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Apple Music Crowns Drake 2025’s Top Artist as Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” Rules Rap Again

Apple Music’s year-end lists underscore the feud’s commercial reach, with the UMG case schedule now proposed to slip into early 2026.

Overview

  • Apple Music’s official ’25 Replay names Drake the platform’s most-streamed artist of 2025.
  • Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is the most-streamed rap song worldwide on Apple Music for 2025, the first rap track to top the category two years in a row.
  • Rosé and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” is cited as Apple Music’s overall top song of 2025, while “Not Like Us” leads the rap chart.
  • Drake’s amended lawsuit against UMG references Kendrick’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance and alleges threats toward him increased afterward; the show was reported at 133.5 million viewers.
  • Both sides have asked to move key briefs to early 2026, proposing an initial filing on January 21 and a reply from Kendrick’s side by March 27, pending court approval and citing holiday timing and other legal commitments.