Which genre grew the most in 2025?Maliah: There’s no doubt about it for me, it’s been building over the last few years but I think we’re seeing Latin influenced music really forcing itself not only into the mainstream but putting itself in a position to be considered the dominant genre or at least compete for that position. The likes of Layla have paved the way for the genre by blending it with pop music and adult contemporary and made it more accessible without fully enveloping themselves in the genre. But with Tahlia, Rico Love, Slim Money, Malik Jarvez and a whole bunch of other young emerging artists, we’re seeing a shift that’s been happening under the radar for a few years now and seeing it bubble up to the top reaches of the industry in my opinion.
Cara: We’ve seen a few traces of EDM this year, I don’t know if it’ll ever reach that peak or be on the trajectory that Latin music is heading, but you’re definitely seeing it showcased more often these days. The biggest hope for me is that a form of Alternative is comes back into things in a big way over the years, but I’ve been hoping for this for a while and it’s just not happening. Bands just aren’t really all that much of a trendy proposition right now, but it’s the sort of genre or sub-genre that just needs that one spark to set the ball rolling once again.
Ashford: It’s undeniable that Country music is probably the genre that has the most momentum right now, we’re seeing popstars dabble in the genre. We’re seeing the most viral tracks of the year being country songs and it’s in an upwards trend. I think it’s a genre where artists will have to be careful to avoid it coming across as gimmicky but right now, the ones dabbling in the genre seem to be doing it justice.
Bada$$ Morales: I don’t fuck around with all different genres and shit, I’m an RnB and Hip-Hop bitch, straight up. We had a lot of RnB jams this year but that’s always been up there as one of the biggest genres. We got some Trap music from Jadyn on his album which was fire, so I’mma throw that genre into the conversation. There weren’t a lot of Trap music in the industry as a whole, but I’m hoping that we’re starting to see that becoming a trend. I think there’s a few artists coming up in 2026 that will showcase more of that Trap sound. So yeah, fuck it. It wasn’t a genre that was all over the industry, but it’s definitely grew more this year, for sure.
Best collaboration of the year?Ashford: It was one of the first major releases at the beginning of the year, but it’s a track that stood up throughout the entire year which was “Beacon of Hope” by Alicia Lena and featuring Layla, Ryan Ross Hernandez and Jadyn Ghalen. It felt like Alicia had called up the avengers of the music industry in 2025, it was a weirdly accurate representation of the power players of the year all in one track and kicked off 2025 in style. I don’t think it’s a collaboration that would have been on anybody’s bingo cards but it worked perfectly as a track and as a collective. It would have been nice to have seen Alicia continue her 2025 on from that in the same way that the other three did throughout the year. But it was an early treat in 2025 and for me, comfortably collaboration of the year.
Bada$$ Morales: Shit, I loved the Alicia track and the team up with those fellow titans, but for me it was the Jadyn and Keshia Love team-up “Good Lovin’”. The chemistry on the track was insane, ya’ll can try telling me you ain’t fucking but drop THAT music video? Our girl had her tongue on his abs and they out there simulating sex all over the house. They can call it acting, but those motherfuckers gotta be method actors or some shit cause that video was on fire, I can’t blame em’ either cause holy shit, that’s a scene I’d be giving my all in too. My girl Keshia got an edge to her and she showed that on the track. Jadyn bringing it all on show again in a year I ain’t sure he could ever replicate.
Cara: Shoutout for the Kara Romero and Younghood E.P. We don’t get a lot of extended collaborations these days, but this was a fun un-expected bunch of tracks, full of lust and sexual tension. It felt a little throwaway, like they put it out there quickly and it was done, no interesting roll-out plan that really extended its impact. The tracks were wild as fuck and it was interesting to hear this side of Younghood. Kara has that natural sensuality and an unapologetic vibe about her songwriting anyway, so it wasn’t much of a stretch for her. But it was something a little different, I’d have preferred them to have made a bigger run at it and put some promo behind it a little more. But it was a wild ride for a little side project.
