Plenty of bands and groups have have had at least one hit this year, but that one hit took the world by storm and caused everyone to know (new ones) who they are, or remember (old ones) who they are. Let's check out the list..
ON DECK:
7. Gym Class Heroes
6. Cobra Starship
THE TOP 5: 5. Maroon 5
Though they only had one hit single this year (as well as 59023502382359 promo singles/videos), it took over the world and went #1, being one of their firsts to do so in years. 'Moves Like Jagger' was such a hit that they revised the tracklist to their album, 'Hands All Over', and added it in. Adam got some good promo from his judging on The Voice and constantly being in the news, as well as with Cee Lo, Christina, and Blake.. for being on the new show.
4. The Script
The Script hasn't had that much success this year, with their album, though their singles ('For The First Time', 'Nothing') have had moderate success. The main reason why they're above people who actually did have hit singles, is my opinion of them.
3. Hot Chelle Rae
Their album is not doing well so far, but it is very amazing, and their single 'Tonight, Tonight' was a big hit, reaching the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, and 'I Like It Like That' is moving up the charts, and is possibly ready to follow up the same way.
2. Foster The People
It took me awhile to get used to them, but Pumped Up Kicks reached #2, and was a possible contender to take the top spot for plenty of weeks. Due to that one single, they went from an unknown Indie band to a name to be recognized. Not to mention that their album recently hit a gold certification.
1. LMFAO
With their first album, they spawned two singles that didn't do that well on the charts, and yet are still remembered ('I'm In Miami Bitch' and 'Shots').. especially at parties, and they also were popular for having their album track, 'Get Crazy', be the theme song to the massive hit show Jersey Shore. This year they raised the bar with new music and a growing fanbase, with one of the biggest songs this year- Party Rock Anthem. It took awhile for the song to start up, but after months, it finally did.. in a BIG way. It's one of the biggest selling singles of the year, one of the most viewed videos of the year, and made them a big threat to anyone planning to get into the top 10 of the Hot 100 charts. Even during their reign with that single, 'Sexy & I Know It' was already climbing into and then through the top 20.. and then a week or two later, PRA passed the torch and now every weekend, it's impossible not to see Sexy at #1 for at least a few minutes, and that song is already nearing 3 million sold. With a possible new album coming next year, their album sales rising, and more singles to come.. will LMFAO turn the world into party rockers once again?
COMING UP
Best Males
Best Females
Best Albums: #22-21
2 Performances!
Sometimes in music, you can see a gender war in things such as success of a single or album, overall sales, and more. Males tend to be the single artists, and females usually tend to have longevity and better album sales. Let's check out my favorites in both sexes.
ON DECK:
8. Flo Rida
7. Bruno Mars
6. Jay-Z & Kanye West
THE TOP 5: 5. Taio Cruz
His album isn't doing that well (though not released in US yet), but it's amazing. His new single isn't doing that well either, but it's amazing too. Sadly, his success this era is already not starting off well.. but the music he is delivering is great and to me, that's what really matters.
4. Pitbull
His singles this era have been successful, as well as his features. At first I didn't like him, and thought his songs were annoying, but then he grew on me fast and his album is an enjoyable, party-ready marathon of songs.
3. David Guetta
This bitch doesn't even sing and yet he's slaying me so hard! An amazing DJ and producer.. his album is great and a big improvement on his debut. Everything he touches turns to gold and he's had a very productive and successful year, and career.
2. Chris Brown
The decision at who to put at #1 between him and the winner of this category was extremely difficult. Chris has had a great year, people are starting to forget the incident, est and are finally appreciating his music and album. His sales have gone up, his respect has gone up, he went through a few things this year in the news but he's still maintained his amazing music. His album is my personal favorite, plus one of the best of 2011.. and Look At Me Now was a massive hit, and a song that made everyone want to record and post a cover for.
1. Jason Derülo
A new year, a new, massive pile of slayage from Jason. His singles are spot-on, his album is spectacular, and he just seems to be getting better and better. Sadly, his singles haven't gotten that much recognition or sales, and his album is flopping like [fill in the blank] on a good day.. but he has proven why he is one of my favorite artists'.. easily.
ON DECK:
13. Nicki Minaj
12. Kelly Clarkson
10. Beyoncé
THE TOP 10: 10. Avril Lavigne
(See #10)
9. Taylor Swift
She hasn't done that much this year.. but when she does, it usually slays (especially surprise/random events, like the bonus tracks of Speak Now hitting iTunes, the new song that came out yesterday...), but the main reason why she's in the top 10 at all is due to me seeing her concert last month. So spectacular.
