Xposition - December, 2018

Attention!!!

Hip-Hop rules 2019 Grammy Awards Nominees

Kendrick Lamar and Drake lead the Grammy Awards nominees with the two receiving 8 and 7 nods respectively. Lamar’s All the Stars with SZA is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance and Best Song Written for Visual Media, while the original soundtrack of the film, Black Panther wherein he is featured is nominated for Album of the Year. Drake’s God’s Plan is also nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Rap Song while his Scorpion in nominated for Album of the Year. Cardi B and Childish Gambino have also garnered 5 nominations each.

Musicals lead the 2019 Golden Globe Nominations

The Golden Globe nominations were announced last week with the musicals leading the way. A Star is Born has 5 nods including Best Picture, Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Lady Gaga and Best Original Song for Shallow. Mary Poppins Returns has been nominated 4 times followed by Queen-biopic Bohemian Rhapsody with 2 nods. Shallow goes up against stiff competition like Black Panther’s All the Stars by Kendrick Lamar & SZA and Boy Erased’s Revelation by Troye Sivan.

Billboard releases its 2018 Year-End Lists

Billboard has released its most anticipated year-end lists for the US with Drake named as the Top Artist, Top Male Artist and claiming the biggest single of the year with God’s Plan. The biggest album of 2018 was Taylor Swift’s Reputation with her being named as Top Female Artist as well. Cardi B is the Top New Artist while Imagine Dragons topped the Artists – Duo/Group category and BTS was dubbed the Top Social Artist.  

Final Judgment in ‘Blurred Lines’ Suit 

US District Judge John Kronstadt delivered the final judgment in the Blurred Lines copyright lawsuit wherein Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and Williams’ publishing company, More Water From Nazareth Publishing Inc. was ordered to pay the Marvin Gaye estate over USD 4.9 million. The lawsuit which began in 2013 was filed by Gaye’s estate over copyright infringement of his 1977 hit Got to Give It Up. Gaye's family was also rewarded 50% of the song's future royalties.

Spotify Settles a USD 1.6 Billion Claim Over Songwriter’s Rights

Music streaming giant Spotify has settled a USD 1.6 billion claim over songwriter and publishing rights for an undisclosed amount. The lawsuit was filed in 2017 by Wixen Music Publishing over the alleged use of more than 10,000 songs without a license or compensation. Wixen looks after compositions of many high profile artists including Neil Young, Stevie Nicks, Rivers Cuomo and the late Tom Petty.

Ariana Grande breaks record with Thank U, Next video

Ariana Grande premiered the music video for her biggest hit to date, Thank U, Next, breaking the record for most-watched video in YouTube within 24 hours, achieving over 50.3 million views surpassing the views for BTS’ Idol. The video is inspired by iconic 2000s flicks Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, Bring It On and 13 Going On 30.

Artists face backlash over imminent performances in Saudi Arabia

The Black Eyed Peas, Enrique Iglesias, Jason Derulo, OneRepublic and David Guetta are to headline the Saudi Ad Diriyah E-Prix, an auto racing series and multi-day music festival. The Human Rights Foundation has called for the cancellation of their performances due to the human rights violations by Saudi Arabia and its crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Mary Poppins Returns with new tracks

The sequel to Walt Disney’s beloved musical-fantasy film is coming to cinemas this December after a lapse of 54 years. The soundtrack featuring 27 songs out of which 9 are brand new was released last week. Songs are performed by Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Ben Whishaw, Angela Lansbury and Dick Van Dyke.

Brexit Poses Threat to UK’s Music Industry

The recently formed Music4EU initiative in an open letter warned of how Brexit represented a significant threat to UK’s music industry. The letter was signed by over 550 industry representatives including musicians such as Annie Lennox, Paloma Faith, Chrissie Hynde and Nick Mason. Post-Brexit, the UK artists will find it more expensive to reach consumers and fans, and international markets will be harder to access. Moreover they will be unable to benefit from EU’s proposed copyright reforms.

Cher Announces Memoir and Biopic

Cher announced on Twitter that she will be releasing a memoir in 2020 which would be followed by a biopic. Prior to this, Cher released a collection of essays titled The First Time covering major events of her life in 1998.

Aretha Franklin Tribute Concert

A tribute concert for the late superstar has been announced to be held on 13 January 2019 by the Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and CBS titled Aretha! A GRAMMY Celebration For The Queen Of Soul. Performing songs from Franklin’s repertoire are Grammy winners Alessia Cara, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, and BeBe Winans as well as current Grammy nominees Brandi Carlile, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, and SZA.

