Britney Spears

Britney Jean Spears (born December 2, 1981) is an American singer and entertainer. Spears is ranked as the eighth best-selling female recording artist in the United States with 32 million sold albums certified by the Recording Industry Association of America.[2] As of November 2007, Spears has sold over 83 million records worldwide, making her one of the world's best-selling music artists.[3] Spears is currently the best selling female artist of the decade and the fifth best selling artist of the decade overall. [4]

Raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears first appeared on national television in 1992 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The New Mickey Mouse Club from 1993 to 1994. In 1997, Spears signed a recording contract with Jive, releasing her debut album ...Baby One More Time in 1999. The album established her as a pop icon and "bona fide pop phenomenon", credited for influencing the revival of teen pop in the late 1990s.[5]. Her next three albums debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making her the first female artist to have her first four albums debut at number one. In late 2008, her sixth studio album, Circus, also debuted at number one.Early life, career debut, and Innosense
Spears performing in 1999.

Britney Spears was born and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana as a Southern Baptist. [6] Her parents are Lynne Irene (née Bridges), a former elementary school teacher, and Jamie Parnell Spears, a former building contractor and chef. Spears has two siblings, Bryan and Jamie Lynn. Bryan Spears is married to Jamie-Lynn's manager, Graciella Rivera.[7]

Spears was an accomplished gymnast, attending gymnastics classes until age nine and competing in state-level competitions.[8] She performed in local dance revues and sang in her local Baptist church choir. Spears entered New York City's Professional Performing Arts School when she was eight. Spears's parents would often argue, and they eventually divorced in 2002.[citation needed]

At age eight, Spears auditioned for the Disney Channel series The New Mickey Mouse Club. Although she was considered too young to join the series at the time, a producer on the show introduced her to a New York City agent.[8] Spears subsequently spent three summers at NYC's Professional Performing Arts School and also appeared in a number of off-Broadway productions. She was an understudy in the 1991 off-Broadway musical Ruthless!.[8] In 1992, she landed a spot on the popular television show Star Search. She won the first round of competition, but ultimately lost. At age eleven, Spears returned to the Disney Channel for a spot on the The New Mickey Mouse Club in Lakeland, Florida.[8] She was featured on the show from 1993 to 1994, until she was 13.[9] After the show ended, Spears returned to Kentwood and attended high school for a year.[10]

In 1997, Spears briefly joined the all-female pop group Innosense.[11] Later that same year, she recorded a solo demo and was signed by Jive Records.[8] She began a U.S. concert tour sponsored by American teen magazines, and eventually became an opening act for 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys.[12]

1998–2000: ...Baby One More Time and Oops!... I Did It Again
Britney Spears on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1999.

"...Baby One More Time" (1999)
Play sound
Britney Spears's first major hit single worldwide.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Spears released her debut single, "...Baby One More Time", in October 1998 which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1999 and topped the chart for two weeks.[13][14] Gillian G. Gaar, author of She's a Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll (2002), documented that "eyebrows were raised over the schoolgirl-in-heat persona Spears projected in her [music video for ...Baby One More Time], along with an increasingly revealing series of stage outfits".[15] Spears's debut album ...Baby One More Time peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 in January 1999.[16] Rolling Stone magazine, in a review of the album, wrote: "While several Cherion-crafted kiddie-funk jams serve up beefy hooks, shameless schlock slowies, like [']E-Mail My Heart,['] are pure spam".[17] NME commented "[Spears's debut album and its title-track] are the kind of soullessness that saturates Stateside charts and consists of nothing but over-chewed bubblegum beats and saccharine sensibilities".[18] In contrast, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic wrote: "Like many teen pop albums, ...Baby One More Time has its share of well-crafted filler, but the singles, combined with Britney's burgeoning charisma, make this a pretty great piece of fluff".[19] ...Baby One More Time was later certified fourteen times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, denoting fourteen million units shipped within the United States.[20] Spears posed for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in April 1999, shot by photographer David LaChapelle.[21] Geoff Boucher of The Los Angeles Times reported, "there was no mistaking the titillation factor in the recent Spears cover story and accompanying photos in the April 15 issue of Rolling Stone, which sent eyebrows arching throughout the music industry, where several executives half-jokingly called it "child pornography".[22] Gillian G. Gaar reported, "The American Family Association charged that the pictures, which showed Spears in push-up bras and a minuscule pair of shorts with 'Baby' in rhinestones on the bottom, presented a 'disturbing mix of childhood innocence and adult sexuality' and asked that all 'God-loving Americans' boycott stores carrying her albums".[15] More controversy arose when Spears declared that she would "remain a virgin until marriage".[23] This pledge has been questioned due to her apparently sexual relationship with fellow pop singer Justin Timberlake.[24][25]

In late 1999, Spears appeared on the sitcom Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and performed the song "(You Drive Me) Crazy"; this cameo was a cross-promotion for the film Drive Me Crazy, which starred Sabrina's Melissa Joan Hart and was named after the song.[26] In December 1999, she won four Billboard Music Awards, including Female Artist of the Year. A month later, she received the Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist award at the American Music Awards.[27]

