As a music enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I must say that the current crop of artists is nothing short of breathtaking. Among them, Swift may be winning most awards and turning everything she touches into gold, but there are others who are equally impressive in their own right.
2024 saw a significant shift in the music industry, with fresh talents taking center stage. Chappell Roan has become the reigning queen of pop, while Teddy Swims, Benson Boone, and Tommy Richman made groundbreaking strides, dominating streaming platforms and trending on TikTok. Meanwhile, Shaboozey has been making waves in country music. Interestingly, this genre has seen an unprecedented surge on the pop charts, with acts like Beyoncé and Post Malone experimenting with it in their latest albums.
Bad Bunny
The famous Latin artist notched up his 16th song that surpassed a billion streams on Spotify, hosted Saturday Night Live, co-chaired the Met Gala and wrapped up his successful tour “Most Wanted Tour” all at once. His five albums are currently ranked among the top 30 in the Billboard Latin chart, from his debut album in 2018, “X 100pre”, to last year’s release “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana”. It’s evident that Bad Bunny always has an exceptional year.
Beyoncé
The artist holding the most Grammy awards ever keeps using music for both entertainment and education, as well as lending support, with “Freedom” serving as an unofficial theme song for Kamala Harris. Beyoncé’s latest release, titled “Cowboy Carter“, provides a detailed account of the roots of country music, leading to significant success among Black artists in this genre. Furthermore, this album has brought about some of her most impressive collaborations yet. The pairing with Miley Cyrus on “II Most Wanted” is nothing short of extraordinary, and who would have anticipated that Post Malone and Beyoncé’s vocal harmonies would be so ethereal?
Benson Boone
2022 saw the emergence of numerous remarkable new talents, and Boone is undeniably among the top contenders. At just 22 years old, he made the strategic decision to depart from American Idol in 2021 to focus solely on his music. This decision led to significant success with his pop-rock hit “Beautiful Things,” which gained viral popularity on TikTok in 2024. He continued his streak of hits with “Slow It Down,” and even had the opportunity to open for Swift during her Eras Tour. These accomplishments make him a strong candidate for nomination as the best new artist at the Grammy Awards.
Zach Bryan
Bryan consistently delivers albums: He’s released three – one in 2022, another in 2023, and the most recent one, The Great American Bar Scene, in 2024. This latest work underscores his rising star status, with 17 of its tracks making it to the Billboard Hot 100 across all genres and the album reaching No. 1 on various genre charts, from country to rock to Americana/folk. To top it off, Bryan managed to collaborate with Bruce Springsteen on a song, and even had The Boss join him onstage during a show in Philadelphia. Clearly, Bryan is not just a talented artist, but also a leader in his field.
Charli XCX
“Thanks to Charli, ‘Brat’ Summer has transformed into a popular lifestyle brand. Her electrifying and unrestrained album, BRAT, has made her the undisputed ruler of the summer season, and she shows no signs of slowing down, aiming to dominate the fall, winter, and spring as well. Charli’s impact on pop culture has even extended into politics: She was included in Barack Obama’s summer playlist and her support for Kamala Harris is helping the Democratic presidential candidate appeal to a younger demographic. In essence, Charli could be seen as the current Vice President’s Most Valuable Player.”
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish
She kicked off the year winning her second Oscar and two more Grammys, bringing her career total to nine — and that was before she released an album. Then came Hit Me Hard and Soft, another lofty Eilish affair that launched more top 10 hits for the young icon, including “Lunch” and the fascinating “Birds of a Feather.” The latter was used to tease the upcoming season of Netflix’s Heartstopper, was performed at the Olympics closing ceremony and is sure to win Eilish, and her brother/producer/engineer/co-writer Finneas, a couple more Grammys.
Eminem
Eminem’s latest album dethroned Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department” from the number one spot on the Billboard 200 albums chart, demonstrating that his talent is still undeniable. Titled “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce),” this album marked Em’s 11th No. 1 album and achieved the largest week for any rap album in 2023. The album features the hit single “Houdini,” marking his first top ten hit on pop radio since “The Monster,” featuring Rihanna, was heavily played on the airwaves.
