UK female music artists to watch in 2021

As the UK music industry continues to grow and produce some amazing female talent, we take a look at just a few of the talented women making waves in 2021. From grime and hip hop, to pop and R&B, there are plenty of genres represented here. So sit back, relax and enjoy getting to know some incredible British female artists on the rise.

Introducing the UK’s most promising female music artists set to break through in 2021

Since emerging onto the music scene in 2010, singer and songwriter Rita Ora has become one of the UK’s biggest stars. With her powerful vocal delivery and unique style, she has cemented herself as one of the most exciting artists around.

2021 is shaping up to be another big year for Rita, with new music on the way and some huge live shows planned. She is sure to continue winning over fans across the globe and we can’t wait to see what she does next.

Also set for a breakout year is Dua Lipa. The talented young artist has been making waves in recent years with her sleek pop sound and impressive vocals. 2021 looks set to be her biggest year yet, with new music on the horizon and a string of high-profile live performances lined up. We can’t wait to see what she does next.
Zara Larsson is another hugely talented young artist who is poised for a breakthrough in 2021. The Swedish star first came to prominence with her debut single ‘Lush Life’ back in 2015, and she has since gone on to release a succession of hit singles and albums. With more new music expected this year, we’re sure Zara will continue her rise to global superstardom.
Finally, British newcomer Celeste looks set for big things in 2021 after already enjoying success with her debut single ‘Strange’. The soulful singer-songwriter possesses an incredible voice that sets her apart from many of her contemporaries . Coupled with her ability to write catchy melodies , we think Celeste could well be one of the breakout stars of 2021 .

From intimate bedroom pop to thumping club anthems, here are 10 female artists you need on your radar this year

As the UK’s music scene continues to evolve, there are more and more female artists making a name for themselves. From intimate bedroom pop to thumping club anthems, here are 10 female artists you need on your radar this year:

  1. Sälen

With their unique blend of dark pop and R&B, Sälen are one of the most exciting new acts around. Their debut EP ‘The Dirty South’ was released last year to critical acclaim, with The Fader describing it as “a promising start full of slinky cool”. Keep an eye out for their next release – it’s sure to be even better.

  1. Mahalia

Mahalia is a rising star in the world of soul music. She shot to fame with her 2017 single ‘Sober’, and has since gone on to tour with the likes of Sam Smith and Khalid. Her latest EP ‘Love & Compromise’ is packed full of beautiful ballads and catchy hooks, cementing her status as one of Britain’s best young singers. Be sure to catch her live if you can – she’s an incredible performer.

3 . Ray BLK

Ray BLK made history in 2017 when she became the first unsigned artist to win a Brit Award (for Best Breakthrough Act). She mixes R&B, grime and Afrobeats influences in her music, creating something truly unique that reflects her London upbringing perfectly. Her debut album ‘Empress’ is well worth a listen – it’ll have you dancing all night long.

Key Findings

Counting the Music Industry is a gender gap analysis of over 300 music publishers and record labels in the UK. This research reveals that just over 14% of writers currently signed to publishers and just under 20% of acts signed to labels are female. This gap is surprisingly large and is indicative of widespread discrimination against women in the music industry.

Counting the Music Industry also looks at entry routes into music, particularly through formal education. There has been increased participation by girls and women in music education at all levels over the past five years, to near equity, often gaining better results than their male counterparts. And yet female graduates do not seem to be as successful as their male colleagues in starting careers. This report looks at twelve barriers that exist for women wishing to start and sustain a career in music.

And finally, Counting the Music Industry identifies opportunities for further research and concludes with a list of practical recommendations for government, education and music organisations to implement, improve and ultimately close the gender gap in music, thereby creating a more inclusive industry. 

For the full report or the summary please download below.  There is also a word file of the text for those who use screen-readers. 

The key findings were published in Music Week https://www.musicweek.com/publishing/read/a-wake-up-call-vick-bain-on-her-report-into-gender-inequality-in-music/077734 and discussed on Radio 3 Music Matters https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009zxy  and will also be presented at a tour of UK universities next year; a full list of the universities and dates can be found here https://vbain.co.uk/presenting

For further information on Vick Bain please go to https://vbain.co.uk/  

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