{"id":8987,"date":"2022-03-04T01:46:33","date_gmt":"2022-03-04T01:46:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nftandcrypto-news.com\/art\/next-up-22-ones-to-watch-in-2022\/"},"modified":"2022-03-04T01:46:40","modified_gmt":"2022-03-04T01:46:40","slug":"next-up-22-ones-to-watch-in-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nftandcrypto-news.com\/art\/next-up-22-ones-to-watch-in-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Next Up: 22 Ones to Watch in 2022"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In 2021, we witnessed a new creator economy born on the blockchain. Throughout the year, artists have risen to NFT superstardom, billion-dollar brands have been forged in the span of a few months and NFTs have changed lives time and time again. Yet, the most inspiring aspect of the NFT space is the fact that artists of all creeds and mediums have found community, support, and financial security by embracing this technology.<\/p>\n

In keeping with our mission to empower creators, we\u2019re excited to introduce Next Up<\/strong> \u2014 our new franchise dedicated to showcasing rising artists. In our inaugural edition, we curated a list of 22 ascendant talents who are poised to make major waves in 2022. Every month going forward, we\u2019ll also be curating a more intimate Next Up selection to provide a regular platform to up-and-comers across the space.<\/p>\n

Without further ado, nft now\u2019<\/em>s 22 Next Up ones to watch in 2022.<\/p>\n

Alpha Centauri Kid<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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After receiving a coveted XCOPY co-sign, Alpha Centauri Kid captivated the NFT space in October with his record-setting genesis auction on SuperRare for \u201cctrl + alt + generate.\u201d The piece sold to 6529 for 165.29 ETH ($606,568) following a pitched bidding war involving leading collectors like Cozomo de\u2019 Medici and Starry Night Capital. ACK recently made his major auction house debut in the nft now x Christie\u2019s x OpenSea auction with a standout piece called \u201cgirl with balloon\u201d that shockingly transformed into \u201cpepe with balloon\u201d upon its sale in Banksyesque fashion. \u2013 Matt Medved<\/em><\/p>\n

Andre Oshea<\/h3>\n
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Andrea Oshea is a 3D animator and prominent Black crypto artist based in Atlanta, Ga. He\u2019s worked with Snapchat, Adult Swim, Vogue, Netflix, and more, and has described his art as being \u201cinspired by aesthetic beauty, luxury, storytelling, the future and the feeling of limitless moments.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Oshea has released numerous influential pieces throughout 2021, including a tribute to Chadwick Boseman titled A Young Boy\u2019s Dream. To close out the year, his piece Ego Death was sold as part of Christie\u2019s first-ever on-chain auction, presented as part of nft now x Christie\u2019s \u201cThe Gateway\u201d.\u00a0\u2013 <\/em>Langston Thomas<\/em><\/p>\n

Black Dave<\/h3>\n
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Here\u2019s an overview of my latest music NFT and how it’s gonna work, which I think could be an interesting possibility for how music artists use NFT technology in the future.<\/p>\n

Reply here if you have any questions & my DMs are open! pic.twitter.com\/HO5d20lEdJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 blackdave.eth (@BlackDave) December 19, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Black Dave is a visual artist, producer, and recording artist based out of Charleston, S.C. Dave is a prolific creative working on multiple projects across various mediums all at once, citing anime, rap, hardcore rock and streetwear as his biggest creative influences. He\u2019s continued to churn out a wide variety of both music and NFT releases throughout the year, establishing himself as one of the most prominent Black voices in the NFT space. \u2013 LT<\/em><\/p>\n

Cath Simard<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Landscape photography NFTs have enjoyed a renaissance over the past year, empowering a new class of intrepid explorers like Cath Simard. The Sony Alpha ambassador rose to prominence in the space following the 100 ETH ($303,481) sale of her viral #FreeHawaiiPhoto to notable collector GMoney, which became the world\u2019s first image to have its rights released following purchase. Cath is also deep in the NFT space, and when she\u2019s not spelunking through frozen caves and capturing aurora borealis, she can often be found advocating for her favorite project \u2013 the cult classic CryptoDickbutts. \u2013 MM<\/em><\/p>\n

Compusophy<\/h3>\n
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Compusophy is an anonymous artist that melds tech and visual art. Having burst onto the scene towards the beginning of 2021, he first started gaining a following through minimalistic, geometric pieces that many felt were an homage to blue-chip artist Pak.<\/p>\n

After an abrupt disappearance in April that shocked many in his collector community, the enigmatic creator returned to the NFT space and hit the ground running with numerous giveaways, Twitter analytics events<\/a>, and auctions. Having garnered support from numerous prominent crypto artists, it seems likely Compu will continue to outdo himself in 2022. \u2013 LT<\/em><\/p>\n

