Whether it’s food, the halftime show, commercials or betting opportunities, Super Bowl parties offer something for everyone. This year, Americans are projected to legally wager a record $1.76 billion on Super Bowl 60, according to the American Gaming Association. That is up 27% from last year, continuing the growing enthusiasm around legal sports betting. One common game partygoers can find at these gatherings is Super Bowl squares. The no-skill, social betting game involves players selecting available squares on an empty 10-by-10 grid, with numbers zero to nine randomly assigned. The game gives attendees, even those with no football knowledge, something to engage with throughout the game. But is winning the game all about strategy or just luck? According to one expert, it’s all about luck. “When the columns and rows are assigned randomly, you really want the odds to be in your favor,” said Tim Chartier, a Davidson College professor of mathematics and computer science.How Super Bowl squares worksTypically, Super Bowl squares numbers are assigned after players select their squares, with each team assigned either a row or a column on the grid. At the end of each quarter, or sometimes just at the end of the game, players look at the last digit of each team’s score. The square with the matching row and column wins.Chartier specializes in data and sports analytics and has worked with teams in the NBA, NFL and NASCAR. He has also analyzed the odds of winning lottery games such as the Powerball jackpot and Mega Millions.The Get the Facts Data Team and Chartier analyzed all previous Super Bowl final scores, along with nearly 7,000 NFL games since 2000, to determine which score-ending combinations are most and least common. Here is what the analysis found.Out of all 59 Super Bowl final scores, the data team found the most common final score combination was 7-4, appearing five times. These final scores were: 7-14, 7-24, 37-24, 7-34 and 17-14.Out of the 100 possible combinations, 53 have never occurred. Last year’s final score was 40-22, with the Philadelphia Eagles beating the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the first time the 0-2 combination appeared in a Super Bowl final score.Numbers like three, four and seven tend to appear more often because of how football scoring works, said Chartier. A field goal is worth 3 points, a touchdown is worth 6 points, 7 if the extra point is kicked in, and four is the difference between seven and three. Numbers like two, five and eight are unlikely to occur in the game. What are the most and least common combinations? Out of nearly 7,000 NFL regular and postseason games since 2000, the most frequent final score ending digit combination was 7-0, appearing 262 times. To avoid duplicate combinations, scores are written in away-home order like official scores. In Super Bowl games specifically, a final score ending in either 7-0 or 0-7 has occurred three times across all 59 games. The least frequent combination was 2-2, having occurred four times, less than 1% of games. It’s also never appeared in a final Super Bowl square. Knowing the probabilities of certain numbers can give players an advantage, but it does not guarantee a win, said Chartier, especially if other players know the odds as well. But it can help players determine which numbers they want to avoid. “When you don’t know in advance what they’re going to be, then the moment you know, you can look at the probabilities to see how lucky you may be, but you never know,” said Chartier. “Unlikely things happen all the time, which is part of why we watch sports.” One other thing to watch out for: Super Bowl squares are often considered illegal games of chance. Make sure you know the laws in your state before you enter. Use the tool below to see how often each final score combination has occurred in NFL games.
WASHINGTON —
Whether it’s food, the halftime show, commercials or betting opportunities, Super Bowl parties offer something for everyone.
This year, Americans are projected to legally wager a record $1.76 billion on Super Bowl 60, according to the American Gaming Association. That is up 27% from last year, continuing the growing enthusiasm around legal sports betting.
One common game partygoers can find at these gatherings is Super Bowl squares. The no-skill, social betting game involves players selecting available squares on an empty 10-by-10 grid, with numbers zero to nine randomly assigned. The game gives attendees, even those with no football knowledge, something to engage with throughout the game.
But is winning the game all about strategy or just luck? According to one expert, it’s all about luck.
“When the columns and rows are assigned randomly, you really want the odds to be in your favor,” said Tim Chartier, a Davidson College professor of mathematics and computer science.
How Super Bowl squares works
Typically, Super Bowl squares numbers are assigned after players select their squares, with each team assigned either a row or a column on the grid. At the end of each quarter, or sometimes just at the end of the game, players look at the last digit of each team’s score. The square with the matching row and column wins.
Chartier specializes in data and sports analytics and has worked with teams in the NBA, NFL and NASCAR. He has also analyzed the odds of winning lottery games such as the Powerball jackpot and Mega Millions.
The Get the Facts Data Team and Chartier analyzed all previous Super Bowl final scores, along with nearly 7,000 NFL games since 2000, to determine which score-ending combinations are most and least common. Here is what the analysis found.
Out of all 59 Super Bowl final scores, the data team found the most common final score combination was 7-4, appearing five times. These final scores were: 7-14, 7-24, 37-24, 7-34 and 17-14.
Out of the 100 possible combinations, 53 have never occurred. Last year’s final score was 40-22, with the Philadelphia Eagles beating the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the first time the 0-2 combination appeared in a Super Bowl final score.
Numbers like three, four and seven tend to appear more often because of how football scoring works, said Chartier.
A field goal is worth 3 points, a touchdown is worth 6 points, 7 if the extra point is kicked in, and four is the difference between seven and three. Numbers like two, five and eight are unlikely to occur in the game.
What are the most and least common combinations?
Out of nearly 7,000 NFL regular and postseason games since 2000, the most frequent final score ending digit combination was 7-0, appearing 262 times. To avoid duplicate combinations, scores are written in away-home order like official scores.
In Super Bowl games specifically, a final score ending in either 7-0 or 0-7 has occurred three times across all 59 games.
The least frequent combination was 2-2, having occurred four times, less than 1% of games. It’s also never appeared in a final Super Bowl square.
Knowing the probabilities of certain numbers can give players an advantage, but it does not guarantee a win, said Chartier, especially if other players know the odds as well. But it can help players determine which numbers they want to avoid.
“When you don’t know in advance what they’re going to be, then the moment you know, you can look at the probabilities to see how lucky you may be, but you never know,” said Chartier. “Unlikely things happen all the time, which is part of why we watch sports.”
One other thing to watch out for: Super Bowl squares are often considered illegal games of chance. Make sure you know the laws in your state before you enter.
Use the tool below to see how often each final score combination has occurred in NFL games.
When asked why the NFL chose Bad Bunny at an October 22, 2025, press conference, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell answered, “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world. That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value. It’s carefully thought through.”
Goodell added that the NFL is not going to cancel Bad Bunny’s performance due to the backlash.
“I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism,” he said. “It’s pretty hard to do when you have hundreds of millions of people that are watching. But we’re confident it’s going to be a great show.”
Clearly, the NFL didn’t hire Bad Bunny by accident, and executives knew there would be some right-wing backlash. As Wired’s Anna Lagos put it, this was “a calculated business move and a continuation of its strategy to rejuvenate and diversify its audience.” Lagos explained:
The league is aware that its traditional viewership base is aging. Attracting younger audiences and the growing Hispanic market is a business imperative. Bad Bunny, the most-listened-to artist on Spotify worldwide from 2020 to 2022, represents the key to accessing that global market.
The NFL’s partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, launched in 2019, was designed to do just that: inject cultural relevance into the halftime show, an event that had become predictable and artistically safe. Kendrick Lamar’s acclaimed and politically charged performance in 2024, which used American symbolism to deliver a blunt critique of racism, demonstrated that the NFL is willing to take calculated risks if the result is cultural relevance and global conversation.
By choosing Bad Bunny, the NFL not only secures a global superstar, but also aligns itself with a narrative of inclusion and representation.
Jay-Z defended Bad Bunny to a TMZ photographer who asked on October 27, 2025, “Why are people hating on him?” Hov responded, “They love him. Don’t let them fool you.”
“To be honest, I don’t know how I’m feeling. There’s a lot. I’m still in the middle of my tour. I was just at the Grammys last week. All of that,” he said in English on Thursday at a press event hosted by Apple Music. He walked out to his 2017 single “Chambea.”
“I’m excited, but at the same time, I feel more excited about the people than even me — my family, my friends, the people who have always believed in me,” he said. “This moment, the culture — that’s what makes these shows special.”
Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is one of the most-streamed artists on the planet. He will take the Super Bowl stage just one week after he won album of the year at the 2026 Grammys for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” It’s the first time an all Spanish-language album has taken home the top prize.
During the conference, Bad Bunny joked that fans didn’t need to learn Spanish to enjoy his set — but they should be prepared to dance, a reference to his “Saturday Night Live” monologue from last October.
Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden hosted the conversation with Bad Bunny. Thursday’s event began with conversations with pregame performers at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
This year, a long line formed well before the doors opened, with credentialed media — including a noticeable presence of Spanish-language and Latin American outlets — packing the conference room nearly an hour before the news conference began.
It marked a stark contrast to Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 news conference, when the room didn’t fill up until roughly 15 minutes before the event.
Despite the heightened interest, Bad Bunny offered few specifics about what viewers will see Sunday.
Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show performer Bad Bunny smiles during a news conference, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in San Francisco ahead of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
Godofredo A. Vásquez / AP
“It’s going to be a huge party,” he said. “What people can expect from me … I want to bring to the stage, of course, a lot of my culture. But I really don’t, I don’t want to give any spoilers. It’s going to be fun.”
For the artist, the journey to the Super Bowl was never driven by recognition or awards. He said “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” became his most meaningful project because it was rooted in reconnecting with his identity, history and culture but not chasing milestones.
“I wasn’t looking for album of the year. I wasn’t looking to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show,” he said. “I was just trying to connect with my roots, connect with my people, connect with myself.”
That mindset, he said, ultimately opened the door to something larger: bringing a deeply personal expression of culture to one of the world’s biggest stages.
“You always have to be proud of who you are and where you’re from,” he said. “But don’t let that limit where you can go.”
Bad Bunny is no stranger to the Super Bowl stage. He previously appeared during the halftime show at Super Bowl LIV in 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. But he said his focus has remained unchanged.
“My biggest pleasure is just to create, have fun doing it and connect with the people,” he said. “That’s what I’m always looking for every time I’m in the studio.”
When asked if he will have surprise guests, he said “That’s something I’m not going to tell you.”
Then he said he will actually have a lot of guests watching — his friends, family, “the Latino community,” and people around the world who love his music.
At the end of the interview, Bad Bunny took questions from a few student journalists, including one who asked him to name an early supporter. “My mom,” the singer replied.
“Before everything, she believed in me as a person, as a human. She believed in me, in my decisions, in my opinions,” he continued. “I think that’s what got me here, you know? Not because she believed that I was a great artist but that she believed that I am a great person.”
The Super Bowl will be held Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, with the Seattle Seahawks facing off against the New England Patriots.
The Super Bowl pregame show will open with several standout performers in Northern California: Charlie Puth will hit the stage to sing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile will take on “America the Beautiful” and Coco Jones will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
“I want them to feel inspired. I want everybody to know that music is such an amazing thing,” Puth said of his performance.
“This is pretty much the top of the top,” added Jones. “This is the bee’s knees. … It’s hard to compete. Maybe my wedding will be up there.”
The national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” will be performed by deaf performing artist Fred Beam in American Sign Language. Julian Ortiz will sign “America the Beautiful.”
Before the game, Green Day will play a set to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Super Bowl. The band, which has its roots in the Bay Area, plans to “Get loud!” according to lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong.
In a historic first, the halftime show will include a multilingual signing program featuring Puerto Rican Sign Language, led by interpreter Celimar Rivera Cosme. She was also the interpreter for Bad Bunny’s landmark residency in Puerto Rico last year that drew more than half a million fans.
All signed performances for the pregame and halftime shows will be presented in collaboration with Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.
If you don’t tune into the Super Bowl performances and commercials in between the plays, this may be a great year to start.
If you don’t tune into the Super Bowl performances and commercials in between the plays, this may be a great year to start.
A big reason has to do with the halftime show, during which Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny is set to sing entirely in Spanish. He’ll be the first solo headliner to do that.
“This is something you’ve never really seen in a Super Bowl. This is the first time ever something of this caliber is happening,” Virginia Tech marketing expert Donna Wertalik said. “I feel like this is the year for cultural relevance.”
Companies want to take advantage of the moment, and get commercials in front of the wide range of people who will be watching.
“We’ve got more than big brands, we’ve got a lot of new brands this year, which is really interesting,” Wertalik said.
A 30-second ad during Super Bowl 60 costs about $8 million. So, is it worth it?
Many companies use their Super Bowl commercial as a launching point for a major ad campaign, Wertalik said.
“This is the tipoff of it, and then they’ll run much of this throughout the rest of this year … getting a lot of value out of that one spot.”
She’s already seen many of the ads, and said the audience can expect them to feature a lot of artificial intelligence and funny celebrities.
The commercials may stick in your head, but will you remember the products they’re trying to sell?
“A lot of brands suffer from that,” Wertalik said.
For instance, you may remember a funny car commercial, but can’t remember which car it was trying to get you to buy.
Something Wertalik will be tracking is whether what she calls the “Taylor Swift effect” is continuing.
Swift has attended Kansas City Chiefs games to support tight end Travis Kelce, her fiance. Those appearances got more women interested in the NFL.
“A lot of women started watching it, and brands started getting engaged and saying we have a lot of people here … that are new audience members,” she said.
The Chiefs didn’t make the Super Bowl this year, and that has Wertalik wondering: “Do those women and young girls still stay? It will be interesting to look at that.”
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Arriving in the heart of downtown Los Angeles, I couldn’t have anticipated just how luminous, emotionally charged, and genuinely unpredictable the 2026 Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena would be. This was not simply an awards ceremony. It was a cultural moment unfolding live, where music, fashion, personal narratives, and political undertones collided in a way that felt raw, unfiltered, and deeply human.
Hosted once again by Trevor Noah, the ceremony opened with a relaxed confidence and a sense of self-awareness that proved essential as the night progressed. From the outset, it was clear this would not be a perfectly choreographed evening. Instead, it would be shaped by spontaneous moments, emotional reactions, and a few unforgettable missteps that ultimately made it more compelling.
Cher presents the award for Record of the Year at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Stewart Cook/CBS
One of the most powerful segments of the night was the tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. The atmosphere inside the arena shifted as Post Malone took the stage to perform “One of Those Nights,” honoring Ozzy in a moment that felt both contemporary and reverential. Backed by Slash on guitar, the performance carried weight and history. Slash’s unmistakable sound cut through the arena, creating a bridge between generations that felt organic and earned.
What elevated the tribute even further was the reaction of the Osbourne family. Sharon Osbourne was visibly moved, her emotion unmistakable. Beside her sat Kelly Osbourne and Jack Osbourne, equally overwhelmed. The cameras returned to them several times throughout the performance, capturing genuine moments of pride, love, and deep emotion. There was nothing performative about it. The reactions were unguarded and profoundly touching, grounding the spectacle in something real.
Trevor Noah with Cher, presenting the award for Record of the Year at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Stewart Cook/ CBS
Kendrick Lamar emerged as one of the undeniable forces of the night, taking home five Grammy Awards and asserting once again why he stands at the forefront of his generation. His song “Luther” became a recurring reference point throughout the evening, not just musically but symbolically.
Then came one of the most talked-about moments of the ceremony.
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Cher, at 79 years old, took the stage to announce Record of the Year. What followed was pure live television magic. As she began to walk off the stage with a confidence and vitality that felt almost surreal, she moved with the ease and presence of someone decades younger. There was something incomparable about the way she walked, poised and effortless, radiating that ageless charisma only Cher possesses. Trevor Noah quickly called her back, reminding her she still needed to announce the nominees and the winner. It was in that moment, as she returned to the microphone, that she briefly mixed up “Luther” by Kendrick Lamar with Luther Vandross, the legendary soul singer who passed away in 2005.
The room froze for a beat, then exhaled. Trevor Noah handled the moment with humor, the audience laughed and applauded, and what could have been awkward transformed into something iconic. It was imperfect, human, and unforgettable. A reminder that live shows, at their best, embrace the unexpected.
Bad Bunny receives the award for Album of the Year at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Stewart Cook/CBS
Justin Bieber delivered one of the most quietly unsettling performances of the night. Dressed simply in boxer shorts, he performed “Yukon” in a stripped-down, emotionally restrained set that felt almost confrontational in its vulnerability. There were no forced smiles, no attempts to play to the crowd. Even during Trevor Noah’s lighthearted remarks, Bieber remained inward, distant, almost sealed within himself.
