Music

The 46 new musicians to make 2020 better

Because we all know music is the best way to raise your spirits...
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If 2019 was the year that louche trap, hyper-emotional pop and “Old Town Road” came home to roost, what can we say for 2020? More of the same or a lurch in an exciting new direction? Well, perhaps a bit of both. Anyone who lived through the decade will be baffled by the return of super-earnest 1990s sounds – two of our shortlist are reappraising the opposing genres of R&B and grunge – while back in the new millennium genres continue to seep into one another. This year we’ve been lining up for soul singers who dip their toes in the pop waters and indie bands who try their hand at experimental jazz and even, bear with us, rap. Plus, you’ll be happy to hear, reggae is back. We’ve picked out the acts you should be streaming now so this time next year you can loudly proclaim that, really, you preferred their earlier stuff.

1. Pa Salieu
Zek Snaps

Perhaps the hottest emerging rapper in Britain right now, Coventry-export Pa Salieu exploded onto the scene in January with his single “Frontline” (viewed more than three million times on YouTube). He’s since gone on to grace three magazine covers, fronted a campaign for Burberry’s TB Summer Monogram collection, worked with Givenchy and OVO, has been in the studio with FKA twigs and become one of the most played artists on Radio 1 Xtra this year, with BBC’s Tiffany Calver, Annie Mac and Toddla T all showing their support. The 23-year-old British-Gambian’s genre-blurring approach sees him regularly compared to J Hus, with a distinctive sound that melds melodic African influences with the grit of our city streets, while his most recent single, “B**K” is an ode to black pride and excellence, from which all proceeds go to Black Minds Matter UK. Kathleen Johnston

2. Boy Pablo

Nostalgic indie-pop, synths that sound like summer and lyrics lamenting young love come together under Boy Pablo’s watch, the Chilean–Norwegian singer-songwriter who shot to viral fame in 2017 with his track “Everytime”. Three years later, he’s proved himself to be much more than a one-hit-viral-wonder, with his debut album Wachito Rico arriving last week to give everyone who’s falling in and out of love something to soundtrack their emotions with. Sweet but not too sickly, familiar but still fresh, Boy Pablo’s lovelorn indie sound stands out in a mainstream music landscape dominated by rap and R&B, providing a breath of fresh summer air to get you through winter. Olive Pometsey

3. Thunder Jackson
Graham Sicalowski

Oklahoman Thunder Jackson always knew he wanted to be on stage, having grown up watching his father perform as an Elvis impersonator. The now-23-year-old cut his teeth on his local live circuit, before moving to LA when he was 19, where he made a name for himself busking before he met British musician Pete Lawrie Winfield. Together, the pair worked for three years on Jackson’s eponymous debut album, finally released in October, unveiling an addictive brand of electro pop-rock. The first single from the album, “Led Astray”, should give you a good indication of his synth-heavy production style, while the theatrical, upbeat “Find Yourself” shows off Jackson’s stirring falsetto in all its glory. Jackson is the first artist signed to Vero Music, the new label from the next-gen social platform, so we’re expecting to hear plenty more from him in the months ahead. Kathleen Johnston

4. Raheaven

Self-assured and sexy, Raheaven’s debut single “7AM” is the kind of R&B track that gets better with each listen, as she abruptly tells her one night stand that she’s “just not that into you”, urging them to not outstay their welcome. Holding all the power in her lyrics and soulful runs, it’s a refreshing twist on the traditional themes of love and lust that we often see in music, positioning Raheaven as a force to be reckoned with in both relationships and the industry. Olive Pometsey

5. Grace Carter

In the two years since releasing her debut EP, singer songwriter Grace Carter has become one of the most talked about young artists in Britain, with more than 170 million streams across her catalogue and third place on the BBC Sound Poll in 2019. Born in London and raised, from the age of eight, in Brighton, the 23-year-old has supported the likes of Dua Lipa, HAIM, Lewis Capaldi and Jorja Smith on tour, plus she’s a fashion scene favourite, having worked with JW Anderson, the British Fashion Council and Cartier. Where her first record, Why Her Not Me, explored Carter’s relationship with her absent father, her new material is focused on her identity as a mixed race woman – a topic that forms the basis of her new upcoming podcast. Listen to “Blame”, her first – and so far only – release of 2020, featuring the equally mellifluous Jacob Banks. Big. Ballad. Energy. Kathleen Johnston

