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20 On Top
Beyoncé wasn't the only one who reigned supreme in 2008. It was a good year for many-- for some, it was a personal best. We gathered experts in entertainment, fashion, sports, and politics to select who they thought were la crème de la crème.
RIHANNA
In 2008, the Jay-Z protégé evolved into a trendsetting femme fatale, winning a Grammy and scoring a handful of Billboard hits, including “Umbrella” and “Take a Bow,” from her multiplatinum album Good Girl Gone Bad, and the fearless “Disturbia,” from the subsequent Reloaded. Determined not be another cloying industry pop tart, the Cover Girl spokesmodel, aka Chris Brown’s honey, stepped out of the box, proving just how irreplaceable she is. —Lashieka Purvis Hunter
TYLER PERRY
2008 saw this playwright, director, and producer release and star in two box office successes, Meet the Browns and The Family That Preys, and become the first African-American ever to launch his own major TV and film studio. His television series House of Payne, which was tepidly received by some critics, now airs on both TBS and the CW. The movie mogul returns to his cross-dressing act in Madea Goes to Jail, due out in February, and will make a cameo appearance in 2009’s heavily-anticipated Star Trek film. —Lashieka Purvis Hunter
TYRA
In 2008, “the new Oprah” stayed on her grind, garnering 1.5 million viewers for The Tyra Banks Show and earning more than $23 million. The America’s Next Top Model star and executive producer launched two CW reality series: Stylista, coined as the reality TV version of The Devil Wears Prada, and Operation Fabulous. With supermodel, producer, and actress securely under her Gucci belt, Tyra also took on one more title: Emmy winner. —Lashieka Purvis Hunter
BEYONCÉ
Mrs. Carter proved once again that she’s queen of the pack. Check out our cover story, “Life in the Spotlight,” for more on her rule.
LIL WAYNE
The tats, the platinum teeth, the sagging jeans, the defiance. Where wasn’t Lil Wayne in 2008? Tha Carter III sold a million copies the first week it dropped despite a climate of declining record sales. Labeling himself as one of the best rappers (dead or alive), the New Orleans native became one of the most sought after and controversial verbal assassins of the year, appearing on just about every mix tape and single from artists such as T.I. to Gym Class Heroes. Up next? Lil Wayne dabbles with acting in Hurricane Season and C.R.E.A.M: The American Dream, and there’s talk that he and T-Pain will be dropping a joint album. —Lashieka Purvis Hunter
“Selling more than 1 million CDs in a week is nothing short of a miracle for a rapper—or an artist from any genre—in today’s music marketplace.” — Margeaux Watson
PATRICK ROBINSON
The talented Mr. Robinson did more than put Gap back on the fashion map—he completely relocated the basics-friendly retail chain, re-establishing the company’s cool factor. His edgy debut collection has been hailed by major fashion magazines, including Vogue and Glamour. Now the only question for the designer: How long will he make us wait for the next collection? —Tshinguta Lily Perry “Patrick Robinson is a perennial favorite in fashion. From helming Perry Ellis to creating his own signature line, he’s the ultimate insider. Now that he’s the creative director for one of the most important retailers in the world, he’s poised to become a household name. I think 2008 laid the foundation for Patrick to have a phenomenal 2009!” —Bevy Smith ARLENIS SOSA
When a passerby who happened to be a designer snapped Sosa’s picture and sent it to the Marilyn Agency in New York, the foundation was laid for the 19-year-old. The girl who had never been outside of her native Dominican Republic is now the newest face for cosmetics giant Lancôme. She also made her runway debut this fall for Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Carolina Herrera, Proenza Schouler, Zac Posen, Narciso Rodriguez, and Tommy Hilfiger. Not bad for someone who has been in the game for little more than a year. —Tshinguta Lily Perry
CHANEL IMAN
If 2007 was the appropriately named model’s breakout year, then 2008 established Chanel Iman as one of the world’s top models. Galliano, Jacobs, and Stella are just a few top tier designers who have demanded the Culver City, CA, native’s presence on their runways. Not to mention, she was the first black model to represent at Gucci since 2005. We didn't see her only on the runway—the 19-year-old’s face was plastered all over new and improved Gap billboards. We'll soon spot her in campaigns for Victoria Secret’s Pink label. —Tshinguta Lily Perry
JOURDAN DUNN
It’s only right that Dunn was one of the cover girls of Steven Meisel’s groundbreaking all black issue of Italian Vogue. The 18-year-old London native, who was discovered while shopping, spent the better part of the year smashing down doors wherever she strutted. The number one stunner was the first black model to walk for Prada in over 10 years and became one of the few folks of color to grace the cover of British Vogue, while courageously calling the industry on its lack of diversity. —Tshinguta Lily Perry
URSULA STEPHEN
Image consultant and hairstylist to the stars, Stephen helped to transform Rihanna from pop star to an international superstar with one haircut. Since turning heads with that infamous bob, Stephen signed with Mega Management PR and is the stylist of choice for celebs like Keyshia Cole and Michelle Williams. She is also a beauty expert for a host of fashion magazines. —Tshinguta Lily Perry
CULLEN JONES
Among the 800 swimmers at the U.S. Olympic swim trials, Cullen Jones wasn’t hard to find (as the only African-American, he was that one). Jones earned an Olympic spot and swam the third leg on the 100-meter relay team that won gold—only the second African-American to win Olympic gold in the pool. We’d like to say Jones was a natural from day one, but that would be a stretch—he was 5 when he started lessons, after nearly drowning at a water park. Sure wish Al Campanis—the former baseball executive who once said blacks can’t swim “because they don’t have the buoyancy”—was around to witness Jones’ Olympic moment. —Jerry Bembry
