BTS rewrites Billboard history with ‘Life Goes On’

SEOUL — It was not the first time that sensational K-pop boy band BTS had seen its name at the top of US music publication Billboard’s main singles chart, but this time it was different.

Billboard on Monday announced via social media that “Life Goes On,” the lead track of the band’s latest album, “Be,” debuted at No. 1 on this week’s Hot 100, the coveted singles chart, becoming the first song sung predominantly in Korean to top the chart in its 62-year history. It also marked the first non-English song to debut in the top spot.

The single “drew 14.9 million US streams and sold 150,000 in the week ending Nov. 26,” Billboard stated.

While the group has celebrated the milestone of topping the Billboard main chart earlier in September with their prereleased single “Dynamite,” the disco-pop song had been an all-English song and had sparked controversy as to whether it could actually be considered part of the K-pop genre.

“Many people had been wary even until now, saying ‘Dynamite’ became No. 1 as it is an all-English song, degrading BTS’ value as musicians,” Lee Gyu-tag, a cultural studies professor at George Mason University Korea, told The Korea Herald. “‘Life Goes On’ has proved that BTS could succeed without the exquisite strategies targeting the US music market.”

Lee explained that such a feat by “Life Goes On” is more significant, as it could hint at diversification in the global music industry.

“It’s a soft ballad song singing words of comfort to people worn out from the virus pandemic. Although it was unclear whether both the song and its message could succeed commercially, the members pushed through with voicing their honest thoughts in their own way, and this seemed to have won the hearts of many listeners,” Lee said.

“Just a decade before, K-pop songs were often considered exotic and even mocked. With the efforts of BTS and many other Korean artists, much of the wall has been torn down.”

Meanwhile, the eight-track set, released Nov. 20, debuted atop this week’s main albums chart, the Billboard 200, becoming the group’s fifth consecutive chart-topping album, spanning just 2 1/2 years. The band is the first act to achieve five No. 1 hits on the albums chart since British rock legends the Beatles in the 1960s. BTS is also the only act other than Taylor Swift to grab top placements on both the main singles and album charts in Billboard history.

The last track of the album, “Dynamite” climbed back up to No. 3 on the chart from No. 14 last week, remaining on the chart for 14 consecutive weeks. The band is the first act to debut multiple songs on Billboard’s main singles chart.

“We thank you so much. It’s grateful that we not only reached No. 1 but hold two songs in the top 3. We’re sincerely grateful to all the Army who love us,” BTS said on social media on Tuesday, reacting to Billboard’s announcement. “Army” refers to the band’s official fandom.

Pop culture critic Jung Min-jae said the feat achieved by “Life Goes On’” shows that BTS’ fandom has reached another milestone in the United States.

“While ‘Dynamite’ had enjoyed explosive US radio streams as an English song, ‘Life Goes On’ showed a disappointing number in terms of radio plays. And this proves that BTS now holds a fandom huge enough to guarantee them a No. 1 in the launch week just with digital streaming and downloads, as well as an enhanced reputation among the general public in the US,” Jung said.

“But this just proves BTS is at the pinnacle of stardom, as all pop culture has always revolved around such fandoms that make the stars, and in return, enforce their stardom even more. This has applied exactly the same to other global stars, such as Michael Jackson, Madonna and the Beatles. Stars only exist upon huge fandoms,” the critic added.

Jung explains that with popular K-pop idol groups such as BTS, the unique fandom culture in this digital age — which supports artists through aggressive streaming and advertising on social media — has amplified the power of stardom in the US, which was once considered too big a market to be targeted by a single fandom.

With the top US music charts now under the group’s belts, hopes are higher for BTS to also take down music’s top award — a Grammy — after the act became the first K-pop artists to earn a nomination.

Stating he had been predicting a win even ahead of Billboard announcements Monday, professor Lee said, “Based on BTS’ achievements and popularity this year, I would not be surprised to see them win — or rather — disappointed if they didn’t.”

