The Purple List 2026: New Music Stars To Know

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Contributors: Esme Watson (Journalist), Emily Teague (Journalist/Editor), Kloe Paton (Journalist/Editor), and Tom Atkinson (Journalist/Editor-in-Chief)

IndustryMe is back with its famed Purple List! The Purple List is the annual list of music’s rising stars (across all genres) that we believe are about to have an amazing year.

In the past, we have identified some incredible talent before they hit the mainstream, including kwn, Griff, Rachel Chinouriri, and JayaHadADream to name a few. This has only been achieved through our dedicated journalists who are always keeping up-to-date with the newest music. Today, we compile a bulletproof list of superstars in waiting. Here are some artists you need to know before everyone else does.

dexter in the newsagent

Location: South London, England

While I’ve been aware of this artist since 2021, a Jim Legxacy feature and mixtape release made it a big year for dexter in the newsagent. Expect an even bigger year in 2026, as this artist is able to blend pop, R’n’B, indie, and more when making catchy bangers. Starting off the year strong with a COLORS performance, expect earworms and passionate performances from someone who knows how to capture an audience’s attention.

Standout Track: Stranger to love

Precious Pepala 

Location: Sheffield, England

Precious Pepala has been on my radar since her ballad ‘First Love‘ dropped last year, and it simply blew me away. One of the up-and-coming stars to know in the alt-pop space, tracks like ‘Dream Cheater‘ and ‘Eve‘ are a great place to start to understand her vibe and appreciate her immense vocal talent. If you like a bit of dark pop, with a cathartic and candid blend of rock and R’n’B influences throughout, she is a must-listen!

Standout Track: Eve

MICHAELA

Location: London, England

Last year saw the start of a new era for this artist, and 2026 is going to keep things ticking. Bringing fun, vocals, and passion, whether on this artist’s own music or her great covers, MICHAELA should be your next pop obsession. With a new EP on the way, and having worked with notable names like Naughty Boy and Diane Warren, expect a collection of well-written pop bangers.

Read our interview here.

Standout Track: Fight Myself

Inayah

Location: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Arguably the biggest name on the list, Inayah has been a respected R’n’B star for a while now. Her soulful vocals and catchy melodies against some classy production are great at showcasing feeling and emotion. This is an artist who knows how to tick all the boxes in this genre, and you can expect this year to be no different, with ‘Choose‘ certainly doing that. Oh, and this artist can spit some bars quite nicely, too.

Read our previous interview here.

Standout Track: Fallin

Q

Location: Broward County, Florida, U.S.A.

Emerging American singer-songwriter Q is ready to woo you with his introspective lyrics and soulful vocals. Hailing from a musical family, the Floridian has grown up around instruments and music-making, creating songs reminiscent of Sampha and Leon Bridges. His mixtape ‘10 songs‘, which landed last year, impressed me a lot and made me delve into his catalogue. In particular, his track ‘moving on and on‘ was on repeat, but I would also recommend ‘TODAY‘ from his previous project and ‘Take Me Where Your Heart Is‘, which gives me a Childish Gambino ‘Redbone‘ type feel.

Standout Track: Take Me Where Your Heart Is

JEDSOUL

Location: West London, England

If last year was the start, then expect 2026 to be the breakthrough for JEDSOUL. Already with collaborations and some catchy numbers behind him, he is set to be one of male R’n’B’s shining lights. Already, ‘COME AROUND‘ has become his most-streamed song on Spotify, and for good reason. If he continues with smooth and catchy production, excellent vocal control, and lyrics that stick in your head, expect him to be a dominant force in the genre of love.

