Pigeons & Planes' Best New Artists of 2017 (So Far)

First off, there are a lot of artists who we wish we could include on this list but can't because we already mentioned them in previous years. It's a testament to how quickly things move these days—artists who were brand new just a couple of years ago are now making major waves, and there's already a new crop of brand new artists on the cusp of big things. So take a look back at some inclusions from previous years before you hit us up on Twitter like, "This list sucks, you forgot ________."

Some highlights from 2014, 2015, and 2016's lists: 6LACK, D.R.A.M., MØ, Jessie Reyez, Khalid, Boogie, Kevin Abstract, Kodak Black, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Lil Uzi Vert, Smino, Post Malone, A.CHAL, Ta'East, Night Lovell, Stormzy, AJ Tracey, Jazz Cartier, THEY., Kamaiyah, 21 Savage, Jorja Smith, SAINt JHN, Aminé, Noname, Maggie Rogers.

We've already shared our picks for the best albums and best songs of 2017 so far, but now it's time to take a closer look at the emerging artists who have the chance to shape the future of music.

These artists are in varying stages of their careers—some haven't ever performed live yet but did enough with their first releases to capture our attention, some have been making music for a few years and are finally hitting their stride, and some got signed this year and are playing festivals—but the common thread is that they all did something special in 2017. Here are the new artists who you need on your radar right now.

J.I.D.'s The Never Story is an incredible accomplishment in storytelling. Every verse paints a picture, every song another layer to his story. But while it's clear almost immediately that J.I.D. is a gifted rapper, he proves himself to  be a talented songwriter on the project as well. There are pleasant surprises at every turn—he fiddles with tempos, switches flows, sings, pays homage, and even (dare I say it) makes listenable skits. J.I.D. was around before The Never Story, but this latest release ensures he'll make waves throughout 2017 and beyond.—Graham Corrigan

Continuing in the trend of Scandinavian pop artists making gorgeous, forward-thinking pop music, Sigrid burst on the scene in 2017 with one of our favorite songs of the year so far: "Don't Kill My Vibe." In the months that followed, she showed flashes of a range that extends outside uptempo pop anthems with a stunning stripped down acoustic version of "Dynamite" on her well-rounded debut EP. At 20 years old, Sigrid is still developing and carving out her own lane in the pop universe, but everything she's shown so far hints at a dynamic artist with all the tools necessary for a long, successful career.—Eric Skelton

Smokepurpp signed a deal with Alamo Records earlier this year and his life has not been the same since. He's come up in this wave of South Florida acts but what separates him from the others is that Purpp looks past teenage angst and focuses more on making polished hits and transitioning into a mainstream star. Tracks like "Glock Inside My Benz" and "Different Color Molly" are some of the catchiest of 2017 and Purpp has been in the studio with heavy hitters like Sonny Digital, TM88, and Murda Beatz, so it's a safe bet there is more to come.

Purpp has caught the ears of everyone from The Weeknd and D.R.A.M. to Chief Keef and Travis Scott, and the 19-year-old rapper is in position for a rapid ascent. His upcoming album DEADSTAR could be his breakthrough moment.—Eric Isom

​Learn more about the stats behind Smokepurpp's rise here.

Over the years of making these lists, we've realized that sometimes we jump the gun. We included D.R.A.M. in 2014, listed Smino, A.CHAL, and Ta'East in 2015, and put down Jorja Smith, Khalid, SAINt JHN, and Aminé, and Jessie Reyez in 2016. We stand by these inclusions, but it sometimes feels like we're missing our chance to include them in this list when they really have their breakthrough moments.

Michigan-based singer/rapper/producer Choker is definitely going to be one of those premature inclusions. He's brand new and just starting to gain traction, but his self-released debut album PEAK is too strong to leave out, even though he's on our lists of Best New Songs and Best New Albums of 2017 so far. The genre-defying, free-flowing PEAK is raw and all over the place, but it's brimming with good ideas, and the fact that he made the project alone in his basement is mind-blowing. This kid is special, and PEAK is just the beginning. We'll definitely be pissed that we can't include him in future best new artists of the year lists, but right now, this feels right.—Jacob Moore

Hear the full album and read our interview with Choker here.

