4Music

Little Nikki

Hometown: London

Story: Little Nikki first got her break at young age, signing with Mercury Records at 13 as part of girl group SoundGirl. She's had her fair share of exposure, touring with the likes of Pixie Lott and Justin Bieber - and all before doing her GSCEs.  After immersing herself in singing, songwriting and performing, Nikki’s set out to forge a solo career at just 16. With her dynamic debut track, Intro Intro, this London girl has all the enthusiasm, personality and talent to go far in 2013.

Sounds Like: A young Kelis

Listen To: Intro Intro

Gabrielle Aplin

Hometown: Wiltshire

Story: Gabrielle Aplin built up an online following after posting covers of songs from the likes of Paramore, Katy Perry and Adele on YouTube. Since then, the Wiltshire-born singer’s made quite a name for herself, touring her Never Fade and Home EPs and picking up a coveted recording contract with Parlophone in the process. Thanks to a recent John Lewis Christmas advert, Aplin’s voice was released to the masses. Her take on Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s The Power Of Love scored Aplin a UK No.1 single and cemented her status a major voice for 2013.

Sounds Like: Lady Ed Sheeran with a piano

Listen To: The Power Of Love

Haim 

Hometown: San Fernando

Story: This nu-folk band, comprised of three sisters Este, Danielle and Alana Haim, grew up in the San Fernando Valley and began their music life singing in a band with their parents. After cutting their teeth touring with The Strokes’ Julian Casblancas, Ke$ha and Jenny Lewis, the band went on to support Mumford & Sons and then Ellie Goulding at this year’s iTunes Festival. Since releasing Forever, their three-song EP earlier this year, the trio were snapped up by Polydor Records. With a support slot for Florence + The Machine this December and their debut LP set to drop in Spring 2013, these sisters are sure to have a busy year.

Sounds Like: Fleetwood Mac meets Ellie Goulding

Listen To: Don't Save Me

Kendrick Lamar

Hometown: Compton, California

Story: Hip-hop artist from California and one-fifth of super group Black Hippy, Kendrick Lamar first began making waves in 2010 when he released his Overly Dedicated mixtape. Lamar boasts a huge internet following and his first independent album, Section 80, saw him release one of the highest-ranked digital hip-hop releases of 2011. He’s proven himself to be an authority on hip-hop and even turned his hand to presenting on Kiss TV recently with Kendrick Lamar's US Club Joints. Already having worked alongside the likes of Dr. Dre, Busta Rhymes and Drake - plus recently collaborating with Lady Gaga on B**tch Don’t Kill My Vibe - the rapper has all ingredients for hip-hop superstardom.

Sounds Like: It's a Drake / Wiz Khalifa vibe

Listen To: Swimming Pools

Rudimental

Hometown: Hackney, London

Story: Hackney-based four-piece Rudimental topped the charts in June with their anthemic drum and bass hit, Feel The Love. Consisting of songwriters and producers Piers Agget, Kesi Dryden, Amir Amor and DJ Locksmith, the group have put a fresh spin on dance music, incorporating jazz and soul into their style as well as enlisting the unique voices of John Newman and Alex Clare.

Sounds Like: Chase and Status with a pinch of Calvin Harris

Listen To: Feel The Love

Nina Nesbitt

Hometown: Edinburgh

Story: Edinburgh-born Nina Nesbitt taught herself the chords to her favourite songs on Ultimate Guitar and posted covers on YouTube. Putting her spin on the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Ellie Goulding and Taylor Swift, Nina began attracting attention online. After gigging on the Scottish circuit, Nesbitt got her lucky break when she met Ed Sheeran in Edinburgh and was asked to perform for him on the spot. Since then, she’s gone on to tour with the singer and appear on his Drunk video. At 18-years-old Nina already has three EPs and three headline tours under her belt and, with her first major single Boy amassing over 800,000 views on YouTube, she’s well on her way to becoming a star.

Sounds Like: A folky Ellie Goulding

Listen To: Boy

K. Koke

Hometown: London

Story: Kevin Georgiou (aka K. Koke) is a British artist and member of underground rap crew U.S.G. After releasing his first mixtape, Pure Koke Volume One, and gaining considerable critical acclaim, K. Koke was recently signed with Roc Nation and went on to release Pure Koke Volume Two. Despite the controversy surrounding the artist, his tracks Nobody But Us and Lord Knows were instant hits online, racking up thousands of views on YouTube. K. Koke’s Hip Hop Nation currently sees the up-and-coming rapper play his Top 50 hip-hop tracks just for you guys on Kiss TV.

Sounds Like: There's definitely a Plan B influence

Listen To: Lord Knows

Tom Odell

Hometown: Chichester

Story: Singer-songwriter Tom Odell is known for signing a record deal after just four gigs. His cherubic appearance and fancy work on the piano has seen him compared to Chris Martin, while his distinctive vocals have been likened to that of the late Jeff Buckley. Not one to do things by halves, his first TV performance saw him sing his single, Another Love, on Later… with Jools Holland. If that wasn’t enough of a sign of his promise, Odell’s recently been shortlisted for the 2013 Brits Critics’ Choice Award, alongside Alunageorge and Laura Mvula, giving him the critics' seal of approval for 2013.

Sounds Like: Bon Iver for the masses

Listen To: Another Love

The Rascals

Hometown: London

Story: The Rascals are a UK rap and vocal group comprising of Kay Willz, Big Shizz, Tempsz and Merkz. Formerly known as Lil Rascals, this crew are no stranger to the music business and have proven that though they’re only in their late teens, they’re all grown up. This East London group are respected in the grime scene and can boast fans amongst their contemporaries, having worked with the likes of Sway, Wiley and Tinie Tempah. Recently signed to EMI, The Rascals released their second mixtape, The Launch Vol 2, and are preparing to drop their first official single next year.

Sounds Like: Devlin and Eminem meet Tinie Tempah in a dark alley

Listen To: Fire Blaze

The Weeknd