About this time last year, like every other music blog out there, I posted a list of artists I thought would have a good year in 2010.  Well, what better time than now to follow-up and see how they did in the surreal world they call the music industry.

Some had stellar years, others practically disappeared… so here, the ones to watch in review

Andreya Triana – I knew she wouldn’t become a household name, and I think she would never have expected to.  I still think 2010 was a pretty good year for Ms. Triana, in which she spent a large part touring with Bonobo.  She released her debut album, Lost Where I Belong, rather quietly in August.

 

 

 

Big Sean – “…I wish that I could take you off tour, put you in the studio so you focus more on my sh*t”, Big Sean muses to Kayne West on his Say What’s Real freestyle.  In reality, the only thing Kanye did when he came off tour was head in to the studio to focus on his own sh*t.  From all the promise and potential Big Sean has all he has managed to muster in 2010 was a couple of mixtapes and features; nothing earth-shattering.  Think he really needs to put the effort in during 2011.

 

 

Bluey Robinson – Bluey was particularly hard working in 2010.  Two spots at Wireless Festival and supporting Tinie Tempah on his UK tour were amongst the highlights (still maintaining in a stellar live show).  Bluey does still seem to be waiting for the game changing break.  Finger’s crossed it’ll come during 2011, and as I’ve mentioned before, once he has that… he may just take over the world, one song at a time.

 

 

 

Eliza Doolittle – Don’t really need to say much about how great 2011 was for Ms. Doolittle; her debut album went Platinum and reached No. 3 in the UK album charts.  Her single Pack Up got serious rotation and peaked at No. 5 (going Gold).  She’s currently trying to crack America (guess we’ll be seeing her back in London Town soon then J)

 

 

 

Marina & the Diamonds – Marina had a somewhat mixed year.  It started great; she seemed to be everywhere and on every TV show imaginable.  She even managed to pick up the Best UK & Irish Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards.  Then it all went a little quiet.  In 2010, none of her singles cracked the Top 10 (indeed her most recent release Shampain peak at 141).  Her debut, The Family Jewels, was well received by critics and went Gold.

 

 

Mike Posner – Mike Posner was seemingly going to do absolutely nothing in the UK during 2010… then towards the end of another British excuse for a summer, a remix of Cooler Than Me appeared on the radio.  Before long the song seemed to be staple on music TV and it charted at No. 5.  Yeah, I think the single version is massively inferior to the original… but hey, what do I know!

 

 

Rox – Rox, one of my favourite new artists in 2009, had a great 2010, however not so great in the UK.  Despite getting a lot of support from the UK music press (NME included) she struggled to connect with the public and radio playlists.  Her lead single “My Baby Left Me” reached 91 in the UK charts and her debut album, Memoirs, could only muster No. 97.  However, the world is a big place and Rox scored massive success in continental Europe; Memoirs reached No. 2 in France and No. 11 in Italy.  You go girl!

 

So that’s my re-cap on last year… 2011 soon to follow!

Soulside Funk