Shazamers' Blog

Today kicks off Shazam’s Tags of 2011, a totally subjective look at our favourite tracks of the year. Chosen by Shazam’s ever knowledgeable staff, our Tags of 2011 countdown provides an insight into the music that dominated the office stereo this year. We’ll be kicking off at number 25 and counting down to our favourite record of the year which will be revealed – you guessed it – on Christmas Day. First up for your consideration is Blood Orange’s ‘Dinner’.

If you’re going to make a record that’s indebted to the past, you best make sure the era you’re borrowing from is a good one. Dev Hynes has certainly followed this logic on his Blood Orange project, liberally repurposing Prince’s ‘80’s period into a glorious new whole. ‘Dinner’ does anything but reinvent the wheel; honeyed synthesisers underpin a moody, sexually ambiguous pop song about a painful breakup. However, even though the record’s far from original, it’s hard to deny it has a certain charm.

Blood Orange’s album, released in the summer, painted Dev Hynes as an impressive musical chameleon. After coming to the fore in the indie/ dance act Test Icicles and maturing under the folk purveying moniker of Light Speed Champion, Hynes’ Blood Orange project brought his pop credentials to the fore. It’s tough to make comparisons to a musical genius like Prince without sounding hyperbolic: but the constantly shifting sands of Dev’s musical styles are not a million miles from those of the Purple One himself.

You can listen to ‘Dinner’ here.

Stephen Titmus Shazam's Tags Of 2011 Blood Orange

Rihanna not only takes the top spot in the Shazam New Release Chart USA this week, but three of the top ten positions.

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart USA Rihanna

The Atlanta born singer rockets to the top of the UK New Release Chart with ‘Dedication To My Ex’.

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart UK Lloyd

Rihanna storms straight to the top of the Shazam New Release Chart USA with ‘You Da One’.

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart USA Rihanna

Slow Moving Millie’s cover version of The Smith’s ‘Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want’ takes the spot in the Shazam New Release Chart UK, largely thanks to its placement in this year’s John Lewis Christmas ad.

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart UK Slow Moving Millie

Professor Green’s been flying high in recent months. The rapper’s latest single, ‘Read All About It’, featuring Emeli Sandé, entered the UK national chart at number one at the end of October, while his new album has also gone top 10. This recent success has all come together after years of hard graft. Building up his profile on the British rap / grime scene, Pro Green’s fame has risen steadily over the past four years as he’s worked more obvious pop influences into his aggressive rapping style. He’s now considered one of the UK’s most lucrative urban music artists and is starting to gain recognition overseas thanks to hook ups with stars like Snoop Dogg on the track ‘Be Like Me’.

The folks at Professor Green’s label have been kind enough to hand us a free track for Shazamers. All you need to do is click here.

The track is a bass rattling remix of ‘Read All About It’ by Mensah, one of a new breed of producers taking bass dubstep into the world of rave.

To listen and buy Professor Green’s latest album from iTunes, simply click here.

Stephen Titmus New Music Professor Green

Everyone’s favourite auto-tune enthusiast, T-Pain, takes the number one spot in the Shazam New Release Chart UK.

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart UK Lily Allen, T-Pain

It’s a good week for Drake as he takes both the number one spot and around 40% of the real estate in the Shazam New Release USA.

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart USA drake

Drake takes the top spot in the Shazam New Release Chart USA for a second week with ‘Make Me Proud’.

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart USA drake

Flo Rida is still the man to watch in the world f dance / rap as ‘Good Feeling’ hits the number one spot in the Shazam New Release Chart UK.

Stephen Titmus Shazam New Release Chart UK Flo Rida