This series covers the dopest songs and projects that have dropped recently and the amazing artists behind them!

By Ben Leshan

Songs

“Calling My Phone” by Lil TJay feat. 6lack

This has become one of the biggest songs in the U.S., and it is largely based off a buzz built on Tiktok. TJay, a 19-year-old Bronx rapper who has seen a lot of success early in his career, seems to have caught his biggest hit yet. He first broke out on YouTube and SoundCloud in 2018 with his hit song “Brothers”, and has built a lot of momentum since. This record is right in his sweet spot. A sad song over a vocal sample that allows him to show off his haunting New York voice and quotable bars. The song also seems to perfectly fit the voice of his collaborator, Atlanta RnB singer 6lack.

TJay has seen an interesting career trajectory, rising through the ranks and becoming one of the biggest names in New York with the drop of his debut album True 2 Myself. The project included many big songs including the smash hit “F.N”, which was released in August of 2019 and eventually peaked at 56 on the Billboard Hot 100. After True to Myself it seemed things were only going up for TJay, but his earl 2020 release, a drill EP entitled State of Emergency, was somewhat of a hiccup. On the project he forrayed into drill rap, a subgenre that is immensely popular in New York, but doesn’t really suit his voice. Some may have seen this as the beginning of a fall off for the young rapper, but now we see it was a small diversion, just as older Bronx star A Boogie’s International Artist project was quickly forgotten after the release of the highly successful Hoodie Szn. TJay has come with the heat in late 2020 into 2021, and it’s clear that he’s gearing up to have one of the biggest commercial releases in hip hop this year. His first three singles, “Losses”, “Move On”, and “None of Your Love” provide all the energy, heartbreak, and maturity we wanted to hear from TJay. “Calling My Phone” is not necessarily better than these other recent singles, but it has a different level of momentum due to its popularity on Tiktok. For months before its release an unreleased snippet of the chorus made its rounds on the video-sharing app, acting as the background for many-a-sad and moody video. TJay, being a member of Gen-Z himself, has a fanbase that also falls in the primary demographic for Tiktok. This crossover created a ton of hype for the brooding song, and has led to its breakout commercial success.

The song itself features a high pitched vocal sample which sings “I can’t get you out of mind” over minor keys, 808s, and soft hi-hats; production that fits both artists’ voices and the mood of the track. The song is aimed at TJay’s ex, telling her to stop trying to contact him because he is completely done with the relationship. He maintains the attitude that he is successful and doesn’t need anything from her, but the pain in his voice is clear. He is not going to come out and say that he misses her, but the subtle echo of “I can’t get you out of my mind” says a lot about his mental state. 6lack continues with the same themes from TJay’s verse, singing about moving on and finding a new girl to give his love. He sings, “Yeah, I remember days when I used to adore her/ Funny how this sh*t just flipped like a quarter”. This track seems to be a great opportunity for the underrated singer, who has been creating amazing music for years, but has rarely reached elite chart success. His verse definitely shows him to be one of the more talented artists in the game, and hopefully it draws more people to his catalog. “Calling My Phone” is clearly one of the biggest hits in the country because it matches great production with clean, pretty vocals, and a relatable message. Due to the buzz it has already caught, you can expect it to stick around at the top of the charts for a while.

“Leave Some Day” (Remix) by Kevo Muney feat. Lil Durk

Memphis melodic rapper Kevo Muney is quietly rising through the ranks of the hip hop world, and this may be the song to truly put him on the map. Pooh Shiesty has recently broken out from Memphis with smash hit “Back in Blood” (which also features Chicago star Lil Durk). and Muney might be the next rapper to flip a song with a Durk feature into a hit. The song was originally released in February of 2020 and since then has racked up over 9 million streams on Spotify. The Durk remix should be able to build off the hype of the original version and reach new ears due to Lil Durk’s big name in Hip Hop. The original version is also continuing to be quite successful, but we are covering the remix as it was released this year.

