Hip-hop heavyweight Drake has once again cemented his status as a streaming titan, breaking his own record for the most annual Spotify streams by a rapper in 2025. The Canadian superstar's catalogue amassed a staggering over 17.6 billion streams on the platform this year, slightly edging out the previous benchmark he set back in 2023.
Strategic Moves and Viral Hits: How Drake Dominated 2025
Coming off a highly publicized conflict with fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar in 2024, all eyes were on Drake to see how he would respond commercially. His comeback strategy was calculated and effective. His first major play was the Valentine's Day release of a joint album with longtime collaborator PartyNextDoor, titled '$ome $exy $ongs 4 U.'
The 21-track project, which fused R&B and Hip Hop, was supported by themed marketing campaigns across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It spawned the viral dance anthem 'Nokia,' which became one of the definitive songs of the summer and has alone racked up more than 500 million streams on Spotify.
Drake didn't stop there. He kept momentum high with a series of strategic single releases, including 'What Did I Miss,' 'Which One' featuring UK's Central Cee, and 'Dog House' with Julia Wolf and Yeat. All this activity served as a prelude to his rumoured upcoming album, 'Ice Man.'
A King in the Streaming Era: Global and US Rankings
The combination of his new 2025 releases and his immense back catalogue propelled Drake to remarkable heights on the global streaming charts. He finished the year as the fourth most-streamed artist globally on Spotify and secured the position of the second most-streamed artist in the United States on the platform.
This latest achievement is just one entry in Drake's extensive record book. He is already the most-streamed artist of all time on Spotify. The platform has been instrumental to his dominance, with 24 of his songs surpassing 1 billion streams each, a count second only to fellow Canadian The Weeknd, who has 29.
Beyond Streaming: A Legacy of Commercial Dominance
Drake's record-breaking year on Spotify is a testament to his unparalleled longevity and ability to evolve. His success spans nearly two decades, during which he has seamlessly incorporated sounds from Afrobeats, Dancehall, Reggaeton, and Grime into his music, resonating with audiences across continents.
His commercial milestones are historic. He is the first artist ever to achieve 500 million RIAA certification units and holds the record for the most RIAA Diamond certifications with 15. In the United States, his 13 No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 tie him with the legendary Michael Jackson for the most by a male solo artist.
Even after a year of intense scrutiny, Drake's hit-making prowess remained undeniable, also earning him the top spot on Apple Music in 2025. For an artist who consistently adds to one of the most valuable catalogues in the streaming era, the question isn't if he will break more records, but when. Given his relentless output, it's highly possible he could surpass his own Spotify streaming record once again in 2026.
