Under the radar - 5 artists to lstn. to this week.
NATHI
Let’s keep the ball rolling in this new year with five new fresh faces!
Nathi (Brazil).
Nathi is a São Paulo-born Brazilian singer-songwriter and producer now based in Los Angeles, known for her warm blend of soul, R&B, reggae, jazz and retro-pop influences. She moved to LA at 17 to study at the Musicians Institute and has since developed a multifaceted artistic voice, performing, producing and releasing music independently. Her creative output includes TheTreeGirl Sessions, a series of live original and collaborative recordings showcasing her honey-drenched vocals and intimate songwriting. Nathi’s music often reflects her multicultural roots and personal journey, drawing on Brazilian heritage while embracing soul and R&B aesthetics.
MELO (France).
MELO is a French pop artist whose work stands out for its striking visual identity and deeply personal songwriting. Drawing from a colorful, Y2K-inspired aesthetic that evokes a fantasized, almost kitsch childhood, her music sharply contrasts this imagery with lyrics tackling addiction, sadness and depression. Influenced by the theatrical sensitivity of Chappell Roan, the experimental boldness of Charli XCX and the dark pop energy of artists like Lola Young, Doja Cat and Ashnikko, MELO crafts intimate and emotionally charged songs. Her talent led her to the final of Popstars on Prime Video, marking a key moment in her rise. Riding the momentum of her breakout track XANAX, which has surpassed 70,000 streams on Spotify, MELO is steadily carving out her place in the new wave of French pop.
Braye (Nigeria).
Braye is an emerging Nigerian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose sound blends alt-R&B, neo-soul, jazz, reggae and indie influences into a rich, emotive musical palette. Raised in Port Harcourt and shaped by his time in Accra, he brings storytelling and feeling to the forefront of his work. In May 2025 he released his debut four-track EP I Wish I Had More Time, a sonic diary that explores longing, love and reflection through cinematic arrangements and ethereal vocals. Tracks like Stuck, Slipping Out of Time and Bring You Home showcase his poetic lyrics, immersive production and atmospheric presence. Signed to MARS (Mother Africa Reigns Supreme) and featured in Apple Music’s Up Next Africa campaign, Braye represents a new generation of Nigerian artists blurring genre boundaries and prioritizing emotional authenticity.
Nia Smith (UK).
Nia Smith is a fast-rising British soul and R&B artist from Brixton whose rich, emotive voice and candid songwriting have begun turning heads across the UK and beyond. Her highly anticipated debut EP Give Up The Fear showcases cinematic, soulful tracks like Little Red Car, Personal and Don’t Cry, exploring personal growth, love and self-empowerment with raw lyricism. She’s toured internationally, supported artists such as Jordan Rakei and Elmiene, and delivered standout live moments, including performances on Later… with Jools Holland and at major festivals. Collaborations include a remix of Personal featuring Popcaan, reflecting her genre-fluid approach and expanding sonic reach. Her recent single Limit, built around a James Blake sample, further highlights her evolving artistic ambition and vocal command.
Alain (France).
Alain is the artistic alter ego of Naïla Vinet, a 26-year-old rapper from Vendée whose work thrives on contradiction and provocation. Blending trap, neo-soul and pop within a dark, striking visual universe, she uses shock as a narrative tool to confront paradox, absurdity and caricature. The choice of a masculine name paired with a strongly feminine image reflects the core tension of her project, where drag, performance and identity constantly collide. Her music is as conceptual as it is physical, designed to make listeners think, and nod along. On stage, that commitment translates into bold, engaged performances that have already earned her spots at festivals like Inqlusion and Linecheck.