THE SOUND ROOM

DJ Hoodwink (HDWK) and FlowStory Bring You 100 of the Most Important Tracks of 2025... The Essential Playlist for those wanting to look inward and outward as they learn, grow, and work toward positive change. This is also great material for therapists, teachers, and other professionals using Hip Hop in practice (Note: Review content for what is appropriate for your setting, and consider radio-friendly/edited versions as needed).
 

The wait is over. These are my Top 100 (it's always more) of 2025. A little context for the uninitiated... there are some criteria. First, these are tracks that speak to me for both beats and lyrics. First and foremost - both have to hit for me, a beat I can rock to, and then bars. And either no hook, or a quality hook. I realized later in life that I seem to prefer hooks with a good melody to them.

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The lyrics have to be something we can explore, what I label as empowering - something we can make sense of and examine in pursuit of personal or collective growth. This doesn't mean "positive" or "conscious" per se, as these can have risky content and be opportunities to learn, to reflect, or even to plan in the face of cautionary tales. All of this is obviously subjective. Another key piece to these tracks is it only draws from what I listened to. I listen to a ton of music over the year, but I definitely also miss a bunch. So please don't get at me too hard if I missed your favorites. Lastly some tracks aren't purely Hip Hop, but made the cut because of the vibe or spirit of the tracks. One that comes to mind is Kid Cudi's "Wonderland."

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This is just the intro to the list. I'll have some other posts where I'll talk about some of the themes and commonalities and reflections from this year's tracks. But, as I always say, please don't ever let anyone tell you this or that about Hip Hop being all negative, or not like it was, or any of that other stuff if they haven't done a deep dive. Do your own listening. If you go through this year's tracks alone I promise you'll have a very different perspective. And if you like what you hear, check out 2024, and 2023, and 2022, and 2021! I've got a library of content for you!

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A few additional notes... some tracks are not included because they are not on TIDAL or Spotify where I post these lists. Some other factors contributing to this list were wanting to include more voices, and to include some topics that are relevant and necessary. While it will not have everything, I guarantee there will be no shortage of topics and voices to learn about and explore some of our most critical societal issues, with a particular lens on communities of color, and marginalized communities. Enjoy! #healingpowerofhiphop #HDWK100 #hiphopisforus [24 HDWK 100 | 23 HDWK 100 | 22 HDWK 100 | 21 HDWK 100]