Amazon Music has rolled out its 2026 Artists To Watch campaign with a fresh global twist. This year’s list brings together a single international lineup of 49 emerging artists expected to shape music trends in the year ahead. The move marks a shift from past editions that highlighted artists by country, and puts new talent from different regions on one shared stage.
What’s new in the 2026 edition?
Instead of separate country-by-country rosters, Amazon Music has compiled a unified global list of 49 artists. The change is simple but bold: artists from across continents now sit side by side on the same international platform. For listeners, that means easier discovery. For artists, it means instant, cross-border visibility.
Key points at a glance
- Single global list: 49 artists representing diverse sounds and regions.
- Unified exposure: No more siloed country editions — everyone competes on the same global stage.
- Trend-focused: The artists are chosen for their potential to influence music trends in 2026.
Why this matters for the music scene
The unified list reflects how music itself has become less tied to borders. Streaming platforms and social media already help artists reach global audiences overnight, and this campaign amplifies that effect. Emerging acts included in the list stand to gain playlist placements, curated features, and algorithmic boosts — all of which can accelerate careers.
For the industry, the campaign signals a growing appetite for cross-cultural collaboration. Expect more genre-blending releases, remixes, and international collaborations as new acts find partners and audiences beyond their home markets.
What it means for Indian artists and Bollywood
For Bollywood and the wider Indian music ecosystem, the global approach is a promising development. Indian singers, songwriters and producers who make the list could find fresh opportunities:
- Global discovery: Non-film indie acts and playback singers can reach listeners who might otherwise never hear them.
- Crossovers: Film composers and artists may be invited to collaborate on international remixes or joint singles.
- Sync and licensing: Songs by listed artists might land in web series, films, or ads abroad — opening new revenue paths.
- Festival bookings and tours: Inclusion can lead to invitations to global festivals and supporting slots on international tours.
In short, this campaign could blur the lines between Bollywood playback music and global independent scenes, creating fresh creative exchanges.
How listeners can explore the list
Amazon Music is likely to spotlight these artists through playlists, editorial features, and promotional campaigns on the app. Fans should look out for:
- Curated “Artists To Watch” playlists and radio stations.
- Editorial stories and artist spotlights within the platform.
- Collaborative playlists that mix international names with local favourites.
- Social posts and short-form video clips highlighting new tracks and performances.
Following these channels will be the fastest way to discover new sounds and follow artists as they rise.
Final notes
The 2026 Artists To Watch campaign shows how platforms are evolving to reflect a global music culture. For Bollywood fans and industry insiders alike, this unified list is an exciting bridge to emerging talent from around the world. Keep an ear out — some of these 49 names could be the voices you hear everywhere next year.