Symphonic’s Top Hip Hop + R&B Artists of 2025 

The end of the year is finally upon us! To celebrate a massive year of new music, standout releases, and undeniable talent across the hip hop space, we’ve rounded up some of the artists we couldn’t stop listening to in 2025. From hard-hitting bars to genre-blending sounds, these artists kept the momentum going all year long. 🔥 🎤 Without further ado, here are our final picks for top Hip Hop and R&B artists of 2025…

Symphonic’s Top Hip Hop + R&B Artists of 2025

2 Dead Boyz

2 Dead Boyz stood out in 2025 for their raw, unfiltered approach to hip hop. With gritty lyricism, dark undertones, and hard-hitting production, their music leans into emotion without losing its edge. Their releases this year captured a sense of intensity that feels both personal and unapologetic, pulling listeners into their world track after track. As they continue to carve out their lane, 2 Dead Boyz proved they’re not afraid to push boundaries and keep things real, making them a standout pick for this year’s top hip hop artists. // 🎙️ Discover more on Spotify…

Cheska Cruz

Cheska Cruz turned heads in 2025 with her mix of early-2000s R&B vibes and modern, genre-blurring production. Drawing inspiration from Brandy and JoJo, her songs feel personal, nostalgic, and unapologetically authentic, capturing snapshots of her life with every track. Singles like 20 Minutes and Other Than Love landed on editorial playlists across Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, earning her a growing, dedicated following. With her undeniable talent and evolving sound, Cheska Cruz proved this year that she is more than rising; she is here to stay. // 🎙️ Discover more on Spotify…

Dizzy Wright

Dizzy Wright has spent over a decade building his own lane in hip hop, known for smooth, versatile flows and sharp, reflective lyricism. Raised in Las Vegas in a musical household, he learned the industry from the inside out but chose to remain independent, crafting a career defined by authenticity and consistency. His music blends introspection with high-energy tracks, balancing personal storytelling with clever wordplay and memorable hooks. In 2025, Dizzy continues to demonstrate his skill as both a rapper and songwriter, delivering music that resonates with longtime fans while drawing in new listeners. Every verse and hook showcases why he remains one of the most talented and resilient voices in hip hop today. // 🎙️ Discover more on Spotify…

Dylan Owen

Dylan Owen made 2025 a year to remember with his confessional, deeply personal rap that connects with fans on a profound level. His ability to blend alternative rap, pop, and folk influences while delivering technically sharp, emotionally resonant verses set him apart this year. Breakout singles and EPs, combined with fan-centered projects like his Coffee with Dylan series and self-published book, strengthened his devoted community and expanded his reach. His songs serve as both introspective storytelling and anthems for listeners navigating life’s challenges, making Dylan Owen one of the most compelling and essential voices in hip hop this year. // 🎙️ Discover more on Spotify…

Leila Day

Leila Day has continued to push the boundaries of R&B in 2025, blending cinematic storytelling with her rich Toronto roots to create music that feels both intimate and expansive. Her performances at major venues and collaborations on fresh takes of classic tracks showcase her ability to command attention while staying deeply connected to her audience. From tracks that land on editorial playlists to her presence in the live music scene, she has strengthened her position as a versatile and compelling voice in contemporary R&B and hip-hop-adjacent music, proving her artistry is both influential and forward-thinking this year. // 🎙️ Discover more on Spotify…

Lex Aura

Lex Aura has cemented himself as a standout voice in R&B and hip hop in 2025, blending smooth vocals with sharp, reflective lyricism to create music that is both intimate and dynamic. Hailing from Sacramento and Phoenix, he draws on his diverse roots to craft songs that resonate with listeners across genres. In addition to performing, Lex’s work as a songwriter and producer has given him the tools to shape every detail of his sound, making each release feel intentional and personal. This year, his growing catalog, innovative approach, and ability to connect with fans have solidified Lex Aura as one of modern R&B and hip hop’s most compelling emerging talents. // 🎙️ Discover more on Spotify…

Madchild

Madchild has continued to prove his resilience and artistry in 2025, blending raw, unfiltered lyricism with hard-hitting production that commands attention. Hailing from North Vancouver, the veteran rapper has turned his personal struggles into music that is both intense and deeply compelling. With a career spanning decades, he continues to release material that resonates with longtime fans while drawing in new listeners, showing that his technical skill, fearless storytelling, and dedication to the craft remain as sharp as ever this year. // 🎙️ Discover more on Spotify…

Professor Green

Professor Green has solidified his status as one of the UK’s standout hip hop artists, blending sharp lyricism with crossover appeal. Hailing from Hackney, he has amassed over 3 million combined sales, released two Top 3 albums, and performed on the main stages of festivals like Glastonbury and Wireless. Beyond music, he has earned critical acclaim for his documentaries with the BBC and Channel 4, published a Sunday Times Best Seller, and continued his advocacy work for mental health through CALM. In 2025, after a brief hiatus to focus on family, Professor Green returned to the studio, working with producer Z Dot, showing that his creativity, versatility, and storytelling remain as strong as ever. // 🎙️ Discover more on Spotify…

Serial Killers (B-Real, Demrick, Xzibit)

Serial Killers brought their veteran energy to 2025, combining the talents of B-Real, Xzibit, and Demrick into a supergroup that commands attention. Known for their sharp lyricism and dynamic chemistry, the trio first made waves with their self-released Serial Killers Vol. 1 and standout single “The First 48.” This year, their collaborative approach continues to showcase each member’s unique style while proving that their combined force still packs a punch in hip hop, keeping both longtime fans and new listeners engaged. // 🎙️ Discover more on Spotify…

Tash

Tash has emerged as one of the most captivating young voices in R&B and pop in 2025, blending silken vocals with emotionally personal songwriting. Hailing from Australia and raised in a family of musicians, she brings technical skill and heartfelt expression to every track. With over 75 million streams, widespread TikTok engagement, and features on more than 100 Spotify editorial playlists, Tash has built a devoted fanbase that connects deeply with her music. This year, her relentless creativity, genre-blurring sound, and ability to connect with fans have solidified her as a standout artist to watch. // 🎙️ Discover more on Spotify…

Want to hear more of our favorite artists from the past year? 

Check out our ‘Best of 2025’ playlist on Spotify below…