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YouTube Music Unveils 2026 Indie "Foundry Class" Featuring Julia Wolf, RaiNao, Kelela, and More

YouTube Music’s "Foundry Class" has been a mark of quality for independent artists over the last decade, and the 24 artists in the 2026 class continue this tradition. This year's class includes artists from the U.S., U.K., Poland, Korea, Br

Variety Music·Jun 3, 2026·via Variety Music

YouTube Music Unveils 2026 Indie "Foundry Class" Featuring Julia Wolf, RaiNao, Kelela, and More

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Jun 3, 2026 6:00am PT

YouTube Music Unveils Indie ‘Foundry Class’ of 2026: Julia Wolf, RaiNao, Kelela and More

By Jem Aswad

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Jem Aswad

Executive Editor, Music

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Over the past decade, YouTube Music’s “Foundry Class” has become a trademark of quality for independent artists, and the 24 artists who make up this year’s class is no exception. The artists range from the U.S. and the U.K. to Poland, Korea, Brazil, Morocco, India and elsewhere, and include Julia Wolf, RaiNao, Kelela and more.

Past honorees have included Dua Lipa, Rosalia, Gunna, Tems, Arlo Parks, Japanese Breakfast, Tems, Arlo Parks and many more.