a pop achievement and a genuinely moving piece of music.
ALREADY (feat. Beyoncé & Blue Ivy)
“ALREADY” appeared on Beyoncé’s landmark The Lion King: The Gift project in 2019 and features one of the most prestigious collaborations in Major Lazer’s career. The track is a proud, rhythmically charged celebration of African musical heritage, with production that draws on Afrobeats, dancehall, and trap influences all at once. Blue Ivy’s appearance alongside her mother adds a layered cultural significance that makes this track not just a song but a moment in music history.
Rave de Favela (feat. MC Lan, Anitta & BEAM)
Released in 2020 on Music Is the Weapon, “Rave de Favela” is a thundering funk carioca-inspired anthem that brings the sounds of Brazilian baile funk to a global audience. The collaboration with Brazilian superstar Anitta and MC Lan is authentic and thrilling, capturing the raw energy of Rio de Janeiro’s favela party culture with respect and precision. It is one of the more sonically adventurous tracks in Major Lazer’s recent output and a standout on an already exceptional album.
Run Up (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR & Nicki Minaj)
“Run Up” became a streaming favorite upon its original release, featuring the mellow yet assertive delivery of PARTYNEXTDOOR paired with Nicki Minaj’s inimitable presence. The track balances Caribbean rhythms with contemporary trap elements, creating a smooth and confident banger that appealed across hip-hop and dance music audiences simultaneously. Nicki Minaj’s verse in particular became one of the most talked-about features in Major Lazer’s catalog.
Know No Better (feat. Travis Scott, Camila Cabello & Quavo)
The title track from the 2017 Know No Better EP is a star-studded affair that brings together Travis Scott, Camila Cabello, and Quavo in a tropical, Latin-inflected banger. Each artist brings a distinct flavor to the track, and Major Lazer’s production weaves them all together with impressive coherence and style. It was one of the biggest collaborative singles of 2017 and remains a high point of the group’s ability to unite artists from vastly different musical worlds.
QueLoQue (feat. Paloma Mami)
From the 2020 Music Is the Weapon album, “QueLoQue” features Chilean-American singer Paloma Mami in a smooth, seductive Latin pop and dancehall hybrid that showed Major Lazer’s continued evolution. The production is effortlessly cool, with rolling basslines and shimmering synths that perfectly complement Mami’s confident and sultry vocal performance. It stands as one of the hidden gems of the group’s recent discography and is well worth revisiting for fans who may have missed it.
Get Free (feat. Amber of Dirty Projectors)
“Get Free” from the 2012 self-titled Get Free release is a raw, emotionally charged track that showcases a more introspective and spiritually grounded side of Major Lazer. Amber Coffman’s ethereal vocals float above a production that blends reggae, folk, and electronic elements into something truly unique and hard to categorize. It is often cited by longtime fans as one of the most underrated songs in the group’s discography, and it more than earns its place on any list of their greatest works.
Be Together (feat. Wild Belle)
“Be Together” is a dreamy, atmospheric track featuring the indie duo Wild Belle, and it remains one of the most distinctive songs in Major Lazer’s catalog due to its moody, melancholic tone. Released as part of the Peace Is The Mission era, the track blends electronic pop with soulful vocals in a way that feels both nostalgic and forward-thinking. It earned considerable radio play and demonstrated the group’s range beyond pure dance music into more emotionally complex territory.
Boom (feat. MOTi, Ty Dolla $ign, Wizkid & Kranium)
“Boom” from the Essential (Instrumentals) collection of 2018 is a celebration of Afrobeats and tropical pop music, featuring a guest list that reads like a who’s who of global pop in the late 2010s. Wizkid’s effortless charisma, Ty Dolla $ign’s smooth delivery, and Kranium’s dancehall flavor combine with MOTi’s production and Major Lazer’s signature global touch to create something genuinely special. The track was a hit on the African continent in particular and helped further solidify Major Lazer’s deep connection to Afrobeats as a movement.
Oh My Gawd (feat. Nicki Minaj & K4mo)
“Oh My Gawd” from 2020’s Music Is the Weapon is a high-octane, genre-fluid banger that teams up Major Lazer with Nicki Minaj and rising UK artist K4mo. The track draws from UK drill, dancehall, and hip-hop influences to create something that feels distinctly global yet rooted in specific cultural moments happening simultaneously around the world. It is one of Major Lazer’s most forward-looking tracks and hints at where the group’s sonic experimentation may continue to go.
