Best Songs of 2025

Another year of music has come and gone, and it’s that time again. For the fifth year in a row, we gathered nappyafro staff and associates to each share their 10 favorite (and best) songs of 2025.

Before we dive into the lists, here are a few stats worth noting:

A total of 64 unique songs were selected, featuring 90 different artists (duplicates not counted).
The most-mentioned song this year was “So Be It” by Clipse, appearing four times.
Coming in second was “I Still Love H.E.R.” by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, which was listed three times.
Not surprisingly, Clipse was the most-mentioned artist overall, appearing 15 times and making 6 of the 7 staff/contributor lists.
Freddie Gibbs also appeared on 6 of the 7 lists, with 10 total mentions across the staff.

Looking at the data, it’s safe to say 2025 was the year of grown-man rap (or maybe the staff is just getting old).

Now that the numbers are out of the way, let’s get into the Best Songs of 2025. As always, we’ll wrap things up with a playlist at the end.

Happy New Year. – B-Easy

GQ Blu

“Suga On My Tongue” by Tyler, The Creator
“Blanco” by Wale
“Take Me Thru Dere” by Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YKNIECE, & DJ Spinz
“So Be It” by Clipse
“Lemon Pepper Steppers” by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
“Errtime (Remix)” by Cardie B feat. Jeezy
“Sit Yuh Self Down” by AJ McQueen
“Bed of Roses” by Teyana Taylor
“Worst Behavior” by KWN feat. Kehlani
“Flower Moon” by Durand Jones and The Indications feat. Aaron Frazer

MTHFKA Jones

“So Be It” by Clipse
“Flood” by Little Simz feat. Obongjayar & Moonchild Sanelly
“Girl Feels Good” by FKA twigs
“Ensalada” by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist feat. Anderson .Paak
“The Mood” by FLO & KAYTRANADA
“Down For You” by Mobb Deep feat. Nas & Jorja Smith
“Run It Back!” by De La Soul feat. Nas
“Folded (Toni Braxton Remix)” by Kehlani feat. Toni Braxton
“Chains & Whips” by Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams
“Corinthians” by billy woods feat. Despot

Restless Marc

“So Be It” by Clipse
“P.O.V.” by Clipse feat. Tyler, The Creator
“M.T.B.T.T.F.” by Clipse
“F.I.C.O.” by Clipse feat. Stove God Cooks
“Chains & Whips” by Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams
“I SEEEEEE YOU BABY BOI” by Playboi Carti
“I Still Love H.E.R.” by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
“Without A Warning” by The Weeknd
“DUMBO” by Travis Scott
“Community” by JID feat. Clipse

DuB

“So Be It” by Clipse
“Worst Behavior” by KWN feat. Kehlani
“Imaginary Playerz” by Cardi B
“Community” by JID feat. Clipse
“Birds Don’t Sing” by Clipse feat. John Legend & Voices of Fire
“Chains & Whips” by Clipse feat. Kendrick Lamar & Pharrell Williams
“what will they say” by Samara Cyn
“Lotus” by Little Simz feat. feat. Michael Kiwanuka & Yussef Dayes
“WRK” by JID
“Take Me Thru Dere” by Metro Boomin feat. Quavo, Breskii, YKNIECE, & DJ Spinz

King Jerm & Prince Jerm

“P.O.V.” by Clipse feat. Tyler, The Creator
“Turn Around” by Jermaine Dupri feat. Young Dro, 2 Chainz, & T.I.
“I Still Love H.E.R.” by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
“cLOUDs” by J. Cole
“Whatchu Kno About Me” by GloRilla feat. Sexxy Red
“Joey Story” by Nino Paid
“Trippin on a Yacht” by Cash Cobain feat. Bay Swag & Rob49
“U Fancy?” by Nine Vicious
“Pimmie’s Dilemma” by PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake feat. Pimmie
“gp” by Gunna
“Psycho” by Ken Carson
“Out of My Hands” by Future & Metro Boomin
“On Film” by SahBabii
“I Was Blinded” by Lil Tony
“What If We Made It” by Nino Paid

Short-T

“Folded” by Kehlani
“Ace Trumpets” by Clipse
“Glory” by JID
“We On Dat” by Monaleo
“No More Old Man” by Chance The Rapper feat. Jamila Woods
“House of Mirrors” by Starlito & Don Trip
“1965” by Jessie Murph
“I Still Love H.E.R.” by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
“True Believer” by Hayley Williams
“Putting On For My City” by Da’Raja Superstar