DECEMBER PICKS: ARTISTS TO LOOK OUT FOR
MAETA
Sultry, seductive and immersive sum up Maeta, the RnB singer from Indiana. Influenced by the likes of Victoria Monet, Kehlani and Chris Brown, her powerful and silky vocals explore the captivating and addictive nuances of love. When I hear Your Name (2023) is a sensual, love-drenched EP that features potent vocals and luxurious production. Maeta’s sharp, emotionally resonant lyrics embrace freedom and having fun, where she radiates an infectious warmth and confidence. This continues in her recent collab with Kaytrenada on Endless Nights (2024). It’s a new creative direction for Maeta, characterised by passion and enthusiasm. Tracks like ‘Turn Me On’ and ‘Questions’ blend Kaytrenda’s signature upbeat club production with Maeta’s silky voice.
Fave Songs ‘ASMR,’ ‘DJ Got Me’ and ‘See You Around’
CEEBO
What’s needed to heal a generation left in the aftermath of political turmoil in modern Britain? Ceebo’s breakthrough album, Blair Babies (2025) explores that question as it weighs hope and injustice, serving as a voice for the experiences shared by Gen Z. Blair Babies refers to a symbol of societal neglect. The album explores fourteen years of Conservative government, Grenfell, Covid, alongside societal issues like youth violence, consumerism and escapism. It’s a loaded conceptual album that holds longevity in both its lyrical and sonic content. The drill-coded tracks ‘018’ and ‘always’ highlight his storytelling rap abilities as he takes listeners through his adolescence. The Dizzee Rascal ad-libs and co-sign on ‘captain roscoe’ is rooted in cultural relevance. Ceebo shares his lived experiences as a young adult learning self-awareness while navigating London. Meanwhile, ‘buzzball summer’ and ‘do it all again’ reiterate a sense of gratitude and celebrate life. Blair Babies speaks to our generation as it represents personal shared experiences, while critiquing political wrongdoings that led to our current social climate.
Fave Songs: ‘Blair Babies’ ‘018,’ ‘Rainy Day’
BELLAH
Bellah is known for her warm, rich vocals and emotionally resonant writing, which creates an alluring atmosphere on all her tracks. Her debut, The Art of Conversation (2020), navigates complex relationships with tracks like ‘Home,’ ‘Supernova,’ and ‘Half of Me,’ displaying her vocal range and sitting comfortably in the modern RnB landscape. Meanwhile, ‘Adultsville’ explores responsibility, self-discovery, body image, and relationships. The poignant subject matter delved into a personal vulnerability and intimacy that built depth and relatability. Yet her latest single ‘SMOOV’ (2025) pushes her sonic palette as the track fuses an afrobeat rhythm with RnB textures. It’s an expressive, colourful song that warms up the cold months.
Fave Songs: ‘Half of Me,’ ‘Smoov,’ ‘Something You Like’