Following the success of her previous album, Spears released the album Oops!... I Did It Again in May 2000. It debuted at number one in the U.S. by selling 1,319,193 units during its first week of sales, breaking the SoundScan record for the highest album sales in its debut week by any solo artist.[28] The RIAA awarded the album with a diamond certification with over 10 million copies sold in the U.S.[29][30][31] Allmusic gave it awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, saying that the album "has the same combination of sweetly sentimental ballads and endearingly gaudy dance-pop that made "...Baby One More Time."[32] Rolling Stone gave the album 3.5 stars out of 5 by noting the album as "fantastic pop cheese" and "Britney's demand for satisfaction is complex, fierce and downright scary."[33] The album's lead single "Oops!... I Did It Again" broke the record for most radio station additions in a single day, and quickly became a top ten hit in the U.S. and other countries.[34] The same year, Spears launched her first world tour, the "Oops!... I Did It Again World Tour". During the tour, she made a stop in New York for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. As part of her performance, she ripped off a black suit to reveal a provocative nude-colored and crystal-adorned outfit that generated much controversy.[35] Spears earned two Billboard Music Awards for Oops!... I Did It Again.[36]Early life, career debut, and Innosense
Spears performing in 1999.

Britney Spears was born and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana as a Southern Baptist. [6] Her parents are Lynne Irene (née Bridges), a former elementary school teacher, and Jamie Parnell Spears, a former building contractor and chef. Spears has two siblings, Bryan and Jamie Lynn. Bryan Spears is married to Jamie-Lynn's manager, Graciella Rivera.[7]

Spears was an accomplished gymnast, attending gymnastics classes until age nine and competing in state-level competitions.[8] She performed in local dance revues and sang in her local Baptist church choir. Spears entered New York City's Professional Performing Arts School when she was eight. Spears's parents would often argue, and they eventually divorced in 2002.[citation needed]

At age eight, Spears auditioned for the Disney Channel series The New Mickey Mouse Club. Although she was considered too young to join the series at the time, a producer on the show introduced her to a New York City agent.[8] Spears subsequently spent three summers at NYC's Professional Performing Arts School and also appeared in a number of off-Broadway productions. She was an understudy in the 1991 off-Broadway musical Ruthless!.[8] In 1992, she landed a spot on the popular television show Star Search. She won the first round of competition, but ultimately lost. At age eleven, Spears returned to the Disney Channel for a spot on the The New Mickey Mouse Club in Lakeland, Florida.[8] She was featured on the show from 1993 to 1994, until she was 13.[9] After the show ended, Spears returned to Kentwood and attended high school for a year.[10]

In 1997, Spears briefly joined the all-female pop group Innosense.[11] Later that same year, she recorded a solo demo and was signed by Jive Records.[8] She began a U.S. concert tour sponsored by American teen magazines, and eventually became an opening act for 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys.[12]

1998–2000: ...Baby One More Time and Oops!... I Did It Again
Britney Spears on the cover of Rolling Stone in 1999.

"...Baby One More Time" (1999)
Play sound
Britney Spears's first major hit single worldwide.
Problems listening to this file? See media help.

Spears released her debut single, "...Baby One More Time", in October 1998 which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1999 and topped the chart for two weeks.[13][14] Gillian G. Gaar, author of She's a Rebel: The History of Women in Rock & Roll (2002), documented that "eyebrows were raised over the schoolgirl-in-heat persona Spears projected in her [music video for ...Baby One More Time], along with an increasingly revealing series of stage outfits".[15] Spears's debut album ...Baby One More Time peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 in January 1999.[16] Rolling Stone magazine, in a review of the album, wrote: "While several Cherion-crafted kiddie-funk jams serve up beefy hooks, shameless schlock slowies, like [']E-Mail My Heart,['] are pure spam".[17] NME commented "[Spears's debut album and its title-track] are the kind of soullessness that saturates Stateside charts and consists of nothing but over-chewed bubblegum beats and saccharine sensibilities".[18] In contrast, Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic wrote: "Like many teen pop albums, ...Baby One More Time has its share of well-crafted filler, but the singles, combined with Britney's burgeoning charisma, make this a pretty great piece of fluff".[19] ...Baby One More Time was later certified fourteen times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, denoting fourteen million units shipped within the United States.[20] Spears posed for the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in April 1999, shot by photographer David LaChapelle.[21] Geoff Boucher of The Los Angeles Times reported, "there was no mistaking the titillation factor in the recent Spears cover story and accompanying photos in the April 15 issue of Rolling Stone, which sent eyebrows arching throughout the music industry, where several executives half-jokingly called it "child pornography".[22] Gillian G. Gaar reported, "The American Family Association charged that the pictures, which showed Spears in push-up bras and a minuscule pair of shorts with 'Baby' in rhinestones on the bottom, presented a 'disturbing mix of childhood innocence and adult sexuality' and asked that all 'God-loving Americans' boycott stores carrying her albums".[15] More controversy arose when Spears declared that she would "remain a virgin until marriage".[23] This pledge has been questioned due to her apparently sexual relationship with fellow pop singer Justin Timberlake.[24][25]

