24 Artists to Watch For in 2024

From raw newcomers and rising stars, I wanted to share some of the artists I’ve been tapped into, and I think you should too this new year.

I’ve delved deep into my archives to round up 24 artists: a mixture of raw newcomers and cemented artists who I’m excited to see hit the musical stages and streaming platforms this 2024.

Of course, these are just a few of the many artists I have on heavy rotation. So, check out my picks and if I missed some of your favorites, let me know in the comments below. I got love for all!

That Mexican OT

That Mexican OT is the fiery alias of 23-year-old rapper Virgil René Gazca. His early years were tumultuous; he lost his mother when he was eight, and his father was incarcerated around the same time. Gazca lived with his maternal grandmother until sixth grade when his dad was released and relocated the family to Austin. It wasn’t long before his dad chose to leave the family behind, so Gazca’s “strict and wonderful” stepmother stepped in and raised him. Gazca started rapping at the age of four, although he began seriously honing his craft under the eye of his Uncle Ramón, who introduced the musically voracious child to his crew, Kick Doe Click. Gazca dedicated his first song to his late mother, and by age 10 he’d taken on the moniker of V-Man and laid down bars on a Kick Doe Click record—a time he revisited on his 2022 single of the same name.

310 Babii

Left, do it! Right, do it! 310babii has the world goin’ up to his hit single SOAK CITY! Born and raised in Inglewood, California the 18-year-old breakthrough artist behind the viral song with a corresponding dance currently has over 120 million views on Tik Tok, and a combined 100 million streams across all dsps. The independent release was recorded on an iPhone using BandLab. Just last month on December, 310babii celebrated his 18th birthday with a show in his hometown.

Mark Lux

Mark Lux is a rising artist hailing from the vibrant music scene of Los Angeles. Growing up in the city of Bellflower, Mark was inspired by the diverse range of music and cultures surrounding him. He was drawn to rap music as a means of expressing himself and telling his story. Mark’s music is characterized by his distinctive flow, clever wordplay, and sharp lyricism. His introspective lyrics often touch on themes such as personal struggles, social commentary, and the pursuit of success. He is known for his ability to connect with his audience and deliver powerful performances that leave a lasting impression.

Tyla

Tyla’s music pushes boundaries. Infused with her vibrant personality, her songs offer an innovative take on pop and R&B, shimmering with the euphoria of South African amapiano, and an otherworldly approach to production that makes every track feel like something totally new. Tyla’s emotionally rich music began when she was just 12, penning songs in her diary, which led to writing and singing more seriously as a high schooler. Ever since, she’s been guided by her intuition, which has her primed to build out her fan base and maximize her reach.

Khamari

A multifaceted artist, songwriter, and producer, Khamari grew up in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Skilled as a vocalist, pianist, and guitarist, and growing up playing instruments ranging from the French horn to the violin, he left Berklee School of Music early to dive into the deep end as an artist.

ATM Danny

ATM Danny, an artist from the San Fernando Valley, who isn’t afraid to experiment with new sounds & add it to his music. From jumping on his usual West Coast and Los Angeles sound to jumping on a whole different scale such as the house music scene that’ll have his audience raving for more. If you end up discovering his music through social media, friends etc., he’ll have plenty of more bangers for you to hear once you dive into his wave.

Leah Writes

Leah Writes is a singer songwriter who is best known for her series of SoundCloud mixtapes and various features all over the Los Angeles music scene. Born in Los Angeles Leah was raised in the Crenshaw district. She then took to social media to publish her music. She used ‘SoundCloud’ to put her music online with her own mixtape series titled “Slightly Ghetto” and released small video clips on ‘Instagram. In 2019 she gained the interest of indie label Drastic Measures and later got signed in 2021. With gaining traction from her singles “Can’t Get Enough” feat. Xian Bell & Motions Leah is now currently working on her debut EP set to release in 2022.

VaugnyOcho

Stanley Vaughn better known as VaughnyxOcho is a songwriter, designer and owner of the The8HatCo. lifestyle brand valleyside35.com Influenced by rappers like Dom Kennedy, Biggie Smalls, and MF Doom, he blends his aesthetic, both visually and vocally, to project what it means to be VALLEYSIDE. It is the sworn duty of the versatile MC, VaughnyxOcho, to make sure he lets it be known; The Valley is staking its claim in the L.A. Rap and Hip-Hop scene and Urban Street Wear.

God Dessey

Odessey “GodDessey” Gutierrez, a captivating female artist hailing from the mesmerizing island of Roatan, Honduras, is a true embodiment of resilience, dedication, and artistic brilliance. From a young age, Odessey discovered her passion for music, igniting a flame that would guide her through every step of her artistic evolution. Starting as a singer and songwriter, she gradually transitioned into producing her own songs, creating a unique and ethereal blend of sounds that can only be described as “out of this world.” GodDessey’s distinctive style and undeniable talent caught the attention of the Latin music scene. Her music is a fusion of sensuality and spirituality, creating an unparalleled blend that resonates deeply with her listeners. 

FEEFA

Feefa is a bilingual Salvadoran-American artist and songwriter from Los Angeles, California, who began releasing music in 2017 with his debut single “Envidia” which garnered much attention from the Latin American and Hip-Hop communities. He’s collaborated with buzzing new LA artists and producers including: Kalan frfr, G Perico, Ratcheton, Cricket Production and Cypress Moreno to name a few. In 2019, the Angeleno was announced by Los Angeles’ iHeartRadio station as winner of Real 92.3 The Come Up Show and also as their first opener for Real Street Fest in August 2019.

