ARDN (Artists To Watch)
2024 was quietly transformative for ARDN, and 2025 is already proving to be his most intentional era yet. Born in Burundi, SA and raised in Canada, ARDN has been finding his core fans through music that feels both personal and expansive. His blend of soul-infused hip-hop, reflective lyricism, and soft-spoken conviction makes his music feel less like a performance and more like a shared moment.
She., his 2024 EP that still has me in a chokehold, showcases an artist fully tapped into emotion, expressing himself with clarity and control. Tracks like “Cry About” and “Wishing Well,” featuring bridget, blur the line between rap and R&B in the best way, creating space for longing, honesty, and healing. “Runner Up” in particular is a personal favorite and one of the first songs I discovered in his catalog. It’s a calm bop that glides through smooth beat and flow switch-ups, with ARDN shifting gears effortlessly.
Today, he dropped his latest EP, Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow, a project rooted in spiritual clarity and emotional evolution. The title speaks to trust, focus, and endurance, and that sense of purpose flows through every track. Singles like “SPARE,” “TMTK,” and “RAIN CHECK” featuring TDE’s Ray Vaughn feel like meditations, balanced, grounded, and full of intention.
ARDN’s ability to deliver vulnerability with precision puts him in conversation with artists like Saba and Smino. But there’s a resonance in his storytelling that feels entirely his own. Whether he's reflecting on identity, processing grief, or making space for love and uncertainty, his music invites you to feel the full weight of what’s being said.
With Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow, ARDN is offering clarity. It’s a thoughtful, grounded release that reflects both his growth and his grip on what matters. In a time where spectacle often overshadows substance, ARDN’s work reminds us that intention always leaves a deeper mark.
If you haven’t tuned in yet, this is the perfect place to start. ARDN isn’t just an artist to watch, he’s one worth staying with. He has a few shows later this month, too, so I’d definitely check him out if I were you.
Here’s a 10-track playlist to get you started on your new ARDN fan journey: