On The Rise: 10 Artists We Are Featuring for September 2023
It’s a new month! That means it’s time to introduce you to new music from across the world, names you may or may not recognize, igniting exciting musical discoveries for you and your playlists. Join us on this ride as we present to you ten artists from across the globe who are making their mark within the music industry: Zior Park, Peach Tree Rascals, LEEBADA, HeyMen, Marz23, 16, Ava Maybee, Sumsher, Celia, and Ida Just.
Design by Fernanda Orozco
Zior Park
Hometown: South Korea
Genre(s): Alternative, Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop
Latest Releases: “PSYCHO LOVE,” WHERE DOES SASQUATCH LIVE? PT.1
About This Artist: Zior Park has quickly become a notable figure within the Korean alternative music scene. He debuted in 2018 with “Benefits," but his single “Christian,” from his 2023 album WHERE DOES SASQUATCH LIVE? Pt. 1, thrust him into the spotlight after going viral on social media.
Park’s entire package as an artist embraces a charming identity of whimsicality and uniqueness. His distinctive vocals and quirky image allure people into an exciting new space of alternative hip-hop, R&B, and pop music that has no defiant genre.
Across his five-year career span, Park has released three albums (THUNDERBIRD MOTEL, SYNDROMEZ, WHERE DOES SASQUATCH LIVE? Pt. 1), numerous singles, an OST for the K-Drama Little Women, and has collaborated with the likes of ZICO, BOYCOLD, BIG Naughty, and Tabber, as well as his Beautiful Noise labelmate and label founder Mommy Son. Recently, Park took his music stateside, performing at 88rising’s Head In The Clouds Festival 2023 in LA. As his success and popularity continue to rise, Zior Park is definitely a name you should know.
Song recommendation(s): “ACT!VE VOLCANO (feat. Tabber),” “MODERN FOX”
Peach Tree Rascals
Hometown: California, USA
Genre(s): Indie/Alternative-pop, Alternative R&B, Hip-Hop, ‘Rascal pop’
Latest Releases: End of Time
About This Artist: Peach Tree Rascals (PTR) is a music collective from California, USA, comprised of an ethnically diverse group of best friends whose roots hail from Mexico, Palestine, and the Philippines - Dominic Pizano (mixer and producer), Jorge Olazoba (creative director), Issac Pech (vocalist-rapper), Tarrek Abdel-Khaliq (vocalist-rapper), and Joseph Barros (vocalist-rapper) who later added his cousin, Jasper Barros (guitarist) to the group.
PTR’s music brightens the darkest of days with feel-good-cheerful melodies, relatable and comforting lyrics, and euphonious vocals and instrumentations. Their music concocts elements of indie-pop, hip-hop, R&B, surf rock, alternative jazz, and more to create their own sound, with Pech coining the term ‘Rascal Pop’ when describing the music of their 2022 EP Does A Fish Know It’s Wet?
PTR’s musical journey began in 2018 with the chill, breezy single “Glide.” However, their 2019 single “Mariposa” saw their career take off after the song received viral attention on TikTok. Since then, PTR has completed global tours across the UK and Europe, the United States, and most recently, a tour across Asia, spreading positivity and wholesomeness through their songs, stage presence, and fan interactions,
where the band’s charming aura always radiates. If you are in need of some new music, go and check out Peach Tree Rascals. You won’t be disappointed!
LEEBADA
Hometown: South Korea
Genre(s): R&B
Latest Releases: Heaven
About This Artist: LEEBADA has one of the strongest and smoothest vocals within Korean R&B. The singer-songwriter’s voice carries the perfect mix of raspy, breathy, and sultry tones, held with a distinctive and soulful nature, contributing to her powerful and emotional music deliveries. Not only R&B but LEEBADA also dives into jazz, indie-pop, electronica, hip-hop, and ballad tracks that entice listeners, granting her acclaimed success across Korea and Asia.
LEEBADA debuted in 2015 with the single “you got me” and has since released nine OSTs for K-dramas, such as Mistress and Tell Me What You Saw, and one OST for the Korean dating show Love Catcher in Bali. Her discography also includes several single releases and three EPs, including a four-part OCEAN series that concluded with the release of her debut 15-track album, THE OCEAN, in 2019. She has also collaborated with some prominent figures in the K-Hip-Hop world: PENOMECO, pH-1, and OVAN. If you enjoy Korean R&B, then LEEBADA is definitely a name to add to your playlist.
