30 Up-and-Coming Black Artists You NEED On Your Playlists
Image courtesy of Spencer. // @spencer.period
Edited by Kristen Cawog // @kristencawog
February is Black History Month
Black History Month is a celebration of Black achievements and provides time for recognizing the central role Black people play in U.S. and World history. As there is a clear disparity in the education of Black and White history, this month serves as a reminder and an opportunity to learn about and elevate Black culture. The celebration has been recognized annually in the United States since 1976, when Gerald Ford was the first President to officially acknowledge it. During this month and every other, it is quintessential to amplify Black voices and educate yourself on Black history and how to support BIPOC communities. In honor of Black History Month, we have put together a list of 30 up-and-coming black artists you need to put on your playlists ASAP.
Mint Green
Boston alt rockers Mint Green are the perfect addition to your summer playlist! Fans of female powerhouse pop punk will immediately fall in love with this group.
Listen to “Callie” here;
2. Meet Me @ The Altar
Meet Me @ The Altar is here to change pop punk for the better. The all female POC group have recently made a splash with their most recent release Garden, a song about being there for the people in your life when they need you the most.
Listen to “Garden” here;
3. Yola
Yola is an English artist who blew up at the Newport Folk Festival in 2019, but has been around for a few years, based in Nashville, and has had both a solo career and been the lead singer of a couple bands
Listen to “I Don’t Wanna Lie” here;
4. Juke Ross
Juke Ross is a musician from Guyana with a folksy sound that is perfect for relaxing on a Sunday morning or curling up on a rainy day.
Listen to “French Roses” here;
5. Shamir
Shamir burst onto the scene in 2014 with NPR coverage and a voice smooth enough to make a splash. With experimentalist singer-songwriter pop/r&b, Shamir is by no means a new artist but deserves mainstream recognition. Genre-bending tracks abound, proving the true dynamic abilities of Shamir's vocals.
Listen to “Pretty When I’m Sad” here;
6. Shea Diamond
Shea Diamond is a blues and soul singer, songwriter, and trans-rights activist. Since her EP was released in 2018, she has been lauded as an incredible talent and champion for the transgender community.
Listen to “I Am Her” here;
7. The New Respects
An indie band based in Nashville, the New Respects are up and comers in the alternative scene. With each band member possessing immense musical talent, this group is sure to make headlines in the not so distant future.
Listen to “Something to Believe In” here;
8. Teezo Touchdown
Texas native Teezo Touchdown twists and bends every possible idea of genre with his humorous and eclectic musical abilities. Teezo has a sound for anyone who is interested in the direction that future music is going in and this is just the beginning for him.
Listen to “Social Cues” here;
9. Sam Ezeh
Sam Ezeh is a 20 year old R&B multi-instrument artist who draws inspiration from artists like Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino as well as 60s and 70s psychedelic soul and rock. He dabbles in just about everything from songwriting to singing to producing.
Listen to “CRISIS” here;
10. Serena Isioma
Serena Isioma’s alt-R&B creations modernly mirror the soul-moving music that defined a large part of the late ‘90s culture. Her/ their Chicago roots and experience as a first-generation Nigerian-American heavily influences the experimental elements of Isioma’s sound.
Listen to “Stop Calling The Police On Me” here;
11. Syd
Syd’s talent is unmatchable — from front-running the soul-rooted alt R&B band the Internet to engineering music for Odd Future and other related projects, her presence was vital to the 2010s Los Angeles music scene. Even after a three-year hiatus, Syd’s latest solo release proves that her uniquely frank songwriting continues to set her apart from the rest.
Listen to “Missing Out” here;
12. Lo Village
Lo Village is a rap trio made up of Kane, Alma and Charles Taylor who create music you just want to bounce to. They combine elements of neo-soul and hip hop, but have a sound that is unlike anything I've heard before. For lovers of Smino, Duckwrth and Tierra Whack.
Listen to “Out The Window” here;
13. Ivy Sole
Ivy Sole is a rapper and singer from Charlotte, NC. Equipped with a soothing singing voice and poetic rapping style, her music includes influences from jazz, indie, and hip-hop.
Listent to “Dream Girl” here;
14. Anjimile
Anjimile is a queer and trans artist based locally in Boston. In September of 2020, they released their beautifully vulnerable debut album, Giver Taker. The album explores life and death through alcohol/drug abuse as well as the experience of being a non-binary trans person.
Listen to “Baby No More” here;
15. Arlo Parks
Arlo Parks captivates listeners with her eclectic mix of indie, soul, and pop sounds. Her past experience as a poet shines through the soft, descriptive elements of her songs.