6. Daya
Clyde Muroe

At just 22, American singer Daya has already won a Grammy, been nominated for five Billboard Music Awards, performed at the White House and made it onto Forbes’ 30 Under 30 music list in 2017. Crafting pop and dance music that is near impossible to sit still to, Daya’s subtly powerful voice layered over infectious synths is exactly what you’ll want to hear at 2am on the dancefloor when clubs eventually reopen. Now using her platform to not only promote her latest single “First Time” (another electro-pop bop that you will make you yearn for the dancefloor), but also champion causes close to her heart, such as LGBTQ+ rights, racial injustice and youth voter turnout, Daya is emblematic of a new wave of gen Z popstars that are giving pop music a conscience. Olive Pometsey

7. Shygirl

Shygirl’s 2020 single, “Freak”, deserves to be remembered as one of the great dance floor tracks to come out of the year when no one was on a dance floor. A dark, disgusting and ultimately delicious bit of pop music that sounds like an illegal rave in a railway arch, it is the latest in a line of danceable but off-kilter bops that marks one of London’s most interesting musical talents. Go back and listen to the woozy and slightly nauseous “BB” and the dancing-on-the-cusp-of-a-breakdown “Uckers” and fall in love with Blane Muise’s unique musical stylings. David Levesley

8. Ivorian Doll

There’s no other rapper in the game right now who’s rising up the drill ranks with the same pace and finesse as Ivorian Doll. Quickly amassing fans with her creative and typically savage lyrics, she has the attitude, delivery and bravado of a seasoned vet, despite the fact she’s only been rapping for two years. After working on a series of collabs with Abigail Asante, Ivorian Doll came ready to rule with her debut solo single, “Queen Of Drill”, last year and, since then, she’s only continued to prove why she deserves that title. Whether she’s asserting her power on tracks such as “Body Bag”, annihilating the competition with Daily Duppy freestyles or whipping her followers into a frenzy by teasing new music on Twitter, Ivorian Doll has all the hallmarks of a superstar in the making. Get to know the Big Bad IVD, because she’s going to be around for a while. Olive Pometsey

9. Baby Rose

At a time when genres collide, artists collaborate and the boundaries of music are endlessly stretched in different directions, it’s rare to find a truly unique artist who sounds like nothing else out there at the moment. But such is the case with Baby Rose, the American singer whose vocals are reminiscent of jazz’s greats, yet still sound entirely original. Rich, smokey and resonant, layered over laid-back soul production, Baby Rose doesn’t need gimmicks or hooks to captivate an audience; her vocals alone are enough to stop you in your tracks. Having released her debut album, To Myself, last year, she’s has already caught the attention of the likes of SZA and Kendrick Lamar – who had asked her to join him at this summer’s BST Hyde Park until it was postponed thanks to Covid-19 – quickly earning herself a reputation as one of the most exciting emerging talents in R&B. Olive Pometsey

10. Franc Moody

Keep on dancing through 2020’s disco revival with Franc Moody, the London funk connoisseurs who are guaranteed to put a groove back into your step. Having already toured with Nile Rodgers and Chic, when it comes to disco, these guys are bringing Studio 54 vibes, with infectious basslines, cosmic choruses and rhythms to which you simply cannot sit still. With two albums already under their belt, as well as multiple remixes such as their brilliant shake up of Amber Mark’s “Lose My Cool”, there are enough bops in Franc Moody’s catalogue to soundtrack your living room raves throughout the rest of 2020. Don’t wait for the dance floors to reopen – just slap on some Franc Moody and the party will come to you. Olive Pometsey

11. Kamal

When you can count the likes of Billie Eilish and Dave as fans before you’ve even dropped a full album, then you can be pretty certain that you’re destined for success. Such is the case for London’s Kamal, the teenager who has been creating thoughtful R&B in between balancing schoolwork and growing up. Boasting poetic lyricism and soft vocals that bounce through soul and rap-influenced rhythms, Kamal’s music is reminiscent of the likes of Daniel Caesar, as he ruminates on themes of love, loss and mental health. On a dizzying trajectory that could give anyone vertigo, he’s already amassed more than ten million streams in 2020 alone – with just four songs in his catalogue. That’s all about to change, though. Now officially free from the classrooms, Kamal is working on his next EP, with his next single “about the party” poised to drop next week, meaning you’ll soon have more of his syrupy soul tracks with which to soundtrack your Sundays. Olive Pometsey

