For this issue's list of go-to salon songs, we asked one of beauty's favorite DJs, Bryan Junior, the creator of DNA Emo Night in NY, and a frequent collaborator with top industry names, including L’Oréal, SalonCentric, Olaplex, Macy’s, Younique, Angry Orchard, and Extreme Home Makeover.
From ’70s soul to 2000s pop-punk, this year’s hair shows hit rewind.
Bryan Junior's 2025 Playlist
Usually, there are a few standout trending songs, like when Beyoncé’s Renaissance dropped and every brand wanted a track from it. But 2025 was different. Nostalgia ruled the runway. From Motown-inspired openings to ’90s hip-hop classics and early-2000s Gaga anthems, this year’s stages became living mixtapes. It was a celebration of eras that shaped us, reminding the industry that beauty, just like music, always finds its rhythm in the past to inspire what’s next. Brands like Mizani, The Doux, and even L’Oréal Professionnel tapped into ’90s hip-hop and dance anthems such as A Tribe Called Quest’s “Bonita Applebum”, Black Box’s “Everybody Everybody”, and even The Fugees' “Ready or Not”.
Here are ten songs that defined the sound of 2025’s hair show season. Tracks that set the mood and prove that music will always be beauty’s favorite collaborator.
Chappell Roan – “Hot To Go!”
Early in the year, Hot To Go still dominated stages. Its playful, campy energy mirrored the colorful creativity stylists brought to the floor. Neon hair, dynamic artistry, and unapologetic self-expression.
It was the anthem of confidence and choreography at every major show.
Kendrick Lamar – “They Not Like Us”
Used for high-impact artist introductions, Kendrick’s anthem still fueled entrances in 2025 after a dominant 2024. With swagger and defiance, it captured individuality and confidence, two things every hair artist embodies. The bass line alone could shake a stage, reminding audiences that this industry thrives on bold self-belief.
Beyoncé – “Ya Ya”
Ya Ya is still a runway favorite for its fierce attitude and unmistakable groove. Everyone, from C-suite executives to global artists, used it to set the tone for their walk-out. Its rebellious energy embodied beauty’s evolution toward freedom, power, and presence.
BigXThaPlug – “The Biggest”
The Biggest was a smash for both barber and stylist entrances. It allowed them to flex their craft and remind everyone that this is their main character moment. A standout intro was Kendra Alia taking the stage at Premiere Orlando. Her slow, confident walk out made the perfect pairing with the song's energy and infectious vibe.
Beyoncé – “Pure Honey”
When Pure Honey hit the speakers in 2022, it was instant glam. Still highly requested in 2025, dripping with high-fashion attitude and perfect stage energy, this track turns every moment into a statement. It embodied luxury, self-love, and confidence, the very essence of modern beauty culture.
Chappell Roan – “Pink Pony Club”
Pink Pony Club became a full-blown anthem this year. Loud, vivid, and gloriously unfiltered. With its cinematic chorus and unapologetic lyrics, it was a crowd favorite that turned every show floor into a sing-along celebration of self-expression and pure emotional release.
Paramore – “Misery Business”
Pop-punk energy surged all year. A movement first sparked by Pulp Riot’s rebellious spirit and amplified by Hayley Williams’ Good Dye Young launch. Paramore’s hits blasted through both salon and stage, celebrating rebellion, color, and creative individuality while reminding artists that authenticity never goes out of style.
Doechii – “Anxiety”
Anxiety became an instant hit online, soundtracking countless transformation and reveal videos across Instagram and TikTok. Its hypnotic, familiar rhythm and emotional tension mirrored the vulnerability behind every before & after, proving that beauty’s most powerful moments are often the most honest ones.
Justin Bieber – “YUKON”
YUKON closed out summer with a slow-burn cool that mirrored the 2000s R&B revival pulsing through the earlier show season. Its glossy production and dreamy vocals felt like the afterglow of a long runway. Smooth, reflective, and perfectly in tune with beauty’s softer side.
Sabrina Carpenter – “Espresso”
Espresso poured the perfect shot of pop energy into 2025. Its shimmer, wit, and massive success matched the year’s confident aesthetic. And when Sabrina Carpenter was named Redken’s first-ever global ambassador, it felt like music and the hair industry were speaking the same language.
This year’s soundtrack proved nostalgia never really fades; it just finds new ways to make us move. From soul to pop, each familiar melody felt reborn, reminding us why we fell in love with this music in the first place. And with Bad Bunny set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, I expect his sound to own the stages of 2026, energizing the next wave of artistry and style. -DJ Bryan Junior IG: (@DJBRYANJUNIOR)
Bryan Junior has spent the past two decades shaping the sound of events nationwide. Known for his intuitive connection to energy and crowd dynamics, Junior isn’t just a DJ; he’s a storyteller, crafting soundtracks that elevate education, artistry, and emotion
From 90s & 2000s hip-hop, R&B, to Country and even Pop-Punk classics, his sets blend nostalgia and modern rhythm in a way that moves audiences and amplifies brand storytelling. He’s the creator of DNA Emo Night in NY, and a frequent collaborator with top industry names, including L’Oréal, SalonCentric, Olaplex, Macy’s, Younique, Angry Orchard, and Extreme Home Makeover.
Junior’s philosophy is simple: great music fuels great moments. Whether it’s a live show, corporate production, or industry event, he brings an energy that transforms gatherings into experiences people remember long after the lights go down.
