Top Songs of 2011

The time has come to do the final tally of my most played songs of 2011. To begin with, let's revisit the #1's of the previous years that I have been doing these year-end lists.
2008: So What - Pink (52 plays)
2009: Just Dance - Lady GaGa (42 plays)
2010: Raise Your Glass - Pink (57 plays)
So, let's see if any of our former #1's make an appearance in this year's top list!

This list is compiled based on the number of plays the song has earned in my iTunes library. This will eliminate any personal bias or feelings I may have when trying to rank them. It solely shows my favorites based on the amount I have jammed to it, whether on my iPod in the gym or driving in the car to simply sitting at my computer, it's all been logged. Each song has a video attached if you have the urge to check out the songs you don't know! Hopefully, you will find some new music to enjoy! Here are the results:

My Top 100 Most Played Songs of 2011

100. Honestly - Kelly Clarkson

99. We R Who We R - Ke$ha 

98. LaserLight (with David Guetta) - Jessie J 

97. Who's Laughing Now - Jessie J 

96. It Girl - Jason Derulo 

95. Till I Collapse - Eminem 

94. We Came to Smash - Dev

93. Gimme Dat - Ciara

92. Fighter - Christina Aguilera

91. You Wouldn't Know Love - Cher

90. Someone Like You - Adele

89. Turning Tables - Adele

88. Fool in Love - Rihanna

87. So What - Pink (#1 - 2008)

86. Give Me All Your Love - Madonna

85. Give - LeAnn Rimes

84. Tell Me a Lie - Kelly Clarkson

83. Who Am I Living For - Katy Perry

82. Teenage Dream - Katy Perry

81. Titanium (feat. Sia) - David Guetta

80. Repeat (feat. Jessie J) - David Guetta

79. Maybe We're Already Gone - Daughtry

(Video to be added. None found at the moment) :(

78. How I Roll - Britney Spears

77. Nothing - The Script

76. Hurts to Think - Miranda Lambert

75. Open Your Heart - Madonna

74. Hate on Me - Jill Scott

73. Lighters (feat. Bruno Mars) - Bad Meets Evil

72. Defeated - Anastacia

71. Farewell - Rihanna

70. You Da One - Rihanna

 69. Raining Men (with Nicki Minaj) - Rihanna 

68. You and I - Lady GaGa

67. Einstein - Kelly Clarkson

66. Sleazy - Ke$ha

65. Unbroken - Demi Lovato

64. Who's That Boy (feat. Dev) - Demi Lovato

63. We All Want Love - Rihanna

62. Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO

61. Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO 

60. Marry the Night - Lady GaGa

59. Dark Side - Kelly Clarkson 

58. The One That Got Away - Katy Perry

57. Monster (with Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, & Bon Iver) - Kanye West

56. Lightspeed - Dev

55. Mistake - Demi Lovato

54. Look at Me Now (with Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne) - Chris Brown

53. Y.U.Mad (with Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne) - Birdman

52. I Was Here - Beyonce

51. Best Thing I Never Had - Beyonce

50. Set Fire to the Rain - Adele 

49. A Little Bit Stronger - Sara Evans

48. I'm the Best - Nicki Minaj

47. The Fastest Girl in Town - Miranda Lambert

46. You Can't Win - Kelly Clarkson

45.Disaster - JoJo

44. In My Trunk - Dev

43.Crawling Back to You - Daughtry

42. Watch n' Learn - Rihanna 

41.Where Have You Been - Rihanna

40. Crazy Women - LeAnn Rimes

39. Let Me Down - Kelly Clarkson

38. Blow - Ke$ha

37. Firework - Katy Perry

36. Getaway - Dev

35. All Night Long (with Missy Elliott & Timbaland) - Demi Lovato

34. T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever) (with Jennifer Lopez & Mick Jagger) - will.i.am

33. Kill My Boyfriend - Natalia Kills

32. Make Me Proud (with Nicki Minaj) - Drake

 31. Rolling in the Deep - Adele 

30. Do Ya Thang - Rihanna

29. Drunk on Love - Rihanna

28. The War is Over - Kelly Clarkson

27. Over You - Miranda Lambert

26. Roman in Moscow - Nicki Minaj

25. Fly (with Rihanna) - Nicki Minaj

24. Baggage Claim - Miranda Lambert

23. Mr. Know It All - Kelly Clarkson

22. Hustle Like a Lady - Dev

