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In honor of International Women’s Month (as well as our anniversary), we are highlighting the women who shaped the last 11 years of OnesToWatch. It’s been an absolute joy to see them grow into the artists they are today:

Dua Lipa

One of Ones To Watch’s earliest catches, Dua Lipa is the leader of the free world. Sure, she’s known for living on vacation and accessorizing herself with a hot British fiancé, but the diva she serves should never eclipse what she’s offered the dance pop industry. Massive hit singles like “One Kiss,” “Don’t Start Now,” “Houdini,” and “Levitating” have earned her three Grammy Awards, an iconic Brat feature, and an impenetrable legacy.

Ashe

No one has come onto the scene with quite as much established star power as Ashe has. As if she’s a talent gracing us with a visit from the 1960s, everything about the magnetism she exudes feels otherworldly. One half of The Favors, alongside Finneas, her work as a solo artist is equally captivating, with 2019’s “Moral of the Story” surpassing one billion streams. Citing acts like Bob Dylan and the Beatles as inspiration, her indie folk sound honors the history of music’s past while pushing the genre forward.

Sasha Alex Sloan

Sasha Alex Sloan has such immediate access to the depth of her inner world, and that’s what’s made her so easily soundtrack the whirlwind of being an emotive being. The indie pop songstress struck gold with her 2020 critically praised debut album, Only Child, and has only continued to bravely interrogate the nuance of being wide-eyed and hopeless, full of color and drained dry. Sloan’s lyrics resonate with every heart her music touches, proving that true connection comes from being raw about our humanity.

Donna Missal

Equipped with a gaze that cuts like a knife, Donna Missal is completely embodied. Her commitment to occupying the entirety of herself bleeds into the depth of the art she creates, her dark alternative catalog dissecting the weariness of existing. Missal’s voice is weighted and full of tension, with a growl that unearths what you may not have known lived inside you. A folky guitar housing her raspy, warm timbre, she’s one of the most intoxicating names to newly rise. 

Alaina Castillo

With fortified vocals meeting a fairy-like presence, Alaina Castillo is one of pop R&B’s most enticing rising acts. Singles like “pocket locket,” “just a boy,” and “papacito” have garnered millions upon millions of streams, storytelling through the winding road of love and heartbreak. Her airy blend of pop and R&B is never at the expense of her Mexican roots, as she manages to infuse the totality of her essence into her body of work.

The Last Dinner Party

An all girls rock quintet is exactly as punk as you’d think it is. The Last Dinner Party, consisting of Georgia Davies, Lizzie Mayland, Abigail Morris, Aurora Nishevci, and Emily Roberts, finds pleasure in the obscure. Hailing all the way from London, they’ve been dubbed “baroque pop” due to their affinity for theatrics and operatic vocals, though there seemingly isn’t much about them that isn’t brashly authentic. It’s within the scale of their art that they’re able to fully lend themselves to the bleeding humanity of their music.

Alessia Cara

Canadian popstar Alessia Cara has been talented since inception. At age 19, her debut single "Here" served as one of the defining records of 2015, and she has only managed to find more success in the decade that followed. She’s ripped pages out of her diary and entered the industry committed to cold-blooded honesty. With pure intentions and the ability to breathe new life into the pop-R&B soundscape, Alessia Cara will always be famous. The first Canadian artist to ever win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist, her name is etched in history.

Royal & the Serpent

Alt-pop priestess Royal & the Serpent is the only of her kind. With grit and a penetrating bite, she never shies from the messy contradictions of life. In fact, it’s her favorite place to play. Everything about her art finds the blurred line between what is haunting and invigorating, birthing a captivating catalog of coexistence. From touring with acts like Demi Lovato and Fall Out Boy to garnering over two million monthly Spotify listeners, it’s clear we’re all just inhabiting Royal & the Serpent’s kingdom.

beabadoobee

Indie princess beabadoobee is as globally adored as a modern Princess Diana, and its thanks to her ability to perfectly encapsulate the nuance of girlhood. In the brave act of surviving her own brain, she’s willing to be a million pieces and even more willing to put herself back together. A young teen finding inspiration from the Juno soundtrack, her music is a blown kiss from the early 2000s. beabadoobee’s storytelling and ability to bottle feeling into prose is exactly why she stands as high as she does in the alt-indie realm. 

Yebba

A voice that feels centuries more wisened than her 31 years, Yebba is a generational talent. Her neo-soul poetry has led her to be one of the most coveted features in hip-hop, with artists like Drake and Tyler, The Creator spotlighting her on their respective albums. The music pours out of her with humility and ease, as if there was no other way. From recording covers on YouTube in her West Memphis homeland to earning a Grammy and over 16 million monthly Spotify listeners, Yebba is your favorite artists’ favorite artist.

