Ed Sheeran’s Equals claims third total week at Number 1 on the Irish Albums Chart

Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid took to the stand in London’s high court yesterday in the ongoing song-theft legal battle over Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape Of You’, which he co-wrote. He mainly echoed comments already made by his musical collaborator earlier in the week, while also talking about the “culture” of dubious copyright claims in the US courts that followed the 2015 ‘Blurred Lines’ ruling, and insisting that the thought of plagiarising another artist’s work was “abhorrent”.Sheeran and his songwriting collaborators – including McDaid – are accused of ripping off the earlier track ‘Oh Why’ by Sami Chokri and Ross O’Donoghue when they wrote their 2017 hit.

Olivia Rodrigo’s SOUR holds on at Number 1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart, as British rapper Central Cee takes this week’s highest new entry. 

Each week, we here at Official Charts compile the best and most exciting releases of New Music Friday, to give you a chance to hear the future hits on the Official Singles and Albums Chart. Let's dive in!

Camila Cabello is releasing a new song featuring Ed Sheeran on March 4, and fans are already convinced that the tune is about Cabello’s ex, Shawn Mendes. The Cuban American singer and actress took to social media to tease about the upcoming song “Bam Bam,” The single’s theories immediately started to flood the internet.“Isn’t really about shading Shawn, I feel like it’s more about how sometimes things don’t work the way you want in life, and you need to move on.

We Don’t Talk About Bruno also continues its firm grip on the Official Singles Chart, furthering its lead at Number 1 in our First Look Update. It’s looking at a seventh week at the top of the chart.

In a close week which saw new entries from Bad Boy Chiller Crew and Sea Power vying for Number 1, Ed Sheeran reclaims the top spot with = (Equals), as Bad Boy Chiller Crew boast this week’s highest new entry with Disrespectful. 

SOUR by Olivia Rodrigo claims Number 1 on the Official Albums Chart once more.

BTS member Jungkook has made his first-ever solo appearance on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart with ‘Stay Alive’, produced by Suga.Ahead of the release of this week’s Hot 100 charts, Billboard announced on Twitter that ‘Stay Alive’ is set to debut on the 95th spot of the upcoming Hot 100 chart. In its tweet, the company also noted that Jungkook is the fourth member of BTS to clinch a solo entry on the Hot 100.‘Stay Alive’ follows J-Hope (‘Chicken Noodle Soup’ in 2019), Suga (the Juice WRLD collaboration ‘Girl of My Dreams’ in 2021 and ‘Daechwita’ under the moniker Agust D in 2020), and V with ‘Christmas Tree’ earlier this year.Jung Kook's "Stay Alive" debuts at No. 95 on this week's #Hot100.He becomes the fourth member of @BTS_twt to earn a solo entry on the chart, joining #JHope, #Suga/#AgustD and #V.— billboard charts (@billboardcharts) February 22, 2022In a separate announcement, Billboard revealed that ‘Stay Alive’ also debuted in the Top 10 of the Global Excl.

Sea Power could be heading for their first Number 1 album with Everything Was Forever, as they lead a very close Top 5 on the Official Albums Chart Update.

Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid has sent her love to her ITV co-star Brenda Edwards following the tragic death of her son Jamal Edwards. After the sad news broke that music pioneer Jamal had passed away aged 31 and heartfelt tributes poured in, Susanna and her co-host Richard Madeley paid their respects.

Ed Sheeran claims the highest new entry on this week’s Official Singles Chart with The Joker and the Queen at Number 2.

Lost Frequencies & Calum Scott climb to Number 1 on the Official Irish Singles Chart with Where Are You Now.

B.I is set to be managed by Billie Eilish‘s agent following a new deal with WassermanEarlier today (February 17), the South Korean musican’s label IOK Company announced that B.I has officially signed with United States-based talent management company Wasserman, per Korea JoongAng Daily. Wasserman is home to several noteworthy musicians in the music industry, including Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Ed Sheeran, Skrillex, Billie Eilish and more. Notably, Eilish’s agent, Tom Windish, will also be managing B.I as part of his promotions in South and North America, as well as Australia.According to B.I’s new profile on the Wasserman website, the K-pop idol is said to be preparing for several new projects for international promotions.

The Joker And The Queen by Ed Sheeran flies straight to Number 1 on the Official Trending Chart following the release of a brand-new version of the track with Taylor Swift.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift look set to claim this week’s highest new entry at Number 2 with The Joker and the Queen; following Ed’s show-stopping BRIT Awards performance of the track. The single could out-peak the pair’s last collaboration Everything Has Changed, which managed Number 7 in 2012.

Olivia Rodrigo makes it 16 weeks at Number 1 on the Official Irish Albums Chart with SOUR.

We Don’t Talk About Bruno from Encanto holds firm at Number 1 on the Official Irish Singles Chart.

DEALSUniversal’s Republic Records has expanded its partnership with K-pop company JYP Entertainment, they having worked together to launch girl group Twice in the US. “We are beyond delighted to move forward with Republic Records”, says JYP CEO Jimmy Jeong, so to develop a “major artist roster” together after “the successful kick-off Twice has brought”.————————————————–APPOINTMENTSUlf Zick has joined Utopia Music as Chief Marketing Officer.

Spotify streams of Little Simz‘ music have soared over 350 per cent following her appearance at this year’s BRIT Awards.The rapper, who released her last album, ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’, back in September, won the award for Best New Artist at last night’s (February 8) ceremony at London’s The O2. She also performed a medley of her tracks ‘Introvert’ and ‘Woman’.Her massive night has since prompted a huge spike in Spotify streams in comparison to other BRITs winners including Adele, Silk Sonic, Ed Sheeran, Dave and Sam Fender.There was a 812 per cent increase in streams of ‘Introvert’ and a 594 per cent spike for ‘Woman’, equating to a 365 per cent jump overall.Elsewhere, Adele, who took home three BRITs last night (Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year), saw a 137 per cent increase in Spotify streams following the awards, while Dave’s streams went up by 217 per cent. Fender’s music saw a 79 per cent jump.“As ever, the BRITs showed the incredible breadth of talent being fostered here in the UK, across every genre of music,” Tom Connaughton, managing director of Spotify UK and Ireland, said in a statement (via Rolling Stone UK).

Grammys were being pushed back from January until April was met by a deafening chorus of indifference. Last year, the Grammy’s TV audience more than halved, dropping from 18. 7 million in 2020 to just 8.