Top 10 Spotlight Artists, as presented by Artist Formula Record Group
In partnership with Artist Formula Record Group
Electric Ramble
Electric Ramble is carving out a lane of their own from the heart of New Orleans, Louisiana, where soul, sweat, and sound collide. The band recently performed at Tipitina’s while opening for the legendary Rebirth Brass Band, turning a hometown stage into a launchpad for something bigger. Their debut single, “Willin’ and Tryin’,” sets the tone for a sound that’s both rooted and ready to travel. Follow-up singles “Let It Roll” and “Out of Time” blend grit, groove, and gospel in all the right places. Electric Ramble pulls from the ghosts of Southern soul and the fire of modern rock, but what they deliver feels urgent, alive, and unmistakably their own. “A year from now, I just hope we’re playing to new ears, festivals, clubs, wherever the music takes us,” says frontman Evan Hall. “Jazz Fest, Red Rocks, Glastonbury… those are dream stages for sure, but for right now it’s about building something real, one show at a time.”
The Summit
High-energy American rockers, The Summit, uniquely channel the vintage tones of
classic outfits such as Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Bad Company, ZZ Top, and the
Allman Brothers. Their latest record, Firebirds & Aviators, has drawn listeners across the world and was produced by Will Turpin of Collective Soul. The band’s popular single, Hit Me Up, paved the way for their early 2025 success with an extensive U.S. tour. The Summit’s next stop will be a tour in Spain that kicks off in March of 2026.
Syante
Syante is a pop/rock powerhouse blending soaring choruses, gritty guitars, and electronic energy into lyrically driven anthems. Her single “Downhill” earned a 2025 Hollywood Independent Music Award nomination. She’s collaborated with a range of experienced musicians and also worked with Prince’s longtime keyboardist, Dr. Fink, on “Save Ourselves,” a socially conscious anthem. With bold songwriting and a sound that sits between Imagine Dragons, OneRepublic, P!nk, and Olivia Rodrigo, Syante is cementing herself as a rising presence in contemporary pop.
Jim Wolf
Jim Wolf is an artist who has maintained a steady audience in South Korea for years. As a U.S.-based artist, he was as shocked as anyone when his song “Make You My Lady” gained unexpected traction in South Korea in 2014. Since then, Wolf’s music has gained traction, earning placements in film and TV, including So I Married the Anti-Fan. Wolf got his start in NYC’s music scene, touring across the U.S. He drew early inspiration from watching his brother’s high school band practice and perform in his parents’ basement in Fairfield, CT. That band—Villanova Junction—featured a young John Mayer and was the catalyst for Wolf to pick up a guitar.
With more to come, Wolf is an artist gaining international visibility.
Jessta James
Far from the hustle and bustle of Broadway and the infamous music row of Nashville, TN, a new sound has been forged from deep within the heart of Big Sky Country. Montana country music artist Jessta James has been carving his own lane and doing it his way since day one. His newest album, ‘Ninety Proof,’ is a testament to his dedication to perfecting his signature sound. The first single, ‘Take Me Away’, is a soul-piercing ballad that paints a picture of a true love that got away. The infectious melodies of ‘When I’m Gone’ truly stay with you from the very first time you hear it. Classic rock influenced ‘Honey Dew’ and ‘Paved in Gold’ are woven with the grit of an era of music that until now, seemed lost in time.
From start to finish, the Montana outlaw takes you on a ride that somehow feels familiar and brand new at the same time.
Crystal Starr
Blending 80s glam-pop with raw emotional storytelling, powerhouse vocals, and magnetic stage presence, Crystal Starr is giving a bold new face to what a pop star looks like in 2025. She’s a notably active and creative artist with a strong, independent approach. Known for her strong DIY approach, Crystal produces her own music videos, runs her brand independently, and continues to build a global following. Her latest single, “Let Go,” is a cinematic heartbreak anthem—soaring, haunting, and unapologetically powerful. With over a decade in the industry, she’s toured 15 countries and opened for a range of well-known acts. Crystal Starr isn’t following the pop blueprint—she’s rewriting it. Her latest singles are earning attention on international charts. Crystal Starr is proof that real stars don’t wait to be discovered—they build their own galaxies.
Check her music out on Spotify and find her on Instagram.
Hawk in the Nest
Hawk in the Nest is the fully realized, orchestral indie-pop/R&B project of songwriter Avi Jacob, bridging the heartfelt grit of Springsteen with the soulful warmth of Al Green. Produced by Wolfgang Zimmerman and Joel Hamilton, the album delivers a vibrant, horn-driven sound led by the undeniable bop “Don’t Leave Me This Way” and the dreamy single “Baby Baby Baby Baby.” Rooted in influences from Leonard Cohen to Otis Redding, Avi Jacob steps firmly into his artistic prime with a debut full-length that feels both timeless and urgently alive.
Diskull
Charlotte, NC-based producer Diskull is carving out his own lane in the global UK garage resurgence, blending stateside grit with unmistakably British swing. His latest release, the Falling For You EP on Groovy Bone Records, captures that signature sound — shuffling percussion, soulful chopped vocals, and the kind of bassline movement that nods directly to the UK underground. Paired with a high-tempo, club-driven remix from Sydney, Australia’s Ambroz, the project highlights Diskull’s evolution as a contributor to the emerging US-bred UKG scene. It’s a confident step forward from an artist pushing the genre’s boundaries while keeping its spirit intact.
The Rust Belt
The Rust Belt was formed by Michael Bilinski (Pagan) and Vex X (Starskream) while their respective bands were sidelined by the pandemic. The lineup was completed by Bill Lloyd (Edit/Erase) and The Voice finalist Ryan Whyte Maloney. Following Ryan’s tragic death earlier this year, the band decided to carry on in honor of the legacy they built together. Malfeasance, the first single from their upcoming album, will soon be followed by Forever featuring The Voice alum Snoop Dogg.
Link to single “Forever” featuring Snoop Dogg
Bosaya
Through Europe, Asia, and the Americas, Bosaya takes an immersive approach to listening. Each song activates a portal, creating a full-body, full-spirit encounter. The music carries echoes of classical depth and contemporary force. Fueled by nature and the cosmos to bring about inner connection, transformation, and liberation. The name Bosaya pays homage to family lineage and signifies existential freedom.
Bosaya’s music has been dancing across the charts in Europe, garnering over 1 million views on YouTube.
Bosaya consists of vocalist, songwriter, producer, and guitarist Vadim Zariuta, and grammy nominated lyricist, hip hop artist Nadirah X.