AILBHE MALONEgets down to business in the Pop Court
TRACK OF THE WEEK : Panicby War of Words. Bringing this year to an end is new lady pop duo (yes, another one) managed by Ben out of La Roux.
For fans of other Pop Corner alumni such as: Class Actress, Rosanna and Amanda Mair.
Let’s round up 2011 with the Pop Corner Honours List. It’s like a Pop Court. If the queen let everyone wear runners with their ballgowns and didn’t mind serving gin and tonics instead of champagne.
Knighted for Services to Pop:Beyoncé – What a year Beyoncé's had. While album 4 might have been a slow burner, anyone who can headline Glastonbury, make and film a video to a track such as Countdown, all while fermenting a sprog inside of them, deserves whatever kind of tiara they want. Mind you, she could probably afford a nicer one than we could ever buy her.
Sent Away on Leave:Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Rihanna – Three ladies who've worked it big-style since 2010. Time to sit this round out, you lot. Rihanna's already been hospitalised for exhaustion, Katy hasn't seen her husband for who knows how long, and if the Edge of Glory video debacle tells us anything, it's that Gaga's team need to boss her about more – and not kowtow to every artistic "vision" she has.
Prince Regent:Justin Bieber – For all we rag on the Biebz (come on, someone needs to take him down a peg or two), he's had a hell of a time in 2011. From the range of nail polishes, to the perfume, to bagging bona fide babe Selena Gomez and finally ditching the fringe, Bieber's done well. While the paternity case still lingers, he's not quite Sun King yet, but certainly a dauphin no more.
Lady in Waiting:Rochelle Saturdays – Let's give it up for Rochelle Wiseman, possibly the classiest gal in pop at the moment. Never with a bad word to say about anyone, quietly working away keeping her relationship with Marvin JLS intact, and sticking by Frankie Saturdays during her spell in rehab. Rochelle shows that a lady can still be a "big boss on the dancefloor".