Top 5 Soul Music Artists to Look Out for in 2021
The classic sound of Motown is timeless, and these five artists are keeping that alive. From old-school to contemporary, these are the top five soul music artists to look out for in 2021.
Adekunle Gold
Adekunle Gold is a Nigerian singer,songwriter and graphic designer.He is popular for his Afro-Urban music and his latest album, “About 30” was released in May, 2018.
He has been nominated for several awards, including the MTV Africa Music Awards, The Headies, Nigerian Entertainment Awards and Channel O Music Video Awards.
Asa
Asa is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and recording artist. Born in Paris and raised in Lagos, Asa began her musical career in 2001. She cites Fela Kuti, Miles Davis, Nina Simone and Miriam Makeba as her musical influences.
Asa’s debut album, Awe, was released in 2009 to critical acclaim. The album’s lead single, “Eye Adaba”, was nominated for the Best African Act category at the 2010 MOBO Awards.
Asa has won numerous awards for her work, including the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Award for Best Female Artist of the Year. She has been described as “one of the most talented and successful musicians to come out of Nigeria in recent years.”
Bez
bez is a British singer, songwriter, and producer. His music is a mixture of soul, R&B, and pop. He has been praised for his powerful vocal performances and for his ability to connect with his fans. Bez has released two EPs, “The Time” and “The Space”, and is currently working on his debut album. He has toured extensively in the UK and Europe, and has performed at festivals such as Glastonbury, Wireless, and Lovebox. Bez is an artist to watch out for in 2021.
Nneka
Nneka is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress. She sings in both English and Igbo. Her music is a mix of hip hop, reggae, soul and Afrobeat. She has released four studio albums: Victim of Truth (2005), No Longer at Ease (2010), Soul Is Heavy (2012) and My Fairy Tales (2016).
Nneka has toured with such artists as Lauryn Hill, Nas, Damian Marley and Michael Franti & Spearhead. She has also performed at multiple festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Afropunk Festival and Bonnaroo.
Nneka’s fourth studio album, My Fairy Tales was released in 2016. The album peaked at number 1 on the iTunes World Chart and number 2 on the Billboard World Albums Chart.
In 2021, Nneka will be touring Europe and the United States.
Waje
Waje is a Nigerian singer whose soulful voice has brought her much success both in her home country and internationally. Born into a family of musicians, Waje began singing at a young age and went on to study music at the University of Lagos. She started her professional career as a backing vocalist for Nigerian artists such as 2face Idibia and P-Square, before embarking on a solo career in 2008. Her debut album, Words Aren’t Just Enough, was released in 2013 to critical acclaim, with many praising her powerful vocal performance. Waje has since released two more albums, The Voice (2015) and Red Velvet (2019), both of which have received widespread critical praise. In addition to her solo work, Waje has also collaborated with several other artists, including Wizkid, Timi Dakolo, and Mr Eazi. She is widely regarded as one of the best soul music artists in Nigeria and is definitely one to look out for in 2021.
