Rick Ross, Maybach Music Preview Of 2010 New Music & Artists At Miami Studio

From yesterday's (Wed. Dec. 16) Rick Ross & DJ Khaled's "This Is For My DJ" listening session at We The Best studios in Miami, FL. On hand were relatively new, up and coming artists Young Breed, Masspike Miles, Ace Hood and Deuce Pound.

Wale: L.A. Times Picks Their Best Grammy New Artist Front-Runners

Reads the Grammy rules: "A new artist is defined as any performing artist who releases, during the eligibility year, the recording that first establishes the public identity of that artist as a performer." The "recording" in question doesn't have to be a full album, either.

Wale. Hip-hop isn't usually well-represented in the best new artist field, as one has to go back to Kanye West in 2005. That won't necessarily hurt Wale, as West is clearly a major influence on the underground-turned-major label rapper. His Interscope debut was released too late to be considered in any of the album fields, but it had plenty of buzz and a solid first week, selling nearly 30,000 copies. There's jazzy, Roots-like takes on his album, and it also has a guest shot from Lady Gaga. Grammy faves Chrisette Michele and Jazmine Sullivan also appear. It may be a surprise pick, but it's in the discussion. (source)