The 2025 edition introduces several fresh tools, including Listening Age – which uses music preferences to estimate the user's age (a friendly suggestion: enjoying Springsteen may result in a 10-year addition) – and Clubs, which sorts listeners into categories based on their genre tastes, according to USA TODAY.

Spotify Wrapped 2025 top artists, songs and albums revealed

During a media presentation on December 2, the team responsible for creating Spotify Wrapped expressed optimism that subscribers would be pleased with the 2025 version, especially after receiving feedback in 2024 regarding the application of AI in developing the experience. Dustee Jenkins, Spotify's chief public affairs officer, responded positively to the critique, affirming that the comments "reminded us just how much this experience means to listeners." She stated that the current year's aesthetic is centered on traditional music sharing, embracing "the world of mixtape culture." Spotify executives, while demonstrating the new additions, emphasized that only one element is powered by AI, with the remainder of the report being meticulously developed for months by teams situated globally, USA TODAY detailed.

Finding your Wrapped stats

Are you trying to find your personalized metrics? Ensure your application is updated initially. Next, launch Spotify, and a Wrapped banner should appear that you can select to view your data.

Wrapped tracking duration

The data for Spotify Wrapped is calculated from your listening history spanning January 1 to around the middle of November.

New additions: Listening age, clubs, and more in 2025

If a significant part of your Wrapped was overlooked, relax! This year, subscribers can reduce the speed of their report and conveniently go back to previous sections. Listening age, which is calculated based on the release dates of the songs you listened to, is one of the new elements introduced this year, USA TODAY noted. The second novelty is Clubs, which places you into one of six distinct groups: Soft Hearts, Serotonin, Cosmic Stereo, Full Charge, Grit Collective or Cloud State Society. Once your musical tastes determine your category, you will also be informed of your role within that club and the specific artist that was the reason for your placement.

In the portion of the report dedicated to artists, listeners will face a brief challenge to identify the performer or band they listened to most. Afterward, preceding the ultimate announcement, an "artist sprint" feature, which uses actual month-by-month listening information, illustrates a user's leading contenders racing to the finish line before the victor is determined, according to the report.

Additionally, as with the previous year, users will receive a brief video message from a top artist and will be able to see their placement on the fan leaderboard. The much-requested Top Albums feature has been added, and a listener archive feature will highlight key occurrences in a user's experience, such as when they most often discovered or shared music. The archive is the sole function relying on AI, Spotify indicated.

The shared experience: Spotify wrapped party

Possibly the most discussed new component in this year's Wrapped is a feature that transforms the event from "a solo experience," into "a multiplayer celebration," stated Payman Kassaie, the director of brand and creative for Spotify, as per USA TODAY. Party, an interactive live feature, is similar to the start of the pandemic, when a like-named function from Netflix allowed people to stream shows together and engage in real-time discussion. Spotify's iteration lets users invite up to nine friends to contrast their listening statistics. The procedure will reveal who in the collective streamed the most music, who had the rarest song play, or who earned the title of "dinner table explainer" (the individual who listened to the greatest quantity of political podcasts).

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In preparation for his upcoming performances throughout Britain, Smith posted a video to his Instagram profile showcasing highlights from his tour activities thus far. The footage displays enthusiastic supporters, numerous individuals visibly emotional, crowding performance venues while brandishing encouraging placards and reaching toward the celebrity, hoping for physical contact during his walkthrough. Yet these hands reveal the troubling truth.

Observant internet users concluded that Smith employed AI technology to manipulate the video content and potentially inserted digitally created "supporters" to populate venues and enhance the emotional impact of his performances. Audience members displaying warped and unclear facial features, along with bodily abnormalities, are a recognized flaw in artificial intelligence-generated content.

To illustrate, the opening segment presents an emotional individual displaying a placard stating, "'You Can Make It' (his debut single from the recent album) helped me survive cancer. Thanks, Will." The issue becomes apparent when examining this person's finger positioning, which appears unnatural and seemingly "blends" into the signage.

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Furthermore, the jewelry worn by the weeping woman positioned before this individual, while grasping his hand, appears to "extend" into another woman's forehead standing behind her.  Regardless of specifics, whether Smith's production team actually "fabricated" these individuals, the distinct impression emerges that these images underwent substantial digital modification and engineering.

Internet users, predictably, offered harsh criticism of this questionable strategy, particularly following Will's accompanying post caption: "My favorite part of tour is seeing you all up close. Thank you for seeing me too." One frustrated commenter on Reddit observed, "I suppose these represent actual people witnessing their potential melted wax figure," while another simply responded with "pathetic."

Smith's representatives have not provided responses to these allegations. Nonetheless, "Based on a True Story" struggles to create a meaningful impact, representing the rapper's initial album failing to achieve prominent chart positions across major markets. Within Britain specifically, it managed only the disappointing 79th position on digital album rankings.

