What You Need to Know About 8 of the Most Hyped Young Artists Right Now

Here's the breakdown on 8 artists you ought to know because everyone is talking about them.

Oct 26, 2014
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Complex Original

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Music is never stagnant, so it's always a good time for a new wave of artists to hit the scene. There's nothing quite as exciting as when a new artist sparks your interest with that one song, that one video, that one look that makes you pay attention. But then comes the hype. Nowadays songs can go viral and literally blow up over night—one minute you're arguing about why New York rap fell off, and the next your entire Twitter timeline is flooded with Vines of people doing the Shmoney Dance. It gets harder and harder to keep up with what's happening, and you hear so many new names you hardly have time to check out all of them. 

Bare in mind, hype isn't strictly a bad thing. Yes, it can be bad if you've got better hype than music. But some artists actually live up to lofty expectations—just look at Snoop in the '90s, 50 Cent in the 2000s, and yes, even Drake in the 2010s. Hype does not mean the past or the future. Hype is just the “now” of music, when a song, mixtape, or artist becomes the pinnacle of a genre for a moment. 

To help sort out some of the most noteworthy new names you've probably been hearing about in the past few months, we put together What You Need to Know About 8 of the Most Hyped Young Artists Right Now​. Don't worry, there's still plenty of room on these bandwagons. 

Ben Slavich​ is an intern for Complex Music in Los Angeles.  

Bobby Shmurda

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Age: 20

From: Brooklyn

Label: Epic

Breakout song: "Hot N***a"

Why he should be here: He’s already scored a major hit with “Hot Nigga,” signed a deal with Epic Records, and has Sha Money XL in his corner.

It’s been nearly impossible not to have heard Bobby Shmurda’s name in the past month. His hit track “Hot Nigga” was undoubtedly one of the hottest songs of the summer. It peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, currently sits on a cool 24 million views on YouTube, and has been used in countless Vines. Accompanying Shmurda’s wildly successful track is an equally contagious dance, dubbed the Shmoney Dance, that even Drake and Beyonce have been unable to resist. But Shmurda should be wary of his quick success—the pairing of a hit track and a viral dance means Shmurda could quickly end up as the next Cali Swag District or Trinidad James if he is unable to reproduce the magic of “Hot.” Plus he's already complained about not getting paid properly, which isn't a good sign. 

Dej Loaf

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Age: 23

From: Detroit

Label: Columbia

Breakout song: "Try Me"

Why she should be here: “Try Me” is still early in its hype cycle, and she has already signed a deal with Columbia Records.

Dej Loaf seemingly floated into the scene with her cloudy single, “Try Me.” A Detroit native, Dej Loaf recently moved to the West Coast to record, and soon had her track “Try Me” greeted with a star-studded reception. The song has already been remixed by Wiz Khalifa and Lil Durk, and continues to receive love from the cosign king himself, Drake. Unfortunately, Dej Loaf lacks a reassuring resume. With only one mixtape to date, Sell Sole, which just dropped earlier this week, little is known about Dej Loaf—leaving critics and fans alike wondering if she will be able to have a successful follow-up.

FKA twigs

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Age: 26

From: Gloucestershire, England

Label: Young Turks

Breakout song: "Water Me"

Why she should be here: She's undoubtedly talented, her label Young Turks has been able to foster careers for acts like SBTRKT and the xx, and her high-profile relationship with Robert Pattinson should bring her more attention.

At a time when the Internet is swirling with artists who aim to blur the boundaries between genres, FKA twigs has emerged with a unique sound and a significant amount of hype. No one track defines her success, as her sounds merely float through the blogosphere collecting listeners along the way. Twigs’ LP1, released by Young Turks this past August, debuted with a strong critical reception, even landing her a gig as an ambassador for Google Glass. Even though FKA twigs' alternative debut album found quick success, twigs’ music has yet to find its crossover song that would catapult her into the mainstream.

iLOVEMAKONNEN

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Age: 25

From: Atlanta

Label: OVO Sound, Warner

Breakout song: "Tuesday"

Why he should be here: He already has a certified banger with “Tuesday,” a pretty strong follow-up with “I Don’t Sell Molly No More,” and both songs have had major remixes. 

An Atlanta transplant, but L.A. native, iLOVEMAKONNEN has been exposed to two of America’s most significant hip-hop destinations, but his sound reflects nothing that can be found in his dualistic upbringing. While you might catch a couple of bars in Makonnen’s tracks the majority are shaped by his unique style of singing, a wistful voice that wavers across tracks with a peculiar confidence.

