DJ, presenter and writer, Maria Hanlon, shines a light on 10 artists to lock in with for 2026. Starring Dia Day, Rio Sterling, Isabelle Mettle, Divine Earth, MRCY, PRVNA, Liv East, Reek0, Charlotte Dowsson and Ben DSP…

DIA DAY

For fans of… NAYANA IZ, RUBII, Jorja Smith
Why listen… Dia Day will be your new favourite discovery after listening to her soulful voice and sharp, witty lyrics.

Dia Day is an exciting emerging artist blending neo-soul, R&B and jazz with South London influences. Hailing from Croydon, she has been steadily building momentum, captivating listeners with her expressive vocals and genre-bending sound. With a growing reputation on the London live circuit and music that seamlessly weaves rap rhythms with soulful sounds, 2026 is shaping up to be a brilliant year for her. Dia closed out 2025 on a high, winning ‘Original (Group) Track of the Year’ at the YMA’s for her standout song ‘Green Tea’ which you need to check out.

RIO STERLING

For fans of… Sekou, Leon Bridges, Daniel Caesar
Why listen… A soul artist you need to know heading into 2026.

Rising star Rio Sterling is a UK soul and R&B singer-songwriter gaining recognition for his emotive voice and classic soul-pop sound. Drawing inspiration from icons such as Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway and blending them with modern influences, he is quickly carving out a distinctive path in the scene. His debut track ‘POV’ captured early attention, a momentum he has maintained through recent releases and his ‘Dream In Colour’ EP. Alongside his own music, Rio has also performed with Ed Sheeran (among others) as part of UD’s Flames Collective and looks like 2026 will see him continue to shine.

ISABELLE METTLE

For fans of… RAYE, Yazmin Lacey, CHERISE
Why listen… Isabelle Mettle’s R&B-meets-jazz vibe is one you can’t afford to miss.

London-born Isabelle Mettle is a multi-talented artist seamlessly blending R&B and jazz into a rich, soulful sound. Raised in the capital, her music reflects the city’s deep musical heritage, brought to life through her soul-filled vocals and brilliant songwriting. Taking inspiration from legends such as Erykah Badu, Prince, Jill Scott and Blood Orange, Isabelle channels these influences while maintaining a fresh and original sound. Isabelle was recently BBC Introducing in London’s Featured Artist, and 2026 is shaping up to be a standout year for her.

DIVINE EARTH

For fans of… Greenteapeng, Erykah Badu, Kamasi Washington
Why listen… Divine Earth is set to be London’s next big alt-jazz name.

Inspired by growth and dedication to her craft, London-born Nigerian-British singer, songwriter and performer Divine Earth is one to watch in 2026. Formerly known as muva of Earth, both as a solo artist and as one half of DIVINEANGEL, she has shared her celestial sound across stages in the UK, Europe and the US. Following the release of her EP ‘Lavender’ in August 2025, 2026 is looking very exciting for the alt-jazz star.

MRCY

For fans of… Anderson .Paak, Marvin Gaye, Sault
Why listen… MRCY are delivering soulful joy in every note.

MRCY is the collaborative project of producer Barney Lister and vocalist Kojo Degraft-Johnson. Hailing from different parts of England and diverse cultural backgrounds, they create a space of soulful self-expression that blends the timeless warmth and social consciousness of Marvin Gaye with the genre-bending modern sensibilities of Anderson .Paak, Leon Bridges, and Sault. 2025 was a breakthrough year for the duo, highlighted by a performance at Glastonbury for BBC Introducing and the release of their second album, ‘Volume 2’. Their 2026 is already off to an exciting start with a February tour supporting Durand Jones & The Indications, and the rest of the year looks like they’ll be making some more huge milestones.

PRVNA

For fans of… Joy Orbison, The Streets, Katy B
Why listen… PRVNA is one of London’s most exciting talents that you don’t want to miss.

Known for her punchy melodies, PRVNA draws on her Mauritian heritage and South London roots to craft a distinctive sound that seamlessly blends sultry hooks with dance-driven production. Over the past year, she has steadily built momentum, releasing a string of tracks including her latest single, ‘Heavier’, which highlights her versatility and creative flair. With her captivating presence and boundary-pushing sound, 2026 is set to be a huge year for PRVNA, as she continues to shine and establish herself as one of the most exciting emerging artists on the scene.

LIV EAST

For fans of… Cleo Sol, JONES, Close Counters
Why listen… If you’re into stunning soulful vocals and relatable, real lyrics Liv East is your girl.

East London’s Liv East had a standout 2025, and 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger for the soulful songstress. She kicked off the year with the heartfelt release of ‘All My Life’ and followed it up by teaming with Max Sinal & King Crowney on the soulful house track ‘Intentions’. Along the way, she’s collaborated with Makez, supported Mustbejohn at The Jazz Cafe, and has more music on the horizon. With her talent and drive, there’s no doubt 2026 will be another hugely successful chapter for the one and only Liv East.

REEK0

For fans of… Brighter Days Family, Capo Lee, IZCO
Why listen… Reek0 had a remarkable 2025, and 2026 is shaping up to be even bigger for the talented artist.

London’s Reek0 is undoubtedly one to watch in 2026. The dynamic artist has been steadily gaining traction with his distinctive fusion of grime, UK dance, and hip‑hop, delivering tracks that are both bold and original. Reek0 is also a core member of the Brighter Days Family, a London collective of DJs, MCs, and producers redefining the underground scene through collaborative, genre-blending sounds and community-driven creativity. In 2025, he dropped his debut mixtape ‘Dance Tapes’ as well as a string of notable singles, cementing his reputation as a rising force. 2026 looks set for an even brighter year for the boundary-pushing talent.

CHARLOTTE DOWSSON

For fans of… Ama Louise, Maya Delilah, Jaz Karis
Why listen… Charlotte Dowsson’s velvety vocals and heartfelt storytelling will make her one of your new favourite artists for 2026.

An exciting new voice, Charlotte Dowsson fuses soft, sultry harmonies with rich, soulful R&B sounds. Influenced by ’70s soul and early 2000s vocalists, she is carving out a distinctive lane of her own. With just a handful of independent releases, Charlotte has already racked up over 1.6 million streams, inspired 75,000 TikTok creations using her songs, and earned support from BBC Introducing and the UD Incubator programme. This year she’s already set to play at Cross The Tracks festival and shows no sign of slowing down.

BEN DSP

For fans of… Mac Miller, The Silhouettes Project, KiLLOWEN
Why listen… With new music coming out this year, get to know Ben DSP before everyone else does.

Ben DSP is a London-based hip-hop artist blending UK rap with dance-influenced sonics. Emerging from the UK underground, he’s creating a distinctive sound and voice of his own. 2025 marked a breakout year: he performed at the Southbank Centre as part of Little Simz’s Meltdown Festival, performed alongside viral sensation DJ AG, and released two standout singles. With effortless flows, London-centric bars and relatable lyrics, Ben DSP is firmly one to watch, with a very bright future ahead.

Words: Maria Hanlon @mariahanlon Listen to The Voices Breakfast Show with Maria Hanlon every Friday 9-11am on voicesradio.co.uk