BOSSIP's Top 20 Up-And-Comers To Watch In 2012

For the ambitious, those chasing a dream, every new year feels like THAT YEAR. Sadly, that’s not quite how it turns out for most. Especially in the world of sports and entertainment.

But, for a lucky few, 2012 really does happen to be their year. It took some work, but BOSSIP has narrowed that list of lucky few to 20 artists, actors and athletes who we believe will make noise this year. And we’re not the only ones who think so.

Hit the flip and check out the first half of that list, in no particular order. Then check back tomorrow for part 2.

Luke James – Singer

Who is Luke James?

He’s a singer/songwriter who truly embodies the honesty and fresh, organic soulfulness that’s been in relatively short supply of late in contemporary music. Now that sounds like a pretty tall order for a newcomer to fulfill. However, the New Orleans native is very much up to the task. In fact, you’ve no doubt heard his work: he co-wrote Chris Brown’s “Crawl” and has penned songs for Justin Bieber (“That Should Be Me”) and Britney Spears (“Kill The Lights”), among others. And his growing fan base includes none other than Beyoncé, who selected James to appear in her “Run the World” video.

James’ real-deal approach to music and—more important—the craft of singing are the main attractions on his upcoming pre album and album of the same name: “Made to Love.” Both mark the singer/songwriter’s debut on Mercury/Island Def Jam via New Age Rock Star Records (NARS), the label helmed by award-winning producer Danja (Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Keri Hilson) and long-time collaborator / mixing engineer Marcella “Ms Lago” Araica (Madonna, Pink, Timbaland).

“This isn’t a fad for me,” declares James. “I’m willing to go wherever with this because music is everything to me. This is my world and how I see it. My music speaks for me in a way that’s relatable and truthful.”

Peep the trailer for Luke’s forthcoming debut album:

Follow: @WhoIsLukeJames

Rochelle Jordan – Singer

In 2011, Rochelle Jordan made a spalsh with a free debut album entitled simply R O J O. Having delivered a couple of tracks before the album, Rochelle absolutely lived up to the promise we felt on first listen. Now, six months later, Rochelle is gearing up for the release of R O J O II, due out in March.

And here is the first listen from the new album.

Follow: @RochelleJordan

Planet VI – Hip-Hop/ R&B Duo/Songwriters

After years in “artist purgatory” on Akon’s Konvict Music, and a songwriting resume that includes massive hits including, most recently, Rihanna’s “Man Down,” the duo Rock City has reinvented itself as Planet VI (the Roman numeral 6, not the abbreviation for their native Virgin Islands)

The symbolism behind number Six is legend. With US as its ruler, Six represents harmony, balance, sincerity, love, and truth. Six naturally reveals solutions for us in a calm, unfolding manner. We invoke the Six when we need delicate diplomacy when dealing with sensitive matters. The spiritual meaning of number Six also deals with enlightenment; specifically “lighting” our path in areas we require spiritual and mental balance. Sixes beckon us to administer compassion and consciously choose forgiveness in a situation.

As part of their rebirth, Planet VI released a free, full-length album at the end of last year titled “The American Dream.” Check it out below.

Follow: @PlanetVI // Click here to download The American Dream

Ester Dean – Singer/Songwriter

Via TheBoombox:

Singer-songwriter Ester Dean is kicking off 2012 with a new management deal. The Oklahoma native, recognized for writing credits that include Nicki Minaj’s ‘Super Bass,’ Rihanna’s ‘What’s My Name?’ and Beyonce’s ‘Countdown,’ now calls home to the management side of Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, where her entertainment career will be guided.

The red-haired songstress revealed the news of her signing via Twitter on Dec. 31. “I’m so Grateful 4 my Team Past and Present! Bringing in the New Year with my new Team @RocNation 2012,” she tweeted.

Though Dean has inked a deal with Roc Nation, she still remains an Interscope Records artist. Her first single, ‘Drop It Low’ featuring Chris Brown, peaked at No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2009. Besides releasing her debut LP in 2012, she will also make her mark as an acress this year, as she’s set to grace the big screen in films ‘Ice Age 4’ and ‘Pitch Perfect.’

Check out Ester lending her vocals to Machine Gun Kelly’s Invincible below…

Follow: @EsterDean

Rico Love – Songwriter/Producer

For years, Rico Love has been making waves within the entertainment industry as a songwriter and producer. Originally to Usher’s “US Records” as a rapper, Rico quickly became the go-to guy for hitmakers like Beyonce, Nelly, Dirty Money, Natasha Bedingfield, Keri Hilson, Jamie Foxx and, of course, Usher himself.

But last year, following the 2010 success of Usher’s “Hey Daddy” and “There Goes My Baby,” Rico handed Kelly Rowland the biggest U.S. hit of her post-Destiny’s Child career and his stock jumped by leaps and bound. He also officially launched his own imprint, Division 1, signing Young Chris (yes, the Roc-A-Fella’s Young Gunz) and Teairra Mari.
In case there was any doubt that this guy was making moves, here is footage for his birthday party in December 2011. 

