20 Singers, Rappers, DJs And Producers Who Blew Up In 2014
These are the names and faces that no one knew in 2013 and everyones heard of in 2014. Featuring Jess Glynne, Clean Bandit, Chance The Rapper and more, here are the stories of their 2014.
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1. Jess Glynne
No artist has had a year quite like North-London girl Jess Glynne's. Completely unknown in 2013, Jess Glynne was responsible for the biggest and best number ones to top the UK charts this year. She provided vocals to the bouncy Route 94 track 'My Love' and sold over one milion copies of her Clean Bandit collaboration 'Rather Be.' Hats off to you Jess Glynne, here's to 2015.
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2. Sam Smith
2013 was the year people started to et familiar with the name Sam Smith, but 2014 was the year that he was the name on everyones lips. It is fair to say that Sam Smith blew up more than any other artists in the world in 2014 with the release of his debut album 'In The Lonely Hour,' which gained Sam a 2015 Grammy nomination for 'Best Album,' along with five other nominations.
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3. Gorgon City
Gorgon City win the award for the most consistently infectious music of 2014. Song after song from their debut album 'Sirens,' including a Jennifer Hudson collaboration and their January MNEK assisted track 'Ready For Your Love' has been a winner.
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4. Clean Bandit
Believe it or not, 'Rather Be' was not Clean Bandit's first song. Their 2013 single 'Mozart's house' reached number 17 on the UK charts, but it was this year they scored their first chart-topping single, which also went to number 10 on the US charts.
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5. Fuse ODG
What a year for Fuse ODG, the 'Azonto' singer became popular back in 2013 but 2014 was the year that he picked up a MOBO award, had his highest charting song to date ('Dangerous Love' reached number three on the UK singles chart), performed at the Capital Jingle Bell Ball and most recently released a charity song to help raise funds for the Ebola Crisis.
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6. Ella Eyre
After getting her name out there by providing vocals on Rudimental's 2013 number one song 'Waiting All Night', Ella Eyre, real name Ella McMahon, has pushed herself further into the limelight this year by releasing her debut single 'If I Go' and teaming up with Capital XTRA's DJ Fresh for new song 'Gravity,' due for a 2015 release date.
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7. Kiesza
She might only be 25-years-old but Canadian-born Keisza has already had quite the interesting life working as a ballerina, sailor, model and even a Naval Reservist. She can now add singer-songwriter to the list after her debut single 'Hideaway' went to number one in the UK and top 10 in tons of other countries. It will be interesting to see what she comes back with in 2015.
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8. MNEK
MNEK was making huge music before 2014 began, writing and producing songs songs for some of the biggest stars around including Duke Dumont, Gorgon City, Naughty Boy, Kylie Minogue and Rudimental to name a few. 2014 saw him focus on his solo career, releasing songs 'Every Little Word' and 'Wrote A Song About You.' While their chart success wasn't huge, there is surely only very big things to come from this talented 20-year-old.
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9. Chance The Rapper
Chance The Rapper was on just about every 'Ones To Watch' list going in 2014, and the Chicago rapper didn't let anyone down. Chance is amazing because he he doesn't follow the crowd, if his cover of the Arthur theme song 'Wonderful Everyday' isn't proof of that, who knows what is.
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10. Tinashe
Tinashe mesmerised the US with her debut song '2 On' in the same way that some of the world's biggest 1990s r&b stars did back in the day. The track has been played non-stop since its release and now it's getting its big re-release in the UK, expect to hear loads more from her and her 'Aquarius' album next year.
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11. Route 94
Route 94 is the London DJ and producer behind the big hit 'My Love' (with vocals from Jess Glynne) that soundtracked your summer. The success was years in the making and there's no doubt he has more big hits up his sleeve.
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12. Secondcity
American-born British DJ and producer Secondcity, real name Rowan Harrington, released his break-through song this year 'I Wanna Feel,' which was kept alive by a huge Brookes Brothers remix. The song currently has over one million views on YouTube and reached number one on the UK singles chart. Keep an eye on this one.
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13. Kid Ink
Kid Ink has an ever-growing catalogue of huge r&b hits since releasing his second studio album 'My Own Lane' this year. Hooking up with Chris Brown for songs 'Show Me' and 'Main Chick' helped to push him in to the UK charts in 2014 and his latest collaboration with Usher and Tinashe on 'Body Language' is climbing and climbing.
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14. Cyril Hahn
Rising producer Cyril Hahn has already released amazing Remixes of Desinty's Child's 'Say My Name,' Solange's 'Losing You' and Jessie Ware's 'Tough Love.' His talent is undeniable, so while he is yet to have a chart hit in 2014, everyone should know his name.
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15. Luvbug
When the song 'Resonance' started getting radio play no one knew who was behind the amazing track. Months later, it was announced that JLS' Marvin Humes, White N3rd, who has produced for Diplo and Azealia Banks and JKAY were behind the big song. Three heads are better than one, so expect more from them next year.
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16. Sigma
If someone challenged you to remix a Kanye West song and make a track just as good, if not better, than the original 'Ye track, would you laugh in their face? Probably. Thank God Sigma didn't, because 'Nobody To Love' is easily one of the best songs of the year.
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17. Mr Probz
Dutch singer-songwriter Mr Probz, real name Dennis Princewell Stehr, blew up this year when he song 'Waves' was remixed by Robin Schulz and got him international recognition.
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18. Becky Hill
You might recognise Becky Hill's face from when she competed on the first season of The Voice in 2012 as a part of Jessie J's group. She didn't win, but ended up with the last laugh when her song with Oliver Heldens 'Gecko (Overdrive)' went to number one this year - the first number one ever achieved by a 'The Voice' contestant.
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19. Iggy Azalea
Right now, at the end of 2014, Iggy Azalea is so big that it's hard to believe she was barely known only a year ago. 'Fancy' was the fourth single released from her debut album 'The New Classic', but the one the really helped her to make her name worldwide after staying at number one for seven weeks throughout the summer in the US. Since then, Iggy beat Eminem and Drake to win in the 'Favourite Rap/ Hip Hop' categories at the AMAs and has re-released her album as 'Reclassified.'
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20. Ariana Grande
Since winning the award for the 'Favourite Breakout Artist' at the People's Choice Awards 2014 back in January, Ariana Grande has constantly out-done herself. Releasing her second studio album 'My Everything,' collaborating with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj on 'Bang Bang' and hooking up with Big Sean are just some of her 2014 highlights.