In 2024, the volume of must-listen albums seemed to multiply voraciously and victoriously with each passing month — many of which will be celebrated at the 67th GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 2. And even as these records reverberated through radio stations, record stores, festivals, and charts, we’re still eager for the rumors and rumblings of unique, masterful, rising artists to come. 

With 2024 in the rearview, GRAMMY.com looks forward to who some of those names might be for 2025. The 25 rising artists featured in this list have already begun staking their claim on an even bigger slice of the music industry by accumulating TikTok streams and filling up their tour calendar. And in the new year, a set of dazzling debut albums, new singles, headlining gigs, and opening slots for legendary artists will raise some profiles even higher.

The list runs the gamut from chill soul to scathing feminist punk, dazzling pop peaks to shoegaze guitar swirls, with each and every artist feeling as if they’ve created their own full, resplendent world. Every fan will find something to love in this list — quite possibly the artist that will dominate your end-of-year recap in 2025. 

Writers Taila Lee, D. Mariah, Lucas Villa and Harry Levin contributed to this list.

Lambrini Girls

What To Watch For: Who Let the Dogs Out (Jan. 10) and tour

Brighton maximalists Lambrini Girls  explore a radical, powerfully unhinged, form of honesty that brings to mind the thrilling candidness of Sleaford Mods and soon-to-be-tour-mates, Idles. The cheeky, caustic duo of Phoebe Lunny and Lilly Macieira will release their debut album, Who Let the Dogs Out at the beginning of the year. 

Lambrini Girls’ work runs on raw writ and grit, attacking machismo, mocking the male-centric music industry, and virulently rebuking rape culture and homophobia. On the single "Company Culture," they snarl down workplace harassment and nepo babies, sublimating into an unforgettable punk rhythm replete with a raucous beat and stomping percussion until it all vanishes — leaving you just wanting to play it all again. Verses seem to plunge out of them like a sardonic wrecking ball: "That’s enough/ I’ll shut up/ I’ll look hot… When will I learn that men just do it better." 

The duo’s music is a plea for the renewal of just treatment and human connection, delivered via a fearless pairing of anger and humor over concrete slab guitar riffs. Lambrini Girls may take their name from a sparkling pear cider, but there’s nothing cloying or bubbly about these two. — LP

Judeline

What To Watch For: A tour in January

Dua Saleh

What To Watch For: An international tour beginning in January

Dua Saleh’s bold, mesmerizing songs center on climate anxiety, softness in a hard world, and toxic relationships. On their 2024 debut album, I SHOULD CALL THEM, the Minneapolis-based Sudanese American artist and actor stretches their music from pop, to R&B, to gospel — enmeshing sweet vocals with rap-adjacent inflections. That ability to bridge genres makes Saleh a thrilling listen, long beyond the initial surprise of its experimental originality — not to mention the inventive songwriting at the core.

Songs like the intensely layered "want" and the ride-and-rumble of "pussy suicide" are the kind of tracks that can soundtrack a slow ride through the city and reward repeat listens, a difficult duality. — LP

Ty Myers

What To Watch For: The Select (Jan. 24), a tour in the first half of the year

Ty Myers grew up on a cattle ranch owned by his family for more than six generations — a personal history that absolutely informs his authentic take on country music. The teenage sensation from Austin, Texas has already secured himself a place in the flannel-covered hearts and stetson-helmed minds of the genre’s expanding audience. 

After starting his guitar journey at the age of 12, Myers spent 2024 building to the release of his EP, Ends of the Earth. The offering of original songs includes an ode to temporary companionship, "Drinkin’ Alone," and a pedal-steel-driven love letter, "Tie That Binds." His debut album, The Select, is set for release on Jan. 24 and his supporting tour already sold out 14 of the 26 dates in less than two weeks. Chances are he won’t continue the family tradition of running a cattle ranch. – HL

Inhaler

What To Watch For: Open Wide (Feb. 7) and an international tour

Back in their college days, Eli Hewson, Rob Keating, Josh Jenkinson and Ryan McMahon united to form the band Inhaler. More than 10 years and two albums later, it’s good news that these four talented lads have stuck together.

In the midst of their worldwide tour, the Dublin-based band is gearing up to release their third album Open Wide; produced by Kid Harpoon (Harry’s House, Miley Cyrus’ "Flowers"), it’s a safe bet to say that Open Wide will embrace the pop influences that have saturated Inhaler’s appealing rock sound, captured succinctly by the album’s memorable lead single "Your House."

The band has come a long way from their 2017 debut single "I Want You" (and from being named after Hewson’s teenage asthma). Following their debut and a slew of other successful one-off tracks, the rock group landed an opening tour slot for Noel Gallagher’s band in 2019, and they’ve gone on to open for other acts like Kings of Leon, Pearl Jam, and Arctic Monkeys. And if you’ve seen a single TikTok of Inhaler fans shrieking at barricade, you’ll instantly see how this band’s swagger will leave you, well, breathless. — TL

Saint Levant

What To Watch For: Love Letters (Feb. 14)

At just 24 years old, Saint Levant, has lived in Gaza, Jordan, and California. In addition to his Palestinian heritage, the artist born Marwan Abdelhamid has roots in France, Algeria, and Serbia. His music is equally global.

Inside Levant's discography, you'll find a potpourri of sounds and languages, from French raps to Arabic beats, metaphorically encouraging unified society and bringing awareness to social injustices internationally.

On his newest single, "DALOONA," which was released on Nov. 25, Levant celebrates Palestinian culture and identity. This track is the first glimpse into his upcoming two-part compilation album, Love Letters, out on Valentine's Day. The first part will explore Arab and North African sounds, while the B-side pays homage to his American roots with '80s-inspired funk pop. — DM

John Glacier

What To Watch For: Like A Ribbon (Feb. 14)

London-based rapper, poet and producer John Glacier is a force reckoning with experimentation. Her forthcoming album, Like A Ribbon features an enthralling crowd of eccentrics including Eartheater, Flume, Sampha, and more, and executively produced by Slowthai collaborator Kwes Darko. The album’s production glitches and burns, the perfect foundation for a steely yet laidback delivery: Glacier’s songs move through charred filters, highlighting her Hackney accent and blending her many influences. 

