Artists I've just recently started listening to/discovered:
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Adele
She's an English pop singer, and her songs are mostly pop/folksy sounding. Very laid back and emotional... good mix. She won the Grammy for Best Album in 2007/2008, I think? (Recommend: Chasing Pavements, Cold Shoulder, Daydreamer)
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Lady Gaga
No need to introduce her, huh? lol.
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Regina Spektor
An American artist with very simple and whimsical songs. She has a great voice, and her lyrics are wacky, to say the least. (Recommend: Blue Lips, Eet)
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MONKEY MAJIK
Japanese/Canadian band, and by that I mean half the band is Canadian and the other half is Japanese. The lead singer, a Canadian, now lives in Japan. Their music is catchy, and it's a refreshing side of J-Pop I'd say. (Recommend: robots inc., aishiteru)
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MIKA
A flamboyant English pop artist who makes amazing music. It ranges from campy and energetic, to nice and summery, to downright sad and lonely. He's worth checking out and listening to. (Recommend: Love Today, In Any Other World, Lollipop, Lady Jane)