Musicians undergo a delicate and complex process in writing timeless songs. To say the least, writing music is not an easy undertaking. It requires imagination, experience, and passion. Over the years, many musicians have tried and failed to make their marks within the music industry. But there are others, cut above the rest who have not just made themselves known but influenced and inspired listeners. Here are the top 20 musicians we need to look out for in 2021:
- Rihanna
Born Robyn Rihanna Fenty on February 20, 1988, Rihanna is one of the brightest stars in the music industry today, though she is currently focused on her business venture, Fenty Beauty. She is the eldest among the three children of Monica Fenty and Ronald Fenty. Rihanna’s childhood was scarred by her father’s drug addiction, but music became her safe space. The singer released her first album, Music of the Sun, in 2005, selling over two million copies worldwide, propelling her career to international fandom. Rihanna is best known for her hit songs “Umbrella,” “Disturbia,” “Take a Bow,” “We Found Love,” and “Diamonds.” She has won multiple awards, including the coveted Grammys and MTV Awards.
Instagram: @badgalriri
Website: www.ri-hanna.io/savagexfenty
- G-Eazy
Gerald Earl Gillum, better known as G-Eazy, is an American rapper born on May 24, 1989. He began his music career as a record producer while studying at Loyola University in New Orleans. Soon after, his work started making waves in the hip-hop scene, and G-Eazy began collaborating with big-name artists such as Lil Wayne and Snoop Dogg. The path eventually led him to release his first major-label, These Things Happen, on June 23, 2014, landing the top 3 spot on the US Billboard 200. G-Eazy continued to wow fans with his hit songs, including “Me, Myself & I,” “The Beautiful & Damned,” and “No Limit.”
Instagram: @g-eazy
Website: www.g-eazy.com
- Ellis Daniel Pascal
Ellis Pascal, aka Elli$D, is an artist who realized that if life is just a dream, so why not dream lucidly?
The triple entendre is a meningitis survivor and an activist for special needs. As an individual who has many classifications and who has completely conquered a very severe case of Tourette Syndrome, High Anxiety Disorder, ADHD, OCD, Bipolar, Spasticity, PTSD, etc., Ellis became a stronger person. Walking around, people would think that he is just an ordinary guy, unless he has told you his story.
Ellis has a second Degree Black Belt he got in 2001 and a Pro Bowler in 2016. Bottom line, from not being able to control his mobile and vocal motions/actions at one point in his life to taking full control, Ellis has an understanding of language that very few have. As an artist, he understands his place in the world and has the utmost confidence that his passion will not be broken. Ellis intends to help others in the community as well as sharing his art through any medium he can.
Instagram: @ellispascal
Spotify: Elli$D
Website: www.pashoffrecords.com
- Brian Wilson
Bwillz is the leading artist signed to Astronaut Boyz Incorporated. He is straight out of Denver, Colorado but has previously lived in Atlanta, Georgia. He is best known for his unique word play and metaphoric abilities. Bwillz doesn’t just rap. He also writes for R&B artists, making him a very versatile individual.
Bwillz, along with Astronaut Boyz Inc., gives back to the community by building Thanksgiving boxes that he personally takes to each home and putting together a Christmas gift drive to donate to kids less fortunate.
Bwillz has collaborated with some of Denver’s top artists like Trev Rich, AP, Lil Tr3 L, and many more. He also has opened up for Kircko Bangz and Lil Flip. He has performed with a list of most notable people and organizations like Rezquizit, Like Wise Production, Get Busy living etc. He released his debut albums Property Over Monopoly and an EP titled Chosen 1 combined with a multitude of singles.
This year, Bwillz has hit the ground rolling with his newly released single “Count It Up” ft Sauce Walka and Sauce Wood Winnin followed by his Next project “Slap Dis” which will be dropping February 2021.
Website: www.astronautboyz.com
- SORRY IT’S OVER
Sorry It’s Over is a pop/alt-rock band that was established by Sam Adgate and Louis Petrella. They have scored over 200,000 plays on Spotify, and their fan base is growing fast.
They trace their roots all the way back to a garage in Encinitas, California, inside a twelve-by-twelve square-foot box transformed into a DIY studio where the band’s music and art are crafted. They dub themselves as a couple of local SoCal boys that are just trying to have a good time. And that feeling definitely gets through to their music.
Sam and Louis were originally bandmates in high school. After moving to Santa Barbara together for a few years, they headed home and decided to take the jump and start making some original music together. They’ve been cooking up new stuff on their latest project since April of 2019. The two have been meeting up almost every day to work.
Currently, they have 4 singles out on all major streaming platforms. “Sunflower,” “Ghost Inside,” “Am I Better,” and “Is it Cool?” which has a free download available at www.sorryitsoverband.com. Their 5th single “Where’d My Mind Go” is coming out this Feb 12, 2021.
