YouTube Music has named the first 24 artists in its Foundry Class of 2026, the newest cohort of its global artist development program for independent musicians.
The class spans 11 countries and includes what YouTube says are the program’s first-ever participants from Poland and Morocco, alongside a return to South Korea.
Foundry launched in 2015 and has worked with more than 250 artists, with YouTube crediting the program with helping launch the careers of stars including cand Tems.
The program provides selected artists with financial grants, marketing and promotion, and development support, according to YouTube.
The class, announced on Wednesday (June 3), includes the US artist Kelela and Puerto Rico’s RaiNao, who YouTube says is co-signed by Bad Bunny.
“Discovery is at its core, that’s what Foundry is all about. We are so proud to bring this incredibly talented group of artists together, representing music culture from all over the world.”
Vivien Lewit, YouTube
It also features Julia Wolf, a New York singer-songwriter who appears on the intro to Drake‘s 2025 single Dog House, alongside Yeat.
Another member is The Paradox, a pop-punk band from Atlanta whose single Get the Message reached No. 1 on Billboard‘s Alternative Airplay chart in January.
wave to earth and Silica Gel are among the South Korean acts in the 2026 class.
“YouTube is a platform that gives artists the power to fully express their authentic voices, share their music and their art,” said Vivien Lewit, YouTube‘s Global Head of Artists.
“Discovery is at its core, that’s what Foundry is all about. We are so proud to bring this incredibly talented group of artists together, representing music culture from all over the world.”
“The Foundry Program gave me the tools and the push when I needed it most and I’ll always appreciate YouTube for that. A huge congrats to those selected this year.”
Tems, Foundry alum
Foundry alum Tems, who joined the program in 2020, said: “The Foundry Program gave me the tools and the push when I needed it most and I’ll always appreciate YouTube for that. A huge congrats to those selected this year.”
Arlo Parks, another Foundry alum, added: “YouTube has been a big part of my journey from the beginning. I taught myself how to make beats from YouTube, constantly watched early 2000s music videos, saw Nirvana live at the Paramount, and daydreamed of being able to do what I do now.”
“When I became part of the Foundry in 2018, I knew that the visual world was a big part of Arlo Parks and it gave me the resources to tap into that. I had the space to play and express myself and was given a lot of guidance that helped shape the visual storytelling for Collapsed in Sunbeams.”
YouTube brought Foundry back in 2024, with Cash Cobain, Orion Sun and Tommy Richman among that year’s first artists.
The 2025 class supported 28 artists from 13 countries, according to YouTube.
YouTube reported in October that it paid the music industry more than $8 billion in the 12 months to June 2025, with YouTube Music and YouTube Premium passing 125 million subscribers worldwide.
“I really hope to gain an even stronger connection with YouTube through this Foundry program, as an independent artist these creative relationships that help support us mean the world.”
Julia Wolf, Foundry Artist
YouTube said it is also backing earlier-stage acts, including Dangrangto, Ino Casablanca and Martox, through a separate Foundry Rising program.
More artists will join the 2026 Foundry class later this year, the company said.
“YouTube has given me a space to build my world with real intention,” said new Foundry artist Julia Wolf.
“I really hope to gain an even stronger connection with YouTube through this Foundry program, as an independent artist these creative relationships that help support us mean the world.”Music Business Worldwide
