Editor’s Note: This is a staff-sourced article. We feel this list is extremely difficult to calculate as there are too many factors at play. We allow our staff to submit their favorite choices and voice their explanations.
Whether it’s notable releases with established labels, massive performances at high-profile events and venues, or any combination of various milestones and accomplishments, there are a lot of factors that constitute what makes someone a breakout artist.
While that seems pretty straightforward, one can’t but wonder what the word “breakout” means. The true definition of the word breakout as defined by Webster’s Dictionary is…”A sudden advance to a new level.” While that may seem basic, it opens the door to any level of breakout success. When you read this list, try to keep that in mind. This is nothing more than a collection of artists whom our staff deems worthy of a sudden advancement.
As all of their careers continue to flourish into 2024, we take a moment to examine one of the most accomplished years in the lives of these 15 artists. if you want to reference our past years, you can check out those here. 2020, 2021, 2022.
Bou
Whether it was the US debut at Submersion Festival, smashing the DNB stage at Apocalypse, sold-out stops in multiple cities, a smash solo release, or various collab hits with Chase & Status, Hedex, & more, Bou has most definitely earned his selection as a breakout artist of 2023.
Nominated by Staff Writer Devin Dees
Chmura
2023 was an incredibly busy year for the low-end, Denver-based artist Chmura. Aside from a well-deserved headlining slot at SHIFT Thursdays in March, Chmura headlined and debuted in several cities, played world-renowned festivals like Lightning in a Bottle and Electric Forest, and opened for artists like CloZee and LSDream. Along with various close collaborators, such as Lowcation and Comisar, Chmura launched Qualia Collective in 2023.
Nominated by Staff Writer Julia Condon
Crawdad Sniper
In 2023, Crawdsniper released not one, not two, but three incredibly decorated EPs – two of which with highly coveted labels; The Rust and Colony Productions. For that reason alone, the Maryland local was in contention for being a 2023 breakout artist, but it was his showstopping skills at several high-profile events that secured his nomination.
While 2023 included notable supporting slots for names like Mickman, Kursa, and Duffrey, Crawdad Sniper showed he could handle the heat as a headliner in various major markets. As far as festival appearances go, he laid it down at Infrasound Equinox, Submersion, Sound Haven, and even Elements Festival, the latter of which underscores the duality of his mainstream and underground appeal.
Other 2023 Crawdad Sniper releases, such as a handful of system-ripping bootlegs, exemplify an artist who is not afraid to take chances and wants to experiment with his sound. It’s for his boldness in the studio, production rate, and unhinged performance capabilities that Crawdad Sniper gets the nod for River Beats’ 2023 breakout artist list.
Nominated by Staff Writer & Editor Maximilian Vanegas
Duffrey
The shred lord and founding member of Ultrasloth known as Duffrey has been a massive presence in the left-field bass scene for years – but 2023 was untouchable. While he began the year embarking on his first proper tour, which in part was alongside Daily Bread for the Invisible Cinema run, he finished it with even more sky-ascending leaps for his career.
Secret Dreams, Envision Festival, Infrasound, and Submersion were just a few of the festivals he laid his sonic style upon while other noteworthy shows include support for Papodosio and STS9 (Red Rocks – Downtempo set). While we might be biased, one of our favorite 2023 performances of his was the four corner Funktion One shootout with Ultrasloth for SHIFT Thursdays. Downtempo, uptempo, you name it, Duffrey gets it done in multiple dimensions.
Release-wise, Duffrey’s Legend Of The Alley Cat EP and a few highly-praised singles, including a smashing collab with Omnist and an unparalleled remix in Mr. Bill’s Phantasmorgorical, cemented him as a breakout artist of 2023.
Nominated by Staff Writer & Editor Maximilian Vanegas
Hamdi
Hamdi has had an insane year for himself. After getting his US visa, there was no stopping him. We’ve seen two EP releases, appearances at some of the biggest festivals in the world, and multiple highly sought-after anthems like “Counting,” “Swing King” with Cesco, and various unreleased collabs with Skrillex and Peekaboo. Hamdi also had multiple tour legs across North America, Canada, and the UK this year which goes to show his wide-spread appeal and why he is without a doubt a 2023 breakout artist.
Nominated by Staff Writer James Church
IMANU
IMANU’s 2023 Paradise was one of The Top Albums of 2023, and for good reason. Blending elements of trap and industrial bass, the LP includes collaborations with Zeds Dead, Glitch Mob, lia, and Rhode, as well as 4 new records.