Website: www.sorryitsoverband.com
- Jeffrey Anthony Sanchez
Anthony Sanchez aka Pröfëssör Mājïç is the Founder of MajicMusickRecordsLLC and MājïçMärkëtïng®™. God willing and passionate about what he does, Anthony will surely be remembered as a man who acts as “many voices of one generation.” Pröfëssör Mājïç will storm this year with three albums which he calls “The Hïp-Höp TrïllögÏË.” The trilogy consists of the recently released album, “Hïp-Höp 101-2020” (available everywhere now), and two upcoming albums, “HÏP-HÖP EVÖLVËD” (set for April 20th) and “ËYË AM HÏP-HÖP” (which will debut this August 20th).
YouTube: Pröfëssör Mājïç
- Austin Light
Austin Light, aka Pretty Boy Austin, is an artist to look out for this year. The stage name Pretty Boy Austin seems like a pretty good fit for the artist as he exhibits an excellent stage presence and face value. Over the last year, Austin has debuted with a 9-song album that racked up a total of over 50,000 streams in Spotify and Apple Music.
In 2021, the stream count is still increasing day by day and Austin is pretty excited as to how his career will turn out this year. As he turned a year older this month, on the 14th, Pretty Boy Austin turns his head higher and looks out for what is to come this year. He is currently sitting down with several label and management teams to catapult his career. Austin will drop a new song and fans cannot wait.
Website: www.tapmybio.com/prettyboyaustin
- Kweku Smoke
Paul “Kweku Smoke” Amankwa is a Kumasi-born hip-hop artist previously known for utilizing his fluency in Twi, English, and Pidgin to create catchy tracks with a multilingual flair. He has also established his reputation as the King of Drill in Ghana and Africa as he pioneers the entry of drill trap music to the local hip-hop scene.
As the youngest brother to a then-aspiring artist, he spent much of his childhood in music. With his brother as inspiration, his decision to pursue a musical career would later prove fruitful. Kweku Smoke formally entered the music industry after he graduated from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, contrary to his family’s expectation that he would pursue an education in law. “Yedin” became the track that would launch his name to fame, and it was after this collaboration with his mentor and fellow rap artist who he looks up to, Sarkodie, that the upstroke of his career began.
Instagram: @kwekusmoke_
Facebook: Kweku Smoke
YouTube: KwekuSmoke
- Andrea “AddiRockART” Cordero
Andrea Cordero is an artist, actress, engineer, and influencer. Also known as AddiRockART to her fans, Andrea has been thriving in the digital space and as chameleon in the entertainment industry for 16 years. The Latinx creative has boosted many actors, musicians, YouTubers, and others to fame and success, while always taking time to educate and give back to minority and immigrant communities.
As a Latinx entrepreneur, she knows how hard it can be to break through. In 2020 she took her personal brand, AddiRockART global by expanding her horizons in the UK, starting with Peterborough. Cordero, originally from Baltimore, Maryland, has been at the forefront of many campaigns to raise money for the NHS, BLM, and many other causes and charities.
Instagram: @addirockart
Website: www.addirockart.com
- Sara Alavi
Sara Alavi is a commercial model, actress, BMI singer/songwriter, and humanitarian. Sara has been featured in advertisements for Fortune 500 brands such as Samsung, Exxon Mobil, and Mercedes Benz. Alavi has performed on stage in front of former President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush during Neil Berg’s 100 Years of Broadway. Sara’s latest single “Pretty Boy Swag” has shown to be a mainstream hit, rising on the charts in the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Italy, and Brazil. Sara is set to release more music early 2021, and we may anticipate seeing Alavi’s work at the next Latin Grammy Awards.
Website: www.saraalavi.com
- Morray
Photo courtesy: Nick Farrar
With his viral hit single “Quicksand,” breakout artist Morray’s career is brighter than most of his professional peers. The North Carolina rapper has released relatively lesser songs than other artists, the quality of all his songs is what will make him a projected true breakout of this year. Morray’s vocal and songwriting virtuoso has landed him deals with some of the most influential musical icons like Jay-Z, Tierra Whack, and rapper J. Cole.
Morray is working hard for an upcoming album, and it’s expected to garner a lot of attention and acclaim in the industry.
Instagram: @morrayda1
YouTube: Morray
- Mwelwa Bwalya
Mwelwa Bwalya is a dedicated musician who is determined to share emotional, historical and Educational music that is sure to capture the history of this generation and the generations before. Looking up for 2021, Mwelwa wants to set the stage for the future. A modern day African-American Griot, her music is timeless and essential to the preservation of stories in history.
