New Artists, New Sounds, New Generation: Artists to Look Out For... Or Not

As a music lover, I have been really really hungry for some good new music but there has been a major drought lately. The quality of music, at least in the genres that I listen to most, is at an all time low. I feel significantly less intelligent everytime I hear some of these songs. It almost seems as though the quality of the music has a direct correlation with the economy or something... I really have no clue but I'm trying to make sense of it...... Anyway, in the midst of the era of the "Stanky Leg" and "Hallie Berry" songs, its hard to find decent new music so I've really been keeping my ear open to new artists that have been coming out. Some of them I like and some of them I dont care for much at all but I can honestly say I've given them a chance. So, with that said, the following 5 artists are fairly new and/or are on the verge of becoming household names.... if they're good enough:

1. Kid Cudi

This is somebody who has a little buzz, has a hit song, and is associated with some successful people (Kanye) but if his career gets much further than "Day and Night" I'll be surprised. There just isn't anything special about him musically in my opinion and I just can't seem to find the urge to ride the bandwagon. Like I said, I'm hungry for new music so I'm open to almost anything now and I'll continue to look out for his other work in hopes that he'll come along with something I can vibe with.

2. Asher Roth

I admit, I did not like this kid much at all but something told me to check out his album and see how it is.. I listened to his new album "Asleep in the Bread Isle" and was surprisingly impressed by a few of his songs. I slept on the kid, I admit, but I'm still not sure how successful he'll be even though he appeals to a very specific crowd. Better than I thought but still not too sure bout him or how he'll do in the near future. Although I'm still not feeling "I Love College" I think his album is certainly worth a listen. Give the kid a chance... you might actually like him.

3. Drake

I personally feel, with absolutely no sort of bias or outside influence involved, that this kid will be the most commercially successful among all the artists on this list. I never watched Degrassi or anything so I didn't know who he was but heard a few people rave about him and his music and once I gave his tracks a listen I understood what the buzz was about. He sings and raps and actually does both very well. This is a unique quality that has many have attempted but never quite done this well. With the buzz this kid has now along with his talent and association with the right people, any A & R who doesn't give him a deal would be quite foolish in my eyes. I look forward to what he does in the near future.

4. Janelle Monae

Now, remember what I said about not having any sort of bias and such about the last artist?? Well if I said the same about this young lady, I'd be fibbing a great deal. Although she's not necessarily a brand new artist, she still hasn't gotten her time to shine quite yet. I fell in love with her voice on the Idlewild soundtrack because of her unique jazzy/theatric/retro sound. When I took time to listen to her other music, it was right down my alley... creative, weird in a way, eclectic, funky.. like two of my favorite artists, Andre 3000 and Erykah Badu, had a child (yeah yeah I know they did but bare with me and my analogy please) and the child was trained to perform by James Brown, got pointers how to dress by Prince, and was given voice lessons by Ella Fitzgerald. Janelle is just something special.. and I'm not saying all this because I have a bit of a crush on her... its just a coincidence. I'm just waiting for her label to let her do her thing.. I pray that Mr. Combs doesn't mess things up for her... my favorite artist in this line up.

5. Chester French

When I saw these guys open up for N.E.R.D. and Common last fall, I didn't know what to expect.. As they began to play, my friends and I were caught off guard, to say the least, by their edgy ass lyrics but I wasn't sure how to react because their music was really dope! Well, I listened to some of the songs I heard live that night a little later on the internet and I must say that I was feeling it. I like these dudes 'cuz they really don't give a damn.. really. Their style, similar to Janelle's, is very unique and can't really be categorized as just one thing. CF was a good pick up for Pharell and the boys. I think together they'll make some ill music.