Showing posts with label Shawn Mendes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shawn Mendes. Show all posts

Best Love Songs of 2019

Attention!!!

The decade ended with some inspiring yet extremely love-gushing records that are bound to be deemed as classics in the years to come. In the ever expanding genres of the industry, all artists with the certain exceptions of rap and rock have had their attempt at the production of a love song. This compilation takes a closer look at those tunes of love of yesteryear which made us cherish our loved ones and reminisce the endearing memories we have shared with them. 

1. Taylor Swift – Lover
It took Swift almost a decade to perfect another love song after Today was a Fairytale. However, this pop ballad is clearly the best love song of 2019 with perfect vocals and mushy lyrics. It is the title track off her latest album and is clearly the best production out of the record. It is one of those tunes that is gushing with love and is accompanied by a duet with Shawn Mendes as well as a First Dance Remix catered particularly for weddings. Her work was paid off as it received a Song of the Year nomination at the 2020 Grammys.

2. Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber – 10,000 Hours
In one of Bieber’s latest ventures other than marriage, we see the superstar collaborate with country duo Dan + Shay for one of the sappiest tracks of the year. The ballad proved to be extremely commercially and critically successful and is accompanied by a music video featuring the wives of the three vocalists.

3. Backstreet Boys – No place
The third release off the critically acclaimed ninth studio album of BSB is a refreshing and light pop track with a focus on loved ones and family. The boy band makes the production even more wholesome with a music video featuring their respective families.

4. Zayn & Zhavia Ward – A whole new world
We are all familiar with this track where the original from Aladdin by Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle won the coveted Best Original Song at the 1993 Academy Awards as well as the Song of the Year at the 1994 Grammys. This Middle Eastern reworked production was well received by critics where Zayn and Zhavia’s vocals complemented each other perfectly to coincide with the ambience of the remake.

5. AJ Mitchell ft. Ava Max – Slow dance 
Two newcomers to the industry have attempted and succeeded in their endeavor to produce an awesome track with just the correct dose of romance. While Mitchell has not yet broke through into the mainstream, this collaboration is a clear stepping stone towards that direction. 

6. Tom Walker – Just you and I 
It is the rerelease of the full production of the track that was only available as an acoustic release in 2017. This slow love song was critically acclaimed and was one of the most successful singles in Europe of 2019. The record marks Walker’s second biggest hit in the mainstream.

7. Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – Señorita 
This sultry Latin pop duet marks the second time the duo has collaborated following I Know What You Did Last Summer in 2015. The record is the biggest hit in this compilation topping the charts in over 35 countries. The steamy track also sparked off a new found romance between Mendes and Cabello.

8. Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber – I don’t care 
This up tempo dancehall-influenced duet served as the lead single off Sheeran’s surprise studio album, No.6 Collaborations Project. This sprightly tune was one of the biggest hits last year and is accompanied by a less than appealing video where the two artists “have fun” in front of the green screen at the viewer’s expense.

9. Westlife – Hello my love 
Of course Westlife’s much anticipated comeback must be a love song. The pop-EDM track was the lead single off the band’s eleventh album, Spectrum, which sees the beloved boy band do what they do best, sing about love.

10. Jonas Brothers – Sucker 
Clearly there is a pattern for the comebacks of boy bands. Shedding their solo careers, the brothers ended their hiatus with their up tempo pop rock production. This edgy earworm dance anthem heralded the successful return of the Jonas Brothers which has led to a multiplatinum album and autobiography. The music video features the three alongside their significant others. 

Till the next ballad...

At Ease!!!

Xposition - November, 2018

Attention!!!

2018 MTV Europe Music Awards
The curtains closed on the 2018 MTV Europe Music Awards with fantastic performances from Bebe Rexha, Panic! At the Disco and Nicki Minaj. Camila Cabello took home Best Artist as well as Best US Artist and Best Song and Best Video for Havana (ft. Young Thug). Cardi B was awarded Best New Artist while Janet Jackson was honored with the Global Icon Award. Some of the other winners were:
Best Pop Artist: Dua Lipa
Best Hip Hop Artist: Nicki Minaj
Best Rock Artist: 5 Seconds of Summer
Best Electronic Artist: Marshmello
Best Live Artist: Shawn Mendes

2018 Country Music Association Awards
The 2018 CMA Awards were held in November with Chris Stapleton snagging 3 wins out of five nominations including Male Vocalist of the Year and Single and Song of the Year for Broken Halos. However, the biggest accolade of the night – Entertainer of the Year was awarded to Keith Urban. The other winners were:
Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
Album of the Year: Kacey Musgraves – Golden Hour
Music Video of the Year: Thomas Rhett – Marry me
New Artist of the Year: Luke Combs

2018 People’s Choice Awards
The people have voted and the results are in. BTS was the big winner at the ceremony under Music where they were awarded Group of 2018 and the Song and Music Video of 2018 for Idol. Nicki Minaj was close behind with 2 wins for Female Artist of 2018 and Album of 2018 for Queen. The other winners were:
Male Artist of 2018: Shawn Mendes
Country Artist of 2018: Blake Shelton
Latin Artist of 2018: CNCO
Concert Tour of 2018: Taylor Swift – Reputation Stadium Tour

Spice Girls announce reunion
The Spice Girls have announced that they will reunite for a 2019 UK tour. This reunion is without founding member Victoria Beckham aka Posh Spice. The Viva 4 Ever tour will see the best-selling female group of all time perform at 6 stadiums. The last time all five reunited was for a one-off performance at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Ariana Grande is Billboard’s 2018 Woman of the Year
Ariana Grande was named Billboard’s 2018 Woman of the Year. The superstar has had 4 chart topping albums including her latest Sweetener which produced the hits No Tears Left to Cry and God is a Woman. She has raised awareness for mental health, LGBTQ rights and following the Manchester Arena bombing outside her concert last year, she organized the One Love Manchester benefit concert, which raised millions to aid victims and their families.

