Expect 18-year-old Alexis Jordanto be one of the biggest breakout pop singers of 2010. Her debut single, theclub-ready anthem "Happiness," is already taking off on dance playlists. And itis a sound that is actually unique for an African American teen female singer.
Her predecessors of the last 15years - Xscape, Brandy, Monica, Aaliyah, Destiny's Child, Nivea, Ciara, Rihanna- launched their singing careers with pop, urban and hip-hop songs.
(WATCH the Hip Hop Media Training video interview with Alexis Jordan.)
Jordan hopes her global sound willtake her abroad. "I want to tour in Chinaand Europe, and all that great stuff," she saidwhen she visited the Yahoo! Music offices in Santa Monica in April to playthree songs from her forthcoming Star Roc/Roc Nation debut.
Her petite frame and bubblypersona might suggest that her career is centered on her image as opposed toher talent. But it only takes one look at her 2006 performance on America's Got Talent to see how well shecan sing. Her rendition of Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" moved formerjudge and teen singer Brandy to give the then 14-year-old a standing ovation.That voice took her to the semi-finals.
(WATCH Alexis perform Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" on America's Got Talent in the clip below.)
After America's Got Talent, she began uploading covers of Beyonce, MariahCarey, and Ne-Yo songs on YouTube which prompted the production team Stargateto contact her to discuss a record deal.
The inquiry lead to a plane flight,meeting, and record deal. Stargate teamed up with Jay-Z to release her music.
"I never would have thought [thatI would] have gotten signed by Jay-Z," Jordan said. "I can't believe I'm18 and about to release my album and tour."
Believe it Alexis. Your career is just getting started.
(WATCH a teaser clip of Alexis' debut music video, "Happiness.")