In late 1999, Spears appeared on the sitcom Sabrina, the Teenage Witch and performed the song "(You Drive Me) Crazy"; this cameo was a cross-promotion for the film Drive Me Crazy, which starred Sabrina's Melissa Joan Hart and was named after the song.[26] In December 1999, she won four Billboard Music Awards, including Female Artist of the Year. A month later, she received the Favorite Pop/Rock New Artist award at the American Music Awards.[27]

Following the success of her previous album, Spears released the album Oops!... I Did It Again in May 2000. It debuted at number one in the U.S. by selling 1,319,193 units during its first week of sales, breaking the SoundScan record for the highest album sales in its debut week by any solo artist.[28] The RIAA awarded the album with a diamond certification with over 10 million copies sold in the U.S.[29][30][31] Allmusic gave it awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, saying that the album "has the same combination of sweetly sentimental ballads and endearingly gaudy dance-pop that made "...Baby One More Time."[32] Rolling Stone gave the album 3.5 stars out of 5 by noting the album as "fantastic pop cheese" and "Britney's demand for satisfaction is complex, fierce and downright scary."[33] The album's lead single "Oops!... I Did It Again" broke the record for most radio station additions in a single day, and quickly became a top ten hit in the U.S. and other countries.[34] The same year, Spears launched her first world tour, the "Oops!... I Did It Again World Tour". During the tour, she made a stop in New York for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. As part of her performance, she ripped off a black suit to reveal a provocative nude-colored and crystal-adorned outfit that generated much controversy.[35] Spears earned two Billboard Music Awards for Oops!... I Did It Again.[36]

Cassie

Cassandra Ventura (born August 26, 1986), known by her stage name Cassie, is an American model, hip hop dancer, actress, music video actress and occasional singer. Cassie is best known for her single "Me & U", which became a hit in 2006.[1] The singer's self-titled debut album, Cassie, was released on August 8, 2006. The album spawned two singles, "Me & U" and "Long Way 2 Go", and sold 321,000 copies in the US.

Following "rocky" live performances,[2] Sean "Diddy" Combs said that he would be working with Cassie to develop her music career. Cassie's second studio album, tentatively titled Electro Love, is scheduled to be released in 2009. The album's buzz single, "Official Girl", featured rapper Lil Wayne. The album's official first single, "Must Be Love", featuring Diddy, was sent to radio in April 2009 with a digital release on April 14, 2009.2006-2007: Cassie
Cassie in 2007

After high school, she moved to New York City and continued modeling, as well attending classes at the Broadway Dance Center. Meanwhile, music producer Ryan Leslie spotted her at clubs and parties in late 2004 frequently. Shortly after a formal introduction to Ryan Leslie, Cassie became the focus of NextSelection. The two wrote a duet called "Kiss Me" and after recording the track, Next Selection made a management move to play the song for music executive Tommy Mottola. Leslie also co-wrote and produced Cassie's first single, "Me & U". Cassie was introduced to Sean "Diddy" Combs by a make-up artist from one of her modeling assignments which helped her to get a shot at a music career.

Before signing with Bad Boy, Cassie's first single, "Me & U", had already hit the airwaves and was a major hit in dance clubs. On its official release, "Me & U" proved to be a hit song.[4] It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the Billboard Pop 100. Her follow up single, "Long Way 2 Go" was far less successful, peaking at ninety-seven on the Billboard Hot 100. Cassie's debut album, Cassie, was released on August 8, 2006 and sold 321,000 copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan.[5] In contrast to her album sales, Cassie's hit single, "Me & U", sold over 1 million digital downloads.[6] To promote her album, Cassie performed on Total Request Live and 106 & Park: BET's Top 10 Live. Her performances were described as "rocky" and "less-than-stellar", but Diddy said that it was due to her inexperience.[2] He said that he would be "with her through her development", and that he has no "question on her ability [to sing]".[2] Cassie addressed the events on her MySpace page, saying that she is aware that her performances were "pretty bad", and that she was "still getting over stage fright".[2]

[edit] 2008-present: Electro Love

MTV News reported in June 2007 that contrary to rumors, Cassie had not been dropped from Bad Boy Records after only releasing two singles from her album, and would be working with producers Kanye West and Pharrell Williams on her second album.[7] Cassie's album has been confirmed to be released in early 2009 by Bad Boy Records,[8] with production work from Ryan Leslie, Swizz Beatz, CT, Bryan Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins and Kanye West.[9] The album is tentatively titled Electro Love and has so far released one single, "Official Girl", which was released digitally featuring rapper Lil Wayne on August 5, 2008 and was released to radio on September 16, 2008.[10] Cassie has said that her new album will demonstrate more "independence"; there will be a "difference in vocals, a little bit more personality. And it's definitely a sensual album." She said that she was able "to work with different people and [learn] what their habits were and what works well with me."[11]

