Favorite Artist of 2011

As the end of the year approaches, everyone and their mother likes to recap their favorites of the year. Therefore it's only right that I recap my favorites of the year. Last year I did the top songs of the year, but as this year comes to an end I feel that the artists deserve more of the spotlight, opposed to just one song alone. I have constructed two list this year, the first list being the top 5 artist of 2011 and the best new artist of 2011. 

#1

The first top artist of the year has to go to Frank Ocean. I cannot lie I didn't know about him until everyone else found out about him, which is when his hit "Novacane" started hitting the airwaves, but once he captured my attention he has been able to keep my attention. He is not only a singer, but a well known writer as well. In 2011 he was able to increase his fan base by putting out his mixtape nostralgia, ULTARA, not only that but he has a few hits on some of the biggest albums of the year (Watch the Throne & 4). He hasn't released his debut album yet, but I know it's coming in 2012.

#2

The next on my list is Rihanna, I've never been a die hard Rihanna fan, but I do have to give credit when it is due. She has been working NON STOP, this entire year. She entered the year just dropping her 5th studio album Loud, in November 2010, following the release of the album she began her Loud Tour. Where she toured both the United States and overseas. In the mist of her tour she was able to release her 6th studio album Talk That Talk. So I know when the new year begins she'll be right back on tour. Her work ethic has contributed to making her one the most top selling artist of this year, and I'm sure for years to come. 

#3

Beyonce has had the biggest year in both her career and within her personal life as well. She released her 4th studio album 4 after she took off a year to just enjoy her life. She came back with the her first single "Run The World (Girls)" and basically owned the rest of the year, by releasing non stop videos, doing non stop promo tours, doing several shows and even releasing several behind the scenes clips to show others the work it takes to complete the final product that we all know and love. However, the icing on the cake is when she revealed her pregnancy at the 2011 VMA's. So I know that no matter what she's doing she is going to own it. I know within the new year she'll be a new mommy, and she'll possibly release her 5th studio album since there are rumors that she has already started working on it. 

#4

Now Adele is no new artist, however this year she has had the biggest year in her career. In 2011 Adele released her 2nd studio album 21, and the album consists of a lot of heart felt tracks, such as "Rolling In The Deep", "Turning Tables" and "Someone Like You". I personally have seen Adele touch certain people that I thought I would never see listen to her music just because I know they've never been into her music in the past. However, she made it possible to reach a new audience with her amazing vocals. Unfortunately Adele had to take the rest of the year off due to a hemorrhage on her vocal cords. Once she fully recovers she'll begin working on her next album, I just hope all of the people who supports Adele now will be true fans and support her in the new year. 

#5

It's only right that Chris Brown made the top 5 because he just did the damn thing this year. He had a great 2010 after her bounced back from the whole Rihanna situation, but this year he was just in full force. This year he released his 4th studio album FAME, and had a successful mixtape Boy In Detention. Not to mention he went on the FAME Tour, where he was joined by TYGA, T-Pain and Bow Wow. Chris gave amazing performances at the BET Awards and the VMA's. He basically spent his year at the top, and I'm not interested in seeing him at the bottom again, with that being said I am looking forward to the release of his 5th studio album Fortune, and any other venture he is about to endeavor. 

FAVORITE NEW ARTIST OF 2011

Jessie J

J Cole

Miguel

Diggy Simmons

Big Sean

Mindless Behavior 

Bridget Kelly 

Not Saying I'm Rihanna Navy, But. . .

I'm not saying that I'm Rihanna Navy, but these past few months I've come to my senses and started listening to more of Rihanna's music like I used to when she first hit the industry. I kind of find some similarities between her and I. I'm not saying that I'm complete rebel and I do what I want. I have however loosened up these past few years and expressed myself more than I have ever done before. Not to mention some of her music that she has been making I can some what relate to. I also think that Rihanna is such a great artist and has such a wondeful fan base for someone who is not a top notch vocalist like artist such as Beyonce or Jennifer Hudson. Nonetheless she's been able to sell her product (her music) to her audience with the voice that she has. That kind of motivates me in some kind of way, but I still need to improve my voice. However, I still hope I get somewhere within the new year. Ever since Rihanna started promoting her latest album Talk That Talk, I've been interested in the tracks released so far. With "You Da One" being my favorite, I think I'm gonna use my Christmas money to purchase her album. 

Jessie J: "Casualty Love"

I don't want to sit here and say I've been sleeping on Jessie J because I've been aware of her talent from the first time I heard "Price Tag" this past summer. I even did a post on her. Although I haven't been sleeping, I haven't been paying enough attention to her. This afternoon someone posted a video of her singing her song "Casualty Love" (the acoustic version) on Facebook and all I thought was "why I don't know this song". Not to mention she was singing the hell out of the song, so it only made me question even more. Although I kind of feel a little ashamed that I am just now finding out about this song I don't feel too bad. I enjoy the feeling of "oh I didn't know" more than the feeling of "I already knew that". Especially when it comes to music because I love when I learn something new everyday. To end this story, I put the song on my iPod and I've been listening to it ever since.  

Jessie J singing the acoustic version of "Casualty Love" 

New Music: "Walk Away"/ "Last Heart Standing"

I have to say my favorite part of doing this blog is introducing you all to new music. Right now I am proud to introduce you all to Olivia's new single "Walk Away". You all may know Olivia formally of G-unit (I don't even know if the group still exist), she is now an independent artist looking for a deal. Those of you who may watch Love & Hip Hop on VH1 you have seen her struggle within the first two seasons with getting a new deal with a major label. Last season she had her first hit in awhile with "December", unfortunately that was not enough to get her signed, but it did catch attention of labels. You can see that take place in the current season of the show on VH1 (Mondays @9:00pm) . However, I am hoping that this new single would be the single to get her signed or get the support of a major label. I believe she is actually talented and she is one of the many who are actually talented and struggle with getting a deal. I remember in the first season of Love & Hip Hop she said something about "slitting her throat if she could not be able to sing". She didn't mean it literally, but I understood what she meant because I share mutual feelings. That's just another form to express passion, I think that's why I quit hundreds of times and cry constantly because it's something that you really want. All in all I'm rooting for Olivia to succeed, and I hope you are too. If not, I hope your mind is changed after hearing this track. 

Here is Olivia singing the song for a showcase for Universal Records 

The next new song comes from JoJo. About a few months ago I posted a new song from her entitled "The Other Chick" which is believed to be off of her upcoming album Jumping Trains. I don't know if her new song "Last Heart Standing" will be part of that album, but I do believe that it would because the concept of the song matches with the other tracks that have been out such as "The Other Chick". As well as "Disaster", which is her official first single and the video is currently out. Nonetheless JoJo continues to display wonderful vocals after all of these years, and I am sure that whenever her new album drops she'll have great numbers her first week because her voice is just amazing. Hearing new JoJo music made me go back to my favorite JoJo song, which is "Not That Kinda Girl" off of her debut album. I like an artist who can make music and take me to happy places. With that being said I'm ready for JoJo.