Month: September 2022

Yungblud is in the home straight for what could be a second U.K. albums chart crown.

The Doncaster, England-born alternative rocker leads the midweek chart with Yungblood, the followup to his second studio album Weird, which hit No. 1 in 2020.

When Weird hit the summit, Yungblud (real name Dominic Harrison) hit on a novel way to thank his fans. He melted his Official Albums Chart No. 1 trophy, from which he made 150 bespoke safety pins to hand out to his followers.

Yungblud is one of several new albums eyeing a U.K. top 10 berth. Coming in at No. 2 on the Official U.K. Chart Update is Megadeth’s sixteenth studio LP The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead. If it holds its course, The Sick will give the U.S. trash metal veterans a career best, and their first top 10 since 1994’s Youthanasia peaked at No. 6.

Also new at the midway point, Midpoint, the third studio effort from Keane frontman Tom Chaplin. It’s on track for a No. 3 start.

Meanwhile, former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett could grab a top 5 debut with Genesis Revisited Live – Seconds Out & More, new at No. 4 on the midweek survey. The 72-year-old singer, songwriter and record producer already has 12 U.K. Top 40 albums to his name.

Finally, Foo Fighters’ career retrospective Best Of You – Greatest Hits leaps 30 spots to No. 32 on the chart blast, following the Foos’ all-star tribute to the band’s late drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died away earlier this year aged 50.

The tribute concert at London’s Wembley Stadium last Saturday (Sept. 3) featured performances from members of Metallica, Queen, Paul McCartney, AC/DC, plus Nile Rodgers and Liam Gallagher and a cameo on drums by Hawkins’ son Shane.

Best of You peaked at No. 4 following its original release in 2004.

The Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday.

 

It’s been two years since Billboard featured regional Mexican singer/songwriter Carín León as an Artist on the Rise with one hit on Billboard’s Regional Mexican Airplay chart. Since then, León — the former lead vocalist of Grupo Arranke — has placed seven more entries on the chart, including two No. 1s.

That success, including “El Tóxico” with Grupo Firme, is a testament to León’s versatility; he can veer from banda to norteño to ballads with equal ease, aided by powerful, soulful vocals.

Onstage, León is even more impressive. So much so that on Sunday (Sept. 4), he played a near sold-out date to a euphoric crowd at Miami’s Hard Rock Live arena, extremely rare for a regional Mexican act in South Florida, where regional Mexican fans are scarce and major artists in the genre rarely play in venues in or near Miami. But there’s something about León. Here are five takeaways from his show.

1. When León puts on a show, he goes big. Throughout the two-hour performance, he was backed by a 20-piece band that included four clarinets and four trumpets. The very sophisticated musical arrangements are courtesy of tuba player Gilberto Meneses for banda tracks and the versatile guitarist/keyboardist Orlando Aispuro.

2. Let’s please change paradigms about regional “Mexican music.” Seeing a sold-out Hard Rock arena – a venue that’s traditionally reserved for pop, rock and alternative acts — was proof enough that the music can go wide beyond its traditional stages, and that there’s a premium audience willing to pay to watch a good show. By the way, if you ever need incentive to buy a really beautiful cowboy hat, go to a León show.

3. León loves his audience. Every song comes with an intro and boy do we get a kick out of that. It’s like a big party, especially when León walks around with his drink in hand. Saludcita! (as he would say).

4. He’s a musician’s musician. Plays the guitar? Check. Sing a cappella? Check. Versatile? Just watch him navigate the bravura of banda and the tenderness of ballads. To top it all, the man knows how to swivel his hips.

5. Get ready to spill secrets. León loves to talk, giving fresh meaning to each song. We found out, for example, that he lost his virginity to “You’re the One I Love” (Sigues Siendo Tu in Spanish). Some of our favorite lines of the evening: “Having a toxic woman in the house is a blessing. It means she loves you even when you’re ugly”; and, “We men are shameless. We always promise things we can’t deliver.”

