North Carolina’s Most-Streamed Artists of 2024–2025: The Soundtrack of the Tar Heel State
From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Outer Banks, and from Charlotte’s cityscape to small-town porches across the Piedmont, North Carolina is a state with deep musical roots—and evolving tastes. In 2024–2025, Tar Heels turned to music not only for entertainment, but for expression, motivation, healing, and identity.
Based on YouTube Music data from April 7, 2024, to April 7, 2025, North Carolina’s most-streamed artists paint a vivid picture of what the state is feeling and listening to. It’s a mix of Southern swagger, emotional depth, and lyrical storytelling—with the top five artists delivering authenticity and power at every beat. If you want to learn more about music, check out music lessons in Boulder.
Let’s explore who made the top of the charts in North Carolina and why their music resonates so strongly with listeners across the state.
- YoungBoy Never Broke Again – 98.3 Million Views
Sitting at the top with an impressive 98.3 million views, YoungBoy Never Broke Again (NBA YoungBoy) is, without question, North Carolina’s most-streamed artist of the year.
The Baton Rouge rapper has built a cult-like following across the South, and in North Carolina, his music feels like a local anthem. Known for his prolific output, emotionally raw lyrics, and no-holds-barred delivery, YoungBoy speaks to those navigating struggles, survival, and the search for self-worth.
His songs—such as “Outside Today,” “Kacey Talk,” and “Dead Trollz”—resonate in both urban centers like Charlotte and Raleigh, and in rural communities where fans connect with his story of hardship and resilience.
Why North Carolina Loves YoungBoy Never Broke Again:
- Vulnerable yet aggressive lyrics that speak to real-life battles
- Massive volume of music that constantly keeps fans engaged
- A Southern voice that feels close to home
In North Carolina, YoungBoy is more than a rapper—he’s a reflection of the emotional highs and lows of life in the modern South.
- Future – 82.3 Million Views
With 82.3 million views, Future secures his place as a North Carolina favorite thanks to his ability to blend trap rhythms with deep emotional undercurrents.
Future’s music is perfect for North Carolina’s diverse geography and lifestyles. Whether it’s late-night drives on winding roads, house parties in Greensboro, or solo sessions in college dorms in Chapel Hill, his sound matches the mood. Known for his reflective lyrics about pain, toxicity, relationships, and ambition, Future has mastered the art of music that both turns up and hits deep.
Tracks like “Mask Off,” “Wait For U,” “March Madness,” and 2024 releases from his continued partnership with Metro Boomin kept his music in heavy rotation across the state.
Why North Carolina Loves Future:
- A balance of club bangers and introspective anthems
- A voice that’s synonymous with modern Southern rap
- Music that adapts to both hard days and good nights
In North Carolina, Future’s music isn’t just popular—it’s part of the emotional landscape.
- Kendrick Lamar – 68.6 Million Views
With 68.6 million views, Kendrick Lamar ranks third—but stands first in terms of lyrical depth and cultural impact.
Kendrick’s influence spans high school classrooms, college campuses, spoken word events, and political circles throughout North Carolina. His 2024 track “Not Like Us” sparked headlines and heavy streaming, but his catalog is what keeps him consistently in demand. Albums like good kid, m.A.A.d city, DAMN., and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers are essential listening for fans who crave more than just beats.
Whether it’s discussions about race, mental health, systemic injustice, or personal growth, Kendrick’s music provides a lens for understanding and navigating complex issues. In a state with a rich history of civil rights activism and intellectual thought, Kendrick’s voice is powerful and lasting.
Why North Carolina Loves Kendrick Lamar:
- Lyrics that challenge listeners to think deeper
- A storytelling approach that reflects real-life issues
- Music that spans generations and inspires conversation
Kendrick is not just a rapper in North Carolina—he’s a teacher, philosopher, and soundtrack to social consciousness.
- Rod Wave – 65.7 Million Views
At number four with 65.7 million views, Rod Wave has established himself as one of the most emotionally resonant artists in the state.
