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Tom Petty

Thomas Earl Petty (October 20, 1950 – October 2, 2017) was an American musician. He was the leader of the rock bands Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Mudcrutch. Petty was also a member of the late 1980s supergroup the Traveling Wilburys, and had success as a solo artist. Petty had many hit records. Hit singles with the Heartbreakers include “American Girl” (1976), “Don’t Do Me Like That” (1979), “Refugee” (1980), “The Waiting” (1981), “Don’t Come Around Here No More” (1985) and “Learning to Fly” (1991). Petty’s solo hits include “I Won’t Back Down” (1989), “Free Fallin'” (1989), and “You Don’t Know How It Feels” (1994). Solo or with the Heartbreakers, he had hit albums from the 1970s through the 2010s and sold more than 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Petty and the Heartbreakers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Petty was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year in February 2017 for his contributions to music and for his philanthropy. He also had a minor acting career, most notably starring in a recurring role as the voice of Lucky Kleinschmidt in the animated comedy series King of the Hill from 2004 to the show’s end in 2009. Petty died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 66, one week after the end of the Heartbreakers’ 40th Anniversary Tour in 2017.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston, the iconic pop star, made an indelible mark on the music industry, standing out as one of the greatest artists of all time. Her unparalleled success as a hitmaker is evident through her groundbreaking achievements. She was the first artist to achieve a remarkable feat of having seven consecutive singles reach number one on the charts, starting from ‘Saving All My Love for You’ (1985) and culminating with ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go’ (1988). ‘I Will Always Love You’ (1992), her rendition of Dolly Parton’s classic, emerged as the biggest hit single in rock history, solidifying her position as a music legend. Houston’s initial albums, ‘Whitney Houston’ and ‘Whitney’, both achieved diamond platinum status, followed by a series of multi-platinum records including the critically acclaimed soundtrack for The Bodyguard. With a versatile vocal range that effortlessly navigated through adult contemporary ballads, dance-pop tunes, and contemporary R&B tracks, Houston captivated audiences of all genres, establishing herself as a versatile artist with mass appeal.
Born as Whitney Elizabeth Houston on August 9, 1963, in Newark, New Jersey, she inherited her musical talents from her mother, the renowned gospel/R&B singer Cissy Houston, and was also related to the legendary Dionne Warwick. Houston’s musical journey began at a young age, with her solo performances in the gospel choir at her local church. As she progressed in her musical career, she accompanied her mother in performances and even shared the stage with illustrious artists like Lou Rawls and Chaka Khan. Houston’s entry into the music industry was unconventional, starting with a feature in Bill Laswell’s jazz-funk ensemble Material, where she showcased her vocal prowess on the ballad ‘Memories’. Her talent captured the attention of industry titan Clive Davis, leading to her first recording contract. Subsequently, her collaboration with Teddy Pendergrass on ‘Hold Me’ marked her debut on the R&B charts in 1984, setting the stage for her meteoric rise to stardom.

Måneskin

With their raw, energetic and distorted sound Måneskin are meeting contemporary tastes and bringing back rock’n’roll at the top of international charts. They started as buskers playing in the streets of Rome in 2015 and, within a few years, made it to be the first Italian artist to spread worldwide. Victoria (bass), Damiano (lead singer), Thomas (guitar) and Ethan (drums), all in their twenties, are rebooting rock ‘n’ roll for a new generation of listeners.

21 Savage

An Atlanta-based rapper who started his musical journey with the group Slaughtergang, MC 21 Savage made a breakthrough as a solo artist with his 2014 hit single “Picky.” This initial success marked the beginning of his solo career, leading to the release of his debut mixtape, ‘The Slaughter Tape,’ in 2015. Shortly after, in the same year, he collaborated on the Free Guwop EP alongside Sonny Digital and released his second solo mixtape, ‘Slaughter King.’ In 2016, he teamed up with Metro Boomin for the joint EP ‘Savage Mode,’ which not only gained significant traction, reaching the Top 25 of the Billboard 200 but also peaked at number seven on the Rap Albums chart. The summer of 2017 saw the release of Savage’s debut full-length album, ‘Issa Album,’ which featured production contributions from Metro Boomin, Southside, Zaytoven, and DJ Mustard, along with a special appearance by Young Thug on the track “Whole Lot.”

Nicky Youre

Harnessing the infectious energy of sticky melodies and relatable lyrics, Nicky Youre is putting smiles on fans’ faces one song at a time. The Indie pop artist is creating a body of work that is sure to be a staple on people’s playlists, as its inherent feel-good vibes uplift fans and stick with them throughout their day.

