It’s the song that wouldn’t fade away—and now it’s officially conquered the world. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ viral smash hit “APT.” didn’t just dominate playlists; it climbed straight to the top of Apple Music’s global song chart for 2025. The streaming giant unveiled its highly anticipated year-end lists this week, giving users a deep dive into what they—and the world—couldn’t stop listening to all year long.
“APT.” marks a milestone for both artists: it’s their first time ever snagging the No. 1 spot on Apple Music’s annual global chart. And they’re in good company. Coming in second is the powerhouse collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and SZA with “Luther.” Bruno Mars makes yet another appearance—this time with Lady Gaga on “Die With a Smile,” landing at No. 3. Kendrick pops up again at No. 4 with “Not Like Us,” a track that already topped the 2024 list. Rounding out the top five is Billie Eilish’s hauntingly beautiful “Birds of a Feather.”
But here’s where things get interesting: Lamar’s influence this year is massive. His album GNX not only captivated fans but placed five tracks within the top 25. The man isn’t just releasing songs; he’s shaping the sound of the moment.
Another standout stat—of the 100 tracks listed, 36 are by female artists. That’s a slight dip from last year’s record-breaking 39, but there’s a silver lining: seven of the Top 10 tracks either feature or are headlined by women, more than double the count from 2024. Could this signal a stronger year ahead for women in pop?
A massive year for “APT.”
“APT.” didn’t stop with one headline accolade. The Rosé–Mars collaboration swept several other end-of-year Apple Music charts as well: No. 1 on the Shazam Global Radio Spins, the Top 100: Global Radio chart (tracking songs most played on international radio), and even Apple’s most-read lyrics list. Clearly, listeners weren’t just streaming—they were singing along.
Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s co-head, summed it up perfectly: “The phenomenal global success of Rosé and Bruno Mars’ ‘APT.’ is a powerful reminder that great music knows no borders.” And isn’t that the beauty of digital music today? A hit born in one corner of the world can catch fire everywhere else almost overnight.
Replay vs. Wrapped: Apple’s friendly rivalry with Spotify
Apple’s end-of-year celebration doesn’t stop with the charts. Their Replay experience—Apple’s answer to Spotify’s Wrapped—also went live this week. Replay gives subscribers a data-rich way to relive their listening habits, from their most-streamed songs to the total minutes they’ve spent immersed in music. Fun categories like “Discovery” (new artists you found), “Loyalty” (those you can’t stop listening to), and “Comebacks” (musicians who made it back into your rotation) make it interactive and personal.
Even artists can peek behind the curtain. Musicians get to view their yearly growth, tracking listener increases and engagement patterns—a nice performance snapshot heading into the next creative cycle.
Tyler, the Creator: Apple Music’s Artist of the Year
And then there’s Tyler, the Creator—Apple Music’s choice for 2025 Artist of the Year. The genre-bending rapper continued his reign a year after his critically lauded album Chromakopia dropped. Tyler racked up a remarkable 4.5 billion minutes of listening time between November 2024 and October 2025.
Zane Lowe, Apple Music’s global creative director, praised Tyler’s boundless imagination: “Tyler continues to prove that anything is possible. His creative risk-taking is only matched by the care he takes to present it. He’s inspiring now, and he’ll keep inspiring generations to come.”
But here’s the question that gets fans talking: With the success of “APT.,” the global reach of artists like SZA and Kendrick, and Tyler’s artistic evolution—are we entering a new golden era for musical collaboration and boundary-pushing creativity? Or are algorithms shaping what becomes ‘the sound’ more than the artists themselves?
Drop your thoughts below—does this year’s Apple Replay reflect genuine artistry, or is it proof that viral culture now runs the charts?
