Music lovers around the world took streaming to the next level, setting a new record with 4.8 trillion total streams in 2024! That’s a 14% jump from 2023, proving that more people than ever are hitting “play” on their favorite tracks.
Whether it was Taylor Swift’s chart domination, Sabrina Carpenter’s viral hits, or the unstoppable rise of Latin music, one thing is clear—music streaming of 2024 was bigger and better than ever.
Let’s dive into the numbers, the trends, and what this means for artists, genres, and the future of streaming.
How Many Streams in 2024? The Numbers Are Jaw-Dropping!
The total streaming of music in 2024 reached a record-breaking 4.8 trillion streams globally. In the U.S. alone, music fans streamed 1.4 trillion songs, growing 6.4% year-over-year.
That means people didn’t just listen to more music—they discovered more artists, replayed their favorites, and embraced newer genres like never before.
Breakdown of U.S. Music Streaming in 2024
- 79.5% of streams came from songs released after 2010
- Nearly 50% of streams were from songs released between 2020-2024
- Female solo artists led the way in pop music consumption
And who was at the center of this streaming explosion? None other than Taylor Swift, the most-streamed songwriter of 2024 worldwide!
Pop Takes Over as the Top Streaming Genre
Genres battle for dominance every year, and 2024 was no different. While Latin music was the fastest-growing genre in early 2024, a major shift happened in the second half of the year—pop music took the crown!
Top Streaming Genres of 2024 in the U.S.
- Pop 🎶
- Rock 🎸
- Latin 🎺
- Hip-Hop/R&B 🎤
- Country 🤠
But what made pop surge to the top? A wave of powerful female artists dominating the charts.
Top 6 Pop Queens Who Ruled Streams in 2024
From chart-topping singles to viral hits, these six female artists led pop’s takeover in music streaming of 2024:
- Taylor Swift – 12.8 billion streams
- Billie Eilish – 4.46 billion streams
- Sabrina Carpenter – 3.71 billion streams
- Ariana Grande – 3.12 billion streams
- Olivia Rodrigo – 2.76 billion streams
- Chappell Roan – 2.49 billion streams
Their impact wasn’t just in numbers—they shaped pop culture, trended across social media, and dominated playlists worldwide.
Sabrina Carpenter’s hit “Espresso” became one of the year’s biggest anthems, and Billie Eilish continued to push boundaries with “Birds of a Father.”
Top 10 Global Songs of 2024: What Ruled the Playlists?
Which songs took over streaming platforms worldwide? Check out the most-streamed songs of 2024:
- 🎵 Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things”
- ☕ Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
- 🕊️ Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Father”
- 💔 Teddy Swims – “Lose Control”
- 🎤 Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – “Die with a Smile”
- 🎺 FloyyMenor – “Gata Only”
- 🍻 Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
- 🍬 Hozier – “Too Sweet”
- 🎶 Taylor Swift – “Cruel Summer”
- 🙏 Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please”
It’s clear that pop and Latin music dominated, with strong showings from hip-hop, rock, and country as well.
Latin Music is Still on Fire
Even though pop took the No. 1 spot in the U.S., Latin music didn’t slow down. In fact, it had one of its biggest years yet.
Regional Mexican music grew so much that it overtook Latin pop as the biggest Latin subgenre in the U.S.!
Latin Music’s Top Two Subgenres in 2024
- Regional Mexican – 28.57 billion streams
- Latin Pop – 24.09 billion streams
With artists like Peso Pluma and Grupo Frontera leading the charge, Regional Mexican music is crossing borders and making waves globally!
Rap & R&B Are Still Streaming Giants
While pop ruled 2024, hip-hop and R&B remained the kings of total U.S. streams.
Total Streams by Genre in the U.S.
- Hip-Hop/R&B – 341.63 billion streams
- Rock – 234.22 billion streams
- Pop – 165.49 billion streams
- Country – 117.58 billion streams
- Latin – 113.02 billion streams
Genres might shift in popularity, but hip-hop and R&B continue to hold a massive share of the streaming world.
What This Means for Artists in 2025 & Beyond
So, what can independent artists, labels, and streaming platforms learn from streams in 2024?
1. Streaming is Bigger Than Ever – Get Your Music Out There!
The total streaming of music in 2024 was record-breaking, and it’s only going to grow in 2025. If you’re an artist, you need to maximize your streaming potential.
💡 Distribute your music with platforms like Deliver My Tune to reach global audiences!
2. Genre Trends Can Change Quickly – Stay Flexible
Latin music was on top in mid-2024, but pop took over by the end of the year. That means artists need to adapt to trends and watch audience preferences.
3. Female Artists Are Dominating – and That’s Not Changing Anytime Soon
If you’re an independent female artist, now is your time! Listeners are actively streaming female-led music, making it easier to break into the charts.
4. Don’t Ignore Regional Genres – They’re Exploding in Popularity
The rise of Regional Mexican music shows that authenticity matters. If you make music in a niche or cultural genre, don’t change it—embrace it!
Final Thoughts: Streaming is Here to Stay 🎧
With 4.8 trillion streams in 2024, the music industry is thriving like never before.
💿 Pop is back on top
🎤 Hip-hop & R&B still dominate overall streams
🎺 Regional Mexican music is a rising global force
🎶 Female artists are leading the charge
For independent artists, now is the perfect time to get your music out there. With the right distribution, promotion, and strategy, 2025 could be your breakthrough year!
🔗 Want to distribute your music? Check out Deliver My Tune and start streaming worldwide today!
