BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE 4 OF 19 ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] Bulletin SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country YOURAlbu DAILYms; BrettENTERTAINMENT Young ‘Catc NEWSh UPDATE’-es Fifth AirplayFEBRUARY 23, 2021 Page 1 of 26 Leader; Travis Denning Makes History INSIDE Spotify Stock Hits New High, Sam Hunt’s second studio full-length, and first in over five years, Southside sales (up 21%) in the tracking week. On Country Airplay, it hops 18-15 (11.9 mil- (MCA Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville), debutsValuing at No. 1 on Billboard’s Companylion audience impressions, up 16%). at $72B Top Country• How Albums Music’s chart dated April 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it earnedBusiness 46,000 Managers equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingAre to Nielsen Tracking Music/MRC Data. andBY totalGLENN Country PEOPLES Airplay No. 1 as “Catch” (Big Machine Label Group) ascends SouthsideRevenue marks — And Hunt’s second No. 1 on the 2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions. chartGetting and fourth Their top Artists 10. It followsBoosted freshman by newsLP from Spotify’s global Stream On music licensingYoung’s costs. first On thatof six front, chart Spotify’sentries, “Sleep spend With- - MontevalloBi-Weekly, which Paychecks arrived at theevent summit Monday in No - (Feb. 22), the company’s share price ing matchesout its You,” ambition. reached Most No. notably, 2 in December Spotify 2016. paid He vember 2014 and reigned for ninereached weeks. To an date, all-time high of $387.44 at midday. During $100 millionfollowed to exclusively with the multiweeklicense The No. Joe 1s “InRogan Case You Montevallo• Country has earned Radio 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved millionConfronts in album a Jumbled sales. the presentation, CEO Daniel Ek and a host of execu- Podcast, a consistentYou” (three, top January podcast 2018), since “Mercy” its arrival (two, August on MontevalloFuture: ‘We has Need spent to267 weekstives on the announced list, tying plans to launch in 80 new mar- the platform2018) in December. and “Here Tonight” Other deals (two, show April 2019). Spotify is LukeThrow Bryan Out’s Crash Our 1980sMy Party as thekets sixth-longest-; upcoming podcasts from Barack and Michele looking beyond“Catch” celebrity completes podcasters his longest to attract journey smaller to No. 1, Playbook’ running titles in the chart’s 56-yearObama history.’s production company, Higher Ground; new creators. Megaphone, having takenacquired 46 weeks into reachNovember the apex., inserts It out- On the all-genre Billboard 200, Southside ar- paces the 30-week climb of “Here Tonight.” • UK Government tools for do-it-yourself podcasters; and a high-def- audio advertisements into podcasts. New self-serve rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for Unveils Roadmap for HUNT YOUNG after the No. 3-peaking Montevalloinition. audio tier to match existing offerings from tools for Anchor,a new high.the podcast app it purchased in the Return of Live Hunt first released the EPX2C Amazon,, which debuted Qobuz, Tidal and Deeper. 2019, as well as new monetization options announced Music and peaked at No. 5 on Top CountryRemarkably, Albums in Spotify’s August 2014.enterprise Following value hit $72 bilCOMBS ‘DOES’- Monday,IT AGAIN Lukecould Combs also attract’ “Does “longto Me” tail” (River podcasters House/Columbia and, Montevallo• Music, Between Creation the Pines: lion,Acoustic twice Mixtape the €30 started billion at its($36.5 No. 7 billion) high in valueNashville), of featuringeventually, Eric Church more, ascends advertisers. 11-8 on Country Airplay, up 10% to NovemberPlatform 2015. Splice Universal Music Group, Spotify’s largest music24.7 supmillion- in audience.Not everybody The song isis Combs’ buying eighth the growth straight strategy career-opening — at Montevallo produced five singles, four of which hit the pinnacle of Country top 10, following a record run of seven consecutive out-of-the-gate, properly Raises $55M plier. But investors’ initial enthusiasm faded away as least not at current valuations. Credit Suisse ana- Airplay:Following “Leave Recordthe Night On,” “Take Your Time,” “House Party” and “Make promoted No. 1 singles. Spotify’s share price dipped into negative territory lyst pegs Spotify’s value at just $315 You MissYear Me.” for Payouts“Break Up in a Small Town” peaked at No. 2. Church adds his 15thBrian Country Russo Airplay top 10. Hunt co-penned all 12 songsjust on Southsidethree hours, including later and “Body ended Like the a Back day down 4% per share and expects “disappointing” subscriber Road,”• whichFin: Why was Daft released in 2017.from The the smash opening hit ruled price Country at $349.91. Airplay For for all of THATSpotify’s TOOK QUITEadditions ‘A FEW’ in MONTHS2021. But Travis other Denning analysts shatters see opportu the record- for three weeks and the airplay-, streaming- and sales-based Hot Country Songs the most weeks it has taken to penetrate the Country Airplay top 10 as “After Punk Was the Most hard work, the realities of running a streaming audio nity ahead. Stifel’s John Egbert, with a price target chartInfluential for a then-record Electronic 34 frames. It now ranks second only to Bebe Rexha and a Few” (Mercury Nashville) climbs 12-10 in its 57th week, up 4% to 21.4 mil - company are unavoidable: Margins are slim and com- of $360, sees benefits from geographic expansion FloridaAct Georgia of Its TimeLine’s “Meant to Be” (50 weeks atop the latter list in 2017-18). lion in radio reach. “Downtown’s Dead,” which ispetition also on theis strong. new set, reached Nos. 14 and 15 The song surpassesand expected two tracks price that hikestook 50 in weeks select each markets. to enter Morgan the top 10: on Hot• CountryThomas SongsRhett and CountrySince Airplay, 2019, respectively, podcasts havein June been 2018. central “Kin- to EastonSpotify’s Corbin ’sStanley’s “A Girl LikeBenjamin You,” which Swinburne reached No., who 10 in puts January the stock’s2018 be - folks”Announces led Country Three- Airplay on Feb.growth 29, becoming strategy Hunt’sand goal seventh of improving No. 1. It hit the company’sfore peaking at No.value 6 that at February,$350, likes and Spotify’s Aaron Watson expansion’s “Outta potential Style,” andwhich Night Stand at Billy No. 3 on Hot Country Songs. margins. Original and exclusive content notachieved only at- its No.leadership 10 high in December in audio 2017.streaming. LatestBob’s single Texas “Hard to Forget” jumps 17-9 on Hot Country Songs. It’s his “After” is Denning’s second Country Airplay entry. “David Ashley Parker tract listeners but can help ease pressure from rigid (continued) eighth top 10, having corralled 8.2 million U.S. streams (up 96%) and 5,000 in From Powder Springs” traveled to No. 32 in September 2018. ETHAN MICHAEL YOUNG: VIA MARTIN/NHLI GETTY HUNT: IMAGES. IMAGES MILLER/GETTY CONGRATULATIONS _ .MICHELLE . 'RICHBURG BILLBOARD • • 2021 • • TOP BUSINESS • • MANAGER • •

For over 30 years, Michelle Richburg has developed a specialized niche in the financial services industry as a "Banker to the Stars". Her stellar reputation allows for a client list that includes high profile professional athletes, entertainers, and business leaders .

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For its part, 12-year-old Spotify argues the (90 million) and Kenya (population 53 mil- are turning to their future royalties for a streaming audio business is still in its early lion) can amount to big paydays for stream- lifeline and need to know exactly what stages and that growth, not profits, should ing services. they’re expected to earn altogether in order be its focus. Its subscribers grew to 155 to borrow against it or to maximize the price million at the end of 2020, and it expects to their copyright interests can command on finish 2021 with 172 million to 194 million. How Music’s the soaring music-asset market. “We’re committed to building the world’s Until recently, music’s business managers leading audio platform,” said Dawn Ostroff, Business have largely had to manually input earn- Spotify’s chief content officer and advertis- ings into spreadsheets to track their cli- ing business officer, during Monday’s event. Managers Are ents’ proliferating revenue streams. But last Aside from purely advertising impacts, the July, HIFI, a new financial services compa- combination of spoken word with music Tracking Revenue ny catering to the music community, quietly may increase listening time and reduce launched an invite-only royalty dashboard churn, a particularly nefarious problem for — And Getting that pulls in data from publishers, dis- subscription services because acquiring new tributors, performance rights organizations customers increases sales and marketing Their Artists Bi- including DistroKid, TuneCore, AWAL, and expenses. SoundExchange. Eight months later, HIFI An expanding footprint will also help Weekly Paychecks has become a popular tool among music’s Spotify grow beyond its core European and business managers, and signed up thousands North American markets. An additional 80 BY MICAH SINGLETON of mostly independent artists, tracking many markets — in unnamed countries in Africa, “tens of millions” of dollars, says Matt Pin- Asia and the Caribbean — will increase new startup is offering to help cus, an investor and board member of HIFI. Spotify’s addressable market “to more solve what’s become an unlikely Now HIFI founder and CEO Damian than a billion people ... with nearly half mystery for music’s top artists Manning is expanding access to its service of them already using the internet,” said and their business managers: how called “Cash Flow” that allows artists to get Ek. It is already available in most of Asia’s muchA money they’re actually making. paid a salary twice a month based on their most populous countries, such as India and It’s a question that’s become surprisingly expected royalty income for the year. He’s Indonesia, as well as Japan, the world’s hard to answer in a world of micropayments also building HIFI Enterprise, a version of second-largest music market. Africa is full of from a fast-multiplying number of platforms the royalty dashboard designed for artists opportunity, although its countries’ average and music distributors around the globe. signed to major record labels, though get- revenue per user will be less than the U.S. But it’s one that’s taken on new urgency ting the major labels to allow HIFI to access or European countries. Still, breaking into as artists scramble to replace the revenue their full data presents a serious challenge. markets such as Nigeria (population 201 they long earned from touring before the “We initially built the solution to service million), the Democratic Republic of Congo pandemic halted concerts a year ago. Many indie artists, and indie artists’ managers and

