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From the author whose debut novel you won’t be able to put down to the singer-songwriter who will become your top artist of the year, meet the five emerging creatives to put on your radar now.
Andy Warhol once famously declared, “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes”. In an age of virality and social media, his quote couldn’t feel more real — but with some good ‘ol digging in all corners of the creative scene, we’ve come across five (truly) inspiring creatives making their mark in music, fashion, literature and art. But let’s skip the talk and get to the exciting part; here’s our introduction to the five creatives you should watch in 2024.
CARLY GIBERT, MUSICIAN
Background: Carly Gibert is a “musician-first” — having her hand in everything from singing, rapping to songwriting. Citing Beyoncé and A$AP Rocky as her main inspiration, she moved to LA and signed her first record deal at 16. Now at 22, she’s working independently and feels “the most confident” she’s ever felt in her artistry. “I found my sound and who I am as an artist,” she says. “I used to make music because I loved singing” but she has a new agenda: “now, I make music because I have something to say.”
Her latest song, which Gibert describes as an “element of darkness,” is something we can all relate to in a world that constantly strives for perfection and homogeneity. “I love things that are kind of ugly, a bit off-putting. I don’t want to sound or look perfect,” she says. As for her new music, set to release this January, she’ll be “exploring an angrier version” of herself and reveal more of her raw emotions.
Don’t miss: Gilbert’s “Fun” but “still hard” new single, releasing this January.
SERIOUS KLEIN, RECORDING ARTIST, MOVIE MAKER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Background: From hip hop to fashion, Serious Klein doesn’t like to restrict himself creatively. His portfolio includes his works as a creative director, filmmaker and musician, but when asked when his attraction for the creative field began, his answer is: Lil’ Bow Wow’s album, Beware of Dog. “I remember I wanted to be him and that’s when I started writing,” the rapper recalls.
If his portfolio wasn’t impressive enough, the multi-talented Ghanaian-German has shot for this year’s Pirelli Calendar with industry icons like Naomi Campbell and Angela Bassett. A fine addition to his growing list of creative endeavours that already boast starring in the short film The Seed, and released numerous singles, two EPs, and an album. Ultimately, his creative paths intertwine in his music. “I make music to visualise, every record tells a story. As soon as I start writing I can see what the music video will look like. It all goes hand in hand,” he says.
Don’t miss: Serious Klein’s second studio album release and his upcoming tour (keep an eye out for the dates!).
NICOLA DINAN, NOVELIST
Background: One of the most exciting new writers to emerge recently, Nicola Dinan’s debut novel Bellies has already caught momentum despite it only being published in the summer of 2023. It follows Tom and Ming, two gay men who fall in love. Their relationship begins during a turbulent chapter of their lives. Not only is Ming navigating coming out as trans, but “because being in your early twenties is generally just confusing and hard.”
The story is based on Dinan’s experiences and reflects how that time was for her, although she worries people think she’s Ming. “I’m not! It’s just the emotions which feel quite true,” she explains.
Bellies raises moral questions, yet is heartfelt, making it a must-read. Network producers seem to agree as it’s currently being made into a TV series. It’s certainly been a great year for Dinan in her first year of the book release, but there’s no slowing down as the London-based author is finishing her second novel Disappoint Me.
Don’t miss: A new cover release of Bellies in April and Dinan’s second novel Disappoint Me in April 2025.
MATIAS ALFONZO, PHOTOGRAPHER
Background: If you’re regularly up-to-date with print fashion magazines, you’ve likely admired the Paris-based, Buenos Aires-born photographer, Matias Alfonzo’s work. His images are “assertive, sharp, poetic, and personal” and contain stillness and depth, making it hard to take your eyes off. He’s shot for print and brands names like, Abra Lacoste, and PAPER Magazine, yet, the first models to ever pose in front of his camera were his friends. “The era that I remember the most is the 2000s. The pocket cameras, the quinceañera of my friends, and the time we spent just taking pictures,” he recalls.
It’s this deep connection to people that solidified his decision to work in fashion photography. “I realised that I wanted to work in fashion — not so much for the fashion itself, but for the people,” he says. And it allowed him to create and document new characters. “I saw fashion imagery as something that could be made into something personal and unique, so I decided to stay there.”
Don’t miss: Alfonzo’s year of many firsts — from his first solo exhibition in Paris (September 2024), a top secret furniture project he promises to reveal soon and his first short film.
BERFIN KARAKURT, 3D DESIGNER
Background: Berlin-based 3D designer Berfin Karakurt is carving out a space online to embrace the bizarre. Within her work, she creates surreal sceneries and alien-like characters inspired by “the ugliness and weirdness” and the “intersection of different cultural and aesthetic spaces” of Berlin. “The characters I create are a bit weird, non-human. Overall, I would say they have something ugly about them,” the designer explains.
Despite being creative from a young age, Karakurt didn’t always plan on being an artist. At first, she obtained a law degree, then discovered AR and 3D during an exchange year in Istanbul. “It became a passion and an obsession that I spend 90% of my time on,” she says. Now, Karakurt does artwork for creatives in music, theatre, and fashion. “I couldn’t be happier not to work as a lawyer now.”
Don’t miss: The play I am a girl you can hold, IRL at the Maxim Gorki Theatre in Berlin (premiering on March 23rd), which features Karakurt’s art and combines real actors and digital elements.