LADY GAGA

Lady Gaga's album the Fame came out in late 2008 but none the less one of the most highly anticipated albums of the year for that exact reason. Everyone was waiting and by that time the highly anticipated follow up single to Just Dance had been out. Poker Face is one of the best songs of all time and still tops the charts on the Billboard 100. That is the Billboard hot 100. It is one of the hottest songs ever produced and ever played on radio. One of the reasons to buy this album. If for no other. But she is not done. The follow up to that is Lovegame another excellent song and Paparazzi is the latest and greatest with the video just released. I highly recommend this purchase as it is one of my all time favourites.

Lady Gaga has had enormous success even more so than Katy Perry. Could this be a modern day Britney and Christina or better yet a Madonna and Cyndi Lauper? I am looking forward to finding out and it is not that all of those girls and women are nothing. Rather it is always interesting to find out who has the staying power for musical interest and paparazzi fever.

KATY PERRY

One of the Boys is the best debut album of any other female artist excluding Lady Gaga of the same genre last year and so far this year. I do not see any other artist matching their success and I say that because I give them both a tie for that award. I see Lady Gaga and Katy Perry's albums as equal as it is too difficult to decide which is better. Having said that there are clearly songs on these albums which are better than the others. For instance. Hot n' Cold is one of Katy Perry's better known songs and more widely received. On the other hand I also enjoy her most recent hit. And I have enjoyed most of the album. I really enjoy waking up in Vegas. As this is her latest attempt and most recent single. I also enjoy the whole album but I was disappointed with a song or two. Having said that it is more than worth buying as it has spawned so many hit singles.

Katy Perry has had great success with her debut album. I appreciate all the effort that goes in to that and I am looking forward to the next release. This will not be a sophomore curse as some may suspect but rather a more introspective album on the success had. I appreciate everything that she has done for music and without her help I would not have gotten through this winter and spring. Thank you a lot Katy Perry.

GIRLICIOUS

Girlicious' self titled debut album Girlicious is the best girl group debut of last year. Having said that. Apparently is was only released in Canada but that didn't stop them from having huge success. Especially with the song. Babydoll. I really admire their work on this song. As I am still listening to it. And have been listening to it for months now. I really appreciate their work as they are spun off from the Pussycat Dolls. And were featured in the Pussycat Dolls present Girlicious. I had the honour of attending one of their concerts and I was not disappointed. Now they were not the feature artist but I did appreciate their act which was to open the show. I didn't know of them as much as today. But with the success of babydoll I quickly grew to love them.

To much of my chagrin the group Girlicious has lost one of its members. That is fine I just do not appreciate when girls leave groups because it often results in the group's demise. Having said that there is plenty of coverage even at this stage. Will it last until the next album is due out? I have my doubts but I will be watching and expecting some kind of hit out of it. Whether I will buy it or not is still up in the air. But I will appreciate it none the less.

CHRISTINA AGUILERA

For all those who missed out on getting Christina Aguilera Singles or Albums. I highly recommend Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits. Not only does it have the huge hit single of Keeps Gettin' Better. But it also features a slew of other hits from her past and a few new remixes of which I am not a huge fan. But if you know Christina and love the Keeps Gettin' Better song then you will love this album. Nothing beats digital. And if you can go all out. Why not buy the whole album. As you are definitively getting a bang for your buck. I missed out getting her previous efforts. But I was sure to get the greatest hits album. As it showcases one of my favourite songs of all time. Keeps Gettin' Better. I truely love that song. And I will always remember what it means to me. Because who is perfect really. We all have our days and moments. And this shows that that may not last forever.

RIHANNA

Rihanna has the best remix album of all time with her latest attempt. Entitled Good Girl Gone Bad: The Remixes. I say that because it has the most originality of any remix album I have ever heard. Including all singles since it has more originality and more flavour of course because she only remixes each song once and there are a slew of songs. Most of the songs on the original are found on the remix album. And although I know in my heart that Madonna is the Queen of remix. I also know that this is something fresh and something that will appeal to all audiences as who doesn't love Rihanna's latest attempt of Good Girl Gone Bad. I think everyone admires at least one song from that era. So having said that. I still love you Madonna and hopefully you will try and match her success although I am in high adorement of your live concert albums at the moment. Still waiting for the latest attempt of the sticky and sweet tour.

BRITNEY SPEARS

Britney Spears has one of the biggest flops of the year with her latest attempt. Entitled Circus. I say that because it doesn't match the same originality of Blackout. And this is often the case when artists. Attempt to cash in on the previous album. It's not a bad idea but if you are looking for something with a little more originality. I highly recommend Blackout as this has the unmatched single Piece of Me. Now I am not saying that the Circus album is not worth buying as I own the deluxe edition. But if you are looking for the unmatched success of Womanizer or even Circus itself. The song that is. Then I reccommend. The song Piece of Me only found on the Blackout album. Or you can just wait until she releases another greatest hits album. As you will find all songs on that album. If she has any sense and I know that she does. What a smart business woman. And someone we can all look up to whether you like her or not.

M.I.A.

M.I.A. has one of the best albums of all time with her latest attempt called Kala. It is highly under rated and one of the best under ground albums of all time. Like I said one of the best albums but also one of the best under ground albums of all time. I say that because it probably does better in the under ground genre. But it also has a mass appeal with the instant success of Slum Dog Millionaire. She is featured on this soundtrack. And her dubious effort does not go unnoticed. Paper Planes is one of her more known songs. But having said that there are a slew of other songs that are richly inspired from the same genre. I encourage you to check it out as it has a world wide appeal. With flavours of India. Russia. And of course South East Asia. Not withstanding. She also has a broad appeal in the Americas and in her native land of England.

CHRIS BROWN

Ok Chris Brown has one of the best albums ever with Exclusive the Forever Edition. But something has to be said about what happened between him and Rihanna. I do not condone abuse of any kind but we all make mistakes and he does need to be forgiven for what happened to him and Rihanna. Rihanna has to forgive him and he needs to be forgiven. I understand that she is upset and I understand that we all make mistakes. So having said that Forever is one of the best songs ever and With you also ranks as one of the best songs ever. He is really talking to the female audience but it works both ways because you can imagine you are him and talking to your favourite female.

T.I.

Paper Trail. Is the best album of 2008 no holds barred. It is the best album because it showed the most variety. Rhythm and blues. Unfortunately. We will not be hearing a follow up anytime soon but that wouldn't be good as it wouldn't follow up with as much success. A good break with a follow up in a few years will be amazing. Right now the airwaves are experiencing T.I. overload as there is a television show along with the many singles spawned off of Paper Trail. Having said that. It should not be excused as this helped to launch Live your Life as one of the best singles of 2008 if not the best single of 2008. Now we all wish T.I. a speedy recovery as he enters rehabilitation. And we do not feel that there is no need for an excuse there. Blessings to you T.I. as this was not an easy decision for the Judge to come to. Love to you and your family.

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

One of the best albums of the year. And definitively the best come back album of the year. However. It was missing some extra special effects. As the songs tend to blend in. Not that they do not on other albums. But when you are used to the success of the early nineties. It is hard to match. However. It is a brave attempt. And not one that will go unnoticed. I would appreciate some more rhythm. On the next album. As I found this to be a little dry on the dance side. I like them boom boom pows. If you know what I mean Black Eyed Peas.