Maliah: Mercedes and Riley, worked so perfectly as a combination. I’m not sure it’s ever a collaboration that I pictured, but “No Guts, No Glory” really showcased Mercedes artistry and having Riley team up with her, I think he gave the track that focus and extra layer of polish. We gotta thank the track for starting the run of 2025 hits for Mercedes. It was a combination that just worked, I think their friendship and natural connection shone through effortlessly in the track, the theme of the song was a strong concept with a motivational backdrop and the production on the whole thing was elite level perfection. The whole thing was a little piece of pop perfection throughout.
What was the song of the year?Cara: I’m gonna go with “Makeshift Chemistry” by Mercedes, I could have probably gone with any of her singles this year but chose to go with the one where it’s completely her own. It’s nice to hear a little guitar in there, a little indie rock. Lyrically the references don’t line up the same to an American like myself, but the feeling and theme of the song is one that I’m sure we’re all familiar with. I’m sure Maliah as a London girl relates to the references more than myself on this one, but the fact that it can still translate shows the solidity of the songs overall theme. Girl has got some pipes too and it’s been a breath of fresh air to hear some material from Mercedes this year, hopefully it’s a trend that continues into 2026.
Maliah: For me, it could have easily been “Makeshift Chemistry” because it’s such a vivid portrait of the world that I grew up in and knew so well during my late teens and early adulthood. It’s absolutely universal and rightful of a place at the top, but I’m going with “Khandon” by Deneil, similar reasons because it feels like a piece of my world that I don’t get to experience so much of now. With Deneil, the first thing that hits me right where it’s pure is that voice, that familiar accent, that spoken-sung-rap is a tone, an attitude and a rude-boy swagger that I surrounded myself with back in London. Just hearing his phrasing on the track feels like a warm hug from back home. Half-Moon Music even got a shoutout on the track. But there’s something about his whole thing, the confidence, the thick London accent, wrapped up in that package that I’m always going to be drawn to. At this point it’s in my DNA, I’ve been in California and away from London too long to the point where I’m now craving members of the mandem!
Bada$$ Morales: Holy fuck, we got a lot of Jadyn Ghalen this year. He propped up the rap scene for the year and we got a serious fuck-tonne of tracks from him to choose from. But I’mma go with “Butterflies”, it was one of the earlier ones in his run this year, but it felt like this is the one where it became clear that this boy ain’t just fucking around, he’s levelling up right in front of us. He went all in on the trap vibe with “Butterflies”, that catchy as fuck hook meant that this was a staple in the nightclubs, strip clubs and VIP clubs all throughout the year. The track is full of that confidence and swagger that we expect, and he putting all his vices out on the table and saying exactly who he is, all the shit that he’s drawn to, the excess and everything that comes with success, for me, the first two singles established him, but this one and everything that followed just put him into that GOD MODE. I don’t think you replicate this type of year, so I’mma watch closely to see if we get that fall off.
Ashford: “What I Would’ve Missed” by Ryan Ross Hernandez is a truly beautiful and remarkably raw and real offering. The fact that this song became a chart hit at over thirteen minutes long is a tribute to the artistry and musicianship in itself. It’s a diary entry in the form of a song, it’s a years long internal monologue in the form of a song, it’s raw, it’s beautiful and it’s incredible emotive. It’s a song about ego, it’s a song about self-doubt, it’s a song about fear and it’s a song about perseverance. I can’t praise this enough, it’s not a throwaway single to promote an album and it’s truly a beautiful stand-alone piece of art. For me it’s without doubt the song of the year and that somehow feels like it doesn’t do the track justice, it’s so much more than that.
What was the album of the year?Cara: Already touched on this one before, but Andrea finally delivering us “Southern Belle” was a treat early in the year. The attitude of this era from Andrea will be so difficult for her to top on this next run. The experimentation with Hip-Hop and Trap, the brilliance of her lyrics, it feels tongue-in-cheek at times and at other times deadly serious, I love that contrast. I was always going to be more hyped for this album dropping than anything else this year just because of how excited I was at the time it was initially announced and teased. It lived up to those expectations and so much more.
