Holy Mattress Money is the brainchild of Cleveland-based artist Jesty Beatz who worked with other talented musicians to begin releasing new music weekly. HMM is in its infancy, but with killer visuals, a great backstory, and distinctive, infectious music, HMM is something to get excited about.
Listen to: Blue Hundreds, Butterfly, All the Things I Wish I Knew
Abhi the Nomad just released his debut album Marbled, a project that's been in the works for the past two years. Abhi lives up to his name; his truly nomadic lifestyle has seen brought him to India, China, the Fiji Islands, Texas, and California (to name a few places) and influenced the nature of his music. The self-aware rapper is versatile both in style and content, and his signing to Tommy Boy Records in early 2017 sees him poised to take over this year.
Listen to: TSA x NSA, Travel Song, Guacamole
BROCKHAMPTON is a force to be reckoned with. Check out the video below for a breakdown on every member (including performers and those behind the scenes) in the staggeringly energetic boy band; their individuality is what makes the group not just work, but stand on a level of its own.
Listen to: SWEET, STAR, BOOGIE
Olivia O'Brien went from being a music fan to an artist in her own right after Gnash released "i hate u i love you", a version of a song she wrote at fifteen years old. Olivia hasn't slowed down since; every track on her latest album "It's Not That Deep" is a winner.
Listen to: Tequilawine, Root Beer Float, RIP
London Richards is an enigma. In 2014, the then-seventeen year old singer's debut single "Will You Wait" exploded literally overnight. Richards posted a series of hauntingly beautiful, backlit videos hinting at new music on Instagram in 2016, and for over a year his fans continued to beg for the songs to be released. He released the new songs in November of 2017 and let's just say, they were worth the wait.
Listen to: In The Hills Likely, Aaliyah, Far Away
Max Frost has been obsessed with music since childhood. Already an expert guitar player as a teen, Max challenged himself to craft hooks so good that the artists assumed they were samples. Check out his music video for his infectious song "Adderall" below.
Listen to: White Lies, Adderall, Broken Summer - DJ Snake
Ciaran Lavery makes beautiful music - it's as simple as that. The singer-songwriter, who calls Ireland home, consistently pens songs that evoke a striking sense of imagery. Listening to Ciaran Lavery is an immersive, almost therapeutic experience.
Listen to: Left for America, Little More Time, To Chicago
Circa Waves had been on my concert bucket list for a while before I saw them play at College Street Music Hall when they opened up for Two Door Cinema Club. In between performing their high-energy songs, the British rockers took sips of red wine and charmed the audience.
Listen to: T-Shirt Weather, Stuck in My Teeth, Know One
NXGN CBNT, a Flatbush-based rap collective brought together by producer Melo-X, released their debut mixtape "Zoom" in 2017 and are hungry for more. Hip-hop fans will inevitably compare the group to others like Pro Era, but make no mistake: NXGN will be eliciting comparisons of their on before the year is over.
Listen to: Elegant, Drift, BulletProof$hyne
Felly has been one of the most prolific, self-made artists on the list, both in terms of touring and releasing music. Lest anyone forget the ease with which he coasts from genre to genre, the 2273 Records founder just released a new, jazz-influenced EP titled "Winters in Brooklyn".
Listen to: Bag Season, Desert Eagle, Dirty Pocket$
Quinn XCII will always have a special place in my heart ever since I won his ticket giveaway to see him perform at his first festival, the Billboard Hot 100 Festival. The singer, whose distinctive voice makes his summery tunes stand out, wraps up his "The Story of Us" tour this April.
Listen to: Make Time, Another Day in Paradise, Native Tongue