(Billboard) – What’s it like to become a music star with millions of fans before being able to legally order a beer to celebrate those achievements? These 21 artists know the feeling. Welcome to Billboard.com’s 2014 edition of 21 Under 21, our annual ranking of music’s most powerful minors, and perhaps the most impressive crop of under-21 stars we’ve ever assembled.
There are international stars, social-media powerhouses, on-the-rise groups and singers that have scored No. 1 smashes on the Hot 100 before their 21st birthday. There’s pop, rock, EDM, hip-hop, country, K-pop, and more genres represented here. Most importantly, there’s a ton of potential on this list — these 21 artists have already accomplished a great deal, but are safe bets to continue finding success as they edge toward adulthood. For now they’re just kids, but they’re the kids that everyone in music is watching.
- Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O’Connor, known by her stage name Lorde, is a New Zealand singer-songwriter. Born on November 7, 1996, Lorde who will be 18 next month is best known for her hit “Royal”.
- 5 Seconds of Summer is an Australian pop rock band with pop punk elements. The members are Luke Hemmings, 18; Michael Clifford, 18; Calum Hood, 18 and Ashton Irwin, 20. The band is known for its hit “Don’t Stop”.
- Justin Bieber is a 20-year-old Canadian singer and songwriter, best known for his song “Baby”.
- Martijn Garritsen, commonly known by his stage name Martin Garrix, is a Dutch DJ/producer. He is 18 and his claim to fame includes “Torrent”.
- Fifth Harmony is an American girl group formed on the second season of the X Factor. The group consists of members Ally Brooke Hernandez, who turned 21 in July; Normani Kordei Hamilton, 18; Dinah Jane Hansen, 17; Camila Cabello, 17; and Lauren Jauregui, 18. “Miss Movin’ On” is one of Fifth Harmony’s songs.
- Austin Mahone, 18, is an American pop singer-songwriter, who sang “Secret” among others.
- Thebe Neruda Kgositsile, better known by his stage name Earl Sweatshirt, is an American rapper-producer and member of the Los Angeles-based hip hop collective Odd Future. He is 20 and has “Molasses” among his discography.
- Shawn Peter Raul Mendes, 16, is a Canadian music artist. His self-titled The Shawn Mendes EP and his debut single “Life of the Party” has seen rising mainstream success.
- “Shower” singer Rebecca Marie Gomez, 17, better known by her stage name Becky G, is an American singer, rapper, actress, and dancer.
- Keith Cozart, better known by his stage name Chief Keef, is an American rapper. At 19, he is “Finally Rich”.
- Luis Coronel, is an American Regional Mexican singer. He is 18 and has seen success with “Mi Niña Traviesa,” among others.
- Meghan Elizabeth Trainor, 20, is an American singer, songwriter, and producer. She gained prominence with her 2014 song “All About That Bass.”
- Cody Robert Simpson, 17, is an Australian pop singer, known for “Angel”.
- Hugo Pierre Leclercq, 20, known by his stage name Madeon, is a house/electro house/nu-disco/pop producer from France.
- Ackquille Jean Pollard, 20, known by his stage name Bobby Shmurda is an American rapper from Brooklyn, signed to Epic Records.
- Scott Cooke “Scotty” McCreery, who celebrated his 21st birthday on October 9, is an American country music singer. He won the tenth season of American Idol on May 25, 2011.
- Troye Sivan Mellet, better known as Troye Sivan, is a South African-Australian actor, YouTuber and singer-songwriter. He is 19 and is famous for “The Fault in Our Stars”.
- Rae Sremmurd, which is “ear drummers” in reverse, is an American hip hop duo, composed of Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy, Aaquil, both 20 years old. “No Flex Zone” is one of their jams.
- “Give Love” is one of the songs from Akdong Musician, a brother and sister duo from Korea. Lee Chan-hyuk, 18, is plays acoustic guitar and does lead vocals and backing vocals. His sister, Lee Soo-hyun, 15, does lead vocals and backing vocals.
- The Vamps are a British pop band consisting of members: Brad Simpson (lead vocals and guitar), James McVey (lead guitar and vocals), Connor Ball (bass guitar and vocals) and Tristan Evans (drums and vocals). They are all 17 years old and are known for their hit “Dangerous”.
- Unlocking the Truth is an American metal band from Brooklyn, New York. The trio: guitarist and vocalist Malcolm Brickhouse, 13; bassist and vocalist Alec Atkins, 13 and drummer and vocalist Jarad Dawkins 12 put out “Free as You Wanna Be” and recently signed a seven-figure record deal.
