Top 20 Artists to Watch

Tank and the Bangas is a group who blends hip hop and soul with music from a live band. They recently released their major label debut, Green Balloon. The lead singer, Tarriona Ball has an abundance of positivity that makes you smile from the moment any of the group’s songs begin to play.
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble is a group of eight sons of the trumpeter, Phil Cohran. The brothers grew up around music, but as they got older, many of them stopped playing. Luckily for music enthusiasts, the urge to play was too strong to stay away. In addition to their music, you can hear them along side Erykah Badu, Femi Kuti, and Prince.

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Cautious Clay is a refreshing voice in the world of R&B. His EP, Table of Context, allows listeners to witness his vulnerabilities. Brooklyn is his home, but you can hear the influences of his former stomping grounds of Cleveland and Washington in his music. Clay is currently unsigned, but 2019 is looking to be a groundbreaking year for the young entertainer.
When your grandfather is iconic trumpet player, Doc Cheatham, playing the horn is in your DNA. Theo Crocker has set out to take what his grandfather started and take it to a whole new level! He refuses to have his music placed in any of the categories that have been created for jazz music. He simply does what he feels in his spirit, and that is a blessing.
Domani is the son of the “King of the South,” TI, and Tiny Harris. As such, his music comes with high expectations. Many second-generation entertainers have crumbled under the pressure of their famous parents but Domani is poised to buck that trend. His latest release, Time Will Tell, showcases his talent, growth, and the maturity of a rapper well beyond his years.
Dev and Corey are known as Bathe. Their tracks allow you to just vibe out, even when they talk about relationships ending when one party suddenly stops communicating with the other. The music has somewhat of a dark and humorous tones with hints of being “up in your feelings.” They definitely allow themselves to relive some of the moments that may not have gone the way they wanted them to, and that makes them incredibly relatable.
Megan Thee Stallion is sometimes compared to Nicki Minaj, but she is unlike any other. Not only has she become famous for her ferocious lyrics and delivery, but also because she’s currently a Texas Southern University student. Some consider her lyrics to be vulgar, but there is no denying her intellect or talent.
Arnetta Johnson is a trumpeter who’s gaining attention, and for good reason. Johnson plays like she grew up with Miles Davis playing in one ear and trap music playing in the other. The combination sounds strange but Johnson and her group, Sunny, make it work.
The Suffers have been working since 2011 to get their brand of soul music out to the world. The artists take their music very seriously, and that can be heard with each note they sing. Whether in front of thousands or a crowd of 50, The Suffers always give their all.
Tierra Whack is a Philadelphia rapper with a uniquely animated style. She has a habit of making songs that last about a minute or so, which is perfect for the short attention span of music listeners. Her ability to embrace her individuality is very reminiscent of the legend, Missy Elliott.
Guitarist Steve Lacy shows the freedom younger artists have with their music. This Compton native initially gained notoriety with the Grammy-nominated group, The Internet, but he decided to go out on his own. In May of this year, he released his solo debut, Apollo XXI.
There’s a long line of legendary rappers from the Bay Area, and ALLBLACK is striving to be the next one. If punchlines could fight, many opposing rappers would have problems with the words ALLBLACK spits. Although many Bay Area artists are loyal to the soil and sometimes find it difficult to make it outside of home, ALLBLACK is definitely going after national appeal.
Caribbean culture and hip-hop are infused brilliantly in saxophonist, Nubya Garcia’s music. The combination of sounds she creates are completely new, yet they’re presented in a way jazz enthusiasts will relate to, while hip-hop heads will instantly vibe with.
Influenced by Cassidy and J. Cole, rapper MDot’s style has been described as “grimy, conscious rap.” His words can be harsh and blunt, but his words are riddled with truth. His beats are the spoonful of sugar that help the medicine go down.
TDE continues to strike gold with their artists. Next up in a line of heavy hitters is Reason. This young California emcee has obviously been taking notes from his label mates but he refuses to be kept in the shadows. Whether on mixtapes, freestyles or his album, Reason is showing the world why he won’t be denied.
Mélat has been tearing up the r&b scene for a little while, and her fanbase will continue to grow. Her music is an open diary that allows us to hear her innermost thoughts. She is eclectic, but her songs contain an undeniable amount of soul.
If you’re searching for fame, jazz music is a hard genre to do it in. It becomes even more difficult when you’re not a trumpet or saxophone player. Enter percussionist, Joel Ross. He has already played with legendary artists like Herbie Hancock, which gives him the ultimate level of respect from his peers, his predecessors, and those who are following behind him. He primarily focuses on the vibraphone and pardon the pun, but there is no doubt that he will continue to bless the music world with positive vibes.
For most, Ex serves as the introduction to Kiana Ledé. Although she is only 22, Kiana has been acting and singing professionally since she was a teen. She won a kid’s competition in 2011 and her journey has continued moving forward. This year will be only a glimpse into her future.
With jazz, you never know when it’s “your time.” Trumpeter and composer, Jamie Brance, has been making music professionally for over a decade, but 2019 is set to be a breakout year for her. She released a solo project in 2017, which was followed by a group collaboration in 2018. This year will continue to see that momentum grow.
Austin native, Curt Legacy, is a rapper everyone needs to watch. Legacy stays in his own lane by not being confined to a box. He’s able to make party music with lyrics that can still make you think. His popularity has been growing, and 2019 serves to be a big year for him.