Top Ten Recording Artists Who Started on YouTube
Remember when music was about getting record contracts? Well it still is, but not in the same way as before. These days, anyone with a web cam and a little bit of skill can create their own YouTube channel, and then the public gets to decide directly who is worthy of attention and who isn't. This, in turn, gets the attention of record execs, who still have the Money and power to turn internet stars into international sensations. Here are ten artists who got their start with YouTube videos.
Jacqueline Marie "Jackie" Evancho is an American classical crossover singer who gained wide recognition at an early age. Since 2009, she has issued an EP and eight albums, including a platinum and gold album, and three Billboard 200 top 10 debuts. Evancho's latest album 'The Debut', was her eighth consecutive... read more Jackie started out at age 8 with her own channel called "Just a Little Girl on YouTube." Because of that channel, she was voted onto the "America's Got Talent" special YouTube show, where she stunned all of America.
She subsequently broke Michael Jackson's record as the youngest artist in US chart history to have a top 2 and Platinum CD. To date, she has three Top 10 CDs and has had her own PBS "Great Performances" TV special twice.
YouTube videos of Jackie have proliferated continuously since she first won the YouTube competition on AGT four years ago. Definitely a YouTube star, she shines more brightly with each passing day.
Justin Drew Bieber (born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer. He currently resides in Ontario, Canada and is Christian. He is the son of author Pattie Mallette... read more
Megan Nicole Flores, simply known as Megan Nicole, is an American singer-songwriter and actress and model who debuted on YouTube in 2009. "Summer Forever" was my go-to song last summer. I think Megan Nicole is the best thing I have heard in music since Taylor Swift.
She's a gem in our music industry. She has a lovely personality and is entirely perfect.
She is so talented and awesome!
Jake Zyrus (born Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco, formerly known by the mononym Charice), is a Filipino singer who rose to popularity through YouTube. He is a transgender man. Philippine singer Charice Pempengco had some minor success as a child singer, but that exploded into international success when Ellen DeGeneres discovered her YouTube channel and featured her on the Ellen show. That exposure led to a recording career for Pempengco, as well as a gig judging other hopefuls on the Philippine version of the show X-Factor.
Pyramid, argh, I love that song! You must hear her voice on A Whole New World!
Greyson Michael Chance is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. His April 2010 performance of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" at a sixth-grade music festival went viral on YouTube, gaining widespread attention and over 59 million views as of May 2017, as well as an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show... read more Part Justin Bieber and part Lady Gaga, Greyson Chance is at the forefront of the next generation of YouTube sensations who have been turned into pop stars. Ryan Seacrest featured Chance's video on his website, and on the strength of the video's popularity, he got a record contract with Eleveneleven.
Greyson Chance is the most amazing artist ever. He takes his music to a whole new level. With his passion and dedication, he'll be able to do anything and expand his fandom even more.
Christina Victoria Grimmie (March 12th 1994 - June 10th 2016), known on YouTube as zeldaxlove64, was an American singer-songwriter known for participating in The Voice and for her covers of hit songs by contemporary pop musicians. She was shot dead during a meet-and-greet in Orlando, Florida, by fan... read more Finalist on The Voice, two EP albums, signed to Island Records, etc.
This girl was doing R&B karaoke on her YouTube channel when Justin Timberlake noticed her. Now, she has released her own album on his label and has also toured with some big names like Enrique Iglesias.
DeAndre Cortez Way (born July 28, 1990), known professionally as Soulja Boy Tell 'Em or simply Soulja Boy, is an American rapper and record producer. In September 2007, his debut single "Crank That (Soulja Boy)" peaked at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The single was initially self-published... read more Soulja Boy's music is even older than YouTube, tracing his internet music roots back to MySpace. He was one of the early YouTube success stories, and his first single was a worldwide hit.
Dondria is a YouTube veteran, starting her channel way back in 2006. Initially, she was not looking for a recording contract, just some feedback on her voice, but the feedback was so good that she ended up with a record contract on the So So Def label.
Lindsey Stirling is an American violinist, dancer, performance artist, and composer. She presents choreographed violin performances, both live and in music videos found on her eponymous YouTube channel, which she created in 2007. Best violinist ever! Mixing a classical instrument with electronic music is absolutely amazing. She is constantly releasing new songs and has done a number of pieces of work, including stuff for video games, other musicians, and more. Definitely the best musician out there by far!
5 Seconds of Summer are an Australian pop-rock band from Sydney, Australia, that formed in 2011. The group were originally YouTube celebrities, posting videos of themselves covering songs from various artists during 2011 and early 2012. They rose to international fame while touring with One Direction... read more They should definitely be number one because they started off on YouTube when they were 14 or 15. Who even is Megan Nicole?
They are amazing, play instruments, write their own songs, and went on tour with 1D. They deserve to be number one.
They're my favorite band. They've brought me joy for a long time now. Incredible band with true talent.
Even if you think most YouTube sensations are based on hype, you can't deny that guitarist Andy McKee has some serious talent. He's now on tour and has released a new album.
The girl with an unusual name and an even more unusual voice, Ysabella Brave now has a contract with the Cordless label, after her unique YouTube performances helped gain her some much-deserved attention from viewers.
Opening for Ben Folds is probably a common dream for most aspiring independent artists, and Julia Nunes has done just that. She has also released three albums on her own, comprising both original songs and some well-chosen covers.
Matthew David Morris (born January 6, 2003), better known as MattyB or MattyBRaps, is an American singer, rapper, and dancer who launched his career by gaining notoriety from YouTube, posting remix videos of popular music.He speaks the truth and is one of the fastest rappers to date.
Rebbeca Marie Gomez, better known as Becky G, is a Latin/American singer, songwriter, rapper, and actress. This girl owns what she's got! She's totally NBT material. Sure, some of her cover videos were made with the help of 'JAM,' but this girl brings it to a whole new level.
To have worked through a financial crisis that led to her family moving into her grandparents' garage, to musical collaborations with J-Lo and will.i.am - this singer, rapper, and songwriter may not be really famous now, but trust me, she's going places.
Ariana Grande-Butera (born June 26, 1993) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her four-octave vocal range has received critical acclaim, and her personal life has been the subject of widespread media attention. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including two Grammy... read moreMost YouTube stars get famous because they tried to, but in Chantelle Redman's case, she wasn't even aware she was being filmed. Her dad secretly recorded one of her karaoke performances and uploaded it to YouTube, which eventually landed her a record contract and tens of thousands of subscribers.
Austin Carter Mahone is an American singer and songwriter. He is currently signed to Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records.