Billboard News : 21 Under 21: Music's Hottest Minors 2011 (Part 2 : 14 - 8)

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

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."

21 Under 21 : Music's Hottest Minors (Part 1)

21 Under 21 : Music's Hottest Minors

(Original post from Billboard.com)

They're young, they're on a white-hot winning streak, and most importantly, they're just getting started: These are Billboard.com's "21 Under 21," selected not only for their tender age but also for their potential to rule the pop culture zeitgeist over the next 12 months.

Whether it's a country star whose every song lyric demands hours of analysis (Is she singing about Joe, Taylor or Kanye?!), a beloved breakout character on TV's hottest high school musical, or a newcomer who landed a record deal on the strength of one Lady Gaga cover, expect them all to to keep us watching -- and listening -- in the year to come. On to the countdown of our picks!