[2026] A must-see for music lovers! Up-and-coming artists to watch
An era where new artists are emerging one after another at incredible speed.
It’s no longer uncommon for artists to gain traction through social media and then catch fire on streaming services!
In this article, we’ll spotlight rising musicians—primarily up-and-coming singer-songwriters and rock bands who are trending right now.
We’ll feature not only brand-new debuts, but also artists whose hard-earned efforts are finally blossoming and whose popularity is rapidly skyrocketing.
Be sure to find a favorite creator and give them a listen!
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[2026] Music Lovers, Take Note! Emerging New Artists (81–90)
HEROSHACHI
In recent years, as hip-hop has been regaining major popularity in Japan’s music scene, one artist I’d like to highlight is the rising female rapper SHACHI.
She originally wasn’t a rapper, but her love for Western music and an invitation from her collaborator SAME led her to start performing as SHACHI.
It’s also said that her vocal cords are uniquely shaped from birth, keeping her voice in a constant mixed-voice state.
Thanks to that, her singing voice is incredibly beautiful, with a soothing resonance.
If you’re looking for a female rapper with a distinctive edge, give her tracks a listen.
Call (Blur)UNICODE
UNICODE is a K-pop girl group made up entirely of Japanese members, bridging the music scenes of Korea and Japan.
They debuted in April 2024 on the Korean music show “SHOW CHAMPION,” drawing attention with a distinctive sound that fuses polished K-pop beats with Japanese city pop.
At Next Generation Live Arena 2024, held at PIA Arena MM in Yokohama, they performed alongside artists including SHINee’s Taemin.
The five bilingual members deliver uniquely individual performances, earning them 10th place in June’s rookie group brand reputation rankings.
They are a highly skilled group recommended not only for K-pop fans but also for music lovers seeking new musical possibilities.
Sentimental KissShio Reira
Reira Ushio is a rising singer-songwriter known for her distinctive worldbuilding and clear, crystalline vocals.
Drawing on her literary training at university, she’s gaining attention for meticulous word choice and rich musicality.
She debuted with a digital single in September 2021 and has continued to release melodic tracks.
In August 2023, she achieved her long-awaited major debut with Sony Music Labels.
A song used as BGM on an ABEMA dating show reached No.
1 on Spotify’s Viral Chart.
In August 2024, she released her first EP on CD, and in the fall she captivated fans nationwide with a Tokyo-Nagoya-Osaka tour and an acoustic tour.
A true all-rounder who handles everything from writing and composing to arranging and producing, she actively engages with fans on social media.
Her lyrics vividly capture the delicate emotions of youth, and her ear-catching melodies are sure to resonate with listeners.
funny storyEishu
Eishu, a singer-songwriter who began uploading self-accompanied performance videos in 2019, has been gaining attention.
Many of you may have seen those surreal videos where Eishu delivers a wonderfully skilled vocal-and-guitar performance while a friend sits behind him doing nothing.
Now that Eishu has officially launched his music career, he’s drawing even more attention with his overwhelming vocal ability and heartrending voice.
He’s also active beyond his own songs, providing music to acts like Hey! Say! JUMP, and it’s impossible to take your eyes off what he’ll do next.
weeping cherry (blossom)ANNA
She released “Hitori no Sekai” in 2017 as the theme song for the drama Crossroad: Koe naki ni kiki katachi naki ni miyo, and at the time she drew attention as an active high school student.
Her self-posted TikTok videos of her singing while playing guitar also became a hot topic for the striking contrast between her speaking voice at the start and her singing voice.
Her beautiful tone and strong vocal ability are truly noteworthy.
The studio recordings are, of course, great, but by all means, listen to her live performances or self-accompanied videos to hear her vocals in a more “live” setting!
ObsessedAyumu Imazu
Ayumu Imazu shines with a musical style that blends dance performance with roots in R&B and pop.
Starting dance at the age of six and having studied abroad in New York, he is a globally minded talent.
He made his major debut in August 2021 under Warner Music Japan’s label etichetta, drawing attention with his bilingual vocals in Japanese and English.
A true multi-talent, he handles everything from songwriting and composition to choreography himself, and he received the Planning Award at the 66th Japan Record Awards.
His dance challenges have spread across Asian countries on social media, and he continues to rise as a leading artist of Gen Z.
He’s highly recommended for those interested in the fusion of dance music and R&B, and for listeners seeking a global sound.
[2026] Music lovers, take note! Rising New Artists to Watch (91–100)
D♡VE QUEENSARM
SARM, an Osaka-born artist who can sing a wide range of styles rooted in jazz and blues.
Her fashion, fused with her music, has earned recognition overseas, and her live shows in Taiwan, Thailand, and Australia were a big success! Her track “BONBON GIRL” was even selected as a NEXT Break Song by J-WAVE, so she may be on the verge of a major breakthrough.
“D♡VE QUEEN,” which is gaining views on her video channel, uses “D♡VE” as a playful coined word that combines “dove” and “love,” showing off her mischievous side.
Once you hear it, you’ll surely be drawn in by her famed “diamond voice.”