23 Rising Artists to Watch in 2023

JELEEL! might not yet have the support of Serious Art Critics, but he’s winning over kids around the world, and for good reason. Go to one of his shows and you’ll see it with your own eyes—he’s one of the most electric live performers on the rise right now, and the frenzied reaction of hundred of fans only amplifies the experience.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way: JELEEL!’s popularity is in large part due to some things outside of the music. He does backflips (like, extreme backflips), he’s built like a military weapon, and one look at his TikTok or Instagram page will suck you into a world of character development. At this stage, it’s almost like being a fan of a professional wrestler. All of that Real Raw Energy© translates in the music—even if it’s not the deepest connection through song that you’ll ever feel, it’s fun.

But there’s more to JELEEL!, and that’s where things could get really interesting. In person, JELEEL! is soft-spoken, thoughtful, and kind. Just a handful of years ago, he was houseless in Los Angeles, busking and relentlessly trying to catch a break. By all accounts, he remains one of the most disciplined, hard-working artists in the industry.

“There’s so much more to me musically and as a human than what I’ve become known for and I’m excited to show the whole Jeleel to the world,” he tells us. “I’m actually a really shy and compassionate person. People see the viral videos and think I’m on drugs, or steroids, or I’m just crazy, but there’s a lot more to me than my build and my antics and I plan on showing those other sides of me more in 2023.”

Those antics may be what initially draws so many people to JELEEL!, but it only works because his music keeps them coming back. Lyrically, he mostly sticks to the script, but he’s making some interesting choices musically—high voltage production, sticky hooks and melodic flows that stretch the boundaries of his voice, and sturdy songwriting that would work even if taken out of context.

In 2023, JELEEL! is planning to release his debut album and go on tour. All signs point to a breakout year. If JELEEL! is able to reveal some depth beyond his persona and integrate that into the songs he’s making, he could evolve into one of the most magnetic superstars in music. But even if he continues cranking out adrenaline-inducing anthems about rocking, vibing, and riding the wave, he’s making this world a little more entertaining.

“I just want to make a huge impact on people and leave the world better than how I found it,” he says. “Whenever I am able to do that, I feel whole, like I’m fulfilling my purpose.”—Jacob Moore