While walking along Third Street in Santa Monica, I discovered a voice unlike any other that I have come across before.  After doing some research, I learned that John West started out performing on the Promenade a few years ago and had returned to do a performance.  While working as a substitute teacher to make ends meet and trying to get his “big break”, word got out about West’s soulful voice and he was invited to showcase his talent in an acoustic show for the President of Mercury Records, David Massey. Massey later signed West to Mercury/Island Def Jam in October 2010. Even though West is affiliated with a record company and has had singles with rappers such as Big Sean and Pusha T, he is not that well known. Even though West has not had any of his songs top the charts yet, his singles Loved You Tonight and Already There ft. Big Sean have hit over one million views on YouTube.   The L.A. Times recognized his ability and USA Today featured him as a “pick of the week.”  What really makes West such a stand-out musician is his soulful tone and amazing voice that do not disappoint during both live and studio sessions. Unlike some of the big name artists in today’s Top 40, West does not need any voice-altering technology to make himself seem gifted.   This combination of both talent and technique make John West a singer to watch out for.