Only one person in the world could feature alongside Panda Bear on a Jamie xx track while also serving as the face of Daniel Lee’s global Burberry campaign — and the fact that she somehow elevates both halves of that experience feels downright mystical. John Glacier’s artistic output feels like a statement of self that will undoubtedly leave a lot of brand new fans hungry for more. — LP

Hope Tala

What To Watch For: Debut album in February, set at Coachella 2025

Alongside Laufey and Jacob Collier, British singer Hope Tala is another jazzy Gen-Z star. Her music (which will be heard live at Coachella 2025) is built upon acoustic bass and bossa nova guitar, the latter is the foundation of notable single, "Lovestained." On the 2019 track, the West London native’s subtle accent decorates her floaty voice as it bounces off the strummed rhythms. 

Tala's debut album, Hope Handwritten, is due on Feb. 28 and its first single is similarly born from the warm, rolling tones of a walking upright bassline. On "I Can’t Even Cry," Tala's vocals follow the trajectory of the bass' low-end undulation, utilizing the natural reverb from the wooden instrument to add little moments of sung improvisation, emphasizing her quick-moving wordplay. — HL

Biig Piig

What To Watch For: 11:11 (Feb. 7)

Jessica Smyth has been releasing twisty, thrilling tracks under the moniker Biig Piig for a few years, and it seems that the rest of the pop world may have finally caught up to her.  Having been born in Ireland, raised in Spain, and now residing in London, Smith is keenly aware of the best way to blend and celebrate swaths of different languages, influences, and styles. 

The experimentalist has been hypercharging electro beats, hip-hop flows, and lush pop vocals on EPs and mixtapes like 2023's Bubblegum, but Smyth’s long-awaited full-length debut is finally just around the corner. And when 11:11 arrives on Feb. 7, it’ll come replete with hits like the steamy exploration of loneliness in "4AM" and the sparkly, clap-along headrush of "Favourite Girl." — LP

Nia Smith

What To Watch For: Give Up Fear tour (TBD)

The best soul artists know how to reach massive emotions effortlessly — and throughout her new EP, Give Up Fear, Nia Smith delivers heart-rending moments while maintaining the sort of warm ease that makes her feel like a comfortable friend. The UK-based vocalist has been compared to everyone from Amy Winehouse to Adele and Alicia Keys, but her reggae-tinged take on retro soul feels too intimate and personal to ever be pigeonholed. That connection is endorsed by none other than Jamaican hero Popcaan, who appears on lead single "Personal."

After reaching quickly-enamored audiences via TikTok, Smith was tapped to open for the likes of Tems and Mahalia, with her own tour forthcoming. Tracks like the slow-swaggering "Don’t Cry" and the smoldering "Little Red Car" showcase Smith's already deep catalog, which is filled with the kind of material that’ll both amaze in small venues and one day surely fill big arenas. 

And as you wait for her to plot a stop in your locale with the EP on constant spin, Smith’s social media should more than hold you over: impeccably dressed, admirably laid-back, and sharing some of the sweetest melodies you’ll hear. — LP

Kashus Culpepper

What To Watch For: Tour dates in the winter and spring

Kashus Culpepper has been surrounded by music his entire life. He grew up in the church, but it wasn’t until his Navy deployment in 2020 that he cultivated his artistic voice. Four years later, Culpepper has revived the melodic crooning of ‘80s and ‘90s country, buoyed by his blues influence, on debut singles "Who Hurt You," "Pour Me Out," "Out of My Mind," and "After Me?"

Culpepper will join fellow country singer Ian Munsick on the Horses Are Fast Tour in February before supporting Leon Bridges on The Leon Tour in May. — DM

Lanie Gardner 

What To Watch For: A tour in March and April

Lanie Gardner’s journey has unfolded rapidly, evolving from YouTube videos made in her bedroom to performing at the biggest raves, and releasing her debut album in 2024. In 2025, she'll open for the country rock upstart Corey Kent. 

Following the 2020 viral video that combined cranberry juice, a skateboard, and Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," Gardner recorded her own cover (juice in hand) of the 1977 classic. A few weeks after clearing millions of views, dance music legend David Guetta asked her to sing on an EDM version of the song, which remains on top of Gardner’s Spotify.

But Gardner had been writing music long before her viral moment, as the title of her debut album suggests. Across 10 tracks, A Songwriter’s Diary reveals the thoughts and stories most would reserve for privacy. "Lord Knows" is a heavy country song detailing her penance to a higher power and her promise to change her ways. "Cry" employs electric blues and rumbling organ as she spews seething venom at the lover who left her scorned. — HL

FLO

What To Watch For: Access All Areas Tour (March)

Hailing from London, FLO takes R&B to the next level. The girl group’s single "Cardboard Box" went viral in 2022, garnering praise from artists like Victoria Monét and SZA. The song from Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer resonated with themes of independence and moving on, and captured their true prowess as a musical group.

Released in November 2024, FLO’s debut studio album Access All Areas exudes confidence: it’s about taking control, knowing yourself inside and out, and being unapologetic. Influenced by artists like Amy Winehouse and Etta James, the trio’s harmonies simultaneously soothe and command; it’s no wonder FLO found themselves booked and busy at 2024 festivals like Coachella, Wireless, and Governors Ball.

Along with festival performances, the group has notched some top tier collaborations, including "Fly Girl" with four-time GRAMMY winner Missy Elliott and "In My Bag" with GloRilla. After opening for Kehlani, FLO’s now gearing up for their can’t-miss headlining tour starting in March. — TL

Majo Aguilar

What To Watch For: Mariachi Tumbado (April)

Majo Aguilar is carrying on the legacy of one of most revered families in música Mexicana, which includes her father Antonio Aguilar, Jr., her uncle Pepe Aguilar, and her late grandparents Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre. At the same time, the Mexican singer/songwriter is blazing a space for herself and for women in the male-dominated scene with her 2024 Latin GRAMMY-nominated album Mariachi y Tequila.

