Many of the artists we include on these Best New Artists lists are the kind of acts that build awareness with a slow drip, steadily pooling together an audience over years of releases and moments. SoFaygo, on the other hand, is just getting started and already spilling over. His Lil Tecca-produced track “Knock Knock” caught the TikTok algorithm, and since then he’s been on fire. SoFaygo has the unpredictability (and the high notes) of Young Thug, but the Cobb County, Georgia newcomer welcomes the chaotic, lo-fi energy of Playboi Carti at times, and also wields the kind of melodic songwriting that cut through on Trippie Redd’s biggest hits. He’s already earned that Trippie Redd co-sign, as well as the attention of heavy hitters like Travis Scott and Lil Yachty. At only 19 years old, SoFaygo is an explosive newcomer, but he’s been cultivating this moment for the majority of his lifetime. He recorded his first song in fourth grade, and he spent the years after teaching himself to produce, mix, and master music in GarageBand. The last year has been a flurry of activity, with a project called Angelic 7 produced entirely by Lil Tecca, as well as another called After Me that featured triumphant SoundCloud favorite “Off The Map.” In times this uncertain, we’re seeing a lot of predictions about the next big things in music, from a lyrical renaissance to a hyperpop rap wave. It’s fun to guess, but the safest bet is that it’s going to be a combination of it all—a hybrid of every style and trend we’ve seen thrive in the last few years. That’s where SoFaygo comes in.