Follow: @IamRicoLove // Youtube.com/OfficialDivision1

Sasha Delvalle – Model/Actress

The world of video models and vixens isn’t quite what it used to be… mostly because it’s become a career choice for waaaaaay too many girls. But a few still managed to set themselves apart from their competition. Starting with her appearance in as 50 Cent’s love interest in “Before I Self Destruct” the movie, Sasha Delvalle did just that. Since then, she’s been featured in all of the illustrious urban gentlemen’s magazines, continuing to build her modeling portfolio. And she’s also developing a career in radio.

But bump all this talking. You should keep an eye on Sasha this year because she’s a certified banger.

Follow: @SashaDelvalle

John Boyega – Actor

This time last year, even John himself couldn’t have imagined that his life would have taken the turn it did. But he landed the starring role of Moses in the surprise indie British sci-fi hit “Attack The Block” last summer, and the calls from Hollywood started coming in. And the comparisons to Denzel. And then his next big role:

Spike Lee has taken notice of the young actor and cast him as the lead of his HBO dramatic series Da Brick.

Da Brick is about a young man from Newark, New Jersey (Brick City) who, upon being released from juvenile detention on his 18thbirthday, must traverse the harsh environment of his hometown and learn what it takes to be a man, with a little bit of boxing thrown in for good measure. Boyega will star as this young man, Donnie, and joining him will be NCIS’s Milauna Jemai as his mother, and The Wire’s Julito McCullum and Gossip Girl’s Kamahl Naiqui Palmeras his two best friends that he has an angel/devil on his shoulder relationship with. McCullum’s character is a bad influence who is going bad places, but Donnie doesn’t want to leave him behind, and Palmer’s character acts as the moral center of the trio.

Da Brick has a laundry list of people producing in some capacity, but perhaps the most interesting name involved in its development is that of former boxing world champion Mike Tyson. Apparently Donnie’s story is largely based off of Tyson’s real life childhood and largely reflects what his upbringing was like. – Source

Not too shaby…

Follow: @JohnBoyega

Jasmine Tookes – Model

Twenty-one-year-old Jasmine Tookes got her foot in the door on the commercial side of the modeling industry, landing lucrative ad spots for Ugg and Gap in 2010. But then, the Huntington Beach native booked DKNY’s spring 2011 campaign, followed by a spread for Italian Vogue, shot by Ellen Von Unwerth. Her agency, IMG Models, finally deemed Tookes ready to take on the world’s finest catwalks — and the five-foot-nine model didn’t disappoint. Tookes, whose looks are a mixture of her European, African, Brazilian, and West Indian ancestors, modeled spring 2012 collections for Calvin Klein and Jason Wu in New York, Tom Ford in London, Prada and Versace in Milan, and Miu Miu in Paris. Now, rumors have it that Tookes was shot for Calvin Klein’s forthcoming campaign. – Source

Follow: @JasTookes

Kevin Durant – NBA Player

Via Yahoo Sports:

Kevin Durant has been a beast since he’s been in the league but has never been awarded with the highest individual honor in the NBA: the Most Valuable Player award. This year, that statement changes.

The Oklahoma City Thunder should have thanked the Portland Trail Blazers a million times by now for picking Greg Oden instead of Durant with the number one pick in the 2007 NBA draft. Oden has only played 82 games in five seasons while Durant has led the league in scoring the last two seasons.

Durant is a top three star in the league and has been putting up MVP type stats for the last two years.

This is the year when the superstar in Oklahoma City is finally awarded with the MVP trophy that should have been on his mantle already.

Besides his scoring, Durant has become an above average rebounder, a solid perimeter defender and even dishes the ball to teammates with Russell Westbrook, a top five NBA point guard, on his team. Last season Durant averaged 27.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, a steal and a block per game.

His shooting percentages were impressive as well as he shot 46% from the field, 35% from the three-point line and 88% from the free throw line.

This man isn’t done yet, not by any means.

Follow: @KDTrey5

Adepero Oduye – Actress

In the new film “Pariah,” Adepero Oduye plays Alike, a 17-year-old African-American girl in New York struggling to reconcile her identity as a lesbian and an emerging writer with the expectations of her conservative parents and her outspoken best friend. The role required much of the young actress, as Alike experiences plenty of emotional tumult navigating the complex terrain of coming of age. Perhaps the most outwardly remarkable aspect of Oduye’s performance, however, is that she’s nearly twice as old as the character she plays.

“Adepero was a force,” Rees said. “She really threw herself in and wasn’t afraid to fully immerse herself in the character. It’s a blessing to find your muse the first day out.” Oduye had planned to attend medical school, but when her father, a lifelong academic, died suddenly during her junior year of college, she began to reevaluate her life goals. She enrolled in an acting class and immediately realized that she wanted to pursue a career in the arts – though she opted not to change her major. “It was kind of a wakeup call that life is too short for something you don’t want to do,” she said. “He gave me such a gift. It’s only because of that that I had the courage to even ask what it is that I really want to do.” After graduation, Oduye landed small parts in films such as 2006’s “Half Nelson” and TV series including “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” and studied with respected New York instructors Susan Batson, Austin Pendleton and Wynn Handman. She applied to be an extra in Rees’ “Pariah” short and landed in the lead role. – Source

Follow: @adeperoOduye

Make sure you check back tomorrow for part two of our list of “newcomers” to watch this year.

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