5 Exciting Artists to Watch in 2021, Part One

1. MICHELLE

MICHELLE is a group of six 21year old musicians, whose music is inspired by the essence of New York City. For anyone who's been missing NYC during the pandemic, MICHELLE’s track might be the fix. Their debut album HEATWAVE weaves together R&B inflected pop with bright indie gestures, sleek synths, and warm unique grooves. The standout track from the album “The Bottom” is an ode to the East River. Their 2020 single “SUNRISE” picked up right where they left off in 2018. We’re expecting to see more sultry grooves from this NYC collective in 2021. 

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2. Verzache

Zach Farache, also known as Verzache, is a Toronto based musician who is paving the way for modern experimental acoustic sounds. Being a tastemaker in the next wave of both production and songwriting styles, Verzache flawlessly bridges acoustic sounds with electronic production and impressive sound design. We’re expecting Verzache to set the bedroom pop and indie scene in 2021.

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3. Serena Isioma 

Somewhere between the edge of modern R&B and the rebellious spirit of indie pop is the music of Serena Isioma. The 19 year old Chicago based musician combines hip-hop, indie, and lofi elements to create a vibe that is very much its own. This past year, Serena's debut EP Sensitive has been shown love by Spotify playlists like Pollen and Anti-Pop, while simultaneously inspiring over 100,000 TikTok videos. 

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4. Ben Beal

2020 has been a year of noteworthy releases for New York based hip-hop artist Ben Beal. From his fourteen track debut album "Birdland" to his singles "Bluebird" and "Action Figures", his smooth melodic lyrics were exactly what we needed to get through the chaos of 2020. Since Beal’s Soundcloud era, he has managed to create an unparalleled nostalgic feel with his music. With an impressive catalog of hundreds of songs, he has collaborated with artists like Sophie Meiers, Mick Jenkins, Wun Two, Blu, Chester Watson, SwuM, and many more. His artistry began as a kid sampling dollar-bin jazz records. Today his unique blend of jazz and hip-hop is bringing him to the top.

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5. BERWYN

During quarantine, BERWYN, an East London rapper, producer and singer, wrote his 10 track debut album DEMOTRAPE/VEGA in a mere two weeks. The combination of his emotional narrative style, raw vocals, and stripped-down piano beats makes his music endlessly captivating. In his album, he recounts the trials and tribulations of his life story in a deeply profound manner. During the Black Lives Matter protests, BERWYN performed his song “Glory” for Later With Jools Holland. His performance was exceptionally moving to everyone watching - and even Drake shared it.  

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