Forget the Grammys, these awards are what music is all about. In the eyes of a music critic such as myself, below are the nominees of songs, artists, and albums that have made an impact in the entertainment industry from late 2008 through 2009.

Album of the Year:

Fearless-Taylor Swift

Say Anything- Say Anything

When the World Comes Down- The All-American Rejects

Only By the Night- Kings of Leon

*Olivia’s Choice- Only By the Night by Kings of Leon. The epitome of alternative music, Only By the Night does justice with remarkable singles “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody”. The type of songs throughout the entire album provide   significant meaning, which is fairly balanced as the track list progresses. Lead       singer Caleb Followill’s unique, raspy vocals, as well as the cohesion produced by the guitars and drums easily grasps the listener’s attention. Trust me when I say that this cd is worth listening to.

Song of the Year:

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)- Beyonce

Heartless- Kanye West

21 Guns- Green Day

Good Girls Go Bad- Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester

*Olivia’s Choice- Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) by Beyonce. What started out as a single following “If I Were a Boy” ultimately turned out to be a worldwide phenomenon. This song became even bigger once the music video was released, with Beyonce’s sophisticated choreography, inspiring many memorable SNL skits and Youtube parodies. If this song can create such a significant impression on today’s modern society, then it definitely deserves to win the OMA.

Best New Artist:

Lady Gaga- The Fame

3OH!3- Want

Drake- So Far Gone

*Olivia’s Choice- Lady Gaga- The Fame. During an era of constant remakes and similar artists, a performer by the name of Lady Gaga stormed through the entertainment industry with an outrageous debut. Several radio hits, music awards, and eccentric appearances later, Gaga proves to be one of the most successful musicians of the decade, simply because of her out-of the-box image. Any person who prefers standing out rather than being like everyone else is a person to recognize. Although her ethics and behavior may be questioned, her music has definitely been a craze nowadays, which is why she deserves the OM (mum mum mum mum m) A.