Top 15 Music Podcasts in 2025: All The Shows You Cannot Miss!
In-Depth Reviews of the Best Music Podcasts 2025: 15 Must-Listen Shows for Music Lovers. Where to Listen and Why They Stand Out
Updated on January 10, 2025
The 2025 music podcast landscape is a rich ecosystem, where technology meets tradition and storytelling moves in conjunction with sound innovation.
There are so many we love: each of these shows takes the listener on a different path into the world of music.
But what's most striking this year is the way podcasts are pushing the boundaries of new technologies while keeping the human touch intact. There's never been a better time to dive into music podcasts.
Better to start with two or three that suit your specific interests, but on PodcastAI Chart we have an immense back catalog that's well worth digging through.
Whether you are a casual or hard-core music lover, there is never a more thrilling time than now to plug in and explore a world of music that is constantly in flux.
Keep in mind that this list will continue to be revised throughout the year, as the ever-changing landscape of music podcasting unfolds.
Are you ready for an exciting journey into the music podcast world? Here we go!
Top Music Podcasts in 2025
Here are the shows we’ve liked most:
The Joe Budden Podcast
Host: Joe Budden
Cadence: Bi-weekly
2-3 hours in length
The Joe Budden Podcast has remained one of hip-hop's loudest voices deep into 2025. The transition of Joe Budden from rapper to media man probably paid off-raw and unfiltered takes on everything hip-hop and music industry dynamics, current events.
What works for the show is Budden bringing that insider perspective and not shying away from heated topics.
Having been both an artist and an industry figure, he has that special insight into how the inner mechanism of the music business works.
The podcast has evolved over time to add diversity to the segments: features of emerging artists, deep dives into other genres of music other than hip-hop, although it remains the core focus.
Notable Episodes:
The AI Revolution in Hip-Hop: How artificial intelligence is changing the way music is made, December 2024.
The Streaming Wars Update: How new streaming services are moving the needle on artist revenues, January 2025.
Legacy Talk with Nas: A rare, in-depth conversation about hip-hop's evolution, January 2025.
Why Listen : Real, unvarnished opinions about the music industry and hip-hop culture from someone who lived it.
Who Should Listen: Hip-hop fans, music business professionals, and, well, anyone who enjoys candid talk related to the music business and culture.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAi Chart, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube
Read here our extensive review!
Lost Notes: Groupies
Host: Various
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 45-60 minutes
The KCRW Lost Notes series reinvents how one looks at music history through the misconceived role that groupies have played in molding and shaping the character of rock and roll culture.
The podcast dismisses some common narratives and stereotypes while presenting an understanding of the music history of today in all nuances.
These series meld historical research with modern-day comments from interviews with former groupies, musicians, and music historians.
Of course, it's very well produced, using judiciously selected archival audio and original music scoring.
The series has grown in 2025 to encompass episodes on the most up-to-date fan culture and how this has changed with the digital era.
Notable Episodes:
The Plaster Casters Revisited (Dec 2024): A new perspective on one of rock's most infamous fan groups
Digital Groupies (Jan 2025): How social media has shifted artist-fan relationships
The GTOs: More Than Just Groupies (Jan 2025): The story of Frank Zappa's girl group
Why Listen: For a thoughtful, well-researched look at music culture that upsets preconceptions.
Who Should Listen: Music historians, cultural critics, and anyone interested in the social aspects of music history.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart or listen on KCRW website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
New Rory & MAL
Hosts: Rory Farrell & Jamil Mal Clay
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 1.5 - 2 hours
Since the split from The Joe Budden Podcast, Rory and Mal have forged a unique voice in music commentary.
Their podcast does a great job of balancing industry insight with casual discussion, making for an entertaining yet deeply analytical vibe.
The chemistry between the two is great; they talk about everything from new music releases to industry politics.
Their approach tends to be more measured compared to their previous show, giving them room for contemplative reflections on events that occur in the music industry.
