11 Up-And-Coming Male Artists Who Will Make You Drop Your Panties
Ladies to the front. We've got ten up-and-coming male artists you need to add to your Spotify playlists stat. These men have looks, moves, and smooth grooves, but be warned. They're so good with the microphone, you're going to drop your panties.
Note: the following is entirely safe for work. Scroll through and tell us: Who's on your radar now?
Luke James
Sounds like: Trey Songz
Label: Island Records
Chances are that you've seen this New Orleans boy before. He appeared in Beyonce's "Run The World" video, has written songs for Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, and Britney Spears, and is Jessie J's beau. Like his girlfriend, James is signed to Island Records, and his song "Options" featuring Rick Ross is up for Best R&B Song at the Grammy Awards next month.
Song of choice: "Options" featuring Rick Ross
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James Bay
Sounds like: Ed Sheeran, Vance Joy
Label: Virgin EMI
This one's for all you Sheerios. James Bay's indie folk/rock tendencies and sweet, tenor voice place him among acts such as Ed Sheeran and Vance Joy. He's tall and lanky with man-bun length hair. Sounds familiar, doesn't it, Hozier? Bay's most recent album is Chaos & The Calm, and he just released a poignant new song, "Scars."
Song of choice: "Hold Back The River"
Sounds like: The Weeknd
Label: OVO Music
Lucky for all of us, Majid Jordan comes as a pair. Majid Al Maskati and Jordan Ullman make up the duo that brought us the production behind Drake's "Hold On, We're Going Home." Like Drake, Maskati and Ullman are Toronto-bred, and now they're signed to Drizzy's label, OVO Music.
Song of choice: "Her"
[Photos: Getty Images, Facebook]
Jeremih
Sounds like: Usher, Lloyd
Label: Def Jam
We know what you're thinking. Haven't I seen him before? You've probably had his baby-making song "Birthday Sex" stuck in your head, and if you haven't already seen this video of Keenan Cahill and 50 Cent going in on his 2010 song "Down On Me," watch it immediately. Jeremih has had some hits over the past few years, the most recent one being "Don't Tell Em" featuring YG, but before last year, his top songs were quickly forgotten. His is a story that gives meaning to "third time's the charm."
Song choice: "Birthday Sex"
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Chet Faker
Sounds like: James Blake
Label: Future Classic / Downtown Records
Chet Faker, AKA Nicholas James Murphy, hails from Australia. Blending R&B with electronic beats, Faker produces a collective sound in the vein of James Blake. Faker released his latest album Built On Glass in April, and has won awards at both the 2012 Australian Independent Music Awards and the 2012 Rolling Stone Australia Awards.
Song of choice: "Gold"
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Kwabs
Sounds like: Aloe Blacc, John Legend
Label: Atlantic
This London-based singer got himself noticed when he posted a cover of Corinne Bailey Rae's "Like A Star" on YouTube. Kwabena Adjepong, Kwabs for short, has a booming baritone voice that couples nicely with his neo-soul tendencies. Kwabs is expected to release his debut LP later this year.
Song of choice: "Walk"
Sounds like: Jamie Foxx, Usher
Label: Re Mi Fa / Louder Than Life
Tristan Mack Wilds made his TV debut as A.J. on Miracle's Boys, and the actor-turned-singer was also on The Wire and 90210. Wilds has since changed his focus to music and released his debut LP in 2013. The album, New York: A Love Story, won Wilds a 2014 Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
Song of choice: "Don't Turn Me Down"
George Ezra
Sounds like: Hozier, Ray LaMontagne
Label: Columbia
George Ezra is 21, but his roaring voice might make you think he's much older. Ezra has made it big in the UK already and is a four-time nominee at this year's Brit Awards. His album Wanted on Voyage came out last year, and he released the track "Budapest" when he was just 19. Catch on to the Ezra wave as the up-and-comer inevitably makes his way across the pond.
Song of choice: "Budapest"
Sounds like: Pharrell Williams, Kid Cudi
Label: N/A
Teenyboppers and cougars alike, listen up. Raury Tullis is an 18-year-old from Atlanta, Georgia. He doesn't have a full-length LP out yet, but he's already been picked up by musical outlets such as Pigeons and Planes and Complex. Get on board the Raury bandwagon before he becomes like Lorde and takes over your stereos.
Song of choice: "Cigarette Song"
Sounds like: Ne-Yo, Babyface
Label: Slip-N-Slide
Sebastian Mikael has a voice as smooth as his Swedish-Ethiopian looks. Mikael released his debut album Speechless last year and collaborated with Wale on the song "Last Night." He's also worked with Teyana Taylor on "Made for Me" and Rick Ross on "4 U." Mikael and Trey Songz haven't collaborated, but Mikael seems to be taking a hint from Trigga. All of Mikael's songs are panty droppas.
Song of choice: "Beautiful Life"
Sounds like: MIKA
Label: Interscope / Universal
All you androgyny-loving ladies, we're looking at you. Don't be intimidated that Garrett Borns, AKA Borns, looks more natural in a leopard print jacket than a damn leopard itself, and make no mistake: This man is eccentric as all hell. But this one's not about the looks. It's about that crisp, angelic voice.
Song of choice: "Electric Love" featuring Zella Day
[Photos: Getty Images]