The northern city of Sendai isn't famous for its tropical vibes, but that hasn't stopped HAZZIE's reggae-influenced tunes from spreading across Japan. Launching his music career in 2005, the singer/songwriter used the Internet as a way to reach fans in such far-off cities as Tokyo and Osaka. His feel-good tunes connected with audiences, and he worked his way up the indie circuit before making his major-label debut. HAZZIE still nails easy-breezy numbers with an inspiring keep-your-chin-up message.