21. Turn Me On (feat. Nicki Minaj) - David Guetta

20.Ours - Taylor Swift

19. Birthday Cake - Rihanna

18. Domino - Jessie J

17. Roc Me Out - Rihanna

16. Skyscraper - Demi Lovato

15. Mama's Broken Heart - Miranda Lambert

14. Super Bass - Nicki Minaj

13. Born this Way - Lady GaGa

12. You Haven't Seen the Last of Me - Cher

11. F**kin' Perfect - Pink

10. Dance (A$$) (with Nicki Minaj) - Big Sean (25 plays)

 9. Don't Be a Girl About It - Kelly Clarkson (26 plays)

8. Cockiness (Love It) - Rihanna (27 plays)

7. Raise Your Glass - Pink (#1 - 2010) (27 plays)

6. Talk that Talk (with Jay-Z) - Rihanna (29 plays)

5. Red Lipstick - Rihanna (31 plays)

4. Who You Are - Jessie J (33 plays)

3.  S&M - Rihanna (34 plays)

2. What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger) - Kelly Clarkson (36 plays)

1. We Found Love - Rihanna (62 plays)

In 2011, Rihanna takes #1 with We Found Love with an unprecedented number of plays, leaving Kelly Clarkson in the dust even at #2. The following are number 150-101, also know as the honorable mentions:

150. The Harold Song - Ke$ha

149. Cannibal - Ke$ha

148. Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.) - Katy Perry

147. Price Tag - Jessie J

146. Stand Up - Jessie J

145. Don't Want to Go Home - Jason Derulo

144. What You Want - Evanescence

143. Princess of China (with Rihanna) - Coldplay

142. F.U.S.S. - Christina Aguilera

141. Slow Down Baby - Christina Aguilera

140. I'm a Star - Chrisette Michele

139. Talkin' That - Cher Lloyd

138. If I Could Turn Back Time - Cher

137. Believe - Cher

136. Don't Keep Me Waiting - Britney Spears

135. Seal It With a Kiss - Britney Spears

134. I Wanna Go - Britney Spears

133. Dreaming - Beyonce

132. Hit the Lights - Selena Gomez & the Scene

131. Lemon Drop - Pistol Annies

130. Hell on Heels - Pistol Annies

129. Funhouse - Pink

128. Hello Cold World - Paramore

127. I Don't Wanna Stop - Ozzy Osbourne

126. Better in the Long Run (with Blake Shelton) - Miranda Lambert

125. All Kinds of Kinds - Miranda Lambert

124. Moves Like Jagger (with Christina Aguilera) - Maroon 5

123. Turn It Up - Kelly Rowland

122. Breaking Your Own Heart - Kelly Clarkson

121. Fingerprints - Katy Perry

120. Crazy Possessive - Kaci Battaglia

119. My Shadow - Jessie J

118. Do It Like a Dude - Jessie J

117. Fight for You - Jason Derulo

116. Coming Home - Gwyneth Paltrow

115. Bug A Boo - Destiny's Child

114. Soar - Christina Aguilera

113. Playa Boi - Cher Lloyd

112. Countdown - Beyonce

111. Love on Top - Beyonce

110. 1+1 - Beyonce

109. Upgrade U (with Jay-Z) - Beyonce

108. Deja Vu (with Jay-Z) - Beyonce

107. Beautiful Messed Up World - Anastacia

106. Paid My Dues - Anastacia

105. Fireball (with Nicki Minaj) - Willow

104. Uncharted - Sara Bareilles

103. Bridge of Light - Pink

102. 16 Tons - LeAnn Rimes

101. I Forgive You - Kelly Clarkson

Based on the top songs (including honorable mentions), here are the most listened to artists of the year:

1. Rihanna - 18 songs

2. Kelly Clarkson - 12 songs

3. Nicki Minaj - 11 songs

4. Beyonce & Jessie J - 8 songs

5. Miranda Lambert - 7 songs

6. Katy Perry - 6 songs

7. Pink, Demi Lovato, Dev, Christina Aguilera - 5 songs

8. Adele, Cher, Britney Spears, Ke$ha, Jay-Z, David Guetta - 4 songs

9. LeAnn Rimes, Lady GaGa, Anastacia, Jason Derulo - 3 songs

Albums with the Most Tracks on the Top Songs

1. Talk That Talk - Rihanna - 14 songs

 

2. Kelly Clarkson - Stronger - 11 songs

3. Jessie J - Who You Are - 8 songs

 

4. Four the Record - Miranda Lambert - 7 songs

 

5. Beyonce - 4 - 6 songs

6. Katy Perry - Teenage Dream - 5 songs

 

Demi Lovato - Unbroken - 5 songs

 

Ke$ha - Cannibal - 5 songs

 

7. Adele - 21 - 4 songs

 

Britney Spears - Femme Fatale - 4 songs

This concludes the year-end charts of my most played music. I hope this has given you some new tracks to listen to or revisit. Feel free to discuss in the comments!

