With mass media outlets like YouTube around, it’s difficult to go unnoticed and undiscovered. In fact, several celebrities started out on YouTube and then made it big. Justin Bieber, Carly Rae Jepson and Christina Grimmie are just a few of these YouTube-to-mainstream stars. Nonetheless, there are still talented individuals floating around the internet who haven’t quite made it to that kind of fame yet, although they deserve to.
Anna Clendening
Genre: Pop
Clendening has not only been circulating YouTube but was also a quarterfinalist on “America’s Got Talent” in 2014. She started her YouTube channel off with a cover of “Wagon Wheel” in 2012. Her somber music is incredibly relatable and powerful as she struggles with anxiety and depression disorders. Her music touches on subjects like feeling like you’re disappointing your parents, finding yourself, learning to love yourself and alcoholism. Her best original songs are “Who I Am” and “I Found Myself.” Her music is on YouTube, Spotify and iTunes.
Alex Goot
Genre: Pop
A talented YouTube singer, Goot creates solo covers, collaboration covers and his own original songs. It was his cover of “Beauty and a Beat” by Justin Bieber that got me into his work, along with the work of several other musicians that appear in his music videos, some of which you can find listed below. His sound is comparable to that of 5 Seconds of Summer and The Summer Set, and some of my favorite original songs of his are “Right Where I Belong,” “The Real You” and “Secret Girl.” All of his songs, including his covers, can also be found on Spotify and iTunes.
Lucy Hale
Genre: Pop, country
Many know her as Aria from the TV show “Pretty Little Liars,” but Hale also has an amazing voice to pair with her acting skills. She started out singing pop music for “A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song,” where I fell in love with her song “Bless Myself.” She has recently gone back to her roots and started releasing country music, which at times demonstrates a youthful summertime vibe. My favorites of her new works include “You Sound Good to Me,” “Lie a Little Better” and “Red Dress,” the last of which was sung with Joe Nichols. These songs and others can be found on Spotify and iTunes.
Jessie James Decker
Genre: Country, pop
Decker has been a musician since before she got married and changed her name from Jessie James to Jessie James Decker. Her style has a similar sound to that of country singer Shania Twain, and my favorites of her songs are “I Look So Good (Without You),” “Boys in the Summer” and “My Cowboy.” She can be found on both Spotify and iTunes.
The Green Children
Genre: Electronic pop
This European duo sings a considerably different tune than all the other artists included on this list, but they are by no means less amazing. While the vocalist sounds similar to Ellie Goulding, this group still boasts a unique style that is hard to replicate. In particular, my favorite songs of theirs are “Outline” and “Dragons.” They can be found on Spotify and iTunes as well as YouTube.
Bea Miller
Genre: Pop rock, electronic pop
Another amazing voice, this girl appeared on the “X-Factor” and took ninth place. My favorites of her songs are “Open Your Eyes” and “I Dare You.” Her song “Enemy Fire” also has an enjoyably edgy feel. Her sound sometimes resembles a mix of Avicii and Paramore. She can be found on Spotify and iTunes.
Megan Nicole
Genre: Pop
This singer started out with covers on YouTube and has done many collaboration covers with several musicians on this list. My favorites of her songs are “Escape,” “Into the Fire” and “B-e-a-utiful.” She can also be found on both Spotify and iTunes.
Sam Tsui
Genre: Pop, soul, synthetic pop
Tsui is another awesome YouTube cover artist who has branched out with his own music. My favorites of his works include “Secret” and “Grey Area.” His musical style is comparable to that of the Jonas Brothers. He can be found on Spotify and iTunes.
Jason Chen
Genre: Pop, R&B, soul, rock, Mandarin popular music
Another cover artist who branched out, Chen sings a variety of music. Nonetheless, most of his music holds a quality reminiscent of David Archuleta’s work. My favorites of his songs include “Burns,” “Bittersweet,” “Invisible” and “Best Friend.” These songs and more can be found on Spotify and iTunes.
Genre: Pop rock, pop punk
This band started out by producing covers and has gained popularity for their original songs. My favorites of their songs are “Young and Relentless” and “Fireproof.” Their sounds are similar to those of Paramore and Avril Lavigne. Against the Current can be found on Spotify and iTunes.
There’s some amazing talent out there in the world. With an increasingly digitalized world, it is easier than ever to witness their skills, no matter where they are. So check out these amazing lesser-known artists. They each have their own style and message that deserves to be recognized.
