Next to Blow: 5 Artists to Watch in 2020
Not to toot our own trumpets, but we have a half decent track record when it comes to calling artists that are next to blow. In 2014, we booked Skepta for our 2015 show (that was the year he dropped ‘Shutdown’ for any of you young guns out there!). A year later, we secured Kano ahead of his legendary ‘Made In The Manor’ album, following that a rare and legendary J Hus performance on his ‘Common Sense’ tour in 2017. Last year, we welcomed Octavian, D-Block Europe and Aitch - need we go on?!
So here are our top pics for 2020 - the most exciting artists we’ve got our eyes on for next year! We aren’t promising anything yet regarding line up, but we do like to go with our gut on these things…
Pa Salieu
Pa Salieu is a 22 year old rapper from Coventry, who has already gained support from the likes of GRM Daily, Mixtape Madness, and collaborated with Kida Kudz, Ms Banks, and Juls on ‘Like Tu Danz’. He’s loud and proud about his Gambian heritage, and is bringing something very varied and fresh to the ever-flourishing melting pot that is the UK scene. The afro-infused tones to his rapping style give his flow a slight similarity to the one and only ‘hustla baby’, but if this guy can distinguish himself in his own lane we’re sure he is going to be one to watch for 2020.
Rema
Rema is a 19 year old from Nigeria whose tune ‘Dumebi’ has blown up worldwide. Rumour has it he has tracks with some pretty huge US artists in the pipeline (trust us on that one...). After a massive 2019 for Afrobeats in the UK - with Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido all breaking into the market here and gathering huge fan bases - Rema is looking like he could be the new starboy of Nigeria ready to join their ranks. Keep you eyes (and ears) on this future star, he’s going big.
Master Peace
Master Peace doesn’t follow rules, and has been busy carving out his own niche as a Punk Rapper Rockstar. The bold Londoner has described his style as Marmite-esque (love it or hate it), but he doesn’t care as long as you feel something! A born performer, he has been smashing live shows and has worked with some incredible brands and publications already. Whether you like his music or not, Master Peace is undeniably cool AF and owning what he does - and we think people are really going to take to this truly unique artist more and more in the New Year.
AWA
AWA is a Sweedish-born pop sensation, who is now living and making music in London. She’s no stranger to the industry, winning The X Factor in Sweden when she was only 15. Since then, she has taken time to mature as an artist and develop her own style, signing with Columbia Records this year - and she’s now ready to release a debut 5-track EP in early 2020. If you haven’t heard it yet, check out her first song from the project featuring Ebenezer - which was received strong support from the lieks of Julie Adenuga on Beats 1 and Yazmin Evans on 1Xtra.
Celeste
Celeste is the type of artist that is so easy to fall in love with. She has a beautifully soft, soulful yet jazzy voice, which has led to comparisons with other great songstresses of the modern era, even to the late great Amy Winehouse. With an already extensive repertoire of music for you to soak up and get lost in, we can expect a full album in 2020 to really launch this special talent into the major leagues. We can’t wait to see what next year brings for the exciting 24 year old.