The Top 20 Albums of 2011

The time has come sitting here on a surprisingly warm December day to go on and reveal the top 20 albums of 2011. To be fair, rather than just utilizing my own personal opinion, I did this year's list by taking the number of tracks I love off of each album and dividing them by the total number of tracks (on the deluxe edition if it had one). This results in a percentage that put them in order. I found two or three discrepancies about where certain albums landed, but the numbers do not lie.

20. LMFAO - Sorry For Party Rocking

Coming in with a 4/11 at #20 is LMFAO's Sorry for Party Rocking. While this album is a stellar leap ahead for the group over their last album, I still cannot seem to totally enjoy a lot of their music. My picks from the album were Party Rock Anthem, Sexy and I Know It, Sorry For Party Rocking, and Take It to the Hole.

Overall - 4/11 - 36.4%

19. Lady GaGa - Born This Way

It has been well known my disgust with Lady GaGa as a human. However, I do love some of her music. She landed back here at #19 simply on percentage. With the deluxe copy wielding 17 tracks, I have only gotten pleasure out of 7 of them. The six tracks being: Marry the Night, Born this Way, Judas, Hair, Bad Kids, You and I, and The Edge of Glory. The rest of the tracks were a bit off and not listener friendly. My advice to her for next album, drop the horrible artwork director, make shorter music videos, and drop the stupid antics. Go back to "The Fame" Lady GaGa because you are on a downward spiral here.

Overall - 7/17 - 41.2%

18. Natalia Kills - Perfectionist

 Early in the year, I praised Natalia Kills as the up and coming Lady GaGa. Here, at the end of the year, she shows up, ripping the wig off GaGa's head to usurp the #18 spot. The album could have been much better but the tracks that shine really do shine such as Wonderland, Acid Annie, Kill My Boyfriend, Break You Hard, and Love is a Suicide. It was a good album, slightly sad that it has not really impacted the US music market yet. Check out Kill My Boyfriend if you haven't.

Overall - 5/12 - 41.7%

17. Blake Shelton - Red River Blue

Shelton returns this year with his best album yet. I always fail to be impressed by male country artists but he is really winning me over. The tracks that grabbed ahold of me included Honey Bee, God Gave Me You, Over, I'm Sorry (with Martina McBride), and Red River Blue (with Miranda Lambert). A definite album for country fans.

Overall - 5/11 - 45.6% 

16. Kelly Rowland - Here I Am

Rowland makes her return after a several year hiatus with what appears to be her best album yet, despite horrible sales numbers and not much luck on the billboard charts. The album came in a standard, deluxe, and a recently released international edition presenting 17 tracks between the three. I was still left feeling underwhelmed. The only tracks that really grab and shook me were I'm Dat Chick, Motivation, Lay It On Me (with Big Sean), Feelin' Me Right Now, Down For Whatever, Turn It Up, Heaven & Earth, and What a Feeling.
Overall - 8/17 - 47% 
15.Daughtry - Break the Spell

For an all-male group, Daughtry breaks out of the typical. It has to be Chris Daughtry's electrifying vocals that exceed my expectations where other bands like Nickelback don't. Break the Spell contends to be Daughtry's best album. I have recently become addicted to Crawling Back to You. Also, I am loving Outta My Head, Renegade, Gone Too Soon, Maybe We're Already Gone, Louder Than Ever, Start of Something Good, and Everything But Me. Check them out!
Overall - 8/16 - 50%

14.  Avril Lavigne - Goodbye Lullaby

Four years have passed since Lavigne released The Best Damn Thing. Finally, she returns with a completely unexpected, yet amazing album. While the record has many forgettable songs, there are seven that have worked their way onto my iPod and show no signs of leaving such as What the Hell, Push, Smile, Alice, Remember When, Wish You Were Here, and Everybody Hurts.

Overall - 7/14 - 50%

13. Selena Gomez & the Scene - When the Sun Goes Down

I would be lying if I said I was NOT shocked to see Selena this high up on the countdown. This album initially disappointed me, but, as time passed, I found myself growing more and more fond of six tracks from it. The tracks include: Who Says, Bang Bang Bang, We Own the Night, Hit the Lights, Whiplash, and My Dilemma. This seems to have been the year where the Disney and Nickelodeon stars broke out of their "childish" shells and started making "real" music.
Overall - 6/11 - 54.5%

12. Jennifer Lopez - LOVE?

I was saddened to see Jennifer Lopez's best album to date fall this far back on  the chart. It was the deluxe tracks that doomed her. This has been an incredible year for J Lo despite the poor sales of the album itself. With only 245,000, it seems to be setting sail in the same bind that Bionic did for Xtina. The songs you cannot afford to miss off this album are: On the Floor (with Pitbull), Good Hit, I'm into You (with Lil Wayne), (What is) Love?, Papi, Until It Beats No More, Invading My Mind, Starting Over, Hypnotico, and Charge Me Up. The only negative thing I have to say about J Lo is that her Peugot product placement is getting pretty pathetic.
Overall - 10/16 - 62.5%

