The Kids Are Alright: Deftones, Metallica and Slipknot Dominate Graduation Playlists In New Study

A new study has found Deftones, Metallica and Slipknot among the most-streamed artists on high school graduation playlists in 2025.

Forget Vitamin C’s ‘Graduation (Friends Forever)’ – for the class of 2025 in the U.S., graduation season is soundtracked by Deftones, Metallica and Slipknot.

That’s according to a new report by education platform k12, who analysed more than 200,000 public Spotify playlists containing terms like “graduation,” “grad party” and “class of 2025” to see what songs and artists are capping off students’ high school journeys. The study also surveyed 277 new or recent graduates, along with 430 parents, for added context.

While pop heavyweight Taylor Swift’s ‘You’re On Your Own Kid’ was voted the song that defined the senior year for the most grads, ‘Mr. Brightside’ by The Killers was actually the top song found across graduation playlists. We guess some bangers truly stand the test of time.

The most popular artists were split into seven broad genre categories, with Deftones taking the crown for the most popular metal artist. Metallica came in second, followed by Slipknot. The study didn’t reveal exactly which songs were featured most, so the jury’s still out on which Deftones track grads are pumping this year.

In the broader rock category, the playlist data leaned heavily into classic territory, with Queen named the most prominent rock act, followed by the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac. Drake led the rap/hip-hop category, David Guetta took EDM, and Morgan Wallen topped country. According to the study, 22% of graduates discovered their senior-year-defining songs on TikTok or Reels – not surprising given the emphasis many labels these days put on artists marketing their tracks via short-form social videos.

Parents were also asked what music reminded them of their own graduation experiences, with names like Green Day, Guns N’ Roses and Nirvana coming out on top – a reminder that some sounds just don’t go out of style, even as new classes take the stage.

The exact methodology of the k12 study remains a little vague, but the results suggest that the emotional weight and catharsis of heavy music continues to resonate with students navigating the end of one chapter and the start of the next. You can check out the full results of the study here.

For metal fans in the class of 2025, Deftones might just be the unofficial soundtrack to growing up.