Kick The Concrete's Best Songs of 2025
- Kick The Concrete
- Dec 13
- 8 min read
As Kick The Concrete wraps up its first full year, it is evident music is essential to our DNA. Music inspires, motivates, provides escape, and keeps us grounded.
In 2025, we enjoyed music from Denver, Los Angeles and around the world. British artists brought us vulnerable rap tracks and infectious pop ditties. A Berlin-based producer impressed us and we really appreciated a heartfelt moment from a Nigerian superstar.
Friends of Kick The Concrete brought thoughtful art from the soul. E.M.E, Bryce Savoy, AmirSaysNothing, CRYS, At’Eaze and Tre Capital all left their stamp on 2025.
Artists that were already on our radar reminded us why we are fans. Clipse, Ace Hood and JID showed that they are still making elite music. Although he didn’t release his own music, Vince Staples made his presence known through some impressive features.
And there were standout tracks from the sports world, including from Damian Lillard aka Dame D.O.L.L.A., Flau'jae and Darren Waller.
Here's Kick The Concrete's Best Songs of 2025:
Joy Crookes ft. Vince Staples — ”Pass The Salt”
Joy Crookes started the year off with a bang via her grungy single "Pass The Salt" with Vince Staples. Her voice is gritty and her lyrics are witty and we immediately fell in love.
Dave — ”175 Months”
Dave delivered with his thoughtful album, “The Boy Who Played The Harp.” A standout track was “175 Months” where he describes his journey building a relationship with God through prayer and the guidance of his mother. It’s beautiful.
AmirSaysNothing — “Amazing Me”
AmirSaysNothing defied genre with his new album, “We Are Who We Say We Are.” The vibey “Amazing Me” stands out with its smooth soundscape, effortless flow and tinge of Houston grit.
A$AP Rocky — “Both Eyes Closed”
Soo we didn’t get “Don’t Be Dumb.” But we’re not mad at it. A$AP Rocky actually gave us two pretty good tracks for the Spike Lee film “Highest 2 Lowest” where he plays a rapper named Yung Felon. “Trunks” was everywhere this summer and it’s actually a parody of ignorant rap, but it really does slap! We put “Both Eyes Closed” on our list because it shows Rocky’s vulnerable side.
E.M.E — “Cover Me”
E.M.E touched the soul with his powerful single “Cover Me.” It has an inviting Afrobeats rhythm with a clear message of fighting evil by turning to the grace of God.
At’Eaze ft. Brionne Aigné — ”WhatchuCryinFuh?”
At’Eaze showcased his incredible storytelling ability on the moving “WhatchuCryinFuh?” Put this one in the same conversation as Dave’s “Lesley” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst.”
Clipse — ”The Birds Don’t Sing”
“Ace Trumpets” got fans hyped for Clipse’s return because of the grittiness of the track. But when “Let God Sort Em Out” was released and it opened with “The Birds Don’t Sing,” it was a MOMENT. We dare you not to tear up at the beautiful tribute to the Thornton brothers’ father. “‘I love my two sons’ was the code to your phone/Now you’re home.”
CRYS ft. Ryan Ofei — ”RAPHA”
CRYS bravely shared her testimony of healing from a vocal injury on “RAPHA.” Her journey was about more than physical healing, but about finding her voice and confidence as an artist. This song is her first bilingual track and collaborating with Ryan Ofei offered a fresh Afrobeats vibe.
Ace Hood — ”Yes He Is”
Ace Hood is still going strong. And if anything, he’s making more impactful music than his heyday in the 2010s. “Yes He Is” is a mesmerizing track about how God continues to carry him through life. Check out the entire “S.O.U.L.” album.
Little Simz — ”Free”
If you need some inspiration, this is for you. On "Free," Little Simz gently riffs a stream of consciousness about the definition of love. It’s about forgiveness, overcoming fear, and living in purpose.
