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Kendrick Lamar is a 37 year old, American rapper from Compton, California. With a career beginning in high school, he signed with Top Dawg Entertainment where he founded a group called Black Hippy in 2008. Following a successful album, he then signed with Interscope and Aftermath Entertainment, a company created by Dr Dre. He rose to prominence in 2012 with the release of his second album “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City”. He was ranked as the 9th greatest rapper of all time by Billboard in 2015, and then he was ranked at number two by Billboard in an updated list in 2023. In 2018 he received the Pulitzer Prize for Music, making him the first in his genre to do so.

Kendrick Lamar’s first album entry in the UK charts was the 2015 release “To Pimp a Butterfly”. He also has five top ten albums with another making it to the top 40. Though he has yet to receive a UK number one single, he has ten top ten entries and 25 top 40 entries, including the 2015 collaboration “Bad Blood” with Taylor Swift and collaborations with the WEEKND, Sia, Beyonce, and Maroon 5. His songs “Euphoria” and “Not Like Us” reached number 4 and 11 respectively. 

His newest album release “GNX” was an unpromoted, surprise album released last Friday, charting at number 1 on the chart on 29 November. Three songs from the album occupy spots 4, 5 and 6 on the official single charts for the period 29 November – 5 December. These songs are ‘Squabble Up’ (4), ‘Luther’ (5) and ‘TV On’ (6), topped only by a top three that have each been in the chart for over a month already. The album is a West Coast hip-hop album that seamlessly blends multiple genres, including both classical and contemporary hip hop as well as g-funk, R&B vocals and soul. 

After a year full of diss tracks and conflict with Drake (a conflict which resulted in the release of Lamar’s track “Not Like Us”) Kendrick Lamar released an album that NME said “showed the world that he would die for his pride in the scathing battle, igniting the fearless insolence that seeps into his latest album”. NME, who also called Lamar this year’s rap MVP, rating the album five stars, said “Lamar channels what could be interpreted as hate and negativity into a teachable moment, leading you to draw upon the purest emotion known to man: love. In a year that started with so much venom, Kendrick Lamar shares the antidote on ‘GNX’.”

Others have compared the album to the cultural phenomenon of an episode of Game of Thrones, saying, “a cultural moment of reception, that stopped the world for an hour or so.”, with The Guardian ranking the album a four out of five, and The New York Times adding comments such as “It all makes “GNX” less a coherent statement of purpose than a collection of approaches, a burning off of loose energy before something much more focused and contemplative. Call it the storm before the quiet.”

No matter what, the one thing that all reviews seem to have in common is that “GNX” is a statement, one that Lamar didn’t feel the need to promote because he simply knew the world would listen – all of the reviews and his standings on the chart are a testament to that.

Elsewhere in the charts, The Snuts also hit number three with their second studio album Burn The Empire with Craig David returning to the charts with his eighth studio album, 22 at number seven. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs have also scored their fourth top 10 album this week with their fifth record, Cool It Down. It was Slipknot who came out on top with their singles also performing vary well on streaming platforms, one of the most popular songs on the album include “Chapeltown Rag” reaching almost 19 million streams on Spotify as well as “The Dying Song (Time To Sing)” with just under 14 million with its music video reaching 15 million on YouTube, which you can view below.

Speaking about the band’s new album to NME Slipknot’s Corey Taylor said the band’s latest album most closely resembles their third record, ‘Vol. 3: (Subliminal Verses)’. Released back in 2004, that was the album where the band focused on melody, taking their songwriting in new, unexpected directions. “Musically, we’ve never shied away from a challenge,” Taylor said. “It got to the point where you’re like, ‘Where do we go?’ [We said] let’s look back for inspiration instead of trying to look forward, and let’s try to embrace some of the shit that made us wanna do this in the first place.” He then went on to say that the band worried “less about the cohesion of the album and more about the strength of the songs. Each song has its own identity, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be the identity of the album.”

