The 50 Best Songs of 2025

50.Doechii, "Anxiety"

Album: N/A

“Anxiety” was recorded and uploaded to YouTube in 2019, but it feels more like a song made for 2026: the ubiquitous TikTok-friendly hook, the nostalgic sample from supposedly simpler times, the therapy-speak. So it was hardly a surprise that when Doechii decided to repackage the track and release it officially, it took off. But the biggest hit of her career?

Even if the song has its detractors—partly because of how closely it leans on the original, partly because of the Lizzo-like energy—you can’t deny the resourcefulness in how she took a quirky one-hit wonder, Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know,” and flipped it into a new, universal earworm. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

49.Gelo, "Tweaker"

Album: League of My Own

There’s still a chance LiAngelo ends up being the most successful Ball brother, despite not being able to hoop like Lonzo—who has limitless talent but can’t stay on the court—or LaMelo, who also has limitless talent… but can be a knucklehead.

Gelo was quick to notice that he wasn’t cut out for a career in basketball, but landed on top regardless. The momentum kicked off in early 2025 with “Tweaker,” a single so good it earned him a record deal with Def Jam. Its effortlessly catchy hook became a hit among rap fans everywhere, and scored devotees both in the rap world and the NBA. —Will Schube

48.De La Soul, "The Package"

Album: Cabin in the Sky

Trugoy the Dove, who died in 2023, only appears on a handful of songs across De La Soul’s Cabin in the Sky. But his spiritual presence is felt throughout the album, which functions as a celebration of his life. Lead single “The Package” features Posdnuos and Dave trading verses over a triumphant, horn-centric Pete Rock beat. Pos sums it up perfectly when he raps: “Those who wanna try us, play it right here/Step to us with a Goliath, got a David right here.” —Mr. Wavvy

47.Ayra Starr & Wiz Kid, "Gimme Dat"

Album: N/A

Rising Nigerian star Ayra Starr’s ascent has been rapid and sudden, making her arresting tunes about heartbreak and coming of age all the more compelling. In Afrobeats, hits are determined by what gets the parties jumping, which the 23-year-old singer delivers on the WizKid-supported club banger “Gimme Dat.” Riding the tropical percussion, her smoky voice sounds fit for sensual slowdown dances on sun-filled rooftops. Starr had great songs before, but “Gimme Dat” teases a future of household name status. She’s predestined. —Josh Svetz

46.Pluto & YK Niece, "WHIM WHAMIEE"

Album: BOTH WAYS

This year desperately needed a song that made you want to dance on tables, scream-rap the lyrics, and engage in random acts of violence. Enter Pluto and YKNiece. Built around a sample of OJ da Juiceman’s “Wham Bam,” Pluto and YKNiece gave the girls another anthem while inspiring a wave of remixes, from Sexyy Red’s official version to Lizzo’s mega-viral stab at it. Their ass-shaking, fist-swinging single channels the golden age of Atlanta trap rap reimagined for a new generation—this time with women at the forefront. —Jade Gomez

45.2hollis, "flash"

Album: Star

2hollis manifested his stardom from the start; on “flash,” those dreams became reality.

“Holli wanna be a star,” he raps on the propulsive, EDM-rage cut. The track itself is a slow burn; Hollis draws you in with rapid hi-hats and intimate “flash” ad-libs that methodically swells towards a head-banging, unruly drop.

Distortion is Hollis’ best friend, and on “flash,” he harnesses this chaos with precision—personifying the star he was always meant to become. Sure, tracks “crush,” “poster boy,” and “jeans” made 2hollis a name to watch for but “flash” offers something more—a deeper lens into his ascent as one of this generation’s most innovative artists. —Jon Barlas

44.Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist, "Bad Choices"

Album: Life Is Beautiful

2 Chainz had a strange start to the decade. After being a fixture in the 2010s trap scene, the lukewarm reception to his 2020s albums Dope Don’t Sell Itself and Collegrove 2 put him at an artistic crossroads. So he parted ways with Def Jam and went indie.

