Youth Music reveals the next generation of diverse music talent in ‘Ones to Watch 2026’

• Youth Music unveils 20 emerging artists tipped to shape the future of the UK music industry 

• Alumni from Youth Music’s Ones to Watch lists, including ALT BLK ERA, JayaHadADream and Mali Hâf, have gone on to win MOBO awards and perform at Glastonbury 

• Youth Music’s Ones to Watch list is powered by Wingstop for the second year 

Youth Music, the UK’s leading young people’s music charity, today announces its Ones to Watch in 2026. The list spotlights 20 emerging artists who are set to make it big in the music industry. 

Youth Music’s Ones to Watch list has a strong track record of identifying future stars. Previous alumni include MOBO and Music Week Women in Music Award-winners ALT BLK ERA, alongside JayaHadADream, who performed on Boomtown’s main stage and recently won a DJ Mag Breakthrough MC/Vocalist Award as well as two Youth Music Awards, and Mali Hâf, who has since gone on to perform at Glastonbury and support Charli xcx.  

Artists are chosen from a pool of creatives in receipt of Youth Music’s NextGen Fund, backed by Wingstop, which provides financial support, networking opportunities, paid roles and training for young people facing barriers to progressing in music.  

Youth Music’s Ones to Watch 2026 artists are:  

• Adjua – an indie R&B, Afro, jazz and neo-soul artist based in Cardiff. 

• afromerm - a South London-born sound artist, composer, producer and poet.  

• Akam - a multidisciplinary artist from Manchester blending internet culture with alternative electronic and pop soundscapes. 

• Alika – a South-West based artist and producer making R&B and pop music. 

• BEASTIE - a producer-vocalist from London, blending alternative R&B, hip-hop, and electronic sounds. 

• Damsel Elysium - a multi-instrumentalist, composer, experimental sound, visual and performance artist based in London. 

• Eden J Howells - an alternative folk-rock musician based in London. 

• Exojay - an R&B and rap artist based between London and Nottingham, known for his moody soundscapes and emotionally resonant visuals. 

• Gabriella Bongo - a jungle/DnB songwriter, producer, DJ and recording engineer from London. 

• IBack - an independent rap artist from Kent, showcasing introspective lyricism, fresh flows and a captivating stage presence. 

• Jasmin Jet – a soul singer, songwriter, producer, Jasmin won this year’s Greene King Untapped. 

• Koba Sno – an experimental pop and electronic artist, producer and choreographer based in London known for blending their maximalist sound with movement and dance. 

• Leo Miyagee – Belfast-based rap artist making waves in the UK and Irish hip-hop scenes.  

• May0 - an Afrobeats artist from the West Midlands who uses singing and rap to express feelings and capture real-life experiences. 

• melba - a DJ, producer and club night founder from Newcastle. 

• Rivkala - a Manchester-born, North-East based artist with jazz and neo-soul rooting. 

• Ronn - a musician and composer from Hyderabad, India, specialising in rap, songwriting, and music production reflecting his South Indian roots. 

• Shogun Shato - a South-London based rapper, who uses thought-provoking and witty lyricism to create his sound. 

• Superlate – a celebrated dance and pop producer based in Liverpool.  

• The Yard Woman - Greek-born, London-based electronic DJ and Producer. 

The 2026 cohort reflects the breadth of contemporary UK music and the diverse range of artists Youth Music supports, spanning genres including R&B, Afrobeats, jazz and soul, to dance, jungle, pop, folk-rock, and rap.  

This campaign marks Wingstop’s continued commitment to support grassroots music in partnership with Youth Music. The restaurant chain is also continuing its investment to expand the Youth Music NextGen Fund and events programme and supporting a Ones to Watch Writing Camp for 20 artists from across the UK in February this year. 

