Belonging to a class of country singers who slyly incorporate modern R&B rhythms into their bright, tuneful mainstream country-pop -- a class that also features Sam Hunt and Thomas Rhett -- Russell Dickerson first started to gain traction in late 2015 with the single "Yours." As a native of Nashville, Dickerson grew up in the thick of Music City and by the time he hit college, he knew he wanted to pursue music professionally. He completed a degree in music at Belmont University and in 2010 scored representation with Creative Artists Agency, who helped him land a publishing deal in addition to repping him as a performer. Dickerson's first attempt at a solo career -- 2011's "That's My Girl" -- didn't go anywhere, but in 2013 "Green Light" became a hit on satellite radio. Over the next couple of years, Dickerson's music became poppier, a makeover that paid off once "Yours" became a country radio hit in late 2015, leading to the release of the Yours EP in 2016. The EP was expanded into a full-length album the following year. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine