13 New Artists to Watch in 2013
Get ready for some exciting music.
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13 New Artists to Watch in 2013 - With Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean, Future, Meek Mill and Elle Varner all dropping their debuts, 2012 was a banner year for new music. But 2013 is looking nearly as promising, with upstart artists set to drop new albums, spark new movements and take music in exciting new directions. Read on to see 13 artists you should check for in the New Year. —Alex Gale (Photos from left: John Ricard/BET,Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)
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Joey Bada$ - Brooklyn rhyme prodigy Joey Bada$ quickly became an in-the-know favorite over the past year with his “Survival Tactics” video and followed that up with four acclaimed mixtapes (two solo and two with his crew Pro Era), a razor-sharp 16 bars in The Cypher at the BET Hip Hop Awards, and a scene-stealing verse on “1Train,” the all-star posse cut from A$AP Rocky’s forthcoming debut. At the tender age of 17, he’s only going up from here. (Photo: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)
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Trinidad James - You thought Chief Keef blew up quickly? Meet Trinidad James. After rapping for just a few months, the ATL rapper released his Don’t Be S.A.F.E. mixtape in July, which yielded the viral-video sensation “All Gold Everything,” perhaps the biggest indie-rap track of the year. In December, James took New York by storm, selling out a Manhattan club and hitting the stage at Madison Square Garden with Trey Songz and Young Jeezy. A couple weeks after that, he signed a multimillion dollar deal with Def Jam. If Trinidad keeps up this pace, 2013 is going to be a huge year for him.(Photo: Randy Smith/BET)
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Luke James - You’ve already heard and seen New Orleans singer Luke James, even if you don’t remember his name. He’s sung backup for Tyrese, written for Justin Bieber, Britney Spears and Chris Brown, appeared in Beyonce’s “Run the World” video and made his first televised appearance at the 2012 BET Honors. But 2013 looks like a tipping point year for James: Not only will he release his debut album, Made to Love, via Def Jam, but he landed a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance with his single “I Want You.”(Photo: John Ricard / BET)
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Angel Haze - Between the successes of Nicki Minaj, Iggy Azalea and Azealia Banks, the past few years have been a windfall for the once endangered female MC, but Angel Haze still stands out from the pack. The Detroit-raised rapper and singer conquered 2012 with two widely praised mixtapes last year, Reservation and Classick, a handful of slick videos, and an ice-cold verse at the 2012 BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher. 2013 better watch out.(Photo: John Ricard / BET)
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Hit-Boy - With The Throne’s “Paris,” A$AP Rocky’s “Goldie” and G.O.O.D. Music’s “Clique,” Hit-Boy’s rapidly becoming hip hop’s go-to hitmaker behind the boards. But 2012 was the year he proved his skills also extended to the mic with his debut mixtape, HITstory. In the new year, look for Hit to continue following the multi-tasking footsteps of his mentor, Kanye West. (Photo: G.O.O.D Music)
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Ty Dolla $ign - After grinding behind the scenes for years — Ty produced YG’s hit “Toot It & Boot It” — rapper-singer-songwriter-producer Ty Dolla $igns had a indie solo hit with his hilarious “My Cabana,” off his mixtape The Beach House. The song led to a deal with Atlantic, where Ty will gear up for his debut album, a new mixtape and, most likely, a much bigger, more expensive cabana.(Photo: facebook/Tydollasign)
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Action Bronson - After a string of releases that topped year-end lists in 2011 and 2012, Queens rapper Action Bronson graduated to the majors and signed a deal with Warner Bros. through hipster media giant VICE. If his first project since then, the grimy, head-nodding Rare Chandeliers mixtape produced by the Alchemist, is any indication, the Internet’s favorite foodie MC is on track for a five-star major-label debut in 2013.(Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
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AlunaGeorge - London duo AlunaGeorge’s futuristic blend of electronica and R&B is already winning accolades in the U.K., where they were shortlisted for the 2013 Critics' Choice BRIT Award off the strength of their breakthrough song, “Your Drums, Your Love.” With new single “Diver” setting off new waves of buzz, they’re perfectly positioned to build off the success of fellow left-field soul introverts The Weeknd and Frank Ocean with their Island Def Jam debut next summer. (Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Soho House)
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Ryan Lewis & Macklemore - After years of relentless touring built a devoted fanbase, Seattle rapper-producer duo Ryan Lewis & Macklemore cashed in in 2012. Macklemore was selected as one of XXL’s Freshmen, the duo joined BET’s Music Matters tour and, most impressive of all, their self-released studio debut, The Heist, hit the charts at No. 2. With their single “Thrift Shop” currently crossing over to rock and pop radio stations, look for the twosome to make even bigger inroads next year. (Photo: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
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Schoolboy Q - Schoolboy Q already had a big 2012, with his A$AP Rocky-featuring single “Hand on the Wheel” landing him major airplay, online buzz and a performance at Hot 97’s Summer Jam. But next year the stars look fully aligned for his major-label debut with Interscope, titled Oxymoron, which will aspire to match the impact of his Black Hippy crewmate Kendrick Lamar’s breakthrough smash good kid, m.A.A.d city. "Kendrick [Lamar] left me no choice but to drop a classic,” Q said in an interview last month. We can’t wait.
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Mr MFN Exquire - Brooklyn rapper Mr. MFN Exquire had everyone singing “Huzzah” in 2011, the single from his excellent mixtape Lost in Translation. He signed a deal with Universal/Republic in March and his talent for freaky, shock-and-awe raps, witty visuals and turned-up live shows bodes well for his upcoming full-length album. (Photo: facebook/MrMFNeXquire)
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King L - At 24, King L is a relative senior citizen of Chicago’s drill scene, but with age comes maturity, and King’s flow, hooks and ear for beats show more polish and wit than the brute-force music of his younger peers. After a 2012 that included a Kanye shout-out on the “I Don’t Like” remix and two well-received mixtapes, King is ready to drop his major-label debut, Dope & Shrimp, which features Juicy J, Pusha T, Young Chop and more. (Photo: Epic Records)