Cassie made an appearance in Jay-Z's music video for "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is...)" from his album American Gangster, and provided background vocals.[12] She also made a cameo appearance in Kanye West's music video for "Stronger" from his album Graduation. In October 2008, after it was confirmed that girl pop group Danity Kane had lost two of its five members, Aubrey O'Day and D. Woods, Cassie was rumored to become the new member of the group. This was denied, and Cassie has stated that she is still working on her sophomore album to be released in spring or summer of 2009.[13] Cassie recently announced through her Twitter page that she had been working on her comeback single titled "Must Be Love" (featuring Diddy) which will be sent to radio in April 2009 and available to download from April 14.[dated info][14] The singer also worked with Pharell Williams during the same recording sessions. At Chalice Studios she recorded two new songs "Electro Love" and "Pretty Face" although it is unknown whether these will appear on the album or not.

[edit] Other projects

[edit] Modeling career

Cassie began modeling at the age of nineteen, represented by Wilhelmina Models. Cassie appeared in print ads for Seventeen, Delia's, Adidas and Abercrombie & Fitch, and filmed a commercial for Clean and Clear. The singer was featured on the prime billboard space in Times Square for the Target Corporation. Cassie is also a spokesmodel for the Sean John women's collection, along with Lauren London, which Diddy said would be released in July 2007.[7] She is also signed to 1/One Management in New York City.

[edit] Acting career

In February 12, 2008, Cassie made her acting debut as Sophie Donovan in the sequel to the 2006 dance film Step Up, titled Step Up 2 the Streets. The film received mixed reviews but became a box office success, grossing in $144,045,198 worldwide. Cassie also recorded "Is It You" for the soundtrack, which included a music video and released as an official single that reached 56 the top 100 on the UK Singles chart.

[edit] Personal life

In October 2006, rumors began circulating of an intimate relationship and romance between Cassie and her boss and mentor Diddy. Shortly after, photos proving the romance leaked onto the internet.[15] Both Cassie and Diddy denied this.

In April 2009, Cassie revealed that she had shaved all the hair on the right side of her head. Cassie reasoned her actions by saying, "sometimes in life you need a change... Something that displays the 'I don't give a fuck' attitude that was always present, but never showcased".[16] While the haircut received positive attention from several artists—including Estelle, Keri Hilson, Questlove and Lauren London—rapper Fabolous felt that it was "a publicity stunt/internet buzz thing", and looked "like one of the haircuts from Edward Scissorhands." Many people speculated that she wanted a new edgier look, as it worked for other artists.[17]

Keri Hilson

Keri Lynn Hilson (born 1982) is an American recording artist signed to Zone 4, Mosley Music Group and Interscope Records. She is part of a collective of writers and producers known as The Clutch. Through the early and late 2000s, Hilson wrote songs for multiple rappers and singers, including Britney Spears and Ludacris. In 2007, she guest performed on Timbaland's hits "The Way I Are" and "Scream" and began a solo singing career. Hilson has made cameos in music videos for Usher, Ne-Yo and Nelly, amongst others. Her debut album, In a Perfect World..., was released in early 2009, spawning singles "Energy", "Return the Favor", " "Turnin' Me On" and "Knock You Down".2001–2007: Songwriting and backing vocals

Hilson began songwriting in 2001 and would go on to write tracks for Britney Spears, Ciara, Usher, and Ludacris.[2] In 2004, she was featured on Xzibit's single, "Hey Now (Mean Muggin)".[3] In 2006, Hilson signed as an artist with Timbaland's label, Mosley Music Group and appeared on a track on Diddy's Press Play. Hilson was also featured on "Help", the second single from Lloyd Banks' Rotten Apple; the single peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[4]

While Hilson was working with Polow da Don in a studio, he asked her "What producer do you think could take you where you want to go as an artist?" She replied with Timbaland, who was in search of a black female solo R&B artist. After singing for Timbaland over the phone, they began recording at The Hit Factory the following weekend.[5][6] In 2007, Hilson made several appearances on Timbaland's solo effort Shock Value, including on the singles "The Way I Are" and "Scream". "The Way I Are" reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the U.S.[7] Furthermore, she was featured on the track "Lost Girls" on Zone 4-labelmate Rich Boy's debut album and its second single "Good Things" and was credited as a writer and backing vocalist on Britney Spears's album Blackout.

Hilson also played the lead role in Usher's music video for "Love in This Club", (as well as co-writing its "Pt. II" remix) appeared as one of the "independent women" in Ne-Yo's music video for "Miss Independent".[8] Later in the year, Hilson performed on Nas' debut single "Hero" from his controversial untitled album; it reached number 97 on the Hot 100 and number 82 on the R&B/Hip-Hop charts.

2008–present: In a Perfect World...

After many pushbacks, Hilson's debut solo album In a Perfect World... was released on March 24, 2009.[9] In A Perfect World... debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and number 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.[10]

The midtempo ballad "Energy" eventually became the first world single and was released as a digital download on May 27, 2008. The video premiered on July 14, 2008. It charted at number 78 on the Billboard Top 100, number 21 and 72 on R&B 100 and Pop 100 respectively. The single performed best in New Zealand where it charted at number 2 but failed to significantly chart elsewhere. The UK release never materialised.

