Summer music festival season is upon us. Meaning, the dopest acts in music are coming together to various locations to show their fans how they get down live. For newcomers, the festival circuit can be a huge career boost, for it gives them the opportunity to garner more attention and meet all kinds of major players. We have our eyes on a talented group of fresh individuals who not only have thrilled many with their records already, but have stage presence to boot. Here’s our list of fledglings who will be flying high during this years summer festivals.
Buddy
You may recognize this Cali native from Khalid’s 2017’s “Young Dumb & Broke” video. The rapper has a popping career all his own though, with vibey tracks like “Black” and “Shine”. He’s currently appearing alongside Boogie on Joey Badass’ The Amerikkkana Tour and you catch him at day two of Lollapalooza.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWTNbDkalAQ
Alice Merton
Unless you live in a distant cave, you’ve heard Alice Merton’s breakout song, “No Roots”. It has taken on a life of it’s own since its release and has made Merton a must-watch musician in the process. The lyricist will soon be stepping out of her European domain to give the American festival goers a chance to witness what all the buzz is about. Merton will be sharing what she’s got at New York’s Governors Ball.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUdyuKaGQd4
Knox Fortune
Chi Town has always had a knack for cranking out musical gold, and the Chance the Rapper collaborator is no exception. Fortune is a Grammy-winning vocalist/producer whose voice easily glides over slinky beats to provide feel-good summer jams. Peep his surreal offerings at Bonnaroo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=la_ZaeC-Y3A
JPEGMAFIA
In-your-face rapper JPEGMAFIA will never go blonde like Kanye. But, he will be performing at FYF Fest and Afropunk for a multitude of fans this summer. The FADER-approved artist’s style of rap and production is true to him, and my God, is it refreshing. Sidenote: his Twitter is a goldmine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=974TXFKtyls
Bri Steves
Bri Steves has had her own glow for a minute, but at this point, it’s undeniable that she’s made it to the major leagues. After signing to Atlantic Records (but get this – G.O.O.D Music and TDE were interested in her as well!), she’s maintained her momentum by continuing to showcase her fiery flows on cuts like “Kanye” and a “Plain Jane” remix. Steves will be rocking the stage at Rolling Loud in May and then the Roots Picnic in early June.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8tbtmJtdbU
Yaeji
Korean House musician Yaeji has had quite the come up. She skyrocketed after releasing her debut track (through the label Godmode), “New York ‘93” and has shared two widely-celebrated, full length projects since then. The soft-spoken musician has gotten love from Grimes and Charli XCX and after bringing down the house at Coachella earlier this month, she’ll be transmitting her unique sounds during July’s FYF fest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRV1Dzqj1gU