As of July 2020, we are officially halfway through the first year of the new decade and I don’t even know how we made it this far. The coronavirus has shut down our weekly routines and caused many of us to go from running the streets to shelter in place, aka house arrest. In turn, there has been a ripple effect with 26 million people in the United States alone who are currently jobless and desperately searching for a way to make ends meet. Add to this the global protesting of police brutality and systematic oppression ignited by the murder of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and others. This year has definitely been one for the history books and we’ve barely reached the halfway point.

With everything going on in the world on top of trying to maintain some semblance to everyday life, these stressful times can seriously take a toll on our minds. One thing that can help keep our spirits refreshed is the gift of music from some of our favorite artists. If this is your first time hearing of beingsinouterspace or if you keep up with us regularly one thing you’ll realize is that we are avid music lovers. Music is therapy for us.

From hip-hop and R&B to house and afrobeats we appreciate it all. Music has been a major part of our lives as we celebrate the good times and push through the toughest times. Nothing excites us more than discovering new artists randomly via SoundCloud or YouTube and sharing their projects with our closets homies and budding online community.

With this in mind, we thought it would be a cool idea to put together a playlist of our top 6 artists (in no particular order) who we’ve been keeping a close eye on in 2020. These selected few are poised to become household names in the not so distant future.

Check them out below and let us know who you’re vibing with the most.

2020’s Artists On The Rise

Chuck II

There’s always been a nagging question in the back of Bay Area hip-hop heads minds. Who is the next artist to rise up from the Bay and take over the reins after legendary OGs E-40 and Too $hort? Well, I would like to introduce you to Chuck II, arguably northern California’s best-kept secret. Chuck has been bubbling in the underground scene for the last few years with charisma filled lyrics and versatile flows reminiscent of BIG K.R.I.T and Schoolboy Q’s early mixtape days combined with a sizable dose of signature Bay flavor. Whether Chuck is breaking down game with humorous hustler next door tales or diving deep into verses discussing his bouts with depression and overcoming his fears, you can rest assure this 20 something lyricist is wise beyond his years.

Make no mistake about it, Chuck won’t be a secret for much longer.

Umi

Similar to the path taken by Kanye West, this college dropout turned songwriter/artist creates bluesy tunes that speak to the lover in all of us. The 20-year-old Umi from Seattle effortlessly lays organic vocals over smooth instrumentals and distinguishes herself from many of today’s mediocre R&B sirens with songs that are laced with substance versus pop appeal. She is at her strongest when she expresses her emotions and speaks of love lost. On the flipside, Umi is at her most vulnerable when she highlights her inner strength and shares what it takes to be true to yourself versus choosing to settle and fit into a society that brainwashes us into being less than we are capable of.

Welcome to Umi’s world where soul is overflowing and dreams do come true.

Jay Lifted

Chicago native Jay Lifted has already started to make a splash when it comes to this new wave of rappers. Gifted with the ability to combine clever wordplay with infectious melodies without skipping a beat, Jay is one stream away from the mainstream. Push play on his 2019 and 2020 releases ‘Better Late Than Never’ and ‘In Due Time’ respectively and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Jay flourishes whether he shares his struggle with insecurities or dealings with heartbreaks, all while in pursuit of his dreams and flipping off the naysayers in the process. With execs from legendary record labels Atlantic and Roc Nation courting this young talent, it’s plain to see that Jay Lifted is only going to go up from here.

You can’t help but root for this underdog.

Aaron May

If Aaron May isn’t on your playlist he should be. The 18-year-old fresh out of high school rising young talent from Houston not only raps but produces his own beats with a soulfulness that is way beyond his years. His knack for mixing old school samples with trap 808s and chopped and screwed effects make every song he drops a smooth track with an infectious bounce. May’s breezy flows about fake friendships, flawed lovers, trap schemes, and street dreams make this debut album, ‘Chase’, a popular choice among his demographic. With a style eerily similar to J.Cole’s early mixtape days with the down to earth swag of Kid Cudi added in, it’s undeniable that Mr. May is packed to the brim with talent.

It’s going to be a treat to watch this young man evolve as he continues CHASE-ing his dreams.

Kaash Paige

Coming seemingly out of nowhere and representing Dallas, Tx, singer/songwriter Kaash (Kill All Arrogance Stop Hatred) Paige brings an around-the-way style to the crowded R&B scene where looks and radio-friendly hooks outweigh talent in many cases. Kaash’s laid back vibe and her ability to lay melodies smoothly over trapsoul beats bring something refreshing yet familiar to the music scene. In many ways, Kaash feels like a nice blend of SZA-like vulnerability mixed perfectly with the swag of Sway Lee. And if that wasn’t enough this Def Jam signee has been cosigned by Tory Lanez, a versatile hitmaker in his own right.

With Paige releasing her debut album ‘Teenage Fever’ later in the summer it’s only a matter of time before this TikTok fan-favorite becomes a household name.

Giveon

Whether he is crafting hooks for music royalty Drake or opening up for R&B sensation Snoh Aalegra, Long Beach crooner and songwriter Giveon is impressing many in the music industry with his jazzy vocals and 90-esque ballads, a la Babyface. The Epic Records signee released the critically acclaimed EP ‘Take Time’ in spring 2020 and his fans are anxiously awaiting his debut album scheduled for later this year. On two of the tracks, ‘Favorite Mistake’ and ‘Heartbreak Anniversary’, Giveon cries a sweet surrender to the love of his life and utilizes his soulful tone to release his pain. If you are looking for an artist that pens introspective lyrics and delivers pristine vocals where you feel every emotion then Giveon is the guy for you.

He will definitely have you in your feelings.

There you have it, our 6 picks for artists on the rise in 2020. Drop us a comment below and let us know if any of these up and comers made your top picks. You’ll also find a curated playlist of our favorite tracks from these artists below. Give it a spin and let us know what you think!