2010 was a year of change in popular music, and for better or worse, the most memorable news stories of the year reflected the rise and fall of many of music's biggest stars. Eminem's comeback returned him to the top of hip-hop, while T.I. failed to leave his legal troubles behind. Justin Bieber's music met with big success, but M.I.A.'s met with disappointment. As young starlets like Miley Cyrus and Demi Lovato had trouble growing up in the spotlight, Taylor Swift soared past expectations at the Grammys and on the Billboard 200. Check out our time capsule of 2010's biggest news stories, and tell us which ones you'll remember the most in the comments section at the bottom of the page.  (Note: all sales figures are according to Nielsen SoundScan.)

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25. Drake Fans Start A Riot

The release of his debut album should have been a triumphant moment for Drake, but the rapper faced a tough situation when his free, release-day celebration concert at New York's South Street seaport erupted into a near-riot. An estimated 25,000 fans -- more than double what organizers were expecting -- turned up to Drake's free outdoor concert, which prompted the NYPD to shut down the show before he even took the stage. Real Drizzy fans weren't surprised, though, as the rapper has been surprising everyone since his "So Far Gone" mixtape stormed the hip-hop world last year and cemented him as the artist to watch. "Thank Me Later" continued the streak, selling 447,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, for a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200. We'd like to thank you now, Drake, if that's alright.

24. Vampire Weekend, Arcade Fire Top the Charts

We christened 2010 "the year that went pop," but indie rock certainly had its shining moments over the last 12 months as well. Columbia-bred quartet Vampire Weekend kicked off the year with the No. 1 debut of its sophomore album back in January. "Contra" became only the 12th independently distributed album to top the Billboard 200 since SoundScan began helming the list in 1991. Canadian exports Arcade Fire followed suit and nabbed the No. 1 spot in August with their acclaimed third release, "The Suburbs."

23. Disney Divas Go Bad

Coming of age isn't easy for any child star, but it seems to be infinitely harder when they're under the Disney microscope. With a 2010 album titled "Can't Be Tamed," an angsty/sexy music video for the title track and yes, that instantly-infamous bong video, Cyrus' 18th year on the planet came with no shortage of controversy. She wasn't the only Disney diva who grappled with more adult issues in 2010, though. "Sonny With a Chance"/"Camp Rock" starlet Demi Lovato checked into rehab to treat an eating disorder and self-mutilation after reportedly punching a backup dancer, and just last week racy photos of the singer and actress spread across the web. Here's hoping that Cyrus and Lovato don't choose the path of one Lindsay Lohan, and that Selena Gomez stays just the way she is.