The biggest music stories in 2025 : NPR

The year 2025 was packed with significant developments in the music industry, from Puerto Rico’s influence on global music to a major criminal trial involving a hip-hop mogul. Artists used their platforms to protest, engaged in disputes with the White House over song usage, and some even achieved stardom through TikTok. In a rapidly evolving industry, musicians endeavored to release new music, engage with fans, and hold industry leaders accountable.

Here are some of the major music stories from 2025:

January

• Bad Bunny launched the year with his album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, exploring Puerto Rico’s cultural history from música jíbara to reggaeton. This concept album became a pivotal moment for his career and the Puerto Rican diaspora.
• Wildfires in Los Angeles displaced hundreds of thousands, impacting many musicians who lost homes, instruments, and studio spaces.
• Drake filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) for promoting Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” but the case was dismissed by a judge.
• Following President Trump’s immigration policies, musicians like Bells Larsen, Christian Tetzlaff, András Schiff, and Bad Bunny refused to perform in the U.S., leading to the cancellation of several festivals.

February

• Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar were the big winners at the 67th Grammy Awards, with Lamar’s “Not Like Us” dominating multiple categories.
• Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show performance was a major highlight, showcasing a powerful medley of songs.
• President Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center led to significant changes, including staffing cuts and canceled performances.

March

• Lady Gaga returned to her roots with the release of Mayhem, embracing the dark dance pop sound that made her famous.

April

• Director Ryan Coogler’s film Sinners explored cultural themes in the Mississippi Delta.
• Irish rap group Kneecap made waves at Coachella, leading to controversy and legal challenges.

May

• The trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York City captured headlines, with testimonies revealing decades of alleged misconduct.
• Taylor Swift regained ownership of her first six albums after a lengthy dispute with Scooter Braun.
• Morgan Wallen’s album I’m The Problem dominated the Billboard charts.

June

• Alex Warren’s song “Ordinary” topped the Billboard Hot 100.
• Music legends Sly Stone and Brian Wilson passed away.
• Deerhoof and other artists boycotted Spotify over CEO Daniel Ek’s defense investments.

July

• Sean Combs was acquitted of major charges but faced a mixed verdict overall.
• Oasis reunited for concerts after 16 years apart.
• Clipse released their first album in 16 years to critical acclaim.
• AI-generated music raised concerns about streaming platforms’ transparency.

August

• Bad Bunny’s residency in San Juan reached its peak, boosting the local economy.
• The soundtrack for Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters became a pop chart sensation.

September

• The FTC sued Ticketmaster and Live Nation over alleged consumer deception.
• Daniel Ek announced his resignation as Spotify CEO.
• A boycott by musicians against streaming in Israel gained momentum.
• Bad Bunny was named the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show headliner.

October

• Sean Combs was sentenced to over four years in prison for prostitution-related charges.
• Taylor Swift’s 12th album The Life of a Showgirl was released to commercial success.
• D’Angelo passed away, leaving a lasting impact on R&B.

November

• Bad Bunny won a Latin Grammy for album of the year.
• Zohran Mamdani was elected mayor of New York City.
• The Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 100th anniversary.
• Warner Music Group signed licensing deals with AI companies Suno and Udio.

December

• The Kennedy Center Honors were held with Trump hosting the ceremony, honoring KISS, Gloria Gaynor, and George Strait.