Kylie Minogue will be honored with the BRITs Global Icon award at this year’s ceremony; she’ll also perform.

The award recognises a career that’s spanned five decades, over 80m record sales worldwide, 5b streams and nine U.K. #1 albums. Minogue’s latest set, Tension (BMG), hit #1 in 2023 and earned her a Grammy, her second, for hit single “Padam Padam.”

The Icon award is Minogue’s fourth BRIT and she follows previous winners Elton John, Robbie Williams, David Bowie and Taylor Swift. She’s also nominated in this year’s International Artist of the Year category alongside the likes of Swift, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo and SZA.

Others set to perform at the ceremony on 3/2 at London’s O2 Arena include Dua Lipa and RAYE. More performers will be revealed soon.

Declan McKenna and Noah Kahan are battling it out for this week’s U.K. Official Albums #1. Over on singles, Kahan’s Stick Season (Republic) remains on top.

McKenna’s third set, What Happened to the Beach? (Columbia), is leading the charge at today’s midweek stage. However, with an expanded deluxe edition of Kahan’s Stick Season just 3k sales behind at #2, the race is not yet won.

Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign could debut at #3 with Vultures 1 (YZY). Dizzee Rascal’s Don’t Take It Personal (Big Dirtee Records) is also on track for a #10 debut, at #6.

Zara Larsson’s Venus (Epic) could be her second Top 10 at #7. Usher’s Coming Home (mega/gamma) is predicted to be his seventh Top 10 at #9 (although his Apple Music Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show could boost it further within the coming days).

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, “Stick Season” is on track to make a seventh consecutive week at #1. The track is nearly 2:1 ahead of its nearest competition.

That competition is Teddy Swims, whose “Lose Control” (Warner) is set to rise one to #2. Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” (Warner) is also on the rise, up one to #4.

“Alibi” (Major Toms/Asylum) by Ella Henderson and Rudimental is predicted to sail to #11 on Friday, while “Whatever” (RCA) by Kygo and Ava Max (which features a Shakira sample) is up 10 places to #18.

The Last Dinner Party have posted the biggest opening week for a debut album by a band since 2015 to top the Official Albums Chart. At singles, Noah Kahan registers a sixth consecutive week at #1.

The Last Dinner Party’s Prelude to Ecstasy (Island) hits #1 on 32,800 chart unit sales in its first week. It’s the biggest sales week for a debut #1 since Years & Years moved 55k units of Communion nine years ago.

Prelude to Ecstasy is also the best seller in U.K. independent record shops this week. With more than 14k vinyl copies sold—which puts them at #1 on the Record Store and vinyl charts—it’s the highest sales week for a vinyl LP since Oasis’ The Masterplan re-release in November.

Meanwhile, Liverpudlian singer-songwriter Jamie Webster earns his third Top 10 and highest-charting album to date with 10 For The People (Modern Sky), which heads straight in at #2. Paul McCartney and Wings’ Band on the Run (Capitol) returns to the Top 40 for the first time since 2010, landing at #16—its highest placing since June 1975—following a special 50th anniversary Underdubbed Mixes reissue.

The self-titled debut album from singer/songwriter Dylan John Thomas’ on Ignition lands at #21 followed by Kula Shaker’s fourth Top 40 album, Natural Magick (Strange Folk), at #22.

Taylor Swift’s appearance on the Grammy Awards along with her announcement of a new album pushed several of her EMI albums up the Official Albums Chart: 1989 (Taylor’s Version) is #5; Album of the Year winner Midnights is up to #6; Folklore hits #10; Lover rises to 13; and reputation snags #14.

At singles, Kahan’s “Stick Season” has the longest consecutive week run at #1 since Dave & Central Cee’s “Sprinter” last summer. It once again ends the week as the most-streamed song in the country with 8.3m streams.

The steady rose of Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” (Warner) continues as it rises six slots to crack the Top 5. YG Marley’s self-released “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” is up 11 slots to #9. Justin Timberlake’s “Selfish” (RCA) is up eight slots to #29.

The Last Dinner Party’s “Nothing Matters” becomes their first Top 20 single, hitting #19.

