California’s Top 5 Most-Streamed Artists of the Year: Who Dominated 2024–2025

From palm-lined boulevards in Los Angeles to the rolling hills of Northern California, the Golden State is known for setting the pace when it comes to music trends. And this past year was no exception.

Between April 7, 2024 and April 7, 2025, Californians streamed a bold mix of genres that reflect the state’s vibrant culture, multicultural population, and deep love for innovation and authenticity. From regional Mexican music to West Coast hip-hop royalty, California’s streaming charts paint a fascinating portrait of what the state’s 39 million residents had on repeat. Make sure to take music lessons in Boulder.

Let’s dive into the five artists who commanded the most streams in California this year—and what their popularity reveals about the sound of the West Coast.

1. Peso Pluma – 389 Million Views

With an unbelievable 389 million views, Peso Pluma takes the top spot as California’s most-streamed artist of the year—and by a wide margin. The Guadalajara-born sensation has exploded across the U.S. over the past two years, and California is ground zero for his meteoric rise.

Peso Pluma (born Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija) has become the face of the corridos tumbados movement, blending traditional Mexican ballads with trap, reggaeton, and urbano influences. For millions of listeners—especially young, bilingual Mexican Americans—his sound feels like home and evolution all at once.

Songs like “PRC,” “Lady Gaga,” and “La Bebe (Remix)” have become cultural anthems across the state, blaring from car stereos, backyard parties, quinceañeras, and college dorms alike.

Why Californians Love Peso Pluma:

• Represents bicultural Gen Z identity

• Fresh take on traditional Mexican sounds

• Charismatic, stylish, and unmistakably modern

Peso Pluma isn’t just popular—he’s a generational voice in California.

2. Fuerza Regida – 362 Million Views

Hot on Peso Pluma’s heels is Fuerza Regida, racking up 362 million views in California over the past year. Hailing from San Bernardino, this group is deeply connected to the California scene and has helped redefine regional urbano music.

Led by Jesús Ortiz Paz, Fuerza Regida mixes traditional sierreño instrumentation with street lyrics and urban aesthetics. They aren’t just evolving the genre—they’re owning it, infusing it with a California edge that speaks directly to local listeners.

Tracks like “TQM,” “Ch y la Pizza,” and “911” are more than hits—they’re cultural declarations. For fans across the Central Valley, Inland Empire, and SoCal barrios, Fuerza Regida is real, raw, and homegrown.

Why Californians Love Fuerza Regida:

• Based in California, singing about real life in the state

• A voice for working-class, bilingual youth

• Blurs the line between Mexican heritage and American hustle

They don’t just make music—they represent a movement.

3. Kendrick Lamar – 300 Million Views

A hometown hero and global icon, Kendrick Lamar takes the third spot with a commanding 300 million views across California. Raised in Compton, Kendrick has long been a lyrical giant in hip-hop, and this year he took center stage once again thanks to his headline-grabbing feud with Drake.

“Not Like Us,” the now-iconic diss track that went viral in spring 2024, became a West Coast anthem, celebrating regional pride while delivering sharp jabs with surgical precision. But beyond the headlines, Kendrick’s enduring relevance comes from his ability to craft meaningful narratives about life, race, mental health, fame, and personal growth.

Californians—especially in urban centers like LA, Oakland, and Sacramento—have long revered Kendrick not only as a rapper, but as a cultural voice.

Why Californians Love Kendrick Lamar:

• Deep West Coast roots

• Intelligent, introspective, and unapologetically real

• Balances mainstream success with social commentary

In California, Kendrick isn’t just a rapper—he’s an icon.

4. Luis R Conriquez – 243 Million Views

With 243 million views, Luis R Conriquez continues to ride the wave of corridos bélicos and gritty regional Mexican storytelling. Known for his raspy voice and fearless lyrics, Conriquez connects with fans who want their music unfiltered and raw.

He represents a darker, more aggressive side of the genre—less romantic and more about survival, street smarts, and sacrifice. California’s huge Latino population, particularly in cities like Fresno, Bakersfield, and Modesto, has embraced his music as the soundtrack to their daily lives—complex, proud, and rooted in resilience.

Songs like “JGL,” “Las Hazañas del Doble R,” and “Si No Quieres No” echo through family gatherings, car meets, and late-night playlists across the state.

Why Californians Love Luis R Conriquez:

• Brings gritty realism to corridos

• Represents the working class and real-life struggle

• Builds emotional connections through vulnerability

He’s not flashy—he’s honest. And California respects that.

5. Junior H – 223 Million Views

Rounding out the top five with 223 million views is Junior H, one of the most emotionally expressive artists in the corridos tumbados scene. Born in Guanajuato and raised in Utah, Junior H (real name Antonio Herrera Pérez) found an especially passionate audience in California.

His songs are introspective, melancholy, and often romantic, offering a contrast to the more aggressive tones of other regional acts. His vulnerability has made him a favorite for younger fans navigating identity, love, and emotional highs and lows.

In a state as vast and diverse as California, there’s room for all shades of expression—and Junior H taps into the lonely, late-night, heart-on-sleeve space that many listeners crave.

Why Californians Love Junior H:

• Brings emotion and tenderness to regional music

• Blends Latin trap, indie, and traditional sounds

• Lyrics that speak directly to love, heartbreak, and youth

Junior H is the voice of the sensitive soul in a tough world.

A Cultural Snapshot of California in 2025

This year’s top five most-streamed artists in California reflect more than just musical preferences—they offer a window into the state’s cultural identity.

Here’s what the data tells us:

• Regional Mexican music isn’t just popular—it dominates. With four out of five top artists coming from Latin music, it’s clear that this genre is now mainstream in California, driven largely by younger, bilingual, first- and second-generation Latinos.

• California is embracing its own voice. With homegrown acts like Fuerza Regida and Kendrick Lamar in the mix, the state isn’t just following trends—it’s making them.

• Bicultural identity is central. Today’s Californian music fan may speak Spanish at home, rap along with Kendrick, and share Peso Pluma memes online—all in the same afternoon.

• Authenticity matters. Every artist on this list brings something real to the table—whether it’s Kendrick’s social commentary, Junior H’s vulnerability, or Fuerza Regida’s streetwise edge.

Methodology

The data used for this article was sourced from YouTube Music’s regional analytics, focusing on total view counts by location. We analyzed user streaming behavior in California from April 7, 2024 to April 7, 2025, ranking artists based on total YouTube views generated within the state during that period.

This approach provides geographically accurate insight into which artists had the most local impact, allowing us to understand California’s unique listening trends—independent of national or global charts.

Final Thoughts: California Sets the Tone

From Peso Pluma’s genre-bending bravado to Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical genius, California’s most-streamed artists of 2024–2025 reflect a population that is proud, diverse, and deeply connected to its roots.

Music in the Golden State isn’t just entertainment—it’s identity. And as regional Mexican sounds continue to cross into the global mainstream, California remains not only a leader in consumption—but a cultural curator, shaping what the world hears next.