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their teams,” Manning said in an interview Merriman believes that services like Cash in just about every panel discussion or over Zoom. “What we’ve discovered is the Flow will allow artists to reduce the need to showcase conversation during the conven- artists in the major label system, the manag- take big advances from labels and maintain tion, held Feb. 16-19. The issue of country’s ers in the major label system, major publish- more leverage in contract negotiations. racial disparities — keyed by a series of ing system, had the same set of challenges “Instead of doing a deal where the label national incidents since May and acceler- they’re looking for solutions for.” takes 82% and you take 18% of sales, you can ated by Morgan Wallen’s use of a racial slur The three major record companies de- leverage that to something much more in in February — spurred one of the most dis- clined to comment for this story. your favor,” Merriman says. cussed panels in the conference’s history as Currently, HIFI’s “Cash Flow” service HIFI, which is currently only available to Maren Morris and Luke Combs challenged works by rerouting an artist’s royalty rev- U.S. residents, also has plans to expand its country to improve its performance. And enue from labels, publishers, and distribu- offerings internationally. the increasing growth of digital tools and tors through the company’s coffers, allowing Some managers are hoping that the competitors arguably earned more attention HIFI to analyze how much an artist is company, and other services like it, will from broadcasters than the actual sound expected to make throughout the year, and pressure the majors into providing more in- transmitted across their AM and FM signals. adjust compensation accordingly. formation to its artists in a more accessible Streaming Pile of Data “[Cash Flow] looks at the pipeline and fashion. “[HIFI] can become much more Looming particularly large was a com- historical earnings of given artists, and fore- interesting and more exciting and more of prehensive research study, presented by casts what they’re going to be earning over a game-changer if the payors move to more NuVoodoo, that showed country’s most the next rolling 12 months,” Manning says. real-time information,” says Mark Kaplan, a dedicated listeners who consume music do “Then we guarantee a payment to them that music business manager and partner at Ci- so more frequently online than on tradi- arrives every two weeks, no matter what. If trin Cooperman, whose clients include The tional radios. they earn more than we guarantee, we pass Black Eyed Peas, Snow Patrol and Interpol. Also troubling for the medium is the way through the rest as a bonus, and they can “Sometimes these label statements are fans are exposed to new music: 1 out of 4 cancel at any time.” set up to be overly complicated and light listeners hears songs for the first time via HIFI charges a 2% administration fee for on data,” another business manager, who radio broadcasts, a larger number than any use of Cash Flow but does not charge a fee wished to remain anonymous, tells Bill- other single source, though when the indi- for access to its standard royalty dashboard. board. “It’s a 300-page pdf, but it’s not even vidual digital platforms — Amazon Music, (Enterprise partners will be charged a fee, really telling you what you want to know. YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify and Pandora which HIFI has not disclosed.) Business We need more transparency and more ac- — are combined, they account for 60% of managers around the industry say Cash countability.” first-time exposure, more than double ter- Flow and products like it will provide artists restrial’s turf. The difference is even more with more leverage and flexibility as they pronounced among adults aged 18-24, who move throughout their careers, and HIFI Country Radio will be among country’s core listeners in the says there is strong demand — even from next decade. major artists. Confronts a “That hurt our heart a little bit,” said “The idea that someone who’s big doesn’t KNCI Sacramento, Calif., PD Joey Tack, ‘need the money’ — I don’t think it’s a ques- Jumbled Future: “but if we don’t hear that, how are we going tion of needing the money, it’s not wanting to adapt?” someone else to be holding your money,” ‘We Need to Strategies are certainly available. They says Andrew McInnes, Diplo’s manager and include better educating listeners about CEO of TMWRK Management, who notes Throw Out Our how to find their station on digital plat- the business managers he works with have forms and increasing the audience’s use of embraced HIFI. “Anything that makes a 1980s Playbook’ the station with smart speakers, which are business on the scale of Diplo more efficient now employed daily in 39% of homes and is good for me, it’s good for Diplo, and it’s BY TOM ROLAND accessed at least weekly in 73% of homes, good for his business manager.” many of which no longer own a traditional “Getting a big check for publishing every ountry Radio Seminar may have AM/FM radio. two years is not conducive to setting up a been experienced by attendees in Stations were also encouraged to harness good financial flow for anyone,” Mike Mer- the isolation of their own homes the power of digital tools, particularly social riman, the founder and president of PARR3, or offices — thanks, COVID-19 — media, in building brands and awareness in a consulting firm that specializes in business Cbut there were plenty of elephants crowding consumers’ minds. The array of platforms management for entertainers, including the room. has become daunting — Facebook, Insta- clients Kehlani, Dillon Francis and 6LACK. The pandemic, for one, reared its head gram, Snapchat, Twitter, etc. — and integrat-

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ing them all with bare-bone staffs is one of Women were also cognizant of the gender to provide the background. The New Faces the largest challenges of the 21st century. imbalance in the music, desiring to hear a Show was carefully orchestrated to keep An out-of-format guest — Tino Cochino, more even mix of male and female voices, the artists and Cumulus personality Elaina the host of Yea Networks’ syndicated top 40 NuVoodoo Media president Carolyn Gil- Smith safely distanced. Luke Bryan was sur- show Tino Cochino Radio — noted that his bert indicated. prised with the annual artist humanitarian team has developed a sort of conveyor-belt That male/female split drew less atten- award, typically revealed in advance, during approach. The crew tapes a weekly podcast tion this year than Black/white controver- the final panel on Feb. 19. of freestyle conversation. The best of that sies. Combs, who was recently disparaged Along the way, CRS producers and at- material gets developed into on-air bits, online for photos that featured him with tendees picked up some new skills and which are then teased and disseminated Confederate flag imagery, said during a perspectives on their product by holding a across socials, often influencing the next conversation with NPR contributor Ann virtual edition. That mirrors the music and freestyle podcast. Powers about race in country music that radio businesses, which are moving with a “It’s a rotating door of content through there “is no excuse” for those pictures. mix of hope and uncertainty into the future. every platform that we have,” said Cochino. He indicated the photos were taken at a Perhaps that’s a future in which today’s Embracing What Sets Radio Apart time when he saw the flag as a symbol of elephants in the room become extinct or are That human-generated content is perhaps Southern pride and not a relic of slavery. He reduced to the size of a mouse. radio’s best competitive advantage, several apologized and indicated he has “grown a “We need to throw out our 1980s radio panelists noted. Consumers can find new lot as a man.” playbook about what to do when num- music that has been tailored to their tastes “No matter what I thought it meant at the bers go up or what to do when numbers on numerous platforms, but few digital time … I would never want to be associated go down,” said Cox Media Group country outlets offer the relatability that a well-pre- with something that brings so much hurt to format leader Johnny Chiang. “We need pared personality presents. someone else,” he said. “I want people to be to just keep an open mind and be ready to And, as the pandemic has proven, fans happy, I want people to feel accepted, I want reinvent. Quickly.” aren’t particularly bothered by interruptions people to feel welcomed by country music This article first appeared in the weekly from the hosts’ kids or less-than-perfect and our community.” Billboard Country Update newsletter. audio quality. It’s the connection that mat- Morris went even further, maintaining Click here to subscribe for free. ters most. that in failing to promote African American “Authenticity of the content is key,” said talent, the country industry and its broad- Elevate Marketing founder/chief research- cast partners have placed chains on the UK Government er Nicole Bergen, who used a puzzle to format’s potential. symbolize the jumbled future that radio is “By shutting out Black writers and Black Unveils Roadmap facing. artists, you have no idea if you’re shutting Radio also would do well to examine the out the next hit song,” she said. “Imagine for the Return of balance of its content. Country fans are over the last 50 years the songs that we pleased overall with the quality of modern haven’t gotten to hear because we shut the Live Music country, according to the NuVoodoo study, doors in a Black person’s face. We’ve got to though they would prefer some tweaks. The change that moving forward.” BY RICHARD SMIRKE data suggested fans were more open to hear- Showcases and Awards ing new music than expected, and KUZZ The virtual nature of this year’s CRS was ONDON — This summer could Bakersfield, Calif., PD Brent Michaels not- a significant change, though organizers are see the return of live gigs, packed ed that apps make it easy for the listener optimistic it will be different by 2022, when nightclubs and outdoor music to gain knowledge about a song, turning the convention is slated for Feb. 23-25 at the festivals in the United Kingdom, unfamiliar material into a familiar title with Omni Nashville Hotel. Many of CRS’ his- LPrime Minister Boris Johnson announced just a few clicks. Women and older listeners toric features were present, but with minor Monday (Feb. 22), provided COVID-19 in- would prefer less repetition of current hits alterations. Thomas Rhett led “Bob Kings- fection rates continue to fall and there is no and more gold titles, though Big Machine ley’s Acoustic Alley,” a songwriter showcase let-up in the U.K.’s vaccination program. GM Clay Hunnicutt, a former program- that used a rural backdrop that Rhett had Unveiling a four-step plan to ease Eng- mer, insinuated that a wide mix of eras and photographed. Eric Church, Parker Mc- land out of lockdown, the prime minister classic titles would perform better than a Collum and Lauren Alaina were among the said Monday that limited capacity indoor narrow selection. acts on Universal Music Group Nashville’s music shows will be permitted from May 17 “You don’t want the ‘oh wows’ to turn into annual show at the Ryman Auditorium, per- onwards — if a number of health provisions ‘oh nos,’ “ he said. forming with their backs to the empty seats, are met, including capacity restrictions and Diversity On Display allowing the venue’s stained-glass windows social distancing.

