Pigeons & Planes' Best New Artists of 2017

Every artist on this list is pushing music in exciting new directions.

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, and Maggie Rogers.

Whether they've been grinding for a few years and finally had a breakout moment or they launched their career with immediate success, every artist on this list is pushing music in exciting new directions. 2017 brought us pop stars in the making, bedroom producers with DIY mentalities, Asian artists finding crossover success in America, and the widest array of hip-hop styles that we've ever seen.

No matter the genre, new artists are breaking at a faster rate than ever before. Some have made their way directly into the spotlight, but many of today's young musicians are learning that patience is a virtue. It's an exciting time to be a new artist, and there's no right or wrong way to launch a career. The diversity in sound, style, and career choices on this list make that point clearly. Here are the best new artists of 2017.

Daniel Caesar

This is Daniel Caesar's single art for "Get You."

2017 was Daniel Caesar's year. His debut album Freudian was released to critical acclaim and racked up hundreds of millions of streams, he performed live on national television and, perhaps most excitingly, he was nominated in two Grammy categories: Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance. 

Caesar has been building towards this since his 2014 debut EP Praise Break, and as 2016 drew to a close, he released the lead single from Freudian, "Get You." Nothing about his music is ever in-your-face or over the top—Freudian is a masterpiece of restraint, filled with soulful, honest accounts of love and life seen through a youthful but mature perspective. Rooted in gospel and R&B traditions, Daniel Caesar's music will be as relevant in 50 years time as it is today.—Alex Gardner

Lou The Human

Lou The Human 2017

Staten Island rapper Lou The Human isn't like any other artists on this list. Instead of following current hip-hop trends—trap beats, melodic flows, heavy repetition—Lou made Humaniac. It's 45 minutes of dense, wildly offensive, and technically impressive rapping with no regard for hooks, melodies, or of-the-moment sounds. The comparisons to Eminem were abundant, but Lou made his mark anyway because in 2017, who else was getting compared to Eminem? 

As for what's next, Lou told us on his episode of Trending Topics that it's not just going to be more of the same. "On my first project, I just kind of wanted to prove that I could rap and get off as many bars as possible," he explained. "I feel like I got that off my back. Now I'm trying to do more songs, intros and outros, beat switch-ups and bridges and shit, and trying to fuck with song structure more. It's definitely a big step up from Humaniac."

For rap fans that actually enjoy lyrical ability and complex rhyming, Lou The Human is one of the most exciting new rappers to emerge this year. He's got the talent, but he's also young and reckless enough to make it very clear that he doesn't give a fuck. That alone sets him apart from so many of the traditional rappers trying to showcase technical prowess in a time when most young fans just want something they can sing along with.—Jacob Moore

Yaeji

Yaeji Rachael Wright

Across two stellar EPs, Yaeji made one hell of an impression this year. The New York City via Seoul producer, singer, and visual artist has developed a sound and aesthetic so defined you’d think she’s already been around for a decade. Her distinctive, hushed delivery and propulsive, danceable production makes for a remarkable combination. Channeling her surroundings and her heritage, Yaeji’s mixture of NYC and Seoul is one of a kind.

Her music, with its cultural and genre mixes, is impossible to replicate despite how easy she makes it sound. Through both Korean and English lyrics and sounds inspired by house and hip-hop, she has solidified herself as one of the most essential acts in dance music right now.—Joe Price

Trippie Redd

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With Lil Uzi Vert firmly crossed over into the mainstream, Trippie Redd looks like one of the best candidates to take up the torch as the internet’s favorite wildly prolific, emo-tinged, genre-bending rapper. In 2017, he released two full-length mixtapes, A Love Letter to You and A Love Letter to You 2, a collaborative project with Lil Wop, and a teaser EP, A Love Letter You’ll Never Get. Though unafraid to go heavier and darker on tracks like “Hellboy” and “Chair Falling,” he also showed off impressive pop chops on the Travis Scott collaboration “Dark Knight Dummo,” the radio-ready “Back of My Mind,” and the viral hit “Bust Down.”

While plenty of artists experiment with different deliveries, Trippie is one of the few who will unabashedly belt out vocals on his songs, and his signature yelp is unmistakable. Hailing from Canton, OH, he helped prove that the SoundCloud scene could produce star-level talent outside of South Florida. At just 18 years old, Trippie still has tremendous unfulfilled potential, so don't be surprised if he's the next so-called underground rapper to have a hit shoot up the Billboard charts.—Grant Rindner 

Watch our uncut interview with Trippie Redd here.

