Ah, 2007. A bygone era of digital camera bathroom selfies. A simpler time, when there were only three “Pirates of the Caribbean” films.
In pop culture, and music specifically, we see so many fads come and go with the wind that it can be easy to forget the songs and albums that we were in love with not too long ago. It has been a full decade since 2007, which in pop culture time might as well be a century. So, in remembrance of this prehistoric relic, let’s talk about who everyone was talking about in music in 2007 and see if can even still remember them. But let’s face it: 2007 gave us a lot. It gave us iPhones, the Kindle and Netflix streaming; I think this is the least we can do.
Let’s begin with 2007’s biggest star. This artist with three songs on the year-end Hot 100 while being featured in yet another. He garnered the number two album in top 200 and was named Billboard top artist of 2007. Of course, we’re talking about none other than Akon.
Akon’s late 2006 album “Konvicted” spent over 20 weeks in the top 30 in 2007 while he also released his second consecutive number one single “Don’t Matter” in January. After his monster 2007, his 2008 follow-up album “Freedom” underperformed, but still debuted in the top 10. However, since then Akon has not released a single studio album, although he first started debuting singles for his next project way back in 2010. There have been five singles in these last seven years to promote his ambitious concept album “Stadium,” which he tweeted in 2015 will be comprised of five albums exploring five genres. Not that the 43-year-old rapper has been plenty busy in the last ten years; Akon has turned his attention from music to philanthropy. In 2014 he launched “Akon Lighting Africa,” a charity that has already provided electricity to over 80 million Africans across 15 countries.
The number one new artist of 2007 that broke through was the latest in a line of American Idol success stories: Chris Daughtry. Daughtry’s band’s debut self-titled album also owned the number one spot on the top 200, making it the best performing commercial album of 2007. Since then, Daughtry has had three relatively strong performing albums, but never reached the commercial or critical heights of their freshman record. They have yet to release a new album in four years, but Daughtry told the Huffington Post in 2016 that while the new record is in progress, they’ll take their time to make sure it’s the best it can be. The Grammy nominee has been busy in these last few years exploring other artistic outlets, interestingly enough including illustrating a “Batman” comic book cover for DC comics in 2016.
As for 2007’s stars that have stayed in the limelight, singer Josh Groban has put out three successful albums since his 2007 holiday smash hit “Noel”, including “Stages” which is up for a Grammy in February for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Be careful not to sell Groban short, “Noel” was not only was the number one album for more weeks than any other album in 2007, it also is the sixth best-selling holiday album ever, just behind Elvis, Kenny G and Nat King Cole.
2007’s final star owned the top Hot 100 song and title of biggest one-hit wonder on the list. Just kidding. It’s Beyonce, guys. Yes, “Irreplaceable” was the top-selling song of the year, despite being released in October of 2006. Queen B just commands that kind of power. Speaking of Grammy nods, she has been nominated for 20 and brought home 10 since 2007 and with her massive 2016 record, “Lemonade,” is queued up for nine more this year.
If 2007 taught us anything, it’s that if there is one consistent pillar in pop culture and music, her name is Beyonce, and that in another 10 years, we can absolutely count on more Queen B, and well, probably those Pirate movies.