12. Jeshi
south london birdsAlexandra Waespi

Having toured with Slowthai and collaborated with Celeste, 25-year-old Jeshi sits firmly within the UK music scene’s up-and-coming cool crowd, but that doesn’t mean you can’t sit with him. In fact, with influences that range from Erykah Badu to Giggs, Jeshi’s signature brand of laid-back, DIY rap is accessible to pretty much anyone, layering his conversational rhymes over juiced-up, glitchy samples. His latest album, Bad Taste, is a sonic journey that carries you from bass-heavy, grime-influenced tracks to chilled-out jazz production, then back around again to more experimental, electronic sounds. The one consistency? Jeshi’s ability to captivate with wordplay and his rapping style that is at once frank and comforting. Olive Pometsey

13. Victoria Monét

Twenty-twenty has been quite the year for Victoria Monét, who has gone from R&B’s best-kept secret to a critically acclaimed solo star in her own right. Before releasing her debut record, Jaguar, in August, the 27-year-old was known for being Ariana Grande’s key collaborator (she was nominated for four Grammys for her work on Seven Rings earlier this year), but she’s also written for everyone from Nas and TI to Brandy and Chloe x Halle. A slick, self-assured collection of addictive, funk-tinged R&B hits, Jaguar proves that LA-based Monét is more than worthy of the move from behind the scenes into the spotlight, with a performance on Jimmy Kimmel and a feature from Apple Music as its “New Up Artist” already under her belt, not to mention the 3.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. The clincher? Jaguar is only the first instalment of what Monét says will be a three-part album, so we’ll be hearing a lot more from her before the year is up. Kathleen Johnston

14. Rhumba Club 
Ivan Ruberto

Tom Falle and the other members of Rhumba Club have been serving up ironic 1980s vapourware jams for a few years, however, now’s the time to get familiar with their back catalogue: from the nostalgic queer romance of “Reunion” and the anime ambience of “Lucifer” to the low-key Pride anthem “Normativity” and sex-positive “Polyamory”, Rhumba Club can serve you a bit of everything. Their 2020 single, “Pocket Machine”, is the perfect lockdown banger: a look at the hypnotic power of the tech in our pockets. David Levesley

15. Lordkez

It’s tough to sum up South African Lordkez’s music in just a few words, but, at a push, we’d call it moody and experimental neo-soul, with a splattering of hip-hop rhythms thrown in for good measure. Flitting between her gentle vocals and soft spoken word, which on single “Disgusting” are layered over eerie production, Lordkez straddles genres as deftly as she writes smart lyrics. Yep, she’s the whole package: impossibly cool (she’s holding a snake, for God’s sake), insanely talented and very much so in control of her sound. Olive Pometsey

16. Arlo Parks
Alexandra Waespi

Touted as “the most exciting singer-songwriter I’ve heard in years” by BBC Radio 1’s Greg James, Arlo Parks already has quite the fanbase, also counting the likes of Loyle Carner and Phoebe Bridgers among admirers of her unique brand of confessional pop. At just 20 years old, Parks (real name Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho) is fast becoming the poster girl for an anxious but in-touch Gen Z, with an impressive catalogue of singles, from “Super Sad Generation” to this spring’s smash hit single “Black Dog”, tackling everything from depression and identity to crushing on your friend while she has a boyfriend (“Eugene” is a seriously great song). Half Nigerian, a quarter Chadian and a quarter French, growing up in South West London, Parks could speak French before English and cites influences from Ginsberg, Jim Morrison and Sylvia Plath to Fela Kuti, Otis Redding and King Krule. Now, she’s signed to Transgressive Records – home to Foals and Two Door Cinema Club – and this summer was part of this year’s Glastonbury coverage, became an ambassador for mental health charity Calm and finished off her debut album. Kathleen Johnston

17. Bananagun
Jamie Wdziekonski

I’m sure this will surprise you with such an inconspicuous name as Bananagun, but this is a band that wants to serve you something a little bit eccentric. Their globetrotting psychedelia and Kinks-like energy are a throwback without being too stuck in the past. Give their 2020 album, The True Story Of Bananagun, a spin and relish in the funky, Afrobeat-inflected joy of tracks such as “People Talk Too Much”; the sound of the blockbuster holiday you didn’t get to have this year. David Levesley 

