You Tube has its sensations, and TV singing competitions have their opinions about who’s going to be the next big thing. But we say, these five ladies have truly got what it takes to be on top of the heap: the grit, style, vocal chops and steadily increasing fan base. Have a listen, and when even your grandma has heard of them, you can say you knew them way back when.
Ella Henderson
With her raspy, jazz-edged vocals, big eyes and sultry pout, it’s hard not to compare the 19-year-old Ella Henderson to Grammy-gobbling songstress Adele. Two years after Henderson finished in sixth place on UK X Factor and was signed by Simon Cowell’s SYCO label, her single “Ghost” (co-written with Ryan Tedder) debuted at No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart last year. Now, with her recently released debut album Chapter One getting attention and reaching No. 1 on the UK singles chart, she’s poised for superstardom.
Tori Kelly
With her contagious energy, over-tousled hair and ’80s-style cropped jackets, Tori Kelly makes us think of a young, “Lucky Star”-era Madonna. But with all due respect to Madge, this Gen Y diva’s also got a powerhouse voice that transcends her pop-rap lyrics and makes us scratch our heads as to why she was booted off American Idol in 2010. Her debut album, Unbreakable Smile, is a fun, sexy, highly danceable feast that’s already unleashed several videos, including Nobody Love and Should’ve Been Us. Who has the last laugh now, Simon?
5 next female pop stars
Banks
Just when we thought the mainstream wouldn’t open its arms to all those minor chords and self-deprecating lyrics, Banks scored a hit earlier this year with (slightly) more upbeat “Beggin For Thread,” from her debut album, Goddess. Her battles with emotionally unavailable men and those little demons in her head are well chronicled in anything-but-subtle lyrics like “Stooped down and out/You got me beggin for thread/To sew this hole up that you ripped in my head.” But her brutal honesty and synth-heavy sound results in something quite magnificent—especially in a music landscape crowded with blue-haired, over-sampling, candy-coated pop stars.
Jessie Ware
Not exactly new to the music scene, this South Londoner’s gorgeous 2012 debut, Devotion, scored her a hit with “Wildest Moments” (watch her perform it live here) and earned her comparisons to artists like Sade and Adele for her sophisticated blend of R&B, synth-pop, adult contemporary and trip hop. Ware’s recently released second album, Tough Love, on which she collaborated with the likes of Ed Sheeran, is a romantic melange of electro-soul grooves that serves as a backdrop for her yearning lyrics and soulful voice. If her haunting first single, Say You Love Me, is any indication, her visibility’s about to soar.
Betty Who
On her ’80s-inspired debut Take Me When You Go, the Australian-born Brooklynite writes and sings about breaking up, making up and growing up—all very relevant topics for someone in her tumultuous 20s. But don’t get us wrong: The reflective moments on this neo-synth-pop album are few and far between; the majority of tracks are quite joyous, with a bold, playful sound reminiscent of 80s divas such as Whitney Houston, as well as modern pop sirens like Katy Perry. “All of You” and other upbeat tracks will ensure that no one will be asking “Betty who?” for long.
