22 Artists You Should Keep On Your Radar This Year

Here are some artists, other than Drake, I'm excited to hear from this year.

1. VanJess

VanJess

I could spend this whole post writing a love letter to VanJess but I'll save that for my stan account. Ivana and Jessica Nwokike aka VanJess caught most of our eyes with this iconic Vine (RIP Vine) and have been dropping hits ever since. Their first album Silk Canvas pays homage to 90s R&B and is a masterpiece. Thankfully the pair dropped a couple of gems in 2020 with features such as Masego and Mannywelz but their fans are ITCHING for the album drop and I'm shaking with excitement to see what they'll deliver this year.

2. ENNY

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South London rapper ENNY debuted in 2020 and proved she's a force to be reckoned with. She knows exactly who she is speaking for and to, with songs like "For South" and "Peng Black Girls" the message is clear. ENNY has a sound so relatable you think you're listening to your best friend or sister. The UK needs to give ENNY the flowers she deserves, she has amazing talent and will be one to watch this year.

3. SayGrace

SayGrace

"Boys Ain't Shit" dominated the internet and ads in 2020, everywhere I turned this song was on and I didn't get tired of it. SayGrace makes music for the girls, and the girls are begging for more. SayGrace hasn't dropped an album or EP since 2016 – now is the time.

4. SZA

SZA

SZA dropped a single on 25th December and saved Christmas. SZA really made a side chick anthem in 2017 and we've been riding that wave ever since. "Ctrl spoke to us all and has been in constant rotation for me since it's release. Putting the Trollz soundtrack aside, SZA released "Hit Different" with Ty Dolla $ign after a short (but felt like an eternity) hiatus, teasing her fans with the greatness that is to come.

5. RAY BLK

Ray Blk

Let me start this off by saying, NO ONE is doing it in the UK like RAY BLK and that's facts. If it's not obvious, RAY BLK holds a little place in my heart, but it's what she deserves. RAY BLK dropped "Lovesick" in the back end of 2020 followed by a remix featuring Ivorian Doll – and if we've learned anything over the years it's that RAY BLK will kill any beat she steps onto and she gets better every time. 2021 is going to be a big year for RAY BLK I'm speaking into existence.

6. Arin Ray

Arin Ray

I was first introduced to Arin Ray when he collabed with Kehlani on "Changes" but when he supported Ari Lennox for her European tour, seeing him perform live gave me a completely different experience. The boy can sing sing. Arin is not afraid to switch up his musical style now and then and I'm hoping we hear something that really pushes the boundaries in 2021. Also big hint, Arin recently did a big clear out on his Instagram which is usually a sign that an artist is going to drop new music.

7. Biig Piig

Biig Piig

"Don't Turn Around" was in a constant rotation in 2020. That Montell Jordan sample is fire and I will never get over it. Irish born Jessica Smythe AKA Biig Piig seems to still be figuring out their style/genre, as you can hear from the wide variety in the music released this year – but whatever they decide to land on will I'm excited for a project because I think Biig Piig is definitely an artist to watch out for in the future.

8. Darkoo

Darkoo

Darkoo has been on 110% ever since they dropped "Gangsta" in 2019. Anthem after anthem, and they're not stopping anytime soon. Can the pandemic finish already, because once they release a EP I have to be in the club to enjoy it to it's full capacity.

9. Alex Isley

Alex Isley

Alex Isley makes music you want to fall in love to. Daughter of Ernie Isley (from The Isley Brothers) there's no doubt the music gene wasn't passed on. Listen to "The Beauty Of Everything Pt.2" EP, it's beautiful, it's magical, it's all of the above. She dropped a lot of singles in 2020, which gives me an inkling that an album will soon be following – my soul needs it.

10. Rakiyah

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Rakiyah is showing the world Korean R&B, not Kpop. Proving that I will vibe to anything even I have no idea what is being said because a vibe is a vibe no matter what language it is. Rakiyah dropped the EP in 2020 and maybe I'm being greedy expecting another project in 2021 but it was perfect I want more, is that too much to ask?

11. Linae

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Sweden born Linae is coming for the pop girls. With a handful of singles under her belt, she's up there with the best of them. The latest single taking a little more of a mature tone, if we get an album full of songs like "Stereo Vibing" she's going to run the scene.

