UK’s Best Black Female Artists in 2024
We profile some of the most exciting Black British female artists making new music history...
Black music talent has been a defining force in contemporary music and one often celebrated in Black History Month.
First launched in the US, the event is now a fixture in the UK calendar too, billed as "an annual celebration of the contributions of Africa, Africans and people of African descent to world civilisation from antiquity to the present".
Here, to acknowledge the month, we've profiled some of the most exciting British Black female artists creating new music history with iconic performances, inspiring albums and songwriting skills.
Please note this list isn't exhaustive, nor is it in order of any preference. But it is a snapshot of some favourites we believe are pushing things forward...
Little Simz
Rapper and singer Little Simz is only 30 years old but is already a huge creative and cultural presence with a rich back catalogue to her name.
With five albums under her belt, including the brilliant Mercury Prize nominated ‘Grey Area’, she has enjoyed even more success in recent years.
Her record, 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert', went on to win the BRIT Award for Best album while she continues to evolve with her latest record, 'No Thank You' and EP, 'Drop 7'.
Glastonbury 2024 may have been headlined by Coldplay, Dua Lipa and Sza but for many, it was Simz' performance that was the most astonishing and a demonstration of her powerful artistic vision.
Nova Twins
Industry trail blazers Nova Twins are Amy Love and Georgia South, a powerful force, both as artists and as advocates for Black women within the industry.
They have released two inspired records to date - 'Who Are the Girls?' in February 2020 and their most recent album, 'Supernova'. Their guitar-based music has been critically acclaimed, securing nominations for Best Group and Best Rock/Alternative Act in 2023's Brit Awards.
As campaigners, they have had great influence, pushing the MOBO Awards into launching an Alternative category for the first time back in 2022. They were also Ambassadors for an ICMP scholarship.
Ego Ella May
With props from renowned selector Gilles Peterson to headlining the Roundhouse Rising festival at Camden's iconic venue, Ego Ella May is an ICMP alumna and accomplished singer, songwriter and artist.
Summer 2024 has seen her perform at numerous festivals including the Montreal Jazz Festival and We Out Here in the UK.
2020 saw Ego release her critically acclaimed debut album, 'Honey for Wounds'. Check the video for her track, 'Liminal Space' taken from her release, 'FIELDNOTES PT III.'
Tiana Major9
There's hotly tipped artists and emerging talent, then there's Tiana Major9.
From Vogue covers courtesy of Stormzy to signing a deal with Motown and appearing on the soundtrack to Steve McQueen's drama, 'Small Axe', ICMP alumna Tiana forges a futuristic sound drawing on the best classic soul and funk.
She's a musical force to be reckoned with, recently performing at the British Library as part of the brilliant Beyond the Bassline, 500 Years of British Black Music.
Watch her perform the classic, 'Silly Games', as part of the 'Small Axe' soundtrack.
Griff
The recipient of the Rising Star award at the 2021 Brit Awards, Griff has been an inspiring new talent in the UK music scene. Off the back of this accolade, she supported Dua Lipa on her Future Nostalgia tour and has also been on the road with Ed Sheeran.
Following from the initial success of 'Mirror Talk' (2019) and 'One Foot in Front of the Other' (2021), Griff has now released her debut album, 'Vertigo', to great acclaim.
NAO
Anyone who tuned into our ICMP masterclass will have become well acquainted with 21st century soul star NAO. Her journey from music student to Grammy nominations via collaborations with Mura Masa and Disclosure is an inspiring one.
Make sure you check out her brilliant albums ‘For All We Know’ and ‘Saturn’, and her latest release, 'And Then Life Was Beautiful'.
PinkPantheress
Managed by ICMP alumna Phoebe Gold, PinkPantheress is one of the UK's most hotly tipped new stars after winning the BBC Sound of 2022 award.
This artist is a Bath-born singer, songwriter and producer and has become a huge hit on TikTok.
Her wistful, nostalgic tracks hinge around samples from the nineties and 2000s adding up to an exciting and innovative sound, best heard on her mixtape, 'to hell with it'.
PinkPantheress has recently been awarded Billboard's 2024 Women in Music Producer of the Year with her career continuing to go from strength to strength.
Ray BLK
The first unsigned artist to win the BBC's Sound of Poll in 2017, Ray BLK's talents as a singer songwriter have shone through a string of great releases and collaborations.
Originally from South London, her latest album ‘Empress’ was released via Island Records to rave reviews. Check out this Stormzy collaboration which helped her career take off...
Cat Burns
Cat Burns is an artist for our digital times, a songwriting talent who went viral on TikTok via her track, 'Go'.
Since its success in 2022, Cat has received multiple industry accolades including three BRIT Award nominations (Song of The Year, Best Pop/R&B and Rising Star), BBC Sound Poll 2023 shortlist feature and a nomination at this year's Ivor Novello Awards too.
Her debut album, 'Early Twenties', has now been released and she's been on tour this summer (with ICMP's Hannah Montrose playing as part of her band).
Jorja Smith
The Walsall singer-songwriter may only be in her early twenties yet she's already been named as Best British Female Artist at the Brits, earned a Grammy nomination and seen her debut record, 'Lost & Found' hit the top three.
Jorja continues to up the ante with new material in the form of the eight-track EP, 'Be Right Back' and her most recent album, 2023's 'Falling or Flying' .
Arlo Parks
This 23 year-old songwriter and poet is one of the UK's most exciting new songwriting talents, having been tipped for success by industry tastemakers, including MusicWeek and the BBC via its Sound of 2020 poll.
Taking inspiration from Portishead and Earl Sweatshirt, her sound is a diverse one, encapsulating the genre-bending artistry of our time.
2021 saw her truly arrive with debut album, 'Collapsed in Sunbeams', reaching number three in the UK Albums Chart and winning the Mercury Prize.
Her second studio album, 'My Soft Machine', was released in May 2023 to great applause from critics.
IAMDDB
Diana De Brito, known by her stage name IAMDDB, has been making waves online, in the UK and US with her mix of hip hop and r'n'b.
Her discography includes numerous mixtapes and EPs while she has also played some huge live gigs, including a support slot with the musical icon that is Lauryn Hill.
A new release - 'Volume 6' - is anticipated at some point this year.
Take the first steps in your music career with ICMP
We've been developing and delivering contemporary music education for over 30 years – longer than any other music school in the UK. With a proven track-record, countless music industry connections and unrivalled access to facilities, it's easy to see why hundreds of students choose ICMP each year.
To completely immerse yourself in your music career, chat with our friendly Admissions Team via email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk or give them a call on 020 7328 0222.
Find your course
We've been developing and delivering contemporary music education for over 30 years – longer than any other music school in the UK. With a proven track-record, countless music industry connections and unrivalled access to facilities, it's easy to see why hundreds of students choose ICMP each year.
To completely immerse yourself in your music career, chat with our friendly Admissions Team via email enquiries@icmp.ac.uk or give them a call on 020 7328 0222.