British CMO PPL paid out £279.6m to 165k performers and recording rightsholders in 2023. The cash figure is up 14.3% year-on-year.

PPL grew its payout by £34.9m in 2023 to mark its highest annual total in the org’s 90-year history. The £279.6m comes from licensing recorded music in the U.K. and the collection of neighboring rights royalties on behalf of international rightsholders.

The continued recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic was a key factor in achieving the total, according to PPL. The company also says its broad and growing network of international agreements with other CMOs, which spans over 110, was a strong contributor.

The headline number includes a payment of £7.7m by VPL—PPL's sister company, which licenses music videos when they are played in public or broadcast on TV—an increase of £1.6m year-on-year.

“We understand these payments are critical for many and we pride ourselves on our ability to deliver them consistently and on time,” PPL CEO Peter Leathem said. “As neighboring rights continue to develop around the world, we see a huge opportunity ahead to grow our market share and maximize revenues for performers and recording rightsholders.”

Pictured (l-r): Jamie Spinks, head of A&R at Columbia U.K.; Anthony Orum SMAB Solicitors (repping NQ Records), NQ CEO & founder Michael Adex; Dipesh Parmar, Columbia U.K. president; Amy Wheatley, Columbia U.K. MD (Photo Credit: Joe McGowan)

Growing U.K. music company NQ has signed a partnership with Columbia Records U.K. and The Orchard.

As part of the deal, Columbia Records will have access to emerging talent in the north of England, where NQ is based. The artists brought forward will receive the support of the Sony label for production, recording and marketing. NQ artists will also gain access to The Orchard’s full suite of services and global network.

NQ, which encompasses label, publishing and management arms, currently works with top-selling British rapper Aitch, South London artist Blanco, Birmingham rapper MIST, Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling production duo WhyJay & LiTek (WhyTek), and recently signed East London rapper Morrisson.

With the new collaboration, Aitch, who hit #2 in the U.K. with his debut album (released via UMG U.K. labels Capitol/EMI) in 2022, has signed an exclusive recording partnership with NQ powered by The Orchard. He is expected to release new music early this year.

Dipesh Parmar, president of Columbia Records U.K., said the status of Michael Adex, founder and CEO of NQ, “as a Manchester music-scene powerhouse gives us further access to northern talent via his broad network across the U.K.

“Myself, Amy [Wheatley] and the Columbia team are delighted to be partnering with NQ, we share the same vision in nurturing and developing artists early, and we're excited for what the new venture will bring."

Ian Dutt, president of The Orchard U.K., added, "NQ's artist-first approach directly aligns with The Orchard's M.O. We look forward to working with Adex and the NQ team and bringing their talent-rich legacy to global audiences."

Adex called the partnership “a great way to open our artists to international markets via The Orchard's and Columbia Records U.K.’s global distribution channels, while NQ Records continues to add value with a bespoke, artist-centric approach on the frontlines.

“As game changers in the industry today, this partnership demonstrates our combined commitment to shaking up the music industry and championing amazing talent both in the north and south.”

The Last Dinner Party are heading toward #1 on the U.K’s Official Albums Chart with their debut, Prelude to Ecstasy (Island). Over on singles, Noah Kahan remains on top.

Should it remain at #1, Prelude to Ecstasy will cap off an exciting few months for the British band, who’ve been crowned BRITs Rising Star and BBC Sound of… 2024.

Jamie Webster could gain his highest-charting album in the U.K. yet with 10 For The People (Modern Sky) at #2.

Paul McCartney and Wings’ third set as a band, Band on the Run (Capitol), is looking to re-enter the Top 10 thanks to a special reissue.

Kula Shaker’s Natural Magick (Strange Folk) starts at #5, while singer/songwriter Dylan John Thomas’ self-titled debut album (Ignition) is predicted for a re-entry at #8.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles midweeks, Kahan’s “Stick Season” (Republic) is tracking for #1 for a sixth consecutive week.

TikTok star Benson Boone could claim his first U.K. Top 10 single on Friday with “Beautiful Things” (Night Street/Warner Records), which is up three to #7.

