They've got hit records, millions of fans, and the kind of success most musicians only dream of -- and they can't even uncork a bottle of champagne to celebrate their success. Welcome to Billboard.com's 2012 edition of 21 Under 21, our annual ranking of music's most powerful minors.
From bubbly boy bands to hip-hop powerhouses, a sweet K-Pop princess to a trio of Mexican "tribal guarachero" pioneers, rising EDM superstars to international pop icons, these are the fresh faces whose careers will continue to pack the biggest punches over the next 12 months. Get used to them all, because they're just getting started. As a 2012 bonus, we've also picked out 12 stars-to-be that could be hitting the 21 Under 21 radar (and the world's ears) in the near future.
No. 4: Scotty McCreery
Last Year's Rank: 4
Birthdate: October 9, 1993 (age 18)
Why He's Hot: Which country artist enjoyed the best first-week sales tally of 2011? Just a few months removed from winning "American Idol,"Scotty McCreery became the answer to that question, and though the 18-year-old has yet to place a single in the top 10 on the country charts, the North Carolina native has developed a very loyal fan base at a young age. After his debut album "Clear as Day" helped him claim awards from the Academy of Country Music Awards as well as the CMT Music Awards upon its October release, McCreery announced that his debut holiday set, "Christmas with Scotty McCreery," will hit stores on October 16. This year, McCreery will ring in the holidays as one of country's proven young stars.
Why He's Hot: Which country artist enjoyed the best first-week sales tally of 2011? Just a few months removed from winning "American Idol,"Scotty McCreery became the answer to that question, and though the 18-year-old has yet to place a single in the top 10 on the country charts, the North Carolina native has developed a very loyal fan base at a young age. After his debut album "Clear as Day" helped him claim awards from the Academy of Country Music Awards as well as the CMT Music Awards upon its October release, McCreery announced that his debut holiday set, "Christmas with Scotty McCreery," will hit stores on October 16. This year, McCreery will ring in the holidays as one of country's proven young stars.
http://www.billboard.com/features/21-under-21-music-s-hottest-minors-2012-1007949522.story#/features/21-under-21-music-s-hottest-minors-2012-1007949522.story
ReplyDeleteI just love it,love.love.love it,good for you Scotty..........
Ditto!Ditto!Ditto!.....Just love our young man and am loving this amazing ride we are on. You go Scotty!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMe too but REALLY MISS his tweets!!..#toobusy!!
DeleteCongrats to Scotty. Makes me proud and happy for Scotty to receive a place on this list right after the biggest young stars. That´s one more proof Scotty´ll go far
ReplyDeleteScotty would have a top ten hit if the idiots in radio management would play his songs! I suspect it's all about which labels pay more for air time.
ReplyDeleteDitto!!!
DeleteThat Scotty is So Hot - How hot is he you ask?
ReplyDeleteHe's so HOT - He burned me 600 miles away!!!
That's how HOT!!!!
Lol!~!
DeleteThat's pretty hot!..How about several thousand miles away!!..My pc gets pretty steamed up when he's on!
DeleteYes very hot. He is burning me from across the Pacific Ocean and from all the straits too.
DeleteYay! Scotty! Congratulations on being #4! Wonderful! A talent like yours, Scotty, cannot go anywhere but up, and so it is! Nice!!!
ReplyDeleteYay and yah!!! So happy for you Scotty! Just the beginning of many more accolades to come!!
ReplyDeleteWOW SCOTTY CONGRATULATIONS YOU ARE ONE OF THE GREAT COUNTRY HOTTEST
ReplyDeletePHILIPPINES
Congrats to Scotty!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and thanks for the recap of CAD. You are adorable, young man. CAD will always be special and now we can't for what you have to share with us on your next album. G-Ma Dodie
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT5TlZ8zZNQ scotty must see this
ReplyDeleteOh! my goodness! That video is adorable! Scotty's fans have no age limit! Ha! Ha!
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ReplyDeleteScotty singing TMOTTBG at Durham Balls Park....
ReplyDeletehttp://www2.nbc17.com/entertainment/2012/sep/19/scotty-mccreery-sings-take-me-out-to-th-00697-vi-51686/
Thanks for that! Scotty's a cutie!
DeleteThank you! Loved it...Scotty can't seem to stop moving, can he? So cute.
DeleteSeems like Scotty is on every hot list out there! I think this so cool! #4!