While embracing the mariachi traditions of her lineage in the captivating "Cuéntame" with Vicente Fernández's grandson Alex Fernández, Aguilar is also mixing in elements of fiery corridos in her upcoming LP Mariachi Tumbado. Ahead of what she has called her most "experimental" album, which is due out in April, Aguilar has released a mariachi cover of "Aún Así Te Vas" by Belenova, the hip-hop infused "Luna Azul" with Mexican rapper Santa Fe Klan, and the dreamy "Quise Algo Bueno." — LV

Lola Young

What To Watch For: This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway Tour, Coachella debut

It’s miraculous how Lola Young can make an F-bomb sound like a sermon. Whether you’re familiar with her gut-wrenching track "Messy" from TikTok or spotted her name on the Chromakopia tracklist, this singer has been pacing on the sidelines for just a few years — now, she’s jumped the fence to hit the ground running.

It’s hard to be playfully seething on an album, yet Young's 2024 sophomore studio album, This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway, makes it sound easy. Though there’s a cathartic quality to her music, the 23-year-old singer always stays firmly in control. All while leaning into her signature rasp, the South London powerhouse uplifts her alternative pop with the vocal power of a rocker. She sings of regifted flowers, big brown eyes, and ultimatums, infusing every lyric with anger in search of release. And she finds it.

Young’s already making moves on her popular This Wasn’t Meant For You Anyway tour, but she’s still got 20 big stops left in 2025 across Europe and Australia — oh, and her Coachella debut. — TL

Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso

What To Watch For: 2025 BAÑO MARÍA Tour & Coachella performance

Argentine trap duo Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso have become their country's most out-of-the-box pop stars. On their debut album BAÑO MARÍA, released last April, the duo meld electronica, hyperpop, funk, and reggaeton in their swaggering songs like "Dumbai" and "El Único." After exploring solo careers — which netted yielded Latin GRAMMY nominations for Ca7riel — the life-long friends have linked up intermittently since 2018. Now a few years later, they are hitting their stride together as one of the most exciting and electrifying acts in Latin music.  

The rappers brought the quirky charm of their genre-bending sound to life in a NPR Tiny Desk Concert, which garnered more than 18 million views as of writing. In a live setting, Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso performed jazz-infused versions of their songs injected with soul and the tropical rhythms of Latin America. To capture the free spirit of their concerts, they recently released the live album BAÑO MARÍA (En Vivo - Buenos Aires). Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso will soon spread their fun and feel-good vibes across the U.S. with the 2025 BAÑO MARÍA Tour in April, which will include their Coachella debut. — LV

The Dare 

What To Watch For: A set at Coachella 2025 and the inaugural Lido Festival

Charli xcx continues to ride the wave of her culture-defining summer, with new festival dates and acting roles for 2025, and The Dare is happy to be right alongside her. The dapper electronic artist DJed her Boiler Room in Ibiza and provided writing and production credits on "Guess," which became a viral hit via the Billie Eilish-featuring remix. In 2025, The Dare and Charli will continue to combine their powers at shared bills including Coachella and Charli’s curated day of London's new Lido Festival.

The Dare’s prowess as a solo artist is not to be overlooked either. His 2024 debut album What’s Wrong With New York? anointed him as the king of the indie sleaze revival. Album standout "Girls" features an acid-tinged breakbeat that channels the experimentation predecessors like LCD Soundsystem and the Strokes depicted in uncensored glory. 

Once The Dare has a turn on the widely streamed Coachella stage, NYPD should brace for an influx of hedonism after dark. — HL

Frost Children

What To Watch For: Major festival appearances

This electronic duo already kicked off 2025 strong by opening for The Dare on New Year’s Eve, but Frost Children’s got a lot more in store for the year ahead.

Growing up in St. Louis, siblings Angel and Lulu Prost regularly performed at Sunday mass and in various cover bands, but it wasn’t until quarantine that their creativity as the musical duo Frost Children sparked to life. Releasing six projects since lockdown, the now-NYC residents have been steadily gaining stardom with their hyperpop and jersey club remixes. While their music flashes as futuristic and forward-thinking, the pair also leans on a nostalgic aesthetic as part of the 2024 indie sleaze renaissance.

From featuring on Porter Robinson’s soulful "Mona Lisa" just last summer to securing 2025 sets at Primavera Sound and Kilby Block Party among other upcoming festivals, Frost Children are trickling into the mainstream while still invigorating a more niche alcove of EDM scene. — TL

Luvcat

What To Watch For: An April tour

The female rockstar is alive and flourishing in Luvcat. On her debut trifecta of singles, the Liverpool native muses over the darker side of romance, characterized by smoky nights at Parisian-inspired restaurants ("Dinner @ Brasserie Zédel") and escapades in BDSM ("Matador"). But beyond her gritty lyricism, she has the persona to match.

As she revealed to NME in November, "[My songs] are pretty much all very real, true stories." Meanwhile, her artist biography recounts when she ran away to a Parisian circus before her 16th birthday, "longing for mischief."

Beginning in April, you can get a firsthand look at Luvcat’s endearing kitsch on her EU tour. — DM

El Malilla

What To Watch For: 2025 Coachella performance

Since dropping his debut album ÑEROSTARS in July 2024, El Malilla has become a leader of the emerging reggaeton Mexa movement. He has injected Puerto Rican-influenced perreo with Mexican swagger and slang in his hits like the bonkers "B de Bellako" with Yeyo, which channels a wild sex drive into an infectious club banger. Elsewhere, El Malilla gets romantic on "Dime" with Maury.

After selling out concerts across Mexico, the Valle de Chalco native will make his U.S. debut at Coachella in April. El Malilla will be the first reggaeton Mexa artist on the festival's lineup. The reggaeton Mexa dream team of El Malilla and Yeyo recently reunited for the equally freaky and frenetic "Préndete." He is continuing to collaborate with other exponents of the scene like Yeri Mua, Bellakath, and El Bogueto. — LV

mehro 

What To Watch For:  A spring North American tour

Mehro first gained attention for his spacious, acoustic love songs, including his 2020 debut "perfume" and his enduring hit from 2021, "chance with you." As time passed, the musician began sharing different sides of himself. His 2023 album, Dark Corners and Alchemy features "exploding," a haunting dance punk hitter, while 2024'sTrauma Lullabies has "k3tamine," a jaunty tune that's the spiritual inverse to the sedation of its namesake drug.