Justin Bieber at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026.Credit: Francis Specker/CBS
What made the moment even more striking was the contrast offstage. Seeing such a young artist sitting next to his wife, Hailey Bieber, yet never once breaking into a smile, created an oddly compelling tension. It was strange, honest, and deeply personal. The performance divided opinion, but its authenticity was undeniable.
Bad Bunny delivered one of the most defining nights of the ceremony, securing three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Best Música Urbana Album, and Best Global Music Performance. His victories marked historic wins, solidifying him as the first Latin American artist to triumph at this level in major Grammy categories.
Equally striking was his presence on stage. Bad Bunny wore a custom-made Schiaparelli suit designed specifically for his body, sculpted in a way that gave him an almost architectural silhouette. The structured tailoring broadened his frame, giving him a powerful stance that, at moments, evoked the build of a rugby player rather than a recording artist. It was intentional, commanding, and sharply elegant, reinforcing the authority of his moment.
Sabrina Carpenter at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026.Credit: Francis Specker/CBS
Outside the arena, the red carpet unfolded as its own parallel spectacle.
Chappell Roan became one of the most discussed figures of the night in a sheer burgundy Mugler gown inspired by archival couture. The look featured intricate faux body art and bold transparency that sparked conversation instantly. Rather than shy away from the reaction, Roan later defended the look with confidence, framing it as self-expression rather than provocation. It was theatrical, fearless, and undeniably effective.
Heidi Klum delivered one of the most technically impressive fashion moments of the evening. Her sculptural second-skin dress was meticulously customized to match her exact curves and skin tone. The construction process was painstaking, resulting in a molded silhouette that blurred the line between garment and body. The glossy finish created a latex-like effect, transforming the dress into a wearable sculpture. Klum herself joked that sitting was nearly impossible, but the impact was undeniable. It was fashion as form, precision, and statement.
Lady Gaga at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcasting live Sunday, February 1, 2026.Credit: Francis Specker/CBS
Lady Gaga remained true to her theatrical instincts, appearing in a dramatic black feathered gown by Matières Fécales. The look, with its high neckline and flowing train, felt operatic and darkly romantic. Yet what stood out most was her demeanor. Throughout the night, she remained closely wrapped around her fiancé, Michael Polansky. They were constantly embracing, exchanging quiet gestures of affection that radiated warmth and tenderness. Despite her status as a global icon, Gaga exuded a rare softness, balancing grandeur with intimacy in a way that felt deeply sincere.
Backstage and in the media room, conversations reflected the complexity of the night. There were clear triumphs and equally clear omissions. Some expected wins never materialized, and reactions ranged from restrained disappointment to visible tension. Cameras captured fleeting moments, including artists choosing not to applaud, that quickly became part of the wider narrative.
Tate McRae and Lady Gaga at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Francis Specker/CBS
As the final awards were handed out and the lights dimmed, it was evident that the 2026 Grammy Awards were not defined by perfection, but by presence. This was a night shaped by real emotion, cultural relevance, and moments that could never be replicated.
From Kendrick Lamar’s dominance and Bad Bunny’s historic triumphs, to the emotional Ozzy Osbourne tribute, Cher’s unforgettable stage moment, Justin Bieber’s inward performance, and fashion statements that pushed boundaries, the 68th Grammy Awards captured the cultural moment in full.
Not polished. Not predictable. And precisely for that reason, unforgettable.
Chappell Roan presents the award for Best New Artist at The 68th Annual Grammy Awards.Credit: Stewart Cook/CBS
Bad Bunny wins Grammy for Album of the Year – CBS News
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Bad Bunny’s “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” won Album of the Year at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night. Music and culture journalist Ana Yglesias joins CBS News to break down the night’s awards and performances.
Stars shined at the 68th annual Grammy Awards as Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar took home top prizes. Plus, millions are digging out from a historic winter storm in the South. All that and all that matters in today’s Eye Opener.
Bad Bunny won album of the year at the 2026 Grammy Awards for his critically-acclaimed “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” closing out a surprising and history-making night. It is the first time a Spanish-language album has taken home the top prize.“Puerto Rico, believe me when I tell you that we are much bigger than 100 by 35,” he said in his acceptance speech in Spanish, referring to a Puerto Rican colloquialism about the island’s small size. “And there is nothing we can’t achieve. Thank God, thank you to the Academy, thank you to all the people who have believed in me throughout my career.“To all the people who worked on this album, thank you mami for giving birth to me in Puerto Rico, I love you,” he continued.Then he switched to English: “I want to dedicate this award to all the people who had to leave their homeland to follow their dreams.”Harry Styles presented the award — the English singer previously took home the top prize in 2023 for “Harry’s House.” He beat Bad Bunny that year, who was nominated for “Un Verano Sin Ti” — the first Spanish-language album to be up in the category.Anti-ICE messages from the stageBillie Eilish won song of the year for “Wildflower” and used the moment to add her voice to the chorus of musicians criticizing immigration authorities Sunday.“No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said while accepting the award for the song from her 2024 album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” “(Expletive) ICE is all I want to say.”Immigration was a pointed theme of the night. Bad Bunny, after winning an award for his zeitgeist-shaping album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” used his speech to share an anti-ICE message, highlighting the humanity of all people.“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said, starting out his speech in English to huge applause. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”Before Bad Bunny took home the best música urbana album trophy, Olivia Dean was named best new artist.”I never really imagined that I would be up here,” she said, receiving her first Grammy while wiping away tears. “I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here … I am a product of bravery, and I think that those people deserve to be celebrated.”Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Jelly Roll and more win bigKendrick Lamar and SZA won record of the year at an electric 2026 Grammy Awards Sunday night for “Luther.”Cher presented the award and mistakenly said it goes to “Luther Vandross” instead of Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their single “Luther.”One of the song’s producers, Sounwave, began the acceptance speech by saying, “Let’s give a shoutout to the late and great Luther Vandross.”Lamar also won the first televised award of the night, rap album for “GNX,” accepting the trophy from Queen Latifah and Doechii.“It’s an honor to be here,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Hip-hop is always going to be right here … We’re gonna be having the culture with us.”The victory means Lamar broke Jay-Z’s record to become the rapper with the most career Grammys. Jay-Z has 25; after he took home rap album and record of the year, Lamar’s total is 27.Pop vocal album went to Lady Gaga for “Mayhem.”“Every time I’m here, I still feel like I need to pinch myself,” Gaga said in her speech.Pop solo performance went to Lola Young for “Messy,” whose speech playfully lived up to the song’s spirit.“I don’t know what to say,” she joked about “obviously” not having a speech prepared. “I’m very, very grateful for this.”The inaugural contemporary country album category went to Jelly Roll for “Beautifully Broken.”This year, the Grammys renamed country album to contemporary country album and added a traditional country album category, a distinction that exists in other genres. But the news arrived right after Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” won best country album, inspiring backlash online.“I believe music had the power to change my life,” Jelly Roll said in his acceptance speech, which he spent the majority of thanking God.Pharrell Williams received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.“To everyone in this room who believes in the power of Black music,” he said, “thank you so much.”And Cher was presented the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. “The only thing I want you to take away,” she said, “I’ve been in this business for 60 (expletive) years. I just want to tell you, never give up on your dreams.”A live concert experienceA powerful Grammy Awards in memoriam segment celebrated the legacies of the late D’Angelo and Roberta Flack at the 68th annual ceremony Sunday night.Ms. Lauryn Hill appeared on the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999, when she became the first hip-hop artist to win album of the year for her “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”The D’Angelo tribute was first: A medley of several songs, among them “Brown Sugar” with Lucky Daye, “Lady” with Raphael Saadiq and Anthony Hamilton and “Devil’s Pie” with Leon Thomas.Then, Hill focused her attention on Roberta Flack: “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” with Jon Batiste, “Where Is The Love” with John Legend and Chaka Khan, and a mesh of “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” with her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean.If there was one set that felt like avant-garde artistic performance piece on Sunday night, it was Tyler, the Creator’s medley of “Thought I Was Dead,” “Like Him,” (in which he was joined by Regina King) and “Sugar On My Tongue.” It played out like theater: others would be wise to take note.All eight nominees in the best new artist category participated in a medley at the award show across multiple stages, the back halls of the arena and even the venue’s loading dock. It was an interesting and impressive mod-podge of different styles, from the British soul of Lola Young and Olivia Dean to Addison Rae and Katseye’s hypnotic pop. The Marías kicked things off with their dreamy indie rock; sombr and Alex Warren offered their radio hits — “12 to 12” and “Ordinary” respectively. Leon Thomas reminded the audience why he’s the only nominee also up for album of the year with his fully formed R&B.The hits arrived fast and furious in the show’s first hour. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ opened Grammys with an electric rendition of their multicultural pop smash, “APT.”; the Blackpink singer channeled a pop-punk Gwen Stefani in her tie and platinum blond hair. Sabrina Carpenter with her “Manchild” kiss-off. Justin Bieber slowed things down with “Yukon” from his comeback record “Swag.” Lady Gaga reimagined her hit “Abracadabra” as an electro-rock song.Surprises were abundant — even before the show startedAn exciting, early theme of the 68th Grammy Awards? First time winners.During the Premiere Ceremony held at the adjacent Peacock Theater in Los Angeles ahead of the main show, the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for audio book, narration and storytelling recording, beating out Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. You read that correctly.“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” won song written for visual media at the Premiere Ceremony, marking the first time a K-pop act has won a Grammy. Songwriters delivered their acceptance speech in both English and Korean, highlighting the song’s bilingual appeal.Music film went to “Music for John Williams,” which means director Steven Spielberg has officially won his first Grammy. That makes him an EGOT winner — an artist with an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar.Artists speak out Trump administration’s immigration crackdownsThroughout Sunday’s Grammys, artists offered pro-immigration and anti-ICE messaging.During the Premiere Ceremony, country duo/group performance went to first-time winners Shaboozey and Jelly Roll. Shaboozey accepted the award with tears in his eyes. “I want to thank my mother, who as of today, has retired from her job of 30 years … working as a registered nurse in a psych ward … as an immigrant in this country. Thank you, mom.“Immigrants built this country, literally, actually. So, this for them,” he concluded. “Thank you for bring your culture, your music and your stories.”Amy Allen won songwriter of the year, nonclassical for a second year in a row and wore an “ICE Out” pin, an anti-immigration enforcement message. So did Kehlani – who won her first Grammy for R&B performance and later, her second, for R&B song.“I’ve never won anything before, this is a really crazy feeling,” she said as she fought back tears, reflecting on her first nomination 10 years ago. Then she shifted gears to focus on the current political moment: “Imma leave this and say, (expletive) ICE.”“I’m scared,” Gloria Estefan said of the current political moment backstage at the Grammys. “There are hundreds of children in detention centers. … I don’t recognize my country in this moment right now.”
“Puerto Rico, believe me when I tell you that we are much bigger than 100 by 35,” he said in his acceptance speech in Spanish, referring to a Puerto Rican colloquialism about the island’s small size. “And there is nothing we can’t achieve. Thank God, thank you to the Academy, thank you to all the people who have believed in me throughout my career.
“To all the people who worked on this album, thank you mami for giving birth to me in Puerto Rico, I love you,” he continued.
Then he switched to English: “I want to dedicate this award to all the people who had to leave their homeland to follow their dreams.”
Harry Styles presented the award — the English singer previously took home the top prize in 2023 for “Harry’s House.” He beat Bad Bunny that year, who was nominated for “Un Verano Sin Ti” — the first Spanish-language album to be up in the category.
Anti-ICE messages from the stage
Billie Eilish won song of the year for “Wildflower” and used the moment to add her voice to the chorus of musicians criticizing immigration authorities Sunday.
“No one is illegal on stolen land,” she said while accepting the award for the song from her 2024 album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” “(Expletive) ICE is all I want to say.”
Immigration was a pointed theme of the night. Bad Bunny, after winning an award for his zeitgeist-shaping album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” used his speech to share an anti-ICE message, highlighting the humanity of all people.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out,” he said, starting out his speech in English to huge applause. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
Before Bad Bunny took home the best música urbana album trophy, Olivia Dean was named best new artist.
“I never really imagined that I would be up here,” she said, receiving her first Grammy while wiping away tears. “I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here … I am a product of bravery, and I think that those people deserve to be celebrated.”
Kendrick Lamar, Lady Gaga, Jelly Roll and more win big
Cher presented the award and mistakenly said it goes to “Luther Vandross” instead of Kendrick Lamar and SZA for their single “Luther.”
One of the song’s producers, Sounwave, began the acceptance speech by saying, “Let’s give a shoutout to the late and great Luther Vandross.”
Lamar also won the first televised award of the night, rap album for “GNX,” accepting the trophy from Queen Latifah and Doechii.
“It’s an honor to be here,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Hip-hop is always going to be right here … We’re gonna be having the culture with us.”
The victory means Lamar broke Jay-Z’s record to become the rapper with the most career Grammys. Jay-Z has 25; after he took home rap album and record of the year, Lamar’s total is 27.
Pop vocal album went to Lady Gaga for “Mayhem.”
“Every time I’m here, I still feel like I need to pinch myself,” Gaga said in her speech.
Pop solo performance went to Lola Young for “Messy,” whose speech playfully lived up to the song’s spirit.
“I don’t know what to say,” she joked about “obviously” not having a speech prepared. “I’m very, very grateful for this.”
The inaugural contemporary country album category went to Jelly Roll for “Beautifully Broken.”
This year, the Grammys renamed country album to contemporary country album and added a traditional country album category, a distinction that exists in other genres. But the news arrived right after Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” won best country album, inspiring backlash online.
“I believe music had the power to change my life,” Jelly Roll said in his acceptance speech, which he spent the majority of thanking God.
Pharrell Williams received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award.
“To everyone in this room who believes in the power of Black music,” he said, “thank you so much.”
And Cher was presented the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award. “The only thing I want you to take away,” she said, “I’ve been in this business for 60 (expletive) years. I just want to tell you, never give up on your dreams.”
Ms. Lauryn Hill appeared on the Grammy stage for the first time since 1999, when she became the first hip-hop artist to win album of the year for her “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.”
The D’Angelo tribute was first: A medley of several songs, among them “Brown Sugar” with Lucky Daye, “Lady” with Raphael Saadiq and Anthony Hamilton and “Devil’s Pie” with Leon Thomas.
Then, Hill focused her attention on Roberta Flack: “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” with Jon Batiste, “Where Is The Love” with John Legend and Chaka Khan, and a mesh of “Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Killing Me Softly with His Song” with her Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean.
If there was one set that felt like avant-garde artistic performance piece on Sunday night, it was Tyler, the Creator’s medley of “Thought I Was Dead,” “Like Him,” (in which he was joined by Regina King) and “Sugar On My Tongue.” It played out like theater: others would be wise to take note.
All eight nominees in the best new artist category participated in a medley at the award show across multiple stages, the back halls of the arena and even the venue’s loading dock. It was an interesting and impressive mod-podge of different styles, from the British soul of Lola Young and Olivia Dean to Addison Rae and Katseye’s hypnotic pop. The Marías kicked things off with their dreamy indie rock; sombr and Alex Warren offered their radio hits — “12 to 12” and “Ordinary” respectively. Leon Thomas reminded the audience why he’s the only nominee also up for album of the year with his fully formed R&B.
The hits arrived fast and furious in the show’s first hour. Rosé and Bruno Mars’ opened Grammys with an electric rendition of their multicultural pop smash, “APT.”; the Blackpink singer channeled a pop-punk Gwen Stefani in her tie and platinum blond hair. Sabrina Carpenter with her “Manchild” kiss-off. Justin Bieber slowed things down with “Yukon” from his comeback record “Swag.” Lady Gaga reimagined her hit “Abracadabra” as an electro-rock song.
Surprises were abundant — even before the show started
During the Premiere Ceremony held at the adjacent Peacock Theater in Los Angeles ahead of the main show, the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy for audio book, narration and storytelling recording, beating out Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson. You read that correctly.
“Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” won song written for visual media at the Premiere Ceremony, marking the first time a K-pop act has won a Grammy. Songwriters delivered their acceptance speech in both English and Korean, highlighting the song’s bilingual appeal.
Music film went to “Music for John Williams,” which means director Steven Spielberg has officially won his first Grammy. That makes him an EGOT winner — an artist with an Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Oscar.
Artists speak out Trump administration’s immigration crackdowns
Throughout Sunday’s Grammys, artists offered pro-immigration and anti-ICE messaging.
During the Premiere Ceremony, country duo/group performance went to first-time winners Shaboozey and Jelly Roll. Shaboozey accepted the award with tears in his eyes. “I want to thank my mother, who as of today, has retired from her job of 30 years … working as a registered nurse in a psych ward … as an immigrant in this country. Thank you, mom.
“Immigrants built this country, literally, actually. So, this for them,” he concluded. “Thank you for bring your culture, your music and your stories.”
Amy Allen won songwriter of the year, nonclassical for a second year in a row and wore an “ICE Out” pin, an anti-immigration enforcement message. So did Kehlani – who won her first Grammy for R&B performance and later, her second, for R&B song.
“I’ve never won anything before, this is a really crazy feeling,” she said as she fought back tears, reflecting on her first nomination 10 years ago. Then she shifted gears to focus on the current political moment: “Imma leave this and say, (expletive) ICE.”
“I’m scared,” Gloria Estefan said of the current political moment backstage at the Grammys. “There are hundreds of children in detention centers. … I don’t recognize my country in this moment right now.”
The Grammys, also known as music’s biggest night. How did this appreciation of music come to be? I’m Megan Campanova, the entertainment reporter for Hearst National Desk. Here’s what you need to know about the Grammys. The Grammys started in 1959, and at the time there were only 28 categories. Now, today, there are 95 different categories, but only about 5 to 7 are usually televised. The ones that are televised are obviously the big four, so the big four are Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best New Artist, and Album of the Year, and then. Producers can kind of decide the other ones that they want to add in that best fit the broadcast of that year. Uh, members who vote on these Grammys and who get the award are members of the Recording Academy. So members of the Recording Academy are producers, engineers, artists, anyone who kind of has any influence in making *** song, they get to vote on who gets *** Grammy. The nomination process begins in August of the previous year to August of last year. So, for example, in 2026, the nominations will be from August 2024 to August 2025. Any song released in that time frame is eligible for *** Grammy.
Discover the full list of the 68th Grammy Award winners, highlighting outstanding achievements for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and more.See below for a full list of nominees, with the winners in bold. Best rap album”Let God Sort Em Out,” Clipse, Pusha T and Malice”Glorious,” GloRilla”God Does Like Ugly,” JID”GNX,” Kendrick Lamar”Chromakopia,” Tyler, the CreatorAlbum of the year”Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Bad Bunny”Swag,” Justin Bieber”Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina Carpenter”Let God Sort Em Out,” Clipse, Pusha T and Malice”MAYHEM,” Lady Gaga”GNX,” Kendrick Lamar”Mutt,” Leon Thomas”Chromakopia,” Tyler, the CreatorRecord of the year”DtMF,” Bad Bunny”Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter”Anxiety,” Doechii”Wildflower,” Billie Eilish”Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga”luther,” Kendrick Lamar with SZA”The Subway,” Chappell Roan”APT.,” Rosé and Bruno MarsSong of the year”Abracadabra,” Henry Walter, Lady Gaga and Andrew Watt”Anxiety,” Jaylah Hickmon”APT.,” Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Henry Walter, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park and Theron Thomas”DtMF,” Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Hugo René Sención and Tyler Thomas Spry”Golden,” EJAI and Mark Sonnenblick”luther,” Jack Antonoff, Roshwita Larisha Bacha, Matthew Bernard, Ink, Scott Bridgeway, Sam Dew, Kendrick Lamar, Mark Anthony Spears, Solána Rowe and Kamasi Washington”Manchild,” Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff and Sabrina Carpenter”Wildflower,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell.Best new artistOlivia DeanKatseyeThe MariasAddison RaeSombrLeon ThomasAlex WarrenLola Young Best Pop Solo Performance“DAISIES,” Justin Bieber“Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter“Disease,” Lady Gaga“The Subway,” Chappell Roan“Messy,” Lola Young Best Pop Vocal Album “SWAG,” Justin Bieber”Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina Carpenter”Something Beautiful,” Miley Cyrus”MAYHEM,” Lady Gaga”I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy — Part 2,” Teddy SwimsBest Contemporary Country Album “Patterns,” Kelsea Ballerini”Snipe Hunter,” Tyler Childers”Evangeline Vs. The Machine,” Eric Church”Beautifully Broken,” Jelly Roll”Postcards From Texas,” Miranda LambertBest Música Urbana Album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” Bad Bunny”Mixteip,” J Balvin”FERXXO VOL X: Sagrado,” Feid”NAIKI,” Nicki Nicole”EUB DELUXE,” Trueno”SINFÓNICO — En Vivo,” Yandel
Discover the full list of the 68th Grammy Award winners, highlighting outstanding achievements for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and more.
See below for a full list of nominees, with the winners in bold.
Best rap album
“Let God Sort Em Out,” Clipse, Pusha T and Malice
“Glorious,” GloRilla
“God Does Like Ugly,” JID
“GNX,” Kendrick Lamar
“Chromakopia,” Tyler, the Creator
Album of the year
“Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” Bad Bunny
“Swag,” Justin Bieber
“Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Let God Sort Em Out,” Clipse, Pusha T and Malice
“MAYHEM,” Lady Gaga
“GNX,” Kendrick Lamar
“Mutt,” Leon Thomas
“Chromakopia,” Tyler, the Creator
Record of the year
“DtMF,” Bad Bunny
“Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Anxiety,” Doechii
“Wildflower,” Billie Eilish
“Abracadabra,” Lady Gaga
“luther,” Kendrick Lamar with SZA
“The Subway,” Chappell Roan
“APT.,” Rosé and Bruno Mars
Song of the year
“Abracadabra,” Henry Walter, Lady Gaga and Andrew Watt
“Anxiety,” Jaylah Hickmon
“APT.,” Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Henry Walter, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park and Theron Thomas
“DtMF,” Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Scott Dittrich, Benjamin Falik, Hugo René Sención and Tyler Thomas Spry
“Golden,” EJAI and Mark Sonnenblick
“luther,” Jack Antonoff, Roshwita Larisha Bacha, Matthew Bernard, Ink, Scott Bridgeway, Sam Dew, Kendrick Lamar, Mark Anthony Spears, Solána Rowe and Kamasi Washington
“Manchild,” Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff and Sabrina Carpenter
“Wildflower,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell.
Best new artist
Olivia Dean
Katseye
The Marias
Addison Rae
Sombr
Leon Thomas
Alex Warren
Lola Young
Best Pop Solo Performance
“DAISIES,” Justin Bieber
“Manchild,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Disease,” Lady Gaga
“The Subway,” Chappell Roan
“Messy,” Lola Young
Best Pop Vocal Album
“SWAG,” Justin Bieber
“Man’s Best Friend,” Sabrina Carpenter
“Something Beautiful,” Miley Cyrus
“MAYHEM,” Lady Gaga
“I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy — Part 2,” Teddy Swims
In 2025, twenty-three different albums reached number one on the Billboard 200. These ranged from industry powerhouses to debuts, from deluxe versions to older albums, and even from animated idols to real ones! From SOS on January 4th to DO IT on December 6th, here’s every Billboard 200 number one from 2025.
SOS – SZA
The first album to top the Billboard 200 in 2025 was a true chart phenomenon – SZA’sSOS. The album, which came out way back in 2022, has hit the number one spot on the Billboard 200 in three (yes, three!) separate years, and has spent over 100 weeks in the top 10. In fact, it peaked at #1 on three different occasions this year alone! What’s more, in 2025, SOS became the longest-running U.S. top 10 album by a Black artist.
WHAM – Lil Baby
DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS – Bad Bunny
Bad Bunny has had an iconic year, right?! His sixth solo studio album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, is maybe his best work yet, and we’re clearly not the only ones who think so. The album spent four non-consecutive weeks at number one in 2025, and we reckon it’ll probably return to the top spot in 2026, too. See you at the Super Bowl, King!
Hurry Up Tomorrow – The Weeknd
GNX – Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar’sGNX is another album that reached the number one spot on the Billboard 200 in 2025 despite not being released this year. Surprise-dropped in November 2024, GNX was easily one of the best albums of that year, and clearly it’s not out of rotation yet!
Some Sexy Songs 4 U – PartyNextDoor & Drake
So Close to What – Tate McRae
Tate’s third album, So Close to What, was also her first to debut at number one on the Billboard 200! With singles like ‘Sports Car,’ ‘Revolving Door,’ and ‘It’s ok I’m ok,’ this album was clearly one of the most polished pop records of the year!
MAYHEM – Lady Gaga
We guarantee that, just like us, you haven’t been able to escape ‘Abracadabra’ or ‘Die with a Smile’ all year. But then again, why would you want to?! As well as giving us GRAMMY-winning hits and one of the most exciting tours of 2025, The Mayhem Ball, the album saw Lady Gaga return to her pop roots. No wonder MAYHEM became her seventh album to top the Billboard 200!
MUSIC – Playboi Carti
Eternal Sunshine – Ariana Grande
Thanks to the release of Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead, Ariana’s 2024 album, Eternal Sunshine, returned to the top of the Billboard 200 in 2025. Featuring new tracks: ‘twilight zone,’ ‘Hampstead,’ ‘dandelion,’ ‘warm,’ ‘past life,’ and an extended version of ‘intro (end of the world),’ these new releases are maybe some of our favorite Ari b-sides of all-time.
More Chaos – Ken Carson
Skeletá – Ghost
Ghost’s Skeletá is unlike any other album that topped the Billboard 200 in 2025! For a start, Ghost is a Swedish rock band, and this was their first-ever U.S. number one! In fact, this is only the second time, ever, that a Swedish performing artist has nabbed the top spot. The only other act to do it? Ace of Base way back in 1993.
Even In Arcadia – Sleep Token
I’m the Problem – Morgan Wallen
JackBoys 2 – JackBoys & Travis Scott
The JackBoys project is one of the most exciting in music, and we were so glad to see it return for album number two this year! JackBoys consists of Travis Scott and the signees of his record label, Cactus Jack, plus a bunch more collaborators. With the likes of Travis, Don Toliver, GloRilla, Tyla, Future, Playboi Carti, and so many more, all on one album, how could JackBoys 2 not top the charts?
DON’T TAP THE GLASS – Tyler, the Creator
KARMA – Stray Kids
Can you believe we made it all the way to September before a K-Pop album topped the chart?! Well, Stray Kids arrived to fix that, and gave us some good KARMA in the process. With all 11 tracks written by 3Racha, mostly during Stray Kids’ most recent world tour, the focus of KARMA is celebrating all of their achievements (so far)! How about adding another Billboard 200 number one to that list, lads?
Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter
Short and Sweet is still reigning over all our playlists, but Sabrina gifted us with another album full of her quintessential wit and pop perfection. Man’s Best Friend, led by ‘Manchild’ and ‘Tears,’ debuted straight at number one.
K-Pop Demon Hunters – Various Artists
Honestly? This is the 2025 album where we’d be more surprised if it hadn’t reached Billboard 200 number one. Songs like ‘Golden,’ Soda Pop,’ ‘Takedown,’ and more have been inescapable this year! Through K-Pop Demon Hunters, we’ve loved seeing the world of K-Pop reach even bigger audiences this year.
Breach – Twenty One Pilots
Am I the Drama? – Cardi B
The Life of a Showgirl – Taylor Swift
Probably the most talked-about album in 2025 was The Life of a Showgirl. Whether or not you love this iteration of Taylor Swift, there’s no denying her continued success! From ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ to ‘Eldest Daughter,’ she always commits to the bit, and we love that about her.
DO IT – Stray Kids
Two Billboard 200 number one albums in 2025? Stray Kids were the only act to DO IT! Last, but certainly not least, one of K-Pop’s biggest groups returned in early December. DO IT is the second in their SKZ-TAPE series, following on from 2024’s HOP, which, you guessed it, also hit number one.
Phew! That’s all of them! Which Billboard 200 number one from 2025 is your favorite? Or, were you surprised not to see your AOTY on this list? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram.
2025 felt like a year where music refused to sit still. Every week brought a new sound, a new story, a new artist stepping into their moment. The team at THP HQ went through the annual ritual of debating, defending, and passionately campaigning for our faves, and it wasn’t easy narrowing this beast of a year down to just fifty albums. But we did it… just about. So grab your headphones, a snack, and maybe some tissues; here are The Honey POP’s Top 50 Albums of 2025!
That’s Showbiz, Baby! – JADE
Jade had us waiting for a hot minute for this album, but wow, was it worth it. That’s Showbiz Baby! is easily one of the most exciting pop releases we’ve had in years; it’s pure pop perfection from beginning to end. Every step of the journey has felt unmistakably and unapologetically Jade. She made an unforgettable entrance with ‘Angel Of My Dreams,’ a moment so defining it earned her first-ever BRIT Award for Pop Act earlier this year. It left everyone wondering what her sound would be after such an eclectic debut. The answer? Bold, in-your-face, and absolutely brilliant. Her debut record is stacked with standouts, from the confident, main-character strut of ‘IT Girl’ to the fiery sass of ‘FUFN.’
And just when we thought she couldn’t top it, Jade closed the year by dropping That’s Showbiz Baby! The Encore, adding eight new tracks, including the stunningly dramatic ‘Church’ and her fierce take on Madonna’s ‘Frozen.’ The deluxe edition doesn’t just elevate the album; it extends the pop excellence she’s already delivered. Jade isn’t simply following trends… she is the trend. With this record, she cements her place as the newest it girl, carving out her space in pop history. And honestly? We’re fully strapped in for the ride. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks:‘Angel Of My Dreams,’ ‘It Girl,’ and ‘Church’
Golden Hour Pt 3: In Your Fantasy – ATEEZ
Honestly, these men really are making all our fantasies come true with every new piece of content they release. The third installment of the Golden Hour series gave us a softer yet more mature side of ATEEZ in the best way possible, showing how the group can do anything they put their minds to. From the moment we heard the R&B and hip-hop mixture of ‘Lemon Drop,’ we knew this album was going to be completely different from what we’ve seen before in the best way. Most of all, we’d say that’s reflected in the solo songs we got from each ATEEZ member, where we can see all their talent shine in their own unique styles. From Hongjoong’s hype beats in ‘NO1’ to Jongho’s stunning vocals in ‘To Be Your Light’, it’s safe to say that, in Captain’s words, they’re “getting in our heads,” with this album. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Now This House Ain’t A Home,’ ‘Lemon Drop’ and ‘In Your Fantasy’
NO LABELS: Part 01 – YEONJUN
Yeonjun’s NO LABELS: PART 01 is easily in the running for the best debut album of 2025. Although, in line with its concept, perhaps we shouldn’t give it any titles? Regardless, across the six tracks, Yeonjun fully realizes a very succinct vision, whilst also proving that he’s capable of doing any genre or style he sets his mind to. Where he could’ve turned out a perfect pop album (which we also would’ve loved), Yeonjun defied expectations by releasing an album far grittier, bolder, and more daring than anticipated.
None of these facets of Yeonjun came as a surprise to MOAs, but they are more crystal clear than ever before. From the derisive nonchalance of ‘Do It’ to the earnest sensuality of ‘Let Me Tell You (with Daniela of KATSEYE),’ NO LABELS: PART 01 is both concise and eclectic. Is it too soon to predict NO LABELS: PART 02 will be on this list in 2026? – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Coma,’ ‘Do It,’ and ‘Nothin’ ‘Bout Me’
So Close To What – Tate McRae
From a career-defining single run (seriously, probably our favorite rollout ever) to new songs that make her one of the pop princesses of the year, Tate McRae’s So Close To What has to be talked about when discussing the music that we’ve loved in 2025. This album is a masterpiece from top to bottom! Not only does it have bops that make us feel confident and let our hair loose, but it also includes some of the deepest stories that Tate has told through her tracks. So Close To What has been our favorite era with her, making it even more fun with a world tour full of amazing performances and making her even more worthy of the superstar status. It’s a perfect pop album in our books!