Shakira Charged With Tax Evasion

Colombian singer Shakira has been charged with tax evasion in Spain. The singer is alleged to have avoided Euros 14.5 million in tax by claiming she lived in the Bahamas, whereas she actually resided in Catalonia, Spain. It will be left to a judge now to decide if there is enough evidence for her to face trial.

Chris Brown Charged Over Exotic Pet Monkey 

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has charged Chris Brown with two counts of owning a restricted species without a permit for his exotic pet capuchin monkey, Fiji. The maximum sentence for the offence is 6 months in jail. They had obtained a search warrant for his home, but he voluntarily agreed to hand over the monkey before his property was raided.

Chart News

In the US, Ariana Grande continued her reign into the month of December with Thank, U Next which was dethroned by Travis Scott’s Sicko Mode, but Grande returned with force and held on to the crown for the remainder of the month. During the month Meek Mill ft. Drake’s Going Bad and Andy Williams’ Christmas classic It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year entered the top 10.

In the UK, Grande continued her reign with Thank U, Next as well, although she missed out on the coveted Christmas No.1 which went to LadBaby’s comic version of Starship’s We Built this City. During the month Ava Max’s Sweet But Psycho, Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus’ Nothing Breaks like a Heart, Ariana Grande’s Imagine and the X Factor UK winner Dalton Harris coronation single, a cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s The Power of Love featuring James Arthur, all entered the top 10 during the month.

Other songs which became popular during the month were:

1.       Cardi B – Money

2.       Stephen Puth – Sexual vibe

3.       Marc E. Bassy ft. G-Eazy – Love her too

4.       Ariana Grande – Breathin’

5.       Alan Walker ft. Sofia Carson, K-391 & CORSAK – Different world

6.       Rita Ora – Falling to pieces

7.       Bebe Rexha – Knees

8.       Skylar Grey – Everything I need

9.       Post Malone & Swae Lee – Sunflower

10.   Gucci Mane, Bruno Mars & Kodak Black – Wake up in the sky 

Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Xposition - March, 2018

Attention!!!

The curtains closed on the biggest night for music scores and original songs for visual media. At the 2018 Academy Awards Alexandre Desplat received the award for his Original Score on The Shape of Water which went onto win the Best Director and Best Picture as well. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez took home their second prize for Original Song for Remember Me from Coco. Prior to this the Lopez’ received the award for their song Let It Go written for Disney’s box office hit Frozen in 2014.

Ed Sheeran was the top recipient at the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards sweeping 4 awards including Male Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for Shape of You. Some great performances of the night were Camila Cabello & Young Thug with their hit Havana, Charlie Puth with How Long and Cardi B who won Best New Artist performed a medley of her hits Bartier Cardi, MotorSport, No Limit (with G-Eazy), Finesse and Bodak Yellow. Bon Jovi who received the Icon Award also played a medley of It’s My Life and Who Gives Love a Bad Name. Taylor Swift who was the recipient of the Female Artist of the Year premiered the music video for her newest single Delicate at the ceremony. Some of the other significant wins were:

• Best Duo/Group of the Year: Maroon 5
• Best Collaboration: The Chainsmokers & Coldplay – Something just like this
• Alternative Rock Song of the Year: Portugal. The Man – Feel it still
• Country Song of the Year: Sam Hunt – Body like a back road
• Dance Song of the Year: Zedd & Alessia Cara – Stay
• Hip-Hop Song of the Year: DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller – Wild thoughts
• R&B Song of the Year: Bruno Mars – That’s what I like
• Latin Song of the Year: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee – Despacito
• Best Music Video: Harry Styles – Sign of the times
• Best Tour: U2

Luis Fonsi and Residente were honored with the President’s Award and the Champion’s Award respectively at the BMI Latin Awards for their social work and philanthropy as well as their status as songwriters and artists with immense contributions to the Latin community.

The biggest shock of the month or not something super shocking was when Fifth Harmony (or Fourth after Cabello left in 2016) announced their hiatus to pursue solo endeavours. However, their upcoming shows through to the end of 2018 will go ahead as planned. Fifth Harmony seems to be another casualty of the curse where a group could not survive the departure of a member. Prior to this One Direction went on a hiatus, one year after Zayn Malik left to pursue a solo career.  

On the legal front in the music industry, the 9^th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the jury’s verdict in the District Court wherein damages were awarded against Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams for infringing the copyrights of Marvin Gaye’s hit Got To Give It Up in their global hit Blurred Lines. The decision was a huge victory for Gaye’s family who was awarded US $ 5.3 million by the jury. Whilst the industry had mixed opinions with some believing this may hinder musical creativity, some believe that artists should be more responsible in their creations so as not to sample existing music without proper authorizations and royalties.

