Additional reporting from Okayplayer staff.
This year has been, well, a masterclass in chaos. There’s a government running amok with an all-out assault on both personal freedoms and international affairs, the cost of living is higher than giraffe throats, and society is about three degrees of separation away from another world war…
But, hey, at least there’s Love Island and music, right?
With the first half of 2025 in the books, the staff here at Okayplayer got together to discuss (read: mostly argue about) their picks for the 25 best songs of 2025 so far. From viral hits to slow burners, genre-benders to straight-up anthems, this list reflects the sounds that moved us, challenged us, and stayed on repeat… whether we wanted them to or not.
25. Lil Wayne & Nicki Minaj – “Banned From NO”
“Banned From NO” feels like a homecoming and a temperature check all at once. Lil Wayne taps into his New Orleans roots with a militant bounce-laden beat, while Nicki Minaj slides in with a razor-edged verse that is equal parts brash and witty with eyebrow-raising wordplay. The track reminds everyone why their chemistry is still untouchable, and I had to run it back a few times to unpack all the bars. It’s Carter and Barbie in full form. — miss2bees
24. PLUTO – “WHIM WHAMIEE”
PLUTO’s debut has taken over the airwaves and timelines. If we’re having a conversation about virality, PLUTO is in it! The track never sits still; it shapeshifts, morphs, and evolves in real time, keeping the listener in a state of awe. PLUTO’s delivery is wild yet intentional, dancing between vocal effects, flows, and cadences like a magician pulling infinite tricks from one hat. Every choice feels fresh, every sound feels like something you’ve never heard but immediately need again. It’s creative and it’s fearless. — Taylor McGee
23. Playboi Carti – “Evil J0rdan”
Off his latest album, MUSIC, Carti controls perception by embracing minimalism and mystery, creating a vibe that feels both anarchic and intentional. The distorted flows, eerie ambiance, and unpredictable pockets make it feel like he’s not rapping at the beat, he’s bending it around him. Every second is curated chaos, and somehow, it all clicks. Carti has been establishing the tempo for the culture while staying miles ahead in the shadows. “Evil J0rdan” is proof that Carti’s influence is here to stay. — T.M.
22. Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR – “CN Tower”
This track was undeniably one of the standout moments on $ome $exy $ongs 4 U. It opens with a smooth, vibey beat that seamlessly transitions into a beat switch featuring a sample from Lil Wayne. Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR deliver standout verses that elevate the song, making it a highlight of the project. — Michael Mais, Jr.
21. Wolfacejoeyy – “Party Girl”
When Wolfacejoeyy released his project Cupid, this was easily my most played song. The track pulses with bouncy production and clever bars, capturing the highs and lows of chasing connection in a late-night world of fast thrills and fleeting romance — a song that a lot of young people like me can relate to. — M.M.
20. Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR – “NOKIA”
The title might reference a throwback phone, but the emotional signal is all too current. It’s petty, poetic, and premium sadboy fare from two of OVO’s finest. “NOKIA” finds Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR dialing back to their toxic Toronto R&B era. To me, this song is a sonic blend of Nothing Was The Same and Honestly, Nevermind. — M2B
19. Central Cee & 21 Savage – “GBP”
I thought this was the perfect collaboration after learning that 21 Savage was born in the UK before relocating to Atlanta. This cross-continental currency flex shows Central Cee riding the minimalist UK drill production with effortless cool. While 21 drops in with cold precision, proving once again that less is more when the delivery is this lethal. — M2B
18. Bruno Mars & Sexyy Red – “Fat, Juicy, and Wet”
I didn’t know what to expect from a Bruno Mars and Sexyy Red collab, but “Fat, Juicy, and Wet” is exactly as wild as it sounds (in the best way). Bruno’s in full funk mode, while Sexyy slides in with hilarious, unfiltered bars that somehow fit perfectly. It’s raunchy, ridiculous, and way too catchy for a song this nasty. — M2B
17.Tyla & Sean Paul – “PUSH 2 START (Remix)”
As Tyla’s stardom continues to blossom, she has proven that she cannot be boxed within just one genre. The fluidity of her decisions to fuse many genres like pop, R&B, amapiano and Afrobeats together allow her to deliver songs that are simply undeniable. “PUSH 2 START” was already addicting on its own but a remix with Dancehall legend Sean Paul took it up a notch, setting it up perfectly to be a summer hit. — Adrienne Black
16. Puddah & Sharp – “You Trying, or Leaving?”
The way Puddah raps over the jazz-esque beat literally scratches an itch in my brain. The catchy chorus is so infectious, it instantly gets stuck in my head every time I hear it. The outro is easily one of my favorites of the year. — M.M.
15. untiljapan – “BORN2BEGREAT”
untiljapan has quickly become one of my favorite up-and-coming artists. His delivery and flow over hard-hitting beats never miss. This song is smooth, inspirational, and instantly gets you hyped. — M.M.
14. Playboi Carti – “LIKE WEEZY”
This song is the perfect spring/summer anthem, with catchy flows and hard-hitting bass. The way Carti flows on this track might be my favorite on MUSIC. I’ll definitely be spending the entire summer bumping this! — M.M.
13. ROB49 – “WTHELLY”
Rob49 had everyone questioning our lives in 2025. But there are no questions needed for this placement. Over 7.9M views on YouTube. With over 30M+ sound placements on TikTok. Rob49 keeps every bar locked in like it’s a play he already ran in his head 20 times. He’s mastered the art of making simplistic dominance feel effortless. “WTHELLY” doesn’t scream for approval; it earns it by showing what confidence, precision, and creativity sound like when perfectly aligned. — T.M.
