Illinois’ Top Artists of 2024–2025: What the Land of Lincoln Was Really Listening To

Illinois is a state of deep musical roots. From the legendary jazz clubs of Chicago to the drill music that reshaped global hip-hop, the Land of Lincoln is no stranger to bold sounds, street anthems, and lyrical fire. And in 2024–2025, that legacy lived on in full force.

Based on regional streaming data from YouTube Music, the most-streamed artists in Illinois reflect a diverse mix of homegrown pride, cross-cultural influence, and emotional depth. It’s a playlist that says a lot about the state’s taste: passionate, eclectic, and unafraid to feel deeply—or turn up loud.

Whether you were vibing in downtown Chicago, driving through the farmlands of central Illinois, or catching a train through the suburbs, these were the five artists that soundtracked life across the state. If you want to learn how to play music, check out music lessons in Boulder.

Let’s break down Illinois’ top five most-streamed artists from April 7, 2024, to April 7, 2025—and why they connected so strongly with listeners this year.

1. Lil Durk – 79.8 Million Views

At the top of the list, and by a slim margin, is Lil Durk, with an incredible 79.8 million views across Illinois. It’s no surprise that the voice of Chicago leads his home state’s charts.

Lil Durk has grown from a drill pioneer to a global voice of pain, loyalty, and survival. His music is more than rap—it’s autobiography, and in Illinois, where his story began, the support has never wavered.

In 2024, Durk continued dropping heat with tracks like “Smurk Carter,” “Before I Let Her Go,” and multiple high-profile features. Whether he's reflecting on trauma or flexing with quiet confidence, Durk’s words feel like home to listeners who’ve grown with him.

He’s not just a Chicago success story. He’s a symbol of resilience for thousands across the state.

Why Illinois Loves Lil Durk:

• Local legend with street credibility and mainstream appeal

• Music that blends vulnerability with power

• Seen as a voice for those coming from tough places

Durk isn’t just Illinois’ top artist—he’s its emotional anchor.

2. Future – 78.0 Million Views

Coming in at a close second with 78.0 million views, Future remains one of Illinois’ most-streamed artists. While he hails from Atlanta, Future’s melancholic trap sound and iconic cadence resonate deeply with Illinois listeners—especially in urban areas and among younger fans.

In 2024, his collaborations with Metro Boomin and Don Toliver, plus his beef-fueled appearances in the year’s biggest rap drama, kept him in the spotlight. But it’s not just hype—Future continues to deliver songs that speak to grind, pain, and emotional numbness, wrapped in hypnotic production.

He’s the soundtrack to late-night city drives, ambitious hustles, and reflective moments. For Illinois listeners, Future represents the darker complexities of success and survival.

Why Illinois Loves Future:

• Southern trap icon with emotional depth

• A balance of bravado and vulnerability

• Timeless sound with consistent quality

Future is a vibe—and in Illinois, the vibe is real.

3. Peso Pluma – 75.6 Million Views

In third place with 75.6 million views, Peso Pluma is Illinois’ breakout regional Mexican sensation. The Guadalajara-born artist has become a household name in U.S. Latinx communities, and Illinois—with its large Mexican population—has fully embraced him.

His corrido tumbado style, which mixes traditional Mexican music with trap, reggaeton, and pop elements, has hit hard across neighborhoods in Chicago, Cicero, Aurora, and beyond. His 2024 tracks like “La People,” “RUBICON 2,” and “Bellakeo (Remix)” helped him dominate festivals and playlists alike.

Peso Pluma doesn’t just represent music—he represents identity, heritage, and the blending of cultures that defines so much of Illinois.

Why Illinois Loves Peso Pluma:

• Bilingual bangers with heart and swagger

• Deep cultural connection to the state’s Latinx population

• Fusion of genres that appeals across generations

Peso Pluma is proof that regional music can go global—and feel local.

4. Kendrick Lamar – 70.6 Million Views

With 70.6 million views, Kendrick Lamar comes in at number four. As expected, the lyrical king of hip-hop made massive waves in 2024 with his high-profile feud against Drake and the release of “Not Like Us”—one of the year’s biggest anthems.

But Kendrick’s appeal in Illinois runs far deeper than diss tracks. His discography—from good kid, m.A.A.d city to Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers—has long been studied, celebrated, and embraced by Chicago’s conscious rap fans and beyond.

Whether streamed by students at UChicago or teens on the South Side, Kendrick’s messages of resistance, self-reflection, and inner healing hit hard in a state that values both the mind and the soul.

Why Illinois Loves Kendrick Lamar:

• Hip-hop’s most thoughtful lyricist

• A balance of activism and artistry

• Songs that hold up to a hundred listens

In Illinois, Kendrick isn’t background music—he’s a conversation.

5. Fuerza Regida – 65.1 Million Views

Rounding out the top five is Fuerza Regida, with 65.1 million views, showing that regional Mexican music is not a trend—it’s a movement in Illinois.

Hailing from California, the group has been instrumental in bringing corridos urbanos to the mainstream. Their gritty yet romantic lyrics, blended with urban swagger and regional instrumentation, have carved out a loyal following across Illinois' Mexican-American communities.

Tracks like “TQM,” “Harley Quinn,” and “911” were frequently blasted from cars, parties, and neighborhood gatherings throughout 2024 and into 2025. Fuerza Regida’s music speaks to dual identity, rebellion, and pride—and it’s deeply meaningful to a generation navigating both tradition and change.

Why Illinois Loves Fuerza Regida:

• Proudly bilingual and culturally rich

• Party-ready yet poetic

• Feels like home for thousands of Illinois families

They don’t just represent a sound—they represent a way of life.

What Illinois’ Most-Streamed Artists Say About the State’s Music Taste

These five artists reflect a listening culture that is rich, layered, and constantly evolving. Illinois isn’t boxed in by genre or geography—it’s open to anything that feels real.

1. Local loyalty is strong 🎤

Lil Durk at number one proves that Illinois backs its own. From underground roots to global acclaim, Durk's continued dominance shows that homegrown talent matters.

2. Bilingual sounds are mainstream 🌎

Peso Pluma and Fuerza Regida in the top five aren’t just artists—they represent a cultural shift. Latin music isn’t on the fringe in Illinois. It’s front and center.

3. Emotion rules 💔

From Future’s existential luxury to Kendrick’s poetic rage, Illinois listeners love artists who put their hearts into every line—even when they hurt.

4. Global stars still get love—but only when they say something 📶

Kendrick made the top five not just for being famous, but for being important. Illinois fans reward meaning over hype.

Methodology

This article is based on YouTube Music’s regional streaming analytics, tracking total views by state. The top artists in this article reflect streaming activity from users in Illinois between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025.

By focusing on location-based viewership, we gain a clearer understanding of what real Illinois listeners were actually playing—not just what was trending nationally.

Final Thoughts

From the South Side of Chicago to the rural towns of central Illinois, the state’s top-streamed artists this year offered something for everyone—healing, hype, heartbreak, heritage, and hope.

These five names—Lil Durk, Future, Peso Pluma, Kendrick Lamar, and Fuerza Regida—weren’t just big globally. In Illinois, they were essential. They helped people get through long nights, celebrate good times, and feel seen in ways only music can offer.

In a state that’s as diverse, dynamic, and emotionally real as its people, this list makes one thing clear: Illinois listens with soul.