Now the College Park rapper brings his laid-back flow to the Bay Area’s favorite cool uncle, Larry June, alongside the cinematic brilliance of the Alchemist’s sample-filled production. “Bad Choices” is the pinnacle of yacht rap, with 2 Chainz’s effortless bravado sounding right at home on Alc’s soothing grooves and June’s relaxed delivery. Tity has always been a great rapper; he just needed to board the yacht and sip a green juice to remind everyone. —Josh Svetz

43.Mobb Deep, Nas & Jorja Smith, "Down For You"

Album: Infinite

Neither Nas nor Havoc are generally interested in the machinations and lingering wounds of heartbreak. But on their Infinite collab, the all-time MCs get a little vulnerable. Alongside a soulful performance from Jorja Smith, Havoc and Nas take turns lamenting that deep love can turn into heartbreak all too quickly.

The Mobb Deep vet takes a more calculated approach, basing his verse firmly in the reality of courtship: “Heart cold, but you worked your way into my mental/I was in trouble from the minute that I met you.” Nas, on the other hand, turns the performance into something else entirely. He raps: “I don't care, pull your hair, crack first night, that's how it be/Sneaky link? Nah, keep a goomar like Gotti's freaks.”

Love is, after all, a spectrum. —Will Schube

42.Odeal Feat. Leon Thomas, "Miami"

Album: The Summer that Saved Me

Bursting onto the scene with tender, lovesick ballads about the fleeting connections born of lust and one too many cocktails—especially in an era where relationships often lack labels—Odeal taps into the contradictions of modern romance. The Leon Thomas–assisted anthem “Miami” tells a vivid tale of desire, longing, and passion on borrowed time. Odeal’s sensitive songwriting captures the realization that one night won’t last forever, and the desperation to stretch a moment of unexpected reciprocation.

He keeps the meter running however he can—exotic trips, expensive bottle service, even an ill-fated flight that will almost certainly be canceled in the morning—all in hopes of holding onto a dream they’ll both eventually wake from. —Josh Svetz

41.Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist Feat. Anderson .Paak, "Ensalada"

Album: Alfredo 2

By this point, Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist have the formula down. Alfredo 2 is at its best when the duo add variables and curveballs to the tried and true blend of throwback, sample-heavy beats and blustery shit talk.

“Ensalada” is one such sterling example, the beat incorporating multiple rhythms, a choice by Al that pushes Gibbs into his best performance on the record. Toss in an excellent chorus from Anderson .Paak and you’ve got one of the best rap songs of the year. —Will Schube

40.OsamaSon, "Made Sum Plans"

Album: Jump Out

OsamaSon may be known for blistering, heat-seeking melodies and rumbling 808s, but “Made Sum Plans” finds the Goose Creek, South Carolina native polishing his song structure and dialing back the distortion.

The Jump Out standout isn’t a departure from his signature sound, though. Instead, the refinement works in OsamaSon’s favor—it’s an anthem by all measures. Produced by close collaborator ok, Osama floats over teetering synths—reminiscent of a youthful, cloud-era Uzi-Carti hybrid—and bouncy, jerk-influenced percussion. Amid the rage, “Made Sum Plans” feels like an oasis on Jump Out, offering a switch-up that’s well worth revisiting time and time again. Oh, and shout out Keena. —Jon Barlas

39.Danny Brown, "Lift You Up"

Album: Stardust

Stardust, Danny Brown’s first release since getting sober, finds the Detroit rapper merging hyperpop with the deconstructed-club sounds he’s been exploring since 2013’s Old, creating something that feels genuinely futuristic. Yet the project’s best rap song has him revisiting a style that peaked decades ago.

“Lift You Up” is a serotonin-spiked, late-’80s-coded hip-house track in which the 44-year-old vents his frustration about a partner stuck in a rut. Brown’s rapping is predictably excellent, but it’s his affectionate homage to a supposedly dead subgenre that makes this the standout on the album. —Mr. Wavvy

38.Disco Lines & Tinashe, "No Broke Boys" (Remix)

Album: N/A

With all due respect to Celine Song, we can’t let “broke man propaganda” flourish.

DJ Disco Lines resurrects Tinashe’s breezy, LA-inspired 2024 track and cranks up the BPM. In the process, the new energy turns what could have been a harsh, mostly judgmental song about young men struggling under the oppressive conditions of the free market into a tongue-in-cheek, lighthearted dance record—one even those with an empty wallet can enjoy.—Dimas Sanfiorenzo

37.Central Cee & 21 Savage, "GBP"

Album: CAN’T RUSH GREATNESS

Location, location, location. It’s not just the key to effectiveness as a pitcher on the baseball diamond, it’s also at the heart of Central Cee and 21 Savage’s world-beating collab, “GBP.”

