Named an ‘Artist to Watch’ by Billboard, Whitney Whitney is a Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter lauded for her theatrical pop sound, striking one-take visualizers, and strong cinematic visual identity. Her latest EP, 1.2, features standout tracks such as “A Man Written By A Woman” and “Isabelle,” with the latter marking her highest streaming debut and earning the distinction of Billboard ‘Editor’s Pick.’ Drawing inspiration from the likes of Elton John, Fiona Apple, and modern pop, she crafts a distinctive, emotionally driven style. Whitney Whitney is set to make her Lollapalooza debut this summer on the BMI stage.

Valencia Grace is a British-born, transatlantic-raised artist redefining modern pop through a dark, theatrical sensibility. As an independent artist, Valencia has entered a bold new creative chapter, collaborating with producer CJ Baran, to fuse noir, synth-driven dance sounds with an operatic edge, amassing over 10 million streams to date. Following standout releases “S!ut,” “Lucky You’re a Star,” and “Super Elastic,” Valencia has emerged as a striking new voice in the contemporary music space. She’s played major festivals like Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, and Hyde Park BST, and earlier this year launched her SUPER ELASTIC: A POP OPERA tour with sold-out shows along the U.S. east coast, London, and Los Angeles, followed by her BMI stage debut at Lollapalooza. Listen to her latest single “Voodoo” out now.

Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Ella Boh blends dark pop and alternative sounds into her own signature style. Originally a songwriter and producer, she is now stepping into her own as an artist. Her latest EP BLURRY has amassed over 2.1 million streams, contributing to over 22 million streams across her catalog. Her EP comes on the heels of a major touring cycle, supporting Artemas across North America and Ari Abdul across Europe and the UK earlier this year, rapidly expanding her international audience. Ella will make her Lollapalooza debut on the BMI stage then continue her live run with Artemas across the EU/UK in the fall of 2026, further building her global presence.

Pioneer of ‘Trashy Tone Thursday,’ Emi Grace is known for fusing rock, electronic and mind-bending guitar elements to create her own iconic sound. From shows at School Night and The Troubadour to opening for Fitz & The Tantrums, and releasing her debut EP Oh, Honey Isn’t It A Shame, Emi continues to make a name for herself around the LA music scene and beyond. Whether it’s catchy vocal melodies or head-banging guitar riffs, you never know what Emi has in her pocket to keep her fans on the edge of their seats. Catch her Lollapalooza debut on the BMI stage.

ivri builds a world where alternative, pop, shoegaze, and sci-fi soul collide. Florida-born and Daytona-raised, her emotionally charged, genre-blurring sound has earned billions of views, hundreds of millions of streams, and early praise from OnesToWatch. Her breakout moment came when SadBoyProlific sampled her vocals on “Alone” and went viral, opening the door to a wave of collaborations and her own rising catalog. In 2025, she delivered her defining moment with “tower of memories,” a global phenomenon with nearly 4.5 billion video creations and chart-topping success across TikTok and SoundCloud. In her upcoming music, ivri delves deeper into her world-building era, crafting songs that feel intimate, cinematic, and a little otherworldly.

At 22, singer/songwriter Ella Red is redefining alt-pop with her debut album IT’S NOT REAL, a project that circles beginnings and endings with cathartic force. Opening with the stark line “I can see my corpse in reflections” on “Parasite,” she builds whole worlds from single lyrics. The album combines a wide range of styles, blending introspective lyrics with rage, reverence, and playfulness. Ella showcases her existential wit, strong vocals, experimental tracks, and anthems about identity, while the album’s tender moments emphasize vulnerability, ending with a thoughtful conclusion. She embraces both softness and ferocity — pink dresses and bold truths — drawing influence from Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and Olivia Rodrigo. With millions of streams, viral singles, and tours with artists like LØLØ and Ellise, Ella Red emerges as a fearless voice of her generation.

Paloma Morphy is a Mexican singer/songwriter whose work is rooted in intuition and emotional honesty, shaping a minimalist pop sound that connects with a new generation of listeners. Since the release of her debut album Au, Paloma has been a rising star across digital platforms and live stages, establishing herself as one of the most promising young voices in Mexican pop. Backed by a Latin GRAMMY Award for Best New Artist, key editorial support, international media presence, and high-profile brand collaborations, Paloma is now entering a phase of international expansion, representing a new wave of artists redefining Latin pop through authenticity, creative independence, and a clear sonic and visual identity – building a career that moves across music, culture, and generational storytelling with global ambition.

