Shazam shares predictions for the top rising artists of 2026

From underground dance cuts to global genre crossovers, these are the artists Shazam says you’ll be searching all year long.

For anyone who’s always wondering “what’s the ID?” Shazam Fast Forward is for you. Designed to be the crystal ball for discovery, for anyone looking for a new edition to their playlist, Fast Forward spotlights emerging artists that are all the rage right now. Spanning 20 genres and 22 countries, these rising artists are set to make waves in the coming year and beyond.

Fast Forward doesn’t just guess; it predicts with precision. The program repeatedly proves itself to be a reliable indicator for what’s going to be a breakout hit or who’s going to be the next big thing. Just looking at last year’s numbers, the Fast Forward Class of 2025 saw an average 67% year-over-year increase in Shazam discoveries alone, with radio spins up 70% and Apple Music plays skyrocketing by over 100%. So, when Shazam flags an artist, momentum tends to follow quickly.

Here’s a sneak peek at this year’s picks:

Baalti

Brooklyn-based electronic producer duo Baalti is first up. They blend underground groove with disjointed South Asian inspired beats. Their biggest Shazam hit so far, “Buttons,” is steadily building momentum right now and Shazam is betting you’ll love them, too.

Collect200

Collect200 is a collaborative project made up of Stevie Appleton, whose voice you probably recognize from BLOND:ISH’s 2025 hit “Never Walk Alone,” and Nick Henriques. Henriques is a platinum-selling producer and writer (remember Body by Loud Luxury?). The duo brings a polished pop-infused nostalgia to the electronic scene, with their self-titled single “Collect 200) gaining traction on Shazam for its undeniable hook.

Ear

Yaelle Avtan and Jonah Paz blur intimate vocals with glitchy experimental moody production, together they make ear. Their breakout single “Nerves” sparked buzz on Shazam, and since built a mysterious rise with their new debut album The Most Dear and The Future.

Other top picks like DJ Habibeats, KT Melodies and Odymel are pushing dance music across borders, while Omar+ and oskar med k are gaining global traction with record Shazams. Other artists on the list, like Sophia Stel, Storm Mollison and Will Sass, are also adding sleek club-ready anthems to playlists worldwide.

2026 Fast Forward’s picks look promising and are worth keeping an eye on. To see a breakdown of this year’s dance/electronic picks, head to Shazam to see the full list of 65. Listen to the Shazam Fast Forward 2026 playlist on Apple Music.

About The Author

Lily Tenner

Hi, I’m Lily! I’m an LA-based concert & festival diehard! My life was forever changed after my first festival, Coachella 2019, and then fully spiraled (in the best way) after my first EDC in 2023. I have attended over 140+ shows… I am the ultimate stage hopper and will always make it to the barricade. I love dubstep, house, trance, techno, bass, you name it.

If I’m not at a show, I’m working as a social media manager & photographer, or probably listening to music, learning how to DJ, planning my next festival, or watching a Gordon Ramsay cooking show with my cat.

I am so excited to be writing for Exron and sharing my love for music. If you’re reading this, thanks for being here and reading my stuff!

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