watch this space
the rising musicians whose sounds will inspire the future
note: i originally wrote this article last June as a prediction for artists who i think we’ll all be seeing/hearing more of in the future. i’ve taken the liberty of lightly updating it to share with you now as i still think it’s pretty accurate. since then, i’ve already seen many of these amazing musicians featured more prominently. there are so many artists i want to add to this list, so i plan to make this an ongoing series by periodically updating the “watch this space” playlist.
as 2021 progresses, the corporate terrain and models of success are shaping up to look a little different than generations’ past. the music industry is no different. in recent years, artists have been less compelled to stay within the confines of genres, existing widely within the fluidity of sound and frequency. this list showcases a variety of artists whose explorations across musical genres are reimagining and shaping the future i want to see.
keiyaA
Chicago-born, New York-based artist keiyaA released a resonant album a year ago that could serve as a soundtrack to this current generation. forever, Ya Girl is both the message and the salve in a moment where Black femmes are reclaiming and taking up space, telling the larger society as a whole: “I want my things!”
clocking in at right under 45 minutes, keiyaA’s self-produced debut features a mix of jazz, poetry, and perfectly timed samples, creating a sound that will demand repeat listens for years to come. i’ve been a fan of keiyaA since my college radio days where i’d play her Bandcamp singles all the time, so i’m ecstatic to see her profile rise.
NoMbe
Noah McBeth (NoMbe) was originally slated to release his second album CHROMATOPIA last summer. in the height of COVID and tragic news events, NoMbe decided to postpone the release until the climate felt more appropriate. the album is currently slated for release in April. while we await CHROMATOPIA, it’s a great time to revisit NoMbe’s genre-defying debut They Might Have Even Loved Me.
Chiiild
it would be unfitting to subscribe Canadian band Chiiild to a singular genre; it’s more about the feeling evoked by their experimental soundscape as the title of their debut release suggests. Synthetic Soul, their introductory psychedelia-leaning project, was released at the top of this year and finds them floating beyond traditional musical definition within the EP’s 22-minute run.
TASHA
Tasha Viets-VanLear’s music is an exploration in radical softness. eponymously known as TASHA, the singer, poet, and activist centers topics of self-care and the power of love through her lens as a queer Black artist. from her 2016 EP Divine Love to her standout first album Alone at Last, TASHA highlights the necessity of taking up space in a world that often asks certain bodies to shrink themselves, figuratively and literally. the singer uses the seven tracks of Alone at Last to cultivate that space for listeners to sit within their own feelings and heal.
Christelle Bofale
Congolese-American Christelle Bofale has a soft, lilting voice that envelops the listener in warmth and a sense of comfort. across her debut EP Swim Team, gently-plucked guitar strings create a lush background for her lyrical exploration of home life and mental health. the Texas-based musician reminds listeners of the importance of knowing and returning to self.
Dua Saleh
following the tragic death of George Floyd, Minnesota-based artist Dua Saleh released “body cast,” a song that was originally to be saved for a later project. the two-minute track features a gripping recording of a police-citizen interaction and addresses the topics of brutality and injustice, while the cover art listed the many names of those we collectively mourn. the song preceded the release of Saleh’s 6-track EP Rosetta, named after one of the architects of rock and roll, Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Vagabon
self-taught musician Laetitia Tamko has been releasing music under the moniker Vagabon since 2014. the multi-instrumentalist released her self-titled sophomore album last year, on which she handles all of the production. the album’s lovelorn lyrics create a sense of intimacy and longing that allows the artist to explore complicated personal narratives without the necessity of shame. “Only with grace, I’ll take all the words that you said,” she professes on the hit single “Water Me Down.” the digital arrangements and choral harmonies on Vagabon compliment the lush acoustic guitar that fans of Tamko have enjoyed since her debut.
Sunni Colón
Los Angeles’ Sunni Colón has that innate artist ability to combine all of his inspirations and disciplines into a multimedia experience. the multi-hyphenate producer, who has a background in design and architecture, has previously held performances at his own art installations and even founded a design agency titled TETSU. his vision is clear, as his music videos to date have tied together these interests coherently. Colón dreamily sings of colors and the tribulations of love on his releases Thierry Disko and Satin Psicodelic, often floating between gentle harmonizing and spoken word. he has the kind of 70s-inspired, psychedelic sound that evokes synesthetic thoughts of summertime, colorful swirling hues, and hazy visuals.
Dijon
music lovers of a certain age might best remember Dijon Duenas as the sensual voice behind duo Abhi//Dijon. in 2017, Duenas began releasing singles that signaled a slight departure from the 90s R&B inspired sound that Abhi//Dijon was recognized for, under his own mononym. the clever wordplay and storytelling remained, yet a more acoustic, experimental sound was cultivated to accompany Duenas’ signature falsetto. back in 2020, the shapeshifting artist released an EP titled How Do You Feel About Getting Married?, as well as an electronic cover of Rufus and Chaka Khan’s 1975 hit “Sweet Thang.”
Madison McFerrin
as an artist from a talented family of well-known musicians, Madison McFerrin has been crafting crisp, swirling harmonies for listeners to vibe with since 2016. she takes up the tradition of her father Bobby McFerrin and brother Taylor McFerrin in releasing music that defies genres and showcases diverse music abilities in terms of instrumentation and vocal ability. most recently, McFerrin offered listeners a dreamy, downtempo EP titled You + I in 2019 and the single “Hindsight” last year. previously, she has brought attention to the power and beauty of a cappella and jazz music with her earlier releases.
who are you excited to hear more from? feel free to let me know so i can build the playlist further. much love and happy weekend!
(apple music | tidal)