ABC's Global Pop Sensations You've Never Heard Of
Aug 26, 2010 15:06:18 GMT -5
Post by Nic (Britney Spears) on Aug 26, 2010 15:06:18 GMT -5
Japan's X Japan
Though they've been around since 1982, Japanese rock band X-Japan didn't see much success until 1989 with the release of their album "Blue Blood." After disbanding for a while in the 90s, the group decided to get back together in 2007, and will release their first studio album in 14 years later this year. As of now, the band has sold more than thirty million records and continues to draw thousands of fans everywhere they go. They just performed last weekend at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago. (Daniel Boczarski/Redferns)
The Philippine's Charice
Before there was any talk of guest-starring on the hit Fox series, "Glee," and before she brought Ellen DeGeneres to tears on her daytime talk show, Charice Pempengco was just another girl from the Philippines hoping to pursue her dreams. After a stint on the country's talent show "Little Big Star" proved unsuccessful, Charice (whose real name is Charmaine Clarice) turned to YouTube, and eventually became an Internet sensation. Since 2008, she has released two platinum albums, with a third record ranking number 9 on the U.S. charts, allowing her to become the first Asian artist in history to land in the top 10 of Billboard's album chart. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
New Zealand's Vince Harder
It seems as though Vince Harder just can't wait to be king—king of the album charts, that is. After playing 'Simba' in the Australian production of Disney's "The Lion King," the New Zealand recording artist took a stab at reality TV, starring in the Australian version of Simon Cowell's "The X-Factor." Although he didn't win the competition, Harder soon saw success upon releasing his first solo single which saw extensive airplay in New Zealand. His subsequent two singles have each become Top 40 hits. (Topic/WireImage/Getty Images)
Japan's Ayumi Hamasaki
Nearly a decade before Lady Gaga donned her "Poker Face," Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki put on hers, releasing the song as her first single in 1998. Dubbed the "Empress of Pop" by her loyal fans, Hamasaki has dominated the Japanese airwaves, having sold more than 50 million records since her debut. Widely considered to be the best-selling artist in her country, she is the first artist to have a number-one album for 11 straight years. (Jun Sato/WireImage/Getty Images)
South Korea's Wonder Girls
In 2009, South Korean girl group Wonder Girls and their song, "Nobody," entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts, becoming the first song by a Korean group to ever do so. Of six singles, four have shot straight to number one on the Korean charts, including their most recent song, "2 Different Tears." They are currently co-managed here in the United States. (Lai Seng Sin/AFP/Getty Images))
Vietnam's My Tam
After nine years in the business, Vietnamese pop singer My Tam has remained one of the most recognizable voices in the Southeast Asian country, releasing seven successful albums since her debut. Each night as she toured, more than 20,000 people would pour in to see her. Early on in her career, My Tam signed multi-million dollar deals to serve as a spokesperson for companies like Pepsi and Honda. She even has her own fragrance. (AFP/AFP/Getty Images)
Chile's Kudai
Incredibly popular with teens throughout most of Latin America, Chilean pop group Kudai is mostly known for creating the theme song for "Quiero Mis Quinces," MTV Latinoamérica's equivalent to the U.S. version, "Sweet Sixteen." The group was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award in 2008 for their album "Nadha." (Aldo Castillo/LatinContent/Getty Images)
China's Faye Wong
Apparently the word 'diva' is constantly used by the press to describe Chinese singer-songwriter and pop icon, Faye Wong, who started her career in 1989 in Hong Kong. She is very well known in canto-pop, or the Cantonese pop music scene, and by 2000, she had already sold more than 10 million records. American fans may recognize Wong for her song "Eyes on Me," which served as the theme for the popular video game Final Fantasy VIII. (ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images)
South Africa's Die Antwoord
A popular hip-hop group in South Africa, Die Antwoord has spent a good portion of 2010 in the United States performing at different music festivals since the spring. Here, Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er of Die Antwoord perform onstage at the South Island Field on Governors Island as part of HARD NYC music festival on July 24, 2010 in New York City. With lyrics in both English and Afrikaans, Die Antwoord released their second album, "5," just last month. (Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
Ukraine's Okean Elzy
Formed in 1994, Okean Elzy has remained one of the most successful Ukrainian rock bands in recent history. The group's lead singer, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, was even considered to be one of the most influential people of the Ukraine in 2008. The group, which will tour North America during their Dolce Vita tour, has released seven studio albums since 1996. (Str/Reuters)
Italy's Eros Ramazzotti
In his nearly three-decade-long career, Italian superstar Eros Ramazzotti has sold more than 40 million records and has made a name for himself throughout much of Europe. Ramazzotti, who some fans say has a distinct nasal voice, has released 11 albums as of last year, and has performed duets with such artists as Cher and Tina Turner. (Jakubaszek/Getty Images)
