In America, a significant number of pop's young success stories made their starts on television, usually on either Disney or Nickolodeon shows. This year's breakout act from such a background is twenty year-old Ariana Grande, who starred on Nickelodeon's Victorious for three years (though she did precede this by performing on Broadway as a young teenager). Though her output certainly isn't to everyone's taste, the teen and pre-teen markets are one of the music industry's most profitable, and Grande has certainly capitalised on them this year, going to #1 with her debut album, 'Yours Truly' in the States. Having been compared to Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey with her pop/r&b fusion style, future opportunities are abound for Grande, presuming that she doesn't opt to go down the 'Miley Cyrus route'.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJuWlMFToNo
Honourable Mention AlunaGeorge
Having been shortlisted for both the BBC Sound Of 2013 and 2013 BRIT Award's Critics Choice, it's fair to say that London electronic duo AlunaGeorge are held in high regard by several important and influential voices in the industry. The public have begun to take to them as well, giving them a top 20 hit with 'Attracting Flies' and a #2 with 'White Noise' alongside Disclosure (who we'll be seeing more of shortly).