Genre: Hip hop
Label: Shady, Interscope
Producers: Eminem (also exec.), Mr. Porter (also exec.), Havoc, Magnedo7, Supa Dups, Jason "JG" Gilbert, Sid Roams, Bangladesh, Sonti "branNu" Brown, The Smeezingtons, Battle Roy, Tony "56" Jackson, DJ Khalil
Eminem and Royce Da 5'9", known otherwise as “Bad Meets Evil” reunited once again for an extended play for their previous collaboration “Hell”. These two top notch rappers delivered me their explosive and aggressive lyrical rapping style especially in “Fast Lane” where the song flows thoroughly like a river of words. My favorite track and I consider the highlight of the EP is the collaboration with Bruno Mars, “Lighters” which follows the usual rap song formula in 2011, where the chorus is sung in non-rap. I consider Eminem’s rap in the verses as one of his best rapping rhymes. Other songs have some sexual and comical themes which are a worthy of listen.
Genre: Dance-pop, teen pop, electropop
Label: Nick/Columbia/Sony Music
Producers: Ryan Tedder, Lucas Secon, J.R Rotem, OFM, Big Time Rush, Chris Rojas, S*A*M and Sluggo, Cutfather, Damon Sharpe, Toby Gad, Infinity
Nickelodeon's biggest Boy Band delivers their second effort release with "Elevate". Just like the title track, their sound indeed had elevated but with still innocent and playful lyrics. The album features more mature songs and with a more dance sound compared to their debut. They also participated more with the production and composition of the album tracks. Upon hearing these songs, they have so much potential. They have that star quality, amazing personalities and die-hard fans as well, IMO what is needed is just a change in sound a bit, in order for them to improve their work. But as for now, we're enjoying the catchy tracks in this record!
Favorite Tracks: "Elevate" , "Music Sounds Better With U (feat. Mann)" ,"Love Me Love Me", "If I Ruled the World (feat. Iyaz)"
JOE JONAS- "Fastlife"
Genre: Pop, electropop, R&B
Label: Hollywood
Producers: Danja, Rob Knox, Brian Kennedy, Adonis Shropshire, Hit-Boy
While he and his brothers are in hiatus, Joe Jonas, 1/3 of the group released his first solo album. Upon listening to it, I already noticed the departure of the sound of the album which is urban dance and electronic from their usual “pop-rock” records, example of that is the collaboration with Lil Wayne in “Just in Love”. “See No More” features songwriting and background vocals from Chris Brown as we may notice in the chorus. For me, it is a solid debut coming from Joe but it seems that the general public has not shown much more support for this effort. But still, as a listener, I’m contented of its entire direction.
Favorite Tracks: "Just In Love", "See No More", "Love Slayer", "Fastlife", "Make You Mine"
BRUNO MARS - "The Lazy Song"
Date Premiered: April 15, 2011 Director: Bruno Mars and Cameron Duddy Favorite Scenes: Choreography starting at 1:56, Bruno pulling pants down, Phillip Lawrence making an appearance uttering the line "Oh my God, this is great" and driven off by the chimps
KELLY ROWLAND - "Lay It On Me" (featuring Big Sean)
Date Premiered: October 12, 2011 Director: Sarah Chatfield Favorite Scenes: Kelly flanking with the giant elephant, Choreography with the semi-naked men, Kelly playing with Slinky toy, rubbing it against her body
AVRIL LAVIGNE - "What the Hell"
Date Premiered: January 21, 2011 Director: Marcus Raboy Favorite Scenes: Avril jumping on the crowd, rock-out scenes with the band, final scene where Avril and love interest lies in bed
LIGHTS - "Toes"
"...Oh, you capture my attention, I’m anticipating, I’m watching, I’m waiting for you to make your move, Got me on my toes, Got me on my toes, Got me on my toes, Got me on my toes..."
