With many artists releasing some of their best work this year – who are some up-and-coming artists to keep an eye on in the coming months and years?
1. Deniro Farrar
Despite being active since 2010, the North Carolina rapper is finally starting to achieve some notoriety and acclaim with his music. His two latest releases “The Re-Up” and “Sole-Food” are two of the best projects of 2019 and 2020, respectively. If these are a sign of things to come, Farrar might be one of the best rappers in the industry within a few years.
2. Yves Tumor
The fact that Yves Tumor isn’t more widely known is a crime. They have released two of the best albums of the last five years with 2018’s “Safe in the Hands of Love” and 2020’s “Heaven to a Tortured Mind.” The Neo-soul and alternative funk artist has achieved an underground following, but hopefully their feature on Joji’s latest “Nectar” album will launch them into the eye of mainstream audiences.
3. Yungblud
With his collaborative single with Denzel Curry, “Lemonade” being a hit and even being featured on the Madden 21 soundtrack, it seems the alternative artist is finally achieving widespread acclaim. If “Lemonade” is an example of the quality to expect on Yungblud’s future works, his career is definitely one to follow and keep tabs on.
4. Baby Keem
Keem has been one rap fans have kept on eye on since his 2018 “Hearts and Darts” EP. The cousin of legendary rapper Kendrick Lamar has received recognition from other artists such as A$AP Rocky and Drake and seems to be on the cusp of being the hit-maker a lot of fans and artists expect him to be.
5. Anonymuz
The fact that Anonymuz is still “up-and-coming” is a crime. His “Hiei” EP and “There is No Threat” album are two of the most solid rap projects in recent memory. Despite having his songs featured on ESPN and Sunday NFL Football, and collaborating with fellow Floridian artists Denzel Curry and Sylvan LaCue, Anonymuz still has not quite broken into the mainstream rap audience – but the bottom line is he should be. Listen to him.
Teren Kowatsch can be reached at [email protected].