The deluxe, SO CLOSE TO WHAT???, is also incredible. The five songs Tate has added to her Miss Possessive universe show a lot of growth, not only in her lyrics and mission for these tracks, but also in her production. We feel like this deluxe is Tate’s best music yet. It’s so hard to choose our favorites! – María Solano
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Miss possessive,’ ‘bloodonmyhands (feat. Flo Milli), and ‘No I’m not in love’
Beautiful Chaos – KATSEYE
Is it too soon to say that KATSEYE are well on their way to being the world’s biggest girl group? Because it certainly seems like they’re heading that way! The girls had their first comeback this year, first with ‘Gnarly,’ and then with their BEAUTIFUL CHAOS EP. Each and every song on this album has had a stand-out moment, not least ‘Gabriela,’ which earned KATSEYE their first GRAMMY nomination! The most underrated is the b-side ‘Mean Girls,’ which sees KATSEYE channel their girl-power energy in a less ferocious way than is typical for them. But, speaking of ferocious, it was ‘Gnarly’ that probably brought the girls the most notoriety; it was instantly divisive upon release, but it feels pretty safe to say it’s won over even the harshest of critics now. To anyone who still isn’t on board, haven’t you considered that boba tea is ‘Gnarly?’ – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Gnarly,’ ‘M.I.A,’ and ‘Gabriela’
UXLXVE – XLOV
XLOV is by far one of the most exciting up-and-coming groups around. And they lived up to that hype with UXLXVE, their first mini-album. In each of the six tracks, you get the sense that XLOV really understands their audience, a feat which many more established artists still grapple with. UXLXVE switches seamlessly between soft melodies, euphoric pop, and sensual R&B. We always love a K-Pop group that is so hands-on in the creative process, and that’s exactly what XLOV is. Their leader, Wumuti, is heavily involved in songwriting and production, and all the members contribute in one way or another, from their concept to their styling and beyond. And look, we wouldn’t admit to being totally obsessed with a song about rizz of all things if we could avoid it. But, just like Taemin got us with ‘The Rizzness,’ XLOV’s ‘Rizz’ is just that undeniably good. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Rizz,’ ‘Scent,’ and ‘Biii:-P’
TUNNEL VISION – ITZY
The debate over whether to include Girls Will Be Girls or TUNNEL VISION as one of the best albums of 2025 could go on forever. It goes to show just how many incredible songs ITZY have delivered this year. Ultimately, the concept, the experimentation, and the cohesiveness in TUNNEL VISION make it the epitome of what ITZY are capable of. Starting with an intro track as gripping as ‘FOCUS,’ we knew TUNNEL VISION would be one of those mini-albums that leave a mark in ITZY’s career. ‘TUNNEL VISION’ is confident, assertive, empowering, and speaks to ITZY’s journey and restless ambition.
But ‘TUNNEL VISION’ is far from the only standout on this release; songs like ‘DYT’ elevate ideas from previous releases, and ‘8-BEAT HEART’ showcases ITZY’s unique, cheeky, fun yet experimental side. Yet songs like ‘Nocturne’ show a sweeter, yet more profound, side, without losing the sound that makes them so special. TUNNEL VISION showcases everything we love about ITZY, takes it to a whole new level, and opens the doors even further for what they can achieve as a group – and we’re here for every part of it. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks:‘TUNNEL VISION,’ ‘DYT,’ and ‘8-BIT HEART’
Magic Man II – Jackson Wang
Magic Man II is by far one of the best albums we’ve heard this year. It’s pure, unfiltered art in the form of 11 songs that narrate the process of overcoming hard times by allowing yourself to feel your feelings and process them in a healthy way. Jackson mentioned multiple times throughout the year how taking a year off and enjoying his time with friends and family helped create all the songs present in MM II, and it shows for sure. From opening with ‘High Alone’ to closing with ‘Made Me A Man,’ we are taken on this journey of self-reflection that resonates deeply with anyone who’s been through hard moments.
Personally, we’ve listened to ‘GBAD’ more times than we’d like to admit for its message about protecting our peace even if it makes us a villain in someone else’s story, and cried listening to Jackson’s beautiful tribute to his parents in songs like ‘Dear’ and ‘Sophy Ricky.’ And we can’t finish this without mentioning how ‘Made Me A Man’ was the perfect closer to the album, reinforcing what Jackson has been saying since the beginning: everything that happens to us, good or bad, makes us who we are, we just have to accept that and make the best of it. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘GBAD,’ ‘Sophy Ricky’ and ‘Made Me A Man’
Breach – Twenty One Pilots
As a direct follow-up to their 2024 album, Clancy, Twenty One Pilots released one album to tie up the lore and storylines they had been building up for over a decade. And just like Clancy last year, Breach has unsurprisingly made it into our top albums of the year! Breach is first and foremost an album that celebrates the universe Twenty One Pilots have created with every aspect of their art: from the music, to the lyrics, to the music videos. The end of Clancy announced the comeback of Blurryface, and Breach sees how they go face-to-face with this infamous character, precisely a decade after the release of Blurryface.
Breach has even more layers than the usual Twenty One Pilots release, as it includes, in the most genius and satisfying way, references to some of their most iconic and meaningful songs. From tracks like ‘City Walls, ‘ which follow Twenty One Pilots’ signature sound, to songs like ‘Days Lie Dormant,’ which offer a new element to their discography. Even as Breach reminisces on Twenty One Pilots’ journey as artists, it also expands their horizons as musicians and brings something new and refreshing to the table. Twenty One Pilots’ entire career comes down to this album, and it is a beyond-impressive one. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘City Walls,’ ‘The Contract,’ and ‘Downstairs’
Man’s Best Friend – Sabrina Carpenter
Call men out on their cr*p and face your problems head-on, but make it cute: the recipe for success, according to Miss Sabrina Carpenter. And let’s face it, it’s working wonders for her (and us), and Man’s Best Friend is proof of it. We can’t count how many times we’ve screamed the lyrics to ‘Manchild’ in our cars or laughed while listening to ‘Nobody’s Son’ because it reminded us of someone, but that’s the magic of Sabrina’s music: it makes serious situations lighter with her cheeky lyrics and unique voice. In our opinion, it’s only further up from here for this pop princess, and we can only hope to be along for the ride with her! – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Manchild,’ ‘Nobody’s Son’ and ‘Never Getting Laid’
K-Pop Demon Hunters Soundtrack
Now, how could we write about our top 50 albums without including the soundtrack of the year? K-Pop Demon Hunters not only smashed it in terms of movie records, but its soundtrack album was quite the success, too. From the lightning-fast energy of anthems like ‘Golden’ and ‘How It’s Done’ to the sleek swagger of villain-boy-band bops like ‘Soda Pop’ and ‘Your Idol,’ the album takes you on a wild ride between hero-team high drama and devilish-charm chaos.
Then, when tracks like ‘What It Sounds Like’ drop for the stirring score, you feel that emotional weight, like battle scars made beautiful by music. Whether you’re rooting for the supernatural girl-group heroes or vibing with the darker side, the soundtrack never asks you to pick sides, it just demands you dance, feel, and get swept up. K-Pop Demon Hunters doesn’t just soundtrack a story; it gives you a full-on K-Pop fantasy world you might never want to leave. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks:‘How It’s Done’, ‘Soda Pop’, and ‘Golden’
Wishbone – Conan Gray
Conan Gray only needs a guitar and his lyrics to create one of the best albums of the year. After the release of Found Heaven last year, a new Conan Gray album wasn’t in our bingo card for 2025. Yet, Wishbone arrived in our lives to take over all of our playlists. For this album, Conan went back to his roots and stripped the creation down to just him and a few trusted producers. The result was a raw album full of vulnerability and some of his best songwriting as he tells an introspective story of a failed love. And no one does that quite like Conan Gray.
The title says it all: Wishbone refers to the way someone always gets the biggest piece of a wishbone. Kicking off the album with ‘Actor,’ the song already announces where the story would end, and yet tracks like ‘This Song’ make us feel every ounce of love that was once there. Songs like ‘Nauseous’ are where Conan shines as a songwriter, opening up about himself through his music, being raw and vulnerable. Still, his use of imagery and metaphor reaches its peak in ‘Eleven Eleven.’ Conan has always been an incredible storyteller, and through this album, he showed even more growth as an artist, and yes, these songs will haunt us forever now. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Actor,’ ‘Vodka Cranberry,’ and ‘Eleven Eleven’
ORDER Chaos ORDER – Calum Hood
5 Seconds of Summer has given us so much this year, but one thing that they never lack is incredible music. As we reflect on our favorite albums of 2025, we have to mention the masterpiece by our beloved Calum: ORDER chaos ORDER.
If we were to describe this album in one word, we would use vulnerability. Mr. Calum Hood has always left us speechless with the way his music is both relatable and unique, and ORDER chaos ORDER is a rollercoaster of emotions. This project is for those who love to be connected with their deepest feelings, but also for the dreamers. Our favorite thing from this incredible album is the lyricism. Calum does a lot of introspection throughout these tracks, thinking about the “what ifs” and the “what could’ve beens” while giving us the feeling of living in a permanent summer sunset.
We’re so thankful for living in the same timeline as this genius, and we are so proud of Calum for allowing us to explore this solo musical journey!
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Streetwise,’ ‘Dark Circles,’ ‘Sunsetter’
Sidequest – Michael Clifford
Speaking of 5SOS and their 10/10 run this year, we obviously have to mention the coolness of Michael Clifford! His solo album, SIDEQUEST, gives us super fun aesthetics and a taste of pop-punk blending that has sparkled in Michael’s style since he started sharing his music with us. Eclectic colors, fuzzy shapes, and video game screens are the visual standouts of this era, but he also wanted to share how mature he has become and push his producing abilities for this release. Michael wanted to combine his alternative music lover personality with his newest electronic inspirations to make SIDEQUEST as authentic as possible. And we think he has covered all of his wishes with this release!
He has collaborated with some amazing artists for some of the tracks, but SIDEQUEST is a purely Michael Clifford creation. From writing all the lyrics to mastering the record, Michael has poured his entire soul in his solo adventure. We’re so happy that our 2025 has been blessed by his great songs!
THP’s Song Picks: ‘give me a break! (feat. waterparks)’ because we will always be PARXSOS truthers, ‘cool,’ ‘enough’
Caligo Pt.1 – PLAVE
PLAVE’sCaligo Pt.1 slinks onto your playlist like moonlight on water, moody, stylish, and full of surprises. From the rock-fuelled punch of opener ‘Dash’ to the silky R&B glow of ‘Island,’ the record shows off the group’s range without ever tipping into over-ambition. Tracks like ‘Chroma Drift’ bring retro city-pop warmth with airy saxophone lines and smooth grooves, while ‘12:32 (A to T)’ offers a quiet, tender moment that feels like a whispered late-night promise.
Even the laid-back hip-hop charm of ‘RIZZ’ adds a cheeky swagger, proving PLAVE aren’t afraid to play with tone and texture. Caligo Pt. 1 is a polished, genre-hopping mini-album that shows PLAVE knows exactly how to set a mood, whether you’re craving a punch, a slow groove, or a dreamy escape. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Chroma Drift,’ ‘Island,’ and ‘Dash’
fe304: FORWARD – NMIXX
If there’s one group we could easily add both releases of the year to the list, it would hands down be NMIXX. With the release of Blue Valentine later in the year, they made history and established themselves as the force they were always meant to be. And while Blue Valentine is the first full-length album of a lifetime and would also deserve a place in our list, it is difficult to compete against the absolute jaw-dropping masterpiece that is their Fe304: FORWARD mini-album.
Starting the era with ‘High Horse,’ we knew NMIXX weren’t here to play, as they showcased their contemporary dancing skills and their beyond-powerful vocals. ‘High Horse’ is the most unique, special, and mind-blowing release of K-Pop, not only this year. And the best song of the year could only be followed by a show-stopping title track like ‘KNOW ABOUT ME,’ which highlighted their harmonies and synergy. It doesn’t stop there, though, because every song in Fe304: FORWARD is a unique piece that showcases NMIXX’s restless love for experimenting with music, vocals, and pushing their sound beyond any barrier, leading us to K-Pop excellence in songs like ‘Papillon.’ From track 1 with ‘High Horse’ to track 6 with ‘Ocean,’ FE304: FORWARD is a masterclass in not only what K-Pop can and should be, but also in what music is all about. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘High Horse,’ ‘KNOW ABOUT ME,’ and ‘Papillon’
People Watching – Sam Fender
Sam Fender scored a hat-trick with his third studio album, People Watching. We’ve been fans of Sam for a long time, and we’re still taken by surprise every time he releases something new, and he’s somehow managed to get even better! In People Watching, Sam, once again, delves into the personal and political. And not the kind of grand, sweeping political gesturing many celebrities make, but deeply felt, nuanced commentaries on social class, capitalism, and more. This has been a keystone in Sam’s discography from the start, but it’s rare not to see this fade away once an artist reaches the levels of success that Sam has. The intricate nature of Sam’s lyricism is only amplified by the stadium-level production he puts behind it. The duality shouldn’t work, but for the third album in a row, Sam Fender has proved he’s one of the few who can make it happen. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘People Watching,’ ‘Chin Up,’ and ‘Remember My Name’
The Star Chapter: Together – TOMORROW X TOGETHER
TOMORROW X TOGETHER’s latest full-length album, The Star Chapter: TOGETHER, feels like a kaleidoscope of sounds and emotions, all tied together by the group’s unmistakable energy and ambition. From the vibrant, ‘80s-tinged synth-pop of opener ‘Upside Down Kiss’ to the soaring, yearning melodies of lead single ‘Beautiful Strangers,’ the album draws you in with lush production and hooks that linger.
The solo songs, from the carefree falsetto glide of ‘Sunday Driver’ to the raw emotional surge of ‘Take My Half,’ let each member shine in their own lane while still feeling connected to the group’s wider universe. When tracks like ‘Bird of Night’ drift in on soft piano and gentle vocals, or when ‘Dance With You’ pulses with sultry rhythm and playful groove, TXT shows they’re unafraid to explore new moods and musical corners. The Star Chapter: TOGETHER doesn’t just showcase growth, it delivers a full-on emotional ride, blending confidence, vulnerability, and that signature “we’re all in this together” spirit that makes it impossible not to hit replay. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks:‘Beautiful Strangers,’ ‘Ghost Girl,’ and ‘Song of the Stars’
Love & Hyperbole – Alessia Cara
With the release of ‘Dead Man’ as the lead single of Alessia Cara’s new album last summer, Love & Hyperbolewas an album that had been among our most anticipated of 2025. And ten months after its release, it has remained one of the year’s most memorable albums. Songs like ‘Subside’ and ‘Fire’ find their way back into our minds constantly. Alessia Cara’s pen has never failed, but Love & Hyperbole reveals a side of her that is even more mature, profound, and introspective, while showcasing her unique, striking vocals. From ‘Dead Man,’ she dipped her toes into a more jazzy, darker side, and it set the tone for the entirety of the album.
Released on Valentine’s Day, she created a unique atmosphere in Love & Hyperbole where she explored all the different sides of love – the sense of freedom, the beauty, the heartbreak, and the aftermath. It’s smooth and relaxing, yet all the songs are filled with nuanced emotions in the most cathartic way, including some of her most beautiful songs about love and growth. Alessia has always had a way with music that sets her apart, and no album has showcased her unique vision and way with words quite like Love & Hyperbole. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Subside,’ ‘Clearly,’ and ‘Fire.’
Übermensch – G-Dragon
The king of K-Pop returns with another album full of bangers. Truly, GD is the Übermensch of the industry. Named after Nietzsche’s concept of the new goal for humanity, translated as “beyond-man,” the album definitely reflects the notion of “an individual who transcends themselves,” as G-Dragon himself put it. After 12 years without releasing a full-length album, GD reinvented himself once again and brought us eight insane tracks that just scream “this is what K-Pop is about,” mixing genres, bringing killer collabs, and reminding us why he’s considered one of the best rappers in the industry.
