Ed Sheeran expected to earn NINE new top 10 songs this week (UK)

[Illuminati 15,922]

3 minutes ago, PerfectIllusion said:

He should enjoy his 5 minutes of fame til it lasts...

It's not like he's a one hit wonder at this point. He will do well with at least a couple more albums before his sales drop to Gaga's  numbers, honestly. Doesn't change the fact that his music is extremely boring but he's successful and it's not 5 minutes of fame.

[TheKillerQueen 1,983]

GP LOVES basic music.

[TheJoanneJoker 3,866]

Can we kill the streaming services already      

[StrawberryBlond 14,881]

I'm listening to this album tomorrow, devoting myself to really listening to it. I can't wait, to be honest. I just want to see what all the fuss is about, to find out if it is anywhere near as good as people are making it out to be on the charts. I thought he might have 1 or 2 in the top ten but 9/10 places being his? Geezo. I thought immediately when I looked at the tracklist that Galway Girl was going to be a track that the public really liked, that it would be the highest charting non-single in the UK, don't know why, just a feeling. It feels good when I actually get a music prediction right!

I have a hard time believing that the songs really are this good, though. People now just get so over-excited when it comes to new songs (they get excited for everyone, but Gaga, it seems). They view the video like crazy, press the like button like crazy, download it like crazy. Wish Gaga could get a piece of this hysteria that exists for music these days. It is honest to God hysteria. I don't remember people being this excited for new music in the longest time. Not even the likes of One Direction with their hyper, devoted fanbase could get this many of their album tracks into the top 10. Plus, they have the entire album, why are they downloading individual tracks? Yeah, I know, they've maybe streamed it and are just picking out their favourites, but there was never this much excess over individual song picking before.

4 minutes ago, Touch It said:

The UK always glorifies mediocre white 'talent'. This should not be shocking. The UK will be the only charts where the only two charting artists are Ed Sheeran and The Chainsmokers. Disgusted, honestly. 

Why did you need to specify the colour of the talent? I agree with you on the mediocre part, us Brits have a habit of really bigging up mediocre homegrown acts probably because we can feel like we relate to them for the most superficial reasons. But our taste in music is pretty colourblind. We've certainly got a lot of mediocre black 'talent' to #1 over the years. Rihanna is still one of our biggest artists and we're going nuts for Drake for reasons I can't fathom. Stormzy's getting big even though he's average. We love Beyonce here (I think her songs are average but this is against public opinion). We made Emeli Sande's debut one of the most popular albums in UK history. This isn't even including all the bad songs from black artists that we took to #1 who became one hit wonders. I mean, the UK has a very diverse racial population. London, Manchester and Birmingham, the 3 biggest cities, where the majority of music sales are likely coming from, have a huge melting pot of different races. Black artists are a staple in our music scene. To have someone put us down as a country that glorifies mediocre white talent, the fact that you'd even see a racial angle, is very disappointing. If there's any kind of genetic factor that the UK glorifies over talent, it's definitely gender. I think only 3 tracks that went to #1 here last year contained a female vocalist (and 2 of them were just female featured vocals, not leading). We love glorifying mediocre male talent for sure, but colour has never entered the equation in years.

[YeehawKylie 7,817]

13 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

Why did you need to specify the colour of the talent? 

I think it's fair to say that, generally, white individuals experience less barriers in their pursuit of their goals. White mediocrity tends to be celebrated, while non-white talent often has to travel tougher roads just to be as successful as a mediocre, white artist. I'm not saying this formula applies to each and every artist, or that only white artists are mediocre. What I'm saying is that if a non-white artist came out exhibiting the musical mediocrity of Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers, etc., they would most likely not achieve the success or be given the opportunity to achieve such success. 

I'm not saying the U.K. is the only country guilty of this, I think it's a trend many countries follow. I do think the U.K. is the only county that would and does have a Top 10 consisting of Ed Sheeran and The Chainsmokers. 

[StrawberryBlond 14,881]

12 minutes ago, Touch It said:

I think it's fair to say that, generally, white individuals experience less barriers in their pursuit of their goals. White mediocrity tends to be celebrated, while non-white talent often has to travel tougher roads just to be as successful as a mediocre, white artist. I'm not saying this formula applies to each and every artist, or that only white artists are mediocre. What I'm saying is that if a non-white artist came out exhibiting the musical mediocrity of Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers, etc., they would most likely not achieve the success or be given the opportunity to achieve such success. 