Though they've been around since 1982, Japanese rock band X-Japan didn't see much success until 1989 with the release of their album "Blue Blood." After disbanding for a while in the 90s, the group decided to get back together in 2007, and will release their first studio album in 14 years later this year. As of now, the band has sold more than thirty million records and continues to draw thousands of fans everywhere they go. They just performed last weekend at the Lollapalooza music festival in Chicago. (Daniel Boczarski/Redferns)
The Philippine's Charice
Before there was any talk of guest-starring on the hit Fox series, "Glee," and before she brought Ellen DeGeneres to tears on her daytime talk show, Charice Pempengco was just another girl from the Philippines hoping to pursue her dreams. After a stint on the country's talent show "Little Big Star" proved unsuccessful, Charice (whose real name is Charmaine Clarice) turned to YouTube, and eventually became an Internet sensation. Since 2008, she has released two platinum albums, with a third record ranking number 9 on the U.S. charts, allowing her to become the first Asian artist in history to land in the top 10 of Billboard's album chart. (Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
New Zealand's Vince Harder
It seems as though Vince Harder just can't wait to be king—king of the album charts, that is. After playing 'Simba' in the Australian production of Disney's "The Lion King," the New Zealand recording artist took a stab at reality TV, starring in the Australian version of Simon Cowell's "The X-Factor." Although he didn't win the competition, Harder soon saw success upon releasing his first solo single which saw extensive airplay in New Zealand. His subsequent two singles have each become Top 40 hits. (Topic/WireImage/Getty Images)
Japan's Ayumi Hamasaki
Nearly a decade before Lady Gaga donned her "Poker Face," Japanese pop star Ayumi Hamasaki put on hers, releasing the song as her first single in 1998. Dubbed the "Empress of Pop" by her loyal fans, Hamasaki has dominated the Japanese airwaves, having sold more than 50 million records since her debut. Widely considered to be the best-selling artist in her country, she is the first artist to have a number-one album for 11 straight years. (Jun Sato/WireImage/Getty Images)
South Korea's Wonder Girls
In 2009, South Korean girl group Wonder Girls and their song, "Nobody," entered the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 charts, becoming the first song by a Korean group to ever do so. Of six singles, four have shot straight to number one on the Korean charts, including their most recent song, "2 Different Tears." They are currently co-managed here in the United States. (Lai Seng Sin/AFP/Getty Images))
Vietnam's My Tam
After nine years in the business, Vietnamese pop singer My Tam has remained one of the most recognizable voices in the Southeast Asian country, releasing seven successful albums since her debut. Each night as she toured, more than 20,000 people would pour in to see her. Early on in her career, My Tam signed multi-million dollar deals to serve as a spokesperson for companies like Pepsi and Honda. She even has her own fragrance. (AFP/AFP/Getty Images)
Chile's Kudai
Incredibly popular with teens throughout most of Latin America, Chilean pop group Kudai is mostly known for creating the theme song for "Quiero Mis Quinces," MTV Latinoamérica's equivalent to the U.S. version, "Sweet Sixteen." The group was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award in 2008 for their album "Nadha." (Aldo Castillo/LatinContent/Getty Images)
China's Faye Wong
Apparently the word 'diva' is constantly used by the press to describe Chinese singer-songwriter and pop icon, Faye Wong, who started her career in 1989 in Hong Kong. She is very well known in canto-pop, or the Cantonese pop music scene, and by 2000, she had already sold more than 10 million records. American fans may recognize Wong for her song "Eyes on Me," which served as the theme for the popular video game Final Fantasy VIII. (ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images)
South Africa's Die Antwoord
A popular hip-hop group in South Africa, Die Antwoord has spent a good portion of 2010 in the United States performing at different music festivals since the spring. Here, Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er of Die Antwoord perform onstage at the South Island Field on Governors Island as part of HARD NYC music festival on July 24, 2010 in New York City. With lyrics in both English and Afrikaans, Die Antwoord released their second album, "5," just last month. (Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
Ukraine's Okean Elzy
Formed in 1994, Okean Elzy has remained one of the most successful Ukrainian rock bands in recent history. The group's lead singer, Svyatoslav Vakarchuk, was even considered to be one of the most influential people of the Ukraine in 2008. The group, which will tour North America during their Dolce Vita tour, has released seven studio albums since 1996. (Str/Reuters)
Italy's Eros Ramazzotti
In his nearly three-decade-long career, Italian superstar Eros Ramazzotti has sold more than 40 million records and has made a name for himself throughout much of Europe. Ramazzotti, who some fans say has a distinct nasal voice, has released 11 albums as of last year, and has performed duets with such artists as Cher and Tina Turner. (Jakubaszek/Getty Images)
