10 British R&B/Soul Artists To Watch In 2018

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ones to watch 2018

British R&B and soul—and the wider black music scene as a whole—continues to go from strength to strength, with a flurry of success stories happening in 2017. We saw the breakthrough of Mabel (who featured in our ones-to-watch list in 2016) with her song, "Finders Keepers", while Jorja Smith gained international recognition and went on to pick up the Brits Critics' Choice award. And with the scene seemingly now fully embraced by mainstream media, award shows and commercial radio alike—something which wasn't always happening before its renaissance in 2015—it's unsurprising that this has led to a domino effect, with new talent popping up in every corner.

With that being said, here are 10 new acts that you need to know.


 

Col3trane

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Col3trane has had a rapid rise over the last few months. This time last year he hadn't even released his first track, and already he's built a following, garnered major online support, had visuals directed by Prince's personal photographer, Nicole Nodland, and announced his first UK tour. With new artists, the goods don't always justify the hype, but in this instance the output doesn't just meet expectationsit surpasses them. If anything, Col3trane's music deserves even more attention.

While impressing with early releases "New Chain" and "Penelope", it was his full body of work, debut mixtape Tsarina, that really marked him out as an artist to watch. The project is a great introduction to Col3trane and wouldn't at all sound out of place on Drake's OVO Sound label, offering a similar brand of laid-back alternative R&B. With such a strong entrance in 2017, he could make some serious noise this year.

A must-hear: "Malibu Sleep"

"It was produced by my mates, Jay Mooncie and Eden. I've known Eden for a couple years, and I'd just started working with Jay; I thought it'd be a smash if we all worked together. It's about a night out with a girl at the club."—Col3trane

Mahalia

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Mahalia found herself immersed in music from a young age; her three brothers are all musical, and her parents were both singers. Growing up, the Birmingham-raised artist was exposed to everything from Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott and Corinne Bailey Rae, from her mum, to Nas, Jay Z and the Artic Monkeys, from her brothers. Being surrounded by so many different styles and sounds has led to a well-rounded portfolio of material released from Mahalia so far.

Previous projects delivered spoken word, guitar-driven acoustic pop and piano ballads, whereas 2017 saw her delve more into her R&B repertoire, with recent singles "Sober" and "No Pressure"—easily her strongest tracks yet—venturing into the same space as some of the aforementioned R&B acts. With the option of drawing from such a wide array of influences, we're not sure where Mahalia will go next, but her latest sounds have aroused great anticipation for the next project.

A must-hear: "Sober"

"I wrote 'Sober' when I was really down after a breakup in October 2016. I had gotten into a little habit of drunk texting this geez, and I had to try shake it, so I sat down one night and started writing 'Sober'. It was my realisation and my moment to really tell this guy just how much he hurt me and just how much I was over it!"—Mahalia

JGrrey

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South London's JGrrey has the type of voice to stop you right in your tracks and pay attention. It's understated, yet captivating and mesmerising with its various tones and textures. Last year's debut EP, I Can't Die, Lie, Or End Time, nods towards 1960s jazz and soul, while latest singles "Ready To Die" and "Don't Fade" showcase a more polished, contemporary soundbut still retains the same retro influences that made her a big draw to begin with. There's an easy listening with JGrrey; the lyrics and melodies are all there, but it's the way she uses her voice to deliver each song that really makes them stand out in music's crowded online space. 

A must-hear: "Don't Fade"

"'Don't Fade' came about after I was asked to do COLORS Berlin. I didn't know what to perform, so I decided to write a new song specifically about colours."—JGrrey

IAMDDB

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Diana DeBrito, otherwise known as IAMDDB, is a Manchester-based artist who does a brilliant job of fusing R&B with hip-hop and trap, each track boasting effortless swag and flavour. Her music is club-ready but versatile, even incorporating elements of jazz along the waya genre she grew up listening to and is heavily influenced byas is evident on her earlier project, Waveybaby, Vol. 1. Having released several well-received EPs over the past couple of years, understandably there's a growing buzz, and a recent third placing on the BBC's prestigious Sound Of 2018 list indicates that this year could be her big breakthrough. The fast-rising singer/MC rounded out 2017 with a string of shows alongside US R&B stars Bryson Tiller and SZAand if you're a fan of either of them, then IAMDDB is definitely worth checking out.

A must-hear: "Shade"

"I had enough of guys calling women bitches. I was like: 'Cool. If that's what you want to hear and say, I'll do my version too.'"—IAMDDB

Aaron Taylor

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Being compared to or mentioned alongside D'Angelo will naturally incite huge expectations from first-time listeners, but these are the kind of weighty comparisons being drawn against UK singer Aaron Taylor by critics and music fans. A true musician, he writes, produces and arranges his own music and owns the kind of voice to attract global brands such as Apple—they approached him directly to ask if they could use his song, "Lesson Learnt", in one of their Apple Watch ads. Aaron grew up listening to the likes of Kirk Franklin and neo-soul acts like Musiq Soulchild and D'Angelo, and much of these influences can be heard throughout EPs Still Life and Better Days, best defined as funk-driven soul. A new EP is set for release later this year, and if lead single "Saw You In My Dreams" is any indicator, this could be Taylor's best project to date.

