In a product placement deal that was waiting to happen, Daft Punk have created a range of ‘Get Lucky’ condoms with Durex.

New redesign focuses on music but cuts out loyal users

The singer said he couldn't 'dignify ridiculous criticism with response'

In this age of the spectacle, music increasingly matters less than the event surrounding the music - this year has seen Daft Punk's album applauded as much for its marketing campaign as for any intrinsic musical value it may have, and now we have Jay-Z's new album, notable largely for the deal struck with Samsung to deliver a million free downloads to its customers, at a cost of $5 apiece to the company, three days prior to its official release.

Digital fans are set to make 2013 the biggest year for singles sales in UK history, according to the Official Charts Company.

Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’ has become the first single released in 2013 to reach one million sales in the UK.

Will.i.am, one of the judges on BBC talent show The Voice, is suing fellow US pop music star Pharrell Williams over his use of the phrase “I am” .

It might currently be topping the UK singles charts, but R&B artist Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” has been criticised by a UK rape charity and online commentators for trivialising sexual violence, objectifying women and "reinforcing rape myths".

Jay-Z’s forthcoming album Magna Carta Holy Grail is set go platinum before its official release thanks to a deal with Samsung.

Magna Carta Holy Grail will be available to users for three, three days before public release

The heavy rock trailblazers have set a new UK chart record - and beaten Liam Gallagher's Beady Eye

British pop fans are buying more singles than at any time since the days of Bright Eyes and Blondie. Elisa Bray investigates

Singles are continuing to grow in popularity. Watch the videos below to see tracks from 1979, 2012 and 2013.

A string of super-popular singles has seen sales soar at the top of the UK charts over the last few weeks, officials said today.