Artists to Start Gatekeeping Before they Blow Up
By: Jools Dembo
Let’s be completely honest. There is no better feeling than watching an artist blow up and being able to say that you were there from the beginning. Maybe it’s a deep seated need for superiority that must be part of human nature. Or maybe, we all just suck. Regardless of the true reason, no one can deny that there’s something special about watching an artist rise to stardom. If you’re looking for your next small artist hyperfixation, you are sure to love at least one, if not all, of these picks.
Brynn Cartelli
If the name Brynn Cartelli sounds familiar to you, it may be because she won season 14 of The Voice when she was just 15 years old, making her the show’s youngest winner ever. Now 21, Cartelli has been making music and most recently released the deluxe version of her debut album, OUT OF THE BLUE (EXTENDED). With a mix of gut-wrenching ballads like Boy From Home and Secondhand Smoke combined with upbeat pop bangers like Beginning of the End and Running in Place, it is clear to tell that Cartelli will solidify her place in the music industry. Her soulful and addictive voice will captivate you from the second that you hit play.
My personal favorites by Brynn Cartelli: Beginning of the End, Secondhand Smoke, Little Bar, Little Heart, Darker Days
Kenzie Cait
Nashville based artist Kenzie Cait embodies everything that we love about our current main pop girls. Her music is real and honest without compromising the ability to sing your heart out in the car or dancing until you’re out of breath. Her EP, goodluck, goodbye (over nostalgic edition) perfectly captures the feelings of heartbreak, freedom, and girlhood. someday, someone is the ultimate anthem for anyone who has had their heart broken (specifically by someone that you knew was never worth your time but you stayed anyway) but has an addictive upbeat melody that will have you pressing the repeat button. It even features a Sex and the City quote between the first verse and chorus when Big says to Carrie “I don’t get it,” and she responds back with the iconic line, “and you never did.”
My personal favorites by Kenzie Cait: someday, someone, congratulations, somebody (eternity), thank god
Grace Enger
Grace Enger is for the sad angry girls and the sad angry girls only. Her music perfectly embodies the emotion and turmoil that comes with being a young woman. As someone who is a sucker for a good bridge, I immediately became a Grace Enger song when I first heard the bridge in her song, The Neighborhood. Enger’s powerful vocals combined with relatable and emotional lyrics that know how to cut deep make her an artist that you absolutely need to have on your radar.
My personal favorite songs by Grace Enger: The Neighborhood, The Alchemist, It’s No Fun, The Cut
Annie DiRusso
I genuinely have a hard time listening to Annie DiRusso’s music if I’m not alone in my car. It’s so catchy that all that I want to do is sing along. A Belmont University alum, DiRusso has been releasing music since 2018 when she put out her single, Don’t Swerve, which now has over 5 million streams on Spotify. Her lyrics are what can only be described as incredibly real and relatable, like in the song Call it All Off where she says, “canceling is my thing, I never did get any better at committing.” Me too, Annie. Me too.
My personal favorite songs by Annie DiRusso: Judgements from the World’s Greatest Band, Frisco Forever, Wet, Back in Town
Etta Marcus
24-year-old Etta Marcus makes the kind of music that will hypnotize you. It’s the kind of music that will have a permanent spot on any playlist that you make that may be called something like “Pretending I’m in a TikTok edit” or “Dramatically staring out the train window on a rainy day.” Her music is captivating in a way that I find so rare. It has a mysterious energy, similar to Ethel Cain, that will have you absolutely mesmerized.
My personal favorite songs by Etta Marcus: Nosebleed, Death Grips, Parting Song, Hide & Seek
Charlotte Cardin
I have been obsessed with Charlotte Cardin since I saw her open for BØRNS in 2018. The Canadian singer has a beautiful and bewitching voice that is slightly reminiscent of Amy Winehouse. Her music incorporates addictive drum beats and production that come together with her lyrics and vocals to create a perfect combination. With 16 Juno awards under her belt, it’s only a matter of time before Cardin is recognized as one of the best talent’s of our generation.
My personal favorite songs by Charlotte Cardin: Main Girl, Double Shifts, Good Girl, 99 Nights
Make sure to check out this playlist to listen to these amazing artists!