The Biggest Artists Of The Year - Why Women Dominated The World Of Music In 2019

When tickets to see Lizzo perform at the Sydney Opera House went on sale, around 12,000 people hit the queue. The Concert Hall can seat 2,100.

This comes as no surprise; Australia has fallen totally in love with Lizzo (her Melbourne show also sold out in minutes) and The Music team are no exception, with the US musician taking out 2019 Artist Of The Year. To be fair, it seems the rest of the world loves Lizzo too. Her 2017 single Truth Hurts, with its 'take no bullshit' message, picked up steam and fans this year with its official re-release. After a huge seven weeks at the top of the Billboard Charts, it tied her for the title of solo female rapper with the longest-running #1 song. Locally, the track peaked at 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart, while another sleeper hit, Good As Hell from her 2016 Coconut Oil EP, peaked at #6.

April saw the release of Lizzo’s debut album, dubbed Cuz I Love You. The album, which sees collabs with Missy Elliot and Gucci Mane, brought with it soulful moments (Cry Baby, Lingerie), tender times (Jerome, Cuz I Love You), blistering raps (Tempo, Soulmate) and out-and-out empowering pop bangers (Juice, Like A Girl). The album features heavily across this year’s polls, picking up a #2 spot on The Music’s albums list and #3 for best song with Juice. But it wasn’t just about music this year for the Minnesotan, who also made her film debut in 2019 with roles in Hustlers and UglyDolls. There’s also the matter of her 'viral sensation' status, thanks to video-sharing app TikTok. You’d think it would be fair to take a break after picking up a whopping eight Grammy nominations but, no, Lizzo will be finishing the year strong as the final musical act on SNL for both the year and the decade. She’ll also kick off 2020 with her debut Australian appearances at FOMO Festival.

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This year sees the most women ever to feature The Music’s artist of the year poll, with eight of ten places going to female solo acts or groups with at least one female member. It’s reflective of the year in music as a whole, with acts pushing for a more inclusive and equal industry.

Our second-placed artist Billie Eilish has had an incredible year by all standards, not even factoring in that she’s been just 17 for most of it. Her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? scored acclaim and #1 spots on charts around the world. She also picked up six Grammy nominations for it, including the coveted Album Of The Year. Zambia-born, Melbourne-based artist Sampa The Great (aka Sampa Tembo) takes out #3, the first local inclusion for the year. Following on from her Australian Music Prize-winning 2017 EP, Birds And The Bee9, Tembo released her debut album The Return in September with huge impact both around the globe and here at home. It made history too, Tembo becoming the first woman of colour to win an ARIA in the Best Hip Hop Release category (renamed this year from Best Urban Release). Lana Del Rey comes in at #4 with Norman Fucking Rockwell! - her first LP since 2017’s Lust For Life - being lauded as the Album Of The Year, while one of our finest exports, Nick Cave, comes in at #5 following a year of heavy touring, speaking events and a new album.

It would be impossible not to talk about the year that Australian act Tones & I has had (off the back of one EP, mind you). In a matter of months, the Melbourne via Byron Bay act went from busking and sleeping in her van to being a multi-ARIA Award winner, breaking the record for longest-running #1 on the ARIA Singles Chart for Dance Monkey. She's continued her record-breaking streak on charts internationally too. US acts Big Thief and Lil Nas X take out #7 and #8 respectively, while WA’s Stella Donnelly hits #9 following a year of extensive touring and the release of her debut album, Beware Of The Dogs, and international mega-star Taylor Swift rounds out the top ten.

The Top Ten

1. Lizzo
2. Billie Eilish
3. Sampa The Great
4. Lana Del Rey
5. Nick Cave
6. Tones & I
7. Big Thief
8. Lil Nas X
9. Stella Donnelly
10. Taylor Swift

Past Winners

2018: Childish Gambino 
2017: Kendrick Lamar
2016: David Bowie
2015: Courtney Barnett
2014: FKA twigs
2013: Lorde
2012: Tame Impala/Frank Ocean
2011: Gotye
2010: The National