POP MUSIC

Silkk the Shocker

Rapper, 20

What he’s done: The New Orleans native switches delivery patterns and emotional moods with remarkable speed, a talent that has made him one of the most successful figures in Master P’s massively popular No Limit Records family. Silkk’s first two albums have sold nearly 2 million copies combined, but that seems just a warmup to what’s expected this year.

Outlook for ‘99: With the news that Master P is retiring from solo recording to concentrate on running his recording and film empire, Silkk, who is Master P’s younger brother, is positioned to become that label’s No. 1 star. A workaholic, Silkk (whose real name is Vyshonne Miller) is also a member of two No Limit groups that will release albums this year: Da 504 Boyz and TRU. But it’s his new solo album, “Made Man,” that is expected to propel him alongside DMX and Jay-Z as one of the field’s superstars. The album, due in stores Jan. 19, will probably feature more tales of gangsta doings and sexual adventures.

Ricky Martin

Latin pop singer, 27

What he’s done: The former Menudo member’s latest album, “Vuelve,” has sold 950,000 copies in the U.S. and 6.2 million worldwide, making him the best-selling Latin artist ever in Europe, Asia

and Australia. The Puerto Rican native’s performance of his song “La Copa de la Vida” at the closing ceremonies for the 1998 World Cup soccer championship in France was seen by an estimated TV audience of 2 billion.

Outlook for ‘99: Handsome, talented and charismatic, Martin has now set his sights on the U.S. market. Produced by Emilio Estefan Jr., Desmond Child and Robi Rosa, his first English-language album will be released at the end of March by Columbia Records, followed by a summer concert tour. Someone who has heard some of the project describes it as “a kaleidoscopic sort of record . . . with Latin flavor and incredible ballads.” If there’s one Latin star with the ambition and the industry support to achieve a major crossover, it’s Martin.

Allison Moorer

Country music singer-songwriter, 26

What she’s done: The younger sister of country standout Shelby Lynne, the Alabama native first attracted attention as a background singer at Nashville recording sessions. She met her husband and songwriting partner, Butch Primm, and signed with MCA Nashville Records before landing a song last year on the soundtrack album for “The Horse Whisperer.” The tune, “A Soft Place to Fall,” was widely praised by critics and served as an introduction to her debut album, “Alabama Song,” released last fall.

Outlook for ‘99: Moorer’s striking album reflects the character of Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson more than contemporary Nashville’s polished pop parade, so it may be a struggle to get country radio airplay. But Moorer has lots of support among critics, and MCA Nashville is releasing another single from the album in February. Meanwhile, Moorer is going to do a lot of touring. “I feel I am just as country as anything, but, unfortunately, what is happening in mainstream country now is not exactly country,” she says. “But that just means I have to work harder. . . . I’ll do 100, 200, 300 dates this year, whatever it takes.”

Chris Cornell

Rock singer-songwriter, 34

What he’s done: As lead singer and chief songwriter for Soundgarden, Cornell helped define the Seattle grunge sound in the ‘90s. The group’s recordings combined a musical fury reminiscent of the force of Led Zeppelin with frequently dark lyrics that addressed youthful aspirations and fears in ways that enabled the band to sell millions of albums before disbanding in early 1997.

Outlook for ‘99: Despite Cornell’s success with Soundgarden, many critics have complained that he was holding himself back in the band. They pointed to the added emotional range of his outside projects and now look forward with excitement to his formal solo debut. The collection is due in May with a tour to follow in the summer. “The sound is very singer-songwriter-oriented,” says Jim Guerinot, who manages Cornell and the Offspring. “Chris is thrilled with the album and is looking forward to putting a new band together for the tour.”