I’ve always fancied myself a bit of an A&R guy with an ear for talent. Sure, certain songs appeal to my personal taste, but every so often I get a feeling that someone isn’t just good, but genuinely special, and they’re on the precipice of making it big before they do.
This happened for me with Dua Lipa, Teddy Swims, Jessie Murph and, most recently, Ella Langley, whose “Choosin’ Texas” became her first top-five hit on Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart.
Here are three artists who I believe will begin their ascent to major stardom this year:
Olivia Dean
Okay, I know what you’re thinking: Olivia Dean is already on that path — she received a Best New Artist Grammy nomination and scored the first No. 1 album of 2026 with the resplendent The Art of Loving. All true … but, in my defense, her accelerated rise is much more recent than when my Spidey sense pegged her as one to watch last year.
The English singer-songwriter released her first single, the bouncy “Reason to Stay,” in 2018, followed by her critically acclaimed debut album, Messy, in 2023. The 12-song LP peaked at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart and yielded several catchy singles, including the lovely “Dive,” brassy dance groove “Ladies Room” and poignant “The Hardest Part.”
Since her start, Dean, 26, has released two live albums, four EPs and a steady stream of singles. But it was her stunning The Art of Loving that really made people notice her buttery vocals and soothing neo-soul vibe. Add to that her sophisticated, elegant style and it’s difficult not to draw comparisons to Sade.
Incorporating elements of pop, jazz, R&B and bossa nova, Loving produced four standout singles, including the breezy “Nice to Each Other” and “Man I Need,” and landed on numerous best albums of 2025 lists, from Rolling Stone to Entertainment Weekly.
With a potential Grammy win in March (tune in to see if she deservedly bests sombr and Addison Rae, among others), Dean will embark on a global tour running from April through October. As of this writing, her closest dates land at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, July 14–15. Yes, she booked two nights at the 20,000-seat venue. If she doesn’t add a San Diego stop, a road trip is highly recommended.
Izzy Escobar
Like many contemporary breakout artists, singer-songwriter Izzy Escobar first caught attention on TikTok, where her intimate performances quickly found an audience. Her 2025 debut single, “These Eyes,” introduced listeners to her enchanting mélange of jazz, soul and pop, and her deep, resonant voice rich with warmth and character.
Last October, she released her six-song EP, Sunny in London, featuring the title track, a bittersweet breakup song the 26-year-old wrote while traveling abroad. Despite its theme, the easy groove suggests a bright future, in love and music.
A strong showcase of her songcraft, London features several highlights, from the aching ballad “Nevermine” and aspirational “Jackie O” to the sultry earworm “Vendetta,” which has emerged as her biggest hit to date with more than 6.6 million streams on Spotify.
Growing up in Massachusetts with a DJ father, the Cuban-Italian artist with exotic looks was exposed to all kinds of music. Classical violin became her first passion, eventually leading to writing songs extemporaneously at the piano. That foundation gave her a strong ear for rhythm and melody, which she weaves into her authentic sound.
At the moment, Escobar has just one 2026 live appearance on the calendar — a May 24 set at the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival in California’s wine country. While headliners like Lorde, Foo Fighters and the Backstreet Boys will attract many concertgoers, I’d get a ticket simply to see her on Sunday. Go and you’ll thank me later.
Maya Delilah
I first started singing Maya Delilah’s praises here last February, before her stellar debut album The Long Way Round broke in March. It all stemmed from her sultry single, “Squeeze,” a jazz-funk workout foreshadowing great promise to come.
The 25-year-old English singer, songwriter and guitarist got her start at 15, performing at music competitions and later, like Dean, attending the prestigious BRIT School. Delilah released her debut EP, Oh Boy, in 2020, followed by It’s Not Me, It’s You in 2021 and numerous singles through 2024.
Her sound, an irresistible mix of jazz, soul and pop, is best sampled through tracks like “I’m Just Stupid,” “Queen” and “Begin Again,” the opener from The Long Way Round. That album led to her being named a 2025 Spotify Artist to Watch.
While Delilah has yet to announce tour plans for 2026, she continues to release new music, including this month’s deluxe version of The Long Way Round featuring four additional tracks. Expect big things for her this year, especially if she hits the road.
Donovan Roche is a longtime music writer and frequent contributor to Times of San Diego. Send your story ideas to droche617@gmail.com.