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Everything changed that day when he visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington with his wife, from which the two emerged shaken and disturbed by what they saw. There, out of nowhere, she told him, "I want to reconnect with the faith of my people." Buchanan was surprised and asked what she meant – and was then amazed to hear for the first time the words "I'm Jewish." This wasn't just a surprising discovery for Joe, but also a door opening to an entire world he didn't know existed. "We never had a religious wedding ceremony; we just got married at city hall. The subject of religion never came up," he says.

This connection between Texas and Judaism sounds almost impossible on its face – a cowboy with a southern accent playing and singing ballads about Abraham, Isaac, and Eve. But this very contrast has won over many communities. "Every verse in the Torah is actually a song waiting for someone to compose it," he says. His performances draw teenagers alongside adults, Jews and Christians, and everyone waits to hear how he connects prayer with country music. "There are those who tell me my songs bring them back to tradition, some say it gives them strength in moments of crisis – and there are those who simply enjoy the southern sound."

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The rumors' origin remained undisclosed, along with any substantiating evidence – yet such is the nature of our viral information age. A single questionable post can spark a blaze nearly impossible to extinguish, prompting numerous fans to prematurely grieve the legendary artist's passing during a week already marked by the deaths of Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan.

Fortunately, concerned admirers can breathe easier, at least presently. The 74-year-old Collins is neither residing in hospice nor approaching death imminently, according to statements his representatives provided to TMZ. Nevertheless, the rumors weren't entirely baseless, as Collins is indeed currently hospitalized, though for entirely different circumstances.

Collins requires knee surgery, his team confirmed. Moreover, recent years have witnessed the musician confronting significant health and neurological challenges that compromise his mobility, stemming from a 2007 spinal injury that necessitated multiple subsequent surgical procedures.

His declining health condition compelled Collins to cease live performances and, understandably, abandon drumming – the instrument most closely associated with his artistic identity. In 2022, the star made his final public appearance, marking what would retrospectively become Genesis' definitive farewell performance, the band where Collins served as both lead vocalist and drummer.

Throughout Genesis' concluding tour, spanning 47 shows from September 2021 through March 2022, Phil Collins' son Nick assumed drumming responsibilities while his father concentrated solely on vocals, delivered from a seated position.

Earlier this year, Collins revealed he had discontinued songwriting, explaining he no longer felt "hungry" for musical creation due to his ongoing health struggles. We extend wishes for improved health, Phil Collins, and continue hoping for your recovery, despite challenging circumstances.

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The panel of eight men and four women reached their decision following extensive deliberations over testimony that included graphic accounts from Combs' former longtime partner, Cassie Ventura, who described a violent and abusive relationship that drove her to contemplate suicide, according to the Financial Times. The verdict marked a significant moment in the music industry's reckoning with sexual misconduct allegations.

Supporters of the 55-year-old rapper-entrepreneur erupted in celebration outside the courthouse, with approximately 100 spectators and bloggers gathered near the entrance shouting "free Diddy" as news of the partial acquittal spread. The crowd's reaction highlighted the polarized public opinion surrounding the case against the hip-hop icon.

Central to the prosecution's case was security footage showing Combs wearing only a bath towel while violently assaulting Ventura at a hotel – an incident that even his own legal team characterized as "dehumanising violence," the outlet noted. This evidence became a cornerstone of the government's argument against the music executive.

The indictment against Combs, who during his career's peak socialized with prominent figures including Bill Clinton and Leonardo DiCaprio, encompassed two counts each of sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, plus one count of racketeering conspiracy. His conviction represents one of the most significant legal reckonings in the music business in recent years.

This case, alongside the 2021 conviction of singer R Kelly, stands among the most prominent confrontations with sexual misconduct allegations in the music industry, which largely avoided scrutiny during Hollywood's #MeToo movement despite widespread reports of abuse and harassment.

Federal prosecutors argued that Combs coerced multiple women into consuming drugs and engaging in sexual acts with hired male escorts during events he termed "freak-offs." The government alleged these activities constituted a criminal enterprise spanning from 2004 to 2024, utilizing his employees and business operations.

The prosecution painted Combs as an influential figure who leveraged his entertainment industry power to silence women through intimidation, while providing them with substances including ketamine and ecstasy and offering financial incentives and career opportunities for their silence, according to the Financial Times. Prosecutors claimed he recorded these sexual encounters as "collateral" for future manipulation.

Combs maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, with his legal team arguing the sexual activities were consensual and represented a "swinger's lifestyle." His defense attorneys contended that while evidence existed of domestic violence, such behavior did not constitute sex trafficking.