Bada$$ Morales: Ain’t a whole lot of albums in 2025, it feels like this year was the build-up and we’ll get the records next year. But for me, there’s only one option and that’s Jadyn Ghalen with “No Pressure, No Diamonds”. The rollout this year from him was done perfectly, building hype and anticipation with each release and really putting the work in to establish himself not only as a solo artist in his own right but also one of the top names in the industry. The album didn’t disappoint but there was a feeling like maybe he’s giving us his best tracks in the roll-out and the album tracks could be filler, but it felt like any track from that record could have been put out as a single and become a hit. Second album is always the real test but I feel like he’s proven he’s here to stay.
Ashford: Ellie-Grace Summers released her third studio album, “MANTRA” early in the year. It feels like this is the record that really takes her beyond that country image and firmly puts her up there as a pop artist. It’s another of those records that has long-been delayed but it was worth the wait. The lyricism throughout the record shows a maturity that makes me confidently believe she can create a catalogue of work that you could put up against anybody, I think she’s the sort of talent that will have an incredibly legacy behind her when all is said and done. I think this album was the first hints of where she’ll be headed next musically, as a standalone piece of work it’s incredible. But I think what this album leads into, will be even more remarkable.
Maliah: I love a true pop record and “Self-Reflection” by Elyar Black was that for me this year. He already has hits to his name, which means there’s already an expectation on your shoulders. But the boy delivered on this album. I would have liked to see a better roll-out cause there’s definitely a couple more hit singles on that album but what we got was a brilliant pop record. There was a little techno, dance-vibe to the album, some R&B chillout vibes and that catchy as fuck anthemic pop style that I think he does just as well as anybody in the business right now. I think this year definitely proved that Elyar was able to step up to another level and I think this is the year that he truly established himself as a big name in the industry. For me, this was truly his breakout moment.
Which artist dominated 2025?Ashford: Ryan Ross Hernandez truly ushered his next era in, this year. The departure from Studio60 was a pivotal moment where you knew he was about to embark on a brand new chapter. Dropping “Hunters” early in the year, the starkness of that track, it’s Americana influences just signalled that we were going to be getting a different version of Ryan Ross Hernandez and it’s been a year littered with releases that continued that trend of showcasing where this next era is heading. Right now, he works perfectly in that country-sphere where it doesn’t feel like a complete delve into that world but a send-up to the genre, it’s sprinklings of the best pieces of that type of music while completely maintaining that RRH feel.
Maliah: Alright, here me out. He may not have released anything of his own merit, but that doesn’t stop Billy Khan from being the artist that dominated 2025. Dominated doesn’t have to mean releases, it can mean name in the headlines. He was part of the Weekend Wembley show which was probably the biggest event of the year, a number one hit with Weekend for “We Made It”, the announcement of a new Weekend album likely to be in 2026. But his name was front and centre throughout the entire year, can we say DOMINANT KING?
Bada$$ Morales: Fuck, you could should have arranged these questions differently cause every answer has been the same from me for days now. I think we should let Maliah cook, cause bitch you’re so fucking right! I got Jadyn Ghalen for this one though, I’m just basing that shit on numbers, cause we’re talking about a standout year for him, this ain’t happening for him on that level going forward cause nobody can keep that pace. Eight singles in 2025, six solo singles and features on the other two, a hit debut album, a headline world tour AND became a father for the first time. I don’t know what the fuck the dude is smoking, but I’mma jump on that rollercoaster real quick. How to follow it up will be the big question, you can’t go like that every time, but it’s been a standout year, no doubt.
Cara: Mercedes brought individuality to the table in 2025, she brought personality to the table in 2025. Possibly the three biggest hits of the year? She ain’t just going down the easy ass up, tits out popstar route. Each of those tracks had personality, had emotion, had brevity and relevance to a world that we’re experiencing right now. She’s experimented with different sounds and styles and she’s done it all completely on her own terms. I hope this leads to a Mercedes album in 2026, because she’s a rare breed of an artist that has something unique to say right now.
