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Feedback Section:
Brandon-Thanks.
Toysoldier99-Glad that you thought the intro is nice.
AshleeSimpsonFan-You were? Aww. I appreciate the comment and yes Reload!
jomarr-The wait is over, Bro!
Ricardo505-Me too. those pumped up smiles tells it all.
Sunderland 4ever-I live for variety.
Rem-Ready to jump and shake.
Mr.Link-That's correct, my countdown shows a great amount of variety and that will be bought here in this Best of in a better way. Thanks for the praise.
jpow-Reload is getting love already.
collin- Thanks and wait what? Oh, the Britney Jean song. I know that will won’t be here so don't worry. Haven’t gone to check out the album yet. Thought people will get that I was referencing to past songs of Saliva and The Hives. Speaking of those bands, where are they?
dimaspettigrew- Glad that you are here to comment on my Best of. I enjoy your support in my countdown and hope you can stick around before you leave.
Stranger.-Like that Reload is getting more love and how many people had comment that they can't wait? And how many have said that with that red hyperactive smiley? I welcome all comments regardless. Just saying. People like my countdown a lot.
Red-You know how I like to comment more than necessary.
backtoback-Thanks man.
Ivan-We all can't wait.
Zune-It just something that was pictured in my mind.
allm1314-Love that gif!
Tylerbv-Excited is the perfect word for what is everyone is feeling.
Nimrod.-I know, let's start this now.

Sorry for keeping you guys waiting. Let me start this by loading the pre-cursor to the good sh!t as in the top 40 artists of the year. You see before I deliver the main dishes, I’m going give you a preview which kind of artists you will see there. So I got to tell you my favorite artists to give a clear idea what I’m into and what you might see more of. These artists are here because they have impressed me in one or another the most that made 2013 in music an enjoyable one. I got to give an honor to these impacting artists that deserved to be mention like this.

BTW, this countdown only includes solo artists as I have another countdown exclusive for bands. Why did I do this way? I don’t know I just did what I felt like. Could I’ve just made a top 40 on solo artists and bands together to make it more reasonable? Yeah, but that’s just makes too much sense so here are the first half of this countdown with my favorites ranging from 40-26. Oh I see that is not half or at least the numbers. Too late to look back now.

40 Janelle Monáe
Let’s start out with the electric lady, who seems to have a fun time whatever she’s on fire. I really like her creative style, her vision art and the way she is in a funky rhythm with her dancing as evident in her videos like Q.U.E.E.N. and Dance Apocalyptic. She has a fashion sense that goes well with her music style. She loves to wear a combination of black and white clothes seen in her videos, her Covergirl commercial and the pic shown above. As for her singing, man she can go and captures a unique scenery that can lights things up in whatever flow and tempo she feels like. An entertaining and beautiful R&B soulful artist that just knows how to make music. I’m proud what she has done this year and more people should see how talented she is. I haven’t heard her latest album yet, but I know that I will soon enough if I can expect all this smooth and carefree music. Also I should check out her SNL performance. Janelle has electrify the thousands and thousands of fans this year.

39 Skylar Grey
Here is another underrated artist who does not get enough recognition for her music. Most of everyone knows her for featuring in songs like I Need a Doctor, Coming Home, & a live SNL performance version of Survival with Eminem, both of them signed to Interscope Records and Em was the executive producer on her latest album. All I can say that she sings in such a tone that it brings some joy and sadness to the heart. Her videos are kinda haunting and endearing, which also highlights her musical style. Did you know that she released a demo of Love The Way You Lie back in 2011? It sounds great and as great as Rihanna did in LTWYL. It just that Skylar can play a piano and other instruments and does it well. I just realized that she was also in Fort Minor’s Where’d You Go. Holly Brook is her real name and that name was credited on that song. She sings the hook of that song. Her voice on that song was just speechless. So powerful. Glad that I see some Skylar Grey in countdowns from YTT. I appreciate that since that gave me the chance to hear her songs whenever I can. Now we all should check out her album. Don’t look down on her.

38 Kaskade
Now let’s move on to a DJ that Skylar has worked with, Kaskade. The song that Skylar and Kaskade did together is Room For Happiness (Fire), which is a blend of relaxing joy along with a stellar video. This dance/electronic artist usually makes music that is so chillax. He does bring an atmosphere aura that you can either hop to or just simply relax to and just wave your hand in the air like you are in content. Speaking of atmosphere, I should check out the album right now and the album title song is the first song that he actually sings! You know how these type of DJ are, they just have guest vocalists do the singing in their music work. Anyway this guy’s music works for me and this year I gave appreciation to his work.

37 Gavin DeGraw
This year, I enjoy listening to Gavin’s music. He had good songs in the past and although the stuff he has now is not as good as his past hits, I still appreciate the style he is going for that fits with the HAC stuff that is happening. Whatever it is making a typical love song, a joyful tune, or mid-tempo inspiring song, this guy can make a move, can get a lovely girlfriend, and can have all of us enjoy the sweetness of his music.

