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 FifthSEPTEMBER Airplay 10, 2020 Page 1 of 29 Leader; Travis Denning Makes History INSIDE U.S. Recorded Music Business Still 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), debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s lion audience impressions, up 16%). Top Country• Hipgnosis Albums Songs chart dated April 18.Growing In its first week (ending April (A 9), it Bit) Amid Pandemic: earnedBuys 46,000 Big Deal equivalent Music album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cording to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. RIAA 2020and totalMid-Year Country Airplay No. 1 as “Catch” Report (Big Machine Label Group) ascends Southside• BMI Posts marks Record Hunt’s second No. 1 on the 2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions. chartRevenue and fourth Despite top 10. It follows freshman LP BY DAN RYS Young’s first of six chart entries, “Sleep With- MontevalloPandemic, which Hit arrived to at the summit in No - out You,” reached No. 2 in December 2016. He Licensing vember 2014 and reigned for nineThe weeks. good To news: date, The U.S. recorded-music business 14% over lastfollowed year and with 67% the multiweekof the total No. revenue 1s “In Case share You Montevallo has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved • Vinyl and the Virus: million in album sales. was still in an upswing in the first half of 2020, grow- overall, andYou” 79% (three, of streaming January 2018),revenue. “Mercy” (two, August Four Takeaways Montevallo has spent 267 weeksing on 5.6%the list, at tying retail to $5.7 billion, up from $5.4 billion, That was2018) buoyed and by “Here a 24% Tonight” growth (two, in Aprilthe average 2019). From the RIAA’s 2020 Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party as the sixth-longest- “Catch” completes his longest journey to No. 1, Mid-Year Report continuing a trend of growth that extends back to the number of paid subscriptions in the U.S. for the first running titles in the chart’s 56-yearindustry’s history. nadir in 2015. half of the year,having to taken72.1 million, 46 weeks up to from reach 58.2 the apex. million It out - On• Jthe Balvin, all-genre Rosalía, Billboard 200,The Southside less-good ar- news: That growth, like most every- in the samepaces period the of 30-week 2019. That’s climb ofa boost“Here ofTonight.” nearly rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for Pharrell Williams, thing else in the musicHUNT business and beyondYOUNG so far 14 millions subscriptions, or just over 1 million more afterCarlos the No. Vives, 3-peaking Ozuna Montevallo . a new high. Hunt& More first Confirmedreleased the EPX2C this, which year, debuted took a pandemic-related hit, ending a short per month for full-tier subscriptions. Ad-supported and peakedFor Latin at No.Music 5 on Top Countrystreak Albumsof double-digit in August gains 2014. after Following a 17% boost COMBS at mid- ‘DOES’ on-demandIT AGAIN Luke revenues Combs’ “Does grew to3% Me” over (River the House/Columbiasame period in MontevalloWeek: Panel, Between Lineups the Pines: yearAcoustic 2017, Mixtape 10% at started mid-year at its 2018 No. and7 high 18% in at mid-yearNashville), featuring2019, Eric from Church $410, millionascends 11-8last onyear Country to $421 Airplay, million up 10%this to November 2015. 2019. 24.7 million in audience.year, making The song up just is Combs’ 7% of eighthtotal revenues straight career-opening overall and Montevallo• SiriusXM produced Boosts five singles, four of which hit the pinnacle of Country top 10, following a record run of seven consecutive out-of-the-gate, properly Airplay:2020 “Leave Subscriber the Night On,” “TakeOf course,Your Time,” percentage-based “House Party” and growth, “Make by itspromoted nature, No. 1 singles.ending a run of double-digit growth for that specific You MissForecast Me.” “Break on Up in a Smallis always Town” increasingly-difficult peaked at No. 2. to improve upon,Church and adds hissector. 15th CountryDigital and Airplay customized top 10. radio revenues grew Hunt‘Strong’ co-penned Demand all 12 songsonce-in-a-generation on Southside, including pandemics “Body Like were a Back never going to 6%, to $583 million, a category that includes Sound- Road,” which was released in 2017.help The keep smash that hit streak ruled alive. Country And Airplay within for that THATcontext TOOK QUITEExchange ‘A FEW’ distributions MONTHS Travis from Denning internet shatters radio. the record for three weeks and the airplay-, streaming-there’s still and plenty sales-based of good Hot news Country for Songs the industry the most in its weeks it hasMeanwhile, taken to penetrate both digital the Country download Airplay and top physical 10 as “After chart for a then-record 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 - FloridaMARKET Georgia WATCH Line’s “Meant tocontinued Be” (50 weeks recovery atop the amid latter the list streaming in 2017-18). era.lion in radio reach.sales revenue fell below ad-supported on-demand PAGE 26 “Downtown’s Dead,” which is alsoAs parton the of new the set,total reached $5.7 billion Nos. 14 in and revenue, 15 streamingThe song surpasses streaming two tracks revenues that tookfor the 50 weeks first eachtime, to withenter both the top 10: on HotSONGWRITERS Country Songs and Countryaccounted Airplay, for respectively, $4.8 billion, in June or 85%, 2018. increasing“Kin- Easton its share Corbin ’sdropping “A Girl Like more You,” than which 20%. reached Digital No. downloads 10 in January fell 2018 22% be - folks”& ledPRODUCERS Country Airplay on Feb.from 29, the becoming 80% it Hunt’sheld at seventh the same No. point 1. It hit in 2019fore when peaking at No.overall 6 that to February, $351 million and Aaron — track Watson sales’s down“Outta 27%, Style,” digital which No. 3 on HotCHARTS Country Songs. it totaled $4.3 billion. And within that, paid achievedsubscrip its- No.album 10 high sales in December down 18% 2017. — and accounted for just 6% of LatestPAGES single 27 “Hard - 29 to Forget” jumps 17-9 on Hot Country Songs. It’s his “After” is Denning’s second Country Airplay entry. “David Ashley Parker tion revenue accounted for $3.8 billion, an increase of (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 970 x 250px 970 x 250px

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CONTACT LAUNCH DATE: OCT. 5 CGOeNneT SAmCitTh | 973.452.3528 | [email protected] AdLAUNCH Close: Oct. DATE: 1 OCT. 5 GMenaer cSiam Oitlhiv a| l9 |7 738.465.528.365.42980 |1 [email protected]| [email protected] Ad Close: Oct. 1 Marcia Olival | 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Page 3 of 29

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overall revenue, down from 8% in the first the pandemic began to keep people in their half of 2019. Physical revenues fell more on a homes. Hipgnosis Songs percentage basis — down 23% — to $376 mil- And the impact on physical retail was lion, or 7% of overall revenues. Significantly, understandably demonstrative as well, as Buys Big Deal vinyl sales accounted for $232 million of stores closed down and touring ground to that figure, or 62% of physical sales (4% a halt. While vinyl sales grew 4% overall in Music overall), marking the first time in more than the first half of 2020 compared to the first 30 years that the vinyl format outsold CDs half of 2019, for example, vinyl revenue ac- BY COLIN STUTZ in revenue for a half-year period. tually fell during Q2, with the resulting net That’s quite a swing, percentage-wise, gain significantly less than at the rate it was erck Mercuriadis’ Hipgnosis from mid-year 2019, when vinyl accounted on pace for in Q1. Songs has acquired indepen- for 46% of total physical sales (4% overall), “These are historically difficult times: dent publisher Big Deal Mu- with $224 million. the live music sector is shut down; studio sic, Billboard has learned. Un- But those numbers tell a broader story, recording is limited; and millions of Ameri- Mder the deal, Big Deal will keep its Los and the RIAA’s report in some places delves cans are out of work across the broader Angeles-area office and staff, rebrand under deeper into the effects of the pandemic, economy,” RIAA chairman/CEO Mitch Gla- the Hipgnosis banner and operate as the which began to shutdown much of the zier said in a statement accompanying the company’s full-service U.S. office, a source United States in mid-March and thus splits report. “While we’re pleased that the years familiar with the situation told Billboard on almost neatly into the first quarter of 2020 of hard work and resources we’ve invested Wednesday (Sept. 9). vs. the second quarter. in streaming are driving growth in paid The parties made the acquisition official For example, ad-supported on-demand subscriptions, today’s report demonstrates early on Thursday, announcing that Big Deal streaming didn’t grow nearly as fast in the just how much work remains to achieve a Music will now operate as Hipgnosis Songs first half of 2020 as it had in previous years, sustainably healthy music ecosystem for Group, effective immediately. Big Deal but the report says that in Q1 of 2020 it was both music creators and fans. We must founder Kenny MacPherson will act as on track to match that pace, only for the continue working to help sustain live music CEO of HSG, reporting directly to Mercu- pandemic’s massive effect on advertising and venues, support gig workers and session riadis. The leadership team also includes revenues to nearly wipe out those gains musicians, and ensure fair pay for music on co-presidents Casey Robison and Jamie during Q2, with a double-digit percent- all digital platforms. Despite all the chal- Cerreta, executive vp Dave Ayers, and age decline, despite streaming numbers in lenges from the pandemic, one thing clearly senior vp Pete Robinson. the hundreds of billions. On the flip side, hasn’t changed — fans still love music.” MacPherson’s resume includes found- paid subscription revenues grew faster in ing Redhead Music Publishing and running Q2 than they did in Q1, suggesting a bigger Warner Chappell’s New York office and boost in numbers of paid subscribers in the Chrysalis Music as president of its North second quarter as opposed to the first, once American division. He founded Big Deal

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with fellow former-Chrysalis execs Cerreta from the £200 pound ($248 million) stock regard to our culturally important songs and Ayers in 2012. offering it did in July plus another 17.6 mil- and the gold standard songwriters that have Big Deal’s catalog includes songwrit- lion shares, which are valued at 120.65 pense entrusted them to us,” Mercuriadis said. ers Teddy Geiger (Shawn Mendes, Niall at the time of the deal. The stock component “We shall now take what is the broken tra- Horan), Kamasi Washington, Gary Nu- calculates to £21.245 million pounds ($27.6 ditional music publishing model and replace man, Ross Golan (Selena Gomez, Ariana million), but what the Big Deal owners it with our concept of Song Management Grande), and Sleater-Kinney, among oth- ultimately get will be depending on when where we nurture, love and get the most out ers, as well as joint venture deals with Ricky they sell and what share price Hipgnosis is of our songs by putting the most into them. Reed (Lizzo, Jason Derulo) and Diplo’s trading at that time, so it could mean they Kenny and his team are enthusiastic about Mad Decent. will get more than $27.6 million, or even our Song Management philosophy and our The acquisition also means Hipgnosis is less. The lock-up period is until October mutual passion and expertise is a perfect now party to Big Deal’s many joint ventures, 2020 for 6.248 milion shares and until April storm when combined with our evergreen which include The Big Family, Reed’s Nice 1 for 10.123 million shares. catalogue. This is an important move in the Life, Mad Decent and the “And the Writer So at today prices, Big Deal owners are evolution of Hipgnosis Songs in our ability Is” podcast. getting at least $27.6 million for selling the to deliver on the promise of Song Manage- “Big Deal Music has become one of the company, but what about the undisclosed ment not only globally but now in the heart most important boutique song companies in cash component. Sources say that the cash of the world’s biggest music market.” the world over the last 8 years,” Mercuriadis component is even larger than the stock In Hipgnosis’ latest earnings report, Mer- said in the official announcement. “They valuation, which means that Big Deal is curiadis said its catalog of 13,000-plus songs identify exceptional songwriters at a very selling for at least $55.2 million but likely earns “£4,868 per song vs something less early stage, make a modest capital invest- higher than that. than £150 per song for our competitors.” ment and then work hard to put them in Just the Latest In a Wave of Acquisi- Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited was rep- rooms with the best established songwriters tions resented in the acquisition by RBC Capital and artists in the world resulting in place- Big Deal is the latest — and likely the Markets, LLC, Herbert Smith Freehills, Fox ments, hits and exceptional returns. This largest — in a long line of high-profile Rothschilds, and Deloitte. Big Deal Music has resulted in a very attractive catalogue acquisitions by Hipgnosis, which has in Group was represented in the transaction by that complements our existing acquisitions the past two months acquired the cata- Shot Tower Capital; Venable LLP; and Car- perfectly.” logs (either outright or stakes in) of Wu- roll Guido Groffman Cohen Bar & Karalian, MacPherson commented, “Collectively Tang Clan’s RZA, Mötley Crüe’s Nikki LLP. my partners and I have spent our careers Sixx, Blondie, Barry Manilow, Dion “No This article has been updated with addi- identifying and nurturing some of the most I.D.” Wilson and more. tional information and official comments. iconic songwriters in contemporary music Mercuriadis — former manager for Be- and creating value for our investors. Over yonce, Elton John and Guns N’ Roses — the last 8 years at Big Deal Music my part- founded Hipgnosis as a London-based BMI Posts Record ners and I built a meaningful cultural legacy publicly-traded music IP investment by assembling an incredible group of artists company in 2018. According to its annual re- Revenue Despite and label partners and world class songwrit- port — released in July — for the fiscal year ers. We look forward to bringing those cre- ending March 2020, Hipgnosis earned $81 Pandemic Hit to ators and their enormous talent with us as million over the last year. It also announced we join Merck and his team at Hipgnosis.” then that it planned to raise £200m ($249 Licensing The consideration for the acquisition is to million) through sales of a new tranche of be funded from the proceeds of Hipgnosis’ class C Shares, and cited over £1 billion ($1.3 BY ED CHRISTMAN equity fundraise in July 2020 and through billion) of acquisitions “in the pipeline.” the issue of 17,609,304 new Ordinary Shares Its catalog also includes songs MI generated $1.311 billion in issued at a price of 120.65 pense per Ordinary by Benny Blanco (Justin Bieber, Sele- revenue in the year ended June Share (“Consideration Shares”). 6,248,351 na Gomez), Jack Antonoff (Taylor 30, 2020, a 2.2% increase over the of the Consideration Shares will be subject Swift, Fun.), Johnny McDaid (Ed Sheer- $1.283 billion it reported in the to lock up restrictions to Oct. 1 2020, with an, P!nk), Tom DeLonge (Blink-182), Rich- Byear earlier period. Distributions were up 10,123,219 Consideration Shares subject to ie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Mark Ron- too, totaling $1.233 billion — a 3.1% increase lock up restrictions to April 1 2021, according son (“Uptown Funk,” Amy Winehouse) and from the $1.196 billion paid out to songwrit- to the Hipgnosis announcement. more. ers and publishers in the prior fiscal year. So this means that the company is paying “I have always been clear that I believe Domestically, the performance rights or- Big Deal owners an undisclosed amount we have an important responsibility with ganization collected $961 million, increasing LMW_HOUSE_AD_090920.pdf 1 9/10/20 9:45 AM Page 7 of 29

