When we think about the year in music that was 2012, the first things that come to mind are Taylor Swift's GINORMOUS Red takeover (and her killer bangs), Rihanna's Unapologetic reign and her controversial "777" tour, Nicki Minaj flying her "Starships" all over the airwaves, One Direction's record-breaking crowds and "SQUEE"-inducing live performances, plus Justin Bieber's Believe album and, of course, his abs.
But what about the artists who broke through in 2012? Like, the ones that we'll be writing "Best Moments" stories about this time next year? The artists and acts we watched grow from the infancy of relative internet obscurity to "OMG can you believe they're playing Japandroids at the GAP!?" Or the bands who've been on their grind for years and finally took off in 2012. Buzzworthy's writers, editors, and contributors took a good, hard look at some of the most-buzzed-about bands and acts of 2012, from future Justin Bieber pop princes and future Florence Welches to hardcore post-punk outfits to lyrical lightweights who became hip-hop heavyweights and came up with a list of our favorite breakthrough bands of the year. Need a few examples? We're talking everyone from artists like Rita Ora, MGK, and Kendrick Lamar to Grimes, Purity Ring, and Icona Pop. Read on for more!
+ Asher Monroe: We spent most of this year crushing on actor, singer, and dancer Asher Monroe. And for good reason -- not only is the 24-year-old artist a boy band vet (remember V-Factory?), but he even hit the Broadway stage as a kid in "Beauty And The Beast" (AWW). And that's not even counting the 1 million plus YouTube views Asher’s accrued for his "Like I Do" video. On top of THAT, Asher’s been in the Buzzworthy studio to serenade us with an acoustic version of his pop jam "Here With You," a track that we may or may not have had stuck in our heads for days afterwards, and probably will WELL into the new year (we’re onto your tricks, Asher). That bone structure doesn't hurt either! -- Rachel Brodsky
+ Austin Mahone: There's really not that much that 16-year-old pop singer Austin Mahone hasn’t accomplished this year, making him one of the most obviously additions to this list. After racking up streams and fans of his YouTube covers of pop and R&B songs, the "Say Somethin" singer met Justin Bieber, signed a massive record deal with Chase/Universal Republic, and worked on his fitness. What’s more, his brand-new single, "Say You’re Just A Friend," features Flo Rida, and the biggest clincher of them all? He’s OPENING FOR TAYLOR SWIFT. Breakthrough boy wonder. -- Jenna Rubenstein
+ Azealia Banks: The Harlem-bred artist Azealia Banks earned and OWNED 2012. Every electrified futuro-throwback track (Crystals Waters/ Salt N Pepa, what UP?) on her potty-mouthed 1991 EP was pretty much a banger, and her Fantasea mixtape (along with mermaid cover) continued her searing hot streak. She has us begging her for her studio full-length debut... oh, and did we mention she might appear on ARTPOP with Lady Gaga? And she's only just getting started. -- Michael Depland
+ Cher Lloyd: One Direction wasn't the only big thing to come out of the "X Factor" U.K.'s seventh season. After delivering one knockout audition with "Turn My Swag On," the bawdy brat known as Cher Lloyd came swinging week to week with her bossed-up, snearing style, making her a quick hit in the U.K. and beyond. Most recently, she's been making waves with her BFF Becky G on "Oath," which she just performed as a guest on -- wait for it! -- "X Factor" U.S. Full circle! -- Brad Stern
+ Cloud Nothings: After a couple of albums of noisy, catchy indie rock, Cloud Nothings ditched the basement for a legend: Steve Albini, the producer behind Nirvana's In Utero, among dozens of other pummeling rock classics. The result was Attack On Memory, an album that combines the band's bouncy hooks with tracks full of brutal guitar blasts. Going for the best of both worlds scored Cloud Nothings nothing but killer reviews, and their battering ram of a live show has left our ears ringing since March. (Uh, making a New Year's resolution to get that checked out.) -- David Greenwald
