Global Music Streaming Hits Record 5.1 Trillion Streams in 2025, Fueled by AI Artist Breakout

The global music industry reached unprecedented heights in 2025, with streaming services delivering 5.1 trillion plays according to data from Luminate. This represents a 9.6% year-over-year increase from 2024's previous record, confirming streaming's continued dominance as the primary music consumption format.

Among the notable developments in this record-setting year was the emergence of AI-generated artist Xania Monet, whose catalog accumulated 125 million on-demand audio streams. While details about Monet's creative process remain limited, this milestone signals AI's expanding role in content creation ecosystems. The achievement places Monet among noteworthy new entrants in the streaming landscape.

Luminate's report underscores the music industry's sustained growth trajectory despite evolving technological and economic landscapes. The consistent year-over-year growth suggests streaming platforms continue to successfully expand their global listener base and engagement metrics. As AI tools become more sophisticated, industry analysts will monitor how synthetic artists impact traditional creation and distribution models moving forward.