In 2025, they continued to expand their format to more guest interviews and live events based on the great foundation they established through music industry commentary.
Notable Episodes:
The Independent Artist Revolution - How technology empowers the indie musician. (Dec 2024)
Label Politics Exposed - An insider look at major label dealings. (Jan 2025)
The Future of Music Marketing - New strategies in the digital age. (Jan 2025)
Why Listen: For two well-connected insiders presenting balanced, informed discussions about the music industry.
Who Should Listen: Music industry professionals, artists, and fans interested in behind-the-scenes perspectives.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAi Chart or listen on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Music Saved Me Podcast
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 60-90 minutes
This emotional podcast looks at how music changes people's lives through extraordinary stories of both musicians and listeners.
Each episode is dedicated to a personal story, where music plays an integral role in someone's journey of overcoming difficulties, change, or healing.
The production quality is fantastic, seamlessly combining interviews, music clips, and ambient sound to make a really immersive listen. In 2025, the show kept growing by offering even more varied stories and musical genres.
What makes this podcast so unique is the way it threads together universal human experiences with music, constructing very emotionally deep episodes that strike deep chords within listeners.
Notable Episodes:
From War to Symphony (Jan 2025): The story of a veteran's path to healing through classical music.
The Subway Singer (Dec 2024): How street performance saved a homeless musician.
Beats and Bipolar (Jan 2025): A producer shares his story of how he managed his mental health through music.
Why Listen: Emotional stories about how music can transform people's lives.
Who Should Listen: Those who believe in the healing power of music, those who struggle with mental health, and music healers.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAi Chart or listen on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Song Exploder
Host: Hrishikesh Hirway
Cadence: Bi-weekly
Length: 20-30 minutes
Song Exploder continues to set the standard for understanding how great music is made.
The host, Hrishikesh Hirway, magically breaks down songs with the artists and shares creative and technical processes behind their making.
In 2025, it has adopted the new music production technologies; some of its episodes discuss AI, assisted composition and virtual collaboration. However, the focus remains the emphasis on human elements of songwriting.
This podcast is a masterclass in editing; they take out all the host questions so the artist can tell their story as one long, seamless narrative that's deeply intimate and personal.
Notable Episodes:
Beyoncé - QUANTUM LEAP (Jan 2025): Delving into her path-breaking AI-hybrid track
The Weeknd - Dream Machine (Dec 2024): How he fused classic R&B with neurotechnology
Taylor Swift - Timeless (Jan 2025): Dissecting her record-breaking orchestral experiment
Why Listen: To get unique insight into songwriting and music production from the major artists themselves.
Who Should Listen: Everyone interested in the creative process involved in the creation of music. Ideal for musicians, producers, songwriters, and those who just love music.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart or Listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs
Host: Andrew Hickey
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 60-90 minutes
Andrew Hickey's ambitious project is still one of the top music podcasts in 2025: he really knows how to dive into the true history of rock music.
Each episode covers one song but widens to describe more about the music history, cultural background, and artistic inventions.
That podcasting was rare for its detailed attention and the way Hickey could tie together what often seems like really disparate musical threads. In his narration, he combines historical facts, musical analysis, and social comments.
By 2025, the series had reached songs into the late 1990s, each episode building on previous installments to make an impressive overall narrative of the development of rock music.
Notable Episodes:
Episode 468: 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (Jan 2025): The definitive story of grunge's breakthrough moment
Episode 472: 'Protection' - Massive Attack (Dec 2024): Trip-hop's emergence and electronic music's influence on rock
Episode 475: 'Common People' - Pulp (Jan 2025): Britpop's social commentary and class consciousness
Why Listen: For the best, and most researched, history of rock music available in podcast form.
Target audience: Music historians, rock fans, and all those interested in how popular music evolved.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart or listen on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Read here our extensive review!
Drink Champs
Hosts: N.O.R.E. & DJ EFN
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 2-3 hours
Drink Champs is still on of the best hip-hop storytelling platforms in 2025. The artists are comfortable enough to tell stories they perhaps never have.
