The Best Rising Artists of Spring 2025

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With Spring upon us once again, there’s a swarm of new artists taking over the scene.

This year’s collection of New Gen artists, originating from various cities and sectors, break free from the conventional boundaries and limitations of the music world, opting for unique strategies in promotion, collaboration, and production, refusing to be pigeonholed into a single genre. The array of talents in this Spring’s roster of up-and-coming artists are blazing their individual paths in the music industry – and doing so without apology. Their styles range from rap infused with anger and modern interpretations of pop-punk, to shoegaze with a synth edge and trap influenced by Twitch streaming, demonstrating the diverse creativity within this group.

FearDorian

For fans of: 454, POLO PERKS<3 <3 <3, RiTchie

Emerging as a significant figure in the underground hip-hop scene, FearDorian is indisputably a powerful presence. Originating from Atlanta, this 18-year-old rapper and producer is shaping the future of rap music, combining rage, trap, and traditional hip-hop elements in his eclectic, digitally-inspired collection of songs. His latest studio album, “Leaving Home“, showcases more of his direct, impactful tracks, propelled by his natural staccato flow and grungy, glitchy production. This multitalented artist dropped his self-titled debut solo album in March and his collaborative album “A Dog’s Chance” with Polo Perks and AyooLii in June. His music is a blend of Midwest-influenced sounds, synth-enhanced SoundCloud tracks, and edgy instrumentals. The young prodigy has also produced beats for Kenny Mason, Yhapojj, Babyxsosa, Myaap, and RiTchie. With his latest album gathering streams and positive reviews, we look forward to an exciting remainder of the year from this consistent rapper.

Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

The Paradox

For fans of: blink-182, NOFX, Green Day

Band ‘The Paradox’ is riding high on the resurgence of pop-punk music with their raw, unrefined, yet strikingly modern sound. This Atlanta quartet skillfully blends the angst reminiscent of the 2000s with a refreshing, catchy spin, earning them a spot at When We Were Young festival and an opening act slot for Green Day, which was personally requested by Billie Joe Armstrong himself – all without having released an EP. Drawing inspiration from punk’s DIY origins and showing deep reverence to their musical ancestors, The Paradox serves as a testament that pop-punk is very much alive and thriving.

Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

PlaqueBoyMax

For fans of: Lancey Foux, LAZER DIM 700, BNYX

Twitch is rapidly growing as a significant platform for music promotion, and Plaqueboymax is one of many success stories that took off by streaming on the platform. This daily streamer initially ventured into the music industry when he initiated his series called “In The Booth“, inviting guests like LAZER DIM 700, Dave Blunts, Ian and DDG to create music together live on stream. Often, Plaqueboymax would even contribute a verse himself. Originally from West Orange, New Jersey, the internet personality also used to rate unreleased songs in a series titled “Song Wars“, eventually leading to his debut studio release in 2023 with the single “Man of Steel.” It wasn’t until late 2024 that Dent’s music gained widespread attention, with the release of “Pink Dreads” alongside DDG – a track they produced live during the stream. Last month, Dent launched his first EP, “LONDON“, featuring Lancey Foux, Nemzzz and Skepta.

Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

John Glacier

For fans of: Little Simz, Noname, Earl Sweatshirt

In rap music, John Glacier seems to operate without any set rules. Her straightforward, laid-back delivery serves as a striking contrast to the deep emotions she expresses through her lyrics. This approach allows her to deliver her soulful rhymes effortlessly over diverse, genre-blending beats such as lo-fi, grime, drum and bass, and more. In her debut album, Like A Ribbon, Glacier paints a vivid picture of her perspective on the natural world and life experiences that resonate universally. Gradually, she’s cultivating her unique musical environment as she emerges as one of the UK’s most mysterious and captivating voices.

Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

Hana Vu

For fans of: Soccer Mommy, Samia, Dora Jar

Starting out on SoundCloud and Bandcamp, 17-year-old artist Hana Vu teamed up with WILLOW for her debut streaming single. This high-profile collaboration marked the beginning of her career, followed by the release of her first EP, an independently produced indie-pop project that blended nostalgia perfectly and included contributions from Satchy and Henry Morris. Despite maintaining a low profile, Vu has recently completed supporting Soccer Mommy on her Spring 2025 tour. Her latest studio album, “Romanticism,” was released in May 2024, serving as the successor to 2021’s “Public Storage” and the two-part project titled “Nicole Kidman / Anne Hathaway” from 2019. Most recently, she unveiled her five-track EP called “Movies.

Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

Lexa Gates

For fans of: KARRAHBOOO, Bktherula, Samara Cyn

For ten hours, Lexa Gates confined herself within a box as a means of advertising her latest album, “Elite Vessel.” This act underscores her unwavering dedication to her craft at just 24 years old, hailing from Queens. The album served as her debut on a major label and propelled her into the limelight within the music scene. It received positive reviews from several critics and featured collaborations with Zelooperz, Billy Lemos, and Alé Araya. Beyond her musical prowess, demonstrated through her skillful lyrics and rhythmic flow, Gates has shown herself to be a versatile creative talent. She has consistently provided striking visual elements for her songs and has started exploring the fashion world, appearing in a recent Kith campaign alongside Jadakiss and Fabolous.

Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

Ela Minus

For fans of: Nicholas Jarr, Grimes, Kraftwerk

Born and raised in Bogota, Ela Minus now resides in Brooklyn, where she’s a master of electronic music instruments, particularly the synthesizer. Her DIY approach is unwavering, resulting in thoughtfully crafted releases that carry a strong message. This style is clearly evident on her debut album, “acts of rebellion,” which encourages us to notice our individual acts of defiance in life as she immerses us in her captivating audio universe.

Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

MOIO

For fans of: Daniel Caesar, Steve Lacy, Giveon

MOIO is leading the charge towards a fresh perspective on alternative R&B. Originally working from his bedroom studio, this Irish artist has collaborated with his brother Monjola and fellow Dublin musician Aby Coulibaly, as well as releasing solo work. His music blends elements of jazz, soul, and ambient sounds to create emotionally deep and sonically innovative soundscapes. The care taken in arranging his soft vocals is evident in each track he produces. With just a few singles released thus far, MOIO’s future potential in shaping the development of R&B is immense.

Listen: Spotify | Apple Music

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2025-04-28 18:26