Jung was more cautious in promising a win, stating a nod as a finalist is symbolic in itself.

“The nomination proves that this team has become a rightful part of their industry and that it is impossible to disregard them,” the critic said.

“While the Recording Academy (which presents the Grammys) has been making efforts to embrace more diversity in their members in recent years, this has not led to a significant difference in the results.”

At the 63rd Grammy Awards, slated for Jan. 31 in Los Angeles, BTS will vie in the category for best pop duo/group performance against stars including Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa.

-The Korea Herald

Single Review: “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift

“Shake It Off” is the lead single of Taylor Swift’s upcoming fifth studio-release entitled ’1989′. It is an interesting choice for a first track from her much awaited latest effort as it does not have any hints or reminders of Country music in it at all. Neither does it sound like a mature track that would have been meant for the adult-pop realm.

In fact, in this track was a chance for her to let loose, have fun, and in a sense just play along with the music co-produced for her by Max Martin, the very same renowned producer who worked on her previous smash hit studio-release ‘RED’.

I think fans of Swift will enjoy “Shake It Off” because they will get to hear her own commentaries about her fame which are not necessarily self-deprecating. Rather, they reveal that she has attained some level of maturity and can brush off criticisms, and perhaps even laugh at herself and the foibles of youth.

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What is the overall production value of “Shake It Off”?

You can categorize Taylor Swift’s lead single as a “bubble-gum pop” track with its bouncy beat, a synthesized-based sound, and one that has undergone a lot of mixing before it was finally released into the global market.

While there are so many artists now doing the same routine with “bubble-gum pop”, with “Shake It Off”, though, you will still know that you are listening to Taylor Swift. Plus, I do like the sampled horns featured in it and how “Shake It Off,” has a faster tempo (BPM) when compared to some of her more lighthearted songs from her earlier albums.

The track offers listeners a quick, yet enjoyable four minutes that are neither too serious nor offensive in any way. While some may question Swift’s creative direction here, this track tells me that you can’t always take yourself too seriously. Swift is aware that she will always be criticized one way or the other–there’s no way out, it seems. So, why not just have fun with it ?

Needless to say, Taylor Swift has another sure fire winner here–”Shake It Off” debuted very recently on the Number 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Expect “Shake It Off” to acquire more digital sales when ’1989′–the album title from where this track was taken–will be finally released in record stores worldwide.

Thumbs Up!

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Beyonce talks surprise album, success at NYC event

NEW YORK — Beyonce had her doubts minutes before her new album’s surprise release, despite all the hard work she put in on the songs and videos.

“I was terrified. I was so scared. I already envisioned like the worst things that could happen,” Beyonce said Saturday at a screening for her new music videos. “I was really nervous because this was a huge risk.”

The singer’s fifth album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts this week after it was released without the public knowing. “Beyonce” sold 617,000 units in the U.S. in a week; it has sold more than 1 million albums worldwide.

The album includes 14 songs and 17 videos, which fans were able to see during the screening at the School of Visual Arts in New York.

Beyonce answered fans’ questions via Instagram, including one about her opening up personally on the new album.

“I’m very private and I’m very respectful, and I think it just took me no longer being someone’s child — once I became a mother, I felt like I could tear those fourth walls and I just felt like it was time,” she said. “I completely feel liberated.”

The album features collaborations with her husband Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Drake and her daughter, Blue Ivy. “Beyonce” is the follow-up to 2011′s “4,” the first album the singer released on her production company, Parkwood Entertainment, after parting ways professionally with her father-manager, Mathew Knowles.

“I felt like I wanted follow in the footsteps of Madonna and be a powerhouse and have my own empire,” she said to cheers from the crowd. “And (to) show other women when you get to this point in your career, you don’t have to go sign with someone else and share your money and your success, you can do it yourself.”

The album’s unconventional release became one of the year’s top pop culture and social media moments. Beyonce, 32, said she became bored in the music industry after her last release, and the new album is a reflection of experimentation and growth.

