2017 in British Music

The Story of 2017

Stormzy's 'Gang Signs & Prayer' was the year's defining British album, a grime masterpiece that debuted at number one and proved the genre was now mainstream. 'Big for Your Boots', 'Shut Up' and 'Cigarettes & Cuddles' showed his range – from grime bangers to vulnerable R&B. He won the Brit Award for Best British Male and became the face of British hip-hop. Ed Sheeran's '÷' (divide) was the year's biggest album, 'Shape of You' and 'Castle on the Hill' dominating the charts for months. He was now the biggest pop star in the world. 'Shape of You' was Spotify's most-streamed song ever. Harry Styles released his self-titled debut, proving there was life after One Direction. Liam Gallagher's 'As You Were' was a successful solo debut, Oasis fans still hoping for a reunion. The xx's 'I See You' was a bright, confident album. Kendrick Lamar's 'DAMN.' dominated. Grime's moment in the sun continued, with J Hus, Dave and AJ Tracey all rising.