Music

Shawn Mendes

Artist

A Juno-winning and Grammy-nominated pop singer/songwriter who broke records with his debut single, Canada's Shawn Mendes became known to international audiences when he was just 15. His mix of <a href="spotify:artist:6eUKZXaKkcviH0Ku9w2n3V">Ed Sheeran</a>'s and <a href="spotify:artist:1uNFoZAHBGtllmzznpCI3s">Justin Bieber</a>'s styles was a hit from his first single, 2014's "Life of the Party," which made him the youngest artist to land a debut single in the Top 25 in the U.S. His full-length debut, 2015's Handwritten, went to number one in the U.S. and Canada, a feat repeated by releases including 2018's Shawn Mendes and 2020's Wonder. Mendes also found success with stand-alone singles like 2021's <a href="spotify:artist:0GM7qgcRCORpGnfcN2tCiB">Tainy</a> collaboration "Summer of Love" and his solo cut "It'll Be Okay." In 2022, he voiced the lead character and sang on the soundtrack to the musical film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. A year later, he offered the climate change-inspired single "What the Hell Are We Dying For?" Born and raised in Pickering, Ontario, in Greater Toronto, Shawn Peter Raul Mendes taught himself guitar at the age of 14. He also sang in his school's glee club and took acting lessons as a teen. After posting a series of cover songs to various video-sharing sites beginning in 2013, he earned a dedicated following. His version of <a href="spotify:artist:5xKp3UyavIBUsGy3DQdXeF">A Great Big World</a>'s "Say Something" won Ryan Seacrest's cover-song contest in April 2014, and Mendes signed to <a href="spotify:artist:1UqvcbBmsHw8rjIZe1WiZl">Island Records</a> a month later. That June, they released the then-15-year-old's debut single "Life of the Party." American radio initially ignored it, but the track entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 24, making Mendes the youngest artist to land their first single in the Top 25. The song was also included on his four-track <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Island%22">Island</a> debut, The Shawn Mendes EP, which performed well, reaching number five on the Billboard charts and setting the stage for his full-length debut, 2015's Handwritten. Handwritten debuted at number one in the U.S., Canada, and Norway, also reaching the Top Ten in several other European countries. Meanwhile, Mendes had his first U.S. Top Ten hit with third single "Stitches," reaching number four while topping the singles chart in the U.K. In addition, his song "Believe" appeared on the soundtrack for the Disney Channel fantasy musical Descendants. While opening for <a href="spotify:artist:06HL4z0CvFAxyc27GXpf02">Taylor Swift</a> on the North American dates of her 1989 World Tour, Mendes and <a href="spotify:artist:1l8Fu6IkuTP0U5QetQJ5Xt">Fifth Harmony</a>'s <a href="spotify:artist:4nDoRrQiYLoBzwC5BhVJzF">Camila Cabello</a> collaborated on the song "I Know What You Did Last Summer," which was included on a deluxe version of Handwritten that arrived in November 2015. The song reached the Top 20 of the American and Canadian singles charts. Recorded in upstate New York and issued in September 2016, Mendes' second long-player, Illuminate, offered the Top Ten tracks "Treat You Better" and "There's Nothin' Holdin' Me Back." Featuring co-songwriting contributions from <a href="spotify:artist:1YIpZOfyHXMUgUaxxxgbaC">Teddy Geiger</a> and Scott Harris, the album debuted at number one in the U.S. and Canada, and "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" went on to win a Juno Award for Single of the Year. Illuminate was followed in December by the digital-only Live at Madison Square Garden. Mendes launched a massive world tour in April 2017, which included a live acoustic session for MTV Unplugged that was released in November. In April 2018, Mendes performed his song "In My Blood" at a concert for Queen Elizabeth II's 92nd birthday at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The track's lyrics explored the songwriter's struggles with anxiety disorder and was later released as the lead single for his third full-length, Shawn Mendes, which arrived in May of that year. Featuring collaborations with <a href="spotify:artist:1YIpZOfyHXMUgUaxxxgbaC">Geiger</a>, it debuted at number one in the U.S., Canada, and Australia and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album alongside the lead single's nomination for Song of the Year. In Canada, the eponymous LP collected Juno Awards for Pop Album and Album of the Year, and Mendes won Artist and Songwriter of the Year. "In My Blood" earned him yet another Juno, his second for Single of the Year. A deluxe version of Shawn Mendes followed later in 2019 containing the hit singles "If I Can't Have You" and "Señorita." Again featuring <a href="spotify:artist:4nDoRrQiYLoBzwC5BhVJzF">Camila Cabello</a>, "Señorita" became a global chart-topper that picked up a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. "Wonder," the title track and first single from Mendes' fourth album, went to number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 after its October 2020 release, while its sequel "Monster" -- a duet with <a href="spotify:artist:1uNFoZAHBGtllmzznpCI3s">Justin Bieber</a> -- peaked at eight. Wonder appeared on December 4, 2020, reaching number one in both the U.S. and Canada. A non-album collaboration with <a href="spotify:artist:0GM7qgcRCORpGnfcN2tCiB">Tainy</a>, "Summer of Love," arrived in August 2021, followed a few months later by the solo track "It'll Be Okay." The singles continued the following year with "When You're Gone." Mendes voiced the titular anthropomorphic saltwater crocodile in the family musical film Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022), for which he also contributed the songs "Carried Away" and "Heartbeat," among others. In June 2023, Mendes issued the track "What the Hell Are We Dying For?" Written and recorded only days before its release, the song was centered around the effects of climate change, and its cover depicted the New York skyline through the orange haze smoke from devastating Canadian wildfires. ~ Marcy Donelson & David Jeffries, Rovi

Charlie Puth

Artist

Charlie Puth has proven to be one of the industry’s most consistent hitmakers and sought-after collaborators. Puth has amassed eight multi-platinum singles, four GRAMMY nominations, three Billboard Music Awards, a Critic’s Choice Award, and a Golden Globe nomination. His 2018 GRAMMY-nominated LP, Voicenotes, was RIAA Certified Gold only four days after its release and has logged over 6.7 billion streams worldwide. Recently, Puth released his highly anticipated third studio album CHARLIE via Atlantic Records. Featuring hit singles “Left and Right [feat. Jung Kook of BTS], “That’s Hilarious” and “Light Switch,” the “expertly crafted collection” (ROLLING STONE) has surpassed 2 billion global streams. Following the release of his CHARLIE, Puth set out for his ‘One Night Only’ tour, welcoming fans around the world up close and personal as he shares his latest album and his greatest hits. In 2020, Puth’s collaboration with Gabby Barrett on their “I Hope” Remix earned him his fourth top 10 track on the Billboard Hot 100, hit number one on the Billboard “Adult Pop Songs” chart, and won a 2021 Billboard Music Award for “Top Collaboration.” Puth also co-wrote and produced The Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber’s record-breaking single, “Stay,” which quickly become one of the biggest songs of 2021 and holds the title for the longest-reigning No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and the first to lead it for double-digits - spending a total of eleven weeks at the top of the chart.

Playboi Carti

Artist

In just a few short years, rapper Playboi Carti has amassed over 19B streams worldwide. Carti has been unstoppable since the release of his 2017 single “Magnolia,” as its meteoric rise garnered cosigns from Beyoncé and features on series like Atlanta. His self-titled album has accumulated nearly 7.8B streams to date after debuting at #12 on the Billboard 200 chart where it spent 63 weeks. The following year, Carti dropped his album Die Lit, debuting at #3 on the Billboard 200, with collaborations like Lil Uzi Vert on “Shoota,” “Poke It Out” with Nicki Minaj & “Love Hurts” with Travis Scott. The album has nearly 9.5B global streams to date and spent a total of 111 weeks on the Billboard 200. In April of 2020, Playboi Carti returned with track “@MEH,” and on Christmas day, he landed his first #1 album on Billboard’s 200 Chart with Whole Lotta Red which has amassed a staggering 9.4B global streams to date. Playboi Carti kicked off 2024 strong with new music & collaborations including "CARNIVAL” with Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, and Rich the Kid, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Carti’s collaboration with Travis Scott on their song “FE!N” peaked at #5 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Playboi Carti has also recently featured on “I LUV IT” with Camila Cabello, “TYPE SHIT” with Future, Metro Boomin, and Travis Scott, and “Popular” with The Weeknd and Madonna. His most recent collaboration “Timeless” with The Weeknd debuted at #3 on Billboard Hot 100.

Madison Beer

Artist

Madison Beer is a platinum-selling, 2x GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and author. Since debuting at 12, she has built an impressive resume by 25, becoming a dynamic multi-hyphenate with visceral vocals that honestly portray the human experience. Her second studio album, Silence Between Songs (2023), earned her first GRAMMY nomination for Best Immersive Album and secured her second consecutive spot on the Billboard 200, following Life Support (2021). In April 2023, Madison showcased another side of her artistry with her memoir, The Half Of It, an unflinching account of self-love and personal growth over a decade in the spotlight. That year, she also released singles, most notably "Spinnin" and "Sweet Relief". The "Sweet Relief" music video quickly hit a million views, while "Spinnin" inspired her third headlining tour. The Spinnin Tour, spanning 60 dates across the US, EU, UK, and AUS, included stops at iconic venues like Radio City Music Hall and The Greek Theater. Recently, Madison earned a second GRAMMY nomination for "Make You Mine" Best Dance Pop Recording. Since April 2024, it’s topped Billboard’s Dance Airplay chart, marking her first solo #1. She followed with "15 MINUTES", another chart-topping Dance Radio hit, earning back-to-back #1s. A true creative force, Madison writes, produces, directs, and designs with uncompromising authenticity. With an audience of over 78M on social media, Madison is one of the most influential voices of her generation.

Justin Bieber

Artist

Elissa

Artist

Lebanese singer Elissa is one of the biggest Arabic pop stars of the new millennium. In addition to her music, she is known for her flashy promotional videos, television commercial sponsorships, and luxury-brand clothing. Born Elissar Zakaria Khoury on October 27, 1971, in Deir el Ahmar, Lebanon, she made her album debut in 1999 with Baddy Doub. The single "Baddy Doub" became her first hit. Her second album, W'akherta Ma'ak (2000), spawned a major hit with the single "Bitghib Betrouh," a duet with fellow Lebanese star Ragheb Alameh. Third album A'ayshalak (2002) continued her hit streak. The title track was her next major hit single, and it was accompanied with a flashy video filmed in Paris. Fourth album Ahla Dounya (2004) was her first of several on the Rotana label, and by this point Elissa's popularity had grown to such heights that she was featured in a series of Pepsi commercials featuring different songs from the album. In 2005 she won her first World Music Award for Best-Selling Middle Eastern Artist. She won the award again in 2006, the year she released her fifth album, Bastanak. Successive albums include Ayami Beek (2007). ~ Jason Birchmeier

Sabrina Carpenter

Artist

Sabrina Carpenter has enchanted an audience of millions as a singer, songwriter, actress and style icon. With her music, she has delivered one anthem after another on stage and in the studio, earning multiple gold and platinum certifications, and performing to sold out crowds around the world. On-screen, she has generated mega-fandom through starring roles on television and film. She is signed to Island Records, where she debuted her acclaimed Gold-certified fifth studio album, emails i can’t send, which appeared on many “Best Of 2022” lists including Rolling Stone and Billboard. In April 2024, Sabrina debuted at Coachella and released her single “Espresso,” which swiftly climbed to #1 on the UK and Australian charts, reached the Top 5 in the US, and hit #1 globally on Spotify, amassing over 200M streams in its first month. Following this, her second single, “Please Please Please,” released in June, soared to #1 on Spotify’s Global and US charts, Apple Music, and eventually the Billboard Hot 100, where it debuted at #2 before reaching #1. In August, she released her highly anticipated sixth studio album, Short n’ Sweet, which instantly received critical acclaim from the likes of the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and Variety. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, making it the 3rd biggest first week debut in the US in 2024. Short n&#39; Sweet also topped the charts around the world, reaching #1 in UK, Canada, Australia, Spain, and France.

