The annual release of Spotify Wrapped has once again redefined the hierarchy of the global music industry, confirming that Puerto Rican icon Bad Bunny has officially unseated Taylor Swift to become the world’s most-streamed artist of 2025. According to data released by the streaming giant, the artist—born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio—accrued a staggering 19.8 billion streams over the past twelve months. This marks a historic fourth year at the summit for the singer, following his previous hat-trick of victories between 2020 and 2022.
The catalyst for this renewed dominance was the January release of his culturally resonant album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (DtMF). Described by critics as a love letter to Caribbean musical heritage, the record deftly weaves traditional Puerto Rican rhythms with modern trap and reggaeton. Not only did the album secure the top spot globally, but its success has also served as a springboard for the artist’s next major career milestone: headlining the 2026 Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show in Santa Clara, California.
A Year of Surprises in the Global Charts
While the top of the artist chart remained a battle between established titans, the album rankings featured a significant upset. The soundtrack to the Netflix animated feature K-Pop: Demon Hunters emerged as the second most-streamed album worldwide. This project, which features the fictional group HUNTR/X, outperformed major studio releases from Western pop giants, signalling a shift in how cinematic and digital media influence global listening habits.
The following table provides a definitive breakdown of the tracks and artists that soundtracked the year 2025:
Spotify Global Year-End Statistics 2025
| Rank | Artist Category | Global Album Category | Global Song Category |
| 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 | “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) |
From Supermarket Bagger to Global Ambassador
The rise of Bad Bunny remains one of the most remarkable stories in contemporary entertainment. From his humble beginnings in Vega Baja, where he worked as a grocery bagger while uploading tracks to SoundCloud, he has transformed into a multi-hyphenate star with significant acting credits in Bullet Train and Narcos: Mexico. His music is frequently lauded for its social conscience, often tackling heavy themes such as political corruption and gender equality, which has helped him maintain a deep, loyal connection with the Spanish-speaking diaspora.
Despite Taylor Swift’s continued dominance in the UK and US domestic markets, Bad Bunny’s global reach remains unparalleled. His 2025 success is more than a personal victory; it represents the definitive arrival of Latin music at the very centre of the global pop-cultural conversation. As he prepares for the Super Bowl stage, the artist continues to break the “language barrier,” proving that rhythmic innovation and authentic storytelling are truly universal.