Meanwhile in chart news, in the US, Drake’s God Plan continued its formidable reign in the US with no proper competition except for Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign’s Psycho which debuted at No.2 during the month. During the month Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey’s The Middle, XXXTentacion’s Sad! and Lil Dicky featuring Chris Brown’s Freaky Friday all entered the top 10.  

In the UK too, Drake’s God’s Plan remained at the top during the entirety of the month with Rudimental featuring Macklemore, Jess Glynne Dan Caplen’s These Days struggling at No.2 throughout. During the month Marshmello & Anne Marie’s Friends, Kendrick Lamar & SZA’s All the Stars, Justin Timberlake featuring Chris Stapleton’s Say Something and Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey’s The Middle all entered the top 10.

Other songs which became popular during the month were:

1.       George Ezra – Paradise

2.       Sigala & Paloma Faith – Lullaby

3.       Troye Sivan – My my my!

4.       Calum Scott & Leona Lewis – You are the reason

5.       Iggy Azalea ft. Quavo – Savior

6.       Niall Horan – On the loose

7.       Pink – Whatever you want

Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Xposition - July, 2017

Attention!!!

While award ceremonies took a break in July we see Tomorrowland the largest dance music festival in full swing. Held during the final two weekends in July Tomorrowland 2017 was under the theme “Amicorum Spectaculum” with a massive crowd of 400,000. Headlining the festival this time were 8 top notch DJ acts – Afrojack, Armin Van Buuren, David Guetta, Martin Garrix, Alesso, Paul Van Dyk, Axwell ^ Ingrosso, Paul Kalkbrenner. Afrojack played a record breaking eight sets and so wherever in Tomorrowland a participant, you can be sure they saw Afrojack. In a small set back, Tomorrowland’s Barcelona stage went up in flames resulting in the evacuation of more than 22,000 fans. The fire had erupted hours before Steve Aoki was to perform, but the organizers have ruled it was only a technical malfunction.

BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend will be retitled as BBC Music’s The Biggest Weekend as Glastonbury takes a sabbatical in 2018. Glastonbury which is one of the biggest music festivals in the world will take a year’s break after pulling in a record peak audience of 4.1 million viewers for Ed Sheeran’s headline slot. The Biggest Weekend will take place from 25 – 28 May 2018 in four cities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. While the acts will be announced later it was confirmed that 175,000 tickets will be sold for the event.

Spandau Ballet’s lead singer Tony Hadley has formally announced his departure from the 80s group. Whilst the band first split up in 1990s, after a disagreement over loyalties they reformed in 2009 for a string of sold out shows. Whilst the reason for Hadley’s departure is uncertain he only revealed on Twitter that they were circumstances beyond his control.

It is with extreme sadness that the music industry had to bid farewell to Alternative Rock icon and lead singer of Linkin Park, Chester Bennington. His death came as a massive shock to the music industry when his housekeeper found his body on July 20. His death was ruled a suicide by hanging. The band’s seventh studio album One More Light was released earlier this year. While the band cancelled their North American leg of their One More Light World Tour following his death, it is clear what will happen to the band as a result of Bennington’s death. Bennington’s death was on what would have been his close friend and lead singer of Soundgarden, Chris Cornell’s 53^rd birthday, who had also committed suicide by hanging two months prior.

Moving onto chart news, in the US, Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber’s Despacito maintained its reign over the charts throughout the month accumulating 10 weeks at the top. DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller’s Wild Thoughts debuted in the top 10 but could not dethrone Despacito as it struggled at No.2. Meanwhile, French Montana featuring Swae Lee’s Unforgettable, Imagine Dragons’ Believer and Shawn Mendes’ There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back all entered the top 10.

In the UK, Despacito started at the top but was dethroned by Wild Thoughts in the final week. During the month Calvin Harris featuring Katy Perry, Pharrell Williams & Big Sean’s Feels, Maggie Lindemann’s Pretty Girls and Sigala & Ella Eyre’s Came Here For Love all entered the top 10.

Other songs which became popular during the month were:

1.       CNCO – Reggaetón Lento

2.       Dua Lipa – New rules

3.       Rudimental ft. James Arthur – Sun comes up

4.       Jax Jones ft. Demi Lovato & Stefflon Don – Instruction

5.       J Balvin & Willy William – Mi gente

6.       Demi Lovato – Sorry not sorry

7.       Zedd ft. Liam Payne – Get low

8.    Axwell & Ingrosso – More than you know

Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Happiest Songs of All Time

Attention!!!

