Barack Obama

#10 Rihanna (Pop/Rock Singer)

2008 was monster for Rihanna. She tied Beyonce for the most #1’s in this decade. BET named her “Fashion Icon of the Year”.  Among her awards she won Billboard’s “Entertainer of the Year” and American Music Award’s “Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist” for the second year running. In addition she is currently featured on T.I.’s “Live Your Life” single, which has dominated the #1 spot on billboard’s rap chart. And as if all that was not enough the 21 year-old is dating R&B’s hottest guy in the game Chris Brown.

 #9 Candace Parker (Athlete/WNBA)

She is a beast on the basketball court. Drafted by the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks she is the first WNBA Player to dunk in consecutive games. She scored the most points in a rookie debut with 34. She is Candace Parker! Parker was the most heralded player to enter the draft in 2008 since her teammate Lisa Leslie. She not only dazzled her rookie season she soared to new heights. She set records by being taking home both WNBA’s MVP of the year and WNBA’s Rookie of the year. She was also named AP’s Woman Athlete of the Year! Basketball obviously runs in the family, her brother Anthony Parker is with NBA’s Toronto Raptors. And if her 2008 weren’t dazzling enough for Parker she quietly eloped with her fiancée Sheldon Williams of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings at the end of 2008!

 #8 Beyonce (Singer/Songwriter/Actress)

Beyonce is no stranger to success and 2008 was no different. After a break she burst onto the scene with a new album “I Am…Sasha Fierce”. The album immediately spawned two hit singles “If I Were a Boy” and “Put a Ring On It” which is currently number one on billboard’s Hot 100 chart. She also had acting roles in “Cadillac Records” and “Obsessed” the later opening this month. And if that wasn’t enough she earned a remarkable $80 million helping make her the number one Cash Couples in Entertainment along with hubby Jay-Z. Speaking of Jay-Z she finally married her Roc earlier in 2008.

#7 Lil Wayne (Rapper/Producer)

2008 was Lil Wayne’s Year. He released his “Tha Carter III” which sold 1 million copies in 1 week. A fete that hasn’t been done since 50 Cents did it in 2005. Lil Wayne was everywhere and everyone wanted Lil Wayne. If he wasn’t performing or appearing at award shows he was being featured on everyone’s singles from T.I. to T-Pain. His hit singles Lollipop, Got Money and A Million were billboard mainstays.

 #6 Jay-Z (Rapper/Mogul)

Jay has become one of the most financially successful hip-hop artist and mogul in America. He signed the biggest contract ever with Live Nation worth $150 million. He co-owns 40/40 club, The New Jersey Nets and still heads of Roca wear clothing line. He sells out concerts in 30 minutes, which is unheard of and wed the hottest girl in the game, Beyonce April of 2008. And to top things off he was the highest paid musician of 2008 bringing in over $82 million.

# 5 Michelle Obama (New First Lady/Lawyer/Wife/Mother)

She is an attorney, smart, fashion forward, a mom and wife to President-Elect Barack Obama. michelle obama will make history along side her husband when she becomes this countries first African American First Lady. She is Barack’s greatest asset and everyone predicts she will be a great First Lady. She has already done a good job raising her two daughters Malia and Sasha with Barack. Family is first and foremost. She is extremely close to her mom and her brother who is the men’s basketball coach at Oregon State University. In July of 2008, Michelle became an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. The Chicago native will soon call the White House home.

 #4 Tyler Perry (Producer/Director/Actor/Studio Head) 

Tyler Perry wasn’t content to just sit back and make plays and movies. He got into television, developing the hit show “The House of Payne” which is a cable success. So hoping to strike gold twice in 2008 he went back to television to produce the series “Meet the Browns” which will premiere in 2009. His most impressive and historic move to date though was the launch of his motion picture studios located in Atlanta! Perry became the first Black to ever open and own a movie studio and lot. Tyler Perry Studios will develop all of Tyler’s projects and rent out space for other projects. Within months of opening the studio has employed over 200 employees.

 #3 Oprah (Studio Head/Publisher/Television Host/Actresses/School Matron)

She is simply Oprah. However there is nothing simple about her. She is arguably the most influential woman in the world. When she speaks the World listens. In 2008 Oprah brought in over $385 million with the help of her “Oprah Winfrey Show”, Harpo Studios, Oxygen Channel, her magazine O, her radio program and more. She is a philanthropist and raised her game by opening a school for girls in South Africa. She is credited for being the first Black Billionaire with her net worth estimated at 2.7 billion. She is at the top of everyone’s list. 

 #2 Will Smith (Actor/Producer)

Will Smith has become the #1 movie star in America surpassing even his buddy Tom Cruise. He is box office gold and in 2008 could do no wrong. Will made box office history by becoming the 1st actor to have count them eight consecutive movies hitting the $100 million mark. No small fete by Hollywood standards. He appeals to everyone and everyone loves Will Smith. Not one to sit on his success Will founded Overbrook Entertainment a production company that produces movies, music and television programs. In 2008 alone Overbrook Entertainment released the following hits The Human Contract, Lakeview Terrace, The Secret Lives of Bees, Hancock and Seven Pounds currently in theaters. Will is not only handsome and charming he is smart. Will makes $20 million per picture and also takes home a percentage of the box office receipts on the backend. Now that is a man who knows how to work it!

 #1 Barack Obama (44th President Elect)

Not many people beat out the likes of Oprah and Will Smith on year-end polls but one man did, President-Elect Barack obama. With a simple phrase of hope he changed the course of America and brought inspiration to America and Countries abroad.  No one man brought so many people together and gave a nation a reason to hope and dream again in a country struggling through a recession and slipping in it’s international popularity.  “Yes We Can” became a theme of hope for millions and on November 3rd, 2008 “Yes We Can” became “Yes We Did”! President-Elect, Barack Obama is our Top Person of 2008 and soon our 1st ever-Black President as well as our 44th President of the United States of America!

Irish Fishback
http://www.articlesbase.com/art-and-entertainment-articles/i-weekly-entertainement-magazines-top-10-persons-of-2008-722060.html

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