Akhila Shankar
Director of Artist Services and Head of TuneCore India and South Asia
As we do every quarter, or so, we’re bringing you a fresh roundup of incredible artists from the Believe and TuneCore rosters, hailing from all corners of the globe.
Seasons change, but our goal remains the same: helping you discover songs and artists that will win your heart and, of course, become essential additions to the playlists you listen to on repeat.
With genres ranging from Turkish trap to Afro-Brazilian infused rap, hip-hop fans are in for a treat this time! But since we want there to be something for everyone, we’ve also got Austrian indie pop and the latest sensation in Nordic rock.
As always, let your musical curiosity be your guide, we’ll take care of everything else.
Before the release of her debut single “Faze Dinheiro” in 2020, Afreekassia had already spent four years immersing herself in rap and the rhythms of the Afro-Brazilian diaspora as a DJ playing in clubs throughout the São Paulo region.
After a two-year hiatus, she resumed her singing career with “Sou + As Negras.” This song marked the beginning of a musical path shaped by a recurring question: “What does it mean to be a Black woman in contemporary Brazilian society?” A theme Afreekasia explored in her subsequent releases, most notably in Cacau 50 %. Released in 2025, this EP captures the contradictions of Black women’s journeys through smart, captivating lyrics and productions blending neo-soul, Afrobeats, boom-bap and lo-fi hip-hop.
With Cacau 50% Volume 2, released on May 27, Afreekassia continues her relentless journey of self-discovery through an EP whose impeccable production builds a cozy yet introspectivel atmosphere. Don’t wait to give it a listen.
In July 2025, the demo of an indie pop song performed in the Viennese dialect spread like wildfire throughout the Austrian TikTok community. The demo was so popular that when Laurenz Nikolaus performed “Du bist wie” at the PopFest festival ahead of its official release, most of the audience already knew the lyrics.
Needless to say it was a good start for Laurenz Nikolaus… which is not a solo artist but a band created by singer Laurenz Öllinger and producers Moritz Fardin and Isaac Gaartmayer. In just a few months and a handful of singles, the trio has become one of the hottest acts on the Austropop scene thanks to an explosive mix of minimalist indie pop, traditional Viennese folk songs, and witty, subtle lyrics.
After releasing the EP Annemarie last February, which compiles their first singles and includes a bunch of new tracks, Laurenz Nikolaus has just released “Malediven” (Maldives). Obviously, their new summer hit!
As an artist, if you love soul, R&B, and hip-hop, why limit yourself to just one of these genres? Raised on gospel and church music, Lazā proves you can shine on both rap, lyrics and melodic talents.
In 2019, she set up her own label La La Land – distributed through TuneCore – to release her first singles and her self-produced debut album, In The Meantime. From that moment, the versatile Seattle-born singer-songwriter has been on her way to making her mark, and she has never stopped refining her rapping style and songwriting which she’s been honing since the age of six.
Characterized by laid-back, smooth melodies and lyrics influenced by her surroundings, Laza’s songs captivate new listeners with every listen. Tracks like “OpenTil2,” “For The Week,” “Carolina Blue,” or “DDG, which is included in her 8th EP Sampld, proves why she will soon be one of your favorite artists.
Is it because Lil Zey worked at a music production company and as DJ in Atlanta, the birthplace of trap music, that she’s killing it in this genre? It would definitely explain her fondness for mumble rap and dark beats.
