J. Holiday

Nahum Grymes - as well as being the only person I’ve ever come across to be named Nahum - apparently decided that his name wasn’t sufficiently chilled enough to be properly becoming of an artist who’s made a crossover between hip hop and R&B his calling card for the past almost-decade, so he goes by J. Holiday instead. Since heading straight to a recording studio shortly after graduating from high school, Holiday has been focusing on bringing that particular blend of styles back to the mainstream, with his debut full-length, Back of My Lac, going in at number five in the U.S. in 2007. He’s kept up that level of commercial success since, too, with follow-up Round 2 charting at number four in 2009. Earlier this year, he returned smoother than ever with album number three, Guilty Conscience, to a superb critical reception. He’s not lined up any UK dates in direct support if just yet, but did perform at Wembley Arena in November of last year, as part of an all-star R&B lineup that also included the likes of Mario and Ginuwine. If that set was anything to go by, expect some seriously smooth crooning, repeated shout-outs to the ladies in the crowd, and a showcase of terrific vocal talent, too.