The music scene is constantly evolving, and each year brings fresh talent ready to make their mark! From rising pop stars, to boundary-pushing indie artists, here are some must-watch musicians who are set to dominate playlists and stages worldwide in 2025…
ABSNT MIND
Absnt Mind are Britain’s newest boy band on the block, currently making waves in the world of pop!
Since their formation in 2023, the super talented quintet – made up of Alex Benson, Ashton Henry-Reid, Conor Marcus, Fred Meyer, and Oscar Williams – have attracted the attention of some of music’s biggest tastemakers, with critics and bloggers praising the boys for their fresh approach in creating innovative pop bops that push the boundaries of contemporary music.
With their distinctive sound fusing edgy R&B beats and catchy pop hooks, with meaningful lyrical themes, the groups work with top producers like Billen Ted (JC Stewart, Joel Corry), The Futuristics (Justin Bieber, Why Don’t We) and Kamille (Kylie Minogue, Little Mix) hints at their potential to redefine boy band culture in 2025 and beyond.
ØZMA
Øzma is an accomplished R&B / pop singer, famous for drawing BIG crowds on the streets of London with her flawless vocal performances of major hits made famous by the likes of Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, P!nk and Rihanna.
Having surrounded herself with some pretty big names in the industry, and worked alongside a plethora of top recording artists and producers, Øzma released her debut single ‘Wanna Do’ in 2024 much to the delight of her ever growing army of loyal fans and followers.
MYLES SMITH
With over 135 million streams to his name, singer / songwriter Myles Smith is fast becoming one of the UK’s most sought after recording artists.
Best known for his 2024 hit ‘Stargazing’, Myles’ efficacious mix of R&B, soul, pop, folk and alternative rock, sees the multi-faceted performer masterfully break new sonic ground to create a timeless, and deeply emotive musical style all of his own.
London-born, Luton-raised Smith first began his music career performing in local venues, building a dedicated fan base with his raw talent and powerful voice. His rise gained momentum when his music started gaining attention on streaming platforms, showcasing his ability to tell compelling stories through song. In late 2023, he released several singles including ‘My Home’ and ‘Solo’. This online success led to a record deal with Sony’s RCA Records.
SAY NOW
Forget what you thought you knew about girl bands from the ones that came before, because UK trio Say Now have already switched up the rules!
Influenced by everyone from Ariana Grande to Sugababes and SZA, the ladies intoxicating blend of R&B and pop, combined with candid lyrics and dynamic performances, has garnered them a faithful and devoted following.
Made up of Ysabelle Salvanera, Amelia Onuorah, and Madeleine Haynes, the band already have many a fierce, pop bop in their catalogue, with songs like ‘Not A Lot Left To Say’, ‘Bitch Get Out Of My Car’, ‘Trouble’ and ‘Made Up Sex’ all garnering praise and support from publications including The Official Charts Company, Notion, and Wonderland, as well as fellow recording artists Jack Harlow, Chlöe, and All Saints.
The girls made major moves in 2024, supporting Kylie Minogue at BST Hyde Park, before ending the year on a major high, winning the Rising Star Award at the UK Glamour Awards.
ETHAN HOLT
British singer-songwriter Ethan Holt recently caught our attention following the release of his debut single, ‘Glorious’ – a beautifully poignant, pop ballad that lyrically reflects on themes of heartbreak, loss, and the bittersweet memories of a past relationship.
Having honed his craft at the East London Arts and Music Academy (ELAM) and performed at major festivals such as Creamfields, Boardmasters, and Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Holt has previously collaborated with notable artists including Chase & Status (‘Hold Your Ground’) and Gryffin (‘Falling To Pieces’).
Praised for his emotive and powerful vocals, Ethan continues to build momentum, with plans for additional new music and live shows across the UK and Europe in 2025.
LOLA YOUNG
Since the release of her debut single ‘6 Feet Under’ back in 2019, Lola Young has continued to captivate audiences with her soulful voice and insightful lyrics.
With some promising singles released already, particularly the retro-leaning, bluesy banger ‘Fake’, and the catchy modern ballad ‘So Sorry’, in 2021 Young was nominated for the BRIT Award for Rising Star.
‘Messy’ – the lead single single from her second studio album ‘This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway’ – became a viral hit on TikTok last year, propelling her into international recognition. The song recently peaked at No.1 on the UK Singles Chart, and reached No.24 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
SAKYI
SAKYI are Reece, Aaron, Carl, and Eden, four brothers from North West London who first rose to prominence as contestants on Series 9 of Britain’s Got Talent in 2015.
Musically inspired by the timeless soulful R&B sounds of the 90s and 00s, the R&B/Pop quartet cite the likes of Michael Jackson, Chris Brown and Boyz II Men as their greatest influences.
With the release of their most recent singles ‘My Lover’, ‘Style’, and ‘Take Time’, the brothers successfully fuse irresistible R&B rhythms with a smooth, yet exuberant Afro flavours to great effect, whilst the haunting sound of their latest single ‘Wounds’ showcases a whole new, and exciting side to their artistry.
