Indiana’s Most-Streamed Artists of 2024–2025: What the Hoosier State Was Really Listening To
In Indiana, music is woven into the rhythms of daily life. From long drives through farmland to Friday night lights in small towns, music is how Hoosiers reflect, celebrate, and cope. Whether you're catching live shows in Indianapolis or jamming on a back porch in Evansville, the state’s favorite songs and artists say a lot about what matters most to the people who live there.
Between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, YouTube Music data shows that Indiana listeners gravitated toward authentic voices, emotional storytelling, and genre-spanning powerhouses. The top five most-streamed artists reflect a balance of country comfort, lyrical introspection, rap rawness, and pop precision. Learn all about music by checking out music lessons in Boulder.
Let’s dive into the top five artists Indiana couldn’t stop listening to this past year—and explore why these names resonated so deeply across the Hoosier State.
- Morgan Wallen – 31.1 Million Views
Taking the top spot with 31.1 million views, Morgan Wallen continues to dominate Indiana’s musical landscape. His country roots, storytelling charm, and crossover appeal made him the most-streamed artist in the state—and it’s no surprise.
Wallen’s 2023 album One Thing at a Time remained in heavy rotation throughout 2024 and into 2025. Tracks like “Last Night,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” and “Cowgirls” captured the emotional highs and lows of everyday life in a way that Indiana’s rural and suburban communities truly connected with.
Whether played at weekend bonfires, during solo drives through cornfields, or on the aux at small-town barbecues, Morgan Wallen's music provided a reliable soundtrack for real-life moments.
Why Indiana Loves Morgan Wallen:
- Honest, relatable storytelling
- Blends country twang with modern pop production
- A voice that feels close to home
For many Hoosiers, Morgan Wallen doesn’t just sing about life—he sings their life.
- Eminem – 30.6 Million Views
Coming in close behind with 30.6 million views, Eminem proves that lyrical skill, raw emotion, and Midwest pride still carry massive weight in Indiana.
Though he hails from just over the state line in Detroit, Eminem has always had a strong cultural presence in Indiana. His themes of survival, frustration, addiction, and redemption resonate in communities where grit and perseverance are part of everyday life.
In 2024, renewed interest in his discography came with the announcement of his upcoming album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), which reignited old hits like “Lose Yourself,” “Not Afraid,” and “Mockingbird.” Eminem’s unfiltered honesty and biting delivery keep him a constant in Hoosier playlists.
Why Indiana Loves Eminem:
- Midwestern roots with global impact
- Timeless catalog of raw, emotional bangers
- Seen as an underdog hero who never gave up
In Indiana, Eminem is more than a rapper—he’s a voice for the unheard.
- Kendrick Lamar – 28.5 Million Views
With 28.5 million views, Kendrick Lamar earned his spot as Indiana’s third most-streamed artist—and once again reminded the world that intelligent, thought-provoking rap has a powerful place in mainstream culture.
The release of “Not Like Us,” Kendrick’s fiery diss track aimed at Drake, was one of the biggest pop culture moments of the year—and it had Hoosiers pressing play in record numbers. But it wasn’t just about the beef. Kendrick’s discography, from good kid, m.A.A.d city to Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, is filled with deeply introspective storytelling, something Indiana listeners clearly value.
His music strikes a chord with college students, creatives, and anyone looking for music that does more than just entertain—it challenges and reflects.
Why Indiana Loves Kendrick Lamar:
- Lyrically sharp and socially conscious
- Complex themes of identity, healing, and power
- A rare artist who is both mainstream and meditative
Kendrick’s songs aren’t just played—they’re understood. And in Indiana, that means everything.
- Taylor Swift – 27.9 Million Views
With 27.9 million views, Taylor Swift once again proved that her music reaches every corner of the country—including Indiana. From rural high schools to Indianapolis high-rises, Swifties are everywhere, and 2024–2025 was another banner year for the pop powerhouse.
Taylor’s re-recordings (1989 Taylor’s Version, Reputation rumors) and her ongoing Eras Tour coverage kept fans engaged all year long. Songs like “Cruel Summer,” “You Belong With Me (Taylor’s Version),” and “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” continued to be emotional lifelines for many listeners.
Her ability to tell stories of love, betrayal, ambition, and growth in such a deeply personal way makes her a mainstay on Indiana playlists—especially among young women, students, and longtime fans.
Why Indiana Loves Taylor Swift:
- Universally relatable themes
- Reinvention without losing authenticity
- Lyrics that feel like diary entries
In a state where emotional honesty is valued, Taylor Swift is a go-to for both heartache and hope.
- YoungBoy Never Broke Again – 27.1 Million Views
Rounding out the top five with 27.1 million views, YoungBoy Never Broke Again (NBA YoungBoy) continues to prove that raw, unfiltered, and relentless music has a loyal home in Indiana.
Known for his nonstop output and emotionally volatile delivery, YoungBoy resonates especially with younger fans who find comfort in his chaos, pain, and resilience. His 2024 releases—including multiple surprise drops and viral moments—kept his catalog fresh and his audience locked in.
From urban centers like Fort Wayne to more isolated areas, YoungBoy’s message of self-reliance and emotional struggle struck a powerful chord.
Why Indiana Loves YoungBoy Never Broke Again:
- Constantly releasing new music
- Emotional intensity that cuts through the noise
- Speaks to a generation often overlooked
His music may be messy—but it’s real. And Indiana listens to what’s real.
What This Data Tells Us About Indiana’s Music Culture
Indiana’s top five most-streamed artists reveal a lot about what the state values in music: emotional truth, storytelling, grit, and genre diversity. From country and rap to pop and beyond, Hoosier playlists are as wide-ranging as they are heartfelt.
- Authenticity Comes First 🎶
All five artists—Wallen, Eminem, Kendrick, Swift, and YoungBoy—have one thing in common: they write and perform from the heart. Hoosiers reward artists who say what they mean and mean what they say.
- Genre Doesn’t Matter—Feeling Does 🎧
Country, rap, and pop coexist at the top of Indiana’s charts, proving that listeners aren’t loyal to genres—they’re loyal to emotion and connection.
- Loyalty to Longtime Voices 💥
Veteran artists like Eminem and Taylor Swift continue to thrive in Indiana, reflecting deep fan loyalty and respect for artists who’ve stood the test of time.
- Youth Drives Momentum 🔥
YoungBoy and Kendrick’s popularity show that younger listeners are shaping the state’s streaming behavior—especially when the music mirrors their emotions and struggles.
Methodology
This article is based on YouTube Music’s regional streaming data, which measures total views by location. Rankings were determined by the total number of views from users located in Indiana between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025.
By focusing on regional viewership, this list offers a real-world snapshot of the artists that Indiana listeners actually engaged with the most—regardless of broader national trends.
Final Thoughts
From Morgan Wallen’s relatable love songs to Kendrick Lamar’s cultural critiques, Taylor Swift’s lyrical diaries to YoungBoy’s emotional outbursts and Eminem’s legendary wordplay—Indiana’s top artists this year reflect a state that listens with intention, emotion, and loyalty.
These five artists didn’t just rack up views. They soundtracked life across Indiana—the joy, the heartbreak, the uncertainty, and the everyday. In a state that knows the value of hard work and honest expression, this year’s most-played voices were a testament to the power of music to meet people where they are.
WRITTEN BY
Gloria Conroy
Copyright © 2025