Before I begin this article I would just like to thank everyone for giving this site a chance. I don’t recall the exact moment I decided to create Arcane, but I know that once I began pitching the idea, the reception was beyond imaginable.
The sole purpose of this website is to help aspiring creatives (as of right now it’s just musicians) gain exposure. As a musician myself, I already know how difficult and competitive this industry is, which is why I want to help everyone I possibly can.
In early 2017 I made a conscious decision to step away from songwriting – not because I wanted to, but because I needed time to evaluate who I wanted to be as someone in the field, and what impact I wanted to make in it. In taking this break I not only discovered who I wanted to become as a musician, but I was able to evaluate what state the music industry was in as a whole and if I could see myself in it.
In this short break, it was not only refreshing to see the outpour of new (at least to mainstream radio) talent, but it was needed. Throughout my year off, I was able to see the careers of artists like SZA, Kehlani, Jaden Smith take off while simultaneously appreciating artists like Kendrick Lamar, Tyler the Creator, and Jhene Aiko reconstruct what it is to be a true artist.
Yes, it was an amazing time for music.
Of course I would love to explain every artist that I listened to and give an in-detail explanation of why you should listen to them to but I’ve never been one to ramble. I’ve compiled three lists:
- Favorite Debuts
- Favorite Projects
- Favorite Singles
All of the artists on the list are relatively new so if you are not familiar with them, it is completely understandable – that’s kind of the point of this website. If there are artists you feel deserve more recognition, feel free to contact me (via. the contact page) or through Arcane’s social media: Twitter, Instagram, and SoundCloud.
Category I: Favorite Debuts
NSTASIA
- Genre: R&B, Pop
- Similar Artists: SZA, Starrah, Raye
- Notable Song: Trap or Die
- Debut Project: New Religion
Brax
- Genre: Hip Hop/Rap
- Similar Artists: Connie Diamond, IAMDDB
- Notable Song: Lil’ Bitch
- Debut Project: VERSE(atility)
Category II: Favorite Projects
Astrum – Perception
- Released: October 13, 2017
- Genre: Pop, Alternative
- Similar Projects: Trace – Low EP, Lorde – Pure Heroine
- Standout Song(s): Perception, Confessional
Dounia – Intro To
- Released: October 20, 2017
- Genre: R&B, Indie Pop
- Standout Song(s): East Coast Hiding, Shyne, Casablanca, Clueless,
Niqa Mor – Thursday Night
- Released: March 13, 2017
- Genre: PBR&B
- Similar Projects: Tinashe – Aquarius, Tory Lanez – Chixtape 4, Asiahn – Love Train EP
- Standout Song(s): Night Swim
The True Blue – Other Summer
- Released: June 28, 2017
- Genre: Pop, Indie, R&B
- Standout Song: O.O.C
Category III: Favorite Songs
Lule – Fix Me
- Project: POV
- Genre: R&B
- Released: August 28
- Similar Artists: Croosh,
Lex – Used To
- Genre: Pop
- Released: March 24, 2017
- Similar Songs: Maleek Berry – Flexin, Pia Mia – What A Girl Wants
Lolo Zouai – High Highs to Low Lows
- Genre: PBR&B, Indie Pop
- Released: September 27, 2017
- Similar Songs: Alyana – Bliss, Stalgia – In the Trees
Jaehyun – Help
- Genre: R&B. Hip Hop/Rap
- Released: September 17, 2017
- Similar Songs: Darci – Come Around,
Honorable Mentions
Quin – Dreamgirl EP
- Genre: R&B, Pop
- Released: September 1, 2017
- Standout Song(s): BB
Asiahn – Love Train EP
- Genre: Contemporary R&B
- Released: January 7, 2017
- Similar Projects: H.E.R – Vol. 1 & 2, Niqa Mor – Thursday Night, Tinashe – Reverie, Jhene Aiko – Souled Out
- Standout Songs: Faded, Time
Denny Lanez – Dominate (Single)
- Project: ’96
- Genre: Hip Hop/Rap
- Released: April 8, 2017
- Similar Songs: Meek Mill – Litty
Hadar Adora
- Genre: Pop, Reggae, Indie
- Notable Song: I Can Do Anything
- Similar Artists: Naomi Wild, Satica, Melody Reyne
Cadence – Take My Time (Single)
- Project: Summer’s End
- Released: September 22, 2017
- Genre: Pop
- Similar Songs: Jessica Jarrell – U Remind Me, Mila J – U Remind Me
Although this is not all of the artists and music I enjoy throughout 2017, these are the artists and projects that stood out to me the most. To hear more music from these artists as well as those who aren’t included there will be a playlist uploaded on our official SoundCloud (click here) and Instagram (click here). Be sure to follow all of Arcane’s social media platforms to be notified when a new article is posted or in case anything major is happening to or on the site.
** On Wednesday, 2017: Part II will be uploaded. If you have seen our schedule (click here) you know that Wednesdays are dedicated to international artists (artists who are not based in the United States).
