U.K.
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Doja Cat has one paw on the U.K. chart title.
The U.S. rapper, singer and songwriter leads the chart blast with “Paint The Town Red” (via RCA), which, if it holds its position, would mark her first U.K. chart crown.
Currently, according to the Official Charts Company, Doja Cat leads by a whisker. Less than 1,000 chart units separate “Paint The Town Red” from her all-female top 5 rivals, which include Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (No. 2 via Interscope), Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” (No. 3 via EMI), Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” (No. 4 via Interscope/Atlantic) and Peggy Gou’s “It Goes Like (Nanana)” (No. 5 via XL Recordings).
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In her career to date, Doja Cat has a U.K. chart best of No. 2 for 2020’s “Say So” and a No. 3 for 2021’s “Kiss Me More” featuring SZA.
“Paint The Town Red,” the current leader in Australia, contains a sample of the Dionne Warwick classic from 1963 “Walk On By.” When the Official U.K. Singles Chart was published last Friday, Aug. 25, “Paint The Town Red” lifted 15-4 for a new peak, betting the best of Warwick’s original. Based on early sales and streaming activity reported by the OCC, Dua Lipa’s stint at the chart summit is likely to end at one week, as her Barbie cut “Dance The Night” (Warner Records) looks set to tumble out the top 10.
There are, however, other dance tunes looking to rise in the top tier. Calvin Harris and Sam Smith’s “Desire” (Columbia) could hit a new peak of No. 6, while Chase & Status, Bou and Flowdan’s “Baddadan” (EMI) is predicted to enter the top 10 for the first time at No. 8.
Miley Cyrus’ new single “Used To Be Young” (Columbia) could bag the week’s highest debut at No. 9, for what would give the U.S. pop singer her ninth U.K. top 10 and 24th top 40 appearance.Finally, Selena Gomez is eyeing a 20th U.K. top 40 with “Single Soon” (Interscope), which, based on the chart blast, could enter at No. 17. Afrobeats star Burna Boy’s collaboration with London rapper Dave, “Cheat On Me” (Atlantic), could land at No. 20.All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, Sept. 1.
Hozier enjoys an unreal start on the U.K. albums chart as his third studio album blasts to No. 1. Unreal Unearth (via Island) debuts atop the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Aug. 25, for the Irish singer and songwriter’s first leader. The leader at the midweek stage and best-seller on vinyl across the latest full-week […]
The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has revealed its nominees in 12 categories for the 2023 AIM Awards.
RAYE and Shygirl each received three nominations. 070 Shake, who collaborated with RAYE on “Escapism,” received two, as did Ezra Collective, Overmono and ENNY. Other notable nominees include: Wet Leg, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Yves Tumor, Little Simz and Rina Sawayama.
AIM also revealed the winners of two awards.
Björk won the publicly-voted Best Live Performance award, besting Beabadoobee, MUNA and Japan’s kawaii-metal girl band BABYMETAL.
Dr. Charisse Beaumont, CEO of Black Lives in Music (BLiM), was named Diversity Champion in recognition of her groundbreaking work in creating an inclusive music industry, such as the rollout of BLiM’s voluntary Music Industry Anti-Racism Code.
The AIM Independent Music Awards recognizes the achievements of independent labels, artists and entrepreneurs that make up the U.K.’s independent music sector.
Silvia Montello, CEO of AIM, said in a statement: “The AIM Independent Music Awards are a night to celebrate the best of the UK’s independent music community, and to showcase its triumphs and innovations. We are proud to be able to honour the diversity and talent across the UK ‘s independent labels, artists, entrepreneurs and champions and it’s fantastic to see continued public recognition of Björk’s trailblazing live shows!”
The awards will be presented at London’s Roundhouse on Sept. 26.
The ceremony will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, an anniversary that has been feted at numerous awards shows already this year. The segment, supported by BBC 1Xtra, will recognize hip-hop’s influence and its lasting impact on the emergence of jungle, grime and drum & bass.
Here’s a complete list of nominees for the 2023 AIM Awards.
