5 Pop Stars on The Rise
There are hundreds of artists in the Pop genre fighting to make it big. Here are 5 pop artists to keep an eye on.
MUNA is an American pop band consisting of three members: Katie Gavin, Josette Maskin, and Naomi McPherson. MUNA's music is characterized by a blend of pop, synth-pop, and electronic elements, often exploring themes of self-acceptance, mental health, and personal empowerment.
They gained attention with their debut single "The Loudspeaker" in 2014, followed by their EP titled "More Perfect" in 2015. In 2017, MUNA released their critically acclaimed debut album, "About U," which received positive reviews for its introspective lyrics, catchy melodies, and polished production. The album featured popular tracks such as "I Know a Place" and "Loudspeaker." "About U" helped establish MUNA as a rising force in the alternative pop music scene.
MUNA has toured extensively, both as a headlining act and as a supporting act for other artists such as Harry Styles and Grouplove. They have also performed at major music festivals, including Coachella and Lollapalooza. Known for their energetic live performances, MUNA has cultivated a dedicated fan base with their relatable lyrics and inclusive messages.
The band's sophomore album, "Saves The World," was released in 2019. It showcased their continued growth as artists and further explored themes of personal and societal issues. The album featured tracks like "Number One Fan" and "Stayaway," which further solidified MUNA's reputation for delivering infectious pop anthems with substance.
MUNA also released their junior album in 2022, with songs from the album like “Silk Chiffon” charting at over 47 million streams on Spotify alone. Through this album, the band’s distinct sound harbored attention from millions of fans. Their latest single, “One That Got Away,” followed suit at over 4 million streams since its release.
MUNA's music has resonated with listeners around the world, particularly those seeking empowering and introspective pop music. Their bold and honest approach to songwriting, combined with their catchy melodies and electronic soundscapes, has garnered them a loyal fanbase. As a band, MUNA continues to evolve and create music that encourages self-expression, self-acceptance, and the embracing of one's own identity.
FLO is an all-female British music group from London. The group includes Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer. Having formed in 2019, Flo signed a record deal with Island Records, setting the stage for their musical journey. In 2022, they unveiled their debut, titled "The Lead," introducing their unique sound to the world.
Flo's talent and potential were quickly recognized, as they emerged at the forefront of the BBC's Sound of 2023 poll, solidifying their status as an act to watch. Their musical prowess and captivating performances led them to secure the prestigious 2023 Brit Award for Rising Star, a remarkable achievement for the emerging group.
With their infectious energy and undeniable talent, Flo is poised to make a significant impact in the music industry. Their dynamic sound and collective artistry have garnered attention and anticipation, leaving audiences eager to witness their continued rise and the evolution of their musical repertoire.
On the 23rd of March 2023, Flo dropped their much-anticipated single "Fly Girl," featuring the remarkable American rapper, singer, and songwriter Missy Elliott. This captivating song cleverly incorporates elements from Elliott's 2002 hit "Work It," while also showcasing fresh rap verses from the esteemed artist. The release of "Fly Girl" further solidified Flo's ability to create infectious and memorable music.
During an Apple Music promotional interview with Elton John, Flo delighted their fans by revealing that their highly anticipated debut album is set to hit the airwaves in 2023. Excitement abounds as they confidently stated, "There sure is. It's going to be amazing."
Flo's relentless pursuit of excellence continues to captivate fans worldwide. As their journey unfolds, audiences eagerly await their debut album, upcoming performances, and the artistic growth that is yet to come from this remarkable British group.
Reneé Mary Jane Rapp, an accomplished American actress and vocalist, entered the spotlight on January 10, 2000. Notably, she claimed victory as the distinguished recipient of the esteemed 2018 Jimmy Award for her remarkable portrayal as an actress. Subsequently, she assumed the iconic character of Regina George in the renowned Broadway production, Mean Girls. Demonstrating her versatility, she further graced the screen as Leighton in the popular HBO Max sitcom, The Sex Lives of College Girls. In November 2022, her highly anticipated EP, titled Everything to Everyone, was released to the delight of her eager fans.
During an interview, Rapp expressed her artistic influences, revealing that she draws inspiration from the timeless realms of classic pop and R&B music. To create her unique sound, she skillfully blends these traditional influences with her current favorites, namely Jazmine Sullivan and Yebba. Notably, Reneé holds Jennifer Hudson, also known as J.Hud, in high regard as one of her cherished artists and sources of inspiration. Their musical paths intertwined on January 27, 2022, as they collaborated on a soulful rendition of Jazmine Sullivan's heartfelt track "In Love With Another Man" for J.Hud's YouTube show, creating a remarkable and memorable performance.
When asked about her acting career, Rapp said, “It’s an amazing hobby, a cool fucking hobby,” she says. “And I have such a specific place for it in my life. But I started acting so that I could do music.” When the right role comes along, like playing iconic queen bee Regina George in the upcoming Mean Girls movie, she snaps it up. “But it’s always been music for me. Always.”
She unveiled her captivating first EP titled 'Everything To Everyone,' a collection she describes as "stripped-back pop" featuring lyrics that delve into "all the difficult experiences she’s encountered."
According to her, she acknowledges that her music style differs from what she typically listens to. While she draws inspiration from artists like Frank Ocean and SZA in terms of their lyrics, vocal techniques, and phrasing, she notes that her current focus is primarily on creating pop music. The EP showcases the expertise of The Monsters & Strangerz, known for collaborating with Dua Lipa, as well as Blake Slatkin, who contributed to the success of chart-topping hits like Sam Smith's and Kim Petras' "Unholy."