18. Niko B

Niko B only started rapping last summer, but all it took was for him to pay homage to a Bake Off icon with his debut single, “Mary Berry”, for him to go viral. Well, actually, that’s not all it took: his tongue-in-cheek lyrics about small-town life in the UK certainly helped. The best part is that he’s not a one-hit wonder. His follow-up single, “Who’s That What’s That”, has the same vibe but is somehow even catchier, as he muses on topics that we can all relate to, namely losing wallets on nights out and the price of a Big Mac meal. He’s a man after our own hearts. Olive Pometsey

19. Joesef

Pop music is no stranger to harmonious sadness, but Joesef’s particular blend of melody, melancholy and music, which wouldn’t be amiss from a YouTube “lo-fi beats to study to” playlist, feels perfect for 2020’s overarching energy. It’s sun-dappled, it’s mournful, it’s ultimately uplifting: if The OC was still airing, these songs would be all over it. But what elevates Joesef above another vibey summer hit is that everything is just so perfectly done: the vocals! The lyrics! The production! Just listen to his cover of Sister Sledge’s “Thinking Of You” or his perfect collab with Loyle Carner, “I Wonder Why”, or his queer, shoe-gazing “Loverboy” and feel the malaise of 4pm on a sunny Sunday hit you right where you live. David Levesley

20. Girl In Red

Another brilliant indie pop star hailing from Norway, Girl In Red is the queer artist who will be soundtracking your romances from now on. Her ultimate ambition, as she told the New York Times last year, is to be the queer role model she never had growing up, but with her starkly honest and touching songs, such as “I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend” and “Girl”, we’d say she’s already more than achieved that. Having already racked up prizes for her mantlepiece at music award shows in Norway, it’s only a matter of time before Girl In Red’s success is duplicated in the UK. Olive Pometsey

21. Bree Runway

We live in the golden age of female rap, but Bree Runway brings something that can often be missing from the party. She manages to blend the zeitgeist-y lyricism of LeiKeli47 with the humour of Missy Elliott and yet she is entirely her own artist: her music is full of life and 1990s throwbacks that make you smile as soon as you hear her. Whether it’s “Damn Daniel” featuring Yung Baby Tate or her stellar guest verse on the remix of Rina Sawayama’s “XS”, Bree is an evocative, hilarious artist. David Levesley

22. Sammy Virji
Instagram / SammyVirji

When garage was synonymous with British music, it was easy to feel apathetic about just how genius it was as a musical genre: thank God, then, for artists like Sammy Virji coming in and keeping one of Britain’s great musical genres alive while also keeping it fresh. Virji’s first album, Spice Up My Life, dropped a week or two ago and it is the perfect thing to play when work is over and you pour that first drink on a Friday night. Sleek and naughty at once, prepare to find your song of the summer somewhere on this record. David Levesley

23. Josie Man
Matilda Hill-Jenkins

Some days, all you need is a sweet songstress to soothe your stress and, for times like that, you should check out Josie Man. The South London native’s particular brand of daydream pop is readymade for lounging in the sun and forgetting your cares, as her airy vocals unravel the themes that weigh on all our minds: loving yourself and loving others. Confessional and relatable, there’s something for everyone in her music, particularly at a time when the world is constantly in flux. We’re just figuring things out, but at least we have Man’s music to soundtrack it. Olive Pometsey

24. Park Hye Jin
Instagram / ParkHyyeJin

If you don’t want to listen to music that makes you yearn for the club while we can’t go to them, keep away from Park Hye Jin: her ambient, luscious shoegaze-y techno will make you crave smoking areas like it’s nobody’s business. How Can I is the second EP from the South Korean DJ and goes slightly harder than her first. Tracks such as “No” have all the murk and hard beats of 4am at Bloc, but then there’s the laconic “Like This”, which hits just right even in lockdown. David Levesley

25. R.A.E

As she says in her track “Who Is She?", rapper R.A.E (Rise Above Everything) is a “1990s queen”, who has a musical style to rival the decade’s brightest talents. From her retro beats to the playful storytelling in her lyrics, R.A.E’s music is packed full of nostalgic references to the golden age of hip-hop, only reaffirming what we already knew to be true: we’re already in the midst of a second one. The best part? This time women like R.A.E are at the forefront. Olive Pometsey

26. Lous And The Yakuza

All you need to do is look at Lous And The Yakuza to be enchanted, but once you hear her music, you’ll fall even deeper under her spell. It probably helps that the Belgian-Congolese artist predominantly raps and sings in French, but her melodic flow and breathy harmonies communicate all you need to know if you’ve forgotten everything you learned at GCSE. Currently working on an album with Rosalía’s producer, El Guincho, you should expect nothing but big things from this one-of-a-kind talent. Olive Pometsey

27. Roddy Ricch
TYLER ASH

Roddy Ricch entered 2020 as one of the most played artists on YouTube, securing his first US No1 with “The Box” and coming close to repeating his feat in the UK at the end of January. His success should come as no surprise to those who have been following him for a while – after all, he won his first Grammy last year after featuring on the late Nipsey Hussle’s "Racks In The Middle" – and with a sound that masterfully blends trap and drill with West Coast hip-hop, the 21-year-old rapper is poised to carve out a new space in rap that transcends sub-genres. If that's not enough to convince you to give Ricch a listen, then let us tempt you with the title of his debut album, Excuse Me For Being Antisocial. Your self-isolation has already been soundtracked. Olive Pometsey

28. Doja Cat

We're yet to hear a Doja Cat song that we don't like and, with two albums and an EP already under her belt, that's a pretty impressive achievement for an artist who originally went viral by rapping “Bitch, I'm a cow” with chips shoved up her nostrils on YouTube. Remarkably, that song actually slaps, as do her culinary musings on “Waffles Are Better Than Pancakes”, but it was her second album, Hot Pink, that really solidified her as a force to be reckoned with. Whether she's riding the beat with assured swagger on “Rules”, serving disco realness on viral TikTok hit “Say So” or sampling Blink-182 on “Bottom Bitch”, her versatility and prowess as a rapper shines through on every track. The only other thing we want to hear from her is more. Olive Pometsey

29. Piers James
Mark Hilton 

You don’t get much better than an endorsement from Ed Sheeran, one of the many reasons why the world is waking up to Piers James’ talent. The London-based rapper-producer was, after all, handpicked by Sheeran to play support at his 45,000-capacity homecoming show last year, having also been tapped by Adidas to write and perform a track for the recent Predator boots campaign. James has real range, with a style that oscillates comfortably between old-school sunny hip hop (he cites influences such as Tribe Called Quest) and the grit of London’s streets. He’s a true chameleon, with credits ranging from modelling for Napapijri to producing the instrumental for a recent Flannels campaign starring AJ Tracey and Raye. Start with James’ latest track, “Garden Of Eden”, taken from his upcoming two-part project A Dying Breed. Kathleen Johnston

30. Abi Ocia
Prexa Shrestha

West Londoner Abi Ocia has the kind of voice that transports you to another world, one you literally can’t help but fall in love with. Her esoteric brand of R&B fuses soul, 1980s atmospherics and alternative pop with the celestial vibe you might associate with artists such as Nao, Solange and Sampha. Clearly, the 25-year-old’s deeply reflective, referential writing style has resonated: her first single, “Running”, has racked up more than five million streams on Spotify. Ocia's rich storytelling extends to her extraordinary visuals, too. Just see the Vero-backed “Offering" for proof. We recommend starting with her incredible debut EP, Where Are You?, released in November last year, right before she graced one of our GQ events with a breathtaking performance. Above all, Ocia delivers one hell of a live show, where unabashed star power and spine tingles are guaranteed. Kathleen Johnston

31. JGrrey

If neo-soul is your genre of choice, then you’re in luck: JGrrey is one of the hottest talents on the scene in London right now and her silky vocals paired with the relaxed funk beats in her music make for a winning combination. Having supported Billie Eilish on her European tour and headlined the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury last summer, her star is rising at rocket speed and, with new music on the way, it’s only going to reach new heights in 2020. We suggest starting your JGrrey journey with her upbeat tracks “Better Off” and “For Keeps” for a guaranteed rush of uplifting endorphins. Olive Pometsey

32. Mae Muller

Gen Z's answer to Lily Allen, Mae Muller's witty and brutally honest lyrics set her apart from her peers – note this killer line from “Anticlimax” for evidence: “All my friends say I'm better than that, 'Cause you don't have a job, And you're shit in the sack.” And while pop's megastars have fandoms that go by cute names such as Beliebers or Arianators, Muller's fans call themselves Mullshitters, indicating that she's already amassed a loyal legion of empowered followers who, quite frankly, give zero f**ks. We're here for the attitude and we're staying for the music. Olive Pometsey

