Kentucky’s Most-Streamed Artists of 2024–2025: Who the Bluegrass State Played on Repeat

In the hills and hollers of Kentucky, music has always meant something more. Whether it’s the soulful cry of a country ballad, the raw truth of Southern rap, or the lyrical fire of hip-hop legends, Kentuckians don’t just listen—they feel every beat. And in the last year, the state’s most-streamed artists on YouTube Music offered a powerful look at what listeners across the Bluegrass State were connecting with.

Between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, Kentucky's top artists delivered a blend of grit, honesty, and soul, spanning genres but united by emotion and storytelling. From country roads to city streets, these five artists topped the state’s charts—and each has a unique reason why. If you're interested in learning how to play music, check out music lessons in Boulder.

Let’s take a closer look at Kentucky’s five most-streamed artists of the year and what they reveal about the state's evolving soundscape.

1. Morgan Wallen – 21.6 Million Views

At the top of the chart with a commanding 21.6 million views, Morgan Wallen once again proved that he is country music’s reigning star—especially in states like Kentucky, where his sound hits home on every level.

Wallen’s music has become a mainstay at bonfires, tailgates, truck rides, and late-night bar playlists. His ability to blend heartland storytelling with pop-influenced production makes him both accessible and authentic. And in Kentucky, where country isn't just a genre but a way of life, Wallen’s lyrics about love, heartbreak, small-town pride, and personal missteps resonate deeply.

Tracks like “Last Night,” “You Proof,” “Thought You Should Know,” and “Everything I Love” stayed in heavy rotation throughout 2024–2025, offering Kentuckians an emotional roadmap for everyday life.

Why Kentucky Loves Morgan Wallen:

• Lyrics that reflect the lived experiences of rural and working-class listeners

• A blend of modern production with classic country values

• A familiar voice in moments of heartbreak, hope, and healing

Morgan Wallen doesn’t just top Kentucky’s charts—he speaks Kentucky’s language.

2. YoungBoy Never Broke Again – 17.0 Million Views

Coming in at number two with 17 million views, YoungBoy Never Broke Again (NBA YoungBoy) continues to prove that his influence in the South is as deep as it is undeniable. Though he's from Louisiana, his music has found a powerful following in Kentucky, especially among younger audiences.

YoungBoy’s sound is raw, vulnerable, and emotionally intense. He shares his struggles with mental health, street life, fatherhood, and fame in a way that feels deeply personal. That authenticity strikes a chord with fans in Kentucky who gravitate toward music that isn’t polished—it’s real.

Tracks like “Outside Today,” “Lil Top,” “Nevada,” and dozens of 2024 releases made their way into the playlists of teens and 20-somethings across Louisville, Lexington, and countless small towns in between.

Why Kentucky Loves YoungBoy Never Broke Again:

• Emotionally charged, prolific output

• Speaks to survival, ambition, and vulnerability

• A voice of the younger generation navigating modern pressures

YoungBoy isn’t just streaming numbers—he’s a lifeline for many Kentucky listeners.

3. Eminem – 16.8 Million Views

With 16.8 million views, Eminem holds strong as one of Kentucky’s most consistently beloved artists, a testament to his cross-generational influence and lyrical legacy.

Whether you're 16 or 46, chances are you’ve had an Eminem phase—and Kentuckians still turn to Slim Shady when they need catharsis, intensity, or motivation. His catalog, from “Lose Yourself” to “Stan” to “Mockingbird,” continues to resonate thanks to themes of struggle, redemption, and resilience.

With buzz surrounding his forthcoming album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), old and new fans alike returned to Em’s discography in 2024, pushing his view count even higher.

Why Kentucky Loves Eminem:

• Lyrics that blend vulnerability and fire

• Generational appeal: parents, teens, and young adults all listen

• An icon of perseverance and creative genius

In Kentucky, Eminem remains the soundtrack to rising above it all.

