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Home , Agatha All Along, Alec Benjamin, All of the Pieces, American Songwriter, At This Moment, Billboard 200

Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE MAY 7, 2021 Page 1 of 30

INSIDE Executive of the Week:

• Three Live Nation Roc Nation Senior VP Artist Execs Cashed In $59M in Stock Management Mike Brinkley Options in March BY DAN RYS • Live Nation CFO Kathy Willard to Retire in June his week, Memphis-based rapper Money- title of Billboard’s Executive of the Week. bagg Yo went somewhere he never has be- Here, Brinkley talks about ’s suc- • Vaxxed & Amped: fore: the top of the . His 11th cesses, the impact of consistency and radio play and Rehearsal Spaces charting since just 2017, A Gangsta’s how to take the next step in developing the artist as Are Filling Up With Artists ‘Dying to Play’ TPain (released via ’s CMG label, along with a global force, beyond the U.S. “For a release to be N-Less and Interscope) debuted atop the chart with successful,” he says, “We must have an aligned vision, • A Guide to 110,000 equivalent album units in the United States, push ourselves and clients to reach their full potential, Mental Health according to MRC Data, a figure driven almost en- hold ourselves accountable and maintain transparent Resources for Music Professionals tirely by streaming and the highest -week total in lines of communication.” (Updating) his career to date. Moneybagg Yo just notched his first Billboard That feat, and Moneybagg Yo’s sheer prolific output 200 No. 1 album of his career with A Gangsta’s • Russian Rock over the past few years, has represented a steady Pain. What decisions did you make to help Musicians Blame Canceled Shows grind to the top for the MC, one that has been helped make that happen? on Support for over the past year and a half by his singing to Roc It truly a team effort and a testament to the col- Opposition Leader Nation for management in January 2020. Since then laboration between Roc Nation and CMG. After Bagg he’s had three in the top 10, and four straight released his Time Served album at the onset of 2020, • Label Look: Single Lock Records Aims overall, and has seen his biggest radio successes to we all made a conscious effort to expand his brand, to Expand While date with singles “Time Today” and “Said Sum,” the amplify his profile and grow his fan base. A tremen- Boosting Alabama’s latter of which is at No. 17 on the Hot 100 this week, dous amount of credit also goes to Yo Gotti, who put Rich Music his highest-charting song to date on the list. And all of people like myself, Brian Eduardo, Randy Acker, Rex those victories help make his manager and Roc Nation Zamor, KeMario, Marcus “Head” Howell and Brian senior vp artist management Mike Brinkley earn the (continued) 250 SPEAKERS FREE FESTIVAL REGISTER TODAY

TIMBALAND MERCK MERCURIADIS CHRIS BLACKWELL BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE DEBRA RATHWELL Award-Winning Record GRAMMY®-Winning Founder, Singer, CEO/Founder ® EVP, Global Touring & Producer, Rapper, DJ, , Producer, Oscar -Winning Composer Singer, and Songwriter Hipgnosis Songs Ltd. Arranger and Guitarist Talent, AEG Presents 2021 PRIDE

On June 5th, Billboard will publish its 3rd annual CONTACTS Pride issue honoring culturally moving and Joe Maimone influential people who have contributed to the 201.301.5933 | [email protected] community’s history and its current landscape. Lee Ann Photoglo Year-round Billboard and celebrate 615.376.7931 | [email protected] the LGBTQIA+ community through the lens of music, amplifying the culture of the proud Cynthia Mellow LGBTQIA+ community across our editorial 615.352,0265 | [email protected] channels, including Billboard Pride. Marcia Olival 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Building on this platform, Billboard and Rolling Stone will be joining together for the entire month Ryan O’Donnell +447843437176 | [email protected] of June to celebrate love, acceptance, diversity and what it means to be queer in music. All month long, Billboard and Rolling Stone will be the go-to destination for music and entertainment Pride content. Leveraging our iconic voices within music and culture, Billboard and Rolling Stone will curate a mix of engaging video and social content featuring thought-provoking panels, heartfelt performances, and glam tutorials – all fostering a community of consumers and influencers in celebration of LGBTQIA+.

