In a remarkable comeback, Drake has claimed the title of most-streamed artist of 2025 on Apple Music. After facing a tough setback against Kendrick Lamar last year, the popular rapper has bounced back to the top, proving his enduring appeal.
Despite a bruising encounter with Kendrick Lamar in the previous year, Drake’s popularity remains undiminished, as demonstrated by his position as Apple Music’s most-streamed artist of 2025. Though Apple Music hasn’t unveiled the exact figures, the musical giant continues to drop hits that send streaming numbers soaring.
In February, Drake released the album ‘$ome $exy $ongs 4 U’ with PARTYNEXTDOOR, which skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard 200 with 250,000 first-week sales. The album also shattered the record for most first-day streams on Apple Music for an R&B/Soul album, underlining its massive success.
The project’s singles, ‘Nokia’ and ‘Gimme a Hug’, have made impressive chart entries, both landing in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Among these, ‘Nokia’ has emerged as Drake’s top-performing track on Apple Music, standing strong as the 13th most-streamed song of the year.
Drake didn’t stop there. Tracks like ‘What Did I Miss?’ and ‘Which One’ featuring Central Cee, hint at what’s coming next with his upcoming album ‘Iceman.’
Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar also had a noteworthy year. His collaborations like ‘Luther’ with SZA and his solo hits continued to dominate the charts, ensuring his presence was felt in Apple Music’s 2025 playlist. His ongoing rivalry with Drake keeps fans on their toes, as both artists push the boundaries of their music.
Drake and Lamar’s rivalry appears to fuel each other’s success, with Kendrick’s song ‘Not Like Us’, a pointed diss, still enjoying popularity. Despite the competition, Drake’s achievements in 2025 spotlight his creative resilience and his ongoing impact on the music scene.
Drake’s return to the top of Apple Music’s chart is a testament to his staying power and artistic evolution. Despite fierce competition, he remains a pivotal figure in the music industry, ready to continue his reign.