4. Kendrick Lamar – 15.6 Million Views

With 15.6 million views, Kendrick Lamar once again demonstrated his ability to captivate listeners across all corners of the U.S.—including the Appalachian heartland.

His biggest moment of 2024 came with “Not Like Us,” the sharp and explosive diss track that sparked renewed interest in lyrical rap. But Kentuckians didn’t just press play for the drama—they stayed for the craft, the intelligence, and the emotional complexity Kendrick consistently delivers.

Albums like good kid, m.A.A.d city, DAMN., and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers continued to gain traction in Kentucky, especially among students, creatives, and those looking for music that makes you think.

Why Kentucky Loves Kendrick Lamar:

• Lyrics with meaning, purpose, and perspective

• Speaks to social awareness and personal evolution

• Provides a bridge between entertainment and education

Kendrick Lamar isn’t background noise in Kentucky—he’s a conversation.

5. Jelly Roll – 15.5 Million Views

Rounding out the top five with 15.5 million views, Jelly Roll has officially graduated from underground buzz to mainstream country-rap icon—and nowhere is that more evident than in Kentucky.

With his soulful mix of country, rock, and hip-hop, Jelly Roll sings about pain, addiction, forgiveness, and second chances—topics that hit home for many in the Bluegrass State. His songs “Save Me,” “Son of a Sinner,” and “Need a Favor” resonated in towns and communities where struggle and recovery are lived experiences, not just lyrics.

Jelly Roll’s success story—from felon to chart-topper—is a narrative that mirrors many Kentuckians’ belief in redemption and resilience.

Why Kentucky Loves Jelly Roll:

• Raw honesty in every lyric

• Represents the working-class spirit of transformation

• Bridges genre lines with authenticity and heart

Jelly Roll’s music feels like it was made for Kentucky’s soul.

What Kentucky’s Top Artists Say About Its Music Culture

From country and rap to hip-hop legends and Southern soul, Kentucky’s top five most-streamed artists reveal a music scene that is wide open, emotionally grounded, and deeply personal.

1. Emotion Comes First ❤️

All five artists on this list are unafraid to be vulnerable. Whether it’s Jelly Roll’s confessions, Kendrick’s reflections, or Eminem’s struggles, Kentuckians connect most with music that tells the truth—even when it hurts.

2. Genre Lines Are Blurred 🎧

Morgan Wallen and Jelly Roll represent country. YoungBoy and Kendrick bring rap. Eminem merges it all. Kentucky doesn’t see genre—it sees realness.

3. Storytelling Still Matters 🏡

In a state known for its folk traditions and front-porch songs, it makes sense that Kentuckians still gravitate toward artists who know how to tell a story.

4. Loyalty Runs Deep 🔁

These top artists aren’t one-hit wonders—they’ve earned their places through years of consistency and connection. Kentuckians reward artists who stick around, evolve, and stay true to themselves.

Methodology

This article is based on YouTube Music’s regional streaming analytics, which track total view counts by state. The rankings reflect the most-streamed artists in Kentucky from April 7, 2024, to April 7, 2025, based on cumulative data from users located within the state.

This regional approach offers an authentic snapshot of what people in Kentucky were actually listening to, rather than relying on national chart trends alone.

Final Thoughts: Kentucky’s Playlist, Powered by Truth

The past year in Kentucky was one of emotional honesty, genre fusion, and heartfelt storytelling—and the state’s top artists reflect that beautifully.

Whether Kentuckians were leaning into Morgan Wallen’s country heartbreak, YoungBoy’s confessional rap, Eminem’s lyrical fire, Kendrick’s cultural insight, or Jelly Roll’s redemptive vulnerability, one thing was clear: music here is more than entertainment—it’s therapy, memory, and community.

These top five artists didn’t just get streams. They got through to people. And as Kentucky moves into another year of growth, challenge, and celebration, these voices will continue to echo across the bluegrass hills, downtown streets, and quiet backroads alike.