The show's signature relaxed atmosphere, enhanced by the presence of drinks, creates an environment where guests open up like nowhere else.
It has grown into a more varied voice in music, yet kept the essence of hip-hop culture. N.O.R.E.'s insider status, plus genuine curiosity, keeps him-along with DJ EFN's industry experience-pulling unique insights out of his guests.
In 2025 they added some virtual reality for subscribers that allowed the fans to be in the room during interviews.
Notable Episodes:
Drake: The GOAT Talk (Jan 2025): A rare, unfiltered conversation about legacy
Old School Meets New AI (Dec 2024): Hip-hop pioneers discuss technology's impact
The Queens of Rap Summit (Jan 2025): Bringing together multiple generations of female MCs
Why Listen: For the most authentic, unfiltered conversations in hip-hop.
Who Should Listen: Hip-hop historians, music industry insiders, and fans who appreciate raw, honest dialogue.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAi Chart or on Black Effect App, iHeartRadio, YouTube
DISGRACELAND
• Host: Jake Brennan
• Frequency: Every week
• Duration: 45-60 minutes
DISGRACELAND combines true crime and music history, revealing music's darkest and most controversial moments of all times.
Jake Brennan's noir-style narration and cinematic sound design make the listeners feel like they’re diving into a crime thriller with a great soundtrack.
In 2025, the show expanded to include more modern tales, still utilizing the same technique of storytelling. Productions are of very high quality, and complex sound design combined with original music are used to support the storytelling.
What really sets this podcast apart is how it uncovers the dark side of musical history without disrespecting the artists and victims associated with the stories being told.
Notable Episodes:
The Dark Web Sessions (Jan 2025): Modern music piracy and digital crime
Kurt Cobain: The Final Days Revisited (Dec 2024): New evidence and perspectives
The Underground Rave Murders (Jan 2025): EDM's deadly connection to organized crime
Why Listen: For expertly crafted stories about music's most controversial moments and criminal connections.
Who Should Listen: True crime fans, music history buffs, and those interested in the darker side of the industry.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart or on Double Elvis website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Read here our extensive review!
60 Songs That Explain the '90s
Host: Rob Harvilla
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 50-70 minutes
The Ringer's offers something no one else does, or at least, no one does so well: it provides the ultimate dissection of the most influential songs of the 1990s.
The writing from Rob Harvilla is music criticism as personal memoir, and the episodes are informative and entertaining.
By 2025, the program evolved from its humble beginnings to produce special episodes about the decade's influence on contemporary music, including interviews with contemporary artists influenced by '90s music.
This podcast does a great job with historical contextualizing of songs while showing how they still influence popular culture.
Notable Episodes:
Barbie Girl: The 2025 Resurrection (Jan 2025): How TikTok brought back Aqua's hit
The Prodigy's 'Firestarter': Rave Culture Revisited (Dec 2024): The mainstream breakthrough of electronic music
The Spice Girls and Modern Girl Groups (Jan 2025): Legacy and influence
Why Listen: For nostalgic yet fresh perspectives on '90s music and its ongoing influence.
Who Should Listen: Those who love '90s music, the cultural critic, or anyone interested in how past music shapes today's trends.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAi Chart, on The Ringer's website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts
Million Dollaz Worth Of Game
Hosts: Gillie Da Kid & Wallo267
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 90-120 minutes
Million Dollaz Worth Of Game has grown past its hip-hop origins,becoming today an essential voice in the music industry.
The hosts, Gillie Da Kid and Wallo267, share street wisdom and smart opinions when discussing music, success, and culture.
The 2025 version of the show incorporates more industry analysis and artist development content, while still having that raw, unfiltered style that made it popular.
It's their authenticity and straightforwardness with sensitive topics that make them different in the podcast universe.
The personal experiences of the hosts, both in the streets and within the music industry, bring a very unique perspective on artist development and politics within the industry.
