Posted on April 21st by Eugene Aldridge

Deciding to become an artist of any form can be a hard choice in a world like today. Art is only truly appreciated when the artist has become “successful”. Sadly, creating art without “success” is seen as a waste of time in most people’s eyes. But, these 20 artists are still following their passion while trying to make a name for themselves in the face of all the doubters.

Success is measured in multiple different ways. Being successful can mean being near a level of Beyonce. (If you did not know, Beyonce is a certified American measurement system). Success can be artists like Steve Lacy finally reaching the spotlight. Success can be getting 1,000 plays on your song. To be honest, in a world of 7 billion people getting 100 people to look at my articles is a blessing.

These 20 artists are people who deserve more attention than they are currently getting. You can tell through their artwork that they deserve to be adored by the masses. These artists are striving to reach new heights by putting their all into their work. They all pour their hopes and dreams into their content just for a small audience to experience.

That’s right none of these artists have over 10,000 followers and, yet, they are still showcasing their tireless ambition. These young artists are putting hours into a song. They are staying up past midnight to finish edits on a photo. They are straining their eyes to make sure their designs are near perfection. They are even compressing their creativity into words that others will understand, like myself. Honestly, to be recognized for our hard work, to be rewarded for our creations and to be praised like the greats who have come before us is one dream we all share.

If you want to learn a little more about these 20 artists scroll down to find out about them,

1. Blake Saint David (Music Artist)

Starting off the list will be the rap/pop sensation, Blake Saint David. (@blakesaintdavid on Instagram and Twitter). Their songs Don’t Waste My Time featuring Family Reunion and Little Bastard helped generate my interest in this non-binary artist. Blake uses a deep, emotionless voice at the beginning of their song Little Bastard dragging you in and never letting go. Their baritone voice warns you of making rash decisions and tells you the story of James Dean and his tragic death. But with Don’t Waste My Time the dark undertones are completely eradicated by Family Reunion’s singing about time management. The upbeat tempo in the background makes Blake seem lively in this song compared to Little Bastard. If you want to dance to a song that kind of resemblances music from the 80’s Don’t Waste My Time is your go to. Make sure to give him a follow if you want to learn more.

2. Family Reunion (Music Artist)

Family Reunion (@fam1lyreunion on Twitter and Instagram) A.K.A. Jackie is the voice that makes you want to dance to the song, Don’t Waste My Time. The one and only Family Reunion is able to manipulate her voice into creating hit after hit. I say the one and only because she is a one man one woman band. She makes all of her songs completely on her own as her Twitter bio says. Her most recent hit, Vision, a song about love and confusion has landed on the Fresh Find playlist on Spotify. Family Reunion’s efforts are starting to pay off and you can tell with her EP “J“. Songs like Vacation properly exhibit her skill at making music that anyone could easily vibe to.

3. The Ivories (Music Group)

The Ivories (@the.ivories on Instagram) has unexpectedly placed themselves into the category of one of my favorite artists. I have been eagerly awaiting new music from them ever since they dropped their EP, Lilly, (Which I also wrote a review for here.) Their random follow on Instagram helped me to improve my music library. They helped by removing the hard work of searching for good music. The Ivories is the type of band you can expect to make it big someday soon. Their music sounds professional and their style is entertaining. The vocalist, Bryan (@vvvelvvvet on Instagram) helped me to realize that there are multiple amazing artists who only cater to a small audience. Climbing the ladder to fame is no easy feat but if The Ivories keep making hits like Heron and These Days it’s highly possible they can reach their dreams.

4. Kevin Chang (Photographer)

This photographer named Kevin Chang (@thechangvin on Instagram) is on the road to becoming an esteemed professional. Kevin’s photos are miraculous and he’s just getting started. His Instagram profile consists of colorful, lively portraits of his friends. Scrolling through it’s hard to call these photos just regular photos, the word that best suits them is artwork. Every photo posted on Chang’s profile is worthy of being showcased in an art gallery for professionals to ponder. Of course, it’s literally just a picture but everyone loves a nice in-depth look into something clearly superficial, right? If you’re in the Cal U area then booking Mr. Chang for your every photo need would be the best choice.

5. Mara Robbin (Music Artist)

Finding out my co-worker could sing was one thing but finding out they could sing well was definitely a surprise. Outside of Mara Robbin’s profile (@wildrecluse on Instagram), I would have never suspected her to be a star on the rise. But, when I finally got ahold of her Instagram profile I was in for a treat. This singer/photographer/icon blew me away. Her voice delivers a chill down my spine and provides pleasure to the ear like no other. This is shown in her enchanting song, Plucked Rose. She glides in smoothly with her low and slow voice so you can hear every single word as clear as day. She announces herself in a captivating way that makes you feel like you shouldn’t be listening to this in public. When the varied pace heavy breathing comes in you can fully imagine a seductive music video going on in the back of your head. Her EP, Unruly, is a provocative treat. Make sure to play it when you are lighting mood candles.

