The state of Michigan has given birth to, or raised, many notable household names ranging from filmmakers, to actors, to personalities in both TV and radio. And Michigan is no stranger to music, having produced some of America's finest artists with names such as Aaliyah (raised in Detroit), Kid Rock (born in Romeo), Alice Cooper (born in Detroit), Madonna (born in Bay City), and Eminem (raised in Warren). There is something to be said about a city suffering from such evident urban decay having the ability to foster such potential and bona fide celebrity. A quote lends itself to the perfect explanation: "Necessity is the mother of invention."

Rapper B-Smoove, who currently resides in the city of Sacramento, California, has humble beginnings in Michigan. After moving to California in 1988, he took a job barbering to financially support his musical aspirations. His clients inclu...

Most musicians debase their art. Realizing it or not, they forget that the essence of great music stems from being honest to one person: themselves. Bastardizing their sound in an effort to appeal, garner attention of fit in, they demean the one thing that defines them.

Toronto-based quartet Low Level Flight (LLF) aren't about to pander to anyone. With eyes solidly set on reaching their destiny through sincerity and fortitude, they've seen what's behind the facade. And wisely turned their backs.

Since 2006, this band of hook-laden independent rockers have been carving a fresh path thanks to a common vision, an inimitable sound and some fiendishly fetching music. It's an accomplishment highlighted by their latest work, sophomore opus Through These Walls (Brave Rekords).

Nadia, Felicia, Celia and Daria are four Chinese-American sisters from Los Angeles that make up JAZMIN. The name JAZMIN was inspired by the sisters' jazz influences and the Asian Jasmine flower which symbolizes happiness.

Daughters of a preacher and a piano teacher, the JAZMIN girls grew up in a house with strict rules. When they weren't studying, the sisters would unleash their energy by singing, dancing and being creative. From writing their own songs to choreographing dance routines, JAZMIN stands out as each sister brings something special to the table.

Young rockers clear the way for an unplugged future

The sun is shining on Roncesvalles Ave. On the sidewalk there are new mothers with SUV-sized strollers sipping fair-trade organic dark-roast, there are old Polish men drinking Tyskie on a patio having a friendly, albeit heated, argument. Two dogs tied outside the hardware store wrestle for dominance while a friendly pan-handler wishes passers-by a nice day. The air smells of woodsy Kolbassa mixed with fresh-baked cupcakes. The busses pass by cyclists dinging their dingers. On this rare day in Toronto, there is no construction in Ronces Village, and consequently everybody who stops to listen can hear neighborhood duo, The Clearing, singing and strumming from their impeccably-located third story patio. Joining them up on their cozy perch overlooking their block, it is immediately evident that the songs they are lazily singing were born here, in the sunshine, at home.

On this patio, singer/guitarist, Stephan LaCasse and guitarist/singer Eric Boucher come across as warm, enthusiastic and charmingly naive, like kids at play. Choruses are punctuated with big smiles and bridge-solos end with knowing nods, while...

Described as fierce, fun, and brave—with Billboard magazine comparing her music to that of Britney Spears and Rihanna—this beautiful, edgy siren has been on a steady grind with an ambitious work regimen that requires eight-hour days of rehearsing and perfecting her seductive, choreographed stage show. "I'm working all the time,” Kristine says. “It's all or nothing." All of this hard work is in preparation for the release of her debut album, which has been in the works since early 2009 amid a tight schedule of promoting and performing. This independent artist has surely made a name for herself already with the release of her single, "Always," which landed her a spot on one of New York's top dance stations, PULSE 87.7.

After the band Billy Talent recently took home the hardware for Rock Album of the Year at the 2010 Juno Awards for “Billy Talent III,” most would say that the result comes as no surprise for a group that piqued the interest of fans from major music markets around the world as early as 2003 after the debut of their self-titled album (which has sold over 350,000 copies to date in Canada) and subsequent success of their smash hit and first single, "Try Honesty." The acclaim kicked them into high gear in 2004 after the single caught on in both the UK and European markets, within which their unique approach to rock-and-roll set them apart from many other up-and-coming acts. Since 2004, the band has received the following MMVA awards: Best Rock Video ("Try Honesty") in 2004, Best Rock Video and Best Video ("River Below") in 2005, the coveted People's Choice Award for favourite Canadian group in 2007, and in 2009, Best International Video by a Canadian ("Rusted From The Rain").

In 2004 Sean Jones and Canadian-born R&B group In Essence won a Juno award for Best R&B/Soul Recording of the Year, "The Master Plan." Shortly after that, In Essence also took home the MMVA for Best R&B Video of the Year for the single "Friend of Mine." By anyone’s standards, 2005 was definitely shaping up to be a great year for the band, with an opportunity for them to establish themselves as a fixture in the Canadian R&B scene. Sean Jones, one fifth of In Essence, described his experience with the R&B group as a positive one. It taught him what it takes to achieve goals and attain dreams. It was during the members’ last year of high school that the band formed in order to perform at a talent show. And soon enough, they discovered that performing was a great way to meet girls. Nothing was taken seriously until the band found a manager, who helped them to land shows at much bigger venues and give them an opportunity to open for more prominent acts, such as R&B heavyweight, Usher. After a period of success, In Essence ultimately decided to disband. Sean Jones meanwhile held many aspirations of his own, which led him in 2008 to sign with LA-based Wideawake Entertainment Group, his current home.

Multi-faceted and ever-changing, Lisette Bustamante embodies a true artist with a fearless nature. By never believing that “You’re one thing, and that’s it,” this unique Venezuelan/Puerto Rican beauty soldiers on as she tours the world with A-list stars, including Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez, Pink, Britney Spears, Paulina Rubio, and Madonna. Encouraging her audiences to simply be themselves and have fun, this charismatic chameleon dances, sings, choreographs, directs, writes, and is evidently the quintessential example that possibilities are endless.

Mateo Magazine: When did your love affair with dance begin?
Lisette Bustamante: It was at the age of 4 when I knew that I liked to dance. There was this record I heard on the radio, and I remember telling my mom to buy it. She went to six record stores to find it, and when she finally brought it home, I played it all day long. I was obsessed. It was clear to me. Singing and dancing…that’s all I cared about.