Shazam's Fast Forward Playlist Reveals Music Artists Set to Rise in 2026

Shazam has published its annual Fast Forward list, and an accompanying Apple Music playlist. The list takes a look ahead at some of the most exciting music artists who are being discovered through the song identification tool. 2026's list features more than 60 music artists who are poised to have a breakthrough year.

Shazam Fast Forward 2026 iPhone
Here is how Apple describes this year's playlist:

Every day, Shazam gets millions of requests from users around the world who are curious about the artist behind a song. These requests come from all over-TikTok videos, car commercials, overhearing something in the wild-which makes it a powerful tool for predicting tomorrow's heavy hitters. For 2026, we've assembled a playlist featuring over 60 artists-based on Shazam data and reviewed by our editors-that are poised to have a breakthrough year. From K-pop group CORTIS to Alabama country crooner Kashus Culpepper to Irish rock band Florence Road, it's a remarkably diverse group of artists hailing from all corners of the globe. Have a listen and add the ones you love to your library before the world catches on.

Some well-known music artists, including Benson Boone, Ice Spice, and Ayra Starr, were featured in Shazam's previous Fast Forward lists.


Apple acquired Shazam in 2018, and the tool is deeply integrated across its platforms.

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Top Rated Comments

mansplains Avatar
4 weeks ago
Obligatory “I’ve never heard of these artists” and “modern music is trash”
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gaprofitt Avatar
4 weeks ago
Music today is horrendously bad. It’s really sad.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannyyankou Avatar
4 weeks ago

Obligatory “I’ve never heard of these artists” and “modern music is trash”

I never thought it would happen to me. I have absolutely no idea who a single one of these are. They may or may not be trash but it's incredible how easy it is to lose touch what what the kids are into.
That's the point, these are artists that haven't had a breakout moment yet. So it makes sense you haven't heard of them.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
artifex Avatar
4 weeks ago
Have a listen and add the ones you love to your library before the world catches on.
yes, wouldn't want to run out.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Solarflares Avatar
4 weeks ago
Living proof that even in 2026 - you can still suck your way to the top.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Beeneeord Avatar
4 weeks ago

Makes perfect sense.

Since most modern music is just formulaic trash it makes sense that an algorithm could predict what’s coming next.
That’s an awkward take, as this list is heavily informed by actually human listeners. You don’t need much of an algorithm here. It’s simple counting, and then reviewing, also done by humans.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)