9 On-the-Rise Beauty Muses in Hip-Hop and R&B

Long before “influencer” was a buzzword or a profession, Black women were shaping culture through hip-hop and R&B music. From Diana Ross’s glamorous hair and makeup in the ’60s to Lil’ Kim’s colorful designer wigs in the ’90s, Black artists’ impact on beauty and fashion has spanned decades. However, despite being sources of inspiration to all, Black women in music have constantly faced challenges in their pursuit of being cultural trendsetters and chart-toppers, often not being credited as innovators and not receiving the same support in the industry as their white counterparts.

The intersectionality of Black womanhood plus the pressures of being a musician make being a performer not for the faint of heart. This sentiment rings true for Black entertainers of decades past, and it especially applies to today’s generation of artists who are trying to navigate their careers in real life and online. “There is this substantial pressure, specifically on Black women,” Todd White, the fashion stylist behind some of Megan Thee Stallion’s and Latto’s most iconic moments, tells Byrdie. “Social media has made it so these women have to excel in all forms to build an audience. There’s this idea that they must be fashion icons, philanthropists, awesome leaders, and make no mistakes.” 

To White’s point, outside the constant push for new music, these mavens are tasked with looking and selling the part in hopes of becoming their fans’ go-to sources for music, fashion, and beauty cues. Scot Louie, a New York-based stylist and tastemaker who has worked with talent like Lil’ Kim and Ryan Destiny, acknowledges several layers go into a musician’s image in this era. “Let’s call a spade a spade; music certainly isn’t as profitable as it once was,” Louie says. “Besides selling their sound, artists are often coerced to become influencers in beauty and fashion because these industries are very profitable.” 

Though the hurdles are apparent, Black women in hip-hop and R&B continue to rise above them and shine, providing us with feel-good music and ample beauty and fashion inspiration. In 2024, there are several on-the-rise muses charting their own path in the industry, and they deserve to be spotlighted. Ahead, we’re highlighting nine next-generation artists inspiring us musically and aesthetically.

Mariah the Scientist 

Mariah the Scientist is an R&B artist who has quickly confirmed she’s an all-around It girl. Known for her hopeless-romantic love songs and impeccable fashion looks, the musician has all the qualities of a muse. Her latest album, To Be Eaten Alive, is a passionate tale of her love life with nostalgic lyrics that every romanticist relates to. 

Mariah got her start in music while in college. On a pre-med track at St. John’s College, the former biology student (hence the stage name) found that she could only communicate with her then-boyfriend through a song she wrote and recorded herself. The track eventually reached Soundcloud and kicked off her career. Three studio albums later, the rest is history. 

Aside from her viral records, the Atlanta-born singer is also known for serving looks—her style combines femme-fatale fashion with rockstar girlfriend. A quick search of her name on TikTok or Instagram will highlight her slew of fan pages and tutorials dedicated to DIY-ing her looks. Her approach to beauty is equally mesmerizing, featuring signatures like soft glam makeup and jet-black hair.

Amaarae

Amaarae is a rising star in the music world, garnering attention for the experimental attitude she embraces in her music and appearance. Born Ama Serwah Genfi, the Ghanaian American artist fuses Afro beats and pop in her work, combining her experiences living in New York, Accra, and Atlanta. Though 30-year-old Genfi is in the spotlight now, the artist’s success didn’t happen overnight. 

While her first EP, Passionfruit Summers, was released in 2017, the singer-songwriter spent years perfecting her craft before her 2023 album, Fountain Baby, blew up. With the latter project surpassing a billion streams and tours with Sabrina Carpenter and Childish Gambino in her portfolio, Amaarae is experiencing much-deserved recognition. 

Genfi has also established herself as one to watch when it comes to beauty, often wearing her auburn brown hair in different slicked-back or braided styles—bohemian knotless has quickly become her signature. She also never graces the stage or special appearance without her classic lip combo—black liner and gloss.

Doechii

Doechii is a singer and rapper who cemented her status in the music game through social media. Her smash hit “What It Is” reached peak virality on TikTok and became certified Platinum. The 25-year-old dynamic artist’s unique sound has made her the face of “editorial rap,” a blend of house and rap music. Her distinct musicality has led her to collaborate with like-minded artists, including Rico Nasty, JT, and Smino. 

Doechii’s persona oozes confidence and creativity, which is readily reflected in her beauty and style choices. Her aesthetic can best be described as Afrofuturism meets Y2K indie sleaze. Her looks are every bit eclectic and exciting—spanning everything from skinny brows and rainbow eye shadow to mini Bantu knots and punk-rock ponytails.

Monaleo

Houston has long been the birthplace of groundbreaking female artists (Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion, to name a few), and Monaleo is the city’s latest rap sensation. The 23-year-old, whose real name is Leondra Roshawn Gay, has a glamorous look and Southern charm, but her lyrics are blunt and hard-hitting. 

The Texas MC landed on the industry’s radar in 2021, as her single “Beating Down Yo Block” gained attention online. Since then, Monaleo has garnered endless praise from her music peers, and her fan base has rapidly grown (she has one million followers on TikTok alone). The rapper released her first studio album, Where the Flowers Don’t Die, in 2023 and is set to go on tour with Don Toliver later this year.

When it comes to her beauty and fashion footprint, fans of the performer have fallen in love with her cool-girl style that exudes a distant Texan flair. Pink has become one of the key colors associated with Monaleo’s brand, and she often incorporates it into her clothing, makeup, and hair. With her hairstyles alone, she’s experimented with everything from a black-and-pink mullet to a two-tone pink bob. Having become a source of inspiration, Monaleo has positioned herself at the intersection of music and beauty by regularly posting GRWM and vlog-style videos on TikTok, underscoring the accessibility and relatability factor that has become so important for modern artists. 