"Young Carti global!" Playboi Carti declares on his smash hit "Magnolia." And he's not lying. Soon after the release of his debut mixtape, the self-titled Playboi Carti, in April of 2017, Carti was everywhere. "In New York I milly rock" became an inescapable phrase, along with producer Pierre Bourne's tagline, "yo Pierre, you wanna come out here?" Add in some addicting ad-libs and collabs with ASAP Rocky and Lil Uzi Vert, and Carti is in position to be one of the biggest artists of 2017, let alone one of the best new ones.—John Walaszek

​Learn more about Playboi Carti's unorthodox rise here.

Steve Lacy first gained notoriety for his work with The Internet, but like Syd before him, Lacy has seen his solo career bloom in 2017. His Steve Lacy's Demo EP was made primarily on the artist's iPhone, and he took those same skills to Kendrick Lamar's studio. Kendrick liked what he heard and ended up using Lacy's chords for "PRIDE." on the best album of the year (so far). Lacy's classic sound connects with a wide range of audiences, and the 18-year-old's career is looking brighter every day. Plus, if he ever gets tired of this music shit, there's always fidget spinners.—Graham Corrigan

Deem Spencer is special. I can’t remember the last time a new artist turned my lack of awareness into fandom so swiftly, but it’s not difficult to pinpoint the cleverness that makes this 21-year-old so captivating. Spencer proved his resourcefulness and humor with a handful of brisk visuals and a six-song EP, sunflower, released in 2016. That project boasts mind-grabbing one-liners (“I lost my dog in a cyclone”), hypnotic production (“chamomile”), and brilliantly free associative lyricism ("soap").

As for visuals, Deem demands attention by creating smart, low-budget concepts. The New York native toys with perceptual cues and tongue-in-cheek surrealism to start the “iwyboft” video, rising from his bed to reveal that his bedding is a wall fixture, and stars in a self-mirroring puppet show for the bar-rich “soap.” Deem has a stacked toolbox at his disposal, but it's the perspective that blends Wes Anderson campiness, Lochness monster references, and planetary excursions that makes him as unique as anyone on this list.—Alex Siber

Yet another artist continuing the long Scandinavian tradition of making pop music that punches you in the gut is Skott. The Swedish singer/songwriter debuted with "Porcelain," a song which has a hugely catchy hook but retains a dark edge with the mournful lyrics and clattering production. Skott's combination of soaring pop songwriting and a slightly left-of-center approach continued across subsequent releases, whether it was the disco-leaning "Lack Of Emotion" or the folk meets distorted bass of "Amelia."

Skott's latest single "Glitter & Gloss" might be her best work yet, and 2017 is set to be a big year for her. After well-received U.S. shows and with major label RCA behind her, the sky's the limit for this future pop star.—Alex Gardner

We've been hearing pop punk-leaning deliveries in rap for a couple of years now, but Ohio's Trippie Redd takes it to a new extreme. Instead of sloppily tying together some half-sung lines with more traditional rapping, Trippie goes all-in for a style that feels entirely new but already polished and refined. It sounds alien compared to traditional hip-hop, but Trippie's melodies stick, and his charisma and songwriting ability make him a clear standout among the new wave of rappers exploring new territory. His song "Love Scars" is taking off, and his project A Love Letter To You showcases his versatility and range. Right now, Trippie might be slightly ahead of his time and too far outside the box, a little too unfamiliar for the mainstream, but if he can keep delivering at this level, it's easy to imagine him finding his spot in the popular hip-hop of the future.—Jacob Moore

J Hus is one of 2017's true breakout stars. He started bubbling up locally in 2015 with slow-building hit "Lean & Bop" and gave a hint at his prodigious talents on The 15th Day mixtape, released the same year. 2016 saw a few singles, including the excellent "Friendly," and the release of the Playing Sports EP, but in 2017 Hus turned all the way up.

His debut album Common Sense is one of the year's best, combining elements of British rap and electronic music with Afrobeats and dancehall. He's a talented rapper with bars full of humor and personality, even when he's getting into darker subjects, and an equally skilled songwriter, delivering brilliant melodic moments across the album. J Hus has already dropped a stellar album and made standout appearances with fellow British rappers Stormzy, Dave, and Nines in 2017. Now it's time to sit back and wait for the rest of the world to catch up.—Alex Gardner

Blondage's "Stoned" is one of the best new indie pop songs of the year and following up a single like that is difficult, but the Danish duo (Esben Andersen & Pernille Smith-Sivertsen) pulled it off with "Boss," Their music is consistently rooted in strong, immediate songwriting and modern production, but it's decorated with strange details and unexpected twists.

