Amazon Music today announce their Breakthrough UK: Artists To Watch 2024 in 2024, a carefully curated list of 13 emerging UK signed artists on the rise who will be championed by streaming service over the next 12 months.

The Amazon Music Breakthrough UK: Artists To Watch 2024 list is (in alphabetical order): AntsLive, Elmiene, JayO, Jazzy, Kenya Grace, METTE, NOAHFINNCE, Saint Harison, salute, Sekou, Strandz, The Last Dinner Party, and Wasia Project.

These 13 acts have been chosen by the Amazon Music music industry team for being distinctive artists tipped for success over the next year, and showcasing a diverse range of genres and musical styles from within the British music scene. Championing future sounds, each artist will receive support from Amazon Music over the next year to help develop them as artists and provide them with the tools to build their artistic identities further. Alongside the playlist, the 13 artists will also receive editorial and social support across Amazon Music formats and channels to help them connect with existing fans and be discovered by new ones.

The Breakthrough UK: Artists To Watch 2024 artists will be supported through prominent placements across Amazon Music playlists and stations over the next year, along with an additional focus on new releases and further opportunities to be announced in 2024.

Laura Lukanz, Head of Music Industry, Amazon Music UK said of the programme: “Looking back on our 2023 cohort, it’s inspiring to see their momentum and I can’t wait to go on this journey with our 13 new artists. The UK emerging music scene continues to be a hugely exciting place as we head into 2024, and the supremely talented artists who are joining Artists To Watch this year really demonstrate that. Being able to support artists at such a crucial stage of their career, and helping them build even greater fanbases, is incredibly important to the team and I.”

Breakthrough UK: Artists To Watch is one of many ways Amazon Music continues to support and nurture new musical talent. Global developing artist programme, ‘Breakthrough’, provides long-term, customised global plans for emerging artists during crucial moments in their careers. This support includes video and audio content, global marketing, increased visibility across Amazon Music playlists and programming, and high-profile Amazon Original tracks available only on Amazon Music. Amazon Music also champions UK artists globally through curated playlists like ‘+44’, the Amazon Music brand dedicated to representing the sound of the UK, spotlighting and celebrating the best UK rap, R&B, grime, drill and afrobeats music and the artists behind it.

Listen to the Breakthrough UK: Artists To Watch 2024 playlist HERE or simply ask, “Alexa, play the Breakthrough: Artists to Watch 2024 playlist” via the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android and on Alexa-enabled devices.

FLO, Caity Baser, Anish Kumar, Venbee and Nia Archives were among the artists to feature on the Amazon Music 2023 Artist to Watch list, all of whom went on to have a hugely successful year.

BREAKTHROUGH UK: ARTISTS TO WATCH 2024 BIOS & QUOTES

AntsLive

Releasing his debut EP ‘Just A Matter Of Time’, last January, the UK’s hottest rapper AntsLive has taken the music world by storm, with international tastemaker support across the spectrum, as well as being hailed as BBC Radio 1’s Future Artist of The Month in August 2023.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, AntsLive says: “Love Amazon Music, I’m grateful for all the recognition & support. Last year was crazy… this year we go again. Everything levelling up. Respectfully, I hope next year I won’t be an 'artist to watch' anymore! 🙏🏼”

Elmiene

Elmiene’s voice is undeniable. Born and raised in Oxford since the age of 5, the now 22-year-old has been called on for his sweetly soulful croons. Elmiene’s sound resurrects the theatrics and vocal chops of old-school R&B loverboys with the timeless philosophies of soul titans and filters it through a refreshingly modern production prism of jagged synths, metallic chords and soaring strings to create something entirely new and compelling.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, Elmiene says: “Super glad to be included as part of the breakthrough artists 2024. All these lists are pushing me to release some bangers this year. Hope I don’t disappoint (I won’t)”

JayO

Rising British star JayO is an explorer. Whether it be his literal location, his sound or his style, the 24-year-old singer, songwriter and producer is not interested in being stuck in one place. Inspired by a youth spent running around in church, or else visiting family in Nigeria, listening to Afrobeats and old school R&B at parties there, the unifying factor for JayO’s music is a desire to recreate the feeling those spaces gave him.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, JayO says: “Thank you Amazon Music for making me one of the Artists to Watch, I’ve got a lot of music to share with you this year!”

Jazzy

South Dublin born singer, Jazzy, is known for her recorded vocals for ‘Make Me Feel Good’, a track with Irish house duo Belters Only. Soon after this, Jazzy reached the Irish #1 spot, where she became the first Irish woman to do so in 14 years. Now 26, Jazzy has always turned to music in times of adversity. Her unique combination of classical training and a love for club music and hip-hop has given her a dexterous approach to songwriting. Jazzy is just getting started, but her future is already set to be a stellar one.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, Jazzy says: "Super happy to be included in Amazon Music's Artist to Watch! Appreciate all the love and support I've had so far and I can't wait to bring you more tunes + vibes this year."

Kenya Grace

Helming an inimitable musical vision as a producer and projecting a magnetic voice as a vocalist, Kenya Grace presents a multi-dimensional perspective on electronic pop. The South Africa-born, UK-based singer, songwriter, and producer strikes a balance between nocturnal dancefloor energy and skyscraping songcraft like no other.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, Kenya says: “I’m honoured to have been included in this year’s Amazon Music’s ‘Artists To Watch’ with so many amazing talented artists. Last year was a whirlwind and I’m really excited to make this year my best yet!”