Best Live Performance
Björk (One Little Independent)
Diversity Champion
Charisse Beaumont – Black Lives in Music
PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist
AntsLive (Payday Records, Trademark Records)
John Summit (Off The Grid Records)
Surya Sen (Skint Records)
Vibe Chemistry (DnB Allstars Records)
Wet Leg (Domino Records)
Music Entrepreneur of the Year
Alex Brees – Un:hurd
Caius Pawson – Young / Space
Jess Kangalee – Good Energy PR
Keturah Cummings – Forward Slash
Yasin El Ashrafi – HQ Familia
Best Boutique Label
Chess Club
Glasgow Underground
Houndstooth
Rough Bones
So Young Records
Best Independent Label
Defected Records
Forever Living Originals
Hospital Records
One Little Independent
Transgressive
Best Creative Campaign
Because Music (Shygirl – “Nymph”)
Dirty Hit (Rina Sawayama – “Hold the Girl”)
Human Re Sources (RAYE – “My 21st Century Blues”)
Ninja Tune (Young Fathers – “Heavy Heavy”)
Partisan Records (Ezra Collective – “Where I’m Meant to Be”)
XL Recordings (Yaeji – “With a Hammer”)
UK Independent Breakthrough
Ezra Collective (Partisan Records)
I.Jordan (Ninja Tune)
Overmono (XL Recordings)
Shygirl (Because Music)
Suki Waterhouse (Sub Pop)
Best Independent Track (Meta)
Connie Constance – “Hurt You” (Play It Again Sam)
ENNY – “Charge It” (FAMM)
Four Tet – “Three Drums” (Text Records)
Makaya McCraven – “Dream Another” (XL Recordings)
Overmono – “Good Lies” (XL Recordings)
RAYE, 070 Shake – “Escapism” (Human Re Sources)
Shygirl – “Shlut” (Because Music)
Sudan Archives – “Selfish Soul” (Stones Throw Records)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Spitting Off the Edge of the World” feat. Perfume Genius (Secretly Canadian)
Yves Tumor – “Echolalia” (Warp Records)
Best Independent EP/ Mixtape
Bellah – Adultsville (Base ‘N’ Rebulz X Marathon Music Group)
ENNY – We Go Again (FAMM)
Jessica Winter – Limerance (Lucky Number)
Saint Joshua – EP2 (Ditto Music)
yunè pinku – BABYLON IX (PLATOON)
Best Independent Album
Avelino – God Save The Streets (More Music Records/ OddChild Music)
Kelela – Raven (Warp Records)
Little Simz – No Thank You (Forever Living Originals)
Nova Twins – Supernova (Marshall Records)
Obongjayar – Some Nights I Dream of Doors (September Recordings)
Oliver Sim – Hideous Bastard (Young)
RAYE – My 21st Century Blues (Human Re Sources)
Rina Sawayama – Hold the Girl (Dirty Hit)
Shygirl – Nymph (Because Music)
Wu-Lu – LOGGERHEAD(Warp Records)
Best Independent Remix
Sega Bodega Remix (One Little Independent) – Björk – “Ovuke” (feat. Shygirl)
Soulwax Remix (Deewee / Because Music) – Charlotte Adigéry & Bolis Pupul – “Cliché”
Nu:Tone Remix (Hospital Records) – GLXY – “Butterfly Effect” (feat. Hugh Hardie & Visionobi)
Jamie XX remix (Young) – Oliver Sim – “GMT”
Boys Noize (Secretly Canadian) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Wolf”
One to Watch (BBC Music Introducing)
Jessica Winter (Lucky Number)
Juice Menace (Supernature)
FLOWEROVLOVE (FAE GRP)
Laughta (MDLBEAST)
Master Peace (PMR)
Best Independent Video (Vevo)
Ezra Collective – “No Confusion” ft. Kojey Radical (Partisan Records)
Kelela – “Enough for Love” (Warp Records)
Obongjayar – “I Wish It Was Me (Live)” (September Recordings)
RAYE, 070 Shake – “Escapism” (Human Re Sources)
Wesley Joseph – “MONSOON” (EEVILTWINN)
It’s tight at the top of the midweek U.K. chart, as singles by Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo joust for the crown.
As it stands, Lipa’s Barbie cut “Dance The Night” (via Warner Records) leads Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” (Interscope) and Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (Geffen), respectively.
According to the Official Charts Company, less than 1,000 chart units currently separate the top three.
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Lupa will hope for a different result from last week, when “Dance The Night” led on the chart blast, only to be pipped by Eilish in the finals days of the chart week.
If it holds its spot, “Dance The Night” would give Lipa a fourth U.K. chart topper, and her first as a solo artist since “New Rules” back in 2017.
If “Vampire” takes flight and snatches the crown, it would give Rodrigo a third leader after “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U,” both from 2021.
“What Was I Made For?” last Friday (Aug. 18) became Elish’s second U.K. No. 1 single, following her Academy Award-winning James Bond single, “No Time To Die.” And it led an historic tally, on which the top six singles were all recorded by solo female artists.