ISSUE DATE 6/5 | AD CLOSE 5/26 | MATERIALS DUE 5/27

BB House_Pride_06_042421.indd 1 4/21/21 10:00 AM Page 3 of 30

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“CMG B” Williams in the appropriate posi- It’s been a little over a year since ent lines of communication. tions to oversee and implement the strategy. Moneybagg signed with Roc Nation. How have you had to adjust your ap- We were truly in sync across the board and How have you helped him grow his proach as a manager during the pan- it’s rewarding to see Bagg reap the benefits of brand over that time? demic? all the hard work that he put into this project. We’ve just collaborated closely with Gotti It’s a challenge when you’re not able to A Gangsta’s Pain is his fourth straight to put the right team around him — from connect with your clients in person like top 10 album on the chart. How has that digital to branding — and equip him with you’re accustomed, but it pushed me to be a consistency paid off for him? the resources to succeed. It didn’t take long more versatile executive. I focused on over- Bagg is one of the most disciplined for Bagg to truly get an understanding of his communicating, utilizing the team, finding individuals that I know — keep in mind audience, the overall music business and new ways to generate opportunities for cli- that he balanced the demands of this album what he wants to achieve in this game. Hon- ents and identifying new methods for them rollout all while he was fasting for Ramadan. estly, we feel like this is just the beginning to maintain their momentum. I’ve been for- Through the ups and downs, Bagg never for Bagg and he’s only scratching the surface tunate to have been a part of several releases took his eye off the prize, regardless of how of his potential. He remains committed to with a wide array of artists over the past exhausted he was from his commitments. developing his talent in the studio and on year in COVID and, thankfully, we’ve been Over the past year, he really showed another stage as a performer. With Bagg’s tremen- able to in sync by educating ourselves level of determination, persistence and dous work ethic, he’s determined to be a and investing to over-communicate maturity and he invested in his own success. power player in hip-hop for years to come. ideas, thoughts and strategies. He bought into the vision, put in the work, How do you build on this momentum reached his goal and now he deservedly moving forward? enjoys the praise. We have our sights set on developing Between “Time Today” and “Said Bagg’s presence globally and we’re confident Sum,” he’s had the two highest-charting that we’ll reach that next objective. Bagg is singles of his career over the past six very cognizant of his brand and understands months, with significant radio play. Has how he wants to present himself to audienc- radio been a particular focus over the es. You can see it in everything he does, from last few projects? his styling to the overall aesthetic of his mu- There is that radio — and the sic videos. But at the end of the day, we take broader DJ community — has played an the all-hands-on-deck approach with all of integral role in his development and pro- our clients, from Bagg to Gotti to Meek to Lil gression and that has been a priority for the Uzi Vert. For a release to be successful, we entire team. We are big believers in touching must have an aligned vision, push ourselves the people directly and the reality is that and clients to reach their full potential, hold DJs control the clubs and the streets. ourselves accountable and maintain transpar-

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On June 5th, Billboard will publish CONTACTS its fourth annual Indie Label Power Joe Maimone Players List. This special feature in 201.301.5933 | [email protected] advance of Indie Week (6/14-6/17) and Lee Ann Photoglo the 10th Anniversary Libera Awards will 615.376.7931 | [email protected] profile leading executives at top independent record labels, publishing Cynthia Mellow companies and distribution companies. 615.352,0265 | [email protected] Positioning themselves as the driving force Marcia Olival behind the success of independent music, 786.586.4901 | [email protected] these executives contribute to the independent music sector and to the Ryan O’Donnell +447843437176 | [email protected] world of music at large.

Take this opportunity to advertise and congratulate this year’s 2020 Indie Label Power Players.

