Keep an ear out for these under-the-radar artists in 2020

Mia Gladstone

Gladstone was born in New Jersey in 2000, yet her sound and style are pure 90s nostalgia. Her social media is a psychedelic blur of pink hair, glitter and neon – and the same can be said of her trippy pop songs. Fun and utterly fresh.

Key track: Revolutionize

@miagladstone

Juto

Self-described as the soundtrack to “hot boy summer”, Juto’s latest EP, Wool, works through a break-up – from regret on Night Text to acceptance on Ceremony. With silky vocals and tongue-in-cheek lyrics reminiscent of Frank Ocean, he’ll be an R&B powerhouse in his own right before long.

Key track: Ceremony

@lovejuto 

Steve Lacy

Co-producing a Grammy-nominated album with his band The Internet while at school, Lacy, 21, proved his chops as a singer and guitarist early on. “Apollo XXI will bless your ears,” Yara says of his solo album, a blend of California soul and funk influenced by his idols Pharrell Williams and Erykah Badu.

Key track: N Side

@steve.lacy

Tobi Lou

Nigeria-born and Chicago-raised, Lou hails from a highly creative family – his sister is the bestselling author Tomi Adeyemi. His playful, synthy rap, peppered with ad-libs that make you laugh out loud, is pure earworm material. Expect to hear him everywhere soon.

Key track: Darlin’

tobilou.com

Ama Lou

Lou has generated plenty of buzz over the past couple of years, supporting Jorja Smith on tour and releasing soulful singles that speak to women everywhere. The 21-year-old Londoner writes and produces all her own music – think the kind of easy-listening R&B Destiny’s Child would make in 2019.

Key track: Northside

@amaloumusic