Montana’s Most-Streamed Artists of 2024–2025: A Soundtrack for the Big Sky State

Montana may be known for its sprawling landscapes, rugged mountains, and wide-open skies—but behind the peaceful exterior lies a population with a deep connection to music that tells stories, speaks truth, and captures emotion. Whether it’s country, hip-hop, or alternative, Montanans gravitate toward music that feels real, reflective, and resonant.

According to YouTube Music streaming data, the top five most-streamed artists in Montana between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, reflect a strikingly authentic mix of heartfelt lyricists, introspective voices, and genre-defying creatives. From backroad ballads to late-night confessions, these artists didn’t just climb the charts—they helped shape the daily lives and emotional landscape of people across the state. If you are interested in learning music, check out music lessons in Boulder.

Let’s dive into the top five artists Montana couldn’t stop streaming this year—and what their popularity says about the state’s evolving music identity.

1. Zach Bryan – 2.82 Million Views

Topping Montana’s charts with 2.82 million views, Zach Bryan has clearly struck a chord in the Big Sky State. The Oklahoma native has risen to country-folk stardom with a sound that blends stripped-down Americana with poetic vulnerability—a perfect match for Montana’s culture of introspection, independence, and emotional depth.

Bryan’s storytelling speaks directly to the heart. His songs are about love, regret, solitude, and healing, and they sound like they were written under a Montana sky. Tracks like “Something in the Orange,” “Dawns,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow,” and newer 2024 releases have made him a staple on playlists from Missoula to Billings.

In a state where people often live close to nature and far from the noise, Zach Bryan’s music provides the kind of quiet clarity that reflects the rhythm of rural life.

Why Montana Loves Zach Bryan:

• Raw, acoustic storytelling that resonates with rural listeners

• Honest lyrics about love, heartbreak, and resilience

• Feels authentic to Montana’s emotional and geographic landscape

Zach Bryan is the modern cowboy poet that Montana didn’t know it needed—but fully embraced.

2. Eminem – 2.79 Million Views

Just a hair behind with 2.79 million views, Eminem remains one of Montana’s most enduring musical icons. Decades after his rise, the Detroit native continues to connect with listeners in Montana who respect raw honesty, lyrical genius, and personal perseverance.

Eminem’s influence reaches across generations here. His older hits like “Lose Yourself,” “Mockingbird,” “Not Afraid,” and “Till I Collapse” still dominate workout and driving playlists, while buzz around his upcoming album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) brought renewed attention to his extensive discography.

Montana may seem far from Eminem’s gritty Detroit roots, but the shared values of self-reliance, resilience, and emotional authenticity bridge the gap. His music is a go-to for anyone needing motivation or catharsis in a tough moment.

Why Montana Loves Eminem:

• A raw voice for life’s hardest battles

• Timeless lyrics that speak across ages and experiences

• A steady presence for over two decades of listeners

In Montana, Eminem isn’t just a legend—he’s a lifeline during life’s most intense moments.

3. Morgan Wallen – 2.70 Million Views

With 2.70 million views, Morgan Wallen holds steady as Montana’s most-streamed country artist of the year. Wallen’s voice—equal parts rowdy and reflective—mirrors the duality of Montana life: hardworking, outdoorsy, and emotionally grounded.

Whether you’re riding down a dirt road, sitting on the back porch, or hitting the open highway, Wallen’s songs feel like they were written for those moments. Tracks like “Last Night,” “You Proof,” “Sand in My Boots,” and others from his chart-topping 2023 album One Thing at a Time were constant companions throughout the year.

Wallen bridges traditional country themes with modern production, allowing him to appeal to both classic country fans and new listeners alike. His lyrics about small-town life, complicated relationships, and personal growth strike a universal chord with Montanans from Helena to Bozeman.

Why Montana Loves Morgan Wallen:

• Lyrics that reflect rural realities and emotional truths

• Country sound with contemporary flair

• Appeals to both longtime country fans and younger audiences

Morgan Wallen feels like home to Montana—a musical extension of the state’s soul.

