2024 is officially over. We’ve seen Brat summer somehow swallow three quarters of the year. We’ve been ambushed by not one, but two surprise drops from undisputed rap heavyweight Kendrick Lamar. We’ve even seen pop star Katy Perry go from “Firework” to fired. But what does 2025 have in store for us?

Below, we highlight ten artists poised to hit the spotlight in 2025. From anonymous dance production trio H.LLS, to the heavenly pipes of budding singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro, and the endlessly indescribable Rian Brazil, each brings us up to speed on their unique journeys up until now, and where it’s headed this year. 

H.LLS

There’s a lot of question marks around anonymous production trio H.LLS. What does the name mean? What’s with all the red squares? What is certain, however, is their great taste in music. With choice features from Tay Iwar, ultravividpink and Col3trane, and their production a resoundingly London mix of electronic and alt-RnB, their debut project TAPE 1 was a surprise highlight of 2024. Plus, with a title like that, you can bet there’s more where it came from in 2025.

How it started: “H.LLS originated from the understanding that we make our best music together and can do so without ego or self doubt. This allowed us to be free in our creation, no rules, no boundaries. Anonymity was a natural extension, remove the charade, allow the music to breathe. We’ve all felt that a shift is coming, we had to embrace it ourselves for H.LLS to be the start.”

How it’s going: “We never thought further than creating. Something that started as a collaborative experiment, in the pursuit of quality, is evolving into an entity that people are growing to appreciate. It’s beautiful to see our ideas resonating.”

Where it’s headed: “Wherever it takes us. H.LLS is a venture that demands innovation. More projects, more collaborations, more experiments, live shows, everything. A change is far overdue, H.LLS is here to facilitate that.”

SIENNA SPIRO

19-year-old London-based singer-songwriter Sienna Spiro’s “Back to Blonde” is a massive soulful pop record, weaving an extended metaphor of bleaching memories and hair alike in the wake of a breakup. It’s only her fourth release ever, but it’s got all the hallmarks of someone with years of skin in the game. Her voice is huge – like huge enough to rival all the pop greats – and I look forward to crying to more of her music in the shower this year.

How it started: “Music was never something I remember starting, it’s just something I’ve just always done. When I was younger my dad used to play all old soul and jazz records which is always the core of my inspiration when I write.”

How it’s going: “It’s going good! So weird and crazy to be part of the process to then see what comes out of it. Also the different ways people respond and relate to the music, is something really special!”

⁠Where it’s headed: “Alotttt of new music, new sounds and more live!”

RIAN BRAZIL

“That’s the last time I’ll ever leave an argument to meditate on London Bridge” raps Brighton-born, London-based artist Rian Brazil on the emotionally conflicted single “Hey!” as glitched-out electronic production jitters in and out of mania. I wrote about Rian’s first alias, Sly Fieri, back in 2019, and again when he was part of legendary rap trio Nokia Mansion in 2021, but his sound manages to get more elusive with each iteration. It’s lo-fi, it’s highly technical, and he’s one of the most exciting names in music right now.

How it started: “At age 11 my journey in music started inside a falling-apart-garage next to my house, a place I used to sneak down into in the night to switch on the mixer and practise my lyrics when everyone was asleep or before school. Back then I would hide all of my lyrics in old multi CD drum and bass DVDs so they wouldn’t be found. I guess I just hide them in my phone nowadays lol.

“While I hide what I’m writing & producing from the world now, I think about what inspired me to create in the first place. At home it was violence, drugs and music in a mixture with love, desire for change and to be heard.

“I can’t pinpoint one particular influence without doing another disjustice, but I’m a very reactionary musician, I almost love music so much I just don’t want to listen to it. I want to be it. I’m inspired by the way people are and what they do versus how they sound.”

How it’s going: “Talking of multiple personalities among others, I should probably mention that I’m working on my greatest ever example of me. A pure form of Rian Brazil composition. Produced and written solely by myself for no one at all. The next few singles are a homage to where I came from, and my next project is an ode to where I belong.”