Song recommendation(s): “RUNNIN’ BACK,” “Venus”
HeyMen
Hometown: South Korea
Genre(s): Alternative, Rock, Pop
Latest Releases: Shelter
About This Artist: DoYeong (vocalist), Terry Kim (guitarist), and Gong Tan (drummer) are the three names behind one of the most exciting acts in South Korean music today — a rock band named HeyMen, formed in 2017. Although a rock band, HeyMen’s music doesn’t conform to one specific genre. Instead, the band’s sound is a delicious concoction of pop, rock, alternative, and sometimes hip-hop that, when mixed together, create an addictive recipe for HeyMen’s music that fans can’t get enough of.
Since their debut, HeyMen has performed in several band competitions, showcasing their infectious energy and incredible music to global audiences. This includes MNET’s band survival competition show, Great Seoul Invasion (GSI), a must-watch that began our love for HeyMen. While HeyMen are known for their energetic nature on and off stage, the trio also share a more emotional, heartfelt side of themselves, adding soft-rock ballads to their discography like their collaboration with Show Me The Money 10 winner, Jo Gwangil and their 2018 single “Lotus,” that they said ‘tells the exact story of them.’ With so much talent under their musical belts, HeyMen is a K-band you need to check out!
Song recommendation(s): “Villain,” “Mirror (Tic Toc)”
Marz23
Hometown: Taiwan
Genre(s): Rock-rap, Pop-punk, Emo-pop
Latest Releases: 不遠處 (Not So Far Away)
About This Artist: Lead vocalist of rock band TRASH and a solo artist under Warner Music Taiwan, Marz23 is a Taiwanese musician at the forefront of Asia's emo, pop-punk revival. His music has a strong presence that feels new but familiar with its blend of pop, punk, screamo, electronica, and hip-hop, forming an impressive emo-alternative combination perfect for Western tastes. On the other hand, his work with TRASH takes influence from Brit-pop and American grunge-rock, showing his diverse artistry.
As a solo artist, Marz23 has collaborated with several international musicians. His latest album 不遠處 (Not So Far Away), features collaborations with the likes of Taiwanese-American hip-hop and R&B artist ØZI, Grammy-nominated Canadian musician Jutes, and Canadian emo rapper Smrtdeath, showcasing a variety of sounds. Whether or not you understand Mandarin (although Marz23 also sings in English), you will instantly feel connected to his music as he has an intricate way of expressing himself through a unique style and sound. So, whether you’re a fan of emo-rap or rock, we recommend you check out Marz23 and his diverse catalog. Both are incredible listens, whether it be his solo music or his music with TRASH.
Song recommendation(s): “情勒 (GASLIGHT) (feat. ØZI),” “那種人 (That Kind of Person)”
16
Hometown: South Korea
Genre(s): Indie, R&B/soul, R&B/urban, Indie-pop
Latest Releases: ‘Smell Like You (feat. Gyuna),” “six weeks”
About The Artist: 16 is a vocalist and producer under AllBlue Records. He debuted in 2020. As a producer, he worked with many artists, including Ailee. He also collaborated with multiple indie artists and featured as a vocalist. In 2023, he released his first solo song and officially debuted as a solo singer. 16 sang the OST “Coiling My Heart” for the Korean boys’ love manhwa-inspired series Unintentional Love Story. He then released his first single, “insomnia,” in collaboration with his labelmate, KURO. The lyrics of his songs make one feel the enchanting spell of being in love.
All of his songs boast his catchy signature musical touch with clear and deep vocals. The synergy is addictive, and that’s how his songs end up on repeat. The Korean artist sings and has released all his singles in English, with his tracks possessing a Western indie sound. On the flip side, we get to witness his Korean singing in the OST.
Nothing much about the artist has been revealed to the world yet. Therefore, let’s stream his songs over the charts so that we get to know more about him.
Song Recommendation(s): “insomnia (feat. KURO),” “Coiling My Heart”
Ava Maybee
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Genre(s): Pop-rock, Alternative-pop, Indie-rock, Indie-pop
Latest Releases: “Limerence,” “Puke”
About The Artist: An extremely talented and beautiful artist hailing from LA, Ava Maybee is a singer-songwriter who has been singing since before she could even talk. After Maybee participated in American Idol last year, performing in front of influential figures like Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie and making it to the top 14, people worldwide discovered her prodigious voice and alluring music.
She debuted in 2020 with her single “Lay Low,” which featured PRETTYMUCH's Edwin Honoret. Through her songs like “Mood Swings,” “Puke,” and “Limerence,” Maybee narrates the struggle of mental health battles and hopes listeners feel heard through her music. Her songs combine her marvelous vocals, empathetic musical ear, and soul-touching way with words that leave an echoing impact on the listeners.
