Sean Kingston
Sean Kingston, shot to fame in 2007, at the age of 17, with his unforgettable summer single, Beautiful Girls. Originally born in Miami, Sean spent most of his child hood in Jamaica before moving back to America to pursue a music career. Kingston comes from a dynasty of musical performers, his grand father was the noted Jamaican reggae producer Lawrence Lindo, more commonly know as Jack Ruby.
As with many young modern artists Sean was discovered through myspace and eventually signed a deal in partnership with Sony.
He began working with a company called Beluga whose company head famously said of Sean: “Sean Kingston was a rapper when we found him and it was a development process to get him more melodic. He is a tight dawg who rocks. At Beluga we essentially refine the talent so that it’s more of a marketable product.”
In 2007 Kingston released his very first single, Beautiful Girls which reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks and topped the UK Singles Chart. Get free music by Sean Kingston to check his latest hit.
During that year Sean was sought out to open for Gwen Stefani’s The Sweet Escape Tour and for select dates on Beyoncé’s The Beyoncé Experience Tour.
All in all 2007 was quite a year for Sean Kingston.
Since his break out year he has released a new album entitled Tomorrow, which features such hits as “Fire Burning”, and “Face Drop”.
His song Face Drop is an electro-pop number all about not being able to fit in with a crowd because of being physically unattractive. This is particularly appropriate being that Kingston is practically obese. This is a stark contrast from almost all his other contempory’s such as Jason Derülo and Iyaz. How ever in a world becoming more and more disillusioned with the shallowness of Hollywood, Sean’s message is a welcome change amongst the new young artists.
Below is the music video to the Sean Kingston song Face Drop:
What’s more incredible is that Sean has already opened his own label, signing new sensation Iyaz, whose debut single, “Replay” reached number two on the billboard top 100 and reached number 1 in the UK. Kingston purportedly found Iyaz on myspace saying “He reminded me so much of myself that I really wanted to sign him.”
Currently Sean is touring with Justin Beiber but rest assured he is already working on a new album, which should be out by September. In his new album he has collaborated with artist, T Pain and Kayne West and according to Sean “it’s going to be crazy”.
I Know My Kid’s a Star on VH1 – The McKenzie Knapps Mishap
In 2008, music oriented television channel VH1 tried to get a kid’s talent search going with a show called I Know My Kid’s a Star. It features ten parent-child teams from across the country who compete every episode for a breakthrough opportunity to get into Hollywood, and win the grand prize of $50,000. The kids are in competition against each other for their performing abilities, and the parents are competing to prove their managerial and mentoring skills, something that show host Danny Bonaduce insists the importance of.
The first season’s winner was a young 9 year old girl by the name of McKenzie Knapps and her mother. Perhaps it was the sweet southern drawl of their Baton Rouge, Louisiana accents that won the hearts of the judges on the show, and many fans watching. “Acting is very fun, don’t get me wrong, but I just love singing,” McKenzie states in an interview with a local news channel.
Here’s a video of the entire McKenzie Knapps on VH1:
Yet there seems to be a serious lack of talent to win a competition of singing, acting, and dancing. In the finale episode of the show McKenzie forgets lyrics, and repeats verses during her performance of Alone by Heart, while other competing child Cheyenne sings Whitney Houston’s So Emotional. The Knapps went on to win the competition due to their teamwork, and probably the fact that the other kids’ parents couldn’t keep their cool. Talent may not have been the most important issue here, in fact, even though it was free music, it was kind of painful to sit through.
Here is McKenzie Knapps, before the show aired singing the sing Heartbreak Hotel:
Yet the runner up may not have had the best talent we’ve ever seen, it was definitely superior to McKenzie’s. Interestingly enough, the Knapps have not done anything with the title of winning the show, or the exposure they got. That was two years ago. No wonder the show was discontinued after one season!
Here is a video of Cheyenne Haynes, who lost the competition to McKenzie:
Willow Smith
What do you get when two major Hollywood performers have a child – Willow Smith. The second child of Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow has big shoes to fill, but already at age nine, she seems to be doing pretty well.
Just two years ago she made her acting debut in her fathers blockbuster movie, “I Am Legend”, playing the role as the daughter of Robert Neville, (played by Will Smith). The film grossed $585 million internationally and was the seventh highest grossing film of 2007.
Willow Smith at the release of Karate Kid this year
Her next major film role was a year later in Kit Kittredge: An American Girl playing Countee for which she earned a Young Artist Award, followed by a brief appearance in Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa as baby Gloria.
