BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE 4 OF 19 ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] Bulletin SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country YOURAlbu DAILYms; BrettENTERTAINMENT Young ‘Catc NEWSh UPDATE’-es Fifth AirplayFEBRUARY 17, 2021 Page 1 of 25 Leader; Travis Denning Makes History INSIDE Triller Has Been Inflating Public User 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 GroupFigures, Nashville), debuts at No. 1 on Doesn’t Billboard’s lion audience Deny impressions, up 16%).It: Exclusive Top Country• Triller AlbumsChanges chart dated April 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it earnedTune 46,000 on Inflating equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingUser to Nielsen Numbers Music/MRC Data. andBY totalMICAH Country SINGLETON Airplay No. 1 as “Catch” (Big Machine Label Group) ascends Southside marks Hunt’s second No. 1 on the 2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions. chart• The and MLC fourth Receives top 10. It followsShort-form freshman videoLP app Triller has reported higher says. “For example,Young’s if firstsomeone of six ischart trying entries, to compare “Sleep With - Over $424M in Montevallo, which arrived at thenumbers summit in of No monthly- active users to the public than it TikTok’s MAU/DAUout You,” reached to ours No.— which 2 in December means they 2016. are He Unmatched ‘Black vember 2014 and reigned for ninereports weeks. Toto date,rights holders, a source with direct knowl- saying we havefollowed the samewith the definition multiweek of No. MAU/DAU 1s “In Case You— MontevalloBox’ Streaming has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved million inRoyalties album sales. edge of the situation tells Billboard — and Triller there is an inherentYou” (three, misunderstanding January 2018), “Mercy” about (two, Triller’s August Montevallo has spent 267 weeksdoesn’t on the list, deny tying it. business and2018) business and “Here model. Tonight” It’s like (two, trying April 2019).to com- • NMPA President: Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party as theThe sixth-longest- Los Angeles-based company, pare a fish and“Catch” a bicycle.” completes his longest journey to No. 1, Unmatched Royalties expected to go running titles in the chart’s 56-year history. having taken 46 weeks to reach the apex. It out- Finally Turned Over public in coming weeks as part of a special purpose Triller, which was acquired by Proxima Media in On the all-genre Billboard 200, Southside ar- paces the 30-week climb of “Here Tonight.” to MLC Brings acquisition company, known as a SPAC, claimed in October 2019, rose to prominence on the heels of rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for Insight and Progress HUNT YOUNG after the No. 3-peaking Montevalloa press. release it had over 26.5 million monthly its Decembera new 2019 high. press release announcing that (Guest Op-Ed) Hunt first released the EPX2C active, which users debuted in December 2019, but a source with it had as many users as TikTok — which had 26.5 and peaked• Georgia at No. Music 5 on Top Countrydirect Albumsknowledge in August says the 2014. company’s Following user baseCOMBS was ‘DOES’ millionIT AGAIN monthly Luke Combs active’ “Does users to inMe” 2019 (River according House/Columbia to MontevalloCommunity, Between Pens the Pines: aroundAcoustic half Mixtape of that started in January at its No. 2020. 7 high In in July Nashville),2020, featuringa report Eric Church from Reuters, ascends — 11-8 positioning on Country itself Airplay, as the up 10% chief to November 2015. 24.7 million in audience. The song is Combs’ eighth straight career-opening Letter to Senators for Triller claimed in a press release it had hit 50 million competitor to the Chinese-owned short-form video MontevalloStimulus produced Help 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: “Leave the Night On,” “Takemonthly Your active Time,” users, “House noting Party” it andhad “Make grown 600%promoted year- No. 1 singles.service that now has over 100 million monthly active You Miss• As Me.” NY “BreakArenas Up in a Smallover-year. Town” peakedBillboard at No. has 2. learned that Triller’s userChurch base adds hisusers 15th in Country the U.S. Airplay as of Augusttop 10. 2020, and 689 million HuntReopen co-penned at 10% all 12 songsat on that Southside time was, including closer to“Body 25 million Like a Back monthly active monthly active users globally as of July 2020, accord- Road,”Capacity, which was Here’s released in 2017.users, The according smash hit toruled a source Country with Airplay direct for knowledge THAT TOOK of QUITEing to ‘A numbers FEW’ MONTHS included Travis in Denning TikTok’s shatterslawsuit the against record for three What’sweeks and Required the airplay-, streaming-the situation. and sales-based Hot Country Songs the most weeks theit has U.S. taken government to penetrate filed the Country last year. Airplay top 10 as “After chart for a then-recordof Fans 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 - Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant to Be”In a(50 statement weeks atop to theBillboard latter list, Triller in 2017-18). CEO Mikelion in radio reach.Triller’s claims have helped bolster its pitch to po- “Downtown’s Dead,” which isLu also says on therethe new is set,no legal reached definition Nos. 14 and of 15monthly The active song surpassestential two investors, tracks that but took the 50 different weeks each numbers to enter it the has top re 10:- on Hot Country Songs and Countryusers, Airplay, and Triller respectively, will no in longerJune 2018. share “Kin monthly- Easton active Corbin ’sported “A Girl to Like rights You,” holders which reached highlight No. the 10 ingulf January between 2018 itbe - folks” led Country Airplay on Feb.users 29, (MAU) becoming or Hunt’sdaily active seventh users No. 1.(DAU) It hit as forethey peaking don’t at No.and 6 thatits larger February, rival. and (Last Aaron September, Watson’s “Outtaa few weeksStyle,” whichafter No.• 3BILLBOARD on Hot Country 200 Songs. accurately represent the company’s value. achieved its No.TikTok’s 10 high in userDecember numbers 2017. became public, Triller told The LatestCLICK single HERE “Hard to Forget” jumps 17-9 on Hot Country Songs. It’s his “After” is Denning’s second Country Airplay entry. “David Ashley Parker “There is no legal definition of MAU/DAU,” Lu (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 20 21 5TH ANNIVERSARY Raleigh Music Group was founded in 2016 by industry veteran As Raleigh’s reputation has grown, the company has partners Peter Raleigh and Steven Storch. The company is steadily built a contemporary roster of songwriters, artists headquartered in the heart of Times Square, NYC with offices in and producers and now publishes songs performed by or Los Angeles. In its first five years has experienced remarkable global featuring superstar artists including: Ariana Grande, Chris growth and expansion. Brown, Kid Rock, Madonna, John Legend, Lil Uzi Vert, A$AP Ferg, Cardi B, A Boogie, Snoop Dogg, Trey Songz, Lil Durk, The boutique music publishing company attributes its success to its Busta Rhymes and film and tv composers Randy Edelman “client first” approach to music publishing – delivering a high touch, and Rick Marotta. high service experience to a select roster of music publishing clients it represents. The company has benefitted from the support of Please join Billboard in congratulating Raleigh Music Susan Aberbach, an owner of the Elvis Presley catalog and an early group’s 5th Anniversary. stage investor. CONTACTS Raleigh’s client services are provided by A&R staff in NY and LA, a synch licensing team with strong relationships in the film/tv, Joe Maimone 201.301.5933 | [email protected] advertising and gaming industries, and a first-class copyright and royalty administration department. Lee Ann Photoglo 615.376.7931 | [email protected] The company’s best in class global sub-publishing partner network includes Budde, Café Concerto, Peer Music, Native Tongue, Supreme Cynthia Mellow Songs, Schubert, Cloud 9, GL Music, Clippers, Som Livre, Nichion, 615.352,0265 | [email protected] Geoff Paynter Music, Fujipacific, IDM, Pelikan and others. Marcia Olival Raleigh represents numerous iconic catalogs and songs including 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “A Little Less Conversation”, and “All Shook Up”, George Gershwin’s “Summertime”, “Let’s Call the Gene Smith Whole Thing Off” and “They Can’t Take that Away from Me”, The 973.452.3528 | [email protected] Tokens, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, Gregmark Music’s “Stormy Monday”, Anthony Newley’s “What Kind of Fool am I” and numerous Debra Fink other classics. The company also represents the classic catalogs of 213.448.5157 | [email protected] Bo Diddley, America, Anthony Newley, Willy (Mink) Deville, Lords of Ryan O’Donnell the Underground, Trax Records, and many others. +447843437176 | [email protected]

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Verge that it had 100 million monthly active November. competing intelligence firm Sensor Tower users and more than 27 million daily users.) If Triller becomes a public company, it told the publication that Triller had been Lu says the company is focused on growing will have to report its financials, includ- downloaded 45.6 million times until that “off network” content, which devalues the ing key performance metrics that tradi- point, echoing Apptopia’s original report. use of metrics like monthly and daily active tionally include monthly active users for “No app intelligence firm has been provided users. social networks, to the Securities and our data,” Lu told TechCrunch at the time. “We are an open ecosystem, not a walled Exchange Commission (SEC). In 2018, the “Any numbers they provide have no rel- garden app like TikTok or other social SEC charged online marketing company evance or accuracy to our numbers.” networks,” Lu continues. “Triller’s value Endurance International Group Hold- The video service is currently in a is in monetizing users, not MAU or DAU. ings Inc $8 million for inflating subscriber fight with Universal Music Group, after the In the past, the press has had a hard time numbers, and two of the company’s former music label pulled its catalog off the platform, understanding this. Therefore, last year we top officers paid over $1.5 million in “dis- stating that Triller withheld payments and elected to stop sharing any MAU or DAU gorgement, interest, and penalties” to settle refuses to negotiate a new licensing agree- data and have no intention of doing so in similar charges without admitting guilt. ment. In response, a Triller spokesperson the future. It has no relevance to our value While TikTok has maintained its growth claimed it did not withhold any payments, or our monetization. Unique to Triller, our despite heavy scrutiny from the Trump and that the company “does not need a deal model encourages users to interact with Administration, Triller has been repeatedly with UMG to continue operating as it has our content ‘off network,’ which by very accused of inflating its user numbers over been since the relevant artists are already definition says we are pushing away MAU the past year, denying all claims. shareholders or partners on Triller, and thus and DAU,” Lu says. “We value Triller on its Six former employees told Business can authorize their usage directly.” ability to monetize our users and we believe Insider that the 13 million monthly active us- we do it better than any of our competitors. ers Triller claimed to have in October 2019 We proudly stand by the fact that we are the when Proxima Media acquired the company Triller Changes only app to ever reach number 1 in the app was inaccurate and fluctuated between 1 store in over 50 countries simultaneously.” million and 2.5 million monthly active users, Tune on Inflating As it prepares to become a public compa- which Lu called “inaccurate information.” ny, Triller has hired music industry heavy- Last August, Triller threatened to sue the User Numbers weights including former Warner Chappell intelligence firm Apptopia for telling Tech- CFO Paul Kahn in January to the same Crunch that Triller had been downloaded 52 BY MICAH SINGLETON position, following the hire of Tuhin Roy — million times, a few weeks after Triller put formerly Universal Music Group’s senior out a press release claiming it had topped day after Billboard reported that vp new digital business and innovation — as 250 million global downloads across An- short-form video service Triller Triller’s president of business operations droid and iOS. Apptopia backed away from has been inflating its monthly and Proxima Media operating principal last its claims after the lawsuit threat, but its A active users (MAU) in press