11. Leann Rimes - Lady & Gentlemen

At first look, I let out a major sigh and was like, "Really right now? ANOTHER Leann Rimes cover album?" However, once it released and I listened to it, I was instantly hooked. The album could have done without her cover of her other cover of Blue. The majority of the album kills it though. I am not going to list every track I'm in love with but there are 9. Ones to be certain not to miss are the original songs Give and Crazy Women, as well as the covers such as 16 Tons and He Stopped Loving Her Today.
Overall - 9/14 - 64.3%

10. Jessie J - Who You Are

I was sad to see this album that has changed my life so drastically in the past year fall victim to its tough competition that makes up the top 10. I actually hated this entire album except one track when it first released. Looking back, I have no clue how. I am madly in love with Who You Are, Domino, My Shadow, LaserLight, Price Tag, Stand Up, Do It Like a Dude, Who's Laughing Now, Nobody's Perfect, and Big White Room. Jessie J is going to be big. This album may be hard to top though!
Overall - 11/16 - 68.8%

9. Demi Lovato - Unbroken

I had never paid Demi a second of attention previous to this album. I did not even have a clue what she had gone into rehab for. I took the chance to give her the time of day when Skyscraper was released on iTunes and I was blown away! The song became one of my anthems instantly. Then, the album released and FLOORED me. Tracks not to be missed include: Mistake, Unbroken, Give Your Heart a Break, My Love is Like a Star, All Night Long (with Missy Elliott and Timbaland), Who's That Boy (with Dev), Hold Up, Fix a Heart, and Together (with Jason Derulo).
Overall - 10/14 - 71.4%

8. Dev - The Night the Sun Came Up

Does this one count since it hasn't seen a US release, been pushed back twice and won't be here until at least March if ever? If you said yes, okay, here it goes. (Sorry, the delays have made me bitter!) This album stunned me. I have been in love with Dev since Booty Bounce (which I was sad did not make the album, at least at this point). In the Dark had me chanting "I've got a sex drive that's pushed to start" subconsciously for weeks. Once the entire album leaked, it was on repeat for weeks as well. Songs not to be missed include: Getaway, In My Trunk, Me, Take Her from You, Lightspeed, Perfect Match, and Bass Down Low.
Overall - 8/12 - 75%

7. Britney Spears - Femme Fatale

This album was another that I instantly deemed a flop when it leaked. I originally only kept 5 tracks and deleted the rest. Over the year, mostly summer, it grew on me. I can now safely say that this is a pretty decent album as Brit's albums go. I just wish she would have washed her hair before taking the cover picture! Anywhooo, the songs not to be missed are: Till the World Ends, Hold It Against Me, Inside Out, I Wanna Go, Seal It With a Kiss, Up n' Down, Don't Keep Me Waiting, Selfish, How I Roll, (Drop Dead) Beautiful, Trouble for Me, and He About to Lose Me.
Overall - 12/16 - 75%

6. David Guetta - Nothing But the Beat

This time last year, I would have told you that David Guetta is just another ugly French DJ. I never in a million years could have imagined the smash record he was working on! Nothing But the Beat leaked and I haven't stopped listening since. Not going to lie, I was pretty much hooked since the original leak of Where Them Girls At? (with Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj). Other tracks not to miss are: Turn Me On (with Nicki Minaj), Sweat (with Snoop Dogg), Titanium (with Sia), Without You (with Usher), I Can Only Imagine (with Chris Brown & Lil Wayne), I Just Wanna F. (with Timbaland & Dev), Repeat (with Jessie J), Night of Your Life (with Jennifer Hudson), and Little Bad Girl (with Ludacris & Taio Cruz). I don't even think Guetta was prepared for how much this album took off in the US.

Overall - 10/14 - 76.9%

5. Miranda Lambert - Four the Record

I have been a Miranda Lambert fan since day one, but nothing could have prepared me for such an honest, emotional, and beautiful record from her. Granted, I could have used more of her typical style but this album amazed me. Baggage Claim got me pumped for it well in advance and I think the wait paid off. Tracks not to miss include: Over You, Fastest Girl in Town, Safe, All Kinds of Kinds, Hurts to Think, Oklahoma Sky, Easy Living, Better in the Long Run (with Blake Shelton), Mama's Broken Heart, Nobody's Fool, and Dear Diamond.
Overall - 12/15 - 80%

