Rosemary Akpan is a contributor to GRAMMY.com
There's no denying that Latin music is one of the world's most popular genres. In fact, it's the genre that grew the most in the first quarter of 2025, according to Luminate. And while that's likely thanks to its superstars like Bad Bunny and Karol G, it's also because of the promising newcomers who are making an impressive impact. Just…
Imagine cementing your place among icons before releasing your debut project. Ink doesn't have to. Born Atia Boggs, the Atlanta-raised singer/songwriter has become a go-to collaborator for the likes of Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Childish Gambino, Justin Bieber, Kacey Musgraves, Lil Nas X, and Jennifer Lopez. And now, she's stepping into the spotlight with BIG BUSKIN'. Out Oct. 3, the new…
Living up to her feline persona, Doja Cat is an artist who's had many musical lives. From swirling pop anthems like "Say So" to rap records with the likes of Saweetie ("Best Friend") and City Girls ("Pussy Talk"), the GRAMMY-winning star has explored several sides of her artistry — and she's done it again with Vie. Out now, Doja Cat's…
Tasha Cobbs Leonard is in a season of musical growth and expansion. Known for recording impactful worship ballads in front of a live audience, the three-time GRAMMY winner decided to switch things up with her first-ever studio album, TASHA. "This album is full of several different expressions of worship," Cobbs Leonard tells GRAMMY.com. "With doing a studio project, we had…
Evolving as an artist can look different for everyone. Some change their persona entirely, while others forge a completely new sound. But then, there are those who, after years of creating crowd-pleasing hits, finally get to embrace the path they've always wanted to follow. This is the case for five-time GRAMMY-nominated artist Akon, who is beginning to carve a lane…
New age African artists are making waves around the world, now more than ever. But that may have not been possible without trailblazers like Davido. Born in Atlanta and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Davido (born David Adedeji Adeleke) laid the groundwork for Afrobeats in the early 2010s thanks to buzzworthy songs like "Gobe," "Skelewu," "Like Dat," and "The Money"; he…
The Super Bowl halftime show is more than just a performance — it’s a cultural milestone. Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX halftime show on Sunday, Feb. 9, marking his second musical appearance at the event. The freshly re-minted 22-time GRAMMY-winning artist first took the stage in 2022, headlining alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg,…
Originating in the early 2010s on the southside of Chicago, the hip-hop subgenre drill has transcended borders to become a global phenomenon. Characterized by a menacing and dark energy, drill music sets itself apart from traditional rap and hip-hop through its violent, aggressive lyrics and undertones. Drill music incorporates slower, heavier beats that often blend distorted 808 basslines, dark synths,…
Seven years into her career, Megan Thee Stallion is no stranger to a sold-out crowd. The rapper has been dubbed "Sold-out Stalli" since selling out nearly 20 shows on her Hot Girl Summer Tour — and though her stops at Houston's Toyota Center weren't the first sellouts on the trek, they were considerably the most meaningful ones. "I'm so happy…
Twenty-six-year-old rapper Anycia truly lives in the present. The Atlanta-born artist describes her most viral hits as if they were everyday experiences — she's simply going out of town on "BRB" and mad at a partner in "Back Outside" featuring Latto. Despite her calm demeanor and cadence, Anycia is a self-proclaimed "firecracker" and credits her success to her long-held confidence. …
When Christian artist Mike Teezy released his single "Communion" in 2020, he didn’t expect his song to influence a listener in New York to stop practicing witchcraft. The catchy rap track, which details the importance of the Christian sacrament, was pouncing through a taxi's radio speakers when it dawned on the listener that she needed to take her faith more…