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releases when compared to what the com- are trying to help us or hurt us?!” sponsibility to match and distribute these pany reports to rights holders — which the Triller’s Series B round valued the compa- unmatched mechanical royalties to rights company did not deny — Triller is changing ny at $130 million in October 2019 accord- holders within two years. After that period, its stance. ing to The Wall Street Journal; In October it has the option of distributing any remain- In a second statement to Billboard on 2020, Reuters reported Triller had raised ing unmatched money to music publishers Wednesday (Feb. 17), Triller CEO Mike $100 million out of the $250 million the on a market share basis. Lu now says the company never inflated company was seeking to raise, valuing the The amount reported by the MLC is at user numbers and Triller should be valued startup at $1.25 billion. Triller is expected the high end of Billboard’s previous esti- at over $10 billion based on Billboard’s re- to go public as part of a special purpose mate that DSPs would turn over between port. acquisition company (SPAC) in the coming $250 million and $450 million in unmatched “We have never inflated any user num- weeks. royalties to the organization. The money bers,” Lu says. “The only ‘rights holders’ As previously reported, in a December came from a total of 20 DSPs and was a re- Triller has ever had are the labels who don’t 2019 press release, Triller claimed it had quirement in order for DSPs to benefit from receive the information in question and, if over 26.5 million monthly active users, the MMA’s limitation on liability for past anything, have just accused us of understat- but a source with direct knowledge of the infringement relating to mechanical rights ing our numbers. The allegation being made situation tells Billboard that Triller had for uses before Jan. 1, 2019. that Triller’s real numbers were 25 million reported a user base that was around half The highest amount of unmatched MAU last year values Triller at a $10 billion- that in January 2020. In a July 2020 press royalties came from Apple Music, which plus valuation (using TikTok as a bench- release, Triller claimed it had 50 million contributed over $163 million of the total, mark). We can’t tell if these ‘rights holders’ monthly active users; a source tells Bill- followed by Spotify, which contributed over are trying to help us or hurt us?!” board Triller reported having a user base $152 million. Elsewhere, more than $42 mil- Triller’s Series B round valued the compa- closer to 25 million monthly active users in lion came from Amazon Music and over $32 ny at $130 million in October 2019 accord- the same month. million came from Google/YouTube. These ing to The Wall Street Journal; In October MLC payouts do not include money previ- 2020, Reuters reported Triller had raised ously paid out in legal settlements. $100 million out of the $250 million the The MLC Receives In a statement regarding the transfer, Gar- company was seeking to raise, valuing the rett Levin, representative of the Digital startup at $1.25 billion. Triller is expected Over $424M in Licensee Coordinator (DLC) — which to go public as part of a special purpose represents streaming services in the new acquisition company (SPAC) in the coming Unmatched ‘Black mechanical licensing system — said, “To- weeks. day marks a critical milestone in the new As previously reported, in a December Box’ Streaming mechanical licensing regime established by 2019 press release, Triller claimed it had the Music Modernization Act (MMA) two over 26.5 million monthly active users, but Royalties years ago. As announced by The Mechani- a source with direct knowledge of the situa- cal Licensing Collective (The MLC), 20 tion tells Billboard that Triller had reported BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN digital music providers (DMPs) transferred a user base that was around half that in a combined $424.4 million in historical January 2020. In a July 2020 press release, he Mechanical Licensing Collec- unmatched royalties and accompanying his- Triller claimed it had 50 million monthly tive (MLC) has received a total of torical usage information, representing the active users; a source tells Billboard Triller $424,384,787 in accrued historical remaining royalties that have been unpaid reported having a user base closer to 25 unmatched royalties from digital to copyright owners after years of concerted million monthly active users in the same Tservice providers (DSPs), the organization effort by the streaming services and their month. announced Monday (Feb. 16). The MLC partners. These royalties are a small fraction “We have never inflated any user num- was also provided with corresponding data of the overall mechanical royalties that have bers,” Lu says. “The only ‘rights holders’ reports that identify the usage related to been paid out during that time period.” Triller has ever had are the labels who don’t those royalties. Levin continued, “The MLC now has in receive the information in question and, if Also known as “black box” money, un- one centralized operation the usage data anything, have just accused us of understat- matched royalties are mechanical royalties and corresponding royalties that are critical ing our numbers. The allegation being made that have yet to be distributed by streaming components for delivering on the promise that Triller’s real numbers were 25 million services because a composition’s own- of the MMA and allowing The MLC to meet MAU last year values Triller at a $10 billion- ers could not be determined. Under the its commitment to efficiently and effec- plus valuation (using TikTok as a bench- landmark 2018 Music Modernization Act tively distribute royalties to those who have mark). We can’t tell if these ‘rights holders’ (MMA) legislation, the MLC has a re- earned them.” 2 0 2 1 PRIMARY WAVE 15TH ANNIVERSARY

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In his own statement, National Music settled a putative class action with Spotify in elusive amount and it can make its way to its Publishers Association (NMPA) president 2017 — claim the previous legal settlements rightful owners. Yesterday, the Mechanical & CEO David Israelite added, “Songwriters shouldn’t count as royalty payments, but Licensing Collective (MLC), an adminis- and music publishers have for years fought rather as payments for a release of liability trative nonprofit created by the MMA and to ensure they were paid accurately and for copyright infringement. Streaming ser- overseen by publishers and self-published fully by digital streaming services. ‘Un- vices, meanwhile, argue that the settlement songwriters, announced that just under matched money’ has plagued the industry money paid out to publishers “de-obligated” $425 million in unmatched money was and today, thanks to the Music Moderniza- those amounts and that they should thereby turned over – not including money previ- tion Act (MMA), we know that it amounts not be categorized as “accrued.” ously paid out in multiple million dollar to just under $425 million – not including After being asked to rule on the issue settlements. This breakthrough proves how money previously paid out in multiple by the DLC, the Copyright Office issued broken the system was, how much the MMA million dollar settlements. This significant a regulation on Jan. 11 that laid out how was needed and how much songwriters amount proves just how broken the system services should calculate what they owed have to benefit from the protections it put was, how much the MMA was needed, and but refrained from determining whether in place. This is a massive win for music how much songwriters have to benefit from prior settlement payments should count as creators and also reveals a great deal about the protections it has put in place. At long accrued royalties. the streaming services themselves, most last, that money can make its way to its Going forward, the MLC will provide fur- notably, how much they needed the MMA rightful owners. This is a massive win for ther information on historical unmatched as well. music creators and the streaming services royalties via a newly-created page on its How we got here is complicated. Sepa- themselves. The Mechanical Licensing website, theMLC.com. rate from the effort to improve how much Collective (MLC) obtaining this historically songwriters are paid from streaming is the unmatched money, doing the research to challenge of even receiving the money at find its owners, and giving copyright owners NMPA President: all. It’s been well known that streaming a transparent process to claim what is theirs services were stockpiling unpaid royalties, is exciting progress that paves the way for Unmatched and over the years that money continued the future growth of streaming that will to accrue with little recourse other than benefit the entire industry.” Royalties Finally costly lawsuits that didn’t solve the underly- Songwriters of North America also is- ing problem and threatened the growth we sued a statement, saying the organization is Turned Over needed in a post Napster world. For over a pleased to see the MMA begin to take effect. decade experts have estimated, debated and “This money will now be matched and find to MLC Brings debunked theories about how much was its way to the rightful songwriters and pub- being held. lishers that earned these royalties,” sad Mi- Insight and Spotify, Apple, Amazon and others chelle Lewis, SONA executive director. “We have long said they employed exhaustive encourage all SONA members, along with Progress (Guest searches for copyright owners. There have every songwriter, to go to theMLC.com to been congressional oversight hear- learn how they are eligible to join or par- Op-Ed) ings, studies done by the U.S. Copyright ticipate, which is critical to ensuring every Office and industry experts, however the writer who earned this money gets their fair BY DAVID ISRAELITE magnitude of the problem remained un- share of these royalties. known. The services were careful never to Though the MMA made streaming servic- ongwriters and music publishers divulge how much they had stored, and after es’ obligation to transfer unmatched royal- have for years fought to ensure many years of attempting to procure that ties to the MLC clear, how to calculate them they were paid accurately and number through lawsuits, it took legislation has been a source of contention. Among the fully by digital streaming services. to compel. disputed points is whether unmatched roy- SUnmatched money – or that which stream- Signed into law in 2018, the MMA created alties already paid out through either legal ing platforms have kept because they claim a system where streaming companies could settlements or direct “voluntary” licensing they couldn’t find who to pay – has plagued receive a blanket license to play all music agreements between the streaming services the music industry not only because money in exchange for proper payments which in- and publishers should be deducted from the wasn’t being paid out, but also because the cluded handing over historically unmatched amount of unmatched royalties DSPs are services wouldn’t divulge the scope of how money and usage data, ensuring tech required to hand over. much they were holding on to. companies no longer held onto that money, Both the MLC and the National Music Now, thanks to the Music Moderniza- and payouts finally were accurate, creating Publishers Association (NMPA) — which tion Act (MMA), we finally know that once an environment for streaming to grow and Page 8 of 25

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songwriters no longer be shortchanged. keeping. Specifically, of the $424,384,787 knowledge, we can create a more robust The MLC is tasked with not only finding the turned over from 20 digital service provid- streaming market, not marred with millions owners of unmatched money but in doing so ers, we now know that the most unmatched in unknown, unmatched money being kept help fill information gaps, including creating was held by the largest steaming companies from music creators. an unprecedented, transparent database of such as Apple, Spotify, and Amazon. David Israelite is the president & CEO of unmatched songs and the ability for copy- While it’s disappointing that it took legis- the National Music Publishers’ Association right owners of any size to claim ownership lation and creating a new company to reveal (NMPA). The NMPA is the trade association and money owed. this information, the good news is that re- representing American music publishers The MMA has forced the progress and ceiving what they’re owed won’t cost copy- and their songwriting partners. transparency we see today, but it wasn’t right owners a penny. All the work that will always clear we would be able to find such go into researching the “nine billion lines a win-win solution. Instead of brokering of data” of historically unmatched money Georgia Music the compromise with digital services in the now housed within the MLC, will be paid bill, some advocated suing these services for by the digital services who by law must Community Pens into oblivion. We would have won those fund the MLC. There will be no administra- lawsuits. However, doing so would have tive fees taken from songwriters and music Letter to Senators destroyed the very platforms predominantly publishers to do this work. Additionally, the paying creators. Therefore the MMA was MMA ensures that songwriters receive at for Stimulus Help negotiated to create a system where copy- least 50% of all unmatched money, however right owners could contend with unmatched ultimately we know that the industry prac- BY TAYLOR MIMS money themselves, remedying the past and tice is to give songwriters much more than helping shore up the streaming economy for that percentage. ore than 80 members of Geor- the future. While the MLC will do mountains of gia’s music community have To do this, the industry had to start up matching on its own, it is also up to every signed a letter asking newly an unprecedented solution. The creation copyright owner to delve into the portal elected Sens. Raphael War- of the MLC was a massive task that began once it’s launched and claim what is theirs. Mnock and Jon Ossoff for additional financial when the U.S. Copyright Office launched an The good news is there is time. The MLC support in the next stimulus package. open process for anyone to submit a plan is working on making this information The letter states that while “the recent to organize and manage the Collective. The public and it rightfully decided to extend stimulus package’s Mixed Earner Unem- industry-consensus submission, spearhead- the matching period to liquidate the money ployment Compensation and Save Our ed by NMPA, NSAI and SONA, was desig- from the law’s minimum of 18 months to Stages benefits are invaluable, but more nated and last year the MLC was founded. three full years, giving copyright owners must be done.” Since then it has established a headquarters even longer to act. “The music community has come togeth- in Nashville, hired approximately 50 staff, Inevitably some will focus on the fact that er to assist the many people and businesses and it began offering blanket licenses to so much money was not paid out to music that make up our industry, and we have digital mechanical streaming services last creators, and that frustration is warranted. advocated emphatically for the federal and month. It is also building a portal for claim- However, finally we know just how much state support necessary to get them through ing unmatched money and has developed a we didn’t know, and therefore the process this time,” the letter reads. “We are asking customer service team to guide songwriters officially can begin to pay out the missing for your leadership in the next COVID pack- through its processes. Much of this work money that is needed now more than ever. age to assure Georgia music creators can has been in anticipation of finally learning NMPA has always worked to understand continue to survive working at their craft.” the full amount of unmatched money it must the universe of historically unmatched The letter is signed by artists includ- administer – a milestone finally reached. songs, and we are excited to support the ing Drive-by Truckers, Little Big That number turns out to be on the high efforts to not only match that money but Town, 21 Savage, Cardi B, Migos, Zac end of reported estimates, while still also fix the systemic problems that have Brown and establishes that Georgia is home falling short of the rampant rumors spread contributed to streaming services failing to to more than 70,000 artists and songwriters by third parties with something to gain by find music owners. and over 9,600 music businesses and venues. inflated falsehoods. The actual number When we began negotiating the MMA It goes on to add that the state’s music in- exposes several realities, most notably that years ago, one end goal was finally to ob- dustry supports more than 45,000 jobs and streaming services should have been do- tain the stores of money and data that the contributes $2.5 billion to the state’s GDP. ing a much better job at finding copyright streaming companies were sitting on, and In 2018, the Peach state passed the Geor- owners, and now we know why they were today we confidently can say we have more gia Music Investment Act that provides a so reluctant to say just how much they were information than ever before. With this tax credit of up to 15% of a company’s quali- Page 9 of 25