“There are certain victories that transcend the field, the court, or the pool, and there’s no doubt that the gold medal of swimmer Cullen Jones is one of those landmark achievements.”—Ahmad Rashad CANDACE PARKER
You’ve got to wonder: Has a basketball player—man or woman—ever had a better year than Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker? In 2008 she was the reigning NCAA Most Outstanding Player; took her college team, the Tennessee Lady Vols, to an NCAA championship; became the number one overall draft pick of the WNBA, where she was named rookie of the year and league MVP; and helped the U.S. women’s national basketball team score Olympic gold. You want to know what else we like about her? The same 6’4’’ chick who can dunk in your mug by day can stand fly by her man—she’s engaged to Sacramento King Shelden Williams—at night. Now that’s what we call a complete package. —Jerry Bembry
GLENN “DOC” RIVERS
The Boston Celtics ended the 2006–2007 season with the NBA’s second worst record—and fans demanding the head of team coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers. But one year later, and after key trades that fetched Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, Doc Rivers had transformed the Celtics into a team even the bruthas could love. Under Rivers’ guidance, the Celtics won a league-best 66 games in 2008, with a finale that was just what the Doc ordered: an NBA title, Boston’s first championship in 22 years. —Jerry Bembry
USAIN BOLT
He’s a freak: no man standing at a sculpted 6’4’’ should be that quick. In fact, if the aptly named Bolt were American, he’d likely be running pass patterns on a football field. But Bolt is from Jamaica, where track is a national obsession, and he didn’t simply win in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics—he shattered records in the 100 and 200 meters with Flo-Jo-like performances, and he was part of the 100-meter relay that set a world record. Bolt left the games with worldwide acclaim and as Jamaicans say, “respect.” —Jerry Bembry
KOBE BRYANT
The 2008 U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team was stacked: Bron, Melo, J Kidd, D Wade. But we’re going to just put it out there: if it wasn’t for Bryant, the United States wouldn’t have brought back gold for the first time since 2000. Bryant wasn’t the top scorer, or best shooter, but he was the player whose clutch performance in the finale secured the top prize. Stateside, he got his props when he was voted NBA MVP for the first time. Is Kobe like Mike? We’ll hold off on that comparison (we can’t imagine a team led by Jordan in his prime going out in the finals like the Lakers did). But he’s the closest thing to his Airness right now. —Jerry Bembry
CORY BOOKER
When the economy goes south, violent crime tends to go up in places like Newark. So the bad news from Wall Street and Washington should be giving Mayor Cory Booker headaches, given that crime and economic development have been his administration’s top priorities. But violent crime in Newark is down nearly 40 percent since he took office, and just recently, Booker helped craft a resolution to settle a battle over who was in charge among some of the highest-ranking uniforms in his police force. With the media on the lookout for the “next Barack Obama,” it seems Booker may be the heir apparent. —Keith Reed
SUSAN RICE
What if you were a doctor in charge of caring for Michael Jordan’s bad knee? Think of that as Susan Rice’s job during the Obama campaign. The former Assistant Secretary of State under President Clinton was Barack Obama’s Senior National Security Adviser—a role that essentially made her responsible for patching the only real chink in the then-candidate’s armor. Given Republicans’ strongest attacks were on Obama’s lack of foreign-policy experience, it might be difficult seeing how Rice had such a great year. But by the end of the campaign, polls that had once shown huge gaps between Obama and McCain on the foreign policy question had significantly narrowed. Clearly voters appreciated her hard work, too. —Keith Reed
DAVID PATERSON
One minute, you’re second fiddle in New York State government, playing behind a modern day Eliot Ness. A sex scandal later, Client No. 9 is cutting deals to avoid the clink, and the fate of the Empire State rests on your shoulders. Not only did David Paterson, a Harlem native and the first legally blind governor of any state, come out in front to save international insurance giant AIG at the beginning of the economic crisis, but he’s not shy on social issues either. Anyone who witnessed his speech during the 2008 NAACP convention—in which he lambasted the legacy of white supremacy and the disenfranchisement of African-Americans—would be hard pressed to find another governor who’d go there. —Keith Reed
VALERIE JARRETT
Jarrett is to Barack Obama what Karl Rove was to Bush 43 during his first campaign. Except she’s better looking, not evil, and probably won’t out CIA operatives whose spouses piss off the administration. Jarrett’s ties to the Obamas started when she hired Michelle for a job in Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s administration nearly 20 years ago. But as Senior Adviser for Obama’s campaign, she’s way more than a friend of the family. Barack’s famous speech on race in response to the Rev. Wright controversy was given on her advice. We see why people call her Barack’s other secret weapon. —Keith Reed
BARACK AND MICHELLE OBAMA
Must we explain why this ultimate power couple is having the best year of all politicos? In 2003, no one outside the Illinois legislature knew Barack Obama’s name, and even fewer knew that of his attorney/hospital administrator spouse, Michelle. Now, as President-Elect of the United States, he’s poised to occupy the chair at the apex of world political power and she will sit at his side. Together they lead a family that seems destined to become the modern-day portrait of Camelot. Best year? Try best life. —Keith Reed
“They have changed the landscape of American politics. Obama’s campaign has revolutionized the rules of the game, from raising money and setting up a ground organization, to fully realizing the American ideal that anything is possible for anyone. They are a movement, and there is no way back.”—Adaora Udoji
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