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The Eastern Echo Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 | Print Archive
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Opinion: Five artists to keep your eyes on

From across the world and different genres, new exciting artists are appearing. Here are five artists that listeners should keep tabs on.

Thanks to the accessibility of technology and a widespread amount of talent, new artists are emerging every second of every minute. It is almost impossible to predict which artist will break the mold. Artists like Ice Spice and PinkPantheress are great examples of this. Here are some artists that have the capability of reaching the next level.

ENNY

Though America is commonly seen as the hub for all things hip-hop and R&B, the U.K. has been releasing a wave of exceptional artists. Hailing from across the pond is ENNY, a talented wordsmith and artist. Fans of Noname, Little Simz, and other mellow rappers will quickly be attracted to her flow and subject matter. ENNY has already gained a large fanbase after the release of her hit single “Peng Black Girls,” which even caught the eyes of Jorja Smith who later joined for the remix. Recently releasing her EP “We Go Again” on April 13, ENNY has a host of songs to enjoy.

Jordan Ward

First starting as a dancer for artists like Becky G, Justin Bieber, and Beyoncé, St. Louis artist Jordan Ward is one of the most energetic artists out there. Upbeat production and a joyful voice lead to love anthems such as “Lil Baby Crush” and “WHITE CROCS.” Mixing pop, R&B, and rap, the artist is a refreshing sound in the world of music. Thanks to the release of his project “FORWARD” and joining rappers Smino and JID on tour, he has accumulated over a million followers already.

Kari Faux

Hailing from Little Rock, AR., Kari Faux has an unorthodox style that can be compared to artists like Rico Nasty, Tierra Whack, and Junglepussy. Her style often incorporates her humor, making unique songs such as “McGrady” and “LEAVE ME ALONE.” Other artists have taken notice of her talent as she has worked with Childish Gambino on “Awaken, My Love!” and has singles featured on Issa Rae’s hit show “Insecure.” Expect to hear her name more with the upcoming release of her third album “REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE!”

KAMAUU

For fans of André 3000 and Foggieraw, meet the Washington, D.C., native KAMAUU. Inspired by lyricists such as Lupe Fiasco and Yasiin Bey, formerly known as Mos Def, he incorporates his love for African culture and poetry into his rap. Adding his unique voice into the mix, the artist has created his sound. Recently releasing his sophomore project "LACUNA in The House Of Mirrors” he has started to draw attention due to his eccentric style. Some of KAMAUU's best songs include “MANGO,” “for my love,” and “the vibe.”

Kara Jackson

In the alternative and folk scene, Illinois artist Kara Jackson has recently been making noise for her debut album “Why Does the Earth Give Us People to Love?”. When Googling Kara Jackson, the fitting description of "poet" comes first, not artist. Winning the 2019-2020 National Youth Poet Laureate, Kara Jackson is one of the best up-and-coming songwriters. Her harsh and intuitive lyricism paired with well-layered production leads to some astonishing work. Some of her best songs include “d******d blues,” “no fun/party” and “free.”

More:

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From alternative to R&B, more talent can be seen on the horizon. To stay up to date on some of the Echo’s best recommendations of new music, check out The Eastern Echo playlist.