Beyond the boldface names, New York City breeds a tidal wave of emerging artists innovating on sounds embedded in Gotham’s musical DNA. These 5 rising talents currently percolating their way up better get added to playlists before their unavoidable takeover.
1. Young Devyn
At only 18 years old, Young Devyn turns heads with his preternatural lyrical wisdom and smooth cadences belying his age. The Harlem rapper’s old soul tackles topics like racism and mental health through the lens of his community. Yet the production never preaches, with tracks like “Premium” dripping in slick bad boy energy. Young Devyn feels like a pivotal voice for the future, bridging social consciousness with mass appeal.
2. Liza Colby
The Brooklyn indie pop singer’s soaring rainbow voice immediately draws comparisons to Ariana Grande. Yet the gritty vulnerability of lyrics exploring her struggles with addiction and healing reveal an artist forging her own cathartic sound. As Liza Colby drops transportive singles like “When You Left Me” that pair experimental production with accessible messages, her shimmer stands ready to spread big.
3. Yung Lord Fine$$ – “Every Lord Needs a Lady”
Rising Harlem rapper Yung Lord Fine$$ arrives with his own artistic identity cemented in his crossover debut “Every Lord Needs A Lady” fusing old school New York influences with contemporary R&B melodies. Beyond the professional polish, Yung Lord Fine$$’ authentic expressions tackling love, loss and loyalty reveal an organic musicality certain to connect widely. Smooth summer jams like “Always” and pop confections featuring Ty Dolla $ign suggest Yung Lord Fine$$ possesses the range to dominate many lanes at once.
4. Zelly Ocho
Brooklyn’s Zelly Ocho puts a stylish new spin by merging Dominican Bachata rhythms with hip hop swagger. He croons about la dolce vita good times alongside club bangers discussing darker struggles. The contrast reveals a completeness destined to disrupt how Latin music can fuse into New York’s diverse soundscape. And his tipping fame suggests the disruption has already begun taking hold.
5. Paige & the Big Easy
Fronted by a fierce vocalist dubbed Lady Paige, this 9-piece soul/funk ensemble recalls when live instrumentation reigned. Horns, organ and guitar percolate beneath smooth harmonies to generate an irresistible celebratory heartbeat. The band’s message preaches “let the good times roll baby!” which feels right on time post-pandemic. Paige & the Big Easy’s success packing vibrant shows proves how the revival of old school abandon deserves fresh amplification.
Conclusion
The electric originality buzzing locally before expanding globally remains New York City's enduring musical legacy. And this new class carries stylish substance to channel the Druggy City’s spirit over constantly evolving yet instantly recognizable beats. So catch the youthquake momentum by blasting these rising artists until you can catch their unfurling talents taking over square footage across the five boroughs and beyond next. Because the crescendo of their creative come-up stands poised to hit pitch-perfect pandemonium…and you’ll want to say you knew their name first.