The Izmir native started her rapper career in 2019 on the track “Don’t @ Me” by Metth, a member of the hip-hop label RedKeys Music, the same label that would release her first solo single “Heveslenmem” in 2020. The buzz surrounding her early tracks – like “Eskisi Gibi” paved the way for her to release her debut album, Kara Tiyatro, in 2021. Later tracks like “OnlyFans”, “DEFOL” or “ELMAS” with German rapper Luciano consolidated her career locally and at international level.
Lil Zey’s latest single, “muamma – ulubatlı,” has already made its way into several Turkish Spotify playlists, including the viral “Trend 2026” playlist. It’s her first single of the year, but certainly not the last one!
Just because HOKKA released their first single, “In The Darkness,” last November doesn’t mean that this Finnish rock band, signed to Nuclear Blast, is made up of newcomers.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite: HOKKA is the new project of Joel Hokka, former singer of the violent pop band Blind Channel (who notably represented Finland at the Eurovision contest in 2021), accompanied by young drumming prodigy Jimi Aslak and Pauli Rantasalmi, founder of The Rasmus. This last band is a clear influence cited by HOKKA, whose style and sound are strongly reminiscent of the alternative and gothic rock of the 2000s.
After releasing “Death by Cupid Arrow” on New Year’s Day, HOKKA released its third track, “Heart Said No,” on February 19, and immediately announced the release of their debut album Via Miseria IV in April. The album reached the top 5 of physical album sales in Finland in just one week.
In 2020, a kid from Chicago called Carrington starts posting funny videos on TikTok. It works so well that more than 3 million people follow him on TikTok. Then something unexpected happens: the TikTok star becomes a self-produced emo rap star. It could be the plot of a movie, but it’s as real as it gets.
Late 2024, Carrington released “Night Phone” under his $wag Nightmare moniker. His 1st single blew up organically on TikTok, so did the second one. In 2025, he fully immersed himself in his craft, releasing a 1st EP called even in hell, then Franken$tein, a mixtape that reached 2 million streams in 3 months.
$wag Nightmare’s most recent singles,”LoveBlind”, “Favorite Ex” and “#1 Birthday Boy,” appear on PAINCORE, his recently released debut album. The young artist is now well on his way to making a name for himself on the emo scene.
Shankar will deepen the company’s commitment to being One Global Artist Development platform.
Mumbai, India, 16.04.2026 – Believe, one of the world’s leading music companies, has elevated Akhila Shankar to lead its Artist Services business across India and South Asia.
Shankar, who currently heads TuneCore India and South Asia, will take on the new role immediately and will continue to oversee TuneCore.
Based in Mumbai, she will focus on artist development, deepening artist partnerships, expanding local capabilities, and building pathways for artists to grow both regionally and globally. The move reflects Believe’s continued investment in one of the fastest-evolving music markets, where independent artists are playing an increasingly central role in shaping culture and consumption.
This transition follows the decision of current Director of Artist Services, Shilpa Sharda to move on from Believe India to pursue other interests after being with the company for 12 years. The company thanks her for her contributions and leadership during her tenure and wishes her the very best in her future endeavors.
“Building TuneCore in India has been a deeply rewarding journey. It’s shaped how I think about the systems independent artists need for their growth and long-term career sustainability. This next chapter with Believe feels like a natural extension of that work. I’m excited to build more connected pathways for artists, from discovery to development and support them more holistically as they grow. There’s a lot to be done, and I’m looking forward to what we can build together.”

