The Ladies of Pop Have Big Plans for '08

Jan. 9, 2008 — -- Mega pop stars Madonna, Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey are each set to release new albums in 2008.

Record sales may have been rocky the past few years, but critics think these divas are poised to dominate once again.

Newcomers Leona Lewis, Ashley Tisdale and Taylor Swift look like rising stars, and 2008 will tell whether they've got what it takes.

Madonna

Fresh off her recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Madonna is set to release a new album in early '08. "As usual Madonna is pulling out all the stops and working with everyone who's hot," said Blender magazine editor at large Lizzie Goodman.

The hotly anticipated album includes collaborations with fellow superstar artists Justin Timberlake, Timbaland and Pharrell Williams, just to name a few.

"Madonna has more life in her than most of the pop stars half her age," said Goodman.

"There have been so many rumors. … There are huge names involved," said Entertainment Weekly correspondent Leah Greenblatt.

Madonna has been "keeping everything top secret," said Goodman. But producer Timbaland dropped a bomb when he leaked the first track at the Jingle Ball in Philadelphia.

The new single, "4 Minutes to Save the World," that he produced also features Timberlake. "I heard that Justin is scared to talk about the song because he's afraid that her henchmen will come after him if he breathes a word," Goodman said jokingly. The blogs have been buzzing and biting for more ever since, including false reports that the album would be titled "Licorice."

Critics agree that in 2008 Madonna's star power will only shine. "She's not going anywhere," said Greenblatt. Expect to see more over-the-top performances, just like her latest "Confessions" tour, that offer the whole "Madonna experience."

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson's new album, "Discipline," is headed out at the end of February. She has already premiered a new video to go along with the already released track, "Feedback," which has been getting a positive response.

"Janet's new single is really cute and the album coming out is going to be major," said Danyel Smith, editor in chief of Vibe magazine. "Janet is definitely one of my top picks for 2008."

Janet likes to think of her songs as "baby-making music."

"There's been really good buzz about Janet's new album, and it's actually surprising since it has kind of been a steady down slide for her since before the Super Bowl, but this might be a return to form," Goodman said. In the three years since Jackson's famous wardrobe malfunction exposed her right breast during a halftime performance, she's been missing from the top of the charts.

According to Jackson, the sound of the new album is a definite "aphrodisiac." "I love the dance. I love the mid-tempo stuff. I love the slow songs and the baby-making songs," she told EXTRA.

Mariah Carey

"It'll be really interesting to see if she can come back. It'll be great if she does," said Greenblatt.

Mariah Carey is also expected to be reborn in '08. "I think Mariah Carey is going to have a big year," said Smith.

"She came back from the dead since [the movie] 'Glitter' … and she's pretty unstoppable when she's true to form," said Goodman.

Carey was back in the headlines in January after reportedly calling Jennifer Lopez a "pig."

This will be Carey's 11th studio album and first since the disappointing performance of her 2005 album, "The Emancipation of Mimi." Keep your eyes peeled for updates, but early summer looks likely, according to Smith.

Also this year, be sure and keep an eye out for rising stars: Leona Lewis, Ashley Tisdale and Taylor Swift.

Leona Lewis

Senior Billboard correspondent Chuck Taylor calls singer-songwriter Leona Lewis "just phenomenal," and describes her music as "very pop."

Lewis burst onto the British music scene in '06 when she won the popular TV series "The X Factor." After that, it was a whirlwind launch to stardom.

Britain's equivalent of "American Idol" is making waves across the Atlantic.

In November 2007 she launched her first album, "Spirit," which quickly became the fastest-selling debut album in the United Kingdom.

"In March they're preparing to bring her to the U.S. … I know they're going to tweak her album some for stateside release. I just hope they won't tweak it too much."

"She's an enormously talented mainstream-type singer, which I think the American market is starving for. We have the Natasha Beddingfields and we have a few scattered here and there, but America really is ripe for a really magnetic, young, talented, beautiful, mainstream pop singer," said Taylor.

Other critics aren't so sure Lewis will be a quick and easy sell to the U.S. audience. "She's got the same Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse thing that's huge in the U.K., but some stuff translates and some stuff doesn't. She won a talent contest, and for Jordan Sparks clearly that didn't go that well," said Greenblatt.

Ashley Tisdale

Teen-queen Ashley Tisdale, who made a name for herself appearing in Disney's "High School Musical," is betting 2008 could be her breakout year.

"Ashley is doing really, really well, almost like a newer Britney, but safer, not as sexual," said Greenblatt.

Tisdale took some heat this fall for getting a nose job, which she told People magazine was for medical reasons.

With a new look and rumors of a new album on the way, Tisdale is hoping to move beyond her tween following, and so far it's working. "She's navigating the transition pretty well from 'High School Musical' to a more mainstream pop star," said Greenblatt.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has taken the country music scene by storm and could be headed to the top of the pop charts in 2008. Last year the 18-year-old won the Country Music Association's Horizon Award for the best up-and-coming music act, and was also nominated for a Grammy in the best new artist category.

Swift titled her debut single, "Tim McGraw," after her favorite country singer.

"Two songs from her last album crossed over from country to pop, which is huge! And she's amazing. She writes all her own songs and on the upswing," said Greenblatt. Since being released in 2006, her self-titled debut album has gone double platinum.

Vibe magazine's Swift also says to watch out for country singer Rissi Palmer. "Let me tell you something, this is going to be her year."