In 2025, Morgan Wallen continues to dominate Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist, underscoring the surging popularity of country music driven by Gen Z and Millennials.
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Morgan Wallen has solidified his status as one of the biggest stars in country music, and his dominance on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist in 2025 reflects the genre’s growing appeal, particularly among younger audiences. Born in Sneedville, Tennessee, in 1993, Wallen first gained attention as a contestant on The Voice in 2014, but it was his genre-blending approach—fusing country with elements of hip-hop, R&B, and pop—that propelled him to superstardom.web:3web:4 By April 20, 2025, Wallen’s latest single, "I Ain't Comin' Back," a collaboration with Post Malone, has claimed the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Top 100 Country Songs chart and is a standout track on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist.web:0post:3 His forthcoming album, I’m the Problem, set for release on May 16, 2025, has already generated significant buzz, with seven of its 37 songs released and the album reaching No. 1 on Apple Music’s all-genre chart.web:3post:0 This article explores Wallen’s prominence on Apple Music, the broader trends driving country music’s popularity, his recent collaborations, and his potential to shape the genre’s future.
Morgan Wallen’s Rise on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA Playlist
Morgan Wallen’s presence on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist in 2025 is a testament to his widespread appeal and the enduring popularity of his music. As of April 19, 2025, Wallen’s album I’m the Problem—despite only having seven songs released—has claimed the No. 1 spot on Apple Music’s all-genre chart, a remarkable feat that underscores his dominance across genres.post:0 His single "I Ain't Comin' Back," featuring Post Malone, has also become the No. 1 country song on Apple Music, further cementing his place on the Top 100 USA playlist.post:3 This success follows a pattern of streaming dominance for Wallen, who previously topped Apple Music’s global song chart in 2023 with "Last Night," which stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 weeks.web:5web:9
Wallen’s music resonates with listeners due to its relatable themes of love, heartbreak, and rural life, paired with a modern production style that incorporates hip-hop beats and pop sensibilities. Tracks like "Last Night" and "Love Somebody" showcase his ability to blend genres, a quality that has made him a favorite on streaming platforms.web:17 In 2024, Wallen occupied seven of the top 10 spots on the US Apple Music country chart, and his single "I’m the Problem" reached No. 2 on the overall chart, highlighting his consistent presence on Apple Music playlists.post:2 His earlier albums, such as Dangerous: The Double Album (2021) and One Thing at a Time (2023), also set records, with the former spending 100 weeks in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and the latter charting all 36 tracks on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously.web:3web:17
Wallen’s appeal on Apple Music is further amplified by his ability to connect with a younger demographic. His music, which often features clever metaphors and cross-genre influences—like interpolating The Allman Brothers Band’s “Midnight Rider” in "Everything I Love"—has struck a chord with Gen Z and Millennials, who make up a significant portion of his listener base.web:2web:12 This demographic’s preference for streaming over traditional radio has helped Wallen maintain a strong presence on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist, reflecting the broader trend of country music’s growing popularity in the streaming era.
Country Music’s Streaming Surge in 2025
The rise of Morgan Wallen on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist is part of a larger trend of country music’s streaming surge in 2025, driven largely by younger audiences. In 2023, country music saw a significant increase in streaming numbers, with Wallen’s One Thing at a Time achieving the fifth-largest streaming week ever, accumulating over 483 million streams in its debut week alone.web:12 This momentum has continued into 2025, with country music’s presence on streaming platforms like Apple Music and Spotify growing exponentially. According to industry reports, country music ranked 11 songs on Apple Music’s global top 100 songs chart in 2023, up from just four in 2022, a trend that has likely intensified in 2025 given Wallen’s chart dominance.web:10
Gen Z and Millennials, who make up 50% of Wallen’s average listenership, have been instrumental in this shift. These demographics prefer streaming over traditional formats like radio, with music audio streaming being the third most popular listening option after radio and video.web:12 Wallen’s music, with its blend of traditional country themes—like whiskey, women, and regret—and modern production elements, appeals directly to this audience. His songs are often boozy and nostalgic, easy to drink to, and frequently go viral on platforms like TikTok, further boosting their streaming numbers.web:7web:12
The broader country music landscape in 2025 also reflects this trend, with artists like Luke Combs and Zach Bryan contributing to the genre’s streaming success. Combs’ hit "Fast Car" ranked in the top 25 on both Apple Music and Spotify in 2023, while Bryan’s "Something in the Orange" was the seventh most-streamed song on Spotify that year.web:10web:18 Wallen, however, remains the genre’s biggest streaming force, with his ability to chart multiple songs simultaneously on playlists like Apple Music’s Top 100 USA. This surge underscores country music’s evolution from a niche genre to a mainstream powerhouse, with Wallen leading the charge.