Creeping out of the hollers and hideouts of eastern Kentucky, come The Creekers with a sound as crisp as the mountain morning air, and a rhythm as steady as a front porch rocking chair. The Creekers are a lively, six-piece, band that blends authentic bluegrass music with country and pop influences. Generational roots run deep in Leslie County, Kentucky, where The Creekers formed over a shared love for the timeless sounds of traditional American music… “Hillbilly music.” In fact, The Creekers name is inspired by the small creeks and hollers of home, reflecting their commitment to music that’s authentic, unpolished, and deeply rooted in the land and culture of their upbringing. Over the past couple of years, The Creekers have played bars, small rooms, and festivals. As a result, the band has built a loyal fan base, and earned a reputation for fun, energetic, live shows filled with fiery instrumentals, raw emotion, and a genuine connection to their audience. The band released their first album, Pour Me In The Creek, in 2024. Followed by the introspective EP, River Rat. Turns out, they had more loyal fans than they’d bargained for because their song “Tennessee” shot to top 5 of Spotify’s Viral 50-USA chart and parked there for multiple weeks in the summer of 2025. The Creekers are Tanner Horton (vocals, lead guitar), Allen Hacker (vocals, rhythm guitar), Jagger Bowling (bass, vocals), Ashton Bowling (cajon), Scott Sutton (banjo, vocals), and Anna Blanton (fiddle), the only non-Kentucky native, but the rest of the group laughingly forgives her.

Next of Kin, a country trio formed in Austin, Texas, in 2023, blends country soundscapes with rich three-part harmonies and honest storytelling. The band’s formation began with a collaboration on “Jekyll & Hyde” that quickly evolved into a full album. Lili Hickman, Caelin Baker, and Madison Baker comprise the group, bringing their individual talents together. Their music has quickly resonated with audiences in Austin. In May of 2025, they released their five-song Homemaker EP, cementing their place as one of the most exciting new voices in Americana.

Superstar songwriter and genre-defying artist Ink is a lauded creative force, celebrated for her work on seismic cultural projects like Beyonce’s GRAMMY® Award-winning COWBOY CARTER, RENAISSANCE and Kendrick Lamar’s GNX – including co-writing multi-week No. 1 smash “Luther.” Most recently, the latter earned Ink three nominations at the 2026 GRAMMYs: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year. With her debut EP BIG BUSKIN’ released in October 2025, including singles “Turquoise Cowboy,” “Hoedown,” and “Sweet Tea,” Rolling Stone proclaimed, “Ink is ready to fully dive into her own artistry.” Making waves and more music on the horizon, along with debut performances at Stagecoach, Lollapalooza, and Rolling Stone’s Future of Music SXSW showcase, 2026 marks the official rise of a powerful new voice in American music. Born in Germany and raised in Georgia, Ink got her start busking on the streets before going on to collaborate with legends like Trae tha Truth and Nipsey Hussle. Her music – rooted in country, Southern rap and classic Americana – is as rich and bold as her story. Named one of Variety’s Power of Women Nashville Top Songwriter Honorees and Spotify’s Songwriter of the Month, Ink stands poised at the forefront of a cultural shift and a breakthrough year.

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Calder Allen is a fifth-generation Texan whose roots run deep in the state. His family’s grounding in Texas tradition was paired with an upbringing that came steeped in creativity. While he was exposed to the world of music and art at an early age through his family, Carter was originally planning to become a fly-fishing guide. But when schools shut down due to the pandemic, Calder used the unexpected time at home to start writing songs. Those early efforts led to his debut studio album, The Game, produced by Charlie Sexton, who quickly became both a mentor and collaborator. Through that process, Calder fell in love with record-making, a discovery that convinced him to change course and commit fully to music. His new album, Fault Lines, recorded at Austin’s renowned Arlyn Studios with Sexton and longtime collaborator Jacob Sciba, is the most complete expression of that decision yet. It’s a deeply personal and cinematic journey through love, loss, self-discovery, and the tension between resilience and fracture. It’s a record that marries the richness of his Texan roots with the depth of his emotional and musical exploration. It marks the arrival of a songwriter unafraid to navigate both his inner landscape and the wide terrain of Americana music.

Jae Stephens, a pop/R&B futurist originally from Dallas and now based in Los Angeles, has had an explosive couple of years since the release of her self-written and produced debut EP, f**k it i'll do it myself. With tastemaker singles like “Got It Like That” and “24K” receiving praise from Fader, she has garnered attention and collaborations with artists such as THEY, VanJess, Khamari, and Xavier Omar, further solidifying her status as an artist on the rise. Press coverage from notable platforms like Colors, Fader, and Complex, as well as an invitation to perform with Khalid on SNL, have contributed to her growing recognition. Signed as Raedio and Def Jam's first major label artist, Jae released her critically acclaimed Total Sellout mixtape in December which featured her breakout singles “Afterbody” and “Body Favours.” This was preceded by a sold out run of headline shows and supports with FLO where she captivated audiences across the US and UK.

