10 UK Artists With Black or Asian Backgrounds to Discover in 2023
For as long as HALSUG has been running, we have highlighted numerous artists of Black and Asian descent from all over the world, with most of those from the US and various Asian countries. With some of the HALSUG team based in the UK, we thought that it is time we present our readers with some Black and Asian artists who hail from the United Kingdom, looking at both solo artists and groups whom our readers and the HALSUG team should check out. From pop to rock to R&B, here are 10 UK artists with Black or Asian backgrounds for you to discover and enjoy in 2023.
Design by Laura Gomez
Sinéad Harnett
London-born, LA-based, singer-songwriter Sinéad Harnett has become a prominent figure within the R&B scene. Born to a Thai mother and an Irish father, Harnett finds importance in her mixed heritage (especially in her Thai background), often expressing her desire to break stereotypes and be a positive representation of East Asian women in music and the mainstream media.
Harnett was first discovered through YouTube in 2011 before making her official solo debut in 2013 with her single “Got Me.” Since then, she has gone on tour with high-profile artists such as Mary J. Blige and collaborated with many well-known acts across R&B, hip-hop, and electronic music. These collaborations include the likes of Gallant, Masego, EARTHGANG, Disclosure, Lucky Daye, and more. Her music captures real, personal emotions from her life and relationships, with songs radiating happiness and heartache through intricate lyrics and rich, powerful vocals. As of now, Harnett has released three impeccable studio albums — Chapter One (2017), Lessons In Love (2019), and Ready is Always Too Late (2021) (as well as an acoustic version of Lessons In Love and a deluxe version of Ready is Always Too Late) each showcasing her versatility as an artist.
Griff
Born in England to a Chinese mother and a Jamaican father, singer-songwriter Griff has been an artist to watch since her debut in 2019 with “Eternal Flame.” Her effortless vocals, soft melodies, and relatable lyrics have captured the attention of critics and fans alike, with Griff having received the 2021 BRITs Rising Star Award, following in the footsteps of other great British acts who have gone on to achieve worldwide success, such as Adele, Jessie J, and Sam Smith.
With praise from pop royalty Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa (whom Griff supported on her Future Nostalgia tour in 2022), Griff has already cemented her status as one of the next big pop stars to take to the world from the United Kingdom.
MNEK
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and producer MNEK is a British-Nigerian artist who deserves a lot more attention and praise than he has received. As a singer, MNEK has delivered numerous addictively sweet pop tracks ranging from the beautifully haunting electro-pop song “Never Forget You” featuring Swedish pop princess Zara Larsson to the catchy, uplifting house track “Head & Heart” with English DJ Joel Corry. As a songwriter and producer, MNEK is responsible for co-writing and co-producing many popular tracks including Beyonce’s “Hold Up,” Little Mix’s “Touch,” “Sweet Melody,” and “Confetti,” and is a longtime collaborator of rising British trio FLO, having produced many of their tracks including their debut single “Cardboard Box.”
MNEK does a lot for the music industry, such as setting up an LGBTQ+ songwriting camp to help further the talents of emerging singer-songwriters within his community in 2019, and is truly a deserving act to become a fan of, whether for his own discography or for the work he creates for others.
Nao
Black British singer-songwriter Nao has one of the most distinctive and recognizable voices within the UK music scene. Her impressive ability to reach down into a deep, low-toned vocal range from her usual higher falsetto tone, places her as a standout vocalist of alternative R&B, soul, and her self-proclaimed style ‘wonky funk.’
Since her debut in 2016 with “So Good,” Nao has gone on to receive Grammy, Mercury, and BRIT nominations and has worked with many talented homebound and overseas artists such as Mura Masa, Stormzy, SiR, 6LACK, and more. Nao’s songs are captivating and deliver impeccable vocals, emotions, and storytelling, leaving strong, lasting impressions on the listener.
Joy Crookes
With her sultry and soulful vocal tones against backdrops of jazz, alternative R&B, and neo-soul, twenty-four-year-old Joy Crookes’ music delivers refreshing yet old sounds that set her apart from other acts her age.
Growing up with a multicultural background of being British-born, South London-raised, half-Bangladeshi, and half-Irish, Crookes embraces her identity and life experiences in her work (whether it be the song, the album cover, or the music video), delivering timeless and captivating pieces of music. With this, her work has been nominated for three BRIT Awards: the 2020 Rising Star, 2022 Best New Artist, and Best Pop/R&B Act, and her debut album Skin (2021) reached number five of the UK Official Charts, showcasing Crookes to be an exceptional UK talent destined to achieve big things within this industry.
