There’s been a rash of rising music stars this year. This list doesn’t capture all the great breakouts of 2010 but it’s the countdown of the stars that made the biggest splash this year.
Justin Bieber is by far the most impressive breakout of the year. At only 10 years old, the Canadian singer gave birth to “biebermania” or “bieber fever” that infected the entire world. The Bieber phenomenon ruled everywhere from the red carpet, where girls scrawled “Marry Me Justin Bieber” on their tank-tops and hollered for hours, to the Recording Academy, which nominated him for a best new artist Grammy Award.
He released his first full studio release, My World 2.0, on March 23, 2010 and has since debuted at number one on the Canadian Albums Chart, Irish Albums Chart, and Australian Albums Chart, and the New Zealand Albums Chart and within the top ten of several countries. My World 2.0 was also certified platinum in the United States, while Justin became a popularity magnet, the most searched for celebrity on the Internet, surpassing Lady Gaga. And if you’re not a “Belieber” just yet, you will be one next year because Bieber phenom will not end with 2010.
Closely following Bieber, the pop singer Kesha has been ticketed by Entertainment Weekly as the biggest breakout music stars of 2010. Ke$ha has a platinum album and 2 number one hits: “Tik Tok” and “We R Who We R“. Her debut album release “Animal” shows a unique voice, message, and a refreshingly bold and sassy sound, yet revealing sensitivity, depth and an emotional side of the singer in songs such as Hungover, Dancing With Tears In My Eyes, and Animal. The album hit the number one spot on the Digital Albums Chart within its first month of release, establishing a record for the best new music sales for a new artist.
Nicki Minaj is also noted as one of the breakout 2010 music stars by the magazine Entertainment Weekly. They praised her on being everywhere and promoting herself to the extreme, filling the voids in hip hop that have existed for years, “while backing up her hype with amazing talent.” She’s a true force and she proved to be the female emcee that could compete with the male superstars such as Yeezy, Rick Ross and Jay-Z. she proved that in Kanye’s recent remix of his song ‘Monster‘.
Bruno Mars, “one of the most versatile and accessible singers in pop, with a light, soul-influenced voice that’s an easy fit in a range of styles, a universal donor” as he was characterized by The New York Times, made steps to fame when he appeared on two monster singles this year B.O.B’s “Nothin On You” and Travie McCoy’s “Billionaire“. And after co-wroting the hits “Right Round” by Flo Rida featuring Ke$ha , “Wavin’ Flag” by K’naan, and “Fuck You!” by Cee Lo Green, Mars released his debut album, “Doo-Wops & Hooligans“, and thanks to singles “Just the Way You Are” and “Grenade”, the album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. Besides, he has been nominated for seven Grammys.
B.o.B was nominated by American Music Awards as 2010’s Best Breakthrough due to his debut album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray, that launched him as the number 2 record in the country. B.o.B’s second single, “Airplanes,” peaked at number one and number two in the U.K. and the U.S. and as if this was not enough, he was named the ninth Hottest MC in the Game by MTV of 2010 and was also named “Best New Artist” by iTunes 2010 Rewind Chart.
