If you like Kanye... try Kendrick Lamar We’re all about Kanye’s ever–changing direction as an artist, but if you’re longing for the flavor of his older stuff (like The College Dropout) you’ll want to check out upstart young rapper Kendrick Lamar. He’s got some of Kanye’s eccentricity and moodiness (we’ll see where that takes him) as well as his knack for crafting solid rhymes and beats. Start with: "Hol’ Up," "A.D.H.D." Also check out: Frank Ocean
If you like Yeah Yeah Yeahs... try St. Vincent Into awesome female rockers? We are too. Annie Clark, a.k.a. St. Vincent, is a prodigious shredder of guitars and a fantastic vocalist. Her sound is similar to Karen O’s — if you added some metal, an artsy touch and turned the volume up to 11. Start with: "Cheerleader," "Dilettante" Also check out: Sleigh Bells
If you like The Shins... try The Dodos It's time to outgrow your copy of the Garden State soundtrack and expand your collection of nerdy indie bands. Enter The Dodos. This underrated San Francisco group crafts some of best head–bopping tunes we've heard. Start with their old stuff and prepare yourself for some serious infectiousness. Start with: "Fables," "Fools" Also check out: Of Montreal
If you like Nicki Minaj... try Santigold We love our lady rappers and Santigold is no exception. Famous for her wildly hypnotic song "Creator," this bad chick can seriously put it down. Her sound is in the same vein as the crowd favorite M.I.A., but is less polished and harder–hitting. Think more animal noises and more synths. Start with: "I’m a Lady," "Big Mouth" Also check out: Azealia Banks
If you like The Black Keys... try The Dead Weather The Black Keys, thanks to their overwhelming recent success, have been credited with bringing the blues back to alternative rock. Not so fast — legendary bluesman Jack White has been singing ‘em for years (in various bands). His outstanding side project with The Kills’ Allison Mosshart, The Dead Weather, puts a down–and–dirty spin on the blues that’s irresistibly good. Start with: "I Cut Like a Buffalo," "Blue Blood Blues" Also check out: The Kills
If you like Mumford & Sons... try Old Crow Medicine Show Tired of the cold? Looking for something to take you straight into the heart of Texas? Look no more. The multi–instrumentalists of Old Crow Medicine Show will transport you with their sweet bluegrass harmonies and their finger–pickin', banjo–rockin' soul. It's impossible to listen to these guys and not feel good inside. Start with: "Wagon Wheel," "I Hear Them All" Also check out: Gillian Welch
