Since the beginning of this year, there have been a plethora of new musical artists sharing their remarkable talents with the world. From Lil Nas X to Raveena, each artist has their own unique style and cater to fans from all walks of life. Whether your musical taste varies from alternative and country, to R&B and soul, here is a list of artists you should be listening to.
Steve Lacy
A transcending artist and guitarist, Steve Lacy has been on the scene earlier than you think. He began playing the guitar at age seven and started off making music on his iPhone. Since then, his musical career has skyrocketed; he originally collaborated with the band The Internet in 2013, then later collaborated with other artists such as Raevyn Lenae and Vampire Weekend in 2017. He creates music that has a bit of funk to it, while incorporating alternative R&B and soothing vocals. Since working with those artists, he has released a demo and his debut album, “Apollo XXI.”
Raveena
If you ever need tunes for a leisurely day, definitely turn on Raveena. Her music is filled with meaning while still being very tranquil and is a great addition to your study playlist. Although her music is listed as R&B and soul, you can hear alternative-esque undertones in many of her tracks. Her hit single, “I Won’t Mind,” as well as her most recent album, “Lucid,” made her the admirable artist she is today.
Lizzo
Pop artist Lizzo has shown us exactly what it means to be a star. Her top songs include “Truth Hurts” and “Juice,” which you have probably heard nonstop since the release of her album “Cuz I Love You” in April of this year. Lizzo’s music is electric and was perfect for the summer. Whether you are dancing around or even working out, Lizzo’s music is perfect for any occasion. Her groovy, uptempo beats make amazing “feel good” music, and we want nothing less!
Ari Lennox
Although she's been making music since 2018, Dreamville Records artist Ari Lennox has definitely made her mark this year. With a voice that's both radiant and soulful, Lennox made bold statements with “Whipped Cream” and recently, her album “Shea Butter Baby.” Lennox uses her songs to combine neo-soul and contemporary R&B, which creates a harmonic masterpiece. She even includes interludes throughout her tracks, which gives listeners an intimate look into her life; just by listening to her music, you discover how kind, passionate and funny she is. Since her big break, Lennox has released numerous works of music and visuals. Her repertoire even includes a song on the soundtrack of the movie ”Creed II.”
Billie Eilish
At only 17, Billie Eilish has made a huge impact on society with her distinct music style. Eilish is known for her bold sounds and chilling visuals, and makes it clear to us that she’s not like any other artist. “Bad Guy,” a track from her debut album “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” is a prime example of her creativity and freedom of expression. As a soprano, her subdued yet striking voice shows her dramatic vocal range and reveals not only her uncut character, but how distinguished and original all of her work is. Will her artistic intelligence change? The answer is unclear. However, we can’t wait to see what she has in store next.
Lil Nas X
Creator of the ever-so-famous “Old Town Road,” Lil Nas X knows exactly how to keep his fans lively. When this smash hit began to take charts, he released his first EP, “7,” which included another top song, “Panini.” Since then, Lil Nas X has made multiple remixes of “Old Town Road,” featuring various artists such as Billy Ray Cyrus, Young Thug and Diplo. This past summer, Lil Nas also opened up about his sexuality, coming out as part of the LGBTQ community. He released the video for his song “C7osure,” and claims he thought he “made it obvious” by giving fans hints to his sexuality throughout the song.
Megan Thee Stallion
The original “hot girl,” Megan Thee Stallion initially made headlines in college when her rap battle video went viral. Since the virality of the video, she has become one of 2019’s biggest artists. Her biggest hits include “Big Ole Freak,” and her latest song, “Hot Girl Summer.” She recently released her album “Fever,” and fans are eager to see what is next for her.
This has been a year full of phenomenal music. Though these only scrape the surface of this year’s greatest musical talents, if you’re looking for new and exciting music, do yourself a favor and listen to these upcoming artists that are paving the way for music’s future.
Chance Allen
Chance Allen ‘22 is a journalism student at Mercer who has been working for The Cluster under various roles for the past three years. Allen is a multi-hyphenate but works primarily with photo and writing. He has been working with NBC Entertainment for the entirety of this year and since becoming a journalism student he has received multiple honors and awards from the Georgia Collegiate Press Association as well as DASHBOARD. Allen spends his free time writing, creating, and being.