The track is a fascinating, diaristic simulation in which the two artists flip roles: Cinch imagines what life would be like if he grew up in New York or North Carolina, while 21 does his best to learn about the Premier League. Central Cee arguably does a more imaginative job leaning into the scenario—”If it was 1930, North Carolina/I would've been Frank with the mink”—but it’s always fun hearing 21 rap about the ways in which internet beef is driving him insane. —Will Schube

36.Hurricane Wisdom Feat. Lil Baby, "Drugs Callin" (Remix)

Album: Perfect Storm: Sorry 4 The Rain

“Paid in Full,” “Who Shot Ya,” “Broken Language,” “A Milli”—every generation has that one beat rappers can’t stop rapping over. For Zoomers, it’s Future’s “Perky’s Calling,” a thumping, downbeat, piano-driven track that’s been flipped and remixed dozens of times with wildly mixed results.

On the “Drugs Callin’” remix, Hurricane Wisdom keeps the theme consistent with Pluto’s classic but switches up the vocal approach. Where Future is methodical and almost subdued, Hurricane Wisdom is energetic, stretching his raspy vocals and at times slipping into a Lil Wayne–like croak. And you can’t forget Baby, rapping lines like, “This shit’s deep as the ocean, takin’ drugs, tryna cope it/Help me focus, ecstasy got me rolling,” displaying a vulnerability that doesn’t always come naturally to him. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

35.Karol G, "Latina Foreva"

Album: Tropicoqueta

There’s something familiar about “Latina Foreva.” It nods to N.O.R.E., Daddy Yankee, and Nina Sky’s classic “Oye Mi Canto,” but doesn’t rely on nostalgia as a crutch. Instead, Karol G blends old-school reggaetón with a girl-power ethos, crafting an anthem that’s equal parts feisty and contagious.

There’s a brutal efficiency to it: the song is just over two minutes long, but Karol breezes through two verses and an earworm chorus you couldn’t shake if you tried. In some ways, it feels like a return to basics for her—which might explain why, when she unveiled the song, she did it showcasing her natural brown hair. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

34.Monaleo, "Putting Ya Dine"

Album: Who Did the Body

Monaleo, the better half of rap’s hottest power couple alongside her husband Stunna 4 Vegas, is reviving some of Houston’s best styles on what might be her biggest single of 2025. “Putting Ya Dine” shines with an infectious synth melody that toes the line between catchy and cheesy, while the droning bass line gives the track early-trap vibes. Monaleo also manages to drop a Bun B reference, which is an automatic passing grade in and of itself. —Will Schube

33.PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake, "SOMEBODY LOVES ME"

Album: $ome $exy $ongs 4 U

“SOMEBODY LOVES ME” has become $ome $exy $ongs 4 U’s runaway hit for the two for a reason: It’s built for any setting. Whether that be in the throes of the club or a late-night drive, “Somebody Loves Me” wraps you up like a warm hug on a cold night.

Drake has always had a knack for crafting quotables made for IG captions—“her name is Angel, but she’s must’ve forgot (from God)”—but here, he delivers them through Loverboy-era melodies, emphatically crooning “Who’s out there for me?” into the void in hopes that someone responds (oh, Aubrey). PND keeps the party alive with a hook that’s not only infectious, but ever-so relatable: “I know there’s somebody who loves me… and that’s all I need.” There’s love in the air, and “Somebody Loves Me” was the spark that set it off. —Jon Barlas

32.Rob49, "WTHELLY"

Album: Let Me Fly

Rob49’s “WTHELLY” is the most playfully original rap single of the year. At one point, everyone was saying “What the helly,” and the track is so good that I’m willing to look past Rob shouting out my mortal enemy, Tyrese Haliburton, on the song.

