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New Wave's 10 Artists To Watch In 2026
Each year, New Wave Magazine’s 10 Artists to Watch list highlights the rising talent that’s set to define the sound of tomorrow.
Drake and PartyNextdoor Ignite Manchester at Co-op Live Arena on Day One Of A Four-Night Show
One thing that Drake has been criticised for over the last few years is his quality control over productivity in terms of albums and music releases. His strategy over his career has been to flood the market, pivot to what sounds current and popular, and embrace culture and the younger generation that are coming up to appeal to a wide and ever-growing audience.
Drake’s Role as the Toronto Raptors’ Global Ambassador
Appointed as the franchise’s Global Ambassador in 2013, the Toronto-born rapper has reshaped the team’s image, supercharged its branding, and elevated the Raptors into a globally recognized NBA franchise.
Top Dawg Entertainment: The Rise and Evolution Of Hip Hop's Talent Powerhouse
TDE’s true strength lies in its commitment to artistic evolution. As the label continues to push boundaries, we look forward to seeing
TRENDING GET TO KNOW FEATURES
RAYE Drops Empowering New Single “Click Clack Symphony” Featuring Hans Zimmer
RAYE returns with her highly anticipated single “Click Clack Symphony,” a collaboration with legendary composer Hans Zimmer.
Get To Know: NO11
With his breakout song ‘HOW FAR’ hot on the charts since its release on the last day of 2025, “bangers, straight bangers” is what to expect from NO11. Still on the come-up, the Nigerian musician is determined to reach the top.
Get To Know: KWN
KWN (pronounced Kay-wuhn) is someone who has already been recognised as someone with undeniable talent as she has been featured on several c
Get To Know: Sienna Spiro
The SZA-approved singer Sienna Spiro is a breath of fresh air breaking into London’s jazz and pop realm in her own way.
LIVE SHOWS WITH NEW WAVE
The Biggest Ideas Don't Have Ceilings. Labyrinth and High Scream on Pushing the Limits of Live Music
Live music promoter Labyrinth and creative production company High Scream on big ideas, unexpected spaces, and taking experiences to the next level with their latest venture - transforming a UNESCO World Heritage Site into a live music venue.
1WAY Life Is 4 Livin’: A Summer Celebration of London, Culture and Community
Credit: @alexandra.badmus There’s something to be said for events that understand that a good time is about more than just who is on the line-up. 1WAY has built a reputation around creating spaces where music, culture and community can come together and Life Is 4 Livin’ Fest felt like a strong example of that. From the music and food to the atmosphere and the people in the crowd, the whole day was centred around one thing: enjoying yourself. Held at Hainault Park on Saturday
Soulection at 15: A Global Sound System in London
Soulection’s influence stretches far beyond any single city, genre or scene. Its 15th anniversary celebration in London was a fitting reflection of that reach.
Reggae Land Festival 2026: A Weekend For The Culture
Reggae Land Weekend 2026 cemented its place as one of the UK’s biggest celebrations of reggae, dancehall and Caribbean culture, welcoming 135,000 people to Milton Keynes’ National Bowl across three days. Photography by Flexxed (@flexxedtv) From the food stalls to the soundsystems, there was plenty happening beyond the stages. Musically, the festival moved effortlessly between generations, proving just how expansive reggae and dancehall culture has always been. For me, the we
FEATURED ARTICLES
Thirty Years On: How The Score Found Its Second Home in London
Through the early to mid-90s, America was on one of its many cultural hate trains. And once again, its lenses focused on the Haitian immigrants, legal or otherwise, coming into the country after the coup d’etat that removed democratically elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. It was under these intense rays of xenophobia that three black musicians decided to tell the struggle of black Americans and immigrants in a sound so irresistible it found its way across the Atlantic
Soundtracking the Beautiful Game: A Brief Look into how Football and Music Go Hand in Hand
One of my favourite things that used to happen whenever I was hanging out with my guy friends was me putting on a song, only for them to immediately look at each other and say, "Wait, this was on FIFA 11!" The impact of video game soundtracks aren't anything new and plenty of people rediscover songs from their childhood by either seeking out the music they grew up with or by chance hearing it out in the wild and being transported straight back to their youth. For many people,
Red Bull Midsummer Brought It's Electronic Global Community Together Simultaniously Across Time Zones
Red Bull transformed one of London's most striking rooftop spaces into the beating heart of a worldwide celebration of electronic music as Red Bull Midsummer arrived at Wagtail for an unforgettable day-to-night experience.
