Solange Knowles, LeToya Luckett, Ashanti, Brandy, and Usher Raymond IV are five artists to look out for in 2008.



Solange Knowles is recording the follow-up to her debut disc (Solo Srar) called, Solange & the Hadley Street Dreams. The younger Knowles sibling took to her official myspace page to release two songs, "ChampagneChronicNightCap" (see below) and "White Picket Fence".

The Texas-bred singer recently signed onto Geffen Records to record with Pharrell, Cee-Lo Green, Lil’ Wayne, Q-Tip, Bilal and Marsha Ambrosius of Floetry. According to Solange, you can expect a touch of retro with beautiful R&B songs and influences of early Natalie Cole and Carole King.



With marriage and a newborn son under his belt, Usher can hopefully focus his attention back on his music scene. in 2007, Usher recorded two songs that made it onto the airwaves-the remix to Omarion's "Icebox" and R. Kelly's "Same Girl". (see below)

Even though Usher's singing singing career was hiatus for over three years now, Usher stepped into the fragrance-endorsed industry. Fortunately Usher's getting the itch to bome back. Usher in an interview with AJC said he has plans to record with T-Pain and Michael Jackson:
I've been diligently working on creating a masterpiece. It's going to be out first or maybe the second quarter. I see the second quarter of next year. And there will be a video and single out at the top of the year."

LeToya Luckett was one of the original Destiny's Child members to have a #1 solo debut thanks in part to her ballad, "Torn". That single help separate LeToya be known as a successful R&B artist and she went on to pop out more hits like "She Don't" and "Obvious". Currently, LeToya released a new song called, "Swagger" with Killa Kyleon, Slim Thug and Bun B. The self-proclaimed "H-Town Chick" is working with Bryan-Michael Cox, The Dream & Tricky Stewart and The Underdogs.



Ashanti mid-2007 slowly stepped back into the spotlight. She had a hit movie, "Resident Evil: Extinction" so now all her attention is focus on making "Declaration" be as good as her debut record. Ashanti released "Hey Baby (After The Club)" which samples Diddy and Keyshia Cole's "Last Night". Currently, Ashanti has performed at venus across the nation to increase the public's interest in her new record. Ashanti fans can expected vocals and production by Pharrell Williams, Jermaine Dupri, LT Hutton, Robin Thicke, and Babyface.



Although her last record, "Afrodisac" didn't sell as well as "Never Say Never" or her self-titled debut album, the disc was departure from her joint Rodney Jerkins productions. Kanye West, T.I, and Timbaland were featured on the album. A new Brandy track featuring Riff Raff surfaced online called, "What Have You Done For Me?". The song mirrors the sound and vibe from Brandy's last two records. Brandy is eager to record new material: “I’ve just got to get that album out. I have to get it out, if it’s the last thing I do.” She continues, “I’ve been gone for a long time. I really want to give the fans something that they deserve to have. So, I’m working really hard on this. I really want to make it the best work I’ve done so far.”


There are many artists to look out in 2008 like Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Erykah Badu, Kelly Rowland, Tweet, T.I, Avant, Amerie, Mya, and Mariah Carey but these few artists had critics, fans, even haters waiting far too long about their next musical installments.

Who are looking forward to hear from musically in 2008?

Photos: wireimage

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Labels: Ashanti, Best of 2007, Brandy, LeToya Luckett, Solange, Usher