"Return the Favor" was released officially as the second US single on October 7, 2008 and the video, premiered on October 23, 2008 but failed to chart. In the UK, Europe and Australia the single was released from April 10, 2009. "Return the Favour" became a Top 20 hit in the UK, German and Irish Singles chart and a Top 10 hit in the UK R&B Singles Chart.

"Turnin' Me On" (featuring Lil Wayne) was released as the third North American single (second in New Zealand) on November 25, 2008.[11] The single peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 2 and 28 on R&B 100 and Pop 100 respectively. It was also the first single to chart in Canada although it did only reach number 80.

"Knock You Down" (featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo) is the 4th US single from the album as confirmed by Hilson on her Official Album Countdown Video-blog.. The video was premiered on March 23, 2009 on Ne-Yo's official YouTube channel. The single has been Hilson's most successful solo offering to date as it reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop 100. On 18th May 2009, "Knock You Down" became Hilson's first number one single in the New Zealand Singles chart as lead vocalist and it is currently holding onto the top spot for the third consecutive week.[12] Elsewhere, "Knock You Down" has charted at number 12 and number 5 on the UK Singles Chart and UK R&B Singles Chart respectively based on digital sales alone.

BEYONCE

Beyonce
I AM... SASHA FIERCE

"When I started the record," says Beyoncé about her new double album I AM… SASHA FIERCE, "I knew that, artistically, I have to grow. Even though I've been very successful and very fortunate, I want to still be challenged and still be nervous and still be anxious about all the things that make my career exciting."

One of 2008's most hotly anticipated new album releases, I AM… SASHA FIERCE is Beyoncé's first new studio collection since her Grammy-winning multi-platinum-selling B'Day debuted at 1 on charts around the world shortly after its international release on September 4, 2006 (in celebration of Beyoncé's 25th birthday).

Each of the discs on Beyoncé's new double album reveals a distinctly different side of her personality, character and sensibility, a forum for the yin-and-yang of her developing artistry.

One of the discs, titled I AM…, provides Beyoncé with a musical showcase for a group of intimate heartfelt ballads while the SASHA FIERCE disc gives voice to Beyoncé's up-tempo dance-oriented other side.

"SASHA FIERCE is my alter ego," says Beyoncé, "and now she has a last name. I have someone else that takes over when it's time for me to work and when I'm on stage, this alter ego that I've created that kind of protects me and who I really am. That's why half the record, I AM…, is about who I am underneath all the makeup, underneath the lights, and underneath all the exciting star drama. And SASHA FIERCE is the fun, more sensual, more aggressive, more outspoken side and more glamorous side that comes out when I'm working and when I'm on the stage. The double album allows me to take more risks and really step out of myself, or shall I say, step more into myself, and reveal a side of me that people only know me see."

With I AM…, Beyoncé reveals a variety of musical aspects and interests that may take her fans by surprise. Citing a range of influences including "folk songs and alternative songs and acoustic guitar…stuff that's different from what I sing," Beyoncé has produced, written, recorded and performed a finely crafted selection of contemporary ballads that combine the best elements of pop and soul music while expanding the possibilities of both genres.

"You can hear with 'If I Were A Boy,' (one of the album's first singles), it's not a traditional R&B song," she offers. "It's difficult to grow and to break out and do new things because people have strong expectations. I feel like at this point, I wanted people to hear songs with stronger lyrics and songs that made you feel. I love singing ballads because I feel like the music and the emotion in the story is told so much better. It's a better connection because you can hear it and it's not all these other distractions. I really wanted people to hear my voice and hear what I had to say."

For her I AM… collection, Beyoncé collaborated with some "writers and producers that I normally hadn't worked with" including producer Toby Gad on "If I Were A Boy" and UK songwriter Amanda Ghost on "Disappear," which reminds Beyoncé "of the Beatles a tad bit," "Satellites" and "Ave Maria," in which Beyoncé re-imagines a classic aria in a new and original musical setting. "When I knew that certain things I wanted to say, I couldn't say myself, I invited other writers to come in," she says. "Lyrically, it's the best album I've ever had. If a song didn't say anything or mean anything to me, I didn't put it on the record.

According to Beyoncé, "SASHA FIERCE is kind of the opposite, she's more the other side because sometimes you don't want to think, sometimes you just want to feel good. She's the party girl, she's Bootylicious. She is but I'm not. She's my alter ego. I'm finally revealing who I am."

The lead-in track on the SASHA FIERCE disc is "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," Beyoncé's scorching anthem of personal empowerment. "That song is all about: 'I've been with you all this time, you're taking too long and now I'm looking hot and you see it and you gotta suffer because you shoulda put a ring on it,'" Beyoncé explains. "In my life, when I put on the stilettos, it's all about being confident, sometimes overly confident, and hearing all the things that women need to hear to boost themselves and go out and to move on."

