West Virginia’s Most-Streamed Artists of 2024–2025: What the Mountain State Is Listening To
West Virginia is a state of deep roots, proud traditions, and storytelling that stretches through generations. From the quiet hollers of the Appalachian Mountains to the close-knit towns that dot the landscape, music isn’t just something West Virginians listen to—it’s how they relate, remember, and heal.
In a time of fast-moving trends and fleeting hits, the artists that West Virginians streamed the most in the past year reflect enduring values: truth, resilience, and emotion. According to YouTube Music data from April 7, 2024 to April 7, 2025, the top five most-streamed artists in the state span genres but share one thing in common—they all tell stories that matter. If you are interested in learning music, check out music lessons in Boulder.
Let’s explore the five most-streamed artists in West Virginia, and what their music reveals about the heart of the Mountain State.
- Morgan Wallen – 6.38 Million Views
Leading the charts with 6.38 million views, Morgan Wallen is West Virginia’s most-streamed artist of the year—and it’s no surprise. With his blend of modern country and small-town authenticity, Wallen represents everything that resonates deeply with rural life, personal reflection, and emotional honesty.
His album One Thing at a Time continued to dominate through 2024 and 2025, with tracks like “Last Night,” “98 Braves,” “Thought You Should Know,” and “You Proof” serving as the backdrop to everything from summer bonfires to long drives through winding mountain roads.
In West Virginia, where faith, family, and the outdoors still form the core of daily life, Wallen’s lyrics feel like home. His music offers a voice for those who’ve loved and lost, who’ve stayed true to their roots, and who wear their hearts on their sleeves.
Why Morgan Wallen Connects in West Virginia:
- Lyrics that reflect small-town pride and heartache
- A country sound that bridges generations
- Authentic storytelling that mirrors the Appalachian experience
For many West Virginians, Morgan Wallen is more than a country star—he’s a reflection of their lives, their values, and their stories.
- Eminem – 5.28 Million Views
Coming in second with 5.28 million views, Eminem proves once again that real emotion, powerful lyrics, and fearless storytelling never go out of style. Even two decades into his career, the Detroit-born rapper remains a staple in West Virginia’s music scene.
Eminem’s songs about struggle, survival, redemption, and mental health strike a powerful chord in a state that knows hardship and perseverance. Tracks like “Lose Yourself,” “Mockingbird,” “Stan,” and “Not Afraid” aren’t just songs—they’re blueprints for pushing through when life gets hard.
In communities across the state, from Huntington to Charleston to Morgantown, Eminem’s music offers both a release and a rallying cry. His raw vulnerability and poetic genius appeal to listeners who value honesty over polish, and grit over glamour.
Why West Virginia Still Listens to Eminem:
- Lyrics that speak directly to pain, perseverance, and family
- A catalog that spans intensity, humor, and hope
- A sense of shared struggle that feels deeply personal
In West Virginia, Eminem’s voice is as relevant today as it was decades ago—because his truth still echoes.
- Juice WRLD – 4.63 Million Views
With 4.63 million views, Juice WRLD holds the third spot and continues to resonate deeply, especially with younger West Virginians. His unique blend of emo-rap, vulnerability, and melodic hooks has made his music a staple in playlists across the state—even years after his passing.
Juice WRLD’s lyrics explore mental health, heartbreak, addiction, and isolation—topics that are both real and raw, especially for teens and young adults navigating life in rural communities. His songs, like “Lucid Dreams,” “Wishing Well,” “Robbery,” and “All Girls Are the Same,” provide a sense of solidarity for those who feel misunderstood or alone.
In a state where conversations around mental health have long been stigmatized, Juice WRLD offers a form of healing and honesty that many fans need.
Why Juice WRLD Remains Popular in West Virginia:
- A voice for Gen Z’s emotional struggles and growth
- Music that combines vulnerability with musical polish
- Lyrics that make listeners feel seen, even in isolation
For West Virginia youth, Juice WRLD is not just a rapper—he’s a lifeline.