At the end of 2024, mehro revealed yet another new sonic turn: distortion. "Lady Parts and Mannequins," his final single of the year, uses scrappy pop rock as jet fuel to propel unveiled sexual lyrics. Whatever he was holding back before is now on the table, and he will be presenting himself in full force as he opens for half alive on the North American leg of their 2025 world tour. — HL

Rachel Chinouriri

What To Watch For: Supporting tour dates

In a February conversation, Rachel Chinouriri told Rolling Stone UK, "What I want is to inspire the other 13-year-old Black girls who are confused about their identity but love rock music. I want them to be like, ‘Oh, God, it’s possible. It actually exists.’" Almost one year later, the Zimbabwean British songstress has done exactly that.

Chinouriri released her debut album, What a Devastating Turn of Events, in May, accompanied by a music video featuring Florence Pugh. She later premiered the music live at the Glastonbury Festival before embarking on her first headlining tour through the United Kingdom. She’ll continue the stint as an opener in 2025. — DM

Wisp

What To Watch For: Tour dates with System Of A Down (August-September)

While young musicians now have access to an entire global history of music, some artists will still find influences that shock you. Case in point: many a jaw dropped when San Francisco teenager Natalie R. Lu burst onto the scene in 2023 and netted nearly 50 million Spotify streams with "Your Face,", a track that combined shoegaze eclectics with a pop sweetness. 

While that surprising single stole headlines, Lu’s work as Wisp has continued to rapidly evolve, finding the right moments to draw the listener into a mystic guitar web and when to pull back the mist. It's not just the fans taking notice: Wisp was recently added to open a series of shows with System Of A Down, Korn, Deftones, and Avenged Sevenfold. With those cosigns, it’s easy to imagine Wisp continuing to grow into an act that can bridge the divide between the TikTok fanatics and old-head guitar rockers for years to come. — LP

Ela Taubert

What To Watch For: A debut album

On her 2023 EP ¿Quién Dijo Que Era Fácil?, Colombian singer/songwriter Ela Taubert established herself as a fresh face of Latin pop that blended elements of rock, folk, and vulnerability in the mix. Taubert took the world by storm with her 2024 breakthrough hit "¿Cómo Pasó?" The breakup anthem racked up over 120 million streams on Spotify since dropping in February.

Joe Jonas added more angst to a Spanglish version of the song that they performed at the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs. At The Biggest Night In Latin Music, Taubert took home the golden gramophone for Best New Artist. Now, the 24-year-old is working on her debut album, which is due out in 2025. The LP will include "¿Cómo Pasó?" and her recent singles that reflect her limitless view of pop, the country-infused "¿Para Qué?" and the synth-pop of "¿Por Qué Soy Así?" Though her songs have titles that pose many questions, Taubert is certain to make a statement with her ambitious sound. — LV

Erick Brian

What To Watch For: A solo debut album

Erick Brian first rose to prominence as a member of Latin GRAMMY-nominated boy band CNCO. After the group parted ways in late 2023, the Cuban heartthrob has spent the past six months shaping his solo project with hit-makers like JonTheProducer, Richi López, Vitto & Renzo, and Mazzarri. 

Now signed with Warner Music Latina, Brian is welcoming the next era in his career and the new year with his debut single "Feliz Año Nuevo Triste." The heartbreaking synth-pop banger is the lead single from his first solo album, which is due out in 2025. Now 23 years old, Brian is ready to move beyond his Latin teen idol past and take center stage on his own. His debut is sure to be a mature, honest, and adventurous take on pop that reflects his personal and artistic growth. — LV

It's hard to imagine any other artist impacted by a Tiny Desk appearance as much as CA7RIEL and Paco Amoroso.

During their 17-minute set at the NPR mainstay last year, the duo transformed tracks from 2024’s BAÑO MARIA and two from earlier solo projects, swapping synthesized elements with live instrumentation. Replacing bouncy electronic drum beats for soft percussion, songs like "DUMBAI" took on a sunny bossa nova feel, while "BABY GANGSTA" shed its drum-and-bass edge to bloom into a brassy Latin funk track. 

The set went viral, propelling them to heights neither had experienced or anticipated.

"The fame of Tiny Desk has taken us to very strange places doing very odd things," says CA7RIEL with a knowing grin. "Sometimes, we look at each other in the eyes just to check what is happening is real."

After years of grinding — both as solo artists and collaborators across various musical ventures — the duo quickly became industry It Boys. Every concert, track, interview or step they made was blurred in a haze of hype. 

Read more: 25 Artists To Watch In 2025: CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, John Glacier, Lola Young & More

This surreal experience is the subject of their new EP, PAPOTA. Argentine slang for someone on steroids, the word that comically captures the overblown nature of their new reality. PAPOTA includes the live Tiny Desk versions, alongside four new tracks that navigate their post-viral fame journey. The EP's narrative begins when a producer called Gymbaland approaches the newly-famous duo, and instructs them to hit the gym and sing songs written by ChadGPT — with the ultimate goal of winning the coveted Latin Chaddy. 

Like Baño Maria, PAPOTA is built on a convergence of styles, from trap beats to '90s pop, with more instrumentation and funk than their previous work. The pair have just embarked upon what will be a dizzying year ahead — dozens of tour dates in the U.S., UK, Europe, Latin America, and a stop at Coachella.

CA7RIEL (Catriel Guerreiro) and Paco Amoroso (Ulises Guerriero) spoke to GRAMMY.com (not Chaddy.com) about the ups and downs of success, and how friendship is vital to staying grounded through it all.

Your new EP, PAPOTA, takes aim at the music industry — from AI-generated pop music to the Latin "Chaddys." Are you wary of music awards?

Paco Amoroso: It’s a parody of this Miami world where the music producer promises to make you successful and ensures that you win awards. Sometimes it feels like this matters more than the music. We poke fun at the industry that we too are a part of. It’s a humorous approach to the reality we live in. 

So, it’s not criticizing the awards themselves, but the priorities of the industry.

Paco Amoroso: Exactly!

The new single "#TETAS" is about making commercially successful music; pasting a viral hashtag onto a catchy chorus. It starts as a funk track and twists into a '90s pop song. What if people don’t understand the parody, and assume you’ve sold out?

