Ones to Keep Your Eyes On: Hip-Hop and R&B artists

2016 was a great year for new Hip-Hop and R&B artists. We saw the new rappers like 21 Savage, Lil Yachty and Lil Uzi Vert become big artist. It’s now time to look forward. These are 10 artists that I think has what it takes to become successful this year.

Mabel

Mabel is definitely a name you will be hearing more of this following year. Mabel has been around music her whole life. She is the daughter of singer Neneh Cherry and Massive Attack producer, Cameron McVey. She was raised between Malaga, Stockholm and London. Her sound ranges from R&B to Pop and Trip-Hop. Her song Know Me Better really captures her unique sound. My Boy My Town, showcases a more soulful R&B sound.

Starrah

Starrah helped write big hits like Rihanna’s Needed Me, Kevin Gates’ Two Phones, Travis Scott and Young Thug’s Pick Up The Phone, and Drake’s Fake Love. I think Starrah is poised to be the next breakout star in 2017. If you listen to her solo tracks Rush and Dirty Diana you will hear the clear talent!

Rich Chigga

The internet helped this rapper launch his career. This 16-year-old Indonesian teenager Rich Chigga capitalized on this in a big way! His song Dat $tick went viral after number of rappers were filmed reacting to its music video. He has major talent, but in 2017 he has to prove he is more than just a viral hit.

SiR

Hailing from Inglewood, California SiR is a singer, songwriter, producer, engineer. He was worked with Anita Baker, Jill Scott and Tyrese. SiR has the the beautiful ability to write romantic lyrics effortlessly and his melodies are out of this world. His chill R&B has been praised by NPR. His EP Her was one of my favorites last year. I can’t wait to see what he does in 2017.

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie

A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie is one of the more well known artist on this list. He dropped his Artist mixtape and TBA EP last year, his successful songs were My Sh*t, Jungle and my personal favorite Friend Zone. He recently released his single Drowning featuring Kodak Black. But what set him apart from all of these artist was when Drake brought him on stage during the Summer Sixteen Tour. A collaboration between the two is on the way. I am expecting great things from him this year.

Kodie Shane

Kodie Shane is an 18-year-old singer and rapper from Atlanta. Her 2016 EP Zero Gravity was major hit. Her song Sad featuring Lil Yachty made it to the charts last year. She still has a long way to go but her EP proved she has what it takes to make it. Hopefully 2017 is her year.

Khalid

Khaild is an 18-year-old who just graduated from high school in El Paso, Texas. He is pretty new to music. He only started seriously recording in 2015. His song Location blew up when celebrities like Kylie Jenner featured his song on her Snapchat. He just released his album American Teen and it is officially my favorite album right now. His songs Saved and Hopeless showcase his beautiful husky voice and American Teen is the perfect theme song for millennials. I am sure Khalid is going to do great things this year.

Ari Lennox

In December 2015 Ari Lennox the singer and songwriter joined the Dreamville roster. She has generated a lot of excitement surrounding her EP, PHO… Yes – just like the yummy Vietnamese noodle soup. Lennox has a sultry, jazzy vocals. Songs like Yuengling and my personal favorite Backseat demonstrate her range and abilities.

Nav

Nav, a producer and rapper from Toronto just like Drake and his friend The Weekend. If you take a look at his SoundCloud it shows that all of his self-produced songs have millions of plays. Kylie Jenner has been vocal that Myself is her favorite Nav song. Nav is having an impressive year so far… and it’s only March! He has an upcoming collaborative project with Metro Boomin’, he is also is performing a Coachella next month.