Tyler, the Creator has officially been crowned Apple Music’s 2025 “Artist of the Year.”
The news dropped on Thursday (November 20), with the platform spotlighting the Odd Future co-founder’s impact across music, film, and the broader culture.
“Tyler continues to prove that anything is possible. His creativity has been incredible all year,” Apple Music global creative director Zane Lowe shared in a press release. “His creative risk-taking is only matched by the care he takes to present it, and he inspires his peers and fans now, just as he will continue to inspire generations to come.”
There’s no doubt 2025 has been a massive year for Tyler. Just eight months after dropping his eighth studio album, 2024’s Chromakopia, he surprised fans with its chart-topping follow-up, Don’t Tap the Glass.
The project delivered multiple Hot 100 hits, including the Pharrell Williams-assisted “Big Poe,” “Ring, Ring, Ring,” and “Sugar on My Tongue.” Even more impressive? Tyler wrote and recorded Don’t Tap the Glass while traveling the world on his headline tour for Chromakopia.
Both albums scored him five Grammy nominations for next year. Chromakopia is up for Album of the Year and Best Rap Album, while Don’t Tap the Glass is nominated for Best Alternative Music Album.
“Across Apple Music, Tyler had his best year ever in terms of worldwide plays, listeners, and hours listened, with fans logging over 4.5 billion minutes of listening time between November 2024 and October 2025,” Apple Music shared in their press release.
Tyler also headlined Governors Ball, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, and Osheaga this year, and he’s getting ready to take the stage at his 11th annual Camp Flog Gnaw festival this weekend (November 22 and 23).
Next month, he’ll make his feature film debut in Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme, a critically praised sports comedy-drama starring Timothée Chalamet.
Even with everything on his plate, Tyler made sure to show love to everyone who’s supported him this year.
“To everyone who listens to my music, thank you,” he said in the Apple Music release. “I appreciate you so much. This year, for my career, was the biggest so far. To be this year’s Apple Music Artist of the Year, it’s sick. I appreciate the love. I appreciate the recognition. It means a lot to me, especially for the music and things that I make. Please keep supporting folks who are a bit out of the box for how they do things; it means a lot to us.”
