Tyla
Tyla, the South African singer who took the global music scene by storm, has quickly become one of the year’s biggest breakthroughs. Fusing the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats and Amapiano with contemporary R&B and pop influences, Tyla’s unique sound, dubbed "popiano," is a captivating blend that’s impossible to ignore. Her viral hit, “Water,” not only became a worldwide sensation but also reshaped the landscape for African artists in the mainstream.
The sultry track, with its irresistible hook and catchy, melodic charm, sparked a global dance trend on TikTok, further cementing her place as a cultural force. As the song climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, Tyla made history, becoming the highest-charting African female solo artist on the chart, surpassing the legendary Miriam Makeba’s previous best with “Pata Pata” in 1968. With remixes from superstar collaborators like Travis Scott and Marshmello, “Water” continued to dominate the airwaves, earning Tyla her first Grammy Award in the newly introduced category for Best African Music Performance.
At just 22 years old, Tyla is already poised to elevate her career even further. Her newest single, “Push 2 Start,” showcases her evolving sound and lyrical depth and has once again created a viral TikTok trend. Tyla is ready to make a lasting impact on the U.S. charts and continue to push the boundaries of African music on a global scale. As she continues to break barriers, Tyla’s growing influence signals a new era for African artists in the Western mainstream, and she’s just getting started.
BigXthaPlug
BigXthaPlug is already one of the most exciting rappers to emerge from Dallas, and while he may be too big for this list — with his hit “Mmhmm” charting on the Billboard Hot 100 and over 10 million monthly listeners on Spotify — he’s still in the process of blowing up on a larger scale. While he hasn’t yet had a viral, crossover smash that grabs everyone's attention, his 2023 rookie run proved that he's one of the most promising new talents in rap, rivaling the best of the year.
With standout projects Amar and The Biggest, BigX established himself as an undeniable force with a booming, unmistakable voice that can dominate any beat. But what really sets him apart is his ear for music. A self-professed R&B fan, BigX cleverly samples soul classics in his tracks, flipping Shuggie Otis’ string-heavy “Texas,” Marvin Gaye’s smooth vibes for “Climate,” and even The Whispers’ signature sound for “Mmhmm.” Notably, he reimagined the same sample used by Will Smith and The Trackmasters for “Miami,” but with a distinctly Texas-sized twist.
As his sound continues to evolve and his fanbase grows, it’s clear BigXthaPlug is on the verge of even greater success. His blend of raw energy and soulful ear positions him to become one of rap’s next superstars.
ROB49
Rob49's rise to fame is defined by resilience, talent, and a unique blend of street swagger and musical versatility. From New Orleans, he spent time in the National Guard before fully diving into music, where his grit fueled his ascent. After breaking out with Vulture Island in 2022, he survived a Miami shooting in 2023, which only strengthened his drive. That year, he dropped 4GOD II, showcasing his hard-hitting style and hunger for success.
Rob’s momentum continued with a standout appearance on Travis Scott's UTOPIA, solidifying his place in hip-hop. In 2024, he teamed up with his idol Lil Wayne for the track "WASSAM BABY," marking a major milestone in his career. With his gritty sound and relentless hustle, Rob49 is on track for a breakout year, continuing to carve out his lane in the rap game and dominate the charts.
Dash Flash
Dash Flash, a rising star in the Latin and Hip Hop scene, is gearing up to release a major Spanglish single in early 2025, blending Latin and English to create a unique sound. Known for his high-energy freestyles and his ability to merge club-ready beats with sharp lyricism, Dash has been making waves in the music industry. Born in Manhattan and raised in New York, he started his career at 15, gaining recognition in local rap battles. His passion for music led him to pursue it seriously at 20, and after serving in the U.S. Air Force, he now has the freedom to fully chase his dreams.
As a military veteran, Dash Flash stands out for his work ethic and determination, building his career independently and securing a distribution deal with Empire. He’s performed at major festivals like SXSW and A3C, and has collaborated with artists such as Lil Wayne and Rich The Kid. With a powerful blend of Reggaeton and Spanglish Hip Hop, Dash is focused on expanding his reach, aiming for Grammy awards and global recognition. Stay tuned for his upcoming projects, including the highly anticipated single and freestyles dropping soon.
Big Ligiee
Big Ligiee is an up-and-coming artist making waves in both the social media and music worlds, particularly in hip-hop. Hailing from Virginia Beach, he first made a splash with his debut single, “Guapanese,” in 2017. The track, which he both wrote and produced, was featured on his Weight on My Name EP under G-Man Entertainment Music Group. It quickly became a local hit, resonating with his peers and gaining traction on regional radio.
Since then, Big Ligiee's career has soared, opening doors to major opportunities. He became a Fresh Empire ambassador and had the chance to open for some of hip-hop's biggest names, including NBA YoungBoy, Chief Keef, Lil Durk, Gunna, Fredo Bang, and many more. A major career milestone came in June 2019 when he performed at the BET Experience in Los Angeles, further solidifying his presence in the industry. That same year, he was nominated for Virginia’s Best Male Hip-Hop Artist at the Blendzville Awards.
