Artist Watch: Lady GaGa - Tony Williams - Scooter Smiff

Just in case you're on the slow ferry to staying fresh & fabulous, The Professional offers the following counsel on outstanding new artists to keep on your radar. She expects each of them to fare very well on the music scene in the new year.

Lady Gaga: Mix Madonna's attitude with Christina Aguilera-ish vocals, then add some rocker/pop chick swag & some global appeal and you've got Lady GaGa. Signed to Interscope Records via Akon's KonLive imprint, Lady GaGa is a 22 year old New Yorker who is quietly creating an international name for herself. Stylistically, she's definitely the white girl you want to party with, as she exudes youthful energy and lotsa, lotsa fun. But don't get her twisted--Lady GaGa isn't just a pretty face to front someone else's musical vision. She is an accomplished singer/songwriter/performer who learned to play piano by ear. Her debut album The Fame is out now, featuring the single "Just Dance" which is already blowing up on the international scene, and charting domestically. Get your mind right & forego any expectations of syrupy Top 40 ridiculousity. This bitch can sing, and has a stylish presence and sound that will make you catch yourself dancing to records you wouldn't picture yourself enjoying. Can The Professional get a HELL YEAH for some good pop music?!!


Tony Williams: "I gotta say what's up to Tony Williams..." Remember that Kanye West line? Well, that was the good Mr. Williams on vocals on that record, "We Major." It was also him on "Everything I Am," "Drive Slow," and a host of other classic Kanye songs. It certainly helps that Tony Williams is Kanye's first cousin--but regardless of the display of nepotism, the facts remain clear: Tony Williams is a talented singer/songwriter with some impressive credits. The Professional likens him to a more polished & stylish Anthony Hamilton--with smooth, soulful vocals and thoughtful writing. The kind of music you can lull yourself to sleep with. The type to romance your Boo to. Tony Williams's album titled King or the Fool is scheduled for release soon on Kanye's G.O.O.D. Music imprint. He is currently touring internationally with his cuzzo.


Scooter Smiff: Is it ok for a 13 year old to possess the swagger of a grown ass man? The Professional doesn't have the answer to that question, and as inappropriate as it may seem, Baltimore native Scooter Smiff has got "it." The young protege of (also young) superstar Chris Brown, Scooter Smiff is a rapper, writer, dancer, choreographer, and (working--this is important) actor. The Professional knows some adults who have trouble conquering even one of those categories, but Scooter Smiff handles them all with the maturity of people three times his age. And here's an indicator of Scooter's potential: there are just a very few artists that Interscope chief Jimmy Iovine signs "on the spot." Virtually all of them go on to enjoy incredible careers. Count this young man as one of the chosen. Fully prepared to fill the void left by aging child artists like Bow Wow and the aforementioned Mr. Brown, Scooter Smiff seems armed to eclipse the type of success paved by those artists. He's super fresh, very adorable, and has talent dripping from his ice-out baby chain. The release of Head of the Class is soon forthcoming, lead by the title track single. Did he just say "this top dog don't chase no kitten"...? Oh my.