Extra reporting from Okayplayer employees.
This yr has been, effectively, a masterclass in chaos. There’s a authorities working amok with an all-out assault on each private freedoms and worldwide affairs, the price of residing is larger than giraffe throats, and society is about three levels of separation away from one other world conflict…
However, hey, at the least there’s Love Island and music, proper?
With the primary half of 2025 within the books, the employees right here at Okayplayer received collectively to debate (learn: largely argue about) their picks for the 25 greatest songs of 2025 to this point. From viral hits to gradual burners, genre-benders to straight-up anthems, this checklist displays the sounds that moved us, challenged us, and stayed on repeat… whether or not we wished them to or not.
25. Lil Wayne & Nicki Minaj – “Banned From NO”
“Banned From NO” looks like a homecoming and a temperature examine suddenly. Lil Wayne faucets into his New Orleans roots with a militant bounce-laden beat, whereas Nicki Minaj slides in with a razor-edged verse that’s equal components brash and witty with eyebrow-raising wordplay. The monitor reminds everybody why their chemistry continues to be untouchable, and I needed to run it again just a few instances to unpack all of the bars. It’s Carter and Barbie in full kind. — miss2bees
24. PLUTO – “WHIM WHAMIEE”
PLUTO’s debut has taken over the airwaves and timelines. If we’re having a dialog about virality, PLUTO is in it! The monitor by no means sits nonetheless; it shapeshifts, morphs, and evolves in actual time, retaining the listener in a state of awe. PLUTO’s supply is wild but intentional, dancing between vocal results, flows, and cadences like a magician pulling infinite tips from one hat. Each selection feels recent, each sound looks like one thing you’ve by no means heard however instantly want once more. It’s artistic and it’s fearless. — Taylor McGee
23. Playboi Carti – “Evil J0rdan”
Off his newest album, MUSIC, Carti controls notion by embracing minimalism and thriller, making a vibe that feels each anarchic and intentional. The distorted flows, eerie ambiance, and unpredictable pockets make it really feel like he’s not rapping at the beat, he’s bending it round him. Each second is curated chaos, and one way or the other, all of it clicks. Carti has been establishing the tempo for the tradition whereas staying miles forward within the shadows. “Evil J0rdan” is proof that Carti’s affect is right here to remain. — T.M.
22. Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR – “CN Tower”
This monitor was undeniably one of many standout moments on $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. It opens with a easy, vibey beat that seamlessly transitions right into a beat swap that includes a pattern from Lil Wayne. Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR ship standout verses that elevate the music, making it a spotlight of the challenge. — Michael Mais, Jr.
21. Wolfacejoeyy – “Get together Woman”
When Wolfacejoeyy launched his challenge Cupid, this was simply my most performed music. The monitor pulses with bouncy manufacturing and intelligent bars, capturing the highs and lows of chasing connection in a late-night world of quick thrills and fleeting romance — a music that quite a lot of younger individuals like me can relate to. — M.M.
20. Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR – “NOKIA”
The title may reference a throwback cellphone, however the emotional sign is all too present. It’s petty, poetic, and premium sadboy fare from two of OVO’s best. “NOKIA” finds Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR dialing again to their poisonous Toronto R&B period. To me, this music is a sonic mix of Nothing Was The Identical and Truthfully, Nevermind. — M2B
19. Central Cee & 21 Savage – “GBP”
I believed this was the right collaboration after studying that 21 Savage was born within the UK earlier than relocating to Atlanta. This cross-continental foreign money flex exhibits Central Cee driving the minimalist UK drill manufacturing with easy cool. Whereas 21 drops in with chilly precision, proving as soon as once more that much less is extra when the supply is that this deadly. — M2B
18. Bruno Mars & Sexyy Purple – “Fats, Juicy, and Moist”
I didn’t know what to anticipate from a Bruno Mars and Sexyy Purple collab, however “Fats, Juicy, and Moist” is precisely as wild because it sounds (in the easiest way). Bruno’s in full funk mode, whereas Sexyy slides in with hilarious, unfiltered bars that one way or the other match completely. It’s raunchy, ridiculous, and approach too catchy for a music this nasty. — M2B
17.Tyla & Sean Paul – “PUSH 2 START (Remix)”
As Tyla’s stardom continues to blossom, she has confirmed that she can’t be boxed inside only one style. The fluidity of her choices to fuse many genres like pop, R&B, amapiano and Afrobeats collectively enable her to ship songs which can be merely plain. “PUSH 2 START” was already addicting by itself however a remix with Dancehall legend Sean Paul took it up a notch, setting it up completely to be a summer time hit. — Adrienne Black
16. Puddah & Sharp – “You Attempting, or Leaving?”
The best way Puddah raps over the jazz-esque beat actually scratches an itch in my mind. The catchy refrain is so infectious, it immediately will get caught in my head each time I hear it. The outro is definitely one in all my favorites of the yr. — M.M.
15. untiljapan – “BORN2BEGREAT”
untiljapan has rapidly turn out to be one in all my favourite up-and-coming artists. His supply and movement over hard-hitting beats by no means miss. This music is easy, inspirational, and immediately will get you hyped. — M.M.
14. Playboi Carti – “LIKE WEEZY”
This music is the right spring/summer time anthem, with catchy flows and hard-hitting bass. The best way Carti flows on this monitor is perhaps my favourite on MUSIC. I’ll positively be spending the complete summer time bumping this! — M.M.
13. ROB49 – “WTHELLY”
Rob49 had everybody questioning our lives in 2025. However there are not any questions wanted for this placement. Over 7.9M views on YouTube. With over 30M+ sound placements on TikTok. Rob49 retains each bar locked in prefer it’s a play he already ran in his head 20 instances. He’s mastered the artwork of constructing simplistic dominance really feel easy. “WTHELLY” doesn’t scream for approval; it earns it by exhibiting what confidence, precision, and creativity sound like when completely aligned. — T.M.
