12 Artists to watch in 2019

12 ARTISTS TO WATCH IN 2019

While these past few months have been good to some big musical names -whose returns were very much awaitedthere is a bunch of new talents out there that clearly deserve a part of the light. May have they drawn attention in 2018 or may their names be rather unknown, here are 12 artists whose careers are bound to take off in 2019!

17 Pink Sweat$

This 26-year-old Philadelphia native (who got his name from wearing pink sweatpants everyday) might soon become the answer to the most asked question of the end of 2018: Who is the king of R&B? Producer, songwriter and vocalist, he can do it all. With his first EP «Volume 1», Pink Sweat$ showcases incredible vocals on a stripped back melody. His style, mellow and honest, reminds us a bit of Frank Ocean. Knowing the fact that he started recording himself less than a year ago, 2019 can only be a year with more Pink Sweat$ in it.

AARON AYE

Meet one of the most promising figures of the hiphop/R&B scene! With his 7-track debut LP called «Orphan», Aaron Aye opened a nice window on his universe - full of scars yet solar. The 22-year-old artist, coming from Minneapolis, litteraly chronicles his young life : «Orphan is an album inspired by my journey as a Midwest kid trying to find my purpose in life while experimenting with love, growing up without parents, battling the struggle of uncertainty, and dealing with the loss of a loved one.» Facing the death of her mother at only 15, Aaron Aye has yet learnt to count his blessings and celebrate life, as his mom did in a such positive way. With wisdom and undeniable talent, a brilliant croon and infectious melodies, Aaron Aye is entering a new chapter in life, marked with growing success and recognition. And it is so well deserved!

¿Téo?

Writing about new artists in 2019 without mentioning ¿Téo? is impossible! The Colombian singer also known as Mateo Arias is something special. Something you can’t describe with words, someone you have to listen to to get your own idea. His debut self-named album depicts a broad bunch of influences: Hip-Hop, pop/ rock, folk and more. Each song included in his first record is different and his fresh vision for the album has something different to offer to the music landscape. Whether it’s the emblematic «Uno Dos» featuring Jaden Smith or «Thru My Hair» and «Belong In The Sun», the artist will make you travel in no time, without leaving your living room.

YOUNGR

Last year, musician, singer and producer Youngr kicked off 2018 by releasing a mixtape called «This Is Not An Album». Rather than being an actual album, the project was a collection of various works, past and present, showcasing his inspiration and evolution. Along his musical journey, the singer - whose real name is Dario Darnell - learned a lot and managed to avoid the trap, navigating through different experiences. «Try to remember the initial feeling you had when you wrote it, or when you first listened to the mix down the next day, the only opinion that truly matters is your own». We could describe his sound as a melting pot of pop, EDM, bass and funk, often with very radio-friendly results.

LOLO ZOUAI

All the way from France where she was born, Lolo Zouaï grew up in the USA. Producer, singer-songwriter, stylist and model, the 23-year-old woman has a lot to offer and is getting bigger and bigger in the musical industry. Her career took off thanks to her single «High Highs To Low Lows» two years ago, in which she talks about the struggles of being an upcoming artist. From then on and after receiving the Songwriters Hall Of Fame Abe Olman award, she spoilt her audience with several other singles such as «Blue», «Brooklyn Love», «Desert Rose» or «Challenge», remaining faithful to her characteristic sound: a perfect mix of R&B, hip hop, powerful lyrics and Franco-Algerian inspirations. With millions of streams on Spotify, Lolo is definitely a rising star to watch in 2019!

CAUTIOUS CLAY

Remember his name! Joshua Karpeh, known as Cautious Clay, is an American singer-songwriter and producer who started music doing remixes. One of them really caught everyone’s attention since his remix of «Ocean Eyes» by Billie Eilish was included in her official remixes EP. Cautious Clay then released «Cold War» in 2017, the first single of his debut EP «Blood Type» which was revealed a year ago. A bit later, we discovered his second EP called «Resonance» which according to him is«a brighter more direct perspective on how people see fame, style, and how we treat each other». Inspired by artists such as Kendrick Lamar or Outkast, Cautious Clay knows how to make effective tracks to listen on repeat. If you love R&B, pop, alternative music and a bit of electronic, you won’t be disappointed!