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1.9% from the year-earlier period. Foreign one time or another over the last six months. 100,000 new songwriters, composers and receipts grew 2.9% to $350 million. As a per- Breaking out domestic revenue by licens- publishers joined BMI in the last year, centage of revenue, that breaks out to 73.3% ing source, general licensing collections highlighting new signings from Chance domestic and 26.7% foreign, a 0.2% shift in totaled $130 million, or a 23.1% decrease the Rapper, H.E.R., Tame Impala, Dave favor of international collections compared from $169 million collected from that sector Mustaine of Megadeth, Succession com- to the prior year. in the previous fiscal year. However, new poser Nicholas Britell, Juan Sali- BMI estimates that its fourth quarter rev- media licensing revenue growth offset $32 nas and Oscar Salinas of Play-N-Skillz and enue collections, from April to June, fell by million of the $39 million in general licens- the late Pop Smoke. It also extended an estimated $60 million due to COVID-19 ing collections drop as the digital sector agreements with Ellie Goulding, Elton pandemic-related economic issues. If BMI licensing revenue grew 16% to $304 million John, Khalid, Marshmello, Willie Nel- had met anticipated collections during that from $262 million. son, Ozuna, Horacio Palencia, Mike period, revenue would have been up 6.8% BMI noted that this is the first time the Post, Lil Wayne, John Williams and BeBe from the prior year to $1.371 billion. That digital sector represented the largest seg- Winans, among others. percentage would have been more in line ment of collections versus other licensing with BMI’s historical collections growth categories. The organization said due to the percentage in the last few years, raising 7% governmental shelter-in-place mandates Vinyl and the between the 2019 ($1.283 billion) and 2018 BMI saw “strong growth from subscription ($1.199 billion) fiscal years and 6.1% between streaming services that feature TV series, Virus: Four 2018 and 2017 ($1.13 billion). movies and music.” Moreover, BMI added it While BMI and ASCAP have traded top locked in new digital audiovisual licensing Takeaways From revenue honors for the last few years, this agreements with Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO year marks the first time that BMI has Max and Peacock this year. the RIAA’s 2020 maintained the lead. The two PROs measure Also picking up the slack from downturn different time periods, with the BMI year in the general licensing sector was collec- Mid-Year Report running through June 30 and ASCAP trad- tions from broadcast media, with radio ing on a standard calendar year, allowing licensing revenue growing 21.1% to $155 BY DAN RYS for the largest revenue honors to seesaw million from that sector. That $27 million back and forth. BMI claimed the honor in increase (up from $128 million) was attrib- he RIAA released its 2020 mid- 2019 and held onto it this year when ASCAP uted to the BMI rate court settlement with year report on the state of the announced $1.274 billion in revenue in May. the Radio Music Licensing Committee that U.S. recorded-music business With its revenue growth for the most recent resulted in a new agreement and retroactive Thursday (Sept. 10), documenting fiscal year, BMI has fortified that claim. payments. Television revenue was flat at Tthe first half of an unprecedented year for “During this unprecedented year, our about $101 million, while cable and satellite the modern music industry. songwriters and composers’ incredible revenue fell 4.6% to $271 million from $284 With the COVID-19 pandemic shutting creativity, talent and resilience were beyond million in the prior year. down much of the United States beginning compare and truly inspiring,” BMI president As a percentage of domestic revenue, that in mid-March, the report outlines a half- and CEO Mike O’Neill said in a statement. breaks out to all broadcast media account- year split between two distinct quarters: “We were thrilled to be able to distribute ing for 54.8% of revenue for the just finished that of before the shutdowns, with historic our highest royalties ever and deliver them year versus 54.4% last year; digital or so- growth continuing on the previous pace earlier than scheduled to help ease the con- called “new media” at 31.6% for 2020 versus set over the past several years; and that of cerns of our creators and publishers during 27.8% in 2019; and general licensing at 13.5% pandemic America, where retail was largely this challenging time. BMI remains commit- of revenue against 17.9% in 2019. suspended, touring and live events ground ted to supporting our affiliates during this BMI also noted that its administration for to a halt and music consumers, not to men- crisis and beyond, and our team continues to direct licensing deals between publishers tion everyday Americans, began to settle in work hard every day to protect the profes- and licensees totaled $71 million, account- to a new kind of normal. sion of songwriting and composing and ing for 5.8% of total distributions. That’s a Despite that, the recorded-music business ensure the ongoing creation of new music.” 14.5% increase over the prior year total of managed to continue to grow, up 5.6% over The COVID-19 economic downturn was $62 million. the first half of 2019 to $5.7 billion at the felt in general licensing collections, accord- BMI claimed it now handles licensing mid-way point of this year, continuing the ing to BMI, from concert venues, bars, res- for more than 17 million works, up from positive trend of the past five years. Digging taurants, fitness centers and retail — all of the 15 million songs in 2019, while not- deeper into the numbers, here are four take- which were subject to government closure ing it processed 2 trillion transactions aways from the RIAA’s report: mandates, in most states and countries, at during the year. It reported that nearly 1. Vinyl Outpaced CDs For the First Time Page 8 of 29

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in Over 30 Years to grow as more resources were dedicate to J Balvin, Rosalía, It has been our favorite thing to maximizing advertising-based revenue on watch over the past several years and now streaming services like YouTube. But, as the Pharrell Williams, it has finally happened, at least at the half- report pointed out, it was one sector that year mark: vinyl sales revenue overtook CD took the biggest hit from the pandemic, as Carlos Vives, sales revenue for the first time since 1986. In Q1 figures pointed to a continuation of that the first half of 2020, vinyl sales accounted massive year-over-year percentage growth Ozuna & More for $232.1 million, up 3.6% year over year, only for advertising cuts caused by the which far outstripped the $129.9 million nationwide shutdowns to wipe out most of Confirmed For generated from CD sales during the period. those gains in Q2. Physical retail was affected most by the pan- It’s worth watching this sector for the rest Latin Music Week: demic, but even still, vinyl sales accounted of the year to see what kind of recovery is for 62% of physical, up from 46% at the possible for the second half of 2020. Panel Lineups mid-way point last year, even as the number 4. How Much Can You Read Into Num- of CDs sold (10.6 million) still outpaced the bers? BY BILLBOARD STAFF number of vinyl records (8.8 million). It The RIAA pointed out some key figures finally happened (in terms of revenue)! that changed dramatically between Q1 and eepak Chopra and J Balvin, 2. CD Declines Mean Last Year Was a Blip Q2 and accounted for some momentum Pharrell Williams and Rosalía, At the mid-way point last year, one of discrepancies for the first half of 2020 Gustavo Dudamel and Carlos the big surprises was that CD shipments compared to previous years. But it’s still not Vives and Ozuna and Afo Verde and revenue were both essentially flat year easy to tell just how much the pandemic af- Dwill be featured as part of a stellar set of in- over year, with revenue even managing to fected the recorded-music business, beyond sightful Q&A conversations during the 30th increase 0.8% to $247.9 million. But those a few top-level numbers. For example, paid Anniversary Latin Music Week. numbers now appear to have marked a one- subscription revenue grew by about $400 This year’s event will take place virtually year blip on the radar amidst the broader million in the first half of this year compared on its new dates October 20-23, 2020 here. decline, as both shipments (down 45.2%) to the same period in 2019, while in previous Latin star J Balvin will participate in a and revenues (down 47.6%) fell off a cliff years the number was around $600 million. first-of-its-kind Q&A panel with well- once more, returning to the rates of decline Is this a product of discounting or bun- being pioneer Deepak Chopra titled “Mind seen in years prior to 2019. The pandemic dling, of a possible subscription revenue & Music: Finding Meaning and Fulfillment surely had plenty to do with the format’s de- ceiling approaching, or simply the pandemic Through Mindfulness and Music.” Balvin cline this year, but it seems that any thought forcing some households to divert income and Chopra will discuss what meditation that CDs had reached their bottoming-out away from paid subscriptions and towards means to them, its connection to music, point last year have been dashed, much to more basic and elementary needs? And the and why they decided to start a meditation the chagrin of those who still love their report noted that paid subscriptions rose program together. boomboxes. On another note, digital down- faster in Q2 than they did in Q1, suggest- Grammy-winning Spanish singer-song- load sales slipped again, down 18% to $164 ing that more people signed up during the writer Rosalía will join a Q&A session with million. If bundling can’t save the download, pandemic than had been prior to lockdowns Oscar nominated, 13-time Grammy winning maybe nothing can. setting in. Is that conversions from ad- musician and producer Pharrell Williams in 3. Pandemic Guts Ad-Supported On- supported users, or new users altogether? an artist to artist discussion of their parallel Demand Revenue Growth What was the discrepancy in the number of lives as renaissance artists with multiple Over the past few years, ad-supported subscribers between the two quarters? And, ventures, from music to fashion. on-demand streaming revenues have grown again, how much can you read into those fig- Colombian singer-songwriter and phi- by leaps annually: up 37.1% at mid-year 2017; ures without simply asking more questions lanthropist Carlos Vives will be joined by up 21.4% at the mid-year mark in 2018; up than we’re posing here? internationally renowned Venezuelan con- 24.6% at the mid-year point in 2019. At the Here again, the RIAA’s year-end report ductor Gustavo Dudamel, Music & Artistic mid-year mark of 2020, that revenue stream will presumably provide some fascinating Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, grew just 2.7%, to just $421 million against answers as the rest of 2020 plays out. But in an enlightening conversation on the the $410 million at the same time last year. there’s plenty to keep an eye on as the full power of music and the arts as a global agent That’s not the biggest amount of money scale of the pandemic continues to impose of change for a better society. to the business, of course — just 7% of all itself on the music business, without a real And superstar Ozuna, one of the top-sell- revenues for the first half of the year — but end in sight. ing artists in the world, will join Afo Verde, it was a reliable big-figure growth metric Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Latin Iberia, for years, and one that was set to continue to discuss the crafting, production and pro- Page 9 of 29

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motion of his hit albums and songs. “Our business continues to demonstrate earlier in the year about a mention Stern “At a time when Latin music is ‘the strong performance and favorable trends had made about being open to ideas for his new pop’ and Latin artists are recognized since we resumed providing our subscriber contract, Meyer replied he had made “really in many different realms, we’ve brought and financial guidance in conjunction with clear” that “I want Howard Stern to be on together a fascinating group of artists with our second- quarter earnings report” follow- SiriusXM for as long as Howard wants to captivating personalities representing a ing the initial hit from the novel coronavirus work,” lauding their “tremendous relation- diverse collective of topics: Film, classical pandemic, Meyer said in a statement. “It’s ship” that has “never been better.” music, wellness, social justice, fashion and clear that demand for SiriusXM remains In July, he said talks had picked up steam the music industry, to name just a few,” said strong – quite simply, consumers continue “I know what Howard wants. And we’re Leila Cobo, vp, Latin Industry Lead, Bill- to find immense value in our unique audio trying to figure out a way to make all those board. “Together, they will have insightful, bundle and all of the entertainment and things work together. I don’t want to be one-of-a-kind conversations that will high- information it provides.” overly optimistic here, but I want Howard light the Latin community in a way that’s The CEO added that improving new car here,” Meyer said then. “We’ll keep work- never been done before.” sales and a rising new car penetration rate ing and we’ll get there, I hope. At the end of Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Latin “have led to a robust trial funnel that we the day, it will come down to what Howard Music Week will feature intimate artist believe bodes well for the coming quarters.” wants to do.” conversations, industry panels, workshops Meyer told analysts at the end of July He shared his hope to have more to say on and performances. Previously announced that SiriusXM’s business model had been the situation on the company’s third-quarter participants include Black Eyed Peas and resilient during the pandemic, with improv- earnings conference call, which usually Maluma. Artists confirmed for the two- ing trends. “We are poised for a strong finish takes place in late October. part “On The Rise” panel include Mariah to the year, despite the uncertain economic This article originally appeared in Angeliq, Camilo, Cazzu, Jhay Cortez, Lunay, outlook and rising COVID-19 cases in parts THR.com. Natanael Cano, Nicki Nicole, Rauw Alejan- of the country,” he said. dro and Sech. Management has lauded its appealing Additional participants and schedule content as key to attracting and retaining EMPIRE Launches will be announced in the coming weeks. subscribers. This year’s Latin Music Week was origi- One key part of the firm’s content offer- Publishing Arm, nally scheduled to take place April 20-23 in ing is coming into focus again as the end of Las Vegas, NV and was postponed due to the year nears. Meyer earlier this year had Helmed By Al COVID-19. said he was planning to hold more formal To reserve a spot and receive timely up- talks with Howard Stern about a potential McLean and dates, RSVP here. contract renewal for his The Howard Stern Show as the current five-year deal for it Vinny Kumar: expires at the end of 2020. SiriusXM Boosts Stern has been on SiriusXM for 15 years, Exclusive and “I am sure that every penny we paid 2020 Subscriber Howard our shareholders have economical- BY TATIANA CIRISANO ly benefited from,” Meyer said on Wednes- Forecast on day. He added that he was “personally deep- ince its founding a decade ago, ly engaged” in conversations with Stern’s EMPIRE has grown into a leading ‘Strong’ Demand team and was “very optimistic” about them. indie hip-hop label and distribu- “We continue to make progress.” tor, with clients like Kendrick BY GEORG SZALAI SiriusXM, controlled by John Malone’s SLamar and Anderson .Paak. Now, founder/ Liberty Media, previously said the current CEO Ghazi is expanding the company’s udio entertainment giant pact was part of a broader “12-year agree- reach with the launch of a new publishing SiriusXM has raised its 2020 ment, under which legendary broadcaster division, announced today (Sept. 10). subscriber forecast ahead of an Stern” has continued to produce and host EMPIRE Publishing is led by two indus- appearance by CEO Jim Meyer at The Howard Stern Show on SiriusXM. try heavyweights: Al “Butter” McLean, the aA virtual investor conference on Wednesday. Under the current deal, financial details former senior vp of creative for Kobalt Mu- SiriusXM now expects full-year self-pay of which weren’t disclosed, SiriusXM also sic who has signed acts like Childish Gam- subscriber net additions of approximately launched its first venture into video pro- bino and Mike WiLL Made-It; and Vinny 700,000, up from 500,000. The company gramming with Stern. Kumar, the veteran entertainment attorney reiterated its financial guidance for the year. Asked on an earnings conference call who has held roles at Slip-N-Slide Records, Page 10 of 29

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Universal Music Publishing and with Teddy publishing and supporting our writers in the who value my legacy, my music and my Riley at Future Records, and previously same way.” contributions,” said Yankee in a statement. served in EMPIRE’s distribution division. The publishing launch follows sev- “This new single is just the beginning of “Over the past few years, our develop- eral recent announcements from the San the new projects we have planned and I’m ment team has worked tirelessly to build Francisco-based company. In June, EM- excited to get started.” a proprietary system to bring transpar- PIRE acquired a majority stake in merch/ Added Grainge, “Daddy Yankee is both ency and accountability to the publishing ecommerce company Top Drawer Merch an iconic artist and entrepreneur whose industry — and to first and foremost protect / Electric Family; and in April, the com- extraordinary creativity influences culture artists’ rights,” Ghazi says in a statement. pany partnered with Instagram to debut on a global scale. We’re thrilled to welcome “With our new technology in place and Al two new shows of original content. Mean- Daddy Yankee to the UMG family and ‘Butta’ McLean and Vinny Kumar at the while, Ghazi says EMPIRE is set to open an we’re looking forward to working together helm, we are now ready to shake up the office in Nigeria, which would mark its first to maximize the worldwide impact of his music publishing business.” outpost in Africa, by the end of the year. amazing talent.” EMPIRE’s recording and distribution Yankee (real name Raymond Ayala), arms have long focused on transparency whose song “Gasolina” paved the way for by crafting bespoke deals that are always Daddy Yankee and the reggaetón explosion that began 15 years in favor of the artist and offering software ago, has continued to amass hits and is to give every partner a clear picture of Universal Music considered a leading icon of Latin music. analytics, recoupment and royalties. Ghazi Today, he has more than 60 million follow- tells Billboard that he aims to bring that Group Announce ers across social media and has placed 77 same transparency to the publishing indus- songs on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, try, and unlock new revenue streams for the Strategic Global including seven No. 1s. He’s also placed 15 company and its partners. “EMPIRE is all songs on the Hot 100, including, of course, about having a clean ecosystem and unlock- Partnership “Despacito,” his hit with Luis Fonsi. ing the money,” he says. “Developing and launching a publishing company creates a BY LEILA COBO symbiotic relationship with our distribution Ronald ‘Khalis’ and recordings division.” addy Yankee, the pioneering EMPIRE Publishing has already signed a reggaeton star who continues Bell, Co-Founder handful of acts, including producer !llmind, to dominate the charts with hits who has worked with artists like Drake, Be- year after year, has partnered of Kool & the yoncé and JAY-Z; Justin Love, who Dwith Universal Music Group in a broad- co-wrote H.E.R.’s Grammy-winning song reaching strategic partnership deal that Gang, Dies at 68 “Focus;” and producer Rippa on the Beat, encompasses new music and film, among who has worked with the likes of Rod other ventures. BY HERAN MAMO Wave, Kevin Gates and Kodak Black. EM- Yankee called the deal, signed directly PIRE artists now signed to the publishing with UMG chairman & CEO Lucian onald Bell, also known as Khalis division include Young Dolph, Key Glock, Grainge, “one of the biggest commitments Bayyan and the co-founder Mozzy, Fireboy DML, Yung Bleu, $tupid to an artist in the history of Latin music.” of Kool & the Gang with his Young and RJMrLA. The first release under the new agreement brother Robert “Kool” Bell, died “Music is magic and what EMPIRE has is the single “Don Don,” featuring Anuel AA Rsuddenly Wednesday morning (Sept. 9) at accomplished over the last 10 years for the and Kendo Kaponi, which will be released his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands, accord- culture has been magical,” McLean says. Sept. 11. Like all new music projects under ing to a statement from his publicist. He was “I’m grateful for this opportunity to help the new global partnership, “Don Don” will 68. lead EMPIRE into the realm of publishing be distributed and supported by UMG’s No cause of death has been announced at and publishing administration.” Ingrooves Music Group. this time. Adds Kumar, the new vice president of “I’ve worked hard to build a career that Ronald Bell and his older brother Robert legal and business affairs for EMPIRE Pub- transcends cultures, borders and languages, joined forces with their Jersey City neigh- lishing: “Over the past few years, EMPIRE and I created new business models that borhood friends Dennis “D.T.” Thomas, has become one of the leading indepen- helped bring our music to the world. By Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, dent labels and distributors by focusing on making one of the biggest commitments George Brown and Ricky West in 1964 to empowering artists. We are looking forward to an artist in the history of Latin music, whip up a unique blend of jazz, soul and to expanding the brand into the world of Universal Music and Sir Lucian are partners funk. Their infamous band recycled many Page 11 of 29

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monikers — Jazziacs, The New Dimensions, private funeral service, and they ask in lieu the protests and words of solidarity that The Soul Town Band, Kool & the Flames – of flowers that fans support the Boys and have poured out in the past months into before cementing themselves as Kool & the Girls Club of America. tangible action and support for the Black Gang in 1969. community, and for it to go beyond just a Born on Nov. 1, 1951, Ronald Bell acted one-time charitable donation to continue as Kool & the Gang’s chief composer and Alicia Keys to grow and develop over the years with arranger on top of mastering the saxophone the goal extending beyond the initial $1 and keyboard. He eventually penned the Launches $1B billion endowment. Additional partners group’s first and only No. 1 hit on the Bill- and contributors beyond the NFL haven’t board Hot 100, “Celebration.” He told Bill- Fund for Black- been disclosed, though the aim is to create a board in a 2018 interview about the lyrical multi-sector contributor field for the fund. and religious inspirations for the song. “At Owned Business, “The initial goal of $1 billion is to ensure a the end of ‘Ladies Night,’ we are singing, substantial commitment,” Keys says. “Even ‘Come on let’s all celebrate’ so ‘Celebration’ Explains Why with that it does not come close to closing comes from the end of ‘Ladies Night,’ but I the economic gap. The next steps are to actually saw that in a scripture I was reading She’s Performing reach out to different industries to invite where the creator of the universe that cre- them to invest in racial justice and create a ated man and the angels were all celebrating at NFL Kickoff multi-billion dollar endowment across busi- for doing so, and from that idea it sparked ness sectors.” writing ‘Celebration.’” BY DAN RYS For the NFL, participating in the fund He also wrote their top 10 Hot 100 hits is the latest step it has taken in its quest “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging” licia Keys will be performing at to support racial justice initiatives. The and “Get Down On It.” Kool & the Gang the NFL’s Kickoff event for its league has come under increasing scrutiny has notched a total of 25 top 10 hits on Bill- 2020 season Thursday (Sept. 10), in recent years following its well-publicized board’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. a moment that she’s tying in with issue with quarterback Colin Kaepernick, The funk, soul and R&B legends have aA bigger announcement: The league will be who began taking a knee during the national earned a Grammy award for album of contributing to a new $1 billion endowment anthem to protest racial injustice in the U.S. the year with the Saturday Night Fe- fund aimed at supporting Black businesses in 2016 and subsequently filed a grievance ver soundtrack, five American Music and communities. against the league, since settled, accusing Awards and took home the BET Soul Train The new fund will come as several crises owners of colluding to keep him out of the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014. unfold around the world, including the glob- NFL. They’ve sold 70 million albums worldwide al coronavirus pandemic and the protests Those tensions have begun to ease of and earned 17 gold- and platinum-certified against systemic racism and injustice that late and the NFL and commissioner Roger singles by the Recording Industry Associa- have erupted following the police killings of Goodell began to take a more committed tion of America (RIAA). The Bell brothers, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and others in stand against racial and social injustice Brown and Kool & the Gang vocalist James the U.S. in recent months. Keys also penned last August, when it announced a deal “J.T.” Taylor were all inducted into the Song- a piece explaining her decision to perform with Jay Z’s Roc Nation — which manages writers Hall of Fame in 2018. at the NFL’s event and some of the goals of Keys — to partner on social justice initia- In an interview with Billboard last year the fund (see below), and expanded on why tives through the League’s Inspire Change to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary, she conceived of the fund in an interview nonprofit, among other initiatives. Follow- Ronald Bell laughed when he said he felt with Billboard. ing the killing of George Floyd at the hands grateful just to have the career he did. “And “We are already seeing the blatant injus- of Minneapolis police officers in late May, for it to be this long,” he added. “For me, I’m tices that are going on around us,” Keys says. Goodell and the NFL doubled down on their most grateful for that, to still be relevant “As an artist, I’m always thinking about how commitment to address systemic issues since [we were] 19.” can I use my platform to further racial eq- in American society, with some on- and He is survived by his wife Tia Sinclair uity. This fund is one of the answers and our off-field changes that will go into effect this Bell; 10 children Kahdijah, Rasheed, Nadi- goal is to empower Black America through year, with phrases like “End Racism” and “It rah, Liza, Maryam, Aminah, Jennah, Khalis, investing in Black businesses, Black inves- Takes All Of Us” painted in end zones, for Asia and James; grandchildren; brothers tors, institutions, entrepreneurs, schools example. Robert Bell, Wahid Bayyan, Amir Bayyan, and banks in a way to create sustainable “There is an urgent conversation that is and his sister Sharifah Bayyan; and his Kool solutions.” happening across businesses about the im- & the Gang band brothers Thomas and Keys tells Billboard that the idea for the portance of investing in Black America. I’m Brown among others. The family will hold a fund came about as a way to help transform personally committed to holding corpora- Page 12 of 29

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tions and institutions accountable, and in with a clear goal to empower Black America. ate with a sense of urgency, together we will my conversations with the NFL, they reaf- The fund will create long term solutions with renew America and finally put an end to the firmed their commitment to racial equity,” a focus on Black entrepreneurs, businesses, false notion of racial hierarchy. Keys adds. “The prospect of true genera- communities, Black schools, banks, and other Moving forward we must act together with tional wealth for the Black community is Black institutions, while addressing persistent love over hate, hope over fear and action long overdue and I’m grateful to express my social, economic and environmental dispari- over complacency to build the America we all purpose as an artist to advance that cause. ties. It’s starting here, but the intention is to know is possible. I’ve been deeply inspired by the courage of build a multi-billion-dollar endowment across We invite all corporations, NFL clubs, and Colin Kaepernick and the determination I multiple industries. Through our collective organizations to join this mission to invest in have to see this through is meant to honor action, we can end the needless and prevent- racial justice. his commitment to social justice.” able agony created by systemic racism. Look forward to my call. Read Keys’ full letter below. We are pushing for an aggressive agenda With love and light, While the streets of America are filled with to meet the urgent need of proper access, Alicia Keys. rightful outrage, something has struck me opportunity and inclusion. I am personally Artist/Activist/Mother deeply and I know I cannot turn away. None committed to creating meaningful conversa- of us can. As Americans, we actually have tions to hold corporations and institutions to face each other, even if we haven’t always accountable for their contributions to racial #FreeBritney: seen eye-to-eye. I continue to think: what justice. opportunity for change can I evoke? How It’s time for sustainable action. It’s time Why the can I help to transform a culture so ripe for to speak and document the truth about what reimagining? Black Americans are facing and owed. The Movement Today, I will be doing something I never system was never set up for everyone to have thought I would do again. I’m performing for an equal chance. Black creativity and labor Started and the NFL Kickoff event. My initial reaction continue to be oppressed, exploited, appropri- was to decline because of some of the NFL’s ated, and undercompensated. And it’s STILL How Its Leading past decisions. Yet I realized I HAVE to use the case today that the color of your skin can my platform, we all need to use our platforms, be a death sentence like the needless killings Voices Are every chance we get to press for racial equity. of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Bree Black, It’s often said football is the microcosm Ahmaud Arbery, and too many others. That’s Keeping It Going of America. We all can see that deep, radical why we see people from all walks of life, races change is needed for our country and together and creeds taking to the streets in fury, pro- BY GIL KAUFMAN we can all work to transform it. It will take testing. As a Black mother, I want my sons to each of us to understand that racism and grow strong and healthy with confidence and t started, as so many movements do racial injustice rely on our individual and without fearing for their lives. these days, with a protest. In this collective silence and ignorance. If you know Four years ago, Colin Kaepernick’s resis- case, with signs that read, cryptically, that there are two Americas - one that seems tance by taking a knee in silent protest was #FreeBritney. The Britney in question, safe and full of possibilities and another a brave and necessary stand to increase our Iof course, was pop icon Britney Spears, where a racial hierarchy allows for Black awareness of the acts and consequences of and when fans gathered outside the West Americans to be systematically brutalized police brutality. He is still way ahead of his Hollywood City Hall on April 22, 2019, and dehumanized - and you do not act, then time. What is being accomplished by this holding signs that read “The Truth Will Set you are complicit. performance and these new commitments are Her Free” and “#FreeBritney,” it was not This truth requires restorative justice now. meant to deeply honor that this moment is a immediately clear to most of the world what What are we going to do to move forward? direct result of his courage and prophecy. they were trying to free the singer from. The workforce of America has to repre- There has been forward motion - the NFL Just days earlier, on April 17, rapper sent the diversity of this country. We have to has been working with players throughout and The Talk cast member Eve was pictured strive for true population parity. The NFL has the league to support important initiatives in wearing a shirt with the hashtag and Real already committed to ensuring Black repre- the Black community, like education reform, Housewives of New York star Luann de Les- sentation across-the-board, from employees economic empowerment, voting rights and seps posted a video on Instagram with the to executives, contractors, suppliers and criminal justice reform. With collective action tag one day later. vendors. and the truth as our guide, a new future is The rush of activity took place two weeks The league has also committed to contrib- within our grasp. The time is now for building after Spears checked into a mental health ute to a billion-dollar endowment. the America we want and desperately need. I treatment facility for what she deemed The fund will be steered by Black leadership am optimistic that if we take action and oper- some “me time” in the wake of reports Page 13 of 29

