April’s Top Artists and Ringtones
Top Artists:
1. Asher Roth – A white emcee with an interest in politics and a sense of humor? Must be Eminem right? Nope. It’s Asher Roth. While often compared, the two have little in common other than skin tone and a love rap/hip hop. Growing up in the Philadelphia suburbs, Roth was more influenced by the Temptations than 2pac. It wasn’t until high school when he heard Jay Z that Asher realized his love of rap. He and his friends soon started battling each other and releasing tracks for fun. After selling 250 copies in 2 days, Roth started to realize he had a possibility to make his hip hop dream a reality. In college, Asher started to post his rhymes online and soon ended up in Atlanta to pursue hip hop full time. His “A Milli” freestyle earned him exposure and he signed with Universal Records. His debut album, Asleep in the Bread Aisle, featured the hit singles “I Love College” and “Lark on My Go-Kart”, as well as appearances by Lil’ Wayne, Busta Rhymes, Keri Hilson, Chester French, Jazze Pha, and Beanie Sigel.
2. Eminem – Some folks are demanding that Marshall Mathers give his “ghetto pass” back, after he parodied Michael Jackson. But c’mon – Eminem very well might be the most prolific and successful atirist we have living today. If you’re famous, just accept the fact that Eminem is going to make fun of you. That, or stop being famous.
3. Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em – He is among the youngest of the new generation of rap stars, and there is still some debate as to whether he will lead a new movement in rap, or will spiral into obscurity following the wild success of his first single, ‘Crank That,’ which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
4. Akon – Raised in Senegal, Africa, R&B sensation Akon rose to fame in 2004 following the release of “Locked Up” from his debut album Trouble. His second album, Konvicted, earned a Grammy Award nomination for the single “Smack That,” but the #1 hit “Don’t Matter”.
5. Lil Wayne – Having been featured on more artists’ records in the last two years than any other artist in the game, Lil Wayne’s been a lil busy. He ain’t so “lil”, though, when you consider that an MTV poll named him Hottest MC, GQ named him one of its Men of the Year, and Blender magazine named him Best Rock Star Alive.
6. Keri Hilson – Keri Hilson’s first single dropped in ’08, but she’d already been making hits for years. Oh you didn’t know? She’s been writing hits for artists like Ludacris for years, as well as appearing in videos for Ne-Yo and Nelly. Though she had made a name for herself as an arranger and background vocalist, in 2008, Hilson decided to stop creating great songs for others and start doing her own. Her popular singles included “Return the Favor” (with Timbaland), as well as “Energy” and “Turnin’ Me On” (with Lil’ Wayne), both of which charted on Billboard Top 100.
7. Yung LA
8. Rihanna – She brought her own unique musical stylings from her home country of Barbados, and she’s made good use of them here. With a string of hits and a body that would make just about anyone envious, she’s one hot item. As a side note: some idiot called her the “next Britney Spears.” We don’t think so.
9. Rick Ross
10. The-Dream – Called The Dream because he was his uncle’s hope and dream for the future, The Dream has made his family proud and more. Getting his start writing songs for B2K, Dream’s career took off with the success of Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” From there Dream started writing for Mariah Carey (“Touch My Body”), Jesse McCartney (“Leavin’”), and J. Holiday (“Bed”), among others. He also signed to Def Jam Records and started work on his debut album, Love Hate. The album was certified gold and peaked at #5 on Billbord’s Top R&B/Hip Hop albums charts. Singles included “Shawty is a 10” (featuring Fabolous), “Falsetto”, and “I Luv Your Girl.” The Dream continued using his award winning formula on his second album, Love vs Money, which featured collaborations with Lil’ Jon on “Let Me See” and Mariah Carey on “My Love.”
April Top Ringtones:
1. Asher Roth – I Love College
2. Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em – Kiss Me Thru The Phone
3. Akon – Beautiful
4. Eminem – Crack A Bottle (feat. Dr. Dre and 50 Cent)
5. Yung LA – Ain’t I (feat. Young Dro and T.I.)
6. The All-American Rejects – Gives You Hell
7. Kid Cudi – Day N Nite
8. Keri Hilson – Turnin Me On [Lil Wayne Verse]
9. The-Dream – Rockin’That Thang
10. Bobby Valentino feat. Yung Joc – Beep
