New Artist #4: J. Cole

If you’re a Jay-Z fan you know of J. Cole. You heard his verse on “A Star is Born” off of Jay’s Blueprint 3. You even hit rewind to hear his verse again. Why? The young North Carolina native is a definite star in the making and he did more than enhance Jay’s track, he blessed it.

Writing rhymes since age 12, Cole isn’t your average rapper. He attended St. John’s University on an academic scholarship, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. When he wasn’t studying he was fine-tuning his sound as a rapper. He later released his mixtape The Warm Up, giving fans a taste of a conscious, insightful rap style that will surely make him a star. He spit fire, Common-like bars on “Lights Please” saying,

Ain’t it shameful how niggas blame hoes for givin’ birth to a baby that took two to make? Coward nigga, you a fake. How you gon’ look in your son’s face and turn your back? Then go start another family dog, what type of shit is that?

Cole goes on to put his own touch on a classic with Jay-Z’s “Dead Presidents.” We should all take notice and believe in the youngster in 2010. After all, Cole told us, “Yeah, I’m focused man, I’ll let you muthafu**as soak it in.” Clap for ‘em.

New Artist #5: Nikki & Rich

I’m putting this group here for two reasons: They’re such Grammy-bate and they’re music is infectious and downright great. Why weren’t they higher on the list? They might go generally unheard of among the masses for most of the year and may not release a full album until next winter, if not 2011.

Nikki & Rich consist of singer/songwriter Nikki Leonti and producer Rich Skillz. Nikki is a former Christian Music singer. She released her first LP in 1998 titled, Shelter Me before releasing a self-titled album, and Postcards From Mixaco: A Dance Re-MIX Fiesta. She’s come a long way since those days.

Nikki & Rich’s sound is retro pop, doo wop, and R&B. Every bit of it is both soulful and satisfyingly wrenching. Judging from the few songs I’ve heard, you can’t help but smile, dance, or sing along. Nikki has garnered positive comparisons to Amy Winehouse and combines a strong, soulful voice with attractive looks.

Their music was featured on the last season of HBO’s Entourage and the new 90210. They’re beginning to create more buzz, as they held a private showcase for media and friends in New York City on February 9. After catching a glimpse of their live show and hearing a few of their tunes, there’s zero doubt in my mind that Nikki & Rich will be a promising new act in 2010.

New Artist #6: La Roux

I first heard La Roux last November while watching music videos on one of the numerous music channels via Comcast. It’s something I always enjoyed doing while chillin’ in my apartment – it’s how I discovered lots of new music. The song was “Bulletproof” and it didn’t sound like anything I had heard before. I actually described it in an earlier post.

The only reason I have this group slated at number six, and not higher, is because they’re not likely to get any Grammy love. Why? Probably because they’re from England and you hadn't heard of them before today. My guess is Elly Jackson (lead singer) and Ben Langmaid (synth player/producer) are out to change all that. Jackson’s voice is unique and described as “distinctively breathy and arobatic” by MTV. Their music is undeniably catchy and unlike anything you’ve heard.

They have a growing niche audience full of English electropop lovers, who in a previous life, would’ve been in love with David Bowie, Annie Lennox, and Madonna. But because those people are of this era they worship Lady Gaga, who has helped jolt the radio world into playing music that, three years ago, went unheard through the almighty FM waves. That’s where I hope La Roux will come in jamming on the paved roads Gaga has most recently recently made for them.

Their self-titled, debut album was released in June of last year and singles, “Bulletproof” and “In for the Kill” have won at the Studio8 International Music Awards, the iTunes 2009 UK Music Awards, and this year’s NME Awards. Now, it’s time for people in the States to take notice – or at least impress your friends with your extensive music knowledge beyond the main stream.

New Artist #7: Ke$ha

Ke$ha, 22, makes me think of that college girl who was at every party sloppily drunk off her ass while dancing the night away before hooking up with some random guy, and throwing up in the toilet while her friends hold her hair. The only thing is she’s somehow appealing enough to continue to be popular with guys and girls alike.

To me, she may be very different from that, but from the sound of her debut CD, Animal, it seems she’s trying to give off that vibe, that’s Ke$ha. She describes her fashion sense as “garbage-chic” and named Keith Richards as her fashion inspiration (Really?). Basically, she could care less what we all think.
Nevertheless, she is talented.

Born in Los Angeles, but growing up in Nashville, TN, she was taught to sing and write songs by her mother. You can hear some of that southern-ness in her voice throughout Animal.

