As the last in our series of music picks for 2012, Yasmin gives us the lowdown on what she’s hyping as the hot shots for the coming year…
With the rate that music progressed last year it is an exciting prospect for what lays awaits in 2012, with new avenues waiting to be explored and existing ones challenged.
ELLE VARNER
One of the people i’m most excited about for 2012 is Elle Varner; America’s finest new gem. Born to parents who were both songwriters, it may not come as a surprise that Elle’s path has also led to music. She debuted with ‘Only Wanna Give It To You’ back in August and went to number 20 on the Billboard Charts.
Her debut single featured J. Cole (who she has incidentally known since University) and was an instant demonstration of her natural talent. Her throaty vocals heighten an infusion of soul to her sound, making for a distinct quality that immediately defines her. 2012 will no doubt be very exciting for her – and for me, as I’m highly anticipating further material from her album Perfectly Imperfect set to drop early this year!
MICHAEL KIWANUKA
I’m also looking forward to hearing more from Michael Kiwanuka. The humbling North London artist was on tour with Adele last year and won the BBC Sound Of 2012 award ahead of Frank Ocean, who came second. His voice has the most captivating yet effortless tone and he resonates a quiet wisdom way beyond his years; very much looking forward to his album Home Again due for release March 26th.
DRAKE’S CLUB PARADISE TOUR
Heading forward to something else important happening in March… Drake’s Club Paradise Tour hitting the U.K. Cue the hysteria. It’s already set to be crazy which was shown by the ridiculous demand for tickets when they went on sale last month, sending everyone into a frenzy seeing that venues were selling out so fast (I will be there singing “I see way too many people here right now that I didn’t see last year… Who the **** are y’all!”). With this being his first arena tour he is rumoured to be pulling out all the stops with a set full of creative displays providing a “sonic and visual spectacle” (at £50 for a standing ticket we hope it will be…)
But, most of all, I’m looking forward to the boundaries of music being pushed further. Bring it on.
Yasmin. A. (@Yasmin_888)
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