The Next Big Thing

  We’ve always got an ear to the ground here at TrendPimp, which is why we know who’ll be hot and who’ll be not on the music scene this year. Listen and learn, dear reader.

Leona Lewis: The Next Whitney Houston

  If you’ve won over Simon Cowell, you’ve pretty much made it in the music biz. Take Leona Lewis, for instance, who not only won the British music reality show X Factor but stole the music mogul’s heart in the process. With dollar signs rolling in his eyes like a slot machine in Vegas, Cowell has guided Leona’s career with the type of care and attention to detail expected of a prostitute’s pimp. With a powerful voice and 90s-style ballads that are comparable to a pre-crack Whitney Houston or a pre-breakdown Mariah Carey, this is one London lady who’s not going to disappear into obscurity without a heck of a big-haired, big-voiced fight.

OneRepublic: The Next Matchbox 20

  Best known for their catchy collaboration on Timbaland’s "Apologize," OneRepublic have taken eight long years to reach our ears since their first appearance on TRL in 2000. But now that they’re here, it doesn’t look they’ve got any intention of going home. Fronted by Ryan “it’s too late to apologize” Tedder and his old school pal Zach Filkins, OneRepublic have finally been given the chance to shine with their album Dreaming Out Loud, a super-commercial mix of Coldplay-style light rock and R&B-tinged ballads. Inspired by the likes of Stevie Wonder, Oasis, The Beatles and Peter Gabriel, it’s a wide-reaching conglomeration that’s set to light the charts on fire. In his typically eloquent style, Timbaland has described the band as being “Like John Mayer, but better”. While he may not be one with words, we certainly get where he’s coming from.

Kate Nash: The Next Lily Allen

  Another MySpace phenomenon (see Lily Allen), Kate Nash has all the soul of Amy Winehouse minus the complications of drug addiction and bad boyfriends. That’s not to say that she hasn’t got a mouth on her, mind you; Kate is all about what comes out of her lips, with her British voice layered over breezy piano and acoustic guitar. With a number one album in the UK, Made of Bricks, and a sharp-as-knives song that launched her into the disc-selling stratosphere, “Foundations,” Nash secured her future in the industry just last year. But since then the Londoner has become as much of a household name as Allen and Winehouse, if only for more of the right reasons. With songs that focus on misbehaving boyfriends and humorous anecdotes, such as throwing up on her new sneakers, Kate proves that British girls do it best.

Robyn: The Next Britney Spears

  While Britney Spears suited her generation perfectly with a butter-wouldn’t-melt bubblegum sound, listeners in 2008 demand something a little grittier. Enter Robyn, the Swedish pop princess who first enjoyed success back in the 90s with "Show Me Love." Last year she had another bash at the European charts, and enjoyed number-one success with her Kleerup collaboration “With Every Heartbeat.” Filling dance floors in clubs across Europe, Australia and even the US, Robyn has proved that she ain’t no euro-trash. Last year the cropped-haired wonder even laid down backing vocals for Britney’s “Piece Of Me,” as well as featuring on Snoop Dogg’s “Sexual Eruption.” With a quirky dress sense and an even quirkier sound, 2008 is set to be the year of Robyn.

The Wombats: The Next Beatles

  With their distinct Brit-pop sound, it’s hard not to get excited about The Wombats. Having met during a course at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Artists – incidentally, founded by Sir Paul McCartney – jesters Matthew “Murph” Murphy, Dan Haggis and Tord Overland Knudsen took the scene by storm when they released their debut album, A Guide To Love, Loss and Desperation, in the UK last year. Bubbling with guy humour and rip-roaring choruses, The Wombats are real musicians with real music. Think Franz Ferdinand, but cooler.

Duffy: The Next Dusty Springfield

  With her peroxide blonde bouffant, her vintage glam-girl wardrobe and her rich, husky voice, a less experienced listener could easily mistake Duffy for a 60s icon such as Dusty Springfield, Aretha Franklin or – God forbid - Cilla Black. But that’s not to say the Welsh songbird isn't relevant to today’s music scene. With the likes of producer Mark Ronson paving the way for a throwback, er, comeback, her sound couldn’t have come at a better time. Her first single, “Mercy,” went straight in at number one in the UK charts, while her second, “Warwick Avenue,” is tipped for the same success. The video for “Mercy” is suitably retro, with nothing but Duffy’s crackling voice to steal the show. And that she has done, from the moment she stepped into the limelight this year. With her upcoming album, Rockferry, set to hit the shelves this May, Duffy will undoubtedly become a sweetheart of the 2000s.

David Jordan: The Next Prince

  Producing songs that are soulful and funky all at the same time, British artist David Jordan is about as camp as music gets (other than Pete Burns, of course). Looking and sounding a lot like 90s-era Prince, tunes such as “A Place In My Heart” and “Sun Goes Down” have rightfully earned him a place on the worldwide performance stage. His debut album, Set The Mood, reaffirms this youngster’s talents, while each of his videos are proof that the long-limbed wonder can dance, too. Let’s just hope this Prince prodigy leaves his ribs where they are!

About the author:

  Nick studied at Sussex University and graduated with a degree in English Literature and Media Studies. When he’s not writing – which isn’t often – he enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching movies, downloading music, eating out and travelling as much as he possibly can; Marbella, Miami, London and Phuket are his favourite places in the world.

  Nick has worked on a number of newspapers, magazines and websites – including Caché, Colures and AskMen.com - and specialises in popular culture, luxury and travel. He particularly enjoys writing about all that is beautiful in the world, including luxury hotels, trendy restaurants andthe latest gadgetry for the home. If it’s hip and gorgeous, Nick will have something to say about it.

  He is currently working on his first children’s book, which hasgenerated interest from a number of London-based publishers, and runs his own online magazine at www.gunpowder-magazine.com.