The 2023 Brit Awards are set for Saturday Feb. 11, 2023. That’s six days after the 2023 Grammy Awards, which will air on Sunday Feb. 5 from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The 2023 Brits will air live from The O2 Arena in London for the 13th year and will be broadcast exclusively on ITV and ITVX for the 30th year. This marks the first time that the Brits will be held on a Saturday.

Harry Styles is sure to be a top nominee at both the Brits and the Grammys. His Harry’s House has headed the Official U.K. Albums Chart for six nonconsecutive weeks, longer than any other album in 2023. His smash “As It Was” headed the Official U.K. Singles Chart for 10 consecutive weeks, also the record for 2022.

As such, Styles is a leading contender for both British album of the year and best British single. Adele won both awards last year with her album 30 and single “Easy on Me.” If Styles wins both awards this year, he’ll become the first male solo artist to double up on the top awards in the same year. This feat has previously been accomplished by three groups (Fairground Attraction, 1989; Blur, 1995; and Coldplay, 2006) and one female solo artist (Adele, who has done it twice, in 2016 and 2022).

Styles won British single of the year two years ago for his sensuous smash “Watermelon Sugar.” If he wins again in February, he’ll become the first artist to win twice in that marquee category in the space of three years since Take That won back-to-back awards in 2007 and 2008 with “Patience” and “Shine,” respectively.

Styles first won British single of the year in 2012 as a member of One Direction for their fizzy smash “What Makes You Beautiful.”

Styles won his first solo Brit award, British video of the year, for “Sign of the Times” in 2018.

The Brit Awards 2023 with Mastercard (the show’s official name) announced their show date on Monday (Sept. 5). They also announced that Damian Christian, managing director and president of promotions at Atlantic Records (part of Warner Music UK) will take over as chair of the Brit Committee for 2023.

Commenting on the new date, Christian said in a statement: “The Brits is the biggest night of the year for the U.K. music industry, and we want as many eyes on it as possible as we showcase the best and most diverse British talent. Moving the show to a Saturday will breathe new life into the iconic ceremony, while also introducing a new and more engaged audience.”

Comedian Mo Gilligan hosted the 2022 Brit Awards, which were held on Feb. 8 at The O2. Adele won the most awards (three).

Last year, the Brit Awards underwent a major overhaul. The BPI announced in November 2021 that the Brits would no longer use gendered categories; that it would introduce two marquee awards (artist of the year and songwriter of the year); and that it would revive four genre-specific categories — best alternative/rock act, best dance act, best hip hop/rap/grime act and best pop/R&B act.

Nominations were announced on Dec. 18, 2021. Adele, Dave, Little Simz and Ed Sheeran tied for the most nods (four).

LF System and Dave are also leading contenders for best British single at the upcoming awards. LF System, a British production duo from Scotland, topped The Official U.K. Singles Chart for eight weeks with “Afraid to Feel.” Dave, an English rapper, singer and actor, headed that chart for four weeks with “Starlight.”

Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God),” which topped the Official U.K. Singles Chart for three weeks earlier this summer, will presumably be ineligible for best British single because it was first released in 1985. In fact, it was nominated for British single of the year in 1986, but lost to Tears for Fears’ global hit “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” Bush has won one Brit Award – best British female in 1987.

It took six weeks for Eliza Rose’s “B.O.T.A (Baddest Of Them All)” to reach No. 1 in the U.K. Don’t expect it to anywhere, anytime soon.

Based on early sales and streaming data, “B.O.T.A” looks set to sail to the top for another week, at the very least.

With its ascent last week, Rose became the first female DJ to lead the Official Singles Chart in over 20 years, since Sonique’s “It Feels So Good” led the chart back in June 2002.

“B.O.T.A” (with Interplanetary Criminal) spread its wings on TikTok before becoming the 1,400th U.K. No. 1 single, and, in doing so, ending LF System’s eight-week unbroken reign with “Afraid to Feel.”

LF System’s summer smash is set to lose more ground, as David Guetta and Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good (Blue)” lifts to No. 2 on the chart blast, while OneRepublic’s “I Ain’t Worried” from Top Gun: Maverick could fly to No. 3, both peak positions.

Also driving up the chart blast is James Hype and Miggy Dela Rosa’s “Ferrari,” which finds the right gear for a boost 8-6.