This latest album is available in multiple formats, but for those who purchased it on vinyl or cassette, you may have noticed an error, the wrong title was actually printed on the cover. This was pointed out by fans on the internet who noted that the album cover actually reads The End for Now…, while the correct name can be seen on the sticker on the protective plastic wrap, however if you bought the CDs it would appear to have the correct title on them.

thankyou for everythin my family … i have plans https://t.co/kC5vEMEbee

— YUNGBLUD (@yungblud) September 9, 2022

Yungblud, real name Dominic Harrison, took to Twitter when he heard the news to say, “thank you for everythin my family … I have plans.” Followed by a smiling devil emoji and a black heart. When the musician received the trophy from the Official Charts Company for Weird reaching Number One, he melted it down to make 150 safety pins for his diehard fans.

In light of current events, the Official Charts are published simply as a matter of record this evening.

The charts will be accessible at https://t.co/3g6cKUqJfE pic.twitter.com/NRPd6qjgp7

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) September 9, 2022

The late Queen Elizabeth II’s extraordinary 70-year reign has so far spanned the entire existence of the Official Singles chart so far, which was created in November 1952, the same year she ascended to the throne. To mark respect for the Queen’s passing Official Charts Company did not share any stats around this week’s charts but published them “simply as a matter of record”.

The album so far has received rave reviews, NME giving it four stars and saying, “It’s a lot more focused than what’s come before; Harrison’s replaced his kid in a candy shop approach to music with a blistering confidence. Perhaps for the first time in his career, he knows exactly what he wants. ‘Yungblud’ is a coming-of-age album but it doesn’t skimp on the excitement either.”

Addressing the social media accusations of ‘queer-baiting’, being an ‘industry plant’ and pretending to be working class the review finishes by saying, “It would have been easy for Yungblud to pull back from the spotlight after getting a battering online. Instead, he’s come back with his most confident, cohesive album, which sees him fighting hate with understanding and love. It’s a battle he knows he can win”.

Talking to the Official Charts Company website about the success of Weird and the recording of his new album he said, “I started working on it almost immediately after Weird! went to Number 1 and there was all this “commercial success” in inverted commas, whatever that means. I had the chance to work in any studio with any writers, anything I f*cking wanted. And that just wasn’t me, man. I mean, I went [into those rooms] and these producers were all like “oh, you’re doing that rock thing.”

He continued, “Like, what do you mean “that rock thing?!” It was all very fake. It felt fake. So I ended up making the album in my mate’s bedroom. We started in January, and we’d finished by February and now it’s coming out. You can’t choose what an album sounds like, it’s almost got to choose you”. When asked about his unique celebration for Weird reaching Number One and if he had any plans to repeat if Yungblud reached the top spot, Harrison said, “It will be something mental. I might make them into golden ducks or summit. Guys at Official Charts, make sure you have the furnace ready!”

WE MADE FOOKIN HISTORY LAST NIGHT!!! 3 shows in 1 night on the sunset strip!!! played the new album in full and over 700,000 of you tuned in! thankyou for everythin … pic.twitter.com/4f3x7dxo0D

— YUNGBLUD (@yungblud) September 9, 2022

Yungblud is currently in Los Angeles and on September 9^th played three shows in one night on the Sunset Strip. He played the new album in full and “over 700,000” people tuned in to watch. Yungblud is available everywhere now.

@Beyonce‘s #RENAISSANCE is Number 1 for a second week!

It’s her first album to spend multiple weeks since 4 in 2011

Details https://t.co/oa2XR9BNOo pic.twitter.com/J3Tpm8HC86

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) August 12, 2022

After Renaissance was released on 29th June 2022 via Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records, it was announced that Beyoncé had achieved another feat. The singer has been named the fourth woman in music history to have ten tracks position at the top of the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip- Hop chart. Respected music industry organisation Billboard reported the figures this week, the report confirmed that the album’s lead single “Break My Soul” held the stats to place the singer in fourth place.