Standout Track: COME AROUND

spill tab 

Location: Los Angeles, U.S.A. (Born in Bangkok, Thailand)

Claire Chicha, a.k.a. spill tab, is another artist worthy of a Purple List nomination. This French-Korean multi-instrumentalist, producer, and singer is filling the indie ‘bedroom pop’ space with her alternative sound. Her music is dreamy and completely unique, pulling her international identity into genre-blending music that is appealing to everybody. Her 2025 debut album ‘ANGIE‘ showed her dynamism and boundary-less approach to music making, which feels so fresh. If everything feels a bit ‘samey’ to you at the moment, she will get you out of that funk. Key songs to check include ‘PINK LEMONADE‘ and ‘Paranoia‘. 

Standout Track: PINK LEMONADE

Mariella

Location: London, England (Raised in Kent, England)

We have so many top-tier vocalists on the list this year, and Mariella is no exception. An excellent songwriter also, their ‘Deeper Than You‘ EP and performance at The Lower Third, indicated this is a star in the making. Whether hopping on a skanking tune like ‘Stepper‘ with Dusky or the mesmerising ‘Room For You‘, this artist knows the assignment.

Read our interview here.

Standout Track: Room For You

Tarju Le’Sano

Location: Birmingham, Englnad

Birmingham has crafted many a rapping talent, and this artist is one of the latest in a long line of second city musicians. His mellow and calm delivery, alongside his poetic and topical lyrics, make for an artist who is pleasant on the ears, while their words stick with you afterwards. The ‘Digbeth Kids‘ EP, released last year, is a testament to that, as was their live performance of the project. With new music on the way, expect to hear more from Tarju Le’Sano in 2026.

Standout Track: Our Story

flowerovlove 

Location: South London, England

Sunny melodies, euphoric, and dreamy. That is how I would describe flowerovlove’s music, who is the newest name on the U.K. indie pop scene, making waves. Infectiously youthful and vibrant, this artist deals with themes of self-discovery, relationships, and inclusivity. Tracks like ‘Love You‘ have featured on Netflix’s ‘Heartstopper’ soundtrack, and she has opened for none other than Olivia Rodrigo at Hyde Park. Put simply, if you want to keep up with who Gen Z is listening to, she’s one to note. My personal favourite tracks from her include ‘I’m your first‘ (a previous First Listen Fridays pick from me) and ‘a girl like me‘. 

Standout Track: Love You

Sophia Thakur

Location: London, England

To be a quality poet, your words need to have impact, and Sophia Thakur is definitely meeting that criteria. This is why she has received plenty of collaboration requests, with Limoblaze and THEO just two of those names. Not only that, but she is also a soothing vocalist in between verses, adding to her commanding presence. This could be a major year for this multifaceted talent.

Standout Track: Affirmations, I’ll Be Okay

JAYLER

Location: Burntwood, Lichfield, England

While the world is missing the likes of Ozzy and younger music lovers are finding the beauty in Led Zeppelin, JAYLER are a touch of that magic. The four-piece rock band is smashing it out of the park, perfectly capturing the heart of the music that inspired the masses. These guys are going to go far. So far, they’re joining Lynyrd Skynyrd in concert all the way in Brazil. If that isn’t an initiation into the lineup of
rock and roll legends, I don’t know what is.

Standout track: A Piece in Our Time

Miller Blue

Location: East London, England (Born in Shropshire, England)

This artist certainly has been busy, whether solo or with his partner, Rastreep, and I expect the year ahead to be the same. His soulful singing sounds great whether over studio or orchestral production, and his songwriting and passion shine through. He has already given us ‘suicide doors‘ in 2026, but with his blending of jazz, electronic music, and other genres, expect plenty of great music from Miller Blue.

Read our interview here.

Standout Track: Us

Luvcat 

Location: London, England (Born in Liverpool, England)

If you’re into dark and theatrical pop music, Liverpool’s Sophie Morgan Howarth, a.k.a. Luvcat, will be of interest to you. Full of passion and mystery, this artist has taken inspiration from her idols like The Cure and curated her own decadent style of pop. The title track from her album ‘Vicious Delicious’, which dropped on Halloween (of course), had me transfixed. Plus, delve into tracks like ‘Blushing’ and ‘Alien’ to get a sense of her potential.