Paco Amoroso: I think that’s fine — that Backstreet Boys style chorus is good! There's something in liking something you think you shouldn’t; in the end, pop always wins you over.

CA7RIEL: Like with any work, some get it and others don't, right? And those who get it will laugh. For us, it’s a temon (a banger); a great song. 

PAPOTA’s opening track is called "IMPOSTER," which is about experiencing imposter syndrome in the wake of the Tiny Desk success. Do you regret doing that series?

Paco Amoroso: No, not at all. We approached this new pressure we felt after the Tiny Desk with humor. It’s a nice pressure to have — that people admire us and think we are great musicians. In Argentina, we have a term [that translates to] "we added tax"; it’s to say we inflated everything a bit. It’s what we felt, it’s more fun than fear.

CA7RIEL: All these feelings are real, but they are on steroids. That’s why our album is called PAPOTA.

I imagine many artists must feel imposter syndrome, but very few talk about it.

Paco Amoroso: One hundred percent. Often, in this industry, songs are composed by several people and produced as if they were made in a factory. Some of these songs are great, others are horrible. Even your favourite artists can make terrible songs, and that's funny too. One day you feel on top of the world, and the next, you feel like crap. When everything starts going well, it tastes a little less sweet too. It's talking about all the emotions that come with success. 

Are friendship and humor an important part of getting through those feelings?

Both: Yes!

Paco Amoroso: We laugh with friends. We’re simple people. We got lucky with our music, but we spent many years making music, rolling up our sleeves, so we fought for it. We’re taking in all of this [success] with humor and gratitude.

As you say, you didn’t get successful overnight, you’ve both spent years working in music; both together and as solo artists. With the Tiny Desk fame, some may assume you came out of nowhere. Does that bother you?

Paco Amoroso: Not at all. Nobody owes you anything. It’s good we took advantage of the opportunity to do Tiny Desk. Thanks to that, people from all over the world stop us in the street, those who saw it and loved it. Our career has exploded thanks to it. Now, we're on an endless tour, playing all around the world. We’re happy.

How did you prepare for the Tiny Desk session?

CA7RIEL: As urban artists, we use a lot of beats and sounds from computers. So we had to "kill" the computer and put in the heart. It was complicated. Even though we’ve been playing with friends, for a long time, switching from one format to another was difficult. We put in a lot of effort.

Paco Amoroso: It’s also interesting to see how some songs don’t work on a guitar, for example. A song isn’t always easily transferable from an electronic, beat-driven format to one without auto-rune, effects, or backing tracks. So, we also had to find the right songs that worked best for this format. It was quite a process.

Did the preparation for Tiny Desk influence the arrangements we hear on PAPOTA?

Paco Amoroso:** One hundred percent. We feel like the hard work is already done, because now all that’s left is to play and play and play. But last year, honestly, there was a lot of rehearsing and a lot of experimenting.**

Read more: 5 Rappers Taking Argentinian Hip-Hop To The Next Level: L-Gante, Duki & More

Speaking of the tour, new fans know you because of Tiny Desk, which is all about live performance. Does that put pressure on you going onstage, that you have such high expectations to live up to?

CA7RIEL: It’s the opposite. Tiny Desk was just a window into what we know how to do. We feel more comfortable playing live, with friends, defending our music with real instruments.

You’re playing Coachella soon. What can we expect from that set?

Paco Amoroso: Honestly, it’s going to be one of the most important events of our musical lives. We’ve prepared as much as possible and we’re to bring all our party favors and all our paraphernalia to the stage, so that people go crazy watching us.

The schedule ahead is pretty wild, with over 30 dates in over a dozen countries. How do you plan to look after yourselves on the road?

CA7RIEL: I don’t know if we’ll come out of it safe and sound — I just hope we do. I think we will because we have fun and we do what we love. The reality is that sometimes we push our bodies a little beyond what they can handle, but we’re good. We’re young. We still have collagen in our faces. 

Hopefully, you won’t need any "papotas."

Paco Amoroso: Ha! Ask us in a few months.

To say that Saint Levant has helped propel Arabic music to new audiences over the last few years would be an understatement. With over 30 million views on YouTube, over 150 million streams on Spotify, and global virality on TikTok, the 24-year-old Palestinian-Algerian artist has already become a household name in the emerging wave of Arabic music.

Known for his trilingual prowess — combining English, French and Arabic in most of his songs — Saint Levant's success is perhaps most attributed to his passion for representing Palestinian culture. The artist has captivated listeners worldwide through his authenticity, as well as his willingness to be both vulnerable about his emotions, and steadfast in wanting Palestine to be at the forefront of music globally — and his latest project furthers his mission.

Titled Love Letters, the six-song double-disc EP creatively explores a range of feelings and emotions that center Palestinian and Arab identity. Saint Levant sonically incorporates elements of Arab melodies and instruments on songs like "DALOONA" and "WAZIRA," along with nods to early '00s R&B on "EXILE" and "DIVA."

Fittingly, Love Letters is an Arab-led effort, featuring collaborations with prominent and influential Palestinian group 47Soul, production from Tunisian powerhouse Ratchopper, co-writing by fellow Palestinian artist Lina Makhoul, and video direction by Algerian-French filmmaker Lyna Zerrouk — just to name a few who have been integral in executing Saint Levant's vision.

It's an effort that's particularly important now, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Gaza that has killed thousands of Palestinians. Saint Levant stresses that it is his duty to speak up for his people.

"You can't claim Palestine and not talk," he emphasizes to GRAMMY.com from his home in Jordan. "You can't claim to be Arab and not talk. You can't claim to be human and not talk. For me, what else am I supposed to do? We were raised in Gaza and we've seen it firsthand and experienced it firsthand, and then we experienced the exile firsthand."

Born in Jerusalem to a French-Algerian mother and a Palestinian-Serbian father, Saint Levant (whose birth name is Marwan Abdelhamid) spent much of his early childhood in Gaza before moving to Jordan. He has remained outspoken throughout his career about his native Palestine.