Notable Episodes:
AI vs. Street Cred (Jan 2025): The authenticity of the age of artificial intelligence
Label Contracts Exposed (Dec 2024): Breaking down modern music deals
The New Underground (Jan 2025): How social media changed the game for street artists
Why Listen: For raw, honest conversations about the music industry from a street-smart perspective.
Who Should Listen: Aspiring artists, music entrepreneurs, and fans interested in the business side of hip-hop.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, or listen on Barstool Sports website, YouTube, Apple Podcasts
Takin' a walk
Host: Trippie Redd
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 45-60 minutes
This innovative podcast combines literal walks through significant music locations with deep conversations about artistry and life.
Trippie Redd takes listeners along with him as he walks through cities, visiting studios, venues, and neighborhoods that shaped modern music.
The unique structure of the show-which premiered in 2024-includes a 3-D audio sound that, with one pair of headphones on, listeners will feel like they're walking in tandem with the host and guests.
This physical movement creates yet greater openness or even more natural conversations.
Location-specific history intermingles with personal stories and discussions about the current state of music in each episode.
Notable Episodes:
Atlanta's Trap Heritage Trail (Jan 2025): Walking through the birthplace of trap music
New York's Underground Beat (Dec 2024): Iconic basement venues
LA Studio Stories (Jan 2025): Walking through legendary recording spaces
Why Listen: For an innovative approach to music storytelling, location, history, and conversation combined.
Who Should Listen: Music fans interested in the connection between place and creativity, artists, and music historians.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAi Chart, or listen on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Ebro in the Morning Podcast
Hosts: Ebro Darden, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez
Frequency: Daily
Length: 60-90 minutes
HOT 97's flagship morning show remains an important voice in hip-hop culture as it evolves with the podcast medium while staying true to its radio origins.
The show brings together breaking news, artist interviews, and cultural commentary with the host chemistry and industry expertise.
In 2025, they expanded their format to include lengthier interviews and special features, while continuing to break new artists and take on cultural concerns relevant to hip-hop.
The show has struck a good balance between entertainment and more serious discussion of music, politics, and culture.
Notable Episodes:
The State of New York Hip-Hop 2025 (Jan 2025): Comprehensive look at the City's rap scene
AI Beats vs. Human Producers - Dec 2024: A debate that divided hip-hop
Global Drill: The New Wave - Jan 2025: It was all about the impact of Drill Music across the world.
Listens Why: Daily updates with expert analysis, respected voices in hip-hop culture.
Who Should Listen: Hip-hop lovers, representatives of record labels, and anyone dealing with urban culture and music.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAi Chart or on the HOT 97 website, or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify
With this, we come to the close of our selection of the top 15 music podcasts for the year 2025. Each of the shows brings in its unique view on music and culture, directed at different aspects of the industry and interests of various listeners. Whether a casual fan or industry professional, there is something here for anyone that wants to further engage with music and its culture.
Friday Night Karaoke
Hosts: Alex Warren & DJ Panda
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 120 minutes
Friday Night Karaoke is an innovator in podcasting, having created an interactive podcast to sing along to.
The show melds karaoke performances of listeners from around the world with artist interviews and vocal coaching tips.
The 2025 version includes augmented reality features that show premium subscribers real-time lyrics and vocal guides with every listen.
The hosts' fun commentary and genuine enthusiasm for amateur singers create a friendly, entertaining atmosphere.
This show has grown an international community in which listeners can submit their performances and vote on weekly winners to create the engaging competitive element.
Notable Episodes:
Broadway Hits Night (Jan 2025): Special guest Ben Platt joins amateur performers
K-Pop Takeover (Dec 2024): BTS songs featuring surprise guest vocalists
Rock Legends Tribute (Jan 2025): Audiences try to sing toughest rock vocals
Why Listen: An entertaining interactive musical program that celebrates singing.