Clairo

Clairo

It’s not hard to see why 19-year-old Boston-based singer/songwriter Clairo has seen success this year, but it is still pretty remarkable how she achieved it. The video for her song “Pretty Girl,” which now has almost five million views, was made on a day when she didn’t even want to leave bed. Created in around thirty minutes, she expected at most 5,000 views on the charming, lo-fi video. To a generation of listeners who grew up predominantly on the internet, her gentle bedroom pop resonates.

It’s very 2017 to see an artist gain an insane amount of attention almost overnight, but it helps that Clairo is doing it without controversy or provocation. Her wholesome music and honest persona is something that’s very much needed right now, and it helps that the releases she’s put out are some of the year’s best and most promising, too.—Joe Price

Learn more about Clairo here.

Ski Mask The Slump God

ski mask slump

What more can we say about Ski Mask The Slump God? At the beginning of 2017, we thought he'd just be another wild Florida rapper to capitalize off SoundCloud buzz, but by the end of the year, it was clear that he's so much more than that. Face tats, unmastered tracks, and overblown bass aside, Ski Mask The Slump God is a rapper with the potential to earn a spot in the upper echelon of the rap ranks. He's a self-proclaimed perfectionist, and this trait forces him to put all of his energy into every unpredictable move he makes, and to constantly focus on improving. 

Ski Mask's live show is fantastic, his manic deliveries are getting better with each release, and he's been working with some hip-hop veterans like Timbaland and Busta Rhymes. To those who doubt, Ski Mask The Slump God may still seem like an over-the-top SoundCloud rapper, but he's slowly but surely distancing himself from his peers. It's still early for him, but he's doing all the right things, and his natural ability and intelligence are going to take him far. So call him a SoundCloud rapper if you want, but don't be surprised when he outgrows that label. It's already obvious that his potential as a career artist is going to lead to much bigger things.—Jacob Moore

Watch Ski Mask The Slump God get interviewed by puppies on Hounded.

Rex Orange County

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Rex Orange County's debut project came out back in 2015, a charming "bedroom album" called bcos u will never b free that put his songwriting talent and genre-hopping approach to making music on display. His official debut album Apricot Princess, as well as a trio of singles, came out in the first half of 2017, and Rex took things to the next level when he featured prominently on Tyler, the Creator's Flower Boy.

One of his best singles to date, "Loving is Easy," followed a few months later. Rex taps into the awkwardness and giddy joy of young love and captures the trials and tribulations of growing up through his songs, which mix indie rock, R&B, jazz, partially rapped verses, and melody driven ballads. Rex Orange County keeps things interesting with lush 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

Learn more about Rex Orange County here.

Steve Lacy

Steve Lacy

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 Demos EP was recorded 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 jazz-infused chords for "PRIDE." He also provided production on Tyler, the Creator's Flower Boy and GoldLink's At What Cost. Oh, and all of this happened just as the artist was finishing high school.

There's something about a Steve Lacy song that identifies it as uniquely his. Maybe it's his off-kilter, jazz-inspired chords. Maybe it's that iPhone production. But whatever the reason, the California teen's classic sound connects with a wide range of audiences, and the his career is looking brighter every day.

Next up: Lacy is producing all of Ravyn Lenae's next project, which sounds incredible so far. And in a recent interview with Apple Music, Lacy said a new album from The Internet is "95% done." "I feel like this is on a higher echelon than Ego Death," he said. "I love Ego Death, that was a great record, but I know this one is a step up.” Whether it's behind the boards, as part of The Internet, or as a solo artist, when Steve Lacy releases music, we're listening.—Graham Corrigan

Sigrid

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Continuing the trend of Scandinavian pop artists making superb, forward-thinking pop music, Sigrid burst on the scene in 2017 with one of our favorite songs of the year: "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 career and a powerful impact.—Eric Skelton

Learn more about Sigrid here.

Injury Reserve

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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.

