Every year, Black History Month brings in a new breadth of people looking to discover, acknowledge, and celebrate Black music. While we should all be discovering Black artists year-round and not just during the shortest month, there is no bad time to add new Black artists to your rotation.
From jazz crooners to rap-rock duos to alt-pop singers, here are 10 Black artists to check out this Black History Month—in no particular order.
Partyof2
Originally founded in 2019 as the four-person hip-hop group Grouptherapy, Partyof2 is made up of Jadagrace and SWIM—the two remaining members of the original band. The duo’s rebrand came in 2025 and with it, a hot new sound, soaring heights with viral tracks like “Poser,” and appearances at some of major music festivals like Camp Flog Gnaw. The duo’s music is a mix of upbeat R&B, rap, and pop with both members expertly juggling singing ethereal vocal melodies and delivering attitude-filled rap verses. Their 2025 album Amerika’s Next Top Party! is aptly named as it makes you want to curse out the political state of the country while throwing it back.
For fans of: Tyler, the Creator; Doechii; Grouptherapy
Start with: “Feel Love”
Elmiene
Searching for heart-wrenching R&B love songs delivered via the most soulful tenor vocals? Then look no further than Elmiene. This 24 year old singer-songwriter from the UK has a voice that would command rooms and a pension for writing sad love songs that make you want to experience a bad breakup just to better appreciate his music. Though still quite early in his career, Elmiene has already caught the attention of artists Ghostface Killah, Leon Thomas, and Timbaland, all of whom have collaborated with the singer. Elmiene only has one studio album out right now, his 2025 release Heat the Streets, but don’t sleep on his early EPs and singles—they’re just as beautiful as the LP.
For fans of: Leon Thomas; Daniel Caesar; Giveon
Start with: “Mad at Fire”
Nova Twins
Black people invented rock and roll and artists like Nova Twins are finding new ways to reinvent the genre. This rap rock duo from the UK is made up of bassist Georgia South and vocalist/guitarist Amy Love. South and Love are expert genrebenders, blending rap, metal, punk, funk, and pop in their bass-heavy music. With a pedal set up that looks like it’s straight out of a Star Trek spaceship’s motherboard, this duo is making music that is louder, fuller, and more interesting than many 4, 5, or 6-piece bands out there.
For fans of: Spiritbox; Poppy; Rico Nasty
Start with: “Glory”
Jalen Ngonda
If you grew up with parents or guardians who constantly remarked “they don’t make music like this anymore” as they queued up jazz or old-school soul, this is for you. Referred to as “the leading soul revivalist of the decade” by Rolling Stone UK, Ngonda is introducing the genre to a younger generation. His 2023 debut album Come Around and Love Me received widespread praise from artists like Elton John and Snoop Dogg. With songs like “If You Don’t Want My Love” and “Give Me Another Day,” Ngonda’s music is nostalgic of an earlier time in this style of music without being reductive.
For fans of: Thee Sacred Souls; The Temptations
Start with: “Come Around and Love Me”
Bree Runway
If rapper and singer Bree Runway’s music had to be summarized in a few words it would be this: music for hot girls with big feelings. The Ghanian English artist refuses to be confined to one genre. Hitting “shuffle” on her discography will take listeners on a journey through R&B, hyper-pop, afrobeats and rap. With ethereal vocals, effortless flow and the production skills to realize her visions, Runway is the complete musical package. Though she has yet to release her debut album, Runway has already cemented herself as a certified hitmaker with cosigns from and collaborations with artists like Missy Elliott and Lady Gaga.
For fans of: Rico Nasty; Charli XCX; Doechii
Start with: “Little Nokia”
Alemeda
Post breakup, revenge music never sounded so sweet—that is until Alemeda came along. Not to be confused with the city in California of a similar name, Alemeda is an Ethiopian American singer-songwriter blending nostalgic 2000s R&B sounds with bedroom pop vibes and the indie rock motifs. With songs like “Beat a Bitch Up (featuring Doechii)” and “I’m Over It,” Alemeda employs themes of heartbreak, pure feminine rage and moving on in her music. With her smooth-as-honey voice, Alemeda manages to sound delightful and inviting even while singing about wanting to beat the brakes off of someone.
For fans of: Rachel Chinouriri; Halsey
Start with: “1-800-F**K-YOU”
Meet Me @ the Altar
Despite what the naysayers think, pop-punk will never die—and Meet Me @ the Altar is a huge reason why. Meeting in true 2010s chronically online pop-punk fan fashion (through the internet), this band embodies everything Tumblr-obsessed pop-punk fans have grown up loving.
Their lyrical style is very tongue-in-cheek, their production is guitar-heavy, and lead singer Edith Victoria has got the pop-punk vocal affect down without sounding as whiny as some of the genre’s biggest singers. Meet Me @ the Altar cemented themselves as the future of this ragtag genre, snagging slots at festivals like Lollapalooza and When We Were Young. They’ve also received praise from members of the old guard including All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth and Dan Campbell of The Wonder Years.
For fans of: All Time Low; Paramore; Avril Lavigne
Start with: “Straight Up (Needy)”
Dua Saleh
Fans of the Netflix original series Sex Education will recognize Dua Saleh as their character Cal, the lovable nonbinary American student and best friend of Jackson Marchetti (Kedar Williams-Stirling). Outside of the show, Saleh is an indie artist pumping on danceable tracks that traverse rap, pop and R&B. The Sudanese musician, who is nonbinary themself, occasionally sings in their first language of Arabic, hoping to attract queer Sudanese audiences who might not see themselves represented in art. Their debut studio album I Should Call Them was released in 2024 to critical acclaim, garnering a 7.4 from Pitchfork and four stars from NME. Now is a great time to start getting into them before their second album is released this May.
For fans of: Amaarae; Kilo Kish
Start with: “Buzzin”
Joy Oladokun
Yearners everywhere, this one is for you. Nigerian American folk-pop singer-songwriter Joy Oladokun is churning out music for those who start making Pinterest wedding moodboards after the first date. Her music is raw and extremely introspective. Oladokun uses her music as an outlet to share her experiences growing up Black and queer in predominantly white and Christian spaces. Songs like “Nazareth” and “No Country” are disarmingly sincere and deeply personal. Pared back production, acoustic guitar and warm, silky smooth vocals are Oladokun’s bread and butter. Sporting collaborations with artists like Chris Stapleton, Sheryl Crow and Noah Kahan, Oladokoun should be on every country and folk lover’s’ playlists.
For fans of: Hozier; Leon Bridges; Tracy Chapman
Start with: “Nothing Comes Easy”