Nashville continues to play host to some of music’s best and brightest. Here are the performers we’re watching in 2022—and you should, too.
Priscilla Block
Country artist Priscilla Block is known for her unfiltered, relatable songwriting and catchy melodies—but it took a pandemic for her to find her audience. In early 2020, Block was struggling to make ends meet after losing her job and her apartment. Unable to get out and play in person due to COVID, Priscilla began experimenting on TikTok and quickly developed a rabid fanbase with songs like “Thick Thighs,” “PMS,” and “Just About Over You.” Those fans rallied together to independently fund Block’s recording and since its release, “Just About Over You” has peaked both the iTunes Country and All-Genre song charts, was named one of The New York Times Best Songs of 2020, and is now Top 15 on country radio. “Just About Over You” along with “Wish You Were the Whiskey,” “I Bet You Wanna Know” and three more originals written by the young star comprise Priscilla’s Block’s self-titled major label debut EP released April 30 and introduced even more fans to her own blend of country pop and Southern rock, dubbed the Block Party sound.
Hometown: I was born in Southern California, but my hometown will forever be Raleigh, NC.
Years in Nashville: 8 years. I packed my bags the moment I graduated high school and never looked back.
How did you get your start? Once I moved here, I just started doing the Nashville thing: I worked every single odd job you can think of to pay my bills and networked along the way. Slowly but surely, I started to build a community around me that I really believed in and who believed in me. I had finally just gotten to a place where I felt like I could make my way financially with music and cleaning Airbnbs and then, BAM! The pandemic had a different plan. I leaned into the only thing I could control, my social media, and started connecting with my fans by sharing my original music on TikTok. That summer, a song I leaked went Number One on iTunes, which officially launched my career.
Early inspirations and idols: Taylor Swift. I always looked up to her because she was doing what I dreamed of doing. She was the young girl making her dream happen, which always made me feel like I could do the same.
Most exciting thing to happen in your career (so far): Finally getting out on the road to meet the fans who made this happen for me has been the most exciting part.
What song of yours best sums up who you are or your career/life thus far? It really depends on the day. If I need a confidence boost, it would be “Thick Thighs,” because they really do save lives. If I am sad, it is “Sad Girls Do Sad Things,” and if I’m feeling sassy, it’s “I Bet You Wanna Know.”
New or Next: I am so excited for the everyone to hear my new album, Welcome to the Block Party. You will be able to find a song for any type of mood you’re in. I have spent the last several years pouring my heart and life into these songs and I am ready to share them with the world!