Jay-Z Signs K Kote To Roc Nation Label

Although it appears UK's Cher Lloyd, who was originally rumored to have signed to Roc Nation, has inked a deal with Simon Cowell's Syco Records, Jay-Z is still working to bring some UK talent to the states as British rapper K Kote has been signed to the Brooklyn emcee's label. The London native has made a name for himself in the underground hip hop scene in the UK and is now hoping to expand his musical horizons by releasing a mixtape Pure Koke Volume 2 later this year.

Listen to the three UK hip hop artists below:

Potential International Breakthroughs of 2011

In this age of instant music sharing, iTunes, and YouTube, artists from distant lands are able to generate interest and attraction from outside the core geographic audience for which their labels have prepared them. Here are a list of artists that have the sound and potential for international breakthroughs in 2011.

Jessica Mauboy

She's the winner of the fourth season of Australian Idol that dabbled briefly in a girl group (Young Divas) before pursuing a solo career. Her 2008 debut album, Been Waiting, had several radio hits including the urban-tinged and Flo-Rida assisted "Running Back" as well as the Australian number 1 hit, "Burn." Her debut was filled to the brim with hits that had the production pizzazz, attractive collaborations, and soulful voice that would have been successful here in America. Now she's back with another urban/dance hybrid album that features collaborations with Snoop Dogg and Ludacris. Listen to "Get 'Em Girls" or "Saturday Night" and tell me these songs were not made to be spun repeatedly on American radio.