4. Kelly Clarkson - Stronger

Kelly Clarkson  never disappoints. I have been working to be a stronger person in life and this album dropped and was a total inspiration. It had a couple mediocre tracks that dropped it back to #4 but still is an entire album that you cannot afford to miss. Mr. Know It All was picked as the lead single because Let Me Down leaked way too early. Both are amazing songs, but I was hooked from the leak of Let Me Down. I pray the released of What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger) as a single brings this album the success it deserves. I have spent many hours of my life since the leak belt these tracks in my car. I remember running to the mailbox to get my copy the day it finally dropped. Tracks not to be missed include: The War is Over, What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger), Mr. Know It All, You Love Me, Let Me Down, The Sun Will Rise, Don't Be a Girl About It, I Forgive You, Honestly, Dark Side, Breaking Your Own Heart, You Can't Win, Standing In Front of You, Don't You Want to Stay (with Jason Aldean), and Einstein.
Overall - 15/18 - 83.3%

3. Beyonce - 4

It has been a big year for Bey. This album was by far her best and extremely underrated. It exceeds in album sales where other artists have been only selling singles. While it has yet to produce a smash single, the album has gone platinum! Best Thing I Never Had has been my anthem and a dedication to those who had their chance and blew it. Tracks not to be missed are: 1+1, I Care, I Miss You, Best Thing I Never Had, Party (with Andre 3000), Rather Die Young, Start Over, Love on Top, Countdown, I Was Here, Run the World (Girls), Lay Up Under Me, Schoolin' Life, and Dreaming (only available on the Japanese edition, sadly since it's one of the absolute best songs on the album.)
Overall - 15/17 - 87.5%

2. Adele - 21

This difficult decision will probably land me the most scorn of them all. I blame it on the numbers. I honestly expected her to take the cake (and eat it too)! This album is flawless. Every song is Grammy worthy and she sells like hot dogs at fat camp. 2 smash #1 singles and one at to Set Fire to #1 soon. She's unstoppable and it is completely understandable. The only song I did not care for on this album was Lovesong. I did not like The Cure's version and her's did not change my mind. That is what knocked her down.

Overall - 11/12 - 91.6%

1. Rihanna - Talk That Talk

This will be a controversial decision, but either way I decided to rank them whether it be plays on iTunes or by the percentage of tracks I love, this album was number one with a bullet. That Rihanna reign just won't let up. This decision is not because I love her. If this was based on personal opinion, I would have landed this at #2 and Adele at #1 (sorry, Rih!) but she has captured the #1 album of 2011 with the only song I don't care for (and listen to on a daily basis) being You Da One, which sadly was the second single. I'm not sure what she was thinking on that one but it's flopping. The rest of the album is not to be missed! Congrats to Rihanna on the biggest #1 single of the year on Billboard with We Found Love as well!
Overall - 13/14 - 92.8%

MTV VMAs Winners and Performance Reviews

This year's VMAs had quite a few shocks, poor performances, and disappointments. However, they also provided some killer performances, surprises, and some long deserved awards. To begin this review with, let's discuss the awards and how my predictions matched up.

Award Results:

The first award of the night to be given away, sadly during the pre-show and not even during the actual show, was Best Video with a Message. The award as I predicted went to Lady GaGa for Born this Way, despite my opinion being that Born this Way was the worst option of them all. I am utterly disgusted about this. This was the category I was looking forward to most and was disappointed as I predicted.

The second award to be presented in the event was Best Pop Video. Shockingly, the award went to Britney Spears' Till the World Ends. My prediction was that Adele would take the cake even though I would have picked Katy Perry's Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.). I still think someone paid someone off to get Britney that award. That or the fanbase that still thinks she's talented even though she hasn't sung live since like 2003.

Next, Best Rock Video was presented and the award went to my pick during the predictions which was Walk by the Foo Fighters. Shockingly, Foster the People did not pick up any awards. So much for that number one single on iTunes. Guess it didn't matter!

Best Hip-Hop Video blew me away when it was presented to Nicki Minaj's Super Bass. In the predictions, I referred to her as the underdog being the only female in this category. Bet Lil Kim is off fashioning an angry mix tape that will repeatedly cut her down as well as MTV. She'll toss it together in a week's time and sell it through PayPal...and then act like her career is still relevant. GO NICKI! Lil Wayne was my prediction and even though he was trumped by his protege, he was still an awesome sport about it and was incredibly happy for her.

Best Collaboration went to Katy Perry and Kayne West for E.T. as predicted. Katy Perry had me cracking up when she was like "This is the part where you interrupt me, Kayne." I thought it was scripted at first but the look on his face and the way he ignored it told me otherwise. I love me some Katy Perry.

Best Male Video as usual went to Justin Bieber for his song U Smile. I obviously was not in my right mind when I was predicting this category. I should have known the Biebs would suck this one up being that it was fan voted and he has a swarm of insane, almost possessed prepubescent teens on his side. Cee Lo Green as my prediction? I must have had temporary insanity!

