Inside The Producer’s Room: WorldWideFresh Shares 2025 Trends No One Saw Coming

In 2025, music producers are no longer confined to studios, cities, or even genres. The modern producer is global, independent, tech-savvy, and culturally fluent- shaping sounds that move effortlessly from TikTok to radio to international charts.

As music as a whole continues to evolve, Producer WorldWideFresh is calling attention to the 2025 trends that drove the culture forward.

Akil King, professionally known as WorldWideFresh—or simply Fresh—is a 16-time Grammy-nominated, four-time Grammy-winning songwriter and producer whose impact reaches far beyond his Brooklyn roots. Raised in Brownsville, Fresh turned humble beginnings into a global career, amassing over 100 million records sold, more than 5 billion streams, and 944 songwriting and production credits to date.

Fresh has contributed to No. 1 albums and singles across nearly every major global genre, including R&B, pop, hip-hop, Afrobeats, reggae, K-pop, country, and Latin music. His pen and production have shaped defining moments in modern culture—from Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning “Black Parade” to Coi Leray’s global hit “Players,” and Doechii’s viral smash “What It Is.”

Fresh talks 2025 music trends:

How would you describe the sound of 2025? 

The sound of 2025 can be summed up in one word: R&B. It was the year the genre fully re-centered itself as the emotional and creative backbone of music again.

What textures, rhythms, or creative approaches defined this year for you? 

This year was about getting back to the core of music authenticity, originality, and intention. Creating from the heart, for the art, rather than chasing money, metrics, or popularity. The focus shifted back to feeling.

What was the biggest production trend you noticed in 2025, and how did it influence your own work?

Music returning to the core root of the late 90s early to mid 2000s feel. It’s like music went ahead just to come back again. Pretty much history repeating itself. 

Did you see any unexpected sonic shifts this year sounds, genres, or techniques that suddenly took off? 

The unexpected sonic shifts that I noticed this year was the ability to blend edgy hip hop drums over melodic R&B rhythms. Which leads to the genre that took off unexpectedly, R&B music. The 2 main acts the helped restore & rebirth that was Leon Thomas and Kehlani.

Which artist or project did you work on this year that best represents where music is headed? 

There were a number of projects I worked on that best represented where Music is headed today wine, Honey Bxby’s “Raw Honey”, 2. Elmiene “Heat the Streets” 3. 4batz “Still Shining” 4. Josh Levy “Hydraulic” which is showing that there was going to be a huge explosion in R&B music in 2026. And these four artists are all young R&B trailblazers in their own right, that are setting the stage for a huge explosion in R&B music in 2026. 


How did regional sounds—NY drill, Jersey club, Afro-fusion, ATL trap, West Coast bounce—evolve in your opinion? 

I believe New York drill has evolved since Cash Cobain has put his spin on it and develop sexy drill. I think jersey club music has evolved since the birth of Zeddy Will he makes Jersey club music fun again and makes people wanna dance and enjoy themselves carefree like they used to. 

Afro fusion has evolved because now different genres of artist are putting their spin on afro beat music. Which is making it more popular to the masses. 

Atl trap music has evolved since Metro Boomin. Who’s one of my favorite producers has returned ATL trap music back to its regional space. Helping new acts break to top 40 heights such as YKNiece With record like “take me through there”. 

West Coast bounce has evolved since the return of Kendrick Lamar helping to not just evolve the music but evolve, new artist and producers simultaneously. 

Has AI-assisted production or new plugins change your workflow? If so, how?

Yes, AI production and plugins helped with workflow when I was able to go to the studio create a song for an artist that I love and instead of waiting for the particular artist to record the record use an AI plug-in to take the likeness of that artist and allow me to hear what it would sounds like with The Artists voice. 

Were there any creative risks you took this year that felt different from previous years?

The creative risk I took this year was not chasing the more established artist and investing my time in artist developing and helping to build and break new acts such as Honey Bxby, Zeddy Will, and Wesley Franklin. 

How have TikTok, Reels, or short-form platforms influenced how producers approach making records in 2025? 

I believe it has influenced producers on their approach of making music in 2025. It is simply the the greatest tool to measure & gauge what the kids are into. I believe it’s a direct indicator to what children love the most about music and most times believe it or not TikTok actually trends with great music that people like and not just trendy music sound bites or click bait. 

What sounds or trends do you think will dominate and re-emerge in 2026?

The sounds that will dominate in 2026 is R&B music and hip-hop music will make a comeback. K-pop music is going to get bigger and I believe we are going to see more boy and girl bands in 2026. I also believe Hip Hop is going to make a come back because it is in the reset phase. I think we’ll see the return of Drake dominating, more great music from future, 21 savage and also new acts like JID & BIG Xthe plug. 

Heading into 2026, my focus is on creative dominance and legacy. WorldwideFresh is positioned to become one of the top five leading producers in the industry, with a strong presence across radio and streaming platforms. At the same time, I’m building Money Well Spent Records alongside my partner Verse Simmonds into a label known for quality, culture, and longevity a brand that artists, fans, and the industry recognize as a true household name.