ReplyDeleteOk so tonight is Scotty solo concert and his surprise is driving me crazy . Does anyone think he is announcing who he is going on tour with 2013 or maybe a guest singer. Like maybe Josh or Skyler.if that's what it is I hope its someone we all like if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteSorry I ment tomorrow is Scotty concert
DeleteI thought he meant that his performance would be a little different. Just hope he doesn't change too much!..Sure hope someone gets some GOOD vids!
DeleteForgot about that surprise, now I'm all curious too? Could it be a new single... his Christmas Album is soon to be released so probably not? Your thought is more likely? Scotty's good at keeping us in suspense about things to come?? Lol
DeleteMaybe he is just trying to get people to be a little kinder to others... He really is like that!! Loved you on CMA! you are special and so selfless and talented. IHN always!
DeleteWhat surprise?? I haven't heard about this. Life has busy for me lately. I don't usually miss anything. Today I went online to one of the local radio stations where I live, and on the news feed they had CMA music fest performances, I clicked on it, and there were only 4 and one was Scotty"s TROUBLE along with Carrie, Brad, and Luke Bryan. They are the only station around here that I have heard play Scotty. The other bigger station I haven't heard Scotty ever. So I decided to not listen to it.
ReplyDeleteGreat!!..Scotty's up there w/ the big dogs where he belongs!!..What station is it?
DeleteThanks for telling us! Agree with 1:23pm too!
DeleteThis is 1:03. The station is US93.3.
ReplyDeleteScotty said about a surprise on Sept 21, on the State Farm live chat video .I just checked it and heard it again!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I can't wait to hear what it is.
ReplyDeleteKeeping up with Scotty and Lauren are closing the site down . He said he doesn't have enough time. I hope the girls who run this site won't do that . If we keep bickering all the time they don't have time to monitor these rediculous feuds that's why we need to keep it positive . And keep it about Scotty.
ReplyDeleteThis is the most informative sight on the internet about Scotty, always has the updated information about what's coming next for Scotty and his career and were fortunate that a lot of fans send in their videos of his performances and also fantastic reviews from fans. Its also wonderful that his wonderful family often participates with photos of where they travel to, and special occasions they all participate in together! The girls who run this site are awesome and do an outstanding job. I think too they know how much the site means to his fans, despite the fact that its sometimes been necessary for Scotty's hard core fans to remind others who come here that the site is here for Fans of Scotty!!!
DeleteI am going to miss Keeping up with Scotty and Lauren so much. That was a great fan site! Michael always had great ideas to go with it. He had great designs for the background. I wish he would keep it but at least he is keeping it on Facebook. He done that site in such class and positive. It had something special. -Sydney
DeleteYes but he threw in the towel. That's a shame.
DeleteYes, it's much like little girls finding out that Ken and Barbie broke up. I'm so sad for everyone. A crying shame indeed. Perhaps declaration of new National Holiday is in order. Too bad that even the great chemistry of site fizzled out almost as fast as it lit up our world and then poof we live in darkness. Is there to be a memorial service?
DeleteYou can laugh or make fun all you want to but the visitors of my site will understand why I shut down for.
DeleteSo proud of you, Scotty!!! God be with you all the way and keep you and your family safe and well!! We, your fans, love and respect you so much!!!
ReplyDeleteJust heard on radio WAMZ 97.5 that Brad Paisley is releasing a single from his upcoming new album tomorrow Sept 21. Maybe it's a duet with Scotty and Brad????? Just a thought???????j Guess we'll find out tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteA duet with Scotty and Brad! WooHoo!!!Wouldn't that ever be something special!
DeleteI would be thrilled if it is a duet with Brad .I'm not getting my hopes up it could be something simple like a new banner behind him on stage
Delete.
Lol! 6:37pm Scotty gets excited about Bojangles so something like a new banner on stage may be exactly right. That's funny but so true! Lol!!!
DeleteTo 5:31. I had the same thought. Scotty and Brad. :)))
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Anonymous 9-19-12 (6:01 p.m.)stations won't play Scotty!! do I tune 'em out? you bet and put in my CD! wish they would bring out a new single for Scotty & video.proud of Scotty..we love ya this big!
ReplyDeleteI just noticed on Scotty's twitter that he is in Nashville tonight. I also went to Brads site and he is releasing his single tonight at 11pm. And it said Nashville. I've got my curiosity up. Here is Brad's link.
ReplyDeletehttp://bradpaisley.com/news/new-brad-paisley-single-confirmed-release-late-evening-thursday-september-20
WOW!! Is it possible?! Brad did say 'dagum' in one of his teaser tweets about his new single!? I can't wait til tomorrow to find out!!!