"SASHA FIERCE is fun. There's an up-tempo song called 'Radio' that talks about basically my childhood. It just seems like a feel-good record but when you really listen to the lyrics, it's about me growing up. In my household, I didn't go all of the parties and I didn't do all the things that a lot of the other teenage girls did because I was so in love with my radio and my music. I was so in love with this radio and my parents were happy that I was into something positive. I try to make up-tempo records that feel good but underneath they're still saying something. SASHA FIERCE is a collection of the kinds of songs that I'm usually known for and I love just as much as the more intimate side of me."

Songs on Beyoncé's I AM… include "If I Were A Boy," "Halo," "Disappear," "Broken Hearted Girl," "Ave Maria," and "Satellites." Beyoncé's SASHA FIERCE performances include "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)," "Radio," "Diva," "Sweet Dreams," and "Video Phone."

Producers and writers collaborating with Beyoncé on I AM… SASHA FIERCE include Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Stargate, C. "Tricky" Stewart & Terius "The Dream" Nash, Rodney "DarkChild" Jerkins, Sean "The Pen" Garrett, Solange, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love and Ryan Tedder.

I AM… SASHA FIERCE is Executive Produced by Beyoncé Knowles and Mathew Knowles for Music World Productions, Inc.

In addition to the multiple artistic achievements on I AM… SASHA FIERCE, Beyoncé has recently completed work on a pair of high profile movie projects including her role as R&B legend Etta James in Darnell James' "Cadillac Records."

According to Beyoncé, becoming Etta James on-screen, "was a challenge for me emotionally because Etta had a lot of challenges in her life, things that I've never experienced. I had to really dig deep so that I could have the right performance and represent her well. One thing she taught me is her fearlessness, she was Etta all the time. She was bold and she did not try to change who she was for anyone. She was one of the queens. If it wasn't for her crossing over, she was the first African-American woman to cross over on the radio, I wouldn't have the opportunities that I have. It was the best performance I think I've done on screen. It gave me the strength and the confidence to step out of my comfort zone even more."

Katy Perry

Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson (born October 25, 1984), better known by her stage name Katy Perry, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Perry rose to fame in 2007 with her internet hit "Ur So Gay", and later scored in 2008 her breakthrough single "I Kissed a Girl".

She began with an on-and-off recording career, having been dropped three times by record labels. After signing to Capitol Music Group in 2007, she released her first mainstream album, One of the Boys. It contains the worldwide hits "I Kissed a Girl" and "Hot N Cold", both certified three-time platinum in the United States. She is known for wearing unconventional style of dress, often combining colors and vintage fashion, as well as associating outfits with fruits.At age 15, Perry's singing in church attracted the attention of rock veterans from Nashville, Tennessee, who brought her there to polish her writing skills.[13] In Nashville, Perry started recording demos and was taught by country music veterans on how to craft songs and play guitar.[5][7] Perry signed to the Christian music label Red Hill, under which she recorded her first album at age 15.[14] Using her real name, Katy Hudson, she released the self-titled Gospel-rock album in 2001.[4][13] The album was unsuccessful, however, after the label ceased.[14] She later changed her surname to Perry, which is the maiden of her mother, because "Katy Hudson" was too close to film actress Kate Hudson.[10][13] At age 17, Perry left her home for Los Angeles where she worked with Glen Ballard on an album for record label Island Def Jam. The album was due for release in 2005,[2][13][14] but Billboard magazine reported it also went nowhere.[14] Perry was dropped by Island Def Jam.[4] Some of Perry and Ballard's collaborations included "Box", "Diamonds" and "Long Shot", were posted on her official MySpace page. "Simple", one of the songs she recorded with Ballard, was released on the soundtrack to the 2005 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.[15]

Trying her luck, Perry signed to Columbia Records in 2004. However, the label was not amenable with her vision, not putting her in the "driver's seat".[14] Instead, one of Columbia's ideas was to pair Perry with the record production team The Matrix, who was working on an album, to serve as its female vocalist. Although the album was later shelved,[16] she caught the attention of the music press: Her burgeoning music career led to her being named "The Next Big Thing" in October 2004 by Blender magazine.[14][2] With no album project ongoing, Perry began recording her own. Eighty percent completed, however, Columbia decided not to finish it and dropped her off the label.[14]

While waiting to find another label, she worked in an independent A&R company called Taxi Music. In 2006, Perry is featured in the tail-end of the video to P.O.D.'s single "Goodbye for Now".[17] She made a cameo appearance on Carbon Leaf's video, "Learn to Fly", and on Gym Class Heroes' video, "Cupid's Chokehold", playing the eventual love interest of lead singer Travis McCoy. Her songs eventually captured the attention of Virgin Records CEO Jason Flom, then head of Capitol Music Group, who signed her to Capitol Music in early 2007.[14]

[edit] 2008–present: One of the Boys

Best photo Lady Gaga

Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (born March 28, 1986),[9] better known by her stage name Lady Gaga, is an American theatrical musician, performance artist and dancer. She began her career as a songwriter for established artists, including Fergie, Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears and New Kids on the Block, as well as American singer and producer Akon. After Akon recognized that Gaga also had vocal talent, he signed her to a joint deal with his own label, Kon Live Distribution, and then she started to work on her own new material for her debut album.