Guvna B, Youth Music Co-Chair says: “Our Ones to Watch list showcases what the future music industries will look like if we keep investing in underrepresented talent. It’s diverse, unique and exciting, and we can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve. With the crucial support of partners like Wingstop, we can make sure grassroots youth music projects survive and thrive, supporting the next generation of creatives nationwide.”  

"Community is in our DNA, so backing the Youth Music NextGen Fund this year was a no-brainer," said Dirujan Sabesan, Chief Brand Manager at Wingstop UK, "Young artists aren’t just shaping culture—they’re driving it forward, creating the sounds and stories that define our communities. That energy is exactly what Wingstop UKI stands for. Music has always been part of our journey, so this partnership felt like a natural fit. We’re proud to play a role in supporting the next generation of talent and look forward to seeing how the ‘Ones to Watch’ go on to make their mark.” 

For more information about Youth Music’s Ones to Watch 2026, visit LINK 

Youth Music is a national charity funded thanks to the National Lottery via Arts Council England, players of People's Postcode Lottery and support from partners, fundraisers and donors. 

Youth Music’s Ones to Watch List 2026 full list: 

• Adjua – Wales 

• Adjua is an indie R&B, Afro, jazz and neo-soul artist based in Cardiff. She has previously been named Huw Stephens' 'Artist of the Week', and this year, she performed at SXSW in Austin, Texas and London, as well as Glastonbury and Green Man festivals, and flying to New York for a Sofar Sounds set. Her recent single, “Clarity”, featured on the BBC Radio Wales A-List. In 2026, she plans to release her second EP and embark on her first headline tour. Spotify | Instagram  

• afromerm - Greater London 

• Youth Music Awards 2025 Music Producer Award winner, afromerm, is a South London-born sound artist, composer, producer and poet. She performs with a motion-reactive electronic instrument called Juniper which she built and developed herself and was granted an Oram Award in 2023 for innovation in sound. Her performance credits include Tate Lates, The Great Escape, Jazz Stroud and Le Guess Who? festival. She opened for Yaya Bey in May 2025 and has half a dozen more live shows lined up before end of the year. Spotify | Instagram  

• Akam - North West 

• Akam is a multidisciplinary artist from Manchester blending internet culture with alternative electronic and pop soundscapes. Born in Finland to Kurdish parents, Akam later moved to Manchester, where his upbringing shaped his music. A self-taught producer, he regularly performs at some of the North’s most iconic venues and is active in the UK’s hyperpop scene and has worked on music videos for Central Cee and PinkPantheress. 2026 will see the release of his debut album, ‘Superstar Music’, plus a remix album. Spotify | Instagram 

• Alika - South West 

• Alika is an artist and producer making R&B / pop music. In 2025, she wrote, recorded and creative directed her debut EP ‘Candy Coated Pain’, funded by Youth Music, penning the entire project herself with no co-writers, and self-producing or co-produced every track. Alika also entered the live scene, playing her first headline show, a pre-release party for the EP, performed at a fashion show and at Mentavity’s ADHD Amplified. Alika has had press in Kickdrum Magazine and Clockwork Arthouse, as well as a feature on BBC Introducing Kent’s Black History Month special and her first spin on Reprezent Radio. In 2026, she plans to release her second EP. Spotify | Instagram 

•  BEASTIE - Greater London 

• BEASTIE is a producer-vocalist, blending alternative R&B, hip-hop, and electronic sounds. In 2025, he performed headline shows in London and Paris. His latest project, 'SOFIA’, fuses melancholic melodies with bold production, reflecting on feelings of grief after losing two family members. His follow up EP, ‘MARIA’, will be released in 2026. Spotify | Instagram 

• Damsel Elysium - Greater London 

• Rising Star Award (Artist) nominee Damsel is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, experimental sound, visual and performance artist based in London. They have performed at the Southbank Centre, Tate Modern and Union Chapel, collaborated with FKA Twigs, Celeste and the London Contemporary Orchestra, and been commissioned for Simone Rocha, Vogue X Gucci, and Byredo. This year, their work has featured at the Royal Ballet, Opera House and Fondation Sozzani in Paris, and they toured across Europe in prestigious venues and art spaces such as La Becque and Cafe OTO. 2026 sees exciting new projects for Damsel such as a debut album releasing on AD93 records. Spotify | Instagram 