Elsewhere within this week’s UK album charts, American rapper, Eminem has been named this week’s highest new entry. The artist’s new compilation album Curtain Call 2 has debuted at number three in the UK, marking Eminem’s twelve Top 10 album in the UK so far. The “The Real Slim Shady” rapper’s second greatest hits album was released on 5th August 2022 via Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records and Interscope Records. The new release is a follow-up to the Detroit act’s first greatest hits, Curtain Call: The Hits, which was released on 2005 and reached number one within the UK album charts.

Dreamland IRL…out NOW. to celebrate we have just released 11 incredible brand new remixes from some of our favourite artists. <3 And…today we are also dropping new Vinyl, Cassettes, VHSs, & CDs. Available from link in bio, or from ur fave record store xx pic.twitter.com/Rm6s4yxXOd

— Glass Animals (@GlassAnimals) August 5, 2022

Making a triumphant return to the UK album Top 20 are indie rockers Glass Animals, the group’s recent release Dreamland has placed at number 20. The Oxford-based group’s third studio album was originally released on 7th August 2020 and came four years after their second studio album How To Be A Human Being. After its original release, Dreamland placed at number two within the UK album charts and sired five singles including “Heatwaves” which placed at number 5 on the UK singles charts. The surge of interest in the album can be linked to its anniversary, last week saw Glass Animals reissue the album on limited edition formats in celebration of the album’s two-year birthday.

Due to their return to the live stage after a three-year hiatus, Artic Monkeys’ album AM has leapfrogged five places to chart at number 22. The Sheffield rocker’s fifth studio album was originally released in September 2013 via the British independent label Domino. The album was proceeded by three singles, “R U Mine?”, “Do I Wanna Know?” and “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High?”. Upon the album’s initial release it charted at the top of the UK album charts, making the group’s fifth number one album. All of the award-winning band’s albums have scored the top spot, with their set at Reading & Leeds coming up music fans have betted that more of the Arctic Monkey’s albums will re-enter the charts.

Building their fan base through opening bigger acts and airplay support, the musical group finished the week with 20,455 sales, of which 1,392 from streams, according to the Official Charts Company. On the other hand, Demi Lovato’s body of work was slightly behind, with 20,183 sales (including 2,849 from streams), meaning only 272 sales away from the Snuts. Following the success, the band commented: ‘This one is for all the fans who have proved that it’s possible to get a band like us to Number 1. Every copy you bought of this record goes a long way. It’s old school and it’s beautiful. Thanks very much – we love you.’

The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) said: ‘A huge congratulations to The Snuts for landing a UK No.1 album with WL. As the first Scottish band to do so with their debut record since The View’s Hats Off to the Buskers in 2007, this is an incredible achievement; not least at a time of significant challenges industry wide. Their success follows on from Mogwai claiming the No.1 spot just a few weeks back with As The Love Continues, highlighting the strength, passion and determination from Scotland’s artists and music industry, and signifying an exciting and impactful period of engagement and connection with Scottish music.’

The Struts have already announced their 22 dates in the UK in September 2021, to support ‘WL’.

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Upon the news of the bands first UK number one album, Mogwai stated, “We’re unbelievably happy to have the number one album in the UK. We want to thank everyone at Rock Action Records – both of you – and mostly to thank everyone who has bought, downloaded and streamed the album, and supported us over the last week, and the last 25 years. It’s something we’re amazed by. We’re taken aback by everyone’s support, kindness and generosity.”

The band beat off competitor Ghetts’ ‘Conflict of Interest’ by 2,900 sales. ‘As the Love Continues’ also won in vinyl and independent record store sales this week. Ghetts said of the battle to the top ‘Big congrats to @mogwaiband 25 years in a game where longevity isn’t easily achieved. Salute’

Big congrats to @mogwaiband 25 years in a game where longevity isn’t easily achieved. Salute

— GHETTS (@THEREALGHETTS) February 26, 2021

Mogwai themselves showed their humble attitude toward the news, stating “We didn’t start the band or the label to get into the charts. None of us ever envisaged either the band or the label being in a position where having a number one record would be a possibility.”

