hermusicclass’s 21 Under 21 List (2024 Edition)

AGE 20
LABEL Machin Records
PUBLISHER Solitaria Music
MANAGEMENT Machin

Ángela has remained a fixture in the male-dominated genre of regional Mexican music thanks to her take on ranchera and mariachi. Part of the Aguilar musical dynasty — her father is Mexican music icon Pepe Aguilar and her legendary grandparents are Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre — Ángela is focused on showcasing the variety of sounds that comprise música mexicana with her latest album, Bolero, while also inspiring a new generation of musicians. “I’m proud to be a woman in the ranchero/regional Mexican music genre,” she says. “Showing the new generations, my generation, classical ranchera/bolero music will always make me proud — you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you come from.”

AGE 20
LABEL Darkroom Records/Westward Recordings
PUBLISHER Sony Music Publishing
MANAGEMENT Fourward Music

After the viral success of “4runner,” a folk-pop debut single that fits well within the genre’s recent resurgence, Brenn! scored a management deal in 2022 and record deal early last year, joining Darkroom’s roster of young talent like superstar Billie Eilish and alternative R&B breakout d4vd. Despite scoring his first smash, assembling such a well-equipped team is what Brenn! feels most proud of so far. “They have helped me keep my head on my shoulders and stay grounded in what I believe in. They have not let any of this define who I am.”

AGE 17
LABEL Street Mob Records/PFL/Geffen Records
PUBLISHER Street Mob Publishing
MANAGEMENT Luis López (Street Mob Records)

AGE 19
LABEL Darkroom/Interscope Records
PUBLISHER Sony Music Publishing
MANAGEMENT Mogul Vision

After breaking through with the aching “Romantic Homicide” in 2022, d4vd released his debut EP, Petals to Thorns, in May 2023 and quickly followed up with companion EP The Lost Petals in September. So far this year, he’s keeping the same pace: He has already released four tracks, including the funk-pop “Feel It” for the Amazon Prime Video animated series Invincible, which became his third Hot 100 entry in April. It’s all part of his plan to maintain momentum as a young artist, he says. “With all the ways music can be discovered, it is easier than ever to gain traction but even harder to sustain a fan base. The quick fame rarely ever turns into a sustainable career.”

AGE 18
LABEL UnitedMasters
PUBLISHER Sony Music Publishing Chile
MANAGEMENT Luis Isaac Arce Cancino

This year, FloyyMenor made history on the Hot Latin Songs chart when his raunchy and viral hit “Gata Only” — a collaboration with Cris MJ — became the first time a Chilean artist entered the list’s top 10 in 25 years. Weeks later, the song topped the list, earning both artists their first No. 1. “It has become a global hit, and I’m putting Chile at the top,” says FloyyMenor, who only started making music three years ago and whose moniker was inspired by boxer Floyd Mayweather. “I’m very excited about everything that’s happening and for people to hear more of my music — there’s a lot coming.”

AGE 19
LABEL Atlantic Records
PUBLISHER Arthouse ­Entertainment/UMG
MANAGEMENT Kristina Russo (KR Experiments)

GAYLE’s career kicked into high gear with her 2022 Grammy-nominated hit, “abcdefu.” The smash sustained her throughout 2023. The rising alt-pop artist snagged an opening slot on Taylor Swift’s record-breaking The Eras Tour and contributed a song, “Butterflies,” to the Barbie soundtrack. “It’s hard for me to say I’m proud of myself, but I’m the most proud of the fact that I was associated with such huge cultural moments,” GAYLE says. “I really tried to honor who I am and not let any of those things sway my artistry or who I want to be as a person.”

AGE 19
LABEL Interscope Records
PUBLISHER Universal Music Publishing Group
MANAGEMENT Pam Cornejo

AGE 19
LABEL Columbia Records
PUBLISHER Sony Music Publishing
MANAGEMENT Disruptor

AGE 20
LABEL Columbia Records
PUBLISHER Sony Music Publishing
MANAGEMENT n/a

After he broke through in 2021 with top 10 smashes “Without You” and “Stay” (with Justin Bieber), The Kid LAROI released his long-teased debut studio album, The First Time, in November. “It has almost been two and a half years since I last dropped a project and I’m proud to say that this one is SO much better than anything I’ve ever released,” the artist wrote on social media of the album, which featured Future, Jungkook and Central Cee among its guests. Three months later, LAROI brought fans behind the scenes with his Prime Video documentary feature, Kids Are Growing Up: A Story About a Kid Named LAROI.

