Hip-Hop / R&B Artist: The Kid LAROI

 

There really wasn't a doubt in my mind over the winner of this category and I don't think it'll be a surprise to anyone reading either! Though STAY and WITHOUT YOU are both pop tracks, Laroi's main genre remains hip-hop and that was evident through the new material he released in 2021, with 13 new tracks served up on the third and final edition of his F*CK LOVE trilogy. Collaborations with Polo G and Lil Durk continued to cement Laroi's place in the hip-hop scene, with NOT SOBER in particular making a splash in the charts, almost making the top 40 in the UK. I'll be speaking a lot throughout the countdown about Laroi so I'm keeping this brief, but after dominating my 2020, he didn't let up for a single second in 2021.

 

Laura is a great choice for Live Artist of the Year, I loved Pink Noise and I'm very jealous I've not seen her live!

I've only really heard Boy In Space from the BJSC entries involving him but I've very much enjoyed both so I should probably give his other music a listen!

Laura is a great choice for Live Artist of the Year, I loved Pink Noise and I'm very jealous I've not seen her live!

Definitely grab the chance to see her if you're able to at some point! :wub: Thanks Ansel!!

 

I've only really heard Boy In Space from the BJSC entries involving him but I've very much enjoyed both so I should probably give his other music a listen!

I'd definitely recommend it, Pete! I think I'd suggest Remember Me as the next one for you to listen to, or, as I said to AdamG, Drown if you fancy something slower ^_^ Thanks for the reply!

 

 

Best Era: Ulrik Munther - Put Your Self Out There

 

The "Best Era" award goes to an album campaign from the past year (roughly speaking) that ticked every box. Strong single choices, a great album, stunning visuals and a great accompanying tour, where applicable. Ulrik Munther's fourth studio album arrived a whole six years after his last and marked his first full-length project as an independent artist, which was accompanied by a notable change in sound. As he began on his 2018 EP Are You Alright?, Ulrik's sound is much more understated and less commercial-leaning than it used to be.

 

The Put Your Self Out There era began as early as January 2020, with lead single Gloom. kicking things off, followed by Man In Need, C'est la vie and Don't Worry all before the year was out. Two further singles followed in 2021, with Jag älskar dig and Come Find Me, before the album eventually arrived in April 2021. Of the six singles, four of them topped my chart, while Man In Need made #2 and Come Find Me #3. Four new songs were included on the album, and three of those made my top 10 with the final one top 20, becoming the first ever studio album to chart its entire tracklist in my top 20. The quality was high and consistent throughout the whole album, interspersed with well-placed interludes that continue to set the tone on Ulrik's exploration of mental health and himself.

 

Away from the music, Ulrik delivered on visuals too. The single covers all felt relevant to the tracks themselves, including a young Ulrik photo on the C'est la vie artwork (a song about growing up and throwing old stuff out), and a photo of his grandparents on the Jag älskar dig cover (a song based around a short tune his nan used to sing to him). The album cover is taken from the Put Your Self Out There short-film, released to accompany the album. It was a 15 minute visual that showed Ulrik going around town with a statue of himself (correct to every *single* detail... ahem...), quite literally putting his "self" out there (the space in "your self" is deliberate in the album title). The message of the film is clear - do things, have fun, and push your best self out into the world. The film was also shown before his tour dates, one of which I was able to watch over a livestream. Ulrik's never played a show in the UK so I knew this was my best chance, and it was a great show! A well-crafted album and a campaign that suited it to a T, well done Ulrik on another phenomenal era.

 

(I promise the song below is nowhere near as lewd as it sounds!!!! it's about being arrogant / cocky x)

 

 

 

Australian Pop Soloist: Delta Goodrem

 

Delta albums are things that don't arrive very often, but amazingly, we actually got two within six months recently. Okay, one was a Christmas album and arrived halfway through the singles campaign of new proper studio album Bridge Over Troubled Dreams, but beggars can't and absolutely WON'T be choosers! The campaign for Delta's sixth proper studio album began with Keep Climbing last year, her tenth #1 in my chart, and continued with Paralyzed (my favourite of the era, though it just missed out on my chart top spot!) and Solid Gold before the year was out. Interestingly, singles-wise, 2021 was less impressive - Billionaire is one of my least favourites on the album and nothing else seemed to get a push, but that didn't stop the album being great. It was classic Delta in many ways as she payed homage to her icons (Dear Elton) while also tapping into gospel with the infectious Kill Them With Kindness. Of course, traditional Delta piano ballads are still present, in the form of Crash, All of My Friends and Play, and altogether it makes for yet another strong Delta album, this one feeling more comfortable and settled, as if it wasn't made with the need to impress a younger audience and was simply created because it was what Delta desired. One of my all-time favourites continues to deliver, and, because I haven't mentioned it yet, my favourite album track is linked below.