Woolsey Fire and One Love Malibu Festival
The deadliest wildfires in California (now known as Woolsey Fire) left more than 30 dead and nearly 300,000 were required to evacuate. Several artists’ homes including that of Miley Cyrus, Robin Thicke and Lil Pump were burned to the ground and Lady Gaga, Cher and Melissa Etheridge were forced to evacuate from their residences. The One Love Malibu Festival was held to raise funds to assist the victims and rebuild the community. Katy Perry, Chris Martin, Gwen Stefani and Macy Grey are some of the big names who took the stage.

Katy Perry is 2018’s Highest Paid Woman in Music
With earnings over USD 84 million, Katy Perry tops Forbes’ 2018 list of the highest paid women in music. Her massive income is due to her successful Witness Tour and also the staggering fees received for her judging role on American Idol. Close behind her at second place is Taylor Swift while Beyonce, Pink and Lady Gaga complete the top 5.

Bohemian Rhapsody waltzes to the top of the box-office
Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody premiered worldwide and soared to the top of the box-office. Rami Malek stars as Freddie Mercury, the lead vocalist of the British rock band. Adam Lambert, who is on tour with the real Queen as its frontman for the past 6 years also makes a cameo in the film.

Netflix announces Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings
Netflix has announced it is releasing a series featuring the music career of Dolly Parton titled Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings. The anthology series will consist of 8 episodes each based on one of Parton’s songs. Professional dancer and actress Julianne Hough is set to star as Jolene inspired by the hit of the same name.

Chris Cornell’s Family sues doctor
Chris Cornell’s widow and children are suing the doctor who treated the lead vocalist of the rock band Soundgarden. The lawsuit filed against Dr. Robert Koblin alleges that he and his clinic “negligently and repeatedly” prescribed “dangerous mind-altering controlled substances to Cornell which impaired Cornell’s cognition, clouded his judgment, and caused him to engage in dangerous impulsive behaviors that he was unable to control, costing him his life.”

Late Elvis Presley bestowed with Presidential Medal of Freedom
US President Donald Trump has selected the late Elvis Presley to be the recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian honour in the country. As an icon of American culture Presley has sold billions of records, won 3 Grammy Awards out of 13 nominations and starred in 31 films.

6ix9ine arrested on Racketeering Charges
6ix9ine was arrested last week by the US police for racketeering, firearms, assault with a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy murder charges. The arrest was made after a five-year investigation into the Nine Trey Bloods street gang, of which 6ix9ine is a member. If found guilty, the rapper may face 32 years to life in prison. Due to his arrest his upcoming debut studio album Dummy Boy has been postponed indefinitely.

Jason Derulo joins the star studded cast of Cats Movie Musical    
Jason Derulo is the most recent artist to be added to the fold of the Hollywood adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s acclaimed Cats Musical, alongside Taylor Swift and Jennifer Hudson. The ensemble cast also features Idris Elba, Rebel Wilson, James Corden, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen. 

Chart News 
Meanwhile in chart news in the US, Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B’s Girls Like You which retained its crown for the first two weeks was ousted by Ariana Grande’s global hit Thank U, Next which is her first No.1 in the US. She held onto the peak position till the end of the month. During the month Post Malone & Swae Lee’s Sunflower from the soundtrack of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Panic! At the Disco’s High Hopes and Sheck Wes’ Mo Bamba all entered the top 10.  

In the UK, Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper’s Shallow from the soundtrack of A Star is Born began the month at the helm. However, like in the US Grande’s Thank U, Next replaced them at the top and remained for the rest of the month. During the month Kodak Black ft. Tyga & Offset’s Zeze, Halsey’s Without Me and Jess Glynne’s Thursday all entered the top 10.

Other songs which became popular during the month were:

1.       Black Eyed Peas ft. CL – Dopeness
2.       Phantoms ft. Vanessa Hudgens – Lay with me
3.       Zara Larsson – Ruin my life
4.       Clean Bandit ft. Marina & Luis Fonsi – Baby
5.       David Guetta, Bebe Rexha & J Balvin – Say my name
6.       CNCO, Meghan Trainor & Sean Paul – Hey DJ
7.       Hailee Steinfeld – Back to life
8.       Backstreet Boys – Chances 

Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Xposition - August, 2018

Attention!!!

