Early in the year, it became clear that 2025 was going to be an epic year for music. From breakthrough artists to songs that took over every playlist, this year had some undeniable hits.
We experienced both fan favorites like Bad Bunny with “DtMF” and superstars in the making like KATSEYE dominating charts with “Gnarly.” These were more than just songs; they started movements in the media and became global tracks. And on top of global tracks from some of our favorite artists, we also got collaborations that truly proved that nothing was off limits this year.
As social media platforms like TikTok continued to spearhead what was popular on the music charts and streaming platforms, it allowed artists to widen the reach of their songs and audience. And these next 25 songs weren’t just global takeovers; they connected communities and truly captured moments throughout the year.
1. “Ordinary”- Alex Warren
Alex Warren gave us some of one of the best love songs of the year, including “Ordinary.” The TikTok star-turned-artist is paving the way in the pipeline with his song charting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for weeks.
2. “Gnarly”- KATSEYE
This new girl group took the world by storm this year, earning them a nomination for best new artist at the 2026 Grammys. “Gnarly” stormed TikTok with trend after trend with artists big and small all coming to participate and sing along, from Joe Jonas to Camila Cabello.
3. “TIT FOR TAT”- Tate McRae
She’s kept her fans fed with new music this year with her sultry and catchy songs. “TIT FOR TAT” became a dance trend on TikTok, and peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This was arguably the biggest year of her career to date with not only an arena tour for her newest album So Close To What but a Grammy nomination, as well.
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4. “Folded” – Kehlani
Kehlani gave us one of the best R&B songs of the year with “Folded,” earning her first single in the Top 10 on the Billboard charts. “Folded” peaked at #7 and was not her only song the Billboard Charts; she also had breakthrough features like on Cardi B‘s “Safe”.
5. “DtMF” – Bad Bunny
This song did more than chart on the Billboard Hot 100 for weeks. It was a cultural movement celebrating life and Latin culture to its root that was heard globally in the media and at his Puerto Rican Residency.
6. “Pretty Promises” – Kali Uchis ft. Mariah The Scientist
Another unexpected but amazing collaboration this year came from Kali Uchis and Mariah The Scientist. The duo gave pop and R&B fans one of the best collaborations of the year with “Pretty Promises” peaking at #2 on the Billboard 200 charts.
7. “Go Girl”- Summer Walker (with Latto & Doja Cat)
The hip-hop and R&B queens seemingly carried the torch this year. With these three women each releasing their own projects and songs this year that held titles on their own, they still made time to release unexpected and incredible collaborations with each other.
8. “Manchild” – Sabrina Carpenter
The pop princess of 2024 came back for her crown in 2025 with “Man Child” becoming a fan favorite and a dance trend on TikTok. This was the first single off her newest album Man’s Best Friend, released in conjunction with her Short n’ Sweet Tour.
9. “Nobody New”- The Marías
The Marías finally had their much anticipated mainstream breakthrough this year. The band was nominated for best new artist for the 2026 Grammys and “Nobody New” was one of the biggest indie/alternative songs to trend on TikTok.
10. “Golden”- HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI, KPop Demon Hunters Cast
From the wildly successful K-Pop Demon Hunters on Netflix, “Golden” broke records to become the first K-Pop female act to top the Billboard Hot 100 charts. It even holds the title of #1 soundtrack debut of the year.
11. “LATINA FOREVA”- Karol G
Karol G gave Latina fans their summer anthem with a song that culturally moved Latin communities to embrace and celebrate themselves. The song also broke into the Billboard Hot 100, gearing everyone up for her headlining performance at Coachella next year.
12. “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”- Raye
Raye has mastered the art of teasing a song on socials, leaving everyone in frenzy when she released “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” The audio tease alone, featuring the song’s quick lyrics, was enough to trend on TikTok. It now stands with over 100K videos attached on the platform.
13. “Man I Need”- Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean is another breakthrough artist of 2025 who earned herself a Best New Artist Nomination for the 2026 Grammys. “Man I Need” peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most viral songs on TikTok with over a million videos attached to the audio.
14. “Abracadabra”- Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga started the year off strong releasing “Abracadabra” following the huge success of her collaboration with Bruno Mars on “Die With A Smile” the year before. The song also peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
15. “Latency”- Lexa Gates
Lexa Gates has been one of the artists this year to understand that by building a community online, she can broaden the reach of her music. She’s been on a roll releasing single after single in 2025, with one of the standouts being “Latency.”
16. “back to friends”- sombr
This is another gut-wrenching song that was a TikTok favorite, with close to a million videos attached to the sound. It also peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a contributor to sombr’s nomination for Best New Artist for the 2026 Grammys.
17. “DAISIES”- Justin Bieber
Justin shocked fans by dropping multiple projects this summer with no warning or rollout. This was one of biggest songs off Bieber’s 2025 projects, with “DAISIES” peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying on the charts for over a month this summer.
18. “The Subway”- Chappell Roan
The breakout pop star of 2024 released a couple songs this year, one of them being the emotionally charged single “The Subway.” She showed her musical versatility while also topping the charts with this single.
19. “Lover Girl”- Laufey
Laufey has truly been one of the major artists to blend genres in mainstream music, mixing jazz and bossanova sounds that consistently trend on TikTok. Laufey created her own lane in mainstream music and it’s a big reason why her music stands out against its pop counterparts this year.
20. “What I Want”- Morgan Wallen ft. Tate McRae
Morgan Wallen also set the bar high for collaborations this year, blending country and pop by collaborating with Tate McRae. This landed them a #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 this year.
21. “Anxiety”- Doechii
Following the big year Doechii had in 2024, she listened to the demand of fans on TikTok to release “Anxiety.” It held one of the biggest dance trends on the app this year with stars like Will Smith, Tia Mowry, and more joining the trend with over 4 million videos attached to her song.
22. “Fame is a Gun”- Addison Rae
Addison Raeis living proof of the importance of nurturing a community online when making music. She’s a TikToker-turned-artist, having gotten her first Grammy nomination this year for Best New Artist. “Fame is a Gun” was also a fast-trending song on TikTok with over 100K videos attached to it and breaking into the Billboard Hot 100.
23. “I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone” – Reneé Rapp
Reneé Rapp is another artist to have a strong connection with fans online. Her song “I Think I Like You Better When You’re Gone” had over 200K videos attached to it on TikTok and was inspired by her live concert performance of the song.
24. “MUTT (CB Remix)”- Leon Thomas
Following the success of Mutt, which bled into this year, Leon Thomas gave R&B fans a unexpected remix with Chris Brown. He’s had a huge year, earning himself six Grammy Nominations at the 2026 Annual Grammy Awards, one of which is Best New Artist.
25. “JUMP”- BLACKPINK
BLACKPINK had their musical comeback this summer with “JUMP.” After most of the members successfully pursued their individual projects, they released their first single as a group in nearly two years. “JUMP” was #1 on the Billboard Global 200 charts.