Standout Track: Alien

Carrie Baxter

Location: London, England (Originally from Waterford City, Ireland)

Having first caught my attention on NOTION’s ‘FOUND LOVE‘, this artist is now making noise in the worlds of R’n’B, jazz, and soul. Having already released their latest album, ‘SEVEN‘, Carrie Baxter has started the year strong, and having sold out her show at Upstairs at The Lower Third, it seems those milestones will continue. With confidence, passionate vocals, and gripping storytelling, this is someone well worth your time.

Standout Track: Change

Hollie Gautiér

Location: London, England

Pop and D’n’B are two worlds that have collided very nicely in recent years, as shown by the likes of Charlotte Plank and piri. The latest example of this is Hollie Gautiér, who, like those artists, knows how to match a danceable beat with a catchy hook. She has already kick-started the year with a couple of bangers already (Blue Mercedes even sees her go down the UKG route) , so expect a stacked year when it comes to anthems from this singer.

Read our interview here.

Standout Track: I Got U

Mukka & the Wizard Sleeves

Location: Burton-on-Trent, England

With a real message behind their two initial releases, Mukka & the Wizard Sleeves are sure to capture the interest of many people. The Burton-based band infuses punk with modern rock and groove. All aspects of this group are strong. In their second single, ‘Born2graft‘, I found myself drawn to the powerful drum beat, which really ties the song together. Whereas, there’s a great guitar solo in ‘Charlie‘ that blends the boundaries of genre further. I have a soft spot for bands from my hometown. Let’s hope this band has further releases in 2026!

Standout Track: Charlie

Monifé

Location: East London, England

While this artist has been making noise in the R’n’B scene since 2019, last year was a big year where they showed their talents to the world once again. With sensational vocals and a more refined lyricism, this artist is set to keep on going places in 2026. We’ve already been given ‘Grown‘ so far, but expect to hear more mesmerising tales of love and heartbreak from Monifé.

Read our interview here.

Standout Track: Nothing Is The Same

Herds

Location: Nottingham, England

This prog rock band from Nottingham caught my eye when I received their latest single, ‘Inside‘, a couple of months back. The vocal style reminds me somewhat of Ian Curtis of Joy Division. The elements of psych-rock that flow through their tracks certainly make them stand out from their modern counterparts. The five-piece was previously known to fans as The Amber Herd. With frequent live appearances, they definitely have the potential to build further upon their already interesting career.

Standout Track: Inside

Terrianne

Location: London, England (Born in Derby, England)

This pick is for fans of pink, pop, and high-energy fun. Terrianne is a vibrant personality whom I had the pleasure of interviewing at last year’s Y-Not Festival. Whilst her music is more based in a world I am less familiar with, she stands out to me for being unapologetically herself and a very authentic musician. Born in Derby, she represents another aspect of the talented Midlands musicians I am passionate about. I chose ‘People Pleaser‘ as her standout song for me. It’s a catchy track that sums up her energy well.

Standout Track: People Pleaser

NUBIA

Location: London, England

Bringing energy and hard-hitting lyricism in multiple languages and over various sounds, NUBIA is a force. This MC first caught my attention with their powerful words on the atrocities in Sudan, and they now know how to command a mic, whatever the sound. ‘kum my way‘ highlights their singing and melodic abilities, while ‘BONUS TRACK‘ is an example of fast-paced ferocity. If you’re looking for who’s next up, then give this artist a listen.

Standout Track: SALAM with Toddla T

The Velvet Tuxedo

Location: Hull, England

A band who describe themselves as a blend of freakbeat, garage, psychedelia, and R’n’B is always something I’m interested in giving a listen to. After supporting The Molotovs on a select number of their dates last year, they instantly captivated me. I’m hoping this impressive feat will help them become more known to more people, as I feel like there are a lot of aspects of their music that could interest a wider, alternative audience. I chose ‘Buzz The Scuzz‘ as a live track by them, which demonstrates why they’re worth watching.