“Honestly I was at a point where I felt like, you know, everything feels the same … that’s how I felt and if I could not challenge that, then maybe it’s time for me to do something else or develop more artists, which is something I want to do,” she said. “I just hope that I continue to move forward and challenge myself, and I think now that I’ve become a mother, I just want my legacy to inspire people.”

She added that the goal of the new album was not to produce No. 1 hits, but to showcase her evolution and create her own lane.

“I took all of my insecurities, all of my doubts, all of my fears and everything I’ve learned over the 17 years and I applied it into this project,” she said. “But more than the music — I’m proud of myself as a woman … the biggest message is owning your imperfections and all the things that make you interesting, because I refuse to allow someone to put me in anyone’s box.”

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Edgier sound for One Direction

It feels like it’s been ages since guest judge Nicole Scherzinger came up with the wild idea of forming a boy band out of some of “The X Factor UK’s” male solo contenders, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik—who, as a group called One Direction, ended up placing third in the finals of the popular talent search in 2010.

Fast-forward three years later: The boys are now global superstars, and Harry has just become Taylor Swift’s latest ex—and, reportedly, next object of musical inspiration (and derision)!

Musically, however, they’re taking another step in the right direction: “Midnight Memories,” the pop quintet’s third album, debuts on top of the Billboard 200 this week—making 1D the first group since The Monkees (in the late ’60s) to reach No. 1 with its first three albums!


Pop-rock coating

The repertoire’s pop-rock coating—from the relentlessly catchy carrier track, “Best Song Ever,” and the rousing arena dazzler, “Midnight Memories,” to the grungy number, “Little Black Dress”—makes the boys seem older, edgier and more in-charge (they cowrote a good number of the tracks).

You’ll get a kick out of spotting “Diana’s” melodic parallels to The Police’s “Don’t Stand So Close To Me,” the subtle harmonies of “Story of My Life,” and Zayn’s sublime high notes in “Right Now” and “You & I.”

Unlike many young acts these days, One Direction is in no hurry to sound more mature than they are. For the most part, the lyrics are alternately simple, insubstantial, straightforward or arbitrary—but, there are tunes (“Half A Heart”) that will make you sit up and go hmm!

But, the boys aren’t ready to alienate their young fans—so, part of their hefty lineup includes tunes with a tweener-hooking sensibility.

They’re served well by their sturdy pipes and talent-search-honed musicality: It’s hard to resist the accessible rock sheen of “Better Than Words,” the folk-pop smolder of “Through The Dark” and “Happily,” and the thematically wistful “Something Great”—then, judge for yourself if it was indeed written by Harry for Taylor Swift!

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Week in Rock History: Whitney Houston Sets a Billboard Record

This week in rock history, Pink Floyd released their debut single, Led Zeppelin ran into some trouble with the von Zeppelin family, Janet Jackson launched her Rhythm Nation World Tour, Whitney Houston’s signature song set a Billboard record and President Obama gave Stevie Wonder the highest honor in American pop music.

February 27, 1967: Pink Floyd release their first single
Before they floated a pig over Battersea Station and constructed The Wall, Pink Floyd made a curious debut. Their first single, "Arnold Layne," was a messy, psychedelic preamble to their great career – and if the lyrics were any indication, it seemed to concern a roving transvestite underwear thief pillaging their native Cambridge, England.

The single cracked the U.K. Top 20 and the Netherlands Top 30, giving the group their first shot of fame – one of the many drugs that singer-guitarist Syd Barrett would soon come to endorse. In 1968, he was replaced by his school friend David Gilmour for all concert duties and was fired from the band two months later.


source: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/week-in-rock-history-whitney-houston-sets-a-billboard-record-20120227

Adele wins 4 early Grammys; Foo Fighters five

LOS ANGELES - British soul singer Adele won four early Grammys on Sunday, including song of the year for her smash hit "Rolling in the Deep," in a show that began on a somber note with a prayer for late pop superstar Whitney Houston.