22-year-old born-and-raised Nashville native RYMAN has spent years crafting his unique sound and songwriting, which he lovingly refers to as “y’allternative” and “barn pop.” That passion continues to evolve with his most recent single release with Mom + Pop Records, “Lightning”, continuing that momentum—blending vivid storytelling with his signature sound and offering a fresh glimpse into the next chapter of his artistry. RYMAN’s work is a reflection of his broad musical palette. As a result, his music has been catching the eye of other influential artists including Finneas, Role Model, Joe Jonas, and more. His 2025 touring included direct support slots to Role Model, Joshua Slone, Mon Rovia, and Ben Kweller. In 2026, RYMAN is continuing to tour and play festivals such as Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Borderland Music Fest, Bourbon and Beyond, and more.

SNACKTIME began by performing free shows in Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square. After attracting huge crowds in the park, the band played their first headlining club show and sold over 900 tickets. Things quickly progressed – the group started selling out headlining shows, performing at major music festivals, and supporting national touring artists like Portugal. The Man, Fitz and The Tantrums, and Electric Guest. In 2025, the band released their most successful singles yet (“SUNSHINE” and “ENOUGH.”) and made appearances at festivals including SXSW, Boston Calling, Roots Picnic, and Newport Folk Festival. The band is on tour and appearing at major festivals throughout 2026, including Okeechobee and Winnipeg Folk. The band is readying their debut album for release later this year.

Surfing for Daisy started on a porch in Asbury Park, NJ between new and old friends. Their sound is rooted in Alternative Folk Rock with hints of psychedelia but truly holds no bounds. The band has quickly caught fire, playing the Sea. Hear. Now festival in September of 2025 in front of thousands. The momentum continued when they sold out The Stone Pony in November for the release of their brand new single “Psychic,” the first glimpse of their much-anticipated sophomore album set to release in the fall of 2026.

Casey Walker formed Case Oats in 2018 and turned the band into a Chicago fixture until finally, in 2025, signing with Merge Records, and releasing a debut record to critical acclaim. The album was produced by Walker’s longtime bandmate and fiancé, Spencer Tweedy (drums), and recorded in a makeshift Chicago basement studio, in the bungalow rented by Jason Ashworth (bass) and Max Subar (guitar and pedal steel), featuring fiddle work by Scott Daniel and guest pianist/organist Nolan Chin. Walker’s songs get to the heart of relationships and experience and bring city life down to earth—to the porch swing, where Walker believes everyone ultimately belongs.

Justine Skye, the Brooklyn-born powerhouse, has long been a staple in R&B—but now, she’s evolving into something entirely her own. Stepping into a high-energy blend of Dance and R&B, her sound is a globally inspired mix of pulsing electronic beats, silky vocals, and fashion-forward flair. Think modern-day Donna Summer meets Grace Jones: bold, joyful, unapologetically stylish, and impossible to ignore. Justine isn’t just making music—she’s defining a genre, creating a subculture that’s vibrant, fearless, and truly one of one.

Porch Light is an indie-rock group based out of Minneapolis, consisting of members Zac Fogarty (guitar), Jackie Uhas (vocals), Henry Hughes (bass), Kyle Siemon (guitar) and Tony O’Keefe (drums). Last year was the band’s first year releasing music, and they grew their social footprint to over 500k followers cross platform. They sit around 900k monthly listeners and had over 20 million streams in their first year. They also sold out their first headline shows in NYC, LA, MSP, Chicago, Boston, Philly and more. They are back in 2026 with their debut album, a 35+ date headline tour this Fall, and sets at Yacht Club, Hinterland, Summerfest, Shaky Knees, and Lollapalooza. Keep your eyes peeled for a whole lot of Porch Light this year!

Fresh off supporting MGK and The Kid LAROI on arena tours across Australia and New Zealand, Capitol Records/10K Projects standout Will Swinton pairs a raspy powerhouse voice with raw, soul-baring songwriting — just ask Machine Gun Kelly, whom Swinton met by chance at a bar in Idaho in 2022. He’d just sold his car, quit his job at a trampoline park in Auckland, and spent his last savings on a one-way ticket to LA. MGK was intrigued enough to invite him backstage at the Mainstream Sellout Tour to hear his music. Three years later, Swinton’s amassed over 100 million streams, released two EPs, and caught the attention of Kelly Clarkson, who covered his song “Flames” on national TV. Now he's carving out his own brand of rock music with recent singles “Find A Way” and “Better Off.” With a debut album on the way, Will Swinton is one to watch in 2026.