Muney is a 20-year-old rapper from South Memphis. He says in his YouTube bio that he started off busking on the streets of his city, and you can hear in his music that he certainly has the unique and powerful voice necessary to draw in a crowd. He is able to belt over melodic trap production, and his vocal tone immediately draws in the listener. His deep voice and vocal inflections are reminscent of Alabama rapper Yung Bleu, but it is more powerful and gospel, similar to rising North Carolina star Morray (who we covered in our 12 Artists to Watch in 2021). Muney seems to get completely lost in the emotion of the music, belting out runs and painful lyrics over guitars, keys, hard-hitting snares, and 808s. He references God on the track, and he certainly seems to create a religious experience through his music. The chorus features beautiful vocals and the line “We all gotta leave some day, and that’s the scariest thing”. The vulnerability is an interesting take on trap music that we have seen from numerous melodic trap rappers in recent years, but Muney does it really well, and he is unique enough to stand out. Durk proves to be a great feature on the song, as the beat perfectly fits his voice. On his verse Durk taps into his vulnerability as well, rapping lines like “I’m traumatized by all these bodies getting dropped now”. He gives a classic verse in his style that provides legitimacy to Muney, in that he has one of the GOATs of his style on a track with him. Muney though, makes a strong bid to outshine Durk, as his voice is more powerful, and vulnerability is more intense and unorthodox. He sounds like a star on the track, and it seems clear this song is going to do big things.

“Overdrive” by Conan Gray

Conan Gray broke out in a huge way last year with his album Kid Krow and smash hits “Maniac” and “Heather”, and now he’s back with more great music. The 22-year-old from Texas seems like a soft-spoken, thoughtful, and emotional person in his day-to-day life, but on the mic he is a commanding presence. He has built a following through emotional and relatable tracks about relationships, but he has the potential to be a true pop star. His voice hits high notes perfectly and has a unique and valuable tone. He finds a way to weave lines that hit you in the heart into songs that are hits purely based on what they are doing sonically. Don’t be surprised to see him solidify himself as one of the biggest acts in popular music this year.

On “Overdrive” Gray sings about falling quickly into an exciting relationship. It has the energy of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” (not that it will go THAT big) in that the 80s synths and high energy drums feel as though the track is speeding through the chaos of the night. The song immediately screams pop radio with its big sounds and anthem feel. The verses feature soft bouncing chords that build into shimmering synths as the chorus drops. The track is designed to build anticipation in the right moments and get you hooked on the infectious chorus. In other words, it is an undeniable hit on first listen, and it seems highly unlikely that it doesn’t see immense commercial success. Fan’s of Gray might see this as one of his less emotionally powerful tracks, but it is definitely a necessary part of his catalog. Just as “Maniac”, an excellent dance/radio track, paved the way for the soft and emotional “Heather” to go viral on TikTok, “Overdrive” has the potential to push him to even higher levels of fame before the release of his next album, which is bound to include more “Heather”-like tracks. Overall this feels like a big moment in further solidifying Gray’s stardom, and one that music fans everywhere should not miss.

“Red Sky” by Trippie Redd feat. Machine Gun Kelly

Trippie Redd is a rap superstar, but he has always been obsessed with rock music. The 21-year-old Ohio artist has had many big rap hits, but he definitely has the potential to create rock hits as well. His iconic screams and use of guitars throughout his catalog lean more to the rock side, but usually he has stuck more to trap rock sounds, using trap drums and 808s with rock-leaning vocals and guitars. There are plenty of examples of his rock-leaning tracks like “How You Feel” from 2018’s Life’s a Trip or his feature on Iann Dior’s hit “Gone Girl”. Now with the release of Neon Shark vs. Pegasus, the deluxe for his 2020 album Pegasus, presented by Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, he has finally created a body of work fully committed to rock sounds and live drums. He actually released the first single for the deluxe last summer, “Dreamer”. The track has seen good commercial success so far, and it sits towards the top of Trippie’s discography in terms of quality. This is not a perfect album, but there are strong elements to every song. It could even be possible that we see the deluxe perform commercially at a level that competes with the album itself. Generally, for Trippie fans, it is exciting to hear him on this kind of production, as he has been teasing a rock project for years without putting it out. This release truly proves that Trippie has a great voice for this space and could do more work outside of Hip Hop if he wants.