Akhila Shankar
Director of Artist Services and Head of TuneCore India and South Asia
“As the music landscape in India and South Asia evolves, our focus remains on building a robust ecosystem that supports artists at every stage of their journey. Akhila’s deep understanding of the market, combined with her track record of execution, makes her well positioned to lead this next phase of growth for our Artist Services business.”
Vivek Raina
Managing Director, Believe India
Shankar has played a key role in scaling TuneCore’s presence in the region, helping independent artists access global distribution and build sustainable careers while retaining control of their rights. As of today, TuneCore is home to independent releases from artists like Ritviz, Talwiinder, and projects with Famous Studios (Diljit Dosanjh).
At the same time, Believe Artist Services, as part of Believe’s broader artist development ecosystem, has been instrumental in nurturing and scaling artists such as Sanju Rathod, Cheema Y, and Gur Sidhu, supporting them across key stages of their growth journeys.
She is well positioned to lead the business into its next phase of growth while continuing to strengthen and expand artist development ambitions in the region.
About Believe
Believe is a global artist development company. We empower local artists, labels and publishers to grow their audiences at each stage of their careers with expertise, respect, fairness and transparency. Operating in 50+ countries, with more than 2,000 employees, Believe offers a full range of services including audience development, publishing, marketing and distribution, with a tailor-made approach to fit any artist, label or publisher. Believe champions independence and innovation through a unique model that combines local expertise with a global tech platform, delivering exclusive solutions for artists to promote and monetize their music thanks to strategic partnerships with leading global digital service providers. With a leading portfolio of brands that includes Nuclear Blast, naïve, TuneCore, Groove Attack, Sentric, AllPoints and Byond, Believe artists generated more than 800 billion streams worldwide in 2024 across all genres, and were recognized with more than 70 leading industry awards. Believe is a simplified joint-stock company under French law. Learn more at www.believe.com
About TuneCore
TuneCore is the leading independent development partner for self-releasing artists to build audiences and careers – with technology and services across distribution, publishing administration, and a range of promotional services. TuneCore Music Distribution services help artists, labels, and managers sell their music through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TikTok, Tencent, and more than 150 download and streaming stores worldwide, while retaining 100 percent of their sales revenue and rights for a low annual flat fee. TuneCore Music Publishing Administration assists songwriters by administering their compositions through licensing, registration, worldwide royalty collections, and placement opportunities in film, TV, commercials, video games, and more. The TuneCore Artist Services portal offers a suite of tools and services that enable artists to promote their craft, connect with fans, and get their music heard. TuneCore, part of Believe, is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, with offices in Los Angeles and Nashville, and operates globally through local teams based in the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Singapore across 5 continents. www.tunecore.com
At Believe, we love helping you discover new artists, but we figured that introducing you to the independent labels from around the world that we work with would be a great idea, too. That’s exactly what our “Label Focus” articles are all about.
This month, we’re putting the spotlight on SuperLoud Music, a German label group specializing in electronic music, particularly house and dance music.
Who could be better to introduce you to SuperLoud Music than Enrico Jurca, the label’s founder and CEO? We had a quick chat about the label’s history and operations, its successes, but also about its innovative approach to promoting artists.
How would you pitch Superloud to someone who doesn’t know you?
Enrico Jurca: Superloud Music is an independent label group 100% dedicated to electronic music. We operate through three distinct imprints – THE NIGHT DRIVE, SO KOOL and LOUD X LUCKY – that cover the full spectrum of EDM. By leveraging our own ecosystem of in-house playlists and social media channels, we provide independent promotion that reaches thousands of daily listeners globally.
With collaborations spanning over 300 international artists and a steady output of more than 180 releases per year, Superloud is constantly evolving.
So, what is the story behind Superloud?
Enrico Jurca: I first founded Superloud to unify and sharpen my activities as an artist and producer. Aside from my own projects under the alias Giorgio Gee, I was providing ghost productions and remixes for various clients.
In 2020, I took the next step by launching THE NIGHT DRIVE – a label dedicated to Deep & Melodic House, supported by a custom-built network of playlists. The label’s immediate success allowed us to quickly expand and begin releasing music from other artists on a weekly basis. Then, to cover the full electronic music spectrum, I later launched SO KOOL for Tech House, followed by LOUD X LUCKY for Uptempo Dance / Techno.
To support this growth, I established a professional business structure by founding Superloud Music GmbH and expanded my team. In 2025, we partnered with Believe to take the label group to the next level and go global.
Who are the artists Superloud Music is involved with?
Enrico Jurca: Beyond my own releases, Superloud has collaborated with hundreds of artists globally. A standout success is the duo Lynnic & ItsArius; their unique, melancholic sound has resonated worldwide, with their debut album Melancholia surpassing 150 million Spotify streams to date.
We are also proud of our ability to build careers from the ground up. The young producer H:dn is a prime example: we launched his project from scratch in 2025, and through strategic promotion, we accelerated its growth to reach over 600,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and millions of streams in a very short time. And our roster always continues to expand with exciting new talent!
What are you most proud of in Superloud’s history?
Enrico Jurca: I am incredibly proud of the artistic freedom we’ve built. Launching my own label group allowed me to step away from compromise and focus entirely on a clear vision.
I take great pride in having established THE NIGHT DRIVE as a premier destination for Deep & Melodic House, carving out a unique niche with a very specific aesthetic: high-quality “music for nightly car rides.”
Seeing the meteoric rise of artists like Lynnic & ItsArius is also deeply rewarding. Witnessing their journey from their early singles to a full album and reaching over 500 million streams across their catalog with us is a testament to our collaborative approach.
I think that ultimately, the best part of this job is being an integral part of an artist’s development and seeing their vision translate into global success.
What are the exciting new projects you’re working on?
Enrico Jurca: Beyond our steady flow of international signings, we are currently gearing up for a major album project scheduled for release in fall 2026.
From a strategic standpoint, we are also in the process of launching our own in-house publishing department. This will allow us to offer even more comprehensive support to our songwriters and producers, further solidifying Superloud as a full-service home for electronic music talent
Follow Superloud Music on Instagram to discover their latest signings and release highlights. You can also follow THE NIGHT DRIVE, SO KOOLand LOUD X LUCKY directly on Instagram to know more about their latest releases.