If we had to choose a single lyric to highlight from this album, it would have to be, “prove ‘em all wrong, I’ve got all the receipts,” from ‘Power,’ because there’s nothing quite like feeling like you have the power to do anything, and that’s exactly the feeling this song brings out in us. Also, excuse us while we fangirl over ‘Home Sweet Home,’ where GD brings his Big Bang members, Taeyang and Daesung, along for the ride, and they make it clear that their, “golden days are still alive,” which we couldn’t be happier to hear! – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Too Bad,’ ‘Power’ and ‘Drama’
Perrie – Perrie
After years of anticipation, our girl Perrie finally dropped her debut self-titled album… and it was worth every second of the wait. From the energetic yet bittersweet debut single ‘Forget About Us’ to the sassy, confident punch of ‘If He Wanted To He Would,’ this record delivers an irresistible mix of belting choruses and catchy hooks that practically beg you to roll the windows down and scream along. When she shifts into heart-tugging ballads like ‘Miss You’ or ‘Same Place Different View,’ her voice, crisp, emotive, and rich, turns heartbreak into something beautifully cathartic.
And then there are the groove-soaked moments like ‘Sand Dancer’ and ‘Pushing Up Daisies,’ proving Perrie is just as magnetic on the dance floor as she is behind a piano ballad. Overall, Perrie plays like the ultimate pop playlist: warm, inviting, and full of personality. It marks the official arrival of a solo star whose shine isn’t going anywhere. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s song picks: ‘Sand Dancer’, ‘Miss You’, and ‘If He Wanted To He Would’
KARMA – Stray Kids
Following world-changing releases like GO LIVE, NOEASY, and 5-STAR, the stakes and expectations were high for Stray Kids’ fourth full-length album, and KARMA met them without breaking a sweat. KARMA is an album that put Stray Kids’ success as a self-produced group in the forefront – it celebrated all sides of their artistry, their journey, their passion for music, their bond as a group, and their connection to fans. Coming right off the biggest K-Pop tour of the year, KARMA is directly inspired by the energy Stray Kids brought to the stage every night, as shown through songs like ‘Half Time.’
We also had hard-hitting songs with Stray Kids’ unique energy and undeniable rap skills, like ‘BLEEP’ and ‘CREED,’ as well as new ventures into EDM with ‘Phoenix’ and pop-punk with ‘In My Head.’ ‘MESS,’ ‘Ghost’ and ‘0801’ showed more vulnerability and introspection, giving KARMA a life on its own. It only makes sense that Stray Kids’ karma would come to fruition with this album, giving them their first MAMA daesang for Album of the Year. But more than anything, KARMA was about ‘CEREMONY’ and celebrating Stray Kids’ success despite adversity and the impact of their music. They were right: that ratio did get them worldwide. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘BLEEP,’ ‘CEREMONY,’ and ‘Phoenix’
Zara Larsson getting her flowers is long overdue, but better late than never! A long-time star across Europe, the U.S. is finally starting to take notice, thanks to the virality of Midnight Sun and Zara’s stint supporting Tate McRae on tour. Zara is by far one of pop’s most down-to-earth, relatable stars, whilst still giving us all the glitz and glam we could ever ask for! With Midnight Sun, Zara shows off her duality. The album is full of Eurodance and house-influenced tracks, underneath vocals so strong that she’s nicknamed Beyoncé’s adopted daughter. In the era of TikTok music, Zara Larsson has our vote as an artist who is doing that right, with integrity, and has our recommendation as a must-follow on social media! – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Girl’s Girl,’ ‘Midnight Sun,’ and ‘Blue Moon’
Idols – YUNGBLUD
YUNGBLUD is another artist who we’re thrilled to see finally getting their dues stateside! Idols kind of does what it says on the tin, full of references to the artists who inspire YUNGBLUD. From the offset of ‘Hello Heaven, Hello,’ YUNGBLUD is taking you on a journey, throughout musical styles but also seemingly through his own psyche, though YUNGBLUD himself has said this album came from the heart rather than the head. Since the very onset of his career, YUNGBLUD has toyed with genres with a very on-brand anarchic sensibility. Idols is no different, gifting us with stadium rock anthems featuring the London Philharmonic Orchestra. “Tell me, do you wanna feel alive?” Then listen to Idols. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Hello Heaven, Hello,’ ‘Zombie,’ and ‘Lovesick Lullaby’
Knees Up – Olly Murs
Olly Murs’ new album Knees Up feels like a full-on invitation to the ultimate party; cheeky, upbeat, and unmistakably him. From the high-energy opener ‘Save Me’ to the ska-tinged swagger of ‘Bonkers,’ the record bursts with big hooks, big horns, and that playful charm fans always fall for. But there’s still plenty of heart woven in. Tracks like ‘Love = Madness’ and ‘Honest’ slip effortlessly between the pop bangers, giving space to his softer, more vulnerable side without dimming the party lights.
When he slows things down, whether it’s a tender ballad or a mellow groove, his vocals shine with that signature warmth and sincerity. In fact, this might be the closest we’ve ever gotten to Olly’s true live sound. So many of these songs carry the “big band” energy his concerts are known for, and it gives the whole record that full-bodied, feel-good lift. Knees Up isn’t here to reinvent the wheel; it’s here to remind you exactly why Olly Murs became the soundtrack to summer nights and late-night drives in the first place. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Save Me’, ‘Run This Town,’ and ‘Honest‘
Detox – ONE OK ROCK
You can always trust that ONE OK ROCK to deliver an album that will leave its mark on our entire year. Their eleventh album, DETOX, came out back in February and has remained in our top albums of the year. After the release of Luxury Disease in 2022, ONE OK ROCK collaborated with the legendary producer Rob Cavallo to create magic once again. The main single, ‘Dystopia,’ says it all: DETOX questions the world, sees the ugliness, but also serves as a break and a necessary cathartic disconnect from the real world. While DETOX has some good pop bangers like ‘Tropical Therapy,’ it also saw ONE OK ROCK going back to their roots: it’s their heaviest album in years.
It opens with a track like ‘NASTY’ that hits hard just in the right way, and they collaborated with Paledusk and CHICO CARLITO in one of their heaviest tracks yet, ‘C.U.R.I.O.S.I.T.Y.’ And still, it has its vulnerable and beautiful moments like ‘Tiny Pieces’ and even more so ‘This Can’t Be Us’ that push their musicality and Taka’s vocals even more. DETOX is an album that manages to package everything that makes ONE OK ROCK so special and unique, all their experimentation and experience with different genres, into 11 flawless tracks. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks:‘Nasty,’ ‘Party’s Over,’ and ‘This Can’t Be Us’
Hometown – BamBam
BamBam Thai album. That’s it, that’s the tweet. Actually, it’s not, we’re gonna talk a lot about Hometown. For the first time in 14 years since his debut, BamBam released an EP fully in Thai, and the project is all we could’ve wanted and so much more! From the dreamy vibes of ‘WONDERING’ all the way to the more modern feel of ‘Dancing By Myself,’ HOMETOWN is a beautiful and heartwarming tribute to his origins, and we can definitely hear all the love and care BamBam put into every song, once again proving his talent knows no bounds. And neither do his connections in the industry, apparently, seeing as he got some of the most popular names in Thai music to feature in HOMETOWN.
Seriously, Jeff Satur in ‘More Than Friend,’ TIMETHAI in ‘Dancing By Myself’ and INK WARUNTORN in ‘Greenlight?’ Perfection! And we can’t help but mention how finishing the EP off with ‘Angel in Disguise,’ an ethereal fantasy in song form produced by Pharrell Williams, that really evokes the feeling of coming home. More than an album, HOMETOWN is an invitation into BamBam’s world, and we’re more than happy to accept it.– Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘WONDERING,’ ‘More Than Friend’ and ‘Angel in Disguise’
The Life Of A Showgirl – Taylor Swift
The Life of a Showgirl may have been released in October, but it became one of the most talked about albums of the year in a matter of a few hours – needless to say, that even after the Eras Tour, Taylor is still taking the world by storm. Taylor Swift mixed a new and old approach when it came to the writing of this album, going back to her most-pop era collaborator Max Martin – the mastermind behind her best and most iconic albums, such as 1989 and Reputation – but also offering a new style of writing in these songs.
Opening the album with pure Taylor pop gold with ‘The Fate of Ophelia,’ there was no escaping this song or this entire album. Catchy pop songs like ‘Opalite’ and ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ explored her newfound peace and love, while delving into some of her deeper past fears, and songs like ‘Father Figure’ explored darker sides of the industry. The final and title track of the album sums up the message of the entire release, and choosing to feature Sabrina Carpenter is nothing short of genius. The Life of a Showgirl explores the pressure of the public eye, the complex relationships within the industry, but also love and change, all in the unique style of Taylor Swift. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘The Fate of Ophelia,’ ‘Elizabeth Taylor,’ and ‘Opalite’
Echo – Jin
Jin’s new solo drop, Echo, sits somewhere between a heart-shattering breakup diary and a late-night drive soundtrack, and it is deliciously dramatic. From the gut-punch ache of the lead single ‘Don’t Say You Love Me’ to the smoky pop-rock moments that slide between piano-led introspection and guitar-fuelled alt-rock, this record finds Jin digging deeper into his feelings than ever. His voice? Still, that honey-soft velvet that somehow makes heartbreak sound golden.
Tracks like the tongue-in-cheek country-rock standout ‘Rope It’ add a playful, familiar charm, giving his more cinematic, melancholic moments even more room to breathe. And when he leans fully into that emotional storytelling, the album glows with the kind of star power only Jin can pull off: confident, tender, and unexpectedly bold all at once. Echo doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it polishes it so well that by the time the last track fades out, you realize it’s taken you for a ride anyway. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Top Picks: ‘Background,’ ‘With The Clouds,’ and ‘Rope It’
This Is For – TWICE
We have to talk about TWICE every year, their music is a staple for us! Our favorite girls have celebrated their tenth anniversary this year, and that shows how unstoppable they’ve been in 2025! We feel like we’ve grown with them through this decade, and their full album from this year, THIS IS FOR, is a perfect example, celebrating their evolution as well as a new chapter for the group.
TWICE reflects and shows their talent through THIS IS FOR with songs that include the whole group, as well as amazing sub-units that were amazing surprises for us! With this album, we’ve gotten to hear new combinations and new styles that we’ve never heard before, and it’s incredible how much the members want to show new sides of themselves, even after ten years of releasing some of the most iconic K-Pop tracks. They want to show us how passionate they are, as well as deliver empowering messages to their fans. THIS IS FOR is TWICE’s most mature project, and it keeps being as fun, groovy, and legendary as the rest of their discography! Our biggest 2025 wish is to keep celebrating more decades with them!
You know we love our rookie groups, and ARrC is no exception. We knew these boys were going to be big since their debut last year with AR^C, and this year’s releases only confirmed our suspicions. Their third mini-album, HOPE, released in July, brought us five absolute bangers that showcase the group’s musical versatility, going from ‘awesome,’ which takes inspiration from 2000s hip-hop, all the way to the neo-soul influences of ‘night life.’ We also can’t help but mention the messages in their lyrics.
Staying true to their name (“Always Remember the real Connection”), the group’s focus stays on positive messages about staying optimistic even in the middle of a chaotic world and staying true to yourself, and we cannot wait to see what our boys will be up to next in their career! – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘awesome,’ ‘night life’ and ‘vitamin I’
Only cry in the rain – CHUU
In the post-LOONA era we unfortunately have to live in, the girls continuously make it better by giving us some of the best releases K-Pop has to offer. This year, Chuu may have been booked and busy in variety shows and having her own tour, but it didn’t stop her from giving us her best mini-album yet: Only cry in the rain. Her previous flawless mini-albums established her as a soloist, and Only cry in the rain allowed her to go even deeper, offering five extremely recognizable, unique songs that fit together like a beautiful puzzle. ‘Only cry in the rain’ has a very clear concept and message: to find hope even in the darkest times while embracing all your emotions, including the pain.
Chuu used her addictive energy and positivity to create a mini-album that brings comfort and love, and doesn’t forget to have fun like in songs like ‘Back in Town’ and the viral ‘Kiss a Kitty.’ While ‘Je t’aime’ is a beautiful love song, ‘No More’ ends the release on a high note of positivity and empowerment. All tied together by Chuu’s infectious personality and stunning vocals, Only cry in the rain became a ray of light in our lives. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Only cry in the rain,’ ‘Je t’aime,’ and ‘No More’
Underwater – Big Ocean
2025 marked a huge turning point for Big Ocean. A year into their debut, they stepped confidently into a mature, sultry concept that completely shed any “young and innocent” expectations people once had. Their second mini album, Underwater, pulls you straight into an ocean of mystery; it’s moody, cinematic, and fully immersive. From the raw ache of PJ’s solo track ‘SINKING’ to the slick, cool allure of ‘FADE OUT,’ co-penned by Chanyeon, every song feels like a wave tugging at your heartstrings.
Then comes the title track ‘ATTENTION,’ a hypnotic surge of confidence with commanding vocals that dare you to dive deeper. And by the time ‘End of Time’ drifts in under moonlight, a love letter to PADO straight from the members’ hearts, it feels like the final piece of a fully realised concept. Underwater isn’t just a comeback; it’s a transformation. With its mermaid-inspired visuals, emotional depth, and bold tonal shift, the album proves that Big Ocean isn’t afraid to explore their shadowy depths, and they surface stronger, more expressive, and endlessly magnetic. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks:‘Attention,’ ‘Sinking,’ and ‘End Of Time’
The Misunderstood EP – Hannah Bahng
Our Aussie girl is back once more on this list with another bahng-er (hehe) in the form of The Misunderstood EP. Vocals? On point. Lyrics? Gut-wrenchingly beautiful. Our ears? Blessed! One of our absolute faves from the EP is ‘IM ME AGAIN,’ an ethereal track that showcases both Hannah’s talent for lyricism as well as her gorgeous voice in the best way possible. We also got our hearts slightly broken while listening to ‘RIBS,’ but coming from Hannah, we’re willing to accept that. The Misunderstood EP feels like a natural evolution from her previous release, The Abysmal EP, but more mature and experienced, and we cannot wait to see what comes next for this amazing girl we love so much. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘what never lived,’ ‘IM ME AGAIN,’ and ‘RIBS’
Wait On Me – KAI
KAI’s fourth solo album was far more understated than its predecessors, but no less worthy of acclaim or a spot on our top 50! KAI’s first release since returning from the military, everyone was anticipating Wait On Me, whether you’re an EXOL or not. Wait On Me also brought KAI’s first solo tour, which THP was lucky enough to attend, basically making all our dreams come true. And no, we won’t be taking this opportunity to talk about the ‘Pressure’ choreography. The singles, ‘Adult Swim’ and ‘Wait On Me,’ didn’t have the same fanfare as the likes of ‘Rover’ or ‘Mmmh,’ but still reiterated KAI’s status as one of K-Pop’s very best. Wait On Me is rife with KAI’s sensual artistry, honey-smooth vocals, and legendary performance skills. As KAI says in ‘Flight to Paris,’ “Get away from the mundane,” and check out Wait On Me. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Flight to Paris,’ ‘Walls Don’t Talk,’ and ‘Pressure’
DESIRE : UNLEASH – ENHYPEN
We can trust ENHYPEN to always deliver incredible music, and their 2025, DESIRE: UNLEASH, is truly everything that we wanted, and more! We have already explored their sweet romantic side with ROMANCE: UNTOLD, but this year’s project was a total 180 (in the best way!). With this comeback, ENHYPEN wanted to focus more on the mysterious lust and daring side of vampires. Everything surrounding DESIRE: UNLEASH was designed to make us want more, from the amazing songs to the visuals that they keep on serving!