In a three-star review of the album, NME stated of the album, ’As The Love Continues’ is an album that opens beautifully but falls short at times during its second half. Then again, the whole record works so much better in a live setting – and will continue to do so when Mogwai finally hit the road again.’

In the campaign for the top, fellow fans such as Elijah Wood and Tim Burgess rallied for the rock bands victory, taking to Twitter and social media. At the news of Mogwai claiming number 1, Wood stated ‘shit yes! Congratulations! So deserved.’

shit yes! congratulations! so deserved.

— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) February 26, 2021

The band played a live streamed concert of the number 1 album on the 13th February which NME gave 4 stars. The concert was held in Glasgow’s Tramway, allowing them some form of live shows after having to sadly cancel their 2021 tour.

Over the past 25 years, the band have been on quite a journey and score number 1 album during a pandemic is beyond impressive. “It’s been an incredible journey making music together over the last quarter century, taking us to places we never dreamed of and getting to play our music to more people than we ever imagined.”

Tonight the band will celebrate on a Zoom call with everyone involved on the record. The bands guitar player, Stuart Braithwaite, said ‘We’ll have a few drinks and talk about how unbelievable it is!’ TGIF!

The first week of February 2021 has proved to be a great week for British albums all round with all five of the top albums this week coming from home turf. ‘Not Your Muse,’ was closely followed in second place by London rapper Fredo’s ‘Money Can’t Buy Happiness,’ and Arlo Parks’ ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams,’ which was released the same day as ‘Not Your Muse,’ coming in an impressive third place. Arlo Parks and Celeste have proved us all right this week, having been two British artists most tipped for success this year throughout 2020 and now they have finally seen that triumph come to fruition.

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Celeste’s chart success this month was certainly helped by all of the hard work she put in throughout 2020. Most notably, she wrote and recorded ‘A Little Love,’ for The John Lewis and Waitrose Christmas Avert 2020 which was hugely successful and touched hearts across the nation. The advert, which has now been viewed 4.4 million times on YouTube, placed Celeste in the forefront of the imagination of the British public like never before. It is not a huge stretch of the imagination to believe that some of those 4.4 million people would have been persuaded by the inclusion of that song on Celeste’s debut album to be persuaded to buy a copy.

As well as standout tracks like ‘A Little Love,’ and single releases ‘Love is Back,’ and ‘Stop This Flame,’ which were both well received in advance of the album’s release, the album is full of beautiful songwriting, pristine production and effortlessly good musicianship on the simple R&B/Pop accompaniment which supports her vocals perfectly. Celeste’s album was made very appealing as a preorder item by a number of exclusive bundles including signed copies which were available to purchases in advance exclusively from her online store. Shortly after the album’s release Celeste also announced that she would be touring the UK in 2022 with tickets being made available to those who have already purchased her album first. Full dates are as follows:

31/03/2022 – O2 Institute – Birmingham
03/04 – O2 Academy – Bristol
07/04 – Bar Rowland Ballroom – Glasgow
12/04 – Corn Exchange – Cambridge
16/04 – Albert Hall – Manchester
21/04 – Roundhouse – London

The official update by the OCC confirmed 85% of the sales in the first week came from physical copies, half of which bought at independent stores, and showed frontman Josh Franscechi thank both their fans and haters, and say: “A truly incredible moment for our band. Our love for our fan base, and their support, is endless. They have been the light at the end of a tunnel of a pretty rough time. The support of our loved ones, family, partners, friends. Everyone who worked on this record. Dan Austin and the rest of our studio family who worked relentlessly to make this with us. Our second number one almost seven years later is just madness. Sixers for life.”

Congratulations to @youmeatsix on their second Number 1 album SUCKAPUNCH! https://t.co/WaOiviD8xd pic.twitter.com/Bc6pB5e1Fu

— Official Charts (@officialcharts) January 22, 2021

In its strong debut week SUCKAPUNCH beat Barry Gibb’s third solo release Greenfields for the top spot, with Eminem’s acclaimed eleventh album Music To Be Murdered By left at third place with 35 consecutive weeks in the charts. At number 4 this week is Sleaford Mods’ Space Ribs that also premiered last week and is their first ever top 5 record, followed by The Good Times And The Bad Ones by Why Don’t We. The rest of the Top 10 album include Pop Smoke’s Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon, Harry Styles’ Fine Line, Shame’s Drunk Tank Pink, Taylor Swift’s Evermore and Little Mix’s Confetti.