METTE

For METTE, the route to music was circuitous, but destined. In 2023, she found herself ready to emerge with music that explores tender emotions, complex feelings, and her life’s narrative. METTE’s music is sensual and sweaty – music to move your body to. Unrestricted by the need to align with one genre, she finds her sound at the crossroads of dance music and a myriad of possibilities.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, METTE says: "It’s so exciting to kick off the year as an ‘Artist to Watch’! I’m looking forward to sharing new music, performing, and meeting the amazing folks who have made my tunes an addition to the soundtrack of their life!"

NOAHFINNCE

NOAHFINNCE has always wanted community. It started as a kid, when Noah Adams found understanding in the music of My Chemical Romance, Green Day and Fall Out Boy before taking his obsession online, and it’s continued right through his own vibrant musical career. From creating a safe digital space driven by trans acceptance and normalisation to a string of giddy headline shows on both sides of the Atlantic, Noah’s confidently built a world around NOAHFINNCE.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, Noah says: "It was so cool being picked as one of Amazon's Breakthrough Artists of 2024, was so shocked when I was told about it and I’ve had a great experience so far. I’m so excited about the creativity I’ve seen in a lot of newer artists and it’s an honour to be picked amongst some really cool musicians."

Saint Harison

Singer-songwriter Saint Harison is a moving and honest artist who released his debut EP ‘Lost a Friend’ last year and has accumulated roughly 85M global streams to date. Saint grew up with diverse musical influences from SZA and Billie Eilish to staples like Amy Winehouse and Whitney Houston, which helped to inspire his music and relate to his rapidly growing fanbase worldwide.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, Saint says: "It’s always surreal to be recognised by such huge music platforms and in a world full of incredible music and boundary breaking artistry, I feel so lucky to be included in Amazon Music’s Artist to Watch lineup in 2024."

salute

salute spent the first 18 years of their life in Vienna, Austria, a city known for its clean streets and beautiful architecture. It was in Vienna as a young teen that they first started becoming enamoured with British dance music - grime, drum & bass, dubstep, and garage. salute was recently nominated for a MOBO award (alongside Aluna, Shygirl, TSHA, PinkPantheress, and more) and their 2023 Boiler Room performance went viral on TikTok, amassing millions of views. Their live shows are electric - selling out performances across the US, UK, Europe, and Asia. They have played major festivals such as Glastonbury (4x sets in 2023), Parklife, Warehouse Project, Field Day and more. Their music has garnered the support of Skrillex, Fred again.., Four Tet, Bonobo, Floating Points, and many other established names in the field. In 2024, salute will be releasing their debut album on Ninja Tune.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, salute says: "It's a lovely feeling to be included in Amazon Music's Artists To Watch 2024, especially in the company of such talented artists. The support is hugely appreciated and I really loved being part of the shoot too, all the outfits went crazy.”

Strandz

Strandz is one of the most distinctive new musicians in the UK. The 22-year-old rapper, producer and engineer is a true maverick, and it’s his unique life story which shaped him as the artist he is today. In the crowded field of UK rap, Strandz stands out with a sound that feels both fresh and nostalgic, writing unforgettable hooks and remaining true to himself with his emotive lyrical content.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, Strandz says: “I feel honoured to have been spotlighted, it means a lot because we've put in a lot of work in the last year and decided to do things differently. This year I wanna take things to a whole next level.”

Sekou

Born and raised in Ashby, Leicester, Sekou is an artist to watch. A recent BRITs ‘Rising Star’ nominee, and BBC Radio 1 ‘Sound Poll’ top 10 artist, at the tender age of 16 he gained recognition after posting soulful covers online, leading to his discovery by NWS Music. With roots in the church and an appreciation for Gospel music, Sekou's powerful and emotive vocal ability has captivated audiences.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, Sekou says: “I’m so honoured and grateful to be included in Amazon Music’s ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024. IT’S MAD. The past year has been such an amazing journey and I'm only just getting started!! It’s so lovely having support from everyone at Amazon, love them.”

The Last Dinner Party

Formed in 2021, British indie rock band, The Last Dinner Party, took the online world by storm last year with the release of dark guitar-pop song ‘Nothing Matters’. The band concluded their introductory year being handed the BRIT’s Rising Star Award 2024 and heralded as Rolling Stone UK’s “Rising Stars” at their inaugural 2023 Awards, as well as recently being voted the BBC Sound of 2024 winners.

Wasia Project

The most enduring artists don’t just make songs: they invite you into an entire world. That’s the mission in a nutshell of Wasia Project (18), aka London-based siblings Will Gao (20) and Olivia Hardy (17), whose intoxicatingly honest alt-pop has generated an entire ecosystem of like-minded fans with deep connections to the band’s scalpel-sharp take on adolescent growing pains.

On featuring on ‘Artists To Watch’ 2024, the band says: “We are honoured to be included this year as one of Amazon Music’s ‘Artists To Watch’. We’re so excited for the year ahead. Peace and love ❤”