VH1 Names First Crowdsourced ‘You Oughta Know’ Artist: Singer Russell Taylor

Indie pop duo A Great Big World have also been chosen for the January 2014 honor

Kai Morrison

The results are in from VH1’s first-ever “You Oughta Know” artist chosen by public vote, as TheWrap first reported.

Singer Russell Taylor is the first to win the coveted distinction after beating more than 400 artists in VH1’s first ever crowdsourced contest on Artists.VH1.com, VH1’s music discovery site.

The New Yorker will get all the promotional benefits of being the honoree for the month of December. Taylor has recently completed his independently produced album, “War of Hearts.” The second single, “Electric,” will be released in December ahead of the album’s January 2014 launch.

Also read: VH1 Opens Career-Making ‘You Oughta Know’ Artist Sponsorship to the Public (Exclusive)

Additionally, VH1 named indie pop duo A Great Big World its YOK artist for January 2013. Members Ian Axel and Chad Vaccarino’s single, “Say Something,” hit the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 on both the iTunes music and Billboard Digital Downloads charts after performing with Christina Aguilera on NBC’s “The Voice” and Sunday’s 2013 American Music Awards. Their debut album, “Is There Anybody Out There?,” from Black Magnetic/Epic Records in early-2014.

“We couldn’t be happier with these outstanding additions to the franchise,” said VH1’s executive vice president of music and talent programming in a statement.

Also read: VH1’s TLC Biopic Is Cable’s Top Rated Original Movie of 2013

“As emerging artists with diverse musical influences and incredible talent, A Great Big World and Russell Taylor are each the embodiment of what the ‘You Oughta Know’ franchise is all about,” he continued.

The YOK artists receive a month-long TV, web, mobile and social awareness campaign, including significant cross-platform promotion.

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