Nova Twins
As women of color expressing themselves through a new and exciting fusion of rap, rock, punk, pop, and nu-metal, Nova Twins are a force to be reckoned with! Consisting of vocalist/guitarist Amy Love, and bassist Georgia South, this duo has already made their mark within the music industry. They have supported the likes of Muse and fellow black woman-fronted British rock band Skunk Anansie, played numerous festivals (including this year's Glastonbury), and have received two 2023 BRIT nominations for Best Group and Best Alternative/Rock Act.
With high praise from legendary pop icon Elton John, who described the girls as 'phenomenal,' Nova Twins bring a new energy and image to the UK music scene and should be the first priority for anyone wanting to discover a new, hard-hitting sound.
Rina Sawayama
Born in Japan before immigrating to the UK at the age of five, Rina Sawayama has quickly become a staple of British pop music and pop culture. A pansexual identifying, singer-songwriter, model, and now actress, with a degree in Politics, Psychology, and Sociology from the University of Cambridge, Sawayama screams the word ‘icon’. As a musician, her music delivers exciting sounds that defy genres through experimentation of varying sounds including pop, nu-metal, trance, alternative rock, country, and so much more. Her lyrics tend to touch on relatable messages allowing fans to identify with her through their sexuality and/or nationality, as well as finding empathy and comfort through her and her words.
At HALSUG, we are big fans of Sawayama and have featured her in past articles that look at women in music and LGBTQIA+ artists to listen to. Check them out and read more about Sawayama’s inspiring behavior and career.
FLO
Since their debut in 2022 with “Cardboard Box,” British trio, FLO, has found themselves at the forefront of a 90s and 00s R&B renaissance. In such a short period, members, Jorja, Stella, and Renée, have received worldwide acclaim and global success for their immaculate vocals, exceptional harmonies, and songs that hold strong influences of nostalgic girl groups and other powerful women of color trios such as Destiny’s Child and TLC. The three have accumulated so much success within a year, including receiving the 2023 BRITs Rising Star Award, and this momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
With a North American headline tour, a collaboration with high-profile US rapper Missy Elliott, and performances on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Later… With Jools Holland, plus so much more, FLO is cementing itself as the next big girl group to originate from the UK and is definitely an act to stay updated with.
Mahalia
With her slick vocals sung against soulful beats and catchy melodies, singer-songwriter Mahalia captures some of the best sounds of UK R&B. Born in Leicestershire to a Jamaican mother and a British-Irish father (both of whom were also musicians), twenty-five-year-old Mahalia has already achieved so much at her young age; at the age of fourteen, Mahalia toured with Ed Sheeran and in 2021, was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. Mahalia’s music expresses modern comforts with added touches of old-school vibes that speak to R&B lovers worldwide.
With her exceptional artistry, Mahalia has found herself working with many incredible artists across the globe, from the likes of fellow UK talents, RAYE and Ella Mai, to US pop-R&B icon JoJo, to global superstar RM, soloist and leader of the K-Pop boy group BTS. Mahalia is an incredible artist with so much determination and love for her work, who is currently proving to be a great voice for her industry, speaking out on recent issues regarding how much money artists make and the treatment of R&B artists in the UK.
Maddox
Known for his work within K-Pop, particularly at KQ Entertainment, writing and composing tracks for the likes of K-Pop groups ATEEZ and xikers, solo artist Maddox is one of the very few musicians within the Korean music industry that we Brits can also claim as one of our own.
Born in the UK, Maddox lived in England until the age of ten before moving to Korea, where he now resides, writing and producing songs for K-Pop idols. Although known more for his incredible songwriting skills, Maddox is also an artist in his own right, having released several singles such as “LAMP,” “Color Blind,” and “Knight,” that reveal his beautifully smooth vocal tone and effortlessly stunning falsettos that deserve to be heard and receive as much of a following as the songs he writes do.
The UK is home to so much outstanding talent within various genres of music, many of whom are already loved and well-known worldwide and others who are still more underground, unknown, or on the rise. Hopefully, with this list, you can discover some new artists or songs that you never knew existed until now. So, have a listen and let us know who your favorite Black or Asian UK artist is, whether they be from our list or an artist not featured, in the comments below or by sending us a message on Twitter or Instagram.
Edited by Ethan Horton