This distinctive, edgy approach has been a staple in Scandinavian pop music for decades now, and Blondage carries on the tradition with an unabashed aim to create music that they can bounce to. The duo has been making music together for years—previously under the name Rangleklods—but a new workflow has them energized and creating more, better, and faster than ever before. So far, it's paying off. Listen to "Boss" and read our interview with Blondage here.—Jacob Moore

"First Day Out" is Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley's calling card. Released in November 2016, the track blew up in subsequent months, leading to Tee Grizzley signing with 300 Entertainment. This year, Tee released his debut project My Moment, one of our favorite albums of the year so far, and one of the year's most consistent rap records. He also got Jay Z and LeBron James cosigns in the same week—not a bad 2017, then.

Tee wrote most of the lyrics to My Moment while serving time in a Michigan jail, but his appeal goes beyond the lyrics. The soulful singing and melodic moments on his album provide a contrast to his lung-busting, raw rapping. Tee Grizzley has the versatility to be​ around in this game for a long time. 2017 is just the start.—Alex Gardner

There might not be an entertainer alive who's better at the internet than George “Joji” Miller. With a huge social media following built on the power of memes and a popular web series that his dedicated online fans have somehow pushed to #1 on IMDB (ahead of shows like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad), Joji has spent years turning his absurdist humor into an empire on the weirdest corners of the internet.

Now that Joji has set his sights on a serious music career, the possibilities appear limitless—especially since he happens to be an incredibly talented musician. His SoundCloud page is full of gorgeous piano-based music that represents the flip side to his brash comedic presence as Pink Guy (who was recently spotted hanging out with Lil Pump). It's the kind of calming, meditative music that you'll want to put on while you sip tea and unwind at one in the morning after disgusting yourself with Filthy Frank videos all day. Thankfully, after a recent partnership with 88 Rising, it looks like we'll be getting a lot more of this soon.—Eric Skelton

Rex Orange County's debut project came out back in 2015, a charming "bedroom album" called bcos u will never b free that put on display his songwriting talent and genre-hopping approach to making music. His official debut album Apricot Princess (one of the best of the year so far), as well as a trio of singles, came out in 2017, and Rex took things to the next level across the board.

He taps into the awkwardness and pure, giddy joy of young love and captures the trials and tribulations of growing up through his intimate songs, which mix indie rock, R&B, jazz, partially rapped verses, and melody driven ballads. Rex Orange County keeps things interesting with lush, varied production and intimate lyricism, and as well-rounded as his music already is, it still feels as if we're witnessing the early stages of a long career.—Alex Gardner

Wifisfuneral has had a wild 2017. Born in the Bronx and raised in Florida, he's become engrained in that area's grungy, manic music scene alongside names like Smokepurpp and Ski Mask the Slump God. His Where Hell Falls mixtape dropped in January and ignited a fire, but when some detractors deride the movement's lack of technical rapping ability, Wifisfuneral is the first name to come up as a counterpoint. The kid can rap in any style but he's best at full speed over big bass.

He's also one of the staunchest defenders of this new wave. "JoeBuddenProbablyThinksICantRap" finds Wifi speaking to a very specific audience, disproving any notion that his beats' intensity are a form of compensation. For all his raw energy, Wifisfuneral is a rapper's rapper. We have yet to see the extent of his powers.—Graham Corrigan

​Watch Wifisfuneral talk rap names, Odd Future, and internet rappers here.

