Interscope
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The new school year is upon us and the last thing we want is for you to head back into class not knowing who the hot new artists are. Sure there’s a lot of music to pick from and everyone’s got their personal favorites, but there’s nothing like having your finger on the pulse before your classmates. With that in mind we’ve selected a bunch of artists from a variety of genres who are on the rise and about to break into the mainstream. Some you may already know and some may be news to you, but either way we think these musicians have got what it takes to be the next big thing. You’ll thank us later.
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Interscope
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Hometown: London, U.K.
Genre: Pop
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Ellie Goulding got some momentum from her 2010 debut album Lights, but it will be the British pop singer’s upcoming second disc that really skyrockets her into the spotlight. The new album, Halcyon, which will be out October 9 via Cherrytree/Interscope, has so far spawned single “Anything Could Happen.” Goulding has also appeared on songs from numerous other artists, including those of Mika and Skrillex.
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Listen:
Ellie Goulding – Starry Eyed
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Hometown: London, U.K.
Genre: Pop
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Up-and-coming pop artist Rita Ora has Jay-Z to thank for much of her success so far. The rapper signed Ora to his Roc Nation management company back in 2009 and has been bolstering her ever since. The musician spent the summer opening for Coldplay’s U.S. tour and Ora’s debut, Ora, will be out August 27 via Roc Nation/Columbia. Is Jay-Z on it? We hope so.
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Listen:
Rita Ora – How We Do (Party)
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Landon Speers
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Hometown: Montreal, Canada
Genre: Indie
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Electronic indie duo Purity Ring seemingly came out of nowhere this year. The pair, singer Megan James and instrumentalist Corin Roddick, released a track called “Ungirthed” back in January and has been buzzing ever since. The group’s debut, Shrines, came out on July 24 via 4AD, and has been called one of the best albums of the year so far by numerous sites and magazines.
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Listen:
Purity Ring – Ungirthed
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Dangerbird
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Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Genre: Indie
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Indie rock group Sea Wolf, led by musician Alex Brown Church, released their debut Leaves in the River in 2007 via Dangerbird Records and attracted attention with the track “The Violet Hour” that appeared on the soundtrack to Twilight: New Moon. Sea Wolf will now offer up their third album, Old World Romance, on September 11. Third time’s a charm, too.
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Listen:
Sea Wolf – Dew In the Grass
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Merge
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Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Genre: Rock
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If you haven’t heard of Divine Fits, don’t worry. The “indie supergroup” is brand new, a combined effort from musicians Britt Daniel, Dan Boeckner and Sam Brown. The group will release their debut album, A Thing Called Divine Fits, produced by Nick Launay, on August 28 via Merge, and have announced a few tour dates and festival appearances so far.
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Listen:
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Modular Recordings
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Hometown: Perth, Australia
Genre: Rock
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Australian psych-rock band Tame Impala initially began as the musical project of Kevin Parker. But since the release and subsequent touring on the band’s 2010 debut Innerspeaker, Tama Impala has burgeoned into a full-fledged group. A follow-up to Innerspeaker, titled Lonerism, is coming out on October 5 via Modular Recordings and will likely attract even more attention than the band’s debut. We suggest you get on board now.
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Listen:
Tame Impala – Elephant
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RCA Records
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Hometown: San Pedro, CA
Genre: R&B
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Miguel has not one release coming this year, but three. The singer, who offered up his debut in 2010, will unleash his second album, Kaleidoscope Dream, in three parts. Two EPs will drop first: Kaleidoscope Dream: The Water Preview came out on July 31 and Kaleidoscope Dream: The Air Preview will follow in September. Which all leads up to the actual album on October 2 via RCA.
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Listen:
Miguel – Adorn
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MBK Entertainment
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Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Genre: R&B
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Elle Varner’s first single, “Only Wanna Give It to You,” came out a year ago. The track, which features J. Cole, was the first thing to emerge both from the singer and from her debut album, Perfectly Imperfect, which came out on August 7 via RCA. Varner has also released a mixtape, Conversational Lush, and gained attention earlier this year when she performed a tribute to Whitney Houston at The Roots Pre-Grammy Jam Session at the House of Blues in LA.
