Stella Rose Bennet AKA Benee and Josh Fountain have joined The 1,000,000,000 List for reaching 1 billion plays on the song ‘Supalonely’ (published by Sony ATV Music Publishing and Universal Music Publishing).
The 2019 alt-pop anthem was co-written with Brendan Rice, and Canadian songwriter Jenna Andrews who was a special guest at the 2019 SongHubs in Tāmaki Makaurau alongside Fountain who participated as a songwriter/producer. ‘Supalonely’ also features New York singer songwriter Gus Dapperton who takes the last verse on the sunny breakup song, a highlight track from Benee’s second EP Stella & Steve.
Benee - Supalonely ft Gus Dapperton (official music video)
‘Supalonely’ became the anthem to New Zealand’s first level-4 lockdown in 2020 during the rise of quarantine-favourite app TikTok. Although a self-deprecating breakup song, ‘Supalonely’ lightened up bubbles around Aotearoa with a dance challenge becoming viral on TikTok and reaching audiences worldwide, including celebrities like J-Lo and and Madison Beer.
"To say that Supalonely came along at just the right time is an understatement. In a locked down world it struck a chord around the globe just as we all needed a tune like this the most," says Ant Healey, APRA AMCOS NZ Head of Operations, who presented Stella and Josh with their awards earlier this week.
"I have no doubt that this is just the launch pad for more global hits from both Stella and Josh, both super talented writers whom we are very proud to have as part of the APRA team."
Benee won the 2020 APRA Silver Scroll Award for 'Glitter' alongside co-writers Josh Fountain and Djeisan Suskov. The same year, she took home four Tui at the Aotearoa Music Awards including Te Waiata Tōtahi o te Tau | Single of the Year for ‘Supalonely’ and in 2021 received her first BMI Pop Award with producer Josh Fountain, a record year of Aotearoa artists recognised at the 2021 BMI Awards.
We’re thrilled to carry on the excitement by celebrating the smash hit surpassing 1 billion streams!
The 1,000,000,000 List takes into account streaming numbers from major services Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. It is the first award of its kind to recognise a songwriter’s achievement.