Brussels, 26th March 2025

IMPALA is pleased to announce the 100 Artists to Watch for 2025, in partnership with YouTube, marking the fourth consecutive year of this exciting initiative. This year’s lineup features a vibrant and diverse selection of emerging talent from across Europe’s independent music scene, providing a fresh outlook on the future of the industry while celebrating the rich cultural diversity that is at the heart of independent music.

Curated by IMPALA’s European network, the 100 Artists to Watch award for 2025 highlights outstanding talent in the independent music scene. In collaboration with YouTube, IMPALA invited members to nominate artists who embody this spirit through their innovation, commercial success, and diversity.

This year’s lineup celebrates the diverse cultures, sounds, and stories shaping the contemporary indie music scene, featuring 100 artists from 30 countries. From reimagining traditional folk genres to pushing the boundaries of innovation, the selection spans a dynamic mix of genres, covering Jazz, Hip-hop, Electronic, Rock, Punk, Pop and everything in-between. We celebrate the pioneering talent and innovative musical frontiers that define our industry.

A new strategic PR partnership with Digizik:

As part of IMPALA’s network programme for 2025-2028, co-funded by the European Union, the release of the 100 Artists to Watch programme for 2025 coincides with the announcement of a new four-year strategic partnership with Digizik, a leading music and entertainment agency providing support to revamp IMPALA’s award schemes. Digizik serves as a key PR partner, bringing its expertise in storytelling and cultural impact to ensure the programme reaches wider audiences. Their support will extend across all three of IMPALA’s awards, namely IMPALA’s 100 Artists to Watch programme, Changemaker Award, and Outstanding Contribution Award, which will all be rolling out throughout the year. Be sure to stay tuned going forward.

Call to action: support emerging independent artists

With independent labels at the forefront of the programme, IMPALA’s 100 Artists to Watch provides a comprehensive platform to discover new music, support emerging voices, and celebrate the incredible range of talent that the independent sector has to offer. Be sure to stream their music on YouTube, attend their shows, and share their work on social media to help amplify their careers.

Dive into the full list on our dedicated platform and enjoy the new wave of independent music talent below.

Helen Smith, Executive Chair, IMPALA commented: “Independence is the driving force behind Europe’s vibrant music sector, and the 100 Artists to Watch initiative is a vital platform to showcase and support the next generation of independent talent. This programme not only celebrates diversity and creativity but also provides crucial visibility for artists carving their own paths outside the mainstream. By shining a spotlight on these artists, we are reinforcing the strength of the independent sector and ensuring that its unique voices can continue to thrive. Supporting emerging talent is at the core of what our members do, and we are excited to see how these artists shape the future of music.”

Dan Chalmers, Director, YouTube Music, EMEA, stated: “At YouTube Music, we’re proud to continue our collaboration with IMPALA on the 100 Artists to Watch initiative. This award is not just about recognising emerging talent, but about supporting the future of music itself. Independent labels and artists are the driving force behind innovation and cultural evolution, and we are committed to amplifying their voices. Through our long-standing Friends partnership with IMPALA, we’re helping to ensure these artists have the platform, tools, and visibility to reach audiences worldwide. The 100 Artists to Watch programme is a powerful reminder of the diversity, creativity, and resilience within the independent music community. Together with IMPALA, we celebrate and support the next generation of music pioneers, fostering an environment where independent voices can thrive and lead the way forward.”

