On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, discover how 2025’s biggest music feuds turned heartbreak and shade into millions, with Sabrina Carpenter’s savage “Manchild” leading the pack as the year’s most profitable diss track, raking in over £1.7 million in royalties from explosive streams.
In 2025, diss tracks made a roaring comeback, turning personal dramas into streaming gold. From fresh breakups to lingering rivalries, artists channeled shade into hits that dominated charts and wallets. A recent study by ticket platform SeatPick analyzed Spotify streams to estimate royalties (using an average rate of about £0.00344 per stream), revealing which clapbacks paid off the most.
First we’re looking at the most profitable diss tracks of last year, and scroll down to find the most popular diss tracks of the decade.
Top Profitable Diss Tracks Of 2025
1. “Manchild” by Sabrina Carpenter (Rumored Target: Barry Keoghan)
Sabrina Carpenter dropped “Manchild” in June 2025 as a standalone single following her blockbuster Short n’ Sweet era. Fans immediately speculated it targeted her ex, actor Barry Keoghan, with whom she dated from late 2023 to December 2024. Lyrics like “Manchild, why you always come a-runnin’ to me? / F— my life, won’t you let an innocent woman be?” fueled the rumors, painting a picture of dealing with an immature partner.
The track’s infectious synth-pop beat and cheeky, empowering vibe made it an instant song-of-the-summer contender. It exploded on TikTok with breakup montages and viral dances, amassing over 510 million streams and becoming Carpenter’s fastest-rising hit.
2. “Actually Romantic” by Taylor Swift (Rumored Target: Charli XCX)
From Taylor Swift’s October 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl, “Actually Romantic” is widely seen as a response to Charli XCX’s “Sympathy is a Knife” from 2024’s Brat. Lines like “Wrote me a song saying it makes you sick to see my face / Some might be offended / But it’s actually romantic” directly reference the speculated shade tied to their overlapping connections with The 1975’s Matty Healy.
Swift reframes the rivalry as flattering obsession, blending sarcasm with sultry production. Despite mixed critical takes on its necessity, the track’s cultural dissection and Swift’s fanbase drove rapid streams, cementing it as a standout amid album buzz.
3. “TIT FOR TAT” by Tate McRae (Rumored Target: The Kid Laroi)
Tate McRae’s September 2025 single “TIT FOR TAT” ignited as a fiery clapback to ex The Kid Laroi’s “A COLD PLAY,” released weeks earlier. After their July breakup, Laroi lamented trying to “fix” her; McRae retorted with “Fix your fcking self, kiss my as for that” and “Let’s go tit for tat, boy, you asked for that.”
The rhythmic pop banger’s bold retaliation and direct “song for song” challenge captured the messy post-breakup drama. It went viral on social media, resonating with fans through its unapologetic energy and tour teases.
4. “Goodbye” by Sabrina Carpenter (Rumored Target: Barry Keoghan)
Another entry from Carpenter, “Goodbye” builds on the Keoghan narrative with reflective yet cutting lyrics about moving on from a turbulent romance. Speculated as part of her post-breakup output, it echoes themes of closure amid immaturity allegations.
Its melancholic yet catchy melody contrasted “Manchild’s” sass, appealing to fans processing heartbreak. Streams surged from playlist placements and emotional TikTok trends.
5. “Outside” by Cardi B (Rumored Target: Offset)
Cardi B’s June 2025 single “Outside” celebrates post-divorce freedom while shading estranged husband Offset. Lyrics boast about new flames and call out his shortcomings, like “Good-for-nothing, low-down dirty dogs.”
The trap-infused anthem’s raw confidence and club-ready beat made it a staple, amplified by Cardi’s candid lives about co-parenting struggles.
6. “A COLD PLAY” by The Kid Laroi (Rumored Target: Tate McRae)
Laroi’s emotional ballad reflects on his split with McRae, with vulnerable lines about missing her and wishing he could “fix” things—sparking her fiery response.
The stripped-down vulnerability and Coldplay nod resonated with heartbroken listeners, boosting streams through relatable rawness.
