1.
The ability to instantaneously access information has never been more easy than it is in today’s technologically-advanced environment. The advent of web-based services like Google, or even Evernote for example, have all but eliminated the need from human memory use. Can’t recall all four names of the Golden Girls? Google that shit. Have a lunch appointment this afternoon that you don’t want to organically have to remember? Plug it into your online calendar, set a reminder and mentally retardate. Who remembers phone numbers anymore? No one. Everything is online and at our fingertips every waking moment of every single day.
Perhaps it’s the mobilization of technology that’s damned us? We all know there’s an app for everything. Now there’s even one that’s trying to predict popular music themes for the Summer of 2012. Shazam is nothing new. Everyone with a smart phone has it. Everyone is “tagging”, and thanks to that extensive database of musical queries, the UK-based company has come up with a list of what they think will be this summer’s 10 most popular songs. Some are no-brainers, but others are no-namers. At least to most in the States. No Fun., no Carly Rae Jepson, but Gusttavo Lima did you say? Yeah, he’s in there. Tech site Mashable Entertainment spoke with Shazam’s director of music, Will Mills, about his company’s findings. Have a look through the pages to see if any of your faves made the list.
Hit “next,” click the pictures, or press shift+right to judge Shazam’s predictions…
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#10 Alabama Shakes – “Hold On”
According to Will Mills, this song “has been one of the most-tagged indie/alt tracks in the UK this year. It’s now starting to make movement in our U.S. Tag Chart and could be the single that breaks this hotly tipped band into a mainstream audience.”
The Alabama Shakes’ raw, southern blues rock sound isn’t one that’s necessarily built for mainstream appeal, but with the exploding success of semi-comparable acts like Kings of Leon and The Black Keys, it’s easy to see why there’s so much interest in their dusty style of music.
3.
#9 Nicki Minaj – “Pound The Alarm”
Nicki Minaj stirred up all sorts of shit over the weekend by bailing out of Summer Jam and calling up Funkmaster Flex to squawk at him on his own radio program. Her music has also stirred up all sorts of interest across the globe earning her more than 5 million Shazam tags in the past 12 months. Clearly Ellen fans have too much time on their hands.
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#8 DJ Fresh ft. Dizzee Rascal – “The Power”
While a fair number of P&P readers will find the name Dizzee Rascal familiar, some may not be aware of DJ Fresh. The English Drum & Bass and Dubstep producer currently holds the title for the longest time spent at number one of the Shazam New Release Chart UK with his past hit “Louder,” which sat for eight consecutive weeks in the top spot.
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#7 Rudimental ft. John Newman – “Feel The Love”
Rudimental is another UK-based drum & bass / dubstep group receiving a lot of tags on a global scale. Their new single “Feel The Love” is currently number one in the Shazam New Release Chart UK and has been for several weeks.
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#6 Gusttavo Lima – “Balada Boa”
Who? The presence of Brazilian artist Gusttavo Lima on this list just goes to show that what might be most popular stateside (ahem, “Call Me Maybe”) doesn’t necessarily reflect what’s being felt at the larger, international level. While the song and performer might be from a different continent entirely, it only takes until about the :13 second mark of this video to realize that Lima is just a Latino, humping version of Justin Beiber.
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#5 Rick Ross ft. Usher – “Touch’N You”
It’s no surprise to see Rick Ross in the top five of this list. Despite his reputed drug dealing, underworld beginnings, Da Bawse has found a pretty comfortable place for himself on mainstream radio and other commercialized entertainment formats. There’s no doubt he’s been one of the hardest working emcees in the game over the past year, and he has multiple heart-attacks on record to prove it. This collaboration with R&B powerhouse Usher was specifically crafted for summertime booty calls and thus we support Shazam’s predication at number five.
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#4 Calvin Harris ft. Ne-Yo – “Let’s Go”
David Guetta proved that house music and pop superstars were made for the mainstream music space. Others have followed suit, including Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris, whose collaboration with Rihanna on “We Found Love” has received more than 3.5 million tags in the last year. His new single with Ne-Yo appears to be destined for the same success according to Mills.
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#3 Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa – “Payphone”
Adam Levine is everywhere these days. When not touring with Maroon 5 he’s either hosting TV programs or fluttering about the tabloids with various Victoria’s Secret models in tow. Basically his life sucks, but somehow he’s still manages to find the inspiration and energy to churn out pop hits like this recent (and unexpected) collaboration with Taylor Gang General, Wiz Khalifa.
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#2 Usher – “Scream”
Usher is the only artist to appear in the top 10 list twice, with his new hit “Scream” clocking in at number two. According to Mills, this is the “most-tagged song from Usher’s forthcoming album, Looking 4 Myself, and is likely to be one of the biggest releases of the summer.”
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#1 Gotye ft. Kimbra – “Somebody That I Used To Know”
Even though you definitely didn’t want this to be sitting here at number one, part of you knew it would be. Despite releasing as a single internationally nearly one year ago, Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know” still nets over 1.5 million Shazam tags per week. “How have people not heard of this song yet?” you ask yourself with disgust. Well, apparently most have, but use Shazam to identify the specific artist and title, so there. Now enjoy a remix or two and go about your day.
The 10 Best Remixes of Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know”