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The U.K. is the first major music market insurance scheme covering live shows, in Europe to unveil a roadmap for its live similar to what officials have introduced in Music Creation sector to return to operation sometime Germany and Austria, to help mitigate risk this year. Like most countries around the for promoters, artists and venues. Platform Splice world, the U.K.’s live industry ground to a David Martin, CEO of the Featured halt last March as a result of the coronavirus Artists Coalition, said the prime minister’s Raises $55M pandemic, and it has remained mothballed statement “offers some green shoots of hope ever since. On Jan. 6, the country went into for live music” but cautioned “there is some Following Record lockdown for a third time. way to go before we return to pre-pandemic Under the new guidelines, promoters levels of activity.” Year for Payouts must set audience sizes at a maximum of Similar hopes have been raised before, 1,000 people or 50% of a venue’s capacity both in the U.K. and across Europe, only BY TATIANA CIRISANO (whichever is lower) for select indoor events to quickly fade away. In July, a number of with up to 4,000 people, or 50% capacity for socially distanced pilot shows by artists like plice, the music creation plat- outdoor events. Large outdoor seated ven- Frank Turner and Beverly Knight were held form helping creators make and ues where crowds can be safely distributed in London to explore how live music could collaborate on music easily from will be allowed up to 10,000 people or 25% safely return. Those plans were put on home, has closed a $55 million of total seated capacity. hold when infection rates and deaths began SSeries D funding round led by Goldman The prime minister said the government to rapidly rise across the U.K., resulting in Sachs Growth, Splice announced in a blog could lift all social distancing restrictions in local and national lockdowns. post yesterday (Feb. 22). the U.K. from June 21, meaning the return of Last fall, other major touring markets Other investors in the round include full-capacity concerts and outdoor shows, as in Europe, including Germany, France and investment firm MUSIC (a joint venture well as the reopening of nightclubs and bars. Spain, abandoned plans to return to live between SONGS Music Publishing founder/ For that to happen, four key conditions entertainment following a spike in CO- former CEO Matt Pincus and Liontree), around vaccinations, infection rates, hospi- VID-19 cases. Among the casualties was a USV, True Ventures, DFJ Growth and Fly- tal admissions and new variants of coronavi- 12,000-capacity Live Nation-promoted “Re- bridge. rus need to be met, Johnson said. turn to Live”concert in Düsseldorf head- “We’ve got a big year ahead of us and He said the four-step proposals, which lined by Bryan Adams, scheduled for Sept. 4. this investment will propel Splice’s vision include the reopening of schools on March The recent cancellation of the Glaston- to provide the essential content, tools, and 8 and the reopening of shops and outdoor bury festival for a second year running inspiration that audio creatives are looking hospitality on April 12, were intended to be deepened fears that live music would once for,” Splice CEO Steve Martocci said. “We “cautious but irreversible” and would be led again be off limits in 2021. But the success of look forward to working closely with our by “data, not dates.” the U.K.’s vaccination program has produced new partners.” Reaction in the U.K. live industry was cautious optimism the sector can bounce Added Goldman Sachs Growth execu- mixed. Executives welcomed some long- back in the second half of the year. tive Stephen Kerns: “The music creation awaited clarity over when they are likely to To date, health officials have administered process is going through a digital trans- be able to open again, but called for greater more than 17 million vaccination doses in formation. Artists are flocking to solutions financial support to help businesses, crew the U.K. (about one-quarter of the popula- that offer a user-friendly, collaborative and members and technicians to survive until tion), with the government planning to offer affordable platform for music creation. With then. the vaccine to everyone over the age of 18 4 million users, Splice is at the forefront of Greg Parmley, CEO of newly formed by the end of July. The U.K. has the third- this transformation and is beloved by the U.K. music trade body LIVE, said the sector highest vaccination rate of any country in creator community.” had “as predicted” been left “at the back of the world, behind only Israel and UAE. Along with the financing news, Splice the queue to reopen.” “Live music events could be the shot announced that Adobe vice president of According to LIVE, the sector contrib- in the arm that Britain needs as we look Creative Cloud experience and engage- uted £4.5 billion ($6.3 billion) to the U.K. to bounce back from this pandemic,” said ment Kakul Srivastava has joined the economy in 2019 and supports 210,000 UK Music chief executive Jamie Njoku- company’s board. workers. It estimates revenues dropped by Goodwin, welcoming the prime minister’s “Splice is fast becoming the largest col- 81% last year. announcement. laboration platform for people who make “Any return to normality for live music music, whether they are a Grammy award- could be months behind the rest of the winning musician or my daughter who economy,” Parmley said. He called for the wants to make a great Twitch stream for establishment of a government-backed her followers,” Srivastava said. “Access to 20 21 5TH ANNIVERSARY Raleigh Music Group was founded in 2016 by industry veteran As Raleigh’s reputation has grown, the company has partners Peter Raleigh and Steven Storch. The company is steadily built a contemporary roster of songwriters, artists headquartered in the heart of Times Square, NYC with offices in and producers and now publishes songs performed by or Los Angeles. In its first five years has experienced remarkable global featuring superstar artists including: Ariana Grande, Chris growth and expansion. Brown, Kid Rock, Madonna, John Legend, Lil Uzi Vert, A$AP Ferg, Cardi B, A Boogie, Snoop Dogg, Trey Songz, Lil Durk, The boutique music publishing company attributes its success to its Busta Rhymes and film and tv composers Randy Edelman “client first” approach to music publishing – delivering a high touch, and Rick Marotta. high service experience to a select roster of music publishing clients it represents. The company has benefitted from the support of Please join Billboard in congratulating Raleigh Music Susan Aberbach, an owner of the Elvis Presley catalog and an early group’s 5th Anniversary. stage investor. CONTACTS Raleigh’s client services are provided by A&R staff in NY and LA, a synch licensing team with strong relationships in the film/tv, Joe Maimone 201.301.5933 | [email protected] advertising and gaming industries, and a first-class copyright and royalty administration department. Lee Ann Photoglo 615.376.7931 | [email protected] The company’s best in class global sub-publishing partner network includes Budde, Café Concerto, Peer Music, Native Tongue, Supreme Cynthia Mellow Songs, Schubert, Cloud 9, GL Music, Clippers, Som Livre, Nichion, 615.352,0265 | [email protected] Geoff Paynter Music, Fujipacific, IDM, Pelikan and others. Marcia Olival Raleigh represents numerous iconic catalogs and songs including 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “A Little Less Conversation”, and “All Shook Up”, George Gershwin’s “Summertime”, “Let’s Call the Gene Smith Whole Thing Off” and “They Can’t Take that Away from Me”, The 973.452.3528 | [email protected] Tokens, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, Gregmark Music’s “Stormy Monday”, Anthony Newley’s “What Kind of Fool am I” and numerous Debra Fink other classics. The company also represents the classic catalogs of 213.448.5157 | [email protected] Bo Diddley, America, Anthony Newley, Willy (Mink) Deville, Lords of Ryan O’Donnell the Underground, Trax Records, and many others. +447843437176 | [email protected]

ISSUE DATE 3/13 | AD CLOSE 3/3 | MATERIALS DUE 3/4 Page 11 of 26

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tools, content, and community, all of which magazine Pop #2 was inspired by weeks Splice provides, are the building blocks for Fin: Why Daft of listening to Warren G’s 1994 G-funk creativity and driving the next generation of masterpiece, “Regulate.” Britain’s big beat creators.” Punk Was the heroes The Chemical Brothers liked it, in- Launched in 2013, Splice’s offerings corporating the song’s upbeat robotic snarl include the artist-to-artist sample market- Most Influential into their live shows. Daft Punk needed a place Splice Sounds, rent-to-own payment manager. plans on professional creative tools and the Electronic Act of Enter Pedro Winter, a Parisian rave free Splice Studio back-up and collaboration promoter as lanky as he was enthusiastic. product allowing musicians to store, save Its Time He helped the band sign to Virgin Records, and share music project files in the cloud. navigating the relationship to be more like The company had a breakthrough year in BY KAT BEIN a partnership, as Daft Punk valued creative 2020, as more musicians spent time making control above all else. Their debut album music from home during the pandemic. ll good things come to an end, was recorded using a make-shift “studio” Splice says that user activity surged by 50% and even robots power down. Af- that David Guetta once described as “two in 2020 compared to the previous year, and ter four studio albums, two tours small Mackeys, 8tracks connected together, that Splice handed out $15 million in royalty and 28 years of service, legend- a ghetto blaster, no real monitor and... only payouts to creators in 2020, a new record for aryA electronic duo Daft Punk have moved one compressor on the master.” It was made the company. That number is especially im- from “is” to “was.” It’s a simple change re- at home — well before “bedroom pop” pressive considering that in 2019, Splice an- ally, as the sentence that marks their storied became a widely accepted genre — so they nounced it had reached $15 million in total career remains: Daft Punk was the most called it Homework. royalty payouts since its very founding. conceptual and influential electronic musi- That album dropped in 1997, and rocketed “Splice is where tomorrow’s artist finds cal act of its time. the top of the underground. Music videos what they need to make their next track. It’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and directed by Michel Gondry and Spike Jonze A&R at scale for creators – where artists, Thomas Bangalter met in 1987 as students made Daft Punk oddball favorites on MTV. songwriters, producers, and film and TV at Lycée Carnot, a Parisian secondary school Bangalter and Homem-Christo obscured composers reviewed 400 million samples that counts among its alumni a former their faces, wearing paper bags over their and sounds just last month,” Pincus added in French President, an expressionist painter, a heads in interviews and smudging their pic- Splice’s blog post announcement. “There’s Nobel laureate, philosophers, prime minis- tures on the album art. They never wanted lots of talk these days about the explosion of ters, a sci-fi author and others. to be the center of attention. They wanted developing artists coming out of nowhere in Like many kids in many schools, the the music to speak for itself. the 2.0 streaming area. The thing is, they are friends started bands and recorded demos. The duo did tour that year, a trek later coming out of Splice.” For six months in 1992, they formed a rock documented on the incredible live re- In 2020, Splice also acquired music tech trio called Darlin’ with Laurent Brancowitz. cord Alive 1997. Breakneck bleep-bloops and companies Audiaire and Superpowered; They wrote four songs and released an EP, white noise tidal waves explode in a style added exclusive sample packs by producers which Dave Jennings of Melody Maker infa- that defines itself. The duo wasn’t wearing like Luke Laird and Tainy, whose “Sound mously derided as “a daft punky thrash.” masks then, but they would soon put them Supply Vol. 1” pack provided a foundation In Bangalter’s own words, it “was pretty on and never again be seen without them. for Bad Bunny’s “Dakiti”; and named for- average,” so Darlin’ broke up. Brancowitz Settling back into their studio, the duo mer Pulse Music Group president and head went on to play guitar in the extremely suc- took a risk on nostalgia, setting forth to of creative Maria Egan Splice’s first-ever cessful alt-rock band Phoenix, and the other record a disco-inspired album called Dis- chief music officer. two turned to embrace the underground covery. I once heard a rumor they wrote the sounds of Paris’ bubbling warehouse rave song “One More Time” and then sat on it for scene. Gay clubs and French castles pulsed two years, waiting to see if it sounded “time- with samples of disco and soul repeated and less.” During this time, they concocted a stretched into euphoric mantras. French cool story about a studio explosion that left Touch, as a style, was gloriously simple and them disfigured and close to death. unimaginably effective. “We did not choose to become robots,” Taking their name from their failure, Bangalter is reported to have said. “We Daft Punk released a song called “The New were working on our sampler, and at exactly Wave,” (later called “Alive”) in 1994. In 1995, 9:09 a.m. on September 9, 1999, it exploded. they released “Da Funk,” a stomping, side- When we regained consciousness, we dis- winding synth riff that the duo told Swedish covered that we had become robots.” From 2021 TOP MUSIC LAWYERS

Behind every artist, songwriter and music produc- CONTACTS er is a trusted group of advisers who provide Joe Maimone guidance, advice and negotiate deals. Billboard’s 201.301.5933 | [email protected] 6th annual Top Music Lawyers list will recognize the biggest names and most prominent legal Lee Ann Photoglo minds in the world of music and 615.376.7931 | [email protected] entertainment law. They are the deal makers behind Cynthia Mellow the major contracts and lawsuits in the music 615.352,0265 | [email protected] industry. Marcia Olival 786.586.4901 | [email protected] This feature will also include a round-up of top law schools attended by the notable alumni on the Gene Smith Top Music Lawyer list. 973.452.3528 | [email protected]

Please join Billboard in congratulating this year’s Ryan O’Donnell music power lawyers. Advertise and position your +447843437176 | [email protected] law firm to the decision makers in the industry who are always in need for the best legal counsel.