TOM LEEB

A versatile artist and a guitar virtuoso, Tom Leeb definitely is a man to follow in 2019. Although being only 29 years old, the handsome Frenchie is an actor – currently in the movie «Edmond» –, a singer, a musician and a humorist in the duo called «Kevin and Tom»! In fact, it seems rather right to say he was destined to evolve on stage. Son of the humorist Michel Leeb, Tom spent five years in New York when he was a teenager. There, he studied cinema, theatre, dancing and singing. That may be one of the reasons why the artist only sings in Shakespeare’s language. Tom Leeb released his first EP in November. Composed of six songs, it is an absolute gem of folk and will be followed by a debut album in 2019! If you love a James Morrison’s vibe and you’re into silky voices, there is no doubt you’ll fall in love with Tom Leeb’s music!

DONNA MISSAL

She is the new American powerhouse! Brought up in a family of musicians in New Jersey, Donna Missal cracked up streaming counters in 2015 with her ambiguous «Keep Lying» - smooth and cutting at the same time. Track after track, she revealed impressive vocals, strong and engaged anthems and a magnetic presence. On her debut album «This Time», she worked with Tim Anderson (Halsey, Banks, Charlotte OC) to shape an impetuous and raw sound, ambitioning to create «a soundtrack to your evolution». «The album is about figuring out who you are, what you believe in, and projecting that inward to find self-understanding and acceptance.» Proud and confident, Donna Missal has come through this inner journey and is now totally embracing her bisexuality - expressing her gender fluid identity through her looks. Recently on tour with King Princess or Bishop Briggs, she definitely joined the team of young women shaking up standards in the industry and beyond!

BRYNN CARTELLI

Crowned as the youngest winner of the televised singing competition The Voice in 2018, Bryanna Cartelli and her soulful vocals are set to make it big this year. Her first official single «Last Night’s Mascara» released through Atlantic Records is a mix of what is working at the moment: a pop radio-friendly melody blended with catchy lyrics. It’s a win for the 15- year old singer. Yes, 15 year-old! If you watched her performance of «Beneath Your Beautiful», or her duo with Julia Michaels on the original «Walk My Way», you can easily fall in love with the teenager’s impressive style and she’s definitely an artist to keep your eyes on!

JP SAXE

Another Toronto-born artist is set to take over the world, this time not in Hip-Hop but in the pop world! JP Saxe is already sweeping everyone off their feet by bringing them intimately close to his emotional perspective. After an amazing debut single called «Changed», the pop/R&B artist collaborated with Charlotte Lawrence on «The Few Things» which will touch your soul and is a must-listen. It guides listeners through the subtle intimacies that make up a relationship. On the accompanying music video, Saxe shares, «It’s the first video I’ve directed (along with Dina Shihabi) and it is so biographical, it made the process of creating it, at points, kind of uncomfortable… but if it’s not real, what’s the point? Even if it’s a little too real sometimes.» We insist that you check JP as soon as possible as he’s going to be one of the next big things in pop, we assure you!

DOMINIC FIKE

Have you heard about Dominic Fike in 2018? If you haven’t yet, chances are that you’re going to find out about one of the most exciting new artists very soon. The pop-alt 22-year-old artist sparked a label bidding war before even releasing any music. It’s only last October that he finally unveiled his promising 6-track debut EP «Don’t Forget About Me, Demos.». He has already accumulated massive attention from media, industry people and fans, intrigued by his original and eclectic sound, boyish charisma and mysterious overall personality. Dominic is set to have a big 2019 as his songs, whether it is the catchy electric guitar -infused pop/rock track «3 Nights», the urban oriented «Babydoll» or «She Wants My Money», are only a sneak peek of what he’s going to unveil in the next future.

FINNEAS

You may know him as Billie Eilish’s producer who happens to be her brother but you should definitely keep an eye on him! Indeed, he wrote many of his sister’s hits such as «Ocean Eyes» or «When The Party’s Over». After making his debut as an actor and in a pop-rock band, Finneas’ solo singing career started in 2016. With no less than 10 singles, from the sensual «New Girl» to «Let’s Fall In Love For The Night», he invited us in his universe. Finneas’ alternative pop music is marked by powerful instrumentals with piano, electronic sounds or even violin in «Life Moves On» and love is a recurrent theme. Indeed, his personal lyrics make his songs sound like a diary. Each single feels unique and different from what we can hear nowadays: «I just want to write things I would love to listen to». An EP or an album is expected in the summertime. 2019 will be his year!