Every year there is a new artist or two that catches our eyes and ears. It could be their lyrics, vocals and/or delivery that grabs our attention. Co-signs and suggestions from our favorite artists, radio DJs, playlisters and algorithms also keeps us in tune and our ears to the streets.

 

Here are four artists that will end up on your radar one way or another, if they haven’t already.

 

Coi Leray

 

 

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Coi Leray is cooking up in 2021. The rising rapper launched the shows Cooking with Coi Leray and Coi Vs and delivered her first top 40 hit, the Lil Durk-assisted “No More Parties.” She can also be seen in Mooski’s “Track Star” video.

Age: 23
Reppin’: Boston, Massachusetts
Label: Universal Republic
Projects to check out: Everythingcoz (2018)
Bangers: “Huddy”; “Big Purr (Prrdd)” featuring Pooh Shiesty; “No More Parties” featuring Lil Durk

 

 

Pooh Shiesty

 

 

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With over 6 million monthly Spotify listeners and a cosign from Gucci Mane, Pooh Shiesty is on his way. The Memphis native’s first official mixtape, Shiesty Season, peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and featured the top 20 hit “Back in Blood.”

Age: 21
Reppin’: Memphis, Tennessee
Label: 1017 Records/Atlantic Records
Projects to check out: Shiesty Season (2021)
Bangers: “Main Slime” featuring Moneybagg Yo and Tay Keith; “Monday to Sunday” featuring Lil Baby and Big30; “Back in Blood” featuring Lil Durk

 

 

Don Toliver

 

 

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Don Toliver’s voice probably sounds familiar. The hip-hop singer from Houston has appeared on Travis Scott’s Astroworld, Nas’ Grammy Award-winning King’s Disease and Eminem’s Music to Be Murdered By. He is also featured on Internet Money’s 2020 hit “Lemonade”, alongside Gunna and Nav.

Age: 26
Reppin’: Houston, Texas
Label: Cactus Jack / Atlantic Records
Projects to check out: Donny Womack (2018), Heaven or Hell (2020)
Bangers: “No Idea”; “Lemonade” featuring Internet Money, Don Toliver, Gunna & Nav

 

 

Baby Keem

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The 2020 XXL Freshman is Kendrick Lamar’s cousin and has worked behind the scenes on projects such as the Black Panther and The Lion King soundtracks, Schoolboy Q’s Crash Talk and Jay Rock’s Redemption. His debut album drops this summer.

Age: 20
Reppin’: Carson, California
Label: pgLang/Columbia Records
Projects to check out: Die for My Bitch
Bangers: “du rag activity” featuring Travis Scott; “Hooligan”; “Orange Soda”

 

 

Photo via Don Toliver