Trying to explain why Lil Pump is good music is like trying to explain why fried dough is good food. The Miami rapper's lyrics are ignorant, his penchant for repetition borders on absurd, and his basic deliveries suggest that he's entirely unconcerned with demonstrating any semblance of technical rapping skills. But Lil Pump embraces all these things and pushes them to the extreme, like a big "fuck you" to anyone who is annoyed by the kind of music he's making. Lil Pump's loud, obnoxious persona is to traditional hip-hop what punk rock about beer and pizza is to classic rock. It's about energy, not skill, and Lil Pump's youthful allure is visceral and highly entertaining. Plus, even if you hate everything else about Lil Pump, his beat selection is crazy.—Jacob Moore

Pinegrove have been releasing music since 2010 but their debut album Cardinal came out in 2016 and they haven't looked back since. The New Jersey band could have scored both Richard Linklater’s Boyhood and Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers and that is the best way I can describe them: A thoughtful band that can be thoughtlessly enjoyed, beer in hand, yet laboriously studied, printed lyrics at the ready, a highlighter on standby.

Case in point: “Then Again” and “Aphasia,” the third and fourth songs on Cardinal, their 2016 project. In the former, Southern-cooked guitar grooves and highway-paced drums deserve the max-volume treatment during a cross-country road trip. The latter details, in heartbreaking fashion, coming to terms with the all but inevitable loss of control over language. Or maybe it’s just about a particularly prickly lost love. Or maybe it’s both. Regardless, that track’s bridge—"One day I won’t need your love / One day I won’t define myself by the one I’m thinking of”—is a touching culmination of questions concerning age, ideas, communication, and independence, delivered sweetly enough to disguise the underlying tornado that sparked it all.

Evan Stephens Hall, the group’s gifted frontman, name-checks classic modernist author James Joyce and pop mastermind Max Martin as major influences, and it shows. Pinegrove has gained a loyal following by diving deep into human truths, and we hope they keep doing just that.—Alex Siber

Squidnice’s “Everywhere I Go” solidified the Staten Island rapper’s place in New York hip-hop despite looking and sounding unlike anyone else out. His off-kilter recording style (concise bars that recycle themselves to form a chant-inducing echo chamber) and gangster-meets-oddball visual presence stand out in a world overflowing with imitators. “Trap By My Lonely” got the ball rolling just over a year ago, and the dude who proudly claims to have a flow as hot as Jamaica has enough natural charisma for three Big Apple boroughs. An episode of Frank Ocean’s Blonded Radio showed Squid love, Kehlani is a fan, and hundreds of thousands are ready for more.—Alex Siber

​Watch Squidnice perform "Trap By My Lonely" in the woods here.

OMB Peezy has been through a lot of shit and it all comes out in his music. He's signed to 300 Entertainment and caught the ear of guys like Nef Da Pharoah and Bay Area legend E-40 with his raw energy, authenticity, and a hardcore presence and natural ability that separates himself from anything you're hearing from young rappers today. Like most young fathers, having a child was a wake-up call and inspired the 20-year-old rapper to work harder than ever. He did not disappoint, and with tracks like the relentless "Lay Down" and his most recent single "Porch," Peezy is setting himself up to be in great position to take care of himself and his new family.—Eric Isom

​Learn more about OMB Peezy here.

A threatened perspective can sometimes be the most powerful. Anik Khan carries, with each hook, the hopes and dreams of a long lineage descending back to Bangladesh, but that doesn’t mean he can’t soundtrack your Friday night. He weathers the ever-brooding unrest wrought upon Muslims in western society and gives them, and anyone with ears, music to move to.

28 and a year removed from sleeping in a bunk bed, Khan considers himself an immigrant first. His story is one of balance: racial identity versus assimilation, foreign sounds versus domestic grooves, multilingual lyrics versus stateside lingo. On Kites, the Queens artist’s debut album, he weaves together all of the above, punctuating his multiyear ascension as one of hip-hop’s most notable new voices.

Anik can handle a touching acoustic sing-along (“Kites”) as deftly as an earth-scorching rap track detailing the cultural and literal rape enacted by historical figures (“Columbus”). Keep an eye out for the artist illustrating what it really means to be American in 2017.—Alex Siber

​Our Who Is? video profile with Anik launches today, June 29, on YouTube. Subscribe here to watch it when it drops.

FXXXXY's Flawed Up Shawty EP is one of the most subtly addictive releases of the year. The Dallas rapper/producer had a catchy single in "20 Taliband," but it doesn't tell the whole story. Tracks like "Lip Service 6" and "Beep Beep" show FXXXXY's ability to walk the fine line between dance party and smoke sesh, and the fact that he's responsible for most of the EP's production gives you an idea of his potential. 

