40+ Black Indie Artists to Add to Your Playlists
- Anderson Longenecker
- 42 minutes ago
- 3 min read
To celebrate Black History Month, we at Mido have compiled a comprehensive list of 43 Black musicians you should check out and add to playlists for year-round listening. This list includes indie artists, artists from smaller labels or with smaller followings, and some artists with larger followings who, in our opinion, could still have more attention. Whether or not you recognize these names, we hope you discover a new love or rediscover an old one.
These days, it’s common to find artists who create across multiple genres, which is why our list is loosely organized by genre for navigation (i.e., pop, electronic, rock, hip hop, R&B). Hence, the categories and labels are not exact.
If you’re ready to listen, check out the playlist we made.
Otherwise, let’s jump right into the article to learn a bit more about these artists.
1. Jae Stephens
Pop and R&B singer-songwriter, released her first song in 2017, L.A.-based
2. Bronze Avery
Pop singer-songwriter, self-managed, sharing the queer experience through music
Bedroom pop and 80s pop, synths with a whimsical sound
4. LU KALA
Pop, began as a songwriter, known for the viral song "Pretty Girl Era"
Dance pop with drum, bass, and K-pop influences, songwriter and sound engineer from Atlanta
6. Robyn L
Alternative pop, born in Botswana and now based in L.A., released her first song in 2022, self-managed
Dream pop and bedroom pop, self-managed and produced, named after Central Valley, CA
8. Imani Graham
Indie pop singer-songwriter and producer from New Jersey
9. Adanna Duru
Pop, R&B, and folk singer-songwriter, self-managed
Pop and rap, self-managed, known for "IT GIRL" and bold style known as "Aliyahcore"
11. BAYLI
Club music from Brooklyn, formerly part of the band The Skins, began a solo career in 2018, representing the queer community through music
12. horsegiirL
Club music and hardcore electronic, horse.
13. tiishe
Electro alternative, Y2K anime aesthetic, self-managed
14. Retromigration
DJ and producer based in Amsterdam, house and electronic with jazz, hip-hop, and funk influences
15. Life on Planets
Baltimore-born singer-songwriter, house, genre-blending sound
16. Alemeda
Pop, R&B, alternative rock, and indie vibes, raised in Arizona
17. Alex Mali
Dancehall, modern R&B, trap, and hip-hop singer-songwriter from Brooklyn, self-managed
18. Sudan Archives
Self-taught violinist, singer-songwriter, electronic and R&B, West African fiddle (goje), L.A.-based
19. SadBoi
Alternative R&B, dance and hip-hop, Toronto-based, released her first EP in 2017
20. nightlife
Baltimore-based three-member band, combining soul and punk
21. The Paradox
Pop punk band with four members, Atlanta-based, debuted in 2024, and has a rising presence
22. Nova Twins
Rock, British duo of two childhood friends, debuted in 2020
23. Scarlet House
Shoe gaze, grunge and alternative rock, heavy
24. Dews Pegahorn
Alternative rock, self-managed, "danceable manic depression"
25. Infinity Song
Soft rock band composed of four siblings, NYC-based, harmony powerhouse
26. Duckwrth
Hip-hop, rock, and R&B, rock star aesthetic
27. Rico Nasty
"Rage rap," rock, alternative and pop, lethal
28. THOTSQUAD
Hip-hop, rock and rage
29. PARTYOF2
Hip-hop duo with Jadagrace and SWIM
Alternative hip-hop collective, Dallas-based
31. Daisha McBride
Hip-hop from Tennessee, self-managed, aka "The Rap Girl"
32. Flyana Boss
Hip hop duo known for their viral song "You Wish," LA-based
33. Samara Cyn
Hip-hop and neo soul, released her first album in 2024
34. OQ
Hip hop, Houston-based, self-managed, label founder
Read Mido's previous concert coverage here.
35. Mercury
Alternative rap and R&B songwriter and producer, based in Atlanta, turn the volume up!
36. Tierra Whack
Contemporary rap and R&B, Philadelphia-based, layered
37. Brazen Barbie
R&B, hip-hop and trap, Kenyan-Australian
38. Destin Conrad
R&B with a recent alternative jazz album, soulful
Check out Mido's previous concert coverage here.
39. Rakiyah
Ambient R&B singer-songwriter with a futuristic aesthetic
40. Umi
R&B, neo-soul, and folk singer-songwriter with a personal, tranquil sound
41. Tanerélle
R&B and soul singer-songwriter, actress
42. FLO
R&B, London-based girl group trio
43. Phoenix Wonder
Alternative R&B, L.A.-based, self-taught musician, soft and sincere
And that’s a wrap! Don’t forget that we’ve recapped the entire list in the playlist below. We hope you found some new artists to add to your rotation!
Which musician on this list caught your attention? What other categories should we cover next? Let us know in the comments below or by reaching out to us on Instagram or X.
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Edited by Martina Yee