Welcome to 2025! 2024 was quite the year. In what was a huge roller coaster in people’s lives, music was at a peak that had been thought unreachable. Genre-defining projects were a dime a dozen last year, in near every genre. In terms of quality of art, 2025 has huge shoes to fill. Luckily, I can personally vouch for some of the most talented artists within different niches who have made me privy to what they have coming this year. Buckle up, people. It’s going to be a ride.

King Havana - “The Marxist Marksman” was largely inactive outside of a few very solid singles in 2024, but not without good reason. If the snippets and demos are to be believed, then 2025 is about to be a year of transformation for the DMV rapper. He seems to have a new hunger, confidence and fire in his belly; all things that can only be of benefit. He has been making ripples already recently, but the wave seems to be on its way for The King.

no god. - Another artist who was sparse last year, Toronto rhymer no god. has been in the lab heavily. Spending time honing his voice and figuring out what he wants to rap about, expect this journey of self discovery to yield excellent returns for him and his fellow members of Secret Scriptures. Whether solo work or music as part of NODUO, there seems to be some magic brewing in Toronto.

B1g Z - After an impressive last-minute drop last year (his first solo project), it seems B1g Z, another member of Secret Scriptures, is going full steam ahead this year. Music videos, increased collaboration and potentially new projects, if what I’ve heard is anything to go by, Secret Scriptures may be the collective to beat this year.

Jorden - Jorden was a bit more active than some of the others mentioned so far, but his consistency seems to not be slowing down any time soon. With his consistently improving raps and heightened level of introspection, I expect 2025 to be a big year for the Brampton native. His work with artists that help him to steadily challenge himself and his rising star within the game are certain to pique anyone’s interest.

MILLENIUM - The elusive Arizona producer peppered the last year with their eclectic music, solo work and collabs alike. It stands to reason that they will continue through 2025, and people who keep up with them on social media would have already seen hints of what is to come.

ZTG - Another artist who seems to have an endless stream of Music and doesn’t seem to be stopping. Late-2024 saw an increase in natural-voice crooning from ZTG. This likely signals a permanent shift and that fills me with excitement for his future work.

UNRULY - After dropping his project ‘Black Beloved’ in 2024, UNRULY seems to have taken to the hyperbolic time chamber. Heaven knows what he has coming, and his cryptic social media posts do not make it easier to decipher, but it is certainly cause for excitement.

Pty - The young producer had quite the year in 2024, stretching out his catalog and taking his abilities to realms I find difficult to describe. 2025 looks like more of the same, with potential returns to the basics as well. A big one to watch this year.

jvly38! - The British rapper-producer reached a new level in 2024, and her improvements have been met with much deserved praise. I can personally vouch that she is nowhere near satisfied, and you can definitely expect more brilliant work from her in 2025.

Lil Figurative - A shining light and one of the great young heralds of classic hip-hop, Lil Figurative continues to prove prodigious. Murmurs of new collaboration projects make 2025 sound very much like exciting times for present and future fans.

heircules - One of the most prolific young producers around, heircules spent 2024 making music for whoever was listening, and he seems to be continuing his antics this year. Already teasing multiple projects, this is a big year for the multifaceted artist.

klwn cat - California producer klwn cat continued to make waves in 2024, with some of his best work yet coming out in the last year. His organic rise has led to him working with more and more revered artists, and it is likely to occur to an even greater degree this year. One of my favorite artists at the moment, whether you keep your eyes on him or not, he is likely to hit your radar this year.

tau - an EP with klwn cat where he went toe-to-toe with some elite emcees will definitely do his name some favors, but young emcee tau seems to have a new hunger in him, and his work is definitely going to provide refuge for some lonely souls this year.

SEVEN! - along with their Art is War stablemate King Havana, SEVEN! has kept me in the loop with their musical endeavors for quite some time now. With the finale of their three-year Easter trilogy already confirmed, and more on the way, 2027 may well be coming 2 years earlier.

I.R - Nigerian-born Canada-based rapper I.R made some serious waves last year, with his project ‘We Have Arrived’ being of particular note. Never one to let up while the iron is hot, Expect more booming raps from the young lyricist.

Scum Babie$ - also known as Scum Babie$ x Fly Shit, this collective out of South Africa caught my attention very late into the year with their first project released on DSPs, ‘CLOTHES WE HAD TO PRAY OVER’ by members BABA KUSHI and Kijana Damu. If this project and their bandcamp outings are anything to go by, then the future is certainly bright, including 2025.

With more names to watch out for who I am less privy to regarding future music but have indicated that work is coming, including Destro, Thommo, Lucai, Maxwell B., Riccardo Tha Don, Nonazz, Sneaky Preacher, Athmaan, Crimzon Merlot, Mourning Run, Matt Draugos, JOJANK, and others, 2025 may well put up a great fight in matching the greatness of 2024.

Written By IdkYoungJ: www.idkyoungj.com/