2008 Rock & Roll User's Guide
Hotties
Cassie
As yet untitled, due February
What's the Deal: The ex-model had a hit in 2006 with her dead-sexy "Me & U," but some weak TV performances were met with harsh criticism on the Internet. "It hurt," Cassie admits. "But I couldn't disagree because, like, it was bad!" Now, after some Making the Band–style workouts, she promises a vocal upgrade.
Why We're Excited: Cassie's sophomore set features production from Swizz Beatz and Kanye West — following her appearance in his "Stronger" video. "Kanye hit me with the video, and I was like, ‘How about you do a track for my album, and that'll be the exchange?'"
Dream Collaboration: "I really love Lily Allen's album," she gushes. "We got drinks in L.A. once — she's hilarious and sassy. Her attitude is just like, 'Screw you. I don't give a crap.'"
More: Cassie's Blender interview video
I Nine
Heavy Weighs the King, due April 29
What's the Deal: Pop rock from four coed South Carolina kids who've been friends since junior high. "Seven Days of Lonely" is already a hit, as heard on MTV's The Hills.
Why We're Excited: The band members may be rookies, but they've got heavyweights on their side. Two songs were cowritten with Brian Howes (who's penned for Daughtry and Hinder), and Nickelback's Chad Kroeger produced two other tracks.
Behind the Music: Singer Carmen Keigans, 22, who says she's usually "the only girl in the room," is a fantasy-football fan who's comfortable being one of the dudes, and even excuses herself from a phone interview to use a gas station bathroom. "Hey, man," she says, laughing, "when you gotta go, you gotta go."
Esmée Denters
As yet untitled, due March
What's the Deal: This 19-year-old Dutch novice racked up millions of YouTube views with her impeccable covers of Ne-Yo and Alicia Keys. In June, the former flapjack waitress became the first act signed to Justin Timberlake's Tennman Records.
Why We're Excited: Denters is recording her originals with help from Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, Timbaland and, of course, J.T. "Even though Justin's my boss, it's weird when he tells me he likes one of my songs," she admits. "I still pinch myself."
What She Tubes: While everyone else peeps her videos, Esmée is watching clips of her favorite singers, like Beyoncé. Did she catch the diva's infamous stage tumble last summer? "Yeah, I saw that. I thought she was really professional — she made it look cool!"
Vanessa Hudgens
As yet untitled, due March
What's the Deal: The Disney Channel princess follows up her solo debut by working with hip-pop vets like J.R. Rotem and Sean Garrett. And heads up, Mickey: Rumor has it she'll be singing about Hollywood's darker side.
Why It's Better Than Her Last One: "I've had an insane year," says Hudgens, who spent 2007 adjusting to her exploding High School Musical fame, canoodling with costar boyfriend Zac Efron and apologizing for the nude pics of her that surfaced on the Web.
The Haters Will Say: "Who cares?" Hudgens shrugs. "I'm having such a blast. I love music!"
Katy Perry
As yet untitled, due June
What's the Deal: The free-spirited daughter of two pastors, Perry, 23, wrote her debut's wickedly funny single "Ur So Gay" about some overly sensitive exes. "Life's too short to waste tears on men who use guy liner and flat-irons," she says.
Why We're Excited: Perry specializes in breakup songs, but she promises this album is uplifting: "By the end, you'll be like, ‘OK, I'm ready to go make out!'"
Behind the Music: "Self-Inflicted" is about scars and the tales they tell. Perry's best scar story? "I went to give my sleeping dog a kiss, and I think I woke her from a bad dream. She bit my upper lip and didn't let go. You can see the fang marks if I frown."
