Best Of 2009: Popular Artists of the Year

2009 was the year of Obama, tea parties, auto-tune, Tiger Wood's sex scandal, Brett Farve not retiring, healthcare rallies, Adam Lambert, gay marriage successes, gay marriage failures, Glen Beck, Lady Gaga's fashion, the Camaro, and the realization that world was coming to an end. Here's the best of this year, 2009!One had the most anticipated album of the year; the other proved to be the biggest pop star in the world.

Jay-Z released the Blueprint III this year to rave reviews. The album has already produced three hits and he's not finished yet. He had the guts to challenge the now rap industry standard "auto-tune" in "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune). "Empire State of Mind" (see this review) just might be one of the most beautiful rap songs ever. I've long thought Jay-Z was the greatest rapper, this year he just proved it.

This year was great for Lady Gaga proved she wasn't just a flash in the pan. After the smash party hit, "Just Dance", that turned into a #1 Billboard song, she released "Poker Face" another #1 Billboard song. After two more dance hits, it was the lead single from The Fame Monster, "Bad Romance" that proved Gaga is a serious artist. The song had a synthy, hard-hitting 80s-inspired base that worked perfectly with the dark, almost Gothic lyrics.


"Forever Young" Jay-Z feat. Mr. Hudson [MP3 link]
Unreleased Tracks
"Kandy Life" Lady Gaga [MP3 link]
"Filthy Pop" Lady Gaga [MP3 link]