2017
in MusicAlbums
31
Artists
23
Milestones
41
Notable Releases
Despacito
Justin BieberRemix collaboration with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee that became a worldwide phenomenon, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending a record 56 weeks at number one on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart.
Let Them Fall in Love
CeCe WinansAlbum that won two Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Performance/Song and Best Gospel Album.
Don't Smile at Me
Billie EilishDebut EP that was a commercial success, reaching number 14 on US Billboard 200 and establishing Eilish's distinctive dark pop aesthetic.
This One's for You
Luke CombsDebut major label album that hit number one on Billboard's Top Country Albums and spawned five consecutive number-one singles, a historic achievement.
When It Rains It Pours
Luke CombsSecond single from This One's for You that reached number one on Country Airplay chart in October 2017.
Dua Lipa
Dua LipaHer debut studio album that peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart and established her as a rising pop star. The album spawned multiple hit singles including the UK number-one single 'New Rules' and helped her win two Brit Awards in 2018.
New Rules
Dua LipaHer breakthrough UK number-one single that became her best-selling single to date with over three billion YouTube views. The song was described by British Vogue as an 'anthem of female empowerment' and marked the first UK number-one by a female solo artist since Adele's 'Hello' in 2015.
The Thrill of It All
Sam SmithSmith's second studio album that debuted at number one on both the UK Albums Chart and US Billboard 200, making it their first US number one album.
Too Good at Goodbyes
Sam SmithThe lead single from The Thrill of It All that debuted at number one in the UK and reached number five on the US Billboard Hot 100.
You Make It Feel Like Christmas
Gwen StefaniStefani's first full-length Christmas album featuring the title track with Blake Shelton
÷ (Divide)
Ed SheeranThird album and best-selling album worldwide of 2017, spawned record-breaking singles 'Shape of You' and 'Perfect,' highest-grossing tour of all time
Shape of You
Ed SheeranLead single from ÷ debuting at UK and US top positions simultaneously, broke Spotify single-day streaming record, became best-selling single of 2017
Perfect
Ed SheeranFourth single from ÷ reaching number one in UK, US, and Australia; acoustic 'Perfect Duet' with Beyoncé became 2017 UK Christmas number one
Witness
Katy PerryElectropop fifth studio album described by Perry as a '360-degree liberation' record, debuting at number one and accompanied by a notable four-day YouTube live-stream that generated over 49 million views.
Harry Styles
Harry StylesDebut solo album influenced by 1970s soft rock, featuring the chart-topping single "Sign of the Times" and debuting at number one globally.
Sign of the Times
Harry StylesLead single from debut album, a glam rock-influenced soft rock power ballad that peaked at number one on UK Singles Chart and won Brit Award for British Video of the Year.
Dunkirk
Harry StylesFeature film debut in Christopher Nolan's war film, playing British soldier Alex in the Dunkirk evacuation during World War II, praised for his unexpectedly strong performance.
Flicker
Niall HoranHoran's debut solo album that debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and also topped charts in Ireland and the Netherlands.
Slow Hands
Niall HoranHoran's second solo single that reached the top 10 in the UK and top 20 in the US, becoming a major chart success.
Reputation
Taylor SwiftAn electropop album exploring themes of fame and controversy that opened with 1.21 million US sales. Featured the lead single 'Look What You Made Me Do,' which topped the Billboard Hot 100 with the highest sales and streaming week of 2017.
Significant Milestones
Despacito Collaboration Success
Grammy WinThe 'Despacito' remix with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee became a global phenomenon, winning a Latin Grammy Award and spending 56 weeks at number one on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart.
Grammy-winning album "Let Them Fall in Love"
Grammy WinReleased tenth studio album winning two Grammy Awards for Best Gospel Performance/Song and Best Gospel Album.
Gospel Music Hall of Fame Induction
AwardInducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame by the Gospel Music Association.
Debut EP "Don't Smile at Me" Released
DebutReleased debut EP reaching number 14 on US Billboard 200. The project was commercially successful across multiple countries including US, UK, and Australia.
Grammy Awards Clean Sweep
Grammy WinWon all five Grammy nominations at 59th Annual Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album for 25. Total Grammy wins reached 15.
Major Label Debut
DebutReleased debut album This One's for You on Columbia Nashville, which hit number one on Billboard's Top Country Albums and launched his career into mainstream success.
First Number-One Single
DebutHis single 'Hurricane' reached number one on the country radio airplay chart on May 15, 2017, holding the position for two weeks.
Debut Album Release and UK Number-One Single
DebutReleased her self-titled debut album which peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart. The album's lead single 'New Rules' became her first UK number-one, marking a major breakthrough in her career.
Heartbreak on a Full Moon Double Album Released
DebutBrown released his ambitious 45-track double album, which was certified gold within one week for combined sales and album-equivalent units of over 500,000, making him the first R&B male artist to go gold in a week since Usher's Confessions in 2004.
Second Album Debuts at Number One in UK and US
DebutThe Thrill of It All became Smith's first number one album on the US Billboard 200, expanding their international chart dominance and critical acclaim.
Historic Chart Achievement
DebutReleased ÷ ("Divide") in March 2017, best-selling album of the year worldwide. Singles 'Shape of You' and 'Castle on the Hill' debuted at number one and two simultaneously on UK, German, and Australian charts—unprecedented achievement.
US Chart Records
DebutBecame first artist to debut two songs simultaneously in US top 10, and first artist to have ten top-10 UK singles from one album, breaking Calvin Harris's previous record of nine.
Global Artist of the Year
AchievementNamed the world's best-selling artist of 2017 by IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry), receiving Global Recording Artist of the Year accolade.
Witness Album and Live-Stream
AchievementReleased fifth studio album Witness on June 9, 2017, and accompanied it with a four-day YouTube live-stream titled 'Katy Perry Live: Witness World Wide' that generated over 49 million views from 190 countries, pioneering new approaches to album promotion.
Solo Debut Success
DebutReleased self-titled debut album in May, debuting at number one in multiple countries including UK and US. Won Brit Award for British Video of the Year for "Sign of the Times." Made feature film debut in Dunkirk.
One Love Manchester Concert
TourFollowing the Manchester Arena bombing at her concert on May 22, Grande held the televised benefit concert 'One Love Manchester' on June 4, raising $23 million for victims. Named the first honorary citizen of Manchester.
Debut Solo Album Success
DebutHoran released his debut solo album 'Flicker,' which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and also topped the Irish and Netherlands charts.
