RaVaughn

Some might be anxious about living up to the nickname "The New Voice of Women," especially if it was given to them by R&B heavyweight Ne-Yo. Yet RaVaughn, the recipient of the praise, has been preparing for it her entire life. The singer honed her skills on the road and in the recording studio doing backup for Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Nicki Minaj, Brandy, Keri Hilson and others. In 2011, she signed a solo deal with Ne-Yo's Compound University and two years later released her debut, Love Always. The album, which includes a song with Marsha Ambrosius and collaborations with Stargate, Babyface and The-Dream, was led by the single "Better Be Good," featuring Wale. In 2013, the Carson, CA, native became a BET Music Matters artist.