They've got hit records, millions of fans, and the kind of success most musicians only dream of -- and they can't even buy a glass of champagne to celebrate their success. Welcome to Billboard.com's 2011 installment of 21 Under 21, our annual ranking of music's most powerful minors.
From bubbly boy bands to white-hot producers, sexy K-Pop princesses to pint-sized Reggeaton powerhouses, rising hip-hop stars to international pop icons, these are the fresh faces whose careers will continue to pack the biggest punches over the next 12 months. Get used to this crew, because they're all just getting started.
MILEY CYRUS
Why She's Hot: Miley's had quite the year -- some ups, some downs -- but despite lackluster sales of her third studio album and that whole Salvia snafu, Ms. Cyrus is still a teen force to be reckoned with. Miley kicked off 2011 by hosting "Saturday Night Live" and bringing her sexy new image to fans from South America to Australia on her successful Gypsy Heart Tour. Her live show earnings, as well as revenue from album sales, Disney's "Hannah Montana" franchise, and feature films such as "The Last Song," helped to bring her in at No. 18 on Forbes' Hollywood Highest Earners List in at the tail of 2010.
Miguelito
Why He's Hot: Pint-sized reggaetón star Miguelito is not only a Latin Grammy winner and regular on the Billboard charts, he's also a veritable branding machine. His line of products includes a video game ("Miguelito's Time Traveler," produced by Global Games), a line of party goods, a clothing line (Heirs), hair gel (Xtreme Gel by Miguelito), kiddie vitamins (Miguelito's Vites), a summer camp and a Christmas Miguelito Cruise on Caribbean Cruise lines. Miguelito (real name Miguel Valenzuela) debuted as a recording artist in 2006 at age 7, mentored by reggaetón star Daddy Yankee. He earned his first Latin Grammy at age 9 in 2008 for "El Heredero." The now 12-year-old star is free of baby fat and braces, sporting elegant derby hats, and readying the release of his fifth album, "Nadie Sabe lo que Tiene" in October, in tandem with the premiere of his first feature film by the same name.
ONE DIRECTION :hitit:
Why They're Hot: After a third place finish on the seventh season of the British 'X Factor,' boyband One Direction signed to Syco/Sony and quickly began ruling the U.K. singles chart with their No. 1 smash "What Makes You Beautiful," which scored the biggest first-week sales of 2011, according to the Official Charts Co. Formed on the suggestion of Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, the British-Irish quintet of Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik elicit the kind of rampant fandom seldom seem outside of Bieber appearances. The band's admirers aren't limited to just squealing teen girls, however; BBC Radio exec Nigel Harding describes "Beautiful" as a track that "succeeds musically and lyrically … and could lead to One Direction's U.K chart performance being repeated elsewhere in the world."
Porter Robinson
Why He's Hot: He opened for dubstep sensation Skrillex on his summer tour. He's currently on tour with Tiësto -- recent Billboard cover star and quite possibly the world's most popular DJ. But in the current dance landscape, Porter Robinson's got the potential to be even bigger than his early supporters. His A.D.D. style of DJing - he cuts quickly from track to track, evoking comparisons to the late DJ AM -- is right in line with the hyperactivity of the new rave generation. Robinson's "Spitifire" EP, his foray into original productions and the first release on Skrillex's OWSLA imprint, toes the line between irresistible pop songcraft and dirty electronic throwdown with beyond-his-years craftiness.
HyunA
Why She's Hot: Nineteen-year-old South Korean pop singer HyunA got her start with pop girl group Wonder Girls in 2007. After overcoming health issues, she left the group to become lead rapper and vocalist of 4Minute and embarked on her own solo career. But HyunA's career really took off when she became the star of her own show. 2010 saw the debut of her first single "Change," and in July of 2011 she released her first mini-album "Bubble Pop!," the video for which was deemed "too sexy" for some Korean TV outlets. The controversial star displays a sexiness and stage presence far beyond her years, and is well on her way to becoming one of the key faces of the global K-Pop movement. HyunA, now a fixture in South Korean pop culture, is set to perform on the Korean version of "Dancing With the Stars" in June 2012.
Mindless Behaviour
Why They're Hot: Some boy bands are only boys in the metaphorical sense. Mindless Behavior, however, is a slick, baby-faced R&B quartet that boasts no members old enough to shave. But these 14 year olds aren't shy about crooning for the ladies, and they know how to get attention doing it. The group was crafted via a casting call by Conjunction Entertainment Inc. CEO Walter Millsap and Streamline Records head Vincent Herbert, then signed by Interscope Records chairman Jimmy Iovine. With Willow Smith's producer JukeBox on deck, Mindless Behavior not only managed to get its weeks-old debut album, "#1 Girl," a positive review in the New York Times, send their very first single, "My Girl," into the top 40 of Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and score nearly one million fans on Facebook.
