Culture of the Day's Drops Their Mid Year Review
Can you believe we're ALREADY half way through this year?? We are trying our absolute hardest to grasp it but...at least we have great music!
It's that time for another entry into the “For Your Rotation” series!
I had to take a small break due to some important obligations, but I wanted to make this one special. This Rotation entry is themed after my Midyear 2025 lists. These songs here highlight Artists, Songs, EPs, and Albums that made it into my favorite Midyear collections this year! We still have another 5 months to-go, but this year has been really strong for music so far. I hope that these songs can give you a good idea of just how much good music has been released.
Life can happen unexpectedly, and setbacks are normal. Bounce back from it and keep following your journey.
Here are 10 songs that represent my Midyear 2025 favorites I think you might enjoy!
For Your Rotation! (July 25, 2025)
Duckwrth - Had Enough
Released in 2024, Duckwrth remains one of my favorite artists to hear from, and this song is one I would use to show someone why. Had Enough is the perfect example of his artistic range! The production, melodies, lyrics, and vibes here is exactly what I look for in music. This gets a full recommendation from me! This song is from his 2025 album All American F⭐ckBoy and served as a single to the album.
Producers - Two Fresh & Jay Century
Saba & No ID - Breakdown
Released in 2025, this album from Saba is one I have been anticipating since 2023, and it definitely lived up to my expectations! Breakdown is a straight forward mellow song, and that is why I love it so much. When I hear this, it makes me get up and feel motivated to tackle whatever I need to. You need to hear this song! This song is from their 2025 album From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID.
Producers - Saba & No ID
Oddisee - Tomorrow Can’t Be Borrowed
Released in 2025, Oddisee is one of my personal favorites, and his catalog speaks to why that is the case. I have always loved his word-smith ability to convey topics, emotions, events, and this song is a good example of this. He does the majority of his production himself, so this is another testament of his talents! Check this out if you want pure substance with great production. This song is from his 2025 EP En Route.
Producer - Oddisee
Kinrose & Oblé Reed - pesticides
Released in 2025, Kinrose’s style has had me hooked for a while now, and this song adds to that reason why. He knows exactly what vibes to match with whatever production he’s on, and his melodic flows fit perfectly. I really like how he blends Hip-Hop and R&B elements to suit him uniquely. If you want good music to vibe to, this is for you! This song is from his 2025 EP every garden.
Producers - Broke Boi & Mortal
Ash Leone - Terracotta Walls
Released in 2025, this song has had me hooked since my first listen this year, and I have become a fan of Ash Leone! The soulfulness here is in full effect, the production is beautiful, and the lyrics are hard hitting in the feels. I can honestly say, this is everything I would want in a soulful song, and is one I find myself coming back to often! This song is from her 2025 EP All Is Well.
Producer - Yakob
femdot. - Kenmore & Broadway
Released in 2025, femdot. is an artist I always check out whenever he releases something. This song gives me exactly what I like from femdot. which is bars with good melodies and production! His mellow lyricism style is unique to him, and this allows you to visualize what he is saying in his music. If you love Chicago Hip-Hop artists, he is someone you need to check out! This song is from his 2025 EP Free Samples, Vol. 3.
Producers - VZN, Skarp V, & Elkan
Paris Price & Free Party - ROCKSTAR
Released in 2025, This song most definitely makes it into multiple rotations during my weeks! I have been hooked since it first came out, and I don’t see that changing. Paris Price is an artist that has intrigued me since he popped up on my radar this year, and this song makes me want to see what he does next. This is a great song to vibe to, workout, or whatever you might do! This song is from his 2025 album TROUBLE IN PARADISE and served as a single to it.
Producer - Aidan Carroll
Dende - Need U Like
Released in 2025, This song gets stuck in my head at random times, and I never get tired of it! Everything here is perfect, and a good representation of how R&B styles can be vastly different. His style blends R&B and Neo-Soul with Hip-Hop, and it feels so natural to him. If you love this style, Dende is an artist you need to check out! This song is from his 2025 EP I am, because you are…
Producer - Billy Blunt
Avara & AYUSH - TEMPTED
Released in 2025, Avara is an artist whose style captivated me in 2024, and I have been tuned in ever since. I absolutely love how her style is so mellow, but her vocals can hit at the same time! Her blend of different styles and genres sounds so effortless. She also does the majority of the production herself, which lends more credence to her talent! This song is from her 2025 album a softer place to land and served as a single to the album.
Producers - Avara & AYUSH
maari, Wahid, & Anteneh - PORTRA
Released in 2025, 99 Neighbors has been a collective I have enjoyed since 2019, and I love checking out what the members do on their own. This song has been in rotation since release, and all 3 artists did an amazing job! The vibes here are unmatched, and this is a song I don’t see leaving my weekly rotations for a while This song is from their 2025 EP BLACK KNOT and served as a single to it.
Spotify Playlist! -