 

 

 

Comeback of the Year: Natalie Imbruglia

 

One of my all-time favourite artists, I've been eagerly anticipating new Natalie Imbruglia for a while now. Her last studio album of original material came out in 2009, and with only a covers album in 2015 to bridge the gap (and even then I didn't care much for that), my appetite for what new Natalie music would sound like was high. It turned out that the quality of Natalie's music was just as high as ever, albeit more firmly within the realms of adult contemporary. That's no bad thing, though, as Natalie immediately set the tone in lead single Build It Better. a midtempo anthem about picking yourself back up. A varied set of singles followed before the album, with the pop-rock Maybe It's Great coming next, before the pop bop On My Way, and all found themselves landing a top 10 peak in my chart, as did post-album ballad Invisible Things. The album Firebird was a cohesive, strong effort and landed an easy #1 in my album chart. I hope it's less than 12 years (!) until the next Natalie album, and even better, that a tour is on the horizon!

 

Two incredibly talented ladies :wub: Unfortunately I haven't yet got around to hearing either of their albums, but I enjoyed a lot of the singles! I think my favourites would be Paralyzed by Delta and Maybe It's Great by Natalie :heart:

Thank you so much Jay! I hope you get round to the albums at some point! :wub:

 

 

Alternative Artist: Powfu

 

To many people, death bed is the only song they know from Canadian musician Powfu, and it's fair to label him a rapper as, before recent times, that very much made up the majority of his output. That doesn't automatically make him a hip-hop artist, though - Powfu's music is more lo-fi and you can hear the influences particularly from blink-182, who later remixed death bed (terribly, but still :kink:). Much of Powfu's recent material has featured him singing, or switching effortlessly between singing and rapping, but the core of the music remains the same. He writes from the heart, and there's no greater example than on recent EP tell me your feelings and i won't tell you mine. It includes a castle by the sea, a song written for his wife, played on their wedding day over a montage of video clips of the two of them together. It's beautifully romantic and quite a departure lyrically from his more downbeat music, but the emotion is still there and it's just one part of his strongest EP yet. Lead single tinted green, featuring rising producer Mila Moon, was one of his best tracks to date, and Powfu showed his versatility by hopping on Losing Sleep, a collaboration with DJ duo DVBBS. It's been another prolific year for Powfu, and I can't wait to see what he has in store for 2022!

 

Powhu

 

 

The TV shows I also peeped:

 

3 Gogglebox | Series 17-18 (Very occasionally x)

5 I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! | Series 21 (Although I stopped watching half way through argh)

6 RuPaul's Drag Race UK | Seasons 2-3

9 The Great British Bake Off | Series 12

11 RuPaul's Drag Race | Season 13

 

I would say RuPaul UK S2 was my favourite of those, with GBBO just behind!

 

 

2 Squid Game

3 It's a Sin

 

I have pretty much all of your Top 8 in my increasingly huge "to watch" list :heehee: Squid Game was SO gripping and shocking, I was hooked! It's a Sin was sensational :wub:

 

 

2 Doctor Who | Series 13

3 Love, Victor | Season 2

5 Good Trouble | Season 3

7 Locke & Key | Season 2 (Not seen this yet but I enjoyed S1 so much, I really need to hurry up and get on with it!)

 

Love, Victor got even better in Season 2! I'm so glad we have this sort of programme, there was absolutely nothing like this when I young(er ). Good Trouble is so compelling, I find myself getting heavily invested with pretty much every storyline! So strong. :heart: For some reason I always get nervous that it'll suddenly be cancelled, but I'm glad to be proved wrong. Doctor Who - I think it had its highs and lows, as in some aspects of it worked so well (the new companion, & certain supporting characters for the storyline) and others not so much (maybe the fact there are SO many supporting characters that things get a bit muddled and convoluted), but overall I was satisfied with the series and found it an enjoyable way to spend a few hours!

Thanks Jay!! We're on the same page on so many shows *.* How do we get everyone else watching Good Trouble tbh :thinking:

 

 

Best Music Video: Laura Mvula - Got Me

 

I'll keep this one brief because the video speaks for itself really, but Got Me proves how much star power Laura Mvula has in this 80s throwback video. It's well-matched to the song and is a complete visual feast, I couldn't recommend both the song and the video more!! One of the most underrated artists of recent times.