Earlier songs in Saint Levant's career, like 2020's "Jerusalem Freestyle" and 2021's "Haifa in a Tesla," show glimpses of the advocate he would become. Both feature Saint Levant melodically rapping of a free Palestine and what that life could be for his people.

While his trilingual 2022 hit "Very Few Friends" wasn't as directly tied to his culture, it became a viral sensation on TikTok and hinted at Saint Levant's global appeal. Notably, the success of the song was driven by those who may not understand Arabic or French; it marked a turning point in his career, opening him up to new audiences beyond those in the Middle East, North Africa and the diaspora. To date, it is still his most viewed song on YouTube and his most streamed song across platforms.

Saint Levant further expanded his reach with his album Deira, an homage to Palestine as it's named after a hotel along the coast of Gaza that his father built in the '90s. It marked the first time he tapped into his Algerian roots, featuring traditional Algerian shaabi rhythms and raï influences throughout the album — further cementing the importance of his identity and culture in his artistry.

"I just love the shaabi Algerian mixed with Palestinian because of the histories of these two countries — my two countries — the shared struggle in the context of colonialism," Saint Levant says. "Algeria has given me a lot of hope for Palestine's future."

As his music alludes, everything Saint Levant does is in service to Palestine, and he remains adamant to pursue change beyond his career as an artist. He launched the 2048 Foundation in 2022, dedicated to helping fund Palestinian entrepreneurs and bringing their ideas to life. As he perks up in his seat when the foundation comes up in conversation, it's clear that 2048 is a major passion project for him.

"We're doing a feasibility study, an ecosystem-mapping study to see what the Palestinian creative ecosystem needs," he excitedly explains. "What do the people actually need? Where are the organizations that already exist and what are they doing? Let's map it and see what our role is. There's so much potential there, but it needs to be unified. There needs to be proper funding, and it should be through an economic development lens."

While his culture has always been integral to who he is, Saint Levant credits his father for sparking his interest in music; as he recalls, his dad played everything from Lenny Kravitz and Timbaland to Serbian composer Goran Bregovic and Algerian raï icon Cheb Mami. His father now plays an integral role in his career, serving as a constant source of support as the singer navigates his growing success.

Saint Levant's love of music quickly resulted in a penchant for performing — beginning as early as third grade, when he and a few friends reenacted the dance routine to Michael Jackson's" Smooth Criminal." He first began releasing and performing his original music while attending the University of California Santa Barbara, earning an invite to showcase his music (alongside Egyptian singer Bayou) for the University of Arizona's Arab Student Association during his senior year.

The singer beams sharing this story, which serves as a reminder of his grassroots beginnings. But it also reminds Saint Levant of the role his upbringing has played into his career, emphasizing that performing Palestinian and Arab music for audiences at a community level is "how you make an impact" in changing societal perceptions.

As Saint Levant's success continues to grow, he's also faced criticism for his approach from Arab listeners in particular. On one hand, many applaud the sensuality and the different side of Arab masculinity not typically seen at this level in Arabic music, where he feels incredibly comfortable in his skin and is willing to show it. Yet some don't respect his musical talents and see Saint Levant as too controversial, or even too forced, at times.

Even so, Saint Levant insists that he feels more love than hate — particularly when he's on stage — and that naysayers won't slow him down. In fact, the artist welcomes any polarization, citing artists like Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma who he says similarly get hate but "don't take it to heart."

"[People] have this idea of what you should do, what you shouldn't do, and I've never been like that," he adds. "I'm a straight Arab man who used to paint his nails. I'm just going to do what I want to do. I'm not going to apologize for who I am."

Though he's a mere five years in, Saint Levant is already sure he doesn't want to do music for the rest of his life ("I don't want to be an old head," he jokes). As his career has indicated so far, his ultimate goal is to aid the liberation of Palestine — whether through music or other means.

"The world needs more Palestinian ideas," he says with a smile.

In the mid-2010's, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix and BLACKPINK were spearheading a girl group renaissance. Fifth Harmony was topping charts with "Work from Home," while Little Mix was supporting Ariana Grande on the Dangerous Woman Tour. Meanwhile, in South Korea, BLACKPINK began to blossom globally with several No. 1 hits on Billboard's World Digital Song Sales chart. But with the hiatus of Fifth Harmony in 2018, Little Mix in 2022 and BLACKPINK's ongoing contract negotiations, the music industry has been yearning for another global girl group takeover.

Fortunately, there's a slew of female acts around the world eager to fill the void. The '20s have seen a surge of girl groups resurrecting the sounds of female empowerment and stacked harmonies — as 5H did in 2016, the Pussycat Dolls in the '00s and Destiny's Child in the '90s. 

Like many girl groups before them, several of these new troupes conceived from survival competitions — á la "The X Factor," the birthplace of both Fifth Harmony and Little Mix, or South Korea's Produce 101, where K-pop's I.O.I was born — or quiet auditions behind the scenes.

Take HYBE, the company home to BTS, and their recent joint venture with Geffen Records, "The Debut: Dream Academy." The global auditions spanned the United States, Japan, England, Australia and more, garnering more than 120,000 applicants. Through a fan-voted and judge-critiqued elimination system, they were eventually left with their final six: Sophia, Manon, Daniela, Lara, Megan and Yoonchae — together, now known as KATSEYE.

To understand the full scope of how a girl group is manufactured, watch the process unfold in Netflix's KATSEYE documentary, Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE, out now. Like the project's creative director, Humberto Leon, explained to Dazed, "These girls were just kids whose parents allowed their talents to shine. Now, they're taking it to the next level. For a chosen few, their dreams will become reality in the coolest way possible."

While you dive into Pop Star Academy, check out twelve more exciting groups that will continue to push the needle of girl group culture alongside KATSEYE.

Read More: Get To Know KATSEYE: The Global Girl Group Styled After K-Pop Superstars

Thanks to this breakout British trio, you'll find nostalgic drum-driven production, harmonies reminiscent of Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle and seething, yet confident lyrics: "I'ma put your s— in a cardboard box," they sneer in the chorus of their breakout hit.

Two years after the viral debut of "Cardboard Box," Stella Quaresma, Jorja Douglas and Renée Downer have driven the girl group movement with Brit Award wins, MTV VMA nominations and nods as one of Rolling Stones' Artists of the Future. Continuing their victorious streak, they're supporting Kehlani on the R&B star's Crash World Tour, which commenced Sept. 4 in Minneapolis.