• Eden J Howells - Greater London 

• Eden J Howells is an alternative folk musician based in London. This year, they sold out a headline show in Shoreditch's 'Strongroom' venue, performed at IKEA, Sofar Sounds, SXSW London and Boardmasters, and released their sophomore EP, ‘people watching’, for which their recent headline show at The Lexington sold out and gained support from BBC Radio 6, BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 6, NME and Spotify Editorial. In 2026, they plan to release more music and continue writing for other artists. Spotify | Instagram 

• Exojay - East Midlands 

• Exojay is an alt-R&B artist based between London and Nottingham, known for his moody soundscapes and emotionally resonant visuals.  His music resists genre conventions, blending smooth synths, layered vocals, and low-light cinematography to create a world that’s uniquely his own. In 2025, he played his first sold-out show in London, earned BBC Introducing and 1Xtra features, and produced, written, recorded, and engineered his project, ‘Survivor’. 2026 will be full of live shows and festival slots. Spotify | Instagram 

• Gabriella Bongo - Greater London 

• Gabriella Bongo is a jungle/DnB songwriter, producer, DJ and recording engineer signed to Hospital Records. She has been lauded by BBC 1Xtra and BBC Radio 1, has performed at the O2 Academy, the Royal Albert Hall, and Hospitality in the Woods Festival; and taken part in jam sessions with Nile Rodgers. In 2026, she plans to collaborate with big-name artists, release a string of singles, and play many more live shows across the globe. Spotify | Instagram 

• IBack - Greater London 

• IBack is an independent rap artist from Kent, showcasing introspective lyricism, fresh flows and a captivating stage presence. In 2025, she performed on behalf at IKEA’s new Oxford Circus store this summer, has been mentored by AntsLive and just released her debut EP ‘Right of Way’, an honest and relatable talent of growth, self-belief, and navigating life without all the answers. Live shows, summer festival slots and new releases will be her focus for 2026. Spotify | Instagram 

• Jasmin Jet – Scotland 

• Soul singer, songwriter, producer Jasmin won this year’s Greene King Untapped Competition, judged by Sam Ryder, Danny Jones, Music Venue Trust and Jack Daniel’s. She supported Sam Ryder on tour and has featured in Rolling Stone Magazine this year. Her self-written, co-produced debut EP will be released in 2026, following the release of her debut single. Expect to catch Jasmin playing a run of headline shows across the UK in 2026 too. Spotify | Instagram 

• Koba Sno - Greater London 

• Koba Sno is an experimental pop and electronic artist, producer and choreographer based in London known for blending their maximalist sound with movement and dance. In 2025, they launched ‘Expanded Audio’ - an explorative audio series - and marked the start of a new creative era with a live performance at HQI’ ‘360’ showcase, alongside guest mixes on Foundation FM and Loose FM. Their single ‘(crystal ball)’ fuses futuristic electronics with experimental pop, drawing from left-field R&B and ambient textures. Co-produced with BOBBIE (8485, Brooke Candy, Jessica Winter), it arrived with a self-directed visual. A new project is confirmed for 2026. Spotify | Instagram 

• Leo Miyagee -Northern Ireland 

• Leo was nominated for the two Youth Music Awards in 2025 - Rising Star (Artist) Award and Original Track Award – as well as landing BBC Introducing Northern Ireland Artist of the Year 2025. He supported Dizzee Rascal at his Belfast show in November and received the PRS Foundation x YouTube Music Power Up Fund in the summer. 2026 will see Leo play festivals across the UK, US and Europe.Spotify | Instagram 