 

 

 

North American Pop Soloist: Justin Bieber

 

The final pop soloist award has to go to the new Prince of Pop himself. Justin Bieber had an impressively strong 2021 after what I'd call a ropey 2020 - Changes was the first album of his that I didn't LOVE, and in fact, I was bored by it. It was samey background music with only a few keepers sadly, but by the end of 2020, the quality was starting to pick up. I really liked Holy, and Lonely was cute, but Justin really announced his re-entry into the top tier on New Year's Day 2021 with the release of the exceptional Anyone. The track became Justin's first #1 as a lead artist in my chart since 2017's Friends, and it started the year off in fine form, spending two weeks at the top and being the first of 4 #1s achieved in 2021. Hold On followed its predecessor to the top, and it was his inspired pairing with The Kid LAROI that produced the final two chart-toppers. Album track Unstable led the way in a huge week for parent album Justice, possibly my favourite Justin album to date, which returned Justin to the #1 spot in my album chart (Changes only made #4), and being one of four songs by him in my top 10 that week. Of course, his biggest hit of the year came from the 8-week #1 STAY, which continues to break records in my chart, while he also achieved a top 10 collaboration with Skrillex. It's so good to have Justin back on top form - this Biebs was truly missed in 2020!

 

 

 

Special Recognition: Sarah Harding

 

There really was no doubt about this one. There was only one contender. My commentary will be my tribute that I typed up earlier in the year as I think I said it all there, but I miss you so much Sarah :(

 

I've definitely shared this story before but I clearly remember when I bought Girls Aloud's first album. It's one of the earliest memories I have in fact...! I was in Tesco and saw the CD, and decided I wanted it. I had no idea who Girls Aloud were but for some reason that CD was calling my name. My parents made me choose between the CD and a toy I'd already picked up, and I chose the CD! They must have thought I was mad. I actually recognised Sound of the Underground from the radio though, and the rest I instantly became obsessed with. Best impulse purchase ever because Girls Aloud are, to this day, my favourite music artist.

 

Every new single and album was eagerly anticipated by me and I could probably tell you one memory for every release they put out, that's how significant they were to me. S Club 7 were the only music act I'd liked before so Girls Aloud came at a good time to pick up the baton from where they left off really. Girls Aloud were my first ever concert, the first of so many (as anyone who knows me will be well aware of, I'm a huuuuge concert-goer), and my memories of it are very vague but that doesn't matter. My only regret is that was the only time I ever saw them - I really wish I'd been able to go to the Ten tour.

 

Sarah was such a gigantic part of why I loved them, too. Her energy was second-to-none, and she was always unapologetically herself. It was obvious how much she loved performing, and it translated to the crowds. Her energy was contagious! She proved herself vocally, too, and she cemented herself as one of the most iconic and influential people in my life. It always felt like I knew her personally despite never meeting her, and that was just a testament to how warm and relatable she came across, through interviews, her stage persona and even Celebrity Big Brother (honestly it was so amazing to watch her win that, one of the few times I voted on that show).

 

Knowing about her cancer diagnosis hasn't made today any easier. I sat in silence, in tears, for a while after the news, and the tears haven't really stopped but I'm now immersing myself in her incredible career and all she achieved. Taken far too young, but Sarah really achieved so much in those 39 years. I'll forever have the music, the memories and the laughs she gifted us with, and I'll cherish those forever.

 

Thank you so much Sarah. I miss you but at least you're not hurting anymore. Rest well :heart:

 

 

 

Artist of the Year: The Kid LAROI

 

The final award of the night, and of course, it's the big one. It's probably no surprise to anyone that Australian singer/rapper The Kid LAROI is my artist of 2021, because it really wasn't even a competition. After obliterating every category in my EOY last year, he's off to a strong start again in 2021 becoming the first person to win my Artist of the Year two years running. Of course, 2021 began with breakthrough hit WITHOUT YOU taking over the global charts. The track was a 2020 #1 for me, reaching the top in the last two weeks of the year (so don't expect to see it again this year), but it hung around in the top region at the start of the year and is still one of my most played tracks of the year. A couple of collabs kept my interest before new material arrived - Unstable with Justin Bieber, a #1 hit in my chart, and No Return with Polo G, a top 15. Of course, the real event was the arrival of STAY - a lot more to come on that later obviously but it's fair to say it's been a record-breaker in my chart, with 8 weeks at #1 and an unbroken top 10 run so far. F*CK LOVE 3 followed two weeks later, and it broke more records - Laroi held 9 of 10 spots in my top 10 that week, with every one of the 13 new songs nabbing a top 20 place. All 31 tracks (excluding the "skit" interludes) have made my top 40 - only a small number of albums have charted their whole tracklist in my chart so for F*CK LOVE to manage that many is crazy! I saw Laroi live for the first time at an intimate gig in London in August - it was a tiny venue but incredible to see him live, and at such short notice too! It's truly been another incredible year to be a Laroi fan and 2022 is going to be even more incredible - I'm seeing him live twice and meeting him at one of the dates, plus his debut studio album is due any time now. I cannot wait - will it be a hat-trick for Laroi in 2022's EOY?