Greyson Chance
Why He's Hot: Call him the thinking man's Justin Bieber. Armed with classical training, a way-beyond-his-years voice and a knack for emotional songwriting, Greyson Chance has built upon the overnight success he gained when his cover of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" earned 43 million YouTube views. After touring with Cody Simpson earlier this year, Chance released "Hold On 'Til the Night," a debut album inspired by Snow Patrol and Coldplay, in August. Next up for Chance is a massive touring block, where he'll bring singles like "Waiting Outside the Lines" (9 million YouTube views) and "Unfriend You" (6 million YouTube views) to even bigger audiences.
Willow Smith
Why She's Hot: Plenty of youngsters have scored to 40 hits, but how many can say they ruled the charts before their 10th birthday? Willow's "Whip My Hair" was an almost overnight sensation that rose to No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made the singer and actress - who made her big-screen debut alongside her famous daddy in 2007's "I Am Legend" -- a true double-threat at only age 9. The daughter of musician/actor Will Smith and actress Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow is no stranger to the limelight and has already been active in charitable pursuits alongside her budding career in entertainment. After debuting her second single "21st Century Girl" on "Oprah" earlier this year, the anticipation for her forthcoming debut album -(set to be released by Roc Nation later this year) continues to grow a year and counting after "Whip My Hair."
Cody Simpson
Why He's Hot: Australian teen star Cody Simpson is slowly becoming the all-encompassing pop phenom that could make him a household name by this time next year. After working with Flo Rida on his debut EP, "4 U," last year, the singer-songwriter unveiled a "very emotional" six-song EP, "Coast to Coast," in September; its first single, "On My Mind," has already earned 7 million views on YouTube. With a full-length debut expected for early 2012, Simpson may move into the highest tier of our 21 Under 21 list in 2012.
Il Volo
Why They're Hot: After appearing on 'American Idol' in May 2011, the young operatic tenors of Italian trio II Volo set themselves up for a media whirlwind that included an appearance on 'Ellen' and a coveted spot on the series finale of the HBO smash 'Entourage.' Consisting of Piero Barone, Ignazio Boschetto & Gianluca Ginoble, the classically trained trio is currently on a U.S. tour. But the proof of the group's success is really in the charts: partially on the strength of single "O Sole Mio," the boys' self-titled album hit No. 1 on Billboard's Classical Albums chart in September, and sales are still going strong.
Lex Luger
Why He's Hot: The Atlanta-raised Lex Luger has been one of the hottest producers in hip-hop over the past year, with the success of Rick Ross' "B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast)" preceding the pummeling Waka Flocka Flame singles "Hard in da Paint" and "Grove St. Party." Luger went on to work with Kanye West and Jay-Z (who's more than twice his age!) on "H.A.M.," the first track released from their chart-topping "Watch The Throne" album. Meanwhile, his production work for artists like Ace Hood, Snoop Dogg and Fabolous have confirmed that Luger's distinctly sinister sound is still in high demand.
Victoria Justice
Why She's Hot: You probably most recognize her as Tori Vega from the Nickelodeon's show "Victorious," which is about to enter its third season, but this Hollywood, Fla. native is racing up the album charts too. In August, she made big impact on the Billboard 200 album chart with a No. 5 debut for the "Victorious" soundtrack, which featured Justice on almost every track. With her first solo album and an appearance on the forthcoming "Footloose (2011)" soundtrack - a re-recording the classic duet "Almost Paradise" with country up-and-comer Hunter Hayes - in the works, Victoria is eyeing for an even higher rating on next year's under-21 list.
Rye Rye
Why She's Hot: When M.I.A. cosigns on you, you know you're doing something right. Explosive, street-style Baltimore rapper/dancer Rye Rye is already earning her keep with not only major buzz, but big name assists: her infectious 2010 single "Sunshine" featured the aforementioned M.I.A., while "Never Will Be Mine" (which recently hit No. 12 on the Club Play Chart) features Swedish Robyn. Both songs will be featured on "Go! Pop! Bang!," Rye Rye's highly anticipated debut album which will finally surface this fall after years of delay. The album will drop via M.I.A.'s Interscope imprint, N.E.E.T. Recordings.
