Almost 463,000 copies is pretty impressive for a debut album these days.

Unlike the others, MTV proudly gives the power to the people as our experts hand pick the ten most-likely-to’s, then let YOU decide who will be 2010’s brightest new star!

Last year you guys voted in droves with your hearts and fingers, and crowned Little Boots your top-tip for 2009 with a whopping 40% of the vote!

Now, as one decade closes and another opens, MTV proudly presents the class of 2010.

Take a look at this year’s contenders below, watch their videos and exclusive MTV live sessions, then pick your favourite and cast your vote.

As a thanks for voting, if you supply us with your email address, one lucky person and a friend will win tickets to all three of our exclusive 10 For 10 gigs at the end of January, 3 nights accommodation at rock ‘n’ roll hotel The K West AND a recording studio experience!

via MTV.co.uk

Drake talked to Billboard recently. Check it out.

Drake isn’t a singer-and he’s the first to admit it. When he released his highly touted 2009 mixtape “So Far Gone,” which finds the Toronto-raised artist singing and rapping, he thought he made a huge mistake. “People were like, ‘What is this? There’s way too much singing on here,’ ” he says. “We were really nervous about it and for like a week I was having a serious breakdown.”

But a month later, Drake, born Aubrey Graham, realized there was a method to the madness. “Within like four weeks I noticed I had a brand-new sound that takes a while to digest and understand. Things started to pick up and I started to learn the value of taking risks,” he says.

Now, the venture is paying off. Last month when the Grammy nominations were announced, Drake learned he was up for best rap solo performance and best rap song for “Best I Ever Had” off “So Far Gone.”

“I can’t say this is unexpected, because, I mean, it’s something that’s kept me up many nights,” the 23-year-old says. “I dreamed about this for a lot of years and have lost lots of sleep over it. This is like the highest honor and I am humbled by this. It’s one of the few awards that isn’t a popularity contest; you have to make great music to be honored, and this is completely surreal to me.”

It’s an honor, however, that has an unintended side effect. With the two nominations that stemmed from his mixtape, that puts Drake out of the running for best new artist in 2010, when his debut album is released.

Lady Gaga experienced a similar technicality in 2009, as she was ineligible for best new artist since her track “Just Dance” was nominated for best dance recording the previous year. The best new artist rules say the nominated performer is eligible for “the first recording which establishes public identity,” and a prior nomination indicates that this threshold has already been reached.

But that may be just a tiny regret for Drake, who is set up to receive tremendous exposure for his forthcoming set. Drake, who got signed to Universal Motown through mentor Lil Wayne’s Young Money label shortly after the release of “So Far Gone,” is prepping “Thank Me Later,” slated for a February release. “The best part about ‘So Far Gone’ was that I didn’t focus on structure. The only thing that was consistent was the story and the emotion. That’s what I want to do with this album,” Drake says. “I make music for people to get lost in it, so, as long as it takes you somewhere, then I’ve succeeded.”

So far, the album features Kanye West, Wayne, Young Jeezy and Jay-Z, and a collaboration with Sade is on Drake’s wish list. “Something happened last night too that might be great-it might serve as the legendary sprinkle for the album,” Drake says about another potential partnership on the set. “Shut It Down” and “Fireworks” are two tracks slated to make the album’s final cut.

“In 2010 I’m really hoping I can stay true to this new way of life I’ve committed myself to,” he says. “I have a special plan to keep the free flow of music going after the album is released. This is definitely a unique path I’m setting out on, and honestly, it’s great. I’m honored to be in this position.”

via Billboard.com

Drake has been spoiled by the mixtape game. With So Far Gone, he dropped the entire body of work and let the people pick their favorite records (Drake’s is ” A Night Off” with Lloyd, if you were wondering). His album Thank Me Later is still on tap for a March release and despite what you’ve heard about songs such as “Fireworks” and “Light Up,” the 23-year-old said he has yet to pick a single.

“A single? I haven’t really figured it out,” he said. “With So Far Gone it was the same thing — ‘Best I Ever Had’ was the second-to-last song I did. When I did it, I was like, ‘Cool, it adds a little bounce to [the mixtape],’ but I wasn’t crazy about it. And that song went #1. That’s the one thing that’s weird about working on this project, is that I have to choose a single before you actually hear it. I like when people dictate. But I can’t wait until March to put out a single, I have to pick one. But I’ll figure it out … when I have a couple more joints. I know the direction I want it to go. I definitely know I want it to connect with the women again. I think that’s always important for me. On the album everybody will get their moment. Whatever you like or love about Drake will be there.”

Some of Drizzy’s recordings will be produced by Kanye West — they’ve already made music for the album and have plans to connect for a last time before Thank Me Later closes up shop. All those conspiracy theorists who claimed that Kanye sabotaged Drake when he directed the video for “Best I Ever Had” can close out that argument as well — Drake maintains the video is exactly what he wanted, he just wished he could have shot it with a bigger budget.

“I don’t really care about catching flack,” Drake said about fans that were less than pleased with the video collaboration. “Everybody is not gonna love everything we do …

“That’ll never stop me and Kanye from working together,” he added. “Me and Kanye, when we do come together, it’s great. We have great chemistry. That definitely won’t halt us from giving people what they deserve. In a couple of weeks I’m going to Hawaii so I can work with him and No ID some more.”

When asked about the songs they already have in the can, Drake said they were so dope they didn’t need hyping.

“It’s not much to say — we got some great songs,” he noted. “Kanye just brought extra brushes to the painting session. He just brought some more colors so we can complete this masterpiece. I know he’s eager to complete his record too, so he’s back in that music mode which is great. He was in clothing mode for a second … now I think he’s back and ready to make this all happen.”

via MTV