Spotify has released its annual Wrapped data, offering a snapshot of the most-streamed artists, songs, albums, podcasts, and audiobooks of 2025. The figures highlight a continuing dominance by established stars alongside emerging trends in both music and spoken-word content. Here’s a breakdown of the key takeaways from Spotify’s year-end report.
Global Music Trends
Bad Bunny has secured his fourth title as Spotify’s Global Top Artist, cementing his status as a global music icon. His latest album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, also topped the charts worldwide, demonstrating his enduring appeal. However, the most-streamed song globally was Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’s “Die With a Smile,” released in 2024, proving that older hits can continue to dominate streaming platforms.
Regional Highlights
The UK market saw Taylor Swift maintain her top artist position for the third year in a row, followed by Drake and Sabrina Carpenter. The most-streamed song in the UK was Alex Warren’s “Ordinary,” while Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet was the year’s biggest album. Notably, women dominated album charts, with only three out of ten records being by male artists.
In the US, Taylor Swift again led the artist rankings, with Morgan Wallen and Kendrick Lamar following closely. The most-streamed song in the US was Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s collaboration “luther (with sza).” Wallen’s I’m The Problem was the top album, marking a strong performance in the American music scene.
Podcast Dominance
The podcast landscape remains dominated by controversial yet highly-streamed content. The Joe Rogan Experience retained its position as the most popular podcast globally for the sixth consecutive year. In the UK, Steven Bartlett’s The Diary of a CEO surpassed Rogan in listenership, indicating growing interest in business and self-improvement content.
Audiobooks on the Rise
Audiobooks continue to grow in popularity, with titles like Rebecca Yarros’s Fourth Wing and Sarah J Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses leading the charts across multiple regions. This trend suggests that audiobooks are becoming a mainstream alternative to traditional reading.
Key Takeaways
Spotify Wrapped 2025 confirms the ongoing influence of established artists while also showcasing the impact of viral hits and rising stars. The dominance of certain podcasts underscores the power of controversial yet engaging content in the streaming era. The popularity of audiobooks further diversifies the platform’s offerings, signaling a shift in how people consume stories and knowledge.
The report highlights how streaming services shape musical tastes and podcast trends, making them key players in modern culture. The data reinforces the growing importance of digital platforms in defining what is popular and influential.
