The 9 New Urban Music Artists You Need to Know

Roslynn Cobarrubias, Senior Director of Urban Marketing at MySpace Music and member of Billboard’s 2009 list of “30 Under 30″ in the music industry is always ahead of the curve on emerging Urban music acts. She was nice enough to give us the list of “The 9 New Urban Music Artists You Need to Know,” which only includes newly-signed or unsigned artists with one album or less. So sit back, relax, and get up-to-date on the latest urban musicians on the market.

1. J-Cole

J. Cole used college as a tool to chase his dreams. He attended St. John’s University on an academic scholarship, choosing the school so that he could be in the heart of the music industry: New York City. After polishing his sound and graduating Magna Cum Laude, he continues to drop mixtapes filled with a mash up of dusty, soul filled sound beds, raw, energetic drums and an endless range of topics—everything from the carefree days of college to the seemingly endless plight of those have-nots scrapping for change. Recently signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, we can’t wait to watch this guy grow.

Myspace.com/jcolemusic

2. Melanie Fiona

Born in Toronto, Canada to a musical family, Melanie Fiona embodies the word “soul” in her music and live performances. Recently opening up for the Kanye West Tour, she helped new fans to see how her music “crosses the barriers between ethnicities, genres, age groups, and genders. It can’t be defined as just one thing. It’s got a soul that’s something old, yet something new.” United by a singular passion, Melanie Fiona’s sound bridges past and present with an artistic and consistent blending of classic soul samples.

Myspace.com/melaniefiona

3. Mateo

In Mateo’s world everything is merging together, it is a mixture rather than one flavor only; R&B/Pop/Alternative/Soul. Mostly recorded in a humble apartment studio in Los Angeles, MATEO’s upcoming album releasing on MySpace Records, artfully avoids the assembly line of modern pop music by having thoughtful lyricism and sweeping melodies at its core. It was his live show and songwriting that set him apart from the other artists that we’ve come across. You need to see him live and feel the emotion of his songs, to really appreciate his music.

Myspace.com/mateo

4. Jasmine Solano

Philly Motown born, current Brooklyn resident carrying the torch for female MCs that write their own lyrics in a passionate, truth yet fun way. She can not only hold a mic but she can rock any set of turntables as a DJ from any genre from reggae to soul to hip hop. Representing on the airwaves and turntables since she was 17, nowadays you’ll find Jasmine Solano DJing in NYC, Brooklyn and on Integrated Radio. Known for her contagious hip hopster spirit and unwavering allegiance to old soul, Jasmine effortlessly combines the cutting edge with the timeless in a mix of R&B, Soul, Reggae, Electronica, House and Hip Hop

Myspace.com/jasminesolano

5. B.o.B

Bobby Ray has a unique talent in that he produces, writes, raps, arranges, and mixes his own music. He is a one-stop-music-creation-shop from top to bottom. This allows B.o.B the rare opportunity of recording with reckless abandon. It is a freedom that he willingly accepts. “I am constantly coming up with songs and concepts because I want to sound different. Nobody made it by sounding like everyone else.” B.o.Bo’s unique sound caught the attention of two industry heavyweights, Jim Jonsin and TJ Chapman, who are poised to make the rest of the world believers. Nominated this year for “MySpace Music Rookie of the Year” at the 2009 BET Hip Hop Awards, we are excited to see what comes next.

Myspace.com/bobatl

6. Kid Sister

Growing up in South suburban Chicago due to her bi-racial parents’ financial circumstances during the 1980s and ’90’s, she started rapping as an MC to co-host her brother – Flosstradamus’ DJ’s parties. She recently just finished her first full length album releasing on Downtown Records that features not only her single “Pro Nails” with Kanye West but also her latest, “Right Hand Hi.” Kid Sister is apart of the select few that will be featured in MySpace Music’s new “Introducing” programming showcasing new artists on the rise you should be on the lookout for.

Myspace.com/kidsister

7. U-N-I

We’re from LA so you can’t get a list of risers without including some music from the West Coast! Born from the ashes of gangsta rap Los Angeles, California – Inglewood rap duo U-N-I are the talk of the Internet and guiding hip-hop’s path in the city by juxtaposing music with customized fashion. Their progressive swagger and throwback fashion sense may initially compel comparisons to “hipsters,” but the duo’s truth is life-affirming rhymes that revolve around everything from limited-edition sneakers to cosmic existentialism and old-school video games to down-home musings on life, declaring their love for music.

Myspace.com/unimuzik

8. Hal Linton

This Barbados native was literally born into a world of music, both his parents are classically trained musicians whose passion saw Hal constantly immersed in a heady musical cocktail of Nat King Cole and Al Green blended with bits of reggae dancehall legend Bob Marley and stirred with The 3 Tenors and countless other great artists. Recently featured on BET’s Rising Icons, come to a show or watch a music video and you will see why we all predict where his going.

Myspace.com/hallinton

9. Mr. Hudson

Formerly from the British band – Mr Hudson & The Library, Mr. Hudson signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. Music, and will release his album “Straight No Chasers” in the first quarter of 2010. His memorable voice is featured on Kanye West’s “Paranoid” and Jay-Z’s “Young Forever” and has been compared vocally to Sting. Kanye West has stated: “I believe Mr Hudson has the potential to be bigger than me, to be one of the most important artists of his generation.”

Myspace.com/mrhudson

Written by Roslynn Cobarrubias, Senior Director of Urban Marketing at MySpace Music