Emerging art is an excellent diversion. From group exhibitions featuring up-and-coming artists you’ve probably never heard of (but will very soon) to trial balloon solos by artists just joined to the rosters of larger galleries, the art world is overdue for a new crop of talent. Here, we spotlight 10 rising artists from across the world.
Arlo Parks
Arlo Parks is a British singer-songwriter and poet, known as Anas Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho. Collapsed in Sunbeams, her first studio album, was released to great acclaim in 2021 and reached number three on the UK Albums Chart.
Celeste Waite
Elton John is a fan of the American-born British soul singer, who added two of her tunes to his personal Apple Music playlist in November. Celeste Waite has also opened for Janelle Monae. She received the BBC Introducing Artist of the Year and Sound of 2020 Awards last year, and she took up the Rising Star Brit Award this year. Her first album is set to be released later this year, and she will go on her first worldwide tour in April.
Bakar
Bakar is the stage name of Abubakar Baker Shariff-Farr, a British singer, composer, and model. He made his professional solo debut with the mixtape Badkid in May 2018, followed by the extended EP Will You Be My Yellow? in September 2019. He is known for his experimental indie rock style.
Bartees Strange
Bartees Leon Cox Jr., better known by his stage name Bartees Strange, is an American musician who was born in England. He has been dropping several hit albums and singles.
Mayia Cohen
Mayia Cohen just recently released her debut single “Temporary.” Mayia Cohen makes an impactful debut with outstanding rhythms and dives right in, showcasing her stunning vocals. The ups and downs of her voice, from serious to humorous, sorrowful to joyous, one by one, are incredibly hypnotic. The audience will be left wanting more after hearing this song since it is so lively, dynamic, and rich.
BERWYN
BERWYN’s arrangements frequently feature piano, which enhances the closeness and allows his voice’s calm conviction to shine through. He talks of being born in Trinidad and Tobago, relocating to London at the age of nine, and eventually becoming a dealer out of need, but knowing he’s destined for more. In his work, he’s adamant about pushing himself to new heights.
Claud
The artist previously known as Toast was discovered via SoundCloud demos and DIY gigs in Chicago, and is the first signing to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records label. Their soft, dreamy songs touch on universal coming-of-age themes like unrequited love and teenage fragility, but Claud also includes overlooked bits of life and love within the young LGBTQ+ community. Claud’s first album, Super Monster, is a must-have.
Freak Juice
Tori Ruffin, the guitarist for Tulsa R&B band Freak Juice, has spent decades as a sideman but has just lately emerged into the forefront with his own songs. Ruffin, who has performed and recorded with artists such as Prince, Fishbone, and Morris Day, doesn’t shy away from difficult issues on the band’s next LP, They Call Us Juice, due out in late 2020. He tackles politics (“Hypocrite”) and the Tulsa Race Massacre (1921) with a professional musicianship that rocks as hard as it grooves.
Genesis Owusu
Kofi Owusu-Ansah, a Ghanaian-Australian singer from Canberra, is known by his stage, Genesis Owusu. He was born in Ghana and migrated to Australia with his family when he was two years old. He has recently released “Waiting On Ya (Remix).”
Gustaf
Gustaf is a Brooklyn-based retro art-punk band that has received a lot of praise. Despite the fact that their first song, “Mine,” is less than four months old, they’ve already opened for a number of high-profile bands, including Beck. This band will be of interest to Talking Heads and Television fans.