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then on, they appeared in full body suits, house, American dubstep and EDM zeitgeist every electronic mainstage. The Sahara tent topped with light-up helmets that change — particularly once fans got to see it played at Coachella where Daft Punk first unveiled ever so slightly for each musical era, setting live. the pyramid became ground zero for dance a new (and subsequently much-followed) “When we put out Human After All, I got music’s surging popularity in the new de- standard for producer anonymity in the a lot of bad feedback, like, ‘It’s so repetitive. cade, with the area growing from a reason- process. There’s nothing new. Daft Punk used to be ably large tent to a superstructure the size of Discovery came out in 2001, a weird, good,’” Pedro Winter said in 2007. “Then an airport hangar during the 2010s. sleek, and at times borderline-cheesy amal- they came back with the light show, and And henceforth came the generation of gamation of pounding 4/4 beats, robo-Van everyone shut their mouths... People even Daft Punk-inspired dance acts. Among them Halen guitar shreds and extraterrestrial apologized, like, ‘How could we have mis- were Justice, the French duo signed to Ed wah-wah’d funk. It was far from an expected judged Daft Punk?’ The live show changed Banger, a label launched by Pedro Winter sound for the era, but it did become a global everything. Even if I’m part of it, I like to in 2003. With their explosive 2007 debut hit. “One More Time” even landed on the step back and admire it. Me, I cried.” album, that pair went on to capitalize on Billboard Hot 100, at No. 61. In 2006, Daft Punk made history when the ravenous hunger for more of the high- People imagine that Daft Punk were al- Coachella paid them a ton of money to play octane electro dance Daft Punk’s tour left in ways beloved international icons, but that’s the festival, and prove to everyone just how its wake. Electronic music started playing in because they see them through a modern ahead of the game they really were. No one American house parties and then clubs, and lens. Being into Daft Punk and even “dance could have imagined that the duo would eventually, the stage was set for a the genre music” in the early 2000s made you a arrive in a glowing pyramid — flanked by to be acceptable and, from 2010 to 2015, pretty weird kid. Joke was on the rest of the brilliant geometric colors, backed by a giant dominant. world, because the weird kids all remember LED screen — to blow everyone’s minds. Indeed, Daft Punk gave birth to many of that night in 2001 when Cartoon Net- This was before the rise of YouTube, so it the producers we now worship, with acts work’s Toonami played the first four music wasn’t even like people knew it happened like Skrillex, Porter Robinson, David Guetta, videos from Daft Punk’s animated feature after it happened. I had no idea what I was Disclosure, Zedd, Gryffin and Odesza tak- film Interstellar 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret in for when I saw them a few months later ing major influence from the duo. Porter 5tar 5ystem. in Miami at now defunct-festival called Robinson once told me that before he and Directed by Kazuhisa Takenouchi and Bang! Like that Coachella crowd several Madeon release a video or consider a con- produced by the iconic anime studio Toei months prior, I have never again experi- cept, they ask themselves “Would Daft Punk Animation (Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball), the enced one crowd dancing in utter awe, do it? Have they done it?” film sets every note of Discovery to a nar- everyone on the same page of love, astonish- All the while, Daft Punk faded into the rative. An alien band is abducted by an evil ment and exuberance. (I did actually get to background, but never left front of mind. force, brainwashed and enslaved to become see it “one more time” at Lollapalooza 2007. They appeared briefly in 2010 to conjure pop idols. It does not paint a pretty picture I bought a t-shirt that I won’t even wear the Tron: Legacy soundtrack. Then they of the music industry, and it is in fact amaz- anymore because I’m afraid it’ll become started working on a new and (apparently) ing. too faded.) Daft Punk expertly mixed their final album. For this, Homem-Christo and From there came Daft’s most underrated, three-album catalog into a mega mash-up Bangalter gathered their heroes, from Gior- and in some ways, their most important of perfection. The sum was greater than its gio Moroder to Nile Rodgers, in a studio release. Human After All was written and parts. It was an audio-visual revelation, and to record new riffs and rhythms – no longer recorded in six weeks, a minimalist ex- it was the high point of a concept that will relegated to sampling the greats of the ploration of humanist themes and emo- likely never be repeated. past, and now having become “the greats” tional depth. By design, it’s the most robotic But the concept was to be copied, many themselves. sounding thing Daft Punk ever created, and times over. Before the pyramid, an electron- The product of those sessions, Random the themes of its austere lyrics tackle love ic act had never appeared onstage with such Access Memories, is cinematic and grandiose and mindfulness, being in the present mo- a massive stage production. After they did — and by their standards, organic-sounding, ment, commercialism, industry and, literally it, everyone else wanted one, with the duo a major departure from the heavy synth “Emotion.” essentially (and literally) setting the stage sounds of Human After All and Alive 2007. Upon its release in 2005, people kind of for the oversized and increasingly complex It took people by surprise, but it should hated it. Pitchfork trashed the release, call- stage productions seen during the EDM not have: Daft Punk gave birth to the trend, ing it “not just a failure, but a heartbreaker” explosion in the states in the 2010s and be- but they were never enslaved to it. Though and stamping it with a feeble 4.9 rating. yond. Skrillex built a spaceship. Deadmau5 the public took time to catch up to Human However, it laid the course for the harsh, erected a glowing cube. Avicii played from After All, they embraced Random Access visceral, metal-infused sounds that would atop a giant head. Pyro and confetti blasts Memories in real time: The set received become integral to the forthcoming blog became standard operating procedure for rave reviews and chart-topping sales, while 2 0 2 1 PRIMARY WAVE 15TH ANNIVERSARY

On April 24, Billboard will salute Primary Wave Music on its 15th CONTACTS anniversary. Joe Maimone 201.301.5933 | [email protected] Founded in 2006, Primary Wave Music is home to some of the most iconic songwriters and artists across the history of recorded Lee Ann Photoglo music including Bob Marley, Stevie Nicks, Frankie Valli & the Four 615.376.7931 | [email protected] Seasons, Smokey Robinson, Whitney Houston, Burt Bacharach, Cynthia Mellow Olivia Newton-John, and many more. 615.352,0265 | [email protected]

With offices in New York, Los Angeles, Austin, Nashville and Marcia Olival London, Primary Wave Music has embraced an entrepreneurial 786.586.4901 | [email protected] spirit, offering and executing proactive one-of-a-kind ideas, Gene Smith unique services and marketing campaigns for our artists. Primary 973.452.3528 | [email protected] Wave has earned a stellar reputation for being forward thinking and re-introducing classic artists and their music into the modern Debra Fink marketplace as well as nurturing young talent to become legends 213.448.5157 | [email protected] themselves. This success is based upon their team of seasoned Ryan O’Donnell and creative executives collaboratively working together closely +447843437176 | [email protected] with our artists as partners. As a company, Primary Wave strives for excellence in the pursuit of iconic artists and catalogs that not only reflect great artistry, but moments of culture.

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the Pharrell-sung lead single “Get Lucky” We don’t know why they’re calling it, and a 40th anniversary celebration with Hank became an era-defining global smash, peak- indeed, hopeful skeptics are conjecturing Williams Jr. on April 2nd and 3rd. ing at No. 2 on the Hot 100 and bringing that this announcement is simply a red her- A number of other acts have also sched- the group to pop radio and even wedding ring to set the stage for an actual comeback. uled multi-night runs to honor the venue’s dancefloors like never before. But for now, at least, it seems it’s really over. birthday, including Midland (April 8, 9, 10), Daft Punk would get to take a victory lap We may know a lot about Daft Punk, but we Dwight Yoakam (April 15, 16 17) and a sold- at the 2014 Grammys, where they performed don’t know what they’re thinking. However, out stand from Miranda Lambert (April 22, with Pharrell, Rodgers and Stevie Wonder, we should all know and recognize by now 23, 24); Lambert is also performing on May and took home four trophies, including re- that Daft Punk owes us nothing — because 1 and 2. cord of the year for “Get Lucky” and album they already gave us everything, and that’s Among the COVID-19 protocols in place of the year for RAM. Take a minute to watch not a bad deal at all. for the shows are temperature checks for the clip where the duo hug before getting on every employee — as well as entertainers stage to accept the latter award. They can’t and crews — entering the building, half talk, but every moment of their rise — from Thomas Rhett the recommended capacity, face masks for bedroom producers to larger-than-life icons all guest-facing staff, required masks for — is right there in that embrace. Announces Three- all guests when not seated at tables and Daft Punk never toured behind the album, passage through a non-invasive thermal but everyone did some silly math and fig- Night Stand at camera upon entry, hand sanitizer and social ured they’d hit the road again in 2017. They distancing markers throughout the building. never said they would, and they never said Billy Bob’s Texas Also enforced are social distancing rules, so- they wouldn’t, and when they didn’t — even cially distanced seating, routine cleaning of after they popped up alongside The Weeknd BY GIL KAUFMAN all high-traffic areas before, during and after for a pair of pop smashes from his Star- shows, and disposable utensils and digital/ boy album, resulting in their lone Hot 100 homas Rhett announced a three- disposable menus. No. 1 — everyone was a bit let down. Still, night stand at the legendary Forth See Rhett’s announcement below. the rumor-mill that “Daft Punk is in the Worth club Billy Bob’s Texas in studio” never really slowed. We’d all kind May on Tuesday (Feb. 23). of held on to this idea that they had to come T“Man it feels good to say this - the guys Bobby Shmurda back. They had to do something more, one and I will be playing THREE back-to-back more time. nights May 6, 7, & 8 at @billybobstexas to Released From It feels a little weird, thinking of Daft help celebrate their 40th birthday,” wrote Punk in the past tense. Bangalter and Rhett, who noted that the venue will abide Prison After Six Homem-Christo are only in their mid-40s. by social distancing rules and all necessary It’s also a little disconcerting that the official safety protocols during the event. Years farewell is a recycled bit of Electroma — “We are able to do these very special Daft Punk’s dialogue-free 2006 avant-garde shows because capacity will be limited and BY GIL KAUFMAN sci-fi film depicting the duo stuck in a robot socially distanced, and Billy Bob’s will have world, desperate to become human, with strict Covid protocols in place,” he added of apper Bobby Shmurda (real the duo blowing themselves to smithereens the gigs, which will go on sale this Friday name: Ackquille Jean Pollard) at the end — paired with the final refrain (Feb. 26) at 10 a.m. CT. was released from jail on Tues- of Random Access Memories’ “Touch.” It In addition, in an effort to help those day (Feb. 23) after doing six years feels low-concept, given Daft Punk’s very impacted by the devastating winter storms Rof a seven-year sentence for conspiracy and high-concept career. that hit Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana mid weapons possession. Maybe the guys who never wanted to be February, Rhett has earmarked a portion of The conditional release from New York’s famous are rich now, getting older, looking the proceeds to the North Texas Flood Bank Clinton Correctional Facility was confirmed at their families with the frame of “nothing and other local organizations providing as- via an inmate search and a statement from lasts forever, and I should probably pay at- sistance. the New York State Department of Cor- tention to life’s small details before it’s over.” The 6,000-capacity Billy Bob’s, which rections and Community Supervision that Maybe it’s time for them to embark upon bills itself “the world’s largest honky tonk,” read, “At approximately 8:30 this morning, fuller solo careers. Maybe it was just time has a number of shows on its upcoming Ackquille Pollard was conditionally released to let everyone know, they’re moving on. roster, including Tracy Lawrence (Feb. 27), from Clinton Correctional Facility. Mr. They’ve said what they have to say – with- Staind’s Aaron Lewis (March 12), Kip Moore Pollard will be under community supervi- out saying almost anything at all. (March 13), Easton Corbin (March 20) and sion in Kings County until he completes his Page 16 of 26