I'm not saying the U.K. is the only country guilty of this, I think it's a trend many countries follow. I do think the U.K. is the only county that would and does have a Top 10 consisting of Ed Sheeran and The Chainsmokers. 

As far as the music industry goes, that's almost a complete myth. People say oppressed groups encounter difficulties in the industry because that's what they're told to believe, they don't research the actual reality. I know I've certainly been experiencing a different reality all my life, I've never even had to do the research. Right now, more than ever, black artists are being celebrated to an extent that I've never seen. I review albums for fun and try to listen to as many as I can a year and I can tell you right now, the amount of mediocrity coming from black artists is astonishing and yet, critics praise it to high heaven. In comparison, I've heard amazing albums from white artists that get mixed reception and the critics just selectively play dumb and act like they don't know what the artist is trying to say with this record. They're also a lot more accepting of experimental music from black artists, they praise them for trying something contemporary. But when a white artist does it, they call their efforts pretentious, even suggest that they're getting ideas above their station. I also notice that black artists are allowed a lot of freedom to make the music that they want, as befits the amount of experimental material we've been seeing lately that I just brought up. In comparison, I see white artists continually being forced to be generic by their labels and struggling to get albums out unless they have a big hit preceding it (you're clearly an Ariana fan, you must know about the Focus situation). Unless you're a massively controversial person like Azealia Banks, you probably won't have much trouble getting a record deal if you're black. Now, more than ever, record labels know there's a buck to made from black urban music and they're happy to roll with the trends. Good music from black artists on a wide scale died out for me in the 90's. Nowadays, finding a genuinely good album from them is really hard. They're all trying to be avant garde and have irritating vocals which I am not a fan of. The fire and drive has gone out of black music for the most part yet, its never been more celebrated in years.

Mediocrity in general is celebrated. If you're making basic lyrics with basic beats, regardless of your genre, it's guaranteed acceptance. And the UK is the only country in the world that would have Ed and Chainsmokers in the top 10? That's a bit snobby of you. That's going to change in the US when the official video for the Chainsmoker's new single is released, I'm sure.

[TimisaMonster 31,073]

I can't believe girls go crazy over this egotistical, self-absorbed, ugly, and overrated street performer...

[Gaga Monster 13,001]

That is actually crazy, I have never seen that happen before

[HEARTSTOP 3,138]

Eh, good for him I guess. The album is still worse than his previous work though.

I guess Gaga was right. You've got to act like you're famous if you really want to be famous. He acts like he's the best thing since sliced bread, so he ends up "being" it.

 

On a sidenote, Spotify has way too much importance when it comes to defining what's a hit nowadays, which is very dumb considering most people don't even pay for it.

[venusfly 17,885]

2 minutes ago, arctikstorm said:

On a sidenote, Spotify has way too much importance when it comes to defining what's a hit nowadays, which is very dumb considering most people don't even pay for it.

I'm not sure why everyone is saying this? If a song is really popular and being streamed at the level that Divide is then chart positions should reflect that. Pretty much nobody these days except fanbases buy actual copies of music, streaming has to take the forefront.

[HEARTSTOP 3,138]

Just now, LG said:

I'm not sure why everyone is saying this? If a song is really popular and being streamed at the level that Divide is then chart positions should reflect that. Pretty much nobody these days except fanbases buy actual copies of music, streaming has to take the forefront.

Shouldn't that make real sales worth even more, since they are so rare? It's what gives direct money to the artist, besides tours. Streaming does almost nothing for them unless they have a really good exclusivity contract with the streaming service (besides publicity to try and sell the songs for real).

[YeehawKylie 7,817]

15 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

Mediocrity in general is celebrated. If you're making basic lyrics with basic beats, regardless of your genre, it's guaranteed acceptance. And the UK is the only country in the world that would have Ed and Chainsmokers in the top 10? That's a bit snobby of you. That's going to change in the US when the official video for the Chainsmoker's new single is released, I'm sure.

Um, yes. I do not see any other country in the world having nine Ed Sheeran songs in the top 10. If you read what I wrote, that is what I was referring to...

