Flares of 2010: Best New Artist

Every year, new artists shows up and bring us fresh new hits. Now let's review some of the best New Artist of 2010...

Country: The Band Perry

The Band Perry came to the country music sense with their Grammy nominated song, If I Die Young. In 2008, The Band Perry was discovered by Garth Brooks' manager Bob Doyle, who helped them make recordings. The recordings were sent to Scott Borchetta, head of the newly-established Republic Nashville label. The band signed to Republic Nashville in August 2009 and released their debut single "Hip to My Heart". The song peaked at number 20 on the country chart and the label green lighted a full album. They then release If I Die Young that climb into the top 20 of Billboard Hot 100. Their first studio album was release in October with high praise by music critics. Their mixture of pop country with a little flavor of rock make them a breakthrough artist in 2010.

Buy: Hip To My Heart

Buy: If I Die Young

Buy: The Band Perry

Alternative: Florence & The Machine

Though their debut album, Lungs was released in 2009, Florence & The Machine had their breakout year in the states in 2010. Their second single from the album, Dog Days Are Over was re-released on 11 April 2010 in the US.  This song was used in opening of USA network's new spy thriller Covert Affairs pilot and commercials for same. It also appeared in the British television series Skins, as well as the trailer for the summer 2010 movie starring Julia Roberts, Eat, Pray, Love. The song was also covered by the Glee Cast in the episode "The Education". In December, it was announced that Florence & The Machine is nominated in Best New Artist category at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

Buy: Dog Days Are Over

Buy: Dog Days Are Over (Glee Cast Version)

Buy: Lungs

Rock: The Pretty Reckless

She was the downtown girl in Gossip Girl. But when she open her mouth... she is a ROCK CHICK. Taylor Momsen is the lead singer and the founder of the alternative rock band, The Pretty Reckless. The band includes Ben Phillips (guitar), Mark Damon (bass) and Jamie Perkins (drums). In late 2009 they release their first official single, Make Me Wanna Die after being sign by Interscope Records. The song was featured in the soundtrack for Kick-Ass and in an episode of Gossip Girl. In October, they release their debut album, Light Me Up  with high praises by rock critics calling it a "wicked good record" and praising Momsen vocals. This is just the beginning for the band as they march into more of their career they will create rock magic that is lost in this new decade.

Buy: Make Me Wanna Die

Buy: Light Me Up

R&B: Bruno Mars

Before becoming a successful solo artist, Mars was an acknowledged music producer writing hits for  Alexandra Burke, Travie McCoy, Adam Levine, Brandy, Sean Kingston and even the hit single, Right Round sung by Flo Rida. He reached prominence as a solo artist after being featured on and co-writing B.o.B's "Nothin' on You" and Travie McCoy's "Billionaire"; both songs peaked within the top ten of many charts worldwide. Mars' debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans was released in October with the first single, Just The Way You Are peaked at the top of Billboard Hot 100. He continued his success with the second single, Grenade that so far peaked at no. 3. Mars is currently nominated for 7 awards at the 2011 Grammys including Record of The Year & Producer of The Year. He his still at the beginning in his career, even if he failed as a solo singer after this, he would make his way as a brilliant music producer.


Buy: Nothing on You
Buy: Billionaire
Buy: Just The Way You Are
Buy: Grenade
Buy: Doo-Wops & Hooligans





Hip Hop/Rap: Nicki Minaj

Before Nicki Minaj, she was Onika Tanya Maraj. But the alter ego, Nicki Minaj stays with her as she create history in 2010. The ingredient for Nicki Minaj sucess is she mixed her eccentric sometimes rough rap with soft melody in the background that made it pop enough to join the dance pop era in 2010 radio. She first made herself notice by featuring in multiples songs including by Mariah Carey, Ludacris, Christina Aguilera, Usher, Trey Songz, Jay Sean, Sean Kingston & Kanye West. She then release her debut album, Pink Friday in November catching the Holidays advantage and selling 375,000 copies in the first week, marking the second-highest sales week for a female hip hop recording artist, behind Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998. Nicki Minaj have more sucess than a lot of artist that have been working for more than 5 years into their career. She even held a record on Billboard for being the first artist to have seven songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart simultaneously.


Buy: Your Love
Buy: Check It Out
Buy: Right Thru Me
Buy: Pink Friday

[I Don't Mind Being Thanks]