On “Red Sky” Trippie sits perfectly in his rock pocket. He uses his screams in moderation to create big moments, and manipulates his unique tone to create contrast. He is loud and aggressive at times, but also leans into his softer and prettier tones in other places to bring out the emotion of the track. The guitars feel like the perfect backdrop, and Travis Barker’s drum talents are used incredibly well. Trippie Redd and MGK have worked together successfully on multiple occassions on songs like “Candy”, “All I Know”, and now “Pillbreaker” from this deluxe. Beyond the two vocalists’ chemistry, MGK and Barker (who plays drums throughout the project) have proven to be magic together on many occasions, especially on Kelly’s number one album Tickets to My Downfall. MGK and Trippie work together perfectly on this song, neither outshining the other, but both coming together to create a cohesive vision. On “Red Sky” they explore the emotions of losing a person you really wanted. The lyrics are dark and sad as many Trippie and MGK songs are, and they build to a longing release on the chorus. Trippie sings “Life’s full of lies and then you damn die” in the first verse, going to a dark place before the chorus hits with heavy electric guitars and Barker’s drums. Trippie’s voice is softer as he delivers the first line of the chorus, but he taps into his pain as he sings “You bring me above”. The chorus is definitely the highlight of the song, and truly shows what Trippie is capable of as a rock artist. MGK’s verse is also dark and cynical, but it fits the mood perfectly. Overall, this is a great rock track that could become a major standout in Trippie Redd’s catalog.

Project Spotlight

Judas and the Black Messiah– Film Soundtrack

Judas and the Black Messiah is a film following FBI informant William O’Neal’s betrayal of Illinois Black Panther chairman Fred Hampton. It was released to theaters on February 12. The film has been lauded by critics, but its soundtrack also warrants critical acclaim. Upon first glance, this soundtrack is loaded with big name artists. Some of the best rappers of all time jump off the page: Nas, Jay-Z, Rakim, and Black Thought. The late great Nipsey Hussle is featured. Modern rap stars like A$AP Rocky, Lil Durk, Polo G, G Herbo, JID, and Pooh Shiesty are also included. And then some big names in RnB like H.E.R., SiR, BJ the Chicago Kid, and Kiana Ledé. This soundtrack is not just star studded though, it’s high quality.

The obvious stand out track on the project is “What it Feels Like” by Nipsey Hussle featuring Jay-Z. The bones of the song are a classic Nipsey song. It has all the bravado and west coast sauce of a Victory Lap track (his 2018 Grammy-nominated album), but the consciousness of the mature community advocate Nipsey was before his death in 2019. The Jay verse was clearly added quite recently, as it references the Capitol Riots, but even though the two didn’t craft the song together in the studio, it still flows cohesively. Hov gives an immaculate verse, as he tends to do, giving us elite wordplay and careful messaging. It is reminiscent of his verse on Meek Mill’s “What’s Free”, which is easily one of the best verses in the last five years. His bars are current and beautifully crafted. He states, “You let them crackers storm your capitol, but they feet up on your desk/ And yet you talkin’ tough to me, I lost all my little respect”. He goes on to address Fred Hampton, the man who inspired the movie, rapping “I arrived on the day Fred Hampton got mur-, hol’ up/ Assassinated just to clarify further”. This is a powerful statement; that law enforcement’s killing of Hampton was not a “justifiable homicide” as it was legally ruled, but a political and tactical move to remove him and his ideas from the world. Even though Jay’s assertion here has come to be widely accepted, it is an important one nonetheless because Fred Hampton is often left out of curriculums, and the FBI’s killing of a young man trying to improve opportunities for Black people on a systemic level is a perfect example of American law enforcement protecting white supremacy instead of protecting their citizens.

The project has many standouts beyond “What it Feels Like”. There is “Fight For You”, where H.E.R. uses her captivating voice to tackle the topic of freedom. There is “EPMD” by all-time great Nas. “Rich N**** Problems”, where A$AP Rocky explores what it’s like to be a rich and successful Black man in America. “Contagious” by rising RnB stars SAFE and Kiana Ledé is less of a standout for its message, but it sounds like a hit. “Last Man Standing” by Polo G is an all-around great record with high replay value and hard-hitting lyrics. Polo faces racism, police brutality, gang violence, and poverty directly with lines like, “Jealous of my melanin, what make you human more than me?” and “Them babies starving; their parents can’t even afford pampers/ no wonder why it’s hustle or die, and clap hammers”. He manages to weave commentary on cultural appropriation, systemic racism, economic injustice, and the reasons for gang violence into these few bars, and the entire track tackles critical issue after issue. Finally, “Revolutionary” by Chicago star G Herbo and legend Bump J is easily the most underrated song on the project. The track is a bit more understated and low tempo than some of the others, but the Hit-Boy production, featuring soft drums and a clean vocal sample, provides the perfect beat for the two MCs to go in. Herbo, who is at his roots a drill rapper, proves that he is still one of the most lyrical rappers in the game with intricate wordplay like, “Locked and loaded up with rounds of protection/ Profound with aggression, you found us on Essex”. The presence of Bump J on the track is a commentary on mass incarceration in itself, as the 41-year-old Chicago rapper lost the prime of his career to a ten year prison sentence for armed-robbery. His verse is also excellent, tying in themes of street codes and the flaws of the legal system.