Standout Track: Buzz The Scuzz

KABEAUSHÉ

Location: Berlin, Germany (Originally from Nairobi, Kenya)

If you played EA FC 24, then you may be familiar with this artist, but if not, let us introduce you to KABEAUSHÉ. This is an artist full of expression with creative production and passionate performance, which I’m sure goes down nicely during a live show. Having already released their latest album back in February, delve in now, so that when they go on tour, you’ll be there.

Standout Track: UNTITLED 1981

The Mercians

Location: Leicester, England

Another Midlands-based band, this foursome has been making a name for itself with catchy tracks and dedicated fans. Pumping out tunes that are reminiscent of the 2010 indie classics, their undeniable talents are a breath of fresh air into this beloved genre. Coming off the back of an explosive tour, they keep getting better and better. Their latest track, ‘Blue’, has kicked off what is to come this year, and let’s just say it’s looking good!

Standout track: Blue

Leah Cleaver

Location: East London, England (Originally from Devon, England)

Your next pop obsession, Leah Cleaver is going to be huge one day, but why don’t you get to know now. With equally catchy words and production, she is ticking all the boxes for this genre, and what makes you successful. Last year marked her beginnings as a solo artist and a debut EP, but this year is set to build on that. And with BBC Introducing and NME showing love, don’t just take our word for it. Get on board this train now, so you look cool when everyone else does the same.

Standout Track: Pushing Up Flowers

Porcelain Girl

Location: Derby, England

This DIY emo band has already garnered attention through positive reviews and busy live performances. The group released their debut EP ‘i hate you.‘ this year and continue to be busy with upcoming gigs and potential further releases down the line. I feel as though the timing is perfect for emo bands to make it. It’s a genre that had a brief decline but is once again on the up and up, thanks to bands such as Porcelain Girl.

Standout Track: Black Ops II On The Xbox 360

Emilia Tarrant

Location: London, England (Originally from Winchester, Hampshire, England)

Having just released their debut LP, ‘why do i get out of bed?‘, there is no better time to get familiar with Emilia Tarrant. They are able to grip at your heartstrings with their storytelling and powerful vocals, an indicator of a true talent. Whether relatable tales of trying to overcome depression or the sinking feeling of a relationship not working out, this singer knows how to perfectly express sadness. This is talent personified, so if you need a good cry, add this artist to your playlist.

Standout Track: When It Was Chaotic – Acoustic

Dogmile

Dogmile’s EP, ‘Static Retracted‘, contains their only four releases. It’s introspective and takes the listener on a journey. I could hear elements of Tame Impala, Gorillaz, and Kasabian. The synths in ‘Well’s Run Dry‘, juxtapose amazingly with the soft vocals felt through this EP. That alone caught my attention enough to pull this EP into my regular music rotation.

Standout track: Orbit

XL Poncho

Location: Manchester, England

In a time where TikTok is a haven for great artists, this group’s uniquely recognisable setup of covering a myriad of songs while squished into a phone screen is what is setting them apart. Already established artist, Olivia Diaferia’s voice leads her perfectly handpicked band to some special places. This electricity translates straight to the stage; they will be joining Fright Years for their UK Tour.

Standout track: Up The Junction cover

Soul Mass Transit System

Location: Leeds, England

One of the brightest producers in UKG, Soul Mass Transit System knows how to make a banger. Having already toured Australia, released the ‘GSC005‘ EP, and done a B2B with Silva Bumpa, they’ve already been busy in 2026. Having already proved their DJ skills on their ‘All Night Long‘ tour last year, expect them to have you grooving on any dancefloor. Plenty of artists have made their mark in the garage scene in the last few years, but this artist shouldn’t be ignored.

Standout Track: Wine VIP

Find our past lists here and stay up to date with the class of 2026.

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