We believe that ENHYPEN has created one of the best K-Pop discographies ever, and the addictive tracks from this project could only have been created by this group. The title track, ‘Bad Desire (With or Without You),’ follows how the group longs and yearns for true love. It goes along with their lore so well! And, of course, their b-sides keep getting better and better, following their enigmatic sides with passion and fiery romance. We love how the group keeps adding chapters to their storytelling through music that we can’t get enough of! – María Solano
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Outside,’ ‘Helium,’ and ‘Bad Desire (With or Without You)’
Winter Heptagon – GOT7
Mature, charming, and unapologetically GOT7 at its finest… that’s how we’d describe Winter Heptagon in one sentence. We knew this year was going to be a good one when we heard Winter Heptagon for the first time in January. With nine songs total and at least one written by each member, GOT7’s 13th mini album truly shows off how versatile the group is. And it’s amazing to be able to tell which song belongs to who just by listening. We knew the R&B vibe present in ‘Remember’ was Yugyeom’s doing, and ‘SMOOTH’ has Jackson’s signature written all over it, and that goes for all of them.
We were so glad to see GOT7 back together, making music and visibly enjoying every second. Frankly, Winter Heptagon brought us some much-needed warmth, and we can’t wait to see what else our lovely, chaotic seven have in store for us in the future. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘PYTHON,’ ‘Yours Truly,’ and ‘SMOOTH’
Am I The Drama? – Cardi B
Seven years is a long time to wait for a sophomore album, but Am I The Drama? proves, once again, that Cardi B plays by her own rules and comes out on top. Across 23 songs, Cardi flexes her versatility to such an extent that even dedicated fans might’ve been surprised. From vulnerable R&B to maximalist anthems to that highly anticipated diss track, not one of these songs could be accused of being filler. Another decision Cardi made for Am I The Drama? that we love? With the exception of ‘Up’ and ‘WAP,’ Cardi didn’t add the plethora of hit singles she’s had in the interim between Invasion of Privacy and Am I The Drama?. In a music industry that’s ruled by numbers, the decision to prioritize artistry over debuting an album with an extra 2 billion streams from the get-go is one we’ll always respect. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Imaginary Playerz,’ ‘Pretty & Petty,’ and ‘Safe’
Permission to Dance On Stage: Live – BTS
2025 marked a huge moment in BTS history: the year all seven members finally returned from military service, sending ARMY into full celebration mode. Soon after their discharge, the members headed straight back into the studio to begin preparing for their highly anticipated return to music. While we’re more than happy to wait (perfection takes time, after all), they made sure we were well fed in the meantime with Permission To Dance: LIVE. Pulled from shows between 2021 and 2022, this project is BTS’s first-ever live album, and it serves as a powerful reminder of just how phenomenal they are as performers.
The album leans into nostalgia while spotlighting the strength of their live vocals, even as they tackle intense choreography. From fresh arrangements on classics like ‘FIRE’ to the rich, prominent live instrumentals, Permission To Dance: LIVE brings us one step closer to their eagerly awaited 2026 comeback and the tour that the members have been teasing. It leaves us buzzing for the day we finally see all seven of them light up a stage together again. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Fire,’ ‘Black Swan,’ and ‘Permission To Dance’
WRLD – The Rose
If you asked us what The Rose’s WRLDfeels like, we’d say it feels like a warm hug after a long day. It’s like Woosung, Dojoon, Hajoon, and Jaehyung are telling us everything will be okay through these seven songs. And not only did they do that through the lyrics, but The Rose also gave us a stunning video on their YouTube channel where they play the songs, creating a truly immersive experience for all of us.
As huge fans of immersive visuals in songwriting that we are, of course, we’d be obsessed with ‘Nebula,’ where subtle chords mix with lyrics like, “Counting stars, I closed my eyes / Searching for answers of life…” to create a perfect atmosphere. We’re also absolutely in love with Tomorrow’ and how it brings the feeling of being hopeful for the future, after all, “Tomorrow we’ll be okay.” And now on to the closing track, ‘Ticket To The Sky,’ it honestly feels like coming home to who we love and feeling safe in their embrace. Yes, we cried a little (or a lot). Don’t judge us. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Nebula,’ ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘Ticket To The Sky’
SWAG – Justin Bieber
2025 has been the year of unforgettable comebacks, including the rise of the iconic Justin Bieber, and bringing him back to our on-repeat playlists! Justin has released not one, but two special R&B albums, called SWAG and SWAG II. These releases show us how much this genre and his personal style are a true fit for one another. We’ve decided to focus on the first album from this duology, since it was the one that announced his big return, but we recommend listening to both to get the complete story of where Justin has been.
As Justin has been experiencing adulthood, this new music represents growth. SWAG is a collection of his feelings while dealing with adult themes such as faith, marriage, and loyalty. As enjoyers of Justin’s R&B, we fell in love with this album. All of the tracks are cohesive, and they’re perfect if you want to enjoy the production and collaboration that comes with this genre. We can’t talk about 2025 without mentioning this big comeback!
THP’s Song Picks: ‘TOO LONG,’ ‘405,’ ‘WALKING AWAY’
No Genre – BOYNEXTDOOR
Listening to BOYNEXTDOOR turns our whole day around! We can recognize their music anywhere by their energy, and 2025 has been an incredibly busy year for them. They’ve shown us how versatile they are through this year’s releases, including No Genre, a mini-album full of tracks created by the members that highlights the message of embracing your true identity.
No Genre’s songs are playful and colorful, and they are all incredibly different from one another! If this were your first taste of the group, you would’ve discovered their hunger to display their artistry. BOYNEXTDOOR was in charge of this entire comeback, including the storytelling and the lyricism of the tracks. The members are deeply connected with No Genre, and we’re so happy to see that more groups are in charge of their creative works in K-Pop. This project shows that the group is here to conquer K-Pop’s fifth gen, and we can’t wait to keep seeing what they create in their next releases!
THP’s Song Picks: ‘I Feel Good,’ ‘123-78,’ and ‘Next Mistake’
Everyone’s A Star! – 5SOS
If you’re at all familiar with The Honey POP and our origin story, you would’ve probably expected this album in our top 50, right? After three long years (the pain of which was admittedly soothed by solo releases from every member), 5SOS returned with EVERYONE’S A STAR!, and we’re toying with the notion that this might be their best album yet. This album truly encapsulates all four members’ musical tastes, their sense of humor, their fanbase, and their talents. EAS! is an album that could only be made by a band that has been in the industry as long as 5SOS has; it exists perfectly in the balance between being self-aware and realistic, without being jaded and cynical. Even more than that, EVERYONE’S A STAR! was 5SOS’s most exciting (and well-executed) album rollout yet. Move over, ’She’s Kinda Hot’ graffiti livestream! – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Evolve,’ ‘Boyband,’ and ‘istillfeelthesame’
Ruby – JENNIE
If you were wondering, no, nobody does it like JENNIE! 2025 has been a huge year for the BLACKPINK members, both as a group with a new release and a world tour, and as soloists. All of them now have incredible albums under their belts! We want to highlight one of our favorites that has been appearing in all of our Spotify Wrappeds: Ruby. JENNIE has always been one of our favorite K-POP icons, but this album has made her conquer all of our hearts and our playlists!
We always associate Ruby with empowerment and owning your personal evolution. We have been craving to enjoy a full project created by JENNIE for as long as we can remember, and we wanted to hear her story from her, and only from her. We knew she was going to knock our socks out, as she has always delivered breathtaking concepts and songs that make history. This album gives us a glimpse into JENNIE’s creative mind through raw storytelling and versatility. Whether you prefer to listen to her iconic and catchy raps, her pop perfection with collaborations with amazing artists, or you love her vocals and her exploration through her growth, JENNIE does it all in Ruby. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect project to define our year! – María Solano
THP’s Song Picks: ‘with the IE (way up),’ ‘ZEN,’ ‘Filter’ (and of course, special mention to ‘like JENNIE’. Such an iconic title track!)
Back To Life – &TEAM
&TEAM’s Korean debut had been highly anticipated for three years, albeit a little confusingly, given they’ve always straddled the line between J-Pop and K-Pop, and have promoted Korean versions of most of their songs. But nonetheless, we’re so happy they’ve officially debuted, but we’re pretty sure &TEAM’s excitement superseded even the most hyped LUNÉs. The members clearly worked so hard on every aspect of this era, from the vocals to the performance to all of the extracurricular activities that come along with being a K-Pop idol.
The title track, ‘Back To Life,’ was &TEAM at their very best, with rock melodies and vocals mixed with hip-hop sensibilities and choreography. This versatility is matched (‘Mismatch-ed?!’) with the far more overtly hip-hop influenced coupling track, ‘Lunatic.’ This one-two punch of a rock anthem and a hip-hop banger has worked for &TEAM for several comebacks now, and we don’t see that changing anytime soon. Also, what on earth happened to Jo this era?! We’re still not ok. – Anna Marie
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Lunatic,’ ‘Mismatch,’ and ‘Back To Life’
Debí Tirar Más Fotos – Bad Bunny
No one does Latin pop like Bad Bunny does Latin pop. Benito chose to start the year with a bang in the form of Debí Tirar Más Fotos. The album is a love letter to his Puerto Rican upbringing, but it resonated with the entire Latin American community, to the point where most recognized the feeling behind not just the lyrics, but also the cover with the two empty chairs.
The title track, ‘DtMF,’ deserves all the praise it got (and still gets) for translating the feeling of looking back on past moments and thinking “I should’ve appreciated these things and these people more,” and how we only seem to realize that once we’re away and missing it. We also cannot help but mention ‘LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,’ where Bad Bunny directly tells the people of Puerto Rico not to let their home lose its identity in the same way much of Hawaiian culture has been lost over the years. In summary, one of the best albums of 2025, and we can’t wait to see what songs Benito will be performing during the Super Bowl halftime show next year. – Anna Bastos
THP’s Song Picks: ‘LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,’ ‘DtMF’ and ‘LA MuDANZA’
Beautiful Mind – Xdinary Heroes
Xdinary Heroes debuted in 2021, and ever since, they’ve continued to push boundaries and expectations, carving out a space in the industry meant for them and them only. Last year was already a massive year for the band as they released their first full-length album, Troublemaker, and their more experimental mini-album, LIVE and FALL. Mix those two, and you get one of the absolute best releases by Xdinary Heroes yet: Beautiful Mind. ‘Beautiful Life’ is at the forefront of the album. This rhapsody draws direct inspiration from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen and ‘Welcome to the Black Parade’ by My Chemical Romance, adding Xdinary Heroes’ special spark to the mix and an opera-rock influence. It gave us one of the year’s most unique and unforgettable songs.
Beautiful Mind is a darker release, full of songs that push their sound to a new level while remaining true to Xdinary Heroes’ colors. From powerful ballads like ‘Supernatural’ to impactful, fun songs like ‘BBB,’ Xdinary Heroes packed some of their most unique and impressive songs in this mini-album, and created a new precedent in K-POP with Beautiful Mind. – Juu Luquín
THP’s Song Picks: ‘Beautiful Life,’ ‘Supernatural,’ and ‘George the Lobster’
DUH! – P1HARMONY
The dark horse of K-Pop struck again in 2025 with the greatest comebacks ever! P1Harmony has been, once again, one of our favorite boy groups of the year, as they’ve shown us more of their craft and their incredible music and charisma. They’re here to stay, and they will be loudly and confidently proud of how much they’ve worked to create their style. As they keep it fresh with every release, we proudly say that DUH! is one of our favorite records of the year!
DUH! is a mini-album that focuses more on the old-school hip hop style, but it also adds new genres to their iconic discography, like afrobeats and hyperpop tunes. These six tracks give us verses that leave us speechless, as well as a massive boost of energy and confidence! All of the songs from this record are playful and fun, reminding us that P1Harmony never plays about exploring new sounds and new dance moves to make their discography the most memorable of them all. This comeback is a breath of fresh air in K-Pop; they’re the only ones that can make such incredible music like this!
THP’s Song Picks: Pretty Boy,’ ‘DUH!,’ and ‘Work’
HUNTER – Key
Key’s HUNTER crashes in like a neon-soaked thriller; bold, stylish, and completely unafraid to push boundaries. From the pounding, bass-heavy swagger of the title track ‘HUNTER’ to the ‘90s-groove bounce of ‘Infatuation’ (ft. Eunho of PLAVE), the album shows off Key’s fearless flair for blending pop-house, R&B, and experimental electronics into something fresh and electrifying.
Tracks like ‘Picture Frame’ deliver dreamy synth-house that blurs the line between reality and fantasy, while the dance-floor-ready ‘GLAM’ and the edgy, off-kilter ‘Want Another’ prove Key still lives for the unexpected. And then there’s ‘Lavender Love,’ like a calm sunrise after the storm of beats. HUNTER doesn’t just revisit familiar styles; it reinvents them, crafting a sleek, cohesive sonic universe where every track stands on its own and somehow clicks together effortlessly. – Jazmin Williams
THP’s Song Picks: Hunter,’ ‘Strange,’ and ‘GLAM’
Color Outside The Lines – CORTIS
When we talk about our favorite K-Pop debuts of the year, we must talk about CORTIS. They’ve already taken the world by storm with Color Outside The Lines! CORTIS’ message is to break free from the standards with their passion for music and their vibrant fun. We felt that they would be superstars the moment we pressed play on ‘GO!’ and ‘FaSHioN!’ The group is full on creatives that want to show the world how K-Pop can mix with other genres in a modern and hip way. CORTIS wanted to showcase their personalities as much as they could with this debut, and thanks to that, they’ve created great, catchy tunes that have added a new soundtrack to the K-Pop genre this year.
We’ve never seen a debut catching so much praise and attention! Plus, all the members have collaborated in the creation of this debut in some shape or form. Every beat, lyric, dance move, and vibe from Color Outside The Lines includes their personal artistry. We feel like CORTIS is such a refreshing group! We’re so glad to be experiencing this new take on K-Pop with them. It’s been a while since we’ve heard such a perfect debut, and we can’t wait to see what they do in 2026 and beyond! – María Solano
THP’s Song Picks: ‘FaSHioN,’ ‘GO!,’ and ‘JoyRide’
And that’s your lot! What are your thoughts on our top 50 albums for 2025? Did you see your faves on this list? Let us know over on Twitter @TheHoneyPOP! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.
And if you want more music in your life, you’ve come to the right place…
TikTok’s music influence hit an all-time high in 2025. All year long, a steady stream of new tracks exploded into viral trends, defining the sound of a generation. Fresh releases found second lives as dance challenges, meme soundtracks, and emotional anthems for millions of people.
It was a year where a single catchy hook or heartfelt lyric could spark a global movement overnight. From tear-jerking ballads to high-energy bops, TikTok’s community turned songs into cultural moments. The platform’s trends shaped what we listened to, proving once again that the For You page doubles as 2025’s hottest music chart!
1. ‘Ordinary’ — Alex Warren
The not-so-ordinary love anthem of 2025.
It’s ironic how a song called ‘Ordinary’ became the year’s most extraordinary viral hit. Alex Warren’s ‘Ordinary’ started as a tender love ballad he wrote for his wife, but TikTok sent it stratospheric. The track’s earnest lyrics about everyday romance struck a chord in countless relationship montages across the app. By summer, you couldn’t scroll your feed without hitting a heartfelt video of couples, friends, or even pets set to Warren’s soaring chorus. The song’s universality, “the angels up in the clouds are jealous,” he croons made it the perfect soundtrack for love in 2025.
Its popularity was unparalleled: ‘Ordinary’ topped the Billboard Hot 100 for ten straight weeks, fueled by millions of TikToks using its chorus as an audio backdrop. Warren, a former content creator himself, clearly understood TikTok’s pulse. We embraced him as 2025’s patron saint of sappy romance, while skeptics jokingly wondered how a YouTuber-turned-singer quietly dominated the charts. Love it or not, ‘Ordinary’ became the defining sound of young love this year: a wedding-worthy earworm that turned our feeds into one giant lovefest!
The soulful slow-burn that TikTok turned into a global cry-fest.
Leave it to TikTok to catapult an R&B sleeper hit into the spotlight. Ravyn Lenae’s ‘Love Me Not’ dropped with a dreamy blend of retro-pop and indie vibes, but it truly caught fire when a creative TikToker mashed it up with Solange’s ‘Losing You.’ That unexpected mash-up became pure viral gold. Suddenly, ‘Love Me Not’ was the soundtrack to thousands of bittersweet montages: late-night drives, rain-soaked selfies, and “will they/won’t they” romance memes galore. The song’s chorus, an emotional tug-of-war of love and longing, had a way of making even silly videos feel touching.