It’s hard to figure out why, exactly “WTHELLY” took over the rap world as efficiently and swiftly as it did, but maybe it comes down to a simple idea: people like saying really fun words, and for some reason, “What the helly,” are three of the most fun we’ve got. —Will Schube

31.Dave, "The Boy Who Played the Harp"

Album: The Boy Who Played the Harp

Real bravery lies in recognizing the moments when you’ve acted out of fear. Dave leans into those uncomfortable truths on the title track of The Boy Who Played the Harp. The song centers on a simple question: “What would I do in the next generation?” He traces his family lineage, measuring the struggles of his ancestors against the challenges he faces today.

He acknowledges that he has the ability to speak out against oppressive regimes, yet hesitates because doing so could jeopardize his livelihood. The reality is that more people might stand for something if they first understood the roots of their own fear. –Jordan Rose

30.Olivia Dean, "Man I Need"

Album: The Art of Loving

Olivia Dean knows how to earnestly confess a crush. On “Man I Need,” she folds jazzy pop, piano warmth, and gospel lifts into a swinging plea for the kind of love she knows she deserves. Before making what would become her first Hot 100 entry, she declared, “I want to write a song I can dance to.”

She was successful. That heartfelt yearn, paired with a groove that refuses to sit still, is exactly why the track took over TikTok. —Leila Sheridan

29.Sabrina Carpenter, "Manchild"

Album: Man's Best Friend

I’d hate to be one of Sabrina Carpenter’s exes, and nothing makes that clearer than listening to “Manchild.”

It kicks off with a shimmering ’80s synth before drifting into disco gloss and a banjo-laced twang, the kind of pop sparkle that almost hides how brutal the roast actually is. It’s not a breakup song. It hits way harder, following the formula Carpenter perfected on Short n’ Sweet: clowning men who are unfortunately alluring and undeniably embarrassing. “Baby, what do you call it? Stupid, or is it slow?” she asks. We’ve all been there, but only Carpenter can deliver the question with a tone that's somehow both sweet and lethal. —Leila Sheridan

28.Ken Carson, "Blakk Rokkstar"

Album: More Chaos

On “Blakk Rokkstar,” Ken Carson dials the fabled hedonism of ’80s rock stars to an 11. The song’s title, used as a refrain throughout, spits in the face of institutions that tried to uphold rock’s whiteness. In times of economic downturn, obscene wealth and relentless flexing are often traded for humility and relatability. Carson doesn’t care. He’s not interested in making aspirational music. This is pure self-indulgence over blown-out 808s and bass, topped off with one of the sickest beat switches in recent memory. Rock isn’t dead, it’s just wearing Rick Owens now. —Jade Gomez

27.Cardi B, "Magnet"

Album: Am I the Drama?

When Cardi allows herself to go entirely off—to just rap her ass off about whatever she damn well pleases—few can match her. “Magnet” is one such case, probably the best bar-for-bar song on her long awaited sophomore album. It’s another track that proves Cardi is, indeed, the drama—but we love it that way. I’d be remiss not to mention one of the most savage takedowns in rap this year, when she went after her ex-husband Offset with a stunningly cold one-liner: “Got my baby daddy actin' like my baby mama.” —Will Schube

26.Chuckyy, "My World"

Album: I Live, I Die, I Live Again

Chuckyy has synthesized a horror aesthetic as well as any modern rapper, and on “My World,” he cooks up his regular ol’ gore obsessed POV with something decidedly more emo.

The song samples alt-pop songwriter EKKSTACY’s “​i walk this earth all by myself,” and features Chuckyy fitting his usual deadpan, cascading delivery onto an entirely different sonic scheme. Despite the switch up, his bars remain the perfect blend of bleak and brilliant, like when he casually tosses off one of the best lines of the year: “Just because we went to school and I got rich don't mean we teams.” —Will Schube

25.Bad Bunny, "DMTF"

On “DTMF,” the title track of his sixth studio album, Bad Bunny croons about Puerto Rican sunsets, playing dominoes, and grabbing drinks in Santurce. The song plays like an ode to El Conejo Malo’s homeland and its rich musical legacy. Driven by a pulsating Bomba rhythm and accented with celebratory group chants that echo the track’s title, it feels like a full-on studio party. Yet beneath all the festive energy, there’s a subtle melancholy.