SUCKAPUNCH came out last Friday via Underdog Records and AWAL, and includes a total of 11 tracks, composed and performed entirely by the band and produced by Dan Austin (Twin Atlantic, Pulled Apart By Horses, Maximo Park). The record features the previously released ‘What’s It Like‘ from 2019, their three 2020 singles ‘MAKEMEFEELALIVE‘, ‘Beautiful Way‘, ‘SUCKAPUNCH‘ all accompanied by official videos, as well as their latest New Year’s Day track ‘Adrenaline‘.

 

 

 

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Straight upon its release, SUCKAPUNCH received predominantly positive reviews from all rock outlets, and huge praise from their loyal fan base. Clash points out that the passion and experimentation behind the record “could be what allows them to continue to brave the storm of the music industry for another fifteen years, should they still want to“. Giving it a solid 4/5, Kerrang! states that it “jabs with style, and demonstrates that, far from running out of ideas, this band remain intent on staying at the cutting edge of modern British rock“. Similarly, NME states that “it’s rare for a rock record to feel this exciting, especially coming from a band seven albums deep and, y’know, from Surrey, but every track ‘SUCKAPUNCH’ feels inspired in some way […] and you’d be hard-pressed not to keep the faith too“.

In addition to their admirable physical sales performance, the record also passed 10 million streams on Spotify, with similar achievement across all other major digital platforms. If government guidelines allow live events to go through later in the year, You Me At Six will embark on a busy Summer tour across the UK and Europe, with more information and tickets available at their website.

SUCKAPUNCH: Our new album has been streamed 10,000,000 on @Spotify thank you for the love. https://t.co/BNkVodNIvr

— You Me At Six (@youmeatsix) January 22, 2021

‘McCartney III,’ the album, totalling of 11 tracks ranging from 3 to 8 minutes long, was recorded entirely by Paul McCartney with the help of a small team at his studio in the rural Sussex countryside has all of the idyllic charm of the area in possession of some of the finest natural beauty in all of England. The album shows an impressive mastery of a whole variety of instruments which include the standard drums, bass and guitar played with a definite folksy edge, especially on the mostly instrumental opening track ‘Long Tailed Winter Bird,’ which sums up the ambient state of limbo that many of us found us in at the beginning of March 2020 as the country was plunged into lockdown.

The success of Sir Paul McCartney’s album at Christmas time is an endorsement of a British hero and a national treasure and surely a message to the government that the British music industry is still one of our strongest exports and rightly a source of pride, fame and success for those involved in it, as well as anyone who lives in this country. If there is something that we should be proud of as a nation it is surely our music, and The Beatles, arguably the most famous musical and successful British musicians of all time, are our finest achievement.

While the vibe of ‘McCartney III,’ is undoubtedly very inspired by folk music and as a result features largely acoustic instrumentation and a low dynamic throughout most of the tracks, there are exceptions to this rule. For example, the raucous ‘Lavatory Lil,’ is a groovy blues rock number which wouldn’t sound out of place on a ZZ Top record, with a catchy guitar riff reminiscent of the band’s hits ‘Cheap Sunglasses,’ or ‘Sharp Dressed Man.’ Tracks like this are solid proof that, despite well over 50 years in the industry, Paul McCartney is still the same soul that sang ‘Love Me Do,’ in 1963.

While the majority of public attention yesterday was focussed on the singles chart, the number 1 slot of which saw an intense battle eventually won by last years incumbents Ladbaby, the public eye was missing a true success for British music, not only an album recorded by one of UK Pops greatest institutions, but one which features himself playing every instrument. It is an album crafted from top to bottom with great care given to every single detail and not a single moment is outsourced.