+ Conor Maynard: Catapulting into the pop scene with his remarkable covers of Usher, Ne-Yo and Rihanna, Conor Maynard suddenly found himself with more than 68 million YouTube views -- including 3.8 million for his original track "Vegas Girl." Now, riding out the success of his debut record, Contrast, the MTV PUSH alum has more than proven his chops as a serious pop/R&B crossover artist -- since his YouTube days, he’s worked with everyone from Rita Ora and Ne-Yo to Frank Ocean and Neptunes vet Pharrell Williams. -- RB
+ Ed Sheeran: If you’ve ever seen PUSH alum Ed Sheeran live, you probably noticed that the British singer's charms lie in his unassuming manner. He doesn’t fit the typical pop star bill, coming off as just a regular guy who happens to effortlessly flow between genres and musical worlds, whether it’s folk ("The A Team"), R&B ("Grade 8") or rap-singing ("You Need Me, I Don’t Need You"). So it’s no surprise his + debut album bowed at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 (and was No. 1 on iTunes) when it was released Stateside over the summer. The ginger-haired boy-next-door’s diverse songwriting has served others well, too, like with One Direction’s "Little Things," which Ed wrote, and his co-written duet with Taylor Swift, "Everything Has Changed" (the pair also dueted on Ed’s "Lego House"). -- Althea Legaspi
+ Emeli Sandé: Scottish-born Emeli Sandé is about as talented as you can get without being a genetically modified talent robot or some sort of cybog. Her voice seems to come from heaven (get it?), and she's not "just a voice" -- she co-wrote Alicia Keys' brand-new record, "Not Even The King," so there's that. Emeli’s debut disc, Our Version Of Events, landed at the No. 1 spot on the U.K. charts, not to mention the fact that she won the Critic's Choice Award at the 2012 BRIT Awards, which is basically like winning the most coveted Grammy. Oh, and lest we forget, the "Heaven" singer performed at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. And that's probably just her version of a warm-up. -- JR
+ Frank Ocean: Frank Ocean's excellent Grammy-nominated R&B Channel Orange debut is destined to top many a Best Of 2012 list from music critics to fans alike. From his jaw-dropping Lollapalooza performance -- easily the best of the fest (even fellow Lolla performers The Afghan Whigs have covered "LoveCrimes") -- to his 2012 MTV VMA performance of "Thinkin Bout You," with its achingly heartfelt falsetto, Frank Ocean emerged not just a brilliant lyricist but a breathtaking performer. Couple his immense talent with his bravery, having revealed his same-sex relationship in an arena where homophobic lyrics are prevalent, it's almost impossible to overstate his significance in popular culture. Both personally and professionally, he’s a breakthrough artist and icon deserving of each and every accolade. -- AL
+ Grimes: Grimes' Claire Boucher records her own music, designs costumes Bjork would probably be jealous of, and directs her own videos -- including "Genesis," which literally racked up millions of views. And she goes to the beach with a sword in it! Girl tours with Skrillex and makes beats for Canadian rappers. We're not even this cool in our coolest fantasies. It helps that Visions is full of deep beats as danceable as they are mysterious. -- DG
+ Icona Pop: Last year we obsessively consumed Icona Pop's "Manners and "Nights Light This" glittering synth-pop gems. But in 2012 they dropped one of the best kiss-off jams of the year (no offense, Taylor Swift) -- their smash hit, "I Love It." Penned by Charli XCX, it’s a liberating track that sees the girls going on a BFF destructive revenge spree. DJs Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt first bonded in 2010 at a party over heartbreak, shared some wine the next night, and within 24 hours they had written their first song. And if you weren't listening all year, you'll probably be partying to them in 2013 and well into the future. -- AL
Check out more of Buzzworthy's Favorite Breakthrough Artists Of 2012 after the jump!
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Tags Asher Monroe, austin mahone, Azealia Banks, Best Of 2012, Cher Lloyd, Cloud Nothings, Conor Maynard, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande, Frank Ocean, Grimes, Icona Pop, Japandroids, Jessie Ware, Kendrick Lamar, Kitty Pryde, Meek Mill, MGK, Miguel, Olly Murs, Pierce The Veil, Purity Ring, Rita Ora, Set It Off, Sia, Sky Ferreira, Sleeping With Sirens, The Big & Best Of 2012, The Weeknd, timeflies, Walk The Moon
