Frankie J

Frankie J may make shamelessly commercial bubblegum R&B with a hip-hop edge, but even if these are empty calories, the singer makes them taste really darn good. Where many artists would hang their success on the single -- in this case "That Girl" with special guest Chamillionaire -- J crafts a frothy, fun listen from start to finish. The melodramatic story-songs "Hurry Up" and "Still" will have you hanging on every word, and "If He Can't Be" breathes new life into Billy Idol's "Eyes Without A Face."