After years of building his career through social media platforms and musical endeavors, James Marriott has achieved his first-ever Official Number 1 album with “Don’t Tell The Dog,” which debuted at the top of the Official Albums Chart on June 20, 2025. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Brighton-based musician, who previously peaked at No. 17 with his 2023 album “Are We There Yet?,” demonstrating a remarkable leap in his commercial success.
Born in Switzerland on July 7, 1997, and raised in Buckinghamshire, England, Marriott has cultivated a 17-year career that uniquely blends music with content creation. His journey from social media influencer to chart-topping artist reflects the evolving landscape of the music industry, where digital engagement increasingly translates to mainstream success.
From content creation phenom to chart-topper, Marriott exemplifies the modern artist’s journey through the digital landscape.
Marriott narrowly edged out Oasis for the coveted No. 1 position, occurring during the same week when Sabrina Carpenter set her own Official Chart record for singles. The timing highlights a particularly competitive chart landscape where established acts and digital natives vie for supremacy.
“Don’t Tell The Dog,” Marriott’s sophomore album, features standout singles including “I Don’t Want to Live Like This” and “Toothache,” showcasing his artistic growth and emotional resonance with younger audiences. Marriott’s strategic approach to streaming platforms helped him maximize exposure across services like Spotify and Apple Music, contributing to his impressive chart performance. The album’s success surpassed several long-standing records previously held by artists like Ed Sheeran, whose 42-week chart run was recently broken.
During his chart-topping week, Marriott engaged with fans through live performances across the country, reinforcing the community aspect that has been essential to his rise. His masterful use of pre-save campaigns helped build anticipation and first-day streams that contributed significantly to his chart success. His victory represents a new model of success that combines authentic music production with strategic social media presence. The album not only topped the main chart but also dominated the Official Vinyl Albums Chart, showcasing its popularity across different formats.
Music industry analysts note that Marriott’s achievement signals a potential shift in how artists can reach mainstream success, demonstrating the effectiveness of building loyal digital fanbases before breaking through to traditional chart dominance. His path challenges conventional wisdom about career development in today’s rapidly changing music ecosystem.
