As royals in the world pass on their crowns to the next generation of world leaders, so do the kings and queens of the pop world — from Britney Spears to Taylor Swift to Sabrina Carpenter, and from Elvis to Michael Jackson to Harry Styles, and now, to a brand new generation of Gen-Z stars seeking to make their mark in the musical world. Here are some of the best new male pop singers to follow if you’re looking for fresh beats in 2026.
Just as the women of pop have shaped entire Eras — from Madonna’s Material Girl reinvention to Taylor Swift’s omnipresent impact on modern culture — the men of pop have carved out their own legacies. Think of the biggest names from bygone eras, from Elvis Presley and George Michael to Justin Timberlake and Harry Styles. Each of these stars have defined their moment in time, leaving behind a blueprint that marries charisma, artistry, and reinvention — a blueprint that today’s rising stars continue to build upon as a bold new generation steps forward to define pop stardom in an age of streaming, social media, and global fandom.
The line between breakout success and fleeting relevance is thinner than ever. This is particularly true in our modern era of stardom, where virality can grant overnight fame and take it away just as quickly. Content sharing platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram have become proving grounds for aspiring musicians. Here, stars are set in the skies at a dizzying pace; on the flipside, however, many fade back into obscurity once the algorithm moves on. The artists who endure are those who pair talent with tenacity, crafting identities and discographies that outlive the spark that first brought them success.
If there is one thing that separates the clout chasers from true contenders to the crown, it is the understanding that longevity requires grit, evolution, and a willingness to grow in public. As the next generation of voices set to dominate the pop sound of the 2020s, these eleven male artists are proving they have the vision, the voice, and the momentum to transform their fifteen minutes of fame into something that endures.
The best new pop male singers to follow in 2026
Sombr
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If you’ve been on TikTok anytime in the past year, you’ve undoubtedly heard the dulcet tones of Sombr (Shane Michael Boose), one of the newest and most popular Gen Z musicians to go viral on the app. At 20, Sombr has built his career writing lyrics that read like romantic novels, rife with tropes like lost love, longing, melodrama, and more. His songs blend together moody vocals and emotionally charged storytelling, interwoven with phrases that feel like they are intimate letters to people we love the most. Having perfected his inimitable ability to speak directly to the heart of Gen Z love and romance, Sombr’s sound sits comfortably between bedroom pop and alt-R&B, making for a gut-wrenching, and yet easy listening experience.
Currently, Sombr boasts 59,724,022 listeners on Spotify, with his top-streamed song on the platform, “back to friends”, hitting its 1 billion stream milestone in October 2025. He has also been No. 1 on the Global Spotify chart. On February 5, 2026, he released “Homewrecker”, which debuted at No. 25 on the Global Spotify Chart with 2.92 million streams.
Benson Boone
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At 23, American singer-songwriter Benson Boone has accomplished an incredible feat that not many in the music industry can claim: He has opened for Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras tour. Boone first appeared on American Idol in 2021, but eventually withdrew, before experiencing massive growth on TikTok, where he released snippets of his music and eventually amassed 1.7 million followers — all before ever releasing his debut single. In 2021, he released his debut single “Ghost Town”, following that up with “In The Stars” in 2022 before releasing his debut album, Fireworks and Rollerblades, in 2024.
One month later in May, he scored a coveted spot to open for the London leg of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour alongside Paramore. By the time 2025 had rolled around, Boone was performing at Coachella, where he pulled off a riveting cover of Queen’s iconic anthem, “Bohemian Rhapsody” with Queen’s guitarist Brian May. He released his second studio album, American Heart, in 2025, and today, boasts 43,469,003 monthly listeners on Spotify.
Alex Warren
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Singer-songwriter and YouTuber Alex Warren’s musical career has been carried on the back of his viral TikTok hit, “Ordinary”, which he performed valiantly at this year’s Grammy awards despite suffering sound malfunctions. At 25, Warren boasts 52,665,549 monthly listeners on Spotify, a figure that reflects his popularity in the current musical climate, with “Ordinary” peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for several consecutive weeks. He has also received the honour of being nominated for the Best New Artist award at the 2026 Grammy Awards, and though the award ultimately went to Olivia Dean, Warren’s career trajectory is heading nowhere but up.
Warren’s musical influences include Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Benson Boone, and David Kushner. His folk-pop sound is both soulful and vulnerable, reflecting listeners’ yearning for love and companionship. In 2022, after independently releasing three singles, “One More I Love You”, “Screaming Underwater”, and “Remember Me Happy”, Warren signed with Atlantic Records, with whom he later released “Headlights”, “Give You Love”, “Change Your Mind”, and “Chasing Shadows”. In July 2025, Warren released his debut studio album, You’ll Be Alright, Kid.
Myles Smith
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British singer‑songwriter Myles Smith has become one of the most exciting new voices in the acoustic‑pop space. His warm, raspy vocals and heartfelt lyricism have drawn comparisons to artists like Ed Sheeran and Lewis Capaldi, but Smith’s sound carries a distinctly Gen‑Z sensibility — earnest, intimate, and deeply melodic.
