This article was created in partnership with Highkey Enterprises.
Music fills our souls with hope, inspiration, and comfort. Highkey Enterprises Top Artists of 2023 exemplify these traits and have conquered the music world by rising above all the noise and rejection.
This article is created celebrate the visionary artists who have fearlessly carved their own path in this tightly competitive industry, propelling them to the forefront of the music world in 2023. Join us as we explore the stories of these extraordinary individuals who have dared to be different, leaving an indelible mark on the global music landscape and inspiring generations to come.
GhostLuv Me
GhostLuvMe can trace his musical journey back to two pivotal moments from his childhood when he was 10 years old. The first was when he started learning to play the flamenco guitar, eventually leading him to create his music. The second moment was a tragic one, where he lost his mother and two sisters to gun violence. This event gave him a unique perspective on life, a source of inspiration for his rap name, and an insurance claim that helped finance his music career.
Born and raised in Broward County, Florida, GhostLuvMe moved to Los Angeles in 2017 to pursue his music career. However, he soon realized the city was geared more toward established artists than those trying to make a name for themselves. Nevertheless, his time in L.A. allowed him to work with renowned producer Scott Storch on developing his sound.
After his brief stint in L.A., GhostLuvMe moved back to the East Coast, this time to Atlanta. It was here that he achieved a significant milestone in his career with the release of the Ghosttoven tape, a collaborative effort with Zaytoven. Since then, he has collaborated with several artists, including Future, Lil Uzi Vert, Raekwon, and Ghostface Killah.
As a classically trained multi-instrumentalist, GhostLuvMe is highly proficient at playing anything with strings, piano, and drums. He is a prolific music creator, with thousands of songs to his name. While he can assemble, play, and produce his music, he enjoys collaborating with outside producers to add variety to his style. In 2023, he is set to release two tapes, Bohunk and Popstar Degenerate, produced by Brandon Finessin and Tragic, respectively.
Liam McDonald
Liam McDonald, known by his stage name OPLIAM, is a dynamic solo artist and the charismatic frontman of a three-piece rock band out of Chicago. Born and raised amidst the landscapes of Minnesota, Liam was deeply influenced by the region’s rich tradition of Indigenous activism, which ignited his passion for music and social change.
From a young age, Liam set the stage ablaze with his electrifying performances. He made his debut at numerous grassroots Native American environmental events across Minnesota.
Immersing himself in the vibrant Indigenous music scene, Liam had the privilege of sharing stages with renowned bands across the nation, including Grammy award winners Portugal The Man, Gogol Bordello, and The Halluci Nation. He has solidified his presence within the alternative rock community with a unique fusion of blues rock, alternative rock, and reggae influences.
Liam’s music acts as a powerful conduit for his dedication to Indigenous rights and environmentalism. One of his notable compositions, “Land Back,” serves as an anthem for the repatriation of native lands and highlights the connection between Indigenous people and their environment.
Liam has received well-deserved acclaim for his activism efforts. Penguin Random House even approached him to contribute to the esteemed “True History” literary series by writing an Indigenous history book. This opportunity allowed Liam to further amplify Indigenous voices and enlighten readers about the rich tapestry of Indigenous culture and struggles. Liam’s book, “Indigenous America,” received critical acclaim from the coveted “Starred Review” of The School Library Journal.
He’s not stopping there. Liam has just released his 3rd big project entitled “All Roads Are Good.” Wrote while on the road, the new album features a mixture of rock ballads and experimental and acoustic tracks. Recorded during quarantine, the project paints a painful yet beautiful representation of our current times. With each new artistic endeavor, Liam is changing the way we listen to music.
Robbie Tripp
Few artists this year have matched the creative output of viral rapper and internet personality Robbie Tripp. The polarizing Las Vegas artist has been on an impressive run of releases, adding an array of star-studded co-signs and collaborators to his projects.
Tripp made his mainstream debut with his single, “Chubby Sexy,” a catchy body-positive anthem that GQ Magazine crowned a “Moment of the Year” in its annual “Men of the Year” issue. Robbie’s next single, “Luka Doncic,” became a favorite of billionaire Mark Cuban at Dallas Mavericks games. Tripp—a former college basketball dropout—performed the song during the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City.
