• Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Of The Essence
    • Celebrity News
    • If Not For My Girls
    • The State Of R&B
    • Time Of Essence
  • Fashion
    • 2023 Best In Black Fashion Awards
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • Red Carpet
    • Fashion News
    • Accessories
  • Beauty
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • 2023 Best In Black Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Hair
      • Hair News
      • Natural
      • Relaxed
      • Transitioning
      • Weave
      • 4C
  • Lifestyle
    • Love
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
    • Bridal Bliss
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
  • Entrepreneurship
    • Money & Career
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
    • 2023 Fashion House
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · ESSENCE Black Women in Music

They've Got Next! 7 Black Female Music Artists Who Belong On Your Radar

These artists vary in sound but they are on their way to becoming the next big thing in music.
They’ve Got Next! 7 Black Female Music Artists Who Belong On Your Radar
By Kimberly Wilson · Updated October 23, 2020
The future is female — in politics, sports, business and, of course, music. And as the music industry landscape continues to change and evolve, so has the talent that comes from each genre. Each of these artists vary in sound — from gritty hip-hop to sultry, soulful R&B — and are on their way to becoming the next big thing in music. They range from SoundCloud sensations to artists getting co-signs from Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna. But the one thing they all have in common? The “it” factor. Needless to say, these are the female voices you need to be tuned in to right now.
01
Summer Walker
Summer Walker taught men a very important lesson last year: girls need love. But not in the way you may be thinking. The talented singer-songwriter who is known for speaking openly and honestly about womanhood, love and self-confidence, she draws her inspiration from Amy Winehouse, Jimi Hendrix and even Erykah Badu. We were first introduced to Walker with her debut album, Last Day of Summer, and she’s had us hooked ever since.
They’ve Got Next! 7 Black Female Music Artists Who Belong On Your Radar
02
Saneit
Saneit has got now, and next. The Chicago native and Howard University graduate, has already amassed a buzz on the underground R&B circuit, and this year is her time to shine. Her captivating voice evokes memories of a young Monica in her prime, and her songwriting and swag surely make her a star. Check out her recently released Crush EP.
They’ve Got Next! 7 Black Female Music Artists Who Belong On Your Radar
03
Jorja Smith
If you don’t know who Jorja Smith is by now, you must be living under a rock. We can all thank Drake for her growing star power as we were first introduced to her on his More Life LP. The English R&B singer/songwriter is heartfelt and soulful, but with a touch of jazz. Smith issued her debut single, “Blue Lights,” in 2016 followed by “A Prince” and then the biggest single of them all: “Where Did I Go?” which has been on our playlists all year long.
They’ve Got Next! 7 Black Female Music Artists Who Belong On Your Radar
04
Jayla Darden
21-year-old Jayla Darden is redefining what it means to be a talent young artist. She writes, produces and arranges her own records, so it’s safe to say, she knows a thing or two about her craft. Originally from Detroit, Darden calls Atlanta her ‘second home’ and you can tell from the inspiration incorporated into her music. Darden’s single “Idea 714,” gave us a taste of what her future sounds like, and it’s safe to say — it’s sounding very bright.
They’ve Got Next! 7 Black Female Music Artists Who Belong On Your Radar
05
Amber Mark
Raised across Europe and Asia, Amber Mark draws inspiration from the vibes of Nepal, Germany, Brazil, and even India. She began writing music in 2013 as a way to work through the tragic loss of her mother and her songwriting skills have since kept us captivated. Her album 3:33am that she wrote and produced herself, debuted in 2017 and two years later we’re still wanting more.
They’ve Got Next! 7 Black Female Music Artists Who Belong On Your Radar
06
Melii
Once you get a cosign from Rihanna, you’re kind of a big deal, right? Afro Latina rapper Melii signed to Interscope Records in December 2017, following the massive success of her remix to Cardi’s “Bodak Yellow,” which garnered nearly 2 million views on YouTube. For the Harlem rapstress, you would think her success came easy, but it’s been a slow grind that even earned her a feature on Meek Mill’s latest album.
They’ve Got Next! 7 Black Female Music Artists Who Belong On Your Radar
07
Bri Steves
At just 23, Bri Steves has already seemingly “made it.” While her lyrics and vibe are authentically “Philly,” she even got a public co-sign from West Coast rapper Kendrick Lamar at the 2018 Made in America Festival — so she must be doing something right. We haven’t been this excited for a female rapper from Philly since Tierra Whack and Eve, so that clearly speaks to her emerging talent and her rapid rise to hip hop success.
They’ve Got Next! 7 Black Female Music Artists Who Belong On Your Radar
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now