Further down the First Look chart, Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girl” continues to heat up, and appears ready to return into the Top 10 for a new peak of No. 7.

The highest-charting debut this week could belong to the 1975, with their new single “I’m In Love With You.” It’s set to arrive at No. 23 in the U.K., for the Matt Healy-lead Manchester band’s 11th top 40 appearance.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is presented late Friday.

Muse barrels its way to a seventh U.K. No. 1 with Will Of The People.

The British alternative rock trio got away to a fast start, as Will Of The People (via Warner Records) blasted to the top of the midweek leaderboard, shifting more chart units than the rest of the top 10 combined.

When the weekly chart was published Friday (Sept. 2), Muse was clear at the top, accumulating 51,500 chart units, the Official Charts Company reports.

Along with the title, Muse snags a piece of chart history, as Will Of The People becomes the U.K.’s first-ever leader to incorporate NFT technology, thanks to a limited-edition “Digital Pressing,” a collaboration between Warner Music U.K. and web3 marketplace Serenade.

With seven leaders, Muse joins an elite class of bands which includes The Prodigy and The Killers, and solo artists Cliff Richard, Elton John, Barbara Streisand, George Michael and Paul McCartney.

Will Of The People, Muse’s ninth studio album, also bowed at No. 1 on the Australia’s ARIA chart last week.

Several new titles appear on the latest Official U.K. Albums Chart, including God Did (Epic/We The Best), DJ Khaled’s 13th studio album. It’s new at No. 4 for the U.S.-born producer’s career high chart position, besting the No. 6 peak of his 2019 album Father Of Asahd. God Did is DJ Khaled’s fifth U.K. top 10.

British indie rockers Embrace grab an eighth top 10 spot with How To Be A Person Like Other People (Mo’Betta), new at No. 9. It’s the three-time chart leader’s first studio album release since 2018’s Love Is A Basic Need, which reached No. 5.

The current frame also welcomes new arrivals from punk era legends Blondie (Against The Odds: 1974-1982 at No. 25 via UMC), Californian heavy metal act Machine Head (Of Kingdom and Crown at No. 27 via Nuclear Blast) and Altered Images, whose Mascara Streakz (Cooking Vinyl) drops in at No. 28, for the Scottish new wave act’s first chart appearance in almost 40 years.

 

Wizkid and Tems were the top winners at the 15th annual Headies Awards, which were held at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta on Sunday (Sept. 4). This marked the first time the show has been held outside of Nigeria.

Wizkid and Tems collaborated on the international smash “Essence,” which became a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 2021 (with an assist by Justin Bieber). “Essence” won song of the year and best R&B single.

In addition to their two joint awards, Wizkid won album of the year for Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition), while Tems won best female artiste and best R&B album for If Orange Was a Place.

Patoranking, Burna Boy, FireBoyDML, Ayra Starr and Bnxn each won two awards.

Patoranking won best recording of the year for “Celebrate Me” and best reggae & dancehall album for Three. Burna Boy took African artiste of the year and best male artiste. FireBoyDML won best Afrobeats single for “Peru” and best music video for “Champion” (featuring D Smoke). Ayra Starr won digital artiste of the year and Headies’ viewers’ choice for “Bloody Samaritan.” Bnxn won the Next rated: award and also shared in the award for best rap single as the featured artist on Ladipoe’s “Feeling.”

Chris Brown won international artiste of the year, beating Bieber, Beyoncé, Drake, Ed Sheeran and Nas. The category is designed for non-African artists or groups with outstanding achievements and impact on Afrobeats.

This year’s awards ceremony introduced three new categories: international artiste of the year, best inspirational single and digital artiste of the year.

Artists appearing at the show included Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, FireBoyDML, Adekunle Gold, Davido, Flavour, Kcee, Buju, Lojay, Goya Menor, Cohbams, 2Baba, Joeboy, Rugier, Olamide and Asake.

The Headies is the top Nigerian/Pan African awards show, celebrating the best in Afrobeats, African music and culture. The awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, was established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.