"It's a lot more aggressive and less caring," FXXXXY said of the EP. "'Flawed up' is slang for having this strong confidence even though you're not beautiful to the world or maybe looked at as not valuable. It's a reaction to whatever situation you find yourself in. It's making ugly beautiful because you have no choice."—Graham Corrigan

Late last year, Baltimore singer Brent Faiyaz linked up with producers Atu and Dpat. Together, the trio formally introduced themselves as Sonder and released lead single "Too Fast" as the first full preview of their collaborative sound. At the top of 2017, Sonder shared their Into EP—an impressive body of work that solidified them as a group to take notice of.

Individually, Brent, Atu, and Dpat have all released music that can certainly draw new listeners in. However, their chemistry together is undeniable, and creates a specific kind of magic that is already bringing screaming fans to their sold-out show to loudly sing every word along with them. Sonder is making R&B that simultaneously feels nostalgic, familiar, and yet completely refreshing. With such a strong introduction, there's no limit to the heights these three can reach in the future.—Adrienne Black

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A significant portion of you won't be happy to see XXXTENTACION's name on this list, and the criticism is understandable. He's been accused of serious crimes including armed home invasion and an allegation of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend at the time. It would be irresponsible to ignore these charges until they're fully resolved in court. His versatile talent and potential star power, however, is impossible to deny. There's a reason the young Florida rapper has developed a huge cult-like following by the age of 19. His music has a youthful, unpredictable energy to it that resonates with fans and has already translated to wild sold out shows across the country.

X's willingness to experiment and confidently color outside the lines of typical genre boundaries hints at an artist capable of big things moving forward. He already has a massive hit on his hands with "Look At Me!" and bold songs like "Revenge" prove he still has surprises tucked up his sleeve.—Eric Skelton

2025’s pop star might wear glasses, have auburn curls, and illustrate fantastical cartoons. Zack Villere is not bored by the ordinary—pizza, plus Parks & Rec with a crush, constitutes the perfect day on his debut album, Little World. A viral video released last month for his charming single “Cool” quadrupled the Louisiana native’s following in less than a week, but more importantly presented the 21-year-old as he is.

Zack, formerly known as Froyo Ma, is a gifted producer with a falsetto that seems to hover in midair. He loves his home and is actively trying to love himself as much as he cherishes Pixar movies. On the aforementioned project, Zack bottles a mix of sunshine and lingering awkwardness, at once a soundtrack for high school flashbacks and a fitting mix of tunes for folks still trying to find their way, no matter their age. Zack is different, and different is a-okay.—Alex Siber

Learn more about Zack Villere here.

London singer and producer Yellow Days is still a teenager, but his voice sounds as if it has weathered years of hardships. It was that voice, along with the classic, jazz-flecked arrangement, that first captivated us on the heartbroken "Your Hand Holding Mine," while debut EP Harmless Melodies showed his range with sunnier songs like "Gap In The Clouds."

Yellow Days told us he takes inspiration from Ray Charles, Howlin' Wolf, jazz guitarists, and Mac Demarco, and that is a pretty apt representation of his sound, with a dash of youthful energy running throughout. Yellow Days hasn't put a foot wrong yet, and his latest release is the fuzzy "That Easy" from upcoming project Is Everything OK In Your World?, set for release later this year via Good Years.—Alex Gardner

The best thing to emerge from Arizona since the iced tea, alt-hip-hop trio Injury Reserve steamrolled their way into the rap conversation with 2016’s Floss, a double-barrel shotgun of an album that confirmed its makers were anything but bench players. Stepa J. Groggs, Nathaniel Ritchie, and Parker Corey push each other to explore new sounds and keep each other honest.

“All This Money,” a borderline satirical foil that repurposes rap’s ball-till-bankruptcy trope for the working class (“I ain’t got much but I’ll make a n**** fresh, yeah”), captures the group’s mission statement in a trunk-rattling package. This is a wonderfully strange strain of blue collar rap, penned and produced by guys who can cop to having (and leaving 9 to 5s). ‘06 Timbaland-run radio and online culture combined to construct a bass-bumping laboratory from which these brothers in arms appeared, ready for battle. Injury Reserve already have fans, they’re just waiting for the rest of the world to catch up.—Alex Siber