This time last year , we told you this list gets harder to make every year. All of these acts have a real buzz around them for creating stellar music that sets them up to really make their mark in and the rest of the decade. An artist without a ceiling potential wise, Kennedy Rd is one artist you should definitely keep tabs on. It comes through in every note and lyric. Known best for her singles Falling and King of Hearts , which amassed hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify, her sound is the perfect blend of contemporary and Soul-shifting. A debut album may be round the corner in and it promises to be a deliciously smooth and mindful ride. Having had a strong upward trajectory in , the highlight being her COLORS performance which currently sits at over 2 million views.

Kennedy Rd.
Including Mary J. Blige, D'Angelo, and Maxwell
Neo-soul was born out of a necessity for the representation of the black alternative. For more than two decades, the neo-soul sound has produced some of the most prolific artists of generations including Maxwell , Floetry, Frank Ocean, Anderson. Paak , and Thundercat. We are now in and the movement is as strong as ever. Okayplayer has highlighted 23 artists that are pushing neo-soul forward.
Ugh, Those Feelings Again – Snoh Aalegra
Essential listening for Another year of non-stop poignant musical moments. The tide has, however, turned and that title no longer feels apt.
Thankfully, there are new stars carrying on their legacy, combining the classic sound of soul with influences from hip-hop, jazz, and pop. Modern soul has never been more popular, and these contemporary artists are making sure it stays that way. Mary J.