Award-winning Canadian rapper and singer Aubrey Drake Graham, known globally as Drake, has clinched the title of Apple Music's most-streamed artist for the year 2025. The announcement came as the streaming giant unveiled its annual "Replay '25" feature, offering users a personalized recap of their yearly listening habits.
Dominating the Global Charts
Apple Music confirmed Drake's top position on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, through its official Instagram account. The platform celebrated the artist, posting, "@champagnepapi is our most-streamed artist this year. Who’s your top artist? #AppleMusicReplay". This feature provides an audio-visual summary of a user's most-played songs and artists from January to December.
Drake's reign is attributed to a year filled with strategic releases and high fan engagement. His only album release in 2025 was the collaborative project $ome $exy $ongs 4 U with PartyNextDoor, which dropped in February. The album spawned popular tracks like "Nokia," "Gimme a Hug," and "Somebody Loves Me," leading to a successful joint tour across North America.
Building Anticipation for "Iceman"
Beyond the joint album, Drake has been steadily building momentum for his upcoming solo project, titled "Iceman." He has released several singles intended for the album, including "What Did I Miss?," "Which One" featuring Central Cee, and "Dog House" with Yeat and Julia Wolf.
A key element of his 2025 strategy has been the introduction of interactive livestream sessions. In these broadcasts, Drake directly engages with fans, solicits feedback, and previews unreleased music. Speaking to Complex magazine, he highlighted the value of this direct connection, stating the opportunity to interact with fans and incorporate their participation has been "amazing." He hinted that these public livestreams would likely continue as a signature element of his rollout.
While an official release date for "Iceman" remains unannounced, Drake has repeatedly suggested the album will arrive before the end of 2025, with plans for at least one more livestream event before the year closes.
Apple Music's 2025 Year-End Landscape
Apple Music's year-end data also revealed that Kendrick Lamar and SZA's 2024 collaboration "luther" maintained massive popularity, securing a spot among the platform's biggest songs of 2025. The "Top Songs of 2025" list further featured hits from a diverse range of artists including Morgan Wallen, Lady Gaga, The Weeknd, and Lil Baby, illustrating the wide spectrum of music that captivated listeners globally throughout the year.
Drake's achievement underscores his enduring global appeal and his adept use of digital platforms to maintain a direct and exciting dialogue with his massive fanbase, solidifying his position at the pinnacle of the streaming era.
