Lady GaGa was bored with pop music. Then she discovered her inner exhibitionist.

The 22-year-old New Yorker has been hailed as the "future of pop" for her catchy dance tunes and racy stage attire. Like Madonna before her, Lady GaGa (real name: Stefani Germanotta) is quickly becoming an icon for the gay community. Nor is she afraid to perform in her underwear. Earlier this summer, she turned heads with Just Dance, featuring Colby O'Donis (and a video cameo by Akon) and last month, she released The Fame, her debut. Singles like the mirror ball anthem Beautiful Dirty Rich and the Christina Aguilera-meets-Fergie jam Poker Face have made her a critical hit as well as an underground sensation.

A former singer-songwriter, Lady GaGa made the transition to dance-pop while performing in New York's underground club scene. The brunette-turned-platinum-blonde got her cred on risqué performances that combined heavy metal, fire and lots of skin. In 2005, Lady GaGa was signed by Def Jam, only to be dropped in less than four months. She remained upbeat and eventually scored a songwriting deal with Interscope. Last year, after penning tracks for Britney Spears and Pussycat Dolls, Lady GaGa signed with Akon's Kon Live imprint.

The Lady, whose name is inspired by the Queen song Radio Ga Ga," makes it clear she's not interested in staying an underground darling: "I know when I signed with a major label, my job [was] to write a hit pop song and play the game."

See: myspace.com/ladygaga

We fed the lyrics of 10 hit songs featuring T-Pain to wordle and like, yea, got ooh now.

The top 15 most used words and their frequency: like (88), yeah (63), got (55), ooh (47), now (41), know (39), flirt (35), way (35), fly (32), kiss (32), diss (32), girl (31), wit (31), hey (29), shawty (29)

The list of 10 hit songs featuring T-Pain:

"Bartender" ft. Akon
"I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)"
"Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" ft. Yung Berg
"Can't Believe It" ft. Lil Wayne
"Got Money" by Lil Wayne ft. T-Pain
"Shawty" by Plies ft. T-Pain
"Good Life" by Kanye West ft. T-Pain
"I'm a Flirt (Remix)" by R. Kelly ft. T-Pain and T.I.
"Cyclone" by Baby Bash ft. T-Pain
"Kiss Kiss" Chris Brown ft. T-Pain

(image via www.colbyo.com)

Colby O'Donis entered the limelight a few months back with the peppy R&B song What You Got. Standing just behind the fresh-faced, guitar-playing R&B singer is a slightly better known artist by the name of Akon. The African-American sensation not only sings on Colby's debut, he owns the label that released the track.

We asked Colby a few questions about his new album, his private life and how he hooked up with Akon.

Colby, you're now living in Los Angeles, but you're originally from New York, right? And you're Latino?

I am one hundred percent Latino. My mom is from Ponce, Puerto Rico and my pops is a Nuyorican. He was born in New York and both his parents were from Puerto Rico. I grew up with rice and beans and during the holidays, pasteles. My mom would always watch novelas and dance to salsa music. My pops was like every typical Latino father: overprotective. LOL. I got my rhythm from all the parties I went to as a kid.

How did you hook up with Akon?

I met with Akon after he heard my demo. We vibed really well and set up a lot of meetings after that.

You're bilingual, so you can reach a wider audience than most. Would you sing in a third language?

Yes, being respected by those who share your ethnic background is really cool. If I could, I would love to sing in Chinese, Japanese or Korean.

How much of you is in your upcoming album, Colby O?

I wrote 13 of the 14 songs on the album. I'm always involved in every aspect of production. I have my own professional studio in Hollywood. So from the writing, the arrangement, the melodies, the mixing to all the edits, I want it to sound like I hear it in my head.

What do you want to accomplish as an artist?

To write songs that move us to dance, that move us to romance and that move us to take action. Mainly, to write songs that move us to enjoy our lives somehow.

What are you like on and off stage?

I'm reserved, even though on the stage I burst out. Privately, I am shy and never initiate first contact. I never intrude in any one's life, just out of respect. I'm humble yet confident. I am appreciative of everything that happens 'cause I've been grinding for such a long time that now that it finally arrived I am really enjoying every step and everyone I am blessed at meeting. The love my fans show me at every show blows me away and it is so humbling to know how far some of them drive just to check me out. Thank you one and all.

You cite Justin Timberlake, Usher and Michael Jackson as artists you admire. Is there any other type of music you like or would like to try?

Yes, Spanish music. I just did a Spanish version to "What You Got" featuring Akon and I love the reaction of all the Latinos – they are so proud to see me stepping up and representing. It warms my heart to know that they really appreciate that I took the time out to get it right! LOL.