Here at CelebMix, it’s a well known fact that we LOVE music. From supporting some of the world’s biggest artists to championing up and coming talent, if they’re good then we want to talk about them.
2017 has been a spectacular year in music. This year, we witnessed Ed Sheeran well and truly take over the world with ÷, whilst Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik made huge waves with their solo material. We also saw Taylor Swift and Sam Smith make spectacular comebacks, whilst BTS took the world by storm.
Dua Lipa became the first solo female artist to top the UK singles chart since Adele in 2015, whilst Little Mix proved themselves to be the biggest girlband on the planet. In fact, girl power has been at an all time high, with the likes of Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Anne-Marie, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande and Fifth Harmony slaying the game.
However, one of the most exciting things we’ve witnessed during the year is the number of up and coming artists making their musical breakthroughs. Whilst 2017 has been great for a number of artists, we’ve rounded up 18 of our favourites who we’re tipping to reach stratospheric new heights in 2018.
4th Impact
4th Impact, made up of sisters Almira, Irene, Mylene, and Celina Cercado, came to our attention on series 12 of The X Factor UK in 2015. Since then, the fierce foursome have been busy working on their original music. During this year, they’ve shared plenty of covers with their fans and also unveiled their debut single ‘Unleash The Diva’. With their debut EP on the way and having just signed with US Management, we predict big things for 4th Impact during 2018.
Áine Cahill
Irish singer-songwriter Áine Cahill has enjoyed great success so far thanks to the release of her irresistible music. With tracks such as ‘Plastic’ and ‘Blood Diamonds’ under her belt, Áine has proven to be a bright spark in the music industry. Having performed at a number of acclaimed festivals, in addition to touring with Kodaline and JP Cooper this year, Áine has had the opportunity to spread her music far and wide. We truly expect her success to continue next year.
Aleem
If you went to see Little Mix on their Glory Days tour in the UK earlier this year, then chances are you’ve already come across Aleem. Armed with a string of acoustic-guitar-driven tracks, the Chicago-bred singer-songwriter has been busy carving out his own unique brand of R&B-tinged pop. 2018 already looks promising for Aleem, as he will be heading out on his own UK headline tour.
Andy Brown
Whilst Lawson are on hiatus, frontman Andy Brown has been busy working on his solo career. Opting for a country sound, the singer has already shared a few tracks with us, including his debut single ‘Landslide’ featuring The Shires’ Crissie Rhodes. With a forthcoming UK tour and a debut album to look forward to, 2018 looks set to be a stunning year for Andy Brown as a soloist.
Billie Eilish
16-year-old Billie Eilish is a force to be reckoned with. The alternative artist is already well on her way to stardom, having dropped her debut album don’t smile at me earlier this year. Additionally, her music was featured on the 13 Reasons Why soundtrack. Having been named as the first of Vevo’s 2018 Artists To Watch on the dscvr video series, we share their faith that she is an artist with an exceedingly bright future ahead of her.
BLESSED
BLESSED, made up of sisters Lauren and Georgia Morgan, have truly bossed 2017. Releasing two EPs, See Through All The Colours and Howlin, these feisty ladies have caused a storm on the music scene with their unique fusion of R&B, dancehall, electronic and pop influenced sounds. However, with an exciting 2018 year ahead of them, we guarantee that you’ll be hearing and seeing a lot more from BLESSED.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4gh083YPlI
Bronnie
Here at CelebMix, we’ve always championed Bronnie and it’s not hard to see why. The singer-songwriter has captured the hearts of her loyal BronDogs with her punchy music. From supporting Little Mix, releasing her debut EP to dropping a powerful charity single, it’s clear to see that Bronnie has had a stellar 2017. However, the best is yet to come. Bronnie will be kicking off her headline tour in January, and with new music on the horizon, she is definitely one to watch for 2018.
David Mark Bulley
David Mark Bulley is another singer-songwriter that we’ve often championed here at CelebMix. 2017 has been an exciting year for David, as he released his EP Prologue and dropped the incredible visual for ‘Where Do We Go From Here’. 2018, however, looks set to be his biggest year yet. David will be heading out on The Confessions Tour from January, and is busy working towards his new album. The first track from the album, ‘Where Are You Now?’, is due for release in January and is set to showcase an even stronger sound from the artist.