Boasting 21,171,100 monthly listeners on Spotify, Smith’s singles have racked up millions of streams, and his stripped‑back live performances have gone viral for their emotional clarity. Notably, “Stargazing”, which was released in 2024 has garnered 1,078,580,640 Spotify streams, marking the track as one of his most popular titles to date. As he continues to release new music and tour internationally, Smith is living proof that sincerity still has a powerful place in modern pop.
Artemas
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English singer-songwriter Artemas Diamandis has quickly become one of the most talked‑about new artists thanks to his genre‑blurring sound — a mix of alt‑pop with electronic textures, coupled with hypnotic vocal delivery. With 1.49 billion streams on Spotify, his breakout track “i like the way you kiss me” dominated TikTok and global charts, introducing him as a master of minimalist hooks and addictive melodies.
Boasting 15,241,191 monthly listeners on Spotify and a rapidly growing fanbase, Artemas is shaping up to be one of the most influential male pop newcomers of the decade. His aesthetic, sound, and storytelling feel tailor‑made for the digital age, and his momentum shows no signs of slowing.
David Kushner
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Boasting 11,951,901 monthly listeners on Spotify, David Kushner’s baritone voice, moody vocals, and poetic lyricism have carved out a unique space in the pop‑folk landscape. Having amassed 1,712,663,439 streams on Spotify, Kushner’s breakout hit “Daylight” became a global phenomenon, blending spiritual undertones with cinematic production that resonated across generations.
Kushner’s music continues to chart internationally, and his storytelling — which often explores themes of faith, longing, and redemption — has earned him a devoted following on TikTok and beyond, cementing his place as one of the most distinctive new male voices in pop.
Djo
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The musical moniker of Stranger Things actor Joe Keery, Djo has become a cult favourite in the indie‑pop world. The 33-year-old’s psychedelic, synth‑driven sound — showcased in tracks like “End of Beginning” — has earned him critical acclaim and viral success, both on Spotify, where he has 51,417,132 monthly listeners, and on TikTok, where the same track has gone viral. With a dedicated fanbase and a sonic identity that is equally nostalgic and futuristic, Djo has proven that music is so much more than a side project.
2hollis
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An American rapper and music producer with 4 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Hollis Parker Frazier-Herndon, who is better known by his stage name 2hollis, is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting new voices in alternative pop. Known for his airy vocals, glitchy production, and emotionally charged songwriting, his tracks often explore themes of heartbreak, self‑discovery, and digital‑age longing, resonating strongly with Gen‑Z listeners.
Troye Sivan
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While he may already be regarded as a household name, Australian singer-songwriter and actor Troye Sivan’s recent releases have ushered in a new era of artistic maturity. Released in 2023, his album Something to Give Each Other showcased a confident, sensual pop sound that earned him critical acclaim and multiple award nomination, including Best Music Video and Best Dance Pop Recording for “Rush” at the 2024 Grammy Awards. To date, he boasts 18,368,765 monthly listeners on Spotify, a number that reflects his influence among the male pop artists of his generation.
Omar Apollo
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Blending R&B, pop, funk, and Latin influences into a sound that feels effortlessly cool and emotionally rich, Omar Apolonio Velasco, also known as Omar Apollo, counts himself among one of the best new male pop artists to follow in 2026. Released in 2022, his breakout album Ivory earned him a Grammy nomination, and his velvety vocals have become synonymous with his sound, garnering him 10,375,906 monthly listeners on Spotify.
Apollo’s humble beginnings further endear him to listeners and fans, highlighting his struggles in an immigrant family, and his consequent rise to fame. Like many budding musicians of his era, he first began uploading his songs to SoundCloud, before eventually releasing his song “Ugotme” to Spotify in 2017 using USD 30 borrowed from a friend. The track was quickly added to Spotify’s Fresh Finds playlist, and one year later, had garnered over 15 million streams.
Yungblud
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English musician and actor Dominic Richard Harrison, better known by his stage name Yungblud, stands at the intersection of pop, punk, and alt‑rock, bringing a rebellious energy that has resonated with millions. His theatrical performances, emotional honesty, and genre‑bending sound have earned him a fiercely loyal fanbase, and today, he has 10,956,459 monthly listeners on Spotify. His list of influences include top names in the music industry, including Arctic Monkeys, The Cure, Nirvana, Avril Lavigne, My Chemical Romance, Lady Gaga, Lorde, Post Malone, Kanye West, Eminem, and more.
In 2026, Yungblud received three Grammy award nominations, including Best Rock Performance for his cover of Black Sabbath’s “Changes”, which he won, and Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album for “Zombie” and Idols, respectively.
(Main and featured images: Sombr/Instagram, Benson Boone/Instagram, Alex Warren/Instagram)
This article first appeared here
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
