8. Ibeyi
Interest in all things Cuba has picked up since the announced “easing of tensions” with the US in December. But twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz, collectively known as Ibeyi, were already buzzing long before then with their unusual blend of traditional Afro-Cuban music, jazz and trippy electronic music. The daughters of famed Cuban conguero Miguel “Angá” Díaz (of Buena Vista Social Club fame), the twins were raised in France, but they’ve channeled their heritage through the incorporation of Yoruba chants still in use in Cuba centuries after being brought over via Nigerian slaves. Ibeyi’s debut album drops on XL Recordings (home of FKA Twigs, Radiohead and Jack White) in February and, judging by the praise they’ve received for singles such as “River” (watch the trippy video below), we expect an enthusiastic response. —Jesse Serwer