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Dua Lipa Named U.K.’s Most-Played Artist in 2024, Besting Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran

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LONDON — Dua Lipa has been named as the U.K.’s most-played artist across radio, TV and public places in 2024, surpassing Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift and more. This is the second time she has achieved the feat, having first done so in 2020.

On Tuesday (May 20) collection society PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) shared its annual report into the U.K.’s most played music over the past year, with its data reporting the music played on radio, TV and in public places across the UK, including shops, bars, restaurants, gyms, offices and more.

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Lipa, who released her third album Radical Optimism in 2024, also features in the most-played songs list, with “Houdini” named as the sixth-most played song in the U.K. last year. Speaking to Billboard U.K. as part of the Global No. 1s issue, Lipa said that 2024 was “the best year of my life,” and that she’s “so proud” of the LP and “where it’s brought me.” The album hit No. 1 in the U.K., and No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

In June 2024, Lipa kicked off her Radical Optimism era with a huge headline slot at Glastonbury Festival in England, which was also broadcast live on the BBC and streamed online globally. Her ongoing tour will head to London’s Wembley Stadium in June, before continuing into North America this fall.

Data released by PPL says that Lipa’s music is played on average 400 times a day, with her 2018 hit “One Kiss” averaging 55 plays per day across UK radio and TV. Ed Sheeran was 2023’s most-played artist, and has claimed the prize seven of the past 10 years.

Seven of the top 10 artists in the PPL’s list were British, with Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, David Guetta, Coldplay, Calvin Harris, Ariana Grande, Elton John, Becky Hill, and Harry Styles all placing behind Lipa in the top spot, respectively.

Elsewhere, Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” was named as the U.K.’s most-played song in 2024, with a number of international superstars dominating the top 10. Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control,” Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things,” Dasha’s “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)” and Myles Smith’s “Stargazing” round out the top five.

Alongside Dasha’s triumph, country songs perform well overall perform, with Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” (No. 7), Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” (No. 11) and Post Malone’s team-up with Morgan Wallen “I Had Some Help” (No. 12) all appearing in the data.

Peter Leathem OBE, PPL CEO, said: “Congratulations once again to Dua Lipa for leading PPL’s Most Played Artist Chart, and to Noah Kahan for securing the most played track of the year. British artists continue to perform well, making up 70% of the Top 10 – proving they have staying power across the nation’s broadcasters, businesses and public spaces. It is also fantastic to see fresh UK talent such as Myles Smith make a big splash in the top five most played tracks, showing there is plenty of promise in UK music going forward.”

PPL Most Played Tracks 2024

  1. Noah Kahan, “Stick Season”
  2. Teddy Swims, “Lose Control”
  3. Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things”
  4. Dasha, “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)”
  5. Myles Smith, “Stargazing”
  6. Dua Lipa, “Houdini”
  7. Shaboozey, “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”
  8. Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso”
  9. Hozier, “Too Sweet”
  10. Coldplay, “Feelslikeimfallinginlove”
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Michael Tait Accuser Claims Christian Singer Has More Than 1,000 Sexual Assault Victims: ‘The Goal Is to See Him Go to Prison’

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Two months after reports alleging Michael Tait sexually assaulted several people over the course of decades rattled the Contemporary Christian Music community, some of the singer’s accusers are speaking out again — and one of them says he believes there could be more than 1,000 other people who share their experiences.

Hayley Williams Hopes Contemporary Christian Music Industry ‘Crumbles’ After Michael Tait Allegations

Michael Tait of Newsboys

Ex-Newsboys Singer Michael Tait Breaks Silence on Sexual Assault Allegations: ‘I Will Simply Call It What God Calls It — Sin’

Michael Tait of Newsboys

Newsboys Respond to Sexual Assault Allegations Against Ex-Singer Michael Tait: ‘We Are Horrified, Heartbroken & Angry’

In a vulnerable interview with People published Friday (Aug. 8), Shawn Davis — who alleges that Tait drugged and raped him in 2003 — said that he is involved in building a legal case against the disgraced CCM star, whom Davis believes has more than 1,000 total victims, according to the publication. He also said that the Brentwood Police Department in Tennessee is currently carrying out an active investigation into Tait.

“We’re trying to head this and do everything we can in our power to take him down,” Davis told People. “Ultimately, in the end, the goal is to see him go to prison. We need every single victim possible to come forward. They deserve to know that they’re not the only ones, and they deserve to tell their story.”

