Amazon Music has unveiled Amazon Music: 2026 Artists To Watch, the streaming service’s annual list of global emerging artists it expects to make an impact this year and beyond.
Drawing from the breadth of Amazon Music territories, the 2026 list of rising voices spans R&B, hip-hop, country, dance, Latin, rock, alternative, K-pop, J-Pop, classical, and more.
This year’s Artists to Watch will be championed across 28 of Amazon Music’s top playlists, including Country Heat, Platino, Rotation and K-pop Now, and more.
In addition to the playlist support, Amazon Music has launched a dedicated playlist, Amazon Music: 2026 Artists To Watch, where fans can stream the full global list of 49 artists in one place. The playlist will be updated throughout the year as the Artists To Watch cohort release new music.
To mark the launch, Amazon Music commissioned eight exclusive Amazon Music Originals from the Artists To Watch, recorded exclusively for the campaign. The new recordings include JayDon covering Aaliyah’s One in a Million and Vengayo reimagining their breakout track Chikkama.
Artists To Watch is one of the most meaningful initiatives we lead each year, because it’s about backing artists early, and championing them at this crucial stage in their career
Paul Firth
In addition, there are cover versions by Zach John King (As It Was), Chloe Qisha (The Winner Takes It All), Jamie MacDonald (Just The Two of Us), Bebo Dumont (Vamonos De Viaje) and Ashen (Sympathy Is A Knife).
Meanwhile, Friqtao is contributing a new Amazon Music instrumental for the Peaceful Meditation soundtrack.
As well as Amazon Music playlists, the artists will feature in the DSP’s in-app and out-of-home marketing, as well as bespoke content exploring stories behind the music.
“Artists To Watch is one of the most meaningful initiatives we lead each year, because it’s about backing artists early, and championing them at this crucial stage in their career,” said Paul Firth, global head of music, Amazon Music. “For 2026, we’re spotlighting 49 exceptional emerging artists from around the world and supporting them where fans discover music – across our biggest playlists and through a new slate of Amazon Music Originals available exclusively on Amazon Music.”
AMAZON MUSIC 2026 ARTISTS TO WATCH LIST
Adam Klobi
Ashen
Azuleja
BabyChiefDoIt
Bebo Dumont
Braxton Keith
Chloe Qisha
Chris Patrick
Clara La San
Destin Conrad
Eddie Benjamin
Ejae
Elizabeth Nichols
Fcukers
Florence Road
Folk Bitch Trio
Friqtao
Girl Tones
Girls Don’t Sync
Gregor Hägele
Hana
Jamie MacDonald
JayDon
Joshua Slone
Josi
Kauta
Kettama
Kushagra
Kwn
Leatherette
Lou-Adriane Cassidy
Lovehead
Max Styler
Meovv
Miss Kaninna
Naalayak
Nazz
NewDad
Paraçek
Pluto
President
Seyi Vibez
Sienna Spiro
Skye Newman
Sofia Monroy
Sunday (1994)
Vengayo
Yonatan Ayal
Zach John King
Zaynara
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