R&B Artists to Watch In 2025
Last year, we highlighted twenty R&B artists poised to make moves as they grow. Now, we are back for twenty more for 2025.
As we made it to 2025, Shatter the Standards voted to spotlight rising R&B artists destined to have their careers taken to new heights. Some you may have heard, some that are new to you. Please give each one of them a listen, then comment below on how you feel about them.
Anaïs Cardot
Despite being born with arthrogryposis, a condition affecting mobility, Anaïs Cardot defied early medical expectations, channeling her experiences into her artistry. Raised in a musically rich environment, her father, Bouddha Cardot, a musician and boxer, played a pivotal role in nurturing her artistic talents. She began composing music at 14 and later pursued studies at the University of Ottawa, where she further honed her craft. Anaïs released her debut EP and its deluxe, Pink Magnolia, featuring “Colors” and “Soldier,” the latter co-produced by Nigerian producer P.priime. The EP received international acclaim, with airplay in Los Angeles, Paris, and Libreville. Her collaborations extend to artists like Asake, who contributed vocals to “My Heart” and co-written “Mood.” In November 2024, she was featured on Wizkid’s album Morayo, lending her vocals to the track “Slow,” which debuted at number 16 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top 100 chart.
Arianna Reid
Arianna Reid began her musical path in church, where she sang solos and participated in the choir from a young age. She received classical training in voice, piano, and theory at the Royal Conservatory of Music and taught herself guitar during her adolescence. While studying music therapy in college, Reid began producing and recording her own music, developing a unique sound that blends her alluring voice with introspective writing. Reid’s self-produced debut single, “Love Heals All,” released in 2023, explores themes of agape love and the connection between oneself and a higher power. She has collaborated with artists like Daniel Caesar, providing additional vocals on his song “Too Deep to Turn Back” from the album Case Study 01. Her work has been featured in publications such as Complex and Revolt, and her production has been synced in Season 2 of Issa Rae’s show Rap Sh!t on HBO Max and in the NBA 2K22 Warner season soundtrack. Reid continues to establish herself in the R&B scene with releases like “Soulmate” and “Twin Flame,” which showcase her ability to tackle the beauty and mysteries of human connection. Her music aims to create an atmosphere that encourages introspection, touching the depths of each new fan.
Avangelia
Within Brooklyn’s borough on March 8, 2002, Avangelia’s origin set forth an artist now 22, mixing R&B and neo-soul with airy vocals and self-examining narratives. By merging R&B, jazz, folk, rock, and blues, her sound finds a way to contact others’ senses. She seeks strong emotional undercurrents under the sway of Aretha Franklin, D’Angelo, and Prince. Come October 2024, Angel In the Wild surfaced, holding “Boogeyman," "Dragonfly," and "Wildflower," showing her knack for combining psychedelic guitar shading and intricate jazz chords into absorptive sets.
BINA.
BINA. has provoked interest since her debut in 2019 with the single “Humble Abode.” Her music seamlessly blends R&B, neo-soul, and indie influences, showcasing her versatile vocal abilities. Beyond singing, BINA. is also a producer and DJ, adding depth to her artistic repertoire. Tracks like “Boundaries” and “Dark Cloud” have garnered significant attention, with “Blackjack” introducing a darker, more introspective sound. In 2023, BINA. achieved a sold-out headline show and toured with Yazmin Lacey. The following year, she released an EP, Chaos Is Her Name, further solidifying her presence in the music scene. Her work is characterized by poetic lyrics and a unique approach to songwriting, often employing abstraction and parable.
Ethel
Based in Paris and drawing on influences from Frank Ocean, Elliott Smith, and Solange, Ethel moves between different musical directions to develop a personal approach. Raised in a household where ardor for music ran deep, she started playing drums at seven. While studying in England, she tested ideas on GarageBand and uploaded short covers on Instagram, eventually linking with the French producer Banshee The Great. Associated with “Andromeda” and having presented The Burden of Fever Dreams EP, Ethel hints at a future full-length release that could provide a more complete picture of her evolving sound.
Hailey Knox
Hailey Knox started posting soulful covers on YouTube and YouNow. Her talent quickly garnered attention, leading to opportunities such as opening for Charlie Puth on tour. In 2016, she released her debut EP, A Little Awkward, showcasing her unique blend of pop, rock, and R&B influences. Knox has continued to evolve her sound in recent years, incorporating experimental elements into her music. Her latest single, “Stranger,” released in February 2024, illustrates this progression with its hypnotic and stripped-back production. Additionally, she has gained recognition for her live performances, including a notable appearance on COLORS, where she performed her song “Double Tragedy” and released her For the Best EP, which we adored. Hailey Knox continues to cement herself in the contemporary R&B scene with a growing discography and a dedicated fan base.