Overall, Judas and the Black Messiah has put together an excellent soundtrack to match the themes of the film. Full of Chicago artists and some of the other biggest voices in music right now, the soundtrack puts in the work to represent the legacy of Fred Hampton. We only mentioned some of the songs as standouts, but every song truly has stand-alone value. This project is an important listen for anyone, and we encourage non-Hip Hop fans to still listen and do their own research about Fred Hampton. We have linked some resources below:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2019/12/04/police-raid-that-left-two-black-panthers-dead-shook-chicago-changed-nation/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Fred-Hampton

Thank you for reading! Follow us on Instagram @moonlxtemelodies and on twitter @MoonlxteMels for more about your favorite music!

Also Check out our other recent articles:

Music We’re Rocking With in 2021 Part 1

12 Artists to Watch in 2021

This series covers the dopest songs and projects that have dropped recently and the amazing artists behind them!

By Ben Leshan

Songs

“Gravity” by Brent Faiyaz, DJ Dahi feat. Tyler, The Creator

Now this is what we call a fantastic song. To any RnB fan in 2021, Brent Faiyaz is one of the biggest names you can bring up. From his phenomenal vocal performance on GoldLink’s Grammy-nominated song “Crew”, to his highly successful 2020 project “F*ck the World”, to his monster 2020 hit “Dead Man Walking”, Brent has been on quite a run. He has one of the most unique and magical voices in the general, and he uses it with so much precision and skill on every track. “Gravity” is a funky and soulful effort that immediately catches your ear. It has immense replay value and features an excellent verse by cult-favorite and mainstream star Tyler, The Creator. Tyler is less experimental and aggressive than he is on most tracks here, but he finds his pocket and delivers a verse that perfectly rounds out the song. The two feel like a dynamic duo who could easily produce a successful EP together.

“Gravity” takes the appeal of 90s RnB love songs and packages it in a much sleeker and elevated sonic landscape. Essentially Brent has taken the fun of an RnB song you can sing along to, and made it the least corny and most suave thing you could possibly blast in your car. It is a soulful call out to the girl who held Brent down, but who he just can’t be with anymore. Brent’s attitude on the track is rather heartless, as his attitude usually is, but the beauty in his voice, the precision of his wordplay, and the danceability of DJ Dahi’s production make it a fun song. Whether you choose to truly listen to what he is saying, or just vibe, this song is an enjoyable listen. For anyone who likes hip hop but doesn’t always foray into RnB, this is a perfect song to add to your collection. You have the slick wordplay, the Tyler verse, all of the sauce of a Brent track, and it stays away from traditional RnB. That doesn’t mean this isn’t excellent song for a pure RnB fan either. In any case, Brent Faiyaz has become one of the biggest names from the DMV and carved out a great space in the music industry, and “Gravity” is an excellent showcase of his talents.

“Night Like This” by Daydream Masi

Daydream Masi is an artist we very well could have covered in our artists to watch for 2021, and this song makes us wish we did. Masi’s voice is clear and full, floating cleanly over anthemic production. He taps into the emotional depth of love and the angst of youth over the backdrop of a party experience. This track is cinematic, and it oozes potential.

Masi, an artist in his early 20s hailing from Akron, OH, is a genre-bending sensation capable of creating versatile, emotional, and experimental music. He is funky and psychadelic to a certain extent, but he has a voice that could make it big in pop music. He, like many young artist, is clearly not constrained by the rules, and likes to play around with a lot of new and interesting sounds. His first big rise into the mainstream came when his song “Favorite Drug” was feautred on Netflix’s 13 Reasons’s Why in 2019. It is an energetic and summery track that showcases a lot of potential, but he has grown since then. At over 6 million plays, it is his biggest song on spotify, but “Night Like This” has amassed hundreds of thousands of plays since it’s release on January 22nd, and definitely has the chance to become his biggest song.

