2024 proved to be a triumphant year for music, packed with larger-than-life moments that captivated global audiences and set the stage for the year ahead. The rap beef heard around the world ignited debates across social media, rekindling hip-hop’s unfiltered spirit. Rising stars like Doechii and Samara Cyn dazzled with their innovative flows, while a wave of country hits bridged genres and dominated the charts. Every shift in 2024 laid the foundation for what promises to be an unforgettable 2025 music scene.
Some artists, riding high off their monumental 2024, are poised to extend their hot streaks well into the new year. From festival headliners to major endorsement deals, some acts are already staking their claim on 2025. Others, however, have remained unusually quiet, dropping cryptic teasers and sporadic snippets that only heighten anticipation. Together, these artists—veterans and newcomers alike—are primed to make the coming year even more dynamic than the last.
Here’s a look at some of the artists poised for a massive 2025.
Doechii Powers Ahead with GRAMMY Nods and Debut Album
In the final stretch of 2024, Doechii cemented herself as rap’s most talked-about female artist. After years of cultivating a die-hard fanbase, her debut mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal proved a masterstroke, earning her four GRAMMY nominations, including Best New Artist and Best Rap Album. She capped the year with standout performances on Genius, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and NPR’s Tiny Desk. Teasing a full-length debut album in 2025, Doechii seems poised to continue the momentum that made her a breakout star in 2024.
Samara Cyn: Rap’s Versatile Rising Star
Samara Cyn made waves in 2024 with her debut project, The Drive Home. Known for her sharp lyrics and adaptive style, she turned heads with her feature on Amelia Moore’s “See Through,” alongside Coco Jones. Tracks like “Rolling Stones” and “Sinner” showcase her knack for crafting visuals with replay value, setting her apart as an artist to watch. With her debut EP earning critical praise, it’s only a matter of time before a Samara Cyn feature becomes a coveted commodity.
Playboi Carti Reinvents Himself with ‘Deep Voice’ and I Am Music
Playboi Carti has been teasing his long-awaited album I Am Music since 2021, and 2024 saw a pivotal shift with the introduction of his “deep voice” style—a stark departure from the high-pitched “baby voice” that defined his early work. The transformation has reignited curiosity about his evolving sound, with teased tracks leaning toward trap and drill. If I Am Music delivers on its promise, Carti could spearhead an entirely new chapter in his career.
Olympia Vitalis: A Soulful Newcomer on the Rise
West London’s Olympia Vitalis enchanted audiences in 2024 with her COLORS performance of “The Rush,” a poignant ode to marginalized communities. The year also saw her playing nearly 30 shows, earning an AIM Award nomination, and drawing comparisons to legends like Nai Palm and Nina Simone. With her debut project set for 2025, Vitalis is poised to become one of the most exciting voices in modern soul.
SZA and Kendrick Lamar Dominate with New Music and Stadium Tour
SZA and Kendrick Lamar continue their reign as music’s dynamic duo. In 2024, SZA’s LANA, an extended version of SOS, returned to the Billboard 200’s top spot, while Kendrick dropped “Not Like Us” and GNX, both critically and commercially acclaimed. The pair will kick off their Grand National stadium tour in spring 2025, fueling speculation about a joint project. With GRAMMY nominations under their belts and undeniable sonic chemistry, SZA and Kendrick are poised for another blockbuster year.
Amaarae Returns with Her Third Studio Album
It’s hard to believe that Amaarae’s Fountain Baby came out almost 2 years ago. The Alt-Afro-R&B artist has become a fan favorite with deep cuts resurfacing across social media trends on TikTok and Instagram. She also expanded her audience space by opening for Sabrina Carpenter on her Short ‘N Sweet Tour which was highly successful. She’s laid relatively low beside a lightly promoted Fountain Baby re-release. That only leads fans and supporters to believe she’s cooking something entirely brand new. None of her projects follow the same formula so fans are excited to see what she does with this new project. Her visibility has also increased in her last album and will likely create more unique opportunities for her to share her music.
The Weeknd Closes His Trilogy and Hints at a New Era
There was a time when hits like “Blinding Lights” and “Save Your Tears” from his After Hours album were dominating the airwaves in 2020 and the Weeknd was at every award show cementing his hits into the minds of the globe. Now 5 years later, with a stadium tour, and a follow-up album, Dawn FM, The Weeknd is set to release Hurry Up Tomorrow, the final act in his After Hours/Dawn FM trilogy. He’s released three singles that have been moderately successful, “Dancing in the Flames” “Timeless” (with Playboi Carti), and “São Paulo” (with Anitta). While the tracks have been generally well received, the promotion around these tracks and its parent album have been rather soft, leading many to believe there is more on the way from The Weeknd. The Weeknd has also teased that this may be his last album under his moniker and future music releases would be under his birth name, Abel Tesfaye, signaling a new chapter for the multi-hyphenate.
Summer Walker Caps Her Trilogy and Finally Tours
When Summer Walker announces a new music release, the world stops and eagerly awaits what she has to offer. Summer Walker has announced the third and final installment of her studio album trilogy with Finally Over It. Her debut album Over It and sophomore album Still Over It still have legs on the chart, showcasing how they have resonated with fans. She launched the lead single “Heart of a Woman” (her first since 2021), which has steadily risen on the streaming and radio charts. With each release, Summer delivers vocals, visuals and honesty in its rawest form. Fans hope that the new era brings her long-awaited world tour that Summer typically shied away from for many years.
A$AP Rocky: Don’t Be Dumb
A$AP Rocky is a father, a fashion designer, an actor but above all else, a dynamite rapper. While he promotes his fashion line AGWE, he continues to tease his new studio album Don’t Be Dumb. His fourth album would follow 2018’s Testing adding to the anticipation around new music from Rocky. A lot of his life has changed since his last album, so the growth is expected to be substantial, lyrically and visually.
Honorable Mentions:
- Shaboozey
- PinkPantheress
- Beyonce
- Nemzzz