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fied expenses in the state related to musical Stages benefits are invaluable, but more must home games for of crowds of 2,000 fans, production and performance. The letter also be done. We are asking for your leadership in seated in two-seat, socially distanced pods signed by 40 Watt Club and Black Music the next COVID package to assure Georgia spread out across the arena. The new state Action Coalition, asks the new senators to music creators can continue to survive work- guidelines mandate that ticket holders show help the local music community build on the ing at their craft. proof that they have tested negative on a broadening success of that bill passed just The need for music and its creators has PCR COVID-19 test taken 72 hours prior two years before the pandemic. never been stronger – helping us connect in a to an event, even if they have already been “Music has always inspired a path socially distanced world, driving campaigns vaccinated. forward, driven innovation, propelled the for social justice, and brightening lives during All guests will be screened via tempera- economy, and supported a robust workforce an historically trying time. Music has always ture check and must register below 100.4 throughout Georgia and the country,” the inspired a path forward, driven innovation, degrees Fahrenheit for entry. They must also letter reads. “We have much yet to address propelled the economy, and supported a wear face masks at all times except while – from further COVID relief to social justice robust workforce throughout Georgia and the eating or drinking in their assigned seats. reform to digital accountability to strong country. We have much yet to address – from All in-venue purchases, including food and trade deals. With you and your colleagues further COVID relief to social justice reform beverage, will be 100% cashless via credit working to protect and support music and to digital accountability to strong trade deals. card purchases and mobile payment systems its creators, the coming years will be as With you and your colleagues working to pro- like Apple Pay and Google Pay. bright than ever.” tect and support music and its creators, the MSG officials are also asking fans to Read the full letter below and coming years will be as bright than ever. take a health survey via the arena’s smart head here to see a full list of signees: Once again, congratulations and thank you phone app 12 hours prior to the game, while Dear Senator Warnock and Senator Ossoff: for your consideration. We look forward to employees at both facilities will be tested On behalf of Georgia’s diverse music com- working with you in the new Congress. regularly. munity, we would like to congratulate you “We are thrilled that we can finally start both on your election victories. Your stories to welcome fans back, beginning with captivated the world and now, as the Peach As NY Arenas Knicks and Rangers games, and be part of State’s own Ray Charles memorably recorded, this important step for our city,” says An- everyone has “Georgia On My Mind.” Reopen at 10% drew Lustgarten, president and chief ex- Georgia’s bond with music has always ecutive officer of MSG Sports and president been strong. Georgia is home to more than Capacity, Here’s of MSG in a statement to Billboard. “While 70,000 artists and songwriters and over 9,600 we currently have limited capacity, we’re music businesses and venues. Music supports What’s Required focused on creating the safest and most en- more than 45,000 Georgia jobs and contrib- joyable environment, with strict operating utes $2.5 billion to the state’s GDP. And the of Fans protocols developed with state and health Georgia Music Investment Act of 2018, with officials.” the continued work of Georgia lawmakers, BY DAVE BROOKS With only about 2,000 tickets available has the potential to be the country’s most per game, both MSG and Barclays will give robust music incentive program, attracting ew York City’s two major arenas priority to season ticket holders and suite new music production to the state. We hope are preparing to reopen next members. The first event at Barclays Center we can count on you to protect the music that week for sporting events fol- will have the home team Brooklyn Nets take gives Georgia and our nation its identity and lowing news that Gov. Andrew on the Sacramento Kings on Feb. 23, while culture. NCuomo is allowing arenas and stadiums to MSG will host the New York Knicks against This past year has, of course, been a chal- reopen across the state for crowds limited to the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 23. lenging one. Music and musical artists were 10% of the building’s overall capacity. At MSG, doors will open 90 minutes deeply affected by the pandemic the moment “The truth is, we cannot stay closed until prior to the game, with guests assigned to venue doors closed, with no foreseeable return everyone is vaccinated. The economic, psy- specific entrances based on their seating to live gigs and touring. The music commu- chological, emotional cost would be incred- location inside. Tickets will be sold in two nity has come together to assist the many ible,” Cuomo said while announcing the rule seat pods, starting at $50 apiece, with pods people and businesses that make up our in- change last Wednesday. spaced apart and socially distanced from dustry, and we have advocated emphatically With no concerts on the books for Bar- one another. for the federal and state support necessary to clays Center in Brooklyn or Madison Square The news was welcomed by Live Na- get them through this time. Legislation like Garden in Manhattan, the rule change will tion chief executive Michael Rapino, who the recent stimulus package’s Mixed Earner first play out for sporting events. Starting tweeted a message of support to Cuomo. Unemployment Compensation and Save Our Feb. 23, each arena will resume hosting Page 10 of 25

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to provide different services where they Scooter Braun’s With Venues can,” Erin Benjamin, president and CEO of the CLMA, tells Billboard in an email. Ithaca Holdings Closing, Canada’s “For those that can’t, they need to shutter or hunker-down and sadly, wait – hoping that Targeted for Live Music Sector emergency measures will be enough, which is why targeted, sector-specific support is so Acquisition by Pushes a Recovery crucial right now.” Benjamin criticized governments from Former TikTok Plan shifting away from emergency support. “We will not see true recovery for many, many CEO BY KAREN BLISS months,” she says. “How is that not a state of emergency?” BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN he coronavirus pandemic has To get the industry up and running this forced the closure of 80 music fall, Benjamin says the government needs cooter Braun has been ap- venues in Canada, and another to extend existing federal measures “for as proached by former TikTok CEO 15 — the majority of which are long as necessary” and says the industry and Disney honcho Kevin May- Tin Toronto — are in “imminent” danger of needs to “plan ahead to help these compa- er to acquire Braun’s company, shuttering, according to the Canadian Live nies manage the huge amount of debt they SIthaca Holdings, though a source tells Bill- Music Association. will have taken on just to survive.” board talks haven’t progressed beyond that The closures include Toronto’s Orbit The industry recovery plan also asks for initial overture. Room (co-founded by Rush lead guitarist financial assistance for “pandemic retrofit- Mayer has been in the process of raising Alex Lifeson) and Hugh’s Room Live, a din- ting capital investments” in live perfor- money alongside former Disney COO Tom ner theatre style venue with legacy bookings mance venues. The investments will include Staggs to form a new venture and has such as Gordon Lightfoot, Maria Muldaur, help for venues to manage the cost of backing from Blackstone, which is expected Buffy Sainte-Marie and John Hammond Sr. implementing public health measures such to invest a minimum of $2 billion, accord- Accompanying the closures are an “alarm- as installing new HVAC systems, plexiglass ing to The Hollywood Reporter. Mayer and ing” loss of jobs and businesses in the sup- barriers, cleaning supplies and the hiring Staggs are expected to focus on acquiring a ply chains that “underpin the ecology of the of personnel related to standardizing best portfolio of companies spanning music, en- industry,” the industry association says in a practices — retrofits that could help long tertainment, e-commerce and social media. press release. after the COVID-19 pandemic ends. Braun, the SB Ventures founder and In response, the Canadian live sector has “We want to ensure that all venues and fa- manager to A-list artists including Ariana launched a #ForTheLoveOfLive share-a- cilities will be better equipped in the future Grande and Justin Bieber, made headlines concert-memory campaign to ramp up pub- to mitigate the spread of germs and viruses,” in June 2019 when Ithaca purchased Tay- lic support, while the government assesses Benjamin says. lor Swift’s former record label Big Ma- the organization’s recently delivered recov- More than 120 members of Canada’s live chine for a reported $300 million. That led ery plan. music industry met on a video call last week Swift to speak out against the acquisition, “Our revenue and employment losses to discuss how to help build momentum for claiming Braun had engaged in “incessant, are staggering and unlike other sectors of the new campaign. manipulative bullying” of her over a period the economy, our reopening is not forecast The CLMA is hoping to engage the public of several years. Last November, Ithaca until the fall of 2021 or later, followed by to bring ongoing awareness to the damage sold Swift’s master recordings to Shamrock true recovery which at this time – is simply COVID-19 shutdowns have caused Canada’s Holdings, again drawing the pop star’s unknown,” the association says in the plan. live music sector by asking them to post a ire. Swift has since begun the process of re- Prior to the pandemic, the live music photo or video of a live concert on their so- recording her first six albums, with the first industry contributed upwards of $3 bil- cials with the hashtag #ForTheLoveOfLive, of them, Fearless, set to drop Apr. 9. lion (USD $2.26 billion) to Canada’s GDP but the group is not asking people to tag In addition to Big Machine, Ithaca’s music and supported 72,000 jobs, according to government officials or policy makers. holdings include Schoolboy Records and the CLMA. But by the fall 2020, a CLMA the Universal Music Publishing Group co- member study found live music businesses venture Sheba Publishing. had lost 92% of revenue and depleted their cash flow. Music venues “need to lean-in where they can regarding innovation [and] pivot Page 11 of 25

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Ahrend adds that registration is free, Once the member profile has been estab- Mechanical the royalty payment schedule will occur lished, rights holders can click on “member monthly and that 100% of royalties collected login” at the top right of the MLC home Licensing by the MLC goes to music creators, thanks page at any time to access their account and to an MMA clause that requires the DSPs to begin registering works. Collective: How to fund all operating costs of the organization. How to register a work: Billboard recently connected with Ahrend Upon logging into the MLC portal for the Register and Why to discuss all practical considerations con- first time, members will be automatically cerning the MLC for rights holders, includ- prompted to search the MLC database to see It’s Important ing who needs to sign up, how works should which of their musical works have already be registered, what resources are available been added. Ahrend points out that many BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN for those who require assistance and more. works have already been registered via the Who needs to sign up: Harry Fox Agency’s (HFA) pre-existing n Oct. 2018, the landmark Music Mod- Bottom line: Any individual or organiza- database, which includes the majority of ernization Act (MMA) was signed into tion with a stake in one or more musical commercially successful music released law by President Donald Trump fol- works available on digital audio services over the years. Even if a work is already lowing a years-long push by musi- in the U.S. needs to register with the MLC. there, members should still check to ensure Ician advocates and several U.S. lawmakers. That includes U.S. publishers, administra- that their share of the work is reflected. Among other things, the bill established a tors and collective management organiza- If a musical work isn’t yet included in the new blanket mechanical license for digital tions who collect mechanicals for them- database, there are three ways to register it: mechanical royalties, which will be ex- selves and/or on behalf of songwriters; Via the MLC’s “registration wiz- clusively administered by the Mechanical any non-U.S. organization that represents ard,” which prompts members to answer Licensing Collective (MLC), the nonprofit musical works with distribution in the U.S. a series of questions about the work they’d organization designated by the U.S. Copy- market; and self-administered songwriters like to add. The registration wizard won’t right Office to take on that role. and musicians. only ask for information about a work, The MLC, which officially launched op- “Quite simply, if you have an interest in but also explain what that information is, erations on Jan. 1, 2021, is on track to begin receiving mechanicals for a musical work, simplifying the process for those who are paying out royalties from roughly 50 digital and it is not registered with us, then we unfamiliar with it. “So if they’re not familiar services providers [DSPs] including Spotify, can’t pay,” says Ahrend. with an IPI number, for example, it’ll ex- Apple Music and Pandora in mid-to-late How to sign up: plain that,” Ahrend says. April. With roughly two months to go, the To register as a member, rights holders For a member with multiple works to organization is now strongly encouraging should visit the MLC website and click enter, the MLC also includes a bulk upload all musical rights holders to register their “Connect to Collect,” which appears as a feature, which provides an Excel template works via the MLC website to ensure they blue button at the top right of the home demonstrating how to properly enter details get paid. page. Once the button is clicked, users will about a work into a spreadsheet. Members How much in unpaid royalties is out be prompted to create a username and pass- then upload the spreadsheet into the portal, there? The organization has already word in order to access the MLC portal. which automatically enters the information received over $424 million in accrued Once the user account is established, rights provided into a series of draft registrations unmatched royalties from those DSPs, it holders must also set up a member profile in that can be reviewed and finalized (mem- was announced on Feb. 16. order to get paid, using either the name of bers will be automatically prompted to add “Because the MLC is the single, central the publishing company or, for self-admin- any missing information) before they are administrator for all of the activity that istered songwriters, their name or the name formally submitted. is paid through that blanket license, that of the publishing entity they have set up for Finally, more seasoned publishing profes- registration will ensure that you are paid themselves. To avoid confusion, Ahrend is sionals can register works by simply submit- properly in connection with all of the DSPs quick to stress the distinction between user ting a traditional Common Works Regis- [digital service providers] that are operat- profiles and member profiles. In summary: tration (CWR) form to the MLC. ing under the blanket,” MLC CEO Kris The user profile simply provides an individ- Members who wish to cross-reference Ahrend tells Billboard. “Whereas in the ual or company representative access to the their own data with the MLC’s data for a past, you might have to register your work in MLC portal. By contrast, the member profile work already in the database can also take several places, sometimes with the indi- contains a company or individual’s financial advantage of the organization’s data quality vidual DSP or sometimes with the vendor information and allows them to register initiative, which allows them to submit a they had chosen. We’ll be a one-stop shop musical works in the database, among other comparison and receive a report detailing for that registration.” things. any discrepancies within 24 hours. Page 12 of 25

