• Celebrity
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Digital Cover – Method Man
    • Digital Cover – Zazie Beetz
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • Subscribe
  • Newsletters

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Cardi B and Offset Cover
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Digital Cover – Method Man
    • Digital Cover – Zazie Beetz
    • Fashion News
    • Fashion House 2021
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • MAYBELLINE: FIT ME MATTE + PORELESS
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Prudential – Dream & Plan with Confidence
    • Black History Month
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Holiday Gift Guide
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Festival
  • Events
    • Road to Festival
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • Entrepreneur Summit 2021
    • Wellness House
    • VAX & VIBES Louisiana
    • Girls United Summit 2021
    • She Got Now
    • Fashion House 2021
    • GU Back To School
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • Power Tools
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

New Kids on the Block: Young Black Up-and-Comers

Young Up and Comers
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Naturi Naughton

From movies to music to television, young Black entertainers are making moves. See who’s rising to the top.

Following a much-talked-about role as Lil’ Kim in “Notorious” earlier this year, Naturi Naughton headlines the young cast in this weekend’s anticipated “Fame” remake. The former 3LW member is rumored to appear alongside Ice Cube and Bow Wow in the 2010 comedy “Lottery Ticket.”

Jennifer Cooper
02
Tristan Wilds

We loved Wilds on HBO’s “The Wire,” and now he’s expanded his reach with a solid role on “90210.” Look for the young heartthrob in the upcoming “Red Tails,” a big-screen retelling of the Tuskegee Airmen’s story.

03
Keke Palmer

Miley who? These days we can’t get enough of teen queen Keke Palmer. She wowed us in “Akeelah & the Bee,” holding her own alongside Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne in 2006, and three years later she’s doing the most. She’s the star of Nickelodeon’s “True Jackson VP” and recently helped launch a cloting line based on the show.

Getty
04
Bobb’e J. Thompson

With a résumé longer than some of his adult costars and comedic timing that rivals a young Gary Coleman, this little man is just getting started. “Role Models,” “Imagine That,” “Fred Claus,” “Idlewild” and “30 Rock” are just a few of his credits. Did we mention he’s only 13?

Corbis
05
Chrisette Michele

She may be young but this 26-year-old jazzy songbird knows a thing or two about grown folks’ music. Michele followed up 2007’s well-received “I Am” with “Epihany,” one of this year’s musical treats.

Getty
06
Drake

Billed as hip-hop’s “next big thing,” this Canadian rapper/singer created a buzz not seen since 50 Cent’s 2003 takeover with his street mixtape “So Far Gone” in early 2009. By blending witty rhymes alongside female-approved hooks with such joints as “Best I Ever Had” and “Successful,” Drake gained a following prior to even releasing an album to retail. Now that’s major.

Getty
07
Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe

Expect to hear Sidibe’s name come award season. The young actress is earning early buzz for her emotional breakout role as the central character in the Oprah-and-Tyler-backed “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire.”

Corbis
08
Kid Cudi

This out-of-the-box hip-hop artist and Kanye West protégé won over fans and critics alike last year with his chart-topping single “Day ‘N’ Nite,” and his debut album, “Man on the Moon,” hit iPods earlier this month to rave reviews.

Getty
09
Laura Izibor

Perhaps you haven’t heard the name but you’ve likely heard the voice. The Nigerian-Irish singer’s “From My Heart to Yours” got much burn on adult contemporary stations earlier this year. And her debut, “Let the Truth Be Told,” served the perfect amount of blues grit and gospel emotion.

Getty
10
Nicole Fiscella

As the snooty Isabel Coates on the megahit show “Gossip Girl,” this former model has seamlessly parlayed her talent in front of the camera into her first acting role. Pretty impressive.

Getty
11
Kristina DeBarge

Born into a family full of soul, this next-generation DeBarge feels right at home on center stage. Pop fans fell in love with her debut hit single, “Goodbye,” and it’s easy to see why.

Getty
12
Melanie Fiona

Cosigned by Jay-Z and Kanye West, Canadian rocker Fiona boasts a standout voice that’s not to be missed. Here’s to blasting debut single “Give it to Me Right” and hitting repeat.

Getty
13
Wale

Born Olubowale Victor Folarin, this D.C. native’s local following took him to the national stage. The eclectic MC got his biggest break at this month’s MTV VMAs when he rocked with the house band for a bulk of the night. With his latest single, “Chill,” featuring Lady Gaga gaining spins, he’s expected to release his debut album this fall.

Getty
14
Amber Riley

As the larger-than-life diva on Fox’s new critically acclaimed musical-infused comedy “Glee,” Riley rightfully steals the spotlight.

Getty
15
Jesse Williams

Williams, a Temple University grad, joins the cast of “Grey’s Anatomy” this season. You may have seen him in last year’s “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.”

Corbis
16
Adina Porter
Getty
17
Omari Hardwick
Getty

Read More

Celebrity
Summer Walker Covers One Of ESSENCE's June 2022 Digital Covers
Celebrity
Summer Walker Announces Pregnancy
Videos
Taraji P. Henson’s Favorite Moments at the BET Awards
Videos
Taraji P. Henson Opens Up About The BET Awards
Shop
7 Detangling Brushes That can Handle Anything
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2022 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now