2010 was a year filled with hot, new things. In the next installment of my Looking Back at... 2010 post series, I take a look back at all of pop culture's biggest breakthroughs in 2010.
5. iPad - The Apple tablet had been rumored for years, but in January, it was officially unveiled to the world as the iPad. Just like they did for the MP3 player and the smartphone, Apple completely revolutionized the tablet computer market. Almost immediately after it's announcement, rival Google declared they were moving forward with an iPad killer. Now, everyone is hopping on the iPad's coattails, just like they did with the iPod and the iPhone. However, people want the real thing. Since it's April release, the iPad has sold over 8 million copies and has become a pop culture reference point. Now, everyone from celebrities to colleges are clamoring for one. And let's put it like this; when Oprah declares it her ultimate favorite thing, you know it's big.
4. Ke$ha - Most of the time, she looks like she needs a shower. Or two. But Ke$ha, the anonymous girl from Flo Rida's "Right Round", proved this year that you didn't need to be clean to have good fun. The party girl du jour landed her first five singles in the top 10 of the Billboard charts, including #1 hits "Tik Tok" and "We R Who We R". Even though the Grammys snubbed her, there is no question that Ke$ha has kept the party going for many people this year. And, as her video for "Take It Off" showed, she knows how to throw a rager.
3. Glee - It's officially, Glee is the new American Idol. The hit TV series about a small Ohio glee club has completely reshaped the pop music landscape. Whenever the talented cast performs a song on the show, both their version and the original race up to the top of the iTunes charts. Everyone from Cee Lo Green to Florence + The Machine owe their sales boosts to the show. The current season of the show saw guest appearances from Gywenth Paltrow, John Stamos, and of course, Britney Spears, who had a whole episode dedicated to her. When the show is making us laugh and sing, its dealing with very important issues of today, like bullying. Chris Colfer, who plays gay teen Kurt, is bulldozing his way to an Emmy next September. Glee has it's finger on the pulse of pop culture, and it's not letting go anytime soon.
2. The Smith kids - Seriously, though, who would've guessed? Um, smart people! Willow Smith, with the blood of Will and Jada Pinkett Snith running through their veins, Jaden and Willow Smith were destined to be a star. We just didn't think so soon. First, Jaden karate-chopped his way into the spotlight with a successful remake of the 80's classic "The Karate Kid". Then, Willow arrived with an absolute monster of a single, "Whip My Hair". Awesome and age-appropriate at the same time, "Whip My Hair" showcased more swagger than artists eight years older than her. Then there is her out-there style, which is already garnering comparisons to Gaga and Rihanna. With her debut single setting charts ablaze worldwide and his movie career in full swing, the path is officially clear for Smith kid domination.
1. Nicki Minaj - If you listened to radio last year, chances are you heard her voice. Nicki Minaj, like Drake the year before, became absolutely inescapable in 2010, thanks to her priceless features on singles from everyone to Usher to Mariah Carey. The Queens-bred rapper's rapid-fire verses and high voltage personality reinvigorated the role of the female MC. When it came to her own singles, she made sure she showed her vulnerable side, like on the excellent Top 20 hit "Your Love" and her latest record "Right Thru Me". When her own album, Pink Friday, was released in November, it shifted an impressive 375,000 copies in its first week, the highest for a female rapper ever. Definitely one of the biggest names in hip-hop at the moment, Nicki will surely be spitting enough lyrics to last through 2011 and beyond.
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