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What happens next: measurement firm Triton Digital for $230 Once a musical work has been submitted, million, the companies said on Wednesday. Courtney Barnett, the MLC double checks the data while also iHeartMedia, which says it is “the no. 1 ensuring it wasn’t previously registered. If it audio company in America and the no. 1 Midnight Oil & was, the MLC will simply connect the new podcast publisher globally,” said the deal registration with the pre-existing registra- will allow it to “provide audio content to More Sign Open tion, essentially merging them into a single producers and advertisers with an industry- entry. Lastly, the organization will vet the leading full ad service package for streaming Letter Calling submission to rule out fraudulent activity. and podcasting no matter their size, reach or This process can take anywhere from days distribution method.” For Australian to weeks, depending on how many works a Triton will bring a “vast array of infra- member has submitted. structure and measurement solutions” to Government After a work has been submitted, mem- the firm that will “complement iHeart- bers can continually check on its status Media’s current advertising technology Support through the member portal. Once the work services, data platforms and programmatic has been added, the submission will be platforms.” BY LARS BRANDLE moved into a column marked “Accepted.” iHeartMedia chairman and CEO Bob Pitt- Support options: man touted the deal, saying: “Adding Triton ore than 3,500 Australian While the MLC has set up the registration Digital and its industry leading services to artists, industry professionals process to ensure ease of use, the organiza- the iHeartMedia audio ecosystem establish- and businesses from across tion understands that rights holders, par- es iHeartMedia as the only company with a the country’s music ecosystem ticularly self-administered ones, may find total audio advertising technology and data Mhave signed an open letter calling on the the process confusing at times. solution.” federal government for financial reinforce- To account for that, the MLC has estab- Operating in more than 50 countries, ment. lished a support team, on hand to answer Triton is an ad technology platform for au- Next month will see an end to JobKeeper basic questions and also to help with any dio streaming and podcasting that “enables payments, which have kept the music indus- disputes over credit (more official policies publishers to monetize their audiences” by try on life-support during the health crisis. to deal with these disputes will be instituted offering measurement and infrastructure Without an ongoing handout or an over time, Ahrend says). Already fielding that helps maximize the yield of ads and industry-specific wage subsidy package, hundreds of inquiries per week, members operating a programmatic ad marketplace. music will no longer play its tune. of the support team are available between Neal Schore, CEO of Triton Digital, said: “We are an industry in crisis,” the letter 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. “We remain deeply committed to providing says. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays via phone, email or a the world’s broadcasters, podcasters, and The likes of Paul Kelly, Bernard Fan- chat window in the member portal. online audio publishers with continuously ning, Courtney Barnett, Missy Hig- “All of this is both straightforward and innovated, best-in-class solutions and ser- gins, Stella Donnelly, Lime Cordiale, The complicated, and we know that,” Ahrend vices for online audio management, adver- Presets and Midnight Oil have signed the says. “And we know that for many people, tising, and consumption data, and are well document. especially creators, this is not the thing that positioned to enhance iHeartMedia’s value In it, they say extending JobKeeper or they focus on day in and day out.” proposition to audiences and advertisers.” providing direct industry support to thou- This article was originally published sands of vulnerable workers will keep the by The Hollywood Reporter. show on the road. iHeartMedia to “This doesn’t just make cultural sense, it makes economic sense,” the message Acquire Ad Tech continues. The numbers tell part of the story. The Firm Triton Digital arts and entertainment sector contributes around A$15 billion ($11 billion) per year in BY GEORG SZALAI GDP, employing close to 200,000 highly- skilled Australians, the open letter contin- adio and audio entertainment gi- ues. ant iHeartMedia has struck a deal Also, Australia Institute research has with The E.W. Scripps Co. to ac- found that for every million dollars in rev- R quire advertising technology and enue, arts and entertainment produce nine Page 13 of 25

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jobs while the construction industry only social distancing regulations. Since March make cultural sense, it makes economic sense. creates around one. last year there has not been a single national The arts and entertainment sector contrib- Australia’s live industry is starting to wake tour undertaken by an Australian artist and utes around $15 billion per year in GDP, from its COVID-induced slumber, but the there has not been a single festival run at full employing close to 200,000 highly-skilled damage is done. And the recently completed capacity. The music and live entertainment Australians. Australia Institute research has five-day snap lockdown in Victoria, which industry remains in lockdown. found that for every million dollars in turn- contributed to the postponement of next The ability for musicians to generate mean- over, arts and entertainment produce 9 jobs month’s 5 Seconds of Summer tour, is ingful income was shut down overnight in while the construction industry only produces another sign of these fragile times. March last year. Every live music venue and around 1 job. The live economy remains very much at festival in a city, town centre or regional area We can’t afford to lose the skills and busi- the mercy of COVID-19. is part of an intricate network that supports nesses of our industry. The result for Austra- According to new figures released today our industry. Sitting behind these venues and lian music and live entertainment would be by APRA AMCOS, a signatory to the open events is an army of musicians, DJs, manag- catastrophic. letter, live music is operating at under 4% of ers, agents, promoters, crew, technicians, Also, Australia Institute research has found the level compared with this time last year. music teachers and many other industry that for every million dollars in revenue, arts Since March 2020, the PRO notes, there professionals. and entertainment produce 9 jobs while the has not been a single national tour com- It’s all completely understandable. But for construction industry only produces around pleted by an Australian artist, no festival has music and live entertainment the last twelve 1 job. operated at full capacity, and the venues that months has devastated our industry. Bureau Australia’s live industry is starting to wake are trading are doing so at an average of 30 of Statistics data shows that arts and enter- from its COVID-induced slumber, but the per cent due to social distancing protocols. tainment related industries have seen some of damage is done. And the recently completed “We can’t afford to lose the skills and the largest pandemic business shutdowns. five-day snap lockdown in Victoria, which businesses of our industry,” the letter warns. We acknowledge the Australian Govern- contributed to the postponement of next “The result for Australian music and live ment’s response package for arts and enter- month’s 5 Seconds of Summer tour, is another entertainment would be catastrophic.” tainment announced last year - $10 million in sign of these fragile times. Read the full letter here and below. critical funding to Support Act for crisis relief The live economy remains very much at the NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO TURN and mental health & wellbeing support and mercy of COVID-19. OFF MUSIC’S LIFE SUPPORT $250 million in grants and loans to stimulate According to new figures released today by The music and live entertainment industry the restart of the arts and entertainment sec- APRA AMCOS, a signatory to the Open Let- will be the last to be able to recover from the tor. But a restart can’t happen while borders ter, live music is operating at under 4% of the COVID-19 pandemic. We call on the Aus- remain closed and audience capacity limits level compared with this time last year. show- tralian Government to extend JobKeeper, or are in place. ing the devastation that has hit Australia’s provide an industry specific wage subsidy, Looming at the end of March is the end live music industry and on the thousands of to be continued beyond March for those who of the JobKeeper program, the single most people who work to make live music happen. work in music and live events. important policy intervention by the govern- “We can’t afford to lose the skills and busi- We applaud the work of local, state and ment. It has provided some certainty and nesses of our industry. The result for Austra- federal authorities, as well as the community helped keep a large number of individuals, lian music and live entertainment would be and acknowledge the situation in Australia sole-traders and businesses in the music and catastrophic.” is much different to most nations around the live entertainment industry alive so they are Since March 2020, the PRO notes, there has world. But Australia remains in a cycle of ready to restart. not been a single national tour completed by lockdowns and border closures to keep on top As Prime Minister Scott Morrison said last an Australian artist, no festival has operated of the insidious COVID-19 pandemic. year: “[It] has been important for us to really at full capacity, and the venues that are trad- Each time there is another COVID-19 clus- get a full appreciation of the serious busi- ing are doing so at an average of 30 per cent ter or a quarantine breach, any plans to trade ness of entertainment and the hundreds of due to social distancing protocols. again are halted. Musicians, sole traders, thousands of jobs that are here and we want venues, clubs, festivals, music businesses and to keep that capability together. Those jobs the industry remain out of work. Billions of will come back into those businesses when the dollars for hospitality and tourism generated show starts again and we need to keep them, from Australian music remains stifled. We are we need to keep the show together when it an industry in crisis. comes to the people who make that up.” At present, live music alone is operating Extending JobKeeper, or providing an at under 4 per cent of pre-COVID levels as industry specific wage subsidy package, will a result of continual border closures and keep the show on the road. This doesn’t just Page 14 of 25

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most-collected masters of the year — albums helping fans discover and purchase tickets Discogs Sales added to most users’ collections regardless wherever they are on the internet. They of format — were classics from the 1960s make the buying processes incredibly easy Rose 40% in and 1970s: in order, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of and secure, which is exactly what we want the Moon, The Beatles’ Abbey Road and Sgt. to offer,” says Nate Kranz, First Avenue’s 2020 as Vinyl Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Fleet- general manager. wood Mac’s Rumours and Floyd’s Wish You AXS, which is owned by AEG, has enjoyed Led the Way Were Here. a number of marquee signings in recent For more data, including the best-selling months including Neumos (Seattle), Jam BY DAN RYS albums by genre — the most popular being Productions (Chicago), the Pabst Theatre rock, pop, electronic, jazz and funk/soul — Group (Milwaukee), The Truman (Kansas verall sales of physical music check out the Discogs site here. City), PromoWest (Columbus, Ohio), Zero on online music marketplace Mile Group (Atlanta) and the famed Billy Discogs saw a 40.12% increase Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth, as well as major in 2020 over the year prior, the AXS Books promoters including Bowery Presents, Gold- Ocompany reported today in its year-end envoice and AEG Presents. wrap up, with a total of 16.29 million pieces First Avenue, “Independent venues are the lifeblood of physical music — vinyl records, CDs of our industry and AXS is committed to and cassettes — sold. The total number of Minneapolis Club bringing the best technology to help them orders, at 8.85 million, jumped 35.78% over generate new revenues and deliver a world- the year prior. Loved By Prince & class consumer experience,” says Stephanie Unsurprisingly, as sales of it the format Streeter, senior director for AXS Music. “As have been growing across the board for more Hüsker Dü Fans a pillar of their community for over 50 years, than a decade, vinyl led the way in terms of we could be not be more excited about our popular formats on the marketplace. Just shy BY DAVE BROOKS partnership with First Avenue.” of 12 million records — 11,961,998 is the exact Frank is also the executive director of the figure — changed hands, a 40.75% bump irst Avenue president Dayna National Independent Venue Association over the year prior. That number accounts Frank has signed an exclusive tick- (NIVA) and played a critical role securing for around 75% of the sales volume on the eting agreement with AXS Tickets the passage of the Save Our Stages Act, part platform, and is the first time the raw figures for the company’s six venues, of the $900 billion COVID-19 aid package, passed 10 million (last year’s total was 8.5 Fincluding the marquee 1,550-capacity night- signed into law at the end of 2020. million). CDs also saw a sizable jump in sales, club located at the corner of First Avenue “We’re increasingly seeing our inde- up 37.14% to 3.44 million, while cassette sales and 7th Street in Minneapolis featured in pendent venue partners recognize how were up by a third, to 282,798. Prince’s iconic 1984 film Purple Rain and be- ticketing technology can drive greater 2020 also saw another record set on loved by fans of The Replacements, Hüsker revenue opportunities. Merely providing the site: the most expensive record ever Dü, Soul Asylum, Semisonic, Atmosphere, the basics leaves too much on the table for sold. That distinction goes to Scaramanga The Jayhawks and many more. these talented entrepreneurs,” says Bryan Silk’s Choose Your Weapon, which went for The agreement with First Avenue also Perez, chief executive at AXS. “We couldn’t just north of $41,000 in December 2020. includes 7th St Entry, Turf Club, Fine Line, be more proud to partner with the First Ave Mourning Phase’s 1971 self-titled vinyl test The Fitzgerald Theater, and the Palace The- team and help equip them with the tools to pressing sold for $10,976 to come in at No. 2 atre, which First Avenue co-operates with grow their business into the future.” for the year, while the original 1967 seven- Jam Productions. First Avenue had previ- AXS also counts five of the world’s top inch of Ray Agee’s “Hard Lovin’ Woman ously been a client of Etix. grossing venues — The O2 in London, Sta- / I’m Losing Again” was the third-highest “As independent venues and concert ples Center in Los Angeles, T-Mobile Arena price paid, at $6,713. promoters, the First Avenue team is con- in Las Vegas, the Toyota Center in Houston Overall in 2020, a Record Store Day stantly looking for innovative ways to offer and Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver re-pressing of Billie Eilish’s live set from the best experience from start to finish for — as clients, as well as the NBA’s Minnesota Third Man Records was No. 1, followed the fans. We are thrilled to welcome AXS as Timberwolves and Houston Rockets, the by a Japanese reissue of Nujabes’ 2005 our official ticketing partner, elevating our NCAA and the NHL’s Las Vegas Golden album Modal Soul, a 2016 180-gram vinyl fan experience with new features like 3D Knights. AXS is headquartered in LA with release of David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, and seat maps at our theaters, seamless mobile locations worldwide including Cleveland, Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories and tickets and transfer and a broad array of Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, London and Peggy Gou’s Moment EP. Meanwhile, the marketing and distribution capabilities, Stockholm, Sweden. Page 15 of 25

