Legacy of Frank Ocean
Artists and genres Frank Ocean directly influenced — one hop forward on the family tree of music.
Why Don't WeartistWhy Don't We, shortened to wdw, was an American boy band consisting of Jack Avery, Corbyn Besson, Zach Herron, Jonah Marais and Daniel Seavey. They formed in 2016 and released two studio albums and six extended plays. Because of a lawsuit, the group took a hiatus and cancelled their tour in 2022, and eventually lost the rights to the group name in February 2025, marking the official end of the group.
Mariah the ScientistartistMariah Amani Buckles, known professionally as Mariah the Scientist, is an American singer and songwriter. She signed with Tory Lanez's One Umbrella and RCA Records to release her debut studio album Master (2019) and its follow-up, Ry Ry World (2021). She parted ways with both labels in favor of Epic Records to release her third studio album, To Be Eaten Alive (2023), which marked her first entry on the Billboard 200.
Lola YoungartistLola Emily Mary Young is an English singer and songwriter. Born and raised in South London, she attracted attention in 2016 when she won the under-16 category of Open Mic UK and reached the finals of Got What It Takes?. She released her debut single in October 2019 and then the EPs Intro, Renaissance, and After Midnight. In 2021, she recorded a version of Giorgio Moroder and Philip Oakey's "Together in Electric Dreams" for that year's John Lewis Christmas advert. Around this time, she was nominated for the Brit Award for Rising Star and came fourth on the BBC's Sound of....
keshiartistCasey Thai Luong, known professionally as Keshi, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He debuted in 2017 with the single "Over U", and has since gained recognition for his lo-fi and R&B works with emotional lyricism. The following year, Keshi released his first extended play The Reaper. His debut album Gabriel was released in 2022, and his sophomore album Requiem was released in 2024. Both albums reached the top 30 on the US Billboard 200. Three of his singles have been certified gold in Australia and Canada. He has embarked on multiple global headlining tours in support of his music.
GivēonartistGiveon Dezmann Evans, mononymously known as Giveon, is an American R&B singer and songwriter. He rose to prominence with his 2019 song "Like I Want You", which peaked at number 87 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2020, Giveon signed with Epic Records to release two extended plays: the Grammy Award-nominated Take Time and When It's All Said and Done; the former was preceded by the single "Heartbreak Anniversary", which peaked at number 16 on the chart and received quintuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Siaartist
StormzyartistMichael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr., known professionally as Stormzy, is a British rapper, singer and songwriter. In 2014, he gained attention on the UK underground music scene through his Wicked Skengman series of freestyles over classic grime beats. Stormzy's song "Shut Up", which was initially released as a freestyle on YouTube, became popular and peaked at number eight on the UK Singles Chart after he launched a campaign to reach Christmas number one.
Kaash Paigeartist
Reneé RappartistReneé Jane Rapp is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She gained recognition for starring as Regina George in the Broadway musical Mean Girls (2019–2020). She reprised the role in the 2024 musical film adaptation and also contributed to its soundtrack. Rapp has also acted in the HBO Max comedy series The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021–2024). She released her debut EP, Everything to Everyone, in 2022, which was followed by her full-length studio album, Snow Angel, in 2023. Rapp's second album, Bite Me, was released on August 1, 2025.
Ali GatieartistAli Gatie is an Iraqi–Canadian singer and songwriter managed by SAL&CO. In 2019, his song "It's You" achieved worldwide success, charting on the US Billboard Hot 100 peaked at number 70 and reaching the top 30 in Australia, Canada, Ireland and Sweden, as well as the top 10 in New Zealand and in Germany.
Justin Bieberartist
Beyoncéartist
John Legendartist
BrandyartistBrandy Rayana Norwood, known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She is known for her intricate vocal riffs, and is regarded as an influential figure in contemporary R&B.
Tyler, The CreatorartistTyler Gregory Okonma, known professionally as Tyler, the Creator, is an American rapper and record producer. He is known for his eclectic and experimental music, raw lyrical style, and frequent use of alter egos and alternate personas across his albums. During the 2010s and 2020s, he was described as an influential figure in alternative hip-hop.
JAY-ZartistShawn Corey Carter, known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American rapper, businessman, and record executive. In 2023, Billboard and Vibe ranked him as the greatest rapper of all time. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, Jay-Z is known for his complex lyricism that often uses double entendres, wordplay, and braggadocio. His music is built on a rags to riches narrative. According to Forbes, he is the wealthiest music artist in history, worth an estimated US$2.8 billion as of 2026.
Kanye Westartist
Bridget KellyartistBridget Kelly is an American singer and songwriter from New York City. Kelly, an R&B recording artist, has written songs for Kelly Clarkson. In 2008, she secured a recording contract with American rapper and hip-hop mogul Jay-Z's record label Roc Nation.
James BlakeartistJames Blake Litherland is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. Known for his emotive, soulful light head voice and use of falsetto, he first gained recognition following the release of three extended plays—The Bells Sketch, CMYK and Klavierwerke—in 2010. He signed with A&M Records to release his self-titled debut album (2011) the following year, which was met with critical praise and peaked within the top ten of the UK Albums Chart.
Mick Jonesartist
Paul Simononartist
Diploartist
Vic MensaartistVictor Kwesi Mensah, known professionally as Vic Mensa, is an American rapper and activist. Born and raised in Chicago, he was a member of the regional hip-hop groups Kids These Days and Savemoney prior to releasing his debut solo mixtape, Innanetape (2013). As a solo artist, Mensa has been signed to Virgin EMI Records, Def Jam Recordings, Capitol Records, and Roc Nation.
TemsartistTemilade Anna Openiyi, known professionally as Tems, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. She rose to prominence after being featured on Wizkid's 2020 single "Essence", which peaked at number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart following the release of the remix version with Justin Bieber. The song earned her a Grammy Award nomination. That same year, she was featured on the song "Fountains" by Canadian rapper Drake.