They leveled up in 2017 with Drive It Like It's Stolen, finds the group exploring new, introspective ground ("North Pole") alongside classically savage cuts like "Boom (X3)" and "See You Sweat." This is a wonderfully strange strain of DIY rap. ‘06 Timbaland-run radio and online culture combined to construct a bass-bumping laboratory from which these brothers in arms appeared, ready for battle.—Alex Siber

Playboi Carti

magnolia playboi

"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, effortless charisma, and collabs with ASAP Rocky, DRAM, and Lil Uzi Vert, and you can see how Carti became one of the biggest acts of 2017.—John Walaszek

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

Billie Eilish

billie dont best new artists

It takes some artists years to find their own personal style. At 15 years old, Los Angeles-based pop star in the making Billie Eilish already has it figured out. Billie's songwriting partner is her brother Finneas, and together the two craft expertly written pop songs with a twist. The music has everything required for a pop hit—unforgettable melodies, modern production, and huge choruses—but each track comes with a set of teeth. Billie's got an affinity for horror movies, dark subject matter, and twisted plotlines, and in one way or another, her off-kilter interests always surface in the music. Her music is what makes her a pop star, but it's this edge that makes her a really great one.Jacob Moore

Watch Billie Eilish talk life advice, Rae Sremmurd, and clout rejector goggles on Trending Topics.

J Hus

common sense

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 thanks to a fruitful partnership with producer Jae5. 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

Nilufer Yanya

live nilufer

Another bright light is shining over from England, innovating in the pop space. Nilufer Yanya's songs don't break the mold from a structural standpoint, but her riffs and delivery are nothing short of addictive. She has a drowsy, offhand delivery that has "Baby Luv" in steady rotation since it dropped in September.

It may be her biggest song yet, but dig into Yanya's Small Crimes and Plant Feed EPs to see just how consistent the young Londoner can be. Every song has a piece that will roll around your head for the rest of the day, her murmuring, confident voice dispelling fantasies about love in favor of petty crime and boys who won't stop calling. There's a depth to Yanya's music that sounds more distinguished than her 22 years would suggest, and her inclusion on BBC's Sound of 2018 longlist indicates the best is yet to come.—Graham Corrigan

Deem Spencer

Deem Spencer

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").

He followed it up with we think we alone in August, a deft, experimental EP with thought-provoking production splintered across eight tracks. As for visuals, Deem demands attention by creating smart, low-budget concepts—look no further than his "soap" video. Deem has a stacked toolbox at his disposal, but it's the perspective that blends biblical scripture, Loch Ness monster references, and planetary excursions that marks him as an innovator.—Alex Siber

Choker

choker

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. 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.

Yellow Days

yellow days

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 excellent 2017 culminated in his Good Years full-length project Is Everything OK In Your World?, which dropped in October.—Alex Gardner

Read our profile of Yellow Days here.

J.I.D

jid atlanta

J.I.D's The Never Story is an incredible accomplishment in storytelling. Every verse paints a picture, and every song adds another layer to that story. 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 impressive surprises at every turn—he fiddles with tempos, switches flows, sings, and even makes listenable skits.

J.I.D was around before The Never Story, but his name started ringing a lot more bells after its release. Joining J. Cole's Dreamville probably won't hurt either. In the second half of 2017, J.I.D turned in some incredible guest features for EARTHGANG and dropped one more fire loosie, "Hasta Luego." Through a combination of devastating wordplay, soul-baring lyrics, and tenacious production, J.I.D has bucked trends and let classic hip-hop heads rest easy: the future of lyrical rap is alive and well.—Graham Corrigan

​Learn more about J.I.D and his Dreamville signing here.

Brent Faiyaz

brent faiyaz dee williams 2017

Brent Faiyaz isn’t necessarily a new name to the Pigeons & Planes team—we’ve had our eye on the singer since early 2015, but 2017 proved be an exceptional year that helped put Faiyaz on the map in a major way.

Towards the beginning of the year, he shone alongside producers Dpat and Atu in their newly formed trio Sonder, when they released the Into EP. Through the summer, Faiyaz' name began to buzz more. His voice became inescapable when he appeared as a featured artist on Goldlink’s now Grammy-nominated single “Crew,” which skyrocketed up the charts. As if that wasn’t enough, Faiyaz completed the year by releasing his official solo debut album Sonder Son.