Chappell Roan

Artist

Olivia Rodrigo

Artist

By bringing the authenticity of her life to her relatable songs, Olivia Rodrigo has achieved record-breaking success. Her 2021 smash hit "Driver's License" and subsequent singles "Deja Vu" and "Good 4 U" made the singer/songwriter the youngest artist ever to top the Billboard Hot 100, and the first artist to have their first three singles debut in the Top Ten of that chart. These extraordinarily popular songs paved the way for Rodrigo's multi-platinum, Grammy-winning debut album, Sour. Its heartbroken, defiant, and witty mix of pop, folk, and alternative rock captured the highs and lows of a young woman fearlessly expressing who she is, how she feels, and what she wants -- themes she approached with more maturity on 2023's Grammy-nominated GUTS and its chart-topping single "Vampire." While growing up in Temecula, California, Rodrigo's first love was singing. She started vocal lessons in kindergarten and took up piano soon after; by age 12, she was playing guitar. At the suggestion of her vocal coach, she pursued acting, and she appeared in productions at her elementary and middle schools -- experiences that led her to seek professional acting jobs. In 2016, she was cast as Paige Olvera in in the Disney Channel series Bizaardvark. It was an opportunity that led to Rodrigo winning the lead role of Nini Salazar-Roberts in the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, a mockumentary-style show that follows the on- and off-stage drama that happens when the student body of East High puts on a production of High School Musical: The Musical. When the show's creators -- which included writer and Broadway librettist Tim Federle -- learned Rodrigo was a songwriter, they encouraged her to pen original songs for the series. Written in Rodrigo's living room during finals week of her sophomore year, "All I Want" garnered millions of streams after the show's debut in November 2019 and entered the U.S. and Canada Hot 100 singles charts in January 2020. Rodrigo also collaborated with her co-star <a href="spotify:artist:4VdV2qRAYBLINR6uU72V1J">Joshua Bassett</a> on the duet "Just for a Moment." In the wake of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' success, she continued to work on her own music with producer Dan Nigro (who also collaborated with <a href="spotify:artist:6sFIWsNpZYqfjUpaCgueju">Carly Rae Jepsen</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:7pyhre5oEEFMqcgMEvJY7q">Sky Ferreira</a>), looking to the confessional songwriting of <a href="spotify:artist:3g2kUQ6tHLLbmkV7T4GPtL">Fiona Apple</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1r1uxoy19fzMxunt3ONAkG">Phoebe Bridgers</a>, and especially <a href="spotify:artist:06HL4z0CvFAxyc27GXpf02">Taylor Swift</a> for inspiration. After she signed with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Interscope+%22">Interscope </a>and <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Geffen%22">Geffen</a> in 2020, Rodrigo's debut single, "Driver's License," arrived in January 2021 and quickly topped charts around the world. This included the Billboard Hot 100, making her the youngest artist to debut at number one on that chart. Along with breaking several streaming records, the single was a multi-platinum success in the U.S. and Canada and went platinum in several other countries. That April, her second single, "Deja Vu," appeared, and its debut at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 made her the first artist in history to have her first two singles debut within the Top Ten. A third single, "Good 4 U," arrived in May. Like "Driver's License," it topped the Billboard Hot 100, and Rodrigo became the first artist in Billboard's history to have their first three singles debut in the Top Ten of that chart. In turn, May 2021's Sour became the first debut album to feature two singles that topped the Billboard Hot 100 upon release. Initially intended to be an EP, the album mixed pop, alt-rock, and folk and took inspiration from <a href="spotify:artist:0cQbJU1aAzvbEmTuljWLlF">No Doubt</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4F84IBURUo98rz4r61KF70">the White Stripes</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:6ogn9necmbUdCppmNnGOdi">Alanis Morrissette</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:70kkdajctXSbqSMJbQO424">Kacey Musgraves</a>, among others. Co-written by Rodrigo and Nigro, Sour was hailed for its genre-defying sound and candid songwriting. It was a massive global success, becoming the second best-selling album in the world in 2021. In the U.S., Sour debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 Albums Chart, ultimately spending five weeks total in that spot (an accomplishment that made it 2021's longest-running number one album by a female artist) and 52 weeks in the Top Ten, earning multiple platinum certifications along the way. Shortly after Sour's release, all of its tracks appeared in the Top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100, with "Traitor" becoming its fourth single to debut in the Top Ten. In the U.K., Sour debuted at number one the same week "Good 4 U" topped the U.K. Singles chart, making Rodrigo the youngest solo artist to have the top-selling release on both charts. The album also topped the charts in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, where it spent ten consecutive weeks in the peak position. As Sour broke chart records, Rodrigo's concert film Sour Prom premiered in June 2021. That December, she launched her world tour, performed in Hope for the Holidays, Musicians on Call's second annual virtual concert for hospital patients, won the People's Choice Award for Album of the Year, and was named Time Magazine's Entertainer of the Year. Sour and Rodrigo's accolades continued into 2022. At that year's Grammy Awards, she won the awards for Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance for "Driver's License," and Best Pop Vocal album for Sour (Rodrigo was nominated in all four of the general Grammy categories, making her the second-youngest artist after <a href="spotify:artist:6qqNVTkY8uBg9cP3Jd7DAH">Billie Eilish</a> to earn this recognition). She also won the Juno Award for International Album of the Year; the Brit Award for International Song of the Year; seven Billboard Music Awards including Top Billboard 200 album, Top New Artist, and Top Female Artist; and the ASCAP Award for Songwriter of the Year. March 2022 saw the premiere of Driving Home 2 U, a documentary chronicling the creation of Sour. That April, Rodrigo kicked off her first headlining concert tour. She covered <a href="spotify:artist:0p4nmQO2msCgU4IF37Wi3j">Avril Lavigne</a>'s "Complicated" at every show, and <a href="spotify:artist:0p4nmQO2msCgU4IF37Wi3j">Lavigne</a> joined her in performing the song at the Toronto date. At her Glastonbury Festival appearance that June, Rodrigo and <a href="spotify:artist:13saZpZnCDWOI9D4IJhp1f">Lily Allen</a> performed "Fuck You" as a response to the overruling of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court. In September 2022, Rodrigo departed High School Musical: The Musical: The Series at the end of its third season. At the end of the year and into 2023, Rodrigo did more charity work, participating in the third annual Venture Into Cures virtual fundraising event for families with epidermolysis bullosa and other rare diseases, the third annual Musicians on Call virtual concert, and the MusiCares Foundation Charity Relief Auction. She released "Vampire," her first single in two years, that June. Her third single to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, it also topped the charts in the U.K., Australia, Ireland, Canada, and New Zealand. That song and August's multinational Top Ten hit "Bad Idea Right?" appeared on September 2023's GUTS. Produced by Nigro and recorded at his garage studio, Rodrigo's second album built on Sour's wry rock and sweeping ballads as she took stock of her tumultuous teen years. The album once again topped the U.S. and U.K. charts as well as those of 12 other countries, while all of its songs appeared in the Top 40 of the Hot 100 Singles Chart in the U.S. GUTS was also nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album at the 66th Grammy Awards. That November, Rodrigo's "Can't Catch Me Now" appeared on Music from and Inspired by the Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes; the song ultimately won the 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song in a Sci-Fi, Fantasy, or Horror Film. Later in November, the four bonus tracks featured on limited edition vinyl releases of the album were issued as the vinyl EP That November, Rodrigo's "Can't Catch Me Now" appeared on Music from and Inspired by the Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes; the song ultimately won the 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Award for Best Original Song in a Sci-Fi, Fantasy, or Horror Film. Later in November, the four bonus tracks featured on limited edition vinyl releases of the album were issued as the vinyl EP GUTS: The Secret Tracks for Record Store Day Black Friday. While on tour in March 2024, Rodrigo released GUTS (spilled), a deluxe edition of the album with five bonus tracks. The following month, she made a surprise appearance at Coachella, performing "Bathwater" with <a href="spotify:artist:0cQbJU1aAzvbEmTuljWLlF">No Doubt</a> during their set. Rodrigo and Nigro were also named ASCAP's 2024 Pop Music Songwriters of the Year, marking their second time winning the award. ~ Heather Phares, Rovi

Summer Walker

Artist

thủy

Artist

Mariah Carey

Artist

Nancy Ajram

Artist

Nancy Ajram is a multi-platinum Lebanese recording artist and multiple award winner for best-selling artist in the Middle East & Arab World, with numerous chart-topping smash hits such as “Ah W Noss”, “Ya Tabtab wa Dallaa”, “Enta Eih”, “Fi Hagat”, “Akhasmak Ah”, “Badna Nwallea El Jaw”, and "Aam Betaala' Feek". Nancy Ajram’s music revolutionized Arabic pop throughout a tremendously successful career spanning over two decades. Nancy is considered one of the Middle East’s largest pop icons, and her music has paved the way for Arabic music to be heard all over the globe. Nancy Ajram is the youngest Arab singer to win the World Music Award to date, and the first Arabic singing female artist to be featured on a Times Square billboard. Considered one of the best-selling artists in Arabic Pop history, Nancy’s music has repeatedly topped the charts across the MENA region continuously throughout two decades. She is also the only Arabic artist to chart at the US Billboard Dance chart with an Arabic language song. She is considered by many as the Arabic Pop icon of this era, and was described on the Oprah Winfrey Show as one of the most influential personalities of the Middle East, and was dubbed by Spotify as the "Queen of Arabic Pop".

KATSEYE

Artist

JENNIE

Artist

Tyla

Artist

Ariana Grande

Artist

Chase Atlantic

Artist

Doja Cat

Artist

Brent Faiyaz

Artist

The Neighbourhood

Artist

Mitski

Artist

NewJeans

Artist

NewJeans (MINJI, HANNI, DANIELLE, HAERIN, and HYEIN) made their debut on July 22, 2022 as the first group to debut from ADOR, an independent label under HYBE led by Hee Jin Min. The act released New Jeans on August 1, 2022, instantly captivating the global audience and becoming the first K-pop band to achieve the million-seller milestone with their debut album. One of the lead singles “Hype Boy” charted on Billboard Global 200 for 37 consecutive weeks– the longest record from any K-pop female act. Since then, a total of five tracks have marked their places on Billboard Hot 100 including global smash hits “Ditto,” “OMG,” and “Super Shy,” while their 2nd EP Get Up debuted at the top of Billboard 200. As the K-pop act to reach one billion streams on Spotify within the shortest period of time since debut, NewJeans currently holds more than 4.4 billion streams and more than 6.4 million album sales to their name. The band continues to make history with their show stopping performances, gracing the stages of Chicago’s Lollapalooza and the League of Legends World Championship Finals in 2023, both as the first K-pop female group to do so.

Jung Kook

Artist

TUL8TE

Artist

TOO LATE, TROP TARD, TE LAAT, TERLAMBAT, TÚL KÉSŐN, TROPPO TARDI, TARDE DEMAIS, ZU SPÄT, ΠΟΛΎ ΑΡΓΆ, 遅い, PAR VĒLU, ZA PÓŹNO, PREA TÂRZIU, СЛИШКОМ ПОЗДНО, PRÍLIŠ NESKORO, PREPOZNO, ÇOK GEÇ, ЗАНАДТО ПІЗНО, ТВЪРДЕ КЪСНО, 太迟了, 너무 늦어 , PŘÍLIŠ POZDĚ, LIIGA HILJA, LIIAN MYÖHÄÄN.

Lege-Cy

Artist

Mohamed Mounir

Artist

TV Girl

Artist

Tamer Ashour

Artist

Sherine

Artist

An Egyptian award winning, singer, actress, and a mother of two beautiful daughters.

