RISING ICONS 2

See photos and get the facts on this season's artists.

B.o.B - Born Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., in North Carolina, B.o.B is a rapper and singer-songwriter. He is signed to Grand Hustle Records.

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B.o.B - Born Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., in North Carolina, B.o.B is a rapper and singer-songwriter. He is signed to Grand Hustle Records.

B.o.B - His debut album, “B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray,” debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Its release was pushed up due to the success of the album’s first single, “Nothin’ on You.”

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B.o.B - His debut album, “B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray,” debuted at #1 on the U.S. Billboard 200. Its release was pushed up due to the success of the album’s first single, “Nothin’ on You.”

Estelle - Hailing from London, England, singer-songwriter Estelle rose to fame in 2008 with her Grammy-winning single, “American Boy.”

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Estelle - Hailing from London, England, singer-songwriter Estelle rose to fame in 2008 with her Grammy-winning single, “American Boy.”

Estelle - Estelle has released two albums: “The 18th Day” and “Shine.” Her third album will be “All of Me.”

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Estelle - Estelle has released two albums: “The 18th Day” and “Shine.” Her third album will be “All of Me.”

J. Cole - J. Cole is the first hip-hop artist signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label. He has released two mixtapes and appeared on Jay-Z’s “A Star is Born.”

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J. Cole - J. Cole is the first hip-hop artist signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label. He has released two mixtapes and appeared on Jay-Z’s “A Star is Born.”

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J. Cole - Born in Germany, J. Cole was raised in North Carolina. He decided to attend college in New York to gain a better chance at getting signed.

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J. Cole - Born in Germany, J. Cole was raised in North Carolina. He decided to attend college in New York to gain a better chance at getting signed.

Jay Sean - British singer Jay Sean released two albums abroad before making his 2009 American debut, “All or Nothing,” with Cash Money Records.

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Jay Sean - British singer Jay Sean released two albums abroad before making his 2009 American debut, “All or Nothing,” with Cash Money Records.

Jay Sean - Born Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, his stage name comes from two nicknames. “Jay” is derived from his last name, and his grandmother called him “Shaan,” which means “pride” or “shining star” in Punjabi.

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Jay Sean - Born Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, his stage name comes from two nicknames. “Jay” is derived from his last name, and his grandmother called him “Shaan,” which means “pride” or “shining star” in Punjabi.

Jeremih - Singer Jeremih Felton is a self-taught musician from Chicago. Born into a musical family, he can play drums, piano and saxophone.

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Jeremih - Singer Jeremih Felton is a self-taught musician from Chicago. Born into a musical family, he can play drums, piano and saxophone.

Jeremih - Jeremih released his first album, “Jeremih,” in 2009 shortly after being signed to Def Jam Records.

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Jeremih - Jeremih released his first album, “Jeremih,” in 2009 shortly after being signed to Def Jam Records.

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Laura Izibor - Laura Izibor was born in Ireland to an Irish mother and Nigerian father. She taught herself how to play the piano at age 14.

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Laura Izibor - Laura Izibor was born in Ireland to an Irish mother and Nigerian father. She taught herself how to play the piano at age 14.

Laura Izibor - The singer-songwriter’s first album is “Let the Truth be Told,” and it was released in 2009.

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Laura Izibor - The singer-songwriter’s first album is “Let the Truth be Told,” and it was released in 2009.

Melanie Fiona - Melanie Fiona was born in Canada to Guyanese immigrant parents. She began writing music at the age of 16, and has written for artists like Rihanna and Kardinal Offishall.

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Melanie Fiona - Melanie Fiona was born in Canada to Guyanese immigrant parents. She began writing music at the age of 16, and has written for artists like Rihanna and Kardinal Offishall.

Melanie Fiona - The singer’s debut album, “The Bridge,” was released in 2009. It features her breakthrough single, “It Kills Me.”

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Melanie Fiona - The singer’s debut album, “The Bridge,” was released in 2009. It features her breakthrough single, “It Kills Me.”