TOP TRAX: ONES TO WATCH IN 2019
By DJ FR8-O
Another year has arrived, and with it another wave of artists waiting to take the world by storm. So who exactly will we be adding to our playlist of faves over the next twelve months? Well, with more and more out singers like Troye Sivan making their way into the mainstream, and gay-friendly icons like P!nk voicing their unwavering support for the LGBTQ community, it looks like 2019 may turn out to be the year of the rainbow… or unicorn… or rainbow unicorn. Here are a few allies that have been making their voices heard recently, and will only get louder and prouder.
Astrid S
Scandinavia has been feeding us great music forever; especially over the last decade. Their latest export is already a mega star in her home country of Norway, collecting her first Norwegian Grammy Award for ‘Newcomer of the Year’ and the MTV EMA Award for 'Best Norwegian Act’ in 2016, as well as the Spellemann 'Artist of the Year’ Grammy the following year. She’s opened for Troye Sivan during his European and North American tours, and is currently on the road with gay singer Olly Alexander and his internationally acclaimed pop group, Years & Years. Her latest tracks “Emotion” and “Closer” have already clocked over one million views and counting. So don’t be surprised if you she starts topping the charts on this side of the pond soon.
Brandon Stansell
Pulling inspiration from his own coming out story, this out singer is making big waves throughout the country music scene. His bold honesty and stunning good looks have made him the latest LGBTQ icon, while his stellar voice and songwriting have created a massive buzz among the country music community. The groundbreaking video for his single “Hometown” has been applauded by his industry peers, and heralded as one of Rolling Stone Country’s Top Country Music Videos of 2018. Whether or not the genre is your thing, the fact that an out artist is being played and praised by a community traditionally known for its strong religious values is a huge step in the right direction; not just for Stansell and other out artists like him, but for all of humanity. Expect to hear more of him in 2019.
Normani
Yet another Fifth Harmony member is stepping out into her own spotlight. Her first single, “Love Lies"– a duet with Khalid, recorded specifically for the coming of age/coming out film Love, Simon – has been blowing up the airwaves over the last few months. Her most recent venture is the two-track collaborative EP with international DJ/Producer Calvin Harris titled Normani x Calvin Harris, featuring "Checklist” and “Slow Down.” Slowing down is exactly what Normani won’t be doing when she joins Ariana Grande on her Sweetener tour this spring. All this buzz will culminate in the release of Normani’s debut solo album set to drop sometime this year, so brace yourself for some catty rumors and petty shade from her former bandmate’s followers.
If you’re a recording artist, producer or musician and would like your work featured in TOP TRAX, hit me up at abarrios@wiremag.com.
This was originally published in Wire Magazine Issue 2.2019
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