| ARTISTS TO WATCH |
| Okay, below are some new and up-coming artists I think are worth keeping an eye out for. With the barrage of new talent emerging the past year and a half, I think the mainstream music scene is on the verge of something big and it may be a re-emergence of what have been categorized as the singer/songwriters. Very soon, the pre-fabricated pop performers will be a thing of the past and depth and substance will once again be popular. Our nation's recent and forthcoming events will also play a part in this (but not necessarily the cause). History has dictated that politically and socially-conscious music reigns in troubling times. The following artists are going to, if not contribute to this emerging movement, at least make a significant impact on the music scene. |
| Nelly Furtado -- This female musician from Victoria, British Columbia (Canada) recently released her debut album, Whoa Nelly!, and it is very impressive. It is unlike anything else out right now: upbeat, but not fluffy; a mix between Madonna and Natalie Imbruglia, with occasional scatting and incredible mixes throughout. The album is so unlike anything else out there, I have troubles describing it. It has been categorized as trip-hop and urban, forms of music I'm not too familiar with. Nelly wrote all the lyrics and half the album's music, and given the result it's quite impressive for a debut. Nelly is Portuguese and her song "So Afraid" forshadows a possible Portuguese album in the future by incorporating some of the Portuguese language in the song. You may have heard her singles "I'm Like A Bird" and "Turn Off The Light", which are only a dose of what Whoa Nelly! offers. (my personal favorites are "Hey, Man!" and "Shit on the Radio.") Like she says in "I Will Make U Cry": I demand attention when I walk into the room... she certainly does and you won't mind giving it to her. |
| Nikka Costa -- After watching her video for the song "Like A Feather" and seeing her perform you'll agree there's definitely something there (just watch what she can do with the mikestand!). Her song "Like A Feather" is a great work of funk, with rapid hand-claps in the chorus and a fiery vocal performance. This continues throughout her innovative album Everybody Got Their Something, one of the most underrated and overlooked albums of the past year. Nikka has been called the new Janis Joplin... I find such a comparison difficult to make, since her music emphasizes funk rather than blues. But that's not to downplay the incredible amount of promise within Nikka's talent. Keep an eye out for Nikka, for you just might understand why I think she's worth watching.. |
| Dido -- Dido's debut album No Angel contains one of the best vocal performances out there right now; a beautiful mix of Sarah McLachlan (what ever happened to her?) and Lisa Stansfield. Her song "Don't Think of Me" is like a less-abrasive version of Morissette's confrontational "You Oughta Know" while the bonus track "Take My Hand" is a great dance epic. While it may not be all that innovative, No Angel is very elegant and beautiful, and displays one of the best vocal performances today. |
| Poe -- Poe's second album, Haunted, is also unlike anything else I've heard recently. It's also probably one of the most unconventional, yet cohesive albums, with each track flowing into the next. The album starts off with a phone call and ends with a remix of "Hey Pretty" with her brother providing erotic verses from his poetry while Poe cuts him off with her chorus and bridge (you may have seen the video on MTV2). Some may be put off by the inter-lacing of her father's and her childhood voices throughout the album and the length of most tracks, but if you can get past what is really no big deal (and actually adds to the album's uniqueness) then Poe's talent is easy to see. Just don't expect to hear much of her on the radio; her work is incredible, but may be too unconventional for mainstream airplay. So you almost have to discover her on your own... but you'll thank yourself for doing so. |
| Others to watch for: Jill Scott India.Arie Alicia Keys Shannon Curfman Shelby Lynne Incubus N.E.R.D. Pete Yorn David Gray |
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| pic from music.excite.com |
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| pic taken from nikka-costa.com |
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| pic taken from Thank You: Dido Online |
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