20 Artists You Should Check Out For Black Music Month

In honor of June being Black Music Month, let's take a look at 20 artists you should absolutely know about.

1. Rexx Life Raj

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One of the best albums of 2022 was The Blue Hour by rapper/singer Rexx Life Raj. Highlighted by melodic hooks, spiritual lyricism, and emotion-striking verses; this album tapped into his internal journey of overcoming loss and trauma. Songs like "Save Yourself" and "Hands and Knees" are a masterful display of his undeniable talent. The Blue Hour catapulted his career into an ascending trajectory, selling out a nationwide tour shortly after. 

2. Byron Messia

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Byron Messia potentially has the best song of 2023 thus far, with his smash dancehall hit "Talibans." Hailing from St. Kitts and Nevis, the 23-year-old artist blends dancehall music with gritty and gangster lyricism, hence the song title. Creating rhythm-filled music that brings people to the dance floor, while singing about an authentic lifestyle that reflects your country, is a recipe for success that will sustain Messia for years to come. 

3. Chiiild

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The Canadian collective began gaining recognition after releasing their debut EP Hope For Sale in 2021. The group blends traditional R&B with groovy indie rock chords and instrumentation that results in a soulful sound. Typically, music with electronic production and silky strings lacks falsettos from singers, yet Chiiild has masterfully found a blend of vocals and production. One word to describe their music is "vibes," something we all want. 

4. Khamari

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Drawing comparisons to Frank Ocean is no easy feat, but that's what Boston native Khamari has gained in a short period of time. His musical genius is evident, being a pianist, guitarist, vocalist, and having studied at Berklee College of Music. The accumulation of those attributes, alongside his confessional and therapy-style lyrics, make him a young talent with superstar potential. Check out his latest COLORS performance above that has gained traction on social media. 

5. T.F

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Gritty, metaphorical, and lyricist are a few words you can use to describe the Los Angeles rapper T.F. Each verse from the ETS rapper paints a vivid picture of what it's like growing up in his section. He spits authentic rap with a mix of upper echelon trash talk and gangster persona. If you like anyone from Griselda, you'll love T.F.

6. Jon Keith

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Jon Keith is probably one hit song away from being a superstar rapper. The fast-rapping spitter uses music as his way of expressing his faith, life perspectives, and mental battles. His lyrics are almost uncomfortably transparent, which is what draws me to him. He has the flow, content, and personality to be a mainstream act. I think his content is very digestible and will appeal to the masses this year. 

7. Lecrae

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Lecrae isn't new, rising, or upcoming; he's in fact the greatest Christian rapper of all time. He's had platinum albums and songs; even has won Grammys. He also has features with the likes of Ty Dolla $ign, John Legend, Kirk Franklin, and an unreleased J. Cole song. However, because of the stigma of being a Christian rapper, he isn't yet a household name. However, with his recent projects being undeniable, that will surely change. If you need convincing, just check out his album All Things Work Together. 

8. Dave

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Another rapper who is wildly successful but hasn't quite broken the American market yet is Dave. Don't get me wrong, Dave has done a sold-out American tour that went absolutely crazy. He's also released multiple #1 albums and has platinum hits in the UK. He is the best rapper in his country, but his recently released EP Split Decision will place him in the conversation of best rapper alive.

9. Josh Levi

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Josh Levi has dynamic vocals, mixed with high energy and a soulful spirit. Those intangible features added with his personality, looks, and dancing abilities, making it evident that Levi has everything it takes to be an R&B superstar. With outstanding performances on "Don't They" and "Vices," the Houston native showed his range of meshing vocals on up-tempo R&B and pop productions. His talents as a singer, songwriter, and actor have garnered him millions of streams from his singles and EP's, along with a placement on HBO's Insecure for his smash single "What's the Use." 

10. Mariah the Scientist

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The "Spread Thin" singer makes music that is equally as cool as her stage name. After studying biology at St. John's in New York, the Atlanta-born singer gained a newfound stardom in music. She presents a very mellow-tone and smooth-sounding blend of R&B and neo-soul that quickly resonated with fans across the country. She's already released numerous successful singles and headlined her own tour, all in a few short years. She is a new face of women's R&B and undoubtedly has a bright future; she will be a household name. 

11. Blxst

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Blxst is a west coast heavyweight in the music scene. For the past five years, he's released nothing but smash singles and culture-shaking bodies of work for his coast. He's had the Midas touch for quite a while now. Songs such as "Overrated" and "Chosen" placed him in his own stratosphere in Los Angeles and launched him into stardom. He's been one of the best new artists in the last few years, and he will only continue to grow. 

12. Jozzy

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Rapper and songwriter Jozzy has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including Timbaland, Missy Elliott, Fergie, and more. Once she decided to step from behind the scenes and place her music at the forefront, it was only a matter of time before she would make waves as a solo artist. She was the first person signed to Diddy's Love Records, which placed her in the spotlight. She rose to the occasion by releasing successful singles that have created anticipation for a full body of work that should help her see even more success. 

13. Omah Lay

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Hailing from Nigeria, Omah is a megastar in his home country. He has platinum songs, platinum albums, and over 500 million YouTube views. He's an "A-List" artist, yet his music may be unrecognizable to the common American. You can expect all of that to change soon. With songs such as "Soso" remaining on the charts for months, it's only a matter of time before his music translates to the States. He's one of the best artists of today's time, and if you weren't familiar, well, you're welcome. 

14. Doechii

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The TDE-signed rapper released "Yucky Blucky Fruitcake" in 2021, which went viral on TikTok and made her a social media star pretty quickly. From there, she continued to release singles that picked up traction not only on social media but also on the charts. You can now catch her at any lit festival and on any list that discusses the current hottest artists. 

15. Luh Tyler

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Listen to "Law & Order." That pretty much will show you why he's on this list. How old is he? We're not sure, but it doesn't even matter, the dude is catchy. He raps in almost an ASMR whisper voice and purposely stays off beat, but somehow, it sounds absolutely hard. He's on the rise, and the sky is the limit.

16. TiaCorine

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Her name, her look, her voice, and her music all have the exact makeup of what it takes to be a successful woman rapper in today's generation. She is a melting pot of all styles of women's rap from hard lyrics, catchy lines/hooks, funky videos, and hard-hitting beats. Her distinctive voice makes almost everything she says sound fire. Check out "FreakyT."

17. Tony Shhnow

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An underground legend and pioneer of a new sound of rap coming out of Atlanta, Tony Shhnow is one of the most unique rappers in the game. He makes every bar count, and that's what sets him apart from the majority of rappers of today's time. That masterful skill of rapping is complemented by his voice, subject matter, and ability to make a wide range of great songs that appeal to numerous demographics. He will continue to ascend and be one of the most influential rappers of the new generation. 

18. Tobi Nwigwe

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Music, discography, videos, aesthetics...I'll spare you the sentences, just check out this man's YouTube page right now.

19. Jordan Ward

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The St. Louis singer got his foot in the door by backup dancing for Justin Bieber and Becky G. His true dream was to be an artist; once people discovered his musical range and his extremely unique voice, the rest was history. Jordan Ward makes positive, easy-sounding, uplighting music that is a joy to listen to. Check out "FAMJAM4000."

20. Coco Jones

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Coco Jones is one of the new faces of R&B, simple as that. She's become a star in music and continues to get bigger and better with each move she makes. She will be a bonafide superstar. Her single "ICU" was one of the biggest songs of 2022.