So many accolades were given this summer. The always anticipated MTV Video Music Awards were held with Cardi B leading the nominations with 12 nods out of which she won 3 including Best New Artist. Childish Gambino also won 3 awards Video with a Message, Best Choreography and Best Direction all for This is America. However, it was Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug who took home the coveted Video of the Year for Havana. The night included star studded performances including Nicki Minaj with a medley of her newest singles Majesty, Barbie Dreams, Ganja Burns and Fefe, Shawn Mendes with In My Blood, Ariana Grande with God is a Woman and Post Malone, 21 Savage and Aerosmith with a medley of Rockstar, Dream On and Toys in the Attic. However, the best performance of the night was from Jennifer Lopez, the recipient of the Video Vanguard Award, who performed a medley of her hits including Waiting for Tonight, On the Floor, Love Don’t Cost a Thing, All I Have and Dinero. Other significant wins of the night included:
·         Artist of the Year: Camila Cabello
·         Song of the Year: Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – Rockstar
·         Best Collaboration: Jennifer Lopez ft. Cardi B & DJ Khaled – Dinero
·         Best Pop: Ariana Grande – No tears left to cry
·         Best Dance: Avicii ft. Rita Ora – Lonely together
·         Song of the Summer: Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin – I like it

Next up we have the 2018 Teen Choice Awards where 5 Seconds of Summer was the clear leader with 3 wins including Choice Music Group, Choice Summer Group and Choice Song: Group for YoungBlood. In terms of performances Meghan Trainor performed a medley of her hits No Excuses and Let You Be Right, Lauv performed I Like Me Better and Bebe Rexha performed I’m a Mess. Other big winners include:
·         Choice Male Artist: Louis Tomlinson
·         Choice Female Artist: Camila Cabello
·         Choice Breakout Artist: Khalid
·         Choice International Artist: BTS
·         Choice Song: Male Artist: Ed Sheeran – Perfect
·         Choice Song: Female Artist: Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – Havana
·         Choice Collaboration: Zac Efron & Zendaya – Rewrite the stars
·         Choice Summer Song: Selena Gomez – Back to you

Finally we have the 2018 iHeartRadio Much Music Video Awards where Shawn Mendes swept 4 awards out of whopping 8 nominations including Best Pop Artist or Group, Artist of the Year, Fan Fav Artist and Fan Fav Video for In My Blood. Mendes opened and closed the night as well with performances of Lost in Japan and In My Blood. Other noteworthy performances were Halsey with a medley of Sorry and Bad at Love, 5 Seconds of Summer with YoungBlood and Marshmello & Anne Marie with a medley of 2002 and Friends. Some of the other major victors were:
·         Video of the Year: Logic ft. Khalid & Alessia Cara – 1-800-273-8255
·         Best EDM/Dance Artist or Group: Marshmello
·         Best Director: Drake – God’s plan
·         Best Collaboration: Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line – Meant to be
·         Song of the Summer: Loud Luxury ft. Brando – Body
·         Fan Fav Single: Selena Gomez & Marshmello – Wolves
  
The music industry suffered a massive blow in August as cancer took its latest victim, this time the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. Franklin passed away in her home in Detroit at the age of 76 after battling pancreatic cancer for a while. She is one of the best-selling artists of all time and is the recipient of 18 Grammy Awards. She held the record for the highest chart entries in the US till the 2010s and remains an icon and a legend for those succeeding her legacy. Her contribution to music and the industry as a whole is unmatched, and her achievements shall remain historic compared to the discrimination suffered by her gender and ethnicity during her heyday.   

In other news Sir Cliff Richard has announced a new album called Rise Up to be released in November. This will be Richard’s first new material in 14 years. Speaking of new material Culture Club has been re-branded as Boy George & Culture Club and they released a new song in nearly two decades called Let Somebody Love You. It appears you may have to wait a little bit longer for Ed Sheeran’s Minus (-) which will complete the set, as the pop star has expressed that the next record will not be a pop record but something experimental. Nevertheless, the fans may not have to wait as long as a big pop record as Sheeran has stated the new material may be out as early as next year.

Boyzone began their 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour and their first gig was in Sri Lanka where they paid tribute to their former band mate Stephen Gately as well as going on to perform their newest single Because live for the first time (catch a glimpse of the live debut on the Major Maestro FB page). Meanwhile, Alan Walker was announced to play live in Sri Lanka during the Asian Leg of his global tour.

In chart news first and foremost congratulations to the Billboard Hot 100 which celebrated their 60th anniversary since its launch on 04th August 1958 with Ricky Nelson’s Poor Little Fool as the first ever No.1. At present Drake’s reign in the US continued with In My Feelings throughout the month with no competition to its position whatsoever boosted by the Kiki Challenge going viral on social media. During the month 6ix9ine featuring Nicki Minaj & Murda Beatz’s Fefe, Tyga featuring Offset’s Taste, DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper & Quavo’s No Brainer and Travis Scott’s Sicko Mode all entered the top 10.  

In the UK too, Drake continued atop the charts with In My Feelings which was ended by George Ezra’s Shotgun in the fourth week of the month and continued its reign in the final week as well. During the month DJ Khaled’s No Brainer, Loud Luxury featuring Brando’s Body, Calvin Harris & Sam Smith’s Promises and Benny Blanco, Halsey & Khalid’s Eastside all entered the top 10.

Other songs which became popular during the month were:

1.       Jess Glynne – All I am
2.       Marshmello & Bastille – Happier  
3.       The Chainsmokers ft. Emily Warren – Side effects
4.       Martin Garrix ft. Bonn – High on life
5.       Meghan Trainor – All the ways
      6.    Bazzi ft. Camila Cabello – Beautiful

Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Xposition - June, 2018

Attention!!!

