TIME has unveiled its 2026 TIME100 Next, highlighting 100 emerging figures whose influence is already shaping culture, entertainment, business and society. Among the honorees are seven names from music, with sombr recognized as a Phenom, while Alex Warren, Conan Gray, PinkPantheress and Megan Moroney appear in Artists, RAYE is named among the Leaders, and Troye Sivan joins the Advocates.
The annual list, launched in 2019 as a companion to TIME’s flagship TIME100, is divided into five categories: Phenoms, Artists, Leaders, Innovators and Advocates. Rather than waiting for people to reach the established peak of their careers, TIME100 Next focuses on figures whose influence is accelerating now, with established cultural figures contributing personal tributes to the honorees.
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For RAYE, the recognition adds another major chapter to a year defined by artistic and commercial momentum. The South London singer-songwriter completed a 51-date tour in 2026 and released the No. 1 album This Music May Contain Hope, following years of building her career after leaving her former label situation and going independent. Her 2023 debut My 21st Century Blues has surpassed two billion Spotify streams, while “Escapism” reached No. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart and “Where Is My Husband!” later topped the same chart. Anya Taylor-Joy contributed RAYE’s TIME100 Next tribute.
Conan Gray is recognized in the Artists category, with Olivia Rodrigo writing his tribute. The Texas-born singer-songwriter first developed his audience through YouTube before turning deeply personal songwriting into a global pop career, with tracks including “Heather,” “Maniac,” “People Watching” and “The Cut That Always Bleeds” becoming defining entries in his catalog. His inclusion follows another major year surrounding the Wishbone era and its accompanying world tour.
PinkPantheress joins Gray among the Artists, with Kelela contributing her tribute. The British singer and producer has continued to blur the lines between bedroom pop, dance music and mainstream radio, turning short-form, sample-driven production into a distinctive pop language. Her 2026 visibility has also included a strong MTV Video Music Awards presence and the success of her “Stateside” collaboration with Zara Larsson.
Megan Moroney is also named an Artist, with Tate McRae writing about her rise. The country singer has built a growing mainstream audience through sharply detailed songwriting and a distinctly conversational approach. Alex Warren rounds out the Artists category among the major music names. Following his early social-media success, Warren developed a songwriting career that produced the global hit “Ordinary,” helping propel him from creator culture into major pop venues.
Sombr, meanwhile, lands in the Phenoms category, with Stella McCartney contributing his tribute. The New York singer-songwriter, born Shane Michael Boose, has rapidly expanded his audience through songs including “undressed” and “Back to Friends,” while his debut album I Barely Know Her and the You Are the Reason Tour have pushed his career toward increasingly large venues.
Troye Sivan’s inclusion in the Advocates category adds another dimension to this year’s music representation, recognizing an artist whose influence extends beyond releases and performances. Broadway vocalist Joshua Henry is also honored among the Artists, with Lin-Manuel Miranda contributing his tribute, giving the music contingent an even broader range of genres and creative disciplines.
Photo: Aliyah Otchere
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