Everyone I know thinks Britney Spears is just a commercialised tart.
I think this is a really unfair judgement now. Over the last year or so, Britney has got her act together and produced some much better material as well as developing physically.

At the beginning of 2001, Britney was in the papers a lot due to swearing at a concert in Brazil (big deal!!) and lots of rumours where going around about her secret relationship with N Sync member Justin Timberlake. She decided to go for the mature approach, and finally confirmed she was dating him. Around this time, Britey also made a very raunchy video for the single "Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know".

On top of all this, she'd started filming her first movie now supposedly called "Crossroads" (I'd advise her to change that title due to the awful soap sharing the same name).
Then, Britney sort of disappeared for six months (I later found out she was recording her 3rd album).

In October 2001, she shot back into the forever growing world of showbiz to present us all with an r and b style single "I'm A Slave 4 U".

An impressive return for someone who hadn't ever stepped out of the pop world before.
Her next album simply entitled "Britney" is a huge improvement from the last two.
Although most of the tracks are on solid pop ground, there is a definate new mix of hip hop in as well.

Put a side the music side of Spears, we've also seen a dramatic change in her looks and style. Two years ago, she was prancing around in girlie glowing outfits now she's into sophisticated looks.
Forget the school girl outfit, it's tight bra's now.

I can't say Britney Spears is the best singer in the world today, but she's an enormous piece of the music industry.