Where it’s headed: “I never look too far ahead in this life, it’s all about now, the current and how I feel in this exact moment. My only goal is to react to some beautiful sounds in 2025 and hopefully get to strip everything back and do some great live shows for everyone.”

OLYMPIA VITALIS

London soul singer Olympia Vitalis’ storytelling ability is in a world of its own. Deftly dancing between the piercing peaks of the likes of Hiatus Kaiyote’s Nai Palm and the deepest depths of Nina Simone, with the acerbic wit to rival both, listening to Vitalis’ music is a 3D experience. Her latest single, “The Rush”, is a powerful chronology of the intergenerational marginalisation of Britain’s Windrush Generation, and it speaks to an artistry which is set to hit full swing this year.

How it started: “I started singing when I was 11 in a gospel choir and have always been writing diaries, stories and poems. So, over the first lockdown back in 2020, I started putting the two together!”

How it’s going: “Looking back, 2024 was a crazy year. I often find it hard to see the positives and how far I’ve come, but I did nearly 30 shows, a couple of support tours, am finishing up my debut project, did a COLORS show, got nominated for an AIM award, and a lot more, so I feel excited to continue the momentum into the next year.”

Where it’s headed: “I’m releasing my debut project early next year, which I’m super eager to get out and I’d also love to do a decent-sized support tour; I just want to keep building on what I’ve done this year. But my main goal is to keep improving the writing and making music I love, and hopefully, others do too.”

LEOSTAYTRILL

With just a handful of viral singles, 18-year-old south London rapper LeoStayTrill went from virtually unknown to practically too big for this list in 2024 alone. There’s no question that a large part of this success is due to his impeccable syncopated flow, injecting an addictive sense of rhythm into remixes of Jack Harlow’s “What’s Poppin’” and Clean Bandit’s “Rather Be (feat. Jess Glynne)”. Clearly raised on the UK drill sonics that have now taken over the charts, LeoStayTrill is a prime example of what London’s new generation of rappers can achieve.

How it started: “I naturally had a passion for music from a young age, always drawn to creative expression. Growing up, I found inspiration in artists like Jaden Smith, who showed that young Black kids could excel in rap and make an impact. That realisation fueled my decision to start making music.”

How it’s going: “Things are going great – I’ve made significant progress in my career. I sold out my first headline show and released “Pink Lemonade (Str8 Reload)”, which became the TikTok song of the summer, further boosting my recognition.”

Where it’s headed: “I’m planning to show my full potential by delivering a comprehensive body of work. Listeners can expect fresh, authentic music that reflects my growth and solidifies my place in the industry in 2025.”

FCUKERS

I felt personally insulted when I found out that Fcukers weren’t from the UK. On their debut EP Baggy$, the New York trio (which consists of vocalist Shanon Wise, producer Jackson Walker Lewis and drummer Ben Schnarf) collide British mainstays like bassline and jungle with laid-back guitar riffs and off-kilter indie vocals to create something totally fresh. It’s sort of like what would happen if The Streets met Warpaint, and I’m thoroughly bitter that we can’t claim it.

How it started [Jackson Walker Lewis]: “I was DJing a lot in the city and met Shan[ny Wise] through a dear mutual friend. We wanted to start making music just for fun, just for us and our friends. I was crate digging all of this 90s dance stuff from the bargain bins at the time because it was cheap stuff for the club. Definitely was inspiring to say the very least.”

How it’s going [Jackson Walker Lewis]: “We are in a van on our way to play Manchester Academy with confidence, man.”

[Shanny Wise]: “We in da UK bruv innit.”

Where it’s headed [Jackson Walker Lewis]: “Bigger beats.”

[Shanny Wise]: “Hard rock cafe tour 2025.”

MOSES IDEKA

With production that takes cues from UK electronic and dubstep deep-cuts, and vocals that would feel at home on any RnB classic, Moses Ideka’s music is as deeply emotive and yearning as they come. He’s a prime example of a new wave of artists exploring the frontiers of UK sonics against the backdrop of a cost of living crisis and the pandemic. Think Gen Z Sampha and you’re halfway there.