The track starts out with a strumming guitar and clean and clear vocals from Masi. As it builds, we get a secondary melody in the production, and the percussion comes in. The chorus hits hard with heavy snares after a drum fill. With layered vocals Masi creates an anthemic chant of chorus, one that should translate very well to live performance once that is possible again. He creates an emotional moment that is an ode to embracing imperfections and living in the moment with another person. Masi seems like an artist to jump on now before everyone is talking anout him and “Nights Like This” seems to be the perfect song to use when putting your friends onto his music.

“GNF (OK OK OK)” by Polo G

Polo G is clearly one of the very top young rappers in hip hop. He has two phenomenal projects under his belt in 2019’s Die a Legend and 2020’s The Goat, and his versatility is top tier. On this track, Polo comes with straight up, in your face, Chicago Drill music. For fans of his recent work, this may be a bit of a surprise (as he’s gone viral for more mellow tracks like “Martin & Gina”), but Polo’s roots are in drill. When he was just a teenager fresh off of jail time, he went viral for drill songs like “Neva Cared” before he truly broke into the mainstream with the emotional “Finer Things”. He has found his voice with melodic tracks about his pain and love, but there is still a big market for drill Polo.

“GNF” came with a Cole Bennett video that quickly rose to the top of the Youtube trending charts. The Chicago video director is still one of the most influential hip hop tastemakers of his generation, and Polo has firmly earned Cole and Lyrical Lemonade’s cosign. The video, like anything Cole Bennett makes, is incredibly intricate and full of special effects. It is a great way to be introduced to the song if you have never heard it before.

Polo does not come lightly on this song, dropping bars like “If all of them die, I’m ok with that” and “Walk up and make sure that his brains splat” over hard hitting piano chords and 808s. It is a pure drill song, and that was clearly his intention. After the success of “Go Stupid” last year, an aggressive single with violent lyrics that went viral on tiktok, Polo seems to have used that formula again, releasing a less-emotional and more aggressive song as one of his singles. Polo grew up in the Marshall Field Garden housing projects of Chicago’s Northside, and he has been surrounded by drill music since the rise of Chief Keef and his crew in the early 2010s. It only makes sense for him to embrace his roots, and it gives him a very unique skillset as one of rap’s brightest young stars. He is truly just as good at screaming out heartless and aggressive bars as he is at subtly crooning for a lover or crafting thoughtful metaphors about social justice, and that makes Polo special. At just 22, Polo G has seen immense commercial success, and “GNF (OK OK OK)” seems to be the next hit to be added to a long list of his musical successes.

Project Spotlight

Brent ii by Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker

Cutler and Zucker are already both big names in the pop music world, and they are continuing to ascend. They have been rumored to be dating, but they say they are just really good friends. Either way, the emotional and musical connection they share is evident in the songs they have created together. Both make soft and emotional music about love, loss, and growth. They have sweet voices and are careful with their lyrics. Together, they make beautiful music on Brent ii, a 5 song EP, and a sequel to their highly successful 2019 effort Brent (which features mega hit “You Were Good to Me”). Dropped at beginning of February, Brent ii is already seeing significant commercial success, especially with its lead single, “This is How You Fall in Love”. One of the biggest themes in the project is nostalgia; the emotional nuances of a past completely lost but a present that must be grasped. Their voices float quietly over production that evokes rainy days and fading memories. Zucker and Cutler’s vocals are steady, but their voices break subtly at just the right moments to break your heart as you listen along.

There are three songs that feature both artists, and one solo song for each of them. Of the five, there are certainly no skips, and each brings its unique value to the EP. The first is “This is how you fall in love” a soft and deeply sweet ode to the person you love. The song references slow dancing in the chorus, and it seems to be the perfect track for young lovers to dance to alone to in an empty parking lot or under the dim lights of a small apartment. The slow dancing metaphors tie it all together and the acoustic production featuring guitars, strings, kicks, and cymbals builds to a beautiful moment at the end. The next track, “Parent Song” should hit home for any older teen or young 20 something navigating the changes in a parent-child relationship that come with independence and adulthood. On “Emily” they explore the heart-wrenching pain of falling out of love. The production fills in at the chorus only to dropout for the last line, as Zucker sings “In Paris you asked me if I was afraid that we’d fall out of love. Would that be ok, Emily?”. It is a striking emotional moment, and likely the reason why this track is the significant commercial favorite of the non-singles.