Come On to Me (feat. Sean Paul)
Released in 2013 on Free the Universe, “Come On to Me” is a smooth, infectious dancehall-pop fusion featuring the legendary Sean Paul, whose contribution lends the track an undeniable authenticity and energy. The song is a masterclass in keeping things simple and effective, building on a rolling groove that makes it impossible to sit still. For listeners exploring the group’s early catalog for the first time, this track offers an excellent entry point into what makes Major Lazer’s sound so irresistible.
Make It Hot (feat. Anitta)
“Make It Hot” from Anitta’s 2019 Make It Hot project is a tropical, percussion-driven banger that shows how well Major Lazer’s sound pairs with Brazilian pop’s playful and infectious energy. Anitta’s delivery is brimming with charisma and warmth, and the production frames her perfectly against a backdrop of dancehall rhythms and electronic textures. The track went on to become a viral hit in Latin America and helped introduce Anitta to new audiences across the world.
Too Original (feat. Elliphant & Jovi Rockwell)
Closing out this list is “Too Original” from Peace Is The Mission, a track that encapsulates everything Major Lazer does best: genre-blending, bold collaborations, and infectious rhythms. Elliphant’s razor-sharp vocals cut through the production with confidence, while Jovi Rockwell adds a softer melodic contrast that keeps the song dynamic from start to finish. It is a fitting summary of why Major Lazer has remained one of the most creatively restless and exciting groups in global music for over a decade.
Why Major Lazer’s Music Stands the Test of Time
Major Lazer’s longevity in an ever-shifting music landscape is no accident. Their willingness to collaborate with artists from every corner of the world — from Latin America to West Africa to South Asia — means their music is never static and always evolving. Every album and project feels like a dispatch from a different part of the globe, and that global curiosity is precisely what has kept their fanbase engaged and growing year after year. If you want to make sure your listening experience matches the quality of their music, it is worth checking out the best options when you compare headphones to get the most out of every beat and bassline.
How to Listen to Major Lazer Songs for the Best Experience
To truly appreciate the depth and layering in Major Lazer’s productions, high-quality audio equipment makes a significant difference. Tracks like “Lean On” and “Rave de Favela” feature intricate percussion, deep sub-bass frequencies, and nuanced vocal mixing that reward listeners who use quality gear. If you are in the market for an upgrade, take the time to compare earbuds and find something that suits your listening style and budget perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Major Lazer’s most popular song of all time?
“Lean On” featuring MØ and DJ Snake is widely regarded as Major Lazer’s most popular song of all time. It became one of the most-streamed songs in Spotify history upon its release in 2015 and topped charts in dozens of countries simultaneously. The song’s blend of minimalist production and emotive vocals made it a universal anthem that continues to resonate with new listeners today.
Who are the current members of Major Lazer?
Major Lazer is currently led by producer Diplo, who is the founding member and creative force behind the group. The lineup has evolved over the years, with Jillionaire and Walshy Fire having served as members alongside Diplo before the group’s format shifted. Diplo continues to release music under the Major Lazer name while also maintaining an active solo career and running the Mad Decent record label.
What genre of music does Major Lazer make?
Major Lazer’s music spans a wide range of genres, including dancehall, reggae, electronic dance music, Afrobeats, baile funk, trap, and pop. Their defining characteristic is the fusion of Caribbean and global sounds with contemporary electronic production, resulting in a sound that is both culturally rooted and broadly accessible. This genre-fluid approach is one of the primary reasons Major Lazer has been able to collaborate with such a diverse range of artists across their career.
Has Major Lazer released any new music recently?
Yes, Major Lazer has continued to release music in recent years, with tracks like “Oh My Gawd,” “Rave de Favela,” and “QueLoQue” appearing on their 2020 album Music Is the Weapon. The group has also stayed active through remix projects, sped-up versions of classic tracks, and ongoing collaborations with emerging artists. Fans can expect Major Lazer to continue evolving their sound as global music trends shift and new influences emerge.
What is the best Major Lazer album to start with?
Peace Is The Mission (2015) is widely considered the best starting point for new Major Lazer listeners, as it contains some of their most iconic tracks including “Lean On,” “Light It Up,” “Powerful,” and “Be Together.” The album strikes a balance between accessibility and musical depth, making it ideal for listeners unfamiliar with dancehall and electronic music. From there, Music Is the Weapon (2020) is a natural next step for those looking to explore their more recent and adventurous output.