No industry is as ripe for domination by college and high school-aged individuals than the music industry (maybe the NBA. But whatever). Billboard has celebrated the youngest powerhouses in music every year by releasing its "21 Under 21" class.
Lorde rises to the top this year, up from no. 6 during 2013, after more than a year of gathering praise from both the general populace and veteran performers alike. Some other performers that have made a big jump since last year's charts: 5 Seconds of Summer debuts at no. 2 after not appearing on the previous chart (has it seriously been that long since we didn't know who 5 Seconds of Summer was?) Another five, Fifth Harmony, took the last spot on last year's list and moves up to no. 5. This year's no. 4, Martin Garrix, moved up 14 spots over the last 12 months. He's worth watching due to the increasing influence of the EDM world and his influence within it.
This year's no. 21 act is Unlocking The Truth, the middle-school metal band from Brooklyn that went viral last year. Look for them to move up soon, after the major label record and book deals and all.
Of course we lost a few representatives from last year's list as well, due to aging. A majority of One Direction has gotten past 21, which left the no. 1 spot wide open. This also marks the last year where Justin Bieber will be eligible, probably running the longest streak of 21 Under 21 appearances for any performer. He took the no. 3 spot in his final appearance.
1. Lorde
2. 5 Seconds of Summer
3. Justin Bieber
4. Martin Garrix
5. Fifth Harmony
6. Austin Mahone
7. Earl Sweatshirt
8. Shawn Mendes
9. Becky G.
10. Chief Keef
11 . Luis Coronel
12. Meghan Trainor
13. Cody Simpson
14. Madeon
15. Bobby Shmurda
16. Scotty McCreery
17. Troye Sivan
18. Rae Sremmurd
19. Akdong Musician
20. The Vamps
21. Unlocking the Truth
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