Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne secures very first solo Number 1

In 2022, the multi-platinum girl group Little Mix went on an indefinite hiatus. Between their debut in 2012 up until their break-up, Little Mix collected ten Number 1-singles and thirty Top 10-hits – the most for any girl group to date. Much in the same vein as One Direction or Fifth Harmony before them, the Little Mix girls are now all about to pursue solo careers. Jesy Nelson, who left the band early in 2020, was the first to release solo material, resulting in a Number 1-debut with “Boyz” featuring Nicki Minaj. Last week, Leigh-Anne Pinnock became the second member of the group to go for it solo, debuting with “Don’t Say Love”. Described as a UK garage and dance-pop song, “Don’t Say Love” showcases a fresh sound for the new solo star. Supported by big streaming figures and promotion, “Don’t Say Love” debuts at Number 1 atop my personal list, earning Leigh-Anne her very first chart-topping hit as a solo artist. She now joins an elite selection of ex-girl group members who have also scored solo Number 1s, including Beyoncé, four out of five Spice Girls, Cheryl, and ex-bandmate Jesy. For a full overview of this extensive list, see the ranking below this chart.

A few places down, DJ and producer Peggy Gou scores a surprise Top 10-debut with her new single “It Goes Like (Nanana)”. The dance-pop song is a full on vintage rave record with a summer synth that has shades of Eurodance. It is very reminiscent of summer hits of the late 1990s and early 2000s, specifically “9 PM (Till I Come)” by ATB and “Amazing” by Inna. Before its official release, the song already went viral, which is not surprising, as Peggy Gou already has a devoted internet fanbase. The South Korean DJ has also received universal acclaim for her impressive sets, playing at famous events such as Boiler Room or in Berlin’s Berghain. Last year, she collaborated with Kylie Minogue to rework her “Can’t Get You Out of My Head”. This week, Gou manages to reach a new audience with “It Goes Like (Nanana)”, including the official charts. On my personal list, the summer hit debuts at #7, easily earning the young talent her first Top 10-entry.

Meanwhile, indie darling Caroline Polachek soars to a new peak at #11 with “Welcome to My Island”. Miley Cyrus follows closely with the third single off her hit album Endless Summer Vacation, “Jaded”. Latin pop icon Becky G moves to #18 with her viral new song “Arranca”. It marks her first Top 20-peak since 2015’s collaboration “Wild Mustang” with Yellow Claw. Dutch duo Donnie and Chantal Janzen return back into the Top 20 with their humorous “Schultenbräu”, finishing in twentieth today. Perhaps the song will reach a new peak soon.

Doja Cat debuts at #14 with her new release “Attention”, the lead single to her upcoming fourth album. It is a stark departure from her previous work heard on Planet Her – she’s no longer pursuing her “poppy” sound and she’s taking shots at her fans who loved her previous hits. Spanish pop star Rosalía aims to score another summer hit with “TUYA”, debuting at #27. It has unsurprisingly become a streaming hit on Spotify. Finally, Purple Disco Machine – who’s still in the Top 10 with “Substitution” at #6 – once again teams up with Sophie and the Giants, with whom he collaborated twice before with varying results. They now enter with “Paradise” at #39, earning the German DJ his fifth Top 40-entry.

Newly certified

“People” – Libianca & Cian Ducrot GOLD

“TQG” – Karol G & Shakira GOLD

Ex-girl group members who scored a solo Number 1

Beyoncé (7)

Cheryl (6)

Geri Halliwell (4)

Victoria Beckham (4)

Melanie C (3)

Emma Bunton (2)

Kelly Rowland (2)

Camila Cabello (2)

Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopez (1)

Fergie (1)

Nicole Scherzinger (1)

Jesy Nelson (1)

Leigh-Anne (1)