Three weeks ago I showed up to Phillips Arena to see multiple artist perform at 96.1’s Jingle Ball in Atlanta. The lineup included mega stars like Ariana Grande and Fifth Harmony, but I have to say that my favorite from the night was 20 year old Alessia Cara.

It wasn’t until 2015 that this Canadian native released her debut single “Here” off of her first album "Know-It-All" through Def Jam Records. The song flew to the top of the charts and made her name known. After releasing her first hit, she had two other songs off the album turn into radio favorites. “Wild Things” and “Scars To Your Beautiful” I know you have all heard at least once.

For the past year I have listened to Cara’s music on and off while driving from place to place. I remember hearing her lyrics and her voice and thinking “wow, shes good”, but I never took the time to go listen to her other music. My mistake.

She went third in the linup at the biggest holiday concert in America, but came out dressed as if she were on her way to her 9 am class. Wearing red vans, black jeans, a tie died shirt, and her hair in a bun with a hat on, I was stunned. She wasn’t wearing designer anything, she looked like…one of us. She walked around the stage singing with a passion that I had rarely seen in an artist and she spoke to the audience as if she were our friends. Not to mention, she sounded exactly like she does on her recordings. Before singing the crowds favorite “Scars To Your Beautiful” she spoke about the meaning of this song. While explaining the message she made it her priority to make sure that each person knew how important they were and that they need not to change a thing about themselves.

Alessia Cara is one of a kind. I know I have never met her but her presence in the light, whether it’s on stage or on social media, shows that she seems to be a down to earth, genuine celebrity. I only wish that there were more people like her in the music industry.

I've spent the last few moments of your time trying to convince you to go check out Alessia Cara’s music. She’s one of my favorite artist and I think that maybe she'll be one of yours too. Look below for a few of my favorites to help convince you!

Here /// Overdose /// Scars To Your Beautiful /// Seventeen /// I'm Yours