Whether through group efforts, featured appearances, or solo releases, Brent Faiyaz proved this year that his unique approach to R&B is something people want to hear. With so much brilliant work released in only a matter of months, it’s clear that Faiyaz is a special talent with an undeniable work ethic.—Adrienne Black

Read our interview with Brent Faiyaz here.

OMB Peezy

omb peezy

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 the Pharaoh and Bay Area legend E-40 with his raw energy, authenticity, and a hardcore presence 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 Gucci Mane collab "Pray For Me," Peezy is setting himself up to be in a great position to take care of himself and his new family.—Eric Isom

​Learn more about OMB Peezy here.

Joji

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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 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. 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. After a partnership with 88 Rising, Joji dropped the excellent In Tongues EP this fall.—Eric Skelton

Squidnice

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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-like echo chamber—and gangster-meets-oddball visual presence stand out in a world overflowing with imitators. “Trap By My Lonely” got the ball rolling, and Squid followed through with The Craccen EP this fall. The right people are noticing: Frank Ocean’s Blonded Radio showed love, Kehlani is a fan, and the fans are ready for more.—Alex Siber

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

Jaden Smith

jaden smith syre

Sure, it feels a little strange to think of Jaden Smith as a “new” artist when he’s been in the public consciousness since birth (or at least since making his Hollywood debut at the age of five). But in 2017, Smith dropped his debut album and asserted himself as an artist worth taking seriously. On SYRE, we finally saw his technical skill start to catch up with all the promise and ambition he’s been showing since putting out his first mixtape as a 14-year-old.

SYRE is by no means a perfect album, but it’s a project that finds a talented young artist pushing himself (and the team around him) to try new things—and there are more hits than misses. The four-part intro song “B-L-U-E” lives up to its three-years-in-the-making backstory and both “George Jeff” and “Icon” are surprising bangers. He also gets a chance to show his versatility on sprawling acoustic jams like “Lost Boy.” If Jaden Smith is making albums like this before the age of 20, the possibilities seem limitless over the next decade.—Eric Skelton

Gus Dapperton

dapperton bna

Not since Mac DeMarco have we been introduced to an indie songwriter with this amount of natural charisma and stylish individuality. Gus Dapperton is 20 years old from Warwick, New York, and by the time you see him start dancing in the music video for "I'm Just Snacking," you should already be a fan.

In a short amount of time, Gus has proven to be a consistently great songwriter—his Yellow and Such EP is solid all the way through—and his traditional approach to pop writing is balanced out by intricate arrangements and a DIY mentality where nothing should feel too perfect. He's cool and unique, the perfect new indie star for 2018. Oh, and his music videos are fucking great.—Jacob Moore

Lil Pump

Lil Pump

Trying to explain why Lil Pump is good music is like trying to explain why fried dough is good food. The 17-year-old 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 professional rapping ability.

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. 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

Killy

killy forecast

How do you fit in with every current trend in rap while remaining fresh and bringing something new to the table? Ask Killy. Somehow, the Toronto rapper pulled that off within the first 60 seconds of his breakout viral hit video for “Killamonjaro.” Over dark, booming production, he recites melodic, hypnotic lines before kicking up the intensity with auto-tune-soaked, catchy bars. It’s some real 2017 shit—but the whole thing is delivered from a kid with a totally unique energy (and a personal style unlike anything else we saw this year).

Killy’s sound is familiar enough to be immediately palatable (there’s a lot of Travis Scott influence here), but he’s able to put a twist on it that’s hard to even describe in words. The bottom line is: Killy understands that in 2017, “it’s all about energy.” And this kid's bringing an energy all his own. Oh, and he didn’t put out a bad song all year. Check his SoundCloud.—Eric Skelton

Cardi B

Cardi B

Cardi B has technically been working hard on her music career since 2015, but she took things to another level this year. After Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2 gained some traction in early 2017, Cardi B signed with Atlantic and dropped "Bodak Yellow" in June.