17 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

Unless you're a massively controversial person like Azealia Banks, you probably won't have much trouble getting a record deal if you're black. Now, more than ever, record labels know there's a buck to made from black urban music and they're happy to roll with the trends. Good music from black artists on a wide scale died out for me in the 90's. Nowadays, finding a genuinely good album from them is really hard. They're all trying to be avant garde and have irritating vocals which I am not a fan of. The fire and drive has gone out of black music for the most part yet, its never been more celebrated in years.

I really don't get what you're suggesting, as though it's simple to get a record deal if you're black? Just because there is "a buck to be made from black urban music" does not mean they will choose any black person, talent or not, to represent those trends. And what is this about all black artists are trying be avant garde? 

20 minutes ago, StrawberryBlond said:

People say oppressed groups encounter difficulties in the industry because that's what they're told to believe, they don't research the actual reality. I know I've certainly been experiencing a different reality all my life, I've never even had to do the research. Right now, more than ever, black artists are being celebrated to an extent that I've never seen. I review albums for fun and try to listen to as many as I can a year and I can tell you right now, the amount of mediocrity coming from black artists is astonishing and yet, critics praise it to high heaven. In comparison, I've heard amazing albums from white artists that get mixed reception and the critics just selectively play dumb and act like they don't know what the artist is trying to say with this record. They're also a lot more accepting of experimental music from black artists, they praise them for trying something contemporary. But when a white artist does it, they call their efforts pretentious, even suggest that they're getting ideas above their station. I also notice that black artists are allowed a lot of freedom to make the music that they want, as befits the amount of experimental material we've been seeing lately that I just brought up. 

Mediocrity in general is celebrated. If you're making basic lyrics with basic beats, regardless of your genre, it's guaranteed acceptance. 

It honestly seems like you're referencing one person, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm not told to believe black (non-white is the term I used initially because I'm not just discussion black artists in my statements) artists have to struggle more to attain the same success as a white counterpart. While mediocrity in general is celebrated, that does not mean a mediocre non-white artist has more hoops to jump through than a mediocre white artist. Urban trends are influencing music and I see them celebrated and represented through white artistry in mainstream media more often than not. It's honestly hard to debate the points your make above, because they really seem focused on certain individuals. 

Yes, there are wildly successful non-white musical artists. No one is debating that. The debate is how long it took them to achieve their success and what they had to do in order to achieve it. The fact is, this week the U.K. has a Top 10 chart that overwhelmingly, or entirely, celebrates white mediocrity (Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers). The U.S. Charts do that too, but I don't think it'll ever have a Top 10 solely consisting of Ed Sheeran and The Chainsmokers...

[BloodyJudas 2,758]

2 hours ago, GhettoFabulous said:

 so we partied for nothing 

I hate streaming!  

Streaming has ****ed up the charts !! It's terrible ! Some nimrods can get 10 top 10 songs just because people stream one mediocre album like crazy. It's tragic! I miss a time when sales actually mattered. What has the music industry come to ? Can't stand the guy and I hate the steaming era - anyone can get a number one record now so maybe it's more prestigious not to score number ones on the charts.... Million Reasons >>>>>>>>Shape of U. Yeah the majority of people chooses what's popular but bear in mind that the same majority chose Trump as president. That says a lot ....

[StrawberryBlond 14,881]

3 minutes ago, Touch It said:

Um, yes. I do not see any other country in the world having nine Ed Sheeran songs in the top 10. If you read what I wrote, that is what I was referring to...

I really don't get what you're suggesting, as though it's simple to get a record deal if you're black? Just because there is "a buck to be made from black urban music" does not mean they will choose any black person, talent or not, to represent those trends. And what is this about all black artists are trying be avant garde? 

It honestly seems like you're referencing one person, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm not told to believe black (non-white is the term I used initially because I'm not just discussion black artists in my statements) artists have to struggle more to attain the same success as a white counterpart. While mediocrity in general is celebrated, that does not mean a mediocre non-white artist has more hoops to jump through than a mediocre white artist. Urban trends are influencing music and I see them celebrated and represented through white artistry in mainstream media more often than not. It's honestly hard to debate the points your make above, because they really seem focused on certain individuals. 

Yes, there are wildly successful non-white musical artists. No one is debating that. The debate is how long it took them to achieve their success and what they had to do in order to achieve it. The fact is, this week the U.K. has a Top 10 chart that overwhelmingly, or entirely, celebrates white mediocrity (Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers). The U.S. Charts do that too, but I don't think it'll ever have a Top 10 solely consisting of Ed Sheeran and The Chainsmokers...