Selena Gomez

Artist

Selena Gomez is a multi-talented performer with featured roles on the screen both small and large, and a musical career that reached the summit of the charts from its very beginning and stayed planted there for many years. Her group, <a href="spotify:artist:6dJeKm76NjfXBNTpHmOhfO">Selena Gomez & the Scene</a>, issued a trio of breezy modern pop albums from 2009 to 2011 that each hit the Top Ten. After going solo, she scored a pair of number ones with the more adult-oriented Stars Dance (2013) and Revival (2015), then branched out into new sounds on collaborations with <a href="spotify:artist:23fqKkggKUBHNkbKtXEls4">Kygo</a> ("It Ain't Me") and <a href="spotify:artist:64KEffDW9EtZ1y2vBYgq8T">Marshmello</a> ("Wolves"). Gomez reached the top of the singles chart for the first time with "Lose You to Love Me" (2019), a soul-searching ballad that delved into her real-life relationships and marked a new openness in her lyrical approach. In 2021, she took on Latin pop for the first time with the Revelación EP. Along with her starring role in Hulu's Only Murders in the Building, she was also the subject of the candid 2022 documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, for which she also released the title track, followed by 2023's electronic-tinged "Single Soon" and 2024's "Love On." Born in 1992, Gomez grew up in Texas and got her first break as a cast member on the kids' TV show Barney and Friends. She landed minor roles in several other TV programs, but it was her affiliation with the Disney Channel -- which discovered her during a nationwide talent search in 2004 -- that officially jump-started her acting career. Guest appearances on The Suite Life of Zach and Cody and Hannah Montana paved the way for Gomez's own show, The Wizards of Waverly Place, which premiered in October 2007 and quickly became one of the network's most popular programs. Gomez began juggling her commitment to The Wizards of Waverly Place with additional projects, including movie roles and a burgeoning singing career. She began branching out into pop music by recording songs for her own <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Disney%22">Disney</a> projects. She sang the theme song for The Wizards of Waverly Place, recorded several other tunes for the show's soundtrack, and performed on the soundtrack of the family film Another Cinderella Story. By 2009, she'd also assembled her own teen pop band, <a href="spotify:artist:6dJeKm76NjfXBNTpHmOhfO">Selena Gomez & the Scene</a>, and signed a contract with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Hollywood+Records%22">Hollywood Records</a>. The band's full-length debut, Kiss & Tell, was released that year and went gold, as did its 2010 follow-up, A Year Without Rain. Gomez continued filming The Wizards of Waverly Place and made her theatrical debut in the 2010 film adaptation of Ramona and Beezus, but her music garnered just as much attention. When The Wizards of Waverly Place started airing its final season in November 2010, Gomez shifted her attention back to her band, whose third album, When the Sun Goes Down, was recorded in early 2011 and released later that year. She then took a break from music to focus more on acting, with her first role in a decidedly adult movie in 2013's Spring Breakers showing she could stretch beyond teen stardom. Her return to music in 2013 with her fourth album -- but the first credited to her as a solo artist -- also showed some stretching as she added dubstep, R&B, and EDM to her sound. Stars Dance was released in July 2013 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The rest of that year was a bit challenging for her, as she fired her management team and parted ways with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Hollywood+Records%22">Hollywood Records</a>. She soon bounced back and scored a deal with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Interscope%22">Interscope</a>. One last <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Hollywood%22">Hollywood</a> album, a contract-fulfilling hits collection titled For You, was released in late 2014 and featured the self-penned platinum single "The Heart Wants What It Wants." In early 2015, Gomez guested on <a href="spotify:artist:2qxJFvFYMEDqd7ui6kSAcq">Zedd</a>'s hit EDM single "I Want You to Know." On the heels of that success, she released her own single, the Sir Nolan- and Nick Monson-produced "Good for You," which featured a guest appearance by the song's co-writer, rapper <a href="spotify:artist:13ubrt8QOOCPljQ2FL1Kca">A$AP Rocky</a>. The song was featured on the 2015 album Revival, her first on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Interscope%22">Interscope</a>. With production from Mattman & Robin, Hit-Boy, and Benny Blanco, among others, and songwriting credits for <a href="spotify:artist:25uiPmTg16RbhZWAqwLBy5">Charli XCX</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0ZED1XzwlLHW4ZaG4lOT6m">Julia Michaels</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:79A4RmgwxYGIDkqQDUHLXK">Chloe Angelides</a>, the album had many collaborators. Gomez executive produced and shared writing credits on six songs, making it her most personal effort to date. It entered the Billboard 200 at the top and spawned three singles that reached the Top Ten on the Top 40 chart. While touring in support of Revival, Gomez cut the trek short to address personal health problems stemming from her lupus, later revealing that during her time away from the spotlight she underwent a kidney transplant. Re-emerging at the end of 2016, she collaborated on singles with <a href="spotify:artist:23fqKkggKUBHNkbKtXEls4">Kygo</a> ("It Ain't Me") and <a href="spotify:artist:64KEffDW9EtZ1y2vBYgq8T">Marshmello</a> ("Wolves"), both charting in the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2017. The next year was a busy one for Gomez as she acted in the movie A Rainy Day in New York, served as executive producer of the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why, and worked with <a href="spotify:artist:64KEffDW9EtZ1y2vBYgq8T">Marshmello</a> on the Top 20 single "Wolves." She also issued the solo singles "Bad Liar" and "Fetish," which featured rapper <a href="spotify:artist:13y7CgLHjMVRMDqxdx0Xdo">Gucci Mane</a>. In 2018, she contributed the song "Back to You" to the 13 Reasons Why: Season 2 soundtrack, joined with <a href="spotify:artist:540vIaP2JwjQb9dm3aArA4">DJ Snake</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:4kYSro6naA4h99UJvo89HB">Cardi B</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:1i8SpTcr7yvPOmcqrbnVXY">Ozuna</a> on "Taki Taki," and sang the hook on Benny Blanco's single "I Can't Get Enough." While working on an album in 2019, she also executive-produced the HBO series Living Undocumented and appeared in the <a href="spotify:artist:7uwCnAgRDUzftIAkJDFfdy">Jim Jarmusch</a> zombie comedy The Dead Don't Die. Near the end of the year, she released the confessional ballad "Lose You to Love Me," and it became her first single to reach the top of the Billboard charts. The song set the tone for her sixth album, Rare, a collection of tracks that explored aspects of Gomez's life in ways her previous work hadn't. It featured the usual crop of heavy hitters behind the scenes, including Mattman & Robin, Justin Tranter, and <a href="spotify:artist:0ZED1XzwlLHW4ZaG4lOT6m">Julia Michaels</a>, and entered the Billboard 200 at number one in January 2020. The following year saw Gomez issue her first full-length Spanish-language project, the Grammy-nominated Revelación EP, which featured contributions from <a href="spotify:artist:540vIaP2JwjQb9dm3aArA4">DJ Snake</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7iK8PXO48WeuP03g8YR51W">Myke Towers</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:1mcTU81TzQhprhouKaTkpq">Rauw Alejandro</a>. In 2021, she began starring in the Hulu mystery-comedy show Only Murders in the Building with <a href="spotify:artist:1Bd4UVlqlaKEXYRG3wgrCK">Steve Martin</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:0dV9xcjrW5YwkxG3gEBhRx">Martin Short</a>. She was also the subject of director Alek Keshishian's 2022 documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me. The film followed Gomez over a six-year period and detailed her struggles with fame, as well as her physical and mental health issues in the wake of being diagnosed with lupus bipolar disorder. As part of the documentary, she released the single "My Mind & Me." The Benny Blanco and <a href="spotify:artist:2LZDXcxJWgsJfKXZv9a5eG">Cashmere Cat</a>-produced non-album track, "Single Soon," arrived in August 2023, followed in February 2024 by <a href="spotify:artist:2ra0AEgPRsClYf0zyk8RpK">the Monsters & Strangerz</a> and Isaiah Tejada-produced standalone track, "Love On." Both singles charted in the Hot 100. ~ Matt Collar & Andrew Leahey, Rovi

Zara Larsson

Artist

Swedish hitmaking singer/songwriter Zara Larsson crafts R&B- and club-influenced dance-pop influenced by artists like <a href="spotify:artist:6vWDO969PvNqNYHIOW5v0m">Beyoncé</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:5pKCCKE2ajJHZ9KAiaK11H">Rihanna</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:6UE7nl9mha6s8z0wFQFIZ2">Robyn</a>. After winning a Swedish singing competition at the age of eight, Larsson crashed the mainstream in the mid-2010s with a string of Swedish number ones like "Lush Life" and "Never Forget You," which were certified multi-platinum around the world. Those tracks landed on her 2017 chart-topping, multi-platinum breakthrough So Good, a Top Ten hit across Europe and Australasia. Her third album, Poster Girl, arrived in 2021 and again brought her to the Top Ten in Sweden with the hit "Ruin My Life." In 2023, she cracked the top 30 of the Pop 100 with the '80s-influenced "Can't Tame Her" from 2024's Venus. Born in the Stockholm suburb of Solna, Larsson first caught the public's eyes and ears in 2008 as the winner of the popular Swedish talent show Talang Sverige (the regional version of Got Talent). Following the success of the show, she inked a deal with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Ten+Music+Group%22">Ten Music Group</a> and issued her debut EP, Introducing, which featured the hit single "Uncover" in 2013. The song was certified triple platinum in her home country, and after another EP, Allow Me to Reintroduce Myself, Larsson began work on her official debut long-player. The resulting 1 arrived in 2014 via <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Record+Company+Ten%22">Record Company Ten</a> and <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Universal+Music%22">Universal Music</a>. Three additional singles reached the Swedish Top Ten: "She's Not Me," "Carry You Home," and "Rooftop." A pair of 2015 singles proved to be Larsson's international breakthrough. First, the multi-platinum smash hit "Lush Life" reached the Top Ten across Europe, then "Never Forget You" (featuring <a href="spotify:artist:7uMh23xWiuR7zsNkuNcm2G">MNEK</a>) hit the Top Ten in Great Britain and went platinum in the United States. Those tracks would eventually appear on her sophomore LP. Before the release of that album, she collaborated with <a href="spotify:artist:0Tob4H0FLtEONHU1MjpUEp">Tinie Tempah</a> on "Girls Like" and <a href="spotify:artist:1Cs0zKBU1kc0i8ypK3B9ai">David Guetta</a> for the 2016 UEFA Euro Cup theme "This One's for You." By the time So Good was released in early 2017, four additional singles had been issued, including the <a href="spotify:artist:6VuMaDnrHyPL1p4EHjYLi7">Charlie Puth</a>-penned "So Good" with <a href="spotify:artist:7c0XG5cIJTrrAgEC3ULPiq">Ty Dolla $ign</a>, "Symphony" with <a href="spotify:artist:6MDME20pz9RveH9rEXvrOM">Clean Bandit</a>, and the <a href="spotify:artist:7uMh23xWiuR7zsNkuNcm2G">MNEK</a>-produced "Ain't My Fault." The set debuted atop the charts in Sweden and marked her chart debut across the world, including in the U.S., where it reached the Top 30. The following year, Larsson released the platinum-certified single "Ruin My Life" -- the first offering from what would become her third album -- and entered 2019 with "Don't Worry Bout Me," "All the Time," and "Wow." She also collaborated with K-pop superstars <a href="spotify:artist:3Nrfpe0tUJi4K4DXYWgMUX">BTS</a> on "A Brand New Day," provided "Invisible," the theme song for the animated film Klaus, and teamed with <a href="spotify:artist:5LHRHt1k9lMyONurDHEdrp">Tyga</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:23fqKkggKUBHNkbKtXEls4">Kygo</a> for the latter's tropical club anthem "Like It Is," which became a Top Five hit in Sweden, New Zealand, and Norway. Later that year, she released "Love Me Land," the official lead single from her third album, 2021's Poster Girl. Collecting singles from as early as 2018 ("Ruin My Life"), the R&B-influenced pop set also included "Talk About Love" with <a href="spotify:artist:50co4Is1HCEo8bhOyUWKpn">Young Thug</a>. Poster Girl hit number three in Sweden, 11 in Norway, and cracked the Billboard 200. She promoted the album into the next year, when she teamed up with <a href="spotify:artist:4AVFqumd2ogHFlRbKIjp1t">Alesso</a> for the European hit "Words." Larsson returned in early 2023 with the '80s-influenced "Can't Tame Her," co-written with <a href="spotify:artist:7uMh23xWiuR7zsNkuNcm2G">MNEK</a> and MTHR and released on her own record label, Sommer House. It hit number 28 on the Pop 100. A collaboration with <a href="spotify:artist:1Cs0zKBU1kc0i8ypK3B9ai">David Guetta</a>, "On My Love," became a chart-topping hit in Sweden. She closed the year with the release of the holiday EP, Honor the Light, a six-track effort that included the track "Memory Lane." After a year of single releases, Larsson's fourth studio album finally arrived in February 2024. Venus included her <a href="spotify:artist:7uMh23xWiuR7zsNkuNcm2G">MNEK</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:1Cs0zKBU1kc0i8ypK3B9ai">Guetta</a> collaborations, as well as "You Love Who You Love" and "End of Time." ~ Neil Z. Yeung & James Christopher Monger

NIKI

Artist

What eventually became Buzz, the third studio album by singer-songwriter NIKI, started with an urgent quake from the innermost core of her being. Her songwriting remains as intimate as ever and Buzz reverberates with the hard-earned wisdom of a young woman who charges dauntlessly towards her dreams — but can still spare a laugh if she stumbles. "The album is called Buzz because it signifies that something is about to happen. The promise of something new, when it isn’t real yet, hangs rich and sweet in the air. That millisecond moment in time, suspended in vast suggestion, where there is every opportunity for a shift in trajectory. Small or seismic. You choose." – NIKI

Lady Gaga

Artist

Megan Thee Stallion

Artist

Hailing from Houston, Megan Thee Stallion is a three-time GRAMMY-winning recording artist, actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur. From earning two Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits with the “Savage (Remix)” featuring Beyoncé, and “WAP” with Cardi B to releasing her dynamic album “Traumazine,” Megan has proven unstoppable. Megan has been recognized for her musical achievements, including three GRAMMY wins, nine BET Awards and back-to-back Billboard Music Awards for “Top Rap Female Artist.” Additionally, she has been honored for her advocacy efforts, having received the 2022 Special Achievement Award at The Webby Awards and the Trailblazer Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.  Most recently, Megan made history in Nov. 2022, becoming the first Black woman to appear on the cover of Forbes’ prestigious Under 30 issue. She was previously recognized as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 after publishing her monumental “Why I Speak Up For Black Women” op-ed for The New York Times.

