WARNER U.K.'S CLASS OF 2020
We’ve shown you the new acts breaking out of Universal and Sony in the U.K., and here are a bunch of names primed to take center stage at Warner in Blighty. Meet Kojey Radical, One Acen, Ashnikko, Pa Salieu and Griff.
Signed to Atlantic Records, Kojey Radical is a British Ghanian genre-defying rapper who was born and raised in East London. His latest mixtape, Cashmere Tears, was released to much critical acclaim last year—a five-star review from NME named him one of this generation’s “most stunning storytellers.” Support has also come from BBC Radio, as well as Pitchfork, Q Magazine, GQ, Clash and Observer. He’s collaborated with a long list of artists including Ghetts, AJ Tracey, Mahalia and Maverick Sabre, as well as brands like Beats and Vice. Monthly Spotify listeners stand at 700k and his most streamed track, “Water” f/Mahalia, has hit over 5m listens. After supporting Kano and Daniel Caesar on tour, a 2020 headline run will include a date at London’s 3k capacity Roundhouse. Management is John Woolf.
One Acen is also a British rapper, songwriter and producer signed to Atlantic who trades in hip-hop and R&B-inspired rap. He’s been picking up a following since featuring on Tion Wayne’s “Hate on Me” in 2016, followed by guest features on tracks by Hardy Caprio, WSTRN and Avelino. His most popular tracks, “Best Life” and “Vice Versa,” have racked up over 45m and 20m streams respectively. Management is Marc Williams and publisher is Peter Elegbede at Reservoir/Reverb Music.
Over at Parlophone, Ashnikko, who was born in North Carolina, is an “anarchic pop artist.” Inspired by Nicki Minaj, Bjork, Janis Joplin and M.I.A, she also found influence in the London nightclub scene that she spent her late teens frequenting after moving to the capital from Latvia. She’s proudly feminist and outspoken about sexuality. After exploding onto the scene with viral TikTok hit “Stupid” f/Yung Baby Tate, which featured on her EP, Hi, It’s Me, she reached 100m+ combined streams and views in 2019 alone. Support has come from The Guardian and Elle, as well as BBC Radio and Beats 1. Ashnikko sold out three upcoming shows at intimate London venue Omeara in two days, and has a U.S. and EU tour confirmed for 2020 alongside festival plays. Management is George Shepherd at Various Artists Management.
Warner Records has two acts in the works, one of which is Coventry rapper Pa Salieu, who blends U.K. rap with African melodies from his Gambian heritage. His debut Warner release, “Dem A Lie,” picked up fans at radio across BBC Radio, Rinse, and Beats 1, and was used in the HBO series Ballers which helped it break into the Shazam chart in the U.S. and Canada. He’s been tipped as one to watch by BBC DJ Toddla T and Red Bull. Live highlights include a performance on the main stage at Lovebox Festival alongside Tiffany Calver, a headline show in London at Laylow on 2/13, and slot at The Great Escape in May. Expect a mixtape to drop this summer. He's currently unmanaged and unpublished.
Griff is the second Warner Records act, a British-born singer/songwriter with Chinese/Jamaican heritage who writes “blistering, sparse, emotional” pop songs. She released her debut EP, The Mirror Talk EP, last year, and was featured in Vogue, Vice and MTV. A show at London’s Hoxton Hall in November sold out, and Griff will play another headline date at Omeara in March. Her first L.A. and N.Y. shows took place this week and a new single, “Good Stuff,” lands today. Management is Deleon Blake and she's currently unpublished.
