Up and Coming Artists from California to Keep on Your Radar

If there’s one thing keeping us going, it’s the fact that there will always be new music worth discovering no matter how uncertain the world gets. The Golden State has bred talent across different fields ever since, well, forever. From film and fashion to architecture and music, up and coming artists are always on the menu in California. 

Often genreless—or spanning multiple genres in true Gen Z fashion—these talented up and coming music artists from California will take your summer beach day playlist to the next level.

These are the Up and Coming Music Artists To Look Out For

Still Woozy

We’ve had Still Woozy’s debut EP on repeat for too long now, so we’re definitely looking forward to his first album release. Real name Sven Gamsky, the Oakland-native up and coming music artist is so distinctly himself that we’re having a hard time attaching a label. A mix of indie and electro-pop with a heavy lo-fi undertone in most of his singles, Woozy is one of those artists that you’re going to want to introduce to your friends right away because you know he’s gonna blow up pretty soon. Who doesn’t like an “I told you so” moment every now and then?

Where to start: Goodie Bag, Window, Kenny

Remi Wolf

Los Angeles-based Remi Wolf describes her music as “funky soul-pop,” but she prefers not to label it at all. “They literally don’t make sense anymore,” Wolf told i-D Magazine in an interview last year, “Everything is soup.” Lyrically inspired by mental health struggles, failed relationships, and more relatable and ever-relevant topics, Wolf is definitely an up and coming artist worth listening to and supporting. She continues to release funky tunes and even funkier music videos, and with an exciting collaboration with Dominic Fike under her belt, we can’t wait to see what other projects she puts out next

Where to start: Photo ID, Hello Hello Hello, Disco Man

Emotional Oranges

Hailing from the City of Angels, Emotional Oranges is an R&B collective taking the up and coming music scene by storm—anonymously. That’s right, while we rave about their music, we literally can’t pick “V” and “A” from a crowd because they have managed to successfully keep their true identities hidden from the public eye. It’s easy to groove to Emotional Oranges, and with such a fast-paced start to their career, we just know these up and coming artists will be doing great things not too far down the road.

Where to start: West Coast Love, Back and Forth, Just Like You

Fana Hues

Fana Hues’ debut collection Hues released near the end of 2020 tells us that she’s an up and coming black artist who’s going to be one of this generation’s most promising faces in R&B. The vocals, lyricism, and forthright reflection of bad relationships on Hues is unlike any other. Her feature on Tyler, the Creator’s recently released “Sweet” easily highlights the Pasadena-native artist’s talent and versatility even more. Now that’s a Californian who’s going to be super famous in no time. 

Where to start: Icarus, Desert Flower, Notice Me

JAWNY

Formerly known as Johnny Utah, the progressive indie-pop artist broke out into the scene with his single “Honeypie,” which has over 24 million views on Youtube as this is being written. JAWNY proved he’s here to stay by dropping his banger-filled mixtape For Abby. While he hasn’t had a chance to perform it live on tour yet, JAWNY has released music videos for several of his singles, taking us on a visual journey that further introduces us to his eccentric style and personality. The artist has clearly established his status as one of the top musicians on the pop scene today. So, the next time you’re compiling a fun road trip playlist, you know which artist to add. 

Where to start: Honeypie, Super Bad Mantra, Trigger of Love

Peach Tree Rascals

Speaking of feel-good summer anthems, we have Peach Tree Rascals, who have continued to release hit after hit ever since their single “Mariposa” went viral on TikTok. The promising Bay Area collective combines musicians of Palestinian, Filipino, and Mexican roots, giving us cheerful genre-blending tunes with eclectic elements of alt-jazz, funk, hip hop, and R&B. Check out Camp Nowhere, the debut EP of this up and coming group and you’ll be calling yourself a fan almost immediately after.

Where to start: Mariposa, Ooz, I’m Sorry

BETWEEN FRIENDS

Los Angeles-based sibling duo Savannah and Brandon Hudson, aka BETWEEN FRIENDS have come a long way since performing on America’s Got Talent stage almost a decade ago. They’ve transitioned to making catchy hi-fi electro-pop anthems that you can’t help but groove to. With not one, not two, but three mixtapes already out this year, BETWEEN FRIENDS proves to be a promising up and coming artist group to follow and watch grow.

Where to start: Affection, gushers, iloveyou

AG Club

It’s easy to compare AG Club to other hip-hop collectives like Odd Future and Brockhampton, but the East Bay group has proven that they can’t be pigeonholed with every single they have released so far. Their early hit “Memphis” garnered so much attention that a remix was released less than a year later with NLE Choppa and A$AP Ferg. Every other project they’ve started has made us more excited about the next. Follow AG Club while they’re right at the cusp of mainstream success because we have a hunch that the up and coming artist label won’t apply to them for much longer.

Where to start: Memphis, Columbia, Truth

Blxst

Matthew Burdette, aka Blxst, is another hip-hop artist bound to make a major impact in 2021. Rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer, Blxst puts all his talents to good use as he makes highly addictive hip hop and R&B tunes. Each of the conceptually powerful songs on his album No Love Lost has its own unique bounces while features from Tyga and Ty Dolla $ign on the deluxe version show that he could easily match the vets’ stride. If you need new tunes to work out to, Blxst will keep you company. 

Where to start: Hurt, Overrated, Be Alone

Jenevieve 

Singer and songwriter Jenevieve provides the necessary dose of nostalgic R&B and soul music you need on your camping playlist. While she only has four singles out so far, it’s easy to see Jenevieve making waves as one of the top female artists on the horizon. Smooth and timeless, songs like “Baby Powder” and “Medallion” perfectly encapsulate Jenevieve’s sultry brand and have us looking forward to her debut album set to release in July of this year.

Where to start: Baby Powder, Medallion, Midnight Charm