I had arranged an award type thing for the end of 09 but around that time is when I started having all sorts of issues with my internet and some b****a**ness from a few people I work with. No matter, new year, new beginnings and new employees. We’re still gonna talk about who really did 2009 and who could and should have come harder!
Top 5 albums of 2009:
1. Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel – Mariah Carey
2. The E.N.D – The Black Eyed Peas
3. The Blueprint III – Jay-Z
4. In A Perfect World – Keri Hilson
5. I Am Sasha Fierce – Beyonce
N: I know some of y’all are going to come for me for giving that to Mariah but the fact of the matter is; whether you’ve heard the album or not, it’s the best all around effort of 2009. No one can match the all in one songwriting, production, vocals and listenability.. Cop it and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about.
I also enjoyed Chrisette’s Michele’s “Epiphany”, Rihanna’s “Rated R” and Ryan Leslie’s self-entitled debut.
Artist of 2009:
1. Drake
2. Lady Gaga
3. Beyonce
4. Keri Hilson
5. Kanye West
These are the artist who were everywhere last year, radio, MTV, award shows and most importantly, Billboard. Drake accomplished everything the other artist accomplished and did so without a record deal or much sponsorship, which is why he tops this list.
Songs of 2009:
1. Boom Boom Pow
2. I Gotta Feeling
3. Knock Ya Down
4. Heartless
5. PokerFace
These are the song you couldn’t escape last year. They were on at the gym, in the car, on your iPod and the guy eating his #1 with cheese across from you in the break room at work.. “Boom Boom Pow” tops this list because of it’s insane chart run. “I Gotta Feeling” follows for the same reason.
Producers of 2009:
1. Will.I.A.M
2. The Dream
3. Kanye West
4. Swizz Beatz
Will and The Dream lead the pack for outstanding production last year. Will SLAYED The Black Eyed Peas new album and The Dream’s work on Mariah Carey & Jamie Foxx’s efforts put him head and shoulders above the rest. Mr West came hard, working with nearly everyone and leaving nothing but fire in his wack. Swizz Beatz clowned on “The Blueprint III” I love that man, one of my favorite producers EVER!
Under the Radar:
Ciara could have not recorded an album at all and came out in better condition then her current state.. Her album had some promising tracks but of course she chose all the wrong singles, minus “Like A Surgeon” which didn’t even get a video.. Her fate is clear.. If she ever realizes that you can’t beat Beyonce by trying to be Beyonce then her powers may be restored..
Mariah Carey made one of the best albums of her 20 year career, was on a role but let her label select “I Wanna Know What Love Is” as her second single, which killed all the momentum her platinum selling top 10 hit “Obsessed” built. She then chose an okay 3rd single “H.A.T.E.U” but obviously the song and video alone weren’t enough to repair the crippled promo campaign. Mariah will re-release her album February 23rd. The project features collabos from many of the game’s big names and shows much promise.
Chris Brown didn’t wait, stay away long enough for the mothers and fathers of his 8 to 16 year old girl fan base to forgive him. His album sold somewhere around 100k it’s first week on shelves and his tour sells continue to lag. My advice to him is to complete his tour and go away. Leave music alone for at least a year and focus on acting..
Amerie made the album the game’s been waiting for but like many others was plagued with all the wrong singles.. Her current single featuring Fabolous may be able to save her but as of now Def Jam can change the locks on her at any time.. Hopefully they give her another chance and hopefully whomever has been selecting the singles for Def Jam’s chicks has been fired or killed off. I hate to see good music wasted..
Melanie Fiona was facing a change of the locks as well but Kanye West intervened, having much to do with her recent RocNation endorsement. Her 2nd single “It Kills Me” is slay’n radio and pushing her debut album “The Bridge”. She’s very fortunate to have signed with The Roc.
Chrisette Michele hit it right on the head with “Epiphany”, an album which borrows heavily from Kanye’s “College Dropout” and Lauren Hill’s “The MisEducation of Lauren Hill”. I had extremely high hopes for her and this album but when she opted for “What You Do” as a second single over “Blame It On Me”, “Fragile” and “Mr Right”; I knew what her fate would be.. Def Jam really wasn’t on it last year from the promo side..
In conclusion, 2009 was a great year for music, much greater for some then others. 2010 will see new music from Mariah Carey, Jaheim, Erykah Badu, Kanye West, Drake, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, D’Angelo and others. It promises to be another epic year for music, I’m looking forward to it!
TRUECLEFMUSIC.COM 