Who Should Listen: People who love Karaoke, Want-to-be singers, Participatory entertainment lover
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAi Chart On website with AR feature, Apple podcasts, Spotify
All Songs Considered
Hosts: Robin Hilton & Stephen Thompson
Cadence: Every Week
Length: 45-50 minutes
NPR's flagship music show continues to be the trusted curator of new and noteworthy music across genres.
The thoughtful analysis and broad musical knowledge of the hosts help listeners navigate the increasingly complex landscape of modern music.
In 2025, the show has adapted to include coverage of AI-generated music and virtual artists while maintaining its focus on human creativity and artistic expression.
The podcast excels at discovering emerging artists and providing context for new music trends, making it an essential listen for staying current with music developments.
Notable Episodes:
The Human Touch in Digital Music (Jan 2025): Exploring the balance between technology and artistry
Indie Music in the Platform Era (Dec 2024): How streaming changes affect independent artists
Global Sounds: Breaking Boundaries (Jan 2025): International artists reshaping popular music
Why Listen: For thoughtful curation and analysis of new music from trusted industry veterans.
Who Should Listen: Music discoverers, industry professionals, and anyone seeking well-curated new music.
Where to listen: Find it on Podcastai Chart or: NPR website, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
Questlove Supreme
Host: Questlove
Cadence: Weekly
Length: 90-120 minutes
Questlove Supreme is a podcast still deeply rooted in musicianship, music history, and providing access to historically legendary artists.
Questlove brings conversations that are both educational and entertaining with his encyclopedic knowledge of music history and production.
In 2025, the show has grown to include more interactive elements, such as playlists that listeners can access and virtual music workshops.
Questlove has something that stands out: his insights into past and present music trends are unique.
What really separates this podcast from other music documentaries is the way in which it draws threads from genre to genre, from generation to generation, and ties it together in what feels like one single story of popular music.
Notable Episodes:
Prince: The Lost Sessions (Jan 2025): Unheard Stories, Rare Recordings
The Art of Sampling in 2025 (Dec 2024): How AI Changed Sample-Based Production
Funk's New Future (Jan 2025): Modern Carriers of Tradition
Why Listen: Deep musical insight and intimate one-on-one interactions with legendary performers.
Who to Listen For: Musicians, producers, die-hard music fans, and history buffs curious about the making and history behind the music.
Where to listen: Find it on PodcastAI Chart, or listen to the show on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
And with this, we conclude our analysis of the best 15 music podcasts one should listen to in 2025.
Conclusion
From inside knowledge into the music industry to active engagement, from retro analyses to innovative music tech, there's something in this podcast for every kind of music enthusiast.
Be it a casual listener or an industry professional; these shows provide just the right soundtracks to stay tuned to the ever-evolving world of music.
So many of these shows also have Web pages and social media sites that may include playlists and community features and lots of other auxiliary content to enrich the listening experience.
The podcast universe is still unfolding with its many shows leveraging new technologies even as it still remains focused on great music and cool storytelling.
Still unsure about what to listen to? Here are some ideas:
17 Best Art Podcasts You’ll Love in 2025: Design, Culture, & More
Top Erotica Podcasts of 2025: Best Reviews!
Top Crime Podcasts of 2025: Thrills, Chills, and True Fear
40 Apple Podcasts That Talk About Books: Your Next Literary Listen
Best Tech Podcasts to Start the Year (2025)
Author's Note
Have you ever wanted to create a podcast but didn’t have the time or resources? PodcastAI is here to make that dream come true.
With our AI-powered software, you can easily transform your blog posts, newsletters, or favorite news articles into podcast episodes—using your own voice, with almost no effort.
PodcastAI handles every detail: it writes episodes, generates show notes, creates eye-catching cover art, and adds chapters and transcripts.
It even automatically publishes your podcast to Apple, Spotify, and other platforms, while also providing social media clips and a custom website for your show.
Whether you're a content creator, business owner, or agency, PodcastAI saves you time and helps you connect with your audience in a whole new way.
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