Surprisingly silent in 2009 and most of 2010, just last week Willow came out with her debut single “Whip My Hair” if you want to her you can download music from her for free online . And already she has been signed by music sensation, Jay-Z, who claimed that he originally did not know of her famous parentage.
“I heard the record first before I knew that it was recorded a nine-year-old, and I was like ‘Man, that record’s a smash,’” Jay-Z told Kiss FM radio last week.
Jay-Z famously signed and discovered Barbadian singer Rihanna at sixteen and was quick to draw comparisons. He also mentioned Michael Jackson in saying there is no such thing as being “to young” to preform.
Of coarse, Willow isn’t the only Smith child that is internationally famous, her older brother, Jaden has already stared in three movies including The Pursuit of Happiness, The Day the Earth Stood Still and The Karate Kid. The first of which he won the award for Best Breakthrough Performance at the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.
And just like his sister he sings as well. Recently he preformed with teen pop sensation Justin Beiber in the song Never Say Never.
Of coarse being international child superstars the Smith kids have to be able to rock their own style, especially Willow. And it isn’t only her music that is earning her comparisons with Rihanna. Her stylist, Mariel Hann, has said Willow is “definitely inspired by Rihanna’s style.”
Below is a video of Willow Smith with her new song Whip My Hair:
But continued “We make an effort to give Willow her own style, so as not to be a mini-version of Rihanna, but Willow really knows what she likes and what she doesn’t like, and she’s vocal about it,”. Her parents are very vocal about her style as well, with her mother reportedly intentionally not dressing Willow like a child but more like a mini adult.
At the release of her brothers movie premier for Karate Kid earlier this year, not to be out done by her brother, Willow turned up wearing lace-up boots, leopard-print harem pants, a cropped cheetah-print jacket and a Rihanna hair do.
So what’s next for the pint size super star who still goes to bed at 8pm? Well fans can look forward to the release of her album to accompany her single but after that, well the sky’s the limit.
Kevin Joe and Nick are The Jonas Brothers
When these three brothers signed their first contract with Columbia Records in 2005, the eldest brother Kevin was only seventeen years old, followed by middle brother Joe who was only fifteen, and youngest sibling Nick who was only twelve. The three brothers would be signed as the group that would become the Jonas Brothers, but it’s almost undeniable that majority of credit is due to the youngest of them all.
Nick as Marius in Les Miserables
Nick Jonas was performing on Broadway by the age of seven. Seven years old! On Broadway! In fact, he’s still very much involved with the performing arts. This summer, now aged seventeen, he gave a critically-acclaimed performance in London, England where he fulfilled the role of Marius in the timeless classic Les Miserables (read more). Joe would also have his time in the theatrical arts with a performance in La Bohème by Baz Lurhmann. Yet it was a song that Nick sung that would be discovered by Columbia and sparked interest. Get the music download of Please Be Mine and hear for yourself the group’s first song written and performed together.
Their debut single would come late in 2005, after the brothers had been touring as an opening act for several pop stars, as well as going on an anti-drug tour with Disney’s The Cheetah Girls. Mandy would be released almost one year before the debut album, fittingly called It’s About Time. After a mediocre reception of the first album, the brothers were dropped by Columbia in 2007.
After making a guest appearance on Disney’s Hannah Montana show, the brothers would perform with Miley Cyrus as her opening act for the 3D concert film. Soon after this, they would be featured along with pal Demi Lovato for the 2008 Disney film Camp Rock, which would skyrocket their recognition and careers. Their third studio album titled A Little Bit Longer would get amazing reviews from critics and fans alike with songs Burning Up, Lovebug, and Tonight.
Rolling Stone Cover 2008
In 2008, the brothers made it onto the front cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, the youngest group to ever accomplish that feat. They would be featured on the cover again one year later with the title “Boys To Men”. In 2009, they released their fourth album, Lines, Vines, and Trying Times. Their concerts during tours have successfully sold out across the country, and they’re currently on track to perform in Mexico and South America this fall.
Giving Back
The same year they were first signed in 2005, youngest sibling Nick would find out during tour that he had Type 1 Diabetes. In 2007 the Jonas Brothers would perform for a charity event to benefit the Diabetes Research Institute, where Nick revealed to the crowd that he too was living with it (read the whole interview he gave with a five year old who also has Diabetes on kidshealth.org).
