2025 has been a record-breaking year for music, as shown by unparalleled streaming numbers, massive growth in revenue and investment in the industry, and the launching of numerous global tours and concerts. The music landscape is evolving faster than ever, from the usual pop songs to new AI-generated music achieving top spots on the charts. Many transformations are reshaping the music industry, from AI to global streaming, and their impact on the future of pop culture is staggering.
Many songs released in 2024 remained dominant in the charts this year. “Die with a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, released in late 2024, held the top spot throughout January, gaining popularity on social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Another 2024 release, “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar and SZA, was the top song for February. The song’s popularity has continued throughout this year; it has been critically acclaimed for its melodic rhythm and romantic qualities, showcasing the chemistry between Lamar and SZA.
One particularly influential song this year originated from Netflix’s release of the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters. Social media fell in love with the soundtrack, and in a short time, “Golden,” a song from the movie, had become the top song on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, the K-pop Demon Hunters soundtrack ranked as the #2 album globally, and “Golden” gained a staggering 1.1 billion streams on Spotify. The music video has also recently surpassed 700 million views on YouTube as of December 2025. The movie and song highlight the growing popularity and influence of international music, particularly that of eastern Asia, across Western countries like the US.
Similarly, Spotify Wrapped this year focused heavily on the spread of LatinX artists, like Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny was officially named the artist with the most streams in 2025, with 19.8 billion streams worldwide this year. He became Spotify’s #1 most-streamed artist worldwide, even surpassing Taylor Swift, the singer crowned with the title in 2024. This marks an important moment for LatinX music, as English-speaking producers tend to be the most popular worldwide. Spotify Wrapped also included audiobooks for the first time. Tina Knowles’ “Matriarch,” a memoir about music, was the top audiobook of 2025, ahead of audiobooks by Mark Hoppus and Mark Ronson.
Another important aspect of music this year was the use of AI in production. AI-generated songs like “Walk My Walk” by Breaking Rust have emerged as high placers on charts, showcasing the technology’s ability to create likeable sounds and to interest listeners, contrary to AI songs in past years. However, it is important to distinguish between what’s “real” and what is AI in a world that is slowly incorporating AI into daily life. The implementation of AI in music raises questions about whether artists should even earn profits or popularity based on their use of AI. Understanding how to differentiate and balance both experimentation and sticking to traditional ways of music-making will be extremely important as society continues to navigate the future of music in an AI-dominated world.
Overall, the trends of music and pop culture over the years have begun to change more and more rapidly, as society has begun to employ different means of spreading media. While similar trends from the past have remained dominant in the music industry this year, the influence of international music and of AI continues to mark a distinct change from prior years. 2026 is expected to be an even larger year in the realm of AI in music, with many speculating that AI will overtake even the most popular human-made music. As the music industry continues to incorporate technological advancements and different influences, the next few years are likely to reshape the meanings of creativity and connection in the evolving landscape of music.