6. Randy Staples (Cool Guy)

This guy is Randy Staples. He writes sometimes. Hit him up to find out more. If you need a model, he’s also available.

7. Adrian Garcia (Graphic Designer)

If you want extraordinary, abstract cover art for your music then Adrian Garcia (@Gnairda on Twitter) is the man you need to speak to. Only on Garcia’s Twitter profile can you find cover art so out of this world. His artwork seems jumbled and messy but in reality, it works. The disarray of the artwork is what makes it so great! Nothing seems out of place, yet, literally, everything is out of place. Basically, he takes puzzle pieces from completely different puzzle sets and makes it into artwork. Not all of his artwork looks like a deranged, perfectionist madman made it. Some of his work is so simple you can not help but admire the minimalism of it. How can you go from messy to neat so easily without messing anything up? Only the masterful Adrian could let you know.

8. Juto (Music Artist)

Blake Saint David led me in the direction of Juto and I am so glad that he did. (@lovejuto on Instagram). Juto is taking a hiatus from social media at the moment so I don’t even know if Juto is his real name. To simplify his style one of his Instagram followers, @gxld.ie made a statement that I can totally agree with. “Daniel Caesar & Steve Lacy Had A Baby 😩😩😩 && That Baby Is You”. His songs are smooth enough to soothe your ears when it hits your eardrums. His voice could lull you to sleep if played on a low volume but if you’re wide awake then it will just put you in a marvelous mood. His song LOL is a song about laughing in the face of pain. The song is fun and the lyrics make you feel bad on his part but you can still jam to it. If you are a fan of Steve Lacy then Juto is who you need to be listening to.

9. Aidan (Music Artist)

Aidan is an artist that makes music you would think plays in the background of your dreams. Aidan (@aidanochre on Instagram) has created music that teeters along the edge of bliss and melancholy. His sound can invoke feelings of joy and happiness but if you listen to his lyrics you can hear the pain in his voice. Gemini by Aidan is a prime example of this paradoxical concept. Listening to the instrumental version of Gemini will no doubt slip you a smile. But, the self-depreciating lyrics lower the mood. He starts out with, “I’m so stupid when it comes to falling in love/I think I do it too much,” something we all can probably relate to. The mood diminishing lyrics are what makes Gemini so great. Aidan does not dance around his own issues, he addresses them immediately. If we could all be so honest with ourselves like Aidan was on Gemini we might make better choices. He continues his streak of introspection on the song, forever, letting us peek into the mind of a musical genius.

10. Nicole (Photographer)

Nicole (or @nicaasso on Instagram) is a photographer based in Charlotte with loads of skill. At the moment, she is taking a break from photography as you can tell by the slew of selfies on her Instagram profile. Not like I’m complaining. But once you scroll down enough you can see the talent she possesses with a camera in her hand. She shows off her style with the clothes she wears and the angles she takes. I mean, you can tell she probably won “best dressed” and “most artistic” in her high school yearbook. Every shot she posts on her feed bleeds with realness and her models seem comfortable with her behind the camera. The #HobbyLobbyChallenge was no match for her. She took regular, mundane moments and turned them into soul-touching pictures that’ll last forever. If you’re in Charlotte and you’re in need of pictures for your portfolio then Nicole is your girl.

11. Travisjpeg (Graphic Designer)

The elusive @travisjpeg has no real identity. Their Instagram and Twitter pages are full of art and nothing more. When I messaged Travisjpeg they told me the only thing they wanted their name to be associated with is their art. This secretive notion shows how dedicated they are to their brand; they believe their artwork should speak for them more than their personal life. Their tactics may resemble Sia’s but they are definitely their own person. TJ has an abnormal level of talent. Pixelating cover art from scratch is no easy task but, for some reason, I can’t even find any mistakes! TJ has perfected their craft so much that no pixel is left behind. Just imagine the sheer determination and vast amounts of patience that it requires for one pixelated design to be made. Just from one design alone, you can see that this mysterious person deserves more acknowledgment than they are given.

12. Bailey (Graphic Designer)

Bailey the self-proclaimed digital mercenary lives up to his name through his artwork. Not because he murders people through the internet but because everything he touches he kills. Bailey’s designs (@baileyultd on Instagram and Twitter) ride on the threshold of “Dude, are you okay?” and “Wow, this is deep, man.” Bailey’s artwork on his website, baileyu.ltd, is gloomy, gritty and hypnotically appealing. The dreariness of his work brings a fresh, new perspective to the table. Bailey does not use colors to make his designs pop out, he blends everything together making the background and foreground all one cohesive piece. Nothing catches your eye by itself because everything in his design is worth looking at.

13. Paris (Painter)

Paris is a new painter on the rise showcasing her skills on her Instagram page, @artbyplarose. She mainly paints commission pieces like the Richie Rich piece she’s previously done. Which spins the fictional character Richie Rich on its head by making him black on one painting and faceless on the other. This type of creativity is not easily replicated. So, relying on her to create a commission of your choosing is never going to be a mistake.