“Alibi” (Major Toms/Asylum) by Ella Henderson and Rudimental is expected to jump 11 to #13. Megan Thee Stallion’s “HISS” (Hot Girl Productions) is predicted to rise 17 slots to #14.

The Last Dinner Party’s “Nothing Matters” is set to fly into the Top 20 at #19.

James Arthur has emerged as the surprise victor of this week’s U.K. Official Albums Chart race with his fifth set, Bitter Sweet Love (Columbia). Over on singles, Noah Kahan remains on top.

Despite The Smile and The Reytons engaged in a battle for #1 midweek, Arthur edged ahead in the final hours. Bitter Sweet Love is the biggest album on digital downloads this week while 74% of its sales total came from physical copies. It’s Arthur’s second #1 and fifth Top 3.

The Reytons’ self-released Ballad of a Bystander ends the week at #2. Radiohead offshoot The Smile—comprised of Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and Tom Skinner—celebrates a career best with Wall of Eyes (XL) at #3.

Tom Odell’s Black Friday (UROK) is new at #5. Future Islands’ People Who Aren’t There Anymore (4AD) is their first U.K. Top 10 at #7.

On the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart, Kahan’s “Stick Season” (Republic) has a fifth week at #1. It’s the most-streamed song of the week with 8.8m listens.

Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” (Atlantic) is up three to #3. Madonna returns to the U.K. Top 10 for the first time in years with her The Weeknd and Playboi Carti collab, “Popular” (Republic), jumping four to #10.

Outside the Top 10, “Beautiful Things” (Warner Records) by Benson Boone rises seven to #11, while “Never Lose Me” (RCA) by Flo Milli climbs two to #15.

Attending Women in CTRL’s launch event in London were, front row L-R: Eve Horne (Executive Director, MPG), Ruth Barlow (Chair of AIM), Jo Twist (Chief Executive, BPI), Naomi Pohl (General Secretary, MU), MJ Olaore (Chief Operating Officer, BPI), and Christine Geissmar (Chief Operating Officer, PPL). Second row L-R: YolanDa Brown OBE DL (Chair, BPI), Suzanne Hughes (Chief People Officer, PRS), Nina Radejewski (Head of Membership, AIM), Mika Sellens (Executive Director, MPG), Kate Reilly (Chief of Membership & People Office, PPL), Jackie Davidson MBE (PPL Board), Annabella Coldrick (Chief Executive, MMF), Eunice Obianagha (Head of Diversity, UK Music), Andi Hopgood (Vice Chair, MU), and Sophie Jones (Chief Strategy Officer, BPI). Back row L-R: Natalie Wade (Director of Music Industry, PPL), Janeace Thompson (Director of Talent, Culture and Experience, PRS), Paul Bonham (Director, MMF), Roxanne De Bastion (FAC Board, Artist), Kelli-Leigh (Artist/ FAC Board), Billie Morton Riley (Membership, FAC), Nadia Khan (Founder & CEO, Women in CTRL), and Jess Kangalee (Community, Women in CTRL).

The boards of U.K. music industry trade associations have surpassed 50% female representation, which is up from 32% in 2020, according to a report from Women in CTRL.

The report examines the gender and ethnic representation of women in executive teams across the boards of UK Music and the 10 trade associations that sit under its umbrella.

More than 55% of organizations have achieved 50% gender representation on their boards. The report also examines senior roles, finding that 45% of chief executives are women, up from 20% in 2020. Twenty-seven percent of chairs across the trade bodies are women, up from 0% in 2020.

More than 50% of executive teams across the organizations are made up of women and non-binary individuals, 14% of which are women from a global majority background.

Sixteen percent of board members across the organisations are women from a global majority background, up from 3% in 2020.

Nadia Khan, founder of Women in CTRL, called the results “a milestone” and a “powerful signal of the progress and change resulting from the music industry's recent commitments to inclusivity and diversity.”

“It demonstrates that concerted efforts lead to tangible change, and I'm proud of the progress we've collectively achieved,” she said.

Khan urged the industry to succession plan in order to achieve sustained success. “Fostering inclusivity at the leadership level not only safeguards progress but also lays the foundation for a future that authentically mirrors the rich diversity of the music industry.”