Rising Female Artists: climbing to the top for the official charts

Since its inception in 1969, the Official Charts has been a stalwart reflection of the nation’s music tastes, a chart that has weathered the test of time. Known for its sensitivity to change, the Official Charts have evolved from BBC Radio broadcasts to the modern-day platform of BBC Radio 1’s Official Charts on Radio 1.

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Achieving a ranking on this prestigious chart is an honor that brings immense pride to artists. The methodical aggregation of data allows for objective analysis, offering valuable insights into an artist’s recognition and popularity. With the recent global surge of K-pop and Asian music, even established charts are seeing new contenders rise to the top. Among these, a growing number of female artists have followed in the footsteps of BLACKPINK’s success, making their mark on reputable charts. In this article, let’s have a look into three promising female groups whose futures look as bright as their talent is undeniable. Stay tuned for a closer look at these rising stars on the music scene.

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XG, the sensational Japanese girl group, took the South Korean music scene by storm with a spectacular debut on March 18, 2022. Their very first single, ‘Tippy Toes,’ achieved remarkable success, dominating iTunes Alternative Charts in seven countries, including France and Italy, and securing a place in the top 10 in eight countries, including the UK and the USA—an extraordinary accomplishment for newcomers. With an impressive catalog of six singles, including the chart-topping ‘Shooting Star,’ which even landed on the Billboard Global 200 chart, XG has firmly established themselves as rising stars in the music industry. Notably, ‘Shooting Star’ earned the group a spot at 14th on the UK Spotify Viral Chart and reached the third position on the iTunes R&B Chart. Their track ‘Left Right’ garnered attention on Gorgeous FM, further cementing their presence in the UK market. With their upcoming release, ‘New DNA,’ on the horizon, XG’s trajectory promises even greater success, making them an act to watch closely and solidifying their status as a formidable force in the British music scene.

XG (Supplied)

Aespa, the groundbreaking South Korean girl group from SM Entertainment, has not only redefined the K-pop landscape but has also left an indelible mark on the global music scene. Comprising four talented members - Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning - Aespa introduced the metaverse concept and hyper-pop music to K-pop, earning them immense success both domestically and internationally. Their debut single ‘Black Mamba,’ released on November 17, 2020, set records by amassing a staggering 21.4 million views for its music video in just 24 hours, a testament to their instant popularity. In 2021, Aespa continued to impress with their first EP ‘Savage,’ which sold 787,600 copies, becoming the best-selling debut album by an SM Entertainment act at the time. The EP’s lead single of the same name marked their second top-five song in South Korea and their first top-40 entry on the Billboard Global 200 chart. Their second EP, ‘Girls,’ released in July 2022, made waves by selling 1,850,993 copies and debuting at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. Aespa’s latest offering, the third EP ‘My World,’ released in May 2023, achieved a remarkable 2.1 million sales, solidifying their position as one of the top-selling K-pop girl groups. With hits like ‘Savage’ making waves on the UK YouTube trending list and ‘Better Things’ topping the iTunes K-pop chart, Aespa’s success knows no bounds. Their recent OST contribution, ‘Hold on Tight,’ even reached the fourth position on the UK SoundCloud Soundtrack Daily Chart. Aespa’s consistent ability to reach career highs and secure top positions on Official Charts demonstrates that their ascent to musical stardom is nothing short of phenomenal.

IVE (Supplied)

IVE, the South Korean girl group under Starship Entertainment, has been making waves with their infectious music and empowering themes of self-love. Comprising six talented members - Gaeul, Yujin, Rei, Wonyoung, Liz, and Leeseo - IVE burst onto the scene on December 1, 2021, with their debut single album ‘Eleven.’ Their subsequent release, ‘Love Dive,’ not only became their first number-one song on the Circle Digital Chart but also earned the coveted Song of the Year title at prestigious awards like the Asia Artist Awards, Golden Disc Awards, MAMA Awards, and Melon Music Awards. It also marked their first top-ten entry on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart. The group continued their winning streak with their third single album, ‘After Like,’ which also claimed the number-one spot. With high rankings on YouTube UK TOP 100 Music Videos and iTunes UK Pop Chart, along with viral success on Spotify with "I AM," IVE has captivated global audiences. Their debut studio album, ‘I’ve IVE,’ released in 2023, continued their commercial success with chart-topping singles like "Kitsch" and "I Am." As anticipation builds for their next album, fans worldwide eagerly await IVE’s comeback, hoping to see them make their mark on the UK Official Chart.

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