SoundExchange today revealed its Top 20 Tracks and Breakout Artists of 2017, based on streaming data we compiled from more than 3,100 digital music services.The number one track of 2017 belongs to dance music duo The Chainsmokers. Their song “Closer,” featuring Halsey, nudged out Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” to earn the top spot on the Top 20 Tracks chart. The Chainsmokers earned a Best Pop Duo/Group Performance GRAMMY® nomination last year for “Closer.”
Former One Direction member Niall Horan topped SoundExchange’s Top 20 Breakout Artists chart for 2017, beating out Julia Michaels and Khalid. Horan’s first album, Flicker, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart when it was released on October 20, and one single on the album, “Slow Hands,” peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart following its release in May 2017.
Horan continued the trend of former One Direction members appearing on SoundExchange’s Breakout Artists charts. The members of One Direction went in different directions in 2015. ZAYN, who left the band first, placed third on the SoundExchange Top 20 Streamed Breakout Artists of 2016 chart thanks to a string of hit singles including “PILLOWTALK” and the Kehlani-assisted “wRoNg.” Horan is joined on the Top 20 Breakout Artists of 2017 chart by former bandmates Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson.
The eligibility period for the SoundExchange 2017 year-end charts is October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017. SoundExchange compiled the charts based on data provided from webcasting, cable television and satellite radio services including Pandora, Music Choice and SiriusXM. Check here for a complete list of the digital services reporting to SoundExchange.
See SoundExchange’s “Top 20” charts for 2017 here.
About SoundExchange
SoundExchange develops business solutions to benefit the entire music industry. The organization collects and distributes digital performance royalties on behalf of more than 155,000 recording artists and master rights owners accounts and administers direct agreements on behalf of rights owners and licensees. To date, SoundExchange has paid out nearly $5 billion in royalties. SXWorks, a SoundExchange subsidiary created with the acquisition of the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. (CMRRA), provides global administration and support services to music publishers for multiple licensing activities. For more information, visit www.SoundExchange.com or http://sx-works.com
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — SoundExchange