It's the 2018 Radio Disney Music Awards and the K-Pop band BTS is the big winner taking home Best Group, Fiercest Fans for the BTS Army, Best Song That Makes You Smile for DNA and Best Dance Track for Steve Aoki's Remix of their Mic Drop. Their was only one good performance of the night and that was by Kelly Clarkson who won the Icon Award whose medley included her hits Miss Independent, Since U Been Gone, My Life Would Suck Without You, Catch My Breath, Stronger and Heat. Other wins of the night included:
  • Best Artist: Shawn Mendes
  • Breakout Artist of the Year: Camila Cabello
  • Song of the Year: Camila Cabello - Havana
  • Best New Artist: Bebe Rexha
  • Best Collaboration: Kygo ft. Selena Gomez - It ain't me
  • Impact Award: Janet Jackson
The BET Awards 2018 were also held in June with Cardi B and Kendrick Lamar each taking 2 awards with the former taking Viewer's Choice Award for Bodak Yellow and the Best Female Hip-Hop Artist and the latter winning Album of the Year for DAMN. and Best Male Hip-Hop Artist. A tribute to Anita Baker saw Yolanda Adams, Ledisi and Marsha Ambrosious performing a medley of Caught Up In Love, Sweet Rapture and You Bring Me Joy. Other good performances of the night included Nicki Minaj with a medley of Chun-Li and Rich Sex and Migos' Walk It Talk It and Stir Fry. Other significant wins of the night included:
  • Video of the Year: Drake - God's Plan
  • Best Collaboration: DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller - Wild thoughts
  • Best Female R&B/Pop Artist: Beyonce
  • Best Male R&B/Pop Artist: Bruno Mars 
  • Best Duo/Group: Migos
  • Best New Artist: SZA
With the 2018 FIFA World Cup taking place in Russia, the much awaited World Cup Anthem - Live It Up was released, a collaboration by Nicky Jam, Will Smith and Era Istrefi. This was such an abysmal attempt at creating an inspirational hit, that fell far short from much hyped up expectations. The song brought back a forgotten 90s rapper, combined it with a Kosovar artist to give it a Russian flavour and tried to wrap the whole melodic mess up with a popular Latin artist, exploiting the renewed Spanglish wave. Even the Coca Cola sponsored Colors by Jason Derulo is better. I don't even want to comment on the mediocre performance at the Opening Ceremony.  

In the latest developments in the lawsuit between Kesha vs. Dr.Luke, in a redacted document filed in court a text message to Lady Gaga by Kesha was found alleging that Dr.Luke had raped Katy Perry. Now in the defamation suit that is ongoing Dr.Luke is seeking damages for the harm caused by Kesha's alleged malicious falsehoods. However, Kesha is claiming that these may be already in public record via social media and even court filings and that an averse decision against her would have a detrimental future effect on rape and domestic violence victims. 

In other news, Boyzone announced its farewell tour marking their 25th Anniversary commencing from none other than Sri Lanka. Foreigner also announced their first ever reunion performance, this time featuring all the original members. The Cardigans also announced their 20th Anniversary Tour which would promote their new album Gran Turismo. Meanwhile, Britney Spears announced a mega collaboration alongside Pitbull and Marc Anthony. 

This month too, we bade farewell to a rising artist - XXXTentacion. Jahseh Dwayne Ricardo Onfroy whose stage name was XXXTentacion was shot at a motorcycle dealership, when he was leaving the premises in an apparent robbery. He was in critical condition before being pronounced death at the hospital. This 20-year old had a bright future ahead of him, as he was just starting his career and experiencing commercial success for his albums and singles. His lead single Sad! off his second album peaked in the US following his murder. 

In chart news, in the US, Drake's Nice For What returned to the top ending Childish Gambino's short reign with This Is America in the last two weeks of May. Drake was overthrown by Post Malone ft. Ty Dolla $ign's Psycho in the third week which he regained in the fourth week, but only to be displaced by XXXTentacion's Sad! which peaked following the latter's death. During the month Ella Mai's Boo'd Up, BTS' Fake Love and Maroon 5 ft. Cardi B's Girls Like You entered the top 10.

In the UK, Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa's One Kiss continued its reign for the first three weeks of the month accumulating 8 whopping weeks at the top which was then replaced by Jess Glynne's I'll Be There, which in turn was replaced by Clean Bandit ft. Demi Lovato's Solo. During the month George Ezra's Shotgun, Cardi B, J Balvin & Bad Bunny's I Like It and Years & Years' If You're Over Me all entered the top 10.

Other songs which became popular during the month were:
  1. Kanye West - Yikes
  2. Lil Baby & Drake - Yes indeed
  3. Selena Gomez - Back to you
  4. Rita Ora, Cardi B, Bebe Rexha & Charli XCX - Girls
  5. Shawn Mendes - Nervous 
  6. Juice WRLD - Lucid dreams 
Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Most Inspirational Songs of 2017

Attention!!!

Now more than ever people need inspiration in their lives. What began as a one-off compilation for 2013, has now become a staple year-end list. 2017 was a year where there were so many tragedies, particularly in the music industry where we witnessed sad suicides, devastating bombings and cold blooded shootings. Ariana Grande's Somewhere Over The Rainbow is a tribute to those who lost their lives in the Manchester Bombings and a whole host of artists in the UK united to raise funds for the families of the victims of those who died in the Grenfell Fire by singing Bridge Over Troubled Water for charity. 

However, in terms of inspiration 2017 belonged to The Greatest Showman soundtrack. Never has a soundtrack been more motivational as more than ninety percent of the songs in the film were inspirational; and this is clearly reflected in the top tier of this compilation with 6 songs from the soundtrack featured on the list. Other significant entries include Kesha's comeback hit which is an empowering anthem on how to get over obstacles in your life. This song may be a reflection of her ongoing legal battle with producer Dr.Luke. 

