Tennessee’s Most-Streamed Artists of 2024–2025: The Soundtrack of the Volunteer State

From the neon glow of Nashville’s honky-tonks to the deep musical roots of Memphis, Tennessee is a state where music is not just entertainment—it’s identity. With a legacy built on blues, country, soul, and rock 'n' roll, Tennessee has always been at the forefront of American music. And in 2024–2025, the streaming data tells a fascinating story about how that legacy continues to evolve.

According to YouTube Music’s regional analytics, the five most-streamed artists in Tennessee between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, span a dynamic mix of genres—hip-hop, country, soul, and Southern trap—each with deep emotional resonance and cultural relevance. These artists reflect the state’s appreciation for storytelling, truth, and Southern pride. If you are interested in music lessons, check out music lessons in Boulder.

Let’s explore the top five artists Tennesseans couldn’t stop streaming and what their popularity reveals about the state’s musical heartbeat today.

1. YoungBoy Never Broke Again – 56.7 Million Views

Taking the top spot with a powerful 56.7 million views, YoungBoy Never Broke Again (NBA YoungBoy) is Tennessee’s most-streamed artist of the year. While his home base is Baton Rouge, his reach across the South is undeniable—and in Tennessee, he’s become the unofficial voice of a generation.

Known for his relentless release schedule, emotionally raw lyrics, and no-holds-barred storytelling, YoungBoy resonates with Tennesseans in both urban centers and rural areas. His music hits hard because it’s honest—about trauma, pain, fame, family, and survival.

Tracks like “Kacey Talk,” “No Smoke,” “Lonely Child,” and “Make No Sense” are mainstays across Memphis, Chattanooga, Nashville, and Knoxville. YoungBoy’s deeply personal style gives listeners something more than just music—it gives them a reflection of their own struggles and resilience.

Why Tennessee Listens to YoungBoy Never Broke Again:

• Authentic and emotionally charged lyrics

• A powerful voice for youth and underrepresented communities

• Music that reflects real-life challenges, not just fantasy

In Tennessee, YoungBoy is more than a chart-topper—he’s a cultural icon who speaks to the reality of life in the South.

2. Morgan Wallen – 50.4 Million Views

Right behind YoungBoy with 50.4 million views, Morgan Wallen continues to be Tennessee’s country music king. Born and raised in Sneedville, TN, Wallen represents everything locals love—authenticity, storytelling, and Southern soul.

In 2024–2025, his album One Thing at a Time remained one of the most-streamed records in the country, with singles like “Last Night,” “You Proof,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” and “98 Braves” on constant rotation. His songs feel like home—whether you're cruising down a backroad in East Tennessee or sipping sweet tea on a Nashville porch.

Wallen’s blend of traditional country themes with modern production makes him appeal across generations, from high schoolers in Murfreesboro to retirees in Jackson.

Why Tennesseans Love Morgan Wallen:

• A hometown hero with national star power

• Songs that tell real-life stories with heart and grit

• Lyrics that celebrate both the joy and heartbreak of Southern life

For Tennessee, Morgan Wallen is more than a superstar—he’s family.

3. Future – 46.0 Million Views

With 46 million views, Future holds a solid third place as one of Tennessee’s most streamed artists—bringing his signature blend of trap beats, emotional complexity, and Southern swagger to the state’s playlists.

Future, born in Atlanta, is a staple in Tennessee nightlife, gym sessions, and solo late-night drives. His lyrics walk a fine line between vulnerability and bravado, making him equally compelling for fans dealing with heartbreak, ambition, or introspection.

Songs like “Mask Off,” “WAIT FOR U,” “March Madness,” and his latest collaborations with Metro Boomin dominate airwaves in Memphis, a city that shares Atlanta’s deep hip-hop roots.

Why Future Ranks So High in Tennessee:

• A modern sound that fuses club-ready beats with emotional depth

• Lyrics that explore fame, love, and addiction with brutal honesty

• A legacy built on innovation and consistency in Southern hip-hop

In Tennessee, Future is the soundtrack for both the party and the after-party.