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sum (down 12%), and 24,000 sold (up 12%) five-week domination. Olivia Rodrigo’s worldwide in the Feb. 5-11 tracking week. The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard The single by the singer-songwriter Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated Feb. 20) will ‘Drivers License’ and actress, initially known for her roles update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Feb. 17). in Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark and For both charts, the top 100 titles are avail- Registers Fifth Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: able to all readers on Billboard.com, while The Series, solely claims the mark for the the complete 200-title rankings are visible Week Atop Both longest Global 200 command yet, surpassing on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription- the four-week reigns of Mariah Carey’s “All based service. For all chart news, you can Billboard Global I Want for Christmas Is You” (December- follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on January) and BTS’ “Dynamite” (October- both Twitter and Instagram. Charts January). The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” holds BY GARY TRUST at its No. 2 Global 200 high and “Save Your EMPIRE Expands Tears” rises 4-3 for a new best rank. “Lights” livia Rodrigo claims the biggest drew 61.7 million streams (up 33%) and sold to West Asia and song in the world for a fifth 38,000 (up 194%), the week’s best sales total, week, as “Drivers License” holds worldwide in the tracking week. “Tears” tal- North Africa, at No. 1 in its fifth frame on both lied 58.9 million streams (up 36%) and sold Othe Billboard Global 200 and Billboard 24,000 (up 114%) globally. Hires Suhel Nafar Global Excl. U.S. charts. Both “Lights” and “Tears” are from The The song is the first to top both tallies Weeknd’s 2020 LP After Hours and ad- as VP simultaneously for five total weeks, dating ditionally appear on his new hits collec- to the charts’ September 2020 premieres. tion The Highlights. BY DAN RYS Plus, The Weeknd sports the respective Cardi B’s “Up” launches at No. 4 on the Nos. 2 and 3 songs on each survey, “Blind- Global 200 with 53.7 million streams and ndie distributor, label and publisher ing Lights” and “Save Your Tears,” after 27,000 worldwide following its Feb. 5 re- EMPIRE is expanding into West his Super Bowl LV halftime show perfor- lease. She previously ranked in the top five Asia and North Africa, the company mance Feb. 7, and Cardi B’s new single “Up” with “WAP” (featuring Megan Thee Stal- announced today (Feb. 17), the latest bounds onto the Global 200 at No. 4. lion), which ruled the chart for three weeks Iinternational expansion for the Bay Area- Billboard’s two global charts (the latest of last September and October. based company and one that brings it firmly which are dated Feb. 20) rank songs based BTS’ “Dynamite” closes out the Global into the Arab-speaking world. on streaming and sales activity culled from 200’s top five, dropping 4-5. As part of the move, EMPIRE has also more than 200 territories around the world, Rodrigo, The Weeknd Also Take Top 3 hired Suhel Nafar as vp strategy and market as compiled by MRC Data. The Billboard Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” con- development, who most recently worked Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data currently crowns the Billboard Global Excl. as Spotify’s global lead of Arab music and and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart U.S. chart for a fifth week, with 52.2 million culture. comprises data from territories excluding streams (down 11%) and 7,000 sold (down The move is one of both professional op- the U.S. 14%) in territories outside the U.S. in the portunity and also has a personal aspect to Chart rankings are based on a weighted Feb. 5-11 tracking week. it for EMPIRE, which is led by first-genera- formula incorporating official-only streams The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” lifts 3-2 tion Arab-American Ghazi. on both subscription and ad-supported on the Global Excl. U.S. chart, reaching a “It makes absolute sense for us as a tiers of audio and video music services, as new high on the latter ranking, and “Save company. There’s a lot of talent growing well as download sales, the latter of which Your Tears” jumps 6-3, reaching the Global in that area, so there’s opportunities in reflect purchases from full-service digital Excl. U.S. top five for the first time. “Lights” terms of signings, in terms of infrastructure music retailers from around the world, with ascends with 42 million streams (up 26%) with DSPs like [Lebanon-based streaming sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites and 11,000 sold (up 151%) outside the U.S., service] Anghami taking off, telco’s in areas excluded from the charts’ calculations. while “Tears” climbs with 38.9 million like Egypt that we haven’t all the way tapped ‘License’ Has Longest Global 200 Domi- streams (up 30%) and 10,000 sold (up 73%). into yet,” Ghazi told Billboard in an inter- nation BTS’ “Dynamite” descends 2-4 on the view. “And then from a personal position, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” holds Global Excl. U.S. chart, after a record eight I’m from that region, so it makes absolute atop the Billboard Global 200 with 78.8 weeks at No. 1, and Bad Bunny and Jhay sense for me to push West Asian / North Af- million streams, the week’s top streaming Cortez’s “Dákiti” drops 4-5, following its rican music, being that that’s, from an ethnic Page 16 of 25

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and lineage standpoint, my family and my the region, so culturally we’ll be able to con- feature Los Angeles singer/songwriter Bo- culture.” nect” Ghazi says. “I would hope to be able to dhi taking on BP’s ex Storm in an “emotional In Nafar, EMPIRE is also bringing on replicate a lot of that energy in North Africa story grounded in tragedy and acceptance,” board an executive with a track record of and West Asia, and just continue to build in- according to a release. A month later, Dallas building infrastructure and artist services in frastructure and start to make a dent where native rapper Sessions will tell a story about the region. A former hip-hop artist himself people start to see us as the global force that Black Panther in issue No. 24, and April’s se- who learned English through music, Nafar’s we are as a company and understand that ries finale — issue No. 25 — will feature R&B work at Spotify included launching the we’re there to do good in the region and do singer Paige tackling Wakandan Princess streaming service’s Arab hub, serving both great things in the region.” Shuri and the power of knowledge. the local region and the broader diaspora, “I grew up on hip-hop music — the reason “My album Mad World is a raw, honest, curating its playlists and programming strat- I’m speaking English to you right now is and very personal journey into my life and egy within the app and establishing connec- hip-hop music,” Nafar says. “And I always upbringing in South Central L.A.,” Saint tions within the artist community. felt like it’s a mission for me to move to Bodhi said in a statement. “I grew up with a His new role will be a hybrid one, he a point where a lot of people in different not-so-normal past. I say the things people tells Billboard, tasked with both discovering places in the world learn Arabic because of are afraid to say. I let you experience the artists and building infrastructure for the music, just like how I grew up, and I see that ‘mad world’ that is my life.” company in the region. happening. And with us building the infra- Each three-page story will feature an “The data in the diaspora is insanely structure and partnering with artists in the exclusive one-page Def Jam artist profile as huge around Arabic music, more than even way that EMPIRE has been doing it, we can part of the label’s push to promote social, locally,” Nafar says. “If you look at, for boost that strategy of having some genres economic and educational equality. “Bring- example, the Gulf region, Saudia Arabia or exported from our region.” ing these two logos together was a dream,” Dubai, a lot of people there are streaming said Def Jam partnerships consultant Jona- Filipino music or Bollywood music more than Rheingold. “There was a mutual desire than Arabic music. But then if you look at Def Jam and to unite these two great brands for a mission artists that are top-tier in the Arab world, and a cause — leveraging Def Jam’s rising they’re being streamed in the U.S., Brazil, Marvel Team Up stars and the legendary Marvel characters Mexico and Germany. And looking at what’s to tell powerful stories that would make happening with the political climate change for ‘Black Panther’ an emotional connection with fans of both that happened in the last few years in that cultures.” region, a lot of people have left and moved Stories From Saint Each artist will also find themselves around. So there are huge markets within paired with some of Marvel’s most ac- those huge markets and, through the data Bodhi, Kaash claimed book writers and artists, with Bodhi and the things that I built for Spotify, I working alongside co-writer Danny Lore learned how to connect those bridges in the Paige, Bobby (Wolverine, Ironheart), artist Alitha Marti- right way. And that’s what I want to bring nez (MoonGirl and Devil Dinosaur, Cable) with me here to EMPIRE.” Sessions and colorist Rachelle Rosenberg (Sword Already, EMPIRE has made inroads in the Master, Scarlet Witch) and her story also region with a handful of signings, including BY BILLBOARD STAFF included in Marvel’s Voices: Legacy No. 1, Canadian-Lebanese artist Massari and Pal- a celebration of Black voices and artists, estinian singer Elyanna, who released her ef Jam Recordings has teamed which will be on sale the same day. self-titled debut EP in 2020. The goal is to with Marvel Comics for a series “Teenage Fever is my debut album and make more signings from the region and de- of Black Panther storylines writ- it was important for me to capture my last velop the company’s presence there, as they ten by rising stars Saint Bo- year of being a teen through my music,” have done in other areas like West Africa. Ddhi, Kaash Paige and Bobby Sessions. The said Kaash, 20, about getting involved in the Nafar will be based out of San Francisco. collaboration — aimed at bringing the voices Marvel project. “This chapter of my life is The two also see EMPIRE as well-po- of young Black creatives into the mix — will coming to an end so I wanted to put all my sitioned to connect with the local regions find each of the Def Jam artists contributing experiences into a document that will live in West Asia and North Africa. Both Ghazi character-driven stories to the final three forever.” and Nafar speak Arabic, while EMPIRE’s issues of the Black Panther “Intergalactic Sessions added, “My album Manifest is COO, Nima Etminan, was born in Iran and Empire” saga penned by acclaimed author a guide for people to transform into the speaks Farsi. Ta-Nehisi Coates and artist Daniel Acuna. greatest version of themselves. A body of “We have a number of people in the com- As part of a Black History Month celebra- work that will lead people to find their inner pany that speak languages that are native to tion, Black Panther No. 23 (Feb. 24), will super hero!” Page 17 of 25

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soared to a No. 9 high earlier this month. health, especially for the Black community. SZA Is on a Billboard caught up with SZA to discuss How have you been able to protect your her role with TAZO Tree Corps, maintain- mental health during the pandemic as SZA, Mission to Fight ing her creative balance, positive affirma- Solana and each persona that you are? tions, the making of “Good Days,” and which I don’t separate myself, definitely. I just For Climate artists she’s been checking out during the been outside. I’m definitely a good-natured, pandemic. therapy kind of person. I hit the forest, or Justice and Why do you think the fight for climate I hit the park, or I do a lot of walks, a lot change in Black and Brown communities is of exercises. Sitting still and meditating Her Own Inner such an under discussed topic? is a component for me, but it’s not my key I’ve lived in Carson, CA with TDE for like component. I need to be outside amongst Healing four years — maybe five — but when you trees, and among anything nature-based. I’ll drive through Torrance, that’s all South Bay. drive really far to get there and I don’t mind. BY CARL LAMARRE So you’re heading to Long Beach and all you I don’t mind dragging whatever I have to see is factory, factory, factory. All the trees drag. ZA is a woman on a mission. Be- on those streets are dead. But these are all I actually went with my parents on the sides currently holding the No. 11 Black and Brown areas. And I’m not from Delaware River. We kayaked six miles. I did spot on the Hot 100 with her single L.A. — so for me to move to this place, I felt nine miles by myself. We never camped out “Good Days,” the TDE singer- like, “This is weird. All these trees are dead.” as family before — and you know as Black Ssongwriter is looking to spark a difference in A lot of the people that I’ve met have fam- people, that’s really important. Hella tree Black and Brown communities. ily members that worked at factories, and activity. [Laughs.] Today (Feb. 17), she announces her part- they became ill. It was very strange that it Have you seen a spike in your creative nership with the non-profit organization seemed fine to just cluster people together activity, with you being outside as often as American Forests to establish TAZO Tree and put them in these crazy situations. you have during the pandemic? Corps — a paid local workforce that will Even in New Jersey, where it’s like one Absolutely. I just feel crunchy when I help fight for climate justice within those of the nine worst food deserts in America, don’t get outside, or even when I’m in heavy affected areas. where there’s no grocery stores or adequate [traffic] areas — like a fancy part of New By planting trees and providing steady anything, [there’s no] tree experience. York City — and there’s not enough trees in maintenance to combat climate injustices There’s no exposure. I think that people sleep your area. I really had to go out of my way to in Black and Brown communities, SZA’s on how that affects your mental health, and find that moment, because it was bringing alliance with TAZO Tree Corps will ensure the subtleties [impacted] in the essence of be- me down. It was super-weird, and making a sustainable and encouraging future for all ing a human being. It’s kind of sad as hell. my music feel weird, because I was like, parties involved. Job opportunities will be unsure of myself. You’re really just bouncing available, as well. My mood just went from ten to six hear- yourself off an indoor wall all the time. It’s “When they told me that they would be ing that, since I live in Jersey. just not normal. working with actual communities affected And I lived in Maplewood. You know You already can’t bounce off of people be- by environmental racism and were adding Jersey, halfway to the city, it’s just a bizarre cause of COVID, so that has everything feel- jobs and not just trees, it really had little to do smell. And you don’t know what it is. People ing crazy. Your music is super-eternal — and with tea at all,” the singer tells Billboard. “The just think it’s garbage, but it’s not. It’s those the first time people hear it, it’s when it’s TAZO section was just a cherry on top for factories. It’s all that nonsense. And you public, and that’s super weird for me. That’s me, on a genuine connection on all levels. It’s have people who live over there. I grew up never happened to me before. I don’t know. like — I drink this, obviously, but I connect to in Maplewood. You head into Irvington, It’s super weird, but being outside helps. It all these points energetically. It was just an Newark, East Orange, and the quality is dif- breaks that monotony and that cycle. honor to be asked to be involved.” ferent. What you’re looking at is different. Along with fighting for a better environ- It’s an all-encompassing issue. Do you have any positive affirmations ment, SZA continues to strive for inner I feel like clean air and having trees you tell yourself on the daily to stay afloat peace, which has allowed her to flourish cre- shouldn’t even be a conversation. It’s mentally? atively. During the pandemic, the singer has kind of dumb that’s it even a privilege, or My granny used to tell me, “Just do your enjoyed spending time outdoors to flush out something great that you can add to a com- best, and when you do your best, that’s all any rust or negative energy. The results have munity. How is it that we all don’t have the you can do.” It’s super simple, right? That’s proven favorable: Her first single, “Hit Differ- equal experience? not enough, but usually, it kicks in when ent,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign peaked at No. 36 I’ve done something, and I’m asking myself, last year on the Hot 100, while “Good Days” I know you’re a huge advocate of mental “Have I done this in a way that’s adequate — Page 18 of 25