The Official Chart Update is Girl Powered once again, as female solo artists rule positions 1-6, including Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” (holding at No. 4 via EMI), Peggy Gou’s “(It Goes Like) Nanana” (up 6-5 via XL Recordings) and Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red” (Ministry of Sound) set to rise 19-6, for a new high.
Also, Becky Hill’s “Disconnect” (Polydor) with Chase & Status is on the brink of a new peak, up 9-7 on the chart blast, while Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice and Aqua’s “Barbie World” (Atlantic/Capitol/Republic) dips 7-9, bringing to eight the total of female-led singles in the midweek top 10.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday, Aug. 25.
Liam Gallagher is king of the U.K. Albums Chart with Knebworth 22 (via Warner Records).
Recorded live last year at the scene of one of Oasis’s most iconic events, Knebworth 22 keeps the streak alive for Gallagher, who now boasts five solo chart leaders, including As You Were (2017), Why Me? Why Not (2019), MTV Unplugged (2020) and C’mon You Know (2022).
As a member of Oasis, Gallagher claimed eight No. 1s, including all seven of the Britpop legends’ studio albums. Gallagher’s post-Oasis project Beady Eye released two albums, 2011’s Different Gear, Still Speeding (peaking at No. 3) and 2013’s BE (No. 2).
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By securing top spot on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Aug. 18, Liam goes one better than his brother Noel Gallagher, whose own post-Oasis career has yielded four No. 1s and a narrow miss with Council Skies, which came in at No. 2 on the national chart earlier in the year behind Foo Fighters’ But Here We Are.
The leader at the halfway mark, Knebworth 22 is the biggest selling album of the week on vinyl and downloads, according to the Official Charts Company.
Coming in at No. 2 on the national chart is the Hives’ sixth album The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons (Disques Hives). That’s the Swedish rockers’ highest charting LP in the U.K., besting the No. 7 for their 2002 collection Your New Favourite Band, released through Alan McGee’s Poptones label, and its followup from 2004, Tyrannosaurus Hives (Polydor).
Completing an all-new top three is Jungle’s Volcano (Caiola), which erupts at No. 3. All four of the British electronic music pair’s albums have cracked the U.K. top 10.
Also new to the top 10 is London rapper Fredo with Unfinished Business (PG Records) arriving at No. 9, for his fifth top tier appearance, while new releases from Lucy Spraggan (Balance at No. 24 via CTRL) and John Lydon’s Public Image Ltd (End of World at No. 33 via PIL Official) impact the U.K. top 40.
Finally, Taylor Swift makes her presence felt on the top 40 with eight titles, including three in the top 10. Leading the way is 1989 at No. 5, which reenters the top 5 for the first time since 2015, the OCC notes, powered by the announcement that her re-recorded 1989 (Taylor’s Version) will arrive Oct. 27.
For the first time in two-and-a-half months, the U.K.’s singles chart is set to crown a new leader. And, right now, that crown looks like a good fit for Dua Lipa.
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The pop superstar leads the midweek chart with “Dance The Night” (via Warner Records), one of several hits from Barbie.
If it swings to the top, up 3-1, “Dance The Night” would be Lipa’s fourth U.K. leader, following “New Rules”; “One Kiss “with Calvin Harris; and “Cold Heart,” her collaboration with Elton John, remixed by PNAU.
Barbie has now passed the US$1 billion milestone at the global box office, and the hit film’s influence can been seen up and down the U.K.’s chart blast. Indeed, it’s an all-Barbie top two, as Billie Eilish’s ballad “What Was I Made For?” slots into second place, less than 1,000 chart units behind “Dance The Night,” the Official Charts Company reports. Other cuts from Barbie: The Album making a midweek mark include “Barbie World” by Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice and Aqua (at No. 7); “Speed Drive” by Charli XCX (No. 14); “I’m Just Ken” by Ryan Gosling (No. 16); and Lizzo’s “Pink” (No. 34).
Meanwhile, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (Geffen) completes the midweek podium, at No. 3, while the Grammy-winning pop star is poised to nab the top new entry on the national survey with “Bad Idea Right,” the latest track lifted from her forthcoming sophomore album GUTS. It’s new at No. 5 on the Official Chart Update.
Also set to make a dent on the chart is Fred Again’s “I Adore U” (Atlantic). It’s set to bow at No. 11, for what would be a career-high from the smoking hot Mercury Prize-nominated DJ and producer.