Joining KATSEYE in the globalization of K-pop is JYP Entertainment's joint venture with Republic Records, VCHA.

This sextet consists of the winning contestants of the 2023 YouTube survival series, "America2Korea." Earlier this year, Lexi, Camila, Kendall, Savanna, KG and Kaylee debuted with VCHA's first singles, "Girls of the Year" and "XO Call Me," later followed by two additional songs, "Only One" and "Favorite Girl."

With members boasting Hmong, Cuban and Trinbagonian heritage, the group is only the first step into an inclusive K-pop industry. "We were able to bring so many different cultures and backgrounds into this group and that we could show everyone around the world, which has never been done before," Lexi told Nylon Manila earlier this year.

In the K-pop world, it's tough to break through without the backing of a high-profile talent competition show or one of South Korea's "Big Four" entertainment companies: SM, JYP, YG and HYBE. But S2 Entertainment's KISS OF LIFE — helmed by Julie, Natty, Belle and Haneul — is already making strides just 14 months after their debut.

This quartet has broken Billboard's US World Charts, nabbed nods at Asia's influential MAMA Awards and appeared at one of Korea's largest music festivals, Waterbomb. After an already promising start, KISS OF LIFE will continue to captivate listeners with their unique fusion of jazz, hip-hop and R&B on their first international tour, beginning in North America this November.

Read More: 11 Rookie K-Pop Acts To Know In 2024: NCT Wish, RIIZE, Kiss Of Life & More

Amid K-pop's global domination, Filipino pop — commonly known as Pinoy pop, or simply "P-pop" — is becoming one of the fastest-growing music markets. Leading the revolution are the eight women of BINI: Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoannna and Sheena.

First seen in ABS-CBN's 2019 training program "Star Hunt Academy," BINI has captured Southeast Asia with EDM-driven pop production and a blend of English and Tagalog lyrics. And as the first Filipino act to enter Spotify's Top Artist Global Chart and to perform at the long-standing KCON festival, it's no surprise they've been dubbed the "Nation's Girl Group."

Read More: 14 Pinoy Pop Acts You Should Know: G22, Maki, KAIA, ALAMAT, & More

When K-pop group LOONA publicly split in 2022 after a lawsuit against their company, Blockberry Creative, fans were unsure what the future would hold. It was only a matter of months before six members of the original group — HeeJin, HaSeul, Kim Lip, JinSoul and Choerry — signed a contract with Modhaus as ARTMS. With the return of LOONA's longtime producer, Jaden Jeong, fans will recognize their genre-spanning sound of alternative R&B, funk and EDM on their debut album, DALL, released in May.

The sextet's comeback also revived Odd Eye Circle, an original sub-unit of LOONA, consisting of Kim Lip, JinSoul and Choerry. In 2023, the trio dropped their first EP in seven years, Version Up.

Spurred from the first season of "Nizi Project," the talent search series helmed by JYP Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment and Hulu Japan, NiziU blends the accessibility of Korean fan engagement with J-pop's signature piano-driven melodies and fast-paced tempo. Using a strategy JYP calls "globalization by localization," NiziU has amassed fans across East Asia and beyond with tracks like "Make You Happy" and "Step and a Step."

Later this year, NiziU will embark on their first Winter Tour, NiziU Live With U, through Japan, following their release of their first EP, Rise Up, which arrived in July.

Until recently, non-Asian members of a Korean pop group were virtually unheard of. In 2020, DR Music fearlessly unveiled the new lineup of BLACKSWAN (formerly known as BP Rania), including Senegalese songstress Fatou. Four years later, the group has enlisted a diverse roster with three more talents: Gabi, hailing from Brazil; Sriya of India and NVee from the United States.

On Aug. 30, BLACKSWAN will offer an exclusive glimpse into their training and strategy in Apple TV+'s new docu-series, "K-Pop Idols," examining "the cultural and musical barriers" of K-pop.

With mentorship from Pentatonix's Scott Hoying, Citizen Queen was bound to be an a cappella powerhouse.

Initially consisting of five members, the group was hand-picked by Hoying and music producers Ben Bram and Shams Ahmed for their diverse and unique vocal talents. Now a trio, Cora Isabel provides the beatbox, Kaedi Dalley on bass and Nina Ann Nelson leads the melody with her soprano range.

After debuting their rebrand as a threesome in May, Citizen Queen dropped their first taste of what's to come with July's "Love the Way I Love You," an ode to their harmony-driven performances. Though they have yet to reveal more new music, the group recently reunited with Hoying for some fun social media content, and performed with former Fifth Harmony member Dinah Jane in San Diego.

British trio Say Now is elucidating the girl group formation process. Rather than quietly developing themselves behind the scenes — as FLO did for three years, and many K-pop groups do for more than five — Ysabelle Salvanera, Amelia Onuorah and Madeleine Haynes have been documenting the journey from day one.

First releasing music as "needanamebro," Say Now used their "training" period to give fans a first look into their artistry across social media. After countless Soundcloud covers and candid TikTok videos, Say Now has thousands of fans to embark on their adventure together, from the recently released single, "Trouble," to the future releases to come.

You've probably heard of Thai stars, like BLACKPINK's Lisa and (G)I-DLE's Minnie, conquering the K-pop industry. But within the borders of Thailand, you can find equally promising acts, like XOXO Entertainment's 4EVE, birthed from Workpoint TV's "Girl Group Star."

Short for "forever," 4EVE promises to entertain listeners — particularly their aptly named fan base, For Aye — with hip-hop-influenced beats and K-pop-style fan engagement. Witness their talent for yourself in their recently released documentary, highlighting the preparation for their "NOW OR NEVER" Live at Impact Arena show.

Leading Korean television network SBS held their own competition series with 2023's "Universe Ticket," which brought together talent across Asia, including Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines and more. Their final lineup, also known as UNIS — short for "U & I Story" — marks some of the first Filipino idols in the K-pop industry.

