Amazon Music Unveils Global ‘2026 Artists To Watch’ List Spotlighting 49 Emerging Acts
The program also includes eight new Amazon Music Originals from VENGAYO, friqtao, Zach John King, Chloe Qisha, Jamie MacDonald, JayDon and Bebo Dumont
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Amazon Music has kicked off the new year by unveiling its “Amazon Music: 2026 Artists to Watch”, an annual global list spotlighting emerging artists tipped to shape the sound of the coming year and beyond.
The 2026 edition features 49 rising artists from across genres and geographies, who will be championed throughout the year across 28 of Amazon Music’s most influential playlists, including Country Heat, Platino, Rotation, K-Pop Now, and more. As part of the initiative, Amazon Music has also launched a dedicated, evergreen “Amazon Music: 2026 Artists to Watch” playlist, bringing the full global roster together in one place. The playlist will be refreshed as artists release new music, offering listeners an ongoing window into the campaign’s breakout talent.
To mark the launch, Amazon Music has commissioned eight exclusive Amazon Music Originals, recorded specifically for the Artists to Watch campaign. The new recordings span genres and regions, with JayDon delivering a cover of Aaliyah’s One in a Million and VENGAYO reimagining their breakout track Chikkama. Other highlights include Zach John King’s take on As It Was, Chloe Qisha’s rendition of The Winner Takes It All, Jamie MacDonald’s Just The Two of Us, and Bebo Dumont’s Vamonos De Viaje. Electronic artist friqtao has also contributed an original instrumental for Amazon Music’s Peaceful Meditation soundtrack. All Originals are available exclusively on Amazon Music.
Throughout the campaign, Artists to Watch will receive prominent visibility across global playlists, in-app features, out-of-home marketing, and bespoke content designed to bring fans closer to the artists’ creative journeys. Reflecting Amazon Music’s global footprint, 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 a crucial stage in their careers,” said Paul Firth, Global Head of Music at 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.”
With playlist support, exclusive recordings, and year-long visibility, Amazon Music’s 2026 Artists to Watch campaign once again positions the platform as a launchpad for the next wave of global music talent.