She may not have the best voice, but she has a niche and there’s a definite place for her in music today – albeit the party scene. The thumping beats, auto-tune, and daring lyrics make you want to listen when no one is watching (unless you’re that party girl). I admit buying her CD and think it’s pretty good for what it is – a party CD. “Tik Tok” is infectious, “Take It Off” makes me want to fist pump like my name is JWow, and “Stephen” has one of my favorite openers of any song I’ve heard recently.

I expect Ke$ha to get even bigger as this year goes on. It won’t surprise me one bit if she takes home a Grammy next year. And even if she doesn’t, we know she’ll party her ass off regardless.

New Artist #8: Jason Derulo

I first ran across Jason Derulo a couple years ago while reading a feature story on Diddy. At the time Derulo was writing songs for Danity Kane, Donnie Klang, and Cassie.

Born Jason Desrouleaux, 20, (he changed the spelling for his stage name to make it easier to pronounce), the Miami native has been in song writing since he was 16. He released his debut single, “Whatcha Say” in August and the song became a smash, hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November. I know I couldn’t get the song out of my head for months.
While many listeners simply took to the song’s hook, Derulo’s voice sounds somewhat of a slightly deeper Jeremih and flows well over the Imogen Heap-sampled (“Hide and Seek”) track.

To be honest, I haven’t heard much else from him other than his next single, the guitar-infused, “In My Head.” Yet, I really like his voice and feel he has a serious chance to catch the hearts of both R&B and pop fans this year. His self-titled debut album on the Beluga Heights/Warner Music Group label drops March 2. I’m interested to see how he sells. My guess is he may start out slowly because “Whatcha Say” was released so long in advance and his second single isn’t close to that one. Nevertheless, I expect his sales to pick up with a third single next summer. Whatever happens, the kid’s got talent and I expect him to be up for plenty of hardware over the course of the next year.

New Artist #9: Dan Black

In 2009 I became more interested in music than ever before. New, different music from what I first began getting into in the mid to late ‘90’s. Now, I’m developing a “thing” for indie-rock, electronica and alternative music once again. My musical taste has expanded. That expansion brought me to Dan Black. With classic British-pop vocals and lyrics that read like poetry, Black is certain to leave his mark in the U.S. this year.

In 2008 Black released “HYPNTZ”, which is a mashup of Notorious B.I.G.’s “Hypnotize” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella”. On the song he impressed critics with his hip-hop knowledge as he sang Biggie’s lyrics while keeping his own vocal melody. Black’s first real single, “Symphonies” was released as iTunes single of the week for the week of December 28, 2009. It’s a simple, lively, pop song with edge from the “Umbrella” beat. The single is off his album, “Un” released in the UK in 2008. The album is said to be smart and confident and garners influences from Jay-Z. Biggie, Prince, Beck and De La Soul to name a few.

Black received Justin Timberlake’s stamp of approval last summer and with his British, indie-rock, hip-hop, and pop sound there’s little doubt in my mind that UK’s Black will be making a big name for himself stateside.

NEW ARTIST #10: Big Sean

It wasn’t long ago when Sean Anderson worked as a telemarketer in Detroit making a measly $100 a week as a junior in high school. The rapper better known as Big Sean had bigger dreams, as telemarketing wasn’t the hustle he’d dreamed of. Luckily, one day a friend called him to tell him Kanye West was at the 102.7 FM radio station. In an effort to get signed, Sean rushed to the station and used his relationship with the staff to get close to Kanye. West denied him at first before telling him he had 16 seconds to spit. Sixteen seconds turned into 10 minutes.

"Kanye shook my hand and started walking away," Sean told MTV. "My friend was like, 'You gotta go for it.' So I tapped him on the shoulder and was like, 'I'm an aspiring MC. I do this show every Friday. Can I rap for you?' He was like, 'No. I gotta go.' I'm like, 'Man, please — you're my hero. Let me rap for you? Just let me spit for you.' "

Kanye let Sean spit as he walked out of the station. After a while a crowd had formed and Kanye was bobbing his head. "It was like out of the movies," Kanye told MTV. "I could hear his personality and character and style in it. He just walked up to me and said a rap and I said, 'I'mma sign you.' That's what happened and to this day Sean’s clear Midwest flow has skateboard kids and hip-hop heads alike bobbing their heads. Now signed to Kanye’s G.O.O.D. Music, he’s set to release his debut album Finally Famous sometime this year. His persistence helped him find a new hustle. So much for that old telemarketing gig.