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.
AFREEKASSIA – Brazil
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.
LAURENZ NIKOLAUS – Austria
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!
LAZA – United States
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.
LIL ZEY – Turkey
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!
HOKKA – Finland
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.
$WAG NIGHTMARE – United States
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.
