Zurraq Khan picks out the artists that are dominating his playlists right now and the sounds that you need in your life right this minute.

Noname

Born in Chicago as Fatimah Warner, Noname spent her time attending and performing at open mic nights in order to gain publicity in her local area. Quickly befriending and collaborating with artists like Chance the Rapper and Mick Jenkins, Noname soon became a recognised artist in the R&B industry. Taking inspiration from artists like Raury and Andre 3000, her music boasts a chilled rhythm with easy lyrics, forming some classy jams and steady beats. Her debut album ‘Telefone’ which tracks like ‘Diddy Bop’ and ‘Reality Check’ reflects all of this and is a great start to a potentially very successful career.

If you liked this artist, check out: Raury, Isaiah Rashad

Loyle Carner

Benjamin Coyle-Larner is a british rapper born in South London who started his journey recording demos back in 2012, leading to various openings such as supporting MF Doom. Releasing several singles prior to his 2017 debut album ‘Yesterday’s Gone’, Loyle Carner has hit the public eye rather fast in his genre, performing on Radio 1 Xtra’s ‘Fire in the Booth’ segment. Personally, I think this album is an absolute masterpiece and would urge anyone to listen to it, regardless of music taste. Socio-cultural narratives are all the rage at the moment, and this one delivers on a big scale.

If you liked this artist, check out: Rejjie Snow, MF Doom

dvsn

This alternative R&B act is one that definitely hasn’t gone under the radar, with support from galactic rap superstar Drake and his very own OVO Sound. ‘dvsn’ have supported Drake on numerous occasions and have risen to fame very quickly in this music scene. Formed by producer Paul Jeffries and vocalist Daniel Daley, dvsn released their debut album last year under the title ‘SEPT 5^TH’, featuring the marquee track ‘Hallucinations’. I have had the pleasure of seeing this act live and they do not disappoint.

If you liked this artist, check out: Majid Jordan, NAO

Rag’n’Bone Man

Stepping into the spotlight recently, Rory Graham has taken the world by storm with his latest album and is no doubt dominating the playlists of the general public today. Picking up Brit Awards for Critics’ Choice and Breakthrough Act, this artist is getting the recognition that he deserves and is forming a unique identity within the modern music society that is coming to fruition.

If you liked this artist, check out: Jacob Banks, Raleigh Ritchie

Thundercat

Thundercat is one of those artists that sounds completely fresh on every release. Delivering funky tunes that wind the clock back to the glory days of grooving out to possessive basslines until the sun rises. His latest album release, ‘Drunk’ continues this identity, collaborating with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa and Pharrell Williams.

If you liked this artist, check out: KAYTRANADA, Sampha

 

Written by Zurraq Khan, you can follow Zurraq on twitter here.