In June 2023, Big Ligiee released the hit single “Ok Yea,” which climbed to #23 on the iTunes charts and garnered over 100,000 views on YouTube. His growing influence earned him a headlining concert on the popular platform Major Stage and a feature on Lyrical Lemonade, further elevating his status in the rap scene.
October 2024 saw the release of Big Ligiee’s highly anticipated album, Welcome 2 Traptober, which has quickly gained traction across social media and blog sites within its first week of promotion. With each release, Big Ligiee continues to prove he’s an artist to watch as he cements his place in the world of hip-hop.
T’Challa King
T’Challa King stands as a true innovator in the ever-evolving world of electronic dance music. From his early start in music at just three years old, playing drums in church, to mastering multiple instruments by age seven, his upbringing in both music and faith laid a unique foundation for his career. A Grammy-nominated prodigy by 17, King quickly made his mark in the EDM scene, collaborating with music legends like Ray Charles, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, and Slash, while also leading the pop electronic EDM band Heroes. His genre-blending sound has continually reshaped the EDM landscape, with his latest EP The Disco making waves, accompanied by a multi-part short film. As T’Challa builds anticipation for his 2025 projects—The Disco II single, Episode 2 of The Disco short film, and his new EP Vice City featuring the Free Nationals—he continues to push boundaries in both music and faith. With plans to preach at church in 2025, he remains a visionary force, seamlessly merging his artistic and spiritual passions while shaping the future of electronic music.
T.Nava
T.Nava, is an innovative musician and producer known for his soulful, funky sound. A key member of Anderson .Paak’s Grammy-nominated band, The Free Nationals, T.Nava’s keyboard skills and backing vocals have been vital to their high-energy performances. The band's debut album, featuring tracks like “Gidget” and “Oslo,” helped them gain widespread attention with appearances on The Tonight Show, Sway in the Morning, and Forbes.
T.Nava's solo career is thriving, with his upcoming single Got It set for release in early 2025, accompanied by his first solo music video. His music blends funk, jazz, rap, and gospel, drawing inspiration from legends like Stevie Wonder and Biggie Smalls. As a producer, writer, engineer, and actor, he’s worked with top artists like Benny the Butcher and Durand Bernarr, and appeared in Grown-ish and Everybody Hates Chris.
With multiple Grammy nominations and RIAA gold certifications, including his work on Beauty & Essex ft. Daniel Caesar and Eternal Light ft. Chronixx, T.Nava was also recognized at the 2023 Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame. Looking ahead, he’s focused on releasing more solo music and preparing for part 2 of The Free Nationals' Malibu tour with Anderson .Paak in 2025.
Ka’Ron
KA'RON, is a Philadelphia-born, multi-talented artist who first made waves as part of the R&B group M.T.B. (Meant To Be). After signing with Twenty Two Recordings, their debut single Do Your Thing premiered on BET Jams and was featured on major radio stations like Boom 103.9 and Power 99. The group later joined L.A. Reid’s label, Hitco, rebranding as Project 2ONE5 and collaborating with notable artists such as Hitmaka, The Dream, Roddy Ricch, and VEDO. Their viral covers of Teyana Taylor's Issues and Cardi B’s Please Me garnered over 7M views, while their single "Sexaholix" racked up over 732K streams on YouTube. Known for performing alongside artists like Trey Songz, Megan Thee Stallion, and Tank, KA'RON is now working on his debut solo album FACES with T2R and ADA/WMG. His single If You Nasty, produced by Kalvin Austin, marks a new chapter in his solo career.
IDK RO
IDK Ro, originally from Long Beach and now based in Las Vegas, continues to make waves in music with his electrifying sound and diverse talents. His recent single Leave Me Alone ft. Quintin Kolt has been a hit, adding to a catalog that includes tracks like Perricoco, L.A.B. Lord, and Focus. Ro's projects, including Hoopty Music, Carnicopia Theory, and Ro Shambo, showcase his versatility. Career highlights include performing at the BET Awards, going viral with Perricoco in 2019, and working as a film writer/producer on For 20 to Life. He's also part of the group Kolturol, collaborating with artists like Benny the Butcher and Vado, hosting two popular podcasts, and working on animated projects. Ro is gearing up for his upcoming project Cosmosis Jones, releasing December 2024, cementing his place as a rising force in music and entertainment.
M.C Mixson
In 2024, M.C. Mixson had an exceptional year, marking significant milestones in both music and media. With a renewed distribution deal through Roc Nation, thanks to Rel Carter, Mixson made waves with the release of powerful singles like Pain produced by Bvtman and Alone produced by Impala Beats. He also joined Stormin Norman on Used To Know, a track that became bittersweet after the passing of Gonz before its release. On stage, Mixson performed Roses at the Celebrity Boxing event in Atlantic City, hosted by Justina Valentine, and further showcased his reach with a feature in 24Hip-Hop. Beyond music, he made a guest appearance at the Make A Wish Foundation's celebrity charity basketball event and dropped the highly anticipated Face The Music produced by Brent Mania. With visuals for his latest projects shot by Frost BBM, and a feature on Crypto Dance by BT007 & Danjo Capital, M.C. Mixson proved himself to be a multifaceted artist. Additionally, he expanded his creative horizons with the release of Sound Wars, a new book co-authored with DJ Moonshott, rounding out a year of notable achievements.