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or did I actually do my best, and really try to yourself musically as much as before? is [dope] too. put my foot in this s—t and take this as far as No, definitely the same. It’s the same, if Lastly, before I let you go, were you it can go?” not more. It’s so interesting. With “Good able to finally buy your first TV? I fluctuate between “I’m filled with love Days,” I had learned that it wasn’t meant to Yeah, I got two! I got two Samsungs. I and kindness,” “I’m peaceful and at ease” be a single. It was a song that I threw at the stand by them. They’re larger than what I and “I’m well and I’m happy,” but I also do, end of “Hit Different,” because I liked it. wanted. I never purchased a TV. I never had “May I be filled with love and kindness,” The fact that it became a single, or even that one while like living on my own ever. I was “May I be well,” “May I be peaceful and at random TikTok thing, — [it] was not a song like, “It’s time,” and I need to finally get one. ease,” and “May I be happy.” I just keep it that I was working on, it was a song that I I didn’t even know what size. I wanted the simple. I guess speaking stuff out loud has posted mad long ago. It was a snippet of a small ones because I feel like the big ones strength that I’ve been trying to learn, ‘cause bunch of stuff that I was working on with are obnoxious, but to me, 65 inches is big. I feel like I’m kind of negative on myself. Rodney Jerkins and we ended up making a 70 inches is big. I love my computer in bed. So I’ve been trying to say more positive and bunch of songs. That’s kind of the vibe that I’m used to, but random things aloud at random moments. I don’t know. It’s like my trajectory is out whatever. [Laughs.] of my hands. All I can do is stay creative, try I actually started saying “Carl, I’m proud to be honest, do work and not be lazy. So I’m of you” as my affirmation and it’s really trying to be my best. That’s all I can do — my Morgan Wallen made a difference. literal best. If I hear a song, now I wanna That’s beautiful. I feel like the “I’m proud make it the best song that it can be. I might Tops Billboard of [myself ]” is one of the hardest things [to be overanalyzing that, but we’ll see when it say], because I never feel proud of myself, or comes out. Artist 100 Chart that I deserve anything that’s happening. So With the “Good Days” visual on the it’s super weird to enjoy any of it. But I defi- way, you think you can rank you top for Fifth Week nitely believe in the the power of “I’m proud three favorite videos of yours? of myself,” “I like you,” or “Hey, you’re cute.” I can’t do it in order, but the “Supermod- BY XANDER ZELLNER That s—t is like super weird and hard for el” video had the little Black girls and the me. But I feel you. fairy energy. It was exactly what my mind organ Wallen claims the top CTRL has spent 191 weeks on the Bill- was thinking conceptually. I love the “Love spot on the Billboard Art- board 200, and still remains inside the Galore” video, except when Travis [Scott] ist 100 chart (dated Feb. 20), top 40. Have you sat back and thought dies at the end. He was really mad at me for reigning as the top musical act back the impact this album has made on that. It wasn’t my decision. It was supposed Min the U.S. for a fifth week. your life? to be [based on] the movie Misery. I don’t His latest LP Dangerous: The Double Al- I just had no idea that anybody would like know. I would probably say “Hit Different / bum tallies a fifth week at No. 1 on the Bill- it this much, or that it would be anything Good Days.” Those three I really like. board 200, with 150,000 equivalent album like this. Because to me — I wish I had more Which female artists would you say units earned (up 1%), according to MRC time to perfect it, or get it the right way. I you’ve been checking out as a fan on the Data. Plus, his 2018 debut full-length If I never listen to my music. It’s like, I’m listen- hip-hop and R&B side during the pan- Know Me surges 17-10 (29,000 units, up ing to it back on the four-year anniversary demic? 33%), reaching the top 10 for the first time. for the first time — ‘cause I’m gonna listen to I listen to a lot of stuff that’s not just hip- He concurrently lands eight songs on the it, since I’m not on tour. It’s very interesting. hop and R&B. But in that specific spectrum, Billboard Hot 100, led by “Wasted on You” I just wonder how other people hear it, and I love Tiana Major9. She’s so crazy. Lots of at No. 36. I don’t know. vocalists. I love Fousheé. I love Jean Daw- Wallen extends his record for the most I’m just grateful that God put me in a po- son. Dawson is a dude. Go look at his music weeks spent at No. 1 on the Artist 100 among sition to touch or be of service to other peo- video, it has like a s—t ton of views. It’s on core country artists, having surpassed Jason ple even if I don’t understand it. The ways I YouTube. He’s Black, but it’s also like some Aldean a week ago. Among all acts, Taylor think I can be of service are not adequate, so punk s—t. It’s tight — it’s super tight. Swift has spent the most time atop the chart: this is a cool way that’s really unbeknownst You know, [I’ve also been listening to] a 45 weeks. to me. I have no idea of the effects or how lot of rap. A lot of Don Toliver. I’m obsessed. As previously reported, TMZ posted a or why people connect to it the way they do. I’ve been listening to all the girls. Of course, video on Feb. 2 of Wallen yelling exple- I’m just grateful to be around. Summer [Walker], Kehlani, and Ari [Len- tives, including the N-word. He subse- Even after the success you’ve gotten nox]. Those are my favorites, but I love all quently issued an apology, while his record with your new singles “Hit Different” these new ones coming out. I think it’s a label, Big Loud Records, suspended his and “Good Days,” are you still critical of beautiful time for music. Kota [The Friend] recording contract indefinitely and many Page 19 of 25

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radio groups dropped his music entirely. Hot Country Songs top 10, after his viral hit The duo of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney Among other Artist 100 chart moves, Foo “The Git Up” ruled for 12 weeks beginning previously started at a No. 15 best on Hot Fighters re-enter at No. 3 on the strength of in July 2019. Country Songs with “Tequila” in January the group’s latest album Medicine at Mid- “Just the Way” reaches the Hot Country 2018. The song went on to a four-week com- night, which arrives at No. 3 on the Billboard Songs top 10 in its 52nd week, wrapping mand in February 2019. 200 (70,000 units). the second-longest ascent to the tier. Chris Plus, Pooh Shiesty vaults from No. 100 to Stapleton’s “Millionaire” took 56 weeks and No. 8 in his second week on the Artist 100, peaked at No. 4 in 2019. 5 Seconds of as his debut LP Shiesty Season starts at No. 4 RISIN’ “SHINE” Darius Rucker rolls up on the Billboard 200 (62,000 units). his 11th Hot Country Songs top 10 as “Beers Summer Postpone The Artist 100, which launched in 2014, and Sunshine” bubbles up 13-9. It holds at measures artist activity across key metrics its No. 3 Country Airplay high, up 3% to 27.5 ‘No Shame’ Tour of music consumption, blending album and million in audience. It also drew 4.7 million track sales, radio airplay, streaming and streams (up 11%) and sold 1,000 downloads of Australia social media fan interaction to provide a (up 7%). weekly multi-dimensional ranking of artist Rucker last ranked in the region with BY LARS BRANDLE popularity. his most recent entry, “For the First Time,” For all chart news, you can follow @bill- which reached No. 7 on Hot Country Songs, he long wait for 5 Seconds of board and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and led Country Airplay, in June 2018. He Summer’s homecoming tour and Instagram. boasts back-to-back Hot Country Songs top will continue after the Australian 10s for the first time since 2010-11, when pop-rock outfit pushed back their “Come Back Song” and “This” each led the Tnational run. Parmalee & Blanco list. “Due to recent announcements by the “DOWN” IS UP Continuing the parade of Australian Government the 5SOS – ‘No Brown Find ‘Way’ new Hot Country Songs top 10s, Luke Bryan Shame 2021 Tour’ is being rescheduled,” makes his 31st trip to the tier as “Down to reads a statement from Live Nation, pro- to Top 10 on Hot One” hops 14-10. It bumps 6-5 on Country ducer of the trek. Airplay, down less than 1% to 24.6 mil- 5SOS’ seven-date tour of Australia was Country Songs lion impressions, and drew 4.7 million U.S. meant to kick off March 19 at Melbourne’s streams and sold 3,000 in the tracking week. Sidney Myer Music Bowl, but will be Chart “Down” is Bryan’s first Hot Country pushed back to a Nov. 26 start. Songs top 10 since “One Margarita,” which The late call was made on the same day BY JIM ASKER peaked at No. 2 last July. the state of Victoria lifted its snap five-day “LONG” RUN On Country Airplay, lockdown, though limitations will remain in armalee and Blanco Brown’s Florida Georgia Line earns its 18th top 10, a place as a measure to control an outbreak of “Just the Way” completes a total that includes 14 leaders, as “Long Live” U.K. strain of COVID-19. year-long journey to the top 10 pushes 11-8, up by 7% to 18.8 million impres- 5SOS’ global victory lap was announced of Billboard’s airplay-, sales- and sions. The duo comprising Tyler Hubbard back in Feb. 2020, but the health crisis nixed Pstreaming-based Hot Country Songs chart, and Brian Kelley last visited the top 10 with those plans and the dates were pushed back as it climbs 12-8 on the dated Feb. 20-dated “I Love My Country,” which reached No. 2 to 2021. tally. last September. “In the best interest of fan safety, we have On the Country Airplay chart, the song Meanwhile, Hubbard’s first hit outside decided to re-schedule our upcoming Aus- lifts 5-4, up by 2% to 25.3 million audience FGL, “Undivided,” with Tim McGraw, tralian dates to later in the year. Please hang impressions in the week ending Feb. 14, bullets at No. 21 on Country Airplay (8.6 mil- on to your tickets,” reads a statement from according to MRC Data. It also increased lion, up 7%). the band on social media. by 34% to 6.9 million U.S. streams and sold “GLAD” TIDINGS Dan + Shay notch “Sorry for the wait, but we’re so excited 1,000 downloads in the week ending Feb. 11. their second-highest Hot Country Songs that the new dates coincide with our 10th Parmalee adds its second Hot Country debut as “Glad You Exist” bounds in at anniversary and we get to spend it at home.” Songs top 10 among six entries. It’s the No 16. It sold 7,000 in its first week and There’s no such change to the band’s pan- band’s first since its debut hit “Carolina,” enters Country Digital Song Sales at No. 2, European tour dates, which are slated to which peaked at No. 2, and topped Country marking the pair’s 11th top 10. The track also start April 7 at SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Airplay, in December 2013. drew 5.9 million streams and 3.1 million in Scotland. Brown banks his second career-opening airplay audience. “No Shame” is the title of the third single Page 20 of 25

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from CALM, 5SOS’s fourth studio album. people always used to say it’s not cool if I The album bowed at No. 1 in the U.K. and don’t come out and drink, why aren’t you 33 Injured, 14 Australia following its release in 2020, and partying. It was the song I made to show it’s narrowly missed top spot on the Billboard OK to be you and not something others want Arrested in Violent 200. you to be.” Masked Wolf’s career took another leap Street Protests forward when he unleashed his freestyle Masked Wolf rapping skills on Triple J’s “Bars of Steel,” Over Spanish and in recent months, he was tipped by Ready for the Rolling Stone and Shazam in their annual Rapper Pablo “artists to watch” features. ‘Next Step’ With The new deal represents the “perfect next Hasel’s Jailing step” to give the artist “the push his music Teamwrk Records deserves in this home territory, alongside BY ASSOCIATED PRESS his continued success overseas,” reads a and ADA/Warner statement. olice in Spain say 14 people were Dan Rosen, president of Warner Music arrested in violent street pro- Music Australia, is keen to see his company’s new tests in several cities following signing reach the next level. “I am thrilled to the arrest of Spanish rap artist BY LARS BRANDLE welcome Masked Wolf to the ADA/Warner PPablo Hasél, who had barricaded himself Australia family and to partner with Team- at a university with dozens of supporters ollowing an international deal wrk Records,” he explains. “It is incred- to avoid prison and defend his fight for free struck last month with Warner ible to see the impact that Masked Wolf is speech. Emergency services said Wednesday Music’s Elektra Records, Masked already having around the world, and we that 33 people were treated for injuries in Wolf has pounced on a partnership cannot wait to work together to build his the disturbances. In the northeastern city of Fwith Teamwrk Records and ADA/Warner success here in his home country.” Barcelona, thousands of protestors set trash Music Australia for Australia and New Anthony Staun, head of streaming at cans on fire and threw rocks at the police. Zealand. Teamwrk Records adds: “This has been Several stores and a bank were damaged Masked Wolf emerged as a leader of an incredible moment for not only Austra- amid chaotic scenes on one of the city’s the pack in Australia’s hip-hop scene with lian hip-hop but also locally grown artists main streets. Spanish National Television 2020’s “Astronaut In The Ocean,” which has in general. We have seen unprecedented cited city authorities as estimating the amassed over 86 million streams on Spotify growth and numbers overseas and we are damages at 70,000 euros ($84,000). Smaller and more than 45 million hits on YouTube. excited to partner with a local major that demonstrations took place in other Spanish “Astronaut” is currently sitting at No. 13 will help mark MW’s home country with the cities. Further protests are planned Wednes- on the Global Spotify chart, with over 2.2 same success.” day. A 24-hour standoff between police and million streams on the platform in a single Hasél ended early Tuesday when anti-riot day. And it’s sky high on the Shazam Top officers arrested him in northeastern Lleida 200 chart, at No. 3, and it debuted at No. University. 1 last month on Australia’s Independent He was taken to prison to serve a 9-month Singles chart. sentence for insulting the monarchy and The Sydney rapper (real name Harry glorifying terrorism in a song about former Michael) has been riding the wave since King Juan Carlos I and in 64 tweets. His the 2018 release of his debut single “Speed case has drawn much attention, with many Racer.” artists, celebrities and politicians showing Ever since, he has tackled mental health their support and demanding a change in and wellbeing in his lyrics. the country’s so-called “gag law.” Spain’s ‘Astronaut In The Ocean’ touches on men- left-wing coalition government last week tal depression, how I was stuck in a place of said it planned to change the country’s anxiety and feeling low,” he tells Tone Deaf. criminal code to eliminate prison terms for “‘Night Rider’ is about how I overthink cer- offenses involving freedom of expression. tain situations but feel like I am more true to The rapper has previously faced charges myself when I am in the late night. ‘Numb’ for assault, praising armed extremist groups, is about how I felt about peer pressuring, breaking into private premises or insulting Page 21 of 25

