Move over wills and photo albums. Gen Z is curating Spotify legacy playlists as their ultimate funeral flex. New data reveals that almost half of young Aussies (48%) are actively thinking about how they’ll be remembered online. And, rather than leaving their digital footprint to chance, they’re taking control of their narrative. One vibey playlist at a time.
Welcome to the era of legacy curation – where your final statement might just be a perfectly sequenced collection of bangers.
Morbidly musical
Legacy used to mean a handwritten letter, a dusty box of mixtapes, or if you were lucky, a slightly embarrassing YouTube video from 2012. Now, 48% of young Australians say shaping their digital legacy is a top priority. Think carefully curated Instagram grids, iconic TikTok drafts, and, even mood-specific Spotify playlists that double as a posthumous vibe check.
While the idea of curating how you’ll be remembered may sound a little morbid to older generations, Gen Z sees it as a natural extension of their hyper-online lives. For them, being remembered isn’t just about what you did, but how you soundtracked it.
And, they’re not looking to leave behind a trail of tragic tweets. A wholesome 68% of them want to leave something positive behind. Whether that’s a playlist that makes their friends smile, or a feed full of authentic moments, they’re prioritising joy, nostalgia and vibes only.
Spotify playlists: The new time capsule
Spotify has seen a 22% spike in so-called ‘legacy playlists’ year-on-year, with Gen Z making up nearly a third of these digital diaries. It turns out the same generation that made BeReal a thing and turned nostalgia-core aesthetics into a movement is now building their own digital tombstones – in the form of playlists.
And, because no Gen Z trend is complete without a touch of irony? The most popular track on these playlists is none other than Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” Over 1,000 legacy playlists feature the iconic anthem, proving that even in their most sincere moments, Gen Z can’t help but wink at the absurdity of it all.
Want your last message to the world to be “It’s Not Right But It’s Okay”? Or perhaps you’re more of a “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” kind of spirit. Whatever your posthumous vibe, there’s a legacy playlist to match.
Mike’s Mic is leading the legacy charge
Certified internet icon and chaos connoisseur Mike Messineo – aka Mike’s Mic – has officially dropped his own Spotify legacy playlist. If you’ve ever spiralled down one of his chaotic YouTube deep-dives (Glee, Pretty Little Liars, or Riverdale conspiracy theories, anyone?), you know the man has taste.
His playlist is a time capsule of tunes that reflect his aesthetic: a little nostalgic, a little chaotic, and 100% Mike. Expect bops, emotional breakdown anthems, and probably something from Beabadoobee. In true Gen Z fashion, it’s equal parts sincere and self-aware – a musical memoir with main character energy.
Play it forward
At its core, this movement isn’t just about music. It’s about connection. Legacy playlists are a way of telling future listeners, “This is who I was. This is how I felt. This is what mattered to me.”
In an age where everything moves fast and disappears in 24 hours, Generation Z is embracing a form of expression that feels strangely timeless.
So next time you’re cueing up a song for your walk, your heartbreak, or your Friday night dance break. Remember, you might just be building your legacy without even realising it.
And, if all else fails, you can always add “My Way” and call it a day. Frank really did know what he was doing.
