So here it is, I hear Astro rapping his way through another song, I'll give it to the lad he is very creative and his lyrics are very clever, he's obviously very talented in the world of rap.

LA Reid his mentor was commenting on the performance of Drew tonight and although he enjoyed it he made the point that she sang the same kind of song for the third week running and she needs to diversify. Does he have a point?, yes I think so and she was very good, is he hypocritical? I think so. Surely the same can apply to Astro, although rap is his thing shoudn't he be encouraged to just sing a song to show that he is more than just a rap artist.

What are your thoughts?

No. Astro may rap every week but each song has been very different. Drew on the other hand sings the same style of song every week. Or she makes it sound the same.

Drew is capable of much more but she's getting stuck in a rut.

No because he's not a singer, he is a rapper. Rappers are RECORDING ARTISTS too!

I don't think he'll win it with the likes of Josh, Marcus & Stacey in the competition but I can definitely see him getting signed up.

I like the kid, but he annoys the hell out of me, i am trying but my hatred for rap is compelling. I mute when he comes on.

No he needs to shut up. And he doesn't write any of that stuff, LA's team write it for him. He's a puppet like the others. They do EXACTLY as they're told.

You must wear a tin foil hat at home. He had his songs on YouTube before the show even started.

I agree with you.

To criticise Drew for singing song in the same style and then praising Astro when has just Rapped every week is being hypocritical.

What?? He's a rapper, that's what he does. Also, in case you missed it, JayZ, Eminem, Kanye West, have spent all their career rapping, because that's what they do. They don't sing!

L.A. Reid is like some very confused, buggy android - I don't get him at all.

Astro is as much a one-trick pony as Drew.. and I don't love Drew's vocal style much, but she's a lot more captivating to watch.

Astro isn't a one-trick pony. He may not sing, but within the context of hip-hop music (which by it's very nature is extremely adaptable), he's probably one of the most versatile artists on the show.

Something like "Jump" is just a straight forward party tune, designed to get the crowd bumping, but nothing particularly deep.

What he did with Eminem's "Lose Yourself" showed the kid can do it all. That was a deep, lyrically mature, emotionally resonant rap performance. In it's own way, as affecting as any traditionally sung ballad. The kid can make you party, make you think, or make you feel. He's really versatile in the type of rap he can do effectively (and not all rappers can do "deep" lyrical songs, as well as party anthems).

I thought he was going to be a gimmick act, but I have to eat my words. He's the real deal, and the best act on US X-Factor by a country mile. In fact, Astro may be what saves US X-Factor from simply being a less succesful clone of American Idol. Idol would never have the audacity to push a rapper as a potential winner.

Anyone who knows the genre, knows how talented this boy is. He's operating at that Jay-Z/Eminem level of lyrical talent and flow. I think he'll easily be the biggest act once the show ends, whether he wins or loses.

I feel bad for some of the singers in the competition, in the sense that's it must be hard to compete against such a unique and innovative act, within this reality singing show format. Everyone else seems so stale and old hat next to this kid.

You do realise what you said is like saying he criticised Drew for singing every week.

He actually criticised her for singing the same kind of song every week.

Astro has not rapped the same style each week.

I haven't seen much of US X Factor but I have watched Astro's performances and he is by far the most talented one IMO. LA Reid will give him a record deal no doubt. I think he's hoping he won't win so he can snatch him up himself.

I totally agree with your post except I am not a fan of child stars although this kid doesn't appear to me to be the type to go off the rails. His only fault is he knows he is amazingly talented and just a bit on the cocky side but maybe that is my Brit side coming into play!

Confused, buggy android? Pink, Justin Bieber, Rihanna Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Kanye West, Avril Lavigne, TLC, Usher, Ciara, Dido, and Outkast.

I dare say the man knows what sells, and what works, wouldn't you agree?

Also, I truly think Astro is the only US X-Factor contestant that really "wows" people within the industry. The enthusiasm I'm seeing for him from established artists and such is amazing. Eminem never lets acts on reality singing shows cover his songs, but he not only let Astro cover his song, but change the lyrics as well. Turns out that Eminem has been following the boy's progress, and was impressed enough by his talent to let him be the first person to rework his song. That's beyond amazing.

The only way this kid won't be a massive star, is if Simon Cowell is allowed to manage his career. If L.A Reid shepards Astro, he'll be an international act and I think all the big names would happily do something with him (I thought Astro was deluding himself when he said to Rihanna that they'd be collabrating one day at Judges House, but not anymore. I'd say it's pretty likely now. LA Reid sees dollar signs when he looks at Astro).

That is your Brit side coming into play. Part of being really talented is having confidence in yourself and believing in yourself and your ability. That's how you get big stars, not people who are just trying to be like everybody else. Our country's inability to celebrate confidence and call it arrogance instead, does my head in! This is how we end up with people like the TOWIE lot being considered celebrities.

I have watched all the Pop Idols, American Idols and X Factors, and Astro's performance on USA X Factor tonight was the greatest performance on a music talent show I have ever seen. And he's 14 !!

THIS!!!! A million times over! We just love to celebrate mediocrity as long as the package appears to be humble, non-threatening, modest, and is nice to animals and small children. Ridiculous.

I know what you mean which is why I commented on my Brit side but I should maybe have explained that I was rmore referring to cocky kids who are usually the ones who go down the dark road but I also did say he doesn't appear to be the sort who would go off the rails.

Bravo - well said! And I'm an old fart who has never bought a rap album. But I can appreciate the electrifying brilliance of artists like Astro - and Eminem. The "8 Mile" track is a masterpiece. The syncopation! The piano melody!

No, he shouldn't have to sing. No more than Josh should be required to sing soprano, or indeed rap. But yes, he should diversify. He's done exactly the same thing throughout, with no variety whatsoever. He mumbles too, which isn't exactly the best of flaws for his chosen genre. He did Eminem this week. If you think of Eminem's biggest hits, they're easily identifiable as him yet still manage to sound different. His voice isn't always the same, he changes the tempo, and can be bitter, serious, playful, etc. It's not the same thing every time, and he generally puts a bit of melody into it, too.