Fugative

Labeled as a British Justin Bieber, primarily because of his age, MC, songwriter, and producer Fugative's blend of hip-hop beats with pop melodies has more in common with Dizzee Rascal than the Canadian tween idol. Fugative was born Harry James Byant in Essex in 1994, and his mother was a former manager of Marvin Gaye. After writing his first song at Brick Lane Studios at the age of eight, he took on kids twice his age in rap battles, and began recording tracks in his bedroom. One of his demos caught the attention of Bad Boy Records founder Kirk Burrowes, who invited the youngster to record with established American producers 88-Keys and Younglord. After his track "Jimmy Shoe" became an Internet sensation, he signed to Ministry of Sound Records, and following a mammoth 200-date under-18s tour, he released his first big-label single, "Supafly," in 2009. A year later, "Crush" reached number 26, while "Bad Girl" charted at number 59. Following support slots on U.K. tours of Basshunter and Wiley, he released a mixtape entitled The Departure, with debut album No Goin' Home due for release in early 2011. ~ Jon O'Brien