Olivia Rodrigo, Roddy Ricch, Billie Eilish, Cardi B – these are just some of the breakout pop stars who have shot to the top of the charts over the past few years. Who will follow in their footsteps in 2022?
The music application Shazam has unveiled five musicians whom its algorithms predict will make waves over the next 12 months.
1. Arya Starr
Arya Starr is just 19 years old, but she’s already showing great musical maturity. The Nigerian artist caught the attention of music lovers and industry professionals with “Bloody Samaritan”, released last August.
This Afropop-sounding tune is one of 11 tracks on Arya Starr’s debut album “19 & Dangerous”. Upon its release, the album topped the charts in Nigeria, ahead of local superstars like Wizkid and Burna Boy.
2. DannyLux
Few people would have bet on a comeback for “corridos”, the traditional ballads popular in Mexico. But DannyLux has always believed in them.
The Mexican-American artist channels this musical genre in songs like “Jugaste y Sufrí”. The single, made in collaboration with Californian duo Eslabon Armado, was a hit on TikTok last year and even became the “most Shazamed regional Mexicano track” of the year.
3. Lyn Lapid
Like many artists of her generation, Lyn Lapid has understood the decisive role that platforms like TikTok play in the commercial success of a single. She experienced this with “Producer Man”, which quickly scored millions of views on the mobile application when it was released in 2020.
Lapid has since signed to Republic Records and has followed up with tracks like “In My Mind”.
4. Sad Night Dynamite
Sad Night Dynamite’s musical style is hard to define. The British duo is composed of Archie and Josh, two childhood friends in their 20s from Glastonbury.
They like to combine electro, hip-hop and Britpop, sprinkled with a few psychedelic touches here and there.
And it works. Their latest single “Demon”, in collaboration with South African singer Moonchild Sanelly, even landed a place on the soundtrack of the “Fifa 22” video game.
5. STAYC
The appetite for K-pop has never been so great, and Korean record companies continue to feed it by putting together new groups inspired by the success of BTS and Blackpink.
STAYC is one such example. This girl band is made up of six members – Sumin, Sieun, Isa, Seeun, Yoon and J – who found instant success with the colourful track “ASAP” and their EP “Staydom”.
They’re decidedly a band to watch out for this year.