Oliver Anthony made music history in 2023 by becoming the first artist in history to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard charts without previously having a song on the charts. He is also the first living male songwriter to chart 13 songs simultaneously in Billboard’s Top 50 Digital Song Sales.
He is finalist for two awards at the 2023 Billboard Music Awards - Top Song Sales Artist and Top Selling Song.
A musical poet of the people, Anthony became an overnight national sensation with the release of “Rich Men North of Richmond,” which has been dubbed the nation’s “blue-collar anthem.” It has resonated powerfully with people from all around the world, as evidenced by the demand for his shows in Sweden, as well as Norway, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
“Rich Men North of Richmond” has been streamed more than 93 million times on YouTube and more than 125 million across streaming platforms. Five of his other songs have made iTunes’ Top 10, with “I’ve Got to Get Sober” reaching No. 3. “Ain’t Got a Dollar” claimed the No. 1 spot on Spotify’s Viral 50 list and No. 2 on ITunes.
His passionate voice, featuring a unique and emotional rasp shaped by his personal battles, captures the despair of those living without hope, especially those who live in small-town or rural America. His songs address the nation’s wealth gap, suicide rate, high taxes, and imbalance and abuse of power. Variety says, “It almost seems as if Oliver Anthony hadn’t come along, someone would have had to invent him.”
Anthony says he is still processing the overwhelming response to his music. “It's been challenging understanding what my purpose is and what I'm supposed to do with the opportunity I've been given. I don't deserve one bit of any of this,” he says.