Giorgio Gee

Lynnic & ItsArius

H:DN

Emi Navarro

Ali Bakgor

Nofsky

MARE

Danny Suko

Sydni Alexander

Mat Frank

UPHORA

NALYRO
There’s a new season around the corner, and you know what it means: it’s time to stock up on new, fantastic, songs and artists! Luckily for you, we have incredible bands and artists from the Believe and TuneCore catalog to introduce you to today.
We may have a new awesome and gorgeous website but there is one thing that will not change: our pledge to bring you new musical horizons and artists you’ll be obsessed with for weeks.
As usual, we have something for everyone. Do you like baroque music, Latin pop or country? We’ve got it. You’re in the mood UK Drill, boleros or experimental pop from Belgium? Of course we have you covered.
In fact, it’s a safe bet that you didn’t even know you wanted to listen to this yet. Open your mind, open your ears, press “play,” and let’s go!
With a career spanning 20 years, six acclaimed albums and countless awards, Francisca Valenzuela is undoubtedly one of the most prominent contemporary pop artists in Chile, and in all Latin America. A key cultural leader, she also created Ruidosa, a platform and festival dedicated to Latin-American women artists
In 2023, she released her sixth album, Adentro, which was an international success, critically acclaimed for its compositions, and nominated three times for Latin Grammy Awards. This was followed by a flurry of sophisticated pop gems that only she knows how to create, such as “Raíces” and “Rompecorazones”.
For the past months, Francisca Valenzuela has been working on her next album, which was already announced as one of the most anticipated albums of 2025 by Rolling Stones magazine. And considering how good her latest song “Tira y Afloja (Afuera)” is, we have every reason to be very excited.
Since the release of her eponymous debut EP in 2016, Belgian multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer Tsar B has constantly surprised listeners with her ability to blur the boundaries between influences and musical genres.
While her early songs were described as “dark R&B” by Billboard, her music goes far beyond that. Through four EPs and three independently released albums, Tsar B has taken her audience on an experimental musical journey where ethereal pop, electronic synths, tech beats, and classical music collide. Tsar B is also a film composer, she even directed, composed and played the violin in Les Dîners de Gala a film concert inspired by Salvador Dali’s book.
Released at the end of January, her 3rd album, The Writer, is a captivating record, where neo-classical and opera blend with electro-pop and in which Tsar B talks about love, despair, and passion. An album not to be missed.
On Instagram, Lou Ridley describes herself as a “disobedient country singer,” and this adjective could apply to her as well as her music genre.
Listening to her latest single, the highly political “Daughter’s Plea,” it becomes clear that Lou Ridley’s music is more in line with the tradition of protest country than with the usual norms of the genre. Having grown up in Texas, she knows the rules of country music, how to play with them and, above all, how to break them.
No wonder, then, that many of her songs are influenced by other genres she loves. Tracks such as “Bless You Heart” or “Attention of Any Kind”, reflect her love of soul music. Others are more pop-oriented, like “Hoedown” with Haela or her cover of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP.”. If you want to hear another side of country, Lou Ridley is your girl.
One could simply say that Cristale is a rapper, but “storyteller who spits bars” is a fairer description, as the young South Londoner artist has made a name for herself over the years with her realistic lyrics and dynamic flow acquired through years of freestyling battles.
Although several of her hits, like her 2nd single “Whites”, “Sing Dat” or “Roadents” (heard in the Netflix series Top Boy), fall into the UK Drill genre, it would be too simplistic to call Cristale a drill rapper. Tracks such as the mellow “Will You Ever”, her remix of rock band Kasabian or her latest Drum’n’Bass banger “Dance”, featuring 163Margs and Bou, show that she thrives in all genres.
In 2025, the British Independent Music Association nominated Cristale in the ‘One To Watch’ category. As her new mixtape is about to drop, we’re confident that many more nominations will come.
In 2007, Simone Dinnerstein released a recording of Bach‘s Goldberg Variations that sent shockwaves through the baroque music world. Her first solo album reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Classical Music chart and received rave reviews from the US press.
Her career then took on an international dimension that led her to perform on the most prestigious stages and with the world’s greatest orchestras. All 16 albums she released through her career appeared on the Billboard charts.
A leading specialist in Bach, her repertoire also includes Mozart, Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and contemporary composers such as Philip Lasser, Philip Glass, and Richard Danielpour, with whom she shared a Grammy nomination for her interpretation of his piece An American Mosaic.
Released in 2025, Complicité is Simone Dinnerstein’s latest album and her first recording with the string ensemble Baroklyn. However, we can hope for new releases soon following her signing with naïve.
Some stories shape careers. If the young Mexican singer-songwriter Laura Itandehui hadn’t gone to the El Cantinazo open mic night one evening in 2018, would its organizer, Venezuelan musician Augusto Braucho, have asked her to come and perform there?
At the time, Laura Itandehui was already an accomplished artist, a violinist since childhood and a graduate in jazz music from the Escuela Superior de Música. But she didn’t have enough songs for the concert. So, she wrote them in a few weeks. They would make up her first album, released in 2021, a gem of intimate songwriting with folk and bolero influences.
Her second album, Si Me Ven Alegre (2024), is a joyful and uplifting record, exploring guaguancó, salsa, cumbia and Colombian paseo vallenato, inspired by the composer’s travels. Released in February, the bolero “La Apuesta” is her latest single—a gem you won’t be able to stop humming.
We are delighted to announce the remarkable success of the recent Believe Amplify event in Greater China, held on November 3rd in Beijing.
The three-hour gathering brought together over 170 industry partners, clients, and key stakeholders, serving as an excellent platform to strengthen engagement and showcase our dedication to the local market.

