With songs like her haunting take on The 1975’s “Somebody Else” and a sound that sits somewhere between hitmakers like Tove Lo and Lorde, we’re excited for her future prospects.Ĭalvin Harris’ latest album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. Given a proper push, other formats would be wise to consider it.īrooklyn-based Vérité grew up listening to ’90s alt-rock acts like The Cranberries, Green Day and Nirvana, and the influence is apparent in her grungy, dark pop records. Her heartbreaking ballad “Every Little Thing” is drenched in crossover appeal. Still, given that all of her aforementioned Nashville sisters have tallied entries in the Hot 100’s top 40, it’s Carly’s turn to shine. Even if charting collaborations that feature Carrie Underwood, Lauren Alaina and Faith Hill are taken into consideration - as well an entry by co-ed Lady Antebellum - the male-to-female ratio is still embarrassingly unbalanced. DeJ’s catalogue leans toward one-off singles, mixtapes and EPs instead of traditional albums, but no matter the format, you know exactly who’s on the mic the second you hear her voice.Country is another boys’ club: of the July 22-dated Hot Country Songs chart’s 50 spots, only four are held by unaccompanied solo female artists: Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert and Carly Pearce. Though she is quiet and reserved in person, her lyrics can be raunchy (as heard on Jacquees’ “Want Your Sex”), disarmingly aggressive (“Problem”) or achingly tender (“No Fear”), while her sound incorporates influences like hip-hop stylist E-40 and R&B singer Anita Baker, two of her childhood favourites.

The song exploded on social media, thanks in part to a Drake shout-out, and suddenly DeJ Loaf became an in-demand feature contributor, jumping on tracks by Lil Durk, The Game and Tinashe. From the jump, the Detroit rapper, born Deja Trimble in 1991, sounded utterly distinct, with a melodic rap cadence that wrapped her threats against all comers in a sparkling musical package.

Few artists emerge as fully formed on a debut single as DeJ Loaf did with 2014’s “Try Me”.

Dej loaf no fear single