FEATURE:
The Lockdown Playlist
IN THIS PHOTO: Olivia Dean
Amazon Music UK’s Ones to Watch in 2021
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THERE are a couple of ‘ones to watch’ articles…
out there that are guiding us to the artists that we need to keep an eye out for in 2021. It has been a bad year in so many ways but, when it comes to music, I think we have seen some truly wonderful new artists come through and create some stunning sounds! The first Lockdown Playlist based on a ones to watch feature regards Amazon Music UK’s suggestions as to who we need to follow. This article from Music Week provides some more details:
“Amazon Music UK has announced its 2021 Ones To Watch list, which features 25 emerging acts including Griff (above), Pa Salieu, Ivorian Doll, Holly Humberstone and Bklava.
The acts were selected by Amazon Music UK’s Programming Team and will receive support and promotion across the platform over the next 12 months. A Ones To Watch playlist is availale to users, with further support to be announced.
The full list is as follows: Alfie Templeman, Baby Queen, Berwyn, Biig Piig, Bklava, Bree Runway, Christy, Cleopatrick, Dan D’Lion, Dutchavelli, Eli Brown, George Moir, Girl In Red, Griff, Holly Humberstone, India Jordan, Ivorian Doll, Joesef, Kamal, Mysie, Olivia Dean, Pa Salieu, Sharna Bass, Tamera and Zoe Wees.
Amazon Music supports emerging talent through its developing artist programme Breakthrough and playlists such as +44, which is dedicated to UK rap, R&B, grime, drill and Afrobeats.
The list is a snapshot of the new music landscape for the year ahead
Chris Helsen, Amazon Music UK
IN THIS PHOTO: Dan D’Lion/PHOTO CREDIT: Deep Shah
Previous acts to feature on the Ones To Watch list include Music Week new music special 2020 cover stars Celeste and Maisie Peters, plus Beabadoobee, Koffee, Arlo Parks and Joy Crookes, who all featured on this year’s edition. Since its inception in 2017, the list has also featured AJ Tracey, Dave, Ray Blk, The Amazons, Jorja Smith, Mabel, Billie Eilish, Sam Fender, Bugzy Malone, Slowthai and L Devine.
Chris Helsen, head of programming, Amazon Music UK, said: “Our Ones To Watch list is a snapshot of the new music landscape for the year ahead, and the artists from across the musical spectrum that we believe are destined for great things. Formulating the list is always exciting, but each year the quality of emerging artists seems to get better and better. Supporting new talent is something Amazon Music is particularly passionate about so we can’t wait to introduce these artists to even more fans through our playlists, stations and more”.
For this Playlist, I have included a couple of songs for the artists on the list to show why we need to keep an ear out for them in 2021. I do think they will all be very successful and enjoy long careers and, when live music returns next year, they will get their music to new audiences. If you are not sure which new artists to follow, then the Amazon Music UK’s tips are…
IN THIS PHOTO: cleopatrick
A pretty good place to start!