Announcer: Welcome to the 1st Annual Gigi Gala. Here to kickoff our night is supermodel and Victoria's Secret Angel, Alessandra Ambrosio.
Alessandra: Hello, hello everyone. 2014 has been an amazing year for culture and music. While tonight's primary focus is 2014, let's look back on 2013. Here are the top ten albums of 2013.
J. Cole - Born Sinner // Perhaps Roc Nation's most important signee of recent times, with Born Sinner, J. Cole became part of rap's new "golden age" along with A$AP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Schoolboy Q and others. While Born Sinner was GREAT (hence it being on this list) it left me feeling almost a little barren and just hopeful about what Cole would bring with his next record. And the cover is the absolute best of the year.
Fave Song: Power Trip
Katy Perry - Prism // This album was made for easy listening. Nothing hard to digest, and while some see that as a bad thing, I personally think Katy knows how to work that angle very well.
Fave Song: Unconditionally
Jhene Aiko - Sail Out // Jhene Aiko became one of the biggest new artists of 2013 and it was easy to see why. Something I love about Jhene is that a lot of the lyrics in her songs were things you could see yourself saying to your boyfriend or ex. Sail Out had such a sense of honesty too it. It was something every girl could relate too, as cheesy as it may sound.
Fave Song: Bed Peace
Justin Bieber - Journals // While 2013 was a bit of a hectic year for Justin, it didn't stop him from putting out the best music of his career. R&B WORKS for him. White people doing black music right! This sound fits him so well and I love it. You can tell he loved making it too. Since he has enough accomplishments and money to last him for the rest of his life, I say quit making the bubblegum pop and pandering to radio and make the music he truly loves, which is clearly in the urban genre. Best male R&B record of the year.
Fave Song: All Bad
Jay Z - Magna Carta Holy Grail // I first heard this album while listening too a radio premier on the night it came out. I was only listening because I knew there would be a Beyonce feature, and that was all I was looking to hear. But while waiting for the Beyonce feature, I heard a lot of the other tracks and actually loved it. This album is criminally underrated and was one of the best rap albums of the decade so far.
Fave Song: Part II (On The Run)
Selena Gomez - Stars Dance // Who knew in a year with Britney Spears and Lady Gaga releasing, Selena Gomez would take the hair flipping dance pop crown? With Come & Get it being the best lead single of the year and best song of her career (only behind Mimi and Britney), Selena left fans with high expectations for Stars Dance and she delivered.
Fave Song: Come & Get It
Cassie - Rockabyebaby // Cassie's first release in 7 years was a pleasant surprise. I don't remember exactly how I came across this mixtape, but I remember loving 'Bad Bitches' and feeling inspired to check out the rest of the tape. All of the featured artists work perfectly with Cassie. RBB has a clear direction and it pulled it off greatly. Overtime it came to be one of my favorite releases ever.
Fave Song: Rockabyebaby
Miley Cyrus - Bangerz // Miley's controversial transition was not only in image, but in sound too. As someone who has been a huge Miley fan ever since her Hannah Montana days, I was super excited for whatever Miley was ready to give. And she gave me everything. I LIVED for this album. Miley has made consistently great music throughout her career and this was no exception.
Fave Song: 4x4
Drake - Nothing Was The Same // I wholeheartedly believe Drake is one of the greatest artists of all time. He is simply musical genius. His music is truly a craft. I still listen to this album on a regular basis. 100% the best male artist of this generation.
Fave Song: Own It
Tinashe - Black Water // Tinashe is UNDOUBTEDLY the best artist to come out in recent years and this record proved it. It is a true masterpiece. It's been almost a year since I first heard it and I still can't believe how fresh it still sounds. The title track is literally otherworldy. All of her mixtapes are next level but this one hit me in another way. Yes g0d, Ashy.
Fave Song: Midnight Sun
Alessandra: Congratulations to all artists honored. Now let's hear it for another incredible artist here to celebrate with us!