Ariana Grande
Following two consecutive album releases, the vocalist paused for a four-year hiatus before launching this year’s deeply emotional album, “Eternal Sunshine.” This release has resonated strongly with fans, climbing to the top spot and propelling both singles “Yes And?” and “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” to the top of the charts. She teamed up with R&B legends like Mariah Carey, Brandy, and Monica for remixes, while her collaboration with her 98-year-old grandmother on “Ordinary Things” made Nonna the oldest act to chart on the Hot 100. Incidentally, “Wicked” is set for release in November. It’s shaping up to be a remarkable year for Grande.
Hozier
Approximately a decade back, Hozier gained popularity with his unique and exhilarating rock song “Take Me to Church,” which reached the second spot on the Hot 100 chart. This year, he’s reclaimed the number one position with “Too Sweet.” Remarkably, this makes him the first Irish artist in 34 years to achieve this feat, since Sinead O’Connor topped the charts with “Nothing Compares 2 U” in 1990.
Jimin
Despite BTS taking a break, it’s thrilling to see each member thriving with their solo endeavors! My beloved Jimin came incredibly close to dominating the Billboard 200 with his album “Muse,” only falling short by one spot behind Stray Kids’ “ATE.” This achievement, however, was significant as it represented the first instance where two K-pop acts held the top two spots on the chart. Moreover, “Muse” soared to No.1 on the Billboard Global 200 and debuted at a remarkable No.12 on the Hot 100!
Kendrick Lamar
As a gaming enthusiast diving into the world of music, I’m blown away by how Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake transformed into a global hit anthem. If this diss track wins a major Grammy, it would make history! The track “Not Like Us” has dominated both pop and rap charts, showcasing why Lamar is not just a Pulitzer Prize winner but also the foremost wordsmith in hip-hop. It’s clever, tactful, artistic, and profound – yet, let’s be real, it’s also pretty petty… or should I say, extremely petty!
Victoria Monét
Her first album released under a major label, titled “Jaguar II,” was recognized as THR’s best album of 2023 and garnered her seven Grammy nominations. She subsequently won three awards and made history by becoming the first Black woman to receive the prestigious award for best engineered album (non-classical). The heartfelt hip-hop song “On My Mama,” which she wrote during her struggle with postpartum depression, gained worldwide popularity and was even honored as video of the year at the BET Awards in June. With a fresh collaboration with Usher on a new upbeat single, Monét is poised for success.
Post Malone
In an extraordinary turn of events, Post Malone finds himself at the pinnacle after working with both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift in the same year. His contributions to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” and Taylor’s “The Tortured Poets Department” only added to his success. Then, he ventured into country music with “F-1 Trillion,” an album that boasts collaborations with big names like Dolly Parton, Chris Stapleton, and Morgan Wallen, who features on the hit single “I Need Some Help.” The song has reigned supreme on the Hot 100 for six consecutive weeks. It seems everyone is eager to work with Post Malone these days.
Tommy Richman
For over four months now (and still climbing), the renowned music artist holds the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot R&B songs chart with the captivating hit “Million Dollar Baby.” This song, which gained massive popularity on TikTok, reached No. 2 on the Hot 100. Originally from Virginia, this singer recently joined R&B artist Brent Faiyaz’s record label and has more chart-topping tunes in store, such as the upcoming top 40 single “Devil Is a Lie.”
Chappell Roan
Roan is on a hot streak. Her first album, titled “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess“, came out a year ago but has been steadily climbing the Billboard chart. Her tunes are being played non-stop, with “Hot to Go!” and “Good Luck, Babe!” from her upcoming album being particularly popular. Her live shows have received rave reviews, and she’s making waves across various areas of pop culture, including music, fashion, and social media. Some of her admirers include Lady Gaga, Adele, and Elton John.
Taylor Swift
Is there anything I should compose in this area? With her historic fourth victory for album of the year at the Grammys, breaking record-setting streams for “The Tortured Poets Department“, and her continuous Eras Tour: When doesn’t Taylor Swift triumph? Even her partner is a winner. Everything she engages with seems to transform into gold (and platinum and diamond).
Teddy Swims
With a deep, soulful voice that stands out, Swims has emerged as an artist to watch closely. His powerful single “Lose Control” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, earning him multiple nominations at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards in categories like Song of the Year and Best New Artist. It’s expected that he will also receive similar recognition at the Grammys.
