The music landscape in 2025 is more diverse, global, and dynamic than ever. From viral TikTok sensations to genre-bending visionaries and underground icons breaking into the mainstream, the new generation of artists is redefining what it means to be a star.
No longer limited by major labels or traditional media exposure, these rising talents are building massive followings on their own terms. Whether they’re bringing fresh energy to pop, reinventing hip-hop, pushing the limits of R&B, or creating entirely new sounds, these are the 10 rising stars you absolutely need to know in 2025.
- Tyla
Genre: Afropop, R&B
Origin: South Africa
Tyla exploded onto the global stage in late 2023 with her smash hit “Water,” becoming the first South African soloist to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 in decades. Her smooth vocals, infectious energy, and unique blend of Afrobeats with Western pop influences have made her a standout voice in global music.
In 2025, with her debut album gaining critical and commercial acclaim, Tyla is quickly becoming a face of the Afrobeats-to-the-world movement. Expect more international collaborations, festival appearances, and chart domination.
- Chappell Roan
Genre: Alt-Pop, Synth-Pop
Origin: Missouri, USA
Chappell Roan’s theatrical flair and unapologetic personality have earned her a cult following. Her 2023 project The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess turned heads with its glittery production, emotional vulnerability, and queer-forward storytelling.
In 2025, she’s touring globally and gaining traction as a pop icon for the misfits, with hits like “Good Luck, Babe!” resonating across generations. Her sound channels 80s synth-pop with a modern, rebellious twist.
- Ice Spice
Genre: Hip-Hop, Drill, Pop-Rap
Origin: New York, USA
Ice Spice’s confident delivery and clever wordplay helped her rocket from Bronx freestyler to mainstream star in record time. By 2024, she was collaborating with Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj. Now in 2025, she’s proving she’s not just a viral phenomenon she’s a legitimate force in the hip-hop scene.
Her 2025 mixtape fuses drill beats with club-ready hooks and sharp lyricism. She continues to break industry molds while championing authenticity, self-love, and confidence.
- Peso Pluma
Genre: Regional Mexican, Corridos Tumbados
Origin: Mexico
Peso Pluma is leading the corridos tumbados revival modernizing traditional Mexican music with urban edge and global reach. After massive collaborations with artists like Eslabon Armado and Bizarrap, his star only keeps rising.
In 2025, Peso Pluma is breaking cultural and linguistic barriers. His albums are charting across Latin America and the U.S., while his live shows feel like celebrations of heritage, identity, and rebellion.
- Reneé Rapp
Genre: Pop, Soul, Musical Theatre
Origin: North Carolina, USA
Reneé Rapp transitioned from Broadway (Mean Girls) to music with effortless grace. Her debut album Snow Angel revealed a soulful, raw, and refreshingly honest voice that resonated deeply with Gen Z.
Now, in 2025, she’s balancing her music career with starring roles in streaming dramas and films, making her one of the most multi-talented entertainers of her generation. Her lyrics about anxiety, heartbreak, and empowerment feel brutally real and that’s why fans love her.
- TEMS
Genre: Alternative R&B, Afro-Fusion
Origin: Nigeria
TEMS gained global attention with her feature on Wizkid’s Essence and Drake’s Fountains. But in 2025, she’s no longer just a collaborator she’s a genre-defining artist in her own right.
Her solo work blends soulful vocals, minimal production, and introspective songwriting. Her presence is magnetic, and her sound at once global and deeply personal continues to inspire a wave of young R&B and Afrobeats artists worldwide.
- David Kushner
Genre: Indie Rock, Dark Pop
Origin: USA
David Kushner’s emotional ballads and cinematic production have quietly turned him into a streaming powerhouse. His song Daylight struck a chord with millions, combining haunting melodies with lyrical depth.
By 2025, he’s become the voice of a generation seeking catharsis and meaning. His style fuses indie rock with gospel and dark pop influences and his live performances are known for their intensity and vulnerability.
- PinkPantheress
Genre: Alt-Pop, UK Garage, Hyperpop
Origin: United Kingdom
PinkPantheress is one of the most intriguing artists of the new era. Blending early 2000s nostalgia with hyper-modern production, her tracks feel like soundtracks to fleeting moments in digital life.
In 2025, she’s pushing her sonic boundaries even further incorporating drum & bass, synthwave, and ambient into her sophomore album. Her mysterious persona and Tumblr-core aesthetics continue to captivate music lovers around the globe.
- Noah Kahan
Genre: Indie Folk, Americana
Origin: Vermont, USA
Noah Kahan’s Stick Season helped folk music make a major comeback. His storytelling rooted in small-town life, mental health, and emotional healing feels authentic and timely.
As of 2025, he’s collaborating with legends like Kacey Musgraves and The Lumineers while headlining festivals. Noah is proving that introspective songwriting and acoustic instrumentation still have powerful resonance in the age of hyperpop and AI beats.
- Benson Boone
Genre: Pop, Rock
Origin: Washington, USA
Originally discovered via TikTok and American Idol, Benson Boone has emerged as a serious chart-topping contender. His emotionally charged vocals, powerful ballads, and relatable lyrics have earned him comparisons to early Sam Smith and Lewis Capaldi.
His 2025 album combines arena-ready anthems with stripped-back emotional tracks, solidifying his status as one of pop’s most promising male vocalists.
Honorable Mentions:
- Amaarae – Ghanaian-American artist pushing the boundaries of alt-pop and Afro-fusion
- JVKE – Viral sensation continuing to release genre-blending, emotionally potent music
- Gracie Abrams – The soft-spoken lyricist becoming a fixture in indie pop and tour opener for Taylor Swift
- GloRilla – Memphis rapper bringing Southern grit and charisma to mainstream hip-hop
The Bigger Picture: What Makes These Artists Stand Out?
These artists reflect how much the music industry has changed. The traditional gatekeepers no longer hold all the power and fans now discover talent from TikTok algorithms, Spotify playlists, and global collaborations.
Here are a few trends shaping this new wave:
🔹 Genre Fluidity
Most of these artists refuse to stay in one lane. They mix genres, sounds, and cultural influences freely reshaping what pop, rap, or folk can sound like in the streaming era.
🔹 Global Reach
Artists like Tyla, Peso Pluma, and TEMS show how non-Western music is now shaping the mainstream. Language barriers are falling. A hit from Lagos or Mexico City can go viral in New York or Tokyo.
🔹 Vulnerability & Storytelling
Fans are connecting deeply with raw, personal songwriting. Whether it’s Noah Kahan opening up about anxiety or Reneé Rapp singing about heartbreak, emotional honesty is the new currency of connection.
🔹 DIY & Digital Native Power
Many of these artists launched careers without major-label backing, using digital tools to record, release, and promote their music. This independence allows for creative freedom and fan-driven success.
Final Thoughts: The Future of Music Is Already Here
2025 is not just a turning point it’s the arrival of a new musical era. These rising stars are not following trends; they’re setting them. From the dance floors of Johannesburg to small-town stages in Vermont, from SoundCloud leaks to global arena tours, this generation is doing it differently and doing it brilliantly.
If you haven’t added these names to your playlists yet, now’s the time. Because in just a few months, they won’t be “rising stars” anymore they’ll be household names.