AGE 20
LABEL Island Records/Republic Records
PUBLISHER Warner Chappell Music
MANAGEMENT Trevor Albair

Since breaking out with her 2022 smash, “Fingers Crossed,” which became a top 20 Hot 100 hit, former American Idol contestant Spencer-Smith scored a major-label deal with Island and Republic that same year. In 2023, she released her debut album, Mirror, that included follow-up hit “Flowers.” This year, she was up for three JUNO Awards: album, pop album and artist of the year. She’s currently working on her second full-length.

AGE 19
LABEL Artist Partner Group
PUBLISHER Artist Partner Group
MANAGEMENT Kenney Blake

Having harnessed the boundless power of TikTok, Bankz is now reaping the reward of a series of small viral moments, as the South Philadelphia artist has tried her hand at genres ranging from Jersey Club to bubblegum pop and R&B. In April, she made her Hot 100 debut with the spunky “Tell Ur Girlfriend,” which also entered the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts. “A lot of people underestimate your capabilities when you’re young, especially when you’re Black and a woman,” she says. “I never let it bother me because I’m so focused and determined on what my goal is that no one can mess up what I have planned for myself.”

AGE Bela Salazar (19), Lucia de la Garza (17), Eloise Wong (16), Mila de la Garza (13)
LABEL Epitaph Records
PUBLISHER Warner Chappell Music
MANAGEMENT Fly South Music Group

Since the Los Angeles-formed rock band delivered its debut, Growing Up, in 2022, it has followed with a handful of singles and a few covers: Most recently, the group reworked “Found a Job” for a Talking Heads tribute that celebrates its 1984 live album, Stop Making Sense. The tracklist features everyone from Miley Cyrus to Paramore, the latter of whom is a prior Linda Lindas collaborator and an act that the band has long admired. Ahead, Lucia teases the release of the band’s second album and notes that this year “we’ll be touring more than ever.” On the road, sister Mila’s hope is simple: “To be surrounded by more young artists — it can be difficult to be surrounded by people older than us all the time!”

AGE 18
LABEL Motion Music/Atlantic Records
PUBLISHER Sony Music Publishing
MANAGEMENT Generation Now Management

AGE 17
LABEL Atlantic Records
PUBLISHER n/a
MANAGEMENT Pete Olson

After selling out a spring tour and performing in Europe for the first time, yodeling sensation Ramsey returned this year with a more mature look and sound that he debuted with the twangy and soulful “Blue Over You,” which he released in February. He followed the song with “Something You Can Hold” and has since teased more new music to come. In May, it was announced he would join a star-studded lineup that includes Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert and Luke Combs on the anticipated Twisters soundtrack.

AGE Minji (20), Hanni (19), Danielle (19), Haerin (18), Hyein (16)
LABEL ADOR
PUBLISHER Sony Music Publishing
MANAGEMENT ADOR

AGE 17
LABEL Columbia Records/Bu Vision & Jton Music
PUBLISHER Bu Vision
MANAGEMENT Jton Music

Nigerian singer-songwriter Qing Madi broke out in 2023 with a debut self-­titled EP and first U.S. trek (as part of fellow Nigerian artist BNXN’s Sincerely BNXNTour) and earned co-signs from Ayra Starr and Wizkid along the way. In May, she tapped Chlöe for a remix of standout track “Vision” that arrived with a self-co-directed music video. And while she credits Kendrick Lamar for shaping her style and music, noting that “he basically taught me how to write” through his songs, she’s especially grateful for Burna Boy and Wizkid, both of whom she grew up listening to and who she says are now “pushing the Afrobeats culture (and opening) the doors for me to dream and aspire to be more than my surroundings.”

