Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Class of 2022 has been announced and its music category is stacked with young artists reaching industry standard-setting heights through their work. Joining the annual list this year are Olivia Rodrigo, Willow Smith, Fletcher, Remi Wolf, Chelsea Cutler, and more.
The list, ran with the tagline “What the future sounds like and the people making it happen,” was assembled from a panel of judges that included Miley Cyrus, Justin Lubliner, Tayla Parx, and Phil Quist.
“Fewer artists have had a bigger 2021 than teenage pop superstar Olivia Rodrigo. The Disney actress’s first album ‘Sour’ solidified its spot as America’s favorite breakup album, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200,” Forbes wrote of 18-year-old Olivia Rodrigo.
“For her success and reach, Rodrigo was featured in a White House vaccine PSA alongside President Joe Biden, won three MTV VMAs including Best New Artist, and has been nominated for seven 2022 Grammy Awards.”
Smith, 21, was recognized for the release of her fourth studio album Lately I Feel Everything in July which features tracks with Tierra Whack and Avril Lavigne.
Forbes also highlighted pop musician Fletcher, 27, who reimagined the Katy Perry classic “I Kissed A Girl” on the recently released single “girls girls girls,” through the lens of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Forbes 30 under 30. I have tears of gratitude as I write this,” Fletcher wrote on social media. “Here’s to the power of manifesting your reality, believing in yourself, and following exactly where your heart wants to be. Thank you [Forbes Under 30]. Honored is an understatement. I cried.”
This year’s list of musicians defies genre. Also featured are R&B stars Giveon and Tinashe, hip-hop powerhouses Jack Harlow, Baby Keem, and Lil Durk as well as category-blurring artists like The Kid Laroi and Iann Dior.
“The Under 30 community continues to be a true meritocracy that reflects the America we live in today,” says Alexandra Wilson, Editor, Forbes Under 30.
“Despite the continued challenges posed by the pandemic and social inequities here in the United States, these young innovators are committed to trailblazing a path forward that benefits us all.”