8. Britney Spears
(See #10) except her single sales have been good.
7. Adele
(See #10) except her single and album sales have been SPECTACULAR.
6. Nicole Scherzinger
She hasn't done much besides X Factor and releasing two moderately-successful singles in the US, but her album is soon to come (hopefully ), and I'm excited. 'Killer Love' (UK Edition) is one of my favorites of the year.
5. Jessie J
Price Tag was successful and Domino is still climbing up the charts, album didn't do that well.. but hey, she has talent, beauty, and she's hilarious and full of personality.
4. Katy Perry
Spectacular single sales, and even though I'm tired of her two latest singles (Last Friday Night & The One That Got Away), you can't deny that she's done amazing this year. Though I'm also annoyed at her label (or her? or both?) discounting and remixing the singles.
3. Rihanna
Album sales for both albums have been decent to good, all of her singles have been smash hits, she's had a really great year.
2. Lady Gaga
Shocked? Yes.. I know you all are. Gaga's album is amazing and one of my favorites, and only half of her videos have been worthy of the word 'amazing' to describe them.. but she's still a great artist. Though.. someone slayed me just a LITTLE bit harder this year.
1. Demi Lovato
Demi took my life. Cut it into pieces. Served it to a crowd of people. Collected the chewed up pieces up. Gave it back to me, and then took it back AGAIN, and threw it in the trash. This year she has gone above it all and had huge controversy with her visit to rehab, and her leave from Disney. Though I was sad about that, my sadness immediately went away when her album was released. This album slayed me hard, as I said.. and made me also listen to her album, 'Here We Go Again', for the first time- which I first ignored. I was slayed by that album as well.. so technically, for me, she released two albums that slayed me. Not only that, but I've been addicted to her more than any of the artists on this list, or any of the artists that have done anything this year. She's gone over 400 scrobbles on my last.fm and that's big, considering how much I listen to every year per artist.
Next up, we have part 3 of the category BEST ALBUMS. This time we will reveal #22 and #21.
Let's find out.. RIGHT NOW!
Previously:
#26. Wiz Khalifa- 'Rolling Papers'
#25. Dev- 'The Night The Sun Came Up'
#24. Simple Plan- 'Get Your Heart On!'
#23. Panic! At The Disco- 'Vices & Virtues'
22. Jay-Z & Kanye West- 'Watch The Throne'
Last year and the years before, I was never into rap. I would avoid it and try to stay away as much as I could. I liked the singles from both of these artists, but not really the albums. This one, along with Wiz' 'Rolling Papers', both made me cozy up a little bit more to the rap genre. This album was full of amazing songs, and 1 or 2 duds (the final two bonus tracks.) I was pretty impressed with this album, though out of all the others released this year- it still didn't manage to slay enough.
Top 5:
5. Lift Off (ft. Beyonce)
4. Made In America (ft. Frank Ocean)
3. Otis (ft. Otis Redding)
2. That's My Bitch 1. N*ggas in Paris
21. Pitbull- 'Planet Pit'
As I said in my write-up for Pitbull for the Best Males category.. at first, I definitely wasn't into him and found his songs (from his first album) annoying, his features were good and then he grew on me immensely with 'Give Me Everything', I then took a listen to this album and was pretty impressed. Every single one of the first 9 tracks are spot-on, even the introduction. Everything after kinda slips down a bit, but is still good. Overall, it's a nice, party-ready album that makes you want to pack your bags and move on over to Planet Pit.
Top 5:
5. Rain Over Me (ft. Marc Anthony)
4. Shake Seńora" (ft. T-Pain & Sean Paul)
3. Castle Made of Sand (ft. Kelly Rowland & Jamie Dastrik)
2. Give Me Everything (ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack, & Nayer) 1. International Love (ft. Chris Brown)
Now it's time for 2 more performances!
Let's just take a peek at the remaining performers..
FOSTER THE PEOPLE
LADY GAGA
JASON DERULO
LMFAO
RIHANNA
NICKI MINAJ
BEYONCE
ADELE
DAVID GUETTA
PITBULL
THE SCRIPT
FLO RIDA
TAYLOR SWIFT
and KELLY CLARKSON
Our last performers, Karmin & Chris Brown, were an unusual pair.. but this time around, this pair is even more unusual!
One is a band that has already been involved in two categories so far, but sadly didn't take home the gold in either.. and one was just announced as the #21 Best Album of 2011..
The Script 
.
), and I'm excited. 'Killer Love' (UK Edition) is one of my favorites of the year. 
