For years, Spotify has shaped how listeners discover what’s next. Now, its Artists to Watch 2026 list brings together a global lineup of emerging voices already gaining momentum across playlists, scenes, and cultures. These artists reflect where music is moving, not later, but right now.
The list spans genres and geographies, from Afrobeats standout MOLIY to rock and alternative firebrands Ecca Vandal, Speed, and Die Spitz. In pop, names like ADÉLA, Baby Nova, and Noah Rinker highlight songwriting with personality and purpose, while R&B artists Isaia Huron, Jai’Len Josey, Mack Keane, and JayDon bring emotional clarity and groove-forward precision.
Country and folk are equally well represented, with Vincent Mason, Zach John King, Laci Kaye Booth, Max McNown, Hudson Freeman, Dove Ellis, and Folk Bitch Trio showing the genre’s range and depth. Dance and electronic artists KETTAMA, Prospa, and Jackie Hollander deliver movement-driven tracks that already feel built for repeat listens.
Hip-hop voices Hurricane Wisdom, PLUTO, sosocamo, and Ovrkast. push sound and storytelling forward, while Latin artists Young Cister, María Isabel, rusowsky, and Hermanos Espinoza expand the list’s global reach. Each artist is paired with a handpicked essential track, creating a playlist that captures energy, ambition, and forward motion.
The Artists to Watch 2026 playlist earns an enthusiastic response for its breadth and intention. It plays like a snapshot of culture in progress, full of artists ready for wider stages and deeper conversations. This is a collection that rewards curiosity and invites listeners to discover the names shaping the year ahead.