10 Rising Artists Set to Take Over 2017

2017 has some incredible albums from big name artists on the way, but we're just as excited by the newer talent set to make a splash this year. There are so many rising artists from around the world worth your attention, but we decided to highlight ten who you need to be following closely.

From Norway to New York, from personal pop ballads to blunted hip-hop, these ten rising artists are going to do big things in 2017.

Dallas rapper/producer FXXXXY (pronounced "foxy") released a project called Cartel Shawty in 2016, and it's a promising introduction. But yo, wait until his next project Flawed Up Shawty. FXXXXY's evolution is crazy, and if he keeps progressing at this pace, he's on his way to a huge 2017. He's got a knack for Drake-like melodies, but a Southern slickness and a hint of mystery that makes him all the more interesting.

The modern path to hip-hop success usually includes being part of a scene, building through producer collaborations and guest features, but FXXXXY has been operating away from that. He's not part of the hype, but he's flexing some formidable skills, both in songwriting and production, and hopefully it's not long before people take notice.

When we first heard Hare Squead on their phenomenal early track "Long Way To Go," they took some getting used to—we hadn't really heard anything that sounded like Hare Squead before, and their versatility became clear with the release of the incrdible "Herside Stor."

In short, this Irish trio makes highly impassioned music designed to either lift your spirits to staggering heights or send you into a loose-limbed frenzy (see: "Loco"). It's an eclectic approach to music inspired by eclectic tastes, but they're three for three thus far. We can't argue with that.

Jessie Reyez is awesome. She's already made a song with Chicago rapper King Louie and racked up millions of plays on YouTube with her first official single "Figures," all before her debut EP comes out. Following "Figures" with "Shutter Island," Jessie is two-for-two with heart-rending ballads, and we can't wait to see what she does with her unique and fierce vocals across an EP and hopefully a whole album.

Ro Ransom is ready for his big break. He's been making music for a minute, but things really started to move with the release of "Doppelganger," a slow-shifting broken love story that shows you the many different things Ransom's voice can do. "Love is complicated," he said of the song's origin. "Loss of love is equally as complicated, and quite nuanced. Not everybody has the ability to look directly into the broken mirror.”

We might be late to Injury Reserve, but that doesn't change the fact that they're due for a huge 2017. "All This Money" us a banger, but last year's entire Floss album show that this Arizona-based trio have a unique and addictive take on rap music. Putting their own twist on throwback elements and rapping with real personality throughout, Injury Reserve has already built up a loyal fanbase. Expect 2017 to be the year they take things to the next level.

Okay Kaya writes timeless songs and possesses a special voice. That much was clear from the first time we heard her on 2015's "Damn Gravity," and it's clear whether she's singing in Norwegian or making light-hearted videos catching Pokémon in New York.

We've seen Kaya perform at crowded shows and in the intimate setting of an Austin, TX backyard, and she's mesmerizing every time. The next step is an album, which is on the way, but for a more immediate fix tune in to the Pigeons & Planes takeover on Beats 1 radio tonight, January 26, at 10 p.m. EST to hear a brand new Okay Kaya song called Maps."

Nessly had a good 2016, but he's due to have an even better 2017. Setting himself up for the beginning of the year, the sleek Solo Boy Band project acted as the perfect reminder of what Nessly is capable of. Showcasing his songwriting skills, and his determination to expand his artistic palette, Solo Boy Band is his most consistent project to date. What's most exciting, though, is that he's already been releasing new music since the project's release in December.

He already has collaborations with Ro Ransom, Night Lovell, and Lil Yachty under his belt, offering continued proof that he's working with all the right people. While his most recent releases have been a little more low-key than Solo Boy Band, we suspect he has something big, and incredibly exciting, planned for later in the year.

The world has a way of balancing itself out. For every action...you know the rest. Right now, hip-hop is inundated with fun, carefree music that provides an escape. Deem Spencer brings a much-needed alternative. He's introspective, intelligent, and thoughtful, and his downtempo song "Soap" showcases all of that and hints at rhyming abilities way more in-depth than the laid back delivery gives away on first listen.

We just recently found out about this 21-year-old Queens native, but there's something about him. The "Soap" video leaves us with the impression that this young artist has massive potential, and we can't wait to see what's next. Stay tuned.

Thanks to the huge year Lil Yachty had in 2016, he had opportunity to help introduce the masses to some more members of his Sailing Team crew. The leading lady of the pack is 18-year-old Kodie Shane. Within the last year, Kodie has shared multiple projects like 2060, Little Rocket, Zero Gravity, and Big Trouble Little Jupiter. With four projects in under a year, she's proven that she's got a strong work ethic as well as a diverse sound.

For those who have only scratched the surface with Kodie Shane's music, it might seem like she's just pushing out easy-going tracks drenched in Auto-Tune and filled with fun lyrics. Though she does have a handful of songs that fit this description—like infectious single "Drip In My Walk"—she offers up an interesting balance with other, more laid-back songs that highlight her singing abilities. After a year of working on making a name for herself, with new attention on her and a sharp ability to be versatile, Kodie Shane is sure to be one to watch this year. 

If you're old enough, you might remember what it felt like when Eminem first emerged on mainstream rap's radar, or for a more recent example, when Odd Future's buzz became impossible to ignore. That's what it feels like with Florida rapper XXXTENTACION right now. This is an artist with the potential to disrupt, to shift the direction of hip-hop and culture. He's got no real music videos, very little presence on platforms outside of SoundCloud, and few media outlets covering him, but look at his numbers.

Will he actually change the game? It's yet to be seen. XXXTENTACION is controversial to the point where some people get pissed that we even cover him, but for every person who denounces XXX, there's 100 riding for him. And his music is undeniable. From aggressive, lo-fi hip-hop to emotionally charged sad rap, XXX is versatile, complex, and one of the most exciting artists on the brink of something huge.