Let’s face it! It’s time you update your iTunes musical collection because this year has been filled with some of the hottest, emerging artists in music. Be real. Even the trendsetting, worldly-renowned singers, Beyonce’, Usher and rapper/mogul Jay-Z was an up-and-coming artist once. These artists are tearing up the charts and becoming the musical newcomers to keep your eyes on.
1. Sevyn Streeter
Apart of a new era of female R&B singers, Sevyn Streeter is making her way across musical platforms. Being signed to Chris Brown’s label, being the former member of the girl groups “TG4” and “RichGirl” having a hit singles, “It Won’t Stop” and “I Like It”, in constant rotation shows how the talented songstress is bringing R&B back into the millions of music lovers’ lives. Known for her putting pen to paper and creating hits songs such as Tamar Braxton’s “All The Way Home”, Chris Brown’s “Yeah 3x” and “Wet the Bed”, Alicia Keys “New Day” and “Limitedless” and Brandy’s “Slower”, it’s no surprise why her fans are loving her seven-track EP, “Call Me Crazy, But…” As Sevyn is no stranger to writing, singing or preforming, she recently sung alongside Eve and Kelly Rowland on the remix to Talk a Good Game single “Gone” at the 3rd annual “Black Girls Rock!” She’s on her way to becoming a leading lady in R&B music and the new artist to watch.
2. August Alsina
Step aside Chris Brown and Trey Songz. Def Jam’s new hip-hop singer, August Alsina, is making his way in the male R&B limelight with his unflinchingly raw, edgy style. The 21-year-old has his hands full with the success of his new hit single “I Luv This S**t”. Back in October, Alsina’s debut single made him the first R&B singer to top the Billboard charts for his 21-week journey since Jeremih’s 2009 “Birthday Sex”. Among his new-found titles, Alsina was named on this year’s MTV’s annual Hip-Hop artist to watch list, Fab 5. His musical aspirations and lyrics stems from his hard-knocked life as a New Orleans native where dealt with the loss of his father to drugs and alcohol and experiencing the murder of his brother. He is currently prepping for debut album, which is set to drop early 2014.
3. Jhene Aiko
Photo: Jhene’s Tumblr
The former Epic label affiliate of the late 90’s music group, B2K, Jhene Aiko is gracing the airways with her Hip-Hop influenced R&B EP, Sail Out, which serves as an appetizer while she completes her debut album, “Souled Out”. As she’s on the threshold of reinventing herself as a stand-alone singer to her long-time fans, her singles “Stay Ready” featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Worst,” “WTH” featuring Ab-Soul and “Bed Peace” has her winning over the ears of newcomers.
Jhene has been busy being the sultry, angelic voice on Drake’s Nothing Was The Same “From Time” and this year’s biggest Hip-Hop albums J. Cole’s Born Sinner and Big Sean’s Hall of Fame. Jhene is currently appearing on Drake’s “Would You Like A Tour?” while also performing all across the nation.
4. Sebastian Mikael
Photos: Epic Records/ Concrete Loop
One of the brightest new talents is Swedish R&B singer and songwriter, Sebastian Mikael. Known for his first acoustic single “Last Night” featuring rapper Wale, Mikael has had the musical influences of Sade, Babyface and Marvin Gaye running through his veins at a young age. His passion led him to long hours at a Swedish recording studio, singing hooks for local rappers and producers. After coming to America and attending Berkeley College of Music, Mikael released his first mixtape J’Adore. Currently signed to Epic Records, Mikael is in the studio cooking up a highly anticipated full-length debut album that is set for next year.