ISSUE DATE 6/5 | AD CLOSE 5/26 | MATERIALS DUE 5/27

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tives exercised options on approximately 2, Live Nation’s share price reached an all- Three Live Nation 675,000 shares, given as compensation, and time high of $94.63 per share (closing that sold them on the open market for a com- day at $91.75 per share), a 29% increase over Execs Cashed In bined total of $59 million. December 2019 when shares hit $74.02. The transactions were all disclosed to following day, March 3, Berchtold $59M in Stock Securities and Exchange Commission and began exercising stock options which al- made up only 3.3% of total trading volume lowed him to buy 117,000 for a share price Options in March during that period at Live Nation, which is of $11.69 and 137,700 shares for $20.90 each. unlikely to have a significant impact on the From March 10–12, he again purchased BY DAVE BROOKS share price. 255,000 shares for a price of $20.90 per But the insider transactions during the share. After exercising his purchase option, n March, around the one-year anni- first quarter are the highest in the history he then immediately sold the shares on the versary of the live touring shutdown, of the company, according to filings with open market for the going price of $91–$87 a group of Live Nation executives the SEC, and tell a larger story about how a per share, netting $45.5 million from options exercised stock options for millions of red hot stock market has mostly benefited costing him $9.6 million for a profit of ap- Idollars, setting a new record at the company C-suite executives who have seen the value proximately $35.9 million. for insider transactions during a fiscal quar- of their equity holdings rise tremendously, Willard completed a series of transactions ter, Billboard has learned. while workers have struggled to stay afloat. on March 10, approximately three months The options, which were given as com- At Live Nation, the pandemic has led to before her options were set to expire, net- pensation and expire if not used, allowed an almost complete shutdown of its touring ting her $6.3 million in profit from share op- the executives to buy shares at one price and business, prompting a reduction in revenue tions valued at $7.2 million. Rowles acquired then sell them at a profit if the share price of nearly 84% year-over-year in 2020. Thou- 37,300 shares for $426,712 but sold 73,000 eclipses the option price. Three executives sands of Live Nation’s employees have been shares worth $6.7 million, netting a $6.3 — president Joe Berchtold, chief financial laid off, furloughed or asked to take pay cuts million profit. officer Kathy Willard and general coun- over several rounds of deep cuts — enacted Rapino, the company’s chief executive sel Michael Rowles — exercised options in in May, June and September. Berchtold, officer, did not sell any of his stock. Rapino March that generated $59 million from the Willard and Rowles agreed to 50% pay cuts currently owns 2.6 million shares of Live sale of company stock on the open market. at the onset of the pandemic that were later Nation stock valued at $205 million, re- Live Nation declined to comment for this increased to 60% salary reductions. cords show, while Willard holds 253,048 story. With revenues down, expectations for the shares worth $20 million. The first series of transactions, initiated impending return of live music, along with Jeffrey Hinson, who has been on Live on March 3, generated more than $14 mil- federal spending by both the Trump and Nation’s board of directors since 2005, sold lion for the three executives. On March 12, Biden administrations, have helped push the 10,000 shares on March 4, representing about after of transactions, the execu- company’s stock to record highs. On March 15% of his stock in the company, netting

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DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS 2021 GERARDO ORTIZ 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Gerardo Ortiz is one of ’s most defining artists of CONTACTS the last decade, scoring a total of ten No. 1s on the Billboard Regional Mexican chart, over 22.3 Million followers on Marcia Olival social media, and an astounding ONE BILLION and counting 786.586.4901 | [email protected] views on . The two-time GRAMMY ® nominee and one- time Latin GRAMMY®, is one of the architects of the alternative Joe Maimone corrido movement and one of the most award-winning 201.301.5933 | [email protected] singers of Regional Mexican music in the past years. Lee Ann Photoglo 615.376.7931 | [email protected] In recent years, Ortiz has winning a number of awards including twenty seven Billboard Latin Music Awards, twelve Cynthia Mellow Premios Lo Nuestro, earning four Platinum records and five 615.352,0265 | [email protected] Gold records as certified by the RIAA, and selling out festivals, dance halls, and arenas across the United States and Mexico. Ryan O’Donnell +447843437176 | [email protected] He breaks schemes with each production, after his successful 9th studio album, "Más Caro Que Ayer" was released in February 2020 he placed at #1 on ’s "Mexican Music" chart. His first single titled popular charts followed by the hit single "Otra Borrachera", version that reached #1 on México's Monitor Latino “Popular” chart, and #1 on the Billboard’s "Regional Mexican Airplay" chart. Starting a new decade and commemorating his 10th career anniversary, Gerardo Ortiz celebrates with the debut of his production "Décimo Aniversario" (10th studio album.)

