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Consistency is definitely key when it comes to Shaffer Smith, aka
Ne-Yo. Whether it’s his thought-provoking songwriting capabilities, comfortable harmonies, or his effortless ability to make hit record after hit record, his success rate is one that not too many in the music industry can contend with.
Switching labels, the Arkansas-born singer/songwriter has finally jumped the
Def Jam ship and has now found a new home in the form of the legendary
Motown label. Releasing his fifth studio album
R.E.D., which is an acronym for
Realizing Every Dream, things seem to have come a long way for Ne-Yo since the disappointing commercial reception he received for 2010’s
Libra Scale.
Already with a UK number one single featured on the album - "Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself)" -
R.E.D. is an album full of promise. With lots of highs and a few lows, most of all it sees a return to the type of songwriting his fans know he’s capable of.
2012 saw life totally transform for Cameron Thomaz, aka Wiz Khalifa. A native of Pittsburg, his grapple hold on the underground rap scene not only cemented him a spot in the limelight on a national scale but globally as well. A cult hip-hop hero on the indie scene, Khalifa’s many mixtapes earned him all types of noteriety on the come up.
However his debut album Rolling Papers didn’t appear to live up to the hype, despite the multi-platinum selling single "Black & Yellow." After taking some time out, recruiting a new crew in the form of the Taylor Gang, prepping to become a father, and filming a movie with Snoop Dogg, the trees and tattoos enthusiast returns with O.N.I.F.C..
Rihanna became an aggressively focused triple threat this year. Leading lanes in both music and fashion, she also took a step in to the realm of film. And there’s no doubt that the mischievous Barbadian has definitely upped her celebrity stock with the help of a camera or two over the last 12 months. Aside from the Paris Hilton-esque ‘It Girl’ persona she’s been pushing, she’s also been flying the flag for the pop world like no other. Returning with her seventh album, much to the anticipation of her fans, there’s evidence this time around of growth and maturity within Rhi Rhi’s game. 
"Got any Sean Paul, mate?" is a request most DJs have become familiar with ever since Sean Paul smashed through the mainstream doors with an aunthentic dancehall brand of floor-fillers such as 
It's been a highly publicised turbulent year for Robyn 'Rihanna' Fenty, with her assault in February catapulting her into a strange place of sensationalised super stardom that even her mega-hit "Umbrella" didn't garner. But whilst she has been ever-present on blogs and gossip pages, she didn't utter a word on record and her silence transcended into music; we didn't hear so much as a leaked interlude until very recently.
Rihanna didn't talk until the promotional engine was in motion, leading many to regard Rated R as the aural response to her relationship with Chris Brown.