2006 saw the first Arab solo-artist top the music charts since records began 45 years ago. Then 34-year-old Moroccan Yousseph "Chico" Slimani - who boasts goat herder and stripper on his resume - knocked Madonna off the top spot with his debut single 'It's Chico Time'. The X-factor finalist said "Mashallah (Thank God) - it's beyond dreams. To know that I'm the first Arab to do that, it's a very proud moment," on hearing the news.

 

Now, less than a year later, we celebrate the success of British-Lebanese Musician Mika whose debut single Grace Kelly went to no.1 on the UK charts last week before even being released in the shops, making it only the second ever sinlge to make it to the top spot on downloads alone. The album Life in Cartoon Motion is also at the top of the album charts and with promoters having to book bigger venues for his upcoming UK tour to accomodate ticket demand Mika's star looks set to continue rising well past next year.