While his breakthrough song “Tuesday” has recently become an anthem, Makonnen has been scouted in the producer/songwriter scene for years, most notably being approached by Mike WiLL Made It. The song, and Makonnen’s career, really took off when Drake hopped on a remix of “Tuesday.” To top it all of, Drake proceeded to sign Makonnen to OVO in September. However, OVO may not be the blessing Makonnen seems to think it is. First, Drake tends to overshadow the OVO roster, and secondly, OVO hasn’t proven it can launch careers like a Young Money or a G.O.O.D. Music.

Metro Boomin

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Age: 21

From: St. Louis

Label: N/A

Breakout song: "I Won"

Why he should be here: He has proven himself a prodigious producer, and he is set to release a much-anticipated collaboration with Young Thug titled Metro Thuggin.

Metro Boomin is a young producer with the resume of a seasoned veteran. The ever-so-catchy drop of Young Thug declaring “Metro Boomin wants some more” can be heard on recent bangers like iLOVEMAKONNEN’s “Tuesday” and Travi$ Scott’s “Skyfall.” Metro has maneuvered to the top of Atlanta’s endless roster of producers by developing a signature style of trap instrumentals and by working hand in hand with some of ATL’s most talented young acts like Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan.

However Metro is still a rookie, and entering into a league with Mike WiLL Made It, DJ Mustard, and Pharrell may be too daunting of a task for the 20-year-old St. Louis native. This paired with the delay of of Metro Thuggin, which may impart be due to Young Thug's new allegiance to YMCMB, has led to retreating anticipation and doubts from increasingly disappointed fans. 

OG Maco

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Age: 22

From: Atlanta

Label: N/A

Breakout song: "U Guessed It"

Why he should be here: Maco can breathe energy into a basic track, a gift that cannot be underestimated during a time where minimalist beats dominate radio.

If you heard OG Maco’s music it would come as no surprise to find out where he’s from: Atlanta. His song “U Guessed It” is made of simple production, scattered drums, and a light piano melody, but with Maco’s punk rock energy the song turns into an out-of-control anthem. Maco was quick to sign to a label. Within a couple weeks of “U Guessed It”’s viral success, Maco joined Quality Control Music’s roster, whose sole notable act is trap trio Migos. In early July, Maco dropped a collaborative EP titled Give Em Hell with the already rising Atlanta star Key!, and this Friday he delivered his most recent installment of minimalist trap, LoveLife 2, entirely produced by Cardo. Now all Maco has to do is prove he's not just another one of Atlanta's one-hit wonders, which is often easier said than done.  

Raury

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Age: 18

From: Stone Mountain, Ga.

Label: Columbia

Breakout song: "God's Whisper" 

Why he should be here: Indigo Child proves he has the potential to be something special.

Stone Mountain native Raury is only 18, but he’s managed to release the well-received Indigo Child, open for OutKast at #ATLast, and leave an impression on some of hip-hop’s most powerful personalities. Raury’s slow creep to prominence started with his music video for “God's Whisper” as the campfire anthem sparked interested in the enigmatic artist. With the release of Indigo Child he was hailed as a fresh new talent by the likes of Pigeons and Planes and the The New York Times, but will he continue to develop and reach those high expectations?

Young Thug

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Age: 22

From: Atlanta

Label: 1017 Brick Squad, Atlantic

Breakout song: "Stoner"

Why he should be here: He is without a doubt 2014’s most reliable hitmaker. 

One of 2014’s most entertaining success stories has been Young Thug. He’s been kicking around since early 2011, but this year he turned his raw talent into real hits like T.I.’s “About the Money,” Rich Gang’s “Lifestyle,” and Tyga’s “Hookah.” With his unique blend of rapping and singing, Thugger is easily one of the most inventive and original artists in hip-hop’s latest wave of talent. Best of all, he’s gotten better and better at honing his manic persona and the kinetic energy of his flows into proper songs.

Even with all the potential Thug has going for him, his success will always be periodically stopped by the messy record deals that entangle his career. Currently he is affiliated with at least three separate labels—Cash Money Records, 1017 Brick Squad Records, and Atlantic Records—who have all recently released different Young Thug songs or projects.  

Bobby Shmurda

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