Ovrkast. ft. Vince Staples — ”Strange Ways”
A slaptastic song full of bravado over a soft piano and thumping bass. Plus a Vince Staples verse? Yes.
Darren Waller — “Top Play”
"Top Play" is probably Darren Waller’s biggest song yet. It’s impossible to not get hyped with this incredible beat by PALE1080 and the tight end’s fierce bars.
AJ Tracey ft. Jorja Smith — ”Crush”
"Crush" was another song that was released toward the top of the year and we had it on repeat. AJ Tracey made a flirty love song with a Brandy sample. And he got Jorja Smith to RAP. We are obsessed.
JID ft. Vince Staples — “VCRs”
JID made a splash with his “God Does Like Ugly” album. There’s many gems on there, but the smooth beat of “VCRs” with a mix of bravado and reflection along with a stellar verse from Vince Staples made this one stand out.
Fred Again.. and Skepta — ”21 Years”
Fred Again.. and Skepta had the summer lit with their memorable set at Skeppy’s Big Smoke Festival. Their joint EP had lots of layers to it and the thoughtful “21 Years” about moving through life’s highs and lows made an impact. And its transition into the Grammy-nominated hit “Victory Lap” is impeccable.
Central Cee — ”Limitless”
Everyone knows Central Cee can make a hit. But when “Limitless” showed up on his debut album, “Can’t Rush Greatness,” he showed he has more layers to his artistry. On the vulnerable track, he ponders his old life in the streets and grieving the murder of his friend, Fernando “FDot” Johnson. He interpolates “Bullet From a Gun,” a thoughtful track from Sketpa’s 2019 “Ignorance is Bliss” album, and later drops this gem: “Time is free but somehow priceless, so watch how you spend it wisely.” Bar of the year.
Dave ft. Kano — ”Chapter 16”
Another standout track from Dave’s “The Boy Who Played The Harp” album is “Chapter 16” with Kano. The title is actually based off 1 Samuel 16 in the Bible where David is crowned king. In a similar way, this song serves as a passing of the torch moment between grime vet Kano and the current star. It’s so organic, it’s really a masterpiece.
E.M.E — “Movie”
E.M.E released his debut album, “Foreigner” with the reflective “One Day,” which was a single last year. The Denver Afrofusion artist impressed with his range on the project. “Movie” is a must-listen track because of its upbeat nature. There’s also an interpolation of J Hus’ “Did You See” that is pretty awesome.
J Hus ft. Asake — “Gold”
J Hus made his grand return with this incredibly infectious song. It’s basically the 2025 version of Trinidad James’ “All Gold Everything.”
Xzibit ft. Tre Capital, Domo Genesis and Adé Békoé — ”End of the Day”
Xzibit made a bold statement with his super solid “Kingmaker” album. Our favorite moment had to be “End of the Day” with Tre Capital. The song was a landmark moment in Tre Capital’s career. He released music of his own this year, which we also enjoyed, but this was a MOMENT and he stepped up to the plate.
Roddy Ricch — “Underdog”
The soundtrack for “F1: The Album” was full of big names, but our favorite track was Roddy Ricch’s “Underdog.” It was a well-paced track about the hustle and his flow called back to “The Box” without feeling like a repeat.
Clipse ft. Tyler, The Creator — ”P.O.V.”
While “The Birds Don’t Sing” plucks at the heart, “P.O.V.” punches in the gut. The hook, “They content create, I despite that/I create content and they tries that” exemplifies the effortlessness of the track about how Pusha T and Malice really do this. And Tyler, The Creator went AWF on his verse, too.
FRANZ — “Reach Out”
This track, by rising producer FRANZ, is nostalgic, snappy and sunny. And we love the cover art. We need that pearl necklace.
AmirSaysNothing — ”The Water, The Sea And Everything In It”
We had to include this soothing joint from AmirSaysNothing’s album too! It has real wave sounds under his impeccable flow.