4. Rod Wave – 41.8 Million Views

At number four with 41.8 million views, Rod Wave brings his soulful, gospel-tinged trap to Tennessee’s emotional core. Known for his vulnerable delivery and melodic storytelling, Rod Wave connects deeply with listeners who value honesty over hype.

His music touches on mental health, loss, perseverance, and spiritual growth—all set to lush, piano-driven instrumentals. Songs like “Heart on Ice,” “Fight the Feeling,” “Tombstone,” and “By Your Side” found heavy rotation in Tennessee, especially among listeners in Chattanooga, Clarksville, and Memphis.

Rod Wave’s fanbase includes young adults dealing with life transitions, trauma, or uncertainty—audiences that appreciate how he turns pain into poetry.

Why Tennessee Streams Rod Wave:

• Songs that feel like conversations with your inner voice

• Lyrics that acknowledge emotional and spiritual struggle

• A blend of Southern gospel and street wisdom that hits home

Rod Wave gives Tennessee listeners permission to feel—and the strength to keep going.

5. Kevin Gates – 39.5 Million Views

With 39.5 million views, Kevin Gates rounds out Tennessee’s top five most-streamed artists, proving that raw honesty and unique perspective still have a major place in the state’s musical preferences.

Hailing from Louisiana, Gates has long been respected for his blend of street grit, philosophical reflection, and raw sexuality. His music bridges the gap between hardcore rap and emotional confession, giving fans an artist who speaks from both the brain and the heart.

Songs like “2 Phones,” “Satellites,” “Really Really,” and “Thinking with My D**”* remain incredibly popular in Tennessee, particularly among fans in Memphis—a city that has always embraced artists with street credibility and soul.

Why Kevin Gates Holds Strong in Tennessee:

• A no-filter lyrical style that’s as intelligent as it is emotional

• Southern roots that align with Tennessee’s cultural DNA

• Music that reflects pain, love, sex, and spirituality—all in one package

In Tennessee, Kevin Gates isn’t just played—he’s respected.

What Tennessee’s Top Artists Reveal About the State’s Music Culture

Tennessee may be known for country and blues, but the top five most-streamed artists this year show that its modern music taste is far more layered and emotionally driven. The artists topping the charts all share one common trait: they tell the truth.

1. Real Life > Radio Hits 💬

YoungBoy, Rod Wave, and Kevin Gates aren’t always radio darlings, but their music speaks directly to fans. In Tennessee, people value what feels real over what’s polished.

2. Southern Voices Dominate 🎶

Every artist in the top five has Southern roots or resonance, showing that Tennessee listeners love artists who sound like them and speak their language.

3. Emotion Leads the Way 🧠

Whether it’s Rod Wave’s introspection, Future’s emotional duality, or Wallen’s love songs, Tennesseans are listening with their hearts—not just their ears.

4. Country and Hip-Hop Coexist 🤝

In Tennessee, it’s not about choosing between hip-hop and country—it’s about listening to both. And this year’s chart proves that emotional depth connects across genres.

Methodology

This article is based on YouTube Music’s state-specific streaming data, which tracks total artist video views by user location. These rankings reflect the top five most-streamed artists in Tennessee between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, based on verified view counts across the state.

This data gives an accurate, real-time snapshot of what actual Tennessee residents are streaming, free from curated playlist bias or radio rotation.

Final Thoughts: Tennessee’s 2024–2025 Musical Identity

In a state built on the legacy of Johnny Cash, B.B. King, and Elvis Presley, Tennessee listeners continue to value music that tells a story and hits you in the soul. This year’s most-streamed artists—YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Morgan Wallen, Future, Rod Wave, and Kevin Gates—offer just that.

From rural country roads to urban streets, from Nashville stages to Memphis block parties, Tennessee’s playlist is raw, emotional, unapologetically Southern, and undeniably real.

As we move into the rest of 2025, one thing is clear: Tennessee doesn’t just listen to music—it lives it.