The chorus—translated as “I should’ve taken more pictures when I had you”—adds a layer of nostalgia. As the percussion swells into what sounds like a live jam session, you can almost picture yourself gathered around a beach bonfire, surrounded by friends. —Antonio Johr

24.HUNTRIX, "GOLDEN"

Album: KPop Demon Hunters Soundtrack

In the midst of all the political turmoil of 2025, there came a song that gave us hope.

“Golden,” released in early July off the K-Pop Demon Hunters soundtrack, debuted at No. 81 on the Billboard Hot 100 and shot to No. 1 in just six weeks, becoming the breakout hit of 2025.

Co-written and performed by Ejae, the success of the song is even more meaningful, as she trained as a K-Pop idol under SM Entertainment for almost a decade before pivoting her career to behind the spotlight as a songwriter. There are many factors that contribute to the song’s success, like the “Good trumps evil” story plot of K-Pop Demon Hunters and the ever-growing popularity of the genre, but this definitely marks another significant breakthrough in K-Pop. —Shinnie Park

23.kwn ft. Kehlani, "Worst Behaviour (Remix)"

Album: With All Due Respect

Fuck subtlety. “Worst Behaviour (Remix),” a duet between real-life lovebirds kwn and Kehlani, is one of the most explicit R&B songs in recent memory. Here’s a taste of some of the lyrics: “She said, ‘Slut me out, oh, slut me out,’ I’ll put your ass to work,” or, “I’ma turn into a slip-and-slide, I’ll make sure you’re satisfied,” and, “Talk your shit and rough me up, girl, bust open this shirt.” Now juxtapose these lyrics with production that’s tender, almost romantic, and you get one of the standout singles of the year. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

22.Playboi Carti & YoungBoy Never Broke Again, "ALIVE"

Album: N/A

“ALIVE” first surfaced on Ye’s Instagram as a collaboration with YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Then, in true chaotic fashion, Playboi Carti dropped his own version. Let me be direct: Carti and YoungBoy’s edition is the better one. There is a genuine anarchy on the track that suits both styles here. The song, which samples an ad-lib from MUSIC, features so much screaming, distortion, and flexes in one insane package that you’ll have your fill for a year. —Trey Alston

21.Gunna, "wgft"

Album: The Last Wun

Just wait ’til you find out what “wgft” stands for… It doesn’t take long—the opening sample and Gunna’s very first line spell it out clearly: “Who getting fucked tonight?”

Gunna and Burna Boy’s collab feels like a declaration of intent, a mission statement not unlike a Rodney Dangerfield bit from Caddyshack: everybody’s getting laid. The track, driven by an airy, ambient beat and one of Gunna’s most unabashed performances, sits just outside his usual wheelhouse—and that’s exactly why it stands out in a year when much of Gunna’s output has felt one-note. —Will Schube

20.Lil Tecca, "Dark Thoughts"

Album: DOPAMINE

Lil Tecca is no longer the goofy, smooth-talking lyricist stitching together swag raps over chill instrumentals. On “Dark Thoughts,” the lead single from his fifth studio album DOPAMINE, he offers a supportive shoulder to a girl whose mind is clouded by the same darkness he knows intimately. Swapping booming 808s for the tethered bounce of an early 2000s Neptunes beat, Tecca rides each thump like a pop star in the making, turning heavy subject matter into an undeniable earworm. It’s a tricky balance to strike without sounding corny, but his authenticity holds it all together. —Trey Alston

19.Tyler, the Creator, "Sugar on My Tongue"

Album: Don't Tap the Glass

Tyler, the Creator operates like an auteur, building entire universes simply because he can. With his ninth studio album, the low-stakes Don’t Tap the Glass, he aimed to make people move.

“Sugar on My Tongue” became the streaming hit from the album. It’s a horny disco-funk groove with Prince-like swagger, paired with a BDSM-themed video that already belongs in the pantheon of great Tyler visuals. He doubled down on his favorite lane: playful, provocative, and steeped in his own brand of futuristic nostalgia. —Kia Turner

18.Fred again.., Skepta & Plaqueboymax, "Victory Lap"

Album: USB

Fred again.. and Skepta linking up is one of those unexpected pairings that initially sounds odd but ultimately feels inevitable once you hear the final product.