Upon their official debut in March 2024, Hyeonju, Nana, Gehlee, Kotoko, Yunha, Elisia, Yoona and Seowon dropped a mini-album, WE UNIS. In August, they also premiered their sophomore single, "Curious," which peaked at No. 5 on Korea's prestigious Circle Album Chart.

This Los Angeles-based group promises to be by your side in every season. Fitting to their name, the four members — Brooke, Genevieve, Savoy and Montana — represent a different time of year with their individual talents (summer, autumn, winter and spring, respectively). As they explain to UnRated Magazine, "Each of us has her own style, music tastes, drives and inspirations, but we all come together in a harmonious blend, like the seasons."

According to their artist biography, the quartet's genre-blending pop music is like a "late-night kitchen heart-to-heart." It's clear in SZNS' January release, "Nice Things," a swirling R&B-tinged track about getting back at their exes — a testament to both their own bond and the empowering impact of girl groups old and new.

With each passing year, American audiences are expanding their musical horizons. The star turns of many Latinx artists made splashy headlines in the last 12 months, with 2023 seeing a new record set for most Spanish-language songs reaching the Billboard Hot 100. Afrobeats and amapiano also dominated 2023, culminating in the first-ever award for Best African Music Performance at the 2024 GRAMMYs.

But the increasing popularity of those international sounds are just a few pieces of a larger trend, where artists' a global influences are making a mark on the American listener. When Palestinian-Chilean pop star Elyanna performed "Asabk eshq" on Coachella’s main stage last year, she became the first Arab artist to sing in Arabic at the festival. The set was yet another signal of the ascension of a new wave of music in American pop consciousness.

But if you think Elyanna’s take on pop is the end-all be-all of art from Arab artists, you’re mistaken — but also in luck. Artists from throughout the Arab world are making their mark in pop music and, according to Rolling Stone, the center of the Arab music industry have shifted from Egypt and Lebanon to include artists from North Africa and the Persian Gulf. Arab artists in the American diaspora are similarly broad in their roots and sound, providing listeners with a wealth of aural treasures.

To celebrate Arab American Heritage Month, GRAMMY.com has put together a spotlight on five incredible Arab American acts from a range of styles that deserve your attention year-round. Get to know Lana Lubany, Felukah, Saint Levant, Bayou, and Sahera.

Lana Lubany

Though she’s now based in London after moving there to study music, Lana Lubany’s visceral pop experiments honor and upend her Palestinian American roots. Many songs on her latest project, 2023’s THE HOLY LAND, alternate between English and Arabic at the drop of a hat, and similarly incorporate musical traditions from both cultures (though Lubany is also as likely to pull inspiration from Rosalía and Billie Eilish). The EP’s coming-of-age exploration is a fascinating look at multiculturalism, refusing to be defined by any one facet of her identity.

To top that achievement, Lubany’s most recent single is the sublime "STANNA", a track which carries shades of Timbaland, but also revels in Moroccan-esque vocal dives and choppy synth trills. Crowds in Europe got a chance to revel in that mercurial blend when Lubany opened for eminently buzzy indie act The Last Dinner Party. And while the UK may be catching on first, there’s no doubt that her addictive pop will continue growing a fanbase stateside as well. 

Felukah

Egyptian-born, New York-based Felukah’s latest cements her in the rich tradition of her scene: "Wavy in Brooklyn" is a groovy slice of the city’s storied rap tradition. Sara Elmessiry moved to the Big Apple to study creative writing, and her clever wordplay and lithe flow demonstrate that approach — not to mention the fluidity of the movement of the traditional Egyptian ship she takes her rap moniker from.

"Real Egyptian royalty/ Brown girl divine/ New York in the spring, Egypt in the summertime," she glows on last year’s "Egyptian Lover." Felukah’s work is full of nods to her heritage, but that song’s interpolation of Beyoncé’s "Baby Boy" shows how she stands with feet in both worlds — as many first and second generation people do. And by proudly uplifting women of color, Felukah speaks even more powerfully. 

Saint Levant

When Saint Levant debuted last year with From Gaza With Love, the hip-hop world gained a fascinating, trilingual budding star. Born Marwan Abdelhamid, Levant’s family relocated to Jordan from Palestine, before he recently made his way to California for college. 

Songs like the new "5am in Paris" demonstrate his chameleonic ability, pulling in elements from his journeys while also remaining focused on his home. "My body in Paris/ My heart in Gaza/ My soul in Algiers/ My ex in Casa/ My girl in L.A./ holds me in her arms/ I don't feel at home anywhere," he delivers in a steely melancholy. The track seamlessly blends French (from his mother’s Algerian side), English, and Arabic — both lyrically and musically. There’s an aspect of Drake to Levant’s endless cool, but the intensity of his conflicted identity and political history rings deeply.

Bayou

Like a blend of The Weeknd and Egyptian legend Amr Diab, Bayou taps into that late-night lothario vibe — his lush runs in Arabic the perfect counterpart to his more staccato English lyrics. R&B fans in need of a jolt should look no further than his latest single, "Bansa 7aly," which pulls from South African amapiano and finds Bayou maligning his tendency to "overthink when I’m high and alone." 

The Egypt-born, L.A.-based vocalist explained his clever blend of perspectives in an interview with The New Arab: "Arabic is a language filled with so much emotion and so much depth. So, whenever I look to add that kind of depth I feel like Arabic always trumps English," he explained. And with Bayou just announcing a single with fellow highlighted artist Saint Levant coming around the corner, there couldn’t be a better time to catch the hype.

Sahera

Singer/songwriter Sahera styles herself as the "first Qatari pop singer." The Los Angeles-based artist has spent the last year trickling out singles that showcase her ability to swiftly infuse touches of traditional music into her glittering pop energy. The video for "Khaleeji" is a must-see, with Sahera decked out in full-length black and gold on a skateboard through the palm-lined streets of L.A. 

As if that weren’t enough to sell you on Sahera, the track itself shines just as bright, a Shakira-esque headrush. Following singles "Habibti" and "Mirage" leaned a bit into R&B and aching balladry respectively, Sahera showcasing the depth needed to take this indie artist on a major pop star turn.

Inside Elyanna's World: How Creating 'Woledto' Allowed The Singer/Songwriter To Find A New Layer Of Herself