Brussels, 21st March 2023,

After initiating our largest-ever artist showcase award programme last Spring, IMPALA’s 100 Artists to Watch in partnership with YouTube returns in 2023 with a bright selection of emerging talent from across the European independent music sector.

This pan-European initiative continues IMPALA`s efforts to put a spotlight on the diversity of the European independent music sector. Curated by IMPALA’s members and its broader network, 100 Artists to Watch is designed to highlight artists at different stages in their careers. Members are free to propose artists based on various factors such as diversity and innovation, as well as commercial success. These are the artists to watch in Europe today.

IMPALA’s Spring list includes artists from 30 different countries and features more than 35 music genres, from R&B to Drill, Folk to Electronic, Pop to Post-Punk… There are countless artists to listen to and copious amounts of independent record labels to discover; with a total 100 European independent artists to look out for this year. Hit play to embark on an amazing musical journey here and discover the complete list of artists below.

Helen Smith, Executive Chair, IMPALA commented: “The 100 Artists to Watch programme has already achieved great visibility for independent artists and record labels. We hope this encourages both cross-border circulation and official recognition for the creative and innovative work by the independent sector. We have a mix of artists that have just been recognised during award season and others who are literally just emerging now. We are delighted to be working with YouTube again to support artistic and audience development to boost diversity across the European music sector”.

Dan Chalmers, Director, YouTube Music, EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) added: “We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with IMPALA’s 100 Artists to Watch programme to support emerging artists and independent record labels across Europe. YouTube provides independent artists with exposure, promotion, analytics, monetisation opportunities and collaboration possibilities to develop their talent and reach new audiences. The 100 Artists to Watch programme is an excellent showcase platform for independent artists to advance their careers and reach audiences across borders”.

