Rising British artist Lola Young has secured her first No. 1 single in the U.K. with viral hit “Messy” (Jan. 24). Young is the first British female artist to hit the No. 1 song with a solo hit since Kenya Grace’s “Strangers” in November 2023.
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The song knocks Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True” from the top spot after a dominant eight non-consecutive weeks at the top of the chart. Abrams had featured consistently at No. 1 since November, only ceding to Wham!’s festive classic “Last Christmas” over the holiday season.
“Messy” was first released in May 2024 and featured on Young’s sophomore album, This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway. The song began its ascent up the Official Singles Charts late last year after going viral on TikTok, and reached a previous high of No. 3. “Messy” currently sits at No. 24 on the Hot 100.
On Thursday (Jan. 24), Young was nominated at The BRITs in the pop act category, and earlier this week she appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon as a performer. She also featured on Tyler, the Creator’s Chromakopia as a guest vocalist on “Like Him.”
Speaking to Billboard U.K. in November, Young discussed the success of “Messy” and why the message of self-acceptance had resonated with fans. “For a long time, I wanted to represent this ideal of Westernized beauty – but then I realized I’m not that,” Young said. “I now choose to give realness and truth. I’ve got a bit of a belly out, I f–king swear a bunch and I have fun. And that’s what people are resonating with.”
ROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ “APT.” remains at No. 2, while Abrams’ “That’s So True” finishes at No. 3. Bolton-based DJ and producer Chrystal hits No. 4 with her song “The Days,” and Gigi Perez’s “Sailor Sing” rounds out the top five. The week’s highest new entry comes from Central Cee with his 21 Savage team-up “GBP,” taken from his debut album Can’t Rush Greatness, out Friday (Jan. 24).