7. “So Be It” by Clipse (Rumored Target: Travis Scott)
Clipse’s reunion track features Pusha T targeting Travis Scott over perceived disloyalty and a studio incident tied to Drake’s shade.
The Pharrell-produced banger’s sharp bars and luxurious vibe revived rap beef interest, drawing hip-hop purists.
8. “Pretty & Petty” by Cardi B (Rumored Target: Bia)
Cardi reignited her feud with Bia, mocking her relevance and past disses, including lines questioning her hits and appearance.
The West Coast-flavored venom became a fan favorite for its unfiltered pettiness amid Cardi’s album rollout.
9. “Magnet” by Cardi B (Rumored Target: JT, Lil Uzi Vert, Offset, Ice Spice)
This multi-target diss pulls no punches, shading JT’s loyalty, Uzi’s style, Offset’s drama, and Ice Spice’s rise.
Its bold, magnet-like pull of controversies made it a viral dissection point.
10. “Pussy Palace” by Lily Allen (Rumored Target: David Harbour)
From Allen’s album West End Girl, this shocking track details discovering ex-husband David Harbour’s alleged secret affairs and sex toys in their apartment.
The raw, confessional synth-pop stunned with its explicit betrayal narrative, sparking massive media and stream buzz despite its recent release.
These tracks prove that in 2025, turning pain into profit remains music’s ultimate revenge.
Top Profitable Diss Tracks Of The Decade
1. “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus (Rumored Target: Liam Hemsworth)
Miley Cyrus released “Flowers” in January 2023 as the lead single from her album Endless Summer Vacation. The track is widely interpreted as a subtle dig at her ex-husband, actor Liam Hemsworth, with lyrics mirroring Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man”—a song Hemsworth reportedly dedicated to her during their on-and-off relationship from 2009 to 2019. References to their Malibu home burning in the 2018 wildfires and the song’s release on Hemsworth’s birthday add layers of personal shade.
Its popularity stems from its empowering self-love anthem vibe, blending disco-pop with raspy vocals that evoke Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” The song shattered streaming records, becoming the fastest to reach one billion Spotify streams in 112 days, and won Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. Fans dissected its lyrics amid rumors of Hemsworth’s infidelity, turning it into a viral breakup bop that resonated globally.
2. “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo (Rumored Target: Joshua Bassett and Sabrina Carpenter)
Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single “Drivers License,” released in January 2021 from her album Sour, chronicles a heartbreaking breakup. It’s speculated to be about her High School Musical: The Musical: The Series co-star Joshua Bassett, who reportedly moved on quickly to fellow Disney star Sabrina Carpenter. Key lyrics like “you’re probably with that blonde girl / who always made me doubt” fueled fan theories about the love triangle.
The song exploded due to its raw emotion and relatability, going viral on TikTok with millions of videos dissecting the drama. It skyrocketed Rodrigo to stardom, topping charts worldwide and resonating with Gen Z through its melancholic ballad style. The speculation around real-life inspirations amplified its buzz, making it a cultural phenomenon that sparked responses from Bassett and Carpenter.
3. “good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo (Rumored Target: Joshua Bassett)
From her 2021 debut album Sour, “good 4 u” is Olivia Rodrigo’s pop-punk-infused rant about an ex moving on too quickly. Like “Drivers License,” it’s linked to Joshua Bassett, with lyrics accusing him of finding a new girl “a couple weeks” after their split and becoming “a better man for your brand new girl.”
Its massive appeal lies in the angsty, high-energy production reminiscent of Paramore, paired with sarcastic, relatable breakup fury. The track dominated charts, becoming a TikTok staple for venting post-breakup rage. Fans connected it to Rodrigo’s real-life drama, boosting its virality and cementing it as an empowerment anthem for scorned lovers.
4. “SICKO MODE” by Travis Scott feat. Drake (Rumored Target: Pusha T, Kanye West, Common)
Released in 2018 on Travis Scott’s album Astroworld, “SICKO MODE” features Drake, whose verse includes subtle disses like “checks over stripes” (Nike vs. Adidas, shading Kanye West) amid ongoing beefs with Pusha T and Kanye. The track shifts through multiple beats, showcasing Scott’s work ethic (“sicko mode”).
