Dean Lewis Named Apple Music’s ‘Up Next’ Artist as ‘Be Alright’ Hits No. 1 on Adult Pop Songs Chart
Australian singer/songwriterDean Lewisis Apple Music's newest Up Next artist. Lewis joins a class of emerging talent, with other Up Next alumni including6LACK,Juice WRLD,H.E.R.,Bad Bunny,Billie Eilish,KhalidandDaniel Caesar.
"It's such a huge honor to be chosen as the newest Up Next artist!" Lewis said in a statement. "Out of so many artists, I was blown away they decided to choose me. With my debut album around the corner, I'm very excited to share my story with the support of the entire Apple team."
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The rising artist will bring his melodic sound to Apple Music's global audience, with the Up Next honor coming ahead of his long-awaited debut album, A Place We Knew , set to arrive Friday.
While Lewis might be a newcomer to Apple's Up Next, he is a familiar face on the Billboard charts. Lewis' breakout single "Be Alright," the upcoming album's lead single, hits No. 1 on Billboard'sAdult Pop Songschart this week. Lewis also topped Billboard 'sEmerging Artistschart earlier this month.
"We've had Dean Lewis on our list for a while," said Apple Music creative director and host Zane Lowe. "It wasn't about whether he should be an Up Next artist, it was simply a case of when. Dean writes songs from a relatable point of view, a universal language that people live through every day. He can take that sentiment and turn it into something romantic, and he has a lot of confidence in his writing. We're excited to shine a global spotlight on his music and bring his voice to a wider audience."
Being part of the Up Next program includes a variety of perks for emerging artists, including an Apple Music short film shot entirely on an iPhone XS that introduces the artist, an interview with one of the Beats 1 anchors, and a late-night TV performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Lewis' introductory film will be available exclusively via Apply Music on March 26, and his Kimmel debut is set for Monday night (March 18).
"I'm not trying to get across some sort of message or statement," he tells Apple Music. "I'm just literally trying to write the best songs I can write. It's all that matters."
Catch the trailer and an exclusive clip from the short film below.
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