14. Chris Nekeith (Music Artist)

Nekeith is a fearless, spirited queer rapper and with every song he releases, he shows off his unbelievable skill. Whether it’s a random freestyle he posts on his Instagram, @officialnekeith, or a vivid and flashy music video on his YouTube channel you can tell he’s giving it his all. Nekeith’s dynamic lyrics and energetic voice make him someone you do not want to mess with. Nekeith’s replication of Nicki Minaj’s Chun-Li shows firsthand how serious he is about his music. His version of the new song is an in-your-face hit, slapping you in the face with the insecurities you thought you could hide from everyone else. The song is short but it leaves enough impression on you to make you think about hitting the replay button. Nekeith is an icon for the LQBTQ community whether he is on or off the mic.

15. Michael (Music Producer)

Imagine for a second you’re floating on a comfortable raft in the sea, your eyes are closed and you can feel the ocean on your fingers tips while your arms are laid out. Open your eyes, go to Daniel0range’s Soundcloud and try the same thing. Micheal (@daniel0range on Instagram and Twitter) A.K.A. Daniel0range makes music best suited for daydreaming and relaxing in a quiet area. He’s a producer that sometimes lays his own vocals onto his beats. His song/production Scattered is a perfect example of music that probably plays in the background of your daydreams. The lazy beginning and distorted voice leave you in a dreamlike trance for the entirety of the 2-minute song.

16. Edwards (Graphic Designer)

Edwards’ Instagram page, @itsedwardss, is a mixture of physical art and graphic design pieces. Obviously, his talents extend beyond the normal capabilities of an average artist. He sketches, designs from scratch and re-creates cover art. The attention to detail, his sense of style and the imaginative strength Edwards possesses puts his pieces over the top. He also helps run an online magazine called Complexion Magazine. I mean, is there anything this man can’t do?

17. Briana (Photographer)

This young lady, Briana McDonald, has skill. Not only is she astonishingly photogenic but her photography is top-notch. If you scroll through her photography account, @wanderwand_, on Instagram starting from the very bottom you can see her evolve as an artist. The vision she demonstrates through her photos is enlightening and impressive. Whether she’s snapping pictures of her friends or capturing shots of random buildings in Charlotte, she can turn it into something stylish with the help of her camera. The aesthetic Briana goes for in her photos and on her Instagram feed is definitely achieved without trying too hard. We stan a good, natural aesthetic.

18. SKIVE & Au$tin Demarco (Rap duo)

Nowadays a lot of people are trying to create trap music and they are simultaneously failing. However, if you like good trap music then the duo 3,000 Kliq is an incredible choice. 3,000 Kliq, consists of SKIVE (@skive3k on Instagram) and Au$tin Demarco (@austinchristsuperstar on Instagram). These two are on a journey to bring back the good name trap music used to have before Trippie Red arrived on the scene. No song sounds the same when it comes from 3K. Their tempo, vocal volume and all-around mood vary with each song. They don’t yell on every track (coughlilpumpandtekashi69cough) but you can tell they’re having a good time. Listening to 3,000 Kliq is fun, the hard-hitting beats and vulgar lyrics give you something to bob your head to. Sadly, today’s society collectively hates on trap music to fool their peers into thinking they’re interesting. Like…we get it you like J. Cole. If you like a diverse choice in music and if you don’t listen to Russ then their song OUT MY FACE will appeal to you. This song busts in immediately with its dark beat and even darker lyrics making it the perfect song to write to.

19. Nico (Creative Director)

Mr. Nico, (@fthrnico on Twitter) is a director of artistic direction. He brings alive his vision through the actions of others like any great leader does. After scrolling his Instagram feed, (@fathernico) I have to say, his vision is immaculate. The artwork he makes on his own and the art he holds directing credits for are without a doubt some of the best pieces I’ve seen in a while. His standards for acceptable work are not lowered for himself nor are they lowered when he’s telling others what to do. Everything he puts out is nothing short of perfection. His piece with @romefortune is undeniably well done. It’s one thing creating art on your own but getting others to bring out your vision takes skill.

20. ME! (Writer)

Ending this star-studded list is the man behind it all. Me! If you’ve taken the time to read this list and check these hard-working artists, thank you very much. I appreciate you more than you would realize. I might have helped these artists get signed or I might have just helped them gain one more fan. Either way, my task has been completed. I put my all into making this list. I mean, it’s literally 3 am right now as I’m writing. The fact that I may help someone to achieve their dreams has pushed me to continue on even in the dead of night. Now, if you’re looking to offer someone a job for their extraordinary writing skills then please…look no further. But, if you’re reading for fun, thank you so much! I literally love you all and I hope this has helped improve your music playlist/find you a photographer for your photography needs/assist you in your search for a skilled graphic designer. Take a look at my other pieces if you’re interested in something entertaining and thought-provoking!

You can catch Eugene Aldridge furiously writing about something at 3 am. If you want to see him cry play the song, Simple and Clean. For some reason, he loves palm trees. Check out his articles on MuckRack.