Nominated by Staff Writer & Editor Sean Schmidt
Levity
Straight from Electric Forest, right onto your feed. This one is a late entry, but for good reason. Their viral hit “Flip It” took every set by storm in late 2023. With their social media being a massive push for fan engagement, Levity has figured out a formula that works for them.
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Nominated by Staff Writer & Editor Sean Schmidt
Mary Droppinz
In a year that consisted of nearly non-stop touring, Mary Droppinz made appearances at Countdown NYE, Electric Zoo, Northern Nights, and LIB Fest just to name a few. Aside from performances, the LA-based artist dropped tracks with All We Have Is Now, Altered States, Repopulate Marz in addition to several other notable releases, such as a jaw-dropping remix for Destructo.
Mary Droppinz has already announced a tour to bring her into the new year with the first date occurring just this past weekend. For her non-stop live action and bottomless pit of energy she brings to her efforts, Mary Droppinz is one of our 2023 breakout artists.
Nominated by Staff Writer Bailie Posten
Mau P
A massive tour, which included performances at III Points, Beyond Wonderland, and Space Miami, in addition to releases with Afterlife, Off The Grid, and Insomniac, has earned Mau P a spot on our list of 2023 breakout artists.
Nominated by Staff Writer Kelsie James
Parkbreezy
Reminiscent of a perfect, sunny day spent relaxing without responsibilities, Denver-based Parkbreezy’s music is designed to put you in a good mood. Parkbreezy’s chilled-out style, hip-hop flips, singles, and collaborations with artists like pheel., have solidified the producer’s spot in the scene for years to come.
2023 brought multiple festival stops and support slots for the hard-working artist including at Submersion and Infrasound. Parkbreezy looks to keep the momentum going into 2024 with plenty of good vibes alongside Late Night Radio and Sunsquabi for a few of select tour dates.
Nominated by Staff Writer Julia Condon
Of The Trees
Of The Trees has found huge success this year. He had a few big releases with “Muscaria,” the “Everglade March” VIP, as well as the Barclay Crenshaw collab, “Blue Mile.” In addition to wielding an incredibly prominent presence within the 2023 festival circuit, Of The Trees also started a label, Memory Palace, which has already boasted a series of coveted releases.
Nominated by Staff Writer James Church
Sultan + Shepard
This duo is on a melodic house rocket ship to the moon. Their 2023 album “Forever, Now,” really pushes the genre into a new spectrum. With a new LP and live tour already planned for 2024, expect Sultan + Shepard to be headlining several major venues in the next 12-24 months.
Nominated by Staff Writer & Editor Sean Schmidt
Tape B
2023 was the year Tape B became a household name for bass music enthusiasts. Known for skillfully blending old and new school hip hop and experimental bass, the producer embarked on a well-received headlining tour in 2023 that included two sold-out nights at Ogden Theater in Denver.
Phase two of his headlining tour begins with a stop across the border in Toronto and continues well into the new year with 18 confirmed shows.
Nominated by Staff Writer Julia Condon
Ternion Sound
Not only did 2023 see some massive festival sets by Ternion Sound, it also saw the group coheadline the “Found Spaces” tour with The Widdler. We were also treated to the release of their debut album, Digital Artifice, which totes an impressive 26 tracks spanning multiple styles. It’s for these reasons that Ternion Sound has established themselves as a breakout artist/group in 2023, specifically in the 140 realm.
Nominated by Staff Writers Devin Dees & James Church
Thought Process
Where to even begin with the year that Thought Process just had. Rising in popularity during a time when fans were looking to fill a gap left by Pretty Lights, Thought Process has become a mainstay in the chasms of electro-soul and trip-hop – particularly in the last year. In addition to playing at PL’s Cavern’s stop in a very full-circle moment, 2023 included plays at Sound Haven, TNF 5, Resonate Suwannee, and Submersion to name a few.
The past year also included lots of action with the all:Lo Collective crew such as a vibe-providing takeover at Secret Dreams and various gigs with Groovsauce. As far as releases go, Thought Process began the year with his most exploratory body of work yet; the Always In Changing Form EP. Cashing out on a few gutsy risks while also relying on his trademark resonance, the EP further pushed him into the eyes of fans seeking a soulful sonic melody that only he can accomplish.
The fact that Thought Process can keep up with so many side projects and collaborations while remaining so successful in his solo endeavors is why he is a breakout artist of 2023.