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about her distress over her father’s health through a lot of stress and anxiety lately” informed support of her many fans.” issues, which led to the cancelation of her and that she just needed some “time to How We Got Here second Las Vegas residency, Britney: Domi- deal,” adding that she is “strong and [I] To rewind a bit: after suffering a public nation. That set off alarms in Britney Nation, stand up for what I want!” At that point, breakdown in 2008, Spears was placed un- with the loudest bell rung by fans speculat- the then-37-year-old singer had released der a legal guardianship (conservatorship) ing that Spears was being held against her four albums, mounted four world tours and in which her financial assets and estate will. performed nearly 250 shows in a successful were placed in the control of her father/ Arguably leading that campaign is the four-year Vegas residency (Britney: Piece of guardian, James Spears, and a lawyer. The long-running Britney’s Gram podcast. Host- Me) under the auspices of the conservator- structure of the conservatorship has long ed by comedians Tess Barker and Barbara ship. bothered some of the singer’s fans, who Gray, the popular show typically focuses The die, though, had been cast by the ex- claim it is being used to control and possibly on hilariously dissecting Spears’ Instagram plosive episode, which helped launch what manipulate her against her will. In early posts. The April 16 edition, however, pivoted is now a global #FreeBritney movement, one 2019, due to reported serious health issues, to an allegation that a secretive effort was that has also spawned other podcasts, end- Britney’s dad stepped away from his duties afoot to hold Britney captive in the legal less Twitter campaigns and a Change.org in the conservatorship and professional arrangement (a conservatorship) that had petition with more than 259,000 signatures fiduciary care manager Jodi Montgomery been in place for more than 11 years at that to date that seeks to let Spears hire her own — who had already been overseeing Spears’ point — and that the conservatorship was lawyer to oversee her affairs. The person finances through her firm, Pais Montgomery more focused on exploiting the singer than who started that petition, avowed superfan Fiduciary — was named as his temporary helping her heal. student Max Morgan, tells Billboard that he replacement; Montgomery had not re- The “emergency episode” was based was unaware of the conservatorship before turned Billboard’s requests for comment at on what the pair said was information the #FreeBritney podcast episode aired, and press time. that they’d obtained from an anonymous that it put him in such a “state of shock” he Earlier this summer, according to court paralegal who said they’d worked in an was inspired to start the petition. filings, Spears requested that her father office handling the singer’s long-running When reached by Billboard in late August, be removed as the sole conservator of her conservatorship. That person claimed that Morgan said he couldn’t know if Spears sup- estate, though a judge ruled that it must stay the braintrust behind the effort to have ported the movement — but that changed in place as is until Feb. 1, 2021. The singer, others handle the singer’s affairs was forc- when it was revealed last week that Spears who had been in the midst of a successful ing Spears to get mental health treatment had given a thumbs-up to the efforts to Las Vegas residency, has mostly stayed silent against her will. disentangle her from the conservatorship. In about her conservatorship, but according The unnamed source said, “What is hap- court documents filed on Sept. 2, Spears re- to the Aug. 31 court filings, requested that pening is disturbing, to say the least. Basical- portedly requested that the conservator- Bessemer Trust Company be appointed ly, Britney was in rehearsals for Domination. ship case be opened up to the public, against the conservator. More interestingly for the It came to [her father] Jamie’s attention her father’s wishes. The filing also noted #FreeBritney Nation, the document referred that Britney was not taking her medica- that Spears was angered by her father’s re- to the legal arrangement as “voluntary.” tion as prescribed. She was missing a lot of cent comments in which he reportedly re- Of course, Britney’s fans held a protest doses and just full-on not taking them.” The ferred to the #FreeBritney movement as outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in source then claimed that her father “pulled “a joke” concocted by “these conspiracy L.A. during the Aug. 19 hearing, with ET re- the show” after Britney refused to take her theorists.” porting that the singer’s ex-husband, Jason medications, and that the singer had been in “Far from being a conspiracy theory or a Alexander, was on hand to support the a mental health facility since “mid-January” ‘joke’ as James reportedly told the media, in movement. The ACLU also stepped in to the of 2019. large part this scrutiny [on social media] is fight, pledging support for the star in a All this drama came more than a de- a reasonable and even predictable result of post that read, “People with disabilities have cade after the Spears fan site Breathe James’ aggressive use of the sealing proce- a right to lead self-directed lives and retain Heavy launched the original “Free Britney” dure over the years to minimize the amount their civil rights. If Britney Spears wants to campaign near the dawn of the conservator- of meaningful information made available regain her civil liberties and get out of her ship, amid concerns that the singer’s metal to the public,” Britney’s attorney Samuel conservatorship, we are here to help her.” and physical health were deteriorating Ingham told Us Weekly. “Whatever merits Spears’ older brother, Bryan — who nor- under the arrangement’s strict measures. his strategy might have had years ago when mally does not get involved in family affairs Britney Responds Britney was trying to restart her career, at — spoke out in July, reportedly telling the As On April 23, Spears posted a video on this point in her life when she is trying to NOT Seen on TV podcast that “obviously Instagram promising fans that “all is well,” regain some measure of personal autonomy, there was a need for [the conservatorship] noting that her family has been “going Britney welcomes and appreciates the in the beginning... now they’ve made some Page 14 of 29

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changes and all we can do is hope for the controlling her activities. A spokesperson While the ongoing private saga has best.” He also noted that Britney “always” for Spears did not return requests for com- increasingly played out in public, a number wanted to get out of the “frustrating” con- ment for this story. of superfans have made it their part-time servatorship. While giving credit to Breath jobs to keep a spotlight on the conservator- The #FreeBritney Catalyst Heavy founder Jordan Miller for originating ship, including two former college room- Though they’ve co-hosted the Britney’s the hashtag, Gray says she and Barker decid- mates who go by Jaclyn and Lisa, founders Gram podcast since Nov. 2, 2017, and posted ed to cook up a pink #FreeBritney graphic of the Eat Pray Britney podcast and social 87 episodes to date, Gray tells Billboard that that they suspected would be eye-catching. feeds, which cover all things Britney, with she’s kind of a “medium” Spears fan and “And it worked. We released the episode a laser focus on her legal issues lately. that she and Barker started the show after overnight in the hopes that if anybody tried Lisa — who tells Billboard she and her “constantly” analyzing the singer’s Insta- to take it down it would have already spread podcast partner prefer to keep her last gram posts off-air. By the time the now- too far,” she says. “By the next morning her names private — says she and Jaclyn have infamous episode aired, though, she says mother Lynne was liking #FreeBritney been Britney obsessives since they were they’d spent months doing a “substantial comments, and that’s what really encour- teenagers. They decided to launch their amount of research” on the conservatorship. aged people to get behind it.” podcast last year after wondering “how In the meantime, the broadcast shifted from The impact of the episode was immediate, someone as famous as Britney could be in “a silly comedy show to something akin with neither woman getting any sleep the such a restrictive situation while still being to a true crime show” around Nov. 2018, night it was released and Barker saying that very much in the public eye, and with most when Barker says she attended a hearing in by sunrise it was “all over the internet, and of the public having no idea that the conser- which the then-co-conservator reportedly the daytime talk shows were discussing it,” vatorship even existed.” petitioned the court for a raise. with Eve wearing the shirt on TV. “A lot of They launched their pod around the “From then on we were sort of constantly people sort of immediately took it as a call to same time that the now-legendary Britney’s taking a deep dive into any court documents action,” she says. Gram voicemail episode exploded. Rather we could get our hands onto,” she says. With Neither one was surprised when father than focus on incidents from Spears’ earlier Spears appearing to retreat from social Jamie dismissed the movement, with Barker career, they have spent much of the past media in the weeks before the episode amid chalking his reported comments up to year digging into the minutiae of the conser- speculation about what was going on, Gray someone who was feeling “very evasive and vatorship and giving fans weekly updates on says nothing could have prepared them for defensive.” What did surprise them, though, it in episodes titled “Spears Family Values,” the arrival of the mystery voicemail. “It was was the seeming acknowledgement from “Live From Kentwood it’s... Bryan Spears!” shocking, to say the least — we both were Britney, which they consider a victory for and “The World Don’t Have a Clue.” stunned by it, followed by a sense of ur- them and all the other people who’ve been Now, with more than 60 episodes under gency,” says Gray. “It seemed like it could be following this story for several years. “For their belts, Lisa tells Billboard that as first- a dire situation she was in, and we felt like court documents to actually say that Britney generation Britney fans, she and Jaclyn the information needed to be shared.” welcomes the support of her informed fans, may not have been an empathetic as they Barker, who has a background in journal- that was a big win for those of us who’d could have when Spears was going through ism that includes investigative reporting been gaslit over the last two years,” Barker her difficult period in public a decade ago. for MTV News and The Guardian, says she says. “We weren’t thinking critically about the immediately went to work verifying the In the end, the pair say that the episode messages behind the media reporting, the person’s identity and workplace, as well as served as the “kindling for the fire” of ac- misogyny and classism at time,” she says of calling former editors, attorneys and other celerating advocacy for Spears. “I think for a the tabloid headlines surrounding Spears professionals for advice on how to release lot of people, it confirmed suspicions they’d shaving her head, divorcing former dancer the episode safely. “It was very scary — we had about the way Britney was being treat- Kevin Federline, and other public incidents knew we could possibly be exposing our- ed,” says Barker. “It made them question that the co-host wishes she had treated with selves in various ways, but it just felt like the whether they felt comfortable continuing to more empathy. right thing to do,” says Gray. financially support a business that appeared Now 33, Lisa says in retrospect it all felt Aware of the low hum of the #FreeB- to hinge on the exploitation of an artist they weird even at the time, and that the podcast ritney movement, but admittedly not that really care for... Many people fall victim to — which both women do in their spare engaged in the Britney fan community conservatorship abuse in this country, but time around their full-time gigs — was their beforehand, the pair say they were intrigued sadly, they are often society’s ‘invisible.’ attempt to discuss their conflicted feel- by the issues of “consent and control” raised Britney’s story has shined a light on this ings that the singer’s behavior was being by the source’s claims, questioning how larger issue, and hopefully that continues to constrained, while reframing the narrative much autonomy the star could have if “other be the case.” “through a feminist lens, and talk about how people” were approving her contracts and Digging Deeper mental health is stigmatized.” Page 15 of 29

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When they launched last April, Lisa says Billie Eilish look forward to continuing to grow this plat- they knew the conservatorship would be form, even after we re-open our doors to the “part of it,” but after the Britney’s Gram epi- & Finneas to physical museum.” sode, they realized they would need to dive Eilish’s “No Time to Die” was released deep, with “no idea” how far down the rab- Inaugurate on Feb. 13, a couple of months ahead of bit hole they’d land. “We didn’t realize that the film’s planned April release date. Then we would be part of something that would Grammy COVID-19 hit and the film’s release was evolve in the moment,” Lisa says. “We feel postponed seven months. The film is finally that any increased attention on the conser- Museum’s New scheduled to be released on Nov. 12 in the vatorship is important, because in the previ- U.K. and Nov. 20 in the U.S. ous decade it was not discussed at all.” Online Streaming The museum will also release Eilish and While admittedly not up to speed on Finneas’ 2019 interview and performance conservatorships when they started, like Service from the archives. Barker and Gray, the pair have done a lot of Eilish and Finneas, who grew up in the research since then, digging into the history BY PAUL GREIN Los Angeles area, made frequent trips to of the practice (as well as the history of its the Grammy Museum to see Q&A sessions abuse by some conservators). “I hope this is he Grammy Museum announced with their favorite musicians. The museum a chance for people to re-evaluate how they on Thursday (Sept. 10) that it opened in December 2008. might have viewed Britney earlier in her is launching the first Grammy- “It’s an honor to be part of this new series career and how they talked about her and affiliated streaming service, and to support the Grammy Museum, a how it relates to their own lives,” Lisa says. TCOLLECTION:live. place that had such a huge impact on us “Britney is symbolic of a certain time and The platform features newly produced growing up,” Eilish said in a statement. the ideas of women’s agency and the right artist interviews, performances and “Without the Grammy Museum, we to choose how you live is tied to the Britney livestreams, as well as special releases from wouldn’t have gotten to experience or learn discussion now.” the Grammy Museum archive. The service about so many important artists before us,” Neither have heard from Spears so far, but will be available on all streaming devices, Finneas said in the same statement. “Their both women are confident they’ve opened including computer, tablet, mobile phone programs provide a unique access, insight a lot of eyes and ears, and feel like some and TV, for $2.99/month or $29.99/year. and education that we consider hugely in- of the recent developments may not have COLLECTION:live will kick off on Sept. strumental in our own careers and musical happened if not for the renewed interest 17 at 12 a.m. ET with a recently-taped in- development. We are proud to be part of this spurred by the efforts they and others have terview with Billie Eilish and her brother/ series.” made. collaborator Finneas, conducted by Scott The museum’s popular public programs, “In the larger outcome, we’re interested Goldman, Grammy Museum moderator. The as they are called, were recorded over the in Britney getting to choose what’s going on interview focuses on the song “No Time to past decade in the Clive Davis Theater at in her life and what’s best for her,” Lisa says. Die,” which Eilish and Finneas co-wrote for the museum in the L.A. Live complex in Los “For someone who has given pop culture so the upcoming James Bond film of the same Angeles. COVID-19 forced the museum to much it’s not fair that Britney doesn’t get to name. Hans Zimmer, who composed the close in March. The museum has continued fully decide what happens in her life. That’s film’s score, will also appear on the program. its series via digital conferencing. The total our end goal.” The service will also feature new number of programs recently topped 1,000. Listen to the #FreeBritney episode that programming on Sept. 17 from The New users can explore COLLECTION:live started it all, as well as the latest episode Avett Brothers, Black Pumas, Glass with a free, three-day trial. Grammy of Eat Pray Britney below. Animals, Selena Gomez, Run The Jew- Museum members receive 50% off the els and Tones And I. annual subscription price. New program- One week later, on Sept. 24, the museum ming will be released each week. Proceeds will add new programming from BTS, Per- benefit the museum’s music education fume Genius and Blake Mills, Rufus Wain- initiatives. All current programming on the wright, Sparks, Tame Impala and The Museum At Home site will be transferred to War And Treaty, among others. COLLECTION:live for viewing. “Creating a streaming option for our pro- Below is the September schedule on gramming was always a part of our strategic COLLECTION:live. approach, but COVID-19 brought it to the Thursday, Sept. 17 forefront,” said Michael Sticka, president of Billie Eilish and Finneas, The Avett Broth- the Grammy Museum, in a statement. “We ers, Black Pumas, Glass Animals, Selena Page 16 of 29