Each of their individual songs is quite powerful as well. On “Brooklyn Boy”, Zucker creates a soft love song that builds to an edgy electronic climax. Cutler’s “The Stars” is our sleeper favorite of the project, a soft and pretty love song about being fated to be together. The lines of the song hit home for any young person looking to be loved (“I like the way I look in your sweatshirt. And being told I am enough”). Cutler’s unique tone, a feature of her music that consistently takes it to a new level, cuts beautifully over the soft muted horns of the chorus. Everything from the lyrics to the production creates a gentle and relatable atmosphere that is bound to draw people in. Overall Brent ii is a very well crafted cohesive project. It is just a snapshot of what these two artists are capable of, but it certainly makes us excited for their coming solo work and any songs they may make together in the future.

Thank you for reading! Follow us on Instagram @moonlxtemelodies for more about your favorite music!

12 up-and-coming artists you need to know for the new year, and the best tracks to introduce you to their catalogs.

By Ben Leshan

Aries

Where to start: Fool’s Gold, Santa Monica

Aries got his start producing and singing on YouTube. His low-key vibe and dry sense of humor are immediately engaging, but it was his musical genius that quickly gained him a following. His debut effort, Welcome Home, is wildly consistent and well-put-together. Aries has smart metaphors and creative melodies that beg another listen in every record. As a producer, he has a great command over the buildup of each track, allowing each one to exist independently as a hit. He is not bound by genre, only emotion and energy. He creates everything from anthems, to ballads and does so masterfully. There are elements of rock, hip hop, indie, electronica, and emo music in his songs, but he never settles to stay in one place. Aries does not just rely on vocal talent, instead creating an exciting sound and can’t-miss vibe through production, tone, and emotion. Each song is its own masterpiece. He has released two singles in recent months, one of which being the high-energy, rock-leaning “Fool’s Gold”. His recent releases suggest more music is to come, and it is clear that he is gearing up for huge things in 2021.

Jean Dawson

Where to start: Triple Double, Bruiseboy

Jean Dawson has an incredibly unique and ear catching sound that is ready to take the world by storm. The alt-pop rockstar has quite a unique background (his vibe matches with the adolescence he spent in So Cal, but he spent his earlier years in Tijuana), and a lot to bring to the music world. Dawson has the aesthetic of a Soundcloud rapper, with grills and colorful dreads, but his music is so far from the style often associated with his look. His songs blend punk, electronic music, hip hop, and experimental sounds. He is yet to have a mainstream hit, but his body of work shows huge potential. His 2020 album Pixel Bath is a very strong record that moves all over the musical map. Throughout the record Dawson is socially conscious, energetic, and cuts straight to the point. He makes music to riot to, music to dance to, and music to live and die to, and he does it all unapologetically. He explores the complexity of identity, the angst of youth, the wonderment of freedom, and the frustration of confusion we all feel, and captures it all so well in purely emotional music. He is often dark and moody in his lyrics, yet his voice and production are full of life. He is the genre-less melodic artist that has can’t-miss appeal for Gen Z and 2020s culture. Jean Dawson might just be music’s next star before you know it.

Rina Sawayama

Where to Start: Lucid, XS

Rina Sawayama has a soaring breathy voice and a knack for creating pop hits. Her background inspires intrigue, as she earned a Political Science degree from Cambridge before pursuing her music career. Her clever, energetic, and rebellious spirit is evident in her music, and it makes every track an exciting listen. Sawayama embraces a wide spectrum of sounds and vibes on her eponymous 2020 effort Sawayama. She never stays in one box, making electro pop full of the energy of youth and angry nu-metal records on the same album.You can hear pop stars like Ariana Grande and Charli XCX in her sound, the latter of whom Sawayama shared a tour with. The London artist may be willing to experiment with everything, but she remains consistent with her depth and artistry throughout her catalog. She is not the pop singer who makes records to sell them (even though her music certainly does sell well), but rather one who you can truly believe is in it for the integrity of the art. 