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sentence on February 23, 2026.” Plus, Lil Tjay’s “Calling My Phone,” best. Shmurda’s pal Quavo said he was plan- featuring 6LACK, launches at No. 2 on the Ariana Grande’s “34+35,” featuring Doja ning to pick his friend up today, and indeed, Global 200 and No. 10 on the Global Excl. Cat and Megan Thee Stallion, surges 10-5 on he provided a ride in a private jet. “I’m going U.S. chart and Taylor Swift’s “Love Story the Global 200 after first reaching No. 2 four to get my guy,” the Migos frontman told Bill- (Taylor’s Version)” opens at No. 7 on the weeks earlier, when it was sparked by the board before Shmurda’s release. “I’m per- Global 200. Jan. 15 release of its remix adding the two sonally gonna go pick up Bobby Shmurda. Billboard’s two global charts (the latest of featured acts. Now, the song surges follow- I’m bout to go get him. I’m gonna let him which are dated Feb. 27) rank songs based ing the Feb. 12 premiere of its official video show you how I’m gonna pick him up, yes- on streaming and sales activity culled from starring all three artists. It ascends with 49.9 sir.” more than 200 territories around the world, million streams (up 41%) and 17,000 sold The New York MC was originally arrested as compiled by MRC Data. The Billboard worldwide (up 589%). back in December 2014 alongside several Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data Elsewhere in the Global 200’s top 10, Tay- of his GS9 crew, including rapper Rowdy and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart lor Swift’s “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” Rebel, on conspiracy to murder, weapons comprises data from territories excluding debuts at No. 7. Released Feb. 12, it starts possession and reckless endangerment the U.S. with 34.1 million streams and 22,000 sold charges. Shmurda ultimately took a plea Chart rankings are based on a weighted globally. deal for 4th-degree conspiracy and 2nd-de- formula incorporating official-only streams The original “Love Story” was released gree criminal weapons possession charges, on both subscription and ad-supported from Swift’s second LP, 2008’s Fearless. which resulted in the seven-year sentence. tiers of audio and video music services, as The new take is from her forthcoming re- The rapper was denied parole in Septem- well as download sales, the latter of which recording of the album, Fearless (Taylor’s ber 2020 and was originally ordered to serve reflect purchases from full-service digital Version). (Re-recordings of older songs or his maximum sentence, which would have music retailers from around the world, with albums are treated separately from their kept him incarcerated until December 11, sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites originals, with independent chart histories 2021; he will remain on parole until 2026. excluded from the charts’ calculations. for each version.) Prior to his arrest, Shmurda and Migos were ‘License’ Extends Longest Global 200 As previously reported, the new version working on a joint mixtape titled Shmigo Reign launches atop Billboard’s U.S.-based Hot Gang. Quavo then teased another collabo- Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” holds Country Songs chart. ration in the stash at the end of 2019. atop the Billboard Global 200 with 68.5 mil- Rodrigo Rules Steady Top 5 lion streams, the week’s top streaming sum Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” con- (down 13%), and 16,000 sold (down 31%) currently controls the Billboard Global Excl. Olivia Rodrigo’s worldwide in the Feb. 12-18 tracking week. U.S. chart for a sixth week, with 47.1 million The single by the singer-songwriter streams (down 10%) and 7,000 sold (down ‘Drivers License’ and actress, initially known for her roles 9%) in territories outside the U.S. in the Feb. in Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark and 12-18 tracking week. Leads Both Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: It’s the first song to lead the list for six The Series, extends its mark for the longest consecutive weeks and trails only BTS’ Billboard Global Global 200 command yet. Previously, Mari- “Dynamite” (eight total weeks at No. 1, ah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” nonconsecutively) for the chart’s longest Charts For Sixth (December-January) and BTS’ “Dynamite” domination so far. (nonconsecutively in October-January) led The songs at Nos. 2 through 5 hold at Week for four weeks each. their respective ranks on the Global Excl. Lil Tjay’s “Calling My Phone,” featuring U.S. chart: The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” BY GARY TRUST 6LACK, bounds in at No. 2 on the Global keeps at its highpoint (No. 2), as does his 200, with anticipation for the song’s official “Save Your Tears” (No. 3), followed by BTS’ livia Rodrigo boasts the biggest Feb. 12 release having grown following pre- “Dynamite” (No. 4) and Bad Bunny and Jhay song in the world for a sixth views of it in snippets on TikTok. It starts Cortez’s “Dákiti” (No. 5), after it reigned for week, as “Drivers License” with 57.6 million streams and 4,000 sold five weeks. holds at No. 1 in its sixth frame globally (the majority domestically; it drew The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Oon both the Billboard Global 200 and Bill- 23.7 million streams and sold 1,000 outside Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated Feb. 27) will board Global Excl. U.S. charts. the U.S. in the tracking week). update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Feb. The song is the first to top both tallies The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears” holds at 23). For both charts, the top 100 titles are simultaneously for six total weeks, dating to its No. 3 Global 200 high, while his “Blind- available to all readers on Billboard.com, the charts’ September 2020 premieres. ing Lights” drops to No. 4 from its No. 2 while the complete 200-title rankings are Page 17 of 26

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visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s sub- Rodrigo’s “Drivers License,” Laroi’s “With- “There is no doubt that Australia has been scription-based service. For all chart news, out You” would have hit No. 1 in the U.K. a proxy battle for the world,” Frydenberg you can follow @billboard and @billboard- It’s one of Laroi’s three platinum-certified said. charts on both Twitter and Instagram. singles in Australia. “Facebook and Google have not hidden “Signing with Sony Music Publishing this the fact that they know that the eyes of the week, and I feel blessed,” he enthuses in a world are on Australia and that is why they Sony Music statement. “If just one person out there con- have sought to get a code here that is work- nects with my journey and life experiences able,” he added, referring to the country’s Publishing Signs through my music, then I have achieved News Media Bargaining Code legislation. what I set out to do, and it is a privilege to The code would undermine the bargain- The Kid Laroi to have the fans that I have to share the jour- ing dominance of Facebook and Google in ney ahead with me.” their negotiations with Australian news Global Deal providers by requiring a negotiation safety net in the form of an arbitration panel. BY LARS BRANDLE Facebook to Lift The digital giants would not be able to abuse their overwhelming negotiating posi- fter smashing a record in his Its Australian tions by making take-it-or-leave-it payment homeland, and setting the charts offers to news businesses for their journal- alight around the globe, The Kid News Ban ism. In case of a standoff, the panel would Laroi inks a worldwide deal with make a binding decision on a winning offer. SonyA Music Publishing. BY BILLBOARD Swinburne University senior lecturer on Raised in Sydney, now based in Los STAFF AND ASSOCIATED PRESS media Belinda Barnet said the proposed Angeles, the teenage rapper, singer, and amendments guarantee Facebook time to songwriter has the brightest of futures, acebook said on Tuesday it will lift strike deals before the arbitration panel remarks Sony Music Publishing chairman & its ban on Australians sharing news decides on a price for news. CEO Jon Platt. after it struck a deal with Austra- Peter Lewis, director of the Australia “What the Kid Laroi has already achieved lia’s government on legislation that Institute’s Center for Responsible Technol- as a songwriter is exceptional,” says Platt. Fwould make digital giants pay for journal- ogy, a think tank, said in a statement that “He is such an incredible talent, who is de- ism. the “amendments keep the integrity of the serving of this moment. As he continues to Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Facebook media code intact.” make his mark, Sony Music Publishing will confirmed that they have agreed on amend- Google also had threatened to remove its fully support his career development and ments to proposed legislation to require search functions from Australia because it creative vision with even more opportuni- the social network and Google to pay for said the proposed law was unworkable. But ties to excel.” Australian news that they feature. that threat has faded. Born Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard, Facebook’s cooperation is a major victory Google has been signing up Australia’s the Kamilaroi musician made history in in Australian efforts to make the two gate- largest media companies in content licens- his homeland earlier this month when his ways to the Internet pay for the journalism ing deals through its News Showcase model. mixtape F*ck Love (Savage) climbed to No. that they use. The platform says it has deals with more 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. As a result, Facebook blocked Australian users from than 50 Australian titles through Showcase he’s now the youngest Australian solo artist accessing and sharing news last week after and more than 500 publishers globally using to nab top spot on the survey, aged just 17 the House of Representatives passed the the model which was launched in October. years, 5 months and 22 days. draft law late Wednesday. Facebook said it will now negotiate deals F*ck Love bowed at No. 8 on the Billboard Initially, the Facebook news blockade cut with Australian publishers under its own 200 last year, and he scored three ARIA access — at least temporarily — to govern- model, Facebook News. Award nominations, for best male art- ment pandemic, public health and emergen- “We are satisfied that the Australian gov- ist, breakthrough artist, and best hip-hop cy services, sparking public outrage. ernment has agreed to a number of changes release. The Senate will debate amended legisla- and guarantees that address our core con- More recently, the mixtape hit No. 3 on tion on Tuesday. cerns about allowing commercial deals that the Billboard chart. In Australia, the set Frydenberg described the agreed upon recognize the value our platform provides to hasn’t left the ARIA Top 40 since the origi- amendments as “clarifications” of the publishers relative to the value we receive nal version was released last July, and it’s government’s intent. He said his negotia- from them,” Facebook regional managing amassed more than 1 billion global streams. tions with Facebook chief executive Mark director William Easton said. Were it not for the domination of Olivia Zuckerberg were “difficult.” “As a result of these changes, we can now Page 18 of 26

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work to further our investment in public instant hit on YouTube. To date, it has raked Fun Doing the Impossible) in December. The interest journalism and restore news on in nearly 200 million views on YouTube. “It set includes tracks penned by some of the Facebook for Australians in the coming days, was impressive,” lead singer Caz says. “But most important regional Mexican song- ” Easton added. what was more impressive was that Edén writers to date, including Muñoz, Horacio Muñoz (Calibre 50’s vocalist and the track’s Palencia, Omar Tarazón, Luciano Luna, Raúl songwriter) didn’t have an issue with us Quintero and Eladio Flores. The Strategy recording their song. On the contrary, he To keep the momentum going, Grupo congratulated us — because he had faith in Firme will embark on an ambitious U.S. Behind Mexico’s that [original] song, but it never became a tour set to kick off April 10 in Kansas City, hit with them.” including two dates at L.A.’s Staples Center Rapidly Ascending Making the song a “hit” was never Grupo in August. Firme’s intention. In fact, the music video Grupo Firme for their rendition is rather informal. They recorded the music video during a gather- Taylor Swift BY TERESA AGUILERA ing with their friends from Banda Coloso. Nonetheless, the track caught on with radio, Returns to n the middle of the COVID-19 pan- peaking at No. 17 on Billboard’s Regional demic, which has filled the music Mexican Airplay chart in late 2019. No. 1 on Artist industry with uncertainty, there’s been With nearly four million subscribers on a surge of new artists to reassure that YouTube, five million monthly listeners on 100 Thanks to Inot all momentum has to be lost during this Spotify and three million followers on Ins- time. In the regional Mexican realm, Grupo tagram, Grupo Firme has reached new chart ‘Love Story’ Re- Firme has done just that. success thanks to a handful of collaborations Hailing from Tijuana, Baja California, with fellow rising regional Mexican acts. Recording Mexico, the group – led by enigmatic front- It’s a strategy commonly seen in a genre man Eduin Caz – was known locally for like reggaetón, where many acts collaborate BY XANDER ZELLNER singing corridos. But it wasn’t until Isael for greater visibility, but one rarely used in Gutiérrez, CEO of indie regional Mexican regional Mexican. aylor Swift extends her record music label Music VIP, took notice of them To date, Grupo Firme has placed six songs for the most weeks spent atop that they were catapulted them to main- on the Hot Latin Songs chart. Their first top the Billboard Artist 100, as she stream success. 10 was a feature on Lenin Ramírez’s “Ya No returns for a 46th total week at “I liked them since the first time I heard Vuelvo Contigo,” which won regional Mexi- TNo. 1 on the chart, dated Feb. 27. them, but they had a ‘rough’ image because can song of the year at Premio Lo Nuestro Swift jumps from No. 5 to No. 1 on the they mainly sang corridos,” remembers on Feb. 18. The team up between Firme and strength of her new re-recording of her Gutiérrez, who signed Grupo Firme three Ramírez is a testament to what can happen 2008 smash “Love Story,” renamed “Love years ago after listening to the group in when two indie regional Mexican labels (in Story (Taylor’s Version).” Tijuana. “I imagined them in another space, this case, Music VIP and Del Records) come The new take debuts at No. 11 on the Bill- and so I had to convince them to take a dif- together. Along with Lizos Music, Afinarte board Hot 100 with 13.7 million U.S. ferent route musically.” Music and Rancho Humilde, both labels are streams, 1.1 million in radio airplay audience Grupo Firme is not your typical banda breaking barriers in the genre — and credit and 25,000 downloads sold, according to artist. First of all, they’re not from Mazatlán their artists’ success to social media and MRC Data. It opens as her record-padding or Culiacán, like most artists in that genre streaming platforms, as opposed to radio 22nd No. 1 on the Digital Song Sales chart. are. And the number of band members in and/or television. The re-recording also launches at No. the group is uncommon: Banda ensembles Other chart-topping collaborations 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, making typically have 16 musicians and norteño include their take on “Cada Vez Te Extraño Swift the first woman ever to debut atop the bands five, but Grupo Firme has seven Más” featuring El Yaki, “El Guero” with tally with a single with no accompanying members, all ranging between 22-29 years Marca MP and the Carin León-assisted “El artists. She’s also the first artist with leaders of age. They are somewhere in the middle, Tóxico.” Outside of regional Mexican, Grupo on the list in the 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s. The straddling banda and norteño, and it was Firme has also been tapped by pop acts Río song is her eighth No. 1 on the chart and their fresh take on regional Mexican classics Roma and Reik for unprecedented collabo- first since “We Are Never Ever Getting Back that helped put them on the map. rations. After releasing a cascade of singles, Together” in 2012-13. In April 2019, they took on Calibre 50’s Grupo Firme released their debut album Nos The original “Love Story” was released “El Amor No Fue Pa’ Mi,” and it was an Divertimos Logrando Lo Imposible (We Have from Swift’s second LP, 2008’s Fearless. The Page 19 of 26

