LOS ANGELES — This year in music has been all about breakthrough artists. From Carly Rae Jepsen to One Direction, new artists have dominated the airwaves with their infectious songs and impressive debut efforts.
It's hard to imagine the music scene of this year without Fun.'s "We Are Young," Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know," the Wanted's "Glad You Came" and especially PSY's "Gangnam Style."
With all these new artists to choose from, it's hard to pick a favorite, but at Sunday's American Music Awards, we decided to put some big artists to the test and have them pick their favorite act of 2012.
"I think we all have people we like, but we all agree Gotye is one of our favorites," Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys told. "As well as Fun."
See the complete American Music Awards winners list here!
Gotye — who was also Neon Trees' pick — and Fun. were both nominated for New Artist of the Year at the AMAs and had an extremely successful 2012, bursting onto the music scene. Fun. are enjoying the success of their single "Some Nights," which is currently #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Real-life couple Jordin Sparks and Jason Derülo, who have recorded a collaboration together and are releasing new music next year, both had different picks for their best new artist.
"Frank Ocean for me," Sparks said of the R&B star, whose Channel Orange album debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200, selling 131,000 copies in its first week.
Derülo, on the other hand, decided to go with Kendrick Lamar, who had a hit single with "Swimming Pools (Drank)" and his critically acclaimed album good kid, m.A.A.d city, had the highest first-week hip-hop album sales of 2012 from a male artist.
J.Cole, who was also nominated at the AMAs for New Artist of the Year, agreed that there is no denying Lamar deserves the title as the newcomer of 2012. "Kendrick Lamar. I've been saying that for three years," J. Cole said. "I told y'all!"
You can't bring up the best new artists of the year without mentioning Carly Rae Jepsen, who took home New Artist of the Year and performed at the American Music Awards. She had an unparalleled year and, with the help of Justin Bieber, spent nine weeks atop Billboard's Hot 100 with "Call Me Maybe" and released her highly anticipated debut album, Kiss, in September.
"I have a guilty pleasure for Carly Rae," Backstreet Boys' A.J. McLean said. "I think she's adorable."
Who is your pick for best new artist of the year? Let us know in the comments!