Diana Sinclair<\/h3>\n
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Diana Sinclair is a 17-year-old critically acclaimed visual artist, activist, and curator. In Nov 2020, she was selected as a 2021 YoungArts National Finalist in Photography and has since easily become a staple of the NFT space.<\/p>\n

Primarily focusing on art that explores identity, self-exploration, and social justice, Sinclair had already built up a robust network of support within the NFT space before making history via their work on OneOf\u2019s Whitney Houston auction. The landmark $999,999 sale not only helped illustrate how NFTs can help bring iconic artists into a new era of music culture, but also elevated Sinclair\u2019s status as an ascendant star. \u2013 LT<\/em><\/p>\n

Drift<\/h3>\n
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Isaac Wright, better known by his moniker Drift, is a photographer who went viral over the past year after being arrested at gunpoint for climbing a skyscraper in his hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally a hobbyist urban explorer, Wright gained notoriety via his pictures atop buildings, bridges and other high-elevation places usually unreachable by a lone human. <\/p>\n

While Wright\u2019s Where My Vans Go photo series has become a highly coveted collection in the NFT space, his art has continued to earn him prosecution for trespassing.\u00a0Yet, as a judge ruled in favor of treatment and no jail time, settling the six felony charges against him, the NFT space as a whole seems to be expecting more groundbreaking photography from him in 2022. \u2013 LT<\/em><\/p>\n

Fiedler<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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One of the most notable artists to come out of the hicetnunc ecosystem on the Tezos blockchain, Fiedler pairs throwback GIF art with neon colors that memorably contrast with his work\u2019s sci-fi\/horror subject matter. The Brazilian artist has become instantly recognizable and now counts luminaries like XCOPY among his collectors. He\u2019s also got a penchant for philanthropy, recently releasing an edition of 100 to help feed needy families in Curitiba. <\/em>\u2013 MM<\/em><\/p>\n

Grelysian<\/h3>\n
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Gossamer Rozen (aka Grelysian) is a non-binary, transgender, Filipino\/African American artist who has continued to push the boundaries of both their physical and digital art in 2021. While Rozen has worked on a wide array of solo and collaborative NFT endeavors (including the popular Woodies project<\/a>) throughout the year, they continue to focus on expressing intimacy and self-actualization through tattooing, woodcarving, textile art, soft sculpture, digital media and more. \u2013 LT<\/em><\/p>\n

Gremplin<\/h3>\n
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Gremplin is a visual artist who started his deep dive into NFTs in January of 2021. After slowly releasing wide variety of pieces and projects, the anonymous artist developed his own signature style through trial and error, gaining popularity in the NFT space.<\/p>\n

After being involved with numerous projects throughout the year \u2014 including the successful Nouns NFT project<\/a> \u2014 the enigmatic creator came out with the now massively popular CrypToadz collection. While Gremplin has only just begun to truly define his own artistic identity in the NFT space, with the seemingly full support of the NFT community at his disposal, exciting new endeavors from the independent creative seem inevitable in 2022. \u2013 LT<\/em><\/p>\n

Heno<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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(1\/6) Over the weekend I silently released a 20ETH crowdfund for my forthcoming project, I’M TIRED OF BEING HYPERSURVEILLED, and we’re already at 3.75ETH ($16,241.44)!!<\/p>\n

I felt the need to write an open letter & thread to talk more about it allhttps:\/\/t.co\/Pkz6Wn5lOg<\/p>\n

\u2014 HENO.eth \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf9\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf7 (@mynameisheno) December 7, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

A first-generation Ethiopian\/Eritrean-American artist and musician whose work focuses on the Black consciousness, Heno channeled his toxic experiences with law enforcement into a fourteen-track album titled \u201cI\u2019m Tired Of Being Hypersurveilled\u201d with an ongoing 20 ETH crowdfund. In October, he performed at the opening of Umba Daima\u2019s Crossroads Exhibition NFT gallery in Atlanta and has been a vocal advocate for Black creatives in the space. \u2013 MM<\/em><\/p>\n

JAKE<\/h3>\n
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Jake Osmun, better known in the NFT space as JAKE, is a music photographer turned crypto artist who has seen continuous success in 2021. Having started out the year with little experience in NFTs, he began his deep dive into the space after winning Punk #5514 from Punk4156 via a Twitter contest<\/a>. Although he was grinding for a good few months to establish a solid foothold in the space, his multimedia pieces have continued to earn him accolades from top-tier artists and collectors. \u2013 LT<\/em><\/p>\n

Julie Pacino<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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NFTs are poised to disrupt the film industry, particularly in helping independent filmmakers crowdfund projects and independently monetize intellectual property. Acclaimed photographer Julie Pacino is a living case study for this new model. She recently released her \u201cKeepers of the Inn\u201d project to finance her forthcoming feature film, I Live Here Now<\/em>, which is based on her cinematic genesis NFT photography collection by the same name. \u2013 MM<\/em><\/p>\n

