Under the radar - 5 artists to lstn. to this week.
ROSEMARIE - Courtesy of Wonderland Magazine
Welcome to 2026! Let’s kick the year off the right way with five new artists you should give a lstn. to!
Rosemarie (Puerto Rico/Dominican Republic).
Rosemarie is a Los Angeles-born R&B singer-songwriter of Dominican-Puerto Rican heritage whose soulful voice and emotional storytelling have made her one of 2025’s most compelling rising artists. She first gained attention with her 2021 debut Sinnergy and expanded her sound with the 2023 EP Rock Paper Scissors, which blended heartfelt R&B with English-Spanish lyricism and featured standout tracks like Is It Real and Aprovecha. In June 2025 she returned with the introspective single Aftertaste, marking a new chapter in her musical journey with moody, melodic production and personal honesty. Signed to Interscope Records and BirdVision Entertainment, Rosemarie has earned recognition from outlets like Complex and Billboard for her genre-blending sensibility and rich vocal presence.
Hulton (UK).
Hulton is a rising British hip-hop artist whose multicultural reinvention of old-school rap has rapidly gained attention across the UK scene. Known for tracks like Last Laugh and Hustle Heavy Hulton, his music blends introspective themes of self-development, dream-chasing and relentless focus with a confident, dynamic flow. His work has earned him support from BBC 1Xtra’s Track of the Week, a live cypher at Maida Vale Studios, and spots on national tours and festival stages like The Great Escape. With early backing from tastemakers including DJ Semtex and Sir Spyro, Hulton’s career is building momentum through strong singles, energetic performances and a clear artistic vision.
JACOTÉNE (Australia).
JACOTÉNE is a young Australian soul and R&B singer-songwriter from Melbourne with a powerful, uniquely textured voice that has captivated audiences worldwide. She first gained major attention in 2022 by winning Triple J’s Unearthed High competition with her debut single I Need Therapy, a breakthrough moment that launched her career. In June 2025, she released her debut EP Untitled, blending introspective lyrics with organic grooves and expressive vocals. Her recent singles like Stronger, Forgive Me, and Leave Me (Please Don’t Leave Me) showcase her emotional depth, maturity and soul-pop versatility. At just 19, JACOTÉNE is already earning festival spots, international performances and industry buzz, marking her as one of the most exciting emerging voices in contemporary soul and R&B.
Kyle Dion (USA).
Kyle Dion is a Florida-born R&B singer-songwriter known for his smooth falsetto and genre-fluid sound that blends soul, pop and contemporary R&B. He first gained industry attention opening for PARTYNEXTDOOR in 2016, and went on to release acclaimed albums like SUGA (2019) and SASSY (2021), showcasing his expressive range and playful creativity. In 2024 he returned with the introspective EP If My Jeans Could Talk, reaffirming his command of emotional storytelling. In 2025, his album SOULAR further pushed his artistry into rich, textured R&B and soul territory, exploring vulnerability and human connection with warmth and depth.
Lavils (Netherlands).
Lavils (Lei Avila Santiago) is a 23-year-old hip-hop and R&B singer-songwriter from Rotterdam, blending smooth vocals with introspective, nostalgic soundscapes that draw from both modern and classic influences. She began building her fanbase as a teenager posting vocal covers on Instagram and releasing her first mash-ups on SoundCloud before moving into original music in 2019. In 2024 she returned with singles like FIRST PLACE and earned wider attention with her COLORS Studio performance of LIE BACK HARDER, showcasing her confident delivery and lyrical presence. Her 2025 releases, including Summer Pack and switch, hint at a deeper, more reflective R&B vibe while reinforcing her signature style. With millions of streams and an expanding audience across Europe, Lavils continues to establish herself as a rising voice in contemporary R&B.