Drake Tops Apple Music Charts Despite Previous Rap Battle Setback
Drake may have faced a major defeat against Kendrick Lamar last year, but his popularity remains undiminished. The Toronto rapper has reclaimed his commercial dominance by being named the most-streamed artist of 2025 on Apple Music.
Apple Music has not revealed exact streaming figures for its annual “Apple Music Replay” feature, but Drake’s consistent output this year has strengthened his lead. In February, he released the collaborative album $ome $exy $ongs 4 U with PARTYNEXTDOOR. The project debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, selling nearly 250,000 copies in its first week. It also broke the record for the most first-day streams on Apple Music for an R&B/Soul album.
The album produced hits that charted strongly, including “Nokia” and “Gimme a Hug,” both of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Nokia” emerged as Drake’s most-streamed song of 2025 on Apple Music, ranking 13th overall on the platform. He has also released “What Did I Miss?” and “Which One,” featuring Central Cee, which are expected to be part of his upcoming album Iceman.
Kendrick Lamar remains a significant presence on Apple Music’s Top Songs of 2025 playlist. His collaboration with SZA, “Luther,” ranks as the second most-streamed song globally, making it the most popular hip-hop and R&B track of the year. Kendrick’s 2024 Drake diss, “Not Like Us,” continues to perform well, holding the fourth spot on the list. Additional entries include “30 For 30” with SZA (No. 10), “TV Off” (No. 11), “Squabble Up” (No. 22), and “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin (No. 35). Older tracks such as “All the Stars” and “Money Trees” remain in the top 100, bolstered by Kendrick and SZA’s Super Bowl halftime show performance in February.
Drake’s ability to maintain top streaming positions despite previous setbacks highlights his enduring influence in hip-hop and R&B. The rivalry with Kendrick Lamar continues to capture audience attention, but Drake’s 2025 releases confirm he remains a dominant force in the music industry.
