Shazam just dropped its Fast Forward list for 2026, spotlighting over 60 emerging artists poised for a breakthrough year. The curated selection includes K-pop group CORTIS, Alabama country singer Kashus Culpepper, and Irish rock band Florence Road. Apple also released an accompanying Apple Music playlist, offering listeners a chance to discover new talent before they hit the mainstream.

Apple describes the project as a predictive tool, using millions of daily song identification requests to spot tomorrow's heavy hitters. The data comes from everywhere—TikTok clips, car commercials, and random discoveries in the wild. Editors review the findings to build this diverse, global roster. Previous lists correctly predicted stars like Benson Boone and Ice Spice.

Apple acquired Shazam in 2018, deeply integrating the song ID tool across its ecosystem. This annual initiative leverages that data pipeline to benefit Apple Music subscribers. It’s a strategic move to position the tech giant as a tastemaker in the music industry. The list serves as a discovery engine, giving unknown artists a massive platform before they break wide open.