Radiohead

Artist

Angham

Artist

Cairokee

Artist

Mohamed Hamaki

Artist

Hamaki (Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed ElHamaki), an Egyptian Super Star born on the 4th of November 1975, Cairo Egypt. He started singing at a very young age during school recitals and annual school events. His love and passion for music lead him to graduate from the Cairo Academy of Arts with a degree in Arabic music. He’s always been a humanitarian and is currently an ambassador for the campaign of &#34;A World Free of Hepatitis C&#34; powered by Tour N Cure. But he’s just as exceptional as an artist as well, with a number of accomplishments: winning the MTV Award for Haga Mosh Tabeaya and of course by being an exceptional coach on both, “The Voice” and “The Voice Kids” as well as the following: • &#34;Best Arabic Singer&#34; in 2016 from &#34;Murex D&#39;or&#34; • &#34;Best Middle Eastern Artist&#34; in 2016 from BAMA &#34;Big Apple Music Awards&#34; Festival • &#34;Platinum Award&#34; from &#34;EMI&#34; for achieving the highest sales in the Middle East in 2006 by &#34;Kheles El Kalam&#34; album

Nick Jonas

Artist

Singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actor Nick Jonas is best known as one-third of the hugely popular Disney Channel sibling pop/rock act the <a href="spotify:artist:7gOdHgIoIKoe4i9Tta6qdD">Jonas Brothers</a>. Since 2010, Nick has focused primarily on his own career, releasing solo material, appearing in musicals, and acting in film and television. While hooky pop remains at the core of his sound, he has matured, collaborating with members of <a href="spotify:artist:5a2EaR3hamoenG9rDuVn8j">Prince</a>'s <a href="spotify:artist:1xtGjxE9c1YmEmFPCH6Izp">New Power Generation</a> for his 2010 <a href="spotify:artist:6dse9FDodKw65ZQoLjE5F1">Nick Jonas & the Administration</a> debut, Who I Am. The album hit number three on the Billboard 200 and paved the way for equally sophisticated solo productions including 2014's Nick Jonas and 2016's Last Year Was Complicated, the latter of which included collaborations with <a href="spotify:artist:4NHQUGzhtTLFvgF5SZesLK">Tove Lo</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:7c0XG5cIJTrrAgEC3ULPiq">Ty Dolla $ign</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:0c173mlxpT3dSFRgMO8XPh">Big Sean</a>. Both albums also cracked the Top Ten of the Billboard 200. Along with roles in the 2016 fraternity hazing drama Goat and the 2017 comedy Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jonas has continued to explore different pop styles, working on tracks with <a href="spotify:artist:0hCNtLu0JehylgoiP8L4Gh">Nicki Minaj</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2KsP6tYLJlTBvSUxnwlVWa">Mike Posner</a>, and DJ <a href="spotify:artist:3t5xRXzsuZmMDkQzgOX35S">Robin Schulz</a>. Following his chart-topping 2019 reunion with the <a href="spotify:artist:7gOdHgIoIKoe4i9Tta6qdD">Jonas Brothers</a>, Happiness Begins, he returned to his solo work with 2021's Spaceman. A performer since the age of seven (the age at which he joined the Broadway cast of Annie Get Your Gun), Nick made his songwriting debut in 2002, when a holiday tune he'd co-written with his father found its way onto a Broadway Christmas album. A contract with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Columbia+Records%22">Columbia Records</a> followed two years later. He began prepping for his solo career by writing material with his older brothers, Kevin and Joseph, who eventually climbed aboard as permanent partners. Nick's solo project thus blossomed into a full-fledged band, and the siblings aptly named themselves the <a href="spotify:artist:7gOdHgIoIKoe4i9Tta6qdD">Jonas Brothers</a>. It took several years for the trio to find an adoring audience. It's About Time, the band's 2006 debut, was a commercial flop, and <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Columbia+Records%22">Columbia Records</a> dropped the group one year later. Signing with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Hollywood+Records%22">Hollywood Records</a> in 2007, they began attracting new fans -- most of them young and female -- by establishing a presence in the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Disney%22">Disney</a> world. They appeared on the network's television shows, earned their own series, starred in a made-for-TV movie with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Disney%22">Disney</a> starlet <a href="spotify:artist:6S2OmqARrzebs0tKUEyXyp">Demi Lovato</a>, and sold close to two million copies of their self-titled sophomore album. They replicated that feat one year later with A Little Bit Longer and returned in 2009 with Lines, Vines and Trying Times. All of the albums featured heavy contributions from Nick, who not only led the songwriting process but also played a wide variety of instruments, from drums to keyboard to guitar. Taking a rare break from the band, Nick Jonas began working with several other musicians on a side project in late 2009. Members from <a href="spotify:artist:5a2EaR3hamoenG9rDuVn8j">Prince</a>'s <a href="spotify:artist:1xtGjxE9c1YmEmFPCH6Izp">New Power Generation</a> were recruited to join the lineup, including Michael Bland and Tommy Barbarella, and the group dubbed itself <a href="spotify:artist:6dse9FDodKw65ZQoLjE5F1">Nick Jonas & the Administration</a> before debuting in early 2010 with the album Who I Am. The record performed respectably, peaking at three on the U.S. charts on its way to sales of 151,000, but there were soon suggestions that Nick was planning to return to the <a href="spotify:artist:7gOdHgIoIKoe4i9Tta6qdD">Jonas Brothers</a> fold. This didn't happen. A 2013 tour was scrapped just prior to its October launch and, soon afterward, the band split. Nick Jonas regrouped with a 2014 solo tour followed by the November release of an eponymous album. Over the course of 2014, Jonas gained momentum, generating the Top Ten single "Jealous," which also topped Billboard's dance charts, as did "Chains" and "Levels," a bonus track from 2015's Nick Jonas X2. In the summer of 2016, Jonas returned with Last Year Was Complicated, featuring production by <a href="spotify:artist:1aZENDSuD4XXPlue0RJwSj">Jason Evigan</a>, Mattman & Robin, and Sir Nolan, among others. Included on the album was "Close," a duet with <a href="spotify:artist:4NHQUGzhtTLFvgF5SZesLK">Tove Lo</a>, and "Bacon" featuring <a href="spotify:artist:7c0XG5cIJTrrAgEC3ULPiq">Ty Dolla $ign</a>. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200. Also around this time, Jonas returned to acting, starring in the erotic thriller Careful What You Wish For and the fraternity hazing drama Goat. In 2017, he released the single "Remember I Told You," featuring Anne-Marie and <a href="spotify:artist:2KsP6tYLJlTBvSUxnwlVWa">Mike Posner</a>. Also that year, he collaborated with <a href="spotify:artist:0hCNtLu0JehylgoiP8L4Gh">Nicki Minaj</a> on the track "Bom Bidi Bom" from the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack, and he appeared in the hit action-comedy Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Jonas paired with German DJ <a href="spotify:artist:3t5xRXzsuZmMDkQzgOX35S">Robin Schulz</a> in 2018 for the single "Right Now," which hit number 14 on Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. In 2019, he was back with his brothers for the reunion album Happiness Begins. Buoyed by the number one single "Sucker," the set debuted on top of the Billboard 200. Following reunion tour duties, Jonas returned to his solo work, releasing the 2020 stand-alone single "Until We Meet Again." In March 2021, he issued his fourth solo album, the <a href="spotify:artist:2sWf9Tj6EsTxURcgil3NTG">Greg Kurstin</a>-produced Spaceman. ~ Andrew Leahey, Rovi

ZAYN

Artist

ZAYN is a multi-platinum selling recording artist, songwriter, producer, and philanthropist known for his skyscraping vocals and hybrid style of pop and R&B. In 2023, ZAYN released his first original music in over two years, making his highly anticipated return with “Love Like This.” With his debut solo album, he became the first UK Male Solo artist to simultaneously chart at #1 on the UK and US album charts in the first week of release for his record-breaking album Mind of Mine. The album’s lead single, “PILLOWTALK” hit #1 in 68 countries around the world and has since been certified 5x platinum by the RIAA. The album was followed by his gold certified Icarus Falls and the critically acclaimed Nobody Is Listening. Throughout his career, ZAYN has garnered several accolades including a Billboard Music Award, American Music Award, MTV VMA, and two Brit Award nominations. In 2024, Zayn released his highly anticipated fourth studio album, &#39;ROOM UNDER THE STAIRS&#39;. This album marks his most personal release to date, reflecting where he is in his life while exploring the complexities of healing, stillness and growth. It also sees the genre-bending artist explore a new sound, leaning into his soulful vocals, live instrumentation, and poetic lyricism as a songwriter. In addition to arriving to critical acclaim, the album debuted within the Top 5 across several Billboard charts including, Billboard’s Top Album Sales, Top Rock & Alternative and Americana/Folk Albums chart.

5 Seconds of Summer

Artist

Avril Lavigne

Artist

Avril Lavigne has made history, smashed records, and consistently blazed a trail of her own as an uncompromising force in music and culture. Beyond selling over 50 million albums worldwide, she has notched eight GRAMMY® Award nominations in categories such as “Best New Artist” and “Song of the Year.” In addition, she has received eight Juno Awards, including “Artist of the Year.” Her catalog comprises the septuple platinum Let Go [2002], triple-platinum Under My Skin [2004], double-platinum The Best Damn Thing [2007], gold-selling Goodbye Lullaby [2011], gold-selling Avril Lavigne [2013], Head Above Water [2019]. As such, she remains of “one of the Soundscan-era’s top-selling artists releasing albums in the U.S." and “the third bestselling Canadian female artist of all-time.” She holds a Guinness World Record as “the youngest female solo artist to top the UK chart,” while “Girlfriend” emerged as “first music video to reach 100 million views on YouTube.” She has earned multiple #1&#39;s around the globe and her social media following notably exceeds 95 million fans worldwide. In February 2022, Avril released her seventh studio album Love Sux that debuted in the top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Chart, amassed over 12 million streams in its first week. In 2025, Avril Lavigne has officially been ranked the #19 biggest female artist of the 21st century by Billboard. Now embarking on the 2025 leg of her Greatest Hits Tour, Avril is poised once again to prove she&#39;s 100% Rock N Roll!

