(andPOP) - This isn't your typical "Artists on the Rise" type of list. We don't care if an artist is going to be huge; the artist needs to be worthy of being big. No disrespect to The Game, but when his album is released at the end of January, it's going straight to the top. Why? Not because of his talent, which he probably has a lot of, but because he is associated with 50 Cent and G Unit.
On this, the second annual "5 Artists You Don't Know But Should," list, we find 5 artists who we think are going to blow up this year and who have the unmistakeable talent to back it up.
1.
Kyle Riabko- He's the wonder kid from Winnipeg. He sings, he writes, and he can play guitar as good as the legends 5 times his age. He has opened for everyone from James Brown to John Mayer. Riabko sounds like a seasoned pro on his debut EP, released in the summer, even though he's just 16. Watch out for his debut full-length album sometime this year. (
Watch andPOP's Interview with Kyle)
2.
John Legend- You may have heard John Legend, even if you've never heard
of him. The guy who sings "What the hell are you waiting for" on Jay-Z's Encore? That's John Legend. The man who sings the chorus in Slum Village's Selfish? That's him. The soulful voice all over Kanye West's College Dropout album? You guessed it. He has gospel roots but he's surviving in the R&B world now. He's worked with Britney Spears, Mya, Alicia Keys, and more of the who's who in the business. He released his debut album three days before New Year's and it would be a crime not to go check out his album. (
Watch andPOP's Interview with John)
3.
Butch Walker ? Here is someone you should have known a long time ago. He co-wrote "My Happy Ending" and "Don't Tell Me" with Avril Lavigne. He has also produced for Simple Plan, the Donnas, and Midtown. His latest album, "Letters," was released Sept. 14, and he opened for Lavigne on her North American fall tour. He's fully accomplished on the production side of the recording studio; now give him a chance with a microphone.
4.
Miri Ben-Ari- Like Legend, she appeared all over Kanye West's album, playing the violinist. Her work with such hip hop players as Jay-Z, Wyclef Jean, and West has earned her the nickname "The Hip Hop Violinist." Hailing from Israel, Ben-Ari has had a successful career performing classical and jazz music, and even released a few albums before deciding to focus on hip hop music. Her debut hip hop album is scheduled to be released in a few months. (
Read andPOP's Interview with Miri)
5.
My Chemical Romance- The punk fans are saying to themselves, "hey we already know My Chemical Romance." That's because punk fans are the most united group of fans of any genre, and know every band, no matter how big. But what separates My Chemical Romance from other bands is that they are not just going to become one of the biggest punk acts. They are going to become a mainstream act known by all. Look what they've done last year: were the most talked about band on Warped Tour, toured everywhere, released their debut album, and were invited back to the Warped Tour next year as the headliner. Mainstream like Good Charlotte: maybe not quite as big, but with more respect. Ouch. (
Watch andPOP's Interview with My Chemical Romance)
Celebrity Choices:
We asked some accomplished artists who they would choose as their artist to watch this year
Fat Joe: "Jae Millz. In New York, he's into the rap battles. He's real talented and I like his energy, I like his vibe. He works real hard, he's dedicated. I believe he's going to help the game."
Skye Sweetnam: "There are so many cool bands coming up and you keep discovering them too. I think there are a lot of people, especially new ones, that are really fresh in the business, that have that drive and motivation. I meet them everyday. Just the other night I saw The Low Millions with Adam Cohen as the lead singer. Canada has a lot of really good music."
Ray Robisnon: "Ivana Santilli is a very talented young lady in the Toronto music scape. Not only is she a fabulous singer, but she can play the hell out of a trumpet. She has a refreshing sound that blends into the mix of singers that are present right now. I hope she does very well in 2005, which not to sound arrogant, but I think is my year. It has been a slow process but as time goes on, the more people who are aware of my album and my abilities, the more people will recognize the truth. Everyone may not know me now, but they will by the end of 2005."
The Salads (Chuck): "I choo-choo-choose Flashlight Brown! The Salads have been playing gigs with these guys since 1996! Same as Pezz (now known as Billy Talent) who have received the recognition they rightfully deserved. Flashlight Brown are part of this community of Canadian bands that have been around for so long reinventing themselves, and have become so good, that when you hear them, you assume they must be from somewhere else. They are veterans, or better yet, Professors! The way I see it is that Flashlight Brown have been rehearsing for the last 10 years and are now ready to explode! With a new record out in 2005, along with new management (Brian Heatherman), they are going to show us the light, and it's Brown!"
How did we do last year?
1. Fefe Dobson B+
Dobson toured Europe with Justin Timberlake, had a few hit singles, and made a name for herself as a rockin' chick. Not a bad start to a career.
2. The Stills B
"Still in Love" is probably playing in your head right now just by reading the title. The Stills enjoyed the year, seeing the release of their debut album and touring non-stop worldwide.
3. Skye Sweetnam B
We were a year early for Ms Sweetnam. Rolling Stone just chose her as one of their Artists to Watch this year. She released her debut album this year and toured with Britney Spears.
4. Loon C
Who knows what would have happened to Loon had he not got in trouble with the law. Loon's year was interesting: he released an album on Bad Boy which scored lukewarm sales figures, and then left Puffy and Bad Boy at the end of the year.
5. Gavin DeGraw C-
Well, those who have heard Gavin instantly fall in love with his music. Too bad not enough people have heard his music.