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new version is from her forthcoming re- Bieber, whose more than 63 million recording of the album, Fearless (Taylor’s monthly Spotify listeners make him the Dionne Warwick Version). (Re-recordings of older songs or second-most streamed artist in the world, albums are treated separately from their brought the bravado that earned him that Talks Possible originals, with independent chart histories kind of career milestone onto a dynamic for each version.) stage. He found something “Holy” about a Collabs With Also boosting Swift on the Artist 100, her candlelit underground lounge for his first single “Willow” rises 29-25 on the Hot 100, song with his band, before streaks of white Taylor Swift, Patti after it debuted at No. 1 in December, and light and embers illuminated a “Lonely” she boasts eight albums on the Billboard Bieber on what looked like a road straight LaBelle & Gladys 200. Evermore (which houses “Willow”) through the middle of the desert. ranks at No. 6, followed by Folklore (No. Yet the second half of his performance Knight During 15), Lover (No. 32), 1989 (No. 60), Fear- warped Benny Blanco’s tender piano-driven less (No. 63), Red (No. 97), Reputation (No. melody into an electronic groove with trap Billboard’s Twitter 119) and Speak Now (No. 121). overtones and Auto-Tuned vocals. As cool- After Swift’s 46 weeks at No. 1 on the ing waves marked the end of his red-hot Q&A Artist 100, Drake has totaled 31, followed performance, the pop superstar reappeared by The Weeknd (20) and BTS and Ariana on a platform overlooking a sea of clouds BY HERAN MAMO Grande (15 each). swarming mountains to conclude his set The Artist 100, which launched in 2014, with “Anyone” before shape-shifting into a ueen of Twitter Dionne War- measures artist activity across key metrics flock of birds that fly away. wick reigned over Billboard’s of music consumption, blending album and “I want to thank my friends at Spotify for account Monday (Feb. 22) for track sales, radio airplay, streaming and asking me to perform exclusively at Stream a Q&A session to discuss who social media fan interaction to provide a On. This event is a first, so I wanted to do Qshe’d love to hop in the studio with and who weekly multi-dimensional ranking of artist something I hadn’t done before with this she’s happy to see get Rock and Roll Hall of popularity. special version of ‘Lonely,’” Bieber said in a Fame recognition alongside her. For all chart news, you can follow @bill- statement. “I’m always inspired by creativ- She reconnected with her fellow soul board and @billboardcharts on both Twitter ity, and Spotify Stream On shared some superwomen Patti LaBelle and Gladys and Instagram. incredible conversations on the vision for Knight during their Verzuz battle on Sept. the future.” 13 at Philadelphia’s The Fillmore, where Performing at first-of-its-kind livestream they performed their 1991 Grammy-nomi- Watch Justin events has been a no brainer for the 26-year- nated hit “Superwoman.” But when one fan old global phenomenon. Before concluding asked is the three vocalists would ever col- Bieber Put an Spotify’s Stream On presentation today, he laborate again, Warwick didn’t count it out serenaded his Beliebers with songs from his as an option in the foreseeable future. Electronic Spin 2013 R&B-leaning album Journals on Tik- “I never say never,” she responded over Tok for Valentine’s Day. The “Journals Live” video. “Patti and Gladys and I are on the on ‘Lonely’ for livestream concert drew in more than 4 road and in different parts of the world. And million unique viewers, making it the most- our schedules are just so crazy that trying to Spotify Livestream watched single-artist livestream ever for find a period of time where we’re all kinda TikTok. It was also the first full-length settled in one place at one time is not the Concert single-artist live performance on TikTok. easiest thing to do. It just happened I was All three of Bieber’s top 20 Billboard Hot home and thanks to COVID, we were all in BY HERAN MAMO 100 singles that he performed during Stream one place at one time that I was able to do On will lead into Bieber’s upcoming sixth al- the show with them. So I’m looking forward hile Spotify set the stage bum, which he’s been teasing since last fall. to doing something of that nature happen- for how it will expand its Catch Bieber’s full performance during ing very, very soon.” features for artists and Spotify’s Stream On event, as well as the Warwick let another Twitter user know fans alike during its first- entire livestream presentation, below. that compliment threads and a blossom- everW Stream On event Monday (Feb. 22), the ing friendship with Taylor Swift aren’t streaming service had one surprise at the the only things she’d like to collaborate with end: an exclusive performance by Justin her on. Bieber. “I think Taylor has a wonderful voice. She Page 20 of 26

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writes incredible music, and it’d be wonder- ful of her to write for me something to sing Brooklyn Made Recording with her. So yes, I would love to sing with Taylor Swift,” the 80-year-old performer Rolls With Dice Academy’s Virtual said. After Swift released her re-recorded version of “Love Story” shortly before Tickets for ‘Women in the Valentine’s Day, Warwick claimed it was her favorite Swift song. Historic NYC Mix’ Event Will As much as she loves recognizing other legacy and contemporary female artists in Venue Champion Female the industry, Warwick is happy to be among those being honored as Rock and Roll Hall BY DAVE BROOKS Producers & of Fame 2021 nominees. The most gender- inclusive ballot in the Rock Hall’s history icketing company Dice and Engineers boasts seven women — including four Black concert promoter Brooklyn Made women — out of the total 16 acts. Warwick’s have entered into an exclusive BY PAUL GREIN cousin Whitney Houston was inducted in multi-year partnership for the the Class of 2020 last fall, which Warwick’s Thistoric United Palace theater in New York he Recording Academy is kicking son and music producer Damon Elliott ex- City. off Grammy Week with a virtual pressed to Billboard was a “shame” Houston Other venues could be announced at a event called “Women in the Mix” didn’t get to witness herself. Now, Warwick later date, according to company officials. on March 8, which is also Interna- feels “thrilled” that the other Black women “Dice is the perfect ticketing partner for Ttional Women’s Day. being recognized alongside her get to live to Brooklyn Made,” says company founder An- The event is intended to recognize the see the day. thony Makes, former president at Live contributions of female producers, engi- “All I can say is about time,” she replied Nation New York. “When I started this com- neers, artists, and executives, with a goal “to to one fan. “It is about time that some of pany, I began working non-stop on building close gender gaps on and offstage.” these ladies who I thought should have been a better experience for both the fans and the Ingrid Andress, Cyndi Lauper, MC there.... How could Tina Turner not have artists we work with.” Lyte and Sheila E are among those who been in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Makes noted that he was impressed by have been confirmed for the event. How? It’s crazy! Chaka Khan should have Dice’s work with the Primavera Sound The event will spotlight female producers been there a long time ago, and it’s wonder- festival. and engineers in the music industry while ful that Mary J. Blige is even nominated. Russ Tannen, chief revenue officer at Dice encouraging and facilitating mentorship Yes, I’m thrilled about that.... And I’m very said the new partnership “will offer the in- between established women in the industry happy to have also been nominated. I sure dustry and fans an alternative to the current and aspiring female music professionals. hope you’re voting for me.” status quo. We share the same values – we’re The Recording Academy has been focused See Warwick’s entire Twitter Q&A on Bill- focused on the fan. We know this partner- on the gender gap in the recording studio board’s feed here. ship will begin to revolutionize the system for a while. This event follows follows the by making ticketing fairer and offering both academy’s Women In The Mix Pledge in artists and fans a better experience.” 2019. Grammy history bears out the need for more progress in this area. In the 47 years that the Grammys have awarded producer of the year, non-classical, female produc- ers have been nominated in the category just eight times — and only four of the eight have been nominated on their own, not in collaboration with male producers. Those four are Paula Cole (1997), Sheryl Crow (1998), Lauryn Hill (1998), and Linda Perry (2018). No woman has ever won in the category — on her own or in collabora- tion with a male producer. The event will be held at 5:00 p.m. PT Page 21 of 26

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on Grammy.com. Panels, discussions and Asst. Recording Engineer - Sean Badum performances will be announced in the The Players Engineer - John Hanes coming weeks. Mastering Engineer - Randy Merrill The 63rd annual Grammy Awards are set Behind Taylor Mixer - Serban Ghenea for March 14. Recording Engineer - Christopher Rowe Confirmed participants, in addition to Swift’s ‘Love Story Recording Engineer - David Payne a large contingent of Recording Academy- Vocal Engineer - Sam Holland affiliated pros, include: (Taylor’s Version)’: Performers: Ingrid Andress, Grammy-nominated Acoustic Guitar - Mike Meadows singer/songwriter See the Full Background Vocalist - Caitlin Evanson Denisia “Blu June” Andrews (Nova Wav), Background Vocalist - Mike Meadows Grammy-nominated songwriter Credits Background Vocalist - Paul Sidoti Brittany “Chi” Coney (Nova Wav), Banjo - Mike Meadows Grammy-nominated songwriter BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN Bass - Amos Heller Rocsi Diaz, television personality Drums - Matt Billingslea Chloe Flower, classical pianist and com- aylor Swift’s re-recording of Electric Guitar - Max Bernstein poser her 2008 single “Love Story” — Electric Guitar - Paul Sidoti Cyndi Lauper, Grammy-winning singer/ renamed “Love Story (Taylor’s Fiddle - Jonathan Yudkin songwriter Version)” — debuted atop Bill- Mandolin - Mike Meadows EveAnna Manley, president, Manley Tboard’s Hot Country Songs chart this week. Labels: Laboratories That makes it the first Swift song to open Distributor - Universal Music Group MC Lyte, Grammy-nominated rapper at No. 1 on the tally and only the second Label - Taylor Swift Piper Payne, mastering engineer time an artist has topped the country songs Explore the full “Love Story (Taylor’s Ver- Sheila E., Grammy-nominated artist and chart with separate versions of the same sion)” credits on Jaxsta here. percussionist composition since Dolly Parton did so with Ebonie Smith, music producer, engineer two iterations of “I Will Always Love You” and singer/songwriter in June 1974 and October 1982. The original Santa Fe Klan Tina Tchen, president & CEO of TIME’S “Love Story” led Hot Country Songs in the UP weeks dated Nov. 22 and 29, 2008. Signs With 33 Recording Academy staffers and trustees Released Feb. 12, “Love Story (Taylor’s who are scheduled to participate include: Version)” drew 13.7 million U.S. streams the & West Talent Harvey Mason jr., chair & interim presi- week ending Feb. 18 and also topped Coun- dent/CEO try Streaming Songs, making it her third Agency Christine Albert, chair emeritus, board of time summiting that chart. It additionally trustees debuted at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, BY DAVE BROOKS Tammy Hurt, vice chair, board of trustees marking her 129th entry on the ranking, the Valeisha Butterfield Jones, chief diversity, most among women. exican hip-hop artist Santa Fe equity & inclusion officer On radio, the re-recording drew 1.1 mil- Klan has signed his first ever Ruby Marchand, chief industry officer lion all-format airplay audience impressions exclusive agency deal with 33 Kelley Purcell, vice president, member- the week ending Feb. 21, despite the track & West for exclusive represen- ship & industry relations not being actively promoted to radio sta- Mtation for the United States and Canadian Maureen Droney, senior managing direc- tions. territories, Billboard has learned. tor, producers & engineers wing Explore the team of musicians, producers, Santa Fe Klan’s latest record, Santa Tera Healy, senior. director, east region engineers and more behind the track with Cumbia, was released earlier this month and Leslie Ann Jones, Grammy-winning engi- recording credits provided by Jaxsta below. is produced by Grammy-nominated produc- neer and trustee Artists: ers Toy Selectah, Camilo Lara and El Main Artist - Taylor Swift Dusty. Santa Fe Klan is also featured on Songwriters: a remix of the hit Run The Jewels single Composer Lyricist - Taylor Swift “Ooh La La.” Producers: His track “Te Iré A Buscar” was winner of Producer - Christopher Rowe Mexican performance rights group SACM, Producer - Taylor Swift earning the award for best song of the year Engineers: by an independent artist. Santa Fe Klan has Page 22 of 26