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson wasn't merely the biggest pop star of his era, shaping the sound and style of the '70s and '80s; he was one of the defining stars of the 20th century, a musician who changed the contours of American culture. A preternaturally gifted singer and dancer, Jackson first rose to stardom in 1969 as the 11-year-old frontman for his family's band, the Jackson 5. As remarkable a run as the Jackson 5 had -- at the dawn of the '70s, each of their first four singles went to number one and they stayed near the top of the charts for the next five years -- it all served as a preamble to Jackson's solo career. Off the Wall, the dazzling 1979 album co-produced by Quincy Jones, announced Jackson as a mature talent, and the singles "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You" turned it into a blockbuster. Despite its success, Jackson believed Off the Wall was pigeonholed as an R&B record. Determined to break through this glass ceiling, he reunited with Jones to create Thriller, the 1982 album that shattered every music record on the books. Thriller was designed to appeal to every audience and its diversity was evident by its guests: he enlisted Eddie Van Halen to play guitar on the hard rock of "Beat It" while inviting Paul McCartney to duet on the chipper soft pop tune "The Girl Is Mine." Jackson also expanded the horizons of soul and dance music, producing pioneering masterpieces like "Billie Jean." This single provided Thriller with its 1983 breakthrough, thanks in part to its groundbreaking music video, which became the first clip from a black artist to enter steady rotation on the fledgling MTV. Jackson's smashing of the network's racial barriers was only one aspect of Thriller's unprecedented crossover. Seven of its nine songs were Top 10 hits, it earned eight Grammy awards, and topped the Billboard charts for 37 weeks, matching its American success internationally to become the biggest-selling album of all time, earning 32 platinum certifications in the US and moving over 100 million albums worldwide. Such a phenomenal triumph pushed Jackson into the stratosphere and Bad -- the eagerly-anticipated 1987 sequel to Thriller, co-produced once again with Quincy Jones -- kept him there, generating five number one singles on the Billboard charts and selling 30 million copies internationally, two thirds of which were outside of the US. Jackson parted ways with Jones for 1991's Dangerous, another global blockbuster. HIStory, a 1995 double-disc set that paired a disc of hits with a new album, produced a couple of international number one singles. Invincible, his 2001 album, turned out to be his last. Health problems culminated in his untimely death in the summer of 2009, but at that point Jackson's legend was safe: he stood alongside Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Miles Davis, and Bob Dylan as one of the musicians that created the sound of America in the 20th century. Such heights came from modest beginnings. Michael was born in Gary, Indiana on August 29, 1958, the fifth son of Katherine and Joe Jackson. His mother was a Jehovah's Witness and his father a former boxer-turned-steelworker who played guitar on the side. Harboring aspirations of musical stardom, Joe shepherded his sons into a musical act around 1962. At that point, it was just the three eldest children -- Tito, Jackie, and Jermaine -- but Michael joined them in 1964 and soon dominated the group. Stealing moves from James Brown and Jackie Wilson, Michael became the epicenter of the Jackson 5 as they earned accolades at local talent shows and went on to play soul clubs throughout the Midwest, working their way toward the east coast in 1967 where they won an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater. Returning to Gary, the group cut a pair of singles for the local imprint Steeltown in 1968 -- "(I'm A) Big Boy," "We Don't Have to Be Over 21" -- but their big break arrived when they opened for Bobby Taylor & the Vancouvers at Chicago's Regal Theater. Impressed, Taylor brought them to the attention of Berry Gordy, Jr., who signed the group to Motown in March of 1969 and then sent them out to Los Angeles, where he helped mastermind their national launch. "I Want You Back," a song written and produced by Motown's new crew the Corporation, saw release in October 1968 when Michael Jackson was just 11 years old. By January 1970, "I Want You Back" rocketed to number one on both the pop and R&B charts, and the Jackson 5 became a sensation, crossing over from R&B to AM pop radio with ease. Two more hits followed --" ABC" and "The Love You Save," both exuberant bubblegum soul -- before "I'll Be There" revealed Michael's facility with ballads. All three of these sequels went to number one and, striking while the iron was hot, Motown spun Michael off into a solo act. His first solo single, "Got to Be There," arrived at the end of 1971, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100, and then a cover of Bobby Day's chestnut "Rockin' Robin" peaked at two in early 1972. Later that year, "Ben," the title theme ballad to an exploitation movie about a killer rat, earned Jackson his first Oscar nomination for Best Original Song (he would lose). Not long afterward, the careers of both Michael and the Jackson 5 slowed, victims of shifting tastes, adolescence, and creative battles with their label. One last hit for Motown arrived in 1974 -- "Dancing Machine," a single that brought the group in line with the disco explosion -- before the group departed Motown for Epic in 1975. With the new label came a new name, along with a slight lineup change: Jermaine stayed at Motown to pursue a solo career and younger brother Randy took his place. Following a pair of albums produced by Philly soul mainstays Gamble & Huff, Michael emerged as the group's creative director on 1978's Destiny, co-writing their 1979 smash "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" with Randy. By that point, Michael had already made a considerable solo impression by starring as the Scarecrow in The Wiz, Sidney Lumet's 1978 musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Working on the soundtrack -- a record highlighted by his duet with Diana Ross on "Ease on Down the Road" -- he met producer Quincy Jones, a titan of jazz and pop in the '50s and '60s who had yet to score a smash in the '70s. The pair hit it off and decided to work on Jackson's next solo endeavor, but first the Jackson 5 released Destiny, which raised the profile of both the band and Michael himself. All this was preamble to Off the Wall, the 1979 album that definitively established Michael Jackson as a force of his own. Collaborating with producer Jones and songwriter Rod Temperton, Jackson consciously attempted to appeal to multiple audiences with Off the Wall, turning the album into a dazzling showcase of all his different sounds and skills. Anchored by a pair of number one hits -- the incandescent "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough" and "Rock with You" -- the record turned into a smash, peaking at four on the Billboard 200, selling millions of copies as it raked in awards, but losing the grand prize of Album of the Year at the Grammys, leaving Jackson with the lingering impression that he needed to cross over into the pop mainstream with greater force. Before he could do that, he had to complete one more Jackson 5 album: 1980's Triumph, a record with three hit singles ("Lovely One," "This Place Hotel," "Can You Feel It") whose title seemed to allude to Michael's solo success and certainly benefitted from his heightened stardom. After Triumph, Jackson reunited with producer Jones and songwriter Temperton to create the sequel to Off the Wall, crafting a record that deliberately hit every mark in the musical mainstream. Paul McCartney was brought in to underscore Michael's soft rock leanings, Eddie Van Halen pushed Jackson into metallic hard rock, and the remainder of the album glided from disco to pop to soul in an effortless display of his range. "The Girl Is Mine," the first single from Thriller, didn't suggest its adventure -- Jackson played it safe by releasing the McCartney duet as the album's lead -- but the second single, "Billie Jean," forged ahead into new, unnamable territory. "Billie Jean" was a pop explosion, topping the charts in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada. Some of its success can no doubt be credited to its striking music video, the first to break the fledgling MTV's then-unspoken racial barrier; after Jackson, the network began playing more black acts. Some of the single's success is due to his sensational performance on Motown's 25th Anniversary Special in 1983, a performance aired on May 16, 1983 where Jackson unveiled his signature moonwalk dance -- a move that made it appear as if he was gliding backward -- and announced himself to the world as a mature talent. "Beat It," accompanied by an equally cinematic video, turned into an equally huge smash on MTV and helped push Thriller into the stratosphere. "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'," "Human Nature," and "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" kept Thriller at number one and its last single was an extravaganza, with Jackson letting director John Landis turn the song into a short musical horror film. By the time the album wrapped up its two-year run on the charts, it had racked up 37 weeks at number one and sold 29 million copies, becoming the biggest-selling album ever. Even as Thriller was something of a pop perpetual motion machine, selling records of its own accord, Jackson worked hard. He once again teamed with Paul McCartney, singing "Say Say Say" for McCartney's 1983 album Pipes of Peace, and he reunited with the Jackson 5 for 1984's Victory, supporting the album with an international tour. Prior to its launch, Jackson suffered a serious accident while filming a Pepsi commercial designed to accompany the tour. During the shoot, pyrotechnics burned Jackson's head, sending him to the hospital with second degree burns to his scalp; as he recovered, he started using pain killers for the first time. Jackson earned accolades for his philanthropic work, especially his collaboration with Lionel Richie on the 1985 charity single "We Are the World," but along with these positive notes, wild stories began to circulate in the tabloids. Some further bad press accompanied his acquisition of the Lennon and McCartney songwriting catalog in 1985, a move that severed his partnership with Paul McCartney. Jackson also flirted with becoming a movie star, working with George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola on the 3D film Captain Eo, shown only at Disney's IMAX theaters starting in 1986. Once this appeared, he started work on the task of following up Thriller. Working once again with Quincy Jones, Jackson refined the Thriller template for 1987's Bad. Like Thriller, the first single was an adult contemporary number -- "I Just Can't Stop Loving You," a duet with then unknown Siedah Garrett -- before it cranked out hits: "Bad," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Man in the Mirror," and "Dirty Diana" all reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 between 1987 and 1988, with "Another Part of Me" just missing the Top 10 and "Smooth Criminal" peaking at seven. Bad didn't dominate the charts in other countries but its singles reached the Top 10 internationally with some regularity, aided in part with a globe-spanning tour -- the first solo tour of Michael Jackson's career. The Bad World Tour broke records across the globe and in its wake, he started calling himself "The King of Pop," a nickname that was something of a retort to Elvis Presley being known as "The King of Rock & Roll." Once the tour wrapped up, Jackson returned to his new home -- a Santa Ynez ranch that he purchased in March of 1988 and renamed Neverland, playing up his Peter Pan fixation Jackson renewed his deal with Sony -- the corporation that purchased Epic/CBS -- in 1991 and then set to work on his next album. This time, he decided to part ways with Quincy Jones, choosing to work with a variety of collaborators, chief among them Teddy Riley, who helped usher Michael into the realm of New Jack Swing. "Black or White," the album's first video, caused some controversy, which helped generate initial press and sales and sent the single to number one. "Remember the Time" and "In the Closet" also made it into the Billboard Top 10 in early 1992, but subsequent singles "Jam" and "Heal the World" stalled in the low 20s, while "Who Is It" made it to 14. Jackson's period of massive success was starting to end and, as it did, Jackson entered a rough personal period. In 1993, a 13-year-old boy accused Jackson of molestation. Over the next two years, the case played out in public and in the justice system, eventually settling out of court for undisclosed terms in 1995; no charges were ever filed. During all this, Jackson married Lisa Marie Presley in May of 1994; their marriage lasted just 19 months. Jackson rebooted his career in 1995 with HIStory: Past, Present & Future, Book 1, a double-disc set divided into an album of hits and an album of new material. Preceded by a double-A-sided single containing the ballad "Childhood" and "Scream," a duet with his sister Janet, the album underperformed compared to its predecessors but still generated big hits, highlighted by "You Are Not Alone," the first single to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The subsequent singles "They Don't Care About Us" and "Stranger in Moscow" underperformed in the U.S. but were Top 10 singles in the U.K., and HIStory also did well in other global international markets, aided in part by the lengthy accompanying global tour. In 1997, Jackson followed HIStory with Blood on the Dance Floor, an album that topped the U.K. charts but only reached 24 in the U.S. By that point, Jackson had married his nurse, Debbie Rowe, who would soon become to the mother of two children: Prince Michael Jackson, Jr. and Paris Michael Katherine Jackson. Over the next couple of years, Jackson raised his family and performed at charitable events, starting work on a comeback planned for 2001. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo act that year (the Jackson 5 had previously been inducted) and he staged two major 30th Anniversary concerts in September 2001 to kick off the promo campaign for his new album, Invincible. Produced in large part by Rodney Jerkins, Invincible consciously evoked Off the Wall with its single "You Rock My World," which reached 10 prior to the album's October release. Invincible entered the charts at number one in the U.S. and U.K., but it didn't have staying power and never generated another hit single. Soon, music took a backseat to Jackson's personal life. He had a third child, Prince Michael Jackson II in 2002, but the birth was overshadowed by erratic public appearances and legal problems, including an arrest in November 2003 for child molestation; in June of 2005 he was acquitted on all counts. As the case played out, Sony released the first-ever single-disc collection of Jackson's peak, Number Ones, in 2003; it had a new song, "One More Chance." Over the next few years, many catalog releases materialized: the 2004 box set The Ultimate Collection, the 2006 double-disc set The Essential Michael Jackson, a collectors box called Visionary in 2006, and his catalog saw deluxe reissues in 2008. Jackson planned a major comeback for 2009 with a major tour called This Is It featuring a long run of shows at London's O2 Arena. As he was in the midst of rehearsals in Los Angeles, he collapsed at home on the afternoon of June 25, 2009. Rushed to the UCLA Medical Center, Jackson was pronounced dead of a cardiac arrest at the age of 50. An extensive investigation later named his death a homicide due to prescription drugs; Dr. Conrad Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter. It didn't take long for posthumous releases to begin to hit the shelves. Motown released The Remix Suite in October of 2009, and then a film documenting the 2009 concert rehearsals was released as This Is It, along with a soundtrack. Next came a DVD set called Vision, and 2010 brought Michael, a collection of outtakes, most dating from Invincible. In 2012, the 25th anniversary of Bad brought an expanded reissue of the 1987 album. Epic released Xscape in 2014, a record where L.A. Reid and Timbaland reworked demos recorded between Thriller and Invincible. Preceded by the single "Love Never Felt So Good" -- an electronic duet with Justin Timberlake that went to The Top 10 -- Xscape earned Gold certification. In 2016, Off the Wall received a deluxe reissue highlighted by an accompanying documentary directed by Spike Lee. Scream, a loosely Halloween-themed compilation, followed in 2017. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is one of the most influential entertainers of the modern era. Her music has won her 6 GRAMMY® Awards, 2 Emmy Nominations, a Golden Globe Award, a nomination for an Academy Award along with dozens of American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and Billboard Music Awards. She has received accolades as an actress as well including the NAACP Best Supporting Actor award. Janet is a published author, dancer, businessperson, philanthropist and one of the biggest-selling artists in popular music history. With sales of over 160 million records worldwide, Janet Jackson stands as one of the best-selling artists of all time with a string of hits that have left an indelible impression on pop culture. Her music and artistry has opened doors through which other top artists have followed, many acknowledging her impact on their musical perception.