In the past I have covered the most inspirational songs of all time, the most upbeat songs of all time and now I have compiled the happiest songs of all time. These are the chirpiest songs, of course ones that have entered the mainstream and become extremely popular. I believe that music must necessarily uplift one's spirits. While the genre of music you listen to may depend on the mood you are in, at the end of the day music should be able to fill that gap in your soul. The following songs are not the most favorite of some as they are considered barfingly too happy for some people's tastes. However, their beats, lyrics and melodies are extremely bubbly and high-spirited. These cheerful songs are almost always about beautiful sunny days, feeling good, being young, and living care free. Almost all the songs belong to traditional pop with some elements of alternative rock. American Authors with their Best Day of My Life tops the list as the song was clearly made about just being happy. So here are the happiest songs of all time:

1. American Authors – Best day of my life
2. Imagine Dragons – On top of the world
3. Natasha Bedingfield – Pocketful of sunshine
4. Michael Buble – It’s a beautiful day
5. U2 – Beautiful day
6. Katrina and the Waves – Walkin’ on sunshine
7. Colbie Calliat – Brighter than the sun
8. Johnny Nash – I can see clearly now
9. Nathan Lane & Ernie Sabella – Hakuna matata (The Lion King: Original Soundtrack)
10. Pharrell Williams – Happy
11. Elton John – Crocodile rock
12. The Chiffons – One fine day
13. Sheryl Crow – Soak up the sun
14. The Carpenters – Top of the world
15. Hanson - MMMBop
16. Kid Rock – All summer long
17. Samuel E. Wright – Under the sea (The Little Mermaid: Original Soundtrack)
18. Fleetwood Mac – Go your own way
19. Savage Garden – The animal song
20. Snoop Dogg ft. Wiz Khalifa & Bruno Mars – Young, wild and free
21. Spice Girls – Never give up on the good times
22. Counting Crows – Accidentally in love
23. S Club 7 – Bring it all back
24. The Wonders – That thing you do
25. Smash Mouth – I’m a believer (Original by The Monkees)
26. Des’Ree – Life 
27. Sheryl Crow – All I wanna do
28. John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – You’re the one that I want
29. Ace of Base – Life is a flower
30. Bobby McFerrin – Don’t worry be happy
31. Celine Dion – I’m alive
32. Rascall Flatts – Life is a highway (Original by Tom Cochrane)
33. Glee Cast – Light up the world
34. Kelly Clarkson – Breakaway
35. B.J. Thomas – Raindrops keep falling on my head
36. Taylor Swift – Shake it off
37. Robert Guillaume, Liz Callaway, Gene Miller & Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Upendi (Simba’s Pride: Original Soundtrack)
38. One Direction – Live while we’re young
39. Pink – Raise your glass
40. The Corrs – So young
41. The Beatles – Here comes the sun
42. Five – Keep on movin’
43. Hilary Duff – What dreams are made of
44. Whitney Houston – I wanna dance with somebody
45. Ellie Goulding – Burn
46. Michael Franti & the Spearhead ft. Cherine Anderson – Say hey (I love you)
47. Owl City ft. Carly Rae Jepsen – Good time
48. Train – Hey soul sister
49. Black Eyed Peas – I gotta feeling
50. Bruno Mars – The lazy song

Till the next beat…

At Ease!!!

Most Successful Artists/Bands of 2014

Attention!!!

We have all heard what the yesteryear brought and some of us did not like it. Apart from the music industry straying back to mainstream traditional pop, we all saw how the genres of R&B and Rock were put to aside to lead the way to Indie and EDM. I have already done the most influential artists/bands of 2014, but what is the difference between influential and successful - $$$. Artists like Miley Cyrus, Eminem and Lady Gaga can be influential even without releasing a single hit during a year, as they have a cult following. However, the crossover princess of country, Taylor Swift is once again numero uno on this list, as she earned her big bucks during 2014. At a close second is Pharrell Williams whose smash hit broke records worldwide, but his followup singles failed to gain the same recognition. So let's see who gobbled a piece of that cash pie last year:

1. Taylor Swift
   

I doubt she ever believed that crossing over to mainstream pop was the best choice she ever made in her career. While her breakups have inspired most of her songs her fifth album 1989 released last year takes a look at her own downfalls. The album sold more copies in its opening weekend than any album in the preceding  decade and became the best selling album of 2014. Her singles Shake It Off and Blank Space both reached the top at the Billboard Hot 100 and the top 10 in most countries while her third single Style reached No.6.