12. SAILORR – “DOWN BAD”
SAILORR turns heartbreak into excessive artwork on “DOWN BAD,” a woozy, lo-fi confession that looks like scrolling by way of my previous messages at 2 a.m. Her vocals are ethereal, however weighted, like she’s singing by way of a fog of remorse, layered over a minimal beat that enables each lyric to breathe. SAILORR could also be down unhealthy, however she’s in full command. — M2B
11.YG – “2004”
I wasn’t anticipating a music with a beat that onerous to take that sharp a left flip after the primary 22 seconds; I used to be prepared to start out strolling in my workplace, and I ended up desirous to hug the brother after the music ended. A subject like that doesn’t get mentioned each usually and publicly, so kudos to YG being courageous sufficient to aim to shift that narrative. — Meka Udoh
10. kwn & Kehlani – “worst behaviour”
Some songs really feel like a immediate simply begging for a response and kwn’s “worst behaviour” received that actual remedy when Kehlani hopped on the remix. The already sultry single reworked from a playful letter of admiration to an intimate duet between potential lovers. By itself, “worst behaviour” is greater than sufficient to perk your ears up however the remix makes it tough to take it off replay. — A.B.
9.Little Simz, Michael Kiwanuka & Yussef Dayes – “Lotus”
It solely takes just a few moments to listen to that Little Simz returned with one thing to show on her newest album Lotus. On the title monitor, Michael Kiwanuka and Yussef Dayes create a quite tranquil vibe that’s intriguingly disrupted by the uncooked vitality of Simz’ supply. Traces like, “This music sh-t, one massive recreation / I am enjoying chess” make it clear that she’s each conscious of the tips of the business and at all times a step forward. — A.B.
8.SZA & Kendrick Lamar – “30 for 30”
SZA and Kendrick Lamar dominated this yr’s charts! The melodic sampling of Change’s “I Name Your Title”’ combined with lyrical references of Wealthy Boy and Polow Da Don’s “Throw Some D’s,” was a recipe for achievement. Their chemistry is magnetic, however the true magnificence lies of their lyrics. How they transfer by way of the beat with out ever giving the story all away. SZA’s supply is tender however laced with quiet energy, and Kendrick’s verse slices by way of the difficult feelings of affection with readability and beauty. Collectively, they construct sonic heaven by understanding precisely what to say, and that makes each second land tougher. The manufacturing floats, the vocals sting, and the sensation lingers. — T.M.
7.Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR – “GIMME A HUG”
“GIMME A HUG” exhibits Drake doing what few can, turning emotional complexity into anthems. It’s mild on the floor however brilliantly layered, with melodies that really feel like previous reminiscences and lyrics that stability softness and sharp wit. The twin parallel themes of sampling Aaron Corridor’s “I Miss You” ties nostalgia to emotional reckoning, permitting Drake to mourn and flex in the identical breath. It’s a second the place vulnerability turns into foreign money, and nobody spends it smoother than him. — T.M.
6.Westside Gunn & Doechii – “EGYPT (Remix)”
For 2 very totally different people with wildly totally different kinds, WSG updating his HEELS HAVE EYES nearer with the Swamp Princess had no enterprise being as nice as it’s. Nonetheless, Doechii was proper at house whereas revisiting her growth bap roots on the remix to “EGYPT” After listening to this, I might not be mad in any respect if Westside Gunn government produced Doechii’s subsequent album. — M.U.
5.Destin Conrad – “KISSING IN PUBLIC”
Following a number of singles and EPs, Destin Conrad correctly re-introduced himself along with his debut album, LOVE ON DIGITAL. The album’s lead single, “KISSING IN PUBLIC,” concurrently delivers a nostalgic 2000s R&B vibe whereas nonetheless feeling recent. The upbeat single is simply the correct amount of candy, attractive and catchy. — A.B.
4.Clipse – “So Be It”
I’m being fully biased right here once I say that Let God Kind ‘Em Out will possible be my most performed album of 2025. The rollout has been immaculate, and the songs have felt like high-end items of art work that one should savor to grasp and revel in its full breadth. Additionally, Pusha T’s degree of disdain in direction of individuals he doesn’t like is the extent of petty I try for in my life. — M.U.
3.Leon Thomas & Chris Brown – “MUTT (CB Remix)”
It’s been almost a yr since Leon Thomas first launched his now Billboard-charting single, “MUTT.” Since its launch, the only has acquired a remix with Freddie Gibbs and several other alt-versions together with acoustic, sped up, and official OG Ron C chopped and screwed stamp. The deluxe album gave us one final “CB Remix” with Chris Brown, which creates a recent new stability on an already lovable music. By some means, each singers discovered a approach to make their belief points sound so good. However most significantly, the lasting energy of “MUTT” has confirmed that Leon Thomas is right here to remain. — A.B.
2.Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist – “Life Is Stunning”
There are a number of songs from Larry, Tity and Alchemist’s Life Is Stunning challenge that I loved, however I went with the title monitor as a result of the manufacturing makes me really feel like I’m staring out into the ocean whereas consuming mangoes, whereas dressed within the softest cottons and linens, whereas taking good care of my bonsai tree. In a world that has been simply caught in turmoil since 2016, I would like some type of escapism in my life each from time to time, and the three supplied an excellent soundtrack for that. — M.U.
1.Clipse – “Ace Trumpets”
Did you anticipate something totally different? If there have been a extra excellent approach for my favourite rap group of all time to return, I wish to see that occur. I performed this music thrice a day, each day, all through my travels in Italy, and I’ve been screaming “Yellow diamonds appear like pee-pee” any and each probability I get. — M.U.
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