March 2025: The Most Popular Albums

March 2025 was an exceptionally dynamic month in the music world, with striking releases from both international superstars and Dutch talents. From hip-hop to pop, from electronic music to rock – there was something for everyone. While Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga dominated the international charts, in the Netherlands it was primarily Roxy Dekker who claimed all the attention with her debut album.¹ In this blog, we dive deeper into the most popular albums of March 2025, analyse the most notable trends and discuss why certain releases had such an impact on the music scene.

International Highlights

Kendrick Lamar's “GNX” topped the Billboard 200 in March 2025², and that was no surprise given the massive hype leading up to its release. The album, building on Lamar's legendary status in the hip-hop world, combined sharp social commentary with innovative productions. The single “Not Like Us” was one of the most streamed tracks of the month, proving Lamar's enduring ability to deliver both critical and commercial success.³

PARTYNEXTDOOR & Drake's collaboration on “$ome $exy $ongs 4 U” proved to be a commercial powerhouse. Debuting at number two on the Billboard 200², the album drew attention for its seamless blend of R&B and hip-hop elements. The chemistry between the two Canadian artists was palpable on every track, keeping the album in the top charts for three weeks and counting.

Lady Gaga's long-awaited “Mayhem” dominated international charts, debuting at number one in countries such as the UK, Germany, Italy, Australia and the US. The album marked Gaga's return to her electronic roots, now with a modern twist.¹ The single “Die With a Smile,” a collaboration with Bruno Mars, was one of March's most streamed songs and reached number three on the Streaming Top 40.⁴

Tate McRae's “So Close To What” and Sabrina Carpenter's “Short n' Sweet” reaffirmed the continued dominance of female pop artists on the charts.² McRae's album showcased her growth as an artist, while Carpenter's deluxe edition breathed new life into her record, which had already spent 28 weeks in the UK Top 100.⁵

Dutch Sensations

In the Netherlands, March 2025 was undeniably Roxy Dekker's month. Her debut album “Mama I Made It” not only topped the Album Top 100⁶, but also dominated the Singles Top 100, where she held the first three spots with tracks from the album. The 20-year-old from Amsterdam was honoured with an Edison Award, a Qmusic Top 40 Award and the Popprijs, while her album reached diamond status (200 million streams).¹

What makes Dekker's success even more impressive is that she dethroned Lady Gaga's international hit “Mayhem” in the Netherlands. With her mix of Dutch and English tracks, she appeals to a broad audience, while her authentic sound and catchy melodies set her apart from other emerging artists.¹

Another notable entry in the Dutch Album Top 100 was Ayreon's “The Human Equation”.⁷ This reissued and remastered version of the classic 2004 concept album demonstrated the enduring relevance of Arjen Lucassen's work, proving that older music can still resonate with modern listeners. As a newcomer on the chart, the album immediately reached the top spot in the last week of March.

Billie Eilish's “Hit Me Hard And Soft” remained a fixture in the Dutch charts, holding the third position in March 2025⁷, as did Alex Warren's “You'll Be Alright, Kid (Chapter 1)” at number five, and the album “Anno Ons” by the student association Lustrum U.V.S.V./N.V.V.S.U. at number six.⁷

Trends and Developments

March 2025 confirmed several clear trends in the music industry. First, there was a continued shift towards streaming as the primary consumption method, with records being broken on platforms like Spotify.⁴ This is reflected in the dominance of singles such as “APT” by Rosé & Bruno Mars and “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars in the Streaming Top 40.

Second, we witnessed a stronger integration of different genres, with artists seamlessly moving between pop, hip-hop, R&B and electronic music. Experimental artists like Backxwash with “Only Dust Remains” and Che Noir with “Seeds in Babylon” gained more attention than ever, illustrating a broader acceptance of diverse musical styles.⁸

Also notable was the international recognition for alternative artists like Circuit des Yeux with “Halo on the Inside” and Destroyer with “Dan's Boogie”, which music publication Under the Radar named among the best albums of March 2025.⁹ This shows that alongside commercial successes, there is still room for artistic innovation in mainstream music consumption.

Finally, there was the remarkable rise of Dutch artists such as Roxy Dekker!

Conclusion

March 2025 was a month full of musical diversity, with both established names and newcomers leaving their mark on the charts. While Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga dominated the international scene, in the Netherlands it was primarily Roxy Dekker who drew all the attention. The trends we observed in March – further digitisation of music consumption, cross-genre collaborations, and the growing international influence of Dutch artists – provide a clear indication of where the music industry is headed. One thing is certain: the dynamism and innovation in the music world continue unabated.