 

 

That's all the awards revealed, and the proper countdown starts tomorrow with my top EPs of the year! Here's a reminder of all my award winners of 2021:

 

Artist of the Year: The Kid LAROI

North American Pop Soloist: Justin Bieber

British Pop Soloist: Anne-Marie

European Pop Soloist: Boy In Space

Australian Pop Soloist: Delta Goodrem

Pop Group: Why Don't We

Hip-Hop / R&B Artist: The Kid LAROI

Alternative Artist: Powfu

Live Artist of the Year: Laura Mvula

Breakthrough Artist: JayXander

Best Era: Ulrik Munther - Put Your Self Out There

Special Recognition: Sarah Harding

Comeback of the Year: Natalie Imbruglia

Producer of the Year: Sarcastic Sounds

Best Music Video: Laura Mvula - Got Me

EPs: Top 10

 

 

1 Boy In Space - FRONTYARD | 2-3-3-5-1-1-1-1-3-5-7-8-8-8-5-7-8-12-11-11-15-5-4-6-9-10-8-9-9-11-11-8-9-12-10-...

2 JayXander - Toxic Trait Sandwich | 1-2-3-3-1-2-2-3-5-7-7-7-7-9-9-…

3 Greyson Chance - Trophies | 1-2-3-3-6-4-4-6-9-14-14-14-x

4 Rita Ora & Imanbek - Bang | 1-1-1-2-5-5-7-8-7-8-8-9-10-10-13-15-13-14-14-x

5 Powfu - tell me your feelings and i won't tell you mine | 1-2-4-6-8-11-12-13-13-x

6 Griff - One Foot in Front of the Other | 2-6-9-11-14-14-14-14-x

7 ROLE MODEL - our little angel | 6-5-5-6-10-12-14-x-15-x

8 Anson Seabra - Feeling for My Life | 4-6-14-x

9 Robin Packalen - Rest In Beat AM | 5-x

10 Alexander Stewart - Aftermath | 5-10-x

 

A quick look at my top 10 EPs, and it's been an even more prolific year for shorter projects than usual. Every one of these 10 reached my top 5, and the top half were all chart-toppers! Of course, #1 had to go to Boy In Space's first project. FRONTYARD consisted of seven songs, all distinctly pop and displaying the Swedish up-and-coming artist's versatility, from the breeziness of Remember Me, to the delicate Picking Flowers, to the slightly tongue-in-cheek Sucker Punch. It features three #1 singles from my chart, more than any other EP in this list.

 

The debut release from JayXander comes in at second place, spending two weeks at #1 in the second half of the year. Including the angsty #1 hit Ghost Me and the top 10 bop Too Late, Toxic Trait Sandwich was produced entirely by the artist and mastered by his uncle - an impressive feat with such high quality! Just behind is Greyson Chance's Trophies, an 8 track release that was the follow-up to portraits, one of the biggest albums in my chart's history. Though Trophies left off most of the singles that predated it, it was still a great effort, cementing Greyson's confidence through the seductive Hellboy and displaying vulnerability on Hands.

 

A rare collaborative effort to make my album chart, Rita Ora teamed up with DJ Imanbek to create the infectious Bang EP, just four songs but all high quality, including the Axel F sample of Bang Bang and floorfillers Big and The One. I'd love to have heard a whole album from these two, it would've been so good! Powfu's latest EP is in fourth, with his earlier EP from 2021 just missing out on the top 10. tell me your feelings and i won't tell you mine is definitely his best effort yet and all five of its songs made my top 40!

 

Below the top 5, Griff's first EP made a strong impression and I'm confident she'll be able to build even further with her upcoming debut album. I'm still discovering ROLE MODEL's music but latest EP our little angel is great and bodes well for his upcoming first full-length project. Anson Seabra's latest EP is his strongest project yet, while Robin Packalen followed up last year's Rest In Beat PM with, obviously, Rest In Beat AM - a tight collection of pop bops including monster hit Hard to Love. Alexander Stewart's first project rounds the top 10 out - four years into releasing music and Aftermath is a great example of his potential.

I remember seeing your tribute to Sarah at the time. That was a really sweet post Joseph and so many positive things you can remember about her forever!

 

Delta is a great choice for Australian Pop Soloist. I believe I've only heard her debut album in full but she's released some great songs in recent memory and there's lots to check out at some point too.

Edited January 3, 20223 yr by Rob S~

Giving the video for Got Me a watch now - I can see why you've put it in for Best Video! The song is very nice as well, enjoy the 80s throwback.