Jay Rush Jennings and Appleby Among Top Emerging Social Media Artists

Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and X are enabling a new wave of musicians to reach large audiences without traditional gatekeepers. A recent feature highlights ten emerging artists who are gaining attention online, emphasizing how a single viral clip can launch a career.

Among those highlighted are R&B singer‑songwriter Jay Rush Jennings from Toledo, Ohio, the younger brother of Grammy‑nominated Lyfe Jennings, and indie R&B/alternative‑pop artist Appleby, the stage name of Chicago‑born Justin LaRoy Burns. Both have built followings through consistent online releases and are positioned as artists to watch as they continue to develop their catalogs.