Billboard has reached out to the Brentwood Police Department for comment. A rep for Tait could not immediately be reached.

Davis was one of a handful of men who detailed allegations of sexual assault against Tait in a June report from The Guardian, which followed on the heels of a similar investigation into the singer by The Roys Report. Despite Tait building his career on releasing music that encouraged abstinence and sobriety, both reports were filled with accusations that he had groomed, drugged and molested multiple people while partaking in drug and alcohol use for many years.

Soon after they were published, Tait responded to the allegations in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram. “Recent reports of my reckless and destructive behavior, including drug and alcohol abuse and sexual activity are sadly, largely true,” he wrote at the time. “For some two decades, I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way. I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it — sin.”

Tait also noted that he had been seeking treatment since stepping down from his former band, the Newsboys, in January, adding that he’s now living a “clean and sober” life. (Following the reports, the remaining Newsboys members issued a statement saying they were “horrified, heartbroken and angry” to learn of Tait’s alleged behavior.)

His accusers, however, indicated to People that they won’t be satisfied until the singer is fully brought to justice.

“Why does Michael do what he does? Because Michael thought he was invincible,” said Randall Crawford, who alleges that Tait invited him over, roofied his drink and assaulted him while he was blacked out one night in 2000. “It was so traumatic. It did something to me spiritually, mentally and physically.”

“Look at the trail of destruction that he’s left behind,” Crawford added. “I have to speak up. I have kids that are the age of some of these victims. This is for the future generation. This is for those that are scared to speak up. I want more victims to come forward. I want Michael to find true repentance and remorse and feel terrible and not deny what he’s done to me.”

Another accuser, Jason Jones, told People that he thinks Tait’s statement following the Guardian and Roys Report investigations was “hogwash.” “I saw nothing but protection for himself,” added the music manager, who claims he was “blacklisted” by his industry after claiming that Tait had drugged and assaulted him in 1999.

As the men continue to band together and speak out about their experiences, Crawford said he hopes other artists in particular will rise up to condemn the star’s behavior. One of them, Hayley Williams, already has; in June, the Paramore frontwoman said that she believes the CCM industry at large is at fault for enabling predators, adding that she hopes the genre “crumbles” after hearing about Tait’s alleged crimes.

Crawford expressed something similar. “This is a problem,” he told People. “I want justice. I don’t want this to happen to another kid. I’ve seen what it does. It destroyed my career. I didn’t deserve this, what he did to me. I’ve held this shame for many years, [but] I have nothing to be ashamed of.”

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).

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MGK Reveals What Taylor Swift Said to Him While Watching the Chiefs Lose the 2025 Super Bowl

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The Kansas City Chiefs’ disappointing loss at the 2025 Super Bowl is one that fans of the team — including Taylor Swift and MGK — will remember all too well.

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mgk

MGK Searches for ‘Lost Americana’ on New Album Cosigned by Bob Dylan: Stream It Now

Machine Gun Kelly at the BET Awards 2025 held at the Peacock Theater on June 09, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.

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Both musicians were present at the big game against the Philadelphia Eagles in February, with the pop star there to support boyfriend Travis Kelce and the former rapper on site to cheer on Kansas City before performing at the team’s afterparty later that night. But while hopes that the Chiefs could snag a “three-peat” Super Bowl win were high at the beginning of the game, they quickly faltered as the Eagles kept scoring to win 40-22 — something MGK reflected on talking to Swift about that day in an interview with ABC News on Wednesday (Aug. 6).

“I was in Travis’ suite, and at the beginning of it, Taylor was like, ‘Hell yeah, we’re gonna come watch you perform, it’s gonna be crazy tonight,'” the musician began. “Internally, I was stoked. I was like, ‘Oh what a legendary night this is gonna be.'”

“By the third quarter, dude, I was looking at that score,” he continued, laughing at the memory. “I went up to Taylor, I was like, ‘Y’all aren’t coming tonight, huh?’ She was like, ‘I don’t think so, man. I’ll see if I can get [Travis] to get out, but I don’t think [so].'”

MGK still had to perform at the losing team’s post-game party in New Orleans that night — a gig he does not recommend to other artists. “Don’t ever sign yourself up for that,” he said before joking, “Wait to sign the paper ’til third quarter or something, ’til it looks like it’s going one way or the other.”

