On the Come-Up: 5 Fierce Female Singers to Watch

It’s not often the Roc's head honcho passes through with new artist in tow, so when Jay-Z randomly decided to visit Clear Channel with Rita Ora last month, we already knew she was something special.

She's got the looks (she notes Gwen Stefani as a strong influence) and also packs voice. And if her career takes off similarly to that of another Hov-stamped Diamond princess (Jay-Z first introduced Rihanna to the world around 2005), the future could hold a lot of promise for Roc Nation's spunky newcomer.

But Miss Ora isn’t the only songstress currently on the come-up. Flanking Rita are five other vivacious vocalists worth noting, so get your iPods ready. Today VIBE takes the time to get you well-acquainted. – Stephanie Long

On BK’s saucy remix of Miguel’s “Quickie,” she sets the record straight: “So disrespectful, I'll be the one to check you,” she sings, later telling him to “knock his own wood” since he won’t be knocking her. And that’s exactly what makes this Roc Nation siren so easily noteworthy: she’s feisty. Nevermind the fact that she’s been Jay-Z’s go-to A.Keys stand-in for live renditions “Empire State of Mind” or that she hit the road with Estelle for the UK singer’s tour – the fact of the matter is this girl can blow. Try her "Every Girl" EP on for size.

Listen:
Bridget Kelly – “Seek and Destroy”

Connect:
Rocnation.com/bridgetkelly
@theycallmeBK

"I didn’t know I was going to be on the mixtape," Tiara Thomas said of her feature on Wale’s "More About Nothing." "I got on Twitter and was like, 'Why do I have all of these new followers?'"

Sure, 19,000+ followers may be considered a lot for an aspiring artist still in college, but Miss Thomas isn’t your ordinary lady rap-singer. For one, she has a penchant for picking brash rap lyrics and making them melodically palatable. For two, she comes equipped with this aura that has followers dubbing her a young Lauryn Hill. Maybe it’s her skills with the acoustic guitar? Or perhaps it’s the fact that she’s not bad with the bars. Whatever it is, we’re into it, and we think you may be, too.

Listen:
Tiara Thomas – “Are You That Somebody” (Aaliyah Cover)

Connect:
Youtube.com/user/xsmall18
@tiara_thomas

Before you heard Sabi on Cobra Starship’s “You Make Me Feel,” she was one half of Warner Brothers girl group The Bangz. But once band mate Ella Ann was injured and the group was no more, Sabi went on to pave a new lane as a solo artist. Since then, she’s collaborated with Britney Spears, gone on tour with Spears and Nicki Minaj, and released a single called “Wild Heart” that was featured on the trailer for "Kourtney and Kim Take New York."

Listen:
Sabi – “Wild Heart”

Connect:
Officialsabi.com
@sabisoundz

Australia’s Kimbra is not a book to be judged by its cover. On the outside she’s a sophisticated lady with a comely appearance, but when she opens her mouth, fire emerges. Kimbra’s sound can best be described as new-age jazzy, classy enough for the old heads yet cool enough for contemporary popsters. The 21-year-old has had much success with her debut "Vows." Most recently, she was featured on indie artist Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know.”

Listen:
Kimbra – “Cameo Lover”

Connect:
Kimbramusic.com
@kimbramusic

If you haven’t yet heard Melody Thornton’s cover of “No Church in the Wild,” you may want to do yourself a favor. “Lipstick&Guilt” captures Melody at her peak since topping charts with the Pussycat Dolls, and after taking out some recup time to embark on a solo career, the diva finally reemerges with her mixtape, "P.O.Y.B.L." (Piss On Your Black List), which we can’t wait to hear once it drops on March 15.

Listen:
Melody Thornton – “Love Gun”

Connect:
Onlythemelody.com
@MelodyThornton

‹ ›