Combs, widely recognized for bringing hip-hop into mainstream culture during the 1990s and 2000s, established Bad Boy Records in 1993 through a partnership with Arista Records. He earned three Grammy awards and achieved commercial success with "I'll Be Missing You," a tribute to rapper Notorious B.I.G. following his murder in a drive-by shooting.

Combs gained recognition primarily for his promotional abilities and showmanship, with his celebrity status eventually overshadowing his musical career as he expanded into ventures including clothing and alcohol businesses. His brand became synonymous with luxury and success in entertainment circles.

As recently as 2022, Combs continued receiving industry recognition, with Paramount's BET channel presenting him with a "lifetime achievement" award. This trajectory changed dramatically when Ventura filed a lawsuit against him in November 2023 alleging rape and sexual assault, which settled within 24 hours but encouraged other accusers to come forward.

Combs faced arrest last September following charges from the Manhattan US attorney's office related to sex trafficking, with FBI agents conducting raids on his Miami, Florida, and Los Angeles residences, seizing narcotics and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant, the Financial Times reported. He has remained detained at a Brooklyn jail facility throughout the legal proceedings.

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Wilson's family confirmed his death through his official website but provided no additional details. His extraordinary catalog of hits, including "Surfin' USA," "I Get Around," "Don't Worry Baby," and "California Girls," established the Beach Boys' signature sound that captured California's idealized surf culture.

Wilson's creative genius culminated in the groundbreaking 1966 album "Pet Sounds", which music critics widely regard as rock's first concept album. The record's innovative production techniques profoundly influenced The Beatles' creation of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" the following year.

The Beach Boys formed in 1961 in Hawthorne, California, when Wilson joined his brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Their debut single "Surfin'" earned immediate success, leading Capitol Records to sign them as the label's first rock act. The group achieved 36 Billboard Top 40 entries over 36 years, unmatched by any American band.

The Beach Boys were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988, and Wilson received Kennedy Center Honors in 2007. His influence extended to numerous indie rock bands, with The New Yorker calling him "indie rock's muse."

"Pet Sounds" represented Wilson's artistic peak, incorporating unconventional sounds like bicycle bells and car horns into a cohesive narrative. Paul McCartney called its "God Only Knows" "the greatest pop song ever written." Born June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, Wilson showed early musical talent, writing his first song at age five.

Wilson spent years under controversial psychologist Eugene Landy, who was later stripped of his license after charging Wilson more than $3 million. His life stabilized after his 1995 marriage to Melinda Ledbetter, who became his manager and with whom he had five children before her death in 2024.

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A groundbreaking musical experiment to create the Middle East's next pop sensation transformed into an unexpectedly powerful documentary series when war erupted, testing the bonds between six young Israeli and Arab performers as they pursued their dreams in Los Angeles.

What began as an entertainment venture to create a Middle Eastern answer to K-pop has evolved into a compelling documentary about identity and conflict. The MTV series "As1One: The Israeli-Palestinian Pop Music Journey" follows six young performers whose musical ambitions collided with geopolitical reality.

The project, three years in development, began when two prominent American music producers identified an opportunity in the global entertainment market. After auditioning more than 1,000 candidates, they selected six Jewish and Arab performers, putting them through intensive training before relocating them to Los Angeles for album recording sessions.

The group arrived in the US on October 6, 2023 – one day before Hamas' deadly attack on Israel. "The American media's interest in our story completely shifted," one participant explained. "Suddenly, it wasn't about the music anymore." The original concept had attracted MTV and Paramount+ as producing partners, but the project's focus dramatically changed as events unfolded.

The series captures a striking transformation: instead of following the traditional boy band narrative of choreographed performances and romantic ballads, viewers witness one member mourning friends killed at the Nova music festival. Their professional relationships, carefully cultivated during months of training, face unprecedented challenges against the backdrop of war.

The four-part documentary series, which premiered on MTV Series, has garnered attention for its unvarnished portrayal of young performers navigating both personal ambitions and national tragedy.

"I wish none of this had happened," an Arab-Palestinian member from Haifa reflected during a heated discussion about the conflict, referencing the events of Oct. 7, 2023. The series suggests that while conflict may have derailed the group's original pop music aspirations, it has created a more significant platform for dialogue and understanding.

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Legendary British rock band Oasis confirmed Tuesday their long-awaited reunion tour set to launch in 2025, ending a 15-year hiatus. The announcement, made via the band's official channels, revealed plans for a series of shows across the UK and Ireland, with additional global dates to be announced later, according to reporting by the BBC.

The tour will see the Manchester-based band perform at major venues across the UK and Ireland in July and August 2025. Additional dates outside Europe are planned for later in the year, though details have yet to be announced.

