WRLDWIDE - 16 French artists to pay close attention to.
ANAÏS ROSSO - Courtesy of Lea Baert
For the second episode of WrldWide, we stay in France to discover no less than 16 new artists you HAVE to add to your rotation!
Limay
Limay is a French neo-soul and R&B artist whose love for the genre traces back to early influences like Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black and later the storytelling finesse of Jorja Smith. Writing her first lyrics in high school, she began shaping a deeply engaged artistic vision rooted in personal experience and feminist themes. After months of experimentation, she released her debut single Runaway in April 2025, followed by Men’s World, both sung in English and produced alongside Gotwill. Despite a still-growing catalogue, Limay already stands out for her strong identity, conscious writing and singular aesthetic. At just 23, she’s performed on local stages and reached a major milestone by joining Soprano’s choir for three sold-out shows at Paris’ Accor Arena. A promising first chapter for an artist clearly destined for wider recognition.
Asma
Asma is a French R&B and Afro-soul singer gaining momentum with a series of smooth, emotive singles, including her 2025 release Tell Me, out May 21 on Saya Records. On Tell Me, she blends melodic R&B sensibilities with heartfelt lyricism, exploring love, vulnerability and the push-and-pull of romantic connection over a memorable groove. Her warm vocal delivery and contemporary production have helped the song resonate with listeners across streaming platforms, contributing to her growing presence. With earlier releases like On se date ? and Oum, Asma continues to cultivate a rich sonic identity rooted in emotion and groove. As she builds her catalogue and audience in 2025, Tell Me stands as a strong milestone in her evolving R&B journey.
Anaïs Rosso
Anaïs Rosso is a French self-taught singer, musician and storyteller who creates a genre-blending universe that defies easy categorization, mixing blues, opera, electronic, baroque and hip-hop influences. Her tenor voice, warm, expressive and sometimes theatrical, carries compositions where poetry, identity and emotional exploration intertwine, drawing inspiration from eclectic artists ranging from the Fugees to Maria Callas. In January 2025 she released the single Facing Roses, a track recounting a deeply personal moment with dreamy, soulful production. A laureate of programs like WomenBeats and FAIR, she’s currently preparing her first EP for release under Nø Førmat! in 2026.
Angela Girardot
Angela Girardot is a French singer-songwriter whose music sits at the crossroads of indie pop, folk and intimate songwriting. Known for her soft, expressive voice and poetic sensitivity, she crafts songs that feel deeply personal yet universally relatable. Her work often explores themes of vulnerability, memory and emotional nuance, carried by delicate arrangements and understated production. Through a growing catalog of sincere, introspective releases, Angela has built a strong connection with listeners drawn to authenticity and subtlety.
Léonie Barbot
Léonie Barbot is a Paris-based R&B and contemporary soul singer-songwriter known for her deep, emotive voice and genre-blending sound, influenced by artists like Solange and Erykah Badu yet distinctly her own. She has steadily built momentum with standout singles such as Fingers Crossed, Stranger and 2HOT2ARGUE, as well as her 2025 EP Shut up u’ll be fine !!!!, showcasing both vulnerability and sonic range. Her songs combine elements of classic R&B with modern production, exploring themes of love, self-reflection and emotional nuance. Barbot’s live presence, from intimate performances to sold-out shows, underscores her ability to connect with listeners beyond the studio.
ÉNAÉ
ÉNAÉ is a French singer-songwriter with a rich cultural blend, drawing from her Americano-Haitian and Franco-Spanish roots to create a hybrid sound that merges neo-soul, Afro R&B, jazz and soul. She first emerged with her 2023 EP 528HZ, a project centered on love and healing that showcased her warm vocals and genre-fluid approach. In 2025, she continued expanding her artistic universe with the project Les Ailes, blending emotional depth with groove and sensuality across its nine tracks. Known for heartfelt lyricism and a commitment to authentic expression, ÉNAÉ’s music resonates with listeners seeking introspective and soulful sounds.
Baby Neelou
Baby Neelou is a French rapper from Biarritz whose dynamic flow and DMV/plug-influenced style have quickly made him a standout in the francophone hip-hop scene. After discovering American rap sounds during a stint in Los Angeles, he began releasing a series of energetic tracks and visuals that built his profile, leading to his 2023 mixtape Bromance, which has racked up impressive streams online. In 2024 he followed up with the project Le Chemin du Cœur, further refining his sound and expanding his fanbase. In 2025 he dropped two albums, LA COULEUR DE LA TOILE and OFF SEASON BABY, showcasing his versatility and confidence across trap, sampling and more melodic territories.
SURFERCHILD
SURFERFCHILD is the pop-inspired musical alias of French singer-songwriter Clara Auffret, an artist whose creative roots stretch from self-taught guitar and songwriting to a strong online presence and global influences. With a sound shaped by pop, indie and surf-culture aesthetics, she crafts emotionally honest music marked by catchy melodies and reflective lyrics. Her 2025 EP The Ride including tracks like Bad Bitch, For Your Love and Nuit De Cendres, showcases her growth as an artist ready to balance vulnerability with bold musical ideas. SURFERCHILD often channels personal experiences and cultural exploration into her work, making space for both head-nodding hooks and deeper feeling.
