10 POR HARCOURT ARTIST TO WATCH 2016

The first quarter of the new year is a time to another fresh start. From wardrobe to music, it’s out with the old, in with the new. Of course there’s room on iPods and car stereos for veterans to mingle with newbies, but there’s a certain thrill when a good ear catches the sound of an undeniable new talent. Hip-hop, high life and R&B has birthed some mesmerizing artists in the past, and this year will continue the tradition, adding a slew of groundbreaking entertainers.
PHCityMusic.com has an eye on 10 buzz-worthy crooners and rhymers, who earned a spot on our debut list of Artists to Watch in this year. With any luck, 2016 will prove to be a make-or-break year for many of these artists, as they hustle beyond the cusp of greatness and into popular acclaim. Delve into the next wave of trendsetters.

2SLIK is one of those artists who just seems to exude creativity and art from every fiber of his being. 2Slik, debuted here with two singles “PEPE (featuring Duncan Mighty) and Dreams”. Aside the fact that both songs are very good, we also got to see (or hear) two different sides to 2Slik’s music. He then made his mark by teaming up with Burna Boy to bless us with “Controller“. These collaborations have captured the eyes and ears of fans all over, so it will be interesting to see how he takes the newfound attention and focuses it on his own work in 2016.

Sammy Hart is just a hotbed of talent right now, and his sound is resonating and connecting on unprecedented levels. Thankfully, Sammy Hart demands your attention off more than just a base level with his 2016 Alpha Pup debut, I Like Me. Sammy Hart released the most overlooked single of the month. That’s perhaps because the song defies rote genre signifiers. Instead, finds a new niche. It’s quite sad we currently do not have it on our directory because it wasn’t sent in to us by his label, and lifting it elsewhere goes against our policy. Well, that’s by the way. Currently, Sammy Hart’s a Mirus Empire signee, who had the opportunity to sit at the fore-front, rightfully earning his position on a major label roster. If his next single improves upon his auspicious debut, he’ll be a gospel act impossible to ignore. Get your tabs on him now and attest to out observations

Not every artist has the opportunity to reinvent themselves as a solo act after initially emerging on the scene as a duo, but Pi Piego can say he has. Once part of the soulful twosome RUUD BOIZ, the pop crooner has stepped out on his own in alliance with the tombo music crooner, Knowledge. Together they have been pushing a movement known as Ajebo Hustlers since the release of the successful hit song “Tombo Music” which he took the hook. Pi Piego’s appeal spans multiple genres. On his last two singles Omotone & Mr.Preacher, he creates a perfect balance between electronic beats reminiscent of nostalgic/old-school jazz while cleverly managing to hold in rap samples and R&B to show his love and appreciation for hip-hop culture. You might worry that with all the different styles Pi Piego fuses into his music, something will be drowned out, but all the flavors mingle beautifully.

Lamili‘s notable appearance on “I Go Survive” her cover of Gloria Gaynor’s ubiquitous smash “I Will Survive” made that song irresistible. No stranger to the pop world, Lamili hasn’t yet up-staged the artists for whom she may look up to, but she has plenty of fire left over. Her vocals add multiple dimensions to the clever simplicity of her infectious songwriting. One of Lamili’s eyebrow-raising tracks is Radical feat Timaya, which spawned a creatively-inspired video showcasing the lyrical lady rhyming. just try to look away from the slinky video for the aptly named “Radical.” Her recent release of an audaciously hyper-emotive single called “Love Me Properly Feat. Prodigy”, indicates where she is headed next — The dotted line may not be signed on a big deal just yet, but we’re sure it’s only a matter of time before she’s in the big leagues.

ED iZycs, is a blessed flutist and pianist who recently launched his Extended Playlist (EP) titled “SongZ of iZycs” with beautiful compositions including: ‘Nostalgia’, ‘Woju (Cover)’, ‘Awesomeness’, ‘Bloody Rose’ just to mention but a few has recorded admirable success since being signed by Cadilly Entertainment early this year ranging from performing at major concerts, international shows, high profile events etc. to bagging reputable awards and nominations. It’s unfair, in a sense, for us to expect that he’ll exceed himself in the new year. Still, since it’s clear that ED iZycs is one of the most prolific jazz musician of his class, and the best in his city, with impeccable quality control and a bigger following than you realize. Being the essential standout project of momentum favors ED iZycs, and we’re certain that he’ll hit a bigger, undeniable stride in the new year. While you’re waiting for his next move, Watch his most recently aired video “Bloody Rose”, published just last year.