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released more than 150 songs including the “We are incredibly proud to be partnering at which point he plans to host the second hit track “Debo Entender,” which has been with them,” Schaus said. installment of the virtual pre-Grammy gala.” streamed for than 130 million times. Santa Carter said the partnership will help Ar- The two events took the place of the Fe Klan has nearly 5 million subscribers on mand de Brignac grow and flourish, noting traditional pre-Grammy gala thrown by YouTube. Moet Hennessy’s track record of developing Davis and the Recording Academy that usu- Santa Fe Klan will be making his North luxury brands like Dom Perignon and Veuve ally happens at the Beverly Hills Hilton the American touring debut in Spring 2022, Clicquot. Moet Hennessy is the wine and night before the Grammy Awards. alongside prominent Mexican rapper C- spirits division of luxury goods company The first installment, held virtually Jan. Kan, who is also represented by agency part- LVMH. 30, featured Davis in conversation with a ners JJ Cassiere and Dan Rozenblum. “It is a partnership that has felt familiar number of artists including Bruce Spring- the entire time,” Carter said. steen, Alicia Keys, Sean Combs, Jamie Carter is one of several celebrities to Foxx and Gladys Knight, as well as a Moet Hennessy profit from a partnership with an alcohol curated selection of Davis’s favorite live per- brand. formances through the decades. “I’ve spent Buys 50% Actor George Clooney co-founded the past two months reviewing what I think Casamigos, a tequila brand, in 2013. It was are really unparalleled stellar performances Stake in Jay- purchased by beverage giant Diageo in 2017 from the greatest artists of all time,” Davis for $700 million. Last year, Diageo also told Billboard a few days before the Jan. Z’s Champagne scooped up Aviation American Gin, a brand 30 event. “It’s jaw-dropping, even if you’ve co-owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, for $610 seen a few of them before. It’s an electrify- Brand million. ing experience.” Actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Celebrity attendees for the Jan. 30 event BY ASSOCIATED PRESS recently released a tequila brand called included Speaker of the House Nancy Teramana. Singer John Legend has his own Pelosi, Stacey Abrams, Quincy Jones, oet Hennessy is acquiring a wine label, LVE. And in 2018, singer Bob Cameron Crowe, Carl Bernstein, Don 50% stake in rapper and entre- Dylan launched the Heaven’s Door whiskey Lemon and Katie Couric. preneur Jay-Z’s Champagne brand. The second installment, which is now brand in an effort to up its cool expected to be in May, will follow the same Mfactor and expand distribution. format. Among the artists Davis has said Terms of the deal, which was announced Clive Davis’ would take part in the event when it was Monday, weren’t released. slated for March 13 included Joni Mitchell, Armand de Brignac, known familiarly Second Virtual who attended the first event virtually. as Ace of Spades because of its distinctive The first event collected donations for label, is produced in France’s Champagne Pre-Grammy Gala MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s phil- region by a father and son who are 12th and anthropic arm, while the second party will 13th generation wine growers. Postponed Due to benefit the Grammy Museum. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, Regardless of when the event takes place, gave the brand a boost in 2006 when he His Illness Davis told Billboard the goal of both galas featured one of their bottles in a music was the same: “We are here to celebrate mu- video after a public fallout with Cristal, a BY MELINDA NEWMAN sic and hopefully we raise a ton of money,” rival brand. Carter accused Cristal of racism he says. “Our hearts are in the right place, after an executive for the brand mused in an live Davis’ virtual pre-Grammy the cause is great and the time is right.” interview about whether partnering with a gala, slated for March 13, has been rapper would harm its image. postposed due to illness. In 2014, Carter bought Armand de Bri- Davis, Sony’s chief creative gnac for an undisclosed sum. The brand Cofficer, has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy. sold more than 500,000 bottles worldwide “About a week ago, Mr. Davis was diagnosed in 2019. with Bell’s palsy, a condition believed to be Moet Hennessy President and CEO caused by a virus that results in some partial Philippe Schaus said Armand de Brignac facial paralysis,” Davis’s representative, Sean breaks barriers and reflects contemporary Cassidy, told Billboard. “He’s being treated ideas of luxury, even as it supports historic with antibiotics and steroids and will make Champagne-making traditions. a full recovery within six to eight weeks, Page 23 of 26

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single, becomes the pair’s 18th Hot Country Roddy Ricch Darius Rucker Songs top 10 as it jumps 15-10. It climbs 8-7 on Country Airplay (18.9 million, up 3%) Confirms He’s Hoists ‘Beers and drew 5.5 million streams and sold 2,000 ‘All Good’ and Sunshine’ to downloads in the tracking week. After Reported No. 1 on Country The Pretty Shooting at Music Airplay Chart Reckless Earn

Video Set BY JIM ASKER First No. 1 on

BY RANIA ANIFTOS arius Rucker’s “Beers and Top Album Sales Sunshine” ascends 3-1 on Bill- oddy Ricch is assuring fans of his board’s Country Airplay chart Chart With ‘Death safety following a reported shoot- (dated Feb. 27), up 5% to 28.3 out on set of his music video with Dmillion impressions in the week ending Feb. by Rock and Roll’ 42 Dugg in Atlanta, Georgia. 21, according to MRC Data. R“aint nobody shoot at me,” he tweeted Rucker wrote the song, his ninth leader BY KEITH CAULFIELD on Monday (Feb. 22). “we all good. im juss on the list, with Ross Copperman, J.T. tryna feed the streets.” Harding and Josh Osborne. he Pretty Reckless rules Bill- A day prior, rapper 42 Dugg also con- “When I came to Nashville 13 years ago, board’s Top Album Sales chart firmed he is OK via an Instagram Live I just wanted to play country music,” the (dated Feb. 27) as the rock band’s with Lil Baby. “Y’all stop with that fake s—-, longtime Hootie & The Blowfish frontman new studio effort Death by Rock man. We ain’t been around no gun shooting, tells Billboard. “To have nine No. 1 songs is Tand Roll debuts at No. 1. It’s the third top 10 none of that,” he shared. “Real talk, man. We more than a dream come true. It’s unbeliev- and first No. 1 for the act on the chart. The good... Thanks for the love, though. I appre- able.” album starts with 16,000 copies sold in the ciate the love, though.” Rucker last ruled Country Airplay with U.S. in the week ending Feb. 18, according to On Sunday afternoon (Feb. 21), WSB- “For the First Time” in June 2018. He ar- MRC Data. TV reported that two people were shot and rived at the format with the two-week No. Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks another was injured on the music video set, 1 “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It” in the top-selling albums of the week based a scrap yard on Wells Street in southwest At- 2008. only on traditional album sales. The chart’s lanta. The shooting victims were identified Rucker notched three Country Airplay history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first as Antoine Blake, 25, and Vernon Moulder, No. 1s in the 2000s and five in the ‘10s and week Billboard began tabulating charts with 29, though police told the news outlet that now has his first of the ‘20s. In the 1990s, electronically monitored piece count infor- both men are hospitalized and stable. he visited the tops of multiple tallies as a mation from SoundScan, now MRC Data. Peter Cook, 39, was hurt by debris and not member of Hootie & the Blowfish, includ- Pure album sales were the measurement a gunshot. ing the all-genre Billboard 200 albums chart solely utilized by the Billboard 200 al- Investigators are still gathering informa- with Cracked Rear View (eight weeks at No. bums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, tion on the suspect. 1 in 1995) and Fairweather Johnson (two, 2014, after which that chart switched to a 1996). methodology that blends album sales with ‘LADY’ LUCK Also on Country Airplay, track equivalent album units and streaming Brett Young banks his seventh straight equivalent album units. For all chart news, career-opening top 10 as “Lady” rises 11-9 follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on (17.9 million, up 12%). It follows “Catch,” both Twitter and Instagram. which became his fifth leader last April. Of Death by Rock and Roll’s first-week NEW ‘LIFE’ Florida Georgia Line’s Life sales of 16,000 across all formats (CD, vinyl Rolls On debuts at No. 3 on Top Country LP, cassette, digital download, etc.), 5,300 Albums with 20,000 equivalent album units, were sold via vinyl LP — enabling the set’s marking the seventh top 10 for the duo of No. 5 debut on the Vinyl Albums chart. The Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley. set was available in multiple color variants Meanwhile, “Long Live,” the LP’s second exclusive to the band’s official webstore, Page 24 of 26