12. Dijon

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Ever since Dijon released "Skin" in 2018 it lives in my head rent-free. Dijon is not short of a back catalogue but we're yet to see an album and it's something I've been praying for a while. Yes, they released an EP this year and "alley-oop" is tear-jerking beautiful, but Dijon I'm on my knees please drop an album I need more.

13. H.E.R.

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H.E.R. is pretty a household name by now, right? We've all cried listening to "Focus" maybe 10 times, right? Just me? Cool. My girl Gabriella AKA H.E.R. has been dropping singles like hot cakes in 2020, so it's not silly for me to assume that an album is on the way. My personal favourite from 2020 is "Wrong Places." The singing in the song is incredible, but for me, the writing on this track is outstanding and is one of my favourites from H.E.R.

14. Digga D

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2020 was a tricky year for Digga D but the music he dropped wouldn't have given you that impression. Digga D knows how to make a song that will get you on your feet. The drill rapper's lyrics are infectious and he has the world in the palm of his hands – I predict bigger and better things from the West Londoner this year.

15. Phony Ppl

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I first heard Phony Ppl when they dropped "Why iii Love The Moon" in 2015 and I have had "Yesterday's Tomorrow" in heavy rotation ever since. Then they dropped my favourite song of 2020 "Fkn Around" and I transcended. I've tweeted them but now let me make it more official in this post – where is the album Phony Ppl?

16. Arlo Parks

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Arlo Parks has a soothing, ethereal tone – it's instantly calming. With no shortage of tracks you can dive into, 2020 was a year they constantly pumped out amazing content to get us what was a pretty bleak year. The latest release "Caroline" will have you floating, and I can't wait for what we'll get this year.

17. Jazmine Sullivan

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I have my tissues ready to cry with what Jazmine will drop in January. After almost a three-year hiatus Jazmine Sullivan released "Lost Ones" in 2020 and my heart broke. No one can make you feel your 16-year-old break up again like Jazmine Sullivan can.

18. CHIKA

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2020 was a year for CHIKA, she dominated the scene – her NPR Tiny Desk Concert is truly one of the best I've ever seen and I watch it all the time! Chika dropped her debut EP Industry games in March of 2020 and the first line of the first track says "Call it intuition, but I’m about to change the world, it’s been my only mission" – and that's exactly what she did. CHIKA is redefining what it means to be a female rapper in today's space. Her growth is exponential and her flow is in a league of its own. If you sleep on CHIKA you will regret it, trust me.

19. Tobi Lou

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It might be selfish to ask for / expect another album from Tobi Lou because he released on in 2019 AND he dropped 13 songs in 2020 but I want a cohesive project to follow the endless stream of content he's been releasing. So yes, call me selfish, but I never want Tobi to stop releasing music because he's just that great. Please listen to his two latest releases "OKAY" and "2hrs" and then tell me you don't want more from this guy.

20. PYJÆN

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PYJÆN "Gold Plated" was one of my favourite songs of 2020, unfortunately, because of coronavirus their highly anticipated gig was cancelled and hearts broke across the UK. They recently announced that they will be dropping an album in 2021 and I am hyped. I'm not exactly a Jazz expert but I love their sound and feel that they're bringing Jazz into the new age giving people like me, that aren't particularly well versed in the genre, an opportunity to experience real Jazz music.

21. Oliver Malcolm

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Oliver Malcolm is another artist that debuted in 2020 and wow. "Helen" is WILD, I'm not sure who the sample is, if anyone would like to find and let me know I will love you forever. Songs like this make an artist, they define an artist, and this tells the world that Oliver Malcolm is here to step on necks and will not let up anytime soon.

22. Majid Jordan

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OVO signed duo Majid Jordan made waves in 2014 with "A Place Like This" and that EP: *chefs kiss*. They ghosted the scene in 2020 and barely dropped anything in 2019, we haven't a full EP or album from the pair since 2017 and the streets are calling for them. Something inside me believes they will make a comeback this year and when they do it is not something you will want to miss, all they produce is hits after hits.

Here's some of my favourite songs from each artist to give you a taster of what is to come...

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Which release are you most excited for in 2021? Tell us in the comments!