Truth be told, this list is getting harder and harder to make. With a plethora of emerging artists making their mark on the R&B / Soul landscape, particularly here in the UK. It’s hard to narrow down on the artists to watch in any given year. But really and truly, this is the ‘problem’ we’re created to address so we’re certainly not complaining.
Still, ‘ones to watch’ lists are always a bit controversial so it’s worth a quick one on what we considered in putting together a list of R&B / Soul artists to watch in 2019. We’ve focused primarily on acts who really built momentum on the music scene over the course of 2018. All of these acts have a real buzz around them that sets them up to really make their mark in 2019. The other crucial element was, of course, music they’ve released. But beyond having stellar music out, all of these acts are in a steady rhythm of releases that promises more in 2019. Most have specifically expressed a new project or album due in 2019.
In 2019, the R&B / Soul artists to watch are making retro-futuristic Soul of epic proportions. Drawing heavily on Jazz, Funk, Blues and Old Soul but seamlessly infusing these retro genres with electro, Hip Hop and R&B elements. They’re taking R&B / Soul music places that feel familiar but are delightfully fresh and uncovered. It’s an exciting time to be a lover of this genre.
Mahalia
Full disclosure, we featured Mahalia on this list last year, and while in many ways, she’s already finally having her moment, she’s definitely one to keep close watch on in 2019. For one, there’s been talk of a debut album this year. An album that will no doubt be a 2019 landmark in the Soul music space. Throughout the later part of 2018, Mahalia released a slew of new music including her Seasons EP. Top of 2019 brought a tour announcement and things look only set to heat up even more.
Mahalia, a Birmingham-bred daughter of 2 singer-songwriter parents is a gift in the UK R&B landscape. Constantly experimenting and evolving her sound, Mahalia describes her music as ‘psycho-acoustic soul’. ‘Psycho’ denoting her mindly, deeply conversational lyricism and ‘acoustic-soul’ for her guitar-infused soul. Mahalia has carved out a niche for herself, free from the limits of overt genre boxes. 2019 is set to be a year where Mahalia’s career reaches new heights and our ears will be all the more grateful for it.
Joy Crookes
Daughter of a Bengali mother and Irish father, born and raised in Elephant & Castle, Joy Crookes’ sound is the musical melting pot you might expect. Often described as some kind of musical love-child between Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill, the 20 year old’s musical palette blends shades of the blues with influences as wide ranging as Kendrick Lamar and Gregory Isaac.
With a voice that betrays vulnerability but is rooted in strength, Joy’s music and covers are lyrical and often topical, taking on Trump headlines, mental health and more. She’s started 2019 off strong with a new EP Reminiscence. As the title denotes, Reminiscence looks back on her roots, history and relationships, inspired by a January 2018 first-time visit to Bangladesh. It harks back to the days of the blues and psychedelic soul, but is fresh and current with R&B / Hip Hop edges. It’s a strong entry to a year in which Crookes will make her mark.
Shae Universe
A songbird with versatility for days and a voice that’s the ear milk you’re missing in your life. Shae Universe’s covers have been floating around Twitter for a few years now. For the past year, the supremely talented vocalist has been blessing us with original music and with a new single, Tell Me The Truth, out last week, it looks like 2019 will bring more new music from this gem.
Shae’s covers of artists ranging from Cardi B, Drake, Rihanna and The Fugees have caught the eyes of many, including the acts themselves. Now the Watford-bred singer is set to take the world in her own right. She’s started 2019 off with two features on one of the year’s most anticipated Hip Hop albums, Boogie’s Everythings for Sale, an album that features Eminem, 6LACK, Snoh Aalegra and more. In 2018, she opened for Eminem on a UK tour stop.
But beyond getting endorsements from some of the biggest names in music, Shae Universe is one to watch in 2019 because she’s got some of the best vocals known to UK R&B with a sound that’s true to contemporary R&B but is fresh and unrivalled. Infusing rap into R&B and delivering with an empowering, invigorating flourish. Shae has an unmatched ability to make you feel her emotions and passions like Soul music is supposed to.
For more details on our products and services, please feel free to visit us at R&B playlists, Soul music, New R&B music, Soul music artists, R&B singer