South Dakota’s Most-Streamed Artists of 2024–2025: The Voices Echoing Across the Great Plains
From the rolling Black Hills to the open skies of the prairie, South Dakota is a state shaped by rugged independence, wide landscapes, and quiet strength. And just like the land it calls home, the music South Dakotans stream speaks volumes—even when the volume is low.
Between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, South Dakotans turned to artists whose lyrics explore pain, resilience, nostalgia, and truth. According to YouTube Music’s streaming data, the five most-played artists in the state represent a blend of country roots, emotional rap, and raw expression—a musical mix that matches the spirit of the state itself. If you are interested in music lessons, check out our music lessons in Boulder.
Let’s take a look at South Dakota’s top five most-streamed artists this past year and what they reveal about the state’s evolving soundscape.
- Morgan Wallen – 3.00 Million Views
At the top of the chart with 3 million views, Morgan Wallen is South Dakota’s most-streamed artist—and it’s no surprise why. Wallen’s modern country music captures the rhythm of rural life with lyrics that reflect love, heartbreak, freedom, and reflection.
Whether you're driving along Highway 14, spending time on the farm, or unwinding under a big open sky, Wallen’s music fits the moment. His 2023 album One Thing at a Time continued to dominate in 2024, with tracks like “Last Night,” “You Proof,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me,” and “98 Braves” becoming daily staples for thousands of South Dakotans.
Wallen’s music strikes a balance between tradition and modernity, mixing country storytelling with pop production—making him a favorite across generations in towns like Rapid City, Brookings, and Yankton.
Why South Dakota Loves Morgan Wallen:
- Lyrics that reflect everyday life in rural America
- A country sound that balances old-school heart with new-school style
- Emotional songs that feel personal, relatable, and timeless
For many in South Dakota, Morgan Wallen isn’t just an artist—he’s the voice of home.
- $uicideboy$ – 2.98 Million Views
In a very close second with 2.98 million views, $uicideboy$ (pronounced "Suicide Boys") have carved out a significant following in South Dakota with their unique blend of dark trap, punk influences, and brutally honest lyrics.
Originating from New Orleans, the duo is known for tackling themes like mental health, addiction, alienation, and existential struggle. Their music isn’t polished—it’s raw, real, and unfiltered, which makes it incredibly powerful for fans dealing with similar inner turmoil.
In South Dakota, where quiet towns can sometimes feel isolating, and where long winters offer a lot of time for introspection, $uicideboy$ provide an outlet for young adults, teens, and outsiders to feel heard and understood. Tracks like “Paris,” “Kill Yourself (Part III),” “2nd Hand,” and “FOR THE LAST TIME” were among the most-played in the state.
Why South Dakota Streams $uicideboy$ So Much:
- Lyrics that confront emotional darkness head-on
- Music that creates a space for honest vulnerability
- A cult following that values authenticity over gloss
In South Dakota, $uicideboy$ offer not just music, but emotional survival for those walking through shadowed valleys.
- Juice WRLD – 2.94 Million Views
Coming in close behind with 2.94 million views, Juice WRLD continues to be one of South Dakota’s most-streamed artists—years after his tragic passing. His legacy lives on through a body of work that blends melody, freestyle rap, emo vulnerability, and universal emotion.
Songs like “Lucid Dreams,” “All Girls Are the Same,” “Wishing Well,” and “Robbery” remain constant fixtures in playlists across Sioux Falls, Mitchell, and Spearfish. Juice’s ability to articulate anxiety, addiction, lost love, and self-doubt continues to resonate with South Dakota teens and young adults navigating similar challenges.
Even though he’s no longer releasing new music, Juice WRLD’s catalog remains fresh thanks to posthumous projects and a lasting emotional connection.
Why South Dakota Still Streams Juice WRLD:
- Raw, honest lyrics about love, loss, and mental health
- Catchy melodies paired with emotional depth
- A voice that continues to comfort and connect long after he's gone
Juice WRLD gave voice to a generation, and in South Dakota, that voice still echoes loud and clear.
