As arts journalists, reviewers and broadcasters, we often talk about "ones to watch". Every so often, however, you encounter an artist who moves beyond that phrase entirely. Someone whose trajectory isn't built on hype, but on talent, hard work, authenticity and an ability to genuinely connect with people.
For me, SJ Hill is one of those artists.
Throughout 2026, I've had the pleasure of seeing SJ perform live on several occasions across South Wales, and each appearance has reinforced the same thought: we are witnessing the emergence of a home-grown Welsh star.
I've watched him command the stage at Cardiff's Theatre Café in Roath. I've seen him perform on the set of Welsh music showcase The Industry Night Live. I've experienced the intimacy of a private dining performance where every note, every lyric and every interaction felt deeply personal.
And what has struck me every single time is the consistency.
Live music can be unpredictable. Voices tire. Nerves appear. The atmosphere changes. Yet SJ possesses that rare quality shared by the very best performers. No matter the venue, no matter the audience, he creates an experience.
His performances are warm, engaging and effortlessly professional. He has a natural ability to bring an audience together, making a room full of strangers feel connected through music. Whether performing an emotional ballad or an uplifting anthem, he reaches every note with remarkable ease, delivering vocals that somehow manage to exceed the already impressive quality captured on record.
That is no small achievement.
As impressive as SJ's recordings are, including his forthcoming single Chasing Dreams, there is something special about witnessing his music in a live setting. The passion becomes more evident. The connection feels stronger. The stories behind the songs come alive.
Perhaps that's why Chasing Dreams feels such an important release.
The track, written alongside Tommy John and produced by Tom Auton, is rooted in a promise SJ made to his mother that he would never give up on pursuing a career in music. It is an anthem of perseverance, determination and staying committed to a dream despite setbacks and uncertainty.
It's also a song that feels entirely authentic because it reflects exactly who SJ is.
Having spoken with him on several occasions, including as recently as last week, I can confidently say that the qualities audiences see on stage are genuine. He is a delightful guy, an exceptional human being and someone who seems determined to succeed without losing sight of the people around him.
In an industry that can often feel fiercely competitive, there's something refreshing about an artist who wants to keep climbing the ladder while holding it steady for others to climb alongside him.
His pride in his craft is obvious.
Every performance, every release and every conversation reveals someone who genuinely cares about the music he creates and the impact it has on people. There is ambition there, certainly. But there is also humility. Gratitude. A desire to showcase Wales in the best possible light.
And that matters.
Wales is overflowing with extraordinary musical talent. From established names to emerging artists carving out their place in the industry, we continue to produce performers capable of competing on any stage in the world.
The challenge isn't talent.
The challenge is opportunity.
Artists like SJ Hill remind us why Wales needs more stages, more grassroots venues, more live music spaces and more opportunities for performers to develop their craft in front of audiences.
Because the talent is already here.
When you watch someone like SJ captivate a room in Roath, command a television studio audience, or transform a private event into a memorable concert experience, you can't help but wonder how many other remarkable Welsh artists are waiting for their moment.
The future of Welsh music depends on creating spaces where those moments can happen.
Fortunately, performers like SJ Hill are proving exactly why that investment is worth making.
If Chasing Dreams is about refusing to give up on a dream, then SJ Hill is living proof of what can happen when talent meets determination.
The dream is still alive.
And from what I've seen throughout 2026, Wales should be paying attention.