Join Billboard in congratulating Gerardo Ortiz on his remarkable career over the past 10 years.

ISSUE DATE 6/5 | AD CLOSE 5/26 | MATERIALS DUE 5/27 BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE Page 4 7 OF of 1930

ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] IN BRIEF SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country himA $900,000. lbuBrianms; Capo Brett withheld about Y oung“Kathy’s leadership,‘Catc visionh’-es and financial Fifth ex- role,” Airplay Rapino said. “Over the past year we’ve $43,000 worth of shares to cover his tax bill, pertise have driven more than two decades been obsessed with improving our business according toLea records der;filed with theTravis SEC. ofDenning growth and will forever Makes be part of Live History however we can and we’re heading into the The pandemic brought on a record num- Nation’s journey.” return of shows as we have deepened our ber of insider buys from executives taking As the CFO and evp for Live Nation En- executive team to provide more leadership Samadvantage Hunt’s of second low stock studio prices full-length, brought and on first in overtertainment, five years, Southside Willard spentsales the (up past 21%) 14 in years the tracking on week. strategy, On Country operations, Airplay, and it hopsinnovation 18-15 (11.9 than mil - (MCAby a significant Nashville/Universal share priceMusic dropGroup in Nashville), March debutsmanaging at No. 1 on the Billboard finances’s forlion the audience world’s impressions, largest everup 16%). before. This will allow Joe to take on our Top2020. Country Rapino, Albums who charthas a dated 450,000 April share 18. In opits -first liveweek entertainment,(ending April 9), ticketingit and eCommerce CFO role and together, we will continue to earned 46,000 equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingtion set to to Nielsen expire Music/MRC in July, spent Data. more than company. Willard oversawand 10 total consecu Country- Airplay No.focus 1 as “Catch”on maintaining (Big Machine a strong Label financial Group) ascends posi- $1Southside million dollars marks Hunt’sbuying second up shares No. 1at on a the tive record years of growth at Live Nation tion2-1, while increasing ensuring 13% to that 36.6 Live million Nation impressions. is ready chartsignificantly and fourth reduced top 10. Itprice follows during freshman the onset LP Entertainment from 2010 to 2019. was to resumeYoung’s live first shows of six aschart soon entries, as possible.” “Sleep With- Montevalloof the pandemic., which arrived at the summit in No - appointed CFO in September 2007 following outBerchtold You,” reached has served No. 2 inas December president 2016. of Live He vember 2014 and reigned for nine weeks. To date, nine years at the company in various roles Nationfollowed since with 2017 the multiweek after joining No. 1sthe “In company Case You Montevallo has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved million in album sales. including evp and chief accounting officer. inYou” 2011. (three, As president, January 2018), Berchtold “Mercy” over (two,- August LiveMontevallo Nation has spent 267 weeks CFO on the list, tying “It has been an honor to have worked for sees2018) a number and “Here of Tonight” corporate (two, functions April 2019). and Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party as the sixth-longest- this innovative and exciting company for so leads“Catch” many completesof the company’s his longest performance journey to No. 1, runningKathy titles in theWillard chart’s 56-year history. to many years,” Willard said in a release. “I am improvementhaving taken 46and weeks strategic to reach initiatives. the apex. It out- On the all-genre Billboard 200, Southside ar- truly grateful to my Live Nation colleagues Previously,paces the 30-week he was climb president of “Here of Technicolor