He may only be a minor… But Scotty McCreery is a major player in the music industry…
The 19-year-old part-Puerto Rican country singer and former American Idol champion has been named to Billboard.com’s 2013 list of 21 Under 21, a ranking of music’s most powerful minors.
Now that Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez have turned 21, McCreery now ranks as the top Latweeno on the list, coming in at No. 8.
McCreery, who ranked at No. 4 last year, will be celebrating his 20th birthday early next month somewhat differently than most people his age. Onlysix days after he exits his teens, McCreery will release See You Tonight, his sophomore follow-up to his platinum 2011 debut album Clear As Day.
McCreery continues his hot streak in 2013. The first single and title track from the new disc continues moving up the singles chart, and he also headlined his first tour this year. That, along with an endorsement deal with fried chicken chain Bojangles, makes him a shoe-in for this year’s list.
But McCreery isn’t the only Latino on the list…
Puerto Rican singer Miguelito comes in at No. 14 on the 21 Under 21 list. At 14 years old, he already boasts a Latin Grammy and a multi-million dollar branding business that includes “Miguelito” vitamins, clothing line, videogame, summer camp, party goods and a themed cruise.
According to his manager dad Wascar Valenzuela, Miguelito-branded products have sold more than $70 million to date.
With a newly minted representation deal with CAA and a new record deal with BlastMusic, Miguelito is poised to crossover early next year with new album, Here To Stay.
“People tell me I’m a 21 or 30-year-old mind inside a 14-year-old body,” says the reggaetón star.
Meanwhile, Fifth Harmony, with 20-year-old Allyson Brooke Hernandez, 17-year-old Lauren Jauregui and 16-year-old Camila Cabello come in at No. 21 on the list.
Formed by Simon Cowell on last year’s edition of The X Factor, Fifth Harmony’s brief career so far is on the fast track for success.
Their triumphant debut single “Miss Movin’ On,” produced by the Suspex (the duo behind Lovato’s “Heart Attack“), became the first track from an American The X Factor alumni to break Billboard’s Hot 100, peaking at No. 76.
The song samples a debut EP expected on October 22 via Epic Records/Syco Music.
In the meantime, the quintet is on tour with Cher Lloyd and was recently featured in Disney‘s “Next Big Thing” series.
