In 2025, the UK’s music scene is a sublime, bubbling broth made up of many ingredients. It’s rich with the flavour of countless genres, each thriving in their own right. Pop, rap, rave, R&B, jazz, jungle, neo-soul, indie, electronic, you name it – in every corner we have world-class pioneers leading the way and, simultaneously, ripping up the rule book. Featured inside 10 Magazine Issue 74, a portfolio of musicians all vary in age, genre, background, sexuality and stages of career. What they share, however, is self-assuredness, determination and confidence.
As someone who has interviewed many musicians over the years, it’s obvious when an artist doesn’t yet have faith in their own work. After speaking to each of the following rising stars, I found it refreshing to have come across a group of 10 artists, all dramatically different. who so clearly know themselves and what they want. They’re even going as far as to set boundaries and take the necessary time to pause between projects. Whether it’s JGrrey moving to the coast, Nabihah Iqbal heading to the Catskills for a two-month artist retreat or Cari taking a moment of reflection by revisiting the shop she once worked in, these artists are making the music that they want to make, when they want to make it. Oh, and they all happen to be women. Best get to know them now before you have to scramble for arena tickets – if anyone can do it, it’s this bunch.
Cari wears top by DKNY, jeans & OTHER STORIES, coat URBAN OUTFITTERS
Being a full-time singer is still a new concept to Cari. A year ago, she was working as a technician at Apple. “I left the job and the next week I signed a deal. [But] I was still working there because I hadn’t finished my notice period,” she tells me. “It’s been crazy!” It only really sunk in when she went back to that store recently, this time as a customer, not an employee.
A few months on from leaving, Cari released three singles, Bleeding, Colder in June and Over & Over – all delicate R&B records that showcase her enchanting and crystal-clear vocal range. Surprisingly, she isn’t the only former Apple employee to have left the role to pursue creative endeavours: “We were encouraged to have passions outside of the role. There are a few people who are no longer there because they went to chase their dreams,” she says.
Now, every morning, Cari wakes up in her Shepherd’s Bush home, journals and starts writing music. When we speak, she’s jumping between four new tracks, trying to finish each one. It helps that she grew up in a musical household. Her mother is an R&B obsessive and her father is a DJ and owned a record shop. Her gran also had a major influence, taking her to church and introducing her to the likes of gospel singers Marvin Sapp and Kirk Franklin. Though her sound is a concoction of influences from her upbringing, she still sought to discover her “own stride”.
Taken from 10 Magazine Issue 74 – MUSIC, TALENT, CREATIVE – on newsstands now. Order your copy here.
SOUNDS OF THE UK
Portrait ANNA STOKLAND
Text ISOBEL VAN DYKE
Make-up STEPH OFORI
Fashion assistant GEORGIA EDWARDS
Production ZAC APOSTOLOU and SONYA MAZURYK
