Ciara

An R&B singer out of Atlanta, Ciara hit the scene in the summer of 2004, hooking up with Lil Jon and Petey Pablo for her debut single "Goodies." Set to a synth-powered beat very similar to the one in Pablo's hit "Freek-A-Leek," the song (which she described as "Crunk&B") raced up the charts, setting the stage for her debut album of the same name. Goodies, the LP, was released in the fall of 2004. In 2006, Ciara returned with The Evolution, a more grown-up effort that bangs from the moment you press play. The singer/songwriter/producer/performer once again skyrocketed to the top, with hits like the symphonic "Like a Boy," the sultry-sweet "Can't Leaven 'Em Alone" featuring 50 Cent, and the sexy Polow Da Don-produced hit "Promise."