But while the afterparty was a little bit grim, MGK will always support Kelce — a fellow Ohioan — and the rest of the Chiefs. “That’s my dawg,” the artist added of the athlete. “He’s from Cleveland. He’s from right next to where I’m from.”

Shortly after the interview, MGK went on to release his new album, Lost Americana, on Friday (Aug. 8). With none other than Bob Dylan in his corner during the rollout, his rootsy new project marks a shift away from the hip-hop and pop-punk genres he previously experimented with.

As for the Chiefs, Kelce and his teammates have been hard at work training for the upcoming season, which kicks off in early September. And after becoming a mainstay at Arrowhead Stadium throughout the past two NFL seasons after beginning her romance with the tight end in 2023, Swift is expected to appear at even more games this year now that she’s finished her global Eras Tour.

Watch MGK recall his conversation with Swift at the Super Bowl below.

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Here’s How to Get the Best Nike Back-to-School Deals — Save Up to 60% Off

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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

With summer almost ending, we’re looking ahead to the back-to-school season for high schoolers, undergrads, music academy students and post-graduates in late August and early September. Luckily, Nike has a bunch of deals on all sorts of sneakers and apparel, so you can go back-to-school comfortable and in style.

We rounded up some of the best deals going on during Nike’s back-to-school sale on items, like sneakers, hoodies, backpacks, slides and more. In fact, even if what you’re looking for isn’t on sale, you can still take 20% off items with promo code SPORT at checkout.

Shop Back-to-School Deals at Nike.com

However, this the product you want is marked down, you can get an extra 20% off with the same code. We like deeper discounts, especially when they’re up to a whopping 60% off list prices.

Scroll down and shop our recommendations for the best items from Nike’s back-to-school sale.

How to buy the best back-to-school deals at Nike.com online

Nike Air Jordan 1 Mid SE

Get an extra 20% off with promo code “SPORT”

$119.97 $140 14% off

Buy Now at Nike


How to buy the best back-to-school deals at Nike.com online

Nike Heritage Backpack

Get an extra 20% off with promo code “SPORT”

$35.97 $42 14% off

Buy Now at Nike


How to buy the best back-to-school deals at Nike.com online

LeBron NXXT Genisus QS

Get an extra 20% off with promo code “SPORT”

$68.78 $170 60% off

Buy Now at Nike


How to buy the best back-to-school deals at Nike.com online

Nike Calm Slides

Get an extra 20% off with promo code “SPORT”

$50

Buy Now at Nike.com


How to buy the best back-to-school deals at Nike.com online

Nike Club Hoodie

Get an extra 20% off with promo code “SPORT”

$65

Buy Now at Nike.com


How to buy the best back-to-school deals at Nike.com online

Nike Air Jordan 3 Retro 'Pure Money'

Get an extra 20% off with promo code “SPORT”

$205

Buy Now at Nike.com


How to buy the best back-to-school deals at Nike.com online

Nike Air Max 90

Get an extra 20% off with promo code “SPORT”

$145

Buy Now at Nike.com


How to buy the best back-to-school deals at Nike.com online

Nike Sportswear Club Fleece Track Jacket

Get an extra 20% off with promo code “SPORT”

$70

Buy Now at Nike.com


How to buy the best back-to-school deals at Nike.com online

Nike Free Metcon 6

Get an extra 20% off with promo code “SPORT”

$125

Buy Now at Nike.com


How to buy the best back-to-school deals at Nike.com online

Nike Cortez Leather

Get an extra 20% off with promo code “SPORT”

$90

Buy Now at Nike


And if you’re a Nike Member, you can get free shipping on orders over $50 and more. But if you’re not a member, then your order has to be more than $75 to get free shipping.

You can sign up to be a Nike Member to get perks from the retailer, like free shipping, expert advice on sports and style, exclusive experiences, early access to new drops (even for recording artists collaborations, like Lil Yachty, Travis Scott, Wu-Tang Clan and others), special discounts and deals, no receipt returns and much more. Best of all? Sign up is free for those with a valid email address.

Want more? Shop more sneakers, apparel and more at Nike.com during the retailer’s back-to-school sale, below:

Shop Back-to-School Deals at Nike.com

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.

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