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the monarchy. Amnesty International said 42DD and XS to 3X. Jay-Z’s Marcy Venture consumption, blending album and track Hasél’s case was the latest in a string of tri- Partners, Avenir Growth Capital, Triple- sales, radio airplay and streaming to provide als of artists and social media personalities Point Ventures and Sunley House Capital a weekly multi-dimensional ranking of art- in Spain under its 2015 Public Security Law, are also investors in the Savage x Fenty ist popularity. The chart excludes acts that which was put into effect by a conservative lingerie brand. have notched a top 25 entry on either the government. Hot 100 or Billboard 200, as well as artists that have achieved two or more top 10s on Niko Moon Hits Billboard’s “Hot” song genre charts and/ Rihanna’s Savage or consumption-based “Top” album genre No. 1 on Emerging rankings. x Fenty Lingerie Artists Chart, Brand Is Now Justin Bieber to Thanks to Country Worth $1 Billion Headline 2021 Hit ‘Good Time’ BY HERAN MAMO Nickelodeon Kids’ BY XANDER ZELLNER ihanna can take a bow, pour it up Choice Awards and celebrate however she’d like iko Moon hits No. 1 on Bill- since her Savage x Fenty lingerie board’s Emerging Artists chart BY GIL KAUFMAN brand is now worth $1 billion. (dated Feb. 20), leading as the RForbes reported that a round of Series B top emerging act in the U.S. for ustin Bieber will headline the 2021 funding raised $115 million for the com- Nthe first time on the strength of his first hit Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, pany’s upcoming expansion into retail, single as a recording artist, “Good Time.” which will be hosted by SNL’s Kenan led by private equity firm L Catterton, in The track rises 4-3 on Hot Country Songs Thompson. which LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and 7-6 on Country Airplay, with 27 million JThe awards show honoring the stars has a stake. Savage x Fenty saw revenue airplay audience impressions, according of film, television, music, sports and more, growth of more than 200% last year and to MRC Data. “Good Time,” Moon’s first will showcase Bieber performing “Inten- “increased its active VIP member base by Billboard chart entry as a recording act, has tions” with The Migos’ Quavo as well as his more than 150%,” according to a statement hit a No. 31 high on the Billboard Hot 100 latest single, “Anyone.” from the company. Prior to the latest fund- and helped lift parent EP Good Time to No. With Kenan star Thompson at the ing round, Rihanna’s estimated stake in the 2 on Heatseekers Albums and No. 24 on Top helm of the green goo-filled event, the company was $85 million. Country Albums. 2021 KCA will air live on March 13 at 7:30 “Following the completion of the fun- Moon, who is signed to RCA Nashville, p.m., with the show simulcast across Nick- draising round where L Catterton took a previously broke through as a songwriter, elodeon, TeenNick, Nicktoons and the Nick stake in Savage X Fenty, LVMH and Rihanna having co-written, among other hits, Zac Jr. channel. reaffirmed their ambition to concentrate on Brown Band’s 2015-16 Country Airplay chart Bieber, who has 12 KCA wins under his the growth and the long-term development No. 1s “Homegrown,” “Loving You Is Easy” belt already, isn’t just performing this year, of Fenty ecosystem focusing on cosmetics, and “Beautiful Drug.” he’s also nominated five times, with three in skincare, and lingerie,” Rihanna and LVMH Moon is the first country act to top the favorite music collaboration category for said in a joint statement to WWD. Emerging Artists this year, following the his songs “Holy” featuring Chance the Rap- LVMH confirmed last week that it was commands of both Parker McCollum and per, “Lonely” with Benny Blanco and “Stuck putting RiRi’s Fenty fashion line “on hold” Trey Lewis in December. with U” with Ariana Grande. nearly two years after the world’s largest Among other Emerging Artists chart He’s also up for favorite song for “Yum- luxury group announced their collabora- moves, Todd La Torre debuts at No. 9, as his my” as well as favorite male artist, where tion. The “Phresh Out the Runway” singer debut solo set Rejoice in the Suffering debuts he’ll square off against Drake, Harry Styles, became the first Black woman to head a at No. 19 on Hard Rock Albums with 4,000 Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Super luxury house with LVMH. equivalent album units. La Torre has served Bowl LV halftime headliner The Weeknd. She debuted her size-inclusive Savage as the lead singer of progressive metal vets Fans can cast votes on the offi- x Fenty lingerie line on May 10, 2018, with Queensryche since 2012. cial KCA site. Other multiple 2021 KCA California-based TechStyle Fashion Group. The Emerging Artists chart measures nominees include Netflix’s supernatu- Items typically range from sizes 32A to artist activity across key metrics of music ral series Stranger Things with four, and Page 22 of 25

IN BRIEF

Grande, High School Musical: The Musi- Green Day released their 13th studio Previously, BTS’s “Don’t Leave Me” was cal: The Series, Pixar’s Soul, The Croods: album, Father of All... in February 2020 and featured as the theme of the Japanese TV A New Age, Henry Danger, Trolls World while they wait for their delayed Hella Mega drama Signal, a remake of a South Korean Tour and Wonder Woman 1984 with three Tour with Fall Out Boy and Weezer to kick series by the same name, starring Kentaro each. off on June 9, they’ve kept busy with some Sakaguchi as a police officer who communi- other sports appearances, including rock- cates with another officer from the past to ing the stage during the 10th annual NFL crack unsolved cases. NHL to Premiere Honors earlier this month before Super The members of BTS noted in the release Bowl LV. that they were happy to be tapped again for New Green Day the “scaled-up” feature film version, and that they were drawn to the new theme’s Song During Lake BTS Collaborate melody when they first heard it. “The new song ‘Film Out’ is a track we Tahoe Outdoors With Japanese wrote together with Back Number, and we were drawn to the beautiful melody Game: Exclusive Band Back when we first received the demo from Mr. Shimizu,” they shared. “We fell in love with BY GIL KAUFMAN Number For New the song while we were working on it, so we hope you all like it, too. It’s a ballad with a reen Day will premiere a new Movie Theme poignant melody and lyrics, and we’re sure song during the upcoming NHL it has the power to touch many people’s Outdoors at Lake Tahoe hockey ‘Film Out’ hearts. Please enjoy our song along with the game in Nevada on Feb. 20, Bill- movie.” Gboard can exclusively announce today (Feb. BY BILLBOARD JAPAN SIGNAL The Movie Cold Case Investiga- 17). tion Unit will open in Japanese theaters on The two regular-season outdoor games, brand new track by BTS called April 2. taking place at the Edgewood Tahoe Resort, “Film Out” will appear in the will also feature Pentatonix remotely per- upcoming Japanese feature forming the National Anthem on Feb. 21. film, SIGNAL The Movie Cold Rico Nasty The two match-ups — featuring the CaseA Investigation Unit, as its ending theme. Colorado Avalanche and Las Vegas Golden The song, sung in Japanese by BTS, was Advocates for Knights on Saturday (Feb. 20) in the Bridge- written by Iyori Shimizu — the frontman stone NHL Outdoors, and the Boston Bruins and hitmaker of J-pop band Back Number — More Self-Love and Philadelphia Flyers playing at the in close collaboration with the South Korean Honda NHL Outdoors on Sunday (Feb. 21) septet. With Her Black — will air live on NBC at 3:00 p.m. ET. A snippet of the emotional ballad can be The NHL will premiere Green Day’s new heard in the movie trailer that was released History Month song, “Here Comes the Shock,” for the first on Tuesday (Feb. 16). time at the Feb. 20 game within a highlight Back Number have never written a song Playlist reel of the top plays of the first quarter of for another artist before, and Shimizu the 2020-21 NHL season. shared in a press release that his exchange BY BILLBOARD STAFF “LOUD season has returned. We’re stoked with BTS — in particular Jungkook, who ‘Here Comes The Shock’ will soundtrack the suggested a new melody based on the demo his year for Black History NHL’s return to the outdoors!” Green Day Shimizu sent — was an exciting experience. Month, Billboard looks to salute said in a statement. “I had some reservations because I’d nev- Black women for their strength, “Here Comes the Shock” will be available er written a song that someone else besides resiliency and courage. With Black on all major streaming services on Feb. 21. myself would sing,” Shimizu said. “But I’m Tfemale artists always being innovative and As part of a two-year-deal with the NHL, happy that we’ve completed a very lyrical, audacious with their art and platforms, Green Day’s music will be featured through yet powerful track thanks to our experi- especially during last year’s fight for racial the remainder of the 2021 season. enced staff, our co-arranger UTA’s efforts, equality, it was necessary to empower those At press time, a spokesperson for the band some exciting exchanges with Jungkook, with our stage this month. Every Monday and had not returned a request for additional and the personal qualities and power of ex- Wednesday for Black History Month, Bill- information on the fresh track. pression each of the BTS members have.” board will dish out new playlists from Black Page 23 of 25

IN BRIEF

women artists highlighting powerful mes- Stephen Fitzpatrick said at a news confer- sages. ence. Zendaya to Last November, Rico Nasty crashed the “He got out of the car and he looked at party with her sizzling debut album Night- the deceased, got into his car, and made the Receive SeeHer mare Vacation. The acclaimed project show- conscious decision to leave instead of dial- cased Rico’s versatility as she collided with ing 911, instead of calling an ambulance for Award at 2021 Gucci Mane, Trippie Redd and Don Tolliver the man,” Fitzpatrick said. “He went home while also leading an all-female brigade on and secluded the vehicle. He’s well aware of Critics Choice “Smack a B—-h.” Rico’s audacious personal- what he did.” ity and “love yourself first” demeanor are A message seeking comment was left with Awards why she’s the perfect fit for our Black His- Polevich’s lawyer. tory Month playlist. Maraj was struck by a car at 6:15 p.m. BY PAUL GREIN For her collection, Rico enlists Rihanna, Friday while walking along Roslyn Road in SZA, Erykah Badu and more to preach self- Mineola. He was taken to a hospital and was endaya is set to receive the love for her “Love Yourself First” playlist. pronounced dead on Saturday. SeeHer Award at the 2021 Critics “These songs represent my experience as a Polevich exited his car after hitting Maraj, Choice Awards, which will be Black woman through the highs and lows of stood over him and asked if he was OK be- presented March 7. The award will love & self-love.” fore walking back to his car and fleeing the Zbe presented by her Malcolm & Marie co- Check Rico’s “Love Yourself First” Playl- scene, police said. Polevich went home and star John David Washington. The 26th an- ist below. parked his car in a detached garage in an at- nual Critics Choice Awards, hosted by Taye tempt to conceal it from view, police said. Diggs, are set to air on The CW from 7-10 Polevich surrendered Wednesday after p.m. ET/PT. Man Arrested detectives used pieces of surveillance video The SeeHer Award recognizes a woman to track the car involved in the crash — a who embodies the values set forth by the in Hit-and-Run white, 1992 Volvo station wagon — to Polev- SeeHer movement, which advocates for ich’s Mineola home, Fitzpatrick said. accurate portrayals of women and girls in Death of Nicki Minaj, 38, was born Onika Tanya Maraj advertising and media. Led by the Associa- in Trinidad and was raised in the New York tion of National Advertisers (ANA), SeeHer Minaj’s Dad City borough of Queens. She has not made is a collective of leading marketers, media any public statement about her father’s organizations and industry influencers. Pre- BY ASSOCIATED PRESS death. vious recipients of the award are Kristen Minaj’s mother, Carol Maraj, told News- Bell, Viola Davis, Claire Foy and Gal Gadot. 70-year-old man arrested day that the family was relieved a suspect “We are so proud to be a part of the Crit- Wednesday in the hit-and-run was being charged in his death. ics Choice Awards, and celebrating our fifth death of rapper Nicki Minaj’s “I’m very, very, very happy about the ar- SeeHer Award,” said Nadine Karp McHugh, father stopped briefly to ask the rest,” Carol Maraj said. president, SeeHer. “We are delighted to injuredA man if he was OK but didn’t call for Minaj has spoken in the past about having be presenting the award to Zendaya, who help, police said. a strained relationship with her father. is such a strong representation of what Charles Polevich faces charges of leaving In interviews, she said Robert Maraj suf- it means to be a woman in 2021 … She is the scene of an incident and tampering with fered from drug addiction and was abusive showing the next generation that you are physical evidence in connection with the toward her mother, once setting fire to their never too young to use your voice to make a death last week of 64-year-old Robert Maraj house with her inside. difference. Inspiring girls everywhere to see on New York’s Long Island. Minaj referenced her father in the 2008 themselves in their full potential, Zendaya Polevich, who splits time between Long song, “Autobiography,” rapping: “They represents everything SeeHer is.” Island and Guam, where he runs an environ- shoulda thrown the book at you, ’cause I Zendaya’s role as Marie on Netflix’s Mal- mental consulting business, is free on bail hate you so much that it burn when I look colm & Marie landed her a Critics Choice following an arraignment in Nassau County at you.” Award nomination for best actress this year. court. As a result of his arrest, his driver’s Robert Maraj called his daughter’s claims Zendaya also serves as a producer on the license has been suspended, he was ordered “exaggerated.” show. to surrender his passport and a judge said he Zendaya won an Emmy Award in Septem- can’t leave the state. ber as outstanding lead actress in a drama “He was absolutely aware of what hap- series for her role on HBO’s Euphoria. At pened,” Nassau County Police Detective Lt. 24, she became the youngest winner in Page 24 of 25

