England

A female trio whose sound is a carefree, pop-oriented, and occasionally foul-mouthed mix of rap and R&B -- akin to a junior hybrid of Solange, Electrik Red, and Nicki Minaj -- Stooshe features Karis Anderson, Alexandra Buggs, and Courtney Rumbold. Manager and songwriter Jo Perry assembled the group in January 2011, after months of auditions. Before the end of 2011, Stooshe issued two songs, "Fuck Me" and "Betty Woz Gone," signed to Warner Music UK, and were nominated for the BBC's Sound of 2012 award (eventually won by Michael Kiwanuka). A new version of "Fuck Me," dubbed "Love Me" and featuring an appearance from Travie McCoy, was released as the group's first proper single in early 2012. It set the table for London with the Lights On, their debut album. ~ Andy Kellman