33. Ari Lennox

Having released her first EP in 2013, Ari Lennox's rise to success has been a longtime coming, but her debut studio album Shae Butter Baby shifted her career into overdrive last year. Why? Well, it could be her old-school soul vocals, full of emotion and vulnerability, or it could be her playful hooks, such as “BMO”'s sample of “gitchi gitchi yaya” from “Lady Marmalade”. The fact that she went on the road with Lizzo last year and is signed to J Cole's record label also probably helps, but Lennox has the kind of talent that makes it clear she was always destined to be a star anyway. Olive Pometsey

34. Joy Crookes

At 21, Joy Crookes may be young, but her voice sounds well beyond her years, while her poetic lyricism earned her spot on the shortlist for the Rising Star Award at this year's Brit Awards. From the bluesy “Mother May I Sleep With Danger?” to tracks such as “Hurts”, which is reminiscent of Kelis' “Millionaire”, once you dive into Crookes' already full repertoire you'll find it hard to climb back out. The good news is that you don't have to. Her debut studio album is set to be released this year, making 2020 just that little bit brighter. Kathleen Johnston

35. Carter Ace

There's a delightful dichotomy LA's Carter Ace, layering honest and slightly dark lyrics over eclectic, soulful beats that have a poppy, hip-hop twist. “I Think I'm Normal” is a brilliant example of this, a track that has the air of Tame Impala and MGMT, while musing on what it means to be “normal”. Spoiler alert, Ace admits towards the end that his “brain is kinda fucked”, but if it can keep producing bops of this calibre then there's clearly genius to be found within the madness. If Carter Ace isn't normal, then we don't want to be either. Olive Pometsey

36. Beam 

YouTube channel A Colors Show has quickly become the place for new artists to flex their talents  and none have made quite so big of an impression recently as Beam, whose performance of “2X2” showed the world why he's become a go-to producer for megastars such as 2 Chainz. According to his father, who just so happens to be dancehall legend Papa San, Beam has been producing since the tender age of ten and, at 25, he already has a Grammy win on his CV for his work on Lecrae's Gravity. But the release of his debut album, 95, last year saw him publicly step into the limelight. Merging reggae, dancehall, trap and hip-hop, while flitting between the patois of his home country, Jamaica, and English, Beam's music seamlessly blends the sounds that have dominated the charts over the past few years with unparalleled authenticity. Olive Pometsey

37. Tones And I

There are few voices out there at the moment that are as distinctive as Tones And I’s, which explains last year's hit single “Dance Monkey”, which shot to No1 in nine countries. Hailing from Australia, where her single spent 24 weeks at No1 last year, Tones And I’s debut EP, The Kids Are Coming, flits between Billie Eilish's dark pop and the power pop of Sia. Olive Pometsey

38. Rema
TSE

Arguably the first and most important thing you need to know about Nigerian artist Rema is that he’s already been endorsed by Barack Obama, who featured his track “Iron Man” on his 2019 playlist. The 20-year-old Afro-pop wunderkind broke through with his single “Dumebi” – which became a viral dance sensation – and has established himself as one of the most important voices to come out of the continent’s music boom. Industry expectations for Benin City-native Rema, who was discovered after he posted a freestyle to Afro-pop singer D’Prince’s “Gucci Gang" featuring Don Jazzy and Davido, are sky-high, not just because of his sound but because he has an amazing story of resilience, self-worth and hard work too. Kathleen Johnston

39. Lola Young

South Londoner Lola Young has been on our radar since she dropped her debut single “6 Feet Under” in November 2019. The 19-year-old is a Brit School alumni (fellow graduates include Adele, Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, Loyle Carner and Ella Eyre) who’s already something of a veteran on the London scene, having won a national open mic competition at the age of 13. Young has been writing songs since she was eleven, citing influences from Joni Mitchell to Frank Ocean. On tracks such as “3rd Of Jan” she sounds like a new-wave Lily Allen or Kate Nash and on “Pick Me Up”, a smoky jazz queen, while “6 Feet Under” echoes smooth, electro-driven R&B. It has us wishing Young's April EP, Renaissance, could come even sooner. Kathleen Johnston

