2008 BWU AWARDS WINNERS (Part 2)

BEST MALE POP SINGLE

Forever - Chris Brown
Chris Brown delivered "Forever", his best single to date in the spring, fresh off of his success with "With You". The song was surprisingly and refreshingly pop, filled with danceable beats and an infectious hook. Peaking at #2 on the US charts, "Forever" was further affirmation of Brown's staying power.

BEST FEMALE POP SINGLE

Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
Honestly, what else could it have been? "Bleeding Love" was a tour de force in the pop world this year. Written by hitmaker Ryan Tedder and Jesse McCartney, and sung by the brilliant British songbird Leona Lewis, it was impossible for it to fail. It spent four weeks at the top, and topped charts in over 30 countries. Despite it's global power, this is only the beginning of what looks to be a huge career for Leona.

BEST MALE R&B SINGLE

Miss Independent - Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo received a Grammy nomination for an album about treating women the right way, which is quite a feat considering what fills radio these days. From that album was "Miss Independent", a mid-tempo track about a woman who is completely self-sufficient. It's definitely an easy groove, and it's nice to know that at an R&B song exists that doesn't make girls look like whores and men look like jackasses. Since it was a big hit, I hope others will follow the example. 

BEST FEMALE R&B SINGLE

Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) - Beyonce

This year, Beyonce revealed a "new" side of herself; fiesty, crazy, weave-shaking Sasha Fierce. Although Sasha isn't anything really new, she delivered one of the hottest winter singles. "Single Ladies" is a sassy, energetic, thumping kiss-off to a boyfriend willing to commit. Only Beyonce can take a done-before topic and make it sound fresh. 

BEST ROCK SINGLE

Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Honestly, what else could it have been? A #1 smash, a surprising radio success, and easily their new signature track, "Viva La Vida" truly put Coldplay on the map. The song's captivating lyrics and multi-layered arrangement took the group in uncharted territory, and like true visionaries, they came through better than before, and with a few Grammy noms to boot.

BEST HIP-HOP/RAP SINGLE

Live Your Life - T.I. featuring Rihanna
How many weeks has it been on the top of the chart? That's the question many ask in regards to T.I.'s insanely huge single. The positive lyrics reflect a man evolving, despite a gun chagre ready to lock him up. The hook is memorable. It definitely doesn't hurt to have Rihanna on your track either.All of this make this song an anthem fans will be rapping for T.I as he cools his heels in the clink.

BEST DANCE SINGLE

Just Dance - Lady GaGa

I love being ahead of the times, which I definitely was regarding this artist. She was number-one on The BWU Chart months before she caught onto radio. It still confusing why, since Lady GaGa's debut was virtually perfect. It's fun, quirky, cool, easy to dance to, and surprisingly enough, GaGa is a great singer. What do you get? An ace track from pop's newest disco diva.