JACQUI SWIFT profiles the names hoping to make it big in music next year.
Here are her 23 for 2023…
1. METTENARRATIVE
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DANCER, singer, model and actress Mette Towley first appeared as a dancer in the video for Lemon, the Pharrell Williams and Rihanna hit. She’s the one who gets her head shaved by Rihanna.
MetteNarrative has been a member of Pharrell’s dance squad, The Baes, since 2014 and also starred as Justice alongside J-Lo in the film Hustlers and had the role of Cassandra in Cats.
Now her attention is on music and she releases first single Mama’s Eyes on January 20 – a mix of R&B and pop. You can also see her in the new promo film for the Alexander McQueen Sprint Runner trainers directed by Grammy Award winner Sophie Muller. Super cool.
2. FLO
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NEXT year is shaping up to be a huge one for Renee, Stella and Jorja who follow in the footsteps of female trios like TLC, En Vogue and Sugababes.
They’ve already bagged The Brits Rising Star award – the first group to win the gong – and will pick it up at the ceremony in February.
It all started with debut single Cardboard Box, produced by MNEK, while Brandy, JoJo and Missy Elliott are all fans.
Stormzy sent a tweet saying he was “ready when you are” to collaborate.
Renée and Stella have known each other since the age of five and became a trio when they met Jorja two years ago.
3. CAT BURNS
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YOU may know the hotly tipped Cat Burns from her superb stripped-back pop anthem Go, which featured on Love Island.
A TikTok breakthrough artist, the south London singer supported Ed Sheeran on his European tour and also joined pal Sam Smith on stage at the Royal Albert Hall.
Cat is also the support act on Sam’s Gloria UK & Ireland tour next year.
A former BRIT School student, the songwriter wants to “help Black queer artists” tell their story. Her songs about identity, sexuality and mental health put her in the top three of the Brits Rising Star award.
4. ZAK ABEL
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THIS Essex singer is already being called the new George Michael, with his remarkable voice and songwriting skills.
He provided guest vocals on Gorgon City’s hit single Unmissable and plays Brighton’s Chalk and London’s Brixton Electric on his May UK tour.
He has also written hits for Kygo, Avicii, Paloma Faith and John Legend and is an ambassador for charity CALM, having spoken openly about his own struggle with mental health and featured it in his songwriting. A superstar in the making.
5. ROLLA
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YOU might have seen these Manchester lads supporting Kasabian and Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder recently.
Rolla also performed at Isle of Wight, Y Not, Rewired, Neighbourhood and The Great Escape festivals in the summer.
The indie guitar band is made up of brothers James and Luke Gilmore, Tom Paddon, Luke McConnell and Saul Bardsley. Recent single Ease My Mind has been likened to The Verve. Look out for them at Manchester venue Gorilla in April as things go from strength to strength.
6. ETTA MARCUS
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THE Londoner started sharing her music on Soundcloud in lockdown and was soon compared to the likes of Lorde, Lana Del Rey and Phoebe Bridgers.
Inspired by Everything But The Girl, she releases EP Heart-Shaped Bruise, featuring single Smile For The Camera, on January 13.
After getting kicked out of London’s Trinity Conservatoire, where she studied jazz, Etta started writing music from her bedroom and was soon signed to Polydor Records.
Remember her name and listen out for her gorgeous brooding voice.
7. TAIPEI HOUSTON
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BROTHERS Myles and Layne Ulrich are the sons of Metallica drummer Lars and their sound has been likened to that of The Kills and The White Stripes.
Read Related Also: Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev dies aged 92
Taipei Houston have played Reading & Leeds Festival and Austin City Limits and opened shows for Muse in Los Angeles.
The duo named themselves after looking at a flight-tracking app, and seeing a trip between the two cities.
Debut album Once Bit Never Bored is out now with more new music and shows to follow in 2023.
8. TOM RASMUSSEN
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ANYONE who went to see Rina Sawayama on her recent tour might have caught Tom as a support act.