40. Jessie Reyez

Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez has already earned herself a reputation as one of the leading songwriters currently, having penned hits for everyone from Sam Smith to Calvin Harris (she wrote “One Kiss”, the biggest selling song in the UK in 2018). Now, though, the 28-year-old is making waves as a solo artist in her own right, with her debut album, Love Came To Kill Us, arriving this March, getting shoutouts from the likes of Drake, not to mention rave reviews from critics and fans alike. Her brand of trippy R&B is fierce, soulful and sweary enough to rival any rapper, tempered by a celestial voice that sounds like pure liquid gold. Kathleen Johnston

41. Celeste
Mike Marsland

There’s one name topping every one-to-watch list this year and it’s Celeste. She seems a very safe bet given that she has one of those timeless, generation-spanning voices, as appealing to your ageing dad as to your hypebeast cousin who’s just discovering nu-jazz. It’s a voice that channels Aretha Franklin and takes a cinematic approach to emotion – the more sweeping, the better. Most of the songs she’s released so far have been on the melancholy side of things, but 2020 will bring with it a bigger, more upbeat pop sound that is almost certain to elevate her to ubiquitous status. Get ready to be sick of Celeste, basically. Kate Solomon

42. Beabadoobee
Johnny Louis

With song titles like "I Wish I Was Stephen Malkmus", London-based Beabadoobee isn’t being coy about her influences. Having only picked up a guitar for the first time two years ago, the 19-year-old has made it her own with a series of deeply Nineties-indebted EPs that examine everything from young, starry-eyed love to the deep insecurities that come with anxiety and mental health issues. The aforementioned Pavement frontman gave her grungy, adolescent vignettes the thumbs up recently and he’s far from alone. With an army of Gen-Z fans already backing her and a new contract with The 1975’s Dirty Hit label, her debut album is one of our most anticipated of the year. Kate Solomon

43. Easy Life
David M. Benett

If you like your guitars with a side of swagger and choruses from the Jamie T school of lyricism, Easy Life are going to be all over your playlists in 2020. At first glance, they’re your average parka-wearing lager louts, but the Leicester band aren’t your regular everyday indie lads. Their latest single, "Sangria", is an intriguing mix of laid-back rhymes and funk motifs that have been slowed down and sprinkled with reverb. It’s smokey LA jazz club meets East Midlands accents delivering songs with titles such as "Houseplants" and "Spaghetti Hoops" – and it’s real good. Kate Solomon

44. Normani
Kevin Mazur

OK, we know you already know Normani: one fifth of turbulent X Factor US finalists Fifth Harmony and the singer behind "Motivation", one of this year’s greatest songs. She bounced a basketball off her butt in the video... You know the one. Even if you’ve spent 2019 living under a rock (and who can blame you), Normani is going to dominate your 2020. "Motivation" was roundly adored for its modern take on millennium-era R&B (think Aaliyah, Alicia Keys, Destiny’s Child), keeping all the hooks and the sly sexiness but removing all of the cheese. She’s been working with a host of top collaborators including Ariana Grande’s BFF Victoria Monét, so no wonder, with an album slated for 2020, we’re thirsty for more. Kate Solomon

45. SuperM
Randy Holmes

SuperM’s first mini album, imaginatively titled The 1st Mini Album, opens with a crowd cheering wildly. We’d advise you to get ready to join those masses in 2020. The K-Pop supergroup lands somewhere between the stadium rocking One Direction and the multitasking Brockhampton. Its seven members are already established stars in three other groups and their mix of gang vocals, rock guitars, industrial electro and excitable rap would be huge even if it wasn’t irresistibly moreish. Which, luckily, it is. Check out their biggest song, "Jopping", which somehow manages to mix everything into a pop-rock bouillabaisse that sounds on paper like it ought to be an almighty racket but, somehow, against all natural laws of music, works. Kate Solomon

46. Koffee
Joseph Okpako

Mikayla Simpson earned the nickname "Koffee" when she ordered a hot cup of joe on a sweltering summer’s day but it’s serving her well. Hailing from Spanish Town, Jamaica, she’s ushering in a new age of reggae. Songs range from calling out gun violence and bigging up Usain Bolt – the latter was what sent her viral on Instagram and led to her signing with Columbia last year. On everyone’s shortlist of artists to work with, she’s opening for some of Harry Styles’ North American tour dates in 2020. It’s definitely worth getting on the Koffee train before then. Kate Solomon

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