Gabi Sklar
Gabi Sklar is not your average 18-year-old. Currently a freshman at the University of Miami, Gabi is busy balancing her education with a budding music career. Having already given us a taste of her mature sound through singles ‘LA Changes You’ and ‘Liberteens’, it’s clear to see that Gabi is wise beyond her young years. With more new music to come during 2018, we have a feeling that Gabi Sklar is going to be the new name on everyone’s lips.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PId-CVy3v8w
Hannah Jane Lewis
Having created a small buzz with her independently released singles, Hannah Jane Lewis truly burst onto the music scene this year with her infectious offering, ‘Raincheck’. The track garnered support from Spotify and Radio 1, whilst The Sunday Times hailed her as the British Carly Rae Jepsen. Hannah has an exciting 2018 in store. With more new music on the horizon and surprises to look out for, she is well on her way to becoming the music industry’s newest pop princess.
Jacob Banks
Singer-songwriter Jacob Banks came into his own during 2017 thanks to his single ‘Unknown (To You)’. The powerful single received support from Zane Lowe, The New York Times and NYLON and was also remixed by iconic producer Timbaland. Jacob is set to continue his ascent to the top in 2018 with the release of his forthcoming album The Village. He will also be heading out on an European tour in March.
Jorja Smith
If anyone’s had a stellar 2017, it’s Jorja Smith. Having already made huge waves in the music industry by collaborating with Drake on his More Life album and supporting him on tour, she also released a string of her own singles including ‘Teenage Fantasy’ and ‘On My Mind’. Whilst we patiently await her debut album, we’re fully expecting next year to be even more superb for Jorja. She was recently named as the BRITs Critics’ Choice for 2018, which has accurately predicted some of the UK’s finest talent since the award was launched in 2008. She will also be heading out on tour next year.
Mackenzie Sol
British triple-threat Mackenzie Sol has been working hard on his craft from a young age, and moved to LA in his early teens to pursue his dreams. Over the years, his talent has been recognised by the likes of Simon Cowell and Dance Moms’ Abby Lee Miller. Earlier this year, he released his debut single ‘Laugh’ and was a special guest performer on the Boys of Summer Tour. We can expect even more new music from Mackenzie in 2018, making him one to watch for sure.
Megan Davies
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Megan Davies has made a name for herself through her original material and creative covers. Earlier this year, she released her Bad Poetry EP and even had the opportunity to perform live in front of The Greatest Showman stars Zac Efron, Hugh Jackman, and Zendaya. 2018 will see Megan head out on her own headline tour, which will allow her to captivate audiences with her raw, unique sound.
PRETTYMUCH
PRETTYMUCH are the American-Canadian boyband formed by Simon Cowell. Made up of Austin Porter, Nick Mara, Edwin Honoret, Brandon Arreaga and Zion Kuwonu, the band have already released a string of slick RnB infused offerings. Having supported Jack and Jack on tour, the guys will now be heading out on their own headline tour in January. There is no doubt that PRETTYMUCH are well on their way to becoming the hottest new boyband sensation on the block.
Rak-Su
Talking about bands, another boyband on our radar is Rak-Su. The four-piece, made up of Ashley Fongo, Jamaal Shurland, Mustafa Rahimtulla and Myles Stephenson, charmed viewers on this year’s X Factor with their cheeky personalities and infectious original material. It was therefore no surprise that Rak-Su won the show, becoming the first boyband to achieve this feat. Their winners single ‘Dimelo’, featuring Wyclef Jean and Naughty Boy, topped the iTunes chart overnight. It also reached number two on the official UK singles chart. 2018 will see them tour the country on the X Factor tour and get to work on their forthcoming album. If their success so far is anything to go by, then Rak-Su are destined to go far.
ROE
Roisin Donald, better known as ROE, has wowed listeners with her unique brand of ‘grumpy electro pop’ this year. The Northern Irish singer-songwriter released tracks such as ‘Playground Fights’, appeared on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury, became the voice of hometown Derry’s tourism campaign, and completed her debut UK tour. 2018 will see her set out on another tour, whilst we can also expect her debut album. ROE will also be releasing a new single called ‘Wasted.Patient.Thinking’ at the end of January.
Sonny
Soulful singer and multi-instrumentalist Sonny really came into his own during 2017. Not only did he release his debut EP Hopeless Romance, but Sonny also received support from BBC Introducing, Spotify, NOTION, and Wonderland Magazine, to name but a few. During the year he also performed at a string of festivals and supported Gabrielle Aplin on her UK tour. 2018 looks set to be another exciting year for Sonny. Among many things, we’ll have a new EP to look forward to from him.