AGE 20
LABEL Darkroom/Geffen
PUBLISHER Word Collections
MANAGEMENT Argenis “Henny” Hernandez

Having grown an online fan base following the 2020 release of his debut EP, alternative artist Riovaz has developed an appreciation for the instant accessibility he and his peers have today. “Everyone will get their opportunity,” he says. “Being young and knowing how to use social media to your advantage will work at least once.” But he also notes that instant exposure has led to an oversaturated industry, noting, “I don’t think everyone should be making music.” Yet the New Jersey native is continuing to stand out by keeping up a steady release of dance-influenced music this year, with collaborative EP The Heart Racers followed by the longing single “I Wonder” in May.

AGE 20
LABEL RCA Records
PUBLISHER Sony Music Publishing
MANAGEMENT Full Stop Management

While it’s hard to pinpoint just one highlight in McRae’s past year — the pop star released her celebrated second album, Think Later, and scored her first Hot 100 top 10 hit with “Greedy” (which peaked at No. 3) — her “pinch-me moment” was performing on Saturday Night Live. “It was something I’ve always dreamed of and hoped to do one day, but I could never have imagined it happening this last year.” Ahead, her global tour will hit North America in July and includes a “massive milestone” date at Madison Square Garden. “I really try to equate self-happiness with success,” she says. “While any exciting number or chart (achievement) means so much to me and is absolutely worthy of celebration, I’ve realized I feel the most successful when I am the most satisfied creatively and feel the most connected to the people who listen to my music.”

AGE 20
LABEL Interscope
PUBLISHER Universal Music Publishing Group
MANAGEMENT Razcon Lopez, Natalia Lopez (Smart Music Management)

Newcomer Xavi started 2024 with a resounding debut atop the Hot Latin Songs chart with “La Diabla” followed by a sold-out tour titled Poco a Poco. In May, he scored another No. 1 hit, this time on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart with “Corazón de Piedra.” Having now introduced the masses to his twist on regional Mexican music with his tumbados románticos, Xavi is hard at work on his highly anticipated debut album. “I want to put out an album for the genre (of regional Mexican music) first,” he reveals. “I don’t want to change style until we finish the first album, push it to the max and dedicate myself to corridos and regional. The next one, maybe we can evolve, go a little more versatile.” Xavi is so focused on finishing the album, he didn’t even take off for his 20th birthday. “I had a show in El Paso (Texas),” he recalls. “They gave me a crown, it was really special for me. It has rubies like my necklace. (Ruby is the name of) my mom. That was very memorable.”

AGE 20
LABEL n/a
PUBLISHER n/a
MANAGEMENT Milano

In 2023, the black balaclava-donning R&B crooner 4Batz had the internet puzzled over his paradoxical audiovisual aesthetic that contrasted his tender delivery against his tough exterior. After gaining attention online from his feature on From the Block — a popular performances series by media platform 4 Shooters Only — during which he performed debut single “act i: stickerz ’99’” and viral smash “act ii: date @ 8,” Drake hopped on a remix of the latter, earning 4Batz his first Hot 100 top 10 hit and first No. 1 on Hot R&B Songs. In May, the Dallas native self-released his debut mixtape, u made me a st4r, which debuted at No. 2 on the Top R&B Albums chart and featured the Ye remix of “act iii: on god? (she like).” The project, he says, “showed people that I’m not a one-trick pony. I’m glad people can see a little bit of what I’m capable of, and I can’t wait to show them even more.” And though 4batz has battled claims of being an industry plant and accused of being engineered with artificial intelligence, he believes it’s only because, as he says, “I’m the best — that’s how I look at it. You have to be doing something very, very special to be called something that’s not a human figure. It’s so good it can’t be true. That’s one of the biggest compliments to me.” Ahead, 4Batz is up for best new artist at the 2024 BET Awards — his first award nomination. Yet, he has a bigger goal in mind: “To become the king of R&B.”

AGE 18
LABEL HIGH IQ/EMPIRE
PUBLISHER EMPIRE
MANAGEMENT Jentry Salvatore