Collaborations and New Releases: Expanding Wallen’s Reach
Morgan Wallen’s recent collaborations and new releases have played a significant role in his prominence on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist in 2025. His latest single, "I Ain't Comin' Back," featuring Post Malone, has not only topped the iTunes Top 100 Country Songs chart but also become a staple on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist.web:0post:3 This marks Wallen’s second collaboration with Post Malone in less than a year, following their 2024 hit "I Had Some Help," which also charted highly on Apple Music.web:3 The track’s success highlights Wallen’s ability to bridge country and pop audiences, a key factor in his streaming dominance.
Wallen’s forthcoming album, I’m the Problem, set for release on May 16, 2025, has already generated significant excitement. The album, which will feature 37 songs, includes collaborations with artists like Post Malone, Tate McRae, Eric Church, Hardy, and Ernest.web:3 The title track, released on January 24, 2025, alongside promotional singles "Just in Case" and "I’m a Little Crazy," has been well-received, with Wallen performing them on Saturday Night Live on March 29, 2025.web:3 The album’s early success, with seven songs released and already topping Apple Music’s all-genre chart, suggests that I’m the Problem will further solidify Wallen’s place on playlists like Top 100 USA.post:0
These collaborations reflect Wallen’s strategy of expanding his reach beyond traditional country audiences. His duet with Tate McRae, "What I Want," marks his first female collaboration, sparking speculation and excitement among fans after McRae’s Instagram post hinted at the partnership.web:3 Wallen’s genre-blending approach, evident in tracks like "Last Night" and "Love Somebody," continues to resonate with a diverse listener base, ensuring his music remains a fixture on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist.web:17 This cross-genre appeal has been a hallmark of Wallen’s career, from his early days incorporating hip-hop influences to his current chart-topping collaborations.
The Future of Country Music: Wallen’s Lasting Influence
Morgan Wallen’s prominence on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist in 2025 not only highlights his individual success but also signals the future direction of country music. Wallen has been a trailblazer in pushing the genre to a global level, with Dangerous: The Double Album being named Billboard’s No. 1 Album of the 21st Century and One Thing at a Time topping the Australian ARIA charts.web:24 His ability to connect with younger audiences through streaming platforms like Apple Music suggests that country music will continue to grow in popularity among Gen Z and Millennials, who are increasingly shaping music consumption trends.web:12
Wallen’s influence extends beyond music, as he continues to engage with fans through initiatives like the Sand In My Boots Music Festival, which sold out in less than two hours, and his Morgan Wallen Foundation, which supports youth music and athletic programs.web:24 His upcoming I’m the Problem Tour, kicking off on June 20, 2025, in Houston, Texas, will feature a refreshed setlist and highlight some of his favorite artists, further expanding his reach.web:24 Wallen’s ability to connect with crowds, as noted by the Las Vegas Review Journal, is a key factor in his lasting appeal.web:24
As country music continues to evolve, Wallen’s genre-blending style and focus on authenticity will likely inspire a new generation of artists. His success on Apple Music’s Top 100 USA playlist in 2025 reflects not just his own star power but the broader trend of country music becoming a dominant force in the streaming era. With 17 No. 1 singles at Country radio and 19 Billboard Music Awards to date, Wallen’s legacy is already cemented, but his future contributions promise to further redefine the genre for years to come.web:24