Maybee is on her way to becoming a grand musician like her dad, who has been the drummer of the legendary American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith. She finds it funny that she chose to write indie-pop music even though she grew up listening to a diverse range of genres like opera, folk, R&B/soul, and rock, but now we know where she got her musical ear from. Her powerful voice will send chills down your spine, her lyrics will make your heart scream, and her music will make you surrender to wanting to sing along.
Song Recommendation(s): “Mood Swings,” “Colors”
숨셔(Sumsher)
Hometown: South Korea
Genre(s): R&B/soul, Indie, Rap/Hip-Hop
Latest Releases: “Hate you (feat. Ellui),” “monodrama (feat. KURO)”
About The Artist: Sumsher is a solo artist who has been producing and composing since 2013. “Sumsher” is the romanized pronunciation of his stage name, 숨셔, which means “breathe.” He writes and produces his songs and collaborates with vocalists and rappers to perform in his tracks — JUNNY, Jimmy Brown, KURO, etc., are some of the many artists he has worked with.
Sumsher released an album in 2018, Your Story, which featured an amazing combination of collaborations with artists like JUNNY, KIMM CHAAN, Rex.D, and more. In the past few years, he released a series of singles to honor his late mother with the initials S (“Still In Love”), O (“Ocean”), O (“oowee”), N (“Now You See Me”), J (“Jewel”), A (“Alone”). Sumsher is loved for pulling off various types of genres and being able to create a charming synergy with his musicality. Every single one of his projects turns out to sound perfectly trendy and tasty.
If you are an underground K-R&B and hip-hop lover, this one's for you.
Song Recommendation(s): “Jewel (feat. KURO),” “Let Me Stay (feat. Junny)”
Celia
Hometown: New York City, USA
Genre(s): Indie, Indie-pop, Folktronica, Folk-pop
Latest Releases: “Studio Rat,” “Dumber,” “Fanfiction”
About The Artist: Celia (full name: Celia Babini) is an Italian-American artist hailing as a singer-songwriter & producer from the heart of NYC. In November 2021, when she was studying at NYU’s Clive Davis Institute, the artist embarked on her musical journey with her debut single “Viagra.” Her friends have been working with her on all her songs ever since. As someone who has been influenced by folk, Italian, and R&B genres, she has been experimentally able to pull off an authentic and modern fusion. As music and imagery go hand-in-hand for the artist, her parents became her partners as photographers and directors of her content.
Celia’s songs are the voices of girls. Her music aims to advocate embracing oneself, freedom, and empowerment amongst all the women who have felt suppressed by the world in any way. When she was six, she discovered a fascinating hobby of writing songs and has been threading melodies ever since. The artist also writes in Italian, as we will witness in her upcoming project.
Here’s another artist whose songs are going to leave a mark. Check out the vivid scenes painted by Celia through music and videos.
Song Recommendation(s): “Fanfiction,” “Studio Rat”
Ida Just
Hometown: Copenhagen, Denmark
Genre(s): Pop, Indie, Dance music
Latest Releases: “Peaches,” “Yellow Coat”
About The Artist: Filled with flourishing and playful soundscapes, Ida Just, a Danish queer singer-songwriter residing in London, weaves nocturnal pop dreamscapes. The multi-cultural hub of London exposed the artist to a community of collaborators who helped her discover her sound, and in 2020, she debuted with her single “I Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend.” Her newest single, “Peaches,” is the first track of her upcoming EP Growing a Candy, where she talks about growing and leaning into every joyful and carefree aspect of yourself.
As someone from a family of dancers, Just understands the essence of expression and performing. She used to sing in the choir, building her glacé voice. As a teenager, she used to confide her thoughts in the form of poems, which is when she discovered her passion for songwriting. Ida’s adorable and carefree personality is reflected in her music and videos. For the music video “When I’m Gone,” the artist bred the butterflies at her home.
Her dreamy songs and honeyed voice will win you over.
Song Recommendation(s): “When I’m Gone,” “Peaches”
So, these are our top 10 rising artists for your September playlist! Don’t you love finding new songs and voices across your favorite genres to put on repeat? Tune in to HALSUG’s Rising 1’s playlist for fresh releases, and let us know on Instagram or Twitter who among the above prodigies is going on your repeat playlist. Can’t have enough music? Not to worry. We’ll keep them coming!
Courtney’s Top 5:
1. Zior Park - “ACT!VE VOLCANO (feat. Tabber)”
2. Peach Tree Rascals - “Let U Go”
3. LEEBADA - “RUNNIN’ BACK”
4. HeyMen - “Villain”
5. Marz23 - “Gaslight (feat. ØZI)”
Shruti’s Top 5
2. Ava Maybee - “Limerence”
3. Sumsher - “Hate you (feat. Ellui)”
4. Celia - “Studio Rat”
5. Ida Just - “Peaches”
Edited by Zoe Selesi