Rotimi, up and coming Naija-New Jerseyian R & B singer, has a voice that sounds like a mashup up of Mario, Usher and a dash of MJ (circa Thriller). iDig.

The blogosphere was in a tizzy the other day when his new track, Bottles feat. Gucci Mane, hit the streets. I feel odd calling him a newbie or freshman artist because from the looks of things, the man has been working hard in the music game for a while:

• He’s already auditioned for Jay Z
• Did a song with Dawn from Dirty Money
• Has this new track with Gucci
• Performed at the 2010 BET Awards Pre-Party, and…
• Has opened for artists like TI., Estelle and NERD.

Not a bad list of achievements at all.  His mixtape is out today so I’ll save my comments for when I hear the whole thing, but for now I’ll say I like what I hear.  Check out this video for the track that won him a Sound City nomination – Beautiful Music – below.

Having listened to Beautiful Music and Bottles (available below), I hear growth in his voice.  Seems to be more controlled but still distinctive.  Hope the mixtape sounds as good. Check his site, RotimiMusic for updates.

Bottles (Rotimi Feat. Gucci Mane)