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Why do British Male Solo Artists Flop In The US?


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Old 21-03-2012, 15:47
Martimater
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Following the recent chart success of One Direction, Adele and The Wanted in America and continued success of Coldplay and Sade, it would be very easy to say that Brits are on a win-win on the music scene at the moment. But notice that they are all either bands or female solos. Try and think of a popular male solo from Britain in the U.S and you might only muster up Taio Cruz if you think for a bit- but then again he hooks up with U.S rappers and producers for his music.

British Female solos have always found it easier to top the charts than the Brit boys in the U.S. Think Florence & The Machine and Leona. But why?
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Old 21-03-2012, 15:50
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Just in case, Florence didn't actually top charts in America but she has sold 1 million albums there so I would count her as a success.
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Old 21-03-2012, 15:50
little-monster
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Females over the lasty 5/6 years have really been rather unique. Barely any males are standing out. Amy Winehouse, Florence, Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae and Duffy are all vocally (well debateble with Duffy if you heard her second album) gifted whose music which reflect music from the 40/50/60's. Plus they are all fantastic songwriters but in general have the full package.

There are not many great British males really around at the moment. Jay sean and Taio have only had small limited success.
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Old 21-03-2012, 16:00
Martimater
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Females over the lasty 5/6 years have really been rather unique. Barely any males are standing out. Amy Winehouse, Florence, Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae and Duffy are all vocally (well debateble with Duffy if you heard her second album) gifted whose music which reflect music from the 40/50/60's. Plus they are all fantastic songwriters but in general have the full package.

There are not many great British males really around at the moment. Jay sean and Taio have only had small limited success.
It's true to say that Brit females are of a higher calibre than males who in my opinion just recapture what all the U.S rappers are churning out and do nothing else to add to it.
Too little range and too little surprise. Ed Sheeran seems promising though
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Old 21-03-2012, 16:02
little-monster
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Ed sheeran is promising but america have loads of Males doing acoustic pop. Jason Mraz being one of their most successfully. He could easily be a hit and miss artist
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Old 21-03-2012, 16:02
MCA1992
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Females over the lasty 5/6 years have really been rather unique. Barely any males are standing out. Amy Winehouse, Florence, Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae and Duffy are all vocally (well debateble with Duffy if you heard her second album) gifted whose music which reflect music from the 40/50/60's. Plus they are all fantastic songwriters but in general have the full package.

There are not many great British males really around at the moment. Jay sean and Taio have only had small limited success.
This pretty much sums it up. There are hardly any unique British male vocalists around anymore.

The women are more unique and have really powerful voices, particularly Adele and Florence. The women are usually backed by better songwriters and producers too.

Nothing against Taio or Jay Sean but they are both very generic and quite forgettable at the moment and don't really stand out from the crowd as much as the British female artists.
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Old 21-03-2012, 16:04
3 $pirit
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Females over the lasty 5/6 years have really been rather unique. Barely any males are standing out. Amy Winehouse, Florence, Adele, Corinne Bailey Rae and Duffy are all vocally (well debateble with Duffy if you heard her second album) gifted whose music which reflect music from the 40/50/60's. Plus they are all fantastic songwriters but in general have the full package.

There are not many great British males really around at the moment. Jay sean and Taio have only had small limited success.
This really, but Labrinth and Example are releasing singles in the US soon so you never know. Labrinth with Busta Rhymes instead of Tinie for Earthquake and (you guessed it) Ludacis on Changed The Way You Kiss Me.
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Old 21-03-2012, 16:05
little-monster
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I think Emeli Sande and Rebecca Ferguson are the next to crack america. Especially Ms Ferguson. America are preparing for arrival already.
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Old 21-03-2012, 21:41
mgvsmith
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British Female solos have always found it easier to top the charts than the Brit boys in the U.S. Think Florence & The Machine and Leona. But why?
Only if you look at the recent past, you need to widen your perspective. These things come in cycles. Historically British male solo artists ( and groups) have outdone the girls. ..where were all the solo female artists when Elton John, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Cat Stevens, John Lennon, David Bowie, James Blunt (yuk!) were ripping up the US charts? And apart from the Spice Girls it's all male groups that have had the success.
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Old 21-03-2012, 22:16
gertrude
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If Will Young were to try, I'm sure he'd make some impact in the USA, but he's too busy doing tours, plays, shows, talks and many other things that interest him in this country



Just seen this : Seems very apt

http://musicandtoast.com/2012/02/14/...esday-morning/
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Old 21-03-2012, 22:31
I IZ Ghetto
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I think Emeli Sande and Rebecca Ferguson are the next to crack america. Especially Ms Ferguson. America are preparing for arrival already.
They can keep her. I'd rather not hear her monotone moaning and groaning.
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Old 21-03-2012, 22:37
AdzPower
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Its because there arent any decent male uk artists, not any that can make it in the states anyway, the music is either too poor, too boring or just not what they listen to.
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Old 21-03-2012, 22:38
Zack06
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If Will Young were to try, I'm sure he'd make some impact in the USA, but he's too busy doing tours, plays, shows, talks and many other things that interest him in this country
I don't think he would. The US doesn't really take that well to gay males (and females for that matter)....just look at the backlash Adam Lambert got for kissing a guy on stage...

I think male solo artists in general are having a dry spell....the females are ruling at the moment, but as everyone knows, music tends to go in cycles, so eventually we will see more male solo artists start to breakthrough....it's just a question of how long it will take to get there....

