Music lovers everywhere look forward to the biggest event of the year, Spotify Wrapped. Because of the popularity of Spotify Wrapped, Apple Music introduced Apple Replay, bringing together music lovers from different platforms. The goal of Wrapped and Replay is to showcase how much time the user spent listening to specific artists, songs, albums, genres, and playlists.
Over time, Wrapped and Replay have become end-of-year staples for music lovers, giving them a look at their musical growth and even reminding them of past phases. Many say that this is more humbling than it is helpful, though it is still a fun opportunity.
“Every year, my Spotify Wrapped humbles me. I think I’m niche and then I’m actually not,” said junior Staff Writer Ari Roberts.
So without further ado, here are the predictions and reactions of a few of your very own SunDevil Times staff members.
Spotify Wrapped
Andrew Rocks
Q: Who do you think is going to be your top artist?
Solya.
Q: What about your second and third?
Paramore and [Lady] Gaga.
Q: What is your “Album of the Year”?
Mayhem by Lady Gaga.
Q: What is your reaction to your Spotify Wrapped?’
I did not expect Lady Gaga to be that high up there. I definitely did not expect to be her number 20,000 listener in the world. I expected Solya to be up there, because she was [the creator of] all of my top five songs last year, but for some reason she wasn’t.
Ariyana Roberts
Q: Who do you think is going to be your top artist?
Drake or Daniel Ceaser.
Q: What about your second and third?
Probably Beyonce or Rihanna.
Q: What is your “Album of the year”?
That’s a really good question, probably Beautiful Chaos by KATSEYE.
Q: What is your reaction to your Spotify Wrapped?
Wait, I forgot who my top artists were. All I remember is Drake… which was kind of obvious, but it was like I felt like it was a little bit rigged. I stopped listening to Daniel Cesar and just recently started listening to Drake, so I don’t know how he was first, but either way, I love all the artists on my Wrapped.
Em Montalvo
Q: Who do you think is going to be your top artist?
Conan Gray.
Q: What about your second and third?
I suspect Laufey and honestly, Sombr.
Q: What is your “Album of the Year”?
Wishbone by Conan Gray, obviously.
Q: What is your reaction to your Spotify Wrapped?
Completely unsurprised and unshocked. I really love Conan Gray, and I’ve really loved his music for the past few years. I was expecting him to be top, but I didn’t expect to have listened to him for ten days straight. The other two don’t matter; I honestly forgot who they were. I think one of them was Taylor Swift… which is a boo. I only really like Midnights and Evermore.
Apple Music Replay
Senior Section Editor Isaiah Bolden
Q: Who do you think is going to be your top artist?
Probably Mariah Carey.
Q: What about your second and third?
Britney Spears and then maybe Charliexcx or Pinkpantheress.
Q: What is your “Album of the Year”?
I honestly don’t have one.
Q: What is your reaction to your Apple Replay?
I think my top artist was Charliexcx, and I was lowkey surprised because I would have assumed it would be somewhat R&B, but at the same time, this year I really focused on feeling good from the music rather than letting myself drag around in sorrow. I love Mariah Carey. She’s a R&B legend, diva, goddess, all of it.
Senior Staff Writer Seren Simmons
Q: Who do you think is going to be your top artist?
I have no idea, last year I got rain sounds. I hope it’s Radiohead and Kiltro.
Q: What about your second and third?
It’ll probably be something stupid like Taylor Swift or Lady Gaga.
Q: What is your “Album of the year”?
Probably the Kpop Demon Hunters soundtrack.
Q: What is your reaction to your Apple Replay?
I was mad that my reading music got to the top. It makes sense that I listened to it the most, but I was still kind of mad. I really wanted Kiltro or even Kpop Demon Hunters to be on top.
Junior Staff Writer Zoie Antonio
Q: Who do you think is going to be your top artist?
Xdinary Heroes.
Q: What about your second and third?
Probably yung kai and Panic! At The Disco.
Q: What is your “Album of the year”?
Stay with the ocean, I’ll find you. by Yung Kai
Q: What is your reaction to your Apple Replay?
I didn’t realize I listened to so much Stray Kids.
Bonus:
Journalism Advisor Kathleen Trace
Q: Who were your top Spotify artists?
My husband and kids use it more, so it reflects their music more than mine. The top artists were Salem Ilese, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, Tate Mcrae, and Fleetwood Mac.
Q: What is your reaction to your top artists?
I like Dua Lipa and I like Salem Ilese.
In conclusion, Spotify Wrapped and Apple Replay are amazing ways to end the year. Granted, they cannot truly represent your favorite artists or albums, but it is interesting to see what you listen to the most. Here’s to a great 2025, and an even better 2026.
