The Foundry Class Includes 12 Artists From Around The World
19 May 2020 - Press releaseRepresenting Glasgow, Kyoto, Birmingham, Los Angeles, Marseilles, Mumbai, New York, Puerto Rico and Sydney
Want to Meet The New Foundry Class? Watch The Introductory Video HERE
Today, YouTube Music is proud to announce 12 new artists to its Foundry program, marking the first class of 2020. Foundry, YouTube's global artist development program, helps independent artists use music and storytelling to engage fans across borders and build careers with a vision they uniquely define on their own.
This year's world-class group represents a wide range of genres and includes two homegrown acts. Representing Birmingham is grime MC Jaykae. Having supported Skepta and The Streets on tour, appeared as a guest for Drake at a London O2 date last year and featured on Stormzy and Ed Sheeran's 'Take Me Back to London' remix, Jaykae is firmly cementing his position as the British rap royalty of tomorrow.
Joining him is elusive Glaswegian singer/songwriter Joesef, who has been drawing comparisons to the likes of Sam Smith and Amy Winehouse thanks to his unflinchingly honest lyrics and soul & jazz inspired lo-fi pop instrumentals. A BBC Sound of 2020 contender despite only having performed his first ever gig that same year, Joesef is set to release a six-track EP in September.
Further afield, avant-garde French rapper TESSÆ features in the class alongside Lagos-based singer/producer Tems. With her powerful neo soul inflected voice and alt-R&B melodies, Tems is helping redefine the Nigerian music scene. It's no surprise, then, that she can already count the likes of Stormzy and Burna Boy as fans.
The rest of the line up includes charming LA singer-songwriter Adam Melchor, Puerto Rican trap storytellerEladio Carrion, audacious Brooklyn based multifaceted artistGabriel Garzon-Montano, LA-based corridos trailblazerNatanael Cano, five-piece Japanese indie rock bandNovelbright, soaring Mumbai DJ/producer duoLost Stories, Sydney pop-rock brothersLime Cordiale, and defiant Korean-American multitalentREI AMI.
Click HERE to meet Foundry's 2020 class and watch their introductory videos that they have recorded from home.
Roz Mansfield, Artist Partnerships, YouTube UK, said "In these uncertain times it's more important than ever for us to support and celebrate independent artists. Storytelling lies at the heart of YouTube. It's the cornerstone for creating meaningful connections between artists and their fans, and we are delighted to help facilitate that process for the next generation of Foundry talent. The diversity of the class is testament to the sheer range of progressive sounds and visions we are currently witnessing, as artists around the world push boundaries to create truly exciting and unique art."
Submit news or a press release
Want to add your news or press release? Email Paul or Kevin
Two week FREE trial