Jonas Brothers and fans raising money for charity
This would be one of the first of many charitable events the boys would participate in. Perhaps part of their amazing success is due to their kid-friendly songs and very nature. Oldest brother Kevin would appear on the TV show Minute To Win It to play for Change For the Children Foundation, a charity created by the Brothers to help underprivileged children stay focused and motivated to achieve their goals. He won $250,000 for the charity on the show. They also travel all over the world to spread the word and raise money for the less fortunate. So far, they’ve contributed over $1 million of their own money.
Most recently, last week outside New York City, the Jonas Brothers performed during Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day at the US Open with Demi Lovato, David Archuleta, and others. I really find their sweetness genuine and sincere and hope that they have a long future together. Ultimately I believe they’ll separate into solo acts eventually, but maybe they’ll prove me wrong. I hope they stick around a bit longer than the Hanson brothers did!
Here is The Jonas Brothers with very first music video for the debut single Mandy, released in 2005:
Who Is Jackie Evancho?
Who is Jackie Evancho? She’s the 10 year old who shocked the world with her appearance on America’s Got Talent during the YouTube special episode earlier this month. This season, the producers of America’s Got Talent tried something new, and launched a special competition that revolved around YouTube videos. Out of the thousands of entries, 11 contestants prevailed. Ten of these were selected by the judges, and one was selected as America’s favorite. That one, is young singer Jackie Evancho.
This ten year old girl from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania lives an ordinary life and is part of an ordinary family with four children. When she was seven, she went to see Phantom of the Opera, and was immediately inspired to sing. Realizing her daughter’s extraordinary voice, Jackie’s mother started entering her into contests and uploading videos of free music onto YouTube. The rest is pretty much history.
Here is Jackie Evancho performing on stage for America’s Got Talent:
She’s already produced an album, titled Prelude To a Dream, performed with David Foster, sang the national anthem for Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates, and according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, she’s lined up to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City on December 2nd this year. She will be performing as part of a Christmas special put on by Tim Janis, and in doing so will become the youngest female singer to have ever performed at the world renown venue.
Album cover for Prelude To a Dream
According to Billboard.com on August 18th, her debut album, which was released in November of last year, has sold 4,000 copies and is ranked #2 on Top Classical Crossover Albums and #20 on Digital Albums. The album features 14 tracks that include Amazing Grace, O Mio Babbino Caro, Andrea Bocelli’s Con Te Partiro and The Prayer. The popular opera song Ava Maria is also on the album, however, instead of the original secular version, Jackie sings it with the Roman Catholic Hail Mary Latin prayer.
She has performed for businesses, politicians, and more honorably, charity events in her hometown area. Last year she gave a memorable performance at the 82nd Variety Children’s Charity Gala. Taken from one person who saw her perform (read more):
Suddenly, she transformed from a 9-year-old kid to a young person with a voice well beyond her years. The crowd of 300 or so sat stunned and mesmerized. We were in both awe and disbelief as Jackie showed a range singers twice her age rarely do.
Far more mature than the average ten year old child, Jackie seems to be fully aware that she has an astounding gift. In an interview with Pittsburgh’s news channel WPXI, Jackie explains the hurtful confrontation with skeptic’s of her voice’s authenticity, as well as providing motivation for other young hopefuls:
In another interview her mother states, “When you watch her perform, you can see that it really moves her, you know, it touches her on the inside too.” She’s already won over the hearts of many Americans and people around the world who’ve seen her videos online, as well as being confronted with skeptics of her voice’s authenticity. Does she have what it takes to prevail and become a music star?
Usher Raymond
It’s hard to believe that it was 13 years ago when Usher first rose to popularity with his hit album My Way with tracks like You Make Me Wanna, Nice and Slow, and My Way. Even harder to believe is that by the time this record came out, although he was only 18, Usher Raymond was no stranger to the music industry. Get the music downloads and hear for yourself the musical talent this young star possessed.
Usher’s first introduction to singing was singing gospel as a young boy in a church choir. This isn’t the first time gospel would prove the inception of a musical career, but according to Usher, it was hearing the Jackson 5 tune I Want You Back he remembers being his real inspiration.
At the age of 12, determined to become a singer, Usher auditioned for Star Search in Atlanta, Georgia. It is here where he’d be discovered by LaFace Records, L.A. Reid, claimed that “Usher represents the next generation of R&B soul,” and offered him a contract deal.
He was only 15 years old when he released his first debut album, which was produced by Sean Combs (P. Diddy) in 1994. Usher claims that there was something off in their relationship, and the album’s success suffered. ”That whole Bad Boy thing, me frowning for the camera, that wasn’t me,” (People.com).