Drag queen, author and singer Tom became friends with the Japanese-British singer when they both studied at Cambridge University.
The Lancaster-born star played a headline show at London’s St Pancras Old Church in November and released brilliant dance track Dysphoria the same month.
This followed first release, Fantasy Island Obsession. Flamboyant and fantastic.
9. STELLA ROSE
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NEW York singer-songwriter and poet Stella Rose has been compared to Nick Cave and Nadine Shah following the release of the dark debut single Muddled Man in October. And her second release, Angel, was equally as moody. Her debut album will arrive in 2023.
Stella is the daughter of Depeche Mode frontman Dave Gahan, so she is rock royalty.
Hopefully she will arrive soon in the UK to play some shows.
10. SHY MARTIN
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SWEDISH singer Shy, born Sara Hjellström, has written songs for The Chainsmokers, Ellie Goulding, Jess Glynne and Astrid S, but now is focusing on her own music.
Previous singles No Regrets and Feelings are about lost loves, heartbreak and struggles with mental health and she is also a member of Max Martin’s Equalizer Project which seeks to further promote and celebrate women in the music industry.
Song Wish I Didn’t Know You is out now with more releases coming next year.
AND DON’T MISS THESE…
11. NEW RULES: UK/Irish trio New Rules met through social media, were inspired by Coldplay and The 1975, and have toured with Julia Michaels.
12. JELANI BLACKMAN: This London rapper and singer played Glastonbury and Leeds Festival and saw his song Maybe Not included in the Fifa 23 soundtrack. He has just released new single Izit with Kojey Radical.
13. KAYLA GRACE: Watford singer who has been compared to Amy Winehouse and now has a big fan in Matty Healy of The 1975 after her summer single, Nobody Loves Me. Latest single Realign is honest and heartfelt about family struggles.
14. MONCRIEFF: Irish singer-songwriter touted by Elton John as a one to watch who has sung backing vocals for Adele as well as supporting Stereophonics and The Script. His six-track EP, Warm, showed off his talents and clocked in six million streams in just two weeks.
15. CRAWLERS: A Merseyside quartet formed in 2018 and fronted by Holly Minto, who saw their debut song, Come Over (Again), become Radio 1 Tune Of The Week and their first chart hit.
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16. NIA ARCHIVES: The Bradford-born producer, singer, songwriter, DJ and visual artist became the first electronic artist crowned BBC Music Introducing Artist Of The Year. She released her Forbidden Feelingz EP in February and her latest single So Tell Me… in November. She also played Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds and Notting Hill Carnival.
17. DYLAN: She signed to Island Records this year and supported Ed Sheeran on his UK stadium tour – including five sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium. Her mixtape, The Greatest Thing I’ll Never Learn, earned her many fans. Expect them to multiply after her February UK tour.
18. RUGER: The Nigerian singer-songwriter soundtracked summer with numerous Afrobeat hits, including his most recent collaboration with producer TSB on the single Red Flags.
19. SAINTÉ: This Leicester-born rapper and former semi-pro basketball player has collaborated with Knucks, Miraa May and toured with the likes of Central Cee, Denzel Curry and Kenny Beats. He’s also the new face of a Tommy x END campaign. He’s going to be a big name.
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20. RACHEL CHINOURIRI: You may know her single I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Trying), which was the Hottest Record In The World on Radio 1. Look out for her debut album due in April.
21. BONNIE KEMPLAY: The latest star of record label Dirty Hit, Bonnie released her debut EP, Running Out Of Things To Say, Running Out Of Things To Do, in November. She supports The 1975 on their At Their Very Best UK tour in February.
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22. TIM GALLAGHER: Another Manchester Gallagher – singer songwriter Tim. Look out for latest release Growing Pains.
23. THE LUKA STATE: This Cheshire band release their second album More Than This in March and kick off a UK tour too. They’ve also been supporting the homeless through charity The Trussell Trust.
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