January kicked off after reeling from the hangover of an awesome 2016. The charts were settling down after the impact of Justin Bieber, Sia, Rihanna, Clean Bandit and of course Drake. Moreover, the buzz was all about the Grammys to be held in February as the heavyweights in the industry as Beyonce and Adele were up against each other for the major grabs.
We start off the year with US President-elect Donald Trump frantically searching for artists and bands to perform at his inauguration. With snubs from the likes of Elton John, Celine Dion, The Beach Boys, Charlotte Church, 2 Chainz and Rebecca Ferguson the final line up of artists included 3 Doors Down, Toby Keith, Tony Orlando, The Piano Guys and Sam Moore. This is definitely a step down from the star-studded inauguration of Barack Obama’s second term which included Alicia Keys, fun., Brad Paisley, Glee Cast, John Legend and Stevie Wonder.
Meanwhile, most of the stars were to be seen at the Women’s March on Washington following the inauguration to advocate policies and laws regarding human rights, racial equality, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, freedom of religion etc. Artists such as Alicia Keys, Cher, Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Madonna, John Legend, Rihanna etc. were seen at the march. Meanwhile, following Madonna’s remarks at the march HITS 105 in Texas even went to the extent of banning Madonna’s songs from airplay.
The headlining acts of Coachella 2017 were announced as the annual event takes place for the 18th time in April. Beyonce, Radiohead and Kendrick Lamar have been announced as headliners this year. It will be the third time Radiohead will be headlining while Beyonce will become only the second female headliner since Björk. The full lineup also includes Lorde, Bon Iver, Mac Miller, New Order, DJ Khaled, Schoolboy Q and composer Hans Zimmer.
The 74th Golden Globes were held in January where La La Land outshone all others while sweeping all 7 awards that it was nominated for. Justin Hurwitz won for Best Original Score and the film’s lead single City of Stars penned by Hurwitz and Pasek & Paul and performed by Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone won Best Original Song.
Meanwhile, edging out competition from Rag N’ Bone Man and Raye, R&B singer Ray BLK won the BBC Music’s Sound of 2017. Alumni of this honour include Adele, Mika, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith and Years & Years.
Little Mix, Skepta and Rihanna lead this year’s 2017 BRIT Awards nominations with three nods apiece. Little Mix who is now the longest reigning girl band with their fourth album Glory Days since the Spice Girls’ Spice with five non-consecutive weeks at the top is nominated for Best British Group, Best British Single for Shout Out To My Ex and Video of the Year for Hair. Skepta who scooped the 2016 Mercury Music Prize for his fourth album Konnichiwa is up for British Male Artist, British Breakthrough Act and Album of the Year. Rihanna has been nominated for International Female as well as for her featured hit Calvin Harris’ This Is What You Came For in both Best British Single and Video of the Year.
Moving onto chart news, in the US Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane’s Black Beatles was replaced by The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk’s Starboy after struggling 8 non-consecutive weeks at No.2. However, Black Beatles replaced Starboy in the second week only to be overthrown by Migos featuring Lil Uzi Vert’s Bad and Boujee. In the fourth week, Ed Sheeran’s surprise single Shape of You from his upcoming album ÷ topped the chart, thus leading to four different singles at the top during the month. Meanwhile, Ed Sheeran’s Castle On The Hill debuted at No.6 on the chart.
In the UK, Clean Bandit featuring Anne Marie and Sean Paul’s Rockabye began the year at the top and remained there for two weeks before being replaced by Ed Sheeran’s mammoth hit Shape of You which stayed at the top during the last week. Close behind Shape of You, Sheeran’s Castle On The Hill debuted at No.2 and Zara Larsson’s I Would Like and Jax Jones featuring Raye’s You Don’t Know Me peaked at No.2 and No.3 respectively during the month.
Other songs which became popular during the month were:
- Sia - Move your body
- The Chainsmokers - Paris
- JP Cooper - September song
- Starley - Call on me
- Snakehips & MØ - Don't leave
- Tinie Tempah ft. Tinashe - Text from your ex
Till the next beat...
At Ease!!!
