Hawaii’s Most-Streamed Artists of 2024–2025: From Island Roots to Global Icons

Hawaii’s music culture is a beautiful blend of heritage, heart, and harmony. The islands have always danced to their own rhythm—one that reflects aloha, storytelling, and community. In a place where music isn’t just entertainment but a way of life, the most-streamed artists of the year paint a vivid picture of what moved, comforted, and uplifted Hawai‘i between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025.

This year’s top artists highlight a unique musical identity where local legends stand proudly alongside global superstars. Whether you're cruising the Pali Highway, hanging out in Waikīkī, or relaxing with family on the beach in Hilo, these were the voices that defined the islands in the past year. If you are interested in learning how to play music, check out music lessons in Boulder.

Let’s take a closer look at the five most-streamed artists in Hawai‘i—and why their music resonated so deeply across O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, the Big Island, and beyond.

1. Maoli – 14.7 Million Views

Sitting proudly at the top is Maoli, with 14.7 million YouTube views in Hawai‘i—a clear sign that island music still reigns supreme in the islands themselves.

For over a decade, Maoli (led by frontman Glenn Awong) has been the voice of modern Hawaiian reggae, often blending traditional island rhythms with soulful vocals, pop production, and R&B-influenced hooks. Their music captures the essence of local life—love, ohana, and that slow, sun-drenched island pace.

From backyard BBQs in Kailua to family beach days in Lahaina, Maoli’s songs—like "Jesse's Song," "If I Said You Had a Beautiful Body," and "Rock Me Sober"—aren’t just popular. They’re part of the soundtrack of daily life.

Why Hawai‘i Loves Maoli:

• Deep roots in local and Polynesian culture

• Reggae-pop fusion that appeals to all generations

• Lyrics that reflect life, love, and island values

Maoli isn’t just music in Hawai‘i—it’s identity, tradition, and home.

2. Kendrick Lamar – 8.77 Million Views

Coming in second with 8.77 million views, Kendrick Lamar continues to show that thoughtful, powerful lyricism transcends geography. His music resonates even in Hawai‘i, where storytelling and cultural truth are sacred.

Kendrick’s 2024 dominance was driven largely by his much-discussed diss track "Not Like Us", but his overall presence in the state points to something deeper. Listeners here connect with his ability to blend vulnerability, cultural commentary, and poetic insight—all things that Hawaiians have long valued in their own oral traditions.

Whether it’s his early storytelling in "good kid, m.A.A.d city," or his spiritual journeys in "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers," Kendrick’s discography has been embraced by fans across O‘ahu and the neighbor islands.

Why Hawai‘i Loves Kendrick Lamar:

• Complex storytelling with emotional and political weight

• A poetic voice in modern hip-hop

• A deep thinker for a community that values history and voice

Kendrick’s lyrics echo with truth—and in Hawai‘i, that truth matters.

3. Bruno Mars – 8.33 Million Views

A native son of Hawai‘i, Bruno Mars remains one of the state’s most beloved artists, racking up 8.33 million views over the past year. Born Peter Gene Hernandez and raised in Honolulu, Bruno is more than a global pop icon—he’s local pride personified.

Whether he’s singing funk, soul, R&B, or slow jams, Bruno carries the swagger of a superstar and the warmth of someone raised with aloha. In Hawai‘i, he’s not just “famous.” He’s ohana. That’s why even his collaborations—like “Die With A Smile” with Lady Gaga and “APT.” with ROSÉ—performed incredibly well across the islands.

From weddings to high school graduations, Bruno’s music is everywhere in local celebrations—and he remains a symbol of what it means to bring Hawai‘i to the world.

Why Hawai‘i Loves Bruno Mars:

• Hawai‘i-born and deeply tied to local culture

• Universally loved sound across genres and generations

• A true ambassador of island excellence on the world stage

Bruno reminds Hawai‘i that we can go global—and never forget where we came from.