Isaiah Falls
Isaiah Falls is rapidly emerging as a new figure in the R&B scene. His breakout single, “Florida Baby,” showcases his vocal versatility and has been praised for its catchy yet straightforward track. Falls released his debut project, Drugs n’ Lullabies, a 12-track album that shifts seamlessly between relaxed states and soulful bravado, highlighting his crooning tone. The project has been described as exceptional regarding R&B music, bringing something new and everlasting to the genre. With a growing fan base and unwavering dedication to his craft, Isaiah Falls is poised to significantly impact the music industry, making him an artist to watch in 2025.
Jordyn Simone
Jordyn Simone has been immersed in music from an early age and has been influenced by her musically inclined parents—her mother, a pianist, and her father, a vocalist and saxophonist. She began singing in her church’s youth gospel choir at the age of five and, by seven, was enrolled in the Amazing Grace Conservatory, a performing arts program specializing in acting, voice, and dance. Her dedication led her to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where she excelled in the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, earning top artist awards at the Next Generation Jazz Festival for three consecutive years. Simone’s talent gained national attention by participating in major singing competitions with American Idol and The Voice. Following these experiences, Simone focused on her solo career, releasing singles such as “Intuition” (2019), “Drown” (2021), and a slew of last year’s singles, including our column’s favorite, “I Do,” with Joseph Solomon.
Joseph Solomon
Speaking of Joseph Solomon, he has garnered viral attention for his soulful music and engaging online presence. He initially gained popularity through his YouTube channel, where he shares a mix of original songs and covers, amassing over a million subscribers. His debut single, “Party for One,” was released in 2018, marking the beginning of his professional music career. Solomon’s background is rooted in a musical family; his mother played piano in their church, and his father was a church elder, influencing his early music exposure. Listen to “Black Like You,” and you’ll thank us later.
kwn
Growing up in a musically rich environment, kwn (pronounced kay-wuhn) was influenced by genres such as R&B, garage, house, pop, and rock. Her father, a DJ, and her mother, a music enthusiast, immersed her in diverse sounds from an early age. This eclectic musical upbringing is evident in her textured and fluid approach to music, which often defies simple categorization. “Wn Way or Another” and “No Cinderella” highlight her ability to craft relatable narratives, often drawing from personal experiences. Her single “No Cinderella” gained significant attention, going viral and solidifying her presence in the music industry. Continuing her momentum, kwn released the single “Five More” in 2023 and was featured on Kehlani’s “Clothes Off” on While We Wait 2.
Nia Smith
Nia Smith has rapidly developed as a momentous presence in the R&B scene. Drawing inspiration from artists like Amy Winehouse, Ms. Lauryn Hill, and H.E.R., she has crafted a distinctive sound that blends soulful melodies with contemporary rhythms. Her debut single, “Give Up the Fear,” produced by Grammy-winner Jimmy Napes, was released in May 2024 and received critical acclaim for its soulful allure and introspective lyrics. Following this, Smith released “Personal,” a track that seamlessly blends elements of soul, R&B, pop, and dancehall, showcasing her versatility as an artist. The song gained further traction with a remix featuring Jamaican dancehall artist Popcaan, adding a distinctive edge to the production. Months later, she unveiled her debut EP, Give Up the Fear, a collection of harmonious ballads and rhythmic beats that reflect her refusal to conform to traditional narratives. Smith’s authentic approach to music and commitment to genuine expression have solidified her status as a rising star in the UK soul and R&B landscape.
Odeal
Born in Germany and raised across Nigeria, Spain, and the UK, Odeal has developed a distinctive sound that seamlessly blends mellow R&B with rhythmic Nigerian styles, positioning him as a pioneering figure in the UK’s burgeoning Alté music scene. His early projects, such as the EPs Need Time and Pragma, showcase this unique fusion and have garnered significant attention, which led to the Lustropolis EP from last year, a seven-track project that continues to explore his evolving artistry by blending R&B with Afrobeats. A standout track from the EP is “You’re Stuck,” featuring American singer Summer Walker; the accompanying music video further enhances the song’s narrative.
Olympia Vitalis
Olympia Vitalis has been gaining recognition for her distinctive vocal style and socially conscious songwriting. Her music blends Motown, gospel, and jazz influences, creating a unique sound that addresses beauty standards and personal identity. Vitalis’s talent has been acknowledged through various platforms, including support from BBC Introducing and a performance at the London Jazz Festival in 2023. She also received the Women in Jazz fund, which supports emerging jazz musicians. Looking ahead, she is scheduled to perform at the Cross the Tracks festival in London on May 25, 2025, sharing the stage with artists like Michael Kiwanuka and Jordan Rakei.
