Spotify Wrapped has become one of the most anticipated cultural check-ins of the year, not because it tells us anything shocking, but because it confirms what dominated our playlists and shaped our daily rhythms. The 2025 edition reveals two distinct listening identities across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, each driven by its own mix of global heavyweights, regional icons, and emotional anthems that listeners returned to again and again. From chart-topping international releases to the tracks that defined nostalgic nights and long drives, here’s what stood out most across both markets this year.
THE UAE’S TOP ARTISTS
Drake
Drake claims the UAE’s top spot, proving once again that the country loves a lyric-heavy, mood-driven soundtrack paired with a good bass line.
The Weeknd
The Weeknd holds steady as a UAE favorite, carrying listeners through late nights, long drives, and everything in between.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift secures her place in the top three, a constant companion for highs, lows, and overthinking sessions everywhere.
Arijit Singh
Arijit Singh continues to rule hearts in the UAE, delivering emotion, nostalgia, and vocal storytelling the region connects to instantly.
Pritam
Pritam rounds out the top five with the kind of cinematic soundscapes that stay with listeners long after the playlist ends.
THE UAE’S TOP SONGS
“Die With A Smile” – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
A power ballad with global reach and UAE dominance, blending theatrical drama with undeniable replay value.
“Don’t Say You Love Me” – Jin
Jin’s emotional delivery struck a chord with UAE listeners, landing high on the charts with ease.
“BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Billie Eilish
Billie’s signature softness meets emotional depth, securing yet another viral hit for the year.
“APT.” – ROSÉ & Bruno Mars
A polished duet with charm, chemistry, and a hook that clearly found a home in UAE headphones.
“luther” – Kendrick Lamar ft. SZA
Kendrick and SZA deliver a rhythmic, reflective track that resonated strongly across the country.
THE UAE’S TOP ALBUMS
HIT ME HARD AND SOFT – Billie Eilish
Billie dominates the UAE album charts with a project that listeners returned to over and over again.
KPop Demon Hunters – Various Artists
A bold, high-energy soundtrack that captivated the UAE’s massive K-pop-loving audience.
SOS Deluxe: LANA – SZA
SZA’s extended masterpiece found major staying power, especially among fans who love emotionally layered R&B.
Hurry Up Tomorrow – The Weeknd
Another strong showing from The Weeknd, blending cinematic production with unmistakable vocals.
Short n’ Sweet – Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina’s confident pop era resonated across the UAE, securing her place in the top albums of the year.
SAUDI ARABIA’S TOP ARAB ARTISTS
Ayed
Ayed tops the list for the second year in a row, proving his voice continues to define the Kingdom’s musical taste.
Amr Diab
A timeless legend with hits that outlast generations, Amr Diab stays firmly in the top three.
Abdul Majeed Abdullah
The Prince of Tarab continues to dominate with emotional depth and unmistakable vocal power.
Nasrat Al Bader
Iraqi composer and artist Nasrat Al Bader secures his spot, driven by Saudi listeners’ love for nostalgic melodies.
Rashed Al-Majed
Gulf music royalty with a permanent place in the region’s soundscape, Rashed Al-Majed remains essential listening.
SAUDI ARABIA’S TOP ARABIC SONGS
“Aftini” – Sabah Mahmod
A stirring, emotional track that captured Saudi listeners’ hearts and took the top spot.
“Alak Alak” – Hassan El Rassam
A returning favorite that resurfaced in a major way thanks to social media and its emotional pull.
“Mit Ani” – Sabah Mahmod
Sabah Mahmod appears again with another heartfelt, rhythmic reflection on longing and loss.
“Hatha Dam‘ak” – Tayseer Al Safeer
An emotional track rooted in bittersweet Khaleeji storytelling and powerful instrumentation.
“Lammah” – Ayed
Ayed closes the top five with a song exploring unrequited love, a theme Saudi listeners embraced wholeheartedly this year.
SAUDI ARABIA’S TOP ARTISTS
Billie Eilish
Billie leads Saudi Arabia’s overall artist chart, her sound striking a balance between softness, mood, and emotional intensity.
The Weeknd
The Weeknd continues to dominate playlists with his cinematic sonic universe.
Drake
Drake’s signature introspective energy secures his spot among Saudi Arabia’s top three.
Taylor Swift
Taylor’s universality shines here too, her lyrics resonating deeply across the region.
Cigarettes After Sex
The band’s dreamy, slow-burn sound fits perfectly with Saudi listeners’ love for introspective tracks.
SAUDI ARABIA’S TOP SONGS
“WILDFLOWER” – Billie Eilish
A global favorite that hit especially hard in Saudi Arabia, topping the list with its emotional build.
“BIRDS OF A FEATHER” – Billie Eilish
Billie secures both first and second place, a testament to her unmatched grip on the Kingdom’s mood.
“No One Noticed” – The Marías
A dreamy, melancholic track that resonated deeply with Saudi listeners.
“Die With A Smile” – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
The global hit lands high here as well, proving its worldwide reach.
“Aftini” – Sabah Mahmod
The top Arabic song of the year also breaks into the overall top tracks list, highlighting the power of regional music.
ALSO READ: AND THAT’S A WRAP: SPOTIFY RELEASES THE MOST STREAMED ARTISTS, SONGS, AND ALBUMS OF 2025.