The grammy nominated “Victory Lap” flips Deochii and Rico Nasty’s “Swamp Btches” into a jolt of pure adrenaline, with Skepta jumping in at the same ferocious intensity. Fred again.. teased the track on Twitch before its release, sending fans into a frenzy for the full version. Through Fred again..’s signature electronic lens, the grime backbone crackles with fresh electricity. The result is a collision of hip-hop, dubstep, and pure chaos. —Leila Sheridan

17.Jim Legxacy, "father"

Album: black british music

Jim Legxacy has been moving around in the UK underground for a while. But with “father,” he made real strides in the States, taking a deeply introspective turn as he raps and sings about his experience with an absent parent. (In an interview with Kids Take Over, he mentioned that the song represented him “rewriting” his history.) Built around a sample of the 1980 song “I Love My Father” by George F. Smallwood & Marshmellow Band, Jim writes his lines so that “father” lands at the end of each one as he tells his story.—Antonio Johri

16.EsDeeKid, Fakemink & Rico Ace, "LV Sandals"

Album: Rebel

If Jim Legxacy dominated the first third of the year and Fakemink the second, it’s the mysterious EsDeeKid who’s closing things out strong for the UK. Right now, the Timothee Chalamet comparisons have him circulating as a meme, but the music is legit. Produced by Wraith9 and featuring Fake and Rico Ace, “LV Sandals” is a desolate-sounding jerk banger, running on cycling, horror-movie-style synths and a crushing bass hit every bar. Mink handles hook duty with a memorable stuttering chorus, but it’s EsDee and Rico who are the highlights, gliding through the off-kilter jerk rhythm with real charisma and tact. —Antonio Johri

15.MOLIY, Shenseea, Skillibeng & Silent Addy, "Shake It To The Max (Fly) – Remix"

Album: N/A

Last October, Ghanaian-American Afrobeats singer MOLIY casually leaked a snippet of a dancehall-infused track she was working on with producer Silent Addy. She didn’t think much of it—until “Shake It to the Max” went viral, blowing up on TikTok. And that was before the remix with Shenseea and Skillibeng even dropped. What started as a throwaway snippet is now a full-blown posse cut: one of the funnest, sweatiest dancefloor anthems of the year—the true “song of the summer” for people who were actually outside. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

14.Playboi Carti, "Like Weezy"

Album: MUSIC

“Like Weezy,” the best song off of MUSIC, features a surprising shift from Carti’s usual vamped-out, distorted Opium sound. The track is bright and upbeat, paying homage to Evil Jordan’s youth in Atlanta by sampling Rich Kidz’s “Bend Over.” It’s a song that’s more self-titled than it is Whole Lotta Red. The beat, crafted by Ojivolta and Kelvin Krash, drives the song with a carnival-like warmth, complete with looping, whimsical synths. Carti’s delivery is playful and loose, perfectly capturing the spirited, experimental vibe of late-2010s mixtapes. —Antonio Johri

13.Skrilla, "Doot Doot (6 7)"

Album: Zombie Love Kensington Paradise

When you hear “6 7,” a lot of images come to mind: Starbucks cups, botched In-N-Out orders, LaMelo Ball highlights, arms moving up and down, armies of grinning boys sheepishly staring at you. What people often forget, though, is Skrilla, the rapper who created the song that birthed the meme that drove hundreds of teachers into early retirement.

He’s one of the least likely rappers to have a song turn into a viral meme. “Doot Doot” is unapologetically Skrilla: violent, with that dramatic Philly drill sound and lyrics treating both the addicted and those serving the addicted in the same unflinching manner. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

12.PinkPantheress, "Illegal"

Album: Fancy That

PinkPantheress rose to fame through her sticky melodies, bathed in a melancholic longing that offered a glimpse into Gen Z’s post-pandemic world.

As her career blossomed, the once-anonymous bedroom pop artist has shown that her witty songwriting and affinity for early ’00s drum ‘n’ bass and jungle nostalgia can work just as well on upbeat grooves. “Illegal” is a culmination of her previous style, stretching her collaborations, with boisterous instrumentals that contrast PinkPantheress’ soft coos as she describes buying weed for the first time—a moment that hints at other acts of youthful rebellion.The song is a bold declaration of mastery, proving that her unassuming shyness doesn’t diminish her gifts as a producer and artist who is reshaping the future of pop stardom. —Josh Svetz

11.Metro Boomin Feat. Quavo, Breskii and YKNiece, "Take Me Thru Dere"

Album: A Futuristic Summa

The last few years in Atlanta have been marked by losses, court cases, and cultural wounds. Yet Metro Boomin brought the city back to its heartbeat with “Take Me Thru Dere,” the standout from his retro Futuristic Summa tape.