4. Taylor Swift – 2.39 Million Views

With 2.39 million views, Taylor Swift continues to be one of Montana’s most beloved artists—thanks to her storytelling prowess, emotional range, and cultural ubiquity.

In 2024, Swift’s Eras Tour and re-release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) brought her back into the spotlight, with fans revisiting everything from her country roots to her electro-pop reinventions. For Montana listeners, Swift’s music is a soundtrack to growth, memory, and self-reflection.

Her lyrics speak to fans in every corner of the state—teenagers navigating high school breakups in Great Falls, moms revisiting Fearless in Kalispell, and college students in Missoula belting out “Cruel Summer.” Her ability to evolve while staying emotionally grounded keeps her relevant across generations.

Why Montana Loves Taylor Swift:

• Lyrics that match personal experiences and emotional growth

• A genre-spanning catalog for every life phase

• Offers both nostalgia and modern empowerment

Taylor Swift gives Montana listeners the freedom to feel deeply—and unapologetically.

5. $uicideboy$ – 2.21 Million Views

With 2.21 million views, $uicideboy$ may be the most unexpected entry on Montana’s list—but their popularity shows that the state’s music tastes include alternative, underground, and emotionally intense content.

The New Orleans duo blends dark trap beats, grunge-inspired vocals, and confessional lyrics that speak to themes of mental health, addiction, self-destruction, and internal conflict. And while their sound is niche, it resonates deeply with younger listeners seeking something raw, relatable, and rebellious.

From late-night headphone sessions to moody playlists on cold winter days, $uicideboy$’ music connects with Montana fans who crave honesty over polish and aren’t afraid to confront life’s darker themes.

Why Montana Loves $uicideboy$:

• Unfiltered lyrics that tackle real-life mental health struggles

• A cult following that thrives on emotional authenticity

• Offers an outlet for fans navigating stress, identity, and isolation

$uicideboy$ may be dark—but for many in Montana, they shine a light in the silence.

What Montana’s Most-Streamed Artists Say About the State’s Music Identity

The top five most-streamed artists in Montana paint a vivid picture of a state that embraces emotional vulnerability, self-reliance, and lyrical storytelling. These artists reflect not only the musical diversity of the state, but also the underlying values and lifestyle that make Montana what it is.

1. Introspection Is King 🧠

Whether it’s Zach Bryan’s acoustic reflections, Eminem’s confessions, or Swift’s lyrical journaling, Montana listeners stream music that helps them process life, not escape it.

2. Country and Folk Still Rule the Road 🎸

Wallen and Bryan represent the rural backbone of the state’s music identity. Montanans crave songs that echo nature, work, family, and faith.

3. Emotional Honesty Wins 🌀

All five artists have something in common: they write and perform music that feels real. From the most polished pop star to the darkest underground act, Montanans respect artists who tell the truth.

4. Genre Doesn’t Matter—Feeling Does 🔄

From folk and country to trap and emo rap, Montana’s top artists prove that genre lines don’t matter when the message resonates.

Methodology

This article is based on YouTube Music’s state-by-state streaming data, which tracks the total number of artist video views by location. The rankings reflect the top five most-streamed artists in Montana between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, based on verified view counts from users in the state.

This data provides a localized, accurate look at Montana’s real music preferences, independent of national radio trends or curated playlist biases.

Final Thoughts: Montana’s Musical Year in Review

In 2024–2025, Montana listeners gravitated toward artists who weren’t afraid to be vulnerable, challenge expectations, and speak from the heart. From the backroads to the mountaintops, the music played across the Big Sky State reflected a population that lives life on its own terms—and wants music that does the same.

Whether you're riding through Glacier National Park, sitting by a campfire, or reflecting in a quiet room, this year’s most-streamed artists were right there with you—providing words when you didn’t have any, and giving meaning to every mile, memory, and moment.

As 2025 unfolds, one thing is certain: Montana’s love for music with depth and soul will continue to shine like its endless horizon.