Artist Spotlight

Who’s Making the Most Money on Spotify in 2025?

In 2025, Spotify conquers the music streaming world, with 500+ million monthly paying subscribers globally. Considering the platform paid out $10 billion in royalties, a record high, during 2024, it’s evident that streaming is now a revenue stream for artists. Yet only a few musicians are making good money from it.

At the top of the list is Drake, whose 21.5 billion streams yield around $52.5 million. Next up is J Balvin, with $37.9 million this year, a clean-up job from his massive streaming numbers. Other artists who earned significant amounts included Post Malone, Ariana Grande, and Bad Bunny, each featured among the platform’s top earners.

In electronic music, the Chainsmokers had 7.2 billion streams and made $17.7 million, and Calvin Harris made $14 million. The first-place finisher among the grossers is Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” which earned $6.6 million from 2.7 billion streams.

Although these numbers are impressive, most artists on Spotify receive a much lower payday. In its 2024 Loud & Clear report, Spotify found that only 4.4% of artists make at least $131,000 annually. On average, an artist in the bottom 98.6% of earners makes just $12 monthly. This difference underscores the difficulties many musicians face in the streaming age.

Dead artists are still having a real impact on Spotify. Pop Smoke, Shoot for the Stars, and Aim for the Moon have 8.51 billion streams, £29.29m, 6.79 billion streams, and £23.37 million in earnings with Juice WRLD’s “Legends Never Die.” Lil Peep and The Notorious B.I.G. are also proving influential, with their music still raking in significant amounts of money.

Spotify’s global platform has allowed artists to perform in front of audiences beyond their home countries. In 2024, most artists who earned at least $1,000 in royalties made most of their revenue through international listeners, at over 50%. Since 2017, the number of female artists grossing over $1 million per year has quadrupled, signaling greater diversity and representation in the music industry.

The few artists who do make millions from Spotify streams get 1 %, while the 1% of artists get funds. Only a handful of artists are financially rewarded through it, even as the platform’s continued global reach and growing diversity create opportunities for emergent practitioners.

Let me know what you thought of this post in the comments if you found this article interesting!

Tweet LinkedIn PinShares0

Related Topics:Most Money on Spotify in 2025

Up Next

Lexi Berg stirs a soulful splash of intimacy with her recent single, “In So Deep”

Don't Miss

Kayla Marque lights a fire with “Slow Burn”

Honk Magazine

Artist Spotlight

GMG_Grizz brings melodic rap and undeniable attitude on latest release “Something Slight”

GMG_Grizz is here with “Something Slight,” officially released as “Something Slight Freestyle,” a rap record built on confidence, personal ambition and lyrical self-assurance. The St. Louis artist’s track, embraces the familiar brag-track approach, but gives it an interesting musical direction through its melodic rap delivery. The title itself is indicative of the mindset going into the release, showing the artist’s ability to spit dope flows and bars as just something natural, not some Herculean effort.

The flowing piano movement and the bouncing rhythm is what makes this freestyle worth revisiting. These elements make the record sound familiar but still keep the arrangement catchy and accessible. GMG_Grizz’s direction is more toward confidence and individuality, someone who is comfortable with his work ethic and the lifestyle he portrays. The melodic approach also gives the track a different personality than a straight rap performance, allowing its rhythm to carry much of the appeal.

“Something Slight” is a tantalising taste of where GMG_Grizz is heading musically. There’s room for him to explore this sound further, but the piano and rhythmic bounce provide a foundation for keeping the track interesting. A confident freestyle with a personality that you can recognise and re-play value.

Artist Spotlight

François Marius pushes romantic excitement into a dancefloor celebration with “La Loco”

François Marius arrives with a jolt of Latin Pop energy with “La Loco,” a dance-friendly track about attraction, romantic excitement and the fun madness of falling for someone. “LA Loco” is an immediate invitation to dance, with its catchy guitars, groovy bassline and spirited vocals giving it a friendly musical personality. Its approach is refreshingly simple, with the aim of having a good time rather than complicate the experience unnecessarily.

The song becomes even more interesting when Bérénice is on board, because the chemistry between the two performers is palpable. Their vocal call and response is a playful give and take, reflecting the thrill of two people being attracted to each other. It makes the romantic theme feel conversational, turning the performance into a musical chase instead of a one-sided declaration.

The acoustic elements also merge with the modern Latin beats, defining the danceable orientation of the track. “La Loco” is ultimately about enjoying the thrill that comes with attraction and letting yourself get carried away by the moment. Its constant call to swing along adds another layer of infectious energy. François Marius and Bérénice are a feel good collaboration that combines romance, rhythm and movement into an appealing Latin Pop package.

Connect with François Marius on Spotify