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

• Aili, Eskimo Recordings, Belgium
• Alex Wyse, Artist First, Italy
• Alexjazz, HRAI, Ukraine
• Amy Gadiaga, Jazz re:freshed, UK
• Andreas Polyzogopoulos, PKmusik, Greece
• Anna Erhard, Radicalis, Switzerland
• Ánnámáret, Uksi Productions Oy/Supersounds Music Oy, Finland
• Baby Volcano, Humus Records/Association du Volcan, Switzerland
• Bani, GMI Rights Management, Georgia
• ben clean, Eintracht Pankow Musik, Austria
• Bianca Steck, Unday Records/N.E.W.S., Belgium
• Boko Yout, Hoopdiggas Recordings, Sweden
• Boro Purvi, Twelves., Bulgaria
• Bratři, Self-released, CZ republic
• Brimheim, Tambourhinoceros, Denmark
• BÆNCH, Celebration Records, Denmark
• Calva Louise, Mascot Records, The Netherlands
• Canozan, Self-released, Turkey
• CATTY, Self-released, UK
• Dharia, Global Records, Romania
• Dilan Balkay, SMF Productions, Turkey
• Dimitri’s Bats, Self-released, Romania
• Dina Ögon, Playground Music, Sweden
• DOROFEEVA, Pomitni, Ukraine
• Dukla, Bumbum Satori, CZ republic
• Eligarf, Roton Music, Romania
• Emilia Sisco, Timmion Records, Finland
• Emma Nolde, Carosello Records, Italy
• F3miii, PlantainSound, Ireland
• Fillas de Cassandra, Tremendo Audiovisual, Spain
• George Strezov, MUZE Music, Bulgaria
• Get Jealous, corner.company, Germany
• Grande Amore, Ernie Records, Spain
• Grande Mahogany, Laundry Music Company, Finland
• HAEVN, Nettwerk Music Group, The Netherlands
• Ilgen Nur, Power Nap Records, Germany
• Javi Chapela, SinAnestesia, Spain
• Kabeaushé, Monkeytown Records, Germany
• Kässy, Gezua, Austria
• Katerina L’dokova, Self-released, Portugal
• KEiiNO, Mii Recordings/Mii AS, Norway
• Ki Klop, JeboTon/Mudri Brk, Croatia
• Kirky, Self-Released/EGA Distro, UK
• Kneecap, Heavenly Recordings, Ireland
• Kruz Roudi, Lampshade Media, Serbia
• Kyla Vėjas!, Perspective Collective, Lithuania
• Laka, Dallas Records, Bosnia and Hercegovina
• Lateena, Les Disques Bongo Joe, Switzerland
• Lelee, Moonlee Records, Slovenia
• Lely45, Money Gun, Ukraine
• Little Lies, Cosmos Music, Sweden
• Lossapardo, Roche Musique & Unity group, France
• Lucio Corsi, Sugar, Italy
• Lucky Love, Belem Music/Turenne Music, France
• Lukas Oscar, Lukas Oscar/Matches Music, Austria
• Lynks, Heavenly Recordings, UK
• Maika Makovski, Cultura Rock Records, Spain
• MANOID, Self-released, Poland
• Manon Meurt, Minority Records s.r.o., CZ republic
• MARÉ, Sons Vadios, Portugal
• Masayah, Vanity label MSYH, Slovenia
• Mechanical Rainbow, Bloom Music, Georgia
• Mia Karlsson, NINETONE RECORDS, Sweden
• Michel Bellens, La Quintessence MUSIC, Belgium
• Miki, Structure, France
• Min Taka, Self-released (distributed by LAB Music), The Netherlands
• Nataleé, Glitch Records, Serbia
• NEEA RIVER, Self-released, Finland
• Nemeček, Lack of Records, Croatia
• Nielslens Lielsliens, Self-released, Latvia
• Nika Turković, Aquarius Records, Croatia
• Odin Staveland, TBC Records, Norway
• Orbit, Self-released, Germany
• Orlvndo, Triggger/NAR International, Italy
• Oxajo, Kontra, Serbia
• Red Sebastian, CNR Records, Belgium
• Redd, RDD Music, Turkey
• Retimbrar, Revolução D’Alegria, Portugal
• Rozálie, Self-released, CZ republic
• Saibh Skelly, Rubyworks, Ireland
• Sara Fjeldvær, Fjordgata Records, Norway
• Sassja, Menart, Bosnia and Hercegovina
• Seda Erciyes, Self-released, Turkey
• Senny, Kalejdoskop Records, Poland
• Semeli Tagara, Fine! Records, Greece
• Sira Faal, Sira-Anna Faal, Germany
• Siri Neel, Maxmusikrecords, Denmark
• Stirmouth, Be Yourself Music, The Netherlands
• Tagus, Self-released, Portugal
• Tape Visitors, Self-released, Georgia
• The LAB Inc., Giant Sheep Music, Denmark
• The Sei, Paragon Records, Ireland
• Uzi Freyja, Fougue, France
• Vagina Corporation, Mrtov Konj (Dead Horse), North Macedonia
• Veronica Fusaro, deepdive records, Switzerland
• Warsaw Village Band & BASSalyki, Karrot Kommando, Poland
• WOOMB, Self-released, Bulgaria
• Yiigaa, Supernature, UK
• Yvonne Moriel, Minor Seven Records, Austria
• Zinée, Yotanka Records/75e Session, France

Read more about these artists on our dedicated webpage here.

Listen to them here (all 100) or check out our genre curated playlists to celebrate the diversity of this list:

• 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 Collaboration

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.

About IMPALA

IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 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 and started a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. IMPALA runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA

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 across Europe. It is a natural evolution of IMPALA’s album of the year award which ran for ten years.