The 2025 Kiki’s Music Awards

Cue the house lights and imaginary orchestra…

Yesterday—Tuesday, December 2, 2025—my very own personal music awards ceremony took place. Yes, my ceremony. Center stage? Me. The venue? My living room. Wardrobe? Gym clothes, naturally. I was about to head out the door when Apple casually slipped an email into my inbox and—boom—the musical magic began. If you’ve ever wanted to feel electrified, frenetic, melodic, and fashion-forward all at the same time, try opening your Replay in leggings with your hair in a messy ponytail. The only thing missing was a red carpet… although my hallway runner tried its best.

This was the first year I remember Apple Music Replay arriving so ceremoniously. Meanwhile, my daughter got her Spotify Wrapped at the exact same moment—as if the tech gods synced our mother–daughter soundtrack reveal. The link was so cool. All of my favorite artists, songs, and playlists appeared like nominees awaiting their awards, meticulously ranked based on my year of listening. And as someone who is always humming, tapping, or blasting music from the car to the kitchen, it’s no shock to me (and now to all of you) that I logged thousands of plays over the last 365 days.

And the top honor? Apparently, “No Hard Feelings” by Old Dominion stole the show with a grand total of 17 plays. Seventeen! Listen, once I fall in love with a song, I commit. We’re in a long-term relationship until someone else sweeps me off my feet.

So, in true awards-show fashion, I’d like to thank the Academy—also known as Apple, Siri, her sister Alexa, and of course my iPhone—for delivering the soundtrack to my year. I’m forever grateful for the ability to tap into my music wherever I am. Technology really is a beautiful thing. This girl has come a very long way from sitting on her bedroom floor in middle school, pressing record on a cassette deck, praying the DJ wouldn’t speak over the intro of the song.

Thank you.

(Said into my imaginary microphone, under the glow of my living room spotlight.)

⸻

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Author: KikiFikar

Kiki Fikar is a native New Yorker who is passionate about taking the day to day life we all experience and sharing it in her tales from Suburbia. She will often be found at the gym, writing snippets each day for future story lines, listening to her two children create their lives, and building the perfect beachfront home and writing retreat in her mind.

23 thoughts on “The 2025 Kiki’s Music Awards”

  4. It’s funny what you find. I forgot how much Luther Vandross jumped into my lists. I believe I discovered his documentary over the summer and must’ve added a lot of long, forgotten music to my collection.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. I like how you write.. and Old Dominion is great.. also thought I saw Adele in your pic.. you wouldn’t think a guy like me would listen to her lol.. because I’m really like a punk rocker at heart 😁 but man.. I love me some Adele…

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  7. I’m all over the map with my music selections especially when I drive. Some days when I’m down I’ll just drive the coast and sing at the top of my lungs!

    Punk!! I was maybe a fringe punk listener lol. Early 80s I was very New Wave. That was all the rage on Long Island.

    But Adele – oooof that girl can sing.

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  10. This is so cool, and I like some of the songs in your playlist. “Toda la Vida” by Emmanuel. 🙌🏼 I didn’t know that Apple Music was doing this, so I went and checked. Heart was my top artist, and I played an old song in Spanish 12 times.

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  11. Isn’t it cool? I just love things like this. Maybe I need to get a life. lol

    I have to tell you the story about total la Vida… If I may, of course… I was in Ixtapa in 1985 I believe with one of my friends. Crazy fun trip. That song was playing in all of the clubs every night. Every time I hear it I think of partying there with no cares in the world.

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  12. I think you’re living a good life, so no need to get another. 😀 About the song, I hear you. I remembered it well because it was on every radio station all day long back then. He’s a great singer, but that song really put him over the top, well, that and “La Chica de Humo.”

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  21. Karen… it was such a pleasure to be invited to the personal music award show… loved the playlist and 17-times it’s not more when I compare to mine (35times-hills have eyes) It’s amazing how those annual music reveals truly bring the year’s soundtrack to life.

    For me, it was Spotify Wrapped lighting up my screen, and the top artist award absolutely goes to The Weeknd!

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  22. Love your group of choice! Fantastic!!

    I love hearing what is on everyone’s Apple and Spotify year end lists! I am learning so much about my friends!

    Hope your weekend is filled with music and fun!

    Liked by 1 person

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