THE BRITIFICATION OF AMERICAN R&B MUSIC!

There are other factors behind the ability of U.K. R&B artists to crack the hard nut of U.S. radio. Over the last year, R&B/pop stations have changed their format, downplaying conventional, midtempo, hip-hop-inflected R&B in favor of faster, dance-oriented pop. "R&B and hip hop have been usurped by rhythmic pop," explains Sean Ross, author of the industry newsletter Ross on Radio.

That shift has resulted in the rapid rise of dance stars like Lady Gaga and Ke. It has also benefited hip-hoppers who've switched to a more club-oriented sound, like Pitbull.

Craig McLean, who writes for Billboard from the U.K., traces the trend back to the Black Eyed Peas and producer/artist David Guetta. "Their success opened up radio, and the American consumer, to dance music," he says.

That, in turn, greased the way for U.K. stars, who've always embraced dance records, even when they went out of fashion in the U.S. after the '90s.

In fact, Cruz's music has as much of a club sound as an R&B one.

He also mirrors the cravenly commercial character of American R&B stars. "He's got that aspirational, multibrand bling aspect, which most British stars find crass," says McLean.

"He'll have videos with speedboats full of hot girls, like an American."

It's important to note, however, that both Sean and Cruz made sure to feature popular American rappers on their singles to smooth their crossovers. Sean's song featured Lil Wayne. Cruz's had Ludacris.

Regardless, Ross believes the success of these artists will encourage U.S. labels to put more faith in stars from the U.K.

"American labels have always had enough issues in breaking their own signings," Ross says. "But the success of stars like Jay Sean has probably made more labels feel like it would be worth their while to investigate those acts.

"And since British rappers have started making dance records, it seems like one of those will break here as well."

Meaning you can expect more Britification of American R&B to come.

Jay Sean
Age: 31
Album title: "All or Nothing"

Sound: A Brit answer to Ne-Yo's brand of suave R&B-pop

Background story: Sean was born Kamaljit Singh Jhooti in Northwest London, to Punjabi Sikh immigrants. "Jay" is a nickname friends gave him as a teen, and "Sean" is from the moniker his grandmother bestowed on him that corresponds to the Punjabi word for "shining star." Sean came to the fore first as a singer for producer Rishi Rich, who makes Asian underground pop. That led to a solo contract with Virgin and top 10 hits in the U.K. by 2004. His debut U.K. CD, "Me Against Myself," sold modestly in his native country but moved more than 2 million copies across Asia. In late 2008, he signed with the U.S. hip-hop label Cash Money Records, which put out the single "Down" in 2009. It made Sean the first artist of South Asian ancestry to score a top hit in the U.S. He followed that with "Do You Remember," which sold more than 1 million copies here. There's chatter he'll next collaborate with country queen Taylor Swift.

Tinchy Stryder
Age: 23
Album title: "Catch 22"

Sound: British Grime, a form of U.K. hip hop boosted by heavy dance beats

Background story: Born Kwasi Danquah in Ghana, Tinchy moved with his parents to East London as a kid. Growing up in one of the city's toughest nabes explains the name of his first group, Ruff Sqwad, which he joined at 13. By 21, he had become known on the "grime" scene; he got a solo contract in late '08. His first CD, "Catch 22," spawned two top-three hits in the U.K, including "Take Me Back," which features a guest spot from — who else? — Taio Cruz. Look for an American release later this year.

Taio Cruz
Age: 27
Album title: "Rokstarr"

Sound: Zippy, '80s-style electro-dance-pop. Think Haddaway for a new generation.

Background story: Born Adetayo Ayowale Onile-Ere in London, Cruz has a Nigerian father and a Brazilian mother. He started out toiling behind the scenes, writing and producing songs for a host of British stars like Leona Lewis and Will Young. He released his first single in 2006, "I Just Wanna Know," and followed it with his debut Brit CD, "Departure," in 2008. The success of that release overseas led to invitations to write for top U.S. artists like Britney Spears, Brandy and Justin Timberlake. Fall 2009 saw his second U.K. CD, "Rokstarr," which spawned the smash "Break Your Heart." Cruz also has a fashion and accessories line, also called Rokstarr, with sunglasses that have been worn by everyone from Kid Cudi to Kanye West.