Here’s a complete list of winners:

Best recording of the year:

“Celebrate Me” – Patoranking

Album of the year:

Made In Lagos (Deluxe Edition) – Wizkid

Song of the year:

“Essence” – Wizkid Feat. Tems

Best female artiste:

Tems

Best male artiste:

Burna Boy

Digital artiste of the year:

Ayra Starr

Best streethop artiste:

Goya Menor & Nektunez – “Amenor Amapiano Remix”

African Artiste of the year:

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

International artiste recognition:

Chris Brown

Best central African artiste of the year:

Innoss’b

Best West African artiste of the year:

Gyakie (Ghana)

Best North African artiste of the year:

Latifa (Tunisia)

Best Southern African artiste of the year:

Focalistic (South Africa)

Best East African artiste of the year:

Diamond Platinumz

Best vocal performance (male):

Oxlade – Ojuju

Best vocal performance (female):

Waje – “Last Time”

Lyricist on the roll:

A-Q – “The Last Cypher”

Best rap single:

“Feeling” – Ladipoe  feat. Bnxn

Best music video:

“Champion” (Fireboy DML Feat. D Smoke) Directed by Tg Omori

Best rap album:

Carpe Diem – Olamide

Best reggae & dancehall album:

Three – Patoranking

Producer of the year:

Sarz – “Monalisa” By Lojay & Sarz

Best inspirational single:

“Cultural Praise” – Kcee & Okwesili Eze Group

Songwriter of the year:

Adekunle Gold – “Sinner”

Best R&B single:

“Essence” – Wizkid feat. Tems

Best Afrobeats single

“Peru” – Fireboy DML

Best alternative single:

“Doings” – Flavour

Best alternative album:

Intermission – Ibejii

Special recognition (outstanding impact on the entertainment industry):

Efe Omorogbe

Sunday Are

Bose Ogulu

Special recognition (talent): 

D’banj

Headies’ viewer’s choice:

Ayra Starr – Bloody Samaritan

Next rated:

Bnxn

Best R&B album:                              

If Orange Was a Place – Tems

Rookie of the year:

Fave

Humanitarian award of the year:

David

LF System’s two-month reign in the U.K. is over, ended by Eliza Rose’s “B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All)” (via Warner Records), which climbs to the summit in its sixth week.

Rose’s viral hit with Interplanetary Criminal lifts 2-1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, squeezing LF System’s summer smash “Afraid to Feel” (Warner Records) to No. 2, halting its eight-week unbroken streak.

According to the Official Charts Company, “B.O.T.A.” is the U.K.’s 1,400th No. 1 single, and Rose becomes the first female DJ to top the chart in two decades, since Sonique’s “It Feels So Good” in 2002.

“B.O.T.A.” has been gathering steam across the festival season, the OCC reports, accumulating a market-leading 4.8 million streams during the latest cycle.

The highest new entry on the current survey is “Hold Me Closer” (EMI/RCA), Elton John’s collaboration with Britney Spears. It’s new at No. 3, and is the most-downloaded song of the week in the U.K.

Though it misses out on top billing, “Hold Me Closer” becomes Elton’s fourth consecutive Top 5 entry in a year. And it represents a strong chart comeback for Britney, her first song since 2016 and highest peak since “Scream & Shout” with Will.I.Am lead the survey in 2012.

“Hold Me Closer” blasted to No. 1 on Australia’s singles chart last Friday.

A second new entry cracks the U.K. top 10 this week. David Guetta and Bebe Rexha’s “I’m Good (Blue)” (via Parlophone) arrives at at No. 7, powered by a viral demo of the track, originally cut in 2017. It’s Rexha’s fourth top 10 appearance, and first in five years. Guetta now has 28 top tier entries, the most recent coming in April with “Crazy What Love Can Do,” which peaked at No. 5.

Finally, Australia DJ and producer Luude has a second top 10 single, with “Big City Life” (Warner Records), his dance music nugget with Mattafix. It’s the followup to Luude’s “Down Under” with Men at Work’s Colin Hay, which accelerated all the way to No. 5 earlier this year. “Big City Life” rises 11-10 in its 10th week on the survey.