Tyler, The Creator has been named Apple Music’s Artist of the Year for 2025, highlighting his significant contributions to music and culture. This recognition follows a remarkable year for the hip-hop artist, showcasing his creativity and influence.
Record-Breaking Achievements in 2025
Throughout 2025, Tyler experienced unprecedented success across various metrics on Apple Music. Fans logged over 4.5 billion minutes of listening time worldwide from November 2024 to October 2025. This statistic marks his best year in terms of global plays, listeners, and total hours streamed.
Milestone Releases and Tours
Tyler’s year began with an ambitious and successful tour, promoting his deeply personal album, CHROMAKOPIA. The album set records on its release day and during its first week on Apple Music, emerging as his most successful project to date.
Midway through the tour, Tyler surprised fans with another release, DON’T TAP THE GLASS. This album, known for its urgent and stripped-down rap style, quickly climbed to the No. 1 position on Apple Music’s charts in over 55 countries on its launch day.
Major Festival Headlining and Personal Touches
During the same year, Tyler headlined several prominent festivals, including:
- Governors Ball
- Lollapalooza
- Outside Lands
- Osheaga
Additionally, he prepared for the 11th edition of Camp Flog Gnaw, a festival he created himself, further solidifying his influence in the music scene.
Recognition and Impact
Zane Lowe, Apple Music’s global creative director, praised Tyler, stating, “His creativity has been incredible all year.” He acknowledged Tyler’s ability to inspire not only his peers but also future generations.
In a heartfelt message, Tyler expressed gratitude to his fans for their support. He called the year his most significant and noted the importance of recognition in music.
Beyond Music: Upcoming Projects
Tyler’s impact extends beyond music. He is set to make his feature-film debut in Marty Supreme, a period drama directed by Josh Safdie and featuring Timothée Chalamet. Additionally, he received five GRAMMY nominations at the end of 2025 for his albums CHROMAKOPIA and DON’T TAP THE GLASS.
A Symbol of Craftsmanship
As Apple Music’s Artist of the Year, Tyler will receive a unique award that embodies the craftsmanship of music creation. The award features a custom silicon wafer enclosed within a polished glass sheet and an aluminum body. This design symbolizes the technology connecting millions of songs to listeners worldwide.
Fans can celebrate Tyler’s achievement with curated playlists that highlight the most impactful songs from the past year. Those who have Tyler in their recent Shazam history can also look for a special message from him on their Home Screen.
