Top 10 Underrated Artists You Should Stream Right Now

Starting as a teenager, this artist was something of an internet mystery. She received attention for her impressive debut “Miss Behaves.” With Bladee being one of her influences, Cece Natalie emerged in the 2020s as a member of the SoundCloud generation. As a performer and producer, she represents the recent slate of DIY viral stars. Her music sounds like it could’ve been from a major label in the late 2000s or 2010s. With electro-beats and stylish vocals, you could compare her to the likes of Lady Gaga or Charli XCX. You could easily see her collaborating with high-profile musicians on her next release.

If you like indie pop and rock, you might find something to love about Muna. This trio knows how to craft catchy songs with ease. For anyone that wants a crowd-pleasing anthem, you should look no further than “Silk Chiffon.” It could be your new favorite single with its swoony lyrics and awesome chorus. Working alongside greats like Phoebe Bridgers, Muna is the kind of positive force that powers fun and inclusive music. They write the kind of songs that should be on both the radio and your next playlist. Needless to say, they have many hidden gems that deserve more attention.

Exploring the neo-soul space, Mahalia represents raw talent as a vocalist. Her musical abilities have stretched across albums like “Love and Compromise.” She’s proven herself as a solo artist on tracks like “Grateful,” with a brand new take on R&B. Some of her highlights as a guest performer include “All I Need” with Jacob Collier and Ty Dolla Sign. While she’s received awards nominations, the singer hasn’t had as much attention on the charts. “What You Did” is one of her more successful songs, featuring some of her strongest writing and a feature from Ella Mai. Her work with performers such as Lila Iké hints at a promising future.

After her EPs in the 2010s, this Canadian artist released her debut album “Alpha” in 2021. The record received positive notice for its alternative R&B sound. Charlotte Day Wilson stands out with her inventive genre-mixing, serving up engaging tracks that don’t fit the cookie-cutter approach of more mainstream music. “If I Could” is one example of her power to slow things down and intensify every note. At the Juno Awards and the Grammys, Wilson was nominated for her work. Her album “Cyan Blue” kept up her quality output with singles such as “I Don’t Love You.” She might be lesser known in America, but the musician should be considered an underrated soul performer.

Following the release of a promising mixtape and EP, Kelela Mizanekristos put out her first album in 2017. “Take Me Apart” carried on her combination of R&B and electronic genres. Her single “LMK” exemplified her unique style, encouraging listeners to look back at her catalog. She came back with original music in the 2020s, giving audiences her second record “Raven.” The scope of her musicality only expanded with that release. “Washed Away” and other tracks showed her interest in more ambient production. From deep cuts to remixes, Mizanekristos continues to be an ever-evolving artist.

With her debut album in 2013, Sky Ferreira quickly became an artist to watch. Her sensibility and electronic beats helped to forge a new sound for the decade. Ferreira could deliver fierce vocals on the likes of “You’re Not the One.” She can also dial things back, crafting the passionate and revealing “Everything Is Embarrassing.” Through the years, some audience members wondered about a second album. Ferreira spent the years after acting and collaborating with artists like Charli XCX. She also recorded the song “Leash” for the film “Babygirl.” While fans hope for more solo music, the singer’s catalog already includes many noteworthy releases.

The versatile rapper Little Simz was born in England. With six albums to her name, she’s already explored the outer limits of hip-hop. Simz took critics by surprise in the 2010s with records like “Grey Area.” She expanded her sound in the 2020s, with releases like “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” that explored jazz and electronic influences. The independent performer deserves mention for pushing the boundaries of her genre. As an actor and a hip-hop emcee, she’s shown herself to be an innovative artist over the last decade. She might be better known in the U.K., but she deserves to be a household name across the pond.

Folk music took many different shapes over the years, but this singer made it new again. Madison Cunningham represents one of the latest faces of Americana and folk stylings. Winning a Grammy for her third album, the musician earned respect for a sometimes-neglected genre. Her musical expertise and instincts blend pop into more traditional sounds. Only needing a few instruments, the singer and songwriter carves out beautiful stories with her music. Expanding her horizons even more, she did a Buckingham Nicks cover album with Andrew Bird. Even when she’s recording classics, Cunningham reveals herself to be a refreshing change of pace.

Like many musicians of her generation, Abigail Smith gained attention from her work online. Her song “My Mind” drew the eye of big-time performers. This eventually led her to record a debut album called “Dawn.” With her soulful voice, the singer showed that she could blend pop, gospel, and R&B elements together. Her powerful instrument helped earn the respect of producers like Mark Ronson. Yebba collaborated with artists from P.J. Morton to Ed Sheeran, always standing out among her successful counterparts. Even with a Grammy win, she remains an underrated performer in a sea of other talent.

For over a decade, this singer has built up a strong following for her intricate songwriting. Albums such as “Puberty 2” brought out the best in a performer. Known for indie rock and pop styles, the artist almost quit for good before returning in the 2020s. Mitski is more than just a genre or label, breaking down expectations with her elaborate music. She has an unmistakable and creative spirit that powers many incredible songs. Even with her relative success, she could definitely earn more praise and awards. While many love her now, the next few years will likely bring her more acclaim and adoring fans.



Did we forget another musician that deserves more attention? Let us know in the comments below.