12. SAILORR – “DOWN BAD”
SAILORR turns heartbreak into high art on “DOWN BAD,” a woozy, lo-fi confession that feels like scrolling through my old messages at 2 a.m. Her vocals are airy, but weighted, like she’s singing through a fog of regret, layered over a minimal beat that allows every lyric to breathe. SAILORR may be down bad, but she’s in full command. — M2B
11.YG – “2004”
I wasn’t expecting a song with a beat that hard to take that sharp a left turn after the first 22 seconds; I was ready to start walking in my office, and I ended up wanting to hug the brother after the song ended. A topic like that doesn’t get discussed both often and publicly, so kudos to YG being brave enough to attempt to shift that narrative. — Meka Udoh
10. kwn & Kehlani – “worst behaviour”
Some songs feel like a prompt just begging for a response and kwn’s “worst behaviour” got that exact treatment when Kehlani hopped on the remix. The already sultry single transformed from a playful letter of admiration to an intimate duet between possible lovers. On its own, “worst behaviour” is more than enough to perk your ears up but the remix makes it difficult to take it off replay. — A.B.
9.Little Simz, Michael Kiwanuka & Yussef Dayes – “Lotus”
It only takes a few moments to hear that Little Simz returned with something to prove on her latest album Lotus. On the title track, Michael Kiwanuka and Yussef Dayes create a rather tranquil vibe that is intriguingly disrupted by the raw energy of Simz’ delivery. Lines like, “This music sh-t, one big game / I’m playing chess” make it clear that she’s both aware of the tricks of the industry and always a step ahead. — A.B.
8.SZA & Kendrick Lamar – “30 for 30”
SZA and Kendrick Lamar dominated this years charts! The melodic sampling of Switch’s “I Call Your Name”’ mixed with lyrical references of Rich Boy and Polow Da Don’s “Throw Some D’s,” was a recipe for success. Their chemistry is magnetic, but the real beauty lies in their lyrics. How they move through the beat without ever giving the story all away. SZA’s delivery is tender but laced with quiet strength, and Kendrick’s verse slices through the complicated emotions of love with clarity and grace. Together, they build sonic heaven by knowing exactly what to say, and that makes every moment land harder. The production floats, the vocals sting, and the feeling lingers. — T.M.
7.Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR – “GIMME A HUG”
“GIMME A HUG” shows Drake doing what few can, turning emotional complexity into anthems. It’s gentle on the surface but brilliantly layered, with melodies that feel like old memories and lyrics that balance softness and sharp wit. The dual parallel themes of sampling Aaron Hall’s “I Miss You” ties nostalgia to emotional reckoning, allowing Drake to mourn and flex in the same breath. It’s a moment where vulnerability becomes currency, and no one spends it smoother than him. — T.M.
6.Westside Gunn & Doechii – “EGYPT (Remix)”
For two very different individuals with wildly different styles, WSG updating his HEELS HAVE EYES closer with the Swamp Princess had no business being as great as it is. However, Doechii was right at home while revisiting her boom bap roots on the remix to “EGYPT” After hearing this, I would not be mad at all if Westside Gunn executive produced Doechii’s next album. — M.U.
5.Destin Conrad – “KISSING IN PUBLIC”
Following multiple singles and EPs, Destin Conrad properly re-introduced himself with his debut album, LOVE ON DIGITAL. The album’s lead single, “KISSING IN PUBLIC,” simultaneously delivers a nostalgic 2000s R&B vibe while still feeling fresh. The upbeat single is just the right amount of sweet, sexy and catchy. — A.B.
4.Clipse – “So Be It”
I’m being completely biased here when I say that Let God Sort ‘Em Out will likely be my most played album of 2025. The rollout has been immaculate, and the songs have felt like high-end pieces of artwork that one must savor to understand and enjoy its full breadth. Also, Pusha T’s level of disdain towards people he does not like is the level of petty I strive for in my life. — M.U.
3.Leon Thomas & Chris Brown – “MUTT (CB Remix)”
It’s been nearly a year since Leon Thomas first released his now Billboard-charting single, “MUTT.” Since its release, the single has received a remix with Freddie Gibbs and several alt-versions including acoustic, sped up, and official OG Ron C chopped and screwed stamp. The deluxe album gave us one last “CB Remix” with Chris Brown, which creates a fresh new balance on an already lovable song. Somehow, both singers found a way to make their trust issues sound so good. But most importantly, the lasting power of “MUTT” has proven that Leon Thomas is here to stay. — A.B.
2.Larry June, 2 Chainz, The Alchemist – “Life Is Beautiful”
There are several songs from Larry, Tity and Alchemist’s Life Is Beautiful project that I enjoyed, but I went with the title track because the production makes me feel like I’m staring out into the ocean while eating mangoes, while dressed in the softest cottons and linens, while taking care of my bonsai tree. In a world that has been just stuck in turmoil since 2016, I need some form of escapism in my life every once in a while, and the three provided an ideal soundtrack for that. — M.U.
1.Clipse – “Ace Trumpets”
Did you expect anything different? If there were a more perfect way for my favorite rap group of all time to return, I would like to see that happen. I played this song three times a day, every day, throughout my travels in Italy, and I have been screaming “Yellow diamonds look like pee-pee” any and every chance I get. — M.U.
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