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the history of the category and also the second Black actress to win the award, fol- lowing Davis. Zendaya launched her career as an actress on the Disney Channel, starring in the hit series Shake It Up and K.C. Undercover. In 2017, Zendaya played the role of MJ in Marvel’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, followed by its sequel Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019. Other film projects have included The Greatest Showman in which she played a trapeze artist opposite Zac Efron and Hugh Jackman. She can next be seen in the Warner Bros. film Dune, which is set for release in Octo- ber 2021. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Critics Choice Awards show will be an in-person/virtual hybrid, with Diggs and some of the evening’s presenters filming from a stage in Los Angeles, and nominees appearing remotely from various locations around the world. Page 25 of 25 LAST THIS ARTIST CERTIFICATION Title PEAK WKS. ON LAST THIS ARTIST CERTIFICATION Title PEAK WKS. ON WEEK WEEK IMPRINT/DISTRIBUTING LABEL POS. CHART WEEK WEEK IMPRINT/DISTRIBUTING LABEL POS. CHART

#1 MORGAN WALLEN Dangerous: The Double Album KENDRICK LAMAR 3 good kid, m.A.A.d city 1 1 5 WKS BIG LOUD/REPUBLIC 1 5 56 51 TOP DAWG/AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE/IGA 2 433 HOT SHOT THE WEEKND The Highlights J. COLE 3 2014 Forest Hills Drive IN BRIEF 2 XO/REPUBLIC 2 1 54 52 DREAMVILLE/ROC NATION/COLUMBIA/LEGACY 1 323 DEBUT

FOO FIGHTERS Medicine At Midnight TAYLOR SWIFT 2 Lover NEW 3 ROSWELL/RCA 3 1 66 53 REPUBLIC 1 77

POOH SHIESTY Shiesty Season YOUNGBOY NEVER BROKE AGAIN Top NEW 4 1017 GLOBAL/ATLANTIC/AG 4 1 52 54 NEVER BROKE AGAIN/ARTIST PARTNER GROUP/ATLANTIC/AG 1 22

LIL DURK The Voice CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL 10 Chronicle The 20 Greatest Hits 2 5 ALAMO/GEFFEN/IGA 2 8 62 55 FANTASY/CONCORD 18 510

POP SMOKE Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS 15 Legend: The Best Of... 3 6 VICTOR VICTOR WORLDWIDE/REPUBLIC 1 32 82 56 TUFF GONG/ISLAND/UME 5 665

ARIANA GRANDE Positions PLAYBOI CARTI Whole Lotta Red 9 7 REPUBLIC 1 15 46 57 AWGE/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 7 5 8 JUICE WRLD Legends Never Die 1 31 57 58 XXXTENTACION 3 ? 1 152 Big Bow GRADE A/INTERSCOPE/IGA BAD VIBES FOREVER 6 9 LUKE COMBS What You See Is What You Get 1 66 63 59 EMINEM 7 Curtain Call: The Hits 1 515 RIVER HOUSE/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE/SMN SHADY/AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE/IGA For A 17 10 GREATEST MORGAN WALLEN If I Know Me 10 124 55 60 LIL DURK Just Cause Y’all Waited 2 2 40 GAINER BIG LOUD ALAMO/GEFFEN/IGA Best-Of 7 11 TAYLOR SWIFT Evermore 1 9 61 61 POST MALONE 3 Stoney 4 218 REPUBLIC REPUBLIC The Weeknd lands LIL BABY 2 My Turn FUTURE High Off Life his seventh top five 8 12 QUALITY CONTROL/MOTOWN/CAPITOL 1 50 60 62 FREEBANDZ/EPIC 1 39 charting album on the 10 13 MEGAN THEE STALLION Good News 2 12 68 63 2PAC 10 Greatest Hits 3 358 1501 CERTIFIED/300/AG AMARU/DEATH ROW/INTERSCOPE/UME Billboard 200 — the THE KID LAROI F*ck Love CHRIS STAPLETON 4 Traveller entirety of his charting 11 14 COLUMBIA 3 29 65 64 MERCURY NASHVILLE/UMGN 1 283 releases — as great- 14 15 POST MALONE Hollywood’s Bleeding 1 75 69 65 BILLIE EILISH Dont Smile At Me 14 164 REPUBLIC DARKROOM/INTERSCOPE/IGA est-hits set The High- BAD BUNNY El Ultimo Tour del Mundo JOURNEY 15 Journey’s Greatest Hits lights arrives at No. 2. 12 16 RIMAS 1 11 67 66 COLUMBIA/LEGACY 10 655 BILLBOARD 200 BILLBOARD It’s the highest reaching 13 17 MACHINE GUN KELLY Tickets To My Downfall 1 20 72 67 ED SHEERAN 4 √∑ (Divide) 1 206 EST19XX/BAD BOY/INTERSCOPE/IGA ATLANTIC/AG best-of set since Blake DOJA CAT Hot Pink ARIANA GRANDE 2 Thank U, Next 16 18 KEMOSABE/RCA 9 67 78 68 REPUBLIC 1 105 Shelton’s Fully Loaded: God’s Country debuted 18 19 JUICE WRLD Goodbye & Good Riddance 4 143 81 69 KENDRICK LAMAR 3 DAMN. 1 200 GRADE A/INTERSCOPE/IGA TOP DAWG/AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE/IGA and peaked at No. 2 on HARRY STYLES Fine Line LIL UZI VERT Luv Is Rage 2 15 20 ERSKINE/COLUMBIA 1 61 80 70 GENERATION NOW/ATLANTIC/AG 1 181 Dec. 28, 2019. The Highlights 22 21 DUA LIPA Future Nostalgia 4 45 74 71 BTS BE 1 12 WARNER BIGHIT ENTERTAINMENT dropped Feb. 5, timed TAYLOR SWIFT Folklore KID CUDI Man On The Moon III: The Chosen 20 22 REPUBLIC 1 29 58 72 REPUBLIC 2 9 to capitalize on The Weeknd’s Super Bowl 26 23 QUEEN 5 Greatest Hits 8 425 84 73 SOUNDTRACK Frozen II 1 65 HOLLYWOOD WALT DISNEY halftime performance 21 24 ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST 7 Hamilton: An American Musical 2 281 76 74 HALSEY Manic 2 56 two days later. FEB. HAMILTON UPTOWN/ATLANTIC/AG CAPITOL 11 The hits collection 23 25 POLO G The GOAT 2 39 90 75 THE BEATLES 1 1 459 20 COLUMBIA APPLE/CAPITOL/UME earned 89,000 equiva- 2021 LUKE COMBS 3 This One’s For You AC/DC 25 Back In Black 27 26 RIVER HOUSE/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE/SMN 4 193 77 76 COLUMBIA/LEGACY 4 450 lent album units in the week ending Feb. 11, 25 27 JACK HARLOW Thats What They All Say 5 9 71 77 GUNNA Wunna 1 38 GENERATION NOW/ATLANTIC/AG YOUNG STONER LIFE/300/AG according to MRC Data. BILLIE EILISH 3 When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? SOUNDTRACK 3 The Greatest Showman 32 28 DARKROOM/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 98 89 78 FOX/20TH CENTURY FOX/ATLANTIC/AG 1 166 Of that sum, 70,000 are PACE streaming-equivalent 53 29 21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN Savage Mode II 1 19 99 79 MAC MILLER Swimming 3 127 SETTER BOOMINATI/SLAUGHTER BOOMIN/REPUBLIC/EPIC WARNER album units, 10,000 are DABABY BLAME IT ON BABY POP SMOKE Meet The Woo, V.2 28 30 SOUTHCOAST/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 43 83 80 VICTOR VICTOR WORLDWIDE/REPUBLIC 7 53 album sales and 9,000 are track-equivalent 30 31 ROD WAVE Pray 4 Love 2 45 73 81 KING VON Welcome To O’Block 5 15 ALAMO/IGA ONLY THE FAMILY/EMPIRE album units. EMINEM Music To Be Murdered By ONE DIRECTION 3 Up All Night 24 32 SHADY/AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 55 RE 82 SYCO/COLUMBIA 1 105 The Highlights in-

BAD BUNNY YHLQMDLG DRAKE Dark Lane Demo Tapes cludes two songs that 31 33 RIMAS 2 50 86 83 OVO SOUND/REPUBLIC 2 41 are also on his 2020 MILEY CYRUS Plastic Hearts DRAKE 6 Take Care 34 34 RCA 2 11 95 84 YOUNG MONEY/CASH MONEY/REPUBLIC 1 415 album, After Hours:

JUICE WRLD Death Race For Love SOUNDTRACK 2 Moana “Blinding Lights” and 29 35 GRADE A/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 101 88 85 WALT DISNEY 2 218 “Save Your Tears.” The LIL UZI VERT Eternal Atake TAYLOR SWIFT 9 1989 35 36 GENERATION NOW/ATLANTIC/AG 1 49 91 86 BIG MACHINE/BMLG 1 322 TEA and SEA units for

THE WEEKND After Hours TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS 12 Greatest Hits both tracks contribute 4 37 XO/REPUBLIC 1 47 97 87 MCA/GEFFEN/UME 2 396 to The Highlights on the CHRIS STAPLETON Starting Over INTERNET MONEY B4 The Storm 33 38 MERCURY NASHVILLE/UMGN 3 13 79 88 INTERNET MONEY/TENTHOUSAND PROJECTS 10 24 chart as a song’s activity

POST MALONE 3 beerbongs & bentleys CARDI B 3 Invasion Of Privacy is assigned to the artist’s 44 39 REPUBLIC 1 146 108 89 THE KSR GROUP/ATLANTIC/AG 1 149 album with the most ELTON JOHN Diamonds KHALID 3 American Teen 45 40 ROCKET/ISLAND/UME 7 170 93 90 RIGHT HAND/RCA 4 206 sales in a week. In the LEWIS CAPALDI Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent BLACKPINK The Album latest tracking week, 43 41 VERTIGO/CAPITOL 20 91 59 91 YG/INTERSCOPE/IGA 2 19 After Hours sold 6,000 36 SUMMER WALKER Over It 2 71 101 MICHAEL JACKSON 33 Thriller 1 457 42 LVRN/INTERSCOPE/IGA 92 EPIC/LEGACY and The Highlights sold SZA 2 Ctrl SHAWN MENDES Wonder 10,000. Due to the track 37 43 TOP DAWG/RCA 3 192 85 93 ISLAND/REPUBLIC 1 10 reassignment, After 40 44 JAZMINE SULLIVAN Heaux Tales 4 5 102 94 THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. Greatest Hits 1 261 RCA BAD BOY/RHINO Hours moves 4-37 on FUTURE & LIL UZI VERT Pluto x Baby Pluto METALLICA 16 Metallica the Billboard 200, with 42 45 FREEBANDZ/EPIC/GENERATION NOW/ATLANTIC/AG 2 13 38 95 BLACKENED 1 594 15,000 units earned, 49 46 DRAKE 5 Scorpion 1 137 98 96 GABBY BARRETT Goldmine 27 34 YOUNG MONEY/CASH MONEY/REPUBLIC WARNER MUSIC NASHVILLE/WMN down 57%. TRAVIS SCOTT 3 ASTROWORLD FRANK OCEAN Blonde —KEITH CAULFIELD THE BILLBOARD 200 CHART RANKS THE MOST POPULAR ALBUMS OF THE WEEK, AS COMPILED BY MRC DATA, BASED ON MULTIMETRIC CONSUMPTION (BLENDING TRADITIONAL ALBUM SALES, TRACK EQUIVALENT ALBUMS AND STREAMING EQUIVALENT ALBUMS). 51 47 CACTUS JACK/GRAND HUSTLE/EPIC 1 132 100 97 BOYS DON’T CRY 1 216

FLEETWOOD MAC 8 Greatest Hits MONEYBAGG YO Time Served 48 48 WARNER/RHINO 14 181 106 98 N-LESS/INTERSCOPE/IGA 3 57

JHENE AIKO Chilombo MICHAEL JACKSON 4 The Essential Michael Jackson 47 49 2 FISH/ARTCLUB/ARTIUM/DEF JAM 2 49 109 99 EPIC/LEGACY 31 346

RODDY RICCH 2 Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial DRAKE 6 Views 50 50 BIRD VISION/ATLANTIC/AG 1 62 104 100 YOUNG MONEY/CASH MONEY/REPUBLIC 1 248 SALES DATA COMPILEDBY

CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTIRE BILLBOARD 200 8 GO TO BILLBOARD.COM FOR COMPLETECHART. CHART DATA DATA FOR WEEK OF 02.20.2021

3chart_bb200 [P]_28825924.indd 8 2/17/21 12:10 AM