Listen to “For Violet” here;
16. Kendall !
Kendall ! is an up and coming R&B artist from the DMV area. Kendall ! makes music for the dreamers whilst delicately draping her voice over her lyrics ever so beautifully.
Listen to “Prism” here;
17. Medhane
Medhane Olusha is an up-and-coming underground hip-hop artist who delivers lyrically dense messages over experimental yet soulful productions. He speaks for the next generation of African Americans, who are opening up more about their personal struggles with mental health (including the effects of oppression on the black community). Some of his contemporaries consist of Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, Mavi, Navy Blue, Ovrkast., and the like.
Listen to “Affirmation #1” here;
18. Kayla Rae
Kayla Rae is a 26-year-old singer-songwriter and R&B singer from Denver, Colorado. Rae appeared on Soundcloud in 2012 with her first albums "Dagger" and "EROS", and formally entered the music industry in 2015. Kayla recorded more than 200 of her songs, directed and edited her videos, and created the brand. Most recently, it released a song called "Wasted" with Atlus.
Listen to “Y.K.Y.F.V.” here;
19. PawPaw Rod
Paw Paw Rod is an LA based rapper known most for his debut single "Hit Em Where it Hurts." Known for the groove in his voice and quality of his production, Paw Paw Rod is definitely someone to keep tabs on going forward.
Listen to “HIT EM WHERE IT HURTS” here;
20. Bluey Robinson
Bluey Robinson is a UK based singer who possesses an unmatchable amount of spunk. With a soulful voice that can convey so much emotion and unprecedented production talent, Bluey Robinson is definitely going places.
Listen to “Showgirl” here;
21. Commonminds
An up and coming rapper with flow to spare and excellent beats, Commonminds is an artist that nobody should look over. From the lyricism, to the groove and the beat, there is nothing he can't do.
Listen to “The Wave” here;
22. Zack Fox
Zack Fox is a comedy rapper and stand up comic from Atlanta who hit headlines when he released “Jesus is the One (I Got Depression)” with Kenny Beats. His blend of hilarious lyrics and impressive production makes Zack Fox one of the best comedy rappers in the game today.
Listen to “IHY2LN” here;
23. Spencer.
Writer, producer, and musician Spencer. carries so much energy in his laid back music that you can't help but groove. Classic influences with digital vibes makes him a game changer.
Listen to “Hold it Down” here;
24. Steve Lacy
Steve Lacy is an R&B/funk music from Compton, California. He identifies as bisexual and his personal fashion taste blends gender. His first ep was also made on garage band, and he gave a red talk about creating the most with the bare minimum.
Listen to “Hate CD” here;
25. Moses Sumny
From Asheville, North Carolina, this singer-songwriter brings the perfect blend of indie rock and folk music to the industry. With a voice consisting of everything from an angelic falsetto to a subtle raspy tone, Moses expresses heartbreak through his vocals like nobody else. Do yourself a favor, and listen to this beautiful talent.
Listen to “Doomed” here;
26. R.A.P. Ferreira
R.A.P. Ferreira (formerly known as FKA Milo and Scallops Hotel) is a fiercely underground Chicago based rapper/jazz poet who seamlessly glides over tracks and with the artful syncopation of a beatnik. he’s an artist that refuses to bow down to big labels, releasing music on his own terms, forming a rap collective full of fellow creative coconspirators. his newest project, Bob’s Son, is a record about his love for the art of poetry, language, and living.
Listen to “redguard snipers” here;
27. Meech
Meech combines self reflection and rapping skill into emotional tracks that bounce. His latest release, "Barriers To Knowing," explores how to endure and process conflicting feelings. Meech is also a member the powerhouse rap collective Van Buren based out of Brockton, MA.
Listen to “Numb” here;
28. Sampha
Although he’s an established industry professional, you’ll be surprised to find that so many people still don’t know the name Sampha. The 32 year-old English R&B singer has collaborated with well-known musicians like Alicia Keys, Kanye West, and serpentwithfeet, who has recently announced the release of his new album with Sampha, “Deacon.” Sampha’s voice is beautifully distinct and heart wrenching, you won’t regret listening to him.
Listen to “Plastic 100ºC” here;
29. Jany Green
Jany Green is an indie pop artist hailing from Anchorage, Alaska. His music blends together some of his favrorite genres, create a sound that is unique to his music. A smooth operator, Green possesses the ability to get even the biggest seat-huggers out on the dance floor.
Listen to “Little” here;
30. Johnny 2 Phones
Johnny 2 Phones is a rapper whose had the ability to open for major artists like Lil Uzi Vert and Juice WRLD. Known for his punchy, college party anthems Johnny 2 Phones likes to keep his focus on what’t going down tonight, and will figure out tomorrow when he gets there.
Listen to “Into the Sun” here;