Spotify has named its Artists to Watch for 2026. Discover the rising acts set to make an impact this year.

Spotify has unveiled its Artists to Watch 2026 list, highlighting a new wave of emerging musicians the platform believes are set to break through over the next year. Curated by Spotify’s global editorial and artist partnerships teams, the annual selection draws on a combination of streaming data, playlist performance, audience growth and cultural momentum to identify artists gaining meaningful traction across the platform.

The 2026 list spans a wide range of genres and geographies, reflecting Spotify’s increasingly global outlook on music discovery. From forward-thinking pop and hip-hop to Afrobeats, alternative and genre-blending sounds, the artists selected demonstrate how new voices are reshaping the modern music landscape. Many have already built loyal fanbases online, while others are just beginning to cross over from niche scenes into wider audiences.

Alongside the announcement, Spotify has launched an Artists to Watch 2026 playlist, featuring a key track from each artist on the list. The playlist acts as both a discovery tool for listeners and a snapshot of the sounds likely to define the year ahead. Previous editions of Artists to Watch have successfully predicted breakout moments for acts who later went on to headline festivals, chart globally and build long-term careers.

Spotify’s approach places emphasis on sustained growth rather than viral success alone. According to the platform, the artists chosen are those showing consistent engagement, strong repeat listening and increasing international reach. This reflects a broader shift in how success is measured in the streaming era, where long-term audience connection is often valued over short-term spikes.

With thousands of tracks uploaded every day, editorial programmes like Artists to Watch aim to cut through the noise and help listeners navigate an increasingly crowded music ecosystem. For artists, inclusion can provide a significant boost in visibility through playlist placement, promotional support and discovery by new audiences.

In addition to spotlighting performers, Spotify has once again paired the list with a Songwriters to Watch 2026 selection, recognising the creators behind many of today’s most influential tracks. This dual focus reflects a growing awareness of the collaborative nature of modern music-making and the importance of acknowledging talent both on and off the stage.

Here are the artists Spotify named on its Artists to Watch 2026 list:

Afrobeats
MOLIY

Christian
Jamie MacDonald

Country
Vincent Mason
Zach John King
Laci Kaye Booth
Max McNown 

Dance
KETTAMA
Prospa
Jackie Hollander

Hip-hop
Hurricane Wisdom
PLUTO
sosocamo
Ovrkast.

Indie/Folk
Hudson Freeman
Dove Ellis
Folk Bitch Trio
Fcukers
After
fakemink

Latin
Young Cister
María Isabel
rusowsky
Hermanos Espinoza

Pop
Haute & Freddy
Baby Nova
Noah Rinker
ADÉLA
Mikayla Geier 

R&B
Isaia Huron
Jai’Len Josey
Mack Keane
JayDon 

Rock/Alternative
Ecca Vandal
Speed
Die Spitz

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