A must-hear: "Saw You In My Dreams"

"I was sitting on the musical idea for 'Saw You In My Dreams' for a while and was really fond of the chords. One day I got lost in nostalgic thoughts about my childhood and decided to explore the idea lyrically. The song talks about not fully wanting to let go of a former version of myself."—Aaron Taylor

Tayá

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It's hard to pin down Tayá's sound into a single box. It's R&B, dance and electronic all intertwined and laced with a voice not a million miles away from singer Mabel. First discovered at the age of 13 in a local choir, she has racked up the streams thanks to a collection of earworms released through SoundCloud over the last three years and collaborations with the likes of rapper-of-the-moment Yxng Bane on "When Ur Sober" and Soulection's Sango on "Fingerprints", providing two of her standout moments. Although, surprisingly, it still feels like we're only scratching the surface of what Tayá is capable of. Having been in the studio collaborating with big-time producers Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Snakehips and Fisticuffs, it wouldn't be outlandish to think there's even better to come.

A must-hear: "When Ur Sober"

"'When Ur Sober' is probably the most personal song I've ever released. I think pretty much everyone can relate to going through a rocky patch in a relationship and finding themselves needing reassurance but not getting it. Sometimes, it's just good to hear that you're not the only one."—Tayá

Moss Kena

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Although it's still early days for newcomer Moss Kena, everything that has been released so far has been nothing short of amazing. He made his introduction with a reworking of Kendrick Lamar's "These Walls", and taking on a track from one of the most critically acclaimed hip-hop albums in recent times is no mean feat. Plot twist: he killed it!

Making the track completely his own with a new funky, electronic beat, he gained some buzz in the blogosphere and even got the nod of approval from Kendrick. Moss Kena's voice is as distinctive as they come and, as such, the song lures you in from the opening vocals and only gets better as it progresses. Debut original single "48" and his contributions to Lophiile's "Newno" confirm that his own material is just as strong, so forthcoming EP Found You In 06 will surely be worth a spin when it arrives in March.

A must-hear: "These Walls"

"'These Walls' really spoke to me and stood out as one of the best grooves on Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly album. Although I didn't write the lyrics, I felt I wanted to capture their genius through melody and deliver them in a way that nobody has ever thought to. I wanted to give the lyrics new life through singing and re-imagine their sentiment."—Moss Kena

WESLEE

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WESLEE are a low-key singer-producer duo fronted by lead singer Emma, who hails from London, alongside producer Josh. Relatively new on the scene, their music is an R&B/electro-pop hybrid, with both members bringing their best talents to the table—Emma's voice is delicate but expressive and is enhanced further by Josh's production chops. WESLEE were first discovered when debut track "Gassed" was used during an episode of TV show You're The Worst, and subsequently earned a spot on BBC Radio 1's coveted Hottest Record In The World segment; a similar tactic was adopted for recent release "Boy Like You'', initially unveiled at the end of Grey's Anatomy. It's a savvy way to unveil music and maintain the mystery behind their identity, while simultaneously being able to reach a global audience. 

A must-hear: "Gassed"

"'Gassed' was the first WESLEE song we ever made. There was no WESLEE before 'Gassed'. We had been working together for a minute writing for other people, never with the intent to become artists ourselves! But when we cooked up 'Gassed', something just felt different, and we've been rolling with it ever since."—WESLEE

Lyves

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Francesca Bergami, better known as Lyves, has spent the last few years honing and developing her sound, landing on a fusion of sparse electronic beats and downtempo R&B. Recording much of her debut EP, Like Water, in her father's attic in Italy with just a keyboard, a computer, and a pair of speakers, you'd never know it when listening. The four-track project sounds slick and polished, led by standout "Darkest Hour". It's her voice that grabs you initially, but as you sift through her songs, it becomes evident that the production is just as strong, tapping into the moody and haunting ambience that FKA twigs and Banks are known for. An album is already in the works, and there's nothing to suggest there won't be more of this same quality if her most recent releases are anything to go by.

A must-hear: "Darkest Hour"

"I was going through a very challenging time emotionally, and this song came almost as though to soothe these difficult feelings. To me, 'Darkest Hour' serves as a reminder that through our darkest and most vulnerable times, we are also able to find true power and strength within."—Lyves

Puma Blue

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Hailing from South East London, Puma Bluethe alias of Jacob Allencites Billie Holiday and Jeff Buckley as influences, and has been steadily bubbling online for a while. While predominantly existing in the space of lo-fi R&B, his sounds can fit into several genreswhich is part of the appeal. Take last year's debut EP, Swum Baby, a 5-track collection of hazy, atmospheric grooves: you might not be able to define exactly what you're listening to, but you'll end up listening right the way through, with each track flowing effortlessly into the next.

Puma Blue can also be heard producing beats under two separate monikers on SoundCloud, Boss Nass and Ruby Bliels, where you'll find a whole range of styles from minimalist hip-hop to avant-garde electronics. His latest song, "Only Trying 2 Tell U" (originally released in demo form back in 2014), has us most excited though. Released last month, the self-produced track captures Puma Blue at his best and points to what could be a very promising 2018.

A must-hear: "Only Trying 2 Tell U"

"'Only Trying 2 Tell U' was originally written and recorded in one day in the summer of 2014. When I laid down that demo, D'Angelo's music had been really speaking to me at the time, so I was inspired to lay down layers of vocals over that swung 6/8 thing. Recording it again, it took on a new meaning for me after losing someone again. It needed to be darker, but I wanted to retain that same sparseness from before."—Puma Blue

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