Tonight.” rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On , “Catch” pushes 7-5 for HUNT YOUNG afterRetire the No. 3-peaking in MontevalloJune. for their partnership, knowledge and friend- Creativea new high. Services, and before that a partner Hunt first released the EPX2C , which debuted ship. I am proud of the work we have done with McKinsey and Company. Berchtold andBY TAYLORpeaked at No.MIMS 5 on in Augustto position 2014. Following the company COMBSfor ‘DOES’ financial IT AGAIN Lukegraduated Combs ’with “Does a toB.A. Me” in (River Economics House/Columbia from Montevallo, Between the Pines: Acoustic Mixtape startedsuccess, at its andNo. 7as high we returnin Nashville), to live shows, featuring I Eric ChurchPomona, ascends College 11-8 and on Countryearned Airplay,a Master up of 10% to November 2015. 24.7 million in audience. The song is Combs’ eighth straight career-opening ive Nation CFO Kathy Willard is know Joe will do an excellent job leading the Business Administration from Harvard Montevallo produced five singles, four of which hit the pinnacle of Country top 10, following a record run of seven consecutive out-of-the-gate, properly Airplay: “Leaveretiring the Nightafter nearlyOn,” “Take 25 years Your Time,”with “Housecompany’s Party” andfinances “Make duringpromoted one of No. the 1 singles.most University, where he was a Baker Scholar You Miss Me.”the “Breakpromoter. Up in Live a Small Nation Town” an peaked- at No.important 2. times in the company’sChurch addshistory.” his 15th Countryand Loeb Airplay Fellow. top 10. Hunt co-pennednounced all Thursday 12 songs on(May Southside 6) that, includingStarting “Body Like July a 1,Back Live Nation president Joe “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have LRoad,”Willard which will wasstep released down from in 2017. her The role smash on hit ruledBerchtold will take for overTHAT as president TOOK QUITE and ‘A FEW’worked MONTHS so Travisclosely Denning with Kathy shatters for the over record a for threeJune weeks30. and the airplay-, streaming- and sales-basedCFO. Willard Hot Country will Songs consult the on most the weeks transition it has takendecade, to penetrate particularly the Country over Airplay the past top 10 year as “After chart for a then-record 34 frames. It now ranks second only to and a Few” (Mercury Nashville) climbs 12-10 in its 57th week, up 4% to 21.4 mil - Florida“Kathy Georgia has been ’shere “Meant since to Be”day (50 one weeks of atop theand latter remain list in with 2017-18). the companylion in radio as an reach. advisor as we prepared for this transition,” said Live“Downtown’s Nation, and Dead,” on behalf which of is thealso entire on the new set, reachedto the management Nos. 14 and 15 team. The song surpasses two tracksBerchtold that took in a 50 release. weeks each“I look to enter forward the top 10: onteam, Hot ICountry want to Songs thank and her Country for her Airplay, remark respectively,- “Joe in June has 2018. always “Kin been- intricatelyEaston Corbin involved’s “A Girl Liketo You,”taking which a deeper reached focus No. 10on in our January financial 2018 be - folks”able dedication led Country and Airplay enormous on Feb. contributions 29, becoming Hunt’s in ourseventh financial No. 1. Itplanning hit fore process peaking and at No. we’re 6 that February,operations and Aaron and continuing Watson’s “Outta to lead Style,” Live which Na- No.to our 3 on company,” Hot Country said Songs. Live Nation president happy to have someone achievedwho already its No. knows 10 high in Decembertion alongside 2017. Michael and our incredible Latest single “Hard to Forget” jumps 17-9 on Hot Country Songs. It’s his “After” is Denning’s second Country Airplay entry. “David Ashley Parker and CEO Michael Rapino in a release. our business so well stepping into this global executive team.” 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 Page 8 of 30

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cinated, or have had their first shots.” masks on people is cheap,” says Jean Hertz- Vaxxed & Amped: Because of the uncertainty of scheduled berg, an associate mechanical engineering live dates, band members’ ages, the uneven professor who worked on the study. “Even Rehearsal Spaces pace of vaccinations, and musicians’ own rock ‘n’ rollers can afford that.” anxieties about joining others in a small Hertzberg can’t say whether vaccines will Are Filling Up room, artists are all over the place when it allow bands to rehearse without masks, but comes to rehearsals. Still, some are straight- they do decrease the likelihood of exposed With Artists forward, returning to a rehearsal routine musicians having to go to the hospital: as if nothing happened. To prepare for four “That’s not a trivial change.” But to Alex ‘Dying to Play’ nights at Red Rocks in late April, the five Huffman, a University of Denver aerosol members of jam band Lotus scientist and chemistry professor, vaccina- BY STEVE KNOPPER stopped by their Denver rehearsal space, tions unquestionably make the rehearsal fully masked. “Everyone had at least one process safer. n their tiny rehearsal space in an old shot,” bassist and sampler Jesse Miller says. “If you want to be in a band and rehearse Birmingham, Ala., shopping cen- “We were trying to prep about 75 songs. in a small space, get everybody vaccinated ter, where a mystery critter nibbled There wasn’t really time to reflect. We just and wait three weeks from the last dose and inside the walls, all eight members needed to get down to business.” you’ll be good,” he says. “I’d feel reasonably Iof the band St. Paul and the Broken Elle King, the “Ex’s & Oh’s” singer comfortable with it.” Bones spent three-plus hours in mid-April scheduled to perform several dates in July Even if they’re vaccinated, many musi- playing their songs — without masks or and August, returned to her band’s airplane- cians are taking time to process the idea of social distancing. The band members are hangar-like Nashville rehearsal space April rehearsing again with their bands. Marcia fully vaccinated, and with outdoor tour 13. Half the band members had been vacci- Ball, the veteran Austin, Texas, boogie- dates planned throughout the summer, they nated and everybody wore masks, although woogie pianist, is more than two months needed to get back to business. King removed hers to sing. (Also showing past her second Moderna shot, but she “You get a little teary eyed,” says sing- up: Country star Miranda Lambert, to won’t be able to drag her band from other er Paul Janeway. “Nobody was rusty. Every- run through “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna cities and states to her home rehearsal space body kept their skills sharp.” Go Home),” to prepare for her Academy of until early June. “It would be so much fun After a year of surreal isolation, Awards duet with King.) — I haven’t even wrapped my head around are trickling back, from 25%-capacity “To get to be rehearsing and playing with that part yet,” she says. And the Mavericks shows at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, in our friends, it feels like the world is waking weren’t able to rehearse together until Morrison, Colo., to outdoor festivals like the up again,” says King, who is pregnant but soundchecks before three socially distant Gulf Coast Jam in Panama City Beach, Fla., waiting to get vaccinated until after giving concerts at the Moody Theatre in Austin in starring Luke Bryan and Brad Paisley in birth due to a hormonal imbalance. “It feels early April. early June. And that means rehearsals. like we’re getting some semblance of our “Everybody was excited to see each other Some bands spent quarantine writing new life back.” and to play and nervous and scared all at the material, and they have to learn it together; Performing music in a small space, espe- same time,” says frontman Raul Malo, add- others lost members who liked staying home cially for singers, has been among the most ing that the full band is vaccinated except more than being on the road, so they have dangerous activities throughout the coro- for one younger musician. “Once we started to try out replacements; and others need to navirus era — the Skagit Valley Chorale, in jamming, it all just falls into place.” play for plain old catharsis. Washington state, held a rehearsal in March Musicians in their 70s, who were among “We feel like, ‘OK, we’re vaccinated. We’ve 2020 that turned out to be a super-spreader the first to be vaccinated, were in theory done our social duty. We’re good,’” Janeway event, leading to the death of two of its el- able to begin rehearsing early this year. But says. “It does feel liberating at this point.” derly members. From that point, bands aban- many have taken weeks to get comfortable With so many musicians of all ages able doned studios like Third Encore, which lost with the idea. Felix Cavaliere, frontman to get vaccinations, business has returned almost all of its bookings and had to abruptly for , received his first Pfizer almost to 2019 levels for rehearsal studios pivot to its equipment-storage business. dose in early February, but his almost-fully like Third Encore in , which has Over the past year, though, University of vaccinated band won’t return to the studio had a “dramatic uptick” over recent weeks, Colorado scientists found that as long as until, tentatively, June. according to office manager John Hoik. singers and horn players (and even their in- “Dying to play, man,” he says. “We’re just “This weekend we were full — all seven struments) wear masks, rooms are properly waiting for the doorbell to ring and we’re studios going,” he says. “I don’t do a survey, ventilated and musicians take breaks, bands ready to go to work.” but from conversations, the majority of band can rehearse relatively safely in studios. members, and crew people, are fully vac- “You can get HEPA filters for $30. Putting Page 9 of 30