In the month of February in 2023, a deluxe edition of Reneé Mary Jane Rapp's EP, titled Everything to Everyone, was unleashed, showcasing the addition of two fresh tracks. The highly anticipated release of her debut studio album, Snow Angel, is scheduled for August 18, 2023. To commemorate this exciting milestone, on June 16, 2023, Rapp thrilled her fans by unveiling plans for a thrilling international tour, aimed at promoting and celebrating her album.
Sabrina Carpenter, a multi-talented entertainer, made her mark in 2014 when she took on the lead role in the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World. Since then, she has enjoyed a flourishing career as an actress, recording artist, and songwriter. With her ventures into the pop music scene, Sabrina has achieved significant success, with notable albums like EVOLution in 2016, which reached the Top 30 charts, and Singular: Act II in 2019, her fourth full-length album. Simultaneously, she continued to showcase her acting abilities, starring in films like Tall Girl in 2019 and Clouds in the following year. Sabrina Carpenter's musical journey led her to sign with Island Records, and in 2022, she released emails i can't send, her fifth LP, which became her highest-charting album to date.
Born on May 11, 1999, in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, Sabrina Annlynn Carpenter is the daughter of David and Elizabeth Carpenter. She was brought up in East Greenville, alongside her three older sisters, and received homeschooling. Showing her musical inclination from a young age, Sabrina started sharing videos of her singing on YouTube when she was just 10 years old. Recognizing her talent and dedication, her father even constructed a recording studio to support her love for music. In 2011, Sabrina achieved significant recognition by securing the third position in The Next Miley Cyrus Project, a singing competition organized by Miley Cyrus.
Carpenter is currently on a national tour for her latest album, “Emails I Can’t Send.” One of the most important reasons to look out for Sabrina Carpenter is her upcoming joining of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, one of the highest grossing concert tours to date, where she’ll be performing as the opener for the international leg!
Sabrina brought a new wave of honesty to her latest album. The audacious nature of the album lay in its profound vulnerability, as it allowed listeners to peer into Carpenter’s personal life. It came as a daring move, especially considering the intense saga that had captivated popular culture in the preceding year.
Despite being accustomed to the spotlight, her personal life unexpectedly became the center of attention in 2021 due to her rumored involvement with Joshua Bassett, which led to her being entangled in a love triangle that seemingly played out in Olivia Rodrigo's debut album "Sour." Many assumed Carpenter was referenced as "that blonde girl" in the song "Drivers License," resulting in her becoming a target of online hate. In response, Carpenter courageously addresses the drama in her track "Because I Liked a Boy" on her album "Emails I Can't Send," bravely acknowledging the derogatory names she was called, such as "homewrecker" and "slut," and even receiving death threats.
"Emails I Can't Send" is a significant milestone for Carpenter, marking her first "grown-up" album and a departure from her previous pop-oriented releases. The album ventures into new musical genres, featuring slower songs and incorporating personal emails as lyrical inspiration. The themes explored range from indignant anger in tracks like "Vicious" to envisioning a potential amicable encounter with her former lover in "Skinny Dipping," ultimately culminating in her finding her own inner peace with the track "Decode."
Alice Suki Waterhouse, hailing from Hammersmith, London, and growing up in the neighboring area of Chiswick, started her modeling journey at the tender age of 16. She was discovered by a clothing retailer while in London, which opened the doors to numerous opportunities in the fashion industry. By the time she reached 20 years old, Suki had already amassed an impressive portfolio that included collaborations with prominent clothing brands, as well as gracing the covers of esteemed fashion magazines such as Vogue and Elle in various international editions.
While achieving global success as a model, Suki Waterhouse is currently navigating her path as a musician, aiming to unravel the complexities of her past and seize authority over her narrative.
Suki Waterhouse inked a deal with Sub Pop Records in 2021. She collaborated with Grammy-nominated producer Brad Cook (known for his work with Bon Iver and Snail Mail) to create her debut album. Titled “I Can't Let Go”, the album was released in April 2022. Around the same time, Waterhouse took on a co-starring role in the Amazon miniseries Daisy Jones & the Six, a fictional portrayal of a '70s rock band. In September, she released a standalone single titled "Nostalgia," which was co-written and produced by John Mark Nelson (recognized for his contributions to Taylor Swift and Amy Allen). Waterhouse followed up with the EP Milk Teeth in November, which featured five tracks from her early career as well as a new song called "Neon Signs."
Initially, "I Can't Let Go" served as one of the few elements in Suki Waterhouse's life that belonged entirely to her. Throughout her journey, she frequently found herself overshadowed by the presence of the men she loved. The press, with their relentless scrutiny of her personal life, tended to prioritize detailed examinations of her relationships, notably her high-profile involvement with Bradley Cooper and her current partner, Robert Pattinson. Consequently, her own remarkable achievements often took a backseat and were treated as incidental in comparison.
For a considerable duration, Suki Waterhouse has often been relegated to a supporting role in someone else's narrative. However, with this album, she takes charge of her own story and asserts her individuality. Despite an illustrious career as a model and actor, one cannot help but ponder how frequently Suki has been questioned about, well... Suki herself. In her own words, she reflects on the challenges faced when people perceive her solely as a girl, with the weight of preconceptions always working against her.
With her distinct blend of melancholic retro-pop, evocative reverb, and catchy melodic charms, Suki Waterhouse brings new elements to the table that people haven’t seen before.