4. Fiji – 5.55 Million Views

With 5.55 million views, the legendary Fiji claims his rightful place among Hawai‘i’s most-streamed artists. A fixture in island reggae since the 1990s, George “Fiji” Veikoso is a living legend in Polynesian music, known for his buttery voice, heartfelt lyrics, and reggae grooves that feel like a warm wave.

Tracks like "Sweet Darlin’," "Smokin’ Session," and "Lomalagi" have remained staples on island airwaves, but even new generations continue discovering his music on streaming platforms. His influence can be heard across the Hawaiian reggae scene—from Maoli to Rebel Souljahz and The Green.

In Hawai‘i, Fiji’s music is woven into the cultural fabric. It’s the sound of beach parties, road trips, slow dances, and Sunday chill sessions.

Why Hawai‘i Loves Fiji:

• A founding father of the local reggae scene

• Timeless songs that still resonate

• A voice that sounds like aloha

For many in Hawai‘i, Fiji’s music is the sound of growing up.

5. Chris Brown – 5.46 Million Views

Rounding out the top five with 5.46 million views, Chris Brown proves that mainland R&B and pop still have a strong foothold in the islands, especially among younger listeners.

Chris Brown’s expansive catalog—from early hits like “With You” to newer collabs with Tyga, WizKid, and Davido—has made him a staple in playlists across the islands. His versatility in R&B, hip-hop, pop, and dancehall makes him a perfect fit for Hawai‘i’s genre-blending music culture, where island reggae, hip-hop, and pop often overlap.

Whether it’s a school dance in Hilo, a house party on O‘ahu, or a chill vibe session on Maui, Chris Brown’s smooth vocals and slick beats keep the energy flowing.

Why Hawai‘i Loves Chris Brown:

• A versatile artist with consistent output

• Danceable tracks for every mood

• Popular across Gen Z and millennial listeners

He may be from the mainland, but Chris Brown fits right into Hawai‘i’s sonic landscape.

What This Data Tells Us About Music Culture in Hawai‘i

The top-streamed artists in Hawai‘i tell a story not just of what’s popular, but of what’s personal. In the islands, music isn’t just background noise—it’s part of daily life, family traditions, and cultural identity.

Here are a few takeaways from this year’s top artists:

1. Local artists matter more than ever 🌺

With Maoli and Fiji in the top five, it’s clear that Hawai‘i continues to celebrate and support its own musical heritage. These aren’t just musicians—they’re cultural touchstones.

2. Global artists must feel authentic 🌎

Bruno Mars and Kendrick Lamar stand out not only because of their talent but because their message, honesty, and presence resonate. Hawai‘i doesn’t just stream chart-toppers—they stream artists who tell the truth.

3. Reggae and R&B still lead the way 🎤

Whether it’s Maoli, Fiji, or Chris Brown, the smooth blend of rhythm, harmony, and soul continues to be the dominant musical language in Hawai‘i.

4. Storytelling is everything 💬

In a culture built on chant, song, and tradition, artists who tell stories—especially emotional, vulnerable, or spiritually resonant ones—will always thrive.

Methodology

This article is based on YouTube Music’s regional streaming analytics, which tracks viewership data by location. We analyzed the most-streamed artists in Hawai‘i between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, and ranked them by total YouTube views from in-state listeners.

This approach gives us a hyper-local, accurate snapshot of what people in Hawai‘i were actually listening to, regardless of national or global charts.

Final Thoughts

From the soothing strums of Maoli to the fire of Kendrick’s lyricism, from Bruno’s timeless charm to Fiji’s island classics and Chris Brown’s chart-friendly hooks—Hawai‘i’s most-streamed artists this year reflect a state that is proud of its roots, open to the world, and always listening with heart.

These five artists—Maoli, Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars, Fiji, and Chris Brown—didn’t just top playlists. They defined the rhythms of daily life across the islands. Whether it was a celebration, a heartbreak, a road trip, or a slow Sunday morning, this was the music that made Hawai‘i feel even more like home.