Amazon Music Unveils Global 2026 Artists to Watch Campaign
Kicking off a new year of music discovery, Amazon Music announced “Amazon Music: 2026 Artists to Watch”, the streaming service’s annual list of global emerging artists it expects to make an impact in 2026 and beyond. Featuring rising voices from a diverse set of genres and countries, this year’s Artists to Watch will be championed across 28 of Amazon Music’s top playlists, including “Country Heat,”“Platino,”“Rotation,” and “K-Pop Now,” and more.
In addition to the playlist support, Amazon Music has launched a dedicated, evergreen “Amazon Music: 2026 Artists to Watch” playlist where fans can stream the full global list of 49 artists in one place. The playlist will be updated throughout the year as Artists to Watch release new music, giving fans an easy way to stay connected to the campaign’s breaking talent.
To celebrate the launch, Amazon Music commissioned eight brand-new Amazon Music Originals from Artists to Watch, recorded exclusively for the campaign. The slate spans genres and regions, with JayDon covering Aaliyah’s “One in a Million” and VENGAYO reimagining their breakout track “Chikkama.” A further set of artists are offering fresh takes on familiar songs, including Zach John King’s “As It Was,” Chloe Qisha’s “The Winner Takes It All,” Jamie MacDonald’s “Just The Two of Us,” and Bebo Dumont’s “Vamonos De Viaje,”. In addition, friqtao is contributing a new Amazon Music instrumental for the “Peaceful Meditation” soundtrack. These Originals offer fans unique recordings that can only be heard on Amazon Music.
Across the campaign period, Artists to Watch will be featured through prominent global playlists, including prominent placement on Amazon Music playlists, in-app and out-of-home marketing, and bespoke content that brings fans closer to the stories behind the music. Drawing from the breadth of Amazon Music territories, the 2026 list spans R&B, hip-hop, country, dance, Latin, rock, alternative, K-Pop, J-Pop, classical, and more.
“Artists To Watch is one of the most meaningful initiatives we lead each year, because it’s about backing artists early, and championing them at this crucial stage in their career,” said Paul Firth, Global Head of Music, Amazon Music. “For 2026, we’re spotlighting 49 exceptional emerging artists from around the world and supporting them where fans discover music—across our biggest playlists and through a new slate of Amazon Music Originals available exclusively on Amazon Music.”
Amazon Music: 2026 Artists to Watch – Amazon Music Originals
Bebo Dumont – “Vamonos De Viaje (Amazon Music Original)”on “Platino”
Chloe Qisha – “The Winner Takes It All (Amazon Music Original)” on n “Pop Culture”
friqtao – “Chasing Wind (Amazon Music Original)” on “Peaceful Meditation”
Jamie MacDonald – “Just The Two Of Us (Amazon Music Original)” on “Divine Sound”
JayDon – “One in a Million (Amazon Music Original)” on “R&B Rotation”
VENGAYO – Chikkama (Reimagined Version) (Amazon Music Original)” on “Rap Flow”
Zach John King – “As It Was (Amazon Music Original)” on “Country Heat”
Full 2026 Artists to watch list:
- Adam Klobi
- ASHEN
- Azuleja
- BabyChiefDoIt
- Bebo Dumont
- Braxton Keith
- Chloe Qisha
- Chris Patrick
- Clara La San
- Destin Conrad
- Eddie Benjamin
- EJAE
- Elizabeth Nichols
- Fcukers
- florence road
- Folk Bitch Trio
- friqtao
- Girl Tones
- Girls Don’t Sync
- Gregor Hägele
- HANA
- Jamie MacDonald
- JayDon
- Joshua Slone
- Josi
- KAUTA
- KETTAMA
- Kushagra
- kwn
- Leatherette
- Lou-Adriane Cassidy
- lovehead
- Max Styler
- MEOVV
- Miss Kaninna
- Naalayak
- Nazz
- NewDad
- Paraçek
- PLUTO
- PRESIDENT
- Seyi Vibez
- Sienna Spiro
- Skye Newman
- Sofia Monroy
- Sunday (1994)
- VENGAYO
- Yonatan Ayal
- Zach John King
- Zaynara