Pop Music and The Fan Experience: How Harry Styles Is Shaping Modern Concert Culture
Pop music’s energy thrives not only on sound but on the way fans connect with their favorite artists. In the 2020s
The Soft-Edged Sentiment of Saam Sultan
Music Editor Shenead speaks with one of UK underground's best kept secrets, Saam Sultan on his new EP 'Seraphim' fresh off the stage from a milestone moment in his career.
Was 2016 The Most Iconic Year in Black Music?: Seven Albums That Changed The Game
From Rihanna's ANTI to Beyoncé's Lemonade to Frank Ocean's Blonde, 2016 was a landmark year in Black music. Let’s put 2016 on repeat and dive into the iconic albums that still strike chords deep within us. The advent of 2026 was quickly doused in yearning, misty-eyed 2016 core. Millions online reached back with nostalgia, and every tap, swipe and scroll through social media saw the resurrection of trends and pop culture moments born ten years ago. Who could blame us? 2016 wa
![It's Not Over for Debbie [Interview]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0d4ea1_e92b8ff7f4c6477eb84d15c8f91e57d3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1338,h_1000,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/0d4ea1_e92b8ff7f4c6477eb84d15c8f91e57d3~mv2.jpg)
![It's Not Over for Debbie [Interview]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0d4ea1_e92b8ff7f4c6477eb84d15c8f91e57d3~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1268,h_948,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/0d4ea1_e92b8ff7f4c6477eb84d15c8f91e57d3~mv2.jpg)
It's Not Over for Debbie [Interview]
Her music feels like a safe haven where fans seeking a breather have somewhere to lean in and feel understood.
The Impact of Motion Graphics on Live Music Performances
Motion graphics have become a pivotal element in the evolution of live music performances. This trend is increasingly significant as artists strive to create unique and immersive experiences for their audiences.
Will 2026 Be The Year That Grime Music Truly Returns?
If you are like me, you would have been an avid fan of grime music back in the early 2000’s. Unfortunately, you would have slowly watched the scene be filtered down in the early 2010’s and subsequently seen many offshoots of the genre reappear but not contain the same flare you once knew and loved.
The New Generation of Festivals: Where Music Meets Innovation
Festivals once felt pretty basic – a flyer full of names, a big open space, and a handful of sets that stayed in people’s group chats for weeks.
New Wave's 10 Artists To Watch In 2026
Each year, New Wave Magazine’s 10 Artists to Watch list highlights the rising talent that’s set to define the sound of tomorrow.
10 Years Since Jorja Smith’s 'Blue Lights' Sparked UK R&B and Cultural Consciousness
Jorja Smith’s Blue Lights stands as one of the most influential debut singles in modern UK R&B, marking the arrival of an artist whose voice would come to define a generation.
SONIC EVOLUTION SERIES
Redemption time: An interview with French Underground Rapper Retro X
Who is the French underground king? For the first time in years, Retro X reveals his deepest thoughts on the French rap scene and which UK rapper he wishes to collaborate with. Known as one of the pioneers of both French underground ‘street’ and ‘hype’ rap, Retro X is the most versatile artist to this date. With what seems like a career that was always destined for him, he first appeared on the scene with his French hit ‘Etho’ and quickly took the world by storm. At some poin
Sonic Evolution: Lord of The Northern Dance
Sonic Evolution uncovers Northern Soul: a short-lived movement in the late 60s/70s that grounds much of today's contemporary subcultures.
Pirate Radio: Navigating The Frequency Waves
The era of digital radio hijacking may be a 90s phenomenon, but the pirate radio scene is still hustling from tower blocks across the UK.
Sonic Evolution: Justice for Dubstep
The 90s produced a lot of things: Tamagotchi’s, Blockbuster, tattoo chokers and lest we forget the unrivalled music scene, especially in...
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