It's easy to forget how young some of our favorite performers are when they enter the music world. From Michael Jackson's Jack 5 debut at the age of 11, to Lorde's chart-topping single "Royals" at the age of 16, it doesn't take much life experience to make a splash in the music industry. Tuesdays Under 21 is a Music Times feature dedicated to bringing attention to talented musicians and performers under the age of 21. Who knows? They just might be the next big thing.
WHO: Miguelito
WHERE: Puerto Rico
AGE: 15
WHY: Do you remember when reggaeton peaked in popularity in the United States? Daddy Yankee released the still-popular "Gasolina" circa 2004, and Don Omar set the high for album sales with King of Kings during 2006. Miguel "Miguelito" Morales was five and seven years old, respectively, when those events took place.
Normally we reserve Tuesdays Under 21 for small acts who have the potential to be stars, but we made an exception with Miguelito. We figured American audiences don't follow Latin music as it is, so it won't hurt to introduce them to one of the genre's rising stars. "Rising star" might be a misnomer, as the now 15 year-old performer has already released four solo albums, with a fifth-Here to Stay-scheduled to be released during 2014.
Some could argue Miguelito doesn't have much more to prove: He's already won a Latin Grammy, for his 2007 album El Heredero (which featured a guest spot from none other than Daddy Yankee). That was for Best Latin Children's Album however, and you know he's after the main award now. Young as he is, Miguelito has a while to go, and that could include a crossover onto American popular airwaves. Might as well get on the wagon now.
