Lots of artists make incredible music while still flying under the radar. Some artists are well known in the underground/indie scene but haven’t found their way to commercial or mainstream success, at least not yet. Here are some of my favorite artists that I think exhibit enough potential to blow up this year.
Remi Wolf
A graduate of Thorton School of Music and a former contestant of American Idol, Wolf has nothing to prove with regards to her talent. I’ve been listening to her since the Fall of 2019, mere months after she started releasing music, and I immediately fell in love with her unique voice and her catchy songwriting. She manages to have such a carefree, youthful sound while making music that is very detailed and carefully thought out. I’ve been watching Remi Wolf grow more and more popular over the past few years, and would not be surprised if she becomes a mainstream act this year.
When I first found the Texas rapper on a Spotify playlist, he had around 400,000 monthly listeners. At the time of writing this, he has 2,454,279 monthly listeners, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he breaks 5,000,000 by the end of this year. He’s released various singles over the past year following his 2021 debut album, “DLOG,” and each single has been fantastic.
Dimes’ music mostly consists of bangers begging to be played at a party, but he’s also a gifted songwriter, showing lots of versatility with his clever lyrics. At only 21 years old, Mike Dimes shows lots of talent, and I’m anxiously waiting to see what he does in 2022.
Recommended tracks: “NO TRENDS,” “WISS,” “BACKROOM,” “MY STORY (DLOG)”
seeyousoon
This eight-member Florida hip-hop collective is the definition of an underrated gem. If I had to describe their sound, it’s a mix of Brockhampton, Tyler, The Creator, KAYTRANADA, and JPEGMAFIA. seeyousoon is a band with a dynamic and exciting sound that doesn’t let themselves be confined to the rules and expectations of hip-hop. And even though they take opportunities to experiment with their music, they still stay true to their sound, and they don’t let their experimentation take away from the quality of their music.
Seeing a rule-breaking yet accessible act always excites me, and I’m confident that seeyousoon has more incredible music up their sleeves. Hopefully, we get another album in 2022, but either way, I’m excited to see them grow and progress as a band.
Recommended tracks: “BEN AFFLECK,” “FIX YOUR FACE,” “STEAMY,” “MAGIC,”
Below is a Spotify Playlist where you can check out all of these artists.
I am not necessarily qualified to give music predictions, but as a WKNC employee, I can pretend that I am. Therefore, listed below are my top music predictions heading into the rest of 2022.
I predict that…
Rap/Hip-Hop songs will play a bigger role in general music charts.
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna will put out a single together.
Electronic music will begin its take over of traditionally indie local DIY scenes.
Grunge music will make an even bigger return.
Paris Texas will blow up.
Tik-Tok will continue to dictate music trends.
Ski Mask the Slump God will put out an incredibly divisive mix.
We will see the rise of more female rappers.
Boy Harsher will continue to move back their tour dates until the eventually cancel them all.*
*This one is not really a prediction but perhaps a personal expression of sadness.
I look forward to seeing how accurate (or inaccurate) this list may become in 2022.
I understand that some people only cared about Spotify Wrapped 2021 the day (and maybe day after) it dropped. That being said, I still care. Elliott Smith was my top artist but sixty-four of my Top 100 Songs on Spotify were rap. As the Assistant Underground Music Director, this makes sense. Which rap songs you may ask? I’m not going to list all of them, but here are some favorites:
“Baby I’m Bleeding” by JPEGMAFIA
“New Slaves” by Kanye West
“Just How It Is” by Young Thug
“girls like drugs” by Paris Texas
“EAST” by Earl Sweatshirt
“Ghost (In the Shell)” by MAVI
“Throw Dem Gunz” by Lil Ugly Mane
“Campbell” by redveil
“Primma Donna” by Vince Staples (feat. A$AP Rocky)
“Please Forgive” by Powers Pleasant (feat. Denzel Curry, IDK, Zombie Juice & Zillakami)
“Jailbreak the Tesla” Injury Reserve (feat. Aminé)
Here’s to rap music being the most transformative and flexible genre,
We’re starting the New Year right at WKNC with death, sadness, and AIDS. If you’re tired of the general malaise and continued pandemic of 2022, let’s throw it back to the bright shiny 80s, a time of general malaise and a pandemic that continued for far longer than it should have. Today, we’re taking a look at one of the few musicians to tackle this weighty subject head on, Diamanda Galas and her avant-garde classic, the Masque of Red Death.
Howdy y’all! The start of a new year often makes me want to rearrange all of my Spotify playlists and try out new music. There are a few tried and true tunes that I will be bringing into my first playlist of 2022 with me and I wanted to share those with you.
Oom Sha La La by Haley Heynderickx
Haley Heynderickx is an amazing artist and lyricist. Oom Sha La La has been on repeat for me at the end of 2021. I have to bring this gem with me into 2022 because it is simply just that good.
New Romance by Beach House
Beach House never fails to deliver dreamy music that makes the listener feel like they are floating through a sky of cotton candy clouds. Perfect for the transition into a new year.
Killer by Phoebe Bridgers
This is specifically about the 2015 single Killer, not the newer version that appears in Stranger in the Alps. Sung with such raw emotion, this song will aid in the times of crying that will inevitably happen this year.
Ragged Wood by Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes are a staple for me, so it is no surprise that they made my list. Ragged Wood is like a shot of espresso on a hiking trail. 5 minutes of pure bliss.
It’s Called: Freefall by Rainbow Kitten Surprise
This song makes me feel like everything is going to be alright, and with the times we are living through that is exactly what is needed.
Clay Pigeons by Michael Cera
This was one of my favorite songs of 2021. Michael Cera’s cover of Clay Pigeons is like being wrapped in a soft blanket. Comforting and catchy, it is a song I keep very close to my heart.
Two Weeks by Grizzly Bear
This song will make you feel like the main character as you walk around campus. Two Weeks makes the cut because I know it will be utilized for the cold walks from the car to my 8:30 a.m. entomology class.
Night Shift by Lucy Dacus
I’m a sucker for a long song, and Night Shift is no exception. Night Shift is perfectly moody, great for playing with the car windows rolled down.
Every Time the Sun Comes Up by Sharon Van Etten
Slow and emotional, Every Time the Sun Comes Up makes me want to sip my morning coffee and make my bed. Searching for routine as the semester starts, I foresee this being a song I’ll use to start my mornings.
These are just 9 of the songs that I’m bringing into 2022 with me, but there are quite a few more that will stay on frequent rotation. I hope your holiday and break was fulfilling, and I wish you the best with the start of a new semester!
