When we’re making these lists, it’s always fun to look back on last year’s picks and see how far everyone’s come. 2021’s round-up of artists to watch showcased a great roster, and acts like Arlo Parks, Teezo Touchdown, Tom The Mail Man, Fousheé, Blxst, AG Club, Nilüfer Yanya, 347aidan, and so many others made a powerful impact in their own ways last year.
But the class of 2021 didn’t get the opportunities that most rising artists get. They didn’t get to tour the world, connect with new fans face to face, and win over unfamiliar crowds at festivals. The artists who broke through had to get creative with how they released music, reached fans, and told their stories.
Who knows what 2022 holds—the future is just as uncertain as it was a year ago, but if there’s any silver lining to all of this, it’s that artists had the chance to take some time to really focus on the music and plan their next moves. We’re all missing live shows and the communal events tied to music, but whenever the world opens up again, there’s going to be so much good music to hear, see, and experience out in the wild. There will also be plenty of new acts ready for a proper introduction.
Here are 22 artists to look out for in 2022.