His brand of melodic rap, with gospel-inspired vocals and lyrics that touch on grief, mental health, heartbreak, and faith, has found a deeply loyal following in North Carolina. Rod Wave’s songs are played by teens in Fayetteville, parents in Winston-Salem, and students at historically Black colleges across the state.
Tracks like “Heart on Ice,” “Fight the Feeling,” “By Your Side,” and “Great Gatsby” provide a safe space for listeners to feel vulnerable, something that music lovers in North Carolina deeply appreciate.
Why North Carolina Loves Rod Wave:
- Deeply emotional, gospel-tinged soundscapes
- Lyrics that address mental health, trauma, and faith
- A genuine Southern presence that feels relatable
Rod Wave is the heart of North Carolina’s playlist—a voice for those who feel things deeply.
- Morgan Wallen – 58.0 Million Views
Rounding out the top five with 58.0 million views, Morgan Wallen proves that country music still has a powerful place in North Carolina.
Wallen’s rise over the last few years has made him a household name, and his songs reflect the lifestyle, values, and struggles of many across the Tar Heel State. Whether you're from the mountains of Asheville or the farmlands outside Goldsboro, Wallen’s music about small-town pride, heartbreak, drinking, and redemption hits home.
His 2023 album One Thing at a Time continued to dominate through 2024, with tracks like “Last Night,” “98 Braves,” “You Proof,” and “Thought You Should Know” becoming anthems for long drives, tailgates, and quiet evenings.
Why North Carolina Loves Morgan Wallen:
- Relatable storytelling rooted in Southern life
- Country music with a modern edge and crossover appeal
- Emotional honesty that bridges the gap between genres
Morgan Wallen brings North Carolina listeners the sound of home—nostalgic, rugged, and real.
What North Carolina’s Top Artists Reveal About Its Culture
The top-streamed artists in North Carolina tell a powerful story about what people here care about, relate to, and turn to when they need clarity, comfort, or connection. From hard-hitting trap to tear-jerking country ballads, the diversity on this list highlights a state that values storytelling, emotion, and identity.
- Emotional Transparency Matters 🧠
Artists like Rod Wave, Kendrick Lamar, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again made this list not just for their sound, but for their honest lyrics about pain, trauma, and survival. North Carolinians want music that mirrors real feelings.
- Southern Identity Runs Deep 🌍
Four of the five artists—YoungBoy, Future, Rod Wave, and Wallen—are Southern through and through. Their dominance shows that North Carolina embraces music rooted in its own cultural geography.
- Genre Lines Are Blurring 🎶
With a lineup that includes trap, melodic rap, and country, it’s clear that genre is less important than message. Listeners want something that feels authentic—regardless of the label.
- Music Is Connection 🔁
Whether it’s Future’s introspection, Kendrick’s commentary, or Wallen’s nostalgia, North Carolina’s most-streamed artists reflect a state searching for meaning, expression, and unity through sound.
Methodology
This article is based on YouTube Music’s regional streaming analytics, which measure the total number of video streams by user location. Rankings reflect the top five most-streamed artists in North Carolina between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, based on verified view counts from within the state.
This offers an authentic, localized perspective on what people in North Carolina are actually listening to, free from national trends or curated editorial bias.
Final Thoughts: The Sound of the Tar Heel State
In 2024–2025, North Carolina listeners turned to music that was honest, Southern, emotionally rich, and grounded in lived experience. Whether through the emotional storm of Rod Wave, the cultural critique of Kendrick, or the backroads nostalgia of Morgan Wallen, Tar Heels chose artists who tell their stories with depth, grit, and grace.
And as the state continues to grow, evolve, and face new challenges, one thing remains clear: music will always be the bridge—between communities, emotions, and generations.
Because in North Carolina, people don’t just hear music—they live it.
WRITTEN BY
Gloria Conroy
Copyright © 2025