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Gomez, Run The Jewels, Tones And I. Twysted Genius’ catalog includes his Under the original agreement with BMG, Also, never-before-released programs collaborations on Lil Baby’s Billboard 200 Fremantle maximized its music publishing from the archives including Herb Alpert & No. 1 album My Turn, on which he co-wrote revenue by 12% since 2017. The company’s Jerry Moss, Trey Anastasio, BENEE, James and produced “Emotionally Scarred,” “Sum catalog includes more than 15,000 owned Blake, Blind Boys of Alabama, Bright Eyes, 2 Prove,” “Live Off My Closet” feat. Fu- and co-published music copyrights, includ- Burt Bacharach & Daniel Tashian, Alessia ture and “Forever” feat. Lil Wayne. The ing music featured in Fremantle shows such Cara, Cheap Trick, Clive Davis, Andra Day, success of those tracks earned Twysted as American Gods, The Price Is Right, Family Donovan, Ken Ehrlich, Dom Flemons, Don- Genius the No. 10 spot on Billboard’s most Feud, The Apprentice, Take Me Out, Grand ovan, Conan Gray, the Immediate Family, recent Publisher’s Quarterly and also landed Designs, Neighbours and Wentworth. Jose James & Don Was, History of Reggae, him atop the Hot 100 Producers chart. Fremantle will additionally continue to La Santa Cecilia, Larkin Poe, Jade Jackson & Based in Atlanta and managed by Quality utilize BMG’s royalty portal, myBMG, which Mike Ness, Kiana Ledé, Alan Menken, Mela- Control Music, Twysted Genius has forth- provides accounting transparency, the nie Martinez, Ava Max, Kip Moore, Graham coming cuts with Young Thug, Future, Gu- central management and tracking of income Nash, Panic! at the Disco, Ben Platt, JP Saxe, cci Mane and more. from multiple international territories and a Shinedown, Southern Blood: A Tribute to Sony/ATV Nashville has signed country faster royalty pay-through. Gregg Allman, Barbra Streisand, Quentin songwriter and producer Jay Brunswick to Sony/ATV has signed songwriter, artist Tarantino, Paul Thorn, X Ambassadors, Yola a global publishing deal that covers future and producer Emma Rosen to a worldwide and Pete Yorn. works, including forthcoming projects with co-publishing agreement that encompasses Plus, a special benefit rental performance Heath Sanders, Parmalee, Jordan Rowe, her catalog and future works. by Scarypoolparty. Patrick Murphy and Chancie Neal. Rosen has collaborated with Euro- Thursday, Sept. 24 Brunswick has been a force behind pean artists including Scooter, James BTS; Perfume Genius and Blake Mills; such songs as Brantley Gilbert’s “Hard Carter and Tokio Hotel. She additionally Poo Bear, Dennis Quaid, & Jared Gutstadt: Days,” Reba McEntire’s “Freedom,” Chris co-wrote Zoe Wees’ breakthrough single Bear And A Banjo; Rufus Wainwright; Sam Janson’s “Beer Me,” Parmalee’s “Heart- “Control.” She started her career composing Fischer; Sparks; Tame Impala; The War And breaker” and “American Nights,” Granger and singing in the advertising field before Treaty. Smith’s “Everybody Lives” and Josh moving into songwriting. Other collabora- Wednesday, Sept. 30 Thompson’s “Always Been Me” and “You tors have included Tamzene, Tim Kamrad Special program — to be announced. Ain’t Seen Country Yet.” and Neon Dreams. Visit HERE to RSVP and to sign-up for Kobalt has renewed its partnership PPL has signed an agreement with house more information. with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne’s artist Sigala for the administration of his Nashville-based publisher SMACKSongs. international neighboring rights collections. The deal includes administration, creative Sigala enjoyed a U.K. No. 1 in 2015 with Publishing Briefs: services and synch for SMACKSongs’ entire his debut single “Easy Love.” Overall, he has catalog and future works. released seven top 10 albums and ten top Reservoir Signs Lil Additionally, Kobalt has announced a 40 singles in the U.K. He has collaborated global agreement with independent African with Nile Rodgers, Craig David, John Baby Collaborator, music company emPawa Publishing. Newman, Paloma Faith and Becky Hill. As with SMACKSongs, the deal includes PPL manages the neighboring rights of Sony/ATV Lassoes admin, creative services and synch for em- 95,000 performers and recording rights- Pawa’s full catalog and future releases. The holders and has over 100 agreements with Country Hitmaker publisher has had songs recorded by Be- collective management organizations across yoncé, J Balvin & Bad Bunny and Major every continent. Jay Brunswick Lazer and boasts hit singles by African artists including Mr. Eazi, J. Derobie and BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN Killertunes. BMG has extended its worldwide eservoir has signed writer- partnership with TV producer and distribu- producer Twysted Genius to tor Fremantle. The renewed deal includes a worldwide publishing deal a global music publishing and administra- covering his entire catalog and tion agreement for Fremantle’s catalogue, as Rfuture works. The company would not well as a deal with BMG’s production music confirm whether the agreement is admin, business that has been expanded to a global co-publishing or publishing. partnership under the terms of the renewal. Page 17 of 29

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The Players Former Live “Love4Live is the intersection of the two things that I really love — live music and Behind DaBaby Nation Exec Jason meditation,” says Garner. Thinking about music professionals hurt by the COVID-19 & Roddy Ricch’s Garner Launches shutdown, Garner explains, “I was in the same exact spot a decade ago. Here’s all ‘Rockstar’: See the Free Meditation these people, just like me, who had woken up and now don’t have a job. They might not Full Credits Series for Live know who they are any more. They’re cut off from their community. The difference BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN Music Pros Hit was I had resources and now I want to use those resources to help others.” aBaby’s “Rockstar” feat. Roddy by COVID-19 Garner went on to make a series of sig- Ricch officially finished out the nificant life changes, focused on ending his season at No. 1 on Billboard’s Shutdown substance abuse problems, reevaluated his 2020 Songs of the Sum- priorities around family and strengthened Dmer chart, having led the tally for 13 out of BY DAVE BROOKS his own mental health through meditation, 15 tracking weeks. The annual chart tracks even traveling to China to study with monks the most popular songs based on their ason Garner is bringing his “Big at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province. cumulative performance on the weekly Hugs” philosophy to the live music His story is detailed in his 2014 book “... streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Bill- business. And I Breathed: My Journey from a Life board Hot 100 chart between Memorial Day The former Live Nation executive of Matter to a Life That Matters” and he is and Labor Day. Jwho signs off all correspondence with the hoping his experience with trauma will give In addition, “Rockstar” was the most warm and endearing “Big Hugs” saluta- others the tools needed to cope with trauma. streamed song of the summer, having racked tion is launching Love4Live today, a free Love4Live will feature 15 of the world’s up 514.6 million streams, according to portal of refuge, community and support leaders in meditation including Sharon Nielsen Music/MRC Data. It topped the Hot for the concert industry as it reels from the Salzberg, Tara Brach, LeAnn Rimes, George 100 for a total of seven weeks. existential crisis created by COVID-19. Mumford, Krishna Das, Joseph Goldstein, Explore the team of musicians, producers, With thousands of jobs lost or furloughed and Lama Rod Owens. Every Tuesday and engineers and more behind the track with due to the global pandemic, Garner says he Thursday (exact dates and times be- recording credits provided by Jaxsta below. hopes the series will help music profession- low), long-time meditation teacher Thomas Artists als cope with grief, stress and strain on their Davis will lead a meditation class geared Main Artist - DaBaby mental health. The Love4Live portal will toward mindfulness in tough times. The Featured Artist - Roddy Ricch offer expert conversations and panels start- program will culminate with a three-day Songwriters: ing today, twice weekly meditation classes concert industry online meditation retreat Composer Lyricist - Jonathan Lyndale Kirk starting Sept. 15 and a culminating virtual December 4-6 featuring meditation experts Composer Lyricist - Rodrick Wayne Moore, retreat on Dec. 4-6. Love4Live is funded and Salzberg, Trudy Goodman and Thomas Jr. curated by Garner and is offered in conjunc- Davis. Composer Lyricist - Ross Joseph Portaro IV tion with the nonprofit InsightLA Medita- “We want people to feel less alone right Producers: tion Center. now and know they dont have to do this by Producer - SethInTheKitchen Garner knows what is like to endure the themselves,” Garner says. “Second, we can’t Engineers: stress of the music business, climbing the gather backstage at Madison Square Garden Assistant Mixer - Curtis “Sircut” Bye ranks from flea market parking attendant right now. There’s no after-parties at the Fo- Assistant Mixer - Cyrus “NOIS” Taghipour in Northern California to CEO of Global rum. This whole community has been taken Mastering Engineer - Glenn A. Tabor III Music at Live Nation, working with chief away and I hope this is an opportunity for Mixer - Chris West executive Michael Rapino at what quickly us to get together, look inward and focus on Mixer - Derek ‘MixedByAli’ Ali became the world’s largest concert promo- our own hearts. From what I’ve seen, that Labels: tion company. Twice named to Fortune mag- that’s a very special experience.” Distributor - Universal Music Group azine’s list of the top 20 highest-paid execu- Label - South Coast Music Group/Inter- tives under 40, Garner was riding on top of scope Records the world until a series of personal tragedies Explore the full “Rockstar” credits on and substance abuse issues pushed him over Jaxsta here. the precipice. Page 18 of 29

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Music Returns viewers inside one of the greatest perform- Harry Styles,” sold for $28,125, more than ing arts centers in the country as we all nine times its original estimate of $3,000. to Wang Theatre find new ways to connect with our favorite NASCAR star Darrell “Bubba” Wallace New England artists during the pandemic.” Jr.’s Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, which he drove Stage for Boch says Maggie McCarthy Baxter, v.p. of in the 2018 Daytona 500, sold for $25,600 programming at NECN. — less than half of its original estimate of Center’s Ghost For more information on the Ghost Light $60,000. And MusiCares won’t even see all Series or to donate to the Boch Center, of that: It is splitting the proceeds from the Light Series click here. sale of the car evenly with The Petty Family Foundation. BY DAVE BROOKS Bono’s handwritten and signed lyrics Harry Styles’ to U2’s 2017 song “Love Is Bigger Than Any- he Boch Center in Boston, one thing in Its Way” sold for $22,400 — 11 times of the nation’s leading nonprofit Guitar, Bono’s the original estimate of $2,000. The song performing arts institutions and appeared on the band’s most recent studio a guardian of the historic Wang Handwritten album, Songs of Experience, which entered Tand Shubert theaters, is paying tribute to a the Billboard 200 at No. 1. centuries-old tradition with its audience- Lyrics & More Several items associated with classic less Ghost Light series. rock stars drew heavy bids. A Gibson SG The performance series at the historic Celebrity Standard ’61 guitar in vintage cherry signed Wang Theatre honors the single lamp left by Robert Plant and Tony Iommi (Black shining at most theaters when everyone has Memorabilia Sold Sabbath) sold for $19,200, nearly five gone home for the evening. As the supersti- times its original estimate of $4,000. Ozzy tion goes, the single light protects actors, at Auction to Osbourne’s stage ensemble of a black Gene patrons and the theater from bad luck and Meyer New York shirt with red crystal ghosts. Benefit MusiCares cross and matching pants and his Oliver The Ghost Light series at the Wang The- Peoples round silver metal glasses fetched atre will put the light center stage during a BY PAUL GREIN a combined 16,460, significantly above the series of televised performances for Keb’ combined estimate of $9,000. Mo’, Lori McKenna, The Mammals, Tom rtists have been rummaging A Paul Reed Smith Dragon Series guitar, Rush, Noel Paul Stookey, Jonathan Ed- through their closets to find Series 1, signed by Oscar-winning compos- wards and more. During their performanc- items to donate to MusiCares er Hans Zimmer, sold for $12,800, above its es, artists will play without amplified sound for their charity auctions. On estimate of $10,000. and only be illuminated by the Ghost Light, WednesdayA (Sept. 9), a MusiCares Charity Proceeds from designated lots were split revealing “what it is like to be a musician at Relief Auction raised hundreds of thousands between MusiCares and the Grand Ole Opry a time when you are cut off from your audi- of dollars for the charity’s philanthropic Trust Fund. ence,” a press release from the Boch Center work. It took place live at Julien’s Auctions MusiCares also announced its next online announcing the show explains. in Beverly Hills and online at juliensauc- auction with Julien’s, which will take place “We will not go dark. We are still here, tions.com. during Grammy Week next January, in the and as long as we are here, we will try our Julien’s Auctions reports that the item run-up to the 63rd annual Grammy Awards best to bring people live music,” says Joe that drew the largest bid ($51,200) was Bill on Jan. 31. Spaulding, president and chief executive Wyman’s custom Mesa/Boogie bass ampli- This has been a busy year for MusiCares, officer of the Boch Center. “The Ghost Light fier rig used during The Rolling Stones’ owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. By the Series allows us to give artists a voice in this 1989-90 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle World close of MusiCares’ fiscal year on July 31, uncertain time and show the incredible tal- Tour. The winning bid, while impressive, they had served upwards of 26,000 clients ent in New England and beyond.” was less than the auction house’s original and provided more than $23 million in as- Guests watching on TV or online are estimate of $80,000. sistance, according to a MusiCares spokes- asked to support the Boch Center and the A fellow English artist (a couple of gener- man.This represents a 294 percent increase Folk American Roots Hall of Fame. The ations removed), Harry Styles, donated the in dollars distributed and a 200 percent series will air on NBCUniversal’s New runner-up item in terms of its winning auc- increase in number of clients served over England’s Connection (NECN), premiering tion bid. Styles’ cherry red Gibson Memphis the prior fiscal year. To date, the MusiCares Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern. ES 335 guitar, signed on the body in silver COVID Relief effort has distributed more “The Ghost Light Series will take our marker “[heart] Treat people with kindness than $19 million to more than 19,000 music Page 19 of 29