Elle en été
Elle en été is a French indie pop artist steadily gaining attention with her dreamy, evocative sound and poetic lyricism. She builds a distinct musical identity blending soft vocals with intimate, introspective songwriting across English and French lyrics, attracting a dedicated listenership online. On September 5, 2025, she released her EP dernière fraise de l’univers, a five-track project featuring songs like vicky, la même histoire and vivienne that showcase her subtle emotional depth and warm melodic sense. Earlier singles, including bye cerise and cigarette à la fraise, highlight her ability to craft vivid, relatable moments in sound. With around 17K monthly listeners on streaming platforms, Elle en été is emerging as a refreshing voice in the French indie scene, one to watch for her poetic charm and evolving artistry.
Henri Bungert
Henri Bungert is a French singer-songwriter whose soulful voice and poetic sensibilities have shaped a quietly compelling musical journey. Initially gaining early public attention as a finalist on The Voice Kids under coach Louis Bertignac, he later developed his craft between London and Mexico City, blending influences from reggae, soul, French chanson and global rhythms into his sound. His recent single Hiver à Paris showcases his emotive storytelling and warm vocal delivery, exploring love and introspection with cinematic depth. Onstage and online, Henri continues to build a growing connection with audiences through heartfelt performances and thoughtful songwriting. As he expands his catalogue and presence in 2025, he’s emerging as a distinctive voice bridging classic influences with modern expression.
Andri
Andri is a French singer-songwriter gaining attention with her intimate, expressive style and heartfelt lyricism, recently highlighted by the release of her single La tête ailleurs. Blending pop and contemporary chanson influences, the track reflects emotional depth and subtle storytelling that invites listeners into moments of introspection and everyday feeling. Active on social platforms and building her catalogue with personal, visually engaging releases, Andri’s music resonates with an authentic, DIY spirit. With La tête ailleurs, she continues to expand her identity as an emerging voice in the French indie scene, marked by vulnerability and melodic warmth.
Lisa Ducasse
Lisa Ducasse is a French-Mauritian singer-songwriter whose poetic, introspective music blends indie pop, spoken word and vibrant storytelling. Born in Mauritius and based in Paris, her songs reflect a love of travel, wonder and emotional vulnerability, grounded in expressive lyrics and delicate melodies. After gaining recognition through poetry and early performances, including opening for major artists at venues like L’Olympia, she released her debut album Iléisme in January 2025, an enchanting journey of sound and imagination. Her live presence, often solo with just keyboard and vintage turntable, adds depth to her intimate compositions. With poetic grace and a curious musical universe, Lisa Ducasse continues to establish herself as a unique and evolving voice in contemporary French music.
Soane
Soane is a French-Moroccan singer-songwriter carving out a soulful space between R&B and hip-hop, working across Paris and New York with a sound that blends emotional depth and classic warmth. In 2025 she released her EP She Was, a five-track project that showcases her sultry vocals and meticulously crafted production, drawing listeners into introspective stories and lush atmospheres. Her music has been praised for its luxurious feel and poignant lyricism, blending personal reflection with rich musical textures. Active on social platforms and steadily building buzz, Soane is increasingly recognized as an exciting newcomer with a fresh voice in the French R&B landscape. With She Was setting a strong tone for her artistic direction, she continues to attract attention for her evocative style and evolving catalog.
Azilis
Azilis is a Paris-based singer-songwriter whose delicate blend of poetic lyricism and melodic sensitivity is quickly gaining attention in the French independent scene. Her music, often shaped alongside pianist Édouard Ravelomanantsoa, moves between gentle intimacy and resonant emotional depth, drawing listeners into rich, expressive soundscapes. Tracks like Paisible, Ma petite fleur and Sur tes genoux showcase her warm vocals and thoughtful writing, balancing softness with introspective storytelling. In 2025 she was recognized as a laureate of the Rencontres d’Astaffort and received the Sunside jury prize, signaling critical recognition for her evolving craft. With a growing presence on stage and streaming platforms, Azilis is steadily carving out her place as a nuanced and heartfelt voice in contemporary French song.
Khaal
Khaal is a French hip-hop artist from Boissy-Saint-Léger (Val-de-Marne), known for blending rap and sung melodies with influences that span rumba congolaise, soul, R&B and urban rhythms. Growing up surrounded by music, his father a musician and his family deeply involved in artistic expression, he transitioned from hip-hop and krump dance to writing and performing his own tracks. His catalogue includes a series of evolving singles like Symbiose, Icare, and his 2025 release Miroir, each showcasing his emotive delivery and eclectic sonic palette. With a voice that moves between rap cadence and melodic hooks, Khaal brings authenticity and energy to the contemporary French scene. As he continues to release new music and refine his style, he’s gaining attention for his unpredictable creativity and personal storytelling.
Khenny Kikiesa
Khenny Kikiesa is a rising artist blending Afro-inspired R&B and soulful melodies with heartfelt lyrics and personal expression. His catalogue includes singles like Histoire d’amour, Te Amo and Tout de Toi, as well as the 2024 album Âme sœur, which showcases his ability to craft intimate, emotive songs. With recent releases like the single HBD, Khenny continues to build on his signature sound, one that resonates through warm vocals and relatable storytelling. Active on social platforms and steadily growing his audience, he combines music with elements of fashion and personal faith, reflecting a multifaceted artistic identity. As his presence expands across streaming and social media, Khenny Kikiesa is shaping up as a compelling emerging voice in contemporary Afro-R&B.