Tim Montana

Tim Montana forges a new frontier for hard rock. Following a tumultuous and downright unbelievable childhood in a trailer off-the-grid, the singer, guitarist, and entrepreneur left his home state of Montana in the rearview at barely eighteen-years-old. Driven by a restless work ethic, he quietly carved out a niche without comparison. Forged by a long grind, he fulfilled his destiny in 2023. Tim shook the rock world with ‘Devil You Know.’ Christened ‘flawless’ and ‘One of the 30 Best Rock + Metal Songs of 2023’ by Loudwire, the breakout single surged onto Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Airplay and Rock & Alternative Airplay charts. In its wake, iHeartRadio touted him as an ‘On The Verge Artist.’ Soon, he found himself booked for tours with Staind, Seether, Saint Asonia, Bush, and Jerry Cantrell of Alice In Chains (another hero of Tim’s). Simultaneously, he and Gibbons purchased an historic bar and hotel Wise River Club in Wise River, MT. Coming back home to Montana inspired him to go even wilder on his 2024 full-length album, Savage. The hooks hit harder, the distortion was cranked up louder, and the spirit became freer. Tim is telling a story that will resonate far beyond his home state, and you can hear it loud and clear on the Music Knox/BMG project available now.

GloRilla

Tennessee rapper GloRilla is a trailblazing artist known for creating empowering anthems that celebrate female independence with unmatched intensity. In 2022, she took the music industry by storm with her viral single “FNF (Let’s Go)” produced by Hitkidd. The track not only captivated audiences but also amassed over eight million streams on various music platforms, accompanied by an impressive view count of nearly 25 million for its music video. GloRilla’s rapid rise to fame caught the attention of CMG label head Yo Gotti, who wasted no time in signing her to the prestigious label. Since then, she has continued to release chart-topping singles like “Tomorrow” as part of the label’s acclaimed compilation, Gangsta Art.

Sexyy Red

St. Louis-born rapper Sexyy Red delivers her brazenly sexual lyrics in a humorous, carefree manner. Active since the 2010s, she broke through when her 2023 single “Pound Town” went viral, prompting a remix featuring Nicki Minaj and pushing her mixtape Hood Hottest Princess into the top half of the Billboard 200. Among other cameos, she was featured on Drake’s hit single “Rich Baby Daddy,” and she released her third mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust, in 2024. Heavily influenced by Southern rap from the 2000s, particularly Gucci Mane and Three 6 Mafia, Janae Wherry started rapping in order to write a diss song against an ex-boyfriend who cheated on her. She began releasing songs as Sexyy Red in 2018, and her first mixtape, Ghetto Superstar, appeared in 2021. “Born by the River,” a 2022 single featuring Sukihana that references Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” received a degree of attention. Sexyy Red’s true breakthrough came with the release of “Pound Town,” a Tay Keith-produced track that originated as a studio freestyle. The song appeared in January 2023 and immediately became a TikTok favorite, receiving co-signs from several rappers and celebrities. Sexyy Red issued a song titled “Female Gucci Mane” and was featured on tracks by NLE Choppa, Gloss Up, and Kaliii. “Pound Town 2,” an official remix featuring Nicki Minaj, appeared in May and was included on Hood Hottest Princess, Sexyy Red’s second mixtape. The release was met with positive press as well as controversy when it arrived in June, and it reached the Billboard 200 in July. Along with SZA, Sexyy Red was featured on Drake’s song “Rich Baby Daddy,” which reached number 11 on the Hot 100. The solo single “Get It Sexyy” appeared in March 2024, and in May of the same year, her third mixtape, In Sexyy We Trust, was released. The tape featured appearances from Drake, Lil Baby, and others, and again broke into the Billboard charts.

Wham!

Wham! followed the parallel path of most of their British pop peers, celebrating colorful, candied hooks and big, effervescent beats at a time most emerging U.K. groups were dedicated to stylish, detached synth pop. George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, the childhood friends who comprised Wham!, didn’t ignore fashion — their flashy visuals were tailor-made for MTV — but they shunned the arty and dour portions of new wave, building their persona on American dance music and pop, even dabbling in a bit of rap on their first single ‘Wham! Rap (Enjoy What You Do).’ That single, along with ‘Young Guns (Go for It)’ and ‘Bad Boys,’ broke them into the U.K. Top Ten in 1983, but it was the jubilant ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go’ that turned them into international superstars. Almost immediately, George Michael stood apart from Andrew Ridgeley: he had the supple, soulful voice showcased on their second number one, ‘Careless Whisper,’ which was occasionally credited to Michael on his own. Wham! sustained their run at the top of the charts through 1985 but in 1986, ‘A Different Corner’ announced Michael’s separation from his longtime friend. By the end of that year, Wham! had split, leaving Michael on the road to superstardom.
George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley met as preteens attending Bushey Meads School in Hertfordshire, England. Becoming fast friends, the two played in a ska revival band named the Executive before leaving to form their own group. Inspired by American dance and R&B, the duo decided to call themselves Wham! because they believed it represented their sunny, kinetic chemistry. Signing with Innervision Records, Wham! released their debut single ‘Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do)’ in June 1982 but it failed to gain much attention. That wasn’t the case with ‘Young Guns (Go for …