Instagram: @queenzedi111
- Nija Charles
Photo courtesy: Vanity Group
23-year-old up-and-coming songwriter Nija Charles is set to storm the music industry. Aside from being an artist, Nija is also a record producer who has worked and sang with some of the most popular names in the industry. She wrote with Jay-Z, Beyonce, Drake, and Cardi B for several songs and has recently recorded a song with Beyonce for one of the songs in the Lion King soundtrack.
Instagram: @amnija
Twitter: @amnija_
Website: www.umusicpub.com/us/Artists/N/Nija.aspx
- King Princess
Photo by: King Princess
Born Mikael Straus, singer-songwriter King Princess is a musician to watch out for this year. With noteworthy skill in writing and singing honed since she was young, King Princess, a gay and genderqueer artist, is set to storm the music industry. Over the years, she has recorded and released songs like “Ain’t Together,” “1950,” “Hit the Black,” and more. In 2019, King Princess released her debut album Cheap Queen.
She’s worked with Mark Ronson and her music is influenced by her inspirations like Beyoncé, Dolly Parton, Perfume Genius, and Nick Cave.
Instagram: @kingprincess69
Website: www.kingprincessmusic.com
- Dyo
Photo courtesy: Christina Ebenezer
Dayo Olatunji, or known for her stage name Dyo, is a British-Nigerian artist based in East London. Many musical enthusiasts expect her to become a major player in the music industry in 2021. She’s collaborated and wrote with several recognizable artists in the industry like Maroon 5, Fifth Harmony, and Jacob Banks. She’s just 28, but she’ll surely make a mark. Her EP, Dyologue, is something that people need to listen to. In the EP, Dyo collaborated with Nigerian musician Simi for “Let Them Talk.”
Instagram: @itsdyo
YouTube: Dyo
- Bree Runway
Photo courtesy: Lucero Glow
Bree Runway is another musical artist from East London who is destined for greatness this year. Born Brenda Wireko Mensah, Bree is a singer-songwriter and rapper who boasts a pop-rock sound. She’s collaborated with Missy Elliot for the single ATM where she showed her finesse as an artist. Bree released her first commercial EP “Be Runway” last 2019 and was followed by her debut mixtape “2000AND4EVA” in 2020.
Instagram: @breerunway
Twitter: @breerunway
YouTube: Bree Runway
- Mustafa
Photo courtesy: Samuel Engelking
Mustafa or Mustafa the Poet, born Muastafa Ahmed, is known to play well with words. At 12, people noticed his talent in spoken poetry—writing pieces that fearlessly talks about mental health, society, racial and social injustice, and love. This talent is what makes Mustafa a noteworthy musician.
He’s worked with many artists, including Camila Cabello, The Weeknd, and Drake. This is what makes him someone to look out for this year. His single “Stay Alive” debuted in 2020 and captured a lot of attention from fans. Now, he’s gearing up for his album “When Smoke Rises” which will be released this year.
Instagram: @mustafathepoet
Twitter: @MustafaThePoet
YouTube: Mustafa
- Tom The Mail Man
Photo courtesy: Deangelo Harris
22-year-old musical genius Tom The Mail Man intends to take 2021 by storm. After dropping an album, an EP, and several singles in 2020, he plans more upcoming releases this year. An excellent rapper and a vocal beast, he easily caught the spotlight and quickly gained traction in the music industry. He’s released singles like “No Convos,” “Hero,” and “My Storm,” as well as an album he named “Liephas Evil”—all are proof of his vocal ability and sensational rapping.
Recently, he released two new singles “Nightmare” and “Faceless,” continuing his streak of releases that he says will be followed by many more this year.
Instagram: @tomthemailman
YouTube: Tom The Mail Man
- BERWYN
Photo courtesy: Frank Fieber
A natural born singer-songwriter and rapper while teaching himself how to produce his own musical pieces, Trinidad-born BERWYN is a breakout artist in 2020 and is expected to reach greater heights this year. He released his project DEMOTAPE/VEGA using an old laptop and broken headphones—the products, golden.
BERWYN’s singles “GLORY” and “TRAP PHONE” are full of emotions and soul. The pieces talk about the difficulties faced by the artist, introducing himself bit by bit in every verse.
He’s looking forward to what 2021 has to offer to his career.
Instagram: @berwynberwynberwyn
Twitter: @berwynberwyn_
- Mk.gee
Photo courtesy: Claire Gillan
After breaking off from the deal he had between IAMSOUND and Insterscope, things are looking up for Mk.gee as a solo artist. The guitarist-turned-singer and producer prepares for a major musical breakthrough in 2021. After the world heard his singles, “I Know How You Get” and “Untitled” back in 2018, fans could not wait to see what Mk.gee has in store for them this year.
According to his manager, Mk.gee has been growing as a person and as an artist for the past years, and he majestically performs well. He’s grasped who he is as an artist, and at the same time, he knows how to take his time and his career.
Instagram: @mk.gee
YouTube: Mkgee
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