FAST TRACKED The new music stars getting an A-list leg-up
There’s a few new names on the music scene. Their USP? They’re all championed by even bigger stars. But can you really trust those celebrity angels? The verdict’s in
KACY HILL
Head cheerleader Kanye West. What’s the story? Hill was part of a performance troupe on his Yeezus tour. Kanye heard one of her tracks and signed her. The fact she’s a former American Apparel model has nothing to do with it, OK? Sounds like? Woozy pop songs about love, sexuality and womanhood. Life’s small shit, then. Her look… A bit Fifth Element: a blunt red bob and porcelain skin. Random fact She’s obsessed with Harry Styles. Listen… Her album Like A Woman is out now. Kacy tours this autumn.
THE JAPANESE HOUSE
Head cheerleader The 1975. What’s the story? Matt Healy from The 1975 was introduced to one-woman band Amber Bain through a friend and helped get her signed to the same label, Dirty Hit, then took her on tour. Nice chap. Sounds like? Her androgynous vocals meant, for a while, people thought she was The 1975 in disguise. Head f**k. Her look… Heavy Kurt Cobain influences, down to the prominent roots and Breton tops. Random fact Her name is inspired by a holiday home she visited in Devon. Listen… To her EP, Saw You In A Dream.
CHLOE X HALLE
Head cheerleader Beyoncé. What’s the story? Teen YouTube sensations whose Beyoncé covers caught the eye of Queen Bey herself – and landed them a contract with her label. Sounds like? R’n’B meets jazz meets pop, with a helping of Sasha Fiercestyle sass. Their look... Twins. But they’re actually sisters with nearly two years between them. They wear Ivy Park a lot, of course. Random fact Michelle Obama is a huge fan. Listen… To their mix tape, The Two Of Us. World domination awaits.
DAVE
Head cheerleader Drake. What’s the story? 18-year-old rapper gets his track Wanna Know remixed on Drizzy’s radio show. Hysteria ensues. (Dave’s version got 12 million views.) Sounds like? Emo-grime. Dave raps about love, panic attacks and his mum. Standard. His look… A man who knows what he likes: a nicely fitting jumper or T-shirt and a pair of jeans, with a knee rip. Random fact He’s a musical allrounder, playing Grade 7 piano. Listen… To his latest track 100Ms. Dave will be on tour later this year.
MAGGIE ROGERS
Head cheerleader Pharrell Williams. What’s the story? Pharrell mentored music students at New York University last summer. A video of his amazement at Maggie’s song, Alaska, went viral. Sounds like? A folk-dance hybrid. She grew up playing the banjo, but discovered house music during a gap year in Europe. Her look… The millennial version of Joni Mitchell. Random fact She has synaesthesia, a condition where the senses are muddled, meaning she hears colours. Who knew? Listen… To her latest song, Split Stones.