Its popularity exploded as a trap-hip-hop banger, topping charts with its innovative structure and star power. While the disses added intrigue during rap feuds, its streams soared due to viral moments, like Drake’s dog-walking video in the visuals, and its role in cultural events like the Super Bowl halftime show.
5. “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar (Rumored Target: Drake)
Kendrick Lamar dropped “Not Like Us” in May 2024 amid his high-profile feud with Drake, accusing him of cultural appropriation and personal failings. Produced by Mustard, it’s a West Coast hyphy banger with lines like “certified pedophile” escalating the beef.
The track’s virality came from its role in one of rap’s biggest battles, topping charts and winning Grammys. Its club-friendly beat, vicious allegations, and cultural commentary made it a “song of the summer” contender, amplified by memes and live performances.
6. “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift (Rumored Target: Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and Katy Perry)
Taylor Swift‘s 2017 single from Reputation is a dark pop declaration of reinvention, with lyrics like “I don’t like your tilted stage” shading Kanye West’s tour setup and the infamous phone call leaked by Kim Kardashian. It also nods to her Katy Perry feud.
Popular for its vengeful vibe and comeback energy after media scrutiny, it topped charts with its electroclash production. The snake imagery and music video Easter eggs fueled fan theories, making it a cultural reset for Swift’s “dark era.”
7. “TQG” by Karol G and Shakira (Rumored Target: Anuel AA and Gerard Piqué)
Released in February 2023 on Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito, “TQG” (Te Quedó Grande) features Shakira, with both shading exes Anuel AA and Gerard Piqué for moving on quickly. Lyrics boast empowerment like “I got triple ‘m’: much hotter, much tougher.”
Its success lies in the star duo’s chemistry and breakup resilience theme, topping charts as a reggaeton anthem. Viral for its jabs at infidelity, it empowered women globally and boosted streams through social media dissections.
8. “Taste” by Sabrina Carpenter (Rumored Target: Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello)
From her 2024 album Short n’ Sweet, “Taste” is Sabrina Carpenter’s cheeky take on a love triangle, with lines like “you’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissing you” pointing to her brief fling with Shawn Mendes amid his on-off with Camila Cabello.
Popular for its bold, flirty pop sound and drama-fueled speculation, it went viral with its music video starring Jenna Ortega. The track’s catchy hook and social media buzz turned it into a TikTok sensation.
9. “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” by Bizarrap and Shakira (Rumored Target: Gerard Piqué and Clara Chía Martí)
Shakira teamed with Bizarrap in January 2023 for this trap-pop diss, roasting ex Gerard Piqué and his girlfriend Clara Chía Martí with lines like “you traded a Ferrari for a Twingo” amid infidelity rumors.
It broke records as the fastest Latin song to reach 100 million YouTube views, fueled by its empowerment message and viral memes. The track’s raw betrayal narrative resonated, boosting Shakira’s comeback.
10. “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” by Taylor Swift (Rumored Target: Jake Gyllenhaal)
Taylor Swift’s extended 2021 re-recording from Red (Taylor’s Version) expands on the original breakup ballad, detailing a romance’s collapse with lines like “I’ll get older but your lovers stay my age” shading Jake Gyllenhaal’s age-gap patterns.
Its popularity surged with the short film and fan theories, becoming Swift’s longest No. 1 hit. The emotional depth and scarf lore made it a cultural touchstone for heartbreak anthems.
Who Really Won the Beefs?
In the Swift-Charli exchange, Swift’s reply has already out-earned Charli’s rumored shade (£467k vs. £431k for “Sympathy is a Knife”).
Kendrick Lamar decisively dominated Drake: “Not Like Us” pulled in £5.9 million, dwarfing Drake’s “Family Matters” at £590k.
These numbers show that controversy sells—whether it’s pop heartbreak or hip-hop battles. In an era of endless streaming, a well-timed diss doesn’t just settle scores; it stacks streams. As 2025 proved, sometimes the real winner is the one turning tea into treasury.
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