Imagine Dragons have 3 entries on the list followed by Alessia Cara, Keala Settle, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams and Ariana Grande each with 2 entries. Other soundtracks featured on the list include Wonder Woman, Sing and The Fate of the Furious. In terms of genre, Pop rules with almost all the entries with Country, Rap, Alternative Rock and EDM having a few entries. Taking this year's top spot is Oscar Nominee for Best Original Song and winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, This is Me by Keala Settle. This is followed by two songs from the soundtrack Never Enough sung by Voice Season 3 finalist Loren Allred and Come Alive by the ensemble cast. So here are the 30 most inspirational songs of 2017:   
  1. Keala Settle – This is me (The Greatest Showman OST)
  2. Loren Allred – Never enough (The Greatest Showman OST)
  3. Hugh Jackman, Keala Settle, Zendaya, Zac Efron & Daniel Everidge – Come alive (The Greatest Showman OST)
  4. Kesha – Praying
  5. Ariana Grande – Somewhere over the rainbow
  6. Imagine Dragons – Believer
  7. Rachel Platten – Broken glass
  8. Imagine Dragons – Whatever it takes
  9. Shawn Mendes – There’s nothing holdin’ me back
  10. Zendaya & Zac Efron – Rewrite the stars (The Greatest Showman OST)
  11. Little Mix ft. Stormzy – Power
  12. Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams & Ziv Zaifman – Million dreams (The Greatest Showman OST)
  13. Michelle Williams – Tightrope (The Greatest Showman OST)
  14. Sia ft. Labrinth – To be human
  15. Artists for Grenfell – Bridge over troubled water
  16. Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – 1-800-273-8255
  17. Dua Lipa – New rules
  18. Keith Urban & Carrie Underwood – The fighter
  19. Auli'i Cravalho – How far I’ll go
  20. Imagine Dragaons – Thunder
  21. Louis Tomlinson & Steve Aoki – Just hold on
  22. Machin Gun Kelly ft. Hailee Steinfeld – At my best
  23. Alessia Cara – Scars to your beautiful
  24. Starley – Call on me
  25. Bebe Rexha ft. Lil Wayne – The way I are (dance with somebody)
  26. Martin Garrix & Troye Sivan – There for you
  27. G-Eazy & Kehlani – Good life 
  28. Rag ‘n’ Bone Man – Human
  29. Miley Cyrus – Inspired
  30. Stevie Wonder & Ariana Grande – Faith
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 53rd 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!!!

My Favorite Hits of 2016

Attention!!!

2016 was a year which definitely catered to my taste. From EDM and Reggae Fusion to Pop and Alternative Rock there were awesome hits galore. One thing is for sure the songs of 2016 were much better than 2014 and were on an equal level with 2015. Although there was only a lone floorfiller last year in the form of Sia’s Cheap Thrills there were a few mind-blowing EDM hits. Alan Walker rules this list with his global hit Faded. The slow and relaxing beats of the tune are accompanied by the uncredited soothing vocals of Iselin Solheim. At second place is Stressed Out the Alternative Rock hit for the duo Twenty One Pilots followed by Swedish newcomer Zara Larsson's Lush Life at third place. 

Genre wise EDM has numerous entries followed by Pop, Reggae and Rap. Alan Walker, Dua Lipa, Sean Paul and Zara Larsson lead the list with three entries each followed by Twenty One Pilots, Clean Bandit, Anne Marie, Zedd, Hailee Steinfeld, DNCE, Justin Bieber, Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull, Rihanna, Jonas Blue, Ariana Grande and Louisa Johnson all have two entries each, either as a lead or featured artist. So here are my 50 favorites hits of 2016:  
  1. Alan Walker – Faded
  2. Twenty One Pilots – Stressed out
  3. Zara Larsson – Lush life
  4. RedOne ft. Enrique Iglesias, R.City, Shaggy & Serayah – Don’t you need somebody
  5. Dua Lipa – Hotter than hell
  6. The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk – Starboy
  7. Rihanna – Love on the brain
  8. Tinie Tempah ft. Zara Larsson – Girls like
  9. Twenty One Pilots – Heathens
  10. David Guetta ft. Zara Larsson – This one’s for you
  11. Pitbull ft. Enrique Iglesias – Messin’ around
  12. Halsey – Castle
  13. Sia ft. Sean Paul – Cheap thrills
  14. Dua Lipa – Blow your mind (mwah)
  15. Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber & MØ – Cold water
  16. Sean Paul ft. Dua Lipa – No lie
  17. Olly Murs – You don’t know love
  18. Zedd ft. Kesha – True colors
  19. Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna – This is what you came for
  20. The Veronicas – In my blood
  21. Kungs vs. Cookin’ On 3 Burners – This girl
  22. Hailee Steinfeld ft. DNCE – Rock bottom
  23. Clean Bandit ft. Anne Marie & Sean Paul – Rockabye
  24. Thomas Rhett – Die a happy man
  25. Troye Sivan – Youth
  26. The Chainsmokers ft. Daya – Don’t let me down
  27. DJ Snake ft. Justin Bieber – Let me love you
  28. Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa & Imagine Dragons ft. Logic, Ty Dolla $ign & X Ambassadors – Sucker for pain
  29. Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – I know what you did last summer
  30. Ariana Grande – Into you
  31. Years & Years – Worship
  32. Alan Walker – Alone
  33. Anne Marie – Alarm
  34. Flo Rida – My house
  35. Ellie Goulding – Something in the way you move
  36. Clean Bandit ft. Louisa Johnson – Tears
  37. Mike Posner – I took a pill in Ibiza (SeeB Remix)
  38. G-Eazy & Bebe Rexha – Me, myself & I
  39. Jonas Blue ft. JB Cooper – Perfect strangers
  40. James Arthur – Say you won’t let go
  41. Pitbull – Freedom
  42. Alan Walker – Sing me to sleep
  43. Ariana Grande ft. Nicki Minaj – Side to side
  44. Selena Gomez – Kill ‘em with kindness
  45. Pink – Just like fire
  46. Coldplay – Hymn for the weekend
  47. Hailee Steinfeld & Grey ft. Zedd – Starving
  48. Jonas Blue ft. Dakota – Fast car
  49. Louisa Johnson – So good
  50. DNCE – Body moves 
Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Most Underrated Songs of 2016

Attention!!!

