The United States is the toughest music market to break into but artists like Rita Ora and Cher Lloyd plan to dominate the US charts in 2013.
Rita Ora
This West London native is as musically cultured as Rihanna, and as original and creative as Gwen Stefani. Ora’s fearlessness, unique style, and soulful voice makes her a threat to all current US chart toppers.
Ora first appeared on the music scene in 2007. Two years later, Ora scored a record deal with Jay-Z’s record label, Roc Nation. In 2012, Ora’s debut single, “R.I.P.”, debut at number on the UK charts. “Ora”, her debut album, was released in the UK in August of 2012; the album went straight to number one.
Ora’s UK success isn’t a fluke; Jay-Z believes it’s an example of Ora’s future. “She’s one of the people that, if you were in the position, you say, ‘I’m gonna help her get her dream out and then we’ll see what happens,’” Jay-Z tells Vibe Magazine. “I think her energy is infectious, because out the gate, two #1’s in London and she’ll just continue to grow from there.”
Now prepping for her US debut, the 22-year-old Kosovar-Albanian beauty understands that the US is the hardest music market to break into. US fans perceptions of the new and revamped material is crucial to the success of the album in the States.
“2013 is really important for me because it’s gonna be the first time the US hears my official album and I wanted to put a few extra tracks on there and make it really special,” Ora tells MTV. “I’m basically giving you guys a whole new album of new material. To the world it’ll be like a second album, but to you guys it’ll be like a first album.”
Making an impressive album that lives up to the hype is important, especially when British Artist like Adele and One Direction have already dominated the US charts and left their British marks; with Jay-Z’s guidance Ora is bound to do the same.
Besides, outdoing oneself for self-satisfaction is irrelevant when you’re carrying the weight of an entire country on your back.
Cher Lloyd
The former X Factor contestant took the UK by storm in 2011 with her break out hit “Swagger Jagger.” The song debuted at number one on the UK charts, proving that Lloyd had superstar potential. Under the management and advisory of L.A. Reid, Lloyd released her follow-up single, “With Ur Love,” four months later.
Lloyd’s debut album, “Sticks + Stones,” hit UK stores in late 2011, peaking at number four on the charts. In October 2012, nearly one year later, Lloyd’s freshman album finally debut in the US.
Although Lloyd is relatively new to the US music scene, the 19-year-old singer/rapper isn’t afraid to express her individuality and love for freedom of speech. Don’t be fooled by her tiny frame; Lloyd has an over the top personality that reflects heavily in her music. Her random raping outbursts resemble Nicki Minaj, but her teen love/crush lyrics are catchy and refreshing.
Lloyd’s bad girl image makes her an original UK artist, although this image wasn’t organic, initially. This former victim of bullying decided to verbally fight back against her haters. Her feisty personality was a defense mechanism that developed in junior high school.
“Kids were mean to me,” Lloyd tells Seventeen Magazine. “Then I thought to myself, ‘I’m not going to be the girl in the corner anymore.’ And if that means being feisty and in peoples’ faces, I’m going to do that. I didn’t want people picking on me anymore.”
As she grew older, her feisty and aggressive persona became her identity, an identity that’s shaped her music.
Unfortunately for her male admirers, this Worcestershire born artist is off the market; Lloyd announced her marriage engagement in 2012.
Lloyd stated on twitter that she is currently working on her second album that’s set to be released in late 2013.
