Dua Lipa

You could call her another artist that started out on YouTube doing covers to get noticed but you would be wrong. You could call her a model who turned into a songstress but you would be wrong. Yes, she is both those things but she is anything but average.

August 2015 was the time we were blessed with her first single "New Love." Her second single, "Be The One," released two months later, was met with success across Europe, and topped the charts at number one in Belgium, Poland, and Slovakia. The song charted in other European territories and also Australia and New Zealand.

Like with a lot of artists that are starting out, fourth time's a charm. On 6 May 2016, her single "Hotter Than Hell" became a worldwide sensation, especially in the UK. Her first entry into the US Billboard Hot 100 was "Blow Your Mind (Mwah)" and it debuted and number 72. It also topped the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart.

In November 2016 Lipa featured on the song "No Lie" released by Sean Paul.

January 2017 marked the time I really started to take notice of Dua Lipa. She release the song "Scared To Be Lonely" with Martin Garrix. It showed her vocal ability in the most beautiful way. So I tip my hat to Martin Garrix for showcasing Lipa's magical voice.

Her self-titled album was released in June 2017. Her single, "New Rules" reached the top in the UK charts, becoming the first in two years since "Hello" by Adele. (And if you read my Adele article, you know how much I love her.) The above-mentioned song charted in 10 other European territories, Australia, Canada, and the U.S.

Dua Lipa pulled one of the biggest audiences at the Glastonbury Festival in June 2017 and in December of the same year, she was named the Most Streamed Female Artist on Spotify in the UK.

She has had four singles in the Top 10 in the UK, namely: "Be The One," "New Rules," "No Lie," and "Bridge Over Troubled Water," that she was a part of for charity benefiting the victims of the Grenfel Tower fire in London.

Her next scheduled performance is in two weeks on the 21 February 2018 at the O2 Arena in London

She has been nominated for five categories at the 2018 Brit Awards, including of British Female Solo Artist, British Breakthrough Act, MasterCard British Album of the Year, British Single of The Year, and British Video of The Year. It also marks the first time ever that a female artist has received five nominations. (And in my opinion, she should be winning all five of the categories.)

Dua Lipa describes her sound as "Dark Pop" and I agree with her. It is not the conventional "I-love-you-you-love-me-let's-live-happily-ever-after" pop music that you hear on the radio. It is a fresh perspective on music today. I want to describe it as art.

Her music videos are also something different. Three of her music videos have been directed by Henry Scholfield and that is truly a great singer/director combination with great chemistry. Similar chemistry can be seen with Joseph Kahn and Taylor Swift. It is really unique and different than other pop music videos. There are no "happy-smiley-glitter-explosions." It is just Dua Lipa being herself and showing her heart and soul to the world.

In my opinion, her latest songs, "New Rules" and "IDGAF" are two diamonds in the pop music world. It is riddled with clever lyrics and melodic genius and I don't use those words lightly.

These days the music industry is filled with singers, rarely with really good vocal ability. The record companies are in the habit of signing people with social media followings instead of actual real talent. BUT in the case of Dua Lipa, they got it right. She is someone with the ambiance and attitude of a real star. She exudes confidence and flare. She is here, she has made her mark, and she is here to stay.

So let's all sit back, relax, and let our ears be honored with the magic that is Dua Lipa.

So keep on keeping on,

Christian