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people in need. pandemic.” 2002-04, they were called the CMT Flame- MusiCares’ initial grant offering in what it For information on how to apply for help worthy Video Music Awards. The name was calls Phase I of its COVID relief efforts was from MusiCares, visit the organization’s (mercifully) shortened to the CMT Music for up to $1,000 to compensate for canceled website. Awards starting in 2005. work and to help with basic living assis- Carrie Underwood has won 20 CMT tance. MusiCares has since eliminated that Music Awards, more than any other artist. $1,000 cap on grants. Here’s the New She has won the top award, video of the “Phase I funding was distributed equita- year, a record seven times, for “Before He bly and quickly to provide immediate relief Date For the CMT Cheats,” “Cowboy Casanova,” “Good Girl,” for basic needs,” a MusiCares spokesman “Blown Away,” “See You Again,” “Something says. “Phase II is a longer-term, tailored Music Awards in the Water” and “Cry Pretty.” approach to help those who are still strug- Keith Urban and Taylor Swift are gling due to the pandemic. Phase II grants BY PAUL GREIN runners-up in the video of the year category, vary in size and may be smaller or larger with three wins each. Toby Keith is a two- than $1,000. The grant amounts awarded he CMT Music Awards, which time category champ. Alan Jackson, Kenny are based on the demonstrated need of the bills itself as country music’s only Chesney, Tim McGraw and Blake Shel- applicant.” entirely fan-voted awards show, ton have each won once in the category “Due to the increasingly complex nature has pushed the date of this year’s since 2001. of the continuing pandemic, MusiCares is Tshow back one week, from Oct. 14 to Oct. For more information, visit CMT.com. now tailoring relief efforts to each individ- 21. That way, it won’t be competing with ual’s needs and prioritizing those who are the Billboard Music Awards, which are experiencing an unforeseen personal crisis set for Oct. 14. (On the new date, it will be Dance World All- such as a physical or mental health emer- competing with the Billboard Latin Music gency, substance abuse disorder, or threat Awards, but there is no overlap between the Stars to Make of eviction,” said Laura Segura, MusiCares’ two shows.) executive director. The CMT Music Awards were originally Magic With MusiCares announced on April 30 that slated to be held at Bridgestone Arena in its COVID-19 Relief Fund was depleted and Nashville, which has been their home for ‘Abracadabra’ that it was forced to stop accepting new every year but one since 2009. But a press applications. “Unfortunately, until we can release released Thursday (Sept. 10) said the Livestream: See raise more money for our COVID-19 Relief show will consist of “epic outdoor perfor- Fund, we can no longer accept new applica- mances in and around Music City.” Lineup (Exclusive) tions from those seeking assistance. While The show will air on CMT, with a six-net- our goal is always to provide support to work simulcast across MTV, MTV2, Logo, BY KATIE BAIN everyone in need, we are currently bound by Paramount Network, Pop and TV Land the funds available,” the Foundation said in (all ViacomCBS Entertainment & Youth hile we all wish we could a statement that day. Brands). The show will air at 8 p.m. ET. wave a magic wand and “The volume of [applications in Phase I] The host and nominations will be an- make the pandemic disap- was so great that MusiCares had to make nounced in the next two weeks. Little Big pear, for now the situation sure they had enough funds to serve those Town hosted the show in 2018 and 2019. isW here to stay. But since COVID-19 hit, who were in the queue pending approval The CMT Music Awards will be midway livestream technology has served as practi- (around 3,000 clients) while they contin- between two other country music awards cal magic for delivering music and helping ued to raise money before accepting new shows. The rescheduled ACM Awards are artists and fans connect, even while we’re applications,” a MusiCares spokesman said set for Sept. 16 at three Nashville venues — separated. this week. the Grand Ole Opry House, Ryman Audito- On Sept. 17-20, the second incarnation MusiCares found more funding and in rium and Bluebird Café. The CMA Awards of the Abracadabra livestream festival will June reopened the application process. “Ap- have yet to announce their date or venue. deliver more musical alchemy via a lineup plications have reopened and we are now Their show last year was held on Nov. 13 at including Diplo, Tycho, Snoop Dogg’s DJ in ‘Phase II’ of our ongoing COVID relief Bridgestone Arena. alter-ego DJ Snoopadelic, Channel Tres, efforts,” Segura says. “The urgency remains The CMT Music Awards have aired on Nicole Moudaber, Claude Vonstroke, Beats high and the team is working relentlessly CMT since 2001, when they were called Antique, Abracadabra co-founder Blond:ish to raise additional funds to support those the TNN & CMT Country Weekly Music and a sprawling crew of 75 total acts. See the in the music community affected by the Awards (and also aired on TNN). From complete lineup below. Page 20 of 29

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The free event will stream from the Los Rap Songs to tie “Type” as Saweetie’s best Dua Lipa & Angeles Theatre 24 hours a day via Twitch. showing on that list. Similarly, on the all- In addition to the music, Abracadabra will genre Billboard Hot 100, “Tap” races 10 The Blessed feature an expansive self-care lineup, with spots to No. 21 to match the “Type” peak. workshops and talks from a bevy of facilita- “Tap” improves 14-12 on the R&B/Hip- Madonna’s ‘Club tors intent on making you feel brighter and Hop Digital Song Sales chart thanks to more grounded in these challenging times. 3,000 downloads sold in the week ending Future Nostalgia’ There will also be interactive magic shows Sept. 3, according to Nielsen Music/MRC and T-Pain leading a live palm reading ses- Data, up 14% from the prior seven-day pe- Debuts at No. 1 sion. riod. The new guest-heavy remix accounts “As an international touring artist affected for 1,000 of those sales. on Top Dance/ by Covid-19, it feels like we’re cracking Unsurprisingly, the added boost of a the code in terms of continuing to build a guest-heavy remix prompts a burst in Electronic Albums connection with our community and bring streams. The single jumps to 11.1 million them new transformative experiences from U.S. streams in the week ending Aug. 28, Chart afar,” Blond:ish says in a statement. “Virtual a 26% surge from the prior week. The events have greater reach and even more total prompts “Tap” to debut at No. 16 on BY GORDON MURRAY merit than physical ones in some ways, and the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs chart will give an edge to the human connection and No. 15 on Rap Streaming Songs. ua Lipa and The Blessed we feel when physical events eventually (Despite the boost due to the remix, the Madonna debut at No. 1 on return.” original version makes up the majority of Billboard’s Top Dance/Elec- 100 percent of the proceeds, raised via activity and thus, precludes the new guest tronic Albums chart (dated Sept. voluntary viewer donations, will benefit en- stars from joining the “Tap In” artist bill- D12) with Club Future Nostalgia. The first vironmental organizations including Lonely ing.) entry for both the singer-songwriter and Whale, Parley for the Oceans and Radio activity also improves for “Tap producer, the set starts with 18,000 equiva- Blond:ish’s non-profit, Bye Bye Plastic, In,” which rises 7-6 on R&B/Hip-Hop lent album units in the week ending Sept. 3, which is dedicated to eliminating single use Airplay and picks up a 4% boost to 16.3 according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. plastics from the music industry by 2025. million in format audience in the week end- The 17-track set includes remixes of all 11 ing Sept. 6. It also skips 8-4 on Rhythmic songs on Lipa’s LP Future Nostalgia, which Songs thanks to a 20% hike in plays. Simi- began at No. 4 on the all-genre Billboard Saweetie’s ‘Tap larly, it jumps 6-3 on Rap Airplay through a 200 in April. The new release enters the 10% upgrade in audience. chart at No. 28. In’ Hits Top 10 on “Tap In” previews Saweetie’s debut studio Newly remixed Club track “Levitating,” album, Pretty Bitch Music, expected later credited to Lipa and The Blessed Madonna Hot R&B/Hip-Hop this year. The set follows her latest EP, Icy, featuring Madonna and Missy Elliott, hit which peaked at No. 49 on Top R&B/Hip- No. 6 on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs Songs Chart Hop Albums in 2019. chart, this week ranking at No. 10. Club contains remixes from the likes of BY TREVOR ANDERSON Dimitri From Paris, Jacques Lu Cont and Masters at Work. aweetie nabs her second career Also on Top Dance/Electronic Albums, top 10 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/ Disclosure debuts at No. 3 with Ener- Hip-Hop Songs chart as “Tap gy (13,000 units). It’s the U.K. act’s third top In” jumps 13-9 on the list dated 10, following Settle (No. 1 for two weeks in SSept. 12 following a new remix with Post 2014) and Caracal (No. 1, four weeks, 2015). Malone, DaBaby and Jack Harlow released Nine Energy tracks have hit Hot Dance/ on Aug. 28. Electronic Songs, including “Birthday” With the move, “Tap” becomes the rap- (with Kehlani and Syd), which debuts at No. per’s highest charting hit on the chart. Last 12 with 1.8 million U.S. streams and 1,000 summer’s hit “My Type” climbed to a No. 10 downloads sold. The set’s title track reached best nearly one year ago, on the Sept. 7, 2019 No. 22 in June and “Douha (Mali Mali),” chart. with Fatoumata Diawara, peaked at No. 25 In addition, “Tap” advances 13-8 on Hot in August. Page 21 of 29

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Plus, ILLENIUM notches his fourth Wonho to Partner Michael Franti & top 1o on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs as “Nightlight” debuts at No. 9. The song starts With LiveXLive Spearhead Return with 2.2 million U.S. streams and 3,000 downloads sold. for Pay-Per-View to No. 1 on Adult Global Concert Alternative Songs WhoHeem Scores With ‘I Got You’ First Career Hot BY RANIA ANIFTOS onho is coming to a screen BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD 100 Hit With ‘Lets near you. The South Korean singer ichael Franti & Spearhead Link’ announced on Wednesday top Billboard’s Adult Alterna- (Sept.W 9) that he’s partnering with LiveX- tive Songs airplay chart for the BY XANDER ZELLNER Live for a global pay-per-view concert on first time in a decade, as “I Got Sept. 26. The show will mark his first live MYou” rises 2-1 on the list dated Sept. 12. hoHeem reaches Bill- solo act and the debut performance for his The roots rock band scores its second board’s charts for the first first solo album, Love Synonym #1 : Right for leader on the chart, after “The Sound of time and notches his initial Me, out Sept. 4. Sunshine” ruled for eight weeks beginning entry on the Billboard Hot The performance will feature songs from in July 2010. 100,W as his breakthrough single “Lets Link” Wonho’s new solo album, plus other original In between its two No. 1s, the group tal- starts at No. 90 on the list dated Sept. 12. and cover songs and a unique PPV experi- lied five entries, earning a pair of No. 5 hits Released commercially Aug. 20, the song ence with behind-the-scenes footage. with “Hey Hey Hey” in 2010 and “I’m Alive debuts with 7.3 million U.S. streams and “LiveXLive is fortunate to be able to (Life Sounds Like)” in 2013. 1,000 downloads sold in the week ending support Wonho’s return to his fans, the WE- The group ends the second-longest Sept. 3, according to Nielsen Music/MRC NEE’s, and the career he loves. Our platform stretch between No. 1s in the Adult Alterna- Data. It concurrently begins at No. 32 on is built for moments like these and we are tive Songs chart’s 24-year history: a week Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, while WhoHeem excited to power this one-of-a-kind concert short of 10 years. It narrowly passed Ryan himself debuts at No. 20 on the Emerging experience together. We saw an incredible Adams, who waited two weeks shy of 10 Artists chart. response for the Monsta X live show and an- years between “New York, New York” in According to TikTok, the song has been ticipate Wonho’s solo breakout performance 2001 and “Lucky Now” in 2011. The record used in over 700,000 videos to date. is perfectly timed to serve as the encore of a belongs to The Killers, who went 10 years In recent months, the social video sharing lifetime!” stated Dermot McCormack, presi- and four months between between “Read app has helped multiple artists hit the Hot dent of LiveXLive, in a press statement. My Mind” in 2007 and “The Man” in 2017. 100 for the first time, including Arizona The concert is scheduled for September “I Got You” is the lead single from Franti Zervas (“Roxanne”), Benee (“Supalonely”) 26 at 11 p.m. ET. Tickets will be available on & Spearhead’s LP Work Hard & Be Nice, and Jawsh 685 (“Savage Love [Laxed – Siren September 11 at which debuted at No. 8 on the Americana/ Beat]”). 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT at LivexLive.com. Folk Albums chart in July. Also making their Billboard chart debuts this week are Necrot, as the California metal band starts at No. 17 on Emerging Artists as its LP Mortal enters Heatseekers Albums at No. 10 (4,000 equivalent album units), while German singer-songwriter Zoe Wees sends her breakthrough track “Control” onto the Pop Songs airplay chart at No. 40. Page 22 of 29