Best New Astist went to Tyler, the Creator. Now all together...WHO THE HELL IS TYLER, THE CREATOR? I have to suggest that this category was rigged....or Wiz Khalifa's fanbase was just too stoned to vote for the right guy, saw a black dude and voted there.

Best Female Video went to Lady Gaga for Born this Way. Big shocker, I know, right. Once again, I was horribly disappointed. But, what can you do when the little monsters flock to the polls. I think it's funny that Gaga won this award, yet Katy Perry won Video of the Year. Adele has gotten beaten out to every award at this show. Granted, Rolling in the Deep wasn't a terribly exciting video, but I still think vocals should have snagged her something! Anyway, I was so happy my choice took the gold home for Video of the Year and Gaga missed the nomination all together!

Overall, I was 3 for 9. Fan voted award shows are tricky to guess! 

Performances:

Now there was a plethora of performances last night, however, I am only going to touch on the ones I felt were worth mentioning. 

Off the bat, we had Lady Gaga performing in her male alter ego. The performance was lacking in my opinion. She was crazy, but what else is new? She fell as Lady Gaga does every now and then. I just wasn't into it, I found the performance slightly creepy. However, to veer away from my usual hating on Lady Gaga, I actually enjoyed her in character after the performance, such as her crying and fist pumping after Beyonce's performance. She was more normal as a male. Kind of like she was a natural, no tranny pun intended. Her outlandish outfits found on her usual award outings met their match at the show though with Nicki Minaj's wardrobe malfunction from Hell, the malfunction being that it left her closet.

While not being a performance, one of my favorite moments in the show was the dialogue between Rick Ross and Paul Rudd. I searched desperately for it on YouTube but couldn't find it. So, I will quote my favorite part here that came when they were discussing how they get mixed up for each other occasionally.

Paul: I don't see how, I'm not an enormous black man.

Rick: Yeah, and I'm not stupid.

After the hilarious exchanges between the aforementioned duo, Pitbull came out and performed the same typical performance. I'm so over Pitbull and his product placement. You could make a drinking game out of how many times he says Kodak in Give Me Everything. Pitbull had me cracking up in the pre-show with leaving tickets at the door for Lindsay Lohan, basically taunting her after she attempted to sue for the line "I got it locked up like Lindsay Lohan." Hysterical! How do you like them apples, Lindsay?

Adele gave one of the top vocal performances of the night. Who else can stand at a microphone and sing a heart wrenching slow song such as Someone Like You and simply keep everyone's attention with her vocal power? My only complaint is that I swear Adele has he same dress for every performance. Honey, you're rich! Splurge! And let the beehive die with Amy Winehouse (whose memorial thing annoyed me. Too long, in fact, was almost longer than her career). Also, I enjoy how Katy Perry addressed the way MTV screwed Rihanna over with no nominations by having Cheers (Drink to That) played as Perry came out to introduce the gorgeous woman named Adele. By the way, if I hear one more Adele is Fat joke, regardless of how funny it is, I'm going to scream! She looks great the way she is. Get up off her!

After Adele came Chris Brown with his stupid dance show during which he lip-synced. Like everyone who knows anything about pop culture knows Chris Brown can dance. The whole thing was a bunch of overkill that bored me to death. 

Lady Gaga's presenting the Vanguard award to Britney as "Lamnia," her male alter ego, struck me as a bit insulting. Luckily, Brit didn't take it that way. I would have been mad if it was my tribute. The little kids did an awesome job with their performance but still, who wants to be honored with a megamix choreographed with elementary kids dancing. At least, Britney laughed the whole thing off

I saved the best performance for last and that would be Beyonce's terrific rendition of Love on Top. After announcing her pregnancy, she took to the stage and blew the entire crowd away. The best way to adequately describe the performance is to say watch it! I love Bey's retro outfit and, man, do her vocals blow you away. She never lip-syncs and that is how true talent rolls. This single performance just showed up Britney Spears' entire career. Wait, there was a tribute in this show like four minutes ago? I don't recall! I crack myself up. I wasn't a huge fan of the belly rub at the end but everyone else seems to be. My favorite moment is when the camera cuts to Adele and she is jamming along until she realizes the camera is on her and then she froze like a stone. If you missed it, watch the video below!

P.s. sorry that wasn't the greatest quality. You can find the good one at: http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/684908/love-on-top-live.jhtml

Below you can find some tweets that occurred during the show that I found amusing:

@MartianFatale: "Christina Aguilera was invited to this years ceremony, but she probably won't be done with the pre-show buffet in time." 