Travis Scott

Artist

Houston-born rapper and producer Travis Scott's psychedelic trap style makes him one of the more distinctive talents to have risen to the height of mainstream commercial popularity. His heavily processed, half-sung/half-rapped style set him apart early on, and he grew from affiliations with <a href="spotify:artist:5K4W6rqBFWDnAN6FQUkS6x">Kanye West</a>'s GOOD Music and <a href="spotify:artist:4OBJLual30L7gRl5UkeRcT">T.I.</a>'s <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Grand+Hustle%22">Grand Hustle</a> in the early 2010s to chart-dominating popularity before the close of the decade. After his first studio album, 2015's Rodeo, debuted in the number three position, Scott followed with a pair of number one full-lengths, Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight (2016) and Astroworld (2018), all the while assisting on platinum singles headlined by the likes of <a href="spotify:artist:5pKCCKE2ajJHZ9KAiaK11H">Rihanna</a> ("Bitch Better Have My Money"), <a href="spotify:artist:7tYKF4w9nC0nq9CsPZTHyP">SZA</a> ("Love Galore"), and <a href="spotify:artist:3TVXtAsR1Inumwj472S9r4">Drake</a> ("Portland"), and working extensively with <a href="spotify:artist:0VRj0yCOv2FXJNP47XQnx5">Quavo</a> as <a href="spotify:artist:6extd4B6hl8VTmnlhpl2bY">Huncho Jack</a>. Whether leading or supporting, Scott's presence was unmistakable, and he quickly accumulated Grammys, endorsement deals, and appearances in more than 80 charting songs. By the 2020s, Scott was one of the most successful living artists on the planet. This level of fame played into both extreme success and profound tragedy, with Scott being at the center of controversy surrounding the deaths and injuries of hundreds of fans at his 2021 Astroworld festival before debuting his genre-crossing, Grammy-nominated fourth album, 2023's UTOPIA. He was then featured on a variety of tracks with <a href="spotify:artist:1URnnhqYAYcrqrcwql10ft">21 Savage</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0iEtIxbK0KxaSlF7G42ZOp">Metro Boomin</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3a1tBryiczPAZpgoZN9Rzg">Asake</a>, and others. Born Jacques Webster, Travis Scott grew up in a suburb of Houston and began making music as a teenager. He formed a duo called the Graduates with Chris Holloway, and they released an EP in 2009. The following year, he formed another duo, the Classmates, with OG Chess. Scott produced the pair's two full-lengths, Buddy Rich and Cruis'n USA, but they broke up near the end of 2011. After dropping out of college, Scott moved to Los Angeles and began recording music on his own. He met <a href="spotify:artist:4OBJLual30L7gRl5UkeRcT">T.I.</a> and eventually <a href="spotify:artist:5K4W6rqBFWDnAN6FQUkS6x">Kanye West</a>. Scott was hired as an in-house producer for GOOD Music, and appeared on the label's Cruel Summer compilation in 2012. Scott's debut, Owl Pharaoh, was originally scheduled to be released as a free mixtape in 2012, but as his profile grew (including a placement in XXL Magazine's Freshman Class of 2013), and sample clearance issues, the album wasn't released until May 2013. Featuring guest appearances by <a href="spotify:artist:4OBJLual30L7gRl5UkeRcT">T.I.</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:17lzZA2AlOHwCwFALHttmp">2 Chainz</a> (on the single "Upper Echelon") as well as <a href="spotify:artist:6O4EGCCb6DoIiR6B1QCQgp">Toro y Moi</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:13rHmjtJmlIJ2aDyJc7CLV">Justin Vernon</a> of <a href="spotify:artist:4LEiUm1SRbFMgfqnQTwUbQ">Bon Iver</a>, Owl Pharaoh eventually garnered a nomination for Best Mixtape at the 2013 BET Hip Hop Awards. The buildup to Scott's first proper studio album involved the Days Before Rodeo mixtape, promoted with the singles "Don't Play" and "Mamacita," and the March 2015 U.S. Rodeo Tour, headlined by Scott and supported by <a href="spotify:artist:50co4Is1HCEo8bhOyUWKpn">Young Thug</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:0iEtIxbK0KxaSlF7G42ZOp">Metro Boomin</a>. Several of the dates sold out. The same month, <a href="spotify:artist:5pKCCKE2ajJHZ9KAiaK11H">Rihanna</a>'s Scott-produced hit single "Bitch Better Have My Money" was released. "3500" and "Antidote" were issued ahead of Rodeo, Scott's second full-length, which followed in September on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Grand+Hustle%22">Grand Hustle</a>/Epic and debuted at number three on the Billboard 200. Toward the end of the year, "Antidote" peaked at number 16 on the Hot 100 and became Scott's first platinum single. Chatter regarding a follow-up, along with numerous delays, ensued throughout much of 2016. Meanwhile, Scott extended his commercial presence with featured spots on <a href="spotify:artist:137W8MRPWKqSmrBGDBFSop">Wiz Khalifa</a>'s "Bake Sale," <a href="spotify:artist:5pKCCKE2ajJHZ9KAiaK11H">Rihanna</a>'s "Woo," and <a href="spotify:artist:5K4W6rqBFWDnAN6FQUkS6x">Kanye West</a>'s "FML," as well as a collaboration with <a href="spotify:artist:50co4Is1HCEo8bhOyUWKpn">Young Thug</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:0VRj0yCOv2FXJNP47XQnx5">Quavo</a>, "Pick Up the Phone," a mid-year hit issued as the lead single of <a href="spotify:artist:50co4Is1HCEo8bhOyUWKpn">Young Thug</a>'s JEFFERY. Three months later, after "Bitch Better Have My Money" earned platinum certification, Scott's second proper album arrived. Titled Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight after one of <a href="spotify:artist:0VRj0yCOv2FXJNP47XQnx5">Quavo</a>'s lines in "Pick Up the Phone," the woozy, mostly midtempo set featured that hit and contributions from the likes of <a href="spotify:artist:74V3dE1a51skRkdII8y2C6">André 3000</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0fA0VVWsXO9YnASrzqfmYu">Kid Cudi</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:2YZyLoL8N0Wb9xBt1NhZWg">Kendrick Lamar</a>. It went straight to the top of the Billboard 200. Leading up to his third LP, Scott was featured on a slew of tracks, including platinum singles headlined by <a href="spotify:artist:7tYKF4w9nC0nq9CsPZTHyP">SZA</a> ("Love Galore"), <a href="spotify:artist:3TVXtAsR1Inumwj472S9r4">Drake</a> ("Portland"), <a href="spotify:artist:360IAlyVv4PCEVjgyMZrxK">Miguel</a> ("Sky Walker"), <a href="spotify:artist:17lzZA2AlOHwCwFALHttmp">2 Chainz</a> ("4 AM"), and <a href="spotify:artist:6Xgp2XMz1fhVYe7i6yNAax">Trippie Redd</a> ("Dark Knight Dummo"). Scott's own "Butterfly Effect" arrived during this torrent of hits in May 2017 and promptly went platinum as well. Seven months later, Huncho Jack, Jack Huncho, a collaborative full-length with <a href="spotify:artist:0VRj0yCOv2FXJNP47XQnx5">Quavo</a>, entered the Billboard 200 at number three. The following May, Scott released "Watch," a non-album track featuring <a href="spotify:artist:5K4W6rqBFWDnAN6FQUkS6x">Kanye West</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4O15NlyKLIASxsJ0PrXPfz">Lil Uzi Vert</a>, and within three months released Astroworld, which he considered the true follow-up to Rodeo. Featuring "Butterfly Effect," the album -- named after a demolished Houston amusement park -- debuted at number one and was supported with a second single, "Sicko Mode." Scott closed out 2018 by appearing on multiple tracks of <a href="spotify:artist:0iEtIxbK0KxaSlF7G42ZOp">Metro Boomin</a>'s Not All Heroes Wear Capes album. After collaborating with <a href="spotify:artist:50co4Is1HCEo8bhOyUWKpn">Young Thug</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:6l3HvQ5sa6mXTsMTB19rO5">J. Cole</a> on 2019's "The London" and being featured on <a href="spotify:artist:6eUKZXaKkcviH0Ku9w2n3V">Ed Sheeran</a>'s "Antisocial," Scott issued his own solo single, "Highest in the Room." JackBoys, a brief compilation showcasing artists from Scott's <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Cactus+Jack+Records%22">Cactus Jack Records</a> label, appeared at the end of the year. The release subsequently became the first number one album of the 2020s. Another <a href="spotify:artist:50co4Is1HCEo8bhOyUWKpn">Young Thug</a> collaboration, "Franchise," also featuring <a href="spotify:artist:0QJIPDAEDILuo8AIq3pMuU">M.I.A.</a>, debuted in September 2020 on top of the Billboard 200. In January 2021, Spanish DJ <a href="spotify:artist:2o08sCWF5yyo2G4DCiT7T9">HVME</a> released a deep house reworking of Scott and <a href="spotify:artist:2YZyLoL8N0Wb9xBt1NhZWg">Kendrick Lamar</a>'s song "Goosebumps," eventually topping Billboard's Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Chart. Two more tracks appeared that November, with both "Escape Plan" and "Mafia" arriving concurrently and hitting the Top Ten of Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. On November 5, 2021, there was a fatal crowd crush during Scott's performance at his third annual Astroworld Festival in Houston, Texas. The event resulted in the death of 10 people with over 300 being treated for injuries. The rapper apologized and the rest of the festival was canceled. Scott and others involved in the festival were investigated, though a Texas grand jury ultimately declined to indict them. In May 2022, Scott performed at the Billboard Music Awards, his first live appearance since the Astroworld Festival tragedy. He also contributed to four tracks on <a href="spotify:artist:0iEtIxbK0KxaSlF7G42ZOp">Metro Boomin</a>'s Heroes & Villains album. In July 2023, he released his fourth studio album, UTOPIA. An ambitious, genre-crossing concept album in the vein of <a href="spotify:artist:5K4W6rqBFWDnAN6FQUkS6x">Kanye West</a>'s Yeezus, it featured a bevy of producers, including Scott, <a href="spotify:artist:53KwLdlmrlCelAZMaLVZqU">James Blake</a>, WondaGurl, and others. Also featured were many guests, such as <a href="spotify:artist:4q3ewBCX7sLwd24euuV69X">Bad Bunny</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:1Xyo4u8uXC1ZmMpatF05PJ">the Weeknd</a> on the lead single, "K-pop," and <a href="spotify:artist:6vWDO969PvNqNYHIOW5v0m">Beyoncé</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:4LEiUm1SRbFMgfqnQTwUbQ">Bon Iver</a> on "Delresto (Echoes)." UTOPIA topped both the Billboard 200 and R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. Scott's work throughout much of 2024 largely consisted of features on records by <a href="spotify:artist:1URnnhqYAYcrqrcwql10ft">21 Savage</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1RyvyyTE3xzB2ZywiAwp0i">Future</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:0iEtIxbK0KxaSlF7G42ZOp">Metro Boomin</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0YinUQ50QDB7ZxSCLyQ40k">Mustard</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:3a1tBryiczPAZpgoZN9Rzg">Asake</a>. ~ Paul Simpson & Andy Kellman, Rovi

Bryson Tiller

Artist

Tory Lanez

Artist

PARTYNEXTDOOR

Artist

Lloyd

Artist

Kehlani

Artist

Jhené Aiko

Artist

Brandy

Artist

Aaliyah

Artist

A star in the R&B world before she was even out of her teens, Aaliyah's promising career was tragically cut short by her death in a plane crash at age 22. Even with only three albums under her belt, she'd already earned a place as a talented trendsetter among the R&B elite. Following a successful transition to a more mature image, Aaliyah played a major role in popularizing the stuttering, futuristic production style that consumed hip-hop and urban soul in the late '90s. Her work with Timbaland, especially, was some of the most forward-looking R&B of its time, even while the competing neo-soul movement was gaining prominence. Aaliyah's death came on the heels of her third and most accomplished album, making it especially unfortunate that she was robbed of a chance to continue her creative development. Aaliyah Dana Haughton was born January 16, 1979, in Brooklyn, and named after a Swahili word meaning "most exalted one." Her uncle, Barry Hankerson, was a manager and entertainment lawyer who was married to Gladys Knight for a time, and her mother, also a singer, enrolled Aaliyah in voice lessons before she'd even started school. Still very young, she moved with her family to Detroit, where she sang in several school plays. At age nine, she successfully auditioned for the TV show Star Search, where she performed "My Funny Valentine" (and lost). Two years later, thanks to her uncle Hankerson's connections, she spent five nights in Las Vegas performing as part of Gladys Knight's revue. In addition to his niece, Hankerson was also managing a rising R&B star named R. Kelly, and introduced the two in 1992. Kelly soon took Aaliyah under his wing and began writing and producing songs for her. Aaliyah's debut album, Age Ain't Nothing but a Number, was released in the summer of 1994 and quickly became a platinum-selling hit on the strength of two smash singles, "Back & Forth" and "At Your Best (You Are Love)" (the latter an Isley Brothers cover). Both songs hit the pop Top Ten and went gold, and "Back & Forth" went all the way to number one on the R&B charts, while "At Your Best" fell one spot short. Late in the year, Aaliyah found herself at the center of controversy when rumors spread that the 15-year-old singer had married Kelly, who was more than ten years her senior. Although both camps were resolutely tight-lipped, documents later confirmed that the two had wed in the state of Illinois that August and gotten an annulment shortly thereafter. By the time the media buzz died down, the two had parted ways both personally and creatively. In 1996, Aaliyah released her follow-up album, One in a Million, which signaled a newly emerging maturity. She worked with several different producers, most notably Timbaland, who co-wrote several tracks with his songwriting partner, Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott (soon to become a solo star in her own right). Several of these -- "If Your Girl Only Knew," "One in a Million," "4 Page Letter" -- became hits, with "If Your Girl Only Knew" going all the way to the top of the R&B charts. The Diane Warren-penned ballad "The One I Gave My Heart To" was also a Top Ten R&B hit, and One in a Million wound up going double platinum. In the meantime, Aaliyah graduated from high school (in 1997) and contributed several songs to film soundtracks. "Journey to the Past," from Anastasia, was nominated for an Oscar, and in early 1998 she had a major hit with "Are You That Somebody?" from Eddie Murphy's Dr. Dolittle (in which she also made a cameo appearance). Aaliyah took her time recording a follow-up, and put the process completely on hold to start an acting career. She co-starred with martial-arts master Jet Li and rapper DMX in 2000's urban Shakespeare adaptation Romeo Must Die, and her accompanying soundtrack single, "Try Again," became her first number one hit on the pop charts that summer. Aaliyah subsequently completed filming on the Anne Rice vampire flick Queen of the Damned, playing the title role as a vampire queen, and was cast in a prominent role in the two sequels to The Matrix. Plus, she finally finished her long-awaited third album, with Timbaland again handling the most prominent tracks. Released in the summer of 2001, Aaliyah completed the singer's image overhaul into a sensual yet sensitive adult. The record received excellent reviews, and the first single, "We Need a Resolution," was a Top 20 R&B hit. About a month after the album's release, Aaliyah traveled to the Bahamas to film a video for its second single, "Rock the Boat." On August 25, she and several members of the crew boarded a small twin-engine Cessna plane returning to the mainland. The plane crashed shortly after takeoff, exploding on impact; Aaliyah and seven other passengers were killed instantly, and the ninth later died at a Nassau hospital. Investigations into the crash showed that the plane had been loaded far past its weight capacity, and that pilot Luis Morales had recently been arrested for crack cocaine possession (traces of which, along with alcohol, were found in his system); furthermore, the charter company, Blackhawk International Airways, had not authorized him to pilot the craft in question. Naturally, the R&B community reacted with an outpouring of shock and sorrow, and Aaliyah became the singer's only chart-topping album, eventually going double platinum. "Rock the Boat" and "More Than a Woman" were both posthumous Top Ten hits on the R&B chart, and Queen of the Damned was a commercial success upon its release in early 2002, topping the box office in its first week. As details continued to emerge from the plane crash investigation, Aaliyah's parents filed suit against Blackhawk Airways, Virgin Records, and several other companies. At the end of 2002, the posthumous album I Care 4 U entered the charts at number three; it mixed some of the singer's biggest hits with a selection of unreleased material. The title track was a Top 20 pop hit, and "Miss You" topped the R&B charts early the next year. ~ Steve Huey

Britney Spears

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Multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning pop icon Britney Spears is one of the most successful and celebrated entertainers in pop history with nearly 150 million records worldwide. In the U.S. alone, she has sold more than 70 million albums, singles and songs, according to Nielsen Music. Born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, Spears became a household name as a teenager when she released her first single “…Baby One More Time,” a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash and international hit that broke sales records with more than 20 million copies sold worldwide and is currently 14x Platinum in the U.S. Her musical career boasts countless awards and accolades, including six Billboard Music Awards and Billboard’s Millennium Award, which recognizes outstanding career achievements and influence in the music industry as well as an American Music Award and the 2011 MTV Video Vanguard Award. So far, Spears has earned a total of six No.1-debuting albums on the Billboard 200 chart and 22 top 40 hit singles on the Billboard Hot 100 — four of which went to No. 1. Spears has been nominated for eight Grammy Awards and won for Best Dance Recording in 2005. Her cutting-edge pop concert Las Vegas residency, “Britney: Piece of Me,” at Planet Hollywood Resort &amp; Casino has been voted “Best Show in Las Vegas” and “Best Bachelorette Show in Las Vegas.” Spears also has been creating fragrances for over ten years, and currently has over 20 fragrances available in over 85 countries around the world.