100 Artists to Watch (by alphabetical order by artist/record label/country):

• Ada Oda – 62TV Records – Belgium
• ALFA – A1 ENTERTAINMENT SPA – Italy
• Amna – IDJTunes – Bosnia and Hercegovina 
• Antoon – Dreamteam / Cloud 9 Recordings – The Netherlands
• Antti Paalanen – Rockadillo Records – Finland 
• Astéréotypie – Air Rytmo – France          
• Batbait – Irascible Records – Switzerland       
• Batu akdeniz – Garaj – Turkey      
• Be Irving – Green L.F.ANT – Belgium
• Bedford Falls – Stockton Records – Georgia
• Bēdu Brāļi – Frida records – Latvia
• Bipolar Feminin – Numavi Records / Buback Tonträger – Austria
• Black Sea Dahu – Mouthwatering Records – Switzerland
• BOKKA – [PIAS] – Poland
• Cala Vento- Cooperativa Montgrí SCCL. – Spain
• Citron Citron – Bongo Joe Records – Switzerland
• Co Lee – Blunt Shelter Records – Hungary
• Cyan Kicks – Ranka Kustannus – Finland
• Danai Nielsen – United We Fly – Greece
• Deki Alem – Deki Alem- Sweden
• Dina Jashari – Dina Jashari – North Macedonia
• Dream People – Dream People – Portugal
• Edo Maajka – Dallas Records – Croatia
• Emilie Zoé – Switzerland – Hummus Records
• Fast Animals and Slow Kids – Woodworm Publishing Italia – Italy
• FLEMMING – 8ball Music – The Netherlands
• Frantic Amber – GMR Music Group – Sweden
• Freakin’ Disco – Launching Gagarin Records and Management – Hungary
• Garbanotas – Garbonotas – Lithuania
• Gaye Su Akyol – Dunganga Records / Glitterbeat Records – Turkey
• Ginebras – Vanana Records – Spain
• Girls in Airports – Kaja Records – Denmark
• Goldband – Goldband / LAB Music – The Netherlands
• Guts – Heavenly Sweetness – France
• Haiku Garden – Kapa Records – Slovenia
• iamyank – Corner Art Management & Records – Hungary
• ISÁK – Playground Music – Norway
• Ivan Grobenski – Intek Music – Croatia
• Jerry Heil – Secret Service Digital & Publishing LTD – Ukraine
• Jeshi – Jeshi / Because Music – UK
• Joker Out – Shagadelic Records – Slovenia
• Klotljudi – Krava 22 – Serbia
• Knife Girl – Soliti / Playground Music – Finland
• Kristof – Inner Ear – Greece
• Lava La Rue – Marathon Artists – UK
• Lazer Viking – Lazer Viking / MUSICRAFT – CZ republic
• Little Winter    – Celebration Records – Denmark
• Lomepal – Pinéale – France
• Loverman – [PIAS] – Belgium
• Lucky Lo – Tambourhinoceros – Denmark
• Lufthansa  – Gola Planina – North Macedonia
• Marinho – Marinho – Portugal
• Maryna Krut’ – KRUTЬ / ENKO label – Ukraine
• Matija Cvek – Menart – Croatia
• Melike Şahin – Gülbaba Records – Turkey
• Messer – Trocadero Records – Germany
• Metteson – LEKK – Norway
• Misha Miller – Roton Music – Romania
• Mula B – Plus Records – The Netherlands
• Nashi44 – Nashi44 – Germany
• Niaz Diasamidze – GMI Rights Management – Georgia
• Niña Polaca – Subterfuge Records – Spain
• Offica – MOVES Recordings – Ireland
• Olivia Addams – Global Records / Creator Records – Romania
• Oskar Haag – Lullaby Records – Austria
• OTOY – OTOY / Mamamusic – Ukraine
• Perera Elsewhere – Friends of Friends – Germany
• Perrin – AM:PM Music – Hungary
• Power Plush – Beton Klunker Tonträger – Germany
• Ramkot – N.E.W.S – Belgium
• rares – Global Records – Romania
• RAYE – Human Re Sources – UK
• Sajsi MC – Lampshade Media – Serbia
• Sangiovanni – Sugar – Italy
• Sharktank – Humming Records – Austria
• Sick Luke – Carosello Records – Italy
• Sitrekin – Hun Solo Records – Denmark
• SKAZZ  – Bloom Music – Georgia
• Skott – Safari Riot / Cosmos – Sweden
• Sofiane Pamart – 88 touches / [PIAS] – France
• Solju – Bafe’s Factory – Finland
• Sophia Kennedy – City Slang – Germany
• Sorcha Richardson – Faction Records LTD. – Ireland
• Star Feminine Band – Born Bad Records – France
• Stella Explorer – Year 0001 – Sweden
• Surma  – Omnichord – Portugal
• TAAHLIAH – Untitled (recs) – UK
• Tamara – Tamara – CZ republic
• Tanxuguieras – Tanxuguieras / Calaverita Records – Spain
• The Away Days – The Away Days- Turkey
• The Bad Tones – The Bad Tones – Latvia
• Thumper – Reckless Records – Ireland
• Tomáš Niesner – Warm Winters – CZ republic
• UCHE YARA – goldendays FM – Austria
• UNDERGRUNN – UG Records – Norway
• Vizelj – Kontra Rights – Serbia
• Wesley Joseph – Secretly Canadian – UK
• Wet Leg – Domino Recording Co – UK
• 49th & Main – Counter Records / Ninja Tune – Ireland
• 58G – 58G – CZ republic 

Read more about these artists on our dedicated webpage here.

Listen to them here (all 100) or check out our genre playlists instead:
• IMPALA’s Artists to Watch – Alternative
• IMPALA’s Artists to Watch – Fusion
• IMPALA’s Artists to Watch – Hip hop & R&B
• IMPALA’s Artists to Watch – Pop
• IMPALA’s Artists to Watch – Rock

YouTube partnering up with the independents
YouTube will work with IMPALA on its 100 Artists to Watch programme to help build awareness of the diverse European independent sector. YouTube will help the independent community by spotlighting talent from different markets and at different stages in their career. Promoting diversity is a priority for YouTube, encouraging music fans to discover artists they might never find otherwise. Further support will roll out during the year, watch this space.

More about IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents nearly 6000 independent music companies. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA works on a range of key issues for its members, runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the independent sector – Friends of IMPALA.

Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram

More about “100 Artists to Watch”
The 100 Artists to Watch award was launched in 2022 to promote diversity in the European independent music sector. The project puts the spotlight on a more diverse range of amazing artists through a list curated by our members all across Europe. It is a natural evolution of IMPALA’s album of the year award which ran for ten years.
Check out our dedicated webpage here with a card on each artist.

More about YouTube
Launched in May 2005, YouTube’s mission is to give everyone a voice and show them the world. We believe that everyone deserves to have a voice, and that the world is a better place when we listen, share and build community through our stories. YouTube is a Google company.
More here.