TikTok’s Gen Z users turned Lenae’s heartfelt lyrics into a communal outpouring of feels, spawning a trend where creators shared stories of almost-relationships and unrequited crushes with the song swelling in the background. The emotional resonance was real: by mid-year, ‘Love Me Not’ had earned Lenae her first-ever spot on the Billboard Hot 100, cracking the top 25. Culturally, it hit that sweet spot between nostalgia and now. Here was a young R&B artist channeling vintage soul, and a new generation was crying and vibing in unison. In 2025, ‘Love Me Not’ proved that a TikTok trend can transform a slow-burn song into a worldwide cathartic sing-along.
TikTok has seen its share of dance trends, but this year, a handshake trend stole the show, all thanks to PinkPantheress’s ‘Illegal.’ The UK alt-pop sensation dropped ‘Illegal’ as a quirky, electronic-infused single, and it quickly fueled the global “Is this illegal?” handshake challenge. Besties everywhere learned the syncopated secret handshake (set perfectly to PinkPantheress’s hypnotic beat) and flooded TikTok with videos showing off their newfound duo skills. The trend’s wholesome twist, celebrating friendship and borderline mischief, resonated across cultures. From high school hallways in the US to friend groups in Tokyo, everyone was bonding over this track!
With over 3.7 million TikTok creations and counting, ‘Illegal’ became the friendship anthem of 2025. It even earned PinkPantheress her second appearance on the Hot 100, proving the song’s impact beyond the app. Emotionally, ‘Illegal’ struck a chord by tapping into that giddy, rebellious energy of doing something silly with your BFF. In a year when online trends often felt divisive, this one brought people together… one elaborate handshake at a time. PinkPantheress’s airy vocals and the track’s tongue-in-cheek title made it irresistibly memeable. ‘Illegal’ wasn’t just a viral song; it became a secret handshake that united everyone around the world (even celebrities).
The DIY glow-up jam that had everyone transforming.
Emerging Atlanta rapper BunnaB unleashed pure TikTok lightning with ‘Mad Again,’ a high-energy track that went from underground to unavoidable. How did it blow up? Two words: transformation videos. Creators on TikTok seized ‘Mad Again’ as the go-to soundtrack for their before-and-after glow-ups; think makeup transitions, room makeovers, and dramatic hair-dye reveals synced to the beat drop. The result? An explosion of ultra-satisfying content, each clip more addictive than the last. The song’s bold, confident hook also inspired a surprise secondary trend: a sign language challenge. Creators who are deaf and allies translated ‘Mad Again’ into expressive ASL performances, showcasing inclusivity in a way TikTok hadn’t seen before!
This one-two punch of visual trends launched ‘Mad Again’ into the viral stratosphere. By summertime, millions of TikToks featured the track, and BunnaB found herself with a breakout hit on her hands. The cultural resonance was big: here was a fierce female rapper (yep, BunnaB’s a woman killing it in a male-dominated scene) whose song empowered people to show off their transformations and personal growth. The track’s pounding bass and sassy lyrics became synonymous with confidence and change in 2025. If you flipped your look or your outlook this year, chances are ‘Mad Again’ was playing in the background, hyping you up for that reveal.
The K-Pop fantasy banger that blurred fiction and reality.
When a fictional K-Pop band from an animated film scores a real-life hit, you know TikTok is involved. ‘Golden’ by HUNTR/X, a glossy K-Pop/R&B hybrid track from the movie K-Pop Demon Hunters, transcended the screen and took on a life of its own. TikTok users globally couldn’t resist its charm. Multiple dance trends popped up, inspired by the movie’s choreography and the song’s impossible-not-to-dance hook. From teens showing off K-Pop moves to dads and kids dancing together after family movie night, ‘Golden’ turned into a cross-generational phenomenon. The track’s signature high note became a viral challenge in itself, with singers (and plenty of non-singers) attempting to nail it on camera.
Within days of the film’s release, ‘Golden’ was dominating not just TikTok but also Spotify and YouTube charts! A collaboration featuring real artists Audrey Nuna and EJAE, the song blurred the line between fiction and reality… and we ate it up. Creators used it for everything from outfit glow-up videos to celebratory montages, because its uplifting vibe instantly boosted any content. Emotionally, ‘Golden’ hit that feel-good spot; it’s joyous, inclusive, and just meta enough (a fictional band trending in real life!) to feel like a moment in pop culture history. By year’s end, HUNTR/X’s debut bop proved that in 2025, even cartoon pop stars can top the charts with a little help from TikTok.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT K-POP DEMON HUNTERS: INSTAGRAM
6. ‘DtMF’ — Bad Bunny
The Puerto Rican heartbreak anthem that had TikTok in tears.
In a year full of bops, Bad Bunny reminded everyone that a soft, nostalgic ballad can still rule TikTok. ‘DtMF,’ shorthand for Debí Tirar Más Fotos (“I should’ve taken more photos”), emerged as the most unexpectedly emotional viral trend of 2025. The song’s lyrics, where Bad Bunny laments not capturing enough memories with a lost loved one, struck a universal nerve. TikTokers began using ‘DtMF’ to soundtrack tribute videos, sharing personal montages of grandparents, parents, pets, and friends they’d lost. Suddenly, our feeds were filled with cherished snapshots and clips, each one more heart-tugging than the last. The trend became a communal space to grieve and celebrate life: a rare, tender moment on the internet.
Even Bad Bunny himself couldn’t stay dry-eyed: he posted a TikTok reacting to fans’ tributes, tears streaming as he watched their stories. That raw connection fueled ‘DtMF’ to juggernaut status. It quickly became the most-streamed song off his new album and climbed into TikTok’s top sounds. Culturally, the impact was huge! At a time when social media often feels shallow, this trend had millions openly discussing love and loss. Users commented about calling their abuela or saving more pictures; proof of music turning reflection into action. By blending Bad Bunny’s star power with genuine fan storytelling, ‘DtMF’ turned TikTok into a platform for healing in 2025. Grab the tissues…this one will be remembered as the song that made the internet collectively cry (in a good way).
The cheeky pop blockbuster that had everyone knocking on wood.
Leave it to Taylor Swift to drop a song so provocatively fun that TikTok couldn’t help but blush… and dance. ‘Wood,’ a standout track from her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl, is arguably Taylor’s most ahem adult song to date. Fueled by innuendo about her beau’s “new heights of manhood” and a tongue-in-cheek “I ain’t got to knock on wood” hook, the song set the internet abuzz from day one. TikTokers wasted no time spinning it into a viral knock-on-wood dance challenge, complete with a playful tap-tap gesture on the lyric cue. Suddenly, everyone from college kids to actual carpenters (seriously) were posting videos, playfully knocking on tables, doors, and yes, wooden boards in sync with Taylor’s sultry chorus.
The trend’s humor and boldness felt so 2025: a celebration of owning one’s sexuality and having a laugh about it. Culturally, ‘Wood’ resonated as part of the Taylor-Travis Kelce love story that pop culture obsessively followed. Fans gushed that Swift seemed happier and more empowered than ever, and they channeled that energy into TikTok skits quoting her spicy lyrics. Swifties turned cheeky lines into captions (cue the magic wand jokes) and shared their shock-and-delight reactions to Taylor’s bold new era. By dominating conversation and spawning countless memes, ‘Wood’ proved that a well-crafted pop song can be both a chart-topper and a TikTok trendsetter! Taylor gave 2025 a song equal parts sexy and playful, and we said amen.
Gen Z’s existential pop mood, wrapped in a TikTok trend.
Jessie Murph delivered a late-year viral gem with ‘Certain Kind of Love,’ a song that turned one candid lyric into a TikTok catchphrase. The track’s pop-rock energy is amazing on its own, but it was the line “I don’t see a world where I turn 25” that set off a firestorm. Young TikTokers seized on those words, half-joking and half-emoting about the classic quarter-life crisis feels. In a trend equal parts dark humor and heartfelt yearning, creators would lip-sync that lyric and showcase their wildest dreams or chaotic life plans before the dreaded 25th birthday. Others made vision board-style videos, proclaiming they will see 25, complete with images of future goals, as Jessie’s anthem blared in the background.
The dual interpretations made the trend fascinating: some played it for laughs (“YOLO, who needs 26?”) while others found motivation in it. Either way, Murph’s raw, youthful vocals became the sound of Gen Z’s hopes and fears in 2025. The song itself, with its sparkling production and emo-pop vibe, resonated emotionally because it encapsulates that in-between feeling of being young and uncertain about the future. Culturally, ‘Certain Kind of Love’ gave voice to a generation’s anxiety, and did it in a way that was oddly uplifting. As the song climbed streaming charts (buoyed by TikTok exposure), it proved that sometimes one powerful lyric is all it takes to spark a movement. Jessie Murph went from a rising singer to the patron saint of “live in the moment” youth, and we couldn’t stop humming along!
The animated movie’s OST that had everyone doing the Shakira shimmy.
If you thought soundtracks were safe from TikTok’s grasp, think again. Shakira’s ‘Zoo,’ from Disney’s Zootopia 2, pounced onto the scene and immediately took over TikTok. With its signature Shakira bounce and irresistible rhythm, ‘Zoo’ has that universal appeal that makes people nod along…or better yet, jump up to mimic her moves. As the film hit cinemas, TikTok was flooded with clips of fans attempting the ‘Zoo’ dance. From expertly choreographed renditions to adorably clumsy first tries, creators worldwide got in on the fun. One day you’d see a Colombian dance crew nailing Shakira’s hip drops; the next, a suburban dad giving it his best shot in the living room. The hashtag #ZooDance trended in multiple countries as Shakira’s track united all ages in a celebratory shimmy.
Culturally, this song’s virality was a real full-circle moment: Shakira had given us a TikTok smash back in 2016 with ‘Try Everything,’ and here she was again, reminding us she’s still the queen of soundtrack pop. The emotional uplift of ‘Zoo’ was impossible to resist; it’s pure joy in musical form, arriving just when 2025 needed it. TikTok users used the song not only for dance challenges but to soundtrack zoo outings (of course), fitness routines, and any content needing a jolt of fun energy. Shakira even interacted with fans doing the challenge, further fueling the hype. By year’s end, ‘Zoo’ wasn’t just a song from a movie; it was a global TikTok party. When Shakira yells “Come on, get on up” in the chorus, you best believe millions are dancing like animated animals set free!
The hype rap bop that brought mosh-pit energy to our feeds.
Every year needs a no-holds-barred banger, and in 2025, it was ‘Whim Whamiee.’ This collab between rappers Pluto & YK Niece came out of left field and promptly took over TikTok with its chaotic, high-octane vibe. The track itself is two minutes of pure adrenaline, and TikTokers treated it like a rallying cry. Dance crews, gym rats, and party-goers all jumped on a trend of showcasing insane energy whenever ‘Whim Whamiee’ played. We’re talking college students turning dorm halls into impromptu mosh pits and choreographers bringing full-out hip-hop routines to the app. The song’s rapid-fire lyrics turned into a lip-sync challenge only the bold (or breathless) would attempt, while its bass drops fueled countless “hype me up” memes.
By mid-summer, ‘Whim Whamiee’ had the whole platform on its feet (literally). The frenzy propelled the song to #5 on TikTok’s own summer chart in the US, and its popularity spilled over to streaming services. Perhaps the biggest sign of its impact? Two of music’s heavy hitters, Lizzo and Sexyy Red, jumped on official remixes, dropping their own verses to ride the wave. We went wild at the co-sign: seeing A-listers vibing to a TikTok-made hit felt like vindication for internet culture. ‘Whim Whamiee’ resonated because it was pure fun: a little unhinged, a lot catchy, and totally participatory! In a year where many viral songs tugged at our heartstrings, this one was all about letting loose. It turned TikTok into a virtual nightclub where anyone could be the life of the party. And if you ask us, Pluto and YK Niece won 2025’s award for the most insane glow-up; from obscurity to everybody’s hype soundtrack, no VIP pass needed!
It should come as a shock to no one: The 2025 Latin Grammy Awards were all about Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar won album of the year for his landmark release “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” After thanking his family and all those who worked on the album, he ended his speech with “Puerto Rico, I love you, thank you.”
Those are powerful words honoring a record that doubles as a love letter for his island.
“I want to dedicate this award to all the children and young people of Latin America, especially those of Puerto Rico. Never stop dreaming, never stop being yourselves, no matter where you come from. Never forget where you come from, but never forget where you are going,” he said. “There are many ways to show patriotism and defend our land: we choose music.”
The artist born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio was destined to dominate from the jump. He also won the first award of the night, for música urbana album. Halfway through the show, the singer found himself back on stage accepting the música urbana song trophy for “DTmF.” “I never practice my speeches,” he said in Spanish. And then he showed up for a third time: to perform “Weltita” with Chuwi.
He wasn’t the only one with reason to celebrate: Song of the year went to Karol G, Andrés Jael Correa Ríos and Édgar Barrera for “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido.” And Alejandro Sanz took home record of the year for “¿Y Ahora Qué?”
Live from Sin City, the 26th annual Latin Grammys were both energetic and eclectic. Take Raphael, the 2025 Person of the Year, who launched into an emotive rendition of “Qué Sabe Nadie” and “Mi Gran Noche,” inviting the crowd to sing along.
That was after Santana kicked things off — specifically, Maluma singing Santana’s 1970 hit “Oye Como Va” with the guitar legend himself.
It was just the beginning of a memorable medley, talents of today celebrating Santana — Christian Nodal joining in for “Corazón Espinoza” and Grupo Frontera for their 2025 collaboration with the virtuosic musician, “Me Retiro.”
Performances hit hard and fast: Aitana brought her dreamy electro-pop, Sanz delivered a medley of “El Vino De Tu Boca” and “Las Guapas,” Rauw Alejandro channeled Puerto Rico in Vegas with “Khé?,” the bachata “Silencio,” “Falsedad” and “Carita Linda.” Then: Danny Lux, Kakalo and Ivan Cornejo brought contemporary Mexicana sounds. Pepe Aguilar followed, with his life-affirming mariachi — “El Cihualteco” into “El Fuereño.”
Elena Rose slowed things down with “Me Lo Merezco.” Karol G and the legendary Mexican singer Marco Antonio Solís dueted the romantic ballad “Coleccionando Heridas.”
Two of the biggest groups in regional Mexican music – Grupo Frontera and Fuerza Regida – launched into their joint hit, “Me Jalo,” before the latter took over for “Marlboro Rojo.” That’s a cut from their record-breaking 2025 album “111xpantia.” Carín León’s lovely raspy vocal tone carried throughout “Ahí Estabas Tú”; then he was joined by Kacey Musgraves for “Lost in Translation.” Not long after, León took home the trophy in competitive contemporary Mexican album category for “Palabra De To’s (Seca).”
Morat brought the pop-rock with “Faltas Tú” and Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso brought a kind of outsider, artistic spirit. Joaquina delivered a full-bodied “Quise Quererte.” Any aspiring artists watching would be wise to take a page out of the Brazilian singer Liniker’s book; “Negona Dos Olhos Terríveis” was one of the night’s most joyful. The same, of course, should be said about norteño band Los Tigres del Norte.
The coveted best new artist trophy was handed out to Paloma Morphy.
Traditional tropical album went to Gloria Estefan for “Raíces.” Not long afterward, she hit the stage for “La Vecina” and “Chirriqui Chirri,” joined by Nathy Peluso for the latter.
Then ranchero/mariachi album went to Christian Nodal for “¿Quién + Como Yo?”
Most of the evening’s awards were handed out during a pre-televised Premiere Ceremony. That included: Bad Bunny’s “Voy A Llevarte Pa Pr” winning for reggaeton performance. Argentinian duo Ca7riel and Paco Amoroso cleaned house then, too: taking home their first Latin Grammys for short and long form music video, alternative song, as well as alternative music album for “Papota,” and pop song for “El dia del amigo.” That’s five wins, making them the most awarded act at the 2025 show.
