Though these seven artists didn’t make this year’s 21 Under 21 ranking, they’re worth keeping an eye on as they capitalize on their momentum, from an unexpected smash-hit collaboration to a protest song that arrived when the country needed it most.
Holly Humbersone: This 20-year-old independent British singer-songwriter scored a breakout hit with “Falling Asleep at the Wheel,” the title track to her debut EP.
Jawsh 685: The 17 year old New Zealand producer topped the Hot 100 when his Jason Derulo team-up “Savage Love (Laxed — Siren Beat)” received a BTS instrumental remix.
Kaash Paige: In March, this 19-year-old Dallas-born R&B singer topped the Next Big Sound artist chart and in August released her debut album.
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Keedron Bryant: The 13 year old newcomer signed with Warner Records and performed “I Just Wanna Live,” a protest song written by his mother, during the virtual BET Awards in June.
mxmtoon: In October, the 20-year-old singer-songwriter released her EP dusk, featuring Carly Rae Jepsen and leading with a track named after Bon Iver.
Nicki Nicole: This Argentine R&B-trap artist, 20, is up for best new artist at the 2020 Latin Grammy Awards thanks to the hits “Colocao” and “Mamichula.”
Tate McRae: This 17 year old Canadian alt-pop artist debuted on the Hot 100 this year with “you broke me first,” which she performed at the MTV Video Music Awards preshow in August.
This article originally appeared in the Nov. 7, 2020, issue of Billboard.