How it started: “I heard ‘Soulman’ by Lamar when I was like two or three years old and ever since creating music has been as essential as drinking water to me.”

How it’s going: “Currently working on my first EP and travelling around Asia feeling like Nathan Drake if he was from south London and was obsessed with FL Studio.”

Where it’s headed: “Starting to do live performances and collaborating with more people. Aside from that though I would love to learn how to cook a pretzel.”

CHY CARTIER

Chy Cartier spun all the men in the room at the Victory Lap cypher earlier this year, and that’s just the start of her impressive accolades. With an elusive co-sign from drill icon Headie One, and supporting UK rap heavyweight Nines at his final live performance earlier this year, the North Londoner is set for a big year in 2025.

How it started: “I started writing my own music at the age of seven, after learning how to count bars and reciting Nicki Minaj lyrics. That mix of rhythm and wordplay really got me hooked on creating my own music from a young age.”

How it’s going: “It’s been going great! I just performed at Nines’ headline show at the O2, and that’s definitely been one of the highlights of my career so far – such a crazy experience. I’ve also been hard at work on my debut project this year, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”

Where it’s headed: “My debut EP is coming in 2025, and sonically, it’s going to be unlike anything you’ve heard before. With a mix of different vibes and insane beats from a range of talented producers, this project is truly one of a kind. Along with the EP, I’m also gearing up for my first-ever headline show and taking my fashion game to the next level, with plans to walk at Paris Fashion Week and explore modelling opportunities. There’s a lot more in the works, so stay tuned!”

KHAKIKID

From grunge-rap banger “Who’s That Girl”, which had me asking ‘who’s that boy?’ in 2023, to the soulful “Shlumped Up”, and even to the surprisingly country recent release “Boy Racer”, there’s an undeniable and infectious funkiness that carries across all of KhakiKid’s releases. He’s also notable for standing among a wider generation of new exciting Dublin artists, including chameleon, Bricknasty, F3miii, CARSTEN2X and more.

How it started: “Chief Keef and Natasha Bedingfield best describe my inspirations growing up, I remember hearing unwritten in some garnier ad and it’s been stuck in my head then.

“My earliest memory of music is being a choir boy at my local church, I don’t exactly know why I was there because my family weren’t Christian/Catholic.  My decision to start making music was heavily inspired by Mac Miller, he showed me that rap could be a lot more than what I thought it had to be.”

How it’s going: “Things are going great now, I’m just trying to stockpile as much music I can before starting the new year. I have a new single called ‘Boy Racer’ out and it’s one of my favourite tracks I’ve ever made. It came about accidentally and I guess it sounds kind of country. I was weary about putting it out until country star Jake Owen told me it was hard.”

Where it’s headed: “Right now I'm incredibly excited about the new year, my goal is to release the most amount of music I ever have in a year and it’s looking very tangible right now.”

CALDO

Effortlessly gliding over UK alt rap production with lyrics in both English and Italian, it’s clear that Londoner Caldo is a great rapper. But what really sets him apart is the cohesive vision tying it all together. Weaving engaging stories to match his colourful and bouncy production, there’s something about Caldo that just screams ‘it factor’.

How it started: “I grew up listening to a lot of rap, one of my main inspirations being Dave but I think what really got me working on my craft was the freestyle sessions me and the mandem used to have at school. We used to go to the music practice rooms before, during and after school and write on beats until we got kicked out for causing too much commotion.”

How it’s going: “2024 has been a really good year for me as I feel I’ve definitely created a wave I will continue to nurture (that being the mixture of UK and Italian rap). It was during this year that I finally saw my first moments of real traction after releasing my most streamed song to this day ‘ACT!VE’.”

Where it’s headed: “I will continue to work on my craft throughout 2025 while looking to drop my first solo EP pretty early on into the year. Listeners can expect a whole lot more of bilingual rap in both high-energy and mellow forms, but I can’t predict the mood I’m gonna be in next year so the vibe will be as much a surprise to me as to my listeners, I just write what I feel.”

To listen to more from our choice picks for 2025, check out the playlist above.