Top 10 Best Gen Z Pop Stars
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Zoomer pop stars born no earlier than 1997, including their future potential. Who’s your favorite Gen Z-er in music? Let us know in the comments!
#10: Ice Spice
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You thought we were feeling her? Then you’d be correct. Like many Gen Z artists, Ice Spice started out as a viral TikTok sensation. After her solo songs like “Munch (Feelin’ U)” blew up in 2022, she scored a collab with fellow up-and-comer PinkPantheress that pushed her to further heights. Soon enough, the rapper joined forces with industry titans like Nicki Minaj, Taylor Swift, and…Ben Affleck? Beyond her distinct look and memeable lyrics, Ice Spice has been praised for her positive vibes and likable attitude -- some have even dubbed her “the People’s Princess.” Despite accomplishing so much already, she still has further to go. How can she lose when she’s already chose?
#9: Tate McRae
If you missed the days of pop stars with real choreo, this Zoomer is making up for lost time. Tate McRae is a double threat, starting dance lessons at 6 years old and perfecting her craft long before picking up a microphone. “You broke me first” became her first hit single in 2020, and her star has only brightened in the meantime. Her viral TikTok song “Greedy” is shaping up to be her biggest hit yet, serving up a slinky throwback to 2000s-era Nelly Furtado and Timbaland. The switch in McRae’s sound bodes well for the future, and she’s sure to deliver more bops.
#8: Willow
While Willow Smith’s debut “Whip My Hair” was a standard Rihanna-esque track, she’s matured and found her own lane in the decade-plus since. Five studio albums and multiple genres later, she’s far surpassed most people’s first impressions. From exploring alternative R&B to riding the pop-punk revival wave, Willow has managed to shed the nepo baby stigma and prove herself as her own artist. She’s also scored collabs with the likes of Blink-182’s Travis Barker, earning the respect of her musical predecessors. Willow has opened doors in the alternative space for countless other artists, and continues to shapeshift her sound.
#7: Chloe x Halle
How do they do it? The latest in a succession of R&B sister acts that includes the Braxtons and Knowles, Chloe and Halle Bailey have already made their mark. First getting their start on a YouTube cover channel in the early 2010s, they soon made TV appearances and got signed to Beyoncé’s label, Parkwood Entertainment. Like their famous mentor, and Janet Jackson before her, Chloe x Halle have navigated the wholesome teen idol to full-fledged pop star pipeline. And after their acclaimed sophomore album “Ungodly Hour,” they’ve pivoted their angelic vocals to equally satisfying solo careers and acting roles. Still, we can’t wait to hear them harmonize together once again.
#6: Khalid
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Can we just talk about this artist’s amazing vocals? Khalid first rose to fame in 2017 with his album “American Teen,” which perfectly captured the Gen Z experience. He nabbed collabs with stars like Logic and Billie Eilish, further propelling him up the charts, and released his second album “Free Spirit” in 2019. Best known for his buttery-smooth delivery and chill production, Khalid has held down the fort for awesome male R&B ever since his debut. And while he’s far surpassed the label of “Young Dumb and Broke,” the song’s lyrics are still relatable to a significant portion of Zoomers.
#5: Camila Cabello
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Once she left her fellow harmonizers, things would never be the same. Camila Cabello was the first member of Fifth Harmony to go solo, and her head start definitely paid off. Her 2017 breakout single “Havana” topped the Billboard Hot 100, and she did it again in 2019 with then-boyfriend Shawn Mendes on “Señorita.” Cabello has also crossed over to film and TV, starring in “Cinderella” and becoming a judge on “The Voice” in 2022. The gig came a decade after competing on “The X-Factor” with Fifth Harmony, putting her among the lucky few to cross over from contestant to coach. Opening for Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” tour and collaborating with Ed Sheeran, it’s safe to say Cabello has A-list approval.
#4: Shawn Mendes
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A Canadian teen heartthrob who got famous for his viral song covers… sound familiar? Thankfully, Shawn Mendes outlasted his peers from Vine and eventually stepped out of the Biebs’ shadow. First getting airplay with 2015’s “Stitches,” he followed it up with “Treat You Better” and “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back.” But the biggest turning point in Mendes’ career came with 2018’s “In My Blood,” which showcased his vulnerable side and hinted at his artistic potential. By 2020, things came full circle when Mendes made the top 10 with “Monster,” a duet with Justin Bieber. It’s rare that a newer artist works with the earlier one they’re accused of copying, but it’s a testament to how much he’s evolved.
#3: Olivia Rodrigo
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As soon as she got her driver’s license, the “Sour” singer became a household name. After shedding her Disney roots, Olivia Rodrigo made a seamless transition to singer-songwriter ballads and pop-rock throwbacks, including the Paramore pastiche “good 4 u.” Winning Best New Artist at the 2022 Grammys, she went on to avoid the sophomore slump with her 2023 album “Guts.” Thanks to her relatable lyrics about first loves, breakups, and general teen angst, Rodrigo quickly established herself as one of Gen Z’s leading voices. It’s worth noting that she’s so popular with the demographic that she was invited to the White House in 2021 to help promote life-saving vaccines. Although she’s accomplished so much already, Rodrigo is clearly just getting started.
#2: Lil Nas X
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Has an artist ever shattered the one-hit-wonder label so hard? Lil Nas X’s 2019 country-rap smash “Old Town Road” almost seemed too massive to replicate. But with the release of his 2021 full-length album, he proved he wasn’t just a novelty fluke, and has continued to make pop history. On the single “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” the rapper danced for the devil and broke the internet with his bold self-expression…but that wasn’t all. He took a victory lap with fellow Gen Z rapper Jack Harlow on the triumphant follow-up, “Industry Baby,” with both singles hitting the top of the Hot 100. With his striking visuals and his signature sense of humor, Lil Nas X’s next moves are sure to keep everyone talking.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
PinkPantheress
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Conan Gray
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#1: Billie Eilish
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Once she gave us those ocean eyes, it didn’t take long for her to become the voice of a generation. Billie Eilish’s 2015 debut signaled a shift in the music industry from maximalist party songs to darkier and moodier sounds. From relationships to mental health, Eilish has explored issues relevant to Gen Z in a way that feels like she’s a friend or reading your diary back to you. But despite that description, she can still dish out a delectable dance track — “Bad Guy,” anyone? And instead of recycling what worked the first time, her sophomore album “Happier Than Ever” introduced a vintage pin-up aesthetic. With so much still ahead for Eilish, we can’t wait to see what she was made for.