Contradash

Where to start: White Lie, Blocked

Contradash is writing the alt-pop hits of tomorrow. The 22 year old from Southern California has caught many ears as he looks to be a genre-bending sensation. He explores love and relationships gracefully on bouncy yet minimal pop production. Bringing in elements of hip hop and rock, Dash blends the chill vibes of the West Coast and the energy of youth. The tone of his voice is unmistakable, and when he hops on a track you are bound to start singing along. His debut project All Star shows remarkable consistency and song-writing ability for a debut. His songs are short, and the production is catchy yet far from grand, but his voice and style have undeniable hit potential. His breakout track, “Blocked”, is a great example of this: a modern breakup song that is bouncy enough to dance to, relatable enough to really listen to, and sonically pleasing enough to get stuck in your head. Contradash is only going up from here, as he only signed to Interscope after independently releasing two singles in 2020, and he is poised for big things in 2021.

KennyHoopla

Where to start: How Will I Rest In Peace If I’m Buried By a Highway?//, Estella//

KennyHoopla makes dark rock music that you have no choice but to listen to. The Cleveland-born artist started in his late teens on Soundcloud, but he is finally making waves in the mainstream. His sound is emotional, raw and transformative. The pain in his voice always hits home. Hoopla is never afraid to let his voice break so his listener can truly hear the emotion behind his lyrics. He is almost excited to take his listener to an uncomfortable place, but he allows them to learn and grow, lean into their emotions, and ultimately finish the song feeling better than before they started. KennyHoopla is a rockstar for the next generation. His debut EP How Will I Rest In Peace If I’m Buried By a Highway?// is often dark and brooding, but allows you to jump around to the anger and pain of life on the single that shares its name. Meanwhile, his new single with Travis Barker, Estella//, is more of an upbeat and traditional take on the same style. These efforts prove him to be an exciting new voice, showing major versatility and talent. He can make dark and moody rock songs great for a late night drive, but he can also make upbeat anthems that you want to dance to with abandon. KennyHoopla is certainly an artist to watch going into 2021.

Arlo Parks

Where to Start: Caroline, Eugene

Arlo Parks pieces together poetic stories over lo-fi production, all using her wonderfully recognizable floating tone. Growing up in London, Parks felt like an outsider as an awkward, queer, Black woman. You can hear her quiet bravery in the music and her voice, which is soft and breathy, but refuses to fade into the background. Many of her songs feel like a pleasant rainy day with an ominous side, her vocals being the only thing that can cut through the muddled darkness. You can hear the influence of Earl Sweatshirt in her tracks, as her raw and open lyrics drift over experimental lo-fi production. She weaves stories of relationship and identity that are bound to hit home for many-a-listener. Parks is a singer-songwriter with a story to tell, and her haunting melodies and relatable stories should bring her even more success in 2021.

Morray

Where to Start: Quicksand, Dreamland

Morray’s vocals are the type that immediately catch your ear. Growing up in J Cole’s hometown of Fayetteville, NC, Morray sang his Church choir, and that kind of vocal experience is obvious on his records. He has the kind of power and vocal ability you rarely hear on a Hip Hop track. It is truly impressive, as evidenced by the cosign he received from Cole himself. Morray tells stories of pain and trauma over trap beats, singing them with raw emotion and using ear worm flows. He has much of the appeal of rap newcomers who have come to dominate the genre. You can hear Roddy Ricch or Rod Wave in his music; melodic rappers whose songs often take on trauma through jarring lyrics and beautiful melodies. Morray though, brings his own unique sound and energy to this style of music. His song “Quicksand” is fast becoming the hit that is capapulting his name into the mainstream. He may only have four songs out on Spotify at the moment, but that only leaves him room for growth. It seems that he has the room to carve out a nice space in hip hop in 2021.