• May0 - West Midlands 

• May0 is an Afrobeats artist with a love for storytelling. She uses singing and rap to express feelings and capture real-life experiences and has spent 2025 working on her upcoming mixtape. 2026 promises a cohesive, interactive and entertaining body of work in the form of said multimedia musical project. Spotify | Instagram  

• melba - North East 

• melba is a DJ and producer from Newcastle. She is also the founder of a club night called 'Club Cetera', and runs workshops teaching women and gender-non-conforming people in the North East how to DJ. In 2025, she released the acclaimed self-written, produced and mixed EP, ‘angel 777’, via respected underground label, Hypercolour. She played shows in Edinburgh, London and Manchester and hosted her first guest show on Rinse FM, as well as releasing a collab with Nectax on Hooversound. New music is planned for 2026. Spotify |Instagram 

• Rivkala -North East 

• Rivkala, winner of the Youth Music Awards 2025 Music Video Award, is a Manchester-born, North-East-based artist blending jazz and neo-soul to tell stories and spark social commentary. Tipped as ‘One to Watch’ by BBC Introducing North East, she’s graced stages from BBC Proms and MOBO Fringe to opening for Postmodern Jukebox, alongside appearances at SxSW Roadshow, Sofar Sounds, and festivals across the UK. Ahead of her debut EP, Rivkala made her TV debut performing “Lonely Shade of Blue” on BBC Look North. She’s currently working on a follow up EP, supported by Youth Music’s NextGen Fund, to be released in 2026, alongside UK touring plans. Spotify | Instagram 

• Ronn - Greater London 

• Ronn is a musician and composer from Hyderabad, India, with two BBC TV show credits and became the first Telugu rapper to release with Universal Music Group’s Def Jam India label. He's currently pursuing Music at University of Westminster, London. Ronn specialises in rap, songwriting, and music production, and his voice reflects South Indian roots, expressed through Telugu language. He is working on a Telugu hip-hop album featuring artists from across India and the UK, blending regional and international languages and cultures into one musical journey. Each track transports listeners to a new Indian city, reflecting its unique vibe, slang, and musical influence, creating the sonic experience of an all-India tour. In 2025, he performed at Boardmasters Festival and IKEA, and launched The Clique Records, a platform for Telugu rap that focuses on innovation, education and cultural pride. In 2026, his debut EP, ‘Welcome to South India’, will be released under The Clique Records. Spotify | Instagram  

• Shogun Shato -Greater London 

• Shogun Shato is a rapper based in South London. He has taken part in programmes led by Grounded Sounds, the Southbank Centre and Ninja Tune. He won the Youth Music Awards 2025 Original Track Award (Group) with Dia Day and performed at IKEA, as well as his own headline show in Brixton. Selected to feature in a campaign by Kickers. 2026 will see more music and more live shows. Spotify |Instagram  

• Superlate - North West 

• Superlate is a dance/pop producer based in Liverpool. He performed at Radio 1’s Big Weekend and Boardmasters this summer. His releases have gained support from BBC Radio 1, BBC Merseyside, and BBC Introducing. He has also co-produced tracks for Youngr and worked with Grammy-nominated producer Adriano Allaverdi. His recently released debut EP, ‘The Tropics’ features heavy, old-school grooves with modern songwriting, along with carefully chosen, talented vocalists, such as Zola Courtney. He’s currently collecting songs for his next EP, which will be “deeper and more emotional, slightly veering away from party-starting bangers and into emotive grooves.” Spotify | Instagram 

• The Yard Woman - South West 

• Nominated for the Youth Music Awards 2025 Music Producer Award, The Yard Woman has been mentored by techno legend Richie Hawtin, landed a sync from Ray-ban, performed at SXSW in Texas and for Cosmopolitan magazine at their September Paris Fashion Week event. She has released tracks through respected labels including Simulate, Einmusika, Running Clouds, Pets Recordings and Epidemic Sound. 2026 will see The Yard Woman write bespoke sound to visuals – scoring original music for fashion shows, advertisements and film. Spotify |Instagram