A couple years and a completed high school education later, it was his sultry R&B styles, heightened with the collaboration of Jermaine Dupri, that would really click gears in place with the 1997 hit single You Make Me Wanna. He was barely 20 years old and co-wrote more than half the tracks on the album.
Here is the music video by Usher with his song You Make Me Wanna:
Usher in The Faculty
Around this time Usher was also pursuing an acting career, being on the TV show Moesha with fellow musician Brandy, as well as the movies The Faculty, She’s All That, and Light It Up. Following this, he would fulfill a modeling contract with designer Tommy Hilfiger, catapulting the success of a new urban edge to the designer’s line.
Somehow during all this, Usher found the time to create the New Look Foundation in 1999. The foundation is “a non-profit organization designed to reach talented youth from diverse socio-economic backgrounds and provide them with a chance to learn firsthand about the business side of the sports and entertainment industries.” Learn more on the New Look Foundation website.
By 2001 Usher had released his next album titled 8701 which contained Billboard hits U Remind Me and U Got It Bad. 8701 would earn Usher two consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Male R&B Performance.
In 2004 there would be his fourth album titled Confessions. By this time Usher was 25 years old and not a “young” star anymore by our books. However, look at what he had accomplished by the time most people are graduating college or university. Confessions would earn the star three more Grammys and sell about 20 million copies around the world with four #1 hits on Billboard, including My Boo with Alicia Keys.
There would also be Here I Stand (2008) and the very successful Raymond v. Raymond released in March of this year. And if that wasn’t enough, he just released Versus, his 7th studio album.
So his career as a musician has been nothing shy of incredibly impressive. Amazingly, he is still one of the most humble superstars in the industry, and gives that advice to other stars. So what is his inspiration to keep making music?:
The inspiration for my music is lifestyle, you know, you go through something and get to something. To be able to share that experience with my fans, hopefully it’ll touch you in the way that it did me, you know, enough to be compelled to even write about it.
Usher and Justin Bieber
Something I wanted to discuss here on Unfair Advantage Music is his affiliation with our beloved, young sensation Justin Bieber. According to an interview with Bieber on MTV.com, Usher (who just happened to be at the same studio that day) initially turned down the chance to listen to Justin. It wasn’t until later when watching his videos that he realized his mistake. Shortly after, Usher signed Bieber onto RBMG, a joint venture between Usher and Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun.
I only mention this because I can’t help but think that Usher may be the best mentor for Justin, as he himself was only 15 when he was first making a record. What do you think, is this a good relationship or no? Do you think that Usher is trying to capitalize on another young star, or does he have Justin’s best interest at heart?
David Cook
David Cook became a successful musician at an early age due to his success on American Idol, but he started getting involved in the music scene sometime before then. His vocals are spread across a unique range as he has shown his ability to reach insanely high notes, even though his voice is somewhat deeper than most. Comparable to grunge musicians of the 1990’s, Cook has transcended his influences by infusing elements of rock with a modern pop twist. This lets him keep the audiences of American Idol listening to him while engaging a more heavy audience. As always, it helps that he carries his guitar with him wherever he goes to play along with his songs.
Backed by a powerhouse arsenal of a rock band, David Cook has no problem rocking out crowds on a national level. Supported by being the champion of the seventh season of American Idol, his album went platinum in little under a month. Now it is up to his creativity and team to see whether he’ll fall victim to the American Idol temporary fame stature–or–push on as an artist unveiling his true potential to captivate audiences with free music.
So far, he’s been taking it a bit easy. Having worked the music circuit before with limited success, David Cook is no stranger to the hustle of the industry. Thankfully he’s been using his fame to his advantage making some connections to work on his upcoming second album. Seriously, the list of names are tremendous:
In an interview with Idolatry’s Michael Slezak on February 8, 2010 Cook revealed that he is hard at work on his second album. He has been collaborating with Raine Maidaand Chantal Kreviazuk, Gregg Wattenberg, John Rzeznik, Sam Hollander & Dave Katz, Claude Kelly, Brian Howes, David Hodges, Tommy Henriksen, Steven Van Zandt,Kevin Griffin, Zac Maloy, Matt Squire, Ryan Tedder, Jim Irvin & Julian Emery, and members of his band The Anthemic - Neal Tiemann and Andy Skib. In an April interview with HitQuarters – recorded in March – the producer-songwriter Steve Mac said that Cook had recently visited his Rokstone Studios in London where together with Mac he had also been writing with Savan Kotecha and Andrew Frampton.
