The wealth of access to new genres and artists is unparalleled - 2017 has been a big year for music and even a bigger year for culture. The recent emergence of powerhouse female vocalists from the U.K. throughout the year has hosted various experimentalists unafraid of conforming to traditional R&B. The U.K. music scene has a long-standing history, dating back to before Sade’s “Smooth Operator,” and growing past Craig David in the early 2000s.
European influences tend to hit the U.S. market a little later, even Nielsen Music has noticed a shift in the genres that are being listened to this year. According to the mid-year report released back in June, R&B and Hip-Hop are now responsible for 25.1% of music consumption in the U.S., taking the reigning crown from Rock Music who only claims 23% of the nation.
While streaming has altered the traditional music business model, and where social media has become an integral part of an artists career, R&B/Hip-Hop has become more popular on Spotify and Apple Music than Rock and Pop combined. The rise in R&B could simply correlate to the quality and quantity of music coming from talent across the world. It’s the domination of artists straying away from the genre’s norms and offering a unique and soulful musical experience - fused with grime, indie, and electronica - that saw the genre leap forward this year.
Some of these artists are enjoying mainstream success - like Jorja Smith having caught the eyes of Drake or Ella Mai’s recent collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign.
Below, we've sourced the top five female acts reigning from the U.K. Get familiar with them now before we have to say "told ya so."
Etta Bond
Etta Bond is an outspoken talent working hard to reimagine the way in which women are portrayed, not just in the music industry, but at large. Signed to Simon Cowell’s label, she's been working with the likes of Skepta and Lady Leshurr further confirming Etta Bond is a magnetic force.
Etta is anything but ordinary - her music focuses on feminist expression, using music to vocalize social climate issues like it did back in the 90s. It’s not about creative gratification for Etta, but to make a point both artistically and politically.
Making strides on changing the perception of sexual objectification that has often been pushed onto women in R&B, Etta Bond is a force to be reckoned with.
Ella Mai
Discovered and signed to DJ Mustard’s 10 Summers Label, Ella Mai was first seen on The X Factor as part of girl group Arize. DJ Mustard then found her on Instagram after she uploaded covers of popular songs and signed her to his label. Having released two EP’s this year, Ella Mai is on her way to stardom. Her first EP, Time, includes “She Don’t,” a Ty Dolla $ign collab. The combination of her refined vocals with DJ Mustard’s cultivated bass-heavy beats makes for an intoxicating and warming sound.
Her third EP, Change, includes “10,000 Hours,” a throwback to 90’s R&B.
""10,000 Hours" is about putting the necessary time into master love. It's a very heartfelt song and one of my personal favourites. I fell in love with the beat straight away when I first heard it and knew I could really take the record somewhere." —Ella Mai
Taliwhoah
Talliwoah is the epitome of new-wave R&B - fusing jazz, reggaeton, and smooth vocals, she is not bound by one genre. Being the daughter of famed reggae musicians Toyin Adekale and Klearview Harmonix, it’s no surprise Taliwhoah has been making big moves this year. Descending from the same vein as Kehlani and SZA, Taliwhoah released her 6-song EP New World Order, Vol I in November.
Samples from Mary J. Blige’s “I Can Have You,” can be heard on her SNE-assisted single “Fast FWD,” that marries trap and soul. She embodies fusions of culture on her latest release “Meds,” creating the perfect nighttime vibes you can’t help but shake too.
Mabel
Nominated for The Brit Awards Critic Choice award, Mabel is a name you'll be hearing more of this year. Having studied music production in Stockholm, her songs combine electronic pop with soulful 90 R&B beats. The talented teenager has high expectations to meet being the daughter of singer Neneh Cherry and Massive Attack producer, Cameron McVey, but Mabel’s released tracks justify her hype.
Learning how to play piano at the age of five, as well as being around music her whole life, Mabel has soaked up various influences inspired by the likes of Destiny’s Child, Lauryn Hill, and her parents. Her tracks like “Know Me Better,” and “Thinking Of You,” range from R&B to Pop, stemming from her infectious sounds of her debut “My Boy My Town.”
Written after moving back to London, “My Boy My Town,” is a great showcase of what’s more to come from Mabel in the new year. "Every city has a character and, just like people, you have to get to know them. "My Boy My Town" is about how a relationship and the complex relationship you have with a city can so easily become interlinked."—Mabel
Jorja Smith
Hot-off her Brit Awards win for Critic’s Choice Award, 20-year old Jorja Smith emerged on the scene earlier this year. The award recognizes the “future of British recording” talent and has been previously won by Adele, Sam Smith, and Ellie Goulding.
Impressing with every single release, Jorja’s honey-smooth voice and introspective lyrics have the ability to make everyday stories sound romantic. Having performed live alongside Drake on a number of occasions and subsequently featured in one of Drake’s cameo, it’s been a big year for Jorja. She may only be 20 but her musicality shows soul far beyond her years.
"It's been an unforgettable 2017 during which I've fulfilled so many of my dreams and this is such a special way to end the year," Jorja said after they announced the award. She was also featured on Drake's More Life mixtape, starring on "Get It Together" and "Jorja Interlude."