Gaga released her debut album The Fame in 2008, which she explained was "about how anyone can feel famous." To date, the album has spawned the international number one hit singles "Just Dance" (nominated for Best Dance Recording at the 51st Grammy Awards) and "Poker Face." Gaga has been influenced by glam rockers such as David Bowie and Queen as well as pop singers like Michael Jackson and Madonna.[2]2006-2007: Career beginnings
Lady Gaga (left) and Lady Starlight at their weekly party New York Street Revival and Trash Dance.[19]

Gaga was originally signed to Def Jam when she was 19 years old; it happened after the record executive L. A. Reid heard her singing down the hallway from his office.[20] However Gaga states Reid never met with her.[20] "I used to wait outside his office for hours, hoping he'd take meetings with me about my songs, but it never happened."[20] Reid dropped Gaga from the label after three months.[20]

She was spotted a couple of years later by the music executive Vincent Herbert and signed to Interscope in January 2008. Impressed by her ear for melody and knack for spotting a great hook, various acts have hired her as a songwriter, including Akon's Konvict label, as well as Fergie, Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears and New Kids on the Block.[14] Gaga also sparked the interest of Interscope's Chairman Jimmy Iovine in early 2007.[20] He offered her a label deal via Streamline/Interscope and partnered her with singer-songwriter Akon.[20] It was Akon, who, upon hearing her sing a reference vocal for one of his tracks, recognized that Gaga also had vocal talent.[21] Akon ultimately convinced Jimmy Iovine to sign her to a joint deal with his own label, Kon Live Distribution.[20]

Throughout 2007, Lady Gaga collaborated with the similarly named Lower East Side Rock DJ, go-go dancer and performance artist Lady Starlight, who helped Gaga create her onstage fashions.[22] The pair began playing gigs at downtown club venues like Mercury Lounge, The Bitter End, and Rockwood Music Hall,[19] with their live performance art piece, "Lady Gaga and The Starlight Revue."[23] Billed as "The Ultimate Pop Burlesque Rockshow,"[24] their act was a low-fi tribute to 1970's variety acts.[25] In August 2007, Lady Gaga and The Starlight Revue were invited to play at American music festival Lollapalooza, where they shocked audiences with their wild performance.[26] The show was critically acclaimed and their performance received rave reviews.[7][19]

Having initially focused on avant-garde, electronic dance music, Gaga found her musical niche when she began to incorporate pop melodies and the vintage glam-rock of David Bowie and Queen into the mix.[3] "Queen and David Bowie were the key for me... I didn't know what to do until I discovered Bowie and Queen," Gaga says. "When I was playing the New York rock clubs, a lot of record labels thought I was too theatrical. Then, when I auditioned for stage musicals, the producers said I was too pop."[3]

It was through her affiliation with Akon that Gaga started to work on her own new material for her debut album with producer RedOne. Already having a solid selection of electro-glam, David Bowie-esque, Queen inspired songs, Gaga wanted to mix her retro dance beats with urban melodies, a pop chorus and still retain a rock 'n' roll edge. The first song they produced was a mash-up of Mötley Crüe's hit "Girls, Girls, Girls" and AC/DC's "T.N.T."[17]

2008–present: The Fame

Lady Gaga "Just Dance" (2008)
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A 30 second sample from Gaga's debut single "Just Dance"
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By 2008, Gaga had relocated to Los Angeles, working closely with her record label to finalize her debut album The Fame.[17] "The Fame is about how anyone can feel famous," she explains. "Pop culture is art. It doesn’t make you cool to hate pop culture, so I embraced it and you hear it all over The Fame. But, it’s a sharable fame. I want to invite you all to the party. I want people to feel a part of this lifestyle."[7] For this album, Gaga also stated she "married" a lot of different genres, "from Def Leppard drums and handclaps to metal drums on urban tracks."[20] Gaga started to work with a collective called the "Haus of Gaga," who collaborate with their muse on clothing, stage sets and sounds. "In this industry, you get a lot of stylists and producers thrown at you, but this is my own creative team, modeled on Warhol's Factory. Everyone is under 26 and we do everything together."[14] The Fame received mostly positive reviews from critics, according to the music review aggregation of Metacritic, it has received an average score of seventy-one out of hundred.[27] Times Online described the album as "a fantastic mix of Bowie-esque ballads, dramatic, Queen-inspired midtempo numbers and synth-based dance tracks that poke fun at celebrity-chasing rich kids."[14] The album's lead single, "Just Dance," was released on April 8, 2008, and has reached number one in seven countries.[28] One of those countries was the United States, where "Just Dance" started to receive radio airplay in October, and hit number one in 2009, becoming Gaga's first US number-one single.[29] The second single, "Poker Face," was released on September 29, 2008, and has reached number one in nearly twenty countries, including almost all major music markets in the world. "Poker Face" became Gaga's second consecutive number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 2009.[30]