Sho Baraka — “kNew Nostalgia @1:03 pm”
Sho Baraka dropped a really cool concept album in the form of "Midnight of a Good Culture" where the tracklist has time stamps to represent a day in the life. This song is for the hip-hop heads. There’s tributes to ODB, MF Doom and even A$AP Rocky complete with an elite boom-bap beat.
$uicideboy$ — ”Napoleon”
Slapper of the year.
Burna Boy — ”Love”
A softer side of the Afrobeats superstar. Gentle and inspiring.
Dame D.O.L.L.A ft. Prentice Powell and Dreebo — ”Homecoming”
After the success of “Home Team,” Damian Lillard reunited with Dreebo for the powerful track, “Homecoming.” It’s the opener for the NBA All-Star’s “Y.A.G.I.” mixtape and serves as the ground for him to process his basketball career and his personal life over a soulful soundscape reminiscent of “Dead Presidents.”
Joy Crookes ft. Kano — ”Mathematics”
Another single that led up to Joy Crookes’ incredible “Juniper” album, “Mathematics” showed the singer’s vulnerable side with vocals that perfectly conveyed the emotional roller coaster of a breakup. Kano’s verse, with the line “Roses are red like my message was left on,” was *chef’s kiss.
At’Eaze ft. Malcolm Whyz3 — ”Cabo”
A fun vacay track that literally came together on a vacation. At’Eaze has a great sense of duality on "The Lost Psalms" and shows his lighthearted side here with the same cool flow as J. Cole.
Sammy Virji ft. Skepta — “Cops & Robbers”
A whimsical, upbeat song for both the badman and the ladies. Boom boom!
Flau’jae — ”Shoot 4 the Moon”
As Flau’jae journeys through her basketball career, she continues to impress with her abilities as a music artist. One track that caught our attention this year is the reflective “Shoot 4 the Moon.”
Corey Paul — “Psalm 30”
Corey Paul is on a strong run with his “Rap The Bible” series. Remember last year’s “Creation?” It has 1 million views on YouTube! But this year, “Psalm 30” stood out with its gentle piano, thumping bass and a message of finding the light in the darkness.
Ace Hood — ”All on Me”
We couldn’t pick just one track off Ace Hood’s “S.O.U.L.” album and this one really moved us, too.
Sho Baraka ft. L3XDIVINE — “Still Got Faith @ 11:01 am”
This one from Sho Baraka has a marching band feel with an excellent message of perseverance and winning the battle of the mind. It’s awesome to hear L3XDIVINE do her thing.
Olivia Dean — “Nice To Each Other”
Olivia Dean was EVERYWHERE this year! As she prepares for her first US stadium tour, we have to say the breezy “Nice To Each Other” was our favorite song of hers.
Radamiz — “Clean Hands”
Radamiz was one of our favorite discoveries this year. It was evident from the first bar he spit during his opening set at Kota The Friend’s No Rap on Sunday Tour that he is spirit-led. That first song was “Clean Hands,” but check out his whole project, “LIGHTMAN, the album.”
Bryce Savoy — ”Worldwide Steppin’”
Bryce Savoy created a project showing his widest emotional range yet in the form of “Just Keep Shining.” “Worldwide Steppin’” exhibits the tension of the project with a stark beat switch that goes from looming mumble rap with the line, “No matter how you spin it, I’m on top like a Ferris wheel” to lively horns and a more upbeat flow.
Jorja Smith — ”The Way I Love You”
Yes, Olivia Dean, Raye and Joy Crookes both got a lot of attention as British singer-songwriters this year, but we can NOT forget our girl Jorja Smith! Besides her amazing feature on “Crush,” she also released “The Way I Love You,” a magnificent techno-infused track that makes you want to go out. And kind of believe in love.
Bearcubs — ”Take Me Home”
We discovered Bearcubs and this song off the EA Sports FC 26 Soundtrack and were immediately hooked. The British-born, Berlin-based producer crafted a mesmerizing soundscape that serves as a backdrop that pulls at the heartstrings with a desire for a sense of home.