Monday, 6th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 24th December 2025, 10:55 PM
The annual unveiling of Spotify Wrapped has once again sent shockwaves through the music industry, confirming that the Puerto Rican sensation Bad Bunny has officially reclaimed his throne as the world’s most-streamed artist. In a staggering display of cultural dominance, the singer amassed over 19.8 billion streams throughout 2025, marking the fourth time he has secured the top global spot—a feat previously achieved in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The cornerstone of this success was his sixth studio album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (stylised as DtMF), released on 5 January 2025. The record is a profound exploration of Caribbean musical heritage, blending reggaeton with salsa and plena. It was crowned the most-streamed album globally for the year, propelled by hits like “Baile Inolvidable” and “Nueva Yol”. This historic run has effectively paved the way for his next major milestone: headlining the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show in February 2026.
While Bad Bunny dominated the artist and album charts, the year was also marked by the unprecedented success of visual media soundtracks. Most notably, the original soundtrack for the Netflix animated musical K-Pop: Demon Hunters secured the second position on the global album chart. This project, featuring the fictional groups HUNTR/X and Saja Boys, managed to outperform major releases from established pop giants, illustrating the massive global appetite for K-pop aesthetics and storytelling.
The following table outlines the top performers that defined the listening habits of over 600 million users worldwide this year:
| Rank | Top Global Artists | Top Global Albums | Top Global Songs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bad Bunny | DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (Bad Bunny) | “Die With A Smile” (Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars) |
| 2 | Taylor Swift | K-Pop: Demon Hunters OST (Cast) | “Birds of a Feather” (Billie Eilish) |
| 3 | The Weeknd | Hit Me Hard and Soft (Billie Eilish) | “APT.” (ROSÉ & Bruno Mars) |
| 4 | Drake | SOS Deluxe: Lana (SZA) | “Ordinary” (Alex Warren) |
| 5 | Billie Eilish | Short n’ Sweet (Sabrina Carpenter) | “DtMF” (Bad Bunny) |
Born on 10 March 1994, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny (born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) has transitioned from a supermarket bagger to a global icon. His music often serves as a vehicle for social commentary, addressing issues ranging from gender-based violence to the political climate in his homeland. His influence now extends far beyond the recording studio; in 2025, he continued to expand his cinematic portfolio with roles in major projects, following his appearances in Bullet Train and Narcos: Mexico.
Despite the fierce competition from Taylor Swift, who remained the top artist in the United Kingdom and the United States, Bad Bunny’s ability to mobilise the global Spanish-speaking diaspora and cross over into non-Spanish markets remains unparalleled. His 2025 triumph is not merely a statistical victory but a testament to the enduring power of Latin music on the world stage.
Comments