@MartianFatale: "I'm not gonna watch Lady Gaga. I'm gonna listen from the kitchen. I don't want the Lamnia to crawl out of tv and drag me to hell."

@MartianFatale: "DEAD @ Pitbull leaving tickets for Lindsay at will call! I am SCREAMING."

@MartianFatale: "I'm so glad Britney's label bought that award! I didn't want her to go home empty handed!"

@BettyFckinWhite: "Why did they remove that guy who was just walking on stage? He was gonna let Kanye finish, he just wanted to say something. #vma"

@PerezHilton: "Beyonce would never lipsynch! And bitch would sing her face off! AND fly! And do it all in heels! #Respect"

@BettyFckinWhite: "I want to be the first to announce Beyonce is full. She had a large dinner and then rubbed her belly. #vmas"

@elprofe316: "Prayers go out to Katy Perry, who spent most of last nights #VMAs with a giant lego block lodged in her skull."

@crazedmonster: "did #tylerthecreator know that he was going to the #VMAs and not the homeless shelter? #fail"

@ImMatt_WhoRYou: "Recap of the #VMAS #LadyGaga came as a man, #NickiMinaj came as Lady Gaga & Jay-z came in #Beyonce"

@Jasonkinney: "Does Beyonce take a wind machine everywhere she goes or does she summon the natural elements like Halle Berry in X-Men? #VMAs"

Hope you all enjoyed the show!

MTV VMAs 2011 Predictions for Fan Voted Categories

As we all know by now, the Video Music Awards will be airing tomorrow evening on MTV. So, what better time than now to cast some predictions as to who will win. If the show goes anything like last year (which I pray it won't), I could just scream LADY GAGA right now and call it a day. That woman is an award show vacuum cleaner. If there is a trophy in sight, she generally sucks it right up. It annoys me. MTV is already on my bad list with this year's show by totally throwing some shade at Rihanna. Zero nominations? With videos out in the past year such as Only Girl (in the World), S&M, and California King Bed? Shady! Anyways, below are the nominated artists and song (or videos) and my predictions as to who will win as well as who I would have picked!

Best New Artist:
Big Sean feat. Chris Brown - My Last
Foster the Kids - Pumped Up Kicks
Kreayshawn - Gucci Gucci
Tyler, the Creator - Yonkers
Wiz Khalifa - Black and Yellow

Predicted Winner: Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
I don't know why this song is so popular. It sounds like a bunch of mumbling in the verses. I had to look up the lyrics to see what they were saying and then I STILL couldn't make it out in the song. I will admit the chorus is quite catchy though. I catch myself singing it in my head every other day. It will inevitably win simply because of it's overwhelming and confusing popularity.
My Choice: Wiz Khalifa - Black and Yellow
It's really the only song out of the options I care for. I really feel like they could have found better options for this category...

Best Pop Video:
Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Britney Spears - Till the World Ends
Bruno Mars - Grenade
Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Pitbull - Give Me Everything

Predicted Winner: Adele - Rolling in the Deep
The song has been the longest running #1 on the Billboard charts this year and will undoubtedly take this one unless Brit manages to weasel the award even though Till the World Ends was my least favorite video of hers this year. Adele pulled a lot of nominations for this video, but really the video was not overly fantastic. The song is good, however. Mind you, it nearly knocked me off my feet that I didn't see Lady Gaga's name in here.
My Choice: Katy Perry - Last Friday Night
Despite being exceptionally long (and pulling a Gaga!), I would pick this video out of the options given. I'm really shocked Pink's Raise Your Glass wasn't nominated here. Back on topic, Katy pulls out internet "sensation" Rebecca Black for this video and makes her look pretty! That alone took a great deal of work. Then, she develops the character of Katy Beth Terry who is undoubtedly a parody of Beyonce's alter ego Sasha Fierce, in the sense that Sasha was incredibly sexual and beautiful....and Kathy Beth is a huge nerd. I just loved it!

Best Rock Video:
Cage the Elephant - Shake Me Down
Foo Fighters - Walk
Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
Mumford & Sons - The Cave
The Black Keys - Howlin' for You

Predicted Winner: Foster the People - Pumped Up Kicks
Once again, I get the feeling this will win.
My Choice: Foo Fighters - Walk
First off, this is the only video I would consider rock! The rest are like folk music or alternative at the very least. But, anyway, the Foo Fighters are the best of the options offered....where is Rise Against's Make It Stop...that's my pick!