Robbie Tripp’s true breakout moment as an artist arrived last summer when his Tik Tok viral track “Big Girl Banger” started a global trend of dance trend on the app. The official music video for “Big Girl Banger”—directed and produced by Tripp through his independent media production company, Desert Money—led Flaunt Magazine to refer to Tripp as “the wholesome Post Malone of body positivity.”
In 2023, Tripp shook the hip-hop world with the release of “Basic Bro,” a fiercely energetic single and music video that garnered millions of views across Tripp’s global platforms and spawned viral reactions on popular rap blogs WorldstarHipHop and No Jumper. Tripp followed up with “They Said” featuring BlocBoy JB, securing a massive co-sign from the Memphis rap star known for his song “Look Alive” with Drake, which peaked at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The Las Vegas creator is currently riding the wave of his latest release, highly-anticipated single “I Wanna Have Fun…” produced by Andrew Dawson, a three-time Grammy-award winner and longtime mixing engineer for Kanye West’s best-selling albums.
Tripp tells Billboard: “I’m charged up on a dream!”
Youngest Flexer Alive
Youngest Flexer Alive is a rising music artist from Canada, now based in the vibrant city of Miami, where sunshine and blue skies fuel his creative energy. At 19 years old, this young prodigy is making waves in the music industry with his undeniable talent.
Born and raised in Toronto, Youngest Flexer Alive’s journey to success has been shaped by his passion for music from an early age.
Youngest Flexer Alive’s music resonates with audiences of all ages, capturing hearts with his unique blend of infectious beats and relatable lyrics. His upcoming debut single promises to be a compelling showcase of his talents, and his fans eagerly await its release. Committed to authenticity, he infuses each song with youthful energy and an honest reflection of his life experiences, ensuring a genuine connection with his growing fan base.
As an artist, Youngest Flexer Alive takes immense pride in his independence and creative control. He has actively collaborated with top-notch producers and fellow artists, channeling his vision into a captivating musical journey. The studio has become his sanctuary, where he refines his craft and unleashes his boundless creativity to push the boundaries of his musical expression.
Beyond his musical pursuits, The Youngest Flexer Alive is also focused on building his brand and expanding his reach. Recognizing the significance of connecting with his audience, he has skillfully utilized social media platforms to engage with fans and share glimpses of his artistic process. His presence on Spotify and other online platforms reflects his commitment to making a lasting impact in the music industry.
With unwavering determination and an unwavering drive to succeed, The Youngest Flexer Alive is destined for greatness. As he prepares to release his highly anticipated debut single, excitement and anticipation mount as his infectious energy and innovative approach promise to propel him toward a bright and promising future as an artist and young trailblazer. With the world at his feet, The Youngest Flexer Alive is ready to conquer the hearts of music enthusiasts worldwide and leave an indelible mark on the industry.
Elyrix
Broken dreams can be rebuilt, no matter how shattered. The proof? The person whose work enchanted the masses and earned him a place on this list: the ingenious and incredible musician called Elyrix.
By 17, he’d pocketed his first million, vibing to Rick Ross daily with his friends. But the high-rolling lifestyle of gambling, exclusive clubs, and endless nights out took its toll, draining every dollar. Yet, when many would’ve crumbled, Elyrix dug deep. Fueled by sleepless nights of coding and the beats of Rick Ross’ anthems, he hustled harder than ever. Through it all, the rhythm of music remained his anchor.
His early music provided a raw, unfiltered reflection of his journey. By the third album, collaborations with industry giants took center stage: beats with Atl Jacob, a track alongside Lil Baby, and a powerful feature with the very inspiration for his first million, Rick Ross. With other big-name features peppered throughout, the album showcased Elyrix’s undeniable pull in the music world. And as we await his fourth art piece at the end of the year, it’s evident: Elyrix isn’t just a name on a playlist. He’s an atmosphere, an emotion, a movement.
His fearless exploration across genres keeps listeners on their toes, always anticipating his next move. Each track is a fresh experience, a testament to his innovative spirit.
From Montreal to global stages, Elyrix’s story isn’t just about music. It’s about reinvention, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of one’s passion. Dive into his sound, and you’ll get it: Elyrix isn’t just making music; he’s crafting memories.
