Ilyug’s 2026 Artists to Watch
Another year of artist discovery without all the bs! No data analysis, no ai, no industry politics— just human curation for the love of music🩵 Tag someone that should be on the list xx
1. Shungu, Ruqqiyah - Did you Hear the News?
2. Ceesho- I Like You
3. Margaux - oh my love
4. Berry Jones - The Light
5. Jade 2008 - do2much
6. Punching Bag - Self-Res
7. Yaii - Crushed
8. Babyman - Oi
9. Eristheplanet - Plenty of Fish (unreleased)
Bouyon’s Global Ascent 🇩🇲🇩🇲
The Dominican-born genre—a manifestation of elements from dancehall, soca, jing ping, and zouk—signaled a surge of global momentum early this year, and its rise only accelerated as the 2025 party season came to a peak. This summer, bouyon traveled from Caribbean carnivals to the global west, pulsing through after parties in Los Angeles, Fête de la Musique in Paris, London’s sweatiest summer functions, and some of New York’s most notable world-music events.
Against a backdrop of geopolitical conflict, resurgent conservatism, and economic unease, we’ve entered a cyclical cultural moment where celebration, as a means to avoid despair, feels as necessary as food or sleep. Dancing in the face of hatred has arguably become one of this generation’s favorite acts of resistance—so it makes sense that bouyon is having its moment. Caribbean dance music is rooted in rebellion, and celebrations like carnival were founded on that premise. What better way to subtly protest than with bouyon? With pounding drums, raw creole french lyrics, and unrelenting energy, bouyon will have (if it hasn’t already) your most reserved friends bussing a nasty WHINEEE!
These are some of the bouyon tracks in my personal and DJ rotation.
1. 63OG - Ruiné
2. Theodora ft. Thisizlondon - Masoko Na Mabele
3. Solar Million - Bouyon 2099
4. Onoola-Sama, Deela - FêteRock*
5. Ricky Bishop - Free Racks
6. 1T1 - Bestfriend
The Girls Are Making Club Music
1. Sahati - 2010
Sahati proves her range is endless—from technical, vocal-focused ballads to playful, feel-good songs like this one. The constant across the board is a devotion to sonic exploration and cultural pride.
2. Cortisa Star - Party All Week Bitch
Since Cortisa’s breakout into internet stardom, propelled by her 2024 single “FUN”, her sound has only become sharper and more infectious. She’s quickly distinguished herself with lyrics that are as blunt as they are unapologetic. On this particular track, her voice jumps through heavy bass and distorted production with the line, “Party all week bitch, with the girls that all used to be men”. I see this becoming a huge anthem for the trans girls.
3. Alewya ft. Dagmawit Ameha - Night Drive
Alewya ends her three-year hiatus with an immersive techno single that immediately reasserts her outlandish edge. The track blends Arabic scales, hypnotic percussion, and dreamy synths into a genre-blurring composition that feels entirely her own. It’s innovation, to say the least.
4. JT - Girls Gone Wild
I’m shamelessly pushing JT propaganda! Her evolution from one half of the City Girls rap duo to solo artist has been so fun to watch unfold.
5. Cannelle - Fille
French hyperpop should be on everyone’s radar, and this was the song that put the subgenre on mine. It taps into a wave of 2010s tumblr nostalgia, showing how the online aesthetic is being integrated with music right now.
The Influence of Aphex Twin
After director Nadia Lee Cohen dropped an uncanny music video (featuring a cameo from JT) for “Korg Funk 5” earlier this year—and Daniel Caesar appeared in his “Call On Me” music video wearing Aphex Twin merch—I found myself pulled back into the producer’s enigmatic techno world. Revisiting his discography, I was reminded why Aphex Twin remains one of electronic music’s most revered figures.
Pioneering genres as experimental as ambient techno and IDM demands a rare willingness to defy convention and reimagine what music can be. Aphex Twin’s influence is scattered across the mainstream art world, but homage is paid quietly. It’s as if the industry’s most discerning tastemakers reference him in secret, intent on preserving his underground mystique. It worked for a while, but as his influence spreads and his music resurfaces online, the culture finally seems ready to embrace an artist who was always countless steps ahead of his era.