Best Hip-Hop Video
Chris Brown feat. Busta Rhymes & Lil Wayne - Look at Me Now
Kayne West feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi - All of the Lights
Lil Wayne - 6 Foot, 7 Foot
Lupe Fiasco - The Show Goes On
Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

Predicted Winner: Lil Wayne - 6 Foot, 7 Foot
And I pray that I'm wrong! I loathe Lil Wayne unless he is featured in a song. This is seriously the hardest one to call at this point. I just took a shot in the dark, it's really up for grabs, though I think Nicki and Lupe probably have the smallest chance.
My Choice: Kanye West - All of the Lights
The editing in this video is superb! I had a terrible time making this decision because I love all of these songs except Lil Wayne's. Finally, MTV used some sense in their nominations. I would love to see Nicki take this award because she's the underdog but based on the actual video, I pick Kanye. I would jump out of my seat and cheer if it went to The Show Goes On! It's all up in the air.

Best Female Video
Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Beyonce - Run the World (Girls)
Katy Perry - Firework
Lady Gaga - Born this Way
Nicki Minaj - Super Bass

Predicted Winner: Born This Way - Lady Gaga
In keeping with tradition of the VMAs, I have to say Lady Gaga even though the video was horrible. It actually managed to ruin this song for me. I'd say she deserved this award if they had picked Judas but no, they picked her worst video to date. Even Alejandro was better than this cinematic nightmare. It could as easily fall into Adele's hands as well.
My Choice: Katy Perry - Firework
The video is touching and actually made me tear up a little the first time I watched it. It'd be nice to see something with a good meaning take this award. Firework excels where Born this Way couldn't, both in meaning and in the video. I would much rather see Katy's bra launching fireworks than watch Lady Gaga give birth...to whatever she gave birth to.

Best Male Video:
Grenade - Bruno Mars
Cee Lo Green - F*** You
Eminem feat. Rihanna - Love the Way You Lie
Justin Bieber - U Smile
Kayne West - All of the Lights

Predicted Winner: Cee Lo Green - F*** You
This song was a smash and I have yet to fully grasp why. I don't know for certain though. Kanye or Eminem could easily take the cake...and even possibly U Smile just because it's Justin Bieber and all his fans may have hyperventilated and voted for him religiously.
My Choice: Eminem feat. Rihanna - Love the Way You Lie
Not only did I pick it because Rihanna shows up in the Best Male Video category, but I think it's the best video, though Kayne is a close second. But, who can resist Rihanna's sexy outfit and red hair in this video. Let's face it, Em. Rihanna won you this award in my book!


Best Collaboration
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes - Look at Me Now
Kayne West feat. Rihanna & Kid Cudi - All of the Lights
Katy Perry feat. Kanye West - E.T.
Nicki Minaj feat. Drake - Moment 4 Life
Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo - Give Me Everything
Predicted Winner: Katy Perry feat. Kayne West - E.T.
Granted, Kayne was only added to the single version of this track to make it sell since the original version leaked months before Teenage Dream even dropped. However, I think it's a good collaboration and the video is very Avatarish and people eat that up.
My Choice: Katy Perry feat. Kayne West - E.T.
Refer to above paragraph. For once, I think the predicted will match my pick.

Video of the Year
Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Beastie Boys - Make Some Noise
Bruno Mars - Grenade
Katy Perry - Firework
Tyler, the Creator - Yonkers

Predicted Winner: Adele - Rolling in the Deep
Once again, very few good nominees in my book....where is Rihanna's S&M? Anyway, Adele will take it, no doubt in my mind.
My Choice: Katy Perry - Firework
My choice is S&M....oh wait! Okay, I will go with Firework for all the reasons listed last time I picked it! By the way, where the hell did the Beastie Boys come from with that nom? and I'm not even gonna touch whoever the hell Tyler, the Creator is! Duh, it's to help Adele win.

Best Video with a Message:
Eminem feat. Rihanna - Love the Way You Lie
Katy Perry - Firework
Lady Gaga - Born this Way
Pink - F**kin' Perfect
Rise Against - Make It Stop (September's Children)

Predicted Winner: Lady Gaga - Born this Way
Gag me. I foresee this one being a slam dunk for the top tranny in the game. Oops, am I being rude? Don't get me wrong. I love the song but the video was HORRIBLE. However, her large cult of "little monsters" plagued the polls to vote for this one, I'm more than certain. It's sad really.
My Choice: Rise Against - Make It Stop (September's Children)
Not being biased, but I would honestly choose this song because it has the most special meaning. How often do you see a rock band going to bat for LGBT community? Lady Gaga has ALWAYS gone to bat for them. I think it's time recognition be given to someone else who doesn't use homosexuals as a marketing campaign. My hat is off to Rise Against, they'll always be the winner in my book. I'm being unbiased here because I'm sure everyone expected me to say Pink because of my undying love for her or pick Firework because I did earlier. Nope, my pick is Rise Against.

Check in here tomorrow during the award show and after when I'll write up an article about it (possibly not until Monday) with my insight on the performances and a tally of how many categories I properly predicted! Let me know what you guys think!