IN BRIEF

NEEDTOBREATHE, Los Angeles first class,” Mejia-Avante continues. “It was something impressive. It’s extremely PJ Morton & Azules Score 12th gratifying knowing that our classics which arrived in Argentina in 1994, have been so Jekalyn Carr Rule Top 10 on Regional well received in such distant lands, and it is an honor to be able to relive them now with Religious Charts Mexican Albums contemporary artists.” De Buenos Aires Para El Mundo was pre- BY JIM ASKER Chart With ‘De ceded by three songs on the Regional Mexi- can Airplay chart. “Amor a Primera Vista,” EEDTOBREATHE notches its Buenos Aires Para with Belinda and Lalo Ebratt, featuring fourth No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Horacio Palencia (No. 2 peak, June 2019), Christian Albums chart, as Out El Mundo’ “Acaríñame,” with Julieta Venegas and Juan of Body blasts in atop the Sept. Ingramo (No. 6 peak, Dec. 2019) and “Y la N12-dated survey. BY PAMELA BUSTIOS Hice Llorar,” featuring Abel Pintos (No. 7 In its first week, ending Sept. 3, the set peak, June 13-dated tally). earned 23,000 equivalent album units, with os Angeles Azules earn their 12th “We enjoyed all collaborations,” Mejía- 17,000 in album sales, according to Nielsen top 10 on the Regional Mexican Avante adds. “Each artist has their own Music/MRC Data. Albums chart as the live set De particularity, and the truth is that we get The LP also opens at No. 2 on Top Rock Buenos Aires Para El Mundo debuts along well with everyone. One of the most Albums, where it’s the band’s sixth top 10. Lat No. 8 on the Sept. 12-dated survey. interesting collaborations was Vicentico’s NEEDTOBREATHE previously The 14-track set of classics, which was because even though he comes from a to- ruled Top Christian Albums with Hard released Aug. 28 via Seltrack/Disa/UMLE, tally different genre, his vocals fit perfectly Love (2016), Rivers in the Wasteland (2014) was recorded live in Buenos Aires in in “Cómo Te Olvidar”. He is a very calm and and The Reckoning (2011). All four of the 2019 under the direction of Diego Álva- very friendly person, we really enjoyed his group’s leaders have debuted at No. 1. rez (Plataforma TV) and co-produced by performance which was first class.” Top ‘Gospel’ Album: PJ Morton, a key- Rodolfo Lugo and Jorge Mejía-Avante. The While the revamped tune with Vicentico boardist and vocalist in Maroon 5, scores effort brought together Argentina, Chile hasn’t entered the Billboard charts, the his first Top Gospel Albums No. 1, as Gospel and Mexico with Vicentico, Palito Ortega, classic earned Los Angeles Azules their first According to PJ enters at the pinnacle with Soledad, Julieta Venegas and Lali, among a Regional Mexican Airplay entry and first top 3,000 units. few of the guest artists. 10. The song peaked at No. 5 in Jan. 1997 and The set is the first entry on the chart for “This is unexpected news,” Elías Mejía- remained in the top 10 for 11 weeks. Morton, who became a member of Maroon 5 Avante, lead vocalist and bassist, tells Bill- in 2012. It sports collaborations with format board. “This maintains us even more united stalwarts including Yolanda Adams, The Clark with our Argentinean audience which has Iliza Shlesinger Sisters, Tasha Cobbs, Mary Mary and J Moss. supported us for so long. Revamping these Lead single “All in His Plan,” featuring classics is one of the coolest things we’ve Announces Le’Andria Johnson and Mary Mary, flew 6-1 ever had.” on the Gospel Airplay chart dated Sept. 5, De Buenos Aires Para El Mundo opens ‘Comedy Tailgate’ becoming Morton’s first leader. with 2,000 equivalent album units earned Carr Ride: Morton’s “Plan” gives way to in the week ending Sept. 3, according to Drive-In Tour Jekalyn Carr’s “Changing Your Story” atop Nielsen Music/MRC Data; most of which Gospel Airplay, as the latter lifts 2-1. are attributed to streaming activity. The set BY DAVE BROOKS Carr achieves her fourth Gospel Airplay registered 3.5 million on-demand streams No. 1, after “It’s Yours,” which reigned for of the set’s tracks in its debut week. s one of the top touring come- nine weeks beginning in February 2019; The Regional Mexican Albums chart dians of her generation, Iliza “You Will Win” (six, 2018); and “You’re Big- ranks the most popular regional Mexi- Shlesinger has developed her ger” (four, 2016). can albums of the week in the U.S. based craft feeding off the energy of her With four Gospel Airplay leaders, Carr on multi-metric consumption as measured liveA audience — so how will that change now boasts the second-most among women, after in equivalent album units. Units comprise that she is going on a drive-in tour, perform- Tamela Mann with six. Kirk Franklin leads album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) ing in front of socially distanced vehicles all acts with seven No. 1s since the chart and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). instead of a packed arena or theater? launched in 2005. “The production done in Argentina was “Inside the cars is a live audience; how Page 23 of 29

IN BRIEF

do you think the cars got to the show?” she Pearl Jam “don’t wait.” tells Billboard as she prepares to hit the Vedder has already been getting the mes- road for the nine-city Comedy Tailgate Tour Launches ‘PJ sage out about the first step on Instagram. presented by Monster Energy at drive-in The rocker, who only recently joined the theaters across the U.S. this October. Votes 2020’ social media platform, shared a series of “I treat my audience the same no mat- pictures and messages on Sept. 2 to show ter where I am,” explains the L.A.-based Initiative: ‘Our followers how “simple, secure and verifiable comedian, who has five Netflix specials it is” to vote by mail. currently streaming, including her most Democracy Is “Piece of cake,” he wrote of filling out recent Unveiled and Elder Millennial. She your ballot at home. “In regards to some- stars opposite Mark Wahlberg in the popu- At Risk’ thing so huge as taking part in our democ- lar Netflix film Spenser Confidential and racy and putting your voices to great use, recently launched The Iliza Shlesinger BY ANNA CHAN nothing could be easier. And at this intense Sketch Show on the streaming platform. She time of a global pandemic, even more im- is also one half of Don’t Panic Pantry, her earl Jam wants you to get out and portantly, nothing could be SAFER.” follow-along-at-home cooking web series vote this year. The Seattle grunge For more information about PJ Votes with husband, chef and James Beard Award- band partnered with People for 2020, visit PearlJam.com or text PJVotes nominated author Noah Galuten. the American Way to launch PJ to 52886. The drive-in tour shows will be socially PVotes 2020 on Wednesday (Sept. 9), an ini- distanced and fans will follow Iliza’s set tiative that hopes to increase voter turnout through their car radio. Tickets for the tour for the general election Nov. 3, which will ‘Saturday Night are on sale now and dates are below. see Joe Biden and Donald Trump face off for Oct. 2 — Pittsburgh @ Starlight Drive-In the presidency. Live’ Returns to Oct. 3 — McHenry, Illinois @ McHenry “We believe America is at its best when Outdoor Theater every voice is heard,” frontman Eddie Ved- Studio for 46th Oct. 4 — Fort Collins, Colorado @ Holiday der said in a press release. “This is the most Twin Drive-In important election in our nation’s history. Season Oct. 8 — Austin @ H-E-B Center at Cedar Our democracy is at risk. Your vote is your Park Tailgate Series voice, and it’s time to use it. Join us by vot- BY RICK PORTER Oct. 9 — Houston, TX @ Moonstruck Drive- ing by mail — something our band has been In Cinema doing for almost three decades, since we aturday Night Live is getting back Oct. 10 —Fort Worth, Texas @ Coyote Drive- began touring in 1992. It’s safe, it’s easy, and into the studio to start its 46th In it’s secure.” season on NBC. Oct. 16 — Anaheim, California @ Drive-In “Voting freely and easily is our ultimate The sketch comedy series has OC at City National Grove of Anaheim right as citizens of these United States,” Sset Oct. 3 for its season premiere, once again Oct. 23 – Pleasanton, California @ Alameda added bassist Jeff Ament. “It’s a hard-fought airing live across the country at 11:30 p.m. County Fair Drive-In gift from our foremothers and forefathers.” ET/8:30 p.m. PT. NBC says the show will re- Oct. 24 — Escondido, California @ The People for the American Way has been turn to its home base in Rockefeller Center’s Drive-In at Westfield North County pushing for a secure election and safe Studio 8H to kick off the season. Visit iliza.com to learn more alternatives to voting in person to help make The premiere will mark the first in-studio sure that all eligible voters are able to cast edition of SNL in nearly seven months. The a ballot, and that their votes are counted. show’s last episode before the coronavirus “For three decades, Pearl Jam has stood pandemic shut down production aired on firm with the progressive movement, using March 7, with Daniel Craig hosting. Three their music to call out lies, corruption, and remote editions of the show, with cast injustice,” said Ben Jealous, president of the members and musical guests all performing organization. “Together, we can take a stand from their homes, closed out the season in against the hurt and disappointment that is the spring. causing all Americans’ pain.” In keeping with the show’s usual m.o., Pearl Jam is encouraging fans to join little else about the season premiere is their initiative’s Take Three Pledge, which known. SNL typically doesn’t announce its involves — you guessed it — three steps: first list of hosts, or which cast members are “vote by mail,” “recruit three friends,” and returning and who’s joining the ensemble, Page 24 of 29

IN BRIEF

until closer to its airdate. Tribute Awards include Regina King, Delroy The film will feature the story of the Jimi The show’s return to in-studio produc- Lindo and Bollywood star Tabu, while Chloe Hendrix Experience’s famous visit to Maui, tion follows that of a number of other Wilde and Tyrone Edwards will host the Hawaii in 1970 and the ill-fated Rainbow late-night programs. NBC’s Tonight Show kudosfest. Bridge film. Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night With This year’s honorees will include Kate Hendrix was working on a follow-up Seth Meyers have both resumed taping at Winslet, Anthony Hopkins, directors Chloe album to Electric Ladyland with his band- 30 Rock, and CBS’ Late Show and Late Late Zhao, Mira Nair and Tracey Deer and Gram- mates Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox, and Show have done the same at their respective my-winning composer Terence Blanchard. building Electric Lady Studios in New York studios — although Late Show host Stephen After the coronavirus pandemic ended plans City’s Greenwich Village. Since complet- Colbert is filming from a replica of his office for a physical mass gathering, TIFF’s award ing the recording facility was proving to be at New York’s Ed Sullivan Theater rather season gala will go digital this year with quite expensive, his controversial man- than in the theater itself. Jimmy Kimmel is at-home acceptance speeches and career ager Michael Jeffery procured a $500,000 set to return to his ABC late-night show on retrospectives for the trophy winners. advance from Warner Bros. to fund the re- Sept. 21 after a summer break. Mendes’ philanthropic arm, the Shawn maining construction. At those same meet- SNL has a much larger cast than any of Mendes Foundation, will also sponsor a ings, Jeffery convinced the label to finance those shows, and more moving parts with Changemaker Award to be given along with the Rainbow Bridge film in exchange for multiple sketches and musical performanc- $10,000 to a TIFF title that tackles issues of rights to its Hendrix-filled soundtrack. es. NBC isn’t yet sharing details on how the social change. The Chuck Wein-directed and Jeffery- show will accommodate COVID-19 safety “Shawn shares TIFF’s commitment to produced film centered around the idea of precautions. elevating and empowering young change- a “rainbow bridge” between the unenlight- This story originally ran in The Holly- makers to transforming the world through ened and enlightened worlds, but instead of wood Reporter. advocacy, and we’re absolutely thrilled to its vision of featuring everyday people tak- have him join us to perform at this year’s ing part in everything from surfing and yoga TIFF Tribute Awards as we honor the film to meditation and Tai-Chi, the shoot began Shawn Mendes industry’s contributors,” Joana Vicente, diminishing to an unorganized assemblage executive director and co-head of TIFF, said of hippie life. As Jeffery grew concerned Partnering With in a statement. that his investment was in jeopardy, he The Toronto Film Festival is set to run became desperate to feature Hendrix in the Toronto Film from Sept. 10 to 19. film. This article originally appeared on The The Experience were already booked to Festival For Hollywood Reporter. perform a concert in Honolulu at the H.I.C. Arena on August 1, 1970 and Wein came Changemaker up with a plan to film a free “color/sound A New vibratory experiment” on the lower slope Award, Will of the dormant Haleakala volcano. A few Documentary on hundred Maui locals gathered for a success- Perform at 2020 ful performance, and Hendrix soon returned Jimi Hendrix’s to New York and his work at Electric Lady Ceremony Studios before he tragically died in London Famous 1970 Maui on September 18, 1970. BY ETAN VLESSING Jeffery prepared Rainbow Bridge and Performances Is its accompanying soundtrack to follow up livia Colman, Ava DuVernay, to acclaimed posthumous The Cry of Love. Colin Farrell, and Jodie Foster on the Way The film was a commercial flop as moviego- are set to introduce prize-win- ers were under the impression they were ners at the 2020 TIFF Tribute BY RANIA ANIFTOS going to see a concert film. 17 minutes of OAwards on Sept. 15, Toronto Film Festival heavily edited Hendrix concert footage was organizers said Wednesday (Sept. 9). xperience Hendrix L.L.C. and used in the final cut. Canadian pop sensation Shawn Mendes Legacy Recordings announced The Blu-ray will include the full docu- will perform as part of TIFF’s celebrity- on Thursday (Sept. 10) a new mentary as well as bonus features featuring driven awards show, which is to air on the documentary titled Music, Money, all of the existing 16mm color film shot of CTV network countrywide and stream EMadness . . . Jimi Hendrix In Maui, plus an the two performances that afternoon mixed online. Other presenters set for the TIFF accompanying album Live In Maui. in both stereo and 5.1 surround sound. Page 25 of 29

IN BRIEF

Included in the package will be Live In Snoop Dogg, filming, but the show will feature a drive-in Maui spread across 2 CDs or 3 vinyl LPs, audience outside. restored and mixed by longtime Hendrix Jennifer Nettles to The show is produced by Propagate and engineer Eddie Kramer, and mastered by Matador Content, a Boatrocker Company. Bernie Grundman. Judge TBS Talent Executive producers are Todd Lubin and Watch the trailer, and watch the “Voodoo Jay Peterson of Matador Content; Howard Child (Slight Return) performance here, Competition T. Owens, Ben Silverman and Greg Lipstone and pre-order both the documentary and of Propagate Content; showrunner Conrad album here. BY RICK PORTER Green; Kreischer, Snoop Dogg and Ted Chung for Snoopadelic Films. BS is adding a talent competition Kreischer is repped by UTA, Levity En- Coronavirus Will to its roster — and it’s not look- tertainment Group and Morris Yorn. Snoop ing for the next great singer or Dogg is repped by Ted Chung of Stampede Delay Filming of comedian. Management and Ben Weiss. Dawson is TThe cable outlet has ordered 10 episodes repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment. Next Two ‘Atlanta’ of Go-Big Show, which will feature “su- Nettles is repped by Gellman Management persized talents” including monster truck and CAA. Rhodes is with Hyperion, Activist Seasons Until 2021 drivers, alligator trainers and stunt archers, Artists Management and Morris Yorn. among others. The show has begun produc- This article originally appeared in BY ASSOCIATED PRESS tion in Macon, Georgia; host Bert Kreischer THR.com. and judges Snoop Dogg, Rosario Daw- arn and Paper Boi were last seen son, Jennifer Nettles and Cody Rhodes flying to Europe on Atlanta, but announced the series Wednesday night in they won’t touch down until a promo that aired across TBS and sister sometime next year. The ac- networks TNT and TruTV. Eclaimed FX comedy starring creator Donald “Go-Big Show celebrates unique, untradi- Glover as Earn and Brian Tyree Henry as tional and unforgettable American talent,” his rapper cousin will begin its pandemic- said Corie Henson, executive vp and head of delayed production in the first half of 2021, unscripted programming for TBS, TNT and FX Networks Chairman John Landgraf said TruTV. “Each contestant brings tremendous Wednesday (Sept. 9). heart and swagger, which also perfectly Glover and the other series’ writers have describes Bert and our judges, a dream team completed the scripts for seasons three and of larger-than-life talent.” four, with plans to tape them back to back. Added Brett Weitz, general manager of But COVID-19 safety concerns and the in- TNT, TBS and TruTV, “We are going bigger tricate task of coordinating a lengthy shoot and bolder with our unscripted line-up at hindered production, said Landgraf. One TBS to provide more of the content that season is to be shot primarily in Europe and viewers love from our platform. Go-Big the other in Atlanta. Show not only delivers on this promise with A lag time already was expected for the a thrilling new take on talent competition, return of the Emmy-winning Atlanta, which but it’s also another example of our innova- last aired new episodes in May 2018. Earlier tive spirit as we continue to create brand- this year, Landgraf suggested season three defining, must-watch television.” would debut in January 2021, with season Episodes will blend the over-the-top acts four likely to follow that fall. Landgraf didn’t with personal stories of the contestants, venture a guess on when the show would who will go head to head in an effort to win be rescheduled, but during an online news over the judges. The winner gets a $100,000 conference promised the earliest possible prize. “concrete answer.” Go-Big Show is being filmed in accor- He called the situation heartbreaking dance with COVID-19 safety protocols in “because I love the show so much and want place, with contestants and staff isolating it to be a part of our schedule always.” together for the duration of filming. The arena’s seats will remain empty during Page 26 of 29

A WEEKLY NATIONAL Market Watch MUSIC CONSUMPTION REPORT

Source: WEEKLY UNIT COUNT

Total Audio Video Album Digital Digital Albums Consumption Streams On-Demand On-Demand* Sales Album Sales Tracks Units This 20,164,367,000 17,498,750,000 2,665,618,000 2,212,000 652,000 4,381,000 15,303,000 Week* Last 20,029,708,000 17,386,942,000 2,642,766,000 1,754,000 584,000 4,344,000 14,747,000 Week

Change 0.7% 0.6% 0.9% 26.1% 11.6% 0.9% 3.8%

This Week 22,264,478,000 14,373,319,000 7,891,160,000 2,120,000 856,000 5,301,000 12,998,000 Last Year

Change -9.4% 21.7% -66.2% 4.3% -23.9% -17.3% 17.7%

*All data measures U.S. activity as of the week ending September 3, 2020. All units counts are rounded to the nearest thousand. Nielsen Music/MRC Data has reprocessed year-to-date figures to account for a change in methodology, resulting in a restatement in streaming data from a provider, which has resulted in a shift in some previously reported data, most notably for video streams.

YEAR TO DATE 2020 2019 Change YEAR TO DATE 60m Total On-Demand 681,324,897,000 752,804,899,000 -9.5% Streams ALBUM SALES BY AGE 55m Audio On-Demand 576,091,336,000 489,769,290,000 17.6% Streams 50m Digital Track Sales 167,965,000 216,664,000 -22.5% 45m Album Sales 62,311,000 73,108,000 -14.8% 40m Albums 495,052,000 445,474,000 11.1% Consumption Units 35m 43,638,000 30m 39,142,000 ALBUM CONSUMPTION UNITS BY FORMAT 25m 2020 2019 Change 20m CD Sales 24,353,000 34,653,000 -29.7% 29,471,000 15m Vinyl Sales 13,324,000 10,700,000 24.5%

23,169,000 10m Digital Sales 24,432,000 27,508,000 -11.2% Catalog Current 5m Other Sales 203,000 248,000 -18.3% 2020 2019 2020 2019 0 Track Equivalent 16,796,000 21,666,000 -22.5%

Audio On-Demand 415,944,000 350,699,000 18.6% Equivalent -21.4% -10.3% Album consumption units ­— also known as albums plus TEA plus SEA — consists of album sales; track-equivalent album (TEA)   sales whereby 10 tracks equal one consumption unit; and stream equivalent albums (SEA) whereby 1,250 paid and/or 3,750 ad-supported audio on-demand streams (OAD) equal one consumption unit. DELETE ME

Page 27 of 29 DATA FOR WEEK OF 09.12.2020 HOT 100 SONGWRITERSTM HOT 100 PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 TIE 1 2 WKS DAVID STEWART  1 2 WKS DAVID STEWART  #1 TIE 1 2 WKS JESSICA AGOMBAR  2 JOEY MOI  3 DABABY  3 SETHINTHEKITCHEN  4 LIL BABY  TIE 4 AYO THE PRODUCER  5 JUICE WRLD  TIE 4 KEYZ  6 RODDY RICCH  6 TMS  7 DRAKE  7 TYSON TRAX / DR. LUKE  8 MEGAN THEE STALLION  8 F A L L E N  9 SETHINTHEKITCHEN  TIE 9 KID HARPOON  TIE 10 F A L L E N  TIE 9 TYLER JOHNSON  TIE 10 SAINT JHN 

COUNTRY SONGWRITERSTM COUNTRY PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 10 WKS JOSH THOMPSON  1 18 WKS JOEY MOI  2 HARDY  2 DANN HUFF  3 JON NITE  3 JAY JOYCE  TIE 4 GABBY BARRETT  4 ROSS COPPERMAN  TIE 4 ZACH KALE  5 SCOTT MOFFATT  6 THOMAS ARCHER  6 MICHAEL KNOX  7 JOSH OSBORNE  7 ZACH KALE  8 SHANE MCANALLY  8 DEREK WELLS  9 MATT DRAGSTREM  9 DAN SMYERS  10 MORGAN WALLEN  10 JON RANDALL 

R&B/HIP-HOP SONGWRITERSTM R&B/HIP-HOP PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 14 WKS DABABY  1 11 WKS SETHINTHEKITCHEN  2 LIL BABY  TIE 2 AYO THE PRODUCER  3 RODDY RICCH  TIE 2 KEYZ  4 MEGAN THEE STALLION  4 DR. LUKE  5 JUICE WRLD  5 SECTION 8  6 SETHINTHEKITCHEN  6 808MELOBEATS  7 POP SMOKE  7 J WHITE DID IT  8 PARDISON FONTAINE  8 GRY  9 DRAKE  9 TYSON TRAX / DR. LUKE  SONGWRITERS & PRODUCERS & SONGWRITERS TIE 10 AYO THE PRODUCER  10 NASHI  TIE 10 CARDI B  TIE 10 FRANK SKI  TIE 10 KEYZ 

R&B SONGWRITERSTM R&B PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 TIE 1 7 WKS BELLY  1 19 WKS TYSON TRAX  #1 TIE 1 13 WKS DAHEALA  TIE 2 MAX MARTIN  #1 TIE 1 7 WKS MAX MARTIN  TIE 2 OSCAR HOLTER  TIE #1 TIE SEP. 1 7 WKS OSCAR HOLTER  2 THE WEEKND  TIE #1 12 1 22 WKS THE WEEKND  5 FISTICUFFS  TIE 6 DOJA CAT  6 RETRO FUTURE  2020 TIE 6 YETI BEATS  TIE 7 DOUNIA AZNOU  8 KEHLANI  TIE 7 JOHNNY KELVIN  TIE 9 GUCCI MANE  TIE 7 KANIELTHEONE  TIE 9 LUKASZ GOTTWALD  TIE 7 MURPHY KID  TIE 9 LYDIA ASRAT  TIE 7 SAID AZNOU  TIE 9 THERON THOMAS  AIRPLAY/STREAMING & AIRPLAY/STREAMING COMPILED BY DATA SALES

The top songwriters and producers on the Billboard Hot 100 and selective genre songs chart that utilize the Hot 100 formula (blending streaming, airplay and download sales data) for the charts dated September 12, 2020. Rankings are based on accumulated weekly points for all charted songs — on the specified chart for the week — on which a songwriter or producer is credited. If a song is written or produced by more than one person, points are divided equally among all credited parties. DELETE ME

Page 28 of 29 DATA FOR WEEK OF 09.12.2020 RAP SONGWRITERSTM RAP PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 18 WKS DABABY  1 12 WKS SETHINTHEKITCHEN  2 LIL BABY  TIE 2 AYO THE PRODUCER  3 RODDY RICCH  TIE 2 KEYZ  4 MEGAN THEE STALLION  4 DR. LUKE  5 SETHINTHEKITCHEN  5 SECTION 8  6 PARDISON FONTAINE  6 808MELOBEATS  7 DRAKE  7 J WHITE DID IT  TIE 8 AYO THE PRODUCER  8 OTTERPOP  TIE 8 CARDI B  9 NASHI  TIE 8 FRANK SKI  TIE 10 CARDO ON THE BEAT  TIE 8 KEYZ  TIE 10 GRY  TIE 10 ROGET CHAHAYED  TIE 10 YUNG EXCLUSIVE 

DANCE/ELECTRONIC SONGWRITERSTM DANCE/ELECTRONIC PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 TIE 1 23 WKS F A L L E N  1 22 WKS F A L L E N  #1 TIE 1 23 WKS SAINT JHN  2 TOPIC  TIE 3 BOB CREWE  3 BLOODPOP  TIE 3 BOB GAUDIO  4 SURF MESA  TIE 3 POWELL AGUIRRE  5 BURNS  TIE 6 BLOODPOP  6 DISCLOSURE  TIE 6 LADY GAGA  7 KYGO  8 TOPIC  8 ILLENIUM  TIE 9 ALEX TIDEBRINK  TIE 9 KEITH HARRIS  TIE 9 MOLLY IRVINE  TIE 9 WILL.I.AM  TIE 9 RENE MILLER 

LATIN SONGWRITERSTM LATIN PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 5 WKS ANUEL AA  1 46 WKS TAINY  2 TAINY  2 OVY ON THE DRUMS  3 PEDRO TOVAR  3 WILL.I.AM  4 BAD BUNNY  4 SKY ROMPIENDO  5 ALFONSO DE JESUS QUEZADA MANCHA  5 THE RUDEBOYZ  6 J BALVIN  6 SERGIO LIZARRAGA  7 MYKE TOWERS  7 ALFONSO DE JESUS QUESADA MANCHA  8 EDGAR BARRERA  TIE 8 GOLDY  SONGWRITERS & PRODUCERS & SONGWRITERS 9 MALUMA  TIE 8 XOUND  10 ESTAFANO  10 DIMELO FLOW 

ROCK & ALTERNATIVE SONGWRITERSTM ROCK & ALTERNATIVE PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 6 WKS TAYLOR SWIFT  1 6 WKS AARON DESSNER  2 AARON DESSNER  2 MARSHMELLO  SEP. 3 JUICE WRLD  3 TRAVIS BARKER  12 4 MARSHMELLO  4 OTTERPOP  2020 5 OMER FEDI  5 OMER FEDI  6 24KGOLDN  6 FINNEAS  7 IANN DIOR  7 RYAN METZGER  8 FINNEAS  TIE 8 BLAKE SLATKIN  TIE 9 BLAKE SLATKIN  TIE 8 KBEAZY  TIE 9 KBEAZY  TIE 10 JACK ANTONOFF  TIE 10 TAYLOR SWIFT  AIRPLAY/STREAMING & AIRPLAY/STREAMING COMPILED BY DATA SALES DELETE ME

Page 29 of 29 DATA FOR WEEK OF 09.12.2020 ALTERNATIVE SONGWRITERSTM ALTERNATIVE PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 6 WKS TAYLOR SWIFT  1 6 WKS AARON DESSNER  2 JUICE WRLD  2 MARSHMELLO  3 MARSHMELLO  3 TRAVIS BARKER  4 AARON DESSNER  4 OTTERPOP  TIE 5 24KGOLDN  5 FINNEAS  TIE 5 OMER FEDI  6 RYAN METZGER  7 FINNEAS  7 OMER FEDI  TIE 8 BLAKE SLATKIN  TIE 8 BLAKE SLATKIN  TIE 8 IANN DIOR  TIE 8 KBEAZY  TIE 8 KBEAZY  10 JACK ANTONOFF 

HARD ROCK SONGWRITERSTM HARD ROCK PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 5 WKS SHAUN MORGAN  1 1 WK DASHDONDOG BAYARMAGNAI  2 COREY TAYLOR  2 KEVIN CHURKO  3 KEVIN CHURKO  3 ROB CAVALLO  TIE 4 JORDAN FISH  4 SHAUN MORGAN  TIE 4 OLIVER SYKES  5 FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH  6 SULLY ERNA  6 ERIK RON  TIE 7 IVAN MOODY  TIE 7 JORDAN FISH  TIE 7 JASON HOOK  TIE 7 OLIVER SYKES  TIE 7 ZOLTAN BATHORY  9 TYLER SMYTH  10 JOSH KATZ  10 DUSTIN BATES 

CHRISTIAN SONGWRITERSTM CHRISTIAN PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 1 WK BEAR RINEHART  1 5 WKS JONATHAN SMITH  TIE 2 CHRIS BROWN  2 CHRIS BROWN  TIE 2 STEVEN FURTICK  3 JORDAN SAPP  4 MATTHEW WEST  4 FEDERICO VINDVER  TIE 5 JASON INGRAM  5 MICAH KUIPER  TIE 5 LAUREN DAIGLE  TIE 6 CASON COOLEY  TIE 5 PAUL MABURY  TIE 6 JEREMY LUTITO  TIE 8 CASEY BEATHARD  TIE 6 NEEDTOBREATHE  SONGWRITERS & PRODUCERS & SONGWRITERS TIE 8 JONATHAN SMITH  9 WE THE KINGDOM  TIE 8 ZACH WILLIAMS  TIE 10 JASON INGRAM  TIE 10 PAUL MABURY 

GOSPEL SONGWRITERSTM GOSPEL PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 55 WKS KIRK FRANKLIN  1 16 WKS J. DREW SHEARD II  2 PJ MORTON  2 PJ MORTON  SEP. 3 JEKALYN CARR  3 ALLEN CARR  12 4 DAVID FRAZIER  4 AARON LINDSEY  2020 5 TRACY STINGLE  5 TODD DULANEY  TIE 6 J. DREW SHEARD II  TIE 6 BOOGZDABEAST  TIE 6 KIERRA SHEARD  TIE 6 KANYE WEST  8 ANTHONY BROWN  8 SEAN KEYS  9 JONATHAN TRAYLOR  9 KIRK FRANKLIN  TIE 10 JAMES ANDERSON  TIE 10 JEVON HILL  TIE 10 TODD DULANEY  TIE 10 TYE TRIBBETT  AIRPLAY/STREAMING & AIRPLAY/STREAMING COMPILED BY DATA SALES