1. Korg Funk 5
2. CIRKLON3
3. Aphex Twin merch on Daniel Caesar
4. Windowlicker
5. #19
Latest Obsessions in Music
1. Estelle Chen - Touch
A newcomer to the music scene, Estelle makes an incredible first impression. I’m always a sucker for a good sax solo, but what really won me over was her smooth vocal tone and the cinematic feel of her visuals.
2. BNYX, Clara La San - Telepathy Love
This was a stand out for me on the “Loading…” EP, which is the prelude to BNYX’s highly anticipated album. Its atmospheric production, paired with Clara La San’s signature airy vocals and thick reverb, makes it my ideal dance track.
3. Zukenee - Kino Der Toten
As a COD Zombies fan, this song title immediately caught my attention — and it did not disappoint. Zukenee’s dedication to world-building within his medieval-inspired aesthetic makes him one of the most exciting rappers to watch right now.
4. Montell Fish ft. John Glacier - Ostentatious
John Glacier and Montell Fish are two introspective minds I deeply admire for their emotional depth. In this dreamlike song, their voices weave together to tell the story of a fractured relationship. Whether it reflects a breakup with a partner or from past versions of themselves is left ambiguous, but together they capture the ache, disappointment, and confusion that come with letting go.
5. Unflirt - Something Familiar
Unflirt is one of my favorite rising artists out of London right now — which says a lot, considering the city is basically going through its own version of the 2016 SoundCloud rap era. Amid all the noise, Unflirt’s music stands out as a reminder that sometimes less is more.
Some cinematic chunes🔄🔌
1. Leave - Sophy Soliveau
2. Analog Bride - 111SYRI
3. Say what you mean - Sam Austins
4. Found - Briana Michelle
5. Kids - Internet Girl
6. Confessions 1818 - Leo Varella
Some of my favorites from the fall playlist, link in bio for more chunessss💋🔌
1. Bloody Bouquets - Demae
2. Pack’s Good - Chaz La Pointe
3. Aggressive - Jim Legxacy
4. Again Again - Sahati
5. Yoppenheimer - Lelo
6. Phantom of the Drama - Devantier
7. Rockman - Mk.gee
8. Rota Nunca Queda - Mória
9. Slide - Bbyafricka
#musicblog #rnb #dnb #indie #ukrap #detroitrap #experimentalmusic
Span(gl)ish songs in the rotation right now
1. MELAZA - nusar3000, Six Sex
2. PARASIEMPRE - Isai Morales, Por Vida
3. JEALOUSY - Bikôkô
4. BONU$ RACK - Móry
5. TODO VUELVE A SUCEDER - yendruy aquinx
6. Judge Me - Brocki
Some dance tracks to set the tone for this summer🙂↔️🙂↔️ Our joy and expression of that joy is resistance, so now more than ever I wanna see people MOVING!!! I hope these tunes speak to your body:** #happypridemonth #landback 🇵🇸🇸🇩🇨🇩
1. Caught Up - Bad Tuner, Hailes
2. Be Honest (Bootleg) - David Bulay
3. Maybe - Maina Doe
4. Falastini (Amapiano Remix) - Omar
5. Rental - Fana Hues
6. THIRD FROM SUN - Muddyoush
7. FRONTEO - lilen
8. Best Friend - Big Ace
New music that feels old school🌹🌹🌹
1. Qendresa - 2 Much
2. Strandz- No Peace, No Time
3. AJRadico - SPELL IT OUT
4. Devin Morrison - Veronica Flair
5. Jalen Ngonda- Illusions
Some gems from this week’s update to the Faith’s Radio playlist👼🏽 Link in bio🌀🌀🌀
1. Anysia Kym - #71 (Again and again)
2. Alé Araya - BELLA
3. Lelo - Camelot
4. BashfortheWorld - King of the Hill
5. Mk.gee - Alesis
6. RADA - payme
7. BISKHIT - HCHM
8. 2300 - leg of my life