Dustin Lynch

Dustin Lynch has built one of the most consistent recording careers in modern country music, achieving 10 #1s; four Top 5 albums; 10 GOLD, PLATINUM, and MULTI-PLATINUM certified singles; and tallying over 4.4 BILLION cumulative global streams. His sixth studio album Killed The Cowboy (Broken Bow Records), featuring #1 Chevrolet (feat. Jelly Roll), is currently making a statement. The follow-up to Blue In The Sky, which delivered the history-making 2X PLATINUM, six-week #1 Thinking ‘Bout You (feat. MacKenzie Porter) – the most-played song at Country radio in 2022 landing at #1 on the Mediabase and #2 on the Billboard Year-End Country Airplay charts – also featured hit singles: #1 Stars Like Confetti and Party Mode. Lynch has headlined packed venues to sold-out crowds like his latest KILLED THE COWBOY TOUR, in addition to touring with Country’s biggest names including Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Brad Paisley, and Blake Shelton. Since his PLATINUM breakout Cowboys and Angels in 2012, the Tennessee native has earned industry recognition as a Grand Ole Opry member, as well as high-profile nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, iHeartRadio Music Awards, and CMT Music Awards.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez is a multi-talented performer with featured roles on the screen both small and large, and a musical career that reached the summit of the charts from its very beginning and stayed planted there for many years. Her group, Selena Gomez & the Scene, issued a trio of breezy modern pop albums from 2009 to 2011 that each hit the Top Ten. After going solo, she scored a pair of number ones with the more adult-oriented Stars Dance (2013) and Revival (2015), then branched out into new sounds on collaborations with Kygo (‘It Ain’t Me’) and Marshmello (‘Wolves’). Gomez reached the top of the singles chart for the first time with ‘Lose You to Love Me’ (2019), a soul-searching ballad that delved into her real-life relationships and marked a new openness in her lyrical approach. In 2021, she took on Latin pop for the first time with the Revelación EP. Along with her starring role in Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building, she was also the subject of the candid 2022 documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, for which she also released the title track, followed by 2023’s electronic-tinged ‘Single Soon’ and 2024’s ‘Love On.’
Born in 1992, Gomez grew up in Texas and got her first break as a cast member on the kids’ TV show Barney and Friends. She landed minor roles in several other TV programs, but it was her affiliation with the Disney Channel — which discovered her during a nationwide talent search in 2004 — that officially jump-started her acting career. Guest appearances on The Suite Life of Zach and Cody and Hannah Montana paved the way for Gomez’s own show, The Wizards of Waverly Place, which premiered in October 2007 and quickly became one of the network’s most popular programs. Gomez began juggling her commitment to The Wizards of Waverly Place with additional projects, including movie roles and a burgeoning singing career. She began branching out into pop music by recording songs for her own Disney projects. She sang the theme song for The Wizards of Waverly Place, recorded several other tunes for the show’s soundtrack, and performed on the soundtrack of the family film Another Cinderella Story. By 2009, she’d also assembled her own teen pop band, Selena Gomez & the Scene, and signed a contract with Hollywood Records. The band’s full-length debut, Kiss & Tell, was released that year and went gold, as did its 2010 follow-up, A Year Without Rain. Gomez continued filming The Wizards of Waverly Place and made her theatrical debut in the 2010 film adaptation of Ramona and Beezus, but her music garnered just as much attention.

Jet

Jet found international popularity during the early 2000s, a period in which the band’s mix of Exile on Main St. swagger and brash, AC/DC-styled stomp dovetailed nicely with America’s garage rock revival. Hailing from Melbourne and comprising guitarist Cameron Muncey, drummer Chris Cester, bassist Mark Wilson, and frontman Nic Cester, the foursome formed just as the new millennium was beginning. They quickly self-released 2002’s Dirty Sweet, a vinyl-only EP that proved to be quite popular in Australia. The EP sold out of its initial run of 1,000 copies, and Jet’s acclaim grew in the U.K. as they issued another limited-edition run. An American deal with Elektra surfaced in early 2003, and the Dirty Sweet EP was released domestically that May. An opening slot for the Rolling Stones in Jet’s homeland soon followed. With buzz brewing about the band’s skuzzy, old-fashioned hard rock, Jet’s proper studio debut arrived in November under the title Get Born. With its crisp guitars and start-stop tempos, ‘Are You Gonna Be My Girl?’ became a radio favorite worldwide, and Get Born sold over three million copies as a result. Jet also received seven ARIA (Australian Record Industry Association) nominations, six of which were awarded to the band. European dates with Oasis followed in summer 2005, and the sophomore effort Shine On arrived in fall 2006. The band maintained a steady touring pace and contributed a song to the Spider-Man 3 soundtrack. Following a short break, Jet reconvened in 2008 to begin work on a third album, which arrived one year later as Shaka Rock. They toured as support for Green Day and Powderfinger, but went on hiatus in 2010 and were fully disbanded in 2012. Jet were back in business after several years, however, playing headlining shows in Australia during early 2017.