It would appear that Dave and Central Cee’s “Sprinter” (Live Yours/Neighbourhood) has run its final race. The hit song led the national chart for 10 consecutive weeks, but is set to tumble not just from summit, but out of the top 10. Based on sales and streaming data published by the OCC, “Sprinter” will drop to No. 12.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday, Aug. 18.
Skindred has every reason to smile. After performing at Glastonbury Festival 2023, the Newport, Wales heavy metal act leads the U.K.’s chart blast with Smile (via Earache), the rockers’ eighth studio album.
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If Smile holds its spot, not only would it become their first leader, but it would be the band’s first title to impact the top 10.
Nothing is certain at this stage.
Yorkshire, England indie-rock act the Sherlocks (with People Like Me & You via Teddyboy) and Cian Ducrot (Victory via Polydor) complete the respective podium places on the Official Chart Update.
Currently, less than 500 chart units separate the top three, the Official Charts Company reports.
Completing an all-new top 5 at the midweek stage is Miles Kane’s fifth solo effort, One Man Band (Modern Sky), set to start at No. 4 for what would be his peak chart position, while London hip-hop outfit N-Dubz could snag No. 5 with Timeless (EMI), their first studio album in 13 years.
Anniversary reissues from Snow Patrol and ABC could make a splash when the national albums chart is published this Friday, Aug. 11.
Snow Patrol’s third album Final Straw is poised for a top 10 return, at No. 7. Released in 2003, through Polydor, the British-Irish alternative rock band’s major label debut, Final Straw peaked at No. 3. Its followup, Eyes Open from 2006, gave the group their first and only U.K. chart leader.
Also, ‘80s pop favorites ABC could stage their own return to the top 10 with The Lexicon of Love (Mercury), which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. The LP, which initially led the chart following its release in 1982 and includes the hits “Poison Arrow,” “The Look of Love” and more, appears at No. 10 on the chart blast.
Finally, Mammoth WVH could bag its first U.K. charting album with Mammoth II (BMG). It’s new at No. 24 on the Official Chart Update. Mammoth WVH is fronted by Wolf Van Halen, son of the legendary late guitarist Eddie Van Halen, and bass player with the iconic U.S. rock act Van Halen.
Dave and Central Cee’s “Sprinter” has another race on its hands.
The hit U.K. hip-hop single has the edge at the halfway stage in the chart week, though two singles from the Barbie soundtrack are trailing close behind.
If “Sprinter” (via Live Yours/Neighbourhood) does keep its momentum, it’ll secure a 10th consecutive week at No. 1, extending its lead as the longest-reigning homegrown hip-hop single ever in the U.K. and drawing level with Miley Cyrus’ run with “Flowers” for the market’s longest-ruling single this year.
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Dua Lipa or Billie Eilish could have a say in that.
Lipa’s Barbie cut “Dance The Night” (Warner Records) trailed “Sprinter” by about 1,000 combined units after the first 48 hour of the chart cycle, the Official Charts Company reports, and holds at No. 3 on the midweek chart.
Eilish’s “What Was Made I For?” (Interscope), also from Barbie The Album, and the best-seller on Australia’s latest ARIA Chart, is at No. 2 on the chart blast.
Meanwhile, Nathan Dawe, Joel Corry and Ella Henderson could return to the top 10 with “0800 Heaven” (Atlantic), up 11-8 on the Official Singles Chart Update, while Becky Hill and Chase & Status’s “Disconnect” (up 15-9 via Polydor) and Gunna’s “Fukumean” (up 13-10 via 300 Entertainment) are gaining on the chart blast.
Just outside the top 10 is Calvin Harris and Sam Smith’s latest collaboration “Desire” (Columbia), up 17-11 for what would be a new chart peak. If it heads further north, it would be Harris’ 30th top 10 single and Smith’s 13th.
Also looking up is Anne-Marie and Shania Twain’s “Unhealthy” (Atlantic/Asylum/EMI), which could bounce 22-17 for a new peak. “Unhealthy” is the title track to Anne-Marie’s third studio LP, which bowed at No. 2 on the national albums chart.
Finally, Doja Cat is looking to pounce on the chart with “Paint The Town Red” (Kemosabe/RCA). Doja’s latest tune, which is expected to appear on her as-yet untitled fourth studio album, is set to start at No. 20 in the U.K. for the week’s top debut.
All will be revealed when the Official Charts are published late Friday, Aug. 11.
“Sprinter” remains unbeaten in U.K. chart races as Dave and Central Cee’s hit clocks nine consecutive weeks at No. 1.