Soccer Mommy

Soccer Mommy is one of the defining figures in contemporary indie rock, with her vulnerability becoming a force to be reckoned with in the genre. Since the release of her critically acclaimed album Clean, the Nashville-born singer-songwriter has gained a devoted fanbase with her honesty and her dreamy guitar-based sound. With her 2022 album Sometimes, Forever, the singer expanded her musical style while maintaining her lyrical candor. Whether writing about loss, love, or self-discovery, Soccer Mommy writes songs that reflect the quiet complexities of growing up, making her one of the most interesting indie rock songwriters out there.

Noga Erez

Noga Erez has made a name for herself as one of the most innovative artists in alternative pop and electronic music. The Israeli singer, producer, and songwriter made her initial impact with her genre-defying debut album Off the Radar, followed by the expansion of her bold musical style with “Kids.” Her 2023 album, The Vandalist continued to take her style in bold and daring directions. With her spirited style and powerful stage presence, Noga Erez has carved out her own space in the pop music world.

Faye Webster

Faye Webster has made one of the most unique sounds in indie music in recent years, mixing folk, country, R&B, and dream pop into something that is undeniably her own. Since the mainstream success of “Atlanta Millionaires Club,” the Atlanta-based singer-songwriter has made a name for herself with her unassuming narrative style and melodic sensibility. Her 2024 album Underdressed at the Symphony further solidifies her place as one of the most exceptional voices in indie music. Faye Webster’s music moves at her own pace, subtle, sincere, and touching, making her one of the most captivating storytellers in indie music.

Em Beihold

Em Beihold first made the world take notice through her hit single, “Numb Little Bug,” which, despite its rather candid nature, proved to have an unexpectedly uplifting message. Since then, the LA-based singer-songwriter has established herself in the pop scene through her witty lyrics and refreshing energy. Her debut EP, Egg in the Backseat, revealed the artist’s capacity to transform her introspections into songs that, despite their rather personal nature, proved to have widespread appeal. Em Beihold, with her blend of humor and vulnerability, is arguably one of the most self-aware emerging voices in the pop scene.

Charlotte Lawrence

Charlotte Lawrence has evolved into one of the most emotionally charged voices in the pop scene, with her rather cinematic sound complementing her personal approach to songwriting. Since first making the scene through her early singles, such as “Sleep Talking,” the singer-songwriter has established an avid fan base through her rather candid approach. Her 2023 debut album Family, is arguably one of the defining moments in the artist’s career, as she transformed her experiences into rather cinematic, emotionally charged pop.With a growing catalog and a clear artistic perspective, Charlotte Lawrence has firmly established herself as a compelling presence in modern pop.

UPSAHL

UPSAHL is without a doubt one of the most daring and unapologetic voices in the world of pop music. While known for her clever lyrics and catchy alt-pop production, the singer-songwriter gained initial popularity with her viral hit “Drugs.” She later diversified her style with subsequent releases such as Lady Jesus. In her 2023 album Hindsight 20/20, UPSAHL showed her ability to seamlessly merge dark humor with unapologetic honesty in her lyrics. With her high-energy performances and daring, genre-bending style, UPSAHL is the embodiment of the intersection of pop and attitude.

Sofía Valdés

Sofia Valdes has established a peaceful world in the world of indie pop that combines her Latin heritage with soft, atmospheric instrumentation. Born in Panama, the singer-songwriter gained popularity with her debut EP Ventura, which introduced fans to her soft vocals and poignant storytelling. She later evolved her style further on her 2024 debut, self-titled record, showing off an artistry that effortlessly floats between nostalgia and daydreaming. Across ten tracks, she shares a world that is not only calming but also cements her position as one of the most enchanting indie pop voices.

HAIM

HAIM have spent the past decade redefining what modern rock can look and sound like. The sister trio, Danielle, Este, and Alana, first broke through with their debut album Days Are Gone before reaching new heights with the critically acclaimed Women in Music Pt. III, which earned them a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. Blending rock, pop, and California cool with effortless chemistry, HAIM have become one of the most influential bands of their generation.

Julia Michaels

Julia Michaels has long been one of pop music’s most influential songwriters, penning hits for artists like Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and Dua Lipa before stepping fully into the spotlight as a solo artist. Her breakthrough single “Issues” introduced a refreshingly candid voice to mainstream pop, defined by emotional honesty and razor-sharp lyricism. With Grammy nominations and countless chart-topping credits, Michaels balances behind-the-scenes brilliance with a solo career rooted in deeply personal storytelling.

Maude Latour

Maude Latour has quickly become one of pop’s most innovative voices, fusing catchy production with contemplative songwriting that celebrates the thrill of young adulthood. Her breakout singles, such as “One More Weekend” and “Strangers Forever,” have introduced fans to her colorful, indie-pop style and helped her quickly gain a devoted online fan base. With her poetic storytelling and euphoric melodies, Latour has made music that feels both intimately personal and effusively joyful, making her one of pop’s most exciting new voices.