Musicians to watch in 2017: From Nadia Rose to Vagabon

This is the muscial talent about to hit the big time this year 
Rising star: Londoner Nadia Rose is set for big things in 2017
Jo Hale/Getty Images
Jennifer Ruby2 January 2017
The Weekender

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Last year was all about the rise of homegrown musical talent, from the indie pop stylings of Blossoms to Jack Garratt’s award-winning electronica.

Izzy Bizu, Dua Lipa and WSTRN were the names on everyone’s lips, while overseas talent Zara Larsson and Alessia Cara made an impact on the charts in 2016.

This year’s fresh batch of music world stars are hot on their heels, all set to release new music in the coming months.

There are the musicians to watch out for in 2017:

1. Nadia Rose

[Warning: explicit lyrics]

The Croydon-born rapper was making waves in the music industry last year but is set to make it big in 2017.

Rose, who is grime star Stormzy’s cousin, stepped in to replace Azealia Banks when she dropped out of the headline slot at Born and Bred last year, bringing down the house.

Her witty, fun lyrics first got noticed in her breakthrough video Station, landing her a deal with Sony.

Expect her debut album, Highly Flammable, later this month.

2. Rag’n’Bone Man

The British singer/songwriter - real name Rory Graham - has already made a serious impact on the singles chart, before even dropping his first album.

The Sussex-born soul star found chart success at the end of 2016 with hit track Human and has already won the Brits Critics' Choice Award 2017.

Look out for his debut album in March, which will include tracks produced by Two Inch Punch and Mark Crew.

3. Maggie Rogers

Pharrell was moved to tears when he discovered the young singer while teaching her in a music class in NYU last year.

Just a few months later, the 22-year-old released first single, Alaska, which now been streamed more than 21 million times.

Rogers has since bagged a record deal with Capitol Records, with her debut album set to drop in February.

4. Ray BLK

[Warning: explicit lyrics]

South Londoner Ray BLK was nominated for best newcomer at last year’s MOBO Awards following the release of track 50/50 in 2015.

The 22-year-old released mini album Durt in 2016, featuring collaborations with Stormzy and Wretch 32, and is set for even bigger things in 2017.

5. Frances

The 23-year-old singer/songwriter has been one of the industry’s rising stars since she was shortlisted for the Brits Critics' Choice Award in 2016, but 2017 is going to be her year.

After releasing EPs Grow and Let It out, Frances is finally dropping her debut studio album in March.

6. Vagabon

New York-based Letitia Tamko aka Vagabond grew up in Cameroon before moving to the Big Apple as a teen.

Her synthy indie pop caught the attention of the music world and she’s now been signed to Father/Daughter Records.

Her debut album, which features breakout track The Embers, is released in February.

7. Declan McKenna

After winning Glastonbury Festival’s Emerging Talent Competition back in 2015, the 17-year-old Brit is well and truly on his way to big things.

His debut single Brazil, criticising FIFA, and follow-up Paracetamol, about the misrepresentation of transgender teens drew attention in the UK and the US.

He has teamed up with super-producer James Ford for his forthcoming debut album.

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