Right now, I would say Rebecca Ferguson, Alexandra Burke, Cher Lloyd, Labrinth and Example all have good chances of cracking the States...
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Old 21-03-2012, 22:50
iseloid
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I don't think he would. The US doesn't really take that well to gay males (and females for that matter)....just look at the backlash Adam Lambert got for kissing a guy on stage...

I think male solo artists in general are having a dry spell....the females are ruling at the moment, but as everyone knows, music tends to go in cycles, so eventually we will see more male solo artists start to breakthrough....it's just a question of how long it will take to get there....

Right now, I would say Rebecca Ferguson, Alexandra Burke, Cher Lloyd, Labrinth and Example all have good chances of cracking the States...
look at this poll I made: http://atrl.net/forums/showthread.php?t=197003

They all think Cheryl....
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Old 21-03-2012, 22:59
gertrude
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[quote=Zack06;57247485]I don't think he would. The US doesn't really take that well to gay males (and females for that matter)....just look at the backlash Adam Lambert got for kissing a guy on stage...




Maybe that's why he (Will Young) hasn't tried to make it there Re Adam Lambert, maybe that went a little too far for some
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Old 21-03-2012, 23:05
jackbell
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George Michael was huge in the US (until he came out).
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Old 21-03-2012, 23:07
lumiere
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Isn't Ed Sheeran trying to break America? It'll be interesting to see how he does. I expect he won't do that well, but I could be completely wrong.
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Old 21-03-2012, 23:14
habanala
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calvin harris is doing good at the moment!
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Old 21-03-2012, 23:39
iseloid
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Isn't Ed Sheeran trying to break America? It'll be interesting to see how he does. I expect he won't do that well, but I could be completely wrong.
Yeah, The A Team has been sent to AAA radio. It'll get pop adds closer to the album launch.
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Old 22-03-2012, 07:46
DC 17
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Only if you look at the recent past, you need to widen your perspective. These things come in cycles. Historically British male solo artists ( and groups) have outdone the girls. ..where were all the solo female artists when Elton John, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, Tom Jones, Cat Stevens, John Lennon, David Bowie, James Blunt (yuk!) were ripping up the US charts? And apart from the Spice Girls it's all male groups that have had the success.
Was just about to post similar.

British females having success is only a very recent thing.... prior to the last 5/6 years... you have to go back to Dusty Springfield, Bonnie Tyler, Kim Wilde, Annie Lennox... sporadic success.

As well as the names you listed... in the 1980s there was not a single male artist who was more successful in the US than Phil Collins (not even Michael Jackson)... nobody had more hits than Collins. Then theres George Michael who got 8 number ones in the late 80s to early 90s. Elton John nine number ones (and in 1997 the biggest selling single in Billboard history). Then theres Sting (16 Grammys), Eric Clapton (17 Grammys), Seal, Peter Gabriel, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Elvis Costello, Robert Palmer.. all got massive number ones. Not to mentioned the male dominated biggest bands in the world.

British female representation is tiny in comparison....Adele is already becoming the biggest UK female ever.
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Old 22-03-2012, 07:48
little-monster
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I don't think he would. The US doesn't really take that well to gay males (and females for that matter)....just look at the backlash Adam Lambert got for kissing a guy on stage...

I think male solo artists in general are having a dry spell....the females are ruling at the moment, but as everyone knows, music tends to go in cycles, so eventually we will see more male solo artists start to breakthrough....it's just a question of how long it will take to get there....

Right now, I would say Rebecca Ferguson, Alexandra Burke, Cher Lloyd, Labrinth and Example all have good chances of cracking the States...
Sadly your right

They could just about handle Elton and George Michael
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Old 22-03-2012, 08:02
DC 17
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Yep.. its very true about the gay issue

Queen's video "i want to break free" was BANNED by MTV in the US... it was only lifted in 1991 around the time of Freddie Mercurys passing.

I put much of the intolerance down to religious conservatism (they really are drugged on religion in the US.. imprisoned by it).. whereas religion doesnt play much part in public here.. so theres more tolerance to gays for instance. David Bowie mentioned this very thing, the US is very backward (again because of the shackles of religion) on issues such as this.
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Old 22-03-2012, 08:25
blueface2222
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Regarding Will....

He did try LRN was released alongside a best-of, the album did not sell enough..maybe a 2nd single was needed.

I dont think it matters - as per the Adam comparison, Will's not that type of performer, and for the type of performer Will is unless it said it anywhere you;d never know.
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Old 22-03-2012, 13:03
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Jay Sean and Taio Cruz had a great 2 years a couple of years ago.

Calvin Harris looks like he is the only solo male UK artist making any sort of effect in a while, Feels So Close is at #18 in the Hot 100.
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Old 22-03-2012, 17:23
mgvsmith
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Was just about to post similar.

British females having success is only a very recent thing.... prior to the last 5/6 years... you have to go back to Dusty Springfield, Bonnie Tyler, Kim Wilde, Annie Lennox... sporadic success.

As well as the names you listed... in the 1980s there was not a single male artist who was more successful in the US than Phil Collins (not even Michael Jackson)... nobody had more hits than Collins. Then theres George Michael who got 8 number ones in the late 80s to early 90s. Elton John nine number ones (and in 1997 the biggest selling single in Billboard history). Then theres Sting (16 Grammys), Eric Clapton (17 Grammys), Seal, Peter Gabriel, Joe Cocker, Billy Idol, Elvis Costello, Robert Palmer.. all got massive number ones. Not to mentioned the male dominated biggest bands in the world.

British female representation is tiny in comparison....Adele is already becoming the biggest UK female ever.
Absolutely, the girls have a long, long way to go.
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