R&B and soul are in the midst of a quiet transformation. While chart-toppers continue to dominate with slick production and streaming appeal, a new wave of artists is pushing the genre forward from the ground up. Some blend soul with jazz, Afrobeats or alternative R&B. Others strip it back to emotional vocals and raw storytelling.
In 2025, these rising names are turning heads not just because they sound fresh, but because they bring depth, perspective and a strong sense of identity to their music. From “BBC Sound of…” nominees to viral hits and independent breakthroughs, this list highlights 11 artists making meaningful moves across the UK, US and beyond.
They’re not just ones to watch. They’re ones to listen to — closely.
Elmiene
British-Sudanese neo-soul artist with cinematic vulnerability.
Elmiene, born Abdala Elamin in Oxford, rose to attention after a viral D’Angelo cover in 2021. His debut EP Marking My Time, released on 19 January 2024 via Polydor, features tracks like “Marking My Time,” “Mad At Fire,” and “Mama.” He finished fifth in the BBC Sound of 2024 poll and earned a nomination for the 2025 Brit Rising Star award. Critics including Teen Vogue and The Guardian have praised his ability to blend atmosphere, emotional depth and compelling vocals.
Durand Bernarr
Grammy-nominated R&B songwriter blending jazz textures and emotional storytelling.
Chicago-born Durand Bernarr released his full-length album BLOOM on 18 February 2025. The 15-track record explores themes of growth and self-love and has exceeded 3.2 million streams on Spotify, contributing to a total of over 115 million artist streams. Earlier, his EP En Route earned a Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B. He is currently on his YOU GON’ GROW, TOO! tour, with 34 shows across North America and Europe, many sold out. Rolling Stone noted BLOOM’s “rich lyrical storytelling and emotional range.”
Nectar Woode
UK-based soul singer innovating with jazz and global influences.
Nectar Woode released two EPs in 2024 – Nothing to Lose and How It’s Gotta Be – under Communion Records. Her single “Good Vibrations,” released on 25 October 2023, has reached over 1 million Spotify streams and marked her presence as a BBC Radio 1 Future Artist. She blends soulful lyricism with rich jazz and world music flourishes.
Psiryn
All-female R&B duo achieving rare chart milestones.
Formed by songwriter Kandi Burruss, Psiryn’s debut EP In the Key of Us was released in June 2025. Their music is warm, harmonious and radio-ready. They made history as the first all-female act since 2003 to top the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart, signaling a resurgence for female-led soul.
Samara Cyn
Neo-soul poet earning recognition across tours and festivals.
Samara Cyn, from New Orleans, released the EP The Drive Home in 2024 and followed with Backroads in June 2025. The latter includes the standout track “Brand New Teeth” featuring Smino. She won her the SXSW Grulke Prize for Developing US Act in March 2025. She is rapidly gaining respect for her evocative storytelling and smooth delivery.
Sekou
UK baritone rising from TikTok to festival stages.
Sekou signed to a label at 16 and performed at Glastonbury in 2022. His EP Out of Mind, released on 11 May 2023, features the track “Better Man.” That release earned him a nomination for the 2024 Brit Rising Star.
Libianca
Cameroonian-American voice bringing Afrobeat-R&B to global charts.
Libianca’s debut single “People” was released on 5 December 2022. It reached the UK Top 10, peaked at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 2023, and has now amassed over 100 million streams on Spotify. The song earned her nominations for BET’s Best New International Act and an MTV VMA. Its mix of Afrobeat rhythms and soulful delivery helped it cross borders globally.
Avara
Indian-American R&B artist merging classical vocals with modern soul.
Avara released a series of standout singles in 2024: “lose my mind” (9 August), “THESE SHEETS” (February), “duck & roll” (6 March), and “golden” (mid-2024). These tracks have earned strong streaming numbers, with her debut single surpassing 100,000 streams in weeks. Avara has attracted around 300,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and was featured in Stereofox’s “Artists You Need to Watch in 2025.” She is expected to release a self-produced debut EP in early 2025.
JELISA
Amsterdam neo-soul voice making waves across Europe.
JELISA released the single “Flying Away” in 2024, which neared 1 million Spotify streams. She followed with her debut EP in early 2025 and earned a spot on Spotify’s Movement playlist. Her presence at Eurosonic 2025 marked her as one of Europe’s rising soul talents.
3ee (pronounced “Bee”)
Toronto R&B creator channeling early-2000s soul-pop vibes.
Toronto artist 3ee dropped two projects in 2024, including the album LUVSNGS, which infuses Justin Timberlake-style vocals with Pharrell-era production. He was featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist, and editorial support suggests his retro-forward sound is gaining traction.
Adia.
Soul singer-songwriter with emotional clarity in her debut.
Adia, formerly known as NDO, released her debut single “Stubborn Nature” in 2024. It received praise from Stereofox for its heartfelt honesty and polished vocals. Her music marks a strong start in contemporary soul, with promising storytelling depth.
