Further reporting from Okayplayer employees.
This yr has been, nicely, a masterclass in chaos. There’s a authorities operating amok with an all-out assault on each private freedoms and worldwide affairs, the price of dwelling is increased than giraffe throats, and society is about three levels of separation away from one other world struggle…
However, hey, a minimum of there’s Love Island and music, proper?
With the primary half of 2025 within the books, the employees right here at Okayplayer obtained collectively to debate (learn: largely argue about) their picks for the 25 finest songs of 2025 to date. From viral hits to gradual burners, genre-benders to straight-up anthems, this record 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” appears like a homecoming and a temperature examine . 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 elements 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 a couple of instances to unpack all of the bars. It’s Carter and Barbie in full type. — 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, protecting 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 contemporary, each sound appears 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 change that includes a pattern from Lil Wayne. Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR ship standout verses that elevate the track, making it a spotlight of the undertaking. — Michael Mais, Jr.
21. Wolfacejoeyy – “Celebration Lady”
When Wolfacejoeyy launched his undertaking Cupid, this was simply my most performed track. 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 track that quite a lot of younger folks like me can relate to. — M.M.
20. Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR – “NOKIA”
The title would possibly 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 most interesting. “NOKIA” finds Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR dialing again to their poisonous Toronto R&B period. To me, this track is a sonic mix of Nothing Was The Identical and Actually, Nevermind. — M2B
19. Central Cee & 21 Savage – “GBP”
I believed this was the proper collaboration after studying that 21 Savage was born within the UK earlier than relocating to Atlanta. This cross-continental foreign money flex reveals Central Cee using 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 Pink – “Fats, Juicy, and Moist”
I didn’t know what to anticipate from a Bruno Mars and Sexyy Pink collab, however “Fats, Juicy, and Moist” is precisely as wild because it sounds (in one of the simplest ways). 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 track 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 might be merely simple. “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 way in which 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 well certainly one of my favorites of the yr. — M.M.
15. untiljapan – “BORN2BEGREAT”
untiljapan has rapidly develop into certainly one of my favourite up-and-coming artists. His supply and circulation over hard-hitting beats by no means miss. This track is easy, inspirational, and immediately will get you hyped. — M.M.
14. Playboi Carti – “LIKE WEEZY”
This track is the proper spring/summer time anthem, with catchy flows and hard-hitting bass. The way in which Carti flows on this monitor is perhaps my favourite on MUSIC. I’ll undoubtedly be spending your complete summer time bumping this! — M.M.
13. ROB49 – “WTHELLY”
Rob49 had everybody questioning our lives in 2025. However there aren’t 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 appears like scrolling via my outdated messages at 2 a.m. Her vocals are ethereal, however weighted, like she’s singing via a fog of remorse, layered over a minimal beat that permits 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 track with a beat that arduous 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 track 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” obtained that precise therapy when Kehlani hopped on the remix. The already sultry single remodeled 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 troublesome to take it off replay. — A.B.
9.Little Simz, Michael Kiwanuka & Yussef Dayes – “Lotus”
It solely takes a couple of 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 fairly tranquil vibe that’s intriguingly disrupted by the uncooked power of Simz’ supply. Traces like, “This music sh-t, one large 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 Swap’s “I Name Your Identify”’ blended with lyrical references of Wealthy Boy and Polow Da Don’s “Throw Some D’s,” was a recipe for fulfillment. Their chemistry is magnetic, however the true magnificence lies of their lyrics. How they transfer via the beat with out ever giving the story all away. SZA’s supply is tender however laced with quiet power, and Kendrick’s verse slices via the sophisticated feelings of affection with readability and style. Collectively, they construct sonic heaven by figuring out precisely what to say, and that makes each second land more durable. The manufacturing floats, the vocals sting, and the sensation lingers. — T.M.
7.Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR – “GIMME A HUG”
“GIMME A HUG” reveals Drake doing what few can, turning emotional complexity into anthems. It’s light on the floor however brilliantly layered, with melodies that really feel like outdated recollections 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 completely different people with wildly completely different kinds, WSG updating his HEELS HAVE EYES nearer with the Swamp Princess had no enterprise being as nice as it’s. Nevertheless, Doechii was proper at dwelling whereas revisiting her increase bap roots on the remix to “EGYPT” After listening to this, I might not be mad in any respect if Westside Gunn govt 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 together 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 contemporary. The upbeat single is simply the correct quantity of candy, attractive and catchy. — A.B.
4.Clipse – “So Be It”
I’m being utterly biased right here after I say that Let God Kind ‘Em Out will probably 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 know and revel in its full breadth. Additionally, Pusha T’s degree of disdain in the direction of folks 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 a number of 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 contemporary new stability on an already lovable track. One way or the other, each singers discovered a technique 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 Lovely”
There are a number of songs from Larry, Tity and Alchemist’s Life Is Lovely undertaking 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 want some type of escapism in my life each every so often, and the three supplied a great soundtrack for that. — M.U.
1.Clipse – “Ace Trumpets”
Did you count on something completely 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 track thrice a day, on daily basis, all through my travels in Italy, and I’ve been screaming “Yellow diamonds appear to be pee-pee” any and each likelihood I get. — M.U.