Haifa Wehbe

Artist

Lebanese star Haifa Wehbe is one of the biggest selling and leading Arab artists of the new millennium. She is a singer, actress, songwriter, icon, and a trendsetter. Started her career in 2002, Wehbe released seven studio albums, out of which MJK, released in 2012, made Top 1 in Worldwide charts on the iTunes Store. Her latest album “Hawwa” was released in September 2018 in a unique approach in which she shot all the songs as lyric videos. The album charted Top 1 in almost all Arab Countries and on all music platforms, especially the song “Touta” that was the major hit on the album. On the other side, she started her acting career in 2009 in “Dokkan Shehata” movie and continued to be one of the leading actresses in the Arab World, Haifa Wehbe has starred in 5 TV series leading up to 2020.Throughout her career, Wehbe won several awards including the Golden Lion in Egypt, 6 Murex d’Or Awards, 4 Big Apple Music Awards as the Most Popular Artist and the Best Middle Eastern Artist, and many others.Wehbe was on People Magazine&#39;s multiple times as one of the 50 most beautiful women in the world.

Marwan Pablo

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Born in Alexandria in 1995, Marwan Pablo kickstarted his career at the young age of 23 in 2018. With his debut single release as Marwan Pablo, he brought a unique blend of Hip-Hop, Rap, and Experimental music, all while embracing his native Alexandrian accent. His music serves as a raw and introspective canvas, drawing inspiration from his life experiences, thoughts, emotions, and the world around him. Marwan Pablo&#39;s discography serves as a testament to his evolution as an artist and his growth as a person. Notably, he has collaborated with acclaimed artists like Cairokee and Nancy Ajram, adding diverse dimensions to his musical journey. His authentic sound and relatable lyrics continue to resonate, making him a rising star in the music scene.

Amr Diab

Artist

Amr Diab is a pop singer and songwriter from Egypt. He has won a record seven World Music Awards to date, and is considered the all-time best-selling musical artist from the Middle East. He is the creator of his own genre; he calls his meld of Arabic harmony and Western rhythms "Mediterranean Music," and it has influenced many subsequent artists. He was born on the October 11, 1961 in Portsaid, Egypt. He began singing at age three and at six, he performed the Egyptian national anthem at the July 23rd Festival in Portsaid. He was awarded a guitar by the governor for his performance and his career course was set. He continued performing anywhere he could. He recorded his debut album, Ya Tareeq, in 1983, and moved to Cairo in 1984. He studied Arabic music at the Cairo Academy of Arts, where he received a Bachelor's degree. He signed to <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Delta+Sound%22">Delta Sound</a> for 1984's Ghani Men Albak and remained there through 1994's Ya Omrina. He also experimented with film. Diab played himself in the 1989 movie El Afareet. In 1992, he began pioneering big-production, high-tech videos that have proved influential not only in the Middle East but in Europe. He also starred in 1993's Ays Krim fi Glym and played alongside <a href="spotify:artist:3SKi9kkkcE7hsnEprZx2Dc">Omar Shariff</a> in the film Deahk We La'ab. For Diab, film, while interesting, didn't hold his attention. His musical career netted him a series of albums that furthered his vision. As a predecessor and in Egypt, Diab was a bona fide star. He signed to Alam el Phan for 1995's multi-platinum-selling Nour el Ain, his international breakthrough. It charted not only in Egypt, but also in India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, South Africa, and as far west as France. Each of his succeeding recordings for the label charted. 1999's Ama Rain featured his duets with Cheb Khaled and <a href="spotify:artist:7xySz9OyEWxKC6RyDlo256">Angela Dimitriou</a>. Diab issued three more albums with Alam el Phan, 2000's Tamally Maak, the following year's Aktar Wahed, and 2003's Allem Alby, before he left for the <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Rotana%22">Rotana</a> label. 2004's Lealy Nahary proved one of his biggest hits and netted three Top Five singles. He followed it the next year with Kammel Kalamak, scoring another chart hit, as did 2007's El Lilady -- the latter earned him a World Music Award. Wayah, his 2009 set, was another best-seller and precipitated a concert at Golf Porto Marina to a crowd of over 80,000. In 2011, during the Egyptian revolution that caused President Hosni Mubarak to resign and go into exile, Diab released the song "Masr A'let" (Egypt Said)," a tribute to those martyred during the Arab Spring. Banadeek Ta'ala followed, and El Leila was issued the following year; Diab topped the charts again. In 2014, Shoft el Ayam was released and entered at number one in several Middle Eastern countries. 2016's Ahla Wa Ahla was a subsequent number one. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi

Fairuz

Artist

Since the middle of the 20th century, the most famous living Arab singer and crown jewel of Lebanese music has been Fairuz (birth name Nuhad Haddad). She is world-renowned and has performed on all continents. She has been the voice of the Arab people -- regardless of political affiliation -- since she began working professionally as one of the young Lebanese artists to perform at the Baalbek International Festivals along with <a href="spotify:artist:1sA9ybX80IVJ00sdbm5kB9">Sabah</a>, Wadih Safi, <a href="spotify:artist:1WST6nXZrdhBeSPO2yGYQT">Nasri Shamseddin</a>, the dance group Abdulhalim Caracalla, and the songwriting and playwriting team of Assi and Mansour Rahbani, her longtime collaborators. The Baalbek International Festivals -- first used as a gathering place for poets, painters, and musicians in Lebanon in the 1920s -- birthed the golden era of Lebanese music. Fairuz was born in 1935, the eldest child of Wadih Haddad and Liza Bustani. Her father was a print-shop technician who moved his family to Beirut from the village of Dbayeh in the Chouf region with the goal of making a better living. The young Fairuz showed her singing talent as a young child and often sang for her family and neighbors. In high school, at age 14, she was discovered by Mohammed Fleifel, who scouted schools for singers to perform on a then-new national radio station. Struck by her talent, he became her first agent and manager; he assisted her in gaining entry to the National Conservatory of Music, where she studied for five years. There and in public Fairuz sang for the Palestinian cause without politicizing it. She also paid respect to various Arab capitals without personalizing them. Of course, her home nation of Lebanon was among them, and her singing garnered her more political and diplomatic bona fides than most professionals. As her agent and manager, Fleifel believed in a singer's training method prevalent in Egypt at the time, the chanting of Koranic verses, which birthed the careers of <a href="spotify:artist:52lsD82iOqGtyfEMqWgk4f">Umm Kulthum</a> and Mohammed Abdul Wahab. This skill, which Fairuz employed to great benefit in her intonation and command of the classical language, became clear in her singing of maquam, a classical Arabic poetic form and a secular musical genre. It probably helped her sharpen the Eastern style in her singing in the proper melodic Arabic modes. She distinguished herself from typical Arab singers by using crystalline resonances; initially, some critics remarked that she actually sounded Western. It was not long before officials of the new national radio station hired her as a chorus singer. Her conservative father initially objected, but the devout Christian girl felt the salary from the job could help her achieve her real goal of becoming a teacher. Her father reluctantly approved under the condition that her brother escort her to the studio every day. In the late '40s and early '50s, Fairuz absorbed on-the-job training at the radio station. Her supervisor, Halim Al-Rumi, composed songs for her. At the time it was not uncommon for singers to take a stage name. Rumi suggested that Nahud Haddad sing under the name Fairuz, a word meaning turquoise. He also introduced her to Assi Rahbani, a policeman by profession, who, along with his poet brother Mansour Rahbani, frequented the radio station looking for a break in the music business. It was there that one of the most formidable, prolific, and long-lived collaborative teams in Arab music was born. The first <a href="spotify:artist:6pyqxT57yY1F11mlZku6ae">Rahbani Brothers</a> song Fairuz sang on the station was "Itab," a romantic poem. This song launched her career and almost overnight made her a star in Lebanon. They traveled to Damascus in 1952 to record the song at a Syrian radio station. It was an immediate hit and she quickly became known throughout the Arab world. In 1953, Assi proposed to Fairuz and they were married the following year and moved into a house in the Rahbani village of Antiliyas near Beirut. The rural environment in close proximity to the Mediterranean inspired many songs, and she continues to live there. Their success streak continued, and the young couple was invited to travel to Egypt the following year. Cairo, the cultural center of the Arab world, was the proving ground for every artist. Assi and Fairuz, however, turned down offers for collaboration from members of the Egyptian art community because she was pregnant; they simply played their tour and were widely accepted by artists and the general public alike. Fairuz did make new introductions and form new friendships. She returned home and gave birth to son <a href="spotify:artist:56F07EgoDt7uxzQUb6HZnT">Ziad</a> in 1956. <a href="spotify:artist:56F07EgoDt7uxzQUb6HZnT">Ziad Rahbani</a> grew up to become a great composer and has played a critical role in shaping his mother's music during the later stages of her career. Given her natural shyness and reserved persona, performing concerts was not an easy proposition for Fairuz, but she was diligent and fearless. Focusing on her singing rather than body movements, she won over a large audience in her first performance at the Baalbek International Festival in 1957. The Rahbani family chose a song about the beauty of Lebanon for her debut, a winning strategy that quickly earned her a medal from the president. This was the first of many career accomplishments, including the issuing of a memorial stamp. The leaders of many Arab nations have hosted and honored her with medals. One example is that the King of Morocco personally received her at the country's state airport -- a protocol normally reserved for heads of state. She has collected a multitude of keys to cities around the world. One of those keys came from the Arab mayor of Jerusalem in 1961, when she accompanied her father on a pilgrimage to the city. Arab intellectuals worried that attention from politicians might co-opt the influence of the Rahbani family for partisan purposes. However, the political savvy of Fairuz, Assi, and Mansour led them to sing only for the glory of the land itself. They composed and performed a series of songs for all the major Arab capitals -- each became a celebrated piece of popular art. These nations have taken the songs as secondary national anthems and have often played them during official broadcasts well into the 21st century. By singing for the Palestinian cause without politicizing it and by paying respect to Arab capitals instead of leaders, Fairuz earned political respect for Lebanon. She has, since the very beginnings of her professional career, been an effective ambassador for her country. During the nation's long civil war she refused to leave -- even when virtually every other popular artist did -- and never performed for factional warlords. Despite her celebrity status, Fairuz never acted like one. She maintained an almost ascetic decorum and was more comfortable recording her now legendary Christian liturgy albums than her hit dance songs. Fairuz rose to the pinnacle of Arab singers. Her repertoire on recordings and in performance offered a broad spectrum of material unmatched by virtually any other vocalist. From classical language tomes, pop and dance music, Eastern tarab, and Western classical (including a <a href="spotify:artist:4NJhFmfw43RLBLjQvxDuRS">Mozart</a> tune with Arabic lyrics) to art, children's, and patriotic songs, she excelled. The Rahbani brothers were brilliant at bringing new material to the many musical plays they composed as well as the Arab music scene at large. In the 1950s, audiences in Lebanon and elsewhere were used to solely Egyptian vocabulary devoted to the complications and intense emotions of love and romance. Suddenly, <a href="spotify:artist:6pyqxT57yY1F11mlZku6ae">the Rahbanis</a> were offering songs about a young girl carrying a water jug or Dabke dancers celebrating at a wedding. The universal imagery elevated life's simple moments to the realm of art. This became the Rahbani school, imitated by succeeding generation of artists. But Fairuz and Assi's son <a href="spotify:artist:56F07EgoDt7uxzQUb6HZnT">Ziad</a> was a rebel. He entered the family business and composed some of his mother's best songs, but eventually broke off and produced plays that satirized their formula. Turmoil engulfed the family; Fairuz and her husband separated. They were not reconciled when he died in 1986. The Arab world lost a brilliant composer in Assi Rahbani. In commemoration, Fairuz and <a href="spotify:artist:56F07EgoDt7uxzQUb6HZnT">Ziad</a> reissued Assi's compositions in a new instrumental style. <a href="spotify:artist:56F07EgoDt7uxzQUb6HZnT">Ziad</a> then took on the responsibility of composing for his mother, often incorporating jazz in some songs and Eastern themes (manipulating maqam masterfully) in others, proving his skill in both. <a href="spotify:artist:56F07EgoDt7uxzQUb6HZnT">Ziad</a>'s fine work is a modern commentary on the debate about the ability of Arabs to compose in Western styles. <a href="spotify:artist:6pyqxT57yY1F11mlZku6ae">The Rahbani Brothers</a> planted that seed in <a href="spotify:artist:56F07EgoDt7uxzQUb6HZnT">Ziad</a>. They had been interested in experimenting with mixing Western and Eastern music, as did Mohammed Abdul Wahab (whose songs Fairuz also recorded). They wanted to leave their mark and did so uniquely, tackling new melodic forms and adapting dance tunes -- including Western ballroom styles. Their biggest contribution was in arranging folk music in a new way. They drew from the experience and customs of their culture and created new musical plays that some called "Arab light opera." Through the voice of Fairuz, <a href="spotify:artist:6pyqxT57yY1F11mlZku6ae">the Rahbani Brothers</a> re-orchestrated the ancient muwashahat and composed their own take on it, singing classical poetry in the style of the Arabs in Andalusia. In the 1960s, Fairuz also became an actress, starring in four films between 1965 and 1968. Between the middle of the 1960s through 1973 she also made numerous appearances on television and in <a href="spotify:artist:6pyqxT57yY1F11mlZku6ae">the Rahbani Brothers</a>' musical theater productions. She was most prolific in the recording studio in the 1970s and 1980s -- she issued literally dozens of albums during the era. These included titles as diverse as Dahab Aylou, Sings Christmas Carols at St. Margaret's Westminster, and Jerusalem in My Heart. Interestingly, throughout their careers together, <a href="spotify:artist:6pyqxT57yY1F11mlZku6ae">the Rahbani Brothers</a> and Fairuz did not work together exclusively. <a href="spotify:artist:6pyqxT57yY1F11mlZku6ae">The Rahbanis</a> welcomed other composers, and some of Fairuz's best songs are attributed to composers such as Filimone Wahbi, Najib Hankash, and Wahab. In turn, <a href="spotify:artist:6pyqxT57yY1F11mlZku6ae">the Rahbani Brothers</a> composed for <a href="spotify:artist:1sA9ybX80IVJ00sdbm5kB9">Sabah</a>, Wadih Safi, and many others. In 1997, Lebanon wanted to formally mark the end of the civil war with the return of the Baalbek International Festival. People demanded Fairuz's return, and in 1998 her performance -- attended by some international political leaders as well as an audience of nearly 100,000 -- was universally acclaimed. That spring, Fairuz staged another historical event by performing in Las Vegas and attracting more than 14,000 people (with another 5,000 reportedly outside listening from hastily installed speakers) from throughout the Western Hemisphere. Her fans had worried that they may not get a chance to see her perform live outside of Lebanon again. Fears that her voice was not strong were dispelled as she dazzled them with their classic favorites. The crowd gave her numerous standing ovations. She returned to the stage to perform five encores. Although Fairuz subsequently dialed back some of her intense performing and recording appearances, she remained active. Released in 2000, Al Mahatta was among her most critically lauded albums. Issued on <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Voix+de+l%27Orient%22">Voix de l'Orient</a>, it sold millions of copies globally. Arriving in 2002, Wala Kif spawned numerous editions and was critically acclaimed in the European press as well as a best-seller in the Arab world. Whenever she took a stage or entered a studio, the results were remarkable. In 2007 Fairuz became the first artist from the Arab world to perform in Greece, at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus. Her albums such as Live in Dubai (2008), Eh Fi Amal (2010), and Ya Tara Nsina (2012) have garnered only positive reviews. After a recording break of nearly five years, Fairuz released Bebalee in 2017 at the age of 82. ~ Thom Jurek., Rovi