36 Sara Bareilles
This woman is just elegant and talented as she is made out to be. I really enjoy her music this year with her stories on her album, which is inspiring piece of work, her performances, which she sings with grace and heart, and her kindness, which I’m reading now that today she sings Brave to a 4-year old cancer patient. How caring that is. There is a video of that so check it out. I just like how she sings, the music blends to make a joyful and a blissful sound. I like her acoustic performances because that is where she shines the most and where most of the meaning of her songs can come to light. It differs a lot than just hearing her recording songs. It’s a different side of Sara that I like to hear that brings the sound of music to a more lively feel and a different scenery. She can play piano very well. Sara is inspiring us with her blessed unrest heart. The café is too good for her. Her boyfriend is a lucky dude.

35 Foxes
She is known for her vocals in Clarity and I have explored beyond that. I did enjoy her vocals in Clarity, which she brings such a good melody and that is clear enough for me that she deserved her mention in this countdown. Also I check her own songs like Youth and she’s just amazing. Her voice and the alternative pop dance style is just captivating that gives a sense of a young woman expressing her feelings in her own quirky way possible. She was featured in one of FOB’s songs in their album and to a lesser extent, in Rudimental‘s song. She’s glorious and I can see a nice future for her. What does the Foxes say? Well , she says that she loves receiving kinky tweets from her fans and don’t want to be just that featured artists.

34 A$AP Rocky
Hey look, there’s another rapper on the block. That is just an outlook on what to react to A$AP Rocky in the streets. He might not be the smartest or even talented as a rapper, but hey he entertains me with his music. His album is a good one that I can blast to and he always brings out good-to great rappers to make good sh!t together. The noise is loud and enjoy the style of A$AP. Long live A$AP Rocky, where he can be seen taking the purple sh!t and trying to be fashionable for some reason.

33 Lana Del Rey
Look who it is A$AP’s JFK wife. Last year., Lana unleashed great video after great video, have an amazing album and a paradise edition, which included more amazing song and made a name for herself in a good way and a not planned way that ruined her fame momentum. Even though Lana didn’t released much this year, she still is a talented, creative and elegant artist who help make The Great Gatsby soundtrack a good one. She finally earn a successful hit thanks to remixer Cedric Gervais for messing around a good thing in Summertime Sadness. Hey that’s how life is sometimes for all its profound sadness. Can’t wait for 2014 for her to take us by storm.

32 Cassadee Pope
The Voice season 3 winner really knows how to sing and from the heart that brings tears from people’s eyes. My eyes? Only when I let it happen because of the mood I’m in. Anyway I’m glad that the former Hey Monday singer won her season because not only she deserves it out of anybody competing that season, it’s because that one day she will become successful. She is already the most successful out of the winners form that show, which isn’t saying much. However, she did reached #1 on itunes, which is important in this day and age. You guys know all about the importance of itunes. You guys used that for the recipients. Anyway I enjoy her music and her performances whatever on The Voice or elsewhere, Miss Pope is unforgiving. Apparently she is also a trained prankster not frame by frame though since she send out a bad look-like of herself to those Rascal Flatts. Is she the next superstar in Country Music or in music general?

31 John Martin
Time to give love for the vocalist that brings the actual vocals in those big dance hits like you know SHM’s last big hit song, Don’t You Worry Child and of course, the theme song for my Best of, Reload. Hey at least this guy was credited on the work he has done officially. Anyway I like he delivers the hook of the songs he is in and how he makes it refine to appreciate the music in those songs while make the words speak for themselves. He did an acoustic version of DYWC and I like it how he is in sync with the song and the music. Hey, he also a piano player. And the guitar as evident in his Reload acoustic session, which he does in a soft, stripped down and folk kind of way. Will be paying attention for him in 2014 for his new stuff and which song he will invade next.

30 Kelly Rowland
She, Michelle and Beyoncé reunited Destiny’s Child for one night at the Super Bowl halftime show, which they popped out into the stage. Sadly, we couldn’t hear much of Michelle and Kelly and the songs were sung rapidly to enjoy while it last. Kelly took a brave step by releasing Dirty Laundry to air out those dirty laundries on her being in an abusive relationship and being in the shadows of Beyoncé. The video for that song is intense. She hardly talks about her personal life and now she shares it with the world. Now she is talking a good game and set in a path of her own to follow. Her music is still a jam to listen to whatever in a fiery, lightly, or vulnerable mood. Hey, look she announced that she is engaged. Good luck for her and her fiancé, who propose via Skype. The new way of telling someone you love them like Twitter. All the Kellys are getting married. There is hope after all.

