It’s that time of year once more when we look to the future to see which lucky, plucky musicians stand to make a career out of their vocations. This year’s accumulative longlist numbers 102. I’ve excluded artists from other lists which I have myself featured in previous years, and anyone who has already released a proper official album - full-length mix-tapes and such are fine.
My short list (Top of the Props) is narrowed to a selection of just 11 - consisting of artists who get 3 or more mentions in those various lists. I am very happy to see Jack Garrat at the top of the tree, as he really embodies what future music-making is all about - a talented multi-instrumentalist and vocalist / songwriter, he layers up and loops tracks building up with his own percussion, synth bassline, rhythm guitar and effects. He is superb live, as he creates his backing on the fly - doing improv drum fills and guitar and keyboard solos as he sings. I also already have a load of singles and EP’s by the highly prodigious Mura Masa, whom I rate almost as highly.
I find that the BBC is usually the best guide to finding the most likely pop successors. It’s just a shame really that so few actually make it through the mangle. You can check through previous years to see the handful who manage to sustain a meaningful and rewarding career in this industry. For too many, music ends up as a hobby or a way in reserve second job, as only those who gain a significant following can derive a sufficent living standard from music alone.
There’s plenty of variety as always - and as always I gravitate towards Electronic, R&B and Soul ...
By number of supporters then alphabetical:
Jack Garratt [Soulful Electro-Pop] (AM, BBC, Gw, MTV, Sp, +) x6
Nao [Sharp, Modern Neo-Soul] (AM, BBC, Gg, Gw, Sp, Id) x6
Blossoms [Contemporary Slickly-Produced Indie Rock] (AM, BBC, Gw, MTV, Sp) x5
Frances [Emotive Piano Pop] (AM, BBC, Gw, Id, Sp) x5
Mura Masa [Slick Modern Electronic-tinged Pop] (AM, AR, BBC, Gw, Sp) x5
Billie Marten [Elegant Acoustic Folk] (AM, AR, BBC, Gw) x4
Rat Boy [Punky Indie Rock] (AR, BBC, Gw, MTV) x4
Alessia Cara [Slick R&B Pop] (BBC, Gg, Gw) x3
Loyle Carner [Fluid Soulful UK Hip-Hop] (AR, BBC, Gw) x3
Mabel [Mini-Neneh, Soulful Pop] (BBC, Gw, Sp) x3
WSTRN [West London R&B Rap Collective] (BBC, Gw, MTV) x3
Alphabetical:
Legend:
AM = Apple Music
AR = Amazing Radio (amazingradio.com/tipsfor2016)
BBC (www.bbc.co.uk/events/efq8gw)
Gg = Globalgrind (globalgrind.com/2015/12/23/whos-up-next-16-artists-to-watch-in-2016/)
Gw = Gigwise (www.gigwise.com/photos/102283/channel-4-announce-the-10-acts-for-their-future-sounds-list)
Id = Idolator (www.idolator.com/7618023/artists-to-watch-2016-verge)
MTV (www.mtv.co.uk/brand-new-for-2016/news/mtvs-brand-new-for-2016-shortlist-revealed)
SK = Personal selection
Sp = Spotify
+ = Brits Critics’ Choice prize for 2016
Related
How do emerging artists gain recognition in the music industry?What factors contribute to an artist's success after initial exposure?How can music platforms support new artists in their careers?What role does live performance play in an artist's development?How do genre trends influence the popularity of new musicians?
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