- Eminem – 2.61 Million Views
With 2.61 million views, Eminem proves that lyrical mastery and emotional intensity never go out of style—especially in a state like South Dakota, where resilience is part of the cultural DNA.
The Detroit-born legend continues to resonate with fans of all ages thanks to a discography filled with personal trauma, redemption arcs, and unfiltered introspection. From early bangers like “Lose Yourself,” “The Real Slim Shady,” and “Stan” to deeper cuts like “Mockingbird” and “Not Afraid,” Eminem’s music is woven into the lives of South Dakotans seeking truth and tenacity.
His anticipated 2025 album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) also reignited interest in his older projects, pushing his view count even higher.
Why South Dakotans Still Listen to Eminem:
- Lyrics that tackle real-world pain with fierce honesty
- A sound that channels both anger and ambition
- A reputation as the ultimate underdog and lyrical powerhouse
In South Dakota, Eminem is more than nostalgia—he’s inspiration in motion.
- YoungBoy Never Broke Again – 2.58 Million Views
Rounding out the top five with 2.58 million views, YoungBoy Never Broke Again (NBA YoungBoy) continues to build a loyal fanbase in South Dakota. Known for his gritty voice, intense emotion, and prolific output, YoungBoy speaks directly to fans who value authenticity over commercial polish.
His music often centers around violence, poverty, relationships, mental health, and survival—topics that, while rooted in his own Baton Rouge upbringing, resonate across economic and geographic boundaries.
In South Dakota, especially among younger listeners, YoungBoy’s music is a form of emotional armor and artistic expression. Tracks like “No Smoke,” “Lonely Child,” “Make No Sense,” and “Kacey Talk” are streamed regularly across urban and rural communities alike.
Why South Dakota Relates to YoungBoy:
- Honest, emotionally charged lyrics that reflect real struggle
- A steady stream of new content that keeps fans connected
- A Southern grit that feels familiar in rural America
YoungBoy gives voice to those often unheard—and in South Dakota, that voice finds meaning.
What South Dakota’s Most-Streamed Artists Say About Its Culture
The top five artists in South Dakota highlight a shared musical identity shaped by emotional honesty, quiet strength, and resilience. While the genres range from country to emo-rap to classic hip-hop, the themes are consistent: connection, survival, introspection, and healing.
- Emotion Is at the Center 💡
Every artist in the top five is known for wearing their emotions on their sleeves. Whether it’s Wallen’s heartbreak or $uicideboy$’s depression, South Dakotans want music that feels real.
- Mental Health Matters 🧠
Juice WRLD, $uicideboy$, and YoungBoy all touch on mental health, anxiety, addiction, and inner demons—topics that many younger South Dakotans relate to in deeply personal ways.
- Country and Hip-Hop Can Coexist 🌾
Morgan Wallen and Eminem may come from different worlds, but they both deliver raw, relatable storytelling. South Dakota embraces both—because both speak the truth.
- Storytelling Over Stardom
These artists aren’t just famous—they’re truth-tellers, chosen for how they make listeners feel, not how much radio play they get.
Methodology
This article is based on YouTube Music’s regional analytics, which track total artist video views by user location. The rankings reflect the top five most-streamed artists in South Dakota between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, based on verified view counts from users in the state.
This data provides an authentic, unbiased look into what real people in South Dakota actually chose to listen to.
Final Thoughts: South Dakota’s Playlist of Pain, Power, and Peace
In 2024–2025, South Dakotans turned to music that helped them understand their emotions, survive tough times, and connect with something bigger than themselves. Whether it’s Morgan Wallen’s down-to-earth storytelling, $uicideboy$’s shadowy confessionals, Juice WRLD’s melodic cries for help, Eminem’s relentless fight, or YoungBoy’s raw survival anthems, these top artists provided soundtracks for every stage of the journey.
As we head deeper into 2025, one thing is certain: South Dakota may be quiet, but its music choices speak loud and clear.
WRITTEN BY
Gloria Conroy
Copyright © 2025