Breaking Beats: Artists to watch in 2016
Album drops from Kendrick Lamar, Justin Beiber, Grimes and Adele were the most hyped on my social media feeds last year. The 2015 sound was heavy on songs for the dance floor (i.e. tropical house/reggaeton vibes). Trappy ass hip-hop was also big, with artists like Migos, Future and Fetty Wap taking over the radio. Not to be forgotten is the moody R&B and hip-hop sound that blew up with releases by Drake, The Weeknd and Majid Jordan. I expect that sound to remain hot in 2016 considering the anticipation surrounding Drake’s fourth album, Views From the 6.
So what else can we expect in 2016? Big drops and new artists for days. The anticipation for albums that never came last year (i.e. Frank Ocean and Rihanna) is brewing strong. This week’s playlist is all about what’s new in 2016 because new music is fun!
Kehlani — Did I
“Did I hurt you went I stunted like that?” Kehlani asks in her new song, “Did I.” The Tsunami star made a killing in 2015, selling out almost every show on her recent tour, getting a grammy nod for her mixtape and receiving a major contract with Atlantic. While I don’t love “Did I,” it is a worthy hype track for her forthcoming debut out early this year. If you want more Kehlani check out “Tore Up,” another post mixtape cut.
Shura — White Light
I’ve been in love with Shura’s bedroom pop vibes since “Just Once” came out at the end of 2014. The shy girl from the UK made a big jump on to the scene when she released her White Light EP last summer. Let’s hope the full album drops soon.
Jack Garratt — Breathe Life
Another emerging Brit with a lot of hype is indie act Jack Garrett. The 24-year-old multi-instrumentalist has an R&B vibe. “Breathe Life” is a major move up from the blah-white-boy-indie stuff of his previous track “Remnants.” Hopefully his debut album Phase, which is out in late February, will follow the style of this dope track.
Vic Mensa — U Mad ft. Kanye West
I know Vic has been on the up for almost two years now but you, me and everyone else is still waiting for the debut. Where’s it at boy?
dvsn — Too Deep
Not much is clear as to who is behind Toronto act dvsn. But we know it’s a project of long-time Drake producer Paul Jefferies, aka Nineteen85. (He produced, “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” “Hotline Bling” and banger “Truffle Butter.”) “Too Deep” hits you with levels of feels, from the chorus to the swimming like movement of the nuanced R&B instrumental. Let’s see if dvsn makes the jump to put out an EP in 2016.
Tennyson — Fault Line
Tennyson is this super cute duo from Canada that picked up steam in the last part of 2015 with the release of Like What. This is my fave cut off the release.
Hailee Steinfeld — Love Myself
“Love Myself” is one of my favorite tracks of 2015. It has a catchy beat and chorus with catchy verses that may or may not be about masturbation (“I’m gonna put my body first /And love me so hard ’til it hurts”). Let’s see if Hailee can keep it bumpin’ into the New Year.
Troye Sivan— For Him
Troye Sivan is definitely not new and he released his ultra-raved about debut album Blue Neighborhood in December 2015. But the hype is just rising as the YouTube star turned pop star takes over the scene in his own awkward/cool/gay way. For me, it’s cool to see someone so young and popular sing love songs about someone of the same sex.
D.R.A.M. — $ ft. Donnie Trumpet
D.R.A.M. popped up with “Cha Cha” earlier this year, received an endorsement from Queen B herself and maybe even inspired Drake’s Hotline Bling. D.R.A.M. certainly thinks so. Regardless, D.R.A.M. has something going for him in terms of the whole rap-sing thing.
CL — Hello Bitches
I gotta be real: I love CL, but I hate this song. I’m keeping it on the list because I know CL’s American debut is going to be major. CL comes out of one of Korea’s biggest pop groups 2nE1. Its excellent 2014 album Crush provided major bangers like “Gotta Be You.” Watch out for CL in 2016 — music media like The Fader, Diplo and Lorde are all talking about her.
