The Year in Music 2016 — In Other News

December 31, 2016 Music News Group

Image Group LA/ABCHere’s a look at some of the other music stories this year:

The Election
Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Jon Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Jay Z, Miley Cyrus, John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Cher, Elton John and Adele were just some of the many artists who supported Hillary Clinton‘s presidential bid against Donald Trump, either by performing at campaign events or publicly supporting her. When all that combined star power didn’t succeed in a win for Clinton, many artists pronounced themselves devastated but committed themselves to working harder than ever to preserve what they believe in.

Katy Perry, in particular, wrote, “Feelings of despair still comes in waves, but now more than ever I am MOTIVATED to fight against social injustice and to promote equality and kindness as best I know how, through my art and influence.” She added, “It’s funny, sometimes people who disagree with me just say, ‘Shut up and sing.’ Boy, will I do so in a whole new way… next year. Hell hath no fury like a woman REBORN.”

Kesha and Selena: Private Struggles Go Public
Kesha: In 2016, a lawsuit Kesha filed in 2014 against her producer, Dr. Luke, came to the forefront when a judge denied an injunction releasing her from her contract with Luke’s label. Kesha had accused Luke of emotionally, physically and sexually abusing her, including drugging and raping her. Luke denied all claims. After the injunction was denied, fans staged “Free Kesha” protests, while other artists, including Adele, Kelly Clarkson and Lady Gaga, spoke out in support of the singer, and Taylor Swift donated $250,00 to her legal expenses. In April, a judge dismissed all of Kesha’s claims of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender violence against Luke. Despite all this, she released a single with Zedd, sang a Bob Dylan tune at the Billboard Music Awards, went on tour and was honored by Billboard at its Women of the Year gala. No word on when she’ll be able to release an actual album.

Selena Gomez: The singer had a hugely successful 2016 career-wise: she was the most-followed person on Instagram, appeared in two movies, won an American Music Award, scored hits from her Revival album, and toured. But personally, she struggled. In August, she canceled the European and South American leg of the tour due to panic attacks, anxiety and depression she said was caused by lupus. In a statement, she said, ” I’ve decided that the best way forward is to take some time off…I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best.”

In October, word came that Selena had checked into a rehab facility to speed her recovery. In November, she re-emerged at the American Music Awards, where she told the crowd, “I had to stop. Because I had everything and I was absolutely broken inside.” A few days later, she wrote on Instagram, “My year has been the hardest yet most rewarding one yet. I’ve finally fought the fight of not ‘being enough.’ I have only wanted to reflect the love you guys have given me for years and show how important it is to take care of YOU.”

The Chainsmokers Escape “#Selfie” Shadow, Fans Swallow Posner’s “Pill”
EDM duo The Chainsmokers, whom many thought were “one and done” after their 2014 novelty hit “#Selfie,” came roaring back in 2016 with a string of hits: “Roses,” “Don’t Let Me Down” and, finally, “Closer,” featuring Halsey, which topped the charts for an astonishing 12 weeks. The duo ended the year with three Grammy nominations.

Mike Posner, another act many fans had written off, found himself on top of the charts for the first time in six years with the remix of his song “I Took a Pill in Ibiza.” The single, whose downbeat lyrics are about the pitfalls of fame, earned him a Grammy nod for “Song of the Year.” The biggest irony? The mournful song, inspired by a bad experience that Mike had in a nightclub in Ibiza, didn’t become a hit until it was remixed into a joyous dance club anthem.

New Artists Score
Danish band Lukas Graham burst onto the scene with the nostalgic hit “7 Years,” criss-crossed the country, appeared on seemingly countless TV shows, released two more singles — “Mama Said” and “You’re Not There — and ended the year with three Grammy nods. Other new artists who made waves on the chart in 2016: Daya, Alessia Cara, “Panda” rapper Desiigner, DNCE, and former One Direction member ZAYN, who debuted at #1 with his first solo single, “Pillowtalk.”

Goodbye American Idol
For 15 years, it was the defining show of our time, but in 2016, American Idol finally said goodbye. The show’s final season wrapped up in April with Trent Harmon winning the crown, and Idol alums coming out to bid farewell. The show’s ratings, and the winners’ record sales, had been eroding for years, and many felt the show should have called it quits earlier. However, Idol creator Simon Fuller teased that the show would return, perhaps in another form, while Ryan Seacrest ended that final telecast by saying, “Goodbye…for now.”

Camila Leaves Fifth Harmony
In December, Harmonizers everywhere were shocked when Camila Cabello — who’d recently scored a top-10 duet with Machine Gun Kelly — announced she was leaving Fifth Harmony. It appears she didn’t depart under good terms, as both she and the rest of the group engaged in an online war of words over exactly when she did or didn’t tell them she planned to leave. Camila’s exit came after the group’s most successful year ever, thanks to their hit “Work from Home” and sold-out tour. The rest of the group vowed to continue as a quartet.