The track drops listeners right back into the late 2000s, with snap-era energy, a beat that will make your ass shake, and a hook built for standing on couches. Newcomers Breskii and YKNIECE channel a modern Crime Mob spirit, while Quavo and Breskii’s tag-team chorus solidifies it as one of the year’s undeniable party starters. —Kia Turner

10.Mariah the Scientist, "Burning Blue"

Album: Hearts Sold Separately It was surprising to hear Mariah say that “Burning Blue” “wasn’t about anything specific.” The opening lyrics are so precisely analytical in their depiction of infatuation. You can follow Mariah as she moves through the emotions in real time, all chronicled by knocking drums and brooding, piercing strings.

There’s been plenty of online discourse about Mariah’s vocal chops, but what makes this track resonate is how approachable and repeatable the singing feels. It’s a joint you can belt in the shower and feel like you’re almost nailing it, even if you’re not a singer. —Miki Hellerbach

9.Drake, "NOKIA"

Album: $ome $exy $ongs 4 U

We’re far enough removed from the all-encompassing Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef to recognize, once again, that a banger is a banger. PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake’s $ome $exy $ongs 4 U is quintessential bachelor-core, no matter how much they want to posture themselves as being for the ladies. Nonetheless, the government mandated Drake dance track hits. Reminiscent of ‘80s freestyle and Miami bass, Drake leans into the cheesiness. One can’t help but exaggerate the “Who’s calling my phone?” call and response or do their worst Southern drawl when the “Babygurl” part comes up. —Jade Gomez

8.Clipse Feat. Kendrick Lamar, "Chains & Whips"

Album: Let God Sort Em Out

It might have been a rough year for mainstream rap on the charts, but at least we got the Clipse back. Returning with the seminal Let God Sort ’Em Out, Malice and Pusha T assert their legacies with braggadocious bravado, while also redefining what the Clipse can be. The album’s strongest point is “Chains & Whips,” which marks the peak of this growth—a cypher of self-assured flexing on every opponent Pusha, Malice, and guest star Kendrick Lamar have conquered.

The trio meticulously dismantles anyone who dares to challenge them. It’s a rap Olympics at the highest level, with each verse deserving of “verse of the year” honors. Their signature slick wordplay is fused with the wiser introspection that only comes with experience. —Josh Svetz

7.Youngboy Never Broke Again, "Shot Callin"

Album: MASA

No rapper had a bigger year than YoungBoy Never Broke Again. The controversial superstar went on a nationwide, sold-out arena tour that was a victory lap for all the years of accomplishments he never got to celebrate while behind bars.

“Shot Callin” emerged as the anthem of the tour, often receiving the loudest reactions from fans. Though the track carries the fiery defiance YoungBoy is known for, a sense of jubilance radiates as he croons “wipe me down” on the singalong chorus. While not explicitly a “first day out” track, the NOLA bounce–tinged keys and 808s perfectly complement YoungBoy’s animated, exuberant delivery. The result is a sound brimming with new possibilities,a generation-defining artist finally basking in well-earned glory with the people who believed in him. —Josh Svetz

6.Bad Bunny, "BAILE INoLVIDABLE"

Album: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS

Prior to the release of DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny described his sixth studio album as his “most Puerto Rican yet.” Topically, the album explores the island’s complicated history with colonialism, while musically, it traces the island’s rich and diverse genres, both past and present.

“BAILE INOLVIDABLE” is a salsa track, but this being Benito of course it features a twist. It opens with a melodramatic intro as he belts over atmospheric synths, delivering a melancholy message to a lover. This mood is interrupted by Jacobo Morales and a bongo drum break, which leads into the track’s second act. The song then bursts into lively salsa rhythms, layered with twinkling pianos, congas, timbales, and a brassy trumpet melody that could make anyone dance. Bad Bunny’s vocals place you in the heart of a Santurce party, while the group chants, “No, no te puedo olvidar/No, no te puedo borrar” (No, I cannot forget you/No, I cannot erase you from my memory). —Antonio Johri

5.Kendrick Lamar & SZA, "Luther"

Album: GNX

Kendrick and SZA already had a long creative history—from “Babylon,” to “All the Stars,” to “30 for 30.” But on “Luther,” one of the most commercially successful rap songs of all time, the duo proves they’ve fully mastered their dynamic.

