Illinois’ Most-Streamed Songs of 2024–2025: The Tracks That Soundtracked the Prairie State
From the bustling streets of Chicago to the college towns of Champaign-Urbana and the quiet corners of southern Illinois, music is more than just entertainment—it’s a mirror of identity, mood, and emotion. And over the past year, Illinoisans showed that their playlists were as diverse, bold, and emotionally tuned-in as the state itself.
Between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, Illinois’ most-streamed songs captured a powerful mix of lyrical intensity, genre fusion, heartfelt storytelling, and infectious energy. Based on YouTube Music’s regional streaming data, the top 9 tracks reveal how people across the state danced, healed, reflected, and vibed together. If you want to learn to play an instrument, check out music lessons in Boulder.
Let’s take a closer look at the top songs Illinois couldn’t stop playing—and why they hit so hard in every corner of the Land of Lincoln.
- “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar (16.3M views)
There’s no question that Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” was a moment—not just in hip-hop, but in culture. With 16.3 million views, it was Illinois’ most-streamed song of the year, and it’s not hard to understand why.
The track exploded in the wake of Kendrick’s fiery beef with Drake, but it became more than a diss—it became a rallying cry for fans of pure lyrical dominance. In a state like Illinois, where Chicago’s own rap legacy looms large, Kendrick’s wordplay, confidence, and storytelling hit home.
Whether played at house parties, on late-night drives through the city, or on college campuses, “Not Like Us” felt like a musical mic drop—and Illinois hit replay over and over again.
Why Illinois Loved It:
- Intense lyrics with meme-worthy moments
- Beat that bangs in cars and clubs
- A cultural phenomenon beyond the diss
- “Lose Control (Live)” – Teddy Swims (10.4M views)
With 10.4 million views, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control (Live)” struck a very different note—and hit just as deeply. His gravelly, gospel-infused voice and stripped-down delivery turned this into a gut-punch of a song, ideal for Illinois listeners who value emotional honesty.
In a year filled with noise, Teddy’s live version became a kind of quiet anthem for people processing heartbreak, burnout, or personal growth. It wasn’t flashy—but it didn’t need to be. It just felt real.
From Chicago’s indie scene to cozy headphone sessions in rural towns, “Lose Control” reminded listeners that vulnerability is strength—and that sometimes the simplest performances say the most.
Why Illinois Loved It:
- Raw vocal emotion and authenticity
- Perfect for introspective moods and quiet nights
- A go-to track for fans who crave soul
- “Beautiful Things” – Benson Boone (10.1M views)
Idaho-born singer-songwriter Benson Boone continued his meteoric rise with “Beautiful Things,” which pulled in 10.1 million views in Illinois alone. Blending soft piano melodies with emotionally reflective lyrics, this track became a spiritual touchstone for young listeners, especially those navigating transition and change.
Whether it was high school seniors, recent grads, or those going through breakups or breakdowns, Boone’s lyrics about appreciating the good—while fearing its loss—felt universally relatable.
It wasn’t just a song—it was a message, and in a fast-paced, often chaotic year, Illinoisans were looking for something that grounded them. “Beautiful Things” was that musical anchor.
Why Illinois Loved It:
- Message of gratitude and emotional fragility
- Popular in TikTok montages and personal stories
- A “pause and breathe” kind of track
- “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey (10.0M views)
With 10 million views, Shaboozey’s genre-bending smash “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” brought the party to every corner of Illinois. By fusing nostalgic early-2000s hip-hop (sampling J-Kwon’s “Tipsy”) with country swagger, the track hit like lightning—and made people want to dance, sing, and sip something cold.
From Wrigleyville to Southern Illinois tailgates, this track was everywhere. It blurred lines between genres, generations, and cultural groups—and reminded us that a good time doesn’t need labels.
Why Illinois Loved It:
- Country-rap crossover appeal
- Nostalgic hook + new-school production
- Universally fun with viral momentum
- “Die With A Smile” – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars (9.31M views)
In fifth place with 9.31 million views, “Die With A Smile” delivered disco-funk euphoria with a deeper message. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars teamed up for a life-affirming anthem about joy, freedom, and being unapologetically yourself.
Whether blasting from boomboxes at Grant Park or speakers at rooftop parties, “Die With A Smile” was a moment of brightness in a year filled with emotional highs and lows.
