Just Jack

Though he's known widely by his first name, the British artist born Jack Allsopp was unknown entirely until he broke into showbiz the old-fashioned way: while working a clerical gig for RGRecords, he slipped his demo to the boss man (former Madness singer Chad Smith) and soon inked a deal. Born in North London, Allsopp had been deejaying since he was a teenager, and his material fused elements of hip-hop, electronica and pop into a savvy, distinctly British concoction that recalled the lighter side of the Streets. His debut LP, The Outer Marker, was released in 2002, but RGR hit gold when his first single, "Snowflakes," became a massive club hit in 2003. American indie label TVT issued the debut LP that same year, and his sophomore LP, Overtones, followed in 2006.