Underrated means undervaluing something or not giving something the recognition it deserves. In the music industry it is particularly difficult for new artists to make headway in the mainstream as they have to compete with the already established and popular artists. So when highly overrated artists spew album after album and single after single backed by their record labels the smaller and lesser known artists or the new ones find it almost impossible to gain ground in the music scene. Pop culture is such however, that sometimes even the best of songs do not necessarily get chart success. Some of these songs which do get radio airplay, counts for almost nothing compared to physical and digital sales as well as streaming.

The following songs are the inverse of overrated as I believe they should have performed much better than they did on the global charts. Dua Lipa’s Hotter Than Hell tops the list as although it was a minor hit, the song deserves much more when taking the production as a whole.  She has two songs on the list as her follow-up single also failed to make any mark on the charts although now she is a worldwide phenomenon and is one of the most sought after artists to be featured. So here are the 20 most underrated songs of 2016:
  1. Dua Lipa – Hotter than hell
  2. Pitbull ft. Enrique Iglesias – Messin’ around
  3. Flo Rida – Zillionaire
  4. Tim McGraw – Humble and kind
  5. Thomas Rhett – Die a happy man
  6. Dua Lipa – Blow your mind (mwah)
  7. RedOne ft. Enrique Iglesias, R.City, Shaggy & Serayah – Don’t you need somebody
  8. Zedd ft. Kesha – True colors
  9. Hailee Steinfeld ft. DNCE – Rock bottom
  10. Bebe Rexha ft. Nicki Minaj – No broken hearts
  11. Years & Years – Worship
  12. Anne Marie – Alarm
  13. Troye Sivan – Youth
  14. OneRepublic – Kids 
  15. Fifth Harmony – That’s my girl
  16. Selena Gomez – Kill em with kindness
  17. Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – I know what you did last summer
  18. Alan Walker – Sing me to sleep
  19. Zara Larsson – Ain't my fault 
  20. Alessia Cara – Wild things
Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!

Most Overrated Hits of 2016

Attention!!!

Overrated means giving something more value than it deserves. In the music industry this is usually the case, if the songs are by popular artists. Sometimes artists such as Adele, Beyonce and Bruno Mars can never get it wrong. While it may just be myself, but the past year there were certain songs that reached hit status when they should not have. EDM took a drastic wrong turn somewhere as now with the Chainsmokers mainstream influence on the genre, it has merged with Pop. The same goes for Dancehall, Reggae and Rock. Purity is lost on the Millennials as one can wonder whether the kids these days actually have any taste in music or whether the music should only cater to “tripping”.

The Most Overrated Hits will become a staple addition to the year-end compilations henceforth as well as the Most Underrated Songs that will follow this post. Lukas Graham’s 7 Years tops this list as I have absolutely no idea whatsoever why this song became a hit. This is followed by The Chainsmokers and Halsey collaboration Closer and Beyonce’s Formation. Rihanna and Drake have two entries each on this list. So here are the 20 most overrated hits of the past year:
  1. Lukas Graham – 7 years
  2. The Chainsmokers ft. Halsey – Closer
  3. Beyonce – Formation
  4. Fifth Harmony ft. Fetty Wap – All in my head (flex)
  5. Rihanna – Needed me
  6. Kent Jones – Don’t mind
  7. Flume ft. Kai – Never be like you
  8. Drake ft. Wizkid & Kyla – One dance
  9. Coldplay – Adventure of a lifetime
  10. Shawn Mendes – Treat you better
  11. Adele – Send my love (to your new lover)
  12. Desiigner – Panda
  13. Meghan Trainor – No
  14. Future ft. The Weeknd – Low life
  15. Nick Jonas ft. Tove Lo – Close
  16. Little Mix – Shout out to my ex
  17. Bruno Mars – 24K magic
  18. Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane – Black Beatles
  19. Drake – Controlla
  20. Rihanna ft. Drake – Work 
Till the next chord...

At Ease!!!

Xposition - November, 2016

Attention!!!