- Jelly Roll – 4.60 Million Views
Just behind Juice WRLD, Jelly Roll earns the fourth spot with 4.60 million views, a testament to how much West Virginians appreciate redemption stories, raw emotion, and real-life music.
The Nashville native’s combination of Southern rock, country, and hip-hop gives his music a rough edge with a soft heart. He sings about addiction, recovery, faith, and fatherhood in a way that feels deeply personal—because it is.
Songs like “Save Me,” “Need a Favor,” “Son of a Sinner,” and “She” speak to listeners in West Virginia who’ve walked through the fire and come out the other side. His background, his grit, and his growth all resonate with those who’ve had to fight for every step forward.
Why Jelly Roll Feels Like Family in West Virginia:
- Lyrics that speak to struggle, faith, and redemption
- A genre-blending sound that appeals to country and hip-hop fans alike
- An underdog story that mirrors many real lives in the state
In West Virginia, Jelly Roll doesn’t just tell his story—he helps others feel seen in their own.
- Zach Bryan – 4.31 Million Views
Rounding out the top five with 4.31 million views, Zach Bryan has emerged as one of America’s most poetic modern country voices—and West Virginia has taken notice.
His songs blend folk storytelling, acoustic soul, and Americana spirit, creating a sound that feels tailor-made for the hills and valleys of the Mountain State. Tracks like “Something in the Orange,” “Heading South,” “Dawns,” and “Oklahoma Smokeshow” offer vivid snapshots of love, loss, restlessness, and reflection.
Zach Bryan’s rise has been organic, fueled by authenticity over industry polish. That’s a major reason why fans in West Virginia—especially those who value realness and nature—gravitate toward him. He writes about everyday experiences in a way that feels epic in its simplicity.
Why Zach Bryan Hits Home in West Virginia:
- Acoustic storytelling that mirrors Appalachian traditions
- Lyrics that blend beauty, sadness, and strength
- A grounded presence that reflects rural authenticity
For many West Virginians, Zach Bryan feels like a neighbor who knows exactly what you’re going through—and writes songs about it.
What West Virginia’s Most-Streamed Artists Reveal About Its Culture
West Virginia’s top-streamed artists share a few things in common: realness, relatability, and emotional connection. Whether it’s country, rap, rock, or a blend of all three, what matters most in the Mountain State is that the music tells the truth.
- Storytelling Reigns Supreme 💬
From Morgan Wallen’s heartbreak anthems to Zach Bryan’s acoustic ballads, West Virginians love music that tells a story they can see themselves in.
- Emotional Honesty Wins 🎙️
Juice WRLD, Jelly Roll, and Eminem aren’t afraid to talk about mental health, addiction, and struggle—and that resonates deeply in a state that knows pain and resilience firsthand.
- Genre Doesn’t Matter—Heart Does 🎶
Whether it’s rap from Detroit, country from Tennessee, or folk-inspired Americana, West Virginians stream music that feels real, not just what’s trendy.
- Music Is a Companion, Not Just a Pastime 🏞️
In a state where many people live close to the land and far from the noise, music becomes a friend, a confidant, and a healer.
Methodology
This article is based on YouTube Music’s regional streaming analytics, which track total artist video views by user location. The rankings reflect the top five most-streamed artists in West Virginia between April 7, 2024, and April 7, 2025, using verified listener data.
This provides a true-to-life snapshot of what real West Virginians are streaming—not just what’s pushed on radio or editorial playlists.
Final Thoughts: West Virginia’s 2024–2025 Musical Identity
The music West Virginians streamed most this past year paints a powerful picture: one of honest storytelling, emotional resilience, and cultural pride. Whether it was Morgan Wallen’s country truths, Eminem’s emotional fire, Juice WRLD’s Gen Z vulnerability, Jelly Roll’s hard-won redemption, or Zach Bryan’s poetic soul, these artists gave the Mountain State a voice.
In 2024–2025, West Virginia didn’t follow trends—it followed its heart. And the music that rose to the top proves that when it comes to what really matters, truth and soul always win.
WRITTEN BY
Gloria Conroy
Copyright © 2025