NIA SMITH
Championed by the likes of Rolling Stone UK, The Line of Best Fit, The Guardian and British Vogue, Nia Smith is fierce, trailblazing R&B and soul singer who, at just 21-years-old, is already on the path to becoming one of the most important voices within UK music.
A graduate of the BRIT School, she is self-taught in guitar, piano, and trombone. Her musical style is deeply rooted in soul and reggae, drawing inspiration from artists like Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, and Chronixx.
In 2024, Nia released her debut EP, ‘Give Up the Fear’ which includes tracks such as ‘Little Red Car’, ‘Don’t Cry’ and ‘Personal’ featuring Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan, which has over 3 million on Spotify.
TYRELL TREY
After a 4 year-hiatus, London-based recording artist Tyrell Trey reemerged from the shadows of constraint to make his presence felt in a MAJOR way in 2024 following the independent release of his genre-bending single ‘Even If’.
Inspired by British musical trailblazers Shola Ama, Craig David, and The Streets, as well as American R&B / soul legend D’Angelo, Tyrell’s latest material sees the cutting-edge artist combine his eclectic sonic influences and personal experiences, to craft a distinctive and unique sound reflective of the moment.
SWEET LOVE
Sweet Love are a British girl band consisting of members Honey, Jasmine, Maya, and Venice.
Managed by Blair London, the group has gained significant attention through their engaging cover songs and dynamic performances. The girls have a strong presence on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where they share their musical journey and connect with fans.
In 2023 the band supported S Club on their The Good Times Tour at the O2 Arena in London, marking a significant milestone in their burgeoning career.
NATIVE JAMES
Following an EPIC 2024, which saw him sign with Essex-based, artist-led indie collective Savour Music, alternative rap recording artist Native James is a man on a mission to make 2025 another unforgettable year!
With his music transcending genres and sonic boundaries, James fuses elements of rap, hip-hop, grime, punk, rock, metal and garage, to create a fresh and innovative sound that is as distinct as it is magnetic.
With an impressive blend of raw energy, and lyrical power, the ‘Hammer’ rapper has carved his own path, captivating audiences at some of the UK’s most iconic festivals and live events – using his shows as a way to create a space for his followers to feel both empowered, and free; to heal, to rage but most importantly, to engage.
NO GUIDNCE
Comprised of Londoners Zeekay, Eshan, Josh & Kaci, No Guidnce plan to set the tone for what it means to be a boyband in the modern era, paving their own path by pushing the boundaries of genre in their music, whilst also proving that R&B is more alive and necessary than ever!
Their debut EP ‘Is It A Crime?’ was born from collaborations with an all-star team of producers and writers, that includes Victoria Monét (Ariana Grandé, Nas), JR Rotem (Rihanna, Bad Bunny), Akeel Henry (Giveon, John Legend), Lunchmoney Lewis (Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne) & Theron Thomas (Lizzo, Usher) to name just a few.
With boybands becoming somewhat of a rarity in the recent years, No Guidnce has managed to brilliantly establish a new lane in music, that will undoubtedly transform the musical landscape unlike we’ve ever seen before.
GRACE CARTER
Grace Carter is a British singer-songwriter known for her powerful, soulful voice and deeply emotional lyrics. Born in London and raised in Brighton, Carter began writing music as a teenager as a way to process her emotions, particularly around themes of heartbreak, identity, and family relationships.
In recent years Grace has gained recognition from both fans can critics, with singles like ‘Silence’, ‘Heal Me’ and ‘Why Her Not Me’ – which was inspired by her experiences growing up without her father, and the emotions surrounding that relationship.
In January 2019, Grace took third place in the BBC Music’s Sound of 2019, which is compiled from critics, DJs and other music experts to highlight the best new talent for the year ahead.
CTRL
CTRL are Giorgos, Amari, Luca, and Benjy, four electrifying performers, currently gaining major traction online for their effortlessly cool sense of style, and mesmerising dance moves.
Though little is known about the dynamic quartet, word on the street is that the lads have been holed up in the studio, working with a number of high profile producers and writers – most notably Karen Poole (Becky Hill, Olly Murs, Kylie Minogue) – and are set to release a whole load of new music in the coming months…
To keep up to date with all things CTRL, follow the band on TikTok and Instagram now!
TOBY LEE
Toby Lee is a renowned British guitarist and musician, often celebrated for his extraordinary talent and virtuosity on the guitar. He gained widespread recognition at a young age, earning the nickname “Young Blues Guitarist” due to his incredible skill in playing blues music.
Bringing a modern, youthful energy to the genre, Toby’s style is often compared to icons like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and B.B. King, with his effortless blend of soulful phrasing, and fiery solos, winning his praise from both fans and critics alike.
As a youngster, Lee appeared on the television shows Little Big Shots and The Ellen Show, and starred in the stage musical School of Rock in London’s West End.
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