2025 in hip-hop

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip-hop for the year 2025.

• On January 1, A.D.O.R. died at the age of 55.
• On January 15, Drake filed a federal defamation lawsuit against UMG over the release and promotion of claims made in Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us".
• On January 20, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, and Soulja Boy performed at President Donald Trump's Inauguration Ball.
• On January 21, the trial began for ASAP Rocky on charges of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly shooting former affiliate ASAP Relli in 2021.
• On January 22, Barry Michael Cooper died at the age of 66.
• On January 24, DJ Unk died at the age of 43.
• On January 31, YFN Lucci was released from prison.

• On February 2, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards were held. Kendrick Lamar won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance for "Not Like Us". Rapsody and Erykah Badu won Best Melodic Rap Performance for "3:AM". Doechii won Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal. Roxanne Shante received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
• On February 5, Irv Gotti died at the age of 54.
• On February 7, Naâman died at the age of 34.
• On February 9, Kendrick Lamar headlined the Super Bowl LIX halftime show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, with guest performer SZA, which became the most watched halftime show, surpassing the Super Bowl XXVII halftime show with headliner Michael Jackson.
• On February 13, Delcat Idengo was shot and killed in Goma.
• On February 18, the MOBO Awards 2025 were held. Darkoo won Best Female Act and Song of the Year with Dess Dior for "Favourite Girl". Central Cee won Best Male Act. Bashy won Best Hip-hop Act and Album of the Year for Being Poor Is Expensive. Scorcher won Best Grime Act. Pozer won Best Drill Act. On the same day, ASAP Rocky was found not guilty on charges of assault with a deadly weapon.
• On February 21, Khalil Fong died at the age of 41.
• On February 22, the 56th NAACP Image Awards were held. Doechii won Outstanding New Artist. Kendrick Lamar won Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song and Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album for "Not Like Us".

• On March 3, Beau Dozier died at the age of 45.
• On March 5, DJ Funk died at the age of 54.
• On March 13, J. B. Moore died at the age of 81.
• On March 17, Universal Music Group filed a motion to dismiss Drake's federal defamation lawsuit over the claims made in "Not Like Us", stating that "he has sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds."
• On March 22, Sayso P was killed and Sauce Walka was injured in a shooting in Memphis, Tennessee.
• On March 28, Young Scooter died at the age of 39.

• On April 5, Pasha Technique died at the age of 40.
• On April 16, Drake filed an amended complaint in the defamation lawsuit filed against Universal Music Group earlier this year to include complaints about Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime performance.

• Max B is scheduled to be released from prison.
• On November 8, Outkast and Salt-N-Pepa will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

• Previous article: 2024 in hip-hop