April 4, 2024
By Yvonne Morales
Canada’s largest annual music & arts festival Osheaga is coming again to Montreal this summer, from August 2nd to 4th. Taking place on six stages at the Parc Jean-Drapeau, this unique venue and event is the place to be and the perfect spot to see the artists who are dominating the charts and media. Here are some artists on our radar:
AYRA STARR
A Nigerian singer-songwriter who started off her career in fashion is now rising in the wave of Afro-beats and R&B music. Already having a ‘Grammy Nominee’ on her record, Starr was the youngest African Female Artist to surpass 100 million views on a music video for her song, “Rush.”. She is making a name for herself in the African Music scene with features on “People” by Libianca (who will also be at the Osheaga Music Festival), and inspiring a new wave of sound and vibes with singles like “Commas” and in “Ngozi”.
RAYE
If you don’t recognize her name, you most definitely will recognize her music and sound. With songs “Escapism” and “Prada” spawning trends all over social media, including TikTok, she is cementing her unique sound blending R&B, soul, and pop. RAYE is not only a powerhouse R&B-pop star, she is also a talented songwriter who’s written for Beyonce, John Legend, Rihanna, David Guetta, and more. Her voice and charisma may seem familiar as she has been compared to the likes of Amy Winehouse and Freddie Mercury. This year alone she won six awards at the 2024 BRIT Awards ceremony, including ‘Album of the Year’ for her album ‘My 21st Century Blues.’
MARIAH THE SCIENTIST
Although not a real scientist, she is not far off as her name stems from her genuine love for science, and a previous career as a biology major. With a predominantly R&B sound, Mariah has been capturing listeners with songs since the beginning of her career like “Beetle Juice”, “Spread Thin”, “2 You” and more. Fans often find themselves entranced by her smooth voice and infectious wordplay. As her fanbase expands, her third studio album “To be Eaten Alive” paved her way into Billboard’s Top 200 for the first time. Watch her pave her way into your view, this summer.
LIL TJAY
After a near death experience in 2022, Lil Tjay’s survival and recovery shaped his resilience as he continues to rise in the American rap scene. Known for hip-hop and trap songs like “F.N” and “Calling My Phone,” his success has led him to collaborate with larger rap names such as Offset, Polo G and Pop Smoke. His collaborations and work across hip-hop, drill and R&B made him popular across a variety of audiences. Lil Tjay’s ability to blend singing and rapping creates a melodic sound that adds to his often catchy hooks and choruses. Pop-out to his stage to see him run it up with talent.
MELANIE MARTINEZ
Known for her unique breathy tone, and creative spins on covers, Melanie Martinez broke through the music industry via The Voice, America. Although she had a short time on the voice, she is one of the most successful artists from the show. Martinez sings about her personal experiences of friendship, loss, love and self-acceptance. Her first debut single “Dollhouse” was highly successful as her studio debut album, “Crybaby” was released and soon went to be certified double-platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). Currently known for her most recent album, “Portals” album, the ‘Tumblr 2014 icon’ takes her alter ego “Cry Baby” who is reborn into a fairy creature that is stuck between Earth and the afterlife. Her performance, visuals, and music are something you don’t want to miss.
Make sure to check out the festival on their official Instagram account @osheaga for more information about the festival and where the stages are located.
Comments