The pop artists to listen to this summer 2025

Who should you add to your summer playlist? Here are my top 10 pop artists of the summer, according to a student at The BRIT School!

FYI: this article has been written by Rubi, BRIT School student and indu community member.

1. Renee Rapp: Renee Rapp is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She started to gain popularity after starring as Regina George in the broadway musical of Mean Girls - she also adopted that role in the 2024 adaptation of Mean Girls the musical the film.
Renee Rapp has made it to my summer top 10 as I relate to her songs and always feel such a deep connection to what she is singing about. I am also just in love with her vocals.
2. Doechii: Doechii is an American rapper and singer, who has become popular through her viral songs on social media, especially TikTok. I first heard of her this year, from her performance at the grammys. Ever since then I have been listening to her.
Doechii has made it into my top 10 for this summer as I find her music so unique and it really lightens your mood.
3. Lola Young: Lola Young is a British singer and songwriter from London. She went to the BRIT School (the same school as me) for music and music production. She became famous for her single ‘Messy’ that went viral on all social media platforms.
I put Lola Young in my summer top 10 as I feel like she is so unique and has such an individual genre of music, which I really enjoy.
4. Billie Eilish: An American singer and songwriter from Los Angeles, California, Billie first gained recognition from her debut single ‘Ocean Eyes’ in 2015 (when she was only 14). Along with her brother Finneas, they're an unstoppable force in the music industry.
I put Billie Eilish in my top 10 because I connect to her music on an emotional level. I’m seeing her live this year (in July) - the last two times I saw her was in June 2022 and August 2023 - so her music makes me think of summer. 
5. Lady Gaga: Lady Gaga is an American singer, songwriter and actress who is mostly known for her versatility in the music industry. She became popular through her debut single ‘Just Dance’ which was released in 2008.
I decided to put Lady Gaga in my top 10  as I have recently been obsessing with her old/classic songs - ‘Poker Face’, ‘Judas’ and ‘Abracadabra’.
6. Benson Boone: Benson Boone is an American singer who began his music career on the TV show ‘American Idol’ in 2021. After withdrawing from that competition, he started to gain a following on TikTok and signed a record deal with ‘Night Street Records’. He became even more popular with his first ever single ‘Ghost Town’ that charted in countries all around the world.
I decided to add Benson Boone to my summer top 10 as he is one of my favourite artists at the moment and his music gives all the summer vibes.
7. One Direction: A British and Irish boy band formed in 2010 by Simon Cowell in the TV Show ‘X Factor’. They became very popular worldwide for their good looks and for their debut album ‘Up All Night’.
They’re in my top 10 for the summer as I listened to them throughout my whole childhood and it just brings back so many amazing memories for me.
8. Harry Styles: Harry Styles is a British singer, songwriter and actor who is known for being one fifth of One Direction and his amazing solo presence in the music and entertainment industry. His solo career kicked off with  his debut single ‘Sign Of The Times’, which took all of his existing fans by surprise.
I decided to add Harry’s musicto my summer top 10 because it reminds me of when I went to is tour in 2022 and 2023 during summer 
9. D-Block Europe: DBE are a British rap duo that originated in Lewisham (South East London). They became popular through their song ‘Overseas’ which was a collab  with rapper  Central Cee.
This group is in my top 10  as they get me into the festival spirit - plus I’m seeing them live at Reading festival!
10. Yungblud: Also known as Dom, he is an English singer, songwriter and actor who’s mostly known for his presence in the music industry. He gained popularity through one of his hit singles ‘Parents’, as it went viral on TikTok.
Yungblud is in my summer top 10 as he reminds me of festival season (especially because he has created his own annual festival, ‘Bludfest’, which I’m also heading to this year!).