Amplify events are our way of bringing Believe to life, face-to-face. They’re designed to strengthen our bonds with clients, share our vision openly, and spotlight our progress. These events are also about spreading Believe’s key messages in a clear, inspiring way. Through hands-on workshops and talks, we dive into our marketing solutions, latest innovations, and priorities. On a local scale, Amplify sessions are a chance to connect directly with our artists and their teams — exploring market trends, DSP updates, fresh opportunities, and celebrating success stories from both their region and our global journey.
The agenda featured the following key sessions:
The event was met with an enthusiastic response, with participants particularly commending the high-quality, actionable insights and the premium networking environment it facilitated.

(Who We Work With)
Believe has been an integral part of the dynamic growth of the digital music market in Russia since 2012. With more than 40 people based in its central Moscow office, the Believe team develops and distributes independent artists and labels in various niche and popular music genre
Моя Мишель
Макс Корж
Ирина Кайратовна
Диана Арбенина
Yanix
Mnogoznaal
Miyagi & Эндшпиль
akiaura
OBLADAET
Toxi$
Каспийский Груз
Хаски
(What we do)
(Local Governance)
Viktoria
Siniavskaia
President, META, East & Southern Europe, Americas
Denis
Gorshkov
Regional Managing Director, RUMETA (Russia, Turkey, Middle East, Africa)