In a statement released by the band, Oasis declared, "The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised."

The reunion marks the first time the Gallagher brothers will share a stage since their infamous backstage altercation in Paris in 2009, which led to the band's breakup. Oasis, one of the best-selling bands in British history, dominated the 1990s with a string of era-defining singles and albums.

Andy Burnham, mayor of Manchester, expressed excitement about the potential reunion in an interview with BBC Breakfast. "It would be the news we've all been waiting for," Burnham said, adding that it would be "a massive day for Manchester." However, he cautioned that a last-minute change of heart couldn't be ruled out, noting, "It would be the most Noel and Liam thing ever if one of them woke up this morning and decided they'd had a change of heart."

The motivation behind the reunion remains unclear. Music critic Helen Brown told the BBC, "After the decades of going at each other with cricket bats and fire extinguishers, it's extraordinary that [the Gallagher brothers] seem to be getting along better – and maybe money is an incentive here." She added, "Maybe they can put aside their differences to fill their coffers."

Fans have eagerly anticipated a reunion since the band's split, with Oasis' influence on British rock music remaining strong even during their 15-year absence. The band's return to the stage is expected to be one of the most significant musical events of 2025.

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Taiwanese officials have canceled an upcoming concert by Chinese rapper Wang Yitai after he referred to the city as "Taipei, China" in promotional materials, according to BBC. The Taipei authorities' Mainland Affairs Council announced late Sunday that Wang's September 14 performance would not proceed, and the artist has been barred from entering the island.

The council stated that the term "Taipei, China" was unacceptable as it implies Taipei is under Beijing's rule over what it considers a renegade province.  "Cross-strait exchanges should be conducted based on the principles of reciprocity and mutual respect, and any publications or promotions that belittle Taiwan's status will not be tolerated," the Mainland Affairs Council said in its statement.

Wang, a relatively unknown artist outside China, is signed to a rap label in Chengdu, a city renowned for its vibrant arts scene and eclectic performers. Chengdu is also home to the controversial rap group CD Rev, known for their nationalist tracks that have drawn international attention for their hard-line stance on Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well as for making obscene and misogynistic references to former President Tsai Ing-wen.

While Tai[pei authorities generally welcome artists from the mainland, this incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the two sides. Beijing routinely bans island-based artists who show any support for the Democratic Progressive Party in the territory, which leans towards maintaining the island's de facto independence.

Taiwan competes in international events, including the Olympics, under the name "Chinese Taipei" as a compromise with Beijing. This reflects the complex political situation surrounding Taiwan's status, as China's diplomatic pressure has reduced the number of countries formally recognizing Taiwan to just 12.

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Israeli tech entrepreneur Oudi Anetbi is shaking up the music industry with an AI-powered system that can generate multiple versions of songs in seconds. The innovation, developed by his startup HitCraft from Session42, aims to democratize music production by drastically reducing time and costs.

As technology continues to reshape our world, the music industry is experiencing its own seismic shift. Anetbi, the CEO and co-founder, has created an artificial intelligence system capable of producing endless song variations in seconds, a process that traditionally takes days and significant studio expenses.

A seasoned player in the tech world, Anetbi boasts several notable exits. He sold his company RedKix to Meta for tens of millions of dollars, with Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich among the investors.

In an exclusive chat with Israel Hayom, Anetbi unveiled his vision, "We set out to build a music production machine, recognizing that in commercial music, producers often create the hits. But not every musician can afford pricey studio time."

The company has already made waves in artist management, notably with Eden Golan, Israel's Eurovision representative. Their first major breakthrough was an AI-generated duet featuring Ofra Haza and Zohar Argov – the first such song to hit Israeli airwaves.

"Think of our system as your virtual producer," Anetbi explains. "You feed a sketch into a chatbot, specify your preferences, and within minutes, you've got a polished track. It's revolutionary and accessible to everyone."

Users can download the output and tweak it themselves. For professionals, it's a time-saver, helping nail down concepts without endless meetings. Amateurs can add their personal flair, while even beginners can afford a 'producer' to create any music they desire.

Addressing concerns about AI music lacking human touch and infringing on copyrights, Anetbi assures their model is industry-friendly: "We continuously incorporate human-produced tracks, compensating producers each time their work is used. This keeps our system learning and evolving while ensuring fair compensation."

He distinguishes his technology from other AI music apps like Suno AI, "We have strict guidelines for using human artists' music and productions, prioritizing quality and accuracy."

Proposing a solution to copyright issues, Anetbi suggests, "We need a new royalty model where artists are paid when their name is used in a prompt."

While some fear the loss of creativity, Anetbi sees AI as a tool, not a replacement, "We're here for creators who want help bringing their ideas to life. This technology opens doors and boosts productivity."

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