Cam & China

Cam & China, twins from Inglewood and veterans of L.A.’s jerkin’ scene, carry the Mobb/Clipse approach to its natural conclusion. Even among those who share DNA, they’re uniquely attuned to one another, and their minds are melding to make some of the year’s fiercest, most viscerally exciting rap music. For years, these LA twin sisters put on for the city and we’re ready for more this year.

Alexcis

Alexcis Villa, creatively known as just Alexcis is a Mexican-American singer and songwriter born in San Jose, CA and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Alexcis’ sound mixes pop and r&b with elements of hip-hop and Spanish music. Earlier this month, he dropped his new song “Nissan,” and he’s also gearing up to deliver his upcoming new project on February 23, 2024.

Cam Archer

Cam Archer, born in California’s Inland Empire, started rapping for fun in 2008. What started off as a hobby become more and more intriguing to Archer. He began to pay more attention to the styles, words and cadences of the artists whose music he enjoyed and was influenced by. Soon, he found himself thinking of rap as much more than a hobby. The music he creates is not only influenced by other rappers, but music of all genres. This is what has helped Archer create a musical style all his own. 

EpicMustDie

Compton’s very own EpicMustDie has asserted himself as one of the most necessary voices in West Coast hip-hop. For the last few years, EMD has accelerated his sound to the top where he undoubtedly remains. When it comes to his performances, he is one to not be missed: known for his bars and energetic presence. Mid last year, he delivered his album GAMBLE, which you can check out here.

4Eva Juice

Hailing from Carson, California, 4Eva Juice is 16 years old but delivers bars left and right. The young rapper has been putting on for his city with such a dynamic flow. He crafts together his style with deep vulnerability and introspection. 

Jayson Cash

On a mission to put on for the city that made him, Jayson Cash is a rapper and songwriter from Carson, California. Heavily influenced by the West Coast at large, the Southern California native balances gaining wisdom through his own first-hand experiences with learning from the example set by the legends who helped pave the way before him. While readying his first independent release in December 2017, Cash’s world came to a halt when he was tragically shot three times as a result of passing by a gang initiation gone horribly wrong. For Cash, his unwavering faith and relentless drive played a crucial role in his road to recovery, from dropping a freestyle while in his hospital bed to relearning how to walk. Throughout the past several years, Cash has embraced his calling as a rapper with full force, working tirelessly to pick up where he left off and see where his career can take him next. 

T.F

Fresh off featuring on two producers’ albums in 2023, DJ MUGGS’ Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley and The Alchemist’s Flying High, as well as releasing his 2023 collab album, Skanless Levels 4, with fellow Los Angeles MC, 2 Eleven. T.F displays the tremendous amount of versatility he possesses as an artist through his ability to glide over an array of different sounding beats to give listeners more insight on the Skanless lifestyle he lives every day.

P1

Molded by his dad’s passions for hip-hop, which eventually shaped and became his passions, P1‘s music is a spin-off ofhis father’s take on the craft with a few adjustments. P1 knows that his time is coming as long as he continues to produce the best content possible and remains the same. 

TSpokes

TSpokes is a Hip Hop artist from San Bernardino, California, who makes music about her aspirations of success and songs to get a party going. Her music emanates confidence, which can be felt in her high-energy stage presence.

Zoe Osama

South Los Angeles recording artist Zoe Osama began to catch on in the early 2010s when he was still a teenager, bringing old skool “bangin on wax”touches to a raw lyrical style and helping to set the pace for the gangsta sound West Coast rap would become known for throughout the decade. His fame grew as he came in contact with various legal troubles, managing to live out his dreams of becoming the next big artist out of South Central L.A

Dazy Lyn

Dazy Lyn has been in the music game for years. She’s made her name in the music and entertainment industry and the beauty space. Dazy Lyn’s music transcends mere beats and rhymes; she’s a testament to the resilience of her city of Los Angeles, a proclamation that authenticity will always rise above the noise.

The Homie Dreebo

Dreebo is a multi-talented, west coast bread hip-hop artist who incorporates a mixture of singing and rapping to his process creating his own unique sound. He grew up in Los Angeles but his roots are diverse as his parents immigrated from Jamaica to New York in the 60’s and then to Los Angeles in the 80’s. In 2020, Dreebo decided amidst the pandemic, he would take this opportunity to challenge himself to another level and release 365 songs in 2021. Since Dreebo has been going deep with his music.

Ruggo

Ruggo is a young emerging artist coming out of the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, CA. Born on July 20 2002, to a family that encouraged artistic expression and music-making, Ruggo found himself developing interesting early sounds at a very young age. Influenced by the nostalgic songs and memories of the early 2000s, to the rhythmic uptick in new age music, his sound is full of a wide mix of this new generation’s energy and grooves of eras prior. Ruggo has a way of expression his words in a unique way that catches your eye.

Lefty Gunplay

Hailing from the gritty streets of Baldwin Park, Lefty Gunplay is not just a rapper; he’s a force to be reckoned with, blending raw authenticity with a narrative that transcends his local roots. Lefty’s lyrical prowess caught the attention of OTR Records, a label known for its commitment to unearthing diamonds in the rough. Signing with OTR Records was more than a milestone for Lefty Gunplay; it was a declaration that Baldwin Park’s voice had arrived on the grand stage of the music industry.