Rae Khalil
Rae Khalil is a dynamic artist from Torrance, California. She gained initial recognition as a standout contestant on Netflix’s music competition series Rhythm + Flow in 2019. Her unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and neo-soul, combined with her introspective lyrics and versatile flow, quickly set her apart in the music industry. In 2021, Khalil’s talents were further acknowledged when she contributed to Anderson .Paak’s Grammy-winning track “Lockdown” showcases her prowess as a vocalist and songwriter. In 2023, Khalil’s career reached a new milestone when she signed with Anderson .Paak’s label, APESHIT, under Def Jam Recordings. This partnership led to the release of her single “Is It Worth It,” a soulful track that serves as a prelude to her major-label debut album, Crybaby, released in August 2024.
RISSA
Drawing from her personal experiences, RISSA crafts soulful melodies enriched with gospel choir harmonies and rhythmic grooves, creating a distinctive sound that exudes feel-good energy. Her unique style has garnered attention within the Australian music scene. Notably, RISSA was featured at BIGSOUND, Australia’s leading new music festival and conference, where she showcased her talent to industry professionals and music enthusiasts. Her 2023 EP, Made to Feel, is home to the song “Doubt,” which is fire and she released her latest single, “Love Me Right,” not too long ago, but we’re keeping an eye on her next era.
Rowena Fysx
Rowena Fysx first gained significant attention with her debut EP, 3rr0r, released in 2021, which showcased her melodic harmonies and vocal range. The EP’s success led to features on Apple Music’s Day One and Alt-RnB playlists for eight consecutive weeks. This Filipino-Canadian singer-songwriter and producer in Toronto is known for her distinctive fusion of classic rock, electronic, and R&B elements. Last year, Fysx released her sophomore EP, Don’t Text Me Back, further establishing her presence in the alternative R&B scene. The self-produced six-track EP includes songs like “All Over U,” which has been praised for its gentle, soulful R&B energy and has drawn comparisons to the soundtrack of the cult 90s series “Twin Peaks.”
Sasha Keable
In 2013, Sasha Keable gained prominence by collaborating with Disclosure on the track “Voices” and supporting them on their UK tour. The following year, she released her second EP, “Lemongrass and Limeleaves,” and opened for Katy B during her UK tour. Keable continued to develop her sound with subsequent EPs, including “Man” in 2019 and “Intermission” in 2021. Fast forward three years later, she released a viral “Hold Up,” along with “Auction” featuring Destin Conrad, “Take Your Time” featuring 6LACK, and “Why,” that landed a debut performance on COLORS and even earned a Beyoncé co-sign. Her work is characterized by soulful vocals and introspective lyrics, solidifying her presence in the contemporary British music scene.
Siaira Shawn
Siaira Shawn’s dedication to her craft has led to notable achievements, including her song “Wrong Speed,” featured on the acclaimed HBO series Insecure, significantly expanding her reach and recognition. In 2019, Shawn released the EP Tender, showcasing her evolved sound and lyrical depth. The project includes tracks like “Wolf,” produced by Mars Today, which blends her signature silky vocals with a groovy bass line to delve into the complexities of casual relationships. Continuing her artistic journey, she released the single “Racing Home” in 2022, further solidifying her presence in the R&B scene. Shawn’s commitment to authentic representation as a queer artist adds a unique dimension to her music, making her a compelling figure in contemporary R&B.
SNCR
Pronounced as “sincere,” SNCR reflects the essence of the 1990s R&B and has been adapted for a later era. His smooth voice and honest storytelling gain notice from casual listeners and industry enthusiasts. Originating in Rhode Island and raised in Norfolk, VA, he absorbed influences from classic soul, modern R&B, and the local cultural setting. The EP Hear Me Now? presents a set of tracks centered on affection, longing, and introspection, supported by subtle R&B textures that shift between warmth and understated intimacy. As he continues introducing new releases and refining his public presence, there are strong indications of promising developments.
Tash
Born into a musical family—her mother a guitar teacher and her father a bass player—Tash began playing guitar and writing songs at a young age. Her talent was discovered online in 2016 by American producer and songwriter Mark J. Feist, known for his work with artists like Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige. This collaboration led to the release of her debut EP, Volume 1, but she has since released over 50 songs, amassing more than 60 million collective streams. She splits her time between Los Angeles and Sydney, allowing her diverse experiences to inform her songwriting. Tash takes pride in writing most of her lyrics and melodies herself, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and artists such as rapper Noname.