With the music scene constantly evolving, artists like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter made major breakthroughs in the music industry in 2024. As we make our way through 2025, I’ve been keeping a close eye (and ear) on artists who are shaping up to have their “I made it” moment this year. Here are my top 5 picks for artists that I believe will dominate the charts, so you can hop on the train early.
1. Alessi Rose
Alessi Rose is a talented star on the rise with a gift for storytelling and stunning vocals. Her creative indie-pop melodies reflect her raw experience with heartbreak, love, and self-discovery, similar to artists like Gracie Abrams and Olivia Rodrigo. She first gained traction by posting covers on TikTok and now achieves over 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Later this year, she will be joining pop star Tate McRae on her Miss Possessive Tour as an opening act, where she’s set to play iconic venues, including the Kia Forum and Madison Square Gardenβlikely winning the hearts of new fans. With her fanbase rapidly growing and new releases to come, I think Alessi Rose is set to make a lasting impression on the music industry.
My favorite song: oh my
2. Malcom Todd
Malcom Todd is a breath of fresh air to playlists everywhere, tying elements of R&B and alternative music into melodies about love and yearning. Similarly to Alessi Rose, he started out by posting original songs on TikTok, gaining millions of views before transitioning to performing at festivals where he proved his live talent to new fans. You may recognize his hit song, Chest Pain (I Love), from its debut spot at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December of 2024, but his potential doesn’t end there. His smooth vocals, impressive discography, and his gaining recognition make him one to watch this year.
My favorite song: Roommates
3. Role Model
Role Model is a wickedly talented lyricist and performer who has recently gained a slew of popularity after opening for Gracie Abrams on her The Secret of Us Tour in the US. This artist (also known as Tucker) found his start in 2017 with a song release that led to his discovery by the late rap artist, Mac Miller. Following his discovery, Tucker signed a record deal that launched his alternative R&B sound, but recently, he leaned into a new genre with his latest indie-pop album, Kansas Anymore, which surpassed 139 million global streams rapidly. With his fresh and timeless vibe and ability to connect with fans in his bright stage presence, 2025 could very well be the year that he claims his place in the spotlight. Overall, with his tracks exploring heartbreak, the complexities of love, and reflection, Role Model is definitely a top contender for mainstream success.
My favorite song: Slipfast
4. Doechii
If you’ve been on TikTok in the past few years or watched this year’s Grammy Awards, you’ve definitely heard of Doechii. With a unique sound and an unbelievable talent for songwriting, it’s safe to say that she’s a force to be reckoned with. Doechii first became recognized in 2021 after having her song Yucky Blucky Fruitcake go viral on TikTok and has since blended hyper-pop, R&B, and hip-hop in order to break through into the mainstream. I think her unapologetic behavior and raw vulnerability, along with her impressive newest album Alligator Bites Never Heal, are going to deeply resonate with the girlies this year. With her growing fanbase and deserved worldwide recognition, I think the mainstream will celebrate a powerhouse like Doechii in 2025.
My favorite song: CATFISH
5. Lola Young
With vocals like no other and deeply authentic writing, Lola Young sticks out like a rose in a field of daisies in today’s musical climate. Young’s music is hard to contain into just one genre, but it can be best described as bluesy and contemporary pop. Her biggest hit, Messy, shook the world with how catchy and resonant the lyrics were. Like Doechii, she is totally unapologetic, and her music follows suit by even titling her latest album This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway. After gaining her fame in 2021 from a John Lewis cover, it’s clear that Young’s potential goes beyond limitation with her forever-evolving talent. As she continues to progress and make a name for herself in the mainstream eye, I think hopping on the Lola Young wave is something you won’t regret doing.
My favorite song: Conceited
There’s a beauty in how popular music is unpredictable and how artists and their songs can seemingly blow up out of nowhere, but these artists share talent, potential, and authenticity, which I think will be what makes them stand out this year. While I’m excited to see what this year has in store in terms of music, I’m equally as stoked to look back and see if my predictions were correct.