Rod Stewart secures his 11th #1 on the Official Albums Chart while Beyoncé’s “TEXAS HOLD 'EM” (Columbia/Parkwood) has a second week atop singles.
Stewart’s first collaboration album with Jools Holland, Swing Fever (Rhino), outsold its closest competition by almost 2:1. While it’s Holland’s first chart-topper, Stewart now draws level with David Bowie, Taylor Swift and U2 on the list of artists with the most #1 albums in the U.K.
The Snuts’ third set Millennials (Happy Artist) is #2; Potter Payper has his third Top 5 entry with Thanks for Hating (36TL) at #5.
Red Rum Club claim a career-best with Western Approaches (Modern Sky) landing at #8. As she kicks off her GUTS World Tour in the U.S., Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS (Geffen) rises nine to #10.
At singles, Bey’s “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” beat competition from Teddy Swims, whose “Lose Control” (Atlantic) moves up to a new peak of #2.
Djo (aka Stranger Things actor Joe Kerry) has his debut U.K. Top 5 single with “End of Beginning” (AWAL) rising six places to #5. The track was originally released in 2022 but entered the Top 40 last week thanks to a viral trend on TikTok.
“Carnival” (YZY) by Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign is #9, while “Alibi” (Atlantic) by Ella Henderson & Rudimental shifts one to #11.
BRITs Rising Star winners The Last Dinner Party are up 11 places to claim a new peak at #16 with their debut single “Nothing Matters” (Island). Central Cee’s surprise release, “I Will” (Columbia), is new at #18.
Sony Music U.K. has promoted Damaris Rex-Taylor to managing director at RCA Records U.K. Most recently GM of the Sony imprint, she joined RCA in 2019 as director of Marketing.
Stacey Tang and Glyn Aikins, co-presidents of RCA U.K., called Rex-Taylor “an innovative leader” who “holds a wealth of knowledge and has a tremendous understanding of creative strategy, instinctively knowing how best to support all our artists.”
“Since joining RCA she’s shaped the incredible team we have, and we’re excited to see her take the label into a new era.”
Rex-Taylor has spearheaded campaigns for artists including Tyla, Travis Scott, Cat Burns, Miley Cyrus, and one of RCA’s newest signings, Myles Smith.
Tang, who has been co-president since 2023, was the most recent MD; there hasn’t been a managing director for RCA U.K. since Tang's promotion.
Rex-Taylor has worked across the music industry in both independent and major labels— Chrysalis, Parlophone, Disturbing London and all three global record companies—as well as in media and artist management.
Kate Bush will champion the culture of record shops all over the U.K. as the ambassador of this year’s Record Store Day U.K. She’ll release a special 10" edition of her ’93 single “Eat the Music.”
“Eat the Music” is from Bush’s ’93 album, Red Shoes (Noble & Brite), but was cancelled as a single release in the U.K. in favor of “Rubberband Girl.” (The former was, however, released by Columbia in the U.S.) Bush has created a UV-printed 10” with her preferred track list of "Eat the Music," "Lily" and "Big Stripey Lie."
“What a huge honor to have been asked to be ambassador for this year’s Record Store Day. It really is a great privilege,” Bush said. “Isn’t it great to see how the resurgence in vinyl has taken the music industry by complete surprise? It had decided to leave vinyl far behind, but it would seem that not everyone agrees! I love that.
“I know there are many, many artists who are just as excited to see the audience turning the tide. In the same way that some people like to read a book on Kindle but also want to have a book as a physical object, a lot of people like vinyl and streaming. Both have different appeals.
"The added bonus of vinyl is that it encourages people to listen to albums. An art form that I’ve always thought can be treasured in a unique way. An album on vinyl is a beautiful thing, given a strong identity by its large-scale artwork. There’s a much more personal connection with the artist and their work.”
More than 270 independent U.K. shops are set to take part in this year’s Record Store Day on 4/20, the highest in its 17-year history.
RAYE is the recipient of this year’s BRITs Songwriter of the Year award. She’s nominated in six other categories that will be handed out Saturday (3/2).
RAYE is the third winner of the award, which launched in 2022, following Ed Sheeran and Kid Harpoon.