The awards season is once again in full swing as the 2016 MTV Europe Music Awards was held in November, hosted by Bebe Rexha. Some good performances of the night were DNCE’s medley of Body Moves and Cake By The Ocean, Zara Larsson’s medley of Lush Life and Ain’t My Fault, The Weeknd’s Starboy and Bebe Rexha’s I Got You. Justin Bieber was the big winner of the night winning the Best Song for Sorry and for Biggest Fans. Martin Garrix, Shawn Mendes and Twenty One Pilots also received two awards each with Garrix receiving for Best Electronic Artist and Best World Stage Performance and Mendes receiving Best Male and Best Canadian Act, and Twenty One Pilots receiving Best Alternative and Best Live Act. Green Day was bestowed with the Global Icon Award. Some of the other significant wins included:
·         Best Video: The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk – Starboy
·         Best Female: Lady Gaga
·         Best New Act: Zara Larsson
·         Best Pop: Selena Gomez
·         Best Rock: Coldplay
·         Best Hip-Hop: Drake
·         Best Push Act: DNCE
·         Best UK Act: Little Mix
·         Best Norwegian Act: Alan Walker
·         Best Australian Act: Troye Sivan
·         Best US Act: Ariana Grande

Next up we have the 2016 American Music Awards hosted by Gigi Hadid and Jay Pharoah. Justin Bieber was the winner of the night grabbing four awards including Video of the Year for Sorry. Drake managed to garner 3 awards from his record-breaking 12 nominations and Rihanna too managed to take away 3 awards. However, Ariana Grande fended off heavyweights such as Adele and Bieber to seize the Artist of the Year award. The show opened with a fantastic performance by Bruno Mars of his newest hit single 24K Magic. There were also awesome performances by Fifth Harmony with That’s My Girl, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj with Side to Side, Twenty One Pilots with a medley of Stressed Out and Heathens, John Legend with Love Me Now and Lady Gaga with Million Reasons. The other significant wins include:
·         New Artist of the Year: Zayn
·         Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist: Justin Bieber
·         Favorite Pop/Rock Female Artist: Selena Gomez
·         Favorite Pop/Rock Song: Justin Bieber – Love yourself
·         Favorite Pop/Rock Album: Justin Bieber – Purpose
·         Favorite Country Song: Tim McGraw – Humble and kind
·         Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Song: Drake – Hotline bling
·         Favorite R&B/Soul Song: Rihanna ft. Drake – Work
·         Favorite EDM Artist: The Chainsmokers
·         Top Soundtrack: Purple Rain
·         Collaboration of the Year: Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla $ign – Work from home
·         Tour of the Year: Beyonce - The Formation World Tour 

The curtains closed on the Country Music Association Awards 2016 co-hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley for the ninth consecutive year as the show celebrated its 50th edition. Beyonce made a special appearance at the CMAs where she performed her song Daddy Lessons taken from her newest album Lemonade alongside the Dixie Chicks. Moreover, Garth Brooks who won the coveted Entertainer of the Year performed a medley of hits including Jackson, Rose Garden and Golden Ring. Dolly Parton was bestowed with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award before which Jennifer Nettles and the Pentatonix performed her hit Jolene followed by Reba McEntire singing 9 to 5. Some of the other significant wins included:
·         Song of the Year: Tim McGraw – Humble and kind (written by Lori McKenna)
·         Single of the Year: Thomas Rhett – Die a happy man
·         Album of the Year: Eric Church – Mr. Misunderstood
·         Male Vocalist of the Year: Chris Stapleton
·         Female Vocalist of the Year: Carrie Underwood
·         Vocal Group of the Year: Little Big Town
·         Musical Event of the Year: Dierks Bentley with Elle King – Different for girls
·         Pinnacle Award: Kenny Chesney

Forbes has released the list of highest paid women in music and it is none other than Taylor Swift who tops the list with a whopping US$ 170 million. Far behind Swift at second place is Adele with US$ 80 million. The rest are as follows:
3. Madonna – US$ 76.5 million
4. Rihanna – US$ 75 million
5. Beyonce – US$ 54 million
6. Katy Perry – US$ 41 million    
7. Jennifer Lopez – US$39.5 million
8. Britney Spears – US$ 30.5 million
9. Shania Twain – US$ 27.5 million
10. Celine Dion – US$ 27 million

It was a disappointing outcome for many artists as their endorsements of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton fell short, when Donald Trump triumphed at the 2016 Presidential Election. The likes of Beyonce, Jay-Z, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga supported Clinton and now will have to wait what happens when Trump takes oaths, if there will be repercussions for those who took sides in the bitter race.

BBC Music has revealed its long list of the Sound of 2017. The following 15 acts have been tipped for success next year. This annual list was compiled by 170 influential music industry experts where former winners include Years & Years, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, Keane and 50 Cent:

  1. AJ Tracey
  2. Anderson .Paak
  3. Cabbage
  4. Dave
  5. Declan McKenna
  6. Jorja Smith
  7. Maggie Rogers
  8. Nadia Rose
  9. Rag 'n' Bone Man
  10. Ray BLK
  11. RAYE
  12. Stefflon Don
  13. The Amazons
  14. The Japanese House
  15. Tom Grennan
Meanwhile, legendary singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen passed away at the age of 82. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led tributes to Cohen who was buried in a simple pine casket at a cemetery at Mount Royal in Montreal. 

Moving onto chart news, in the US the Chainsmokers’ featuring Halsey’s Closer reigned supreme for three weeks becoming the longest reigning number one of 2016 with 12 weeks at the top. However, Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane’s Black Beatles toppled the EDM duo in the final week of November to grab the crown. Black Beatles received a big boost from its usage in the viral Mannequin Challenge videos which sparked off from an October 26 tweet showing students at Jacksonville, Florida’s Edward H. White High School in mannequin poses (though that clip did not feature this song). Another viral rap song Juju On That Beat (TZ Anthem) by Zay Hilfigerr and Zayion McCall propelled through to the Top 10 after fan made videos flooded YouTube with its unique dance steps.