Adele, whose album "21" was among the smash hits of 2011, took the stage and thanked her doctors, who performed surgery on her throat last year. "Seeing as it's a vocal performance I need to thank my doctors, I suppose, who brought my voice back," she said.

Aside from surgery, the British singer has enjoyed a stellar year. Her sophomore album "21" has sold more than 6.3 million copies in the U.S. and broken many sales records, including spending 19 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart.

She has thrilled fans singing about personal heartbreak in a raw, soulful manner in singles including "Rolling in the Deep," "Someone Like You," which earned her a second Grammy for best solo pop performance, and "Set Fire to the Rain."

Adele also sang for the first time in front of a public audience since her operation, belting out a rendition of "Rolling In the Deep." She earned a standing ovation and basked in the limelight.

Rockers Foo Fighters were the other big winners early in the show, picking up five Grammys in rock music categories, including best rock performance for their hit "Walk."

"This is a great honor because this record was a special record for our band. Rather than go to the best studio ... we made this one in my garage with some microphones and a tape machine," said frontman Dave Grohl. "It shows that the human element of making music is what's most important."

But as jubilant as the audiences was for Adele and as much as Foo Fighters rocked the house, the Grammys audience was equally serious about the death of Houston on Saturday in a Beverly Hills hotel room.

Host LL Cool J took the stage and offered a prayer for Houston, her fans and her family. "Although she is gone too soon, we remain truly blessed by her musical spirit," he said.

Organizers played a video of Houston performing her hit "I Will Always Love You" from a previous Grammy show. Later, actress and singer Jennifer Hudson, who won an Oscar for her role in movie musical "Dreamgirls," is expected to perform the same song in a tribute to the singer.

Many winners

Grammy organizers give out awards in more than 75 categories and many early winners mentioned Houston. Singer Melanie Fiona, who won with Cee Lo Green for traditional R&B performance for "Fool For You," said she was inspired by Houston.

"Whitney Houston, I would not be standing up here if not for you," Fiona said. Backstage, she told reporters her mother had rocked her in the cradle to Houston's songs when she was a baby.

Major winners included Jay-Z and Kanye West for best rap performance with their song, "Otis" from the album "Watch the Throne," but they failed to show up to claim their prize. Chris Brown won the Grammy for best R&B album "F.A.M.E.," and Lady Antebellum took home best country album with "Own the Night."

Rousing performances came from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Chris Brown, Coldplay and Rihanna, Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, and Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt sang a duet of "A Sunday Kind of Love" from Etta James, who also died in 2012.

Country singer Taylor Swift picked up two awards for her song "Mean," about people she felt had wronged her, and DJ Skrillex won two Grammys for best dance recording and top dance/electronica album with "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites."

Rapper Kanye West earned seven nominations, but was shut out of the top categories, paving the way for Adele to be the night's big winner - or surprise loser if she fails to overcome competition. Along with his rap performance trophy, West won a second award for best rap album with "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy."

Still to come were top awards including best album where Adele's "21" faces rockers Foo Fighters and their hit "Wasting Light," Lady Gaga with "Born This Way," Bruno Mars and his "Doo-Wops & Hooligans," and pop star Rihanna with "Loud."

Adele also figures prominently among nominees for record of the year where "Rolling in the Deep" squares off against rockers Bon Iver and "Holocene," Bruno Mars for "Grenade," Mumford & Sons with "The Cave," and Katy Perry for "Firework."

One poignant moment came early in the day when Mitch and Janis Winehouse, parents of late singer Amy Winehouse who died of excessive drinking in 2011, accepted the award for best pop duo or group performance - Amy and Tony Bennett - "Body and Soul."

"Long live Whitney Houston. Long live Amy Winehouse and long live Etta James," referring to the "At Last" singer who died earlier this year. "There's a beautiful girl band up there." — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com