A Decade After His Passing, Could One of These Black Artists Be The Next Prince?

It has been a decade since the passing of musical icon Prince, and the music world is still searching for an heir to the “Purple Rain” star’s throne. The Minneapolis legend—known for his extraordinary musical talent, high falsetto runs, and gender-bending wardrobe—redefined what it meant to be a pop sensation, leaving boots too large for any single artist to fill. However, several contemporary artists could be in the running as his successor. Here are a few artists who are leading the charge.

Isaac Dunbar

While some social media users compare Isaac Dunbar’s music to a male version of pop star Sabrina Carpenter, his fashion and confidence exude Prince. His gender-fluid, colorful style is reminiscent of the iconic musician’s wardrobe, and the 23-year-old artist has often cited Prince as one of his musical inspirations. It is safe to say that Dunbar is a strong contender.

Kyle Dion

With his funky, upbeat tunes, captivating dance moves, and androgynous fashion sense, Kyle Dion is another artist in the running as Prince’s successor. Even his haircut reminds us of the fluffy, curly look the icon rocked in the ’80s. Dion frequently cites Prince as a musical influence alongside his chart-topping contemporary, Michael Jackson. Guided by two larger-than-life legends in his singing and songwriting, Kyle Dion makes a strong case as music’s next big thing.

Related: Prince’s Estate Finally Opened the Vault. Fans Aren’t Impressed.

Leven Kali

Given his mastery of the guitar and his toe-tapping, groovy songs, we have to include Leven Kali on this list. You can’t listen to Kali’s music without at least bobbing your head. His talent and charismatic presence yield music just as infectious as Prince’s. We are rooting for Kali to leave his mark on the industry.

Dominic Fike

Though he may not be into high fashion like the late Prince, Dominic Fike’s musical genius—being self-taught on guitar, bass, and drums—is reason enough to view him as one of Prince’s potential successors. The late icon famously arranged and produced his own music, including “When Doves Cry,” on which he played every instrument. In a similar vein, Fike produced his breakout 2018 hit “3 Nights” while bored on house arrest, according to Alternative Press.

Steve Lacy

Like most artists on this list, Steve Lacy has cited Prince as a major musical influence, and it shows. Lacy has a knack for producing his own tracks—frequently sharing his creative process on social media—and his satisfying falsetto runs mirror the “I Wanna Be Your Lover” singer. To top it off, Lacy brings a daring, gender-bending fashion sense that echoes Prince’s signature aesthetic.

Silk Sonic

Including a duo might feel like a stretch, but Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars share the talent, style, and musical genius needed to command a stage the way Prince once did. If .Paak and Mars reunite for another project as Silk Sonic, they could easily dominate the music landscape once again.