Well, you weren't being specific enough, then.

It's not "simple," per se, but nowhere near as tough as people make it out to be. There's new young black talent coming up every year. That wouldn't be the case if they had a much harder time than white artists. And well, judging from the level of talent that's coming through, I'm starting to believe labels will choose anyone that's the right kind of mediocre to appeal to the public. And well, of course not all of them try to be avant garde, but you know what I mean. Even the ones that used to be more down to earth have jumped on the avant garde train now. Singing about stuff in such a pretentious way, I don't know what they're on about anymore. Singing all juddery and putting laughing sound effects in their songs, putting on accents that aren't theirs, being obnoxious as hell. I don't know what's happened. It's a herculean effort to get through their albums now, they're just over-stuffed with countless songs about nothingness, barely decipherable in audio in some cases.

No, I'm referring to multiple people. And I'm saying you're told to believe this because this is the story that we're fed by society - that an oppressed group is oppressed in every way. I believed in all that too until I started actually looking at the reality and realising that it wasn't true in every case, music being the most obvious example. But what I've found is that when I present the truth, people just block it out. Whether it's because they're genuinely blind to it or whether it's because they know it's true but don't want to say, I'm not sure. But it's clear what we're told to believe and a lot of us don't even bother checking out the stats on the matter. And what's this about "I've seen urban influences put through white artistry more often than not"? Um, black people have been credited for those trends and are putting them out themselves. White people are not taking over by any means or erasing the true innovators from history. That's another myth we're told to believe. And well, seeing as all you're talking about is Ed and Chainsmokers, your points seem just as focused on certain individuals as mine are.

But that's just what I'm talking about - most of these mediocre black talents didn't have to try hard to get where they are at all. A lot got big from their first single. Most of them start out very young, so they clearly got a record deal early. There's blacks with absolutely no talent getting songs on the charts because of Vines, for Gods sake. I don't think a white artist has ever done that. It's absolutely appalling what is accepted as decent art in urban music these days. Not to mention, most of them don't even promote! They get hits without even promoting! Meanwhile, white artists are working their asses off promoting and aren't even awarded with a hit for their trouble. Drake is the perfect example of that - One Dance didn't even have a music video and he didn't promote it at all and yet it was #1 for week after week in the UK, almost toppling the all-time record, it has sold 1.8 million to date here. I think that tells you how much black music is accepted now, how easily its consumed and how it can get to the top no matter how bad it is. So, no, I don't get your argument about how black artists have to "work" so much harder than white artists. It's the exact opposite.

[DemeLarell 931]

2 hours ago, Bio said:

But I thought he was over, I mean there was a party and everything 

 

2 hours ago, Ryusei said:

all the little complainers in this thread. I live 

 

2 hours ago, Edonis said:

It's seems the little Twitter Monsters are gonna get dragged for their party on Friday 

 

2 hours ago, FrozenKookie said:

Here comes the butthurt train.

OMG! You guys are killing me with shade. 

 

35 minutes ago, Touch It said:

Um, yes. I do not see any other country in the world having nine Ed Sheeran songs in the top 10. If you read what I wrote, that is what I was referring to...

I really don't get what you're suggesting, as though it's simple to get a record deal if you're black? Just because there is "a buck to be made from black urban music" does not mean they will choose any black person, talent or not, to represent those trends. And what is this about all black artists are trying be avant garde? 

It honestly seems like you're referencing one person, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm not told to believe black (non-white is the term I used initially because I'm not just discussion black artists in my statements) artists have to struggle more to attain the same success as a white counterpart. While mediocrity in general is celebrated, that does not mean a mediocre non-white artist has more hoops to jump through than a mediocre white artist. Urban trends are influencing music and I see them celebrated and represented through white artistry in mainstream media more often than not. It's honestly hard to debate the points your make above, because they really seem focused on certain individuals. 

Yes, there are wildly successful non-white musical artists. No one is debating that. The debate is how long it took them to achieve their success and what they had to do in order to achieve it. The fact is, this week the U.K. has a Top 10 chart that overwhelmingly, or entirely, celebrates white mediocrity (Ed Sheeran, The Chainsmokers). The U.S. Charts do that too, but I don't think it'll ever have a Top 10 solely consisting of Ed Sheeran and The Chainsmokers...

Take from me, I love her and her mind, but arguing with her is just a dead end debate.