With Afro-Beats making its long-overdue foray into the mainstream via the likes of D’Banj and Tiwa Savage, next up is Nigerian wonder WizKid.

Already a house-hold name is his West African native, the 23 year old saw his debut album become the fastest selling album in the region too.

And, as if his list of achievements weren’t meaty enough, Wiz won the 2011 MTV EMA Worldwide Act Award and 2011‟s MOBO Award for Best African Act. He is also nominated for Best International act at the 2012 BET Awards.

So pervasive is the rapper’s buzz that hitmaker Akon had no choice but to sit up and sign him to an International deal on his Konvict Music imprint in April of this year.

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So given the ample hype, naturally one question arises: is it warranted? Check out the video for ‘Pakurumo’ below and let us know!

WizKid makes his London tour debut on June 4th. Click here for ticket details.

Your thoughts?

Aged just 16, newcomer Little Nikki is drumming up quite the buzz. And with good reason.

The West Londoner posits a flavoursome mix of Synth-Pop and British Grime, a blend best showcased on her aptly titled intro single ‘Intro Intro’.

A fact which shouldn’t be diluted though is Nikk’s is ability to be “genre chameleon”; possessing the uncanny talent of  dabbling in various sounds, while making them her own. It’s a skill no doubt attributable to her wealth of talent – which also sees her pen her own songs.

Hailed as “Rihanna meets Azaelia Banks”, this young talent (who has toured with Justin Bieber) has many industry folk raving. Does she have you doing the same, though? Check out the clip above and let us know what you think below!

Your thoughts?

Who is Cleo Sol?

 It’s a question no doubt on the minds of many reading this. Yet, it’s a question the Londoner provides an emphatic answer to with debut single ‘Never The Right Time’.

British bred, the 22 year old has been a fixture on the London live circuit, drumming up a buzz which carried her into Island Records late last year. There she would ink her first major label deal.

Since then, Sol has been cooking up her hotly anticipated LP, the first taste of which you can hear below…

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In an era where record deals are becoming scarcer and scarcer, there’s something to be said when hitmakers Ne-Yo and Pharrell Williams both want to sign you.

Such was the predicament 19 year old Conor Maynard found himself in before eventually inking a lucrative deal with EMI Music last year.

Discovered online, the Brighton-bred star has seen his buzz boom; with his Twitter following topping the 160,000 mark and the Youtube views on the video for debut single ‘Can’t Say No’ sitting at over 4 million. All this prior to actually releasing any material.

Impressive? Yes! Surprising? No so much. For, Maynard presents quite the compelling “package”. Indeed, his sound skillfully and genuinely fuses “Pop” and “Urban” in a way many acts beyond his age are still striving to achieve.

Naturally, Maynard’s look and artistic direction have seen comparisons to a certain Justin Bieber drawn – especially with the latter now flirting with a harder/Urban sound. And they’re comparisons we’re sure will only intensify when Maynard hits the US in May.

However, pending then, watch the budding star justify his buzz on That Grape Juice’s The Splash.  Peep his performance of ‘Can’t Say No’ above and the track’s official video below. Get familiar with the name and face, as you’ll be seeing much more of it!

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Get familiar with Rita Ora, Roc Nation’s latest debutante.

Hailing all the way from London town, the Albanian bombshell first caught the world’s eye when she starred in Drake‘s ‘Over‘ video back in 2010.

This was preceded by the 21 year old’s appearance in ‘Forever Young‘, the video by long time friend and mentor Jay-Z, who is readying the release of Ora‘s debut LP this year.

Billed by some fans as a talented alternative to Rihanna, the star kicked off her promo campaign this week with a stint ID Magazine, which is now available to watch below (along with her video for promo single ‘Hot Right Now’).

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Enter Natalie Duncan.

Hailing from Nottingham, the Soul-filled singer presents quite the compelling package. From her hauntingly stellar vocals, to the lyrical depth she evokes as a songwriter, Ms. Duncan continually justifies her ever-growing buzz. It also doesn’t hurt that she satisfies today’s (sad, but true) demand for aesthetic brilliance from artists. In simpler terms, she’s a stunner.

Yet, for all her beauty, Duncan ensures it’s her talent which resonates most. Case, point, her chilling performance of ‘Devil In Me’ above.

Universal Music here have earmarked the budding star as “the next to blow”. Do you agree with them?

Enter Rebecca Ferguson.

Having made a name for herself on the British edition of the X Factor last year, the Liverpudlian is being tipped for global success after garnering critical and commercial praise with her debut album ‘Heaven’.

We caught up with the mother of two, who came second on the ITV show; chatting it up about everything from her life prior to the X Factor, juggling family life with her career, music, and much more. An exclusive acapella of her single ‘Nothing’s Real But Love’ also features.

When you’ve checked out the clip above, peep Ms. Ferguson’s video for ‘Love’ below…

Your thoughts?

“Michael Jackson left the spirit of dance in Chris Grant” - Frank Gatson

For anyone else, such a billing would generate some discomfort. Yet for 23 year old Chris Grant, it’s not only a title he is humbled by, it’s one he’s keen to both embrace and honour.

A renown dancer and choreographer, the New York native has amassed a wealth of experience in his few years on the scene. Indeed, his choreography credits boast many a Beyonce stage-show, Jennifer Lopez‘s ‘On The Floor’ video, and most notably a spot on Michael Jackson’s ill-fated ‘This Is It’ concert.

With Grant eager to emerge from the shadows as an artist himself, That Grape Juice presents episode 2 of ‘Introducing…Chris Grant’.

And with it, this week, being announced that Grant will portray the King of Pop in a show-stopping solo dance tribute at next week’s ‘Michael Forever’ extravaganza, it’s apt that this edition sees him discuss what it was like working with MJ in his final days – and more.

Hit ‘PLAY’ to get familiar with this face and story you’ll be seeing a lot more of! Click here to watch episode 1.

Your thoughts?

For more on Chris Grant, check out his official website:

www.chrisgrantmusic.com

Booking Enquiries: [email protected]

Chokolate Management & Chokolate Records - www.chokolate.tv

‘This Is It’ footage credit: Sony Pictures