SoundCloud, the next generation music company, introduced nine standout emerging artists to headline “First on SoundCloud’s” new accelerator program focused on dedicated investment in co-creating each artist’s career milestones to help drive their long-term success.
The emerging artists, hand selected by music teams at SoundCloud, represent a diverse range of sounds, geographies and identities: Charmaine, Ela Minus, Kid Quill, Lourdiz, Otis Kane, Pa Salieu, Payday, Sofia Mills, and SoFaygo.
These multi-talented singers, songwriters, rappers, and DJs from around the world with distinct styles and sounds all share one thing in common: they are each on the cusp of breakout success.
Today’s most buzzed about new artists and hottest stars started their careers on SoundCloud — Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion and Post Malone, amongst others — and “First on SoundCloud” has amplified this track record of breaking what’s new and next in music.
Since launching in 2018, emerging artists featured in “First On SoundCloud” include rising sensations Cuppy, Che Lingo, Baby Rose, Grammy Award nominee, Kehlani, and chart topper, Lil Tecca.
“First on SoundCloud’s” new, one-of-a-kind accelerator program now goes beyond the campaign’s discovery roots to fully backing an emerging artist’s career-making firsts.
“We’re very excited to introduce this new class of breakout emerging artists, all sharing the special qualities that represent the SoundCloud artist community at its core — they’re innovative, original, and DIY at heart,”
says Erika Leone, Vice President, Brand Marketing, SoundCloud.
“‘First on SoundCloud” has always been about amplifying emerging artists and driving discovery for listeners. With the new accelerator program we’ll work directly with the artists over this year to help them drive real, meaningful advances in their careers, while helping them reach new creative milestones and growing their global fan-bases.”
Powered by SoundCloud’s artist development experts, creator resources, artist-to-fan community, and editorial expertise, the “First on SoundCloud” accelerator program works closely with artists to produce memorable, authentic, career-making moments, culminating in an original collaborative project that marks a first for each artist like their first dream collab, first merch drop and first mind-bending album cover art.
In addition to these milestone creative outputs, here’s a taste of what to expect from “First on SoundCloud” this year:
- Introductory profiles by guest editor and music journalist, Kiana Fitzgerald with insights into their personal stories, musical styles, creative influences, and inspirations. Fitzgerald has profiled some of the biggest and brightest music stars including Megan Thee Stallion and Post Malone.
- Originally produced content featuring artist interviews and an exclusive sneak peek behind-the-scenes at their first photoshoots. This artist content series features original music from producers Take A Daytrip.
- Features on the new “First on SoundCloud” playlist on SoundCloud’s homepage, along with career development from SoundCloud’s music industry vets and experts.
- A live event bringing together First on SoundCloud artists and the SoundCloud community to celebrate their music and creative journey.
To kick-off their “First on SoundCloud” journey each artist will be personally announced to the world by influential artists, tastemakers and cultural pioneers, including D Smoke, Trippie Redd, and Rico Nasty, creative photographer and designer Ciesay of Places + Faces, and rising NBA star De’Aaron Fox.
These inspirational icons provide an invaluable cosign, amplifying each individual artist to their massive communities of friends and followers.
