Louisiana’s Most-Streamed Artists of 2024–2025: The Rappers Who Ruled the Bayou

Louisiana has always marched to the beat of its own drum—literally. From the jazz-filled streets of New Orleans to the trap-heavy corners of Baton Rouge, the Bayou State has a musical identity that is as bold, emotional, and authentic as the people who live there.

This past year, YouTube Music streaming data from April 7, 2024, to April 7, 2025 revealed that Louisiana continues to champion its homegrown heroes. The top five most-streamed artists in the state reflect a deep-rooted loyalty to Southern rap, emotional storytelling, and unapologetic individuality.

With billions of collective views, these artists didn’t just dominate Louisiana’s charts—they defined the voice, soul, and swagger of a state that celebrates realness above all else. If you're interested in learning how to play music, check out music lessons in Boulder.

Let’s take a deep dive into Louisiana’s top five most-streamed artists of the year—and why these names hit different in the Bayou.

1. YoungBoy Never Broke Again – 86.7 Million Views

With an astronomical 86.7 million views, YoungBoy Never Broke Again (NBA YoungBoy) stands in a league of his own—not just in Louisiana, but globally. But nowhere is his influence felt more strongly than in his home state.

Born in Baton Rouge, YoungBoy’s connection to Louisiana is more than geographical—it’s spiritual. His music is raw, personal, often chaotic, and always intense. He releases music at a relentless pace, speaking to the realities of trauma, fame, betrayal, and fatherhood with a vulnerability that’s unmatched in modern rap.

In Louisiana, YoungBoy isn’t just an artist. He’s a symbol of survival. His struggles mirror those of countless young people in underserved communities throughout the state. And while national critics may question his mainstream appeal, locals see a poet of the pavement, someone who never turned his back on the culture that raised him.

Why Louisiana Loves YoungBoy Never Broke Again:

• Homegrown talent with deep Baton Rouge roots

• Relentless authenticity and emotional intensity

• Speaks directly to the experiences of local youth

To Louisiana, YoungBoy is more than an artist—he’s family.

2. Rod Wave – 41.1 Million Views

With 41.1 million views, Rod Wave secured the second spot on Louisiana’s most-streamed list—and his rise feels almost inevitable.

The Florida-born rapper has carved out a unique space in hip-hop with his deeply emotional, melodic style. Blending rap with gospel-like delivery, Rod Wave’s music feels like modern-day soul—and Louisiana listeners connected to it in a powerful way.

Tracks like “Heart on Ice,” “Tombstone,” “Fight the Feeling,” and his latest 2024 releases became anthems for those navigating heartbreak, anxiety, depression, and spiritual struggle. In a state that understands the blues better than most, Rod Wave’s confessions of pain and growth hit home.

Why Louisiana Loves Rod Wave:

• Emotional vulnerability with a Southern tone

• Soulful, melodic delivery rooted in gospel and pain

• Lyrics that feel like therapy for real-life battles

Rod Wave brings a voice of healing to a state that knows hurt.

3. Kevin Gates – 40.3 Million Views

At 40.3 million views, Kevin Gates remains one of Louisiana’s most respected and consistent voices in hip-hop. Hailing from Baton Rouge like YoungBoy, Gates has long been a fixture in the Louisiana rap scene, known for his gritty verses, intellectual musings, and intense personality.

Over the past year, Gates continued to release new music while his older catalog—“2 Phones,” “Really Really,” “Out the Mud,” and “Thinking with My D**”*—stayed in heavy rotation. His lyrics reflect a hustler’s philosophy, blending street knowledge with spiritual insight, vulnerability, and raw honesty.

For Louisiana listeners, Gates represents a complex but authentic blueprint for growth—the type of man who made mistakes, found meaning, and refuses to stay silent about either.

Why Louisiana Loves Kevin Gates:

• Baton Rouge pride with years of local respect

• Philosophical take on the streets, success, and struggle

• A rare mix of wisdom, street smarts, and honesty

Kevin Gates is a Louisiana original—and the state stands behind him.

