2025 continues to surprise the music world — it’s no place for boring repeats and clichés. Bold genres and artists are rapidly grabbing millions of listeners worldwide and climbing chart peaks. Which musical directions lead globally? Who are the artists catching critics’ and fans’ eyes? Let’s find out together!
Top Fast-Growing Genres of 2025
- Pluggnb — a unique fusion of trap plugg with smooth ’90s R&B and gospel harmonies. The fastest-growing genre on Splice with downloads soaring by 342.8% in 2024. Key artists: Summrs, Autumn!.
- Hyperpop — energetic, noisy pop with bright electronic elements and autotuned vocals. Leading names: 100 Gecs, SOPHIE.
- Afrobeats — West African beats with contagious grooves conquering the world. Stars: Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tyla.
- Shoegaze — dreamy, layered guitar sounds with soft vocals, a revival of alternative rock. Artists: My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive.
- Synthwave — ’80s nostalgia meets modern electronic with a futuristic vibe. The Midnight, Kavinsky headline the genre.
- Jersey Club — high-energy hip-hop and house fusion quickly dominating Berlin’s club scene. Performers: UNIIQU3, Cookiee Kawaii.
- Rage — aggressive and experimental hip-hop style emerging strongly. Notables: JELEEL!, YoungBoy Never Broke Again.
Global Ranking of Popular Genres in 2025 (According to Splice, MIDiA Research)
| Rank | Genre | Characteristics | Key Artists | Download Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pluggnb | Fusion of trap plugg + R&B | Summrs, Autumn! | +342.8 |
| 2 | Hyperpop | Energetic, electronic pop | 100 Gecs, SOPHIE | Rapid growth |
| 3 | Afrobeats | Rhythmic West African grooves | Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tyla | Steady growth |
| 4 | Jersey Club | Hip-hop + house energetic mix | UNIIQU3, Cookiee Kawaii | Fast growth |
| 5 | Rage | Aggressive experimental hip-hop | JELEEL!, YoungBoy NBA | Significant growth |
| 6 | Shoegaze | Dreamy, multilayered guitar sounds | My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive | Growing interest |
| 7 | Synthwave | ’80s retro-futuristic electronic | The Midnight, Kavinsky | Moderate growth |
| 8 | Neo-Soul | Mix of classic and modern soul | Erykah Badu, D’Angelo | Stable growth |
Artists to Listen to Now
- Summrs — leading pluggnb artist with TikTok viral tracks and US chart success.
- Burna Boy — Afrobeats star whose hits resonate worldwide.
- 100 Gecs — hyperpop innovators shaping Gen Z’s music.
- UNIIQU3 — standout name in jersey club genre.
- JELEEL! — rage hip-hop pioneer.
Why Are These Genres and Artists Rising?
- Social media and TikTok fuel viral hits quickly, exposing unusual genres and new faces.
- Hybrid and experimental music is breaking genre boundaries, blending diverse cultural elements.
- Local scenes gain global recognition due to digital platforms connecting audiences worldwide.
- Production technologies make unique sounds and creative effects more accessible than ever.
The music industry in 2025 is a bold playground of experimentation and cultural fusion. Fast-growing genres like pluggnb, hyperpop, and jersey club prove that listeners crave new sonic horizons and embrace unconventional music. Predicting the next chart-topper is tough, but one thing is clear: the future of music lies in genre blends and daring innovators.