Album: Siberia Release Date: August 16, 2011 Genre: Synthpop, new wave Length: 3:21 Label: Universal Music, Last Gang, Lights Music Writer(s): Lights Poxleitner, Tawgs Salter Producer(s): Poxleitner, Salter, Holy ****
Weeks on Chart: 3 weeks Peak Position: #06
To be honest, this is my introductory song to LIGHTS, as I never had the urge to try her music. And then when I had the time to check her out, she reminds me of a mix of Owl City and Ellie Goulding which I both like. And then she just surprised me with her voice, while in this song it oozes vanilla syrup with gentle relation of how vulnerable our physical form (toes) are. With it's blissful and quite bit longing sound had lingered in my mind for a few weeks.
JOE JONAS- "See No More"
"...And I can’t get away from you, It’s one of the reasons why, That I just can’t get you out my mind, And all I keep seeing is your picture, I don’t wanna see no more, I don’t wanna see no more, I don’t wanna see no more..."
Album: Fastlife Release Date:June 13, 2011[ Genre: Pop, R&B, electronic Length: 3:52 Label: Hollywood Records Writer(s): Joe Jonas, Chris Brown, Brian Kennedy Producer(s): Brian Kennedy
Weeks on Chart: 4 weeks Peak Position: #11
While the Jonas Brothers are taking a hiatus, Joe Jonas had debuted his lead single. The song was co-written by singer Chris Brown, and he did the background vocals on the song's chorus too. Despite being not successful, I really like this song particularly, compared to most of Jonas Brothers songs. It's more mature, more genuine, and yes, age appropriate and Joe with that sex appeal, did justice to his own song
Album: Mr. Simple Release Date: August 2, 2011 Genre: Electropop, synthpop, techno, electro, R&B, dance-pop Length: 3:59 Label: SM Entertainment Writer(s): Yoo Young-jin Producer(s): Yoo Young-jin
Weeks on Chart: 2 weeks Peak Position: #05
This is one of just 2 of 2 K-Pop entries I have in this year's Best of, and this slot rightfully belongs to my most favorite K-Pop male group, Super Junior or (SuJu). Once again, they never fail to impress me with their lead singles which are all very dancey and catchy. Of course, this is not an exception and once again the boys showed their impressive dancing skills in the video. What they have done to is was just simple!
KERI HILSON- "Pretty Girl Rock"
"... Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful, Don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful, Aye, now do the pretty girl rock, rock, rock..."
Album: No Boys Allowed Release Date: October 12, 2010 Genre: R&B, pop Length: 4:04 Label: Interscope Writer(s): Bill Withers, Ralph MacDonald, William Salter, Shaffer Smith, Charles Harmon Producer(s): Chuck Harmony
Weeks on Chart: 5 weeks Peak Position: #08
Well, this is probably Keri's most catchiest song to date! and It's got a great message especially to all the girls out there, don't hate!, because they're beautiful! Anyways, I do love the song especially due to the video showing Keri portraying the business' influential women. The chorus also stucks on you for a while and lets you keep singing unto this jam! It's the proper song to play when walking on the street while them boys and gurls keep on staring!
DEV
Birth name: Devin Star Tailes Born July 2, 1989 (age 22)
Tracy, California, U.S. Origin: Manteca, California Genres: Electropop, dance Label: Universal Republic, Island Wesite:www.devishot.com
Starting my favorite artist list this year is DEV! She smashed 2011 with her radio and sales hit "In the Dark". Her singing reminds me of Ke$ha but her music is more electro compared to her. What I really like about DEV is she's a cool person in her music and her fashion, plus her voice is pleasing to the ears while she raps over her songs. She also just gave birth to a baby girl Emelia, so Congrats DEV!, I cant wait for her return in 2012 with Enrique and Demi where she is featured on the singles.
Your graphics! I wonder when will be the time I will be presenting a best of with a banner and with this kind of layout. I'm just too lazy and illiterate.
Anyway, great start. I haven't listened to Toes yet.