RAYE, Sombr, Troye Sivan, Conan Gray & More Musicians Named to 2026 TIME100 Next
Billboard ·
The annual list spotlights artists making their mark across pop music.
From bedroom songwriting to global stages, a handful of rising musicians are getting their names highlighted with TIME .
TIME revealed its 2026 TIME100 Next list Wednesday (Sept. 30), underscoring 100 emerging leaders across entertainment, sports, business, science, politics and other fields. Among this year’s honorees are seven musicians: RAYE , Troye Sivan , PinkPantheress , Megan Moroney , Conan Gray , Alex Warren and sombr .
The list consists of artist who are definitely making their mark in today’s current pop music world, carving out their places in the spotlight. RAYE, who appears on one of the issue’s three worldwide covers, is set to perform at the TIME100 Next event in New York on Oct. 29.
Adding an extra layer of star power to the recognition, TIME paired each honoree with a guest contributor to write about their work and influence. With cover girl RAYE, Anya Tayor-Joy spoke to how special the singer-songwriter — who was the cover star for Billboard ‘s Indie Power Players issue in June — is as an artist. “She has that rare ability to make something deeply personal feel universal, turning heartbreak, humor and hard-won honesty into music that reaches straight through you,” penned the actress. “RAYE has fought for her voice in every sense, and perhaps that’s why we believe her when she sings. There’s no distance between the woman and the artist. She is all heart, all soul — all RAYE.”
For Gray, that contributor is longtime friend and fellow pop musician Olivia Rodrigo , who recalled watching him perform “Family Line” in London and being moved by the song’s ability to transform such a painful experience into something that could make fans feel understood.
Rodrigo also mentioned what their friendship is like offstage, joking that Gray was her “husband in another life” and recalling how he once visited her home, brought groceries, cleaned and did her laundry. Her tribute came down to one thing, and one thing only: She hopes that he keeps sharing his musical gift with the world.
Troye Sivan received a tribute from another pop heavyweight, Kylie Minogue , who described him as a quintessential 2020s pop star and celebrated his evolution as an artist. Minogue also nodded to their shared Australian roots, calling Sivan a “beaut” of Australia and praising the way his music has connected with fans worldwide.
Meanwhile, fashion designer Stella McCartney penned sombr’s tribute, connecting the young artist’s musical upbringing and praising his ability to turn those influences into something that is vastly his own. She described him as representing what excites her about the next generation of creatives.
The seven musicians join a broader group of actors, athletes, artists, business leaders and other emerging figures recognized by TIME this year. The TIME100 Next list is not ranked.
See RAYE’s cover below: