Paolo Nutini

• Genre: Adult Alternative

About

Judging by his name, he should be from Italy. Judging by his sound, he should be from Southern California. Judging by his looks, he should be from North Hottieland. But blue-eyed soul sensation Paolo Nutini came from humble origins in Paisley, Scotland. The former fry cook got his start in the biz as a roadie for a friend's band. His break came in early '03 when he won a pop quiz and the chance to open for TV-approved singer/songwriter David Sneddon. Nutini -- only 17 at the time -- quickly picked up a manager, garnered buzz from local press, and moved to London to get serious with his music. He singed to Atlantic and released a debut album, These Streets, which hit UK charts at No. 3 and was released to great hype in the US in early '07. Around the same time, Nutini was nominated for a Brit Award for Best British Male Performer.

- Jonathan Zwickel