Klara Vollstaedt<\/h3>\n
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Klara Vollstaedt is a transgender artist from Canada whose work analyzes the divide between the digital and the real world, as well as the personas and relationships that exist within it. She started out the year with a barrage of impressive 1\/1 3D pieces before pivoting to conceive her adorable PFP project KBOTs. With a successful avatar series under her belt, Vollstaedt will continue to develop in all creative endeavors in 2022. \u2013 LT<\/em><\/p>\n

Latash\u00e1<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Music video NFTs are poised to have a moment and no one is doing them better than Latash\u00e1. The Brooklyn-born singer and rapper recently set a new music NFT record on Zora with her stunning video for \u201cGOGO WYNE,\u201d which sold for 13.4207 ETH ($50,398). In between divining fortunes and dancing in dazzling outfits, Latash\u00e1 somehow also finds time to run community programming for Zora and help onboard and educate newcomers to the NFT space.\u00a0 \u2013 MM<\/em><\/p>\n

LEViT\u2206TE<\/h3>\n
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Connor Campbell, better known by his moniker LEViT\u2206TE, is an audiovisual artist based out of California. Recently, he joined a collaborative effort to mint and auction Silk Road creator Ross Ulbricht\u2019s genesis NFT.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Although Campbell began minting and selling his own NFTs in July of 2020, he has continued to work behind the scenes on visuals for numerous big-name music and NFT projects. Considering Ulbricht\u2019s genesis NFT \u2014 which was unveiled at nft now x Christie\u2019s \u201cThe Gateway\u201d \u2014 sold for $6.27 million, LEViT\u2206TE enters 2022 as an integral part of the NFT ecosystem. \u2013 LT<\/em><\/p>\n

REO<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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A 3D artist and music producer who has worked with some of the top artists and brands in the world, including Kanye West\u2019s \u201cDonda\u201d show and Macy\u2019s Thanksgiving Day Parade NFT drop, REO is now coming into his own as an artist. In November, his \u201cemersion\u201d genesis piece on SuperRare sold to Mondoir for 12 ETH ($51,403) in an auction that featured bids from the likes of FVCKRENDER, BT, ThankYouX, and more. \u2013 MM<\/em><\/p>\n

Sam J<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Self-described as the \u201cfirst and only drag artist on SuperRare,\u201d Sam J unapologetically explores their queer identity in colorful animated pieces that count tastemaking artists like Fewocious, Claire Silver, Erin Beesley among their collectors. Based in Amsterdam, Sam J has displayed works at RAREWORLD: SuperRare x SuperWorld Miami and Amsterdam Fashion Week. \u2013 MM<\/em><\/p>\n

sgt_slaughtermelon<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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A prolific generative artist who wears many hats and monikers, sgt_slaughtermelon first caught our attention with his whimsical modernist project Lazlo Lissitsky before rising to prominence with his Art Blocks Factory autoRAD drop in collaboration with Tartaria Archivist. He recently announced a Tezos collection called \u201cThe Lost Works of Sargei Slaughtermelovich,\u201d proving that his algorithmic inspiration still cannot be confined to one name or blockchain. \u2013 MM<\/em><\/p>\n

Shay the Surrealist<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Shaylin Wallace certainly lives up to her name, attracting attention across the NFT space over the past year with her stunning surrealist works on platforms like Foundation, Makersplace, Async Art and KnownOrigin. The 22-year-old artist recently showcased at the nft now x Christie\u2019s \u201cThe Gateway\u201d gallery during Art Basel Miami and is clearly positioned to build upon her current momentum in the year to come. \u2013 MM<\/em><\/p>\n

SHL0MS<\/h3>\n
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SHL0MS is an anonymous artist who aims to push boundaries and challenge perceptions of what constitutes art. As a prominent member of the non-fungible community, SHL0MS has not only greatly contributed to NFT meme culture, but continues to turn heads with unique, complex drops akin to digital performance art. With a presence that lies somewhere between shitposter extraordinaire and NFT social commentator, SHL0MS is only getting started. \u2013 LT<\/em><\/p>\n

V\u00c9RIT\u00c9<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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happy that my auction for by now is included in this list.<\/p>\n

sold 2.3% of the master recording in perpetuity for 11ETH to a fan back in April and have been nonstop ever since. https:\/\/t.co\/GYOXJTiSg5<\/p>\n

\u2014 V\u00c9RIT\u00c9 (@Verite) December 16, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

NFTs are changing the game for independent musicians. Brooklyn singer\/songwriter V\u00c9RIT\u00c9 was an early mover in the space, selling 2.3% of her \u201cBy Now\u201d master recording in perpetuity for 11 ETH on Zora in April. In addition to inspiring other indie artists and making our list of the top music NFT moments of 2021, V\u00c9RIT\u00c9 has been actively releasing music NFTs on medium-native platforms like Catalog and Sound.xyz. \u2013 MM<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n