Are you optimistic about the music industry in 2026?Maliah: I’m optimistic, I think the industry has had its best year in a long time. Certain things that had dropped off in previous years are coming back in vogue now, live tours or events are coming back into fashion once again. I would love to see the rebirth of Festivals and maybe one or two more events that bring us all together in the same environment, but I think there’s a lot to be optimistic about.
Cara: I think we’re seeing the start of a little momentum building. I’m always going to long for those days when things were thriving a little more but there needs to be an understanding that those periods ten year ago were peak times, and by definition peak times are meant to be brief. I think the industry has rebuilt itself in the last few years but I don’t think we’re there yet. There’s just something a little off these days, people used to interact more, they used to support the work of their fellow artist more, there was more appreciation. I don’t think the industry is catered to me or my demographic, but it still shows glimpses every so often.
Bada$$ Morales: Shit, those are some facts. We’ve seen what can be done with hard work and ambition this year. You used to be spoilt for choice when it came to a certain genre of artist, now you just hope you like the handful of those artists that are active. I’d love to some stars created in 2026 cause there’s a lot of talent that’s showed us they got it, but don’t keep that momentum going.
Ashford: For me, 2025 has been an incredibly productive year, probably one of the more productive years we’ve had in some time. I feel like a lot of that productivity leads into 2026, it feels like we’ve been offered a lot of the start of big projects, lead singles from albums that I hope drop in 2026 and if my calculations and estimates are correct, I think we’re in for a very busy year in 2026 from a lot of different acts.
Which artist will dominate 2026?Cara: We’ve already had a taste of what’s to come in 2026 by Andrea, “Ya-Ya” and “WET AMERICAN DREAM” are a signal of intent and it looks like we could get the next album in 2026, I’m sure there’ll be a few more single drops before the album but I think we’re in for a huge year for Andrea. It felt like finally releasing “Southern Belle” last year was a huge burden removed from her shoulders and if you give her a free year to map out this next project then I think she could easily be the dominant artist in 2026. I wouldn’t be mad at it!
Bada$$ Morales: Shit, I think we’re due a lot of big projects and rollouts in 2026 from R&B and Hip-Hop kings and queens. But I’mma bank on Tika Mays coming through in a big way next year. She gave us a single this year, but she didn’t keep that shit coming like I was expecting. I wanna see Tika going on a generational run next year cause I think she’s got all the talent she needs to be the entire package and sit at the top of this industry. I could throw out some other names I wanna see step it up, but I wanna see some comebacks next year.
Maliah: If Rico Love can build on the momentum of 2025 and take that into 2026 then I think he’s an artist that can dominate. He’s already proven that he can deliver a hit so if we can get a couple more singles and an album project out in 2026, I think we’ve just landed on a potential star for the next few years. There’s not a whole lot of newer acts that come into the business and keep it up, so his 2026 is just as important as his 2025. If he loses momentum he could fade quick, but if he takes what he’s done this year and adds to it, he could be a big name in the industry.
Ashford: Depending on the timing, we still have a month of 2025 left and the Ryan Ross Hernandez album has been teased but hasn’t dropped yet. If that goes into 2026 then it could be a dominant year once again for Mr. Hernandez. If his album drops before the end of 2025, then I’ll have to go for Weekend, they’ve already announced that they have an album coming in 2026 and I think anytime those guys set time aside for a project, it’s automatically going to dominate headlines, charts and the industry as a whole. I think it’s potentially between those two acts for the dominant crown in 2026.
Maliah: And that's a wrap, right?
Bada$$ Morales: Shit, we gone over three hours and no smoke break, Maliah you've done well, girl!
Maliah: We've both done well, hun.
Ashford: Alright, let's wrap this up then. We've gone pretty long, so thank you to everybody that's taken the time to watch or listen to this episode. Please drop your comments below on the episode and let us know how wrong we've got our answers this year.