Nick Jonas
Why He's Hot: The JoBros may be on indefinite hiatus, but that hasn't done anything to slow the roll of the group's youngest member. In early 2010, Nick became the first Jonas brother to release a major album separate from the platinum-selling trio. "Who I Am," by Nick and his band The Administration, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Nick has continued to flex his songwriting muscles - working with fellow 21-Under-21 artist Greyson Chance, among others - and has also ventured back to the theater stage, where he first got his start. Nick played the role of Link Larkin in thr broadway production of 'Hairspray' in August 2011 and will return to the Great White Way in 2012 when he stars as J. Pierrepont Finch in the musical "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
Demi Lovato
Why She's Hot: After launching her career with starring roles in the Disney Channel franchises "Sonny with a Chance" and "Camp Rock," Demi Lovato dropped out of her spot on the Jonas Brothers tour last fall and entered a treatment facility for an eating disorder and self-injury. Luckily, the pop singer returned from what she described as "the darkest time of my life" with a new album, "Unbroken," that featured collaborations with Missy Elliott and Timbaland, as well as a lead single, "Skyscraper," that debuted in the Top 10 of the Hot 100. After experiencing such a harrowing experience at a young age, Lovato remains extremely grateful to her fans, and said in March, "I will never forget the support you guys gave me."
Mac Miller
Why He's Hot: When Mac Miller's video for "Donald Trump" racked up over 22 million views on YouTube, the Donald himself was hyping the Pittsburgh emcee as "the next Eminem." While this remains to be seen, the future still looks bright for the Steel City's hottest rap product since Wiz Khalifa. The 2011 "XXL Freshmen" pick is set to release his debut LP "Blue Side Park" November 8 via Rostrum Records, with 90% of production done by Pittsburgh's ID LABS (E. Dan & Big Jerm).
Jackie Evancho
Why She's Hot: Pittsburgh's Jackie Evancho placed second in 2010's season of "America's Got Talent," and her "O Holy Night" EP made the child star last year's top selling debut artist. No small wonder - as Evancho's spellbinding, operatic vocals possess a power and poignancy that often moves listeners multiple times her age to tears. Aside from covering classical standards, Evancho is adept at piano, flute, and songwriting. She co-wrote a song with superstar producer David Foster on her 2011 debut full-length, "Dream With Me."
Scotty McCreery
Why He's Hot: When viewers first saw Scotty McCreery at the Milwaukee auditions for "American Idol" season 10, they could barely believe the big ole voice coming out of the North Carolina teen. McCreery skated through the season not only on his baritone and Josh Turner covers, but also his fresh-faced charm and country drawl. Crowned "Idol" champ back in May 2010, McCreery signed to Mercury Nashville shortly and delivered his first smash single, "I Love You This Big," to radio shortly thereafter. McCreery's idol status is set to loom even larger when his anticipated debut album, "Clear as Day," is released on Oct. 4.
Selena Gomez
Why She's Hot: In the last year, Selena Gomez's star has come to shine a little brighter, thanks to another album with her band the Scene and her much-photographed canoodling with the Biebs. Gomez's third album "When the Sun Goes Down," released in June on Hollywood Records, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, fueled by the success of singles "Who Says" and "Love You Like a Love Song." Meanwhile, Gomez wrapped production on the Disney Channel's "Wizards of Waverly Place" --the show that a first catapulted her into the spotlight -- and stepped out in a leading role in the film "Monte Carlo." Gomez who also used her star-power to launch her own clothing line, Dream Out Loud, is expected to debut her fragrance line in spring 2012 and will serve as host of the 2011 MTV Europe Awards in November.
Tyler The Creator
Why He's Hot: Tyler, The Creator may have arrived on the national consciousness when he won the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in August, but the fearlessly aggressive rapper was making waves on the underground hip-hop scene long before jumping on the VMAs stage. The Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All leader has released a pair of solo albums, "Bastard" and "Goblin," that have been just as widely hailed for their menacing lyricism as they have been criticized for their violence and misogyny. "Goblin" scored a surprising Top 10 debut in the Billboard 200 last year and its lead single "Yonkers" amassed a hefty 25 million YouTube views. Before Tyler turns 21 next spring, the rapper will continue touring with the rest of Odd Future, where he'll continue draw shocked reactions from unassuming rap fans across the globe.
Justin Bieber
Why He's Hot: Any way you slice it, Justin Bieber is at the top of the underage set, and in 2011 he gracefully takes our 21 Under 21 crown from now-21-year-old Taylor Swift. Although the Biebs hasn't released a proper album since "My World 2.0" in March 2010, the pop superstar has spent the past year essentially releasing everything else imaginable: an acoustic album, a 3D movie, a memoir, a new fragrance, a singing doll, and a lock of his hair, which became a hot item on eBay. Next up is a Christmas release, an insanely anticipated new album, and more time spent with pop star girlfriend Selena Gomez in between award shows and sold-out arena concerts. It's Justin Bieber's world -- we're just living in it.
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) , Scotty McCreery, Nick Jonas, & Cody Simpson could all get it.