DeleteSame here! I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteoh my ! that would be awesome but almost too good to be true. I know brad likes scotty but ar we dreaming ? mj in tx
ReplyDeleteDreams do come true--sometimes!
Deleteand hey guys maybe thats areason for scotty not releasing anything on his own ?????
ReplyDeleteThe site says at 11:00 o'clock Central time (12:00 my time, Eastern) the debut single will be released to ship to country radio. ??? Think I'll stay up late but guess we'll have to wait until in the am. WAMZ said it would be played in the am on the 21st. Yahhhhhhh!! Keep fingers and toes and ears and eyes and everything crossed!!!!!! ho ho ho ho ho!!!!!!! What a surprise indeed that would be if it were true!!!!!!!!!!! hope hope hope
ReplyDeleteBrad Paisley is scheduled Sept 22nd to be at Heart Radio Music Fest. at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, where he'll likely sing his new single. I notice on the side-bar, Scotty doesn't have anything scheduled for the 22nd?? Oh! the suspense of it all!!!
ReplyDeleteBut Scotty is supposed to be in MD tomorrow night the 21st, but, of course, he could fly to Vegas for the 22nd. Gee, dunno - suspense is killing me.
ReplyDeleteI think y'all are taking a big leap with this one.... hope you are right though :))))))
ReplyDeleteYeah - we dream really big!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my my anxiety is up if its a duet with Brad it will defiantly get played on the radio that is huge . I can't even sleep.I said a prayer to please let this be it I know we are not supposed to ask the lord for this kind of stuff but its for Scotty fingers are crossed.
ReplyDeleteBrad's new single is "Southern Comfort Zone" Nothing said about Scotty? :(
DeleteDarn darn darn
ReplyDeleteDitto!!!
DeleteThe possiblity the surprise was a duet with Brad was a fun thought while it lasted! Lol. Now were back to square one wondering what Scotty's surprise is? I don't even know where Scotty said he had a surprise? If anyone here knows I'd love to know? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteMe too I never read anything I went back checked his tweets.
DeleteAs busy as Brad is and he still releases a single!!! That would help Scotty, too.!
ReplyDeleteI so agree. He needs to be in top 40 singles to even be considered for radio play. I realize we have issues with radio regardless, but asking for WTT at this point is losing battle if not in top 40. Would love to see him come together with great love song which features the deep baritone and lady killer voice to get out before Holidays. Something like Brad's "Then" which the men can appreciate too or The Dance....some love songs are sorta sappy, but I think a good story telling ballad is what it's going to take for Scotty to hit his mark with a #1 single. It's what he does best.
DeleteI have heard comments from some fans that Scotty needs new music. We have to remember his fans follow him so intently we watch every video from every concert read every article and tweet. What ever Scotty is doing we are on it. there is no other artist who have this many fan sites grandmas for Scotty moms for Scotty fan buff Scotty s street team and there are more I visit them all but mostly come here scottys official fan club most artist only have this one . brad Paisley and Band perry play the same songs at every concert as does Scotty all artist on tour play a whole year of same songs . The point is Scotty is doing what they all do we just follow his every move that some are wanting some new music .we play his CD over and over I bet I listen to his Christmas CD every day well after Christmas is over lol.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your comment! We fans follow so closely and play his album so often, we've gotten impatient to hear something new, and over-look that those who see him in concert for the first time are just now buying his album. Scotty is so versatile, he can sing anything. What I would love to have one day is an album of Scotty's covering hit songs of the country greats eg: Garth Brooks 'the dance', Elvis Presley and so on!
DeleteI'm have already ordered 20 of Scottys Christmas CD the signed ones and today I'm ordering 20 of his special addition ones from wall Mart of course I'm keeping one of each for myself . I'm giving the others as gifts to my special customers at my hair salon and friends and family I'm hoping to get Scotty some new fans what better way then beautiful Christmas music it will show his deep Voice and beautiful tone who could resist . Of course I'm giving it to then right away so they can play it alot before Christmas . I play his music at the Salon many of my clients are starting to love him to. Or I'm brain washing them lol.
ReplyDeleteThat's so nice of you! I wish your salon was near me. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteWell, it was fun while it lasted. .....next time......
ReplyDeletewhat d´you mean?
DeleteIt was fun just anticipating that Scotty and Brad might be doing a duet.
ReplyDeleteI doubt we will get a new single at this point, but I do agree a love ballad showcasing that deep sexy voice might put him in the top 49. I love that voice and adore that face. He really is maturing in his looks in a mighty fine way!!! And I'm no young chick saying this. I wish I were so I would have a couple decades to listen to him.
ReplyDelete