Billboard News
21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Minors 2011
(Part 2 : 14 - 8)
14. Willow Smith
Birthdate: Oct. 31, 2000 (age 10)
Rank Last Year: 7
13. Cody Simpson
14. Willow Smith
Rank Last Year: 7
Why She's Hot: Plenty of youngsters have scored to 40 hits, but how many can say they ruled the charts before their 10th birthday? Willow's "Whip My Hair" was an almost overnight sensation that rose to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made the singer and actress - who made her big-screen debut alongside her famous daddy in 2007's "I Am Legend" -- a true double-threat at only age 9. The daughter of musician/actor Will Smith and actress Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow is no stranger to the limelight and has already been active in charitable pursuits alongside her budding career in entertainment. After debuting her second single "21st Century Girl" on "Oprah" earlier this year, the anticipation for her forthcoming debut album -(set to be released by Roc Nation later this year) continues to grow a year and counting after "Whip My Hair."
13. Cody Simpson
Birthdate: Jan. 11, 1997 (Age 14)
Rank Last Year: 20
Why He's Hot: Australian teen star Cody Simpson is slowly becoming the all-encompassing pop phenom that could make him a household name by this time next year. After working with Flo Rida on his debut EP, "4 U," last year, the singer-songwriter unveiled a "very emotional" six-song EP, "Coast to Coast," in September; its first single, "On My Mind," has already earned 7 million views on YouTube. With a full-length debut expected for early 2012, Simpson may move into the highest tier of our 21 Under 21 list in 2012.
12. Il Volo
Birthdates: Gianluca Ginoble - Feb. 1, 1995 (age 16); Piero Barone - June 24, 1993 (age 18); Ignazio Boschetto - Oct. 4, 1994 (age 16)
Why They're Hot: After appearing on 'American Idol' in May 2011, the young operatic tenors of Italian trio II Volo set themselves up for a media whirlwind that included an appearance on 'Ellen' and a coveted spot on the series finale of the HBO smash 'Entourage.' Consisting of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto & Gianluca Ginoble, the classically trained trio is currently on a U.S. tour. But the proof of the group's success is really in the charts: partially on the strength of single "O Sole Mio," the boys' self-titled album hit No. 1 on Billboard's Classical Albums chart in September, and sales are still going strong.
11. Lex Luger
Birthdate: March 6, 1991 (Age 20)
Rank Last Year: 11
Why He's Hot: The Atlanta-raised Lex Luger has been one of the hottest producers in hip-hop over the past year, with the success of Rick Ross' "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)" preceding the pummeling Waka Flocka Flame singles "Hard in da Paint" and "Grove St. Party." Luger went on to work with Kanye West and Jay-Z (who's more than twice his age!) on "H.A.M.," the first track released from their chart-topping "Watch The Throne" album. Meanwhile, his production work for artists like Ace Hood, Snoop Dogg and Fabolous have confirmed that Luger's distinctly sinister sound is still in high demand.
10. Victoria Justice
Birthdate: Feb. 19, 1993 (age 18)
Why She's Hot: You probably most recognize her as Tori Vega from the Nickelodeon's show "Victorious," which is about to enter its third season, but this Hollywood, Fla. native is racing up the album charts too. In August, she made big impact on the Billboard 200 album chart with a No. 5 debut for the "Victorious" soundtrack, which featured Justice on almost every track. With her first solo album and an appearance on the forthcoming "Footloose (2011)" soundtrack - a re-recording the classic duet "Almost Paradise" with country up-and-comer Hunter Hayes - in the works, Victoria is eyeing for an even higher rating on next year's under-21 list.
9. Rye Rye
Birthdate: Nov. 25, 1990 (age 20)
Why She's Hot: When M.I.A. cosigns on you, you know you're doing something right. Explosive, street-style Baltimore rapper/dancer Rye Rye is already earning her keep with not only major buzz, but big name assists: her infectious 2010 single "Sunshine" featured the aforementioned M.I.A., while "Never Will Be Mine" (which recently hit No. 12 on the Club Play Chart) features Swedish Robyn. Both songs will be featured on "Go! Pop! Bang!," Rye Rye's highly anticipated debut album which will finally surface this fall after years of delay. The album will drop via M.I.A.'s Interscope imprint, N.E.E.T. Recordings.
8. Nick Jonas
Birthdate: Sept. 16, 1992 (Age 19)
Rank Last Year: 6
Why He's Hot: The JoBros may be on indefinite hiatus, but that hasn't done anything to slow the roll of the group's youngest member. In early 2010, Nick became the first Jonas brother to release a major album separate from the platinum-selling trio. "Who I Am," by Nick and his band The Administration, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Nick has continued to flex his songwriting muscles - working with fellow 21-Under-21 artist Greyson Chance, among others - and has also ventured back to the theater stage, where he first got his start. Nick played the role of Link Larkin in thr broadway production of 'Hairspray' in August 2011 and will return to the Great White Way in 2012 when he stars as J. Pierrepont Finch in the musical "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
Source : Billboard.com
Photo : Billboard.com
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