David Cooks Biggest Single to Date
Cook has used his star power to attract some titans in the industry. Shattering some billboard records with his first album, these individuals must see the potential in the rock star and are making sure his second album outplays his debut.
He’s on a good path as he is able to intertwine pop and rock audiences; a feat many musicians attempt, but few succeed with. If David continues doing this while backed by an arsenal of talent, he’ll continue to be a figurehead in both genres.
Below is a video of David Cook singing Billie Jean:
Anamanaguchi
In order to properly introduce this band, their techniques must first be unveiled. The band is a four-piece rock group from New York City that relishes in a retro perspective; so much so that they’ve taken their most prized hobby and incorporated it into their music–a Nintendo Entertainment System. An entire underground genre of this music has been around for some time dubbed 8-bit, though it hasn’t been brought to light and only incorporated by certain artists such as RJD2 or BECK. This band rockets past these renditions escalating into a new genre that they themselves have created – Nintendo Rock.
Anamanaguchi, which means the children with the crystal Nintendo in Japanese, hacked the sound processor from the Nintendo Entertainment System and developed a way to manipulate the sounds into their music. Along with drums, bass, and thrash guitars, the Nintendo acts as the lead instrument played through the system and composed via laptop computer.
Their two albums, Power Supply and Dawn Metropolis are quite popular amongst the 8-bit crowd. Their relentless appearances in the New York area providing free music concerts have made them underground sensations along with the intuitive nature of front man, Peter Berkman; who credits himself of hacking the Nintendo’s soundboard.
They’ve had many shows throughout the years and are working on their third album, releasing it in singles via their website. Most recently they composed the soundtrack to a video game based off of the film, Scott Pilgrim vs The World, which seems to be far outselling the movie.
Anamanaguchi stands alone in their genre as no other group has combined the rock ensemble with the 8-bit composition. Either listeners will engage it with bewilderment and excitement or find it extremely irritating. Their hooks within tracks are extremely melodic and practically unforgettable. The Nintendo just heightens their catchy nature. It’s worth diving in to see what all the fuss is about.
Here is a fan video of Sting Operation by Anamanaguchi:
David Archuleta
Losing adolescent years to a great music career is something a lot of people frown upon, but I say that if it will do something good for the world, then what’s the big deal!? David Archuleta broke into the music world in 2002 through his appearance on the world hit TV show, American Idol. Although very much a star, Archuleta still realizes the importance of assisting the less fortunate and coordinates with Do Something.org and Dunkin’ Brands Community Foundation to liven up the lives of homeless teenagers worldwide. He also participated in efforts to raise money for the Haiti relief, partaking in a Telethon and a recording of We are The World 25 for Haiti. Now would you still say that Archuleta lost out by achieving stardom at such a young age? Because I certainly don’t! I say that it’s great that such a young star is still able to acknowledge and help the less fortunate even once he’s achieved stardom. If you haven’t heard his music get some free music downloads and I am sure you will enjoy his sweet styling.
As with any star, there has to be a story behind David Archuleta’s fame. The celebrity grew up in a musical household with a father, a jazz musician and mother, a Latin singer. The American pop singer started singing at the young age of 6, and by age 10 he performed publicly at the Utah Talent Competition. He immediately captured the crowd and received a standing ovation following his rendition of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You which won him the award for the Child Division. At 12, Archuleta sang on several episodes of the TV series Star Search, becoming the shows Junior Vocal Champion. It was only five years later, that Archuleta made his second appearance on Hollywood’s American Idol show, having already appeared on the shows first season in 2002, performing John Mayer’s Waiting On The World To Change at the final audition. David took advantage of the piano and played it as he performed some other songs on the show including the hit Angels. Unfortunately, the minor didn’t win the show, only receiving 44% of the votes. Could that have to do though with people not wanting such a young teenager to take advantage of the music show? After all, being so young, a minor in fact, he was required to have his parents act as his guardian at the show. Well anyway, that’s what I thought until I read that Billboard created a poll to find out the favorite American Idol male and female contestant and saw that David Archuleta won. He even won the poll between him and female winner, Carrie Underwood by a whopping 92% of the votes!