Rihanna-biography

Birth Name

Robyn Rihanna Fenty

Nickname

RiRi
Caribbean Queen
The Barbados Babe
The New Princess of Pop
Thunder Thighs
Queen Of The R&B

Height

5' 8" (1.73 m)

Mini Biography

Rihanna was born on February 20, 1988, in a county in Barbados called St. Michael. She lived the life of a normal island girl going to Combermere, a top sixth form school, similar to grammar schools in the UK. Rihanna won a beauty pageant and performed Mariah Carey's "Hero" in a school talent show. Her life changed forever when one of her friends introduced her to Evan Rodgers, a producer from New York who was in Barbados for vacation with his wife, who is a native. Rodgers arranged for her to go to New York to meet Jay-Z, CEO of Def Jam Records. He heard her sing and knew she was going to be big and for more than just one song. She was 16 when she was signed to Def Jam. Rihnanna's debut album is out now. It's called "Music of the Sun".

IMDb Mini Biography By: gopistons14@yahoo.com

Trivia

Was signed to Def Jam Records

Her musical inspirations include Alicia Keys, Beyoncé Knowles, and Mariah Carey.

Attended Combermere which is a sixth form school similar to technical school in America.

Performed Mariah Carey's "Hero" at her school's talent show.

Won a beauty pageant at her school.

Born to a black Barbadian father Ronald Fenty and a black Guyanese mother Monica Fenty.

She has two younger brothers Rorrey and Rajad.

Stated in an interview that her friend and former Island Def Jam record label artist Fefe Dobson was someone that she admired and looked up to. Having a fellow black artist writing, singing, and performing the music she truly loves.

Ranked #8 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list.

Sampled "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin' " by Michael Jackson from his " Thriller" album in her song "Please Don't Stop the Music".

Ranked #15 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2008 list.

Jennifer Lopez

Actress/singer Jennifer Lopez was born in the Bronx, NY, on July 24, 1969; after starting out in musical theater as a child, at age 16 she made her film debut in the little-seen My Little Girl, but her career then stalled until she was tapped to become one of the dancing "Fly Girls" on the television sketch comedy series In Living Color. A recurring role on the TV drama Second Chances followed before Lopez was thrust into the limelight co-starring with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson in the 19...

Jennifer was born on July 24, 1969, in the Castle Hill section of the Bronx. Her father, David, was a computer technician. Her mother, Guadalupe, taught kindergarten. Jennifer is the middle of three daughters. Her elder sister, Leslie, is a housewife who sings opera. Her younger sister, Lynda, is a DJ on New York's WKTU, a VH1 VJ, and a morning news show correspondent on New York's Channel 11. Jennifer's parents were born in Puerto Rico, but did not meet until both came to America. Her mother's parents were Europeans who settled in Puerto Rico. She says that it was her parents' work ethic that made a difference in her life. Jennifer took singing and dancing lessons from age 5. She attended 12 years of Catholic school, including an all-girl high school. She played softball and tennis in high school and was a gymnast.
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After high school, she briefly worked in a law office. During this time, she continued dance classes at night. At 18, she left home because her mother was scared by her decision to pursue show business. With casting on "In Living Color" (1990) in 1990, she moved to L.A., but initially hated it. Finally her boy friend, David Cruz, moved to be with her there and she learned to accept her new environment. Her career took off from her "Living Color" stint and reached new peaks with her portrayal of slain Latino singer Selena (1997).

Jennifer Lynn Lopez was born in the Castle Hill section of the South Bronx on July 24, 1969. The middle of three musically inclined sisters, Leslie, a homemaker and Lynda, an entertainment consultant for New York's Channel 11, Jennifer always dreamed of being a multi-tasking superstar. Jennifer's parents Guadalupe Rodriguez and David Lopez were both born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the second largest Puerto Rican city. The two were then brought to the United States in their childhoods, and eventually met while living in New York City. While Jennifer is of Puerto Rican descent her paternal grandmother's parents were Europeans who settled on the island of Puerto Rico. As a child Jennifer enjoyed a variety of musical genres, mainly Afro-Caribbean rhythms like salsa, merengue and bachata, and mainstream music like Pop, Hip hop and R&B. Although she loved music, the film industry also intrigued her. Her biggest influence was the Rita Moreno musical West Side Story (1961). At age five, Jennifer began taking singing and dancing lessons. Aside from being a budding entertainer, Jennifer was also a Catholic schoolgirl, attending eight years at an all-girls catholic high school named Holy Family, located in the Bronx, before graduating from Preston High School after a four- year stay. At school, Jennifer was an amazing athlete and participated in track and field and tennis. At age eighteen Lopez moved out of her parent's home. During this time Lopez worked at a law firm while she took dancing jobs at night. Her big break came when she was offered a job as a fly girl on Fox's hit comedy "In Living Color" (1990). After a two-year stay at "In Living Color" (1990) where actress Rosie Perez served as choreographer, Lopez than went on to dance for famed singer-actress Janet Jackson. Her first major film was Gregory Nava's My Family (1995) and her career went into over-drive when she portrayed slain Tejana singer Selena Quintanilla Perez in Selena (1997).