UB’s Annual Top 10 Artists to Watch Out For in 2011

So check out UrbanBridgez.com’s Annual Top 10 Artists To Watch Out For in 2011!

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10. Phreshy Duzit
The Detroit native is a 21-year old rapper/singer/songwriter discovered from MySpace and now signed to Atlantic Records. His EP “Hate/Love” will drop this spring with a full length album later this year. His first single “Patty Cake” (available on iTunes) is creating a huge buzz as well as the remix to his single “Eyetag” which features label-mate Trey Songz. UrbanBridgez recently spoke to Phreshy and he shared his goals with us for the next 5 years – “Whatever I put out whether it be music, fashion or whatever, I would like it to be received well. I just want overall success, wealth, positivity and all that!” He’s well on his way to achieving all of that and more.

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9. Tasha Scott
Not LaTocha Scott from the defunct R&B group Xscape, but Tasha Scott the actress/singer that was on almost every sitcom in the late 80’s & 90’s from Amen, 227, Full House, The Parent ‘Hood and co-starring on South Central along with her good friend Lorenz Tate. Not to mention films like “Kiss Shot” & “Troop Beverly Hills.” This year Tasha will release her first album via Ray J’s Knockout Entertainment. Tasha has an incredible voice as thousands witnessed when she was apart of the touring play “The Wiz” alongside Grace Jones & Peabo Bryson, as well as her music she has released online in previous years. In March fans will get a taste of Tasha’s up-coming project, when the album “Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business” is released. Tasha has a song on the album in support of the successful VH1 reality show. She’s beautiful, talented and focused…mark our words Tasha will be making alot of noise this year!

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8. Shanice
The small woman with the big power-house voice is returning this year with a new release on her own label Imajah. The follow-up to her 2006 release “Every Woman Dreams” will be available this summer. Mostly known for her huge #1 single “I Love Your Smile,” she released her first album at age 14 and since has released 5 albums. With two Gold albums under her belt, this time Shanice is ready to take it platinum and beyond! She’s been releasing singles on her official YouTube channel (ShaniceOnline) for fans to preview before she drops the album. If those singles are any indication of what’s to come, then we expect Shanice to deliver a classic gem that’s sure to please R&B fans around the world, stay tuned!

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7. SWV
Don’t Call it A Comeback! The ladies of SWV (Sisters With Voices) are set to release their much highly anticipated reunion album later this year. In case we need to refresh your memory, the ladies of SWV have 3 previous albums that have all went multi-platinum, platinum or gold, various #1 and hit singles, an amazing Christmas album and millions of fans that have been waiting for their return! Since the last SWV album lead vocalist Coko has released three solo albums (two gospel & one R&B) as well as a holiday album. Taj has since modeled, wrote a book and starred on a reality show and Lelee stayed out of the industry. Now the ladies are back together, doing shows and recording the new album, we’re ready — are you?

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6. Mint Condition
The real definition of a band, Mint Condition will release their brand new album in April of this year. The group from St Paul, MN first made their debut in 1991 on Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis’ now defunct label Perspective Records & since have released 5 albums and had numerous hits over the years. As for the new album “The material on the new CD is inspired by all walks of life. Some of it is narrative-things that actually happened or are happening right now. Some things are fantasy,” The band shares. Recently coming off of spot dates with the legendary Prince and currently the house-band for TVOne’s ‘Way Black When” (weeknights at 10PM), shows the band isn’t slowing down anytime soon and are gaining even more new fans everyday. Something tells us, this new release is going to be one of their most successful albums to date!

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5. Tyga
Many know Tyga from Young Money and Lil Wayne, however Tyga has been around since as early as 2008. With the debut of his single & video for “Coconut Juice” in 2009 later followed by his first mixtape and then his debut album “No Introduction.” This year he will drop his highly anticipated Young Money debut “Careless World” with features from Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Kanye West, Drake and Chris Brown who Tyga helped last year create one of the biggest R&B singles of the year with “Deuces.” His label-mates like Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Drake may be house-hold names, but don’t sleep on Tyga and his skills, we’re sure “Careless World” is going to pleasantly surprise alot of people!

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4. J. Cole
J Cole created such a buzz for himself from his mixtapes that he was signed to Jay Z’s Roc Nation. Born in Germany, his family later moved to North Carolina and after he graduated High-School he moved to New York to follow his dreams of becoming a recording artist. He attended St John’s University where he later graduated after studying business. The buzz surrounding his debut album is crazy, it puts you in the mind frame of Drake and the anticipation for his debut album. J. Cole is such a unique and talented artist, that we’re positive the hype is going to be worth the wait!

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3. Willow
With parents like Will Smith and Jada Pinkett, how can anybody doubt the talents of young Willow Smith. A trend-setter before the age of 7 with her original and self inspired fashion style, it was only a matter of time before the world would get a glimpse of her other talents. Making her film debut in her fathers film “I Am Legend” in 2007 and since then lending her voice to “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” & “Merry Madagascar” & next year she will star in the new version of the classic film “Annie!” Her Roc Nation debut album will be released later this year and has already spawned the hit single “Whip My Hair!” At the tender age of only 10, Willow is a force to be reckoned with and this is only the beginning!

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2. Jennifer Hudson
“I can..I can..I can, can can!” Words from Jennifer Hudson’s debut Weight Watchers commercial and words she has proven to be true throughout any and every obstacle she has had to face. From being voted off the popular Fox show American Idol earlier than she should have been to dealing with a family tragedy that played out in front of the entire world. Currently taking a break from acting, she has starred in such films as “Dreamgirls” & “The Secret Life of Bees.” This March she’s set to release her sophomore album release entitled “I Remember Me,” with the lead single ‘Where You At’ currently climbing up the charts. Not only is she an Oscar and Grammy winner but Jennifer Hudson is an inspiration to many who have followed her from her humble beginning. With a major media television campaign lined up in support of her new album and magazine covers on deck like the April issue of Essence Magazine, it’s easy to see why J Hud is one to watch this year! Don’t blink you don’t want to miss what she does next!

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1. Chris Brown
Martin Lawrence said it best; “No one is immune to the trials and tribulations of life.” Nobody knows that more than recording artist & actor Chris Brown. Just a few short years ago, many critics counted him out after the very much publicized altercation with singer and girlfriend at the time Rihanna. Fast-forward to late 2010, Chris Brown was back on top, with one of the biggest R&B singles of the year for “Deuces” and nominated for multiple Grammy’s from his mixtape with Tyga “Fan of a Fan” (FYI, it’s almost unheard of for singles from mixtapes to be nominated for accolades, specially a Grammy). In March Breezy will release his 4th album “F.A.M.E. (Fans Are My Everything),” featuring the lead singles “Beautiful People” & “Look At Me Now” featuring Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes which are already heading to the top of the charts. Chris currently has 4 singles on the charts including the #1 single “No B.S.” So it’s no mystery why we selected Chris Brown as the #1 Artist to watch out for in 2011, it’s always great to see talent over power scandal. In our Breezy voice…”Look At Me Now!”

What Do You Think of UrbanBridgez.com’s Top 10 To Watch for 2011?