Khalid – This 19-year-old from Texas broke onto the scene with his hit single “Location” back in July 2016 and dropped his debut album American Teen in March 2017. His strong vocals coupled with eighties synth beats produce easy-listening music. His songs “Young Dumb & Broke,” “Saved,” and “Reasons” are some of the freshest songs in today’s R&B scene.
Cardi B – She was first an Instagram celebrity and later became a regular cast member on the VH1 series Love & Hip Hop. Now, you know her as the artist behind the hit rap song of the summer “Bodak Yellow.” That song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, the first female rapper to do so since Lauryn Hill in 1998. Hopefully her debut album will drop within the next year.
Dua Lipa – The 22-year-old London native started her musical career by posting covers of popular songs on YouTube. Her debut studio album was released in June 2017 and has cemented her success as a cross-over UK/US musical act. In addition to the soaring vocals in her tracks, her daring hit “New Rules” showcases her strong feminist beliefs. As an artist who empowers women, she remains one to watch through the new year.
SZA – Described as a “neo soul” singer, SZA achieves her ethereal sound by mixing elements of jazz, hip-hop, and synth. This 26-year-old artist from St. Louis debuted her first studio album Ctrl in June 2017. With critical acclaim and Grammy noms, SZA remains one of the year’s notable new artists.
Rag’n’Bone Man – With a husky and soulful voice, this British blues singer released his debut album in February 2017. His hit singles “Human” and “Skin” established him as a vocal-pop artist following the path led by fellow Brits Adele and Sam Smith. His standout voice backed with a hip-hop beat make for a unique sound.