Elena
Fironova
General Manager Operations

Victoria
Pe
Country Director

Oksana
Strizhakova
Head of Artist Services

Alexandra
Beketova
Head of Label & Artist Solutions
(Testimonials)
(Contact)
If you are an artist, songwriter, label representative, publisher, if you work in the press, or if you would like to contact Believe for any inquiries, reach out to us!
Be part of the transformation of the music industry! Learn more about values and teams and discover our job opportunities on our Careers page.
(Who We Work With)
Since 2010, Believe has been a driving force behind Arabic music and artists. What began as distribution support from France quickly evolved into a dedicated presence across the Middle East and North Africa from 2014 onward.
Today, Believe actively scouts, showcases, and accelerates the careers of standout Arabic, anglophone, and francophone artists and labels across the region.

Carole Samaha
Angham

Sami Yusuf
Amal Maher

Abdou Gambetta
Koast
Jenjoon

Eslam Kabonga
Zeyne
Liamsi

D33psoul
Mohamed Ramadan
(What We Do)
(Local Governance)
Viktoria
Siniavskaia
President, META, East & Southern Europe, Americas
Denis
Gorshkov
Regional Managing Director, RUMETA (Russia, Turkey, Middle East, Africa)

Dolly
Makhoul
Regional Director, MENA & Africa

Celine
Hitti
Head of Artist Services, MENA

Zan
Nakari
Head of Label & Artists Solutions
(Newsroom)
(Testimonials)
(Contact)
Be part of the transformation of the music industry! Learn more about values and teams and discover our job opportunities on our Careers page.
If you are an artist, songwriter, label representative, publisher, if you work in the press, or if you would like to contact Believe for any inquiries, reach out to us!
(Who We Work With)
Flow Jones
Kweky Flick
Lydol
Oskido
Praiz
Soraia Ramos
Dandizzy
Danya Devs
Smada
Smur Lee
Mia Guisse
Céline Banza
(What We Do)
(Local Governance)
Viktoria
Siniavskaia
President, META, East & Southern Europe, Americas
Denis
Gorshkov
Regional Managing Director, RUMETA (Russia, Turkey, Middle East, Africa)

Dolly
Makhoul
Regional Director, MENA & Africa
Andile
Mbete
Head of Believe Label & Artist Solutions and TuneCore Africa

Laure
Duhard
Head of Label and Artist Solutions Francophone Africa
(Newsroom)
(Testimonials)
(Contact)
If you are an artist, songwriter, label representative, publisher, if you work in the press, or if you would like to contact Believe for any inquiries, reach out to us!
Join us in transforming the African music industry! Discover our values, our teams and our job opportunities on our Careers page.
(Who We Work With)
Believe was founded in France and has been active in Canada since 2010 as a promoter and distributor of independent artists and labels across all musical genres, in both English and French.
With local teams based in Montreal and Toronto, Believe brings together A&R, digital marketing, and commercial expertise to work closely with music creators, tailoring services to each stage of development.
Cœur de pirate
Emilie-Claire Barlow
Fredz
Ginette Reno
Helena Deland
Jesse Cook
Dominique Fils-Aimé
Les Cowboys Fringants
MindFlip
Lou-Adriane Cassidy
TRAITRS
Celtic Tenors
(What We Do)
(Local Governance)
Alejandra
Olea
Managing Director, Americas

Georges
Tremblay
Country Manager, Canada

Annie
Cantin
Labels & Artists Solutions Label Leader, Canada

Jason
Bissebar
Editorial & Marketing Partnerships Senior Leader, Canada

Juan David
Blanco
Video Channel Manager

J. Spencer
Mussellam
Label Manager Leader – Labels & Artists Solutions, Canada

Mark
Costain
Artist Partnership Manager, Canada

Perceval
Barry
Label Manager
(Newsroom)
(Testimonials)
(Contact)
If you are an artist, songwriter, label representative, publisher, if you work in the press, or if you would like to contact Believe for any inquiries, reach out to us!
Be part of the transformation of the music industry! Learn more about values and teams and discover our job opportunities on our Careers page.