Apple Names Tyler, The Creator as Apple Music Artist of the Year 2025

Apple has named Tyler, The Creator as its Apple Music Artist of the Year for 2025. The recognition follows a major year for the rapper, driven by record streaming numbers and the release of CHROMAKOPIA and his surprise follow-up DON'T TAP THE GLASS.



Tyler recorded more than 4.5 billion minutes of listening time on Apple Music between November 2024 and October 2025, marking his best performance on the service to date. CHROMAKOPIA delivered his strongest debut on the platform with record first-week plays. DON'T TAP THE GLASS was released mid-tour and reached number one in over 55 countries.


Apple Music's Zane Lowe praised Tyler for taking creative risks and influencing younger and older listeners alike. Tyler thanked fans for supporting artists who make unconventional work. The announcement arrives alongside Apple's other year-end highlights, including the most popular podcasts of 2025.

As part of the honor, Tyler will receive a physical award that features a custom Apple silicon wafer suspended between polished glass and anodized aluminum. The chip design matches Apple's in-house silicon found in devices such as the M5. Apple has also released curated playlists highlighting his work, and listeners who recently Shazamed his music may see a special message on their Home Screen.