X Lovers

Where to Start: Too Fast, Haunt You

X Lovers are bringing indie pop into the 2020s. London (Guitar and vocals) and Jacob (Production) have been making music together for a long time. The LA-based duo have been friends since elementary school, and they work effortlessly together to create a cohesive vision. Their sound can be bouncy and energetic, but also romantic and sentimental. Their 2020 EP Mad World is a great introduction to the group, and the breakout song from the record, “Haunt You”, is a beautiful reflection on love and loss. X Lovers’ songs explore love in a radio-friendly way, but are packaged with a certain artistic integrity that makes them palatable to those who may shun pop radio. You can feel the wide range of influences that pushed two kids from California to make music. This is pop music for the next generation; music that borrows ideas from everything from hip hop to rock and combines them into hit songs. X Lovers are developing a strong catalog, and their recent work exhibits all sorts of talent that should put them in a great position to make big moves in 2021.

Zoe Wees

Where to Start: Control

Zoe Wees only has one song and a feature out on Spotify, but anyone can see from a mile away that she has what it takes to be a star in the music industry. At only 18 years old, the German singer already a massive hit on her hands. Her debut single, “Control”, a pop ballad about her struggles growing up with epilepsy and anxiety, charted all over the world, and has earned over 100 million Spotify plays. On the song Wees is open and vulnerable as she thanks her primary school teacher for helping her through the struggles, belting out her feelings for the world to hear. Her powerful and emotional voice is the sort that would win a vocal contest, but her artistry clearly stretches beyond her impressive vocals. At such a young age, and with such a gripping and beautiful voice, it’s clear that Wees has so much further to go. She makes the kind of music you just can’t skip by, and Wees is the kind of artist you can expect a lot from in the future.

Blxst

Where to Start: Chosen, Overrated

Blxst has a smooth and controlled RnB voice, and a vision to mesh the classic sounds of his hometown with a new brand of soul. The South Central LA native started his career as a producer, and he still produces, mixes, masters, and even works on his videos. He has an impressive list of production credits from LA stars, working with artists from YG to Mustard to the great Kendrick Lamar, but with his recent project No Love Lost he truly stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight. Blxst doesn’t rely on power or the raw emotion of his voice, but rather a unique tone and command of flow. His voice lends itself to club tracks like “Chosen”, a collaboration with party music main-stays Ty Dolla $ign and Tyga, and his west coast sound gives all of his music an exciting vibe. He is not just a club artist though, as his catalog proves him to be an artist capable of tackling the depths of relationships through vulnerability. Blxst is looking like one of the most exciting new voices in the world of Hip Hop and RnB.

Clinton Kane 

Where to start: I Don’t Want to Watch the World End With Someone Else, Hopeless

Clinton Kane is an emotional ballad singer; a young pop voice who gets lost in pain and emotion on beautiful and touching records. The young artist grew up between the UK and Australia and learned many instruments as he grew up. Now, Kane has a mature artistic vision and an amazing ear for hit melodies. He has already collaborated with Martin Garrix, and his songs show off impressive vocals, strorytelling, and songwriting. He is clearly exceptionally talented, and quite skilled at turning pain into unforgettable art. Kane puts his personal pain, stories of breakups and arguments, into hismusic, and his vulnerability makes each song easy to connect with. Much like Lewis Capaldi, Kane uses his big voice to create grand expressions of loss and love over pop-ballad production. His music is the perfect match for young people working through the joy, the loneliness, and the heartbreak of love, and his voice has undying hit potential.

J.I The Prince of NY

Where to start: Need Me, Love Scars

Amidst the rise of NY drill music in the mainstream, J.I is coming out of the city with the melodic sensibilities of A Boogie wit Da Hoodie or Lil TJay. The 19-year-old Brooklyn Rapper already has many big tracks, and he has even earned a collaboration with A Boogie himself. He got his start as a young boom bap rapper on the reality show The Rap Game, but in the last year or two the rapper has found his voice and ran with it. He has a clean and unique melodic tone that flows effortlessly over minor chords and 808s. J.I can have fun, as he does on his breakout track “Need Me”, but he can also tap into his pain. On other records he explores heartbreak, struggles with vices and betrayals in the streets. He also brings another dimension to his sound as a Puerto Rican rapper, as he has experimented with Spanish language tracks. As New York Hip Hop evolves, J.I is one of the most promising leaders of the melodic sound coming from the City. He has shown himself to be much more than one of many A Boogie disciples, and he has a great opportunity to further prove himself in 2020.

Thank you for reading! Make sure to check out our instagram content @moonlxtemelodies, and please give these artists a listen before they’re the next big thing!