Issue 57
A new year is upon us. I haven’t summarized 2019, and I might not do it either. I think the previous emails has to be the summary of the top tracks of that year, since it was rather few emails anyhow.
Now we’re looking into a new year. For this newsletter, I’ll collect a few artist that I hope to see more of, and that I suspect might take another level up.
Roddy Rich
First up is Roddy Ricch. I wrote about him about a year ago and hoped him all the best for 2019, and here we are: a rather lowkey hit-maker, that is currently advancing through the ranks and hitting big numbers: 126 million listens on Spotify for his feature on Mustards single brought him a lot of followers for his latest album release, Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial that made big numbers, with hits like The Box and Tip Toe that we’ve seen on previous Franklin letters.
Quando Rondo
Second, we have Quando Rondo who just last week released his studio album QPac. He’s actually signed to YoungBoy Never Broke Again’s Atlantic Records imprint, Never Broke Again, LLC. Being the first signee to Youngboy’s business. Youngboy, who I wrote in a similar letter of artist to look forward to in 2018, who has made it big since then. From Quando’s latest album I really enjoyed Blue Opps, being a great intro to a great overall sounding album. It’s similar style as he’s grown famous with, and a previous, similar, track Imperfect Flower, show how he’s kept true to his sound, even after record label signings.
Slowthai
Skepta and Stormzy might be the two names dominating the UK sound export, but we’ve got Slowthai starting to make numbers as well, and it’s well deserved. We’ve featured multiple tracks from his incredible album There’s Nothing Great About Britain and that album is still in rotation from start to finish. The track Doorman made it big on radio, and he followed it up with another Mura Masa production with the great track Deal Wiv It. Other great tracks from his discography is T N Biscuits and Gorgeous. I saw him live earlier this year and definetily recommend you to see him live if he ever crosses your paths.
Polo G
Someone I truly hope make big numbers this year is Polo G. He came out of nowhere and released his absolutely fantastic debut album / EP Die A Legend that I listen to from start-to-finish at least once a week. With great hits like Pop Out as well as Finer Things, he clearly shows how he can do hits as well as melodic, slower tunes. His crazy hit debut also took his name to artists that called him up and asked to be featured on his album, hence an extra release of his Pop Out track where Lil Baby and Gunna featured. He was later invited for a track with Mustard as well. It’s been a long time since I saw someone debut out of nowhere and make these crazy amount of listens. A great prospect for 2020 and I hope him all the best.