Latto 

Latto, born Alyssa Michelle Stephens, has steadily risen to superstardom since her preteen years. Many of us came to know her in 2016 through Jermaine Dupri’s reality series, The Rap Game, which featured child rappers competing for a record deal on Dupri’s label. At 25 years old, the Georgia-born rapper has more than proven herself a gifted emcee, with her discography being the ultimate testament to that. Her most successful single, “Big Energy,” peaked at number three on the Billboard charts, and Mariah Carey joined Latto on the remix. Throughout her career, she’s also collaborated with powerhouses like Cardi B, Chloe Bailey, Jennifer Lopez, and Christina Aguilera.

As far as beauty and style go, Latto has become known for her sexy Southern bombshell aesthetic. She proudly shows off her curves in skintight designer outfits and accompanies her looks with equally alluring makeup and hair looks. One scroll through her Instagram, and you’ll notice her affinity for sultry soft glam and gorgeous blonde balayage.

Flo Milli

Flo Milli’s sound is easily identifiable as her tagline, “Flo Milli Sh*t,” kicks off every beat before she raps—and sometimes sings—fearless, energetic lyrics that float and sting at the same time. The Alabama-born rapper has steadily climbed the ranks in hip-hop, each of her tracks going more viral than the last. Her 2019 single, “In the Party,” went Platinum, and her latest track, “Never Lose Me,” earned her first entry on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. In an industry where colorism runs rampant, the 24-year-old’s ascension to the forefront of female rap is refreshing and needed. 

Aside from music, it’s clear the rap sensation is passionate about expressing herself through her personal style. When you scroll through her Instagram, it’s easy to see she’s particularly fond of switching up her hairstyles, effortlessly alternating between jet-black, flippy bobs to lengthy, light pink curls. Everything about Flo Milli—from her hair to her outfits—makes her feel like your cool older sister. She’s fly, confident, and beautiful. The best part? She’s just getting started.

Coi Leray

Coi Leray has cemented herself as a hitmaker with two Grammy nominations and Platinum-certified songs like “Players” under her belt. Her music is alluring for its edgy, underground roots and high-pitched rhymes—and her talents have allowed her to collaborate with everyone from Nicki Minaj to David Guetta.

Leray is not only a force to be reckoned with in music but also in beauty. Her influence is especially undeniable when it comes to hair trends. The 27-year-old has often rocked jumbo knotless braids with curly ends throughout her career, and the style has since been coined “Coi Leray Braids” by fans and copied countless times. And lately, she’s been showcasing the beautiful versatility of curly pixie cuts, as she “big chopped” in 2023.

Her point of view on fashion is just as noteworthy, as her vibe sways between tomboy chic and high-fashion glamour—you may catch her in baggy jeans one minute and a fitted gown the next. From her sense of style to her catchy records, Leray imprints her authenticity and swagger across everything she does, making it exciting to watch her moves in the industry.

Ryan Destiny 

When we think of a modern triple threat, Ryan Destiny is at the forefront of our minds. She’s been pursuing a music career since her pre-teen years, entering the industry in a girl group before going solo. As a recording artist, Destiny has developed a sultry, soulful sound reminiscent of the ’90s and 2000s R&B style we all love. Press play on any of the 29-year-old’s singles, like 2023’s “Lie Like That” or 2024’s “How Your Hands Feel,” and you’ll be hooked on her vocals. 

While building her music catalog, Destiny has simultaneously maintained a footprint in the acting world. She starred as one of the leads in Lee Daniels’ Star—which aired from 2016 to 2019—and booked a recurring role in season three of Grown-ish. In December of this year, she’ll star on the big screen in The Fire Inside, a film about Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, the first American woman to win the Gold medal in Olympic boxing.

When she’s not recording music or stepping in front of the camera, Destiny is immersed in fashion and beauty. A frequenter of fashion shows and red carpets, it’s clear the multihyphenate has impeccable taste in clothing, always showcasing edgy yet elevated looks. Her curated sense of style has not gone unnoticed by the industry either—she inked a partnership with PacSun in 2022 to create several collections. 

Destiny’s approach to beauty is similarly stunning, with her makeup and hair always having a timeless, glamorous feel. As a known beauty enthusiast, the entertainer has served as the celebrity ambassador of Black Opal and recently worked with Mac Cosmetics to create a limited-edition lip combo kit. With so many projects up her sleeve, we’re eager to see what’s next for the talented actress and singer. 

Serayah

After her impeccable tribute to Aaliyah at the 2024 Essence Fest, all eyes should be on Serayah. The actress-singer-dancer is truly a powerhouse, with nearly 10 years of experience on her résumé. She sprang onto the scene in 2015 through her role as Tiana on Empire and has continued to land television and film projects, like Wu-Tang: An American Saga. Simultaneously, Serayah has built up her music catalog, releasing two EPS and several singles. Her voice has a soulful, melodic tone that captures her love for R&B and hip-hop—new releases like “Damaged Goods” and “TYT” show off her beautiful vocals. 

Throughout her career, we’ve also come to know Serayah for her “around-the-way-girl” image. Her outfits showcase an equal affinity for casual streetwear looks and special-occasion couture pieces. Beauty is at the core of Serayah’s image, too. From blonde pixie cuts to jet-black blunt bobs, she’s always playing with her look in a way that feels cutting-edge.