Five emerging artists to catch at Governors Ball 2018
Summer is just around the corner, and to kick off the warm season in New York City is the annual Governors Ball. Since its start in 2011, the yearly event has grown into one of the city’s biggest festivals with performances from some of the hottest names in music. Over the three days, Governors Ball is bringing acts such as Jack White, Eminem, N.E.R.D., Halsey, Khalid and Post Malone to center stage. Although fans typically flock to festivals to catch the headliners, there are a number of lesser-known acts worth checking out. Here are five rising stars you don’t want to miss at this year’s Governors Ball.
Kali Uchis
For the past few years, singer Kali Uchis has slowly but surely made a splash in the industry. From working with artists such as Snoop Dogg, Kaytranada, Gorillaz and Bootsy Collins to touring with Leon Bridges, Uchis finally broke out on her own with her debut album in April 2018. Her jazzy ballads are often compared to an early Amy Winehouse, but her sound also blends soul, pop and psychedelic for easy listening. For fans who are looking to vibe out to a plethora of genres, Uchis is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Knox Fortune
Chicago-bred Knox Fortune is known for producing for artists like Vic Mensa, Joey Purp and Towkio. However, his ultimate assist came from Chance the Rapper as he lent his voice to the MC’s track “All Night,” which ultimately earned the two a Grammy. After being behind the scenes for most of his career, he made quite the debut with his 2017 album "Paradise." Although his work is notable among rappers, his own music strays far from hip-hop. "Paradise" intertwines indie-rock with synth pop, proving his range with different sounds and audiences.
Goldlink
Washington, D.C. rapper Goldlink released his first mixtape "At What Cost" all the way back in 2015, but he acquired a taste of mainstream status last year when he teamed up with fellow rapper Shy Glizzy and singer Brent Faiyaz on their smooth summer hit, “Crew.” The song earned Goldlink his first Grammy nomination along with a growing fan base. If fans are interested in enhancing their musical tastes by regions, Goldlink is here to blend the signature D.C. go-go sound along with hip-hop and R&B.
Cuco
L.A.-bred Cuco is a young teenager who’s stealing hearts and selling out shows everywhere. Back in 2016, Cuco caught the attention of music lovers when he uploaded a guitar cover of Santo & Johnny’s “Sleepwalk” on Twitter, a clip that immediately went viral. He then earned nods from artists such as Kali Uchis and The Internet’s Steve Lacy after he released his smooth 2017 hit, “Lo Que Siento.” As he sings in both English and Spanish, he’s known for mixing oldie melodies with dreamy pop grooves. After taking over stages at SXSW and Coachella earlier this year, Cuco is sure to swoon more fans during his summer festival run.
Kelela
One of R&B’s newest stars has shined bright since collaborating with artists such as Danny Brown, Gorillaz and Solange, and she’s putting her own stamp on the industry. Kelela released her debut album "Take Me Apart" in October 2017 to rave reviews, landing the project on a number of publication year-end lists. As hip-hop and R&B surpassed rock as the biggest music genre last year, Kelela is an added dose as she blends alternative R&B with jazz, grime and soul. For the crowd looking for mid-tempo grooves and sensual slow jams, Kelela is definitely one to watch.
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