McCreery Leads the Latweeno Pack of Billboard.com’s “21 Under 21” Honorees

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.

Billboard.com 2013 21 Under 21

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.

Scotty McCreery

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…

Miguelito

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.

fifth-harmony-2013-650a

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.

Five La-Tweenos On Billboard.com’s 21 Under 21 List

What do Miguelito, Victoria Justice, Demi Lovato, Scotty McCreery and Selena Gomez have in common? They’re all tweenage Latino artists who’ve made the cut to be placed on Billboard.com’s latest installment of 21 Under 21, the website’s annual ranking of music’s most influential minors.

Here’s a closer look at the “Fantastic Five,” fresh-faced Latino stars who’ve made this year’s “Teenage Dream” list:

Selena Gomez
It’s no surprise that Gomez is the highest-ranking Latino/a on the list. In the last year, the Mexican-American’s star has shined brighter than ever. Along with the buzz surrounding her romance with the Justin Bieber, the 19-year-old singer/actress released her third album with her band the Scene, “When the Sun Goes Down.” Released this summer, the dancetastic album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, fueled by the hit singles “Who Says” and “Love You Like a Love Song.” Gomez ended her run on the Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” and hit the big screen with a starring role in “Monte Carlo.” She hosted the pre-show portion of MTV’s Video Music Awards and she’ll host the 2011 MTV Europe Awards in November. But wait, there’s more! She also launched her own clothing line, Dream Out Loud, and she’s set to debut her own fragrance line next spring.

Scotty McCreery
Last year, McCreery wasn’t even a 21 Under 21 contender. Now he ranks at No. 4 on the list. So what changed in a year? Two words… “American Idol,” the hit show that has forever changed his life. The part-Puerto Rican McCreery first captured the attention of the judges with his bombastic baritone voice at the Milwaukee auditions for “American Idol” season 10. And the North Carolina teen stole the hearts of millions of viewers, mainly young girls who instantly fell for his boyish good looks, as the season progressed. After being named “Idol” champ, McCreery signed with Mercury Nashville and released his first smash single, “I Love You This Big.” He’s now readying for the release of his debut album, “Clear as Day,” next week.

Demi Lovato
Coming in a No. 7 is the part-Mexican actress/singer who saw her star rise after starring roles in the Disney Channel’s “Sonny with a Chance” and “Camp Rock.” After dropping out as the opening act on the Jonas Brothers tour last fall and entering a treatment facility for an eating disorder and self-injury, 18-year-old Demi Lovato is back and better than ever after what she calls “the darkest time” of her life. Earlier this month, Lovato returned to the spotlight from with a new album, “Unbroken,” which features collaborations with Missy Elliott and Timbaland. Her lead single, “Skyscraper,” debuted in the Top 10 of the Hot 100.

Victoria Justice
The 18-year-old star of Nickelodeon’s hit show “Victorious” ranks at No. 10 on this year’s list of 21 Under 21. The half-Puerto Rican singer/actress may be most recognized for her role as Tori Vega on “Victorious,” but she’s starting to make a real name for herself as a musician as well. Earlier this summer the “Victorious” soundtrack, which features the Hollywood, Florida native on nearly every track, debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart. She’s now hard at work on her first solo album and will be re-recording the love theme from the original “Footloose” film with rising country star Hunter Hayes for the soundtrack to the 2011 remake of the movie.

Miguelito
Coming in at No. 20, rising reggaetón star Miguelito. He may only be 12-years-old, but the pint-sized Puerto Rican singer has already won a Latin Grammy—the youngest person to win the award. Mentored by reggaetón star Daddy Yankee, Miguelito launched his recording career at the age of 7. And he’s been making chart-topping music ever since. He’s currently preparing to release his fifth album, “Nadie Sabe lo que Tiene,” next month, and he’s starring in his first feature film of the same name. But that’s not all; he’s also launched several products, including a video game, a line of party goods, a clothing line, hair gel, children’s vitamins, a summer camp and a Christmas cruise.

Click here to check out the complete list of musicians making up Billboard.com’s 21 Under 21.