Victoria Abraham defines one up and coming artist each week so you can impress your friends with your musical brilliance. This week, she tackles Tori Kelly, a YouTube pop sensation from California.

Like so many up and coming artists, Tori Kelly has taken advantage of the Internet to help pave her way to stardom. She has been posting covers on YouTube of all kinds of songs, from Rihanna’s “Only Girl (In the World)” to her latest, Michael Jackson’s “P.Y.T.” As a result, this future pop star has been getting noticed. Now, she is performing sold out shows and working with Scooter Braun, the man responsible for Justin Bieber’s pop stardom.

Origins: Lake Elsinore, California

Known for: Tori Kelly is known for her voice: she sounds like a more soulful Mariah Carey.

Used in a sentence: From American Idol to YouTube sensation, it shouldn’t be long before Tori Kelly is on everyone’s iPod.

File next to: Mariah Carey, Jill Scott

Download now: “All In My Head”

Five fun facts:

1. Her studio is in her bedroom.
2. Her favourite song to sing in the shower is “Love On Top” by Beyonce. Read more…