29 Miguel
We already know this guy has been unstoppable since he made waves in the music scene in 2010. His album from last year is just amazing with his dreamy R&B of fantasy pleasures and he set the world on fire with Alicia Keys this year. Sure thing that Miguel has some unfortunate parts of 2013 that is not warranted to remember like his DUI arrests and of course, his accidental leg drop towards a fan’s head. Still he has the smooth and charm to push that away and can make 2014 a better year. At least Kelly knows who are now and you won a Grammy for Best R&B song for Adorn! Don’t worry the tour with Drake and Future can still happen.

28 Luke Bryan
Luke has been doing well for himself this year with his album release, won artist of the year at the ACA, won entertainer of the year at he ACM, and taking care of his beautiful wife, Caroline and their two kids. Guess what? Him and Blake are hosting the ACM again next year. What an honor really. Now Country in 2013 wasn’t exciting at all, but Luke’s music still as good as before. Whatever he wants people to crash his party, having his kind of night, delivering a tearful performance tribute to his late siblings, Luke is one of Country’s brightest points of 2013. Rise a beer.

27 John Newman
Here’s the good kind of the old UK invasion with Mr. Newman. This 23-year old can sing like some kind of funk man and the sound of his music brings a wild vibe that he express his feelings while moving along to the groove whatever his mood is. He seems to have trouble with the ladies in his songs whatever is to love him again or the realization of cheating. He is known for his feature in Feel The Love and other songs. Glad that the young ones are having some success even though it makes me feel I haven’t done anything at all. Which is true btw. Out of nowhere this guy came in 2013 and 2014 could be a good year for him as well.

26 The Weeknd
And the last artist in this set is Abel Tesfaye, who likes to go by the name of The Weeknd. He is one of those that changes up the R&B style to his own craft of art. His approach is the dark, twisted, grossly trip. We can hear his clear mind of kiss land when he brings the mood to fit his setting of his loneliness with a special someone. His videos are simple, but in-depth of his intentions and melodrama that happens there like a mysterious complicated romantic drama movie or something like that. Last year, he became known and re-released a Trilogy of his three mixtapes and this year, he released his debut album, which I will listen to soon enough. Smoking in The Lounge will never be the same with this former anonymous guy. Apparently he only have one interview with ComplexMusic and he explained how come he does not give interviews is because he felts and still does that he had nothing to say and is the most boring person to talk to. Sounds like me. He understands. Still he sounds like a chill guy from that interview. Drake is cool with him and likes his music. Also they collaborated on some songs. Finally, The Weeknd was nominated for a Grammy for his feature in Remember You. Life is now good.

And that’s it from part 1 of this countdown and this will give you an indication on what type of music in 2013 I had enjoyed.

Coming up is part 2 of Top 40 Artists of 2013 and until then, comment on this countdown.

[I'm JAVIng Fun]

I like 10/15 of these artist

nice list so far, your countdowns are one of my favorites because of the detail you put in them

[Ricardo505]

Janelle, Lana and Sara! Nice start, I'm glad to see these three beautiful female voices here!

[Nimrod.]

John newman was one of the best from this year

[Renzo]

Foxes, A$AP Rocky, Lana Del Rey, The Weeknd.

[MP2K]

Quite a few great picks thus far.

[Mr.Link]

I agree with most of your choices, the artists I like the most from this set are John Newman and Janelle Monae I think they both have a lot to offer in the future

[Lee!!]

Kaskad, John Martin, Luke Bryan and John Newman

[Scene.]

Kaskade and Luke

[TRF.]

Lana, Foxes, The Weeknd, Janelle, Miguel slaighting.



Honestly, TRF.

[potent]

11/15

Cassadee's album is basically just pop with some country influences haha but I still really liked it. So great to see Gavin DeGraw here as well!

[backtoback]

I only don't like Cassadee

Lana Del Rey and Luke Bryan released great singles this year

[Sunderland 4ever]

I'm looking forward to listen to more Foxes music.

[AshleeSimpsonFan]

Kaskade is great, sometimes he released meh songs, but in 2013 he was great.
Lana Del Rey she was the artist of 2012 for me, so glad she just got her first big hit with Summertime Sadness! I love John Martin's voice.

John Newman is great, his voice is so unique and I really loved Love Me Again! Too bad that I didn't like the rest of his singles

[Fireman25]

Good list! I like most of those artists

[Brandon]

Sara Bareilles + Gavin DeGraw are my favorites

[Red]

My love of Foxes will become known on ATRL very, very shortly. She's so gorgeous AND she can sing. My favorite combination.

And A$AP...man, if it wasn't for CHVRCHES, he'd have made the best debut album this year. Incredibly solid.

[dimaspettigrew]

8/15

Luke Bryan + Cassadee Pope

[sumthintoxic82]

John Newman is great. I LOVE his voice...

[Ivan]

Sara and Lana, great combination