A number of Aussie artists are continuing to maintain a strong presence on the American charts, starting with the ongoing success of the Aussie-born rapper who’s currently sitting pretty at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
Sydney-bred, LA-based MC Iggy Azalea is currently occupying the top two positions on the Billboard charts, with her Charli XCX-featuring hit ‘Fancy’ at #1 and her team-up with Ariana Grande ‘Problem’ at #2, which last week saw her becoming the first artist to equal a chart record set by The Beatles 50 years ago.
As ‘Fancy’ and ‘Problem’ now enter their second week at in the top two, Azalea breaks another record, with Billboard reporting that the 23-year-old that’s she’s now the second ever female performer to rank #1 and #2 concurrently over multiple weeks, the first being Ashanti, who managed a five-week one-two reign in 2002.
Azalea, who celebrates her 24th birthday this Saturday 7th June, has also surpassed Mariah Carey’s record – the singer holding the top two spots in September 2005 – with her two-week occupancy. Meanwhile, Azalea’s first full-legnth album, The New Classic, debuted at #3 in the US, hitting the Top 5 in the UK, and sitting at #2 here at home in Australia; proving that not even “spineless” music critics or borderline misogynistic radio hosts can stem what is Australia’s biggest rap export.
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Meanwhile, other Aussies that were pegged alongside Azalea by USA Today as being set to crack America are doing just that.
APRA nominated Melbourne singer-songwriter Vance Joy has been named by Billboard as the “Greatest Gainer’ on the Alternative Songs chart this week as his Hottest 100-dominating, blockbuster-selling, most locally streamed track ‘Riptide’ pushes its way up to #16 on its fifth week running.
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According to The Music, there are just seven US radio stations tracked in the Alternative Songs chart that have yet to playlist the track, meaning Vance Joy is on track for a Top 10 position in the coming weeks should he be added.
Boy & Bear have just spent their 18th week in America’s Adult Alternative Songs chart, remaining at #5 with ‘Southern Sun’. The ARIA-winning Sydney five-piece should maintain their Top 5 position given they’re in the middle of an extensive North American tour, including recent appearances at Sasquatch! and performing at Firefly Festival at the end of the month before jetting to Europe and returning home for the Get Up & Dance Australian Tour.
Birds Of Tokyo are at #13 for their 13th week running with signature hit ‘Lanterns’, the Ian Kenny-led rockers making significant American in-roads after performing the single on Jimmy Kimmel Live in front of a late night US TV audience of millions. The band return to tour America in October once Kenny has finished duties with Karnivool, who are playing a series of high-profile festival slots (including Sonisphere) for the European summer.
Last but not least, John Butler Trio have moved up one rank from #27 to #26 in their 13th week with ‘Only One’. The roots-rock three-piece are winding towards the end of their US jaunt this month, but not before playing on the epic Bonnaroo 2014 lineup and making their third headlining visit to Colorado’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
