We have reached the start of a new decade, which means it’s the perfect time to switch up our playlists and add some new sound to our daily listening sessions. New artists are always making their way into popular music stations, but there are still many artists who haven’t quite made their way into the public eye (which means a bunch of lowkey music we can cherish as our own). To get you started, here’s 20 under-the-radar musicians to look out for this year.
- 4th Ave
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4th Ave is a boy band consisting of three contestants from ABC’s 2017 show Boyband. Though they didn’t win a spot in the winning band, these three friends, Camry, Jaden, and Marcus, never gave up. This past year they released their first EP and headlined their first U.S. tour. This is only the beginning for them.
- NEZZA
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Nezza has been making YouTube covers for quite a few years, but she only recently began releasing her own original music. As a multi-talented artist, she has danced for Selena Gomez, Zendaya, and Lady Gaga, but now she’s ready to put herself in the spotlight and is currently working on her very first album.
- drumaq
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drumaq is an alternative r&b artist who makes honest music about his life. He is currently on tour with Olivia O’Brien. So if you’re looking for a fun outing this spring, check out drumaq (and Olivia O’Brien while you’re at it, my personal favorite artist) and go catch them on tour!
- FRANKIE
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This Los Angeles based pop singer started singing when she was just three years old. Her dance-oriented style is inspired by classic pop artists like Stevie Nicks and ABBA.
- Diamond White
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Diamond White started her professional music career releasing covers to popular songs such as Dangerous Woman by Ariana Grande and Lay Me Down by Sam Smith. At only 13, she finished fifth place on the American version of The X Factor.
- Logan Henderson
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You may remember him from Big Time Rush, the boy band that shaped almost all of our childhoods. Big Time Rush may have disbanded, but for the past few years, Logan has been releasing music as a solo act, and he has a song for just about any occasion.
- Keiynan Lonsdale
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…Otherwise known as Bram, our favorite love interest from the movie Love, Simon, or Kid Flash from the CW Series The Flash. A proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Lonsdale expresses himself through his music. His individuality and desire to always be completely himself helped him quickly find success as a musician.
- Ceraadi
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This girl group consists of two sisters, Saiyr and Emaza, and they complement each other beautifully. Emaza harmonizes beautifully with Saiyr’s perfectly constructed raps. Bringing a unique new sound to the hip-hop genre, Ceraadi is there to hype you up all year round.
- Marteen
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Marteen debuted his very first EP, “NOTHANKYOU”, at the age of 16, which gained acclaim from the New York Times, Billboard, Paper Magazine, W Korea, and landed him tours with popular industry artists such as Kehlani and Dua Lipa. A rising new artist, he’s already acquired quite a fan base and is prepared to take the music world by storm.
- Jean Deaux
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This rapper, singer, and songwriter from Chicago likes to experiment with her sound and play with different genres of music. She unveiled her first full album in October 2018, and her most recent album, released in June 2019, features more popular artists such as Kehlani and Duckwrth.
- Isaac Dunbar
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The 16-year old writes, performs, and produces his own music. He aims to create music that listeners can really connect with, reminding them that they are never alone. His unique, synth-pop sound is catchy and a fun addition to spice up your playlists.
- Jacob Whitesides
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An independent singer/songwriter, Whitesides is an indie-pop artist who writes personal and emotional lyrics. After a 2 year hiatus, Whitesides is back on the music scene ready to share his heart with his fans.
- Peach Tree Rascals
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This group also writes and produces their own music. Their upbeat indie-pop rhythms will uplift your spirits and have you dancing around your bedroom. Moreover, all of their songs are accompanied by music videos, so you can enjoy great music along with colorful, vivid visuals.
- Ryland James
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This 20-year-old singer/songwriter thrives under the spotlight. This past spring, he joined Alessia Cara on her The Pains of Growing tour, and just this year he completed his first ever headline tour. He’s playing Governor’s Ball this year, so if you’re in attendance, you might just be able to see his talent in action.
- Ellise
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If you’re a fan of artists like Billie Eilish or Melanie Martinez, then Ellise is the perfect new artist for you to check out. The pop singer’s eerie vibe is certainly characteristic of her style and perfect for those late-night listening sessions.
- Katelyn Tarver
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Another ex-Big Time Rush star, Katelyn Tarver works independently as a singer and songwriter. Her style is pop music with just a hint of country undertones, making it the perfect soundtrack for your morning routine, and starting your day off on an uplifting note.
- BETWEEN FRIENDS
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This duo writes and produces their own music from their bedroom. Their alternative/indie style is perfect for late night drives or your early morning commute and is just overall fun all around.
- The Driver Era
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Ross Lynch is known to be quite the talented and versatile actor/musician. Presently, he is one-half of the band The Driver Era alongside his brother, Rocky. Their alternative-rock style is the perfect soundtrack for long car rides or just dancing around your living room.
- 11:11
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Representing Toronto, 11:11 is an R&B artist with a sensual, trap style. His music is influenced by the world around him and what he’s feeling at any given moment, allowing him to write things listeners can feel themselves relating to.
- Alaina Castillo
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If you’re a fan of YouTube covers, you may have seen Alaina Castillo pop up on your “recommended” section every once in a while. In just one year, Castillo has found success as a professional musician and acquired quite a following. Combining her Latin roots with pop and R&B, Castillo’s sound is original and her lyrics are descriptive of the lives of young people everywhere.
Whether you’re familiar with some of these artists or this is the first you’re hearing about any of them, you should definitely look them up. They’re passionate about the art they create, and they all deserve much more credit than they’re given. Their sounds greatly vary from one another, so give them all a listen and I guarantee you’ll find at least one that you love. So get out there, start streaming, and prepare your 2020 playlist for some new additions.