In the UK, Little Mix’s Shout Out To My Ex ruled for the first two weeks in November before being overthrown by Clean Bandit’s new single Rockabye which is a mammoth collaboration between Sean Paul and Anne Marie which continued to be at top for the remainder of the month. As Christmas week gets closer we get ready for the biggest battle on the UK Charts which is for the coveted Christmas Number One. The contenders were revealed at the end of November and of course on top we have the X Factor winner’s single which has grabbed the crown in the past but have also failed in the recent years. It would all depend on the winner as well as the song. It could also be a charity single which are always released during this time such as last year’s A Bridge Over You by Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir which claimed the number one with help from Justin Bieber who promoted the single despite his Love Yourself being removed from the top position.

Other songs which became popular during the month were:
  1. Lady Gaga – Million reasons
  2. Drake – Fake love
  3. Maroon 5 ft. Kendrick Lamar – Don’t wanna know
  4. Zara Larsson – I would like
  5. NEIKED ft. Dyo – Sexual
  6. Sigma ft, Birdy - Find me 

Till the next beat...

At Ease!!! 

Best New Artists of 2016

Attention!!!

This is the first of the year-end lists as we start the count down to the Greatest Hits of 2016. This year we witnessed a drove of immense talent flooding the industry. With varied genres and vocal ranges the acts ranged from solo artists to duos and groups. We have former reality/talent show contestants, former boy band members as well as social media enthusiasts. 

Taking the crown are Rock duo Twenty One Pilots who dominated the charts with their unique Alternative/Rap fusion style. They are followed by vocal powerhouse Zara Larsson whose songs went onto become global smash hits. At No.3 we have Shawn Mendes who is turning out to be the male counterpart of Taylor Swift with a gargantuan fan following. I have excluded the Chainsmokers from this list as they had their first hit #Selfie three years ago. So here are the Top 20 New Artists of 2016:   

1. Twenty One Pilots
They are an Alternative Rock duo that captured our hearts with Stressed Out and went onto score other popular hits such as Ride and Heathens.

2. Zara Larsson
She is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry as her hits Never Forget You, Lush Life, Ain’t My Fault and I Would Like were all global smash hits and she even collaborated with David Guetta and Tinie Tempah.

3. Shawn Mendes
This Canadian heartthrob speaks to prepubescents through his whiny and cheesy lyrics and he has had hits such as Stitches, Treat You Better and Mercy and also collaborations with Camila Cabello and The Vamps.

4. DNCE
Definitely the best Pop Rock band of this decade so far, their global smash Cake By The Ocean is now an anthem on the dancefloor and they have had hits such as Toothbrush and Body Moves.

5. Alan Walker

One of the most unique DJs of this decade who released his global chart topper Faded followed by Sing Me To Sleep and more recently Alone.

6. Daya
The Hideaway hit maker did not stop there, she collaborated with the Chainsmokers’ on their worldwide hit Don’t Let Me Down and again returned to the charts with Sit Still and Look Pretty.

7. Alessia Cara
Her anti-social hymn Here became a party hit over night and she went on to score with Wild Things and Scars To Your Beautiful.

8. G-Eazy


He’s the new white kid on the block, but his style of rapping is distinctive and his collaboration Me Myself & I with Bebe Rexha was a global hit and he has gone onto collaborate with Britney Spears and Grace.

9. Bebe Rexha
With powerful vocals she can sing as well as rap. Her single Me Myself & I alongside G-Eazy was a worldwide hit and she also spawned hits such as No Broken Hearts and I Got You.

10.
Her Danish Indie Pop style doesn’t go unnoticed. Entering the mainstream from Major Lazer’s Lean On, she has now released hits such as Final Song, Kamikaze and Drum and also collaborating with Major Lazer again on Cold Water.

11. Zayn
This former One Directioner proved that he can stand on his own as he topped the charts with his debut single Pillowtalk and has also had hits such as Like I Would and It’s You.

12. Dua Lipa

As a vocal powerhouse she entered the mainstream with Be The One and Hotter Than Hell and then went on to score with Blow Your Mind (Mwah) and being featured on Sean Paul’s No Lie.

13. Troye Sivan
As a social media titan, Sivan’s followers will swallow anything and everything that he spews out; although his singles are good and Youth, Wild and Talk Me Down went onto become hits.

14. Louisa Johnson
She won the X Factor last year and entered the charts covering Bob Dylan’s Forever Young. She then collaborated with the Clean Bandit on their hit Tears and also her own hit So Good.  

15. Lukas Graham

They may be hyped up but their 7 Years was a mega hit around the world which they followed up with Mama Said and You’re Not There.

16. Anne Marie
Her hit Alarm took the charts by storm after which her collaboration with Clean Bandit and Sean Paul on Rockabye reached the summit worldwide.

17. Halsey
Her New Americana, Colours and Castle were all moderately successful but it was Closer, her collaboration with the Chainsmokers that propelled her to No.1 world over.

18. Calum Scott
He finished sixth on the ninth series of Britain’s Got Talent and released his audition song cover of Robyn’s Dancing On My Own which became a worldwide hit. 

19. Kiiara
Her bass heavy, trap style, rap became very popular through her hit Gold which was used by Apple to promote their Apple Watch. 

20. Nathan Sykes
He may have not earned the same popularity as his former band The Wanted but he did gain chart success with Over and Over Again, Give It Up and Famous. 

Till the next ensemble...

At Ease!!!

Ultimate Quarantine Playlist

It has indeed been sometime since I took some time off to create a playlist. This time, I had a lot of time on my hands, considering I had 1...