Yesterday we presented Part 1 of our Faces to Watch 2009 list, and today we’re finishing it off with another batch of selected few creative achievers and risk takers. Enjoy.

Wale

From his local Maryland go-go and Baltimore Club music scene to working with the likes of Mark Ronson, Travis Barker, and Lady GaGa, Wale (pronounced Wah-Lay), born Olubowale Victor Akintimehin has taken his small town glory and popularized music that was specific to his hometown D.C, all over the globe.

23 year-old Wale was born in Washington, D.C to Nigerian parents. Before entering his teens, he and his family migrated to Maryland suburbia, where his in depth exposure to the Baltimore Club scene began. Wale like many Maryland and D.C natives gravitated towards the local music, which was somewhat exclusive to that demographic area. He was heavily influenced by the music and sought out away to make it his own.

It seemed natural that Wale’s first songs would be go-go inspired tracks, which he formed in to what would become a series of mixtapes.  With lyrics like the ones featured on “Nike Boots” he paid tribute to D.C style and his surroundings, making locals proud to rock to his songs.  With that he got the attention of the B-more and D.C. club scene as he related to the urban crowd. His single “Dig Dug (Shake It)” became a rapid hit, reaching North Carolina, Maryland, and Virginian airwaves.

However, Wale is not just a go-go artist; his music goes beyond the Maryland and D.C. club and party scene.  In 2006 after teaming up with his manager Daniel Weisman Wale finally released his first non go-go influenced track, “Uptown Roamers”.  His 2007 radio released single “Good Girls” caught the attention of mega producer Mark Ronson, thus Wale joined him on his UK tour and later landed a deal with Ronson’s Allido Records.

After his European tour Wale continued to release mixtapes.  His 4^th mixtape, entitled The Mixtape About Nothing continued to increase his popularity on the underground and satellite radio scene. The talent of the budding artist attracted the attention of mainstream artists like Travis Barker and he even did a track on the Smiles mixtape for Lily Allen, which was produced by Mark Ronson. Wale’s first single (off the album) “Chillen” featuring another artist on our radar, Miss Lady GaGa.

Currently, Wale is finalizing his first album Attention to Deficit that is said to be released some time later this year and will be on tour with D.C.’s own UCB.  For upcoming tour dates and more on Wale check out his myspace page and www.walemusic.com.

Kristen Stewart

Photo Courtesy of Vanity Fair

As of late, entertainment bloggers have had their hands full with Kristen Stewart. “Is she or isn’t she dating her Twilight co-star, Robert Pattinson?” Some would rather focus on her abilities as an actor and her prospects of becoming “the next big thing” among notable talent under the age of 20. Unlike other young talent whose fame tends to mystify many, Stewart has been proving herself as “the real deal” for years, but only recently has she stepped into her much deserved spotlight. The 18-year-old actress has held her own in roles in 2002’s Panic Room and 2003’s Cold Creek Manor, but it was perhaps her role as Tracy in the Sean Penn-directed Into the Wild (2007) that really caught our attention. From there, Stewart went on to land the starring role of Bella Swan in last year’s vampire flick, Twilight.

Fans of Stewart’s won’t have to wait long to catch her on the big screen again, as she stars in director Greg Mottola’s (Superbad) latest release, Adventureland, which is slated for an April 3rd release. The actress is keeping busy with filming the much anticipated sequel to Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, giving the books’ loyal followers something new to sink their teeth into.

Kristen Wiig

Although her roles on the big screen have been pretty small, that doesn’t make her performances any less memorable. Kristen Wiig, 35, has appeared in Judd Apatow’s 2007 vehicles Knocked Up and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. (Apatow wrote and directed the former and wrote the latter.) However, we’ve come to love her as she famously plays such characters as Penelope and The Target Lady on Saturday Night Live, of which she’s been a regular cast member since 2005. The comedic actress has shown great versatility as she nails each role-no matter how different-she plays on the NBC institution. On a show like SNL, it’s easy for loyalists to quickly write off new talent, but there are likely few who ever doubted Wiig’s ability to perform and entertain. She belongs on that show, and she had quickly proven that from the start.

Wiig takes on another bit part (though, no less hilarious) in Adventureland, which will be released on April 3rd. Other upcoming projects include a part in Mike Judge’s Extract, starring Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck, and Drew Barrymore’s directorial debut Whip It!, in which Wiig plays Malice in Wonderland. Both films are scheduled for 2009 releases. Despite her film projects, Wiig continues to do what she does best every week on SNL, and one wonders, with Amy Poehler out of the picture, does that make Wiig the show’s top female cast member? As a result, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Wiig taking on more roles on Saturday nights.

Lady Gaga

Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, in Yonkers, New York, Lady GaGa has made her grand introduction to the music industry.  With a unique style and a few dance/pop hit singles Lady GaGa is definitely an artist to watch in 2009, and for years to come.

22 yeah-old GaGa was an entertainer from childhood; she taught herself to play the piano at age four and began writing music during her early teens. By the age of 20 she was enrolled in NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and began working at Interscope records as a song writer, for artists like the Pussycat Dolls.

GaGa broke out on her own in 2008 with her first single “Just Dance”.  After being dropped by her first label, Def Jam (after only 3 months), she was re-discovered by Akon and signed to his Kon Live Distribution label.  Thereafter the production of her first album “The Fame” was concluded.

“The Fame” is composed of dance, electro, and pop tracks that blend to form the uniqueness that is Lady GaGa.  With tracks like my favorite “Paper Gangster” and her latest single “Poker Face” her unforgettable hooks and creative lyrics, not to mention her there barely there attire makes Miss GaGa stand out in the entertainment world.

“Lady GaGa just has this energy and confidence about her that makes her appealing, and then when you hear her music, it’s like give me more!” Says one avid GaGa fan.  Thanks to her production team ‘Haus of GaGa’, which is responsible for her stage attire and props, GaGa has been compared to greats like Madonna, Christina Aguilera, and Gwen Stefani, nevertheless GaGa is simply Lady GaGa.

She remains true to her individuality as she was photographed in the dead of winter walking London streets rocking a leotard and skin tone tights.  After all she has admitted to preferring to go pant less, as she shows that her appearance is art just as her music, and overall persona.  She is obviously passionate, creative, and comfortable in her own skin; characteristics that make for great music and a large fan base.

With style and creatively such as hers, Lady GaGa will definitely be around for years to come.  At the ripe age of 22 she has accomplished so much and will continue to evolve before our eyes.