Ciara, Mario, Brooke Valentine and Bobby Valentino are leading the way as the hottest singers to watch this year.

They are among the latest multi-talented performers who are winning a big following with their irresistible sound and sex appeal.

Ciara's debut album has already sold more than 1 million copies and continues to sell briskly. Her hit singles, Goodies, featuring Petey Pablo and 1, 2 Step with Missy Elliott have soared straight to the No. 1 spot on the charts. Her hot new single Oh with tapper Ludacris is well on its way to the top of the charts.

These are amazing feats for the 18-year-old beauty from Atlanta who is a "military brat" who has lived in Germany, New York, California, Arizona and Nevada.

"Throughout life I've experienced a lot more than the typical 18-year-old has. And being in this industry makes you develop more quickly than a typical child would. You mature faster."

She says Destiny's Child was one of her key inspirations. "I remember watching Destiny's Child perform on TV one day. That's when I made up my mind: 'Hey I wanna do this.' I watched my peers around me and they were worried about who's wearing what, ... and I was like 'I'm trying to be somebody."

Ciara says her album is listener-friendly and accessible to anyone who knows even the slightest bit about 'keeping it real.' "The songs are very catchy. They're for all demographics, all age ranges ... They're not as personal as I want to be. I'd rather be more personal on the second album, once I grow a little more."

Mario has become a bonafide star with his second album, Turning Point. While he certainly hit the big time with his 2002 debut single, Just A Friend 2002, his star is shining even brighter in 2005.

His label mate, superstar Alicia Keys, praised Mario's voice as "one of the most beautiful I've ever heard."

Recalling his debut single and self-titled album, Mario, notes, "I didn't know people would accept it. God was on my side and I thank Him every day for the blessing."

He describes his approach to his current album. "When I went into the studio I wasn't thinking about the last album. I was just thinking about the future, where I'm at now and even where I want to be a year or two from now. I was thinking about how I want people to see me as an artist. On Turning Point, I decided to just do what I felt because if you plan stuff out too much you can mess up what's real."

Filled with aching ballads, hot club tunes and a focused approach that belies an 18-year-old artist, Turning Point is a musical snapshot of a singer spreading his creative wings and taking flight with confidence, cool charm and a unique style of his own.

The album's first single, Let Me Love You, showcases Mario at his most emotional. "It's about a girl that's going through a lot with this person that she's with and I see that she's kind of in a transitional period. You know sort of half way between him and the next guy and so I just ask her, 'Why don't you just let me love you? You know what I could do for you. Make me your selection."

Born in Baltimore and now living in New Jersey, the heartthrob has been singing since he was 4. He honed his gifts singing along with a karaoke machine and plunking out melodies on the piano his mother bought him. By the time he was in elementary school, Mario was developing harmonies, constructing melodies and finding inspirations in such artists as Stevie Wonder, Usher, Brian McKnight and Joe.

His current single, How Could You, comes from a real-life experience. "I'm talking about how she broke my heart and hurt me," Mario reveals. "I felt like it was my time to say how I felt about the situation, to ask 'how could you let somebody lay where I lay? How could you do this to me.'"

Mario says what his fans hear and see on stage is the real Mario. There are no gimmicks. "I didn't have anybody saying to me, 'this is what you're going to do. This is what your image is going to be now.' It wasn't made up. What everybody is hearing right now is me. It's all natural," he declares.

Soul singer Bobby Valentino has certainly become a sizzling singer to watch this year with his debut single, Slow Down from his album, Disturbing Tha Peace Presents Bobby Valentino.

A graduate of Clark Atlanta University, he received a B.A. in mass communications, Valentino says he redefines R&B music on his debut album. "I grew up listening to Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder and Prince and I utilized my musical influences on this album. My goal was to defy the odds and go back to the real R&B."

Signed to Ludacris' record label, Disturbing Tha Peace, Valentino says, "I really believe this album will set me apart from other male vocalists, especially since I hold females in high esteem. My parents, who are still together, are my inspiration for the type of music that I make. I believe that my style definitely sets me apart from other vocalists even if you can compare me to artists from back in the day. Think of it this way: In sports, you had Michael Jordan and now you have LeBron James. LeBron James now adds his flavor to the game, and now I'm adding my style of music to the game."

Sexy 19-year-old songstress Brooke Valentine has music fans talking with her hit party tune, Girlfight, featuring self-described 'King of Crunk' Lil' Jon and OutKast's Big Boi. The tune is featured on Brooke's new album, Chain Letter, which is racing up the charts. "When you listen to my album, I want you to know that things happen and eventually you get over it," she declares. "Chain Letter takes you on a ride as you go through the different phases in your life."

As a youngster, Valentine, a native of Houston, entertained herself by singing along with the radio. She was inspired to sing by listening to Sade, Whitney Houston and Chaka Khan. The timid, 10-year-old mustered the courage to join her fifth grade classmates as they sang a cappella during recess. That debut inspired her to hone her musical talent. Her grandmother acknowledged her God-given talent and began asking her to sing solos at church. "I would sit in the back at church every Sunday trying to hide," she laughs. "And just when I thought I'd gotten through the service without her calling on me to sing, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, she'd always call me up."

Brooke co-wrote her album with executive producer Deja. "It was important that this album was an accurate reflection of me."

Sultry singer Amerie returns to the charts this year with Touch, her first album since her 2002 debut All I Have, which spawned the hit, Why Don't We Fall In Love. Since her debut she had a leading role in the Forest Whitaker-directed hit romantic movie, First Daughter, and hosted a BET program, "The Center." "I needed that time away from music in order to grow. Sometimes it's best to walk away and then come back," says the Washington, D.C., native. "My first album was very well received and I was really happy about that, but this time I had even more to say. I wanted to let my fans know more of who I am, as a woman and as an artist."

Singer John Legend is living up to his name. He is proving with his unique soulful sound that he is well on his way to becoming a music legend. He has won the attention of serious music aficionados across the country with his soulful Ordinary People from the top-selling album, Get Lifted. He also has toured as Alicia Keys' opening act.

This is also the year for Leela James and her classic soul sound, that she calls "porch soul." She notes, "I call it porch soul because it's a style of music that's homegrown, reminiscent of a time where folks sat around on those hot, sticky days on their porches singing and playing the blues. It's a style that's gritty, that's raw, not contrived or watered down. It's what I grew up around, it's in my roots, it's who I am." Her long-awaited album, A Change Is Gonna Come, is named after Sam Cooke's 1964 hit and set for release next month.

Newcomer Tyra has become one of the breakthrough artists of 2005, thanks to her song, Country Boy. The song, a sultry shout out to the 'boys' from the south, is one of radio's most requested tunes and the spicy video has become a staple on music video networks.

Keyshia Cole's hit single I Changed My Mind with Kanye West has caused a stir and fans are eagerly waiting for her debut release The Way It Is to drop next month. The 21-year-old songstress says this song reflects her passion to provide inspiration to young girls.