With the music industry quite literally defrosting after the holidays, much of this week’s chart resembles where we left it in 2024. However, the few big acts who chose to fit new music into the historically quiet period are very much reaping the benefits. In our first Tracks report of 2025, SZA, Bad Bunny and a host of notable names are putting their stamp on their year in the very early goings.
SZA Soars High Into The New Year Off Of Lana Success
First up is SZA, releasing her meteoric Lana addition to 2022’s SOS in the period between our tracks reports. Her top position solo position this week is the bossa-nova inspired “BMF,” an excellent example of the flighty, mystical undercurrents that made the LP/EP a true buzzer-beater in December. From an industry intrigue standpoint, the song joining “30 For 30” coincides with its release to radio on the R&B charts, a recipe that birthed previously inescapable records like “Kill Bill” and “All The Stars.”
Speaking of, the TDE alumni showcasing their rock-solid chemistry continues to bear fruit for the pair, as the Kendrick/SZA ballad marks their second top 10 entry in as many months. The singer’s popularity can’t be argued with, and even without the co-sign she’s plenty capable of minting diamond-and-beyond material, but the synergy in placing KDot on her addendum amid his career-defining moment can’t be discounted.
Bad Bunny Enters With A #1 Album
At this point, it shouldn’t be a surprise. Bad Bunny remains one of the biggest global stars in the music industry, only barely eked out of “top streamed” internationally status by Taylor Swift in the past two years. Simply put, when Benito drops, we all listen, and as we work through the first week of his “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” listen we certainly did.
Dropped on a Sunday, the truncated tracking week didn’t slow Bad Bunny one bit, as number one streaming titles for his “DtMF” propelled it into the top quarter of our ranking. “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” “NUEVAToL,” “EoO” and “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR” didn’t lag far behind, each of those tracks placed in the top 10 of most major streaming platforms.
Typically, a return to traditional and highly personalized music the way that DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS presents would dovetail into more modest commercial numbers, but it couldn’t be further from true in Bad Bunny’s case, setting himself up for another massive year at the earliest possible moment.
LiAngelo Ball (G3) Is 2025’s First Breakout Star
Our “One To Watch” selection this week has to go to LiAngelo Ball, the first artist to really make an impact in the world of hip-hop in the early goings of ’25. His “Tweaker” made headlines across the sports world in its first few days in public hands, resulting in social media and overall crossover success shortly after. Again, within a matter of days, it nabbed him his first Billboard placement, a stamp of legitimacy that prompted Def Jam to hand him multi-million dollar contract, reportedly including full rights and a sub-label within the deal. Though Ball was a known commodity to select NBA fans, it is worth holding onto a bit of skepticism given his overnight ascendance, but clearly reputable sources are betting “Tweaker” isn’t a one-off.
Other 2024 Holdovers As A New Chart Begins To Take Shape
Finally, to close out by rounding out our top 10, Kendrick Lamar holds half of the highest six, still benefiting from one of our AOTY selections in GNX: “tv off” and “Squabble Up” join the aforementioned “luther.” Some star-studded collaborations that ruled the airwaves last year continue to make waves into 2025, with Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With A Smile,” Rose and Bruno Mars’ “APT.,” the Weekend and Playboi Carti’s “Timeless,” and Tyler, The Creator’s hip-hop A-lister posse cut “Sticky” each maintain coveted upper echelon positions. Finally, the most recent entrants into “main pop girl” conversations remain in the discussion, as Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” and Chappel Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!” remain in the general rotation.
You can catch all the music mentioned here wherever you stream your music. Be sure to check back in next week to find out who the biggest risers and fallers are with Music Daily’s Tracks.
Elsewhere in our coverage, Mac Miller – 5 Dollar Pony Rides sets up the late legend for his own defining album.