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Tyler, the Creator

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One of the more fascinating artistic evolutions since the late 2000s has been that of Tyler, The Creator. The rapper and producer surfaced as a founding member of <a href="spotify:artist:5xpkLC1MxiPRiIJUDEzuVm">Odd Future</a>, an outlandish alternative rap crew that gradually permeated the mainstream as it begat a multitude of related projects. A high percentage of these recordings, including <a href="spotify:artist:3A5tHz1SfngyOZM2gItYKu">Earl Sweatshirt</a>'s Earl (2010), <a href="spotify:artist:5xpkLC1MxiPRiIJUDEzuVm">Odd Future</a>'s The OF Tape, Vol. 2 (2012), and <a href="spotify:artist:2h93pZq0e7k5yf4dywlkpM">Frank Ocean</a>'s Grammy-winning Channel Orange (2012), have been made with Tyler's deep involvement. As a solo artist, Tyler's output has gleefully swung from purposefully distasteful and crude to charming and sophisticated, sometimes blurring the distinction between the extremes. His first four solo albums -- Goblin (2011), Wolf (2013), Cherry Bomb (2015), and Flower Boy (2017) -- debuted within the Top Five of the Billboard 200, distinguished above all other unique qualities by his gravelly voice and an irascible disposition befitting a collision-shop owner. The widespread embrace of the kaleidoscopic Flower Boy, a number two hit nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Rap Album, has led to a pair of subsequent number one albums: IGOR (2019), another Grammy-nominated recording, and CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST (2021), which expanded the artist's stylistic reach while reaffirming his devotion to hip-hop with a raw lyrical approach. Tyler Okonma was born and raised in Los Angeles County, splitting time in Ladera Heights and nearby Hawthorne. He got his first taste of fame when the Los Angeles Times ran a "teen on the street"-type story on the then-16-year-old skateboarding enthusiast, who was also interested in music and fashion. Around this time, Tyler began making music with <a href="spotify:artist:5xpkLC1MxiPRiIJUDEzuVm">Odd Future</a>'s other core members, and in 2009 released a solo mixtape titled Bastard. By the end of the following year, <a href="spotify:artist:5xpkLC1MxiPRiIJUDEzuVm">OF</a>'s surreal and filthy material, epitomized by <a href="spotify:artist:3A5tHz1SfngyOZM2gItYKu">Earl Sweatshirt</a>'s mixtape Earl -- most of which Tyler produced -- had earned them a loyal following. It was during that year that a video Tyler directed for the <a href="spotify:artist:5xpkLC1MxiPRiIJUDEzuVm">OF</a> track "French" took off, topping a million views by December and drawing attention to a slew of additional crew-related mixtapes that followed. Signed as a solo artist to a one-album deal with <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22XL+Recordings%22">XL Recordings</a>, Tyler made his proper solo debut with Goblin. Upon its May 2011 arrival, the album became the first <a href="spotify:artist:5xpkLC1MxiPRiIJUDEzuVm">Odd Future</a>-related product to be released through the traditional music-industry channels, and debuted at number five on the Billboard 200. Meanwhile, Tyler continued to produce for <a href="spotify:artist:5xpkLC1MxiPRiIJUDEzuVm">OF</a> and its affiliates, most notably on The OF Tape, Vol. 2 and a later 2012 release, <a href="spotify:artist:2h93pZq0e7k5yf4dywlkpM">Frank Ocean</a>'s Channel Orange, which won a Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Tyler's second LP, Wolf, followed on the <a href="spotify:artist:5xpkLC1MxiPRiIJUDEzuVm">Odd Future</a> label in April 2013. It entered the Billboard 200 at number three with an expansive list of guests -- including <a href="spotify:artist:7IfculRW2WXyzNQ8djX8WX">Erykah Badu</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2RdwBSPQiwcmiDo9kixcl8">Pharrell</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3Rj0tDHoX7C5NFq5DKIpHt">Stereolab</a>'s <a href="spotify:artist:5s8mrbpjYHWIuGYUzNTpEb">Laetitia Sadier</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:3GhVFlFT3pagjVkslQPqoJ">Quadron</a>'s <a href="spotify:artist:4cc6PmIfhsUCGJUU9QsxEy">Coco O</a> -- reflective of Tyler's aesthetic. Tyler's third proper album, Cherry Bomb, another <a href="spotify:artist:5xpkLC1MxiPRiIJUDEzuVm">Odd Future</a> label offering, leaked to online streaming services before its official April 2015 release date. It nonetheless became the artist's third consecutive Top Ten entry, enhanced with uncredited guest appearances from <a href="spotify:artist:5K4W6rqBFWDnAN6FQUkS6x">Kanye West</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:55Aa2cqylxrFIXC767Z865">Lil Wayne</a>. Tyler's number of productions and guest appearances subsequently continued to increase through collaborations with <a href="spotify:artist:2h93pZq0e7k5yf4dywlkpM">Ocean</a>, fellow <a href="spotify:artist:5xpkLC1MxiPRiIJUDEzuVm">OF</a> associates <a href="spotify:artist:7GN9PivdemQRKjDt4z5Zv8">the Internet</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:6vHBuUxrcpn1do5UaEJ7g6">Domo Genesis</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:7yO4IdJjCEPz7YgZMe25iS">A$AP Mob</a>. Flower Boy, his acclaimed fourth solo album, was issued through <a href="spotify:search:label%3A%22Columbia%22">Columbia</a> in July 2017. The LP landed at number two on the Billboard 200 and was later nominated for Best Rap Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. The following year, Tyler released a small batch of non-album singles, as well as the EP-length and unsurprisingly animated Music Inspired by Illumination & Dr. Seuss' the Grinch. The proper follow-up to Flower Boy, the thoroughly heartsick IGOR, arrived in May 2019. It debuted on the Billboard 200 at number one and earned Tyler his second nomination for Best Rap Album. Collaborations in 2020 with <a href="spotify:artist:0ABk515kENDyATUdpCKVfW">Westside Gunn</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:0Y4inQK6OespitzD6ijMwb">Freddie Gibbs</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:6icQOAFXDZKsumw3YXyusw">Lil Yachty</a> set the stage for his sixth solo LP. CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, hosted by Gangsta Grillz mixtape don <a href="spotify:artist:5oNgAs7j5XcBMzWv3HAnHG">DJ Drama</a>, offered some of Tyler's toughest beats and rhymes while incorporating synth pop and reggae deviations. Issued in June 2021, the album put Tyler back on top of the Billboard 200 and spawned the Hot 100 hit "WusYaName," featuring <a href="spotify:artist:7wlFDEWiM5OoIAt8RSli8b">YoungBoy Never Broke Again</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:7c0XG5cIJTrrAgEC3ULPiq">Ty Dolla $ign</a>. It also won Best Rap Album at the 2022 Grammy Awards. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi

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Absolutely

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Absolutely first materialized seemingly out of the ether in South London. Born Abby Keen to a Swiss-Ghanaian mother and British father, the singer and songwriter initially introduced herself on a series of self-produced independent EPs throughout 2019. Eventually, she attracted the attention of S10 Publishing in partnership with BMG at the top of 2020. She dove headfirst into songwriting, emerging as a sought-after collaborator with a sharp pen. She notably co-wrote “Fair” for Normani, “Get Together” for David Guetta, and “Faking Love” [feat. Saweetie], “Gimme Your Number” [with Ty Dolla $ign], “Gata” [feat. Chencho Corleone], and “Maria Elegante” [feat. Afro B] for Anitta’s multiplatinum chart-topping global blockbuster Versions of Me in addition to “Sueltate” from Sing 2. Eventually, she linked with producer Dave Hamelin [Beyoncé, 070 Shake], finding a collaborator and kindred spirit. Spinning R&B-inflected pop through a prism of alternative adventurousness and extraterrestrial future-facing perception, she asserts herself as a sonic outlier on a series of 2023 singles for Epic Records and a whole lot more to come.

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Since the release of her debut album ‘19’, in 2008, Adele has become one of the most successful British artists of her generation. Her critically acclaimed debut album garnered over 6.5 million sales worldwide whilst the album has gone 8x Platinum in the UK. At the age of 19, Adele became the first-ever recipient of the BRITS Critics’ Choice Award. The accolades received by Adele only multiplied as the following year saw her claim Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the GRAMMYs. As Adele embarks on her next chapter, she holds 15 GRAMMYs, 9 BRITS, 18 Billboard Awards, 2 IVORs, 1 Golden Globe, 1 Academy Award and 5 American Music Awards under her belt. The British singer-songwriter has received 11.5 million Album sales in the UK alone and 48 million Worldwide Album sales.

aespa

Artist

aespa, a combination of “ae”, which stands for “Avatar and Experience” and “aspect” meaning “two-sidedness”, symbolizes “meeting of another self and experiencing a new world” and consists of four real members KARINA, WINTER, GISELLE, and NINGNING along with avatar members of each. The group debuted in November 2020 with a single ‘Black Mamba’. The song entered the Billboard Global Chart (excluding U.S.) at No. 100 within just 3 days, marking the highest ranking of any K-pop artist’s debut song. It charted across music charts in 95 countries, proving their explosive popularity immediately upon debut. aespa set monumental records with ‘Black Mamba’ surpassing 21 million views in the first 24 hours of its release, and became the fastest debut MV to surpass 100 million views in the history of K-pop, setting another new record. In May, aespa released a single ‘Next Level’, which received enthusiastic response immediately upon release. The MV surpassed 50 million views in just 3 days, breaking self-record. It debuted at No. 1 on Korean and international music charts in addition to reaching No. 3 on Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart, scoring another worldwide hit. Following their hit albums "Girls" and "MY WORLD", asepa released an English single &#39;Better Things&#39;.

Wegz

Artist

jonah david

Artist

Short n' Sweet (Deluxe)

Album

Believe (Deluxe Edition)

Album

eternal sunshine

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Ctrl

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Whole Lotta Red

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Speak Now

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reputation

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Our Extended Play

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SOUR

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Planet Her (Deluxe)

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Short n' Sweet

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Man’s Best Friend

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GUTS (spilled)

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Last Day Of Summer

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Journals

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GUTS

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Ctrl (Deluxe)

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BEAUTIFUL CHAOS

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Blonde

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Beatopia

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Channel Orange

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folklore

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1989

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Positions (Deluxe)

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eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead

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thank u, next

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My Everything

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Dangerous Woman

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Yours Truly

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NewJeans 2nd EP 'Get Up'

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1989

Album