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independent music stores and FYE. The Pretty Reckless previously logged top Mogwai, Olivia Jay-Z, Usher 10s on Top Album Sales with Who You Sell- ing For (No. 8, 2016) and Going to Hell (No. Rodrigo Lead & Lin-Manuel 5, 2014). Death by Rock and Roll also enters an ar- U.K.’s Midweek Miranda Set for ray of other album charts, including the Bill- board 200 (No. 28), Top Rock Albums (No. Charts Harry Belafonte’s 3), Hard Rock Albums (No. 2), Tastemaker Albums (No. 3) and Independent Al- BY LARS BRANDLE 94th Birthday bums (No. 5). The album’s title track reached No. 1 on ogwai are leading a tight race Fundraiser the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in Au- for the U.K. chart crown. gust of 2020, marking the fifth leader for the At the halfway stage in BY CHRIS GARDNER band. The set’s latest radio single, “And So It the chart week, the Scottish Went,” featuring Tom Morello, climbs 9-8 Minstrumental rock veterans hold the edge arry Belafonte will turn 94 (a new peak) on the most recently published with As The Love Continues (Rock Action), years old on March 1. To honor chart (dated Feb. 27). their tenth studio album. his birthday, a cadre of friends Back on the new Top Album Sales As The Love Continues rules the Offi- and famous fans are gather- chart, Foo Fighters’ Medicine at Mid- cial Chart Update, though just 1,800 chart Hing on Sunday for a virtual event that will night falls 1-2 in its second week (15,000 sales currently separate a Top 3 that also feature performances, video tributes and sold; down 77%), while Taylor Swift’s features Foo Fighters’ Medicine At Mid- testimonials by civil rights and racial justice former No. 1 Evermore rises 6-3 (12,000; up night (up 3-2 via Columbia) and British leaders, politicians, artists, athletes and 70%). The latter had a robust sales bump grime MC Ghetts’ Conflict of Interest (new more. It will serve as a fundraiser for Bela- thanks to the release of the cassette edition at No. 3 via Warner Records). fonte’s Gathering for Justice organization of the album (which sold 2,300), as well as Should Mogwai stay on top when the and is sponsored in part by the Hope and buzz and promotion generated by Swift’s weekly chart is published Friday, it would Robert F. Smith family. Feb. 10 announcement that she would be be their first No. 1 and third consecutive Top Belafonte founded the org in 2005 after re-recording her chart-topping 2008 Fear- 10 studio effort. seeing a news story of a 5-year-old Black girl less album. Meanwhile, Ariana Grande’s former who was cuffed and arrested in her Florida Morgan Wallen’s former leader Danger- leader Positions (Republic Records) is on classroom for “being unruly.” Since then, the ous: The Double Album dips 2-4 (10,000 track to revisit the Top 5 for the first time organization’s mission is to build a move- sold; down 74%) while country duo Florida since November 2020. Following the release ment to end child incarceration while work- Georgia Line climbs in at No. 5 with its lat- of a deluxe edition, Positions is at No. 5 on ing to eliminate racial inequities. est studio set, Life Rolls On (just over 8,000). the chart blast and is the most-streamed Titled The Gathering for Harry, the event Swift’s chart-topping Folklore bumps 12-6 record of the week so far, the OCC reports. will feature Common, Danny Glover, Alfre (8,000 sold; up 42%). Also aiming for Top 10 berths are Woodard, Chuck D, Bernie and Jane Sand- Vocal group Pentatonix captures its 12th the Whitesnake compilation The Blues Al- ers, Stacey Abrams, Aloe Blacc, Tamika D. top 10, as the act’s new album The Lucky bum (new at No. 9 via Rhino), and Yorkshire Mallory, Rev. Al Sharpton, Jackie Cruz, Aja Ones debuts at No. 7 (6,000). Pentatonix has indie outfit The Reytons’ fourth EP May Se- Monet, Mysonne the General, Diane Nash, tallied at least one new top 10 album yearly riously Harm You and Others Around You (at Carmen Perez-Jordan, DJ Carisma, Bryan since 2012. No. 10 via Scruff of the Neck). Stevenson, Bernadette Peters, Christopher A pair of former No. 1s are next on the Over in the U.K. Singles Chart race, Olivia Jackson, Tony Shalhoub and more. chart, as The Weeknd’s After Hours is Rodrigo holds her position out front with As of Feb. 23, event organizers announced steady at No. 8 (6,000 sold; down 8%) “Drivers License” (Interscope), ahead of that Jay-Z was confirmed to appear to ac- and Harry Styles’ Fine Line is also a non- Nathan Evans’ “Wellerman” (Polydor) and cept a Gatekeeper of Truth Award. Also new mover at No. 9 (a little over 5,000; down “Calling My Phone” (Columbia) by Lil to the list are Tiffany Haddish, Usher, Lin- 9%). Tomorrow X Together’s new Still Tjay and 6lack. Manuel Miranda, Charlamagne Tha God, Dreaming rounds out the top 10, as it bows Rodrigo is chasing a seventh successive Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Susan Sarandon, Pete at No. 10 with 5,000 sold, marking the South week at No. 1 in the U.K. Buttigieg and others. Korean act’s second top 10. The virtual party will be held Sunday, Feb. 28, at 7 p.m. ET. More information about how to take part in the event can be Page 25 of 26

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found here. optimize our portfolio for the future, I’m Grambling State University Tiger March- This article was originally published excited that we can play a role in bringing to ing Band and Florida A&M University by The Hollywood Reporter. life Scott’s vision to deliver something new Marching 100 will also perform during the to the hard seltzer space.” player introductions from their respective Cacti Agave Spiked Seltzer, brewed in historical campuses. Throughout the game, Travis Scott Los Angeles, will have a 7% ABV and will be members of the Divine Nine will introduce available in lime, pineapple and strawberry performances by Atlanta step teams from Launches flavors. The product will be available in 12oz Spelman College and Morehouse College. cans sold in a nine-count variety pack as The 2021 NBA All-Star Game and skills Cacti Brand & well as 16oz and 25oz singles sold in lime competitions will take place on the same and pineapple. night for the first time this year, with the fun New Alcoholic Check out the website here. kicking off on TNT at 8 p.m. ET from State Beverage: Here’s This article has been updated. Farm Arena. When it Hits Gladys Knight, Troye Sivan Shelves Alessia Cara & Partners With

BY RANIA ANIFTOS HBCU Groups to Uniqlo for

pdate (Feb. 22): Cacti will be Perform at 2021 Exclusive T-Shirt hitting shelves on March 15, per a new announcement. NBA All-Star Collaboration Raise a glass to 2021! Tra- Uvis Scott announced that he is partnering Game BY BILLBOARD STAFF with brewing company Anheuser-Busch to launch his new brand, Cacti. BY RANIA ANIFTOS ored with your fashion while The rapper was inspired by tequila, stuck in quarantine? Troye Si- his drink of choice, when creating Cacti t’s NBA All-Star season, and the van is here to help. Agave Spiked Seltzer, which launches in the National Basketball Association an- On Monday (Feb. 22), Uniqlo spring. nounced Tuesday (Feb. 23) that Glad- BUT (the Uniqlo brand’s graphic T-shirt line) ys Knight, Alessia Cara and HBCU announced their latest collaboration with “Cacti is something I’m really proud of and Imusical groups will perform at basketball’s Sivan for a brand-new line of exclusive have put a ton of work into. Me and the team big night. T-shirts. Coming in six distinct designs, the really went in, not only on getting the flavor Before tip-off, Knight — an HBCU alumna new shirts will sell for $19.90 in select U.S. right, but on thousands of creative protos herself, who graduated from Shaw Univer- Uniqlo locations and on the Uniqlo website on everything from the actual beverage, to sity — will sing the United States national starting Thursday. the can concept, to the packaging and how anthem live from the State Farm Arena in Each of the new shirts features a unique it is presented to the world,” Scott initially Atlanta, Georgia. Cara will follow with the design created by Sivan and a team of his shared in a press statement in December. Canadian national anthem remotely from “trusted creators,” according to a press “We always try to convey a feeling in our Toronto. release. Some of the new designs feature products. I’m a big fan of tequila so I came The NBA will honor the vital role of HB- artistic photo prints of Sivan’s face, while at it from that angle, too. I’m really excited CUs throughout the evening, with musical others use mixed media to combine logos to put this out in 2021 and see other people performances and more. The Clark Atlanta and typography to spell out the star’s name. be able to enjoy it.” University Philharmonic Society Choir is set “I had a great time working with Uniqlo and “We are all about delivering what to deliver an original rendition of “Lift Ev- some of my favorite artists on this special consumers want, and as a culture-shaping ery Voice and Sing” virtually from an iconic collection,” Sivan said of his new collabora- artist, Scott is incredibly connected to his on-campus location. The performance is tion in a statement. “I hope you love the fans and what’s new and next in culture,” in honor of Clark Atlanta alumnus James pieces we created together!” mirrored Fabricio Zonzini, vp of Beyond Weldon Johnson, an NAACP leader and The new collaboration comes follow- Beer at Anheuser-Busch. “As we continue in the songwriter behind the Black national ing a whirlwind year for Sivan. The singer our mission to lead industry innovation and anthem. released his latest EP In a Dream to critical Page 26 of 26

IN BRIEF

acclaim in August 2020 and unveiled a of a sequel does auger that it was somewhat special Mark Ronson-helmed remix of his ‘Stargirl’ Sequel of a success. The sequel also becomes the song “Easy,” featuring country-pop star Kac- first Disney+ feature production to get a ey Musgraves, in December. in the Works follow up. Sivan’s collaboration with Uniqlo UT Richardson appeared in Ava DuVer- drops on Thursday. Check out new photos With Grace nay’s When They See Us and in the medical of the designs (photographed by Sivan’s drama, New Amsterdam. He is repped by sister Sage Mellet) below: VanderWaal at Cunningham Escot and Terrific Txalent. Hart’s latest movie was I’m Your Woman, Disney+ a 1970s-set crime drama that starred Rachel Netflix’s ‘Luis Brosnahan. The movie opened the 2020 AFI BY BORYS KIT Fest and premiered on Amazon Prime in Miguel: The December. She is repped by CAA. isney+ is returning to the musi- This article was originally published Series’ Season cal world of Stargirl, its YA ro- by The Hollywood Reporter. mantic drama that premiered on 2 Finally Has a the platform almost a year ago. DThe streamer is bringing back much of Release Date the creative team behind the original movie, including star Grace VanderWaal and BY JESSICA ROIZ director Julia Hart, who will this time be joined by actor Elijah Richardson as well as uis Miguel: The Series is return- composer-musician Michael Penn, the latter ing for its second season on April who will write and perform original music 18, 2021, via Netflix, Billboard has for the film. learned. The 2020 movie adapted the best-selling LThe premiere comes almost three years book by Jerry Spinelli and told of a boy liv- after season one aired on April 22, 2018, and ing in Mica, Arizona, who wishes nothing the day before Luis Miguel’s 51st birthday. more than an anonymous existence but “The brighter the sun, the darker the shad- whose life is turned upside down when he ows,” reads a 52-second teaser. meets and falls for an unusual and colorful Portrayed by Diego Boneta, the series girl named Stargirl. highlights El Sol de Mexico’s childhood, Hart and Jordan Horowitz, who co-wrote musical career, and the whereabouts of his the initial adaptation with Kirsten Hahn, missing mother, Marcela Basteri. have written the original script follows Star- “The preparation and the process for this girl’s journey out of Mica and into a bigger were unlike anything I’ve ever done,” Bo- world of music, dreams and possibility. neta said during Billboard’s 2018 Latin VanderWaal, who will reprise her role Music Week in Las Vegas. “I pretty much as Stargirl, will write and perform original had a year to only prepare for this, which is music for this outing with Richard playing an insane amount of time.” the romantic lead. Netflix revealed that a new episode Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman of Luis Miguel: The Series will air every of Gotham Group return as producers while Sunday starting on April 18. Watch the an- Horowitz will produce for Hart & Horow- nouncement below. itz’s company Original Headquarters. Hahn and Spinelli are executive producers. Penn will also act as the new project’s executive music producer. Jeanne McCarthy and Nicole Abellera are currently casting the movie. Like other streamers, Disney+ does not give viewership numbers or guidance on how it counts “views.” However, the making