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Listen:
Elle Varner – I Don’t Care
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Interscope
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Hometown: Compton, CA
Genre: Hip-Hop
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By now you’ve probably heard about rapper Kendrick Lamar, the new golden boy of hip-hop. The rapper’s debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, won’t be out until October 2 (on Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope), but over the past two years Lamar has appeared on numerous track, spawned a few singles and gotten the attention of everyone who matters – specifically, Dr. Dre, with whom Lamar collaborated on this disc.
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Listen:
Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)
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Getty Images
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Hometown: New York, NY
Genre: Hip-Hop
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RCA signed rapper A$AP Rocky last year in light of his sizable buzz. The rapper’s 2011 mixtape LiveLoveA$AP was heavily downloaded and he and his A$AP Mob crew, which formed back in 2007, have been performing on tour with Drake and at festivals like SXSW. Now, finally, Rocky’s debut album, LongLiveA$AP, is coming on September 11, followed by a full U.S. tour.
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Listen:
A$AP Rocky – Purple Swag
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We Love Asere
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Hometown: Barcelona, Spain
Genre: Latin
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Spanish musician Juan Magan is best known for expanding the “electro Latin” genre, performing as a DJ and singer and acting as a producer on several tracks. The artist has offered up several EPs and recently unveiled his debut, The King of Dance, which has spent numerous weeks on the Spain Album Top 100.
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Listen:
Juan Magan – No Sigue Modas (Megamix Version)
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Universal Music
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Hometown: Sinaloa, Mexico
Genre: Latin
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Mexican artist El Bebeto, the musical moniker for Carlos Alberto García Villanueva, has release two albums under the moniker El Bebeto Y Su Banda Patria Chica. The most recent disc, Ese Soy Yo, came out back in March via Disa but has recently begin gaining momentum here in the States.
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Listen:
El Bebeto – Eres Mi Necesidad
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RCA Nashville
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Hometown: Nashville, TN
Genre: Country
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Country duo Love and Theft, formed of musicians Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson, released their debut album World Wide Open in 2009 as a three-piece. Now down one member, the group signed with RCA Nashville last year and released their self-titled second disc on July 24. The group has been making waves with their own music, but the members are best known for their work with Taylor Swift and contribution to the soundtrack for Country Strong.
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Listen:
Love and Theft – If You Ever Get Lonely
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Getty Images
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Hometown: Detroit, MI
Genre: Country
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Jana Kramer may be best known as the actress from One Tree Hill, but she is also a burgeoning country singer. Kramer’s self-titled debut album came out in June via Elektra Nashville and has so far secured her a career beyond the small screen. The musician hasn’t quit acting quite yet though – she recently was cast in a few big screen flicks.
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Listen:
Jana Kramer – Whiskey
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OWSLA
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Hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
Genre: EDM
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Fans of Skrillex undoubtably are aware of Porter Robinson, who signed with the DJ’s OWSLA label last year. Robinson has been making his mark on the electronic dance scene ever since, performing at festivals like Coachella, Ultra Music Festival and Electric Daisy Carnival. He released his debut EP, Spitfire, last year, followed by a remixed version this year, and has done official remixes for the likes of Lady Gaga and Avicii.
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Listen:
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Alesso
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Hometown: Stockholm, Sweden
Genre: EDM
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Up-and-coming DJ Alesso is often linked to fellow musician Sebastian Ingrosso, but Alesso has recently begun to forge a career for himself. So far the artist has released only singles – no albums or EP – and has remixed various tracks, including LMFAO’s “Party Rock Anthem” and Keane’s “Silenced By the Night.”
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Listen:
Alesso – Raise Your Head
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And there you have it! Plenty of music to check out and get you ready for the school new year!
