Up-and-Coming Underground Artists

TikTok is the best and the worst thing to happen to music. On one hand, it is so easy for your music to be seen by other people, and if you can work the algorithm right you can gain significant views and followers. On the other hand, everyone's doing that. There is an oversaturation of artists, mainly rappers, to the point where every new artist coming up seems like a copy of the previous one.

Regardless, I have found many artists who I think should be on everyone’s radar. (They are in no particular order.)

Overpade

Overpade started buzzing when he released his single “Hate.” He was riding off of the drum & bass trend that artists like PinkPantheress were experimenting with. He sounded like a chiller XXXTentacion, and he stood out with his unique vocal effects and clever punchlines. He rode off of that sound for a bit, but then he began switching it up. His past two albums have been very atmospheric, almost acting as ambient soundtracks rather than traditional songs. I would recommend listening because his music is very different from anyone else's.

Shy High

This dude is the king of teasing songs. I saw a TikTok of his which was teasing a new song called “Independent Films” and I followed him, hoping it would release soon. Little did I know he would continue teasing this song for three months. Regardless of his questionable promotion tactics, his stuff is fire. “Independent Films” (his first rap song) was marketed as a skater anthem and is really chill and jazzy. Unfortunately, Shy High’s new music proved not as successful.

Chris Hidal

Chris Hidal is a talented young rapper who drops very consistently. He’s a good friend of mine, and we actually have a song together called “Going Together” (check it out on my Spotify). Don’t let his age fool you, he sounds just as professional, if not more so, than everyone else on this list. He does a melodic style, but still has hard-hitting lines and delivery. I recommend checking out his two newest singles, “I’m Winning” and “Shoot like Soprano.”

Lil Altoid

Lil Altoid is so underrated! I first discovered him in 2020 and he was good then, but pretty basic. When he released his second album, “bean,” he started doing some different styles, but his 2021 project, “ky!” was really sick. He did a perfect mix of melodic and straight-up raps, and the production was really good.

Riovaz

Riovaz, unlike the other artists on this list, is not a rapper. He sings over electronic house beats and makes really catchy hooks. His breakout single, “You’re a Parasite” was very similar to Overpade’s “Hate,” but his later songs are completely different. I recommend “Tantrum (Pace Yourself)” and “I Feel Fantastic” if you want to get into him.