Why Illinois Loved It:
- Disco-inspired groove with emotional depth
- Iconic artists with powerhouse performances
- “Wanna Be” – GloRilla & Megan Thee Stallion (7.88M views)
GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion’s “Wanna Be” took over Illinois playlists with 7.88 million views, giving the state a fierce, fearless, female-fronted banger that pulled no punches.
This track wasn’t just a song—it was a confidence booster, a party anthem, and a clapback all in one. In clubs from the South Loop to Springfield, it owned the dancefloor. Its impact was especially strong among younger women and femme-identifying listeners who were reclaiming their space and their power.
Why Illinois Loved It:
- Southern swagger with Midwestern support
- Empowering, energetic, and loud in all the right ways
- A must-play for girls’ nights, workouts, and wild weekends
- “Si No Quieres No” – Luis R Conriquez & Neton Vega (7.47M views)
With 7.47 million views, “Si No Quieres No” brought the corridos urbanos movement to the heart of Illinois, reflecting the state’s large and growing Latinx population—especially in communities throughout Chicago, Cicero, Aurora, and Waukegan.
A melancholic, emotionally charged track rooted in regional Mexican music, this song connected with listeners navigating love, heartbreak, and hard lessons. It also served as a cultural touchstone, reminding many of their roots while offering a modern twist on tradition.
Why Illinois Loved It:
- Deep ties to Mexican-American communities
- Raw emotional content in a traditional-meets-modern sound
- One of many regional Mexican tracks to go mainstream in 2024
- “APT.” – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars (7.26M views)
At 7.26 million views, “APT.” by BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ and Bruno Mars was the year’s most unexpected alt-pop slow-burn, and it found a devoted following across Illinois—especially among Gen Z listeners.
The track paints a cinematic love story set in a lonely apartment complex, blending soft R&B with subtle synths and bilingual storytelling. It was the kind of song that didn’t shout for attention—it just crept into your soul and stayed there.
Perfect for night drives, lonely headphones, and those “main character” moments, “APT.” proved that quiet songs can still make a loud impact.
Why Illinois Loved It:
- Lo-fi, dreamy pop with strong emotional vibes
- K-pop crossover appeal
- Great for reflective, late-night listening
- “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter (6.92M views)
Closing out the top 9 is Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” clocking in at 6.92 million views. Light, flirty, and addictive, this track brought a playful punch of pop to a year otherwise full of heavy emotions.
In Illinois, “Espresso” was that song: the one playing in coffee shops, at brunches, on Instagram stories, and during outfit montages. It was particularly beloved by young, fashion-forward listeners and content creators, who gravitated toward its style, sass, and slick production.
Why Illinois Loved It:
- Bright and breezy energy
- Ideal for social content and summer playlists
- A pop anthem with replay value
What Illinois’ Top Songs Reveal About Its Music Taste
Illinois’ most-streamed songs this year reveal a music culture driven by emotion, diversity, and intention. Whether people were celebrating, processing, or dancing, these tracks met them where they were.
- Real lyrics matter 🔥
From Kendrick and Teddy Swims to Luis R Conriquez, Illinois fans showed up for songs with meaning—songs that tell stories and stir something deep.
- Genre isn’t a boundary—just a suggestion 🎧
This year’s chart includes rap, soul, pop, disco, country, and regional Mexican music—all sitting side by side. Illinois loves variety.
- People wanted to feel—and then dance it off 💃
Whether it was GloRilla’s energy or Sabrina’s sweetness, this year’s most-played songs offered catharsis and celebration in equal measure.
Methodology
This article is based on YouTube Music’s regional analytics, which track total song views by location. We reviewed data from April 7, 2024, to April 7, 2025, focusing on listeners based in Illinois to provide an accurate reflection of what real people across the state were streaming.
Final Thoughts
From bedroom heartbreak ballads to stadium-shaking anthems, the top-streamed songs in Illinois this year reflected a population tuned into passion, identity, and soundtracks for real life.
These nine songs weren’t just hits—they were companions to moments, emotions, and memories. And together, they told the story of a state that listens widely, listens deeply, and lets music be more than just background noise.
WRITTEN BY
Gloria Conroy
Copyright © 2025