Sampling Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s rendition of “If This World Were Mine,” the track has the pair trading verses about devotion, sacrifice, and recognizing the beauty in the person you love.

Part of its appeal comes from how evenly matched they feel. Kendrick’s semi-monotone delivery contrasts perfectly with SZA’s sweeter tone, creating the kind of synergy that earns the track a place on the Mount Rushmore of great rap-and-R&B duets. —Kia Turner

4.Kehlani, "Folded"

Album: N/A

Kehlani contains multitudes. Last year, she was first the muse and then the driving force behind Jordan Adetunji’s modern, New York–drill–inspired track named after her. In 2025, she’s the star, embracing traditionalism with the ’90s-inspired “Folded.” Lyrically, it’s Monica; musically, it’s Brandy. It’s a breakup anthem capturing the final moments of a relationship. The protagonist is conflicted—you can hear it in the vocals, which are soft instead of angry, and in the lyrics, which feature all of these contradictions. The production mirrors this tension: cozy yet dramatic, built on an orchestral score and a pulsating guitar lick that underscores the song’s emotional complexity. —Dimas Sanfiorenzo

3.G Herbo, "Went Legit"

Album: Lil Herb

The beauty of finding longevity as a skilled rapper is that your flexes grow up with you. For the initiated—those who remember teenage “Kill Shit” Lil Herb—there’s a real sense of familial pride that hits when you hear the grown-man confidence of “Went Legit,” where the boasts have evolved into lines like “29, I’m rich with three babies.”

But the magic of this track, and of the Chicago rapper himself, is that even with maturity, he hasn’t lost touch with the streets. He’s still rapping about being the only artist who can drive around his own block without tints. “Went Legit” is special, the best pure rap song of the year; Herb keeps it a stack, and the smooth Hank Crawford sample layered over heavy snares makes you want to run through a brick wall.

In one concise, uncompromising verse, you hear who G Herbo was, who he is now, and how a fully realized “’Raq baby” went legit. —Jordan Rose

2.Yeat, “COMË N GO”

Album: Dangerous Summer

Yeat is known for his versatility. He has songs that send you to another planet, and songs that light up the pits, but “COME N GO” doesn’t do either of those things. In fact, it’s one of Yeat’s smoothest tracks to date.

The sheer infectiousness of “COME N GO” shows Yeat embracing new textures. And it’s led to even more success. It’s become one of Yeat’s true hits, as the atmospheric and spacey production (spearheaded by BNYX) allows him to swing for the fences. —Jon Barlas

1.Justin Bieber, "Yukon"

Album: Swag

We were supposed to get “hip-hop Bieber.”

At the top of the year, Justin Bieber spent months very publicly collaborating with rappers and spotlighting the mostly underground music he was tapping in with. Meanwhile, rumors about his marriage, mental health, and business dealings swirled around him.

And when he surprise-dropped Swag after a nearly four-year hiatus—an album that’s lo-fi, soothing, zen-like, family-focused and not at all hip-hop-driven—it felt like a complete swerve.

Swag makes loud statements with a whisper. The standout is “Yukon,” an intimate and hypnotic acoustic showcase. Not only is it the best song to drop this year, but perhaps the best in his catalogue—driven by a slow, groove-heavy guitar riff, subtle counter-melodies, and a splash of “hip-hop Bieber,” with a few 2 Chainz ad-libs at the end. Under the guidance of Dijon, who produced the track, Bieber pitched his vocals slightly higher, adding vulnerability as his voice quivers on high notes.

There’s a full-circle effect happening here. Over the years, Bieber has tried on many versions of himself—the grinning pop star, the outlaw R&B singer, the Christian EDM artist, the happily-in-love crooner. But “Yukon” brings him back to his earnest YouTube days, when he was just a kid with a guitar singing TLC covers.

The older we get, the more we return to our essence. —Antonio Johri