Here are 5 up-and-coming artists you need to add to your playlist. Listen to the Ones To Watch playlist here.
Adanna Duru - Babies
You may recognise Adanna Duru’s name from her viral TikToks - she couples her infectious sense of humour with her raspy and syrupy vocals. This singer/songwriter is an American Idol teen turned full-bodied artist. Adanna is coming off a breakout year with the release of EP Nappy Hour and singles like if i was a boy ;), and two headline shows under her belt. The California raised Nigerian native gracefully turns her childhood experience of otherness and belonging into honest and accepting music.
Neya - Feels
Neya is a singer-songwriter based in South-East London. Her soulful R&B style perfectly blends and borrows from some of her biggest inspirations - Aaliyah, H.E.R and Jhene Aiko. Her music openly reflects on experiencing love that knows no boundaries or fears. Neya’s unique sound and vulnerability on Feels makes her a rising star for UK R&B.
Mak - Please
Meet MAK. An up-and-coming rapper you should have on your radar. An East-London native, bred on the relics of Grime and all the other genres that encompass being Black-British. On Please he effortlessly flows on a 90’s-laid-back-hip-hop style beat and (re)introduces himself, touching on topics such as family, love and where he sees himself in the future.
Nissi - Higher
2023 was a breakout year for creative entrepreneur and musical artist, Nissi. She came off a stellar summer tour with stops in London, New York, BergenFest in Norway and Afronation in Portugal, to a sophomore EP release in October. UNBOXED is a colourful afro-fusion project merging traditional Afrobeats with contemporary pop elements and Caribbean sounds.
mau from nowhere - I like
This self-produced multi-discplinary Kenyan artist is steadily carving his own space in the alternative scene. His debut album, The Universe is Holding You is 15-track exploration of the heart center against a backdrop of avant-garde soundscapes. Playfully dubbed the gentle giant, mau from nowhere expertly pulls from his deep well of musical knowledge to express his truth via music.