The three-hour award show aired live from Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. It was hosted by the dynamic duo of Maluma and actor, producer and musician Roselyn Sánchez.
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This story has been updated to correct that Maluma helped open the Latin Grammys, not Miguel.
MIAMI (AP) — His presence had remained a mystery, but Bad Bunny was there in person Thursday night to receive all the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards that were given to him, including the special Billboard Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century Award.
Puerto Rican star Rita Moreno presented him with the accolade, and flirtatiously noted that the reggaeton singer is “good” and “whole.” Then, in a more serious tone, she told him that she identified with him.
“Today I see an artist who takes the whole world,” Moreno said of Bad Bunny. “That same strength, that same passion, that helped me to never give up.”
Taking the stage to his song “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” Bad Bunny, 31, danced a bit of salsa with Moreno, 93.
“Thank you very much, you are whole too,” he told the Oscar- and Tony-winning actress. “It is an honor for me to receive this award from her hands.”
“Every time I hear other artists express themselves in that way of me, it gives me the security of being me and doing the things I do with my heart,” he added.
Bad Bunny was announced as winner of the Billboard Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century Award but didn’t show up at the red carpet. He had previously skipped other major ceremonies so this presence remained a mystery that ended when he showed up at the beginning of the night to pick up the Top Latin Album of the Year.
Bad Bunny had broken a record by being a finalist for 27 categories of the Latin Billboards 2025, and became the top winner of the night with 11 awards, including artist of the year; Global 200 Latin Artist of the Year, and “Hot Latin Songs” Male Artist of the Year.
“I am grateful for these awards, but at the same time I recognize that, just as I deserve it, Rauw, Fuerza Regida, Peso, Karol could win it. I think we are all doing something incredible in music; our music is reaching more and more places,” he said upon receiving the artist of the year award from Olga Tañón. “I think it’s a job that we’re all doing, and that we’re continuing what other artists have been doing for years.”
Bad Bunny’s hit “DtMF” won three awards, including streaming song of the year. His album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” was recognized as Top Latin Album of the year.
Laura Pausini and Karol G shine
Karol G was the biggest female winner of the awards broadcast live on Telemundo from the James L. Knight Center in Miami, receiving six awards, including Hot Latin Songs female artist of the year. Her song “Si antes te hubiera conocido” swept for four awards: Global 200 Latin Song of the Year; Latin Airplay Song of the Year; Sales Song of the Year and Tropical Song of the Year.
“We had an incredible time when we made this song in the studio; That day there was magic, energy. God was in that place,” said Karol G upon receiving the Global 200 Latin Song of the Year award.
Fuerza Regida won five awards, including Regional Mexican Artist of the Year, Duo or Group. Their hit “Tu boda” with Óscar Maydon was recognized as Regional Mexican Song of the Year, and Hot Latin Song of the Year, Vocal Event. Netón Vega was awarded as the debut artist of the year.
Laura Pausini received the Billboard Icon Award for her outstanding international career and performed a moving version of “Mi historia entre tus dedos”, originally released in 1995 by Gianluca Grignani.
“It’s amazing for me to be a part of the history of Latin music,” Pausini said. “I’m going to do something I’ve never done, I’m going to thank this Laura, the hard-working one, the one who is rude, who hasn’t given up when they’ve said no — which have been many times, by the way — who has followed my path honestly,” added pointing towards herself.
Daddy Yankee returns
In his long-awaited return to the stage, Daddy Yankee premiered “Sonríele” worldwide. At the end of his presentation, he said that he had a new mission.
“To tell the world that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life,” he said.
Peso Pluma was surprised to see that his girlfriend, Kenia Os, would present him with the Billboard Vanguard Award for his innovation and contribution to the growth of Mexican music globally. As soon as she went on stage, the couple gave each other a passionate kiss.
“This is a crossroads; I didn’t know she was going to give it to me,” he said. “I’m so glad you gave it to me love… this beautiful woman who has made me a better human being, a better boyfriend, a better boss; a better everything.”
Later, Peso Pluma performed “Apaga la Luz” live.
Elvis Crespo dedicated his Billboard Hall of Fame Award to his “first female manager.”
“It was my mother, Irene, who gave me 5 dollars to take my singing lessons every Friday in Río Piedras,” he said. “Irene, this is for you.”
The Puerto Rican star also thanked his father and his children and ended with an emotional message about music: “I heard somewhere that in the music industry you don’t make friends. That’s a lie, you make friends for life.”
Shakira won three awards: Tour of the Year; Latin Pop Artist of the Year, Solo, and Latin Pop Song of the Year “Soltera.”
Óscar Maydon, Netón Vega, Aventura, Baby Rasta & Gringo, Benny Blanco, Elvis Crespo, Kapo, Maná, Romeo Santos, Rubby Pérez and Tito Double P were other winners of the night.
Olga Tañón kicked off the ceremony with an energetic interpretation of “El Jolgorio”. There were also memorable performances by Beéle, Danny Ocean, Grupo Frontera, Juan Duque, La Arrolladora Banda El Limón de René Camacho, NXNNI and Ozuna.
Carlos Vives, Emilia, Wisin and Xavi performed “Somos más”, Telemundo’s official anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The NFL is not considering dropping Bad Bunny as its Super Bowl halftime headline performer, Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday, reaffirming a decision to put the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist on the league’s biggest stage that led to criticism from U.S. President Donald Trump and some of his supporters.
Goodell addressed the Bad Bunny controversy at his news conference following the annual fall owners meeting. It is the first time he has commented on the move announced in late September that garnered worldwide attention, including an increase in streams of Bad Bunny’s music, along with backlash.
“It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.”
The 31-year-old born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has been vocal in his opposition to Trump and his policies. He decided to do a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico, avoiding stops in the mainland U.S., citing concerns about the mass deportation of Latinos.
He performs in Spanish and is expected to do so at the Super Bowl.
“We’re confident it’s going to be a great show,” Goodell said, acknowledging there could be more talent added to the lineup along with Bad Bunny. “He understands the platform that he’s on, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting the Super Bowl on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It is unclear if Trump plans to be there, though he has made appearing in person at major sporting events a significant part of his second term in the White House.
Trump in an interview on conservative news network Newsmax said he had “never heard of” Bad Bunny.
“I don’t know who he is,” Trump said. “I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.”
Goodell defended the decision on Wednesday, explaining it was made because of Bad Bunny’s immense popularity.
“He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell said. “That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.”
Echoing what senior VP of football operations Troy Vincent said Tuesday, Goodell said there has not been much discussion about the tush push quarterback sneak since an effort to ban it narrowly failed to pass in the spring.
Vincent said the primary concern is how tough it is to officiate the maneuver that the Philadelphia Eagles have successfully executed so often. It was not on the formal agenda at this meeting, though owners did get an update on penalties and other football matters.
“It’s something we will continue to monitor on all phases, just like we do every other aspect of the game,” Goodell said. “We don’t have any proposals to bring it back up. It wouldn’t surprise me if something does evolve. But it’s not something we’re really focused on during the season.”
Asked about replay reviews and the length of time they are taking, Goodell said game times are actually down through the first seven weeks compared to last season, despite a surge in kick returns after an adjustment was made to the so-called dynamic kickoff.
“That’s quite remarkable when you add the number of kickoffs,” Goodell said. “You’re going to get more fouls. You’re going to get different sets of fouls. You’re going to have a little bit (more) length of the game.”
Goodell said he had breakfast with interim Players Association executive director David White before one of the league’s international games this season but expects any talk about a move to an 18-game regular season and other collective bargaining discussions to wait until the union chooses its long-term leader.
The current CBA runs through the 2031 league year. White told The Associated Press last month that an 18-game season was not inevitable.
“The negotiations will be a lot more than just simply the 18 and two (exhibition games),” Goodell said. “There are a lot of issues that we are going to raise and I’m certain that the players will raise, and that’s what it should be. That’s what collective bargaining is all about. They’re going to need time to make sure that they’re prepared, that they’re ready for the negotiations (and) they have their priorities straight, and then we can begin negotiations.”
Goodell said work is being done to choose sites for the Super Bowl to cap the 2028 and ’29 seasons and expects an announcement on those next year.
According to a source close to the show, Yang’s absence was preplanned so that the “Wicked” star could accept the Academy Museum’s Vantage Award, which honors an emerging artist who challenges and recontextualizes the dominant narratives in TV and film. He was still reportedly present to help write tonight’s episode and will appear in a pre-taped sketch.
Yang took to his Instagram stories on Saturday to announce his one-night departure from the show.
“Missing the show tonight but it will be sooooo fun,” he wrote, “[Sabrina Carpenter] is amazing.”
As noted by Yang, Sabrina Carpenter will serve as host and musical guest for Saturday’s show. This marks the hosting debut for the two-time Emmy winner, although she previously appeared as a musical guest for the Season 49 finale hosted by Jake Gyllenhaal. She also appeared in “SNL 50: The Anniversary Special,” during which she sang with Paul Simon and appeared in a sketch alongside Marcello Hernandez.
The Season 51 premiere was hosted by Bad Bunny with music from Doja Cat. Amy Pohler hosted the following episode, joined by musical guest Role Model. Other upcoming hosts include Miles Teller, who will join for his second time as host on Nov. 26, as well as newcomers Nikki Glaser and Glen Powell, who will host on Nov. 8 and Nov. 15, respectively.
“Saturday Night Live” airs every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and streams on Peacock. Lorne Michaels created and executive produces the show, which is produced in association with Broadway Video.
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift says she did not turn down the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show, which will be headlined by Bad Bunny.
“The Life of a Showgirl” singer paid a visit to “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Monday and dispelled a few rumors. Most notably, she shared she did not turn down the NFL’s biggest stage because she wouldn’t be allowed to own the performance footage, as claimed in a popular internet rumor.
“No, no, no,” Swift said.
The Super Bowl halftime show is produced by the NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation — the latter founded by music mogul Jay-Z.
“Jay-Z has always been very good to me. Our teams are really close. Like, they sometimes will call and say, ‘How does she feel about the Super Bowl?’ And that’s not like an official offer or, like, an official conference room conversation,” Swift told Fallon. “We’re always able to tell him the truth, which is that, like, I am in love with a guy who does that sport on that actual field,” she continued, referring to fiance Travis Kelce — a star tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs and a Super Bowl champion.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, right, is congratulated by Taylor Swift as they celebrate the Chiefs victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, right, is congratulated by Taylor Swift as they celebrate the Chiefs victory over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
“Like, that is violent chess. That is gladiators without swords. That is dangerous. The whole season I am locked in on what that man is doing on the field,” she said.
“Can you imagine if he’s out there every single week, like putting his life on the line, doing this very dangerous, very high pressure, high intensity sport and I’m like, ‘I wonder what my choreo(graphy) should be?,’” Swift joked.
“‘I think we should do two verses of ‘Shake It Off’ into ‘Blank Space’ into ‘Cruel Summer’ would be great.’ And this is nothing to do with Travis, he would love for me to do it, I’m just too locked in.”
Last month, it was announced that global superstar Bad Bunny will bring his Latin trap, reggaeton swagger and Puerto Rican pride to the Super Bowl live from Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California.
“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” Bad Bunny said in a statement. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history.”
Because even music has turned into team sports, Turning Point USA has announced that it will be hosting its own Super Bowl halftime show in protest of the NFL’s official headliner, Bad Bunny.
The right-wing organization, which was founded by the late Charlie Kirk, posted about its “All American Halftime Show” on social media, writing, “Performers and event details coming soon.” The post links to a survey that allows people to select which music genres they would like to be featured at the big game, including “Anything in English,” “Americana” and “Worship.” (It also lists “Hip Hop,” despite Kirk once advocating for people to “stop listening to rap music and this degenerate hip-hop stuff.”)
It’s unclear how and where Turning Point’s counterprogramming will be aired, but viewers would have to turn off the Super Bowl broadcast and switch to the “All American Halftime Show,” which will celebrate “faith, family and freedom,” according to the website.
The announcement that Bad Bunny, one of the most famous music stars in the world, will perform at the 2026 Super Bowl sparked an immediate right-wing backlash. Government officials began weighing in on the Puerto Rican artist’s Spanish-language music catalog and his recent comments about skipping the United States on his last tour due to fears about his fans encountering ICE agents.
Kristi Noem, the secretary of homeland security, said immigration enforcement agents would be “all over” the Super Bowl because, in her belief, the only people who should be attending the game are “law-abiding Americans who love this country.” House Speaker Mike Johnson said booking Bad Bunny was “a terrible decision,” suggesting that Lee Greenwood would attract a “broader audience,” despite the 1980s country icon boasting fewer than 500,000 Spotify listeners compared with Bad Bunny’s 80 million. Even Donald Trump called the Bad Bunny selection “absolutely ridiculous” despite admitting “I’ve never heard of him.” The hosts of “The Charlie Kirk Show” also slammed Bad Bunny on a recent episode of the conservative talk program, which continued after Kirk’s death. (After he was assassinated in September while debating college students in Utah, Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, assumed the role of CEO of Turning Point USA.)
During his “Saturday Night Live” monologue on Oct. 4, Bad Bunny mocked conservative pundits for the backlash surrounding his Super Bowl performance. He delivered some heartfelt remarks in Spanish, thanking his fans and acknowledging Latinos’ contributions in the U.S. Then, in English, he quipped: “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
Has your titi asked you about Coca-Cola’s ultimatum to the NFL to remove Bad Bunny from the Super Bowl halftime show? Well, tell auntie that isn’t right.
An Oct. 5 X post says Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey demanded the NFL pull Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny from the 2026 Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, or risk the company’s important sponsorship.
“‘I will end my sponsorship of the Super Bowl if they let Bad Bunny perform at the Halftime – Coca Cola CEO James Quincey issues shocking ultimatum, NFL’S response stuns millions!,’” says the image in the post.
Other posts on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram made similar claims about the supposed news; some of the posts showed disappointed users pouring bottles of Coca-Cola down the drain.
(Screenshot of X post.)
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These posts sharing fabricated news come after the Sept. 28 announcement that Bad Bunny will headline the Feb. 8 halftime show drew criticism from someTrump supporters and Republican officials. Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio., told a journalist the NFL choice to pick a “second-rate musician” was political, and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., touted her bill to make English the official language of the U.S. President Donald Trump called the decision “absolutely ridiculous” Oct. 6 on Newsmax.
The rapper also drew controversy in early September, when he said he didn’t include any U.S. stops on his concert tour for his latest album “DeBÍ TirRAR MáS FOToS” for fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids at his shows.
In July, Bad Bunny also criticized Trump immigration policies by featuring in his music video for “NUEVAYol” a voice that sounds like Trump’s saying, “I made a mistake, I want to apologize to the immigrants in America.”
None of the controversy makes headlines about Quincey’s “ultimatum” real.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson told PolitiFact that the claim is fabricated.
Coca-Cola doesn’t sponsor the Super Bowl.
Variety reported that Coca-Cola pulled back from the Super Bowl in 2019 after an 11-year sponsorship run. Apple Music is the 2026 halftime show sponsor. The show’s producer and director is from Roc Nation, an entertainment company founded by Jay-Z.
Coca-Cola’s most recent Super Bowl ad was in 2020, according to websites that archived the ads.
PolitiFact reached out to the NFL for comment but did not receive a response.
The earliest versions of the claim that we could find link back to an Oct. 2 fictitious story on a website called News247. The article has many red flags: It has no byline, no attribution for the CEO’s quote, and includes esoteric word choices such as “ricocheted,” “explosive” and “parochialism,” which can be signs of text generated by artificial intelligence.
The Facebook account that posted the claim has shared multiple bogus claims, such as fake quotes from comedian Jimmy Kimmel and actor Johnny Depp about Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance.
We found more than 10 posts on Facebook alone sharing the claim, calling users to visit other fakewebsites with the same colors and layout that republished the same article from News247.
The Coca-Cola CEO didn’t give an ultimatum to the NFL about Bad Bunny and the company isn’t sponsoring the 2026 Super Bowl. We rate the claim Pants on Fire!