4. Future – 25.8 Million Views

Future, the Atlanta-based trap icon, pulled in 25.8 million views in Louisiana this year, proving that his influence across the South remains as strong as ever.

With a catalog that stretches over a decade and a style that helped define modern trap music, Future’s presence in Louisiana playlists isn’t just expected—it’s essential. His latest album releases, viral collabs (including 2024’s joint tracks with Metro Boomin and Lil Durk), and evergreen classics like “Mask Off” and “March Madness” kept him spinning in clubs, cars, and headphones throughout the year.

While he isn’t a native, Future’s music resonates in Louisiana because it matches the state’s emotional duality—celebration and pain, success and scars.

Why Louisiana Loves Future:

• Trap pioneer with consistent output and cultural dominance

• Lyrics that explore pain, toxicity, and resilience

• A mood-setter for everything from late nights to long rides

Future’s voice may be from Atlanta—but his vibes echo throughout Louisiana.

5. Boosie Badazz – 23.0 Million Views

Boosie Badazz rounds out Louisiana’s top five with 23 million views—and his place on this list is as much about legacy as it is about loyalty.

A Baton Rouge legend, Boosie’s impact on Louisiana music cannot be overstated. Before YoungBoy and Gates, Boosie helped define the sound and swagger of Southern street rap. His early mixtapes and albums became gospel for generations of listeners, and his defiant, unapologetic voice still commands attention.

Despite industry controversies and shifting mainstream trends, Boosie remains an icon in his home state. Songs like “Set It Off,” “Mind of a Maniac,” and “Wipe Me Down” are still played at block parties, cookouts, and parades like they're brand new.

Why Louisiana Loves Boosie Badazz:

• Baton Rouge pioneer and cultural figure

• Deep loyalty across generations of local fans

• Unfiltered storytelling that defined a sound

In Louisiana, Boosie isn’t just part of the past—he’s part of the foundation.

What This List Says About Louisiana’s Music Culture

Looking at Louisiana’s top artists, one thing becomes crystal clear: the state doesn’t follow trends—it sets them. While pop charts may chase new sounds, Louisiana remains rooted in truth, tradition, and regional pride.

🔥 1. Homegrown Artists Dominate

Four out of five of the top artists are either from Louisiana or deeply Southern in sound. The state doesn’t just support its own—it celebrates them.

❤️ 2. Emotion Is King

YoungBoy, Rod Wave, and Gates are all known for unfiltered emotional expression. In Louisiana, the best songs aren’t the flashiest—they’re the realest.

🧠 3. Lyrics Matter More Than Labels

These artists don’t just entertain—they tell stories, share pain, and offer perspective. Their lyrics speak to survival, reflection, hustle, and hope.

🎧 4. The Streets Still Run the Stream Count

Louisiana listeners reward artists who speak from the heart of the community—not polished pop stars, but people who understand what life in the South really feels like.

Methodology

This article is based on YouTube Music’s state-level streaming data, tracking the most-streamed artists in Louisiana between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025. Rankings are determined by total views from users in the state and reflect authentic regional listening habits, not just national chart placement.

This dataset provides a clear picture of who Louisiana residents actually listen to the most, offering valuable insights into local music culture.

Final Thoughts: The Soundtrack of Survival and Soul

Louisiana’s top artists in 2024–2025 weren’t just popular—they were personal. These voices accompanied breakups, breakthroughs, losses, celebrations, and reflections. They played in barbershops and gas stations, from church parking lots to block parties. They told stories that felt uniquely Southern, but universally human.

From YoungBoy’s vulnerability to Rod Wave’s melodic pain, from Gates’ growth to Boosie’s legacy, these artists gave Louisiana something deeper than just music. They gave it truth, rhythm, and soul.

And in the Bayou, that’s what really matters.