Zoe Wees announced as Apple Music Up Next artist

Apple Music today announced singer-songwriter Zoe Wees as the latest addition to its Up Next program, Apple Music's monthly artist initiative geared towards identifying, showcasing and elevating rising talent. Wees is the first Up Next artist from Germany to be spotlighted within the global showcase.  

 

Growing up, music was the rising pop singer’s safe haven from a world that often made her feel rejected due to her epilepsy. “For all of those who’ve had seizures before, they know how it feels not being able to talk,” she tells Apple Music in her Up Next film. “I would love to scream it all out, but I was too scared.” But a teacher in her hometown of Hamburg, Germany, Nils Bodenstedt, recognized her talent and helped cultivate an environment where Wees could become comfortable with her voice. They began down a path that would soon lead to the studio session where she came up with her breakout single, “Control.”  Since then, Wees has been featured across Apple Music playlists like In My Room, Tearjerkers, Everyday Hits, Today’s Hits, Feeling Blue, and was highlighted in Apple Music’s International Women’s Day programming with her own curated Visionary Women picks of melodic, female anthems.

 

“It’s a real honor for me to be named as Apple’s Up Next Artist for April, and to follow on from so many talented people who have emerged from this program,” said Zoe Wees. “I’m ready to give everything to grow with this challenge the way they did.”

 

“Zoe is an incredible artist who makes truly breathtaking music, from her unique voice to her powerful songwriting,” said Apple Music host Rebecca Judd. “The levels of success she’s already reached with a couple of singles is incredible and this is clearly only the beginning. I’m so excited for her and what she will do next!”

 

In her Up Next film out today, Wees opens up about her upbringing, living with her illness and refusing to be defeated by it. Additional Up Next campaign moments include a Jimmy Kimmel Live! performance on April 15 and a sit down interview with Apple Music’s Judd, where she discusses the impact her music has had on both herself and fans, the importance of being honest in her lyrics, and her road to self-acceptance.

 

Watch the Zoe Wees Up Next film HERE

 

Check out her Apple Music 1 interview with Rebecca Judd HERE 

 

Pre-add Zoe Wees' newest EP, Golden Wings, out on May 21 and add the Apple Music Up Next Playlist into your listening rotation today.