The win follows a stratospheric year for the British artist, which included hitting #2 in the U.K. with her debut independent album, My 21st Century Blues (Human Re Sources), and #1 with “Escapism” f/020 Shake. The latter earned RAYE an Ivor for Best Contemporary Song and an AIM Award for Best Independent Track.
At Saturday’s ceremony, RAYE is in the running for Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Pop Act, R&B Act and Song of the Year. She’ll also perform.
Beyoncé’s “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” (Columbia/Parkwood) is set for a second week at #1 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart. Over on albums, Rod Stewart and Jools Holland are heading for the top.
“Lose Control” (Atlantic) by Teddy Swims is Bey’s closest competition at #2 today.
Djo is expected to claim his first U.K. Top 10 single this week with “End of Beginning” (AWAL) up three to #8. “Alibi” (Atlantic) by Ella Henderson & Rudimental could enter the Top 10 on Friday at #8.
With the BRIT Awards taking place on Saturday, Rising Star winners The Last Dinner Party head toward #10 with their debut single “Nothing Matters” (Island). Central Cee’s surprise new release, “I Will” (Columbia), is heading for a #18 debut.
On the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart, Swing Fever (Rhino), the first collaboration album between Stewart and Holland, leads the midweek race.
The Snuts are #2 with third set Millennials (Happy Artist). Red Rum Club’s Western Approaches (Modern Sky) could become their first Top 10 record; it starts at #3.
Potter Payper could have his third Top 5 entry with Thanks for Hating (36TL) at #4. Nadine Shah’s Filthy Underneath (EMI North) could be her first Top 10 at #8. Ghett’s fourth set, On Purpose, With Purpose (Warner Music U.K.), is #19.
Chase & Status are the winners of this year’s BRITs Producer of the Year award. They are also in the running for Group of the Year.
This is their first BRITs win and second nomination, having been up for British Group in 2012.
The honor arrives as the duo celebrate their 15th year in music. Last year, they hit #4 on the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart with their seventh LP, 2 Ruff - Vol 1 (EMI). Their hit single, “Baddadan,” peaked at #5 last year and has since spent more than 15 weeks in the Top 10, garnering 48m streams in the U.K.
In November, Chase & Status were the first artists since 2010 to have four singles simultaneously in the U.K. Top 40. Their catalog has amassed 2.2b streams worldwide, while productions they are credited on have amassed 9.1b.
On the night of the BRIT Awards on 3/2, they’ll perform alongside Becky Hill.
Beyoncé has returned to #1 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart for the first time in 14 years. Over on albums, IDLES win the race.
“TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” (Columbia/Parkwood) hits the top of singles today after climbing eight places week-on-week. It’s Bey’s sixth U.K. #1.
“Beautiful Things” (Night Street/Warner Records) by Benson Boone is at #2. Beyoncé’s midweek competition, Dua Lipa’s “Training Season” (Warner Records), is today’s highest new entry at #4.
Ariana Grande’s “yes, and?” (Republic) rebounds three places to #7 following the release of a new remix featuring Mariah Carey.
On the U.K.’s Official Albums Chart, IDLES have their second #1 with TANGK (Partisan). The set reached the top of the chart with 85% of its opening week made up of physical sales.
Paloma Faith’s The Glorification of Sadness (RCA) is her sixth Top 10, landing at #2 today. Following the release of biopic, Bob Marley: One Love, Bob Marley & The Wailers’ Legend (Island) is up 12 places to #6.
Liverpool band Crawlers are new, at #7, with their debut, The Mess We Seem to Make (Polydor).
Tate McRae is the eighth and final performer booked for this year’s BRIT Awards, joining Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding, Dua Lipa, Jungle and others on the bill.
McRae is nominated for International Song of the Year for “Greedy” (Ministry of Sound). “Greedy” hit #3 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart last year; her second album, Think Later, reached #5 in the U.K. in December. She has a worldwide tour starting in April that will include two dates at London’s 5k-capacity Eventim Apollo.
Also appearing at the BRITs ceremony on 3/2 at the O2 Arena are Becky Hill X Chase & Status, Kylie Minogue, RAYE and Rema.
