J. Holiday

Washington D.C. singer-songwriter J. Holiday says he wants to bring the blues back to R&B. The 23-year-old's self-described "street soul" is a throwback to the days of Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding, when storytelling was as essential as an infectious groove.

A preacher's son, J. Holiday (real name: Nahum Grymes) decided on a singing career after wowing classmates during a high school talent show. After graduation, the lanky vegetarian moved to Atlanta as a member of R&B outfit 295. Once the group disbanded, Holiday remained in the ATL, going solo and releasing his first single in 2006, the flirtatious slow jam Be With Me. A year later, the soft-spoken father of one released his debut album, Back of My Lac', featuring the seductive lullaby Bed – an instant smash that topped Billboard's R&B chart for nearly a month.

J. Holiday is finishing up his breakthrough year touring with heavyweights R. Kelly, Ne-Yo and Keyshia Cole. The avid roller skater recently released his third single, Suffocate, and it's clear the silky-voiced Holiday is in no hurry to release an up tempo club banger. He describes the ready-for-the-bedroom track as something "fellas can ride to," and "ladies can listen to while they are taking a bath."