The song has been inescapable since its release—"Bodak Yellow" has made Cardi the first solo female rapper to sit at the top of the Hot 100 since Lauryn Hill's "Doo Wop (That Thing)" in November 1998—and she's been able to sustain that success with memorable features on chart-topping hits. Cardi B has become a household name, and this year she proved that she's an unstoppable force, positioned for even more success come 2018. Cardi said it best: "What bitch working as hard as me?"—Joyce Ng

Smokepurpp

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Smokepurpp signed a deal with Alamo Records earlier this year, and Deadstar, his first release with the label, arrived in September. 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-friendly star with an impressive range. Tracks like "Glock In My Benz" and the Travis Scott collab "Fingers Blue" are some of the catchiest of 2017, and Purpp has already caught the ears of everyone from The Weeknd and D.R.A.M. to Chief Keef. The 19-year-old rapper is in position for a rapid ascent, and his carefree attitude and ability to give the fans exactly what they want has him destined to be a fan favorite.—Eric Isom

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

Rich Chigga

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Brian Imanuel, better known as Rich Chigga, is only 18 years old. When "Dat $tick" went viral last year, it was unclear whether or not Rich Chigga would be able to follow up the single that caught Ghostface Killah's attention with more music, or whether he'd decide to pursue an admittedly promising comedy career.

But if he's proved anything in 2017, it's that the Jakarta native's baritone voice, entrancing flow, and knack for writing clever, tongue-in-cheek rhymes are parts of an equation that adds up to success. He's still young and has a lot to learn, but by producing his own beats, singing, rapping, and directing his own videos, Rich Chigga has shown the extent of his ambition. With a debut album still to come (it will feature some of Imanuel's comedic stylings), 2018 should be even bigger for this young creative.—Joyce Ng

Watch Rich Chigga on Trending Topics here.

Sabrina Claudio

unravel me sabrina claudio

By the time Sabrina Claudio's About Time mixtape arrived in October, the singer had already cemented herself as one of 2017's freshest young voices. The 21-year-old Miami native rose to internet fame on YouTube and SoundCloud by posting covers of Beyoncé and Frank Ocean, and dropped "Unravel Me" back in May. Her music is slinky R&B at its finest, breathy vocals washing over pillowy synths and echoing percussion. It's one of the most intimate albums of year, from the passionate "Belong To You" to the quietly uplifting "Wanna Know."

"Unravel Me" led to a gig opening for 6LACK on the FREE 6LACK tour (he later jumped on a remix of "Belong To You"). It's been nothing but good things for Claudio since, who followed up her album release with appearances on the late night circuit, a designation as one of Apple Music's "Up Next," and a much larger fan base. 2018 could be the year we see Sabrina Claudio really take off.—Graham Corrigan

IDK

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IDK's IWASVERYBAD was one of our favorite releases of 2017, but it wasn't an album—it came in three parts, a flurry of songs released each week through Adult Swim's label. The rollout was emblematic of IDK's 2017, a roller coaster that saw the Maryland native ditch the "Jay" and link up with a bevy of big names for IWVB. Swizz Beatz, Chief Keef, DOOM—the stars came out, but IDK elevated his own game too.

He's been a vivid storyteller for years. But by retelling his transition from petty crime to jail time, and confronting the loss of his mother, IDK makes this album something special—a journey of loss, redemption, and eventual triumph.—Graham Corrigan

Wifisfuneral

wifi funeral

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 he followed it up with Black Heart Revenge in May and Boy Who Cried Wolf in August. The releases quickly silenced detractors who deride the movement's lack of technical rapping ability—Wifi is a talented MC, but he's at his best over big bass.

For all his raw energy and intensity, Wifisfuneral is a rapper's rapper, and we have yet to see the extent of his powers.—Graham Corrigan

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

Knox Fortune

Knox Fortune

Few artists have handled the transition from producer to frontman as well as Knox Fortune. The Chicago crooner shot to fame in 2016 after singing the hook on Chance the Rapper's "All Night," but he had made music with Chance and the rest of the SAVEMONEY crew for years.

"All Night" was just the start, and 2017 was Knox's year—his Paradise album is consistently charming, led by the sun-dappled "Lil Thing." It's a pop-rock album at its core, but Knox uses such an inventive mix of filters and instruments that the songs are always surprising. "Torture" turns a Beatles-esque ballad into a distorted, staticky tornado, while "Help Myself" sounds like what would happen if J Dilla made indie rock. Features from longtime collaborators Joey Purp, Nico Segal, and KAMI are the icing on the cake.

Knox won't stop working with his famous friends anytime soon, but this is proof they're not the only ones with good ideas.—Graham Corrigan

​Read our interview with Knox Fortune here.

Anik Khan

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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's 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”). This is an artist illustrating what it really means to be American in 2017.—Alex Siber

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