2. Pharrell Williams
   

Following his success in 2013 being featured on Daft Punk’s Get Lucky and Robin Thicke’s Blurred Lines, Pharrell went on to release an album titled G I R L in 2014 which peaked at No.2 on the Billboard 200 and No.1 in UK, Australia, France, Denmark etc. His song Happy from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack served as the lead single of the album and peaked in almost all the countries it charted and was the year-end number 1 in the US, UK, Australia etc. and is one of the best selling singles of all time.

3. Sam Smith
   

He first came into prominence after being featured on Disclosure’s breakthrough single Latch and subsequently being featured on Naughty Boy’s global hit La La LA. Thereafter, he won 2014 BRIT Critics’ Choice Award and BBC’s Sound of 2014. His debut album In the Lonely Hour peaked in the top 10 worldwide and No.1 and No.2 in the UK and US. His second single Money on My Mind reached No.1 in the UK whilst his third single Stay With Me became his most successful hit to date reaching the top 10 in most countries and reaching No.1 in UK and No.2 in the US. His follow-up singles I’m Not The Only One and Like I Can were also global hits.

4. Ed Sheeran
   

While by 2014 he was not new to the music scene, as his debut album + was already a success, his second album x proved to be a bigger success charting at No.1 in 12 countries including the UK and the US. The first three singles Sing, Don’t and Thinking Out Loud were global hits with the first and third single reaching No.1 in the UK and Don’t becoming his first song to reach the top 10 in the US.

5. Ariana Grande
   

She became a teen idol after being featured on the Nickelodeon series Victorious and its spin-off Sam & Cat. While her debut album was also a hit in 2013, her second album My Everything surpassed it in 2014. The album reached the top in the US and the top 10 in most countries. The lead single Problem ft. Iggy Azalea was a global hit which was followed by two others in 2014, Break Free ft. Zedd and Love Me Harder ft. The Weeknd. She was also a part of the global hit collaboration Bang Bang with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj.

6. Iggy Azalea
   

Being plagued with label issues did not prevent Iggy from releasing a successful album. Her debuted studio album The New Classic took some time to be released, but when it did, it reached No.3 in the US and No.5 in the UK. Her fourth hit from the album Fancy ft. Charli XCX became No.1 in the US, New Zealand and Canada and reached No.5 in the UK. Her follow-up single Black Widow ft. Rita Ora was also a global hit. She was also featured in Ariana Grande’s chart topper Problem and also T.I.’s No Mediocre and Jennifer Lopez’s Booty.

7. Pitbull
   

He is the most sought after artist to be featured with. You can guarantee a hit with one of his verses. At the end of 2013 his extended play Meltdown was released which spawned the global dance hit Timber ft. Kesha. Timber was a hit in a few countries in 2013 but was a worldwide smash hit in 2014 reaching No.1 in the US, Canada, Germany etc. His eighth studio album Globalization spawned the hit singles Wild Wild Love ft. G.R.L., Fireball ft. John Ryan, Time of Our Lives with Ne-Yo and the official 2014 FIFA World Cup song We are One (Ole Ola) ft. Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte.

8. Meghan Trainor
   

She found success in her revival of the doo-wop style of music and her debut single All About That Bass was one of the best selling singles of 2014. It spent eight consecutive weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100 and 4 weeks atop the UK chart. It was also a global success reaching the top 10 in almost all countries. She thereafter released her debut EP Title which spawned her next hit Lips Are Movin’. It too followed in the footsteps of Bass and peaked within the top 10 internationally.

9. 5 Seconds of Summer
   

Gaining a small following in 2012 with cover versions of popular songs on YouTube, the band went big in 2014 with their debut single She Looks So Perfect. The song topped the charts in the UK, Australia, Ireland and New Zealand. Their follow-up singles Don’t Stop, Amnesia and Good Girls were also global hits with Amnesia reaching the top 20 in the US. Their self-titled debut studio album was a chart topper in the US, Spain, Italy, Australia etc. and peaking at No.2 in the UK.

10. Maroon 5
    

While the band is definitely not new to commercial success 2014 also proved yet another year to make money. While the band announced their upcoming fifth studio album V, it was preceded by the hit single Maps. The song reached the top 10 in almost all countries. V debuted at No.1 on the US Billboard 200 and spawned the hit single Animals thereafter which peaked at No.3 in the US and No.2 in Canada.

Honourable Mentions

11. Katy Perry
12. Nicki Minaj
13. Calvin Harris
14. Ella Henderson
15. David Guetta
16. Cheryl Cole
17. Robin Schulz
18. Beyonce
19. George Ezra
20. One Direction

Till the next chord…

At Ease!!!

(All images used in the posts unless otherwise mentioned are drawn from https://images.google.com/ and the author does not hold copyright over the photos used.)