With that feat, “Sprinter” (via Live Yours/Neighbourhood) becomes the longest-reigning U.K. rap single in U.K. chart history. It’s the second time Dave has entered the record books following the surprise release of “Starlight” in 2022, which logged four weeks at the summit, a new benchmark for a solo U.K. rap No. 1.
If “Sprinter” can cross the line first when the next chart is published on Friday, Aug. 11, it would draw level with Miley Cyrus’ 10-week reign with “Flowers,” for the longest-running leader this year.
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Central Cee, the London rapper and songwriter, also appears further down the list with “On The Radar Freestyle” (Columbia/OVO Sound), his collaboration with Drake. It’s new at No. 26 for Central Cee’s 19 U.K. top 40 appearance, and Drake’s 82nd.
Barbie retains a firm grip on the Official Charts, as four songs from the hit film’s soundtrack impact the top ten, led by Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For” (Interscope) up 3-2 for a new peak. Eilish’s low-key number is currently No. 1 in Australia.
Barbie: The Album cuts “Dance The Night” by Dua Lipa (up 4-3); “Barbie World” by Ice Spice, Nicki Minaj and Aqua (up 5-4) and “Speed Drive” Charli XCX (19-9) motor to new chart peaks. With its steep climb on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Aug. 4, “Speed Drive” becomes Charli’s sixth U.K. top 10 single and her first in eight years as a lead artist, dating back to 2015’s “Doing It” featuring Rita Ora.
Close behind is Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken,” up 25-14, and Lizzo’s “Pink” up 39-27.
With Travis Scott‘s Utopia lording over the albums survey, hip-hop is the undisputed king of the U.K.’s charts this week. Scott also nabs the highest new entry this week on the singles survey with “Meltdown” (Epic). Featuring vocals from Drake, it’s new at No. 10 for Scott’s fifth U.K. top 10 appearance.
Meanwhile, Calvin Harris and Sam Smith’s latest collaboration, “Desire” (Columbia), starts at No. 18, while Post Malone’s “Chemical” enjoys a boost following the release of the U.S. singer and rapper’s fifth studio album, Austin. “Chemical” roars 83- 24, as Austin bows at No. 3 on the albums tally.
Finally, Sinead O’Connor makes a posthumous return to the top 40 with her signature song, “Nothing Compares 2 U” (Chrysalis), reentering at No. 30 on a 60% gain in combined sales, the Official Charts Company reports.
“Nothing Compares 2 U” logged four weeks at No. 1 following its initial release in 1990. The Irish singer and songwriter died July 26, at the age of 56.
Travis Scott is living his best life on the U.K. albums chart as Utopia (via Epic) bows at No. 1.
The U.S. hip-hop star’s fourth studio album debuts at the summit of the Official Chart, published Aug. 4, eclipsing the No. 3 best for his previous album, 2018’s Astroworld.
Utopia, a digital-only release, finishes the week in a flurry. Anne-Marie’s Unhealthy (Atlantic) was the leader at the halfway point, with an advantage of about 200 combined sales. When the chart proper was published last Friday, Unhealthy had dipped to No. 2, some 1,500 chart units behind Utopia.
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Unhealthy is the English artist’s third U.K. top 5 album, following 2018’s Speak Your Mind (No. 3) and 2021’s Therapy (No. 2). Despite missing out on the title, Unhealthy becomes the fastest-selling album of 2023 for a U.K. solo female, according to the Official Charts Company, which reports that physical sales account for 84% of its first-week tally.
Utopia, meanwhile, bags the biggest streaming week for any LP so far this year.
Completing an all-new top three is Post Malone’s Austin (Island). That’s the U.S. rapper’s fifth U.K. top 10 album to date after 2016’s Stoney (No. 10), 2018’s Beerbongs & Bentleys (No. 1), 2019’s Hollywood’s Bleeding (No. 1) and 2022’s Twelve Carat Toothache (No. 3).
Further down the list, veteran Birmingham, England band Dexys (formerly Dexys Midnight Runners) sprint to their highest-charting LP in over 30 years with The Feminine Divine (100 Percent Records). Their sixth studio set starts at No. 6 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart.
You’d have to wind the clock back to 1982 to find a higher chart position for Dexys, when their sophomore effort Too-Rye-Ay, which featured the enduring hit “Come On Eileen,” peaked at No. 2. Kevin Rowland and Co. last landed in the U.K. top 10 with 2016’s Let the Record Show: Dexys Do Irish and Country Soul, which peaked at No. 10.