Tinashe
A decade ago, I made a splash in the music world with the unavoidable, rhythmic juggernaut “2 On” from my album “Aquarius.” That record still holds up strong today. However, I’m once again dominating the charts with this year’s viral sensation, “Nasty,” which is the TikTok anthem of 2021. The dance routines and sharp lyrics make it impossible to resist. And trust me, there are more tracks like that, from last year’s “Needs” to every song on my freshly dropped “Quantum Baby” album.
Tyla
Following her triumph with “Water,” Tyla convincingly avoided being labeled a one-hit-wonder. Her Met Gala “sand dress” garnered attention from fashion enthusiasts, but it’s her self-titled debut album that has earned critical acclaim, boosted by tracks such as “ART,” “Truth or Dare,” and “No.1.” And the success of “Water” continues: The song remains at the top of the Billboard Afrobeats charts for over 10 months now, and it recently won the first Grammy for best African music performance earlier this year.
Kali Uchis
Despite numerous attempts, it’s impossible to confine Uchis within a box. The Colombian-American singer has been making waves with her unique fusion of R&B and Latin music, and her success was evident when she ranked second on THR’s top albums of 2023 list for “Red Moon in Venus”. Just under a year later, she released another critically acclaimed album, “Orquídeas”, which was contending for the best album of the year. This album became her highest-charting yet, reaching No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200 this year and even winning the award for best pop album at the 2024 Latin American Music Awards.
This tale was initially published in the September 4 edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. To stay updated, consider subscribing here.
Sabrina Carpenter
If you’re not a fan of “Espresso,” a potential Song of the Year, then you might be telling a white lie! This hit single propelled Carpenter into pop stardom, and its success was followed by the equally popular “Please Please Please.” With her album “Short n’ Sweet” set to drop in August and a tour with the same name starting in September, the 25-year-old who shared stages with Swift and graced Coachella will undoubtedly continue to break new ground in music. In fact, it’s more likely that “Grammy winner” will become an addition to her title rather than just “Grammy nominee.”
Megan Thee Stallion
This year, Kendrick isn’t the only artist dominating the music charts with a diss track. Megan Thee Stallion has also made a significant impact, as her song “Hiss,” directed at Nicki Minaj, debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100. She also achieved success with “Wanna Be” alongside GloRilla, who is currently opening for Megan during her sold-out arena tour. Moreover, Megan’s electrifying performance at Kamala Harris’ Atlanta rally mirrored the growing momentum behind the VP’s presidential campaign. However, Megan isn’t slowing down: Following the viral success of “Savage” in 2020, she is currently trending on TikTok with her collaboration “Mamushi” featuring Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba.
Shaboozey
Shaboozey’s inclusion on two tracks by Cowboy Carter would be enough to earn him a spot on this list. However, he truly excelled with his third album, titled “Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going.” His hit single, “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” has taken over the country charts, reached number one on the all-genre Hot 100, and demonstrated that Black artists in contemporary country music are not a fleeting trend, but rather an established norm.
Stray Kids
2021 has been a remarkable year for Stray Kids, setting new benchmarks in the K-pop industry. They made history by debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with their first five charting albums, making them the first group ever to achieve this feat. Their track “Splash” can be found on the soundtrack for the blockbuster movie “Deadpool & Wolverine“; they also graced the Met Gala; and following years of reigning supreme on Billboard’s World and Global charts, they managed to place three songs on the all-genre Hot 100 chart – “Lalalala”, a collaboration with Charlie Puth titled “Lose My Breath” and the still-rising “Chk Chk Boom”.
SZA
2023 was marked by the dominance of SZA, yet her fame effortlessly extended into 2024. Her “SOS” album, dropped in December 2022, remains one of the most popular albums this year and continues to be widely streamed. Moreover, her hit single “Snooze” has stayed relevant, spending an impressive 70 weeks on the Hot 100 chart and setting a record on urban radio. In 2024 alone, she garnered three Grammy awards and achieved her 10th top 10 hit with “Saturn,” from her upcoming album “Lana.” Essentially, one could say that it’s always SZA season.
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2024-09-06 18:57