David Archuleta was quoted saying about the poll:
“I guess the fans I have are just really supportive. I think it’s cool that people consider me their favorite, especially because it’s Billboard. I check Billboard every week and I’m starting to get the magazine more, and I have a Billboard book, so it’s just funny that this is from Billboard, too. It’s not just some teen website, you know? It’s Billboard. I think that’s cool”. [Disney Dreaming]
David Archuleta doesn’t just stop at singing. The young star is also a songwriter, best selling author and an actor. Now how’s that for someone so young! That’s what I would call an unfair advantage! Earlier this year, Archuleta released a memoir Chords of Strength: A Memoir of Soul, Song and the Power of Perseverance, a book inspired by his nearly fatal partial vocal paralysis which he experienced in 2004, but has now recovered from. In past years, Archuleta has also written some songs including Dream Sky High and Don’t Tell Me.
Some of David Archuleta’s top songs include Crush, Angels, Zero Gravity, Let’s Talk About Love, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, In This Moment and Imagine with the latter three reaching positions on the Billiboard Hot 100. Angels and Zero Gravity are my personal favorites, perhaps you’ll love these tracks too!
Check out this music video of his latest single Something ‘Bout Love.
Archuleta released his self-titled album with hit single Crush in 2008, following his signing with Jive Records. The single positioned number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the best chart debut in more than 18 months. Some of his other albums which you should listen to are Christmas From The Heart, Somebody Out There and his just released single Something ‘Bout Love, which you just heard in the music video above.
The young star has already gone on tour many times. In 2009 alone, he went on five tours, two of his own and on the others he came on the tour to perform the opening act. His own tours were the David Archuleta Solo Tour and Christmas From The Heart Tour, performed at the beginning and end of the year respectively, to promote his self-titled album and Christmas From The Heart album. The tours showed at clubs, bars, theatres and civic centers, all in the USA.
David Archuleta has won quite a few awards during his short time in the music world. He was listed 2nd on Forbes’ list of Breakout stars of 2008 and received the Teen Choice Award surfboard for Most Fanatic Fans. In 2009 he won won three Teen Choice Awards for Breakout Artist, Love Song, the Music Tour category with Demi Lovato and Year in Music – Rising Male Star award at the ALMA Awards. He has also had some of his songs chart on the Billboard’s Bubbling Hot 100 Singles Chart.
David Archuleta is set to release another album, The Other Side of Down this year on October 5. He has already released the single, Something ‘Bout Love earlier this year. We’ll have to wait and see what the new album has in store for us. Let’s hope his new album charts. We wouldn’t want such brilliant talent to go to waste!
LIGHTS
Changing your name to a catchy stage name has always been a commonplace practice in the music and film industries, and today is no different, even for the youthful stars we discuss here on Unfair Advantage Music. What’s more, this trend has gone international. Out of Canada comes a bright young star by the name of LIGHTS, or formerly known as Valerie Poxleitner. If you don’t know her yet I suggest you get free music downloads and catch up on one of the world’s most talented young artists.
Lights may only be 23 years old, but she’s already released 4 EP albums, 1 LP album, won a JUNO Award for Best New Artist (2009), collaborated with other artists, and has been recognized in the industry as an upcoming star to keep your eye on. Don’t let her cute demeanor and perky pop attitude fool you, this girl is a seriously talented musician. Unlike many pop singers, Lights write and works on the production of all of her songs.
Her debut studio album, The Listening, was released in 2009, when she was just 22 years old. The 16-track, heavily-synthesized album produced hits that would get Lights’ name out there, more so in her home Canada, but even across the borders to the US. Her top singles off the album include Ice, Saviour, The Listening, and February Air.
Here is Lights music video for Ice:
One fan of Lights reviewed her album The Listening and describes it as a pleasing surprise, that musicians that include the synthesizer to their music can easily get it wrong, and that Lights does the exact opposite. Read the whole review here. He states:
Everybody who writes music or literature or whatever has a vein in them that they have to tap into to get that creative flow out of their innards and out into the world. Listening to Lights you can tell that not only has she tapped that creative vein of hers but it comes flowing out in a very pure sense and doesn’t become convoluted in overanalysis. It simply is what it is and it’s fantastic.
Although she’s perfectly capable and obviously talented, you can tell that she has a timid, shy side to her. Perhaps this will fade as she gets older and more used to being in front of the camera, but check out this video from I Am Lights where she sings her track River:
Tuesday Guide talks about her newest album, called Light Acoustic which is another EP of 5 tracks. However, this album is quite different than most of Lights previous releases, in that she diverts from her typical electro-pop genre and goes back to the basics of singing to an acoustic guitar.