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viders who understand the specific demands tainment industry therapist finder. A Guide to of the . The organization also Finessed Media provides financial assistance for mental This -based WOC-led Mental Health health care for entertainment professionals startup, which provides resources and who meet certain criteria. education for underrepresented artists and Resources Backline other music industry entrepreneurs, hosts Backline connects music profession- quarterly events focused on mental health for Music als and their families with mental health featuring professionals from across the providers who have a background in the music industry. Professionals industry. The nonprofit’s range of services, HelpPRO – Entertainment Industry which are provided free of charge for music Therapist Finder (Updating) industry professionals, also include mental HelpPRO, an organization dedicated to health case management, support groups, improving the public’s access to mental BY BILLBOARD STAFF educational resources and more. health resources, offers an entertainment To better serve the Black community, industry-specific Therapist Finder search ay is Mental Health Awareness Backline recently announced a partner- tool in partnership with the Behind the Month, designated each year ship with the Black Mental Health Alliance Scenes Mental Health and Suicide Preven- as a period to spread aware- that will see the organizations team up tion initiative. Using the tool, music profes- ness and education about the to develop custom educational curricu- sionals can find therapists who have either Mimportance of mental health care in the U.S. lums, workshops and other mental health worked in entertainment themselves or The month has taken on added importance resources customized for BIPOC music treated clients working in the industry. Us- during the ongoing pandemic, during which professionals. The partnership will include ers can filter by location, type of insurance, millions of musicians and other music in- training the over 150 mental health provid- sliding scale options and more. dustry workers have been cut off from their ers in Backline’s clinical referral network on MusiCares livelihoods during the ongoing shutdown of topics such as the history of systemic racism MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s live events. and racial microaggressions within the charitable arm, just introduced three While mental health care is critically im- music industry, barriers to accessing mental new virtual support groups, in partnership portant for music workers even in a normal health care within BIPOC communities and with ASCAP, for music professionals: The year, COVID-19 has had profound effects on how these challenges can lead to negative Cyber Emotional Support Group, Women’s the mental well-being of those most impact- mental health outcomes for individuals. Support Group and Black Community Sup- ed. According to the 2020 Wellness in Music Non-clinical trainings to corporations and port Group. All three groups begin in May Survey, a report published by the Recording individuals within the music industry will 2021 and will meet weekly. Academy’s charitable arm MusiCares, 26% also be offered. In addition, MusiCares has announced a of those surveyed reported moderate to Music industry professionals and their month-long lineup of free events in May severe levels of depression last year, while families can also access a host of resources to encourage musicians and other music 53% said they were unable to receive mental offered by Backline’s wellness partners industry workers to prioritize their men- health counseling due to lack of funds. — including Breathwrk, Wanderlust TV, tal health. These include talks, panels and Those statistics point to an increased Meditation Studio by Muse, GTHX and workshops exploring the nuances of mental need for mental health resources for music Hemi-Sync — for free by signing up for health among individuals working in the industry workers this year and beyond. those services via Backline’s website. music industry. Below, Billboard has compiled a list of re- Behind the Scenes Music Health Alliance sources for those suffering from depression, Behind the Scenes offers counseling Music Health Alliance currently offers anxiety and other negative mental health grants for entertainment technology in- two separate funds that provide low-income effects, many of them tailored specifically dustry professionals who need help paying musicians and music workers with money for those working in the industry. for mental health care. Through its Mental for mental health care during the COVID-19 The Actors Fund Health and Suicide Prevention initiative, pandemic. The Actors Fund, which serves profes- the organization also provides mental The first, known as the Music Business sionals in all entertainment-related fields, health first-aid training, suicide prevention Mental Health Fund (formed in partnership retains licensed social workers who are resources, guides for how to talk with em- with the Music Business Association and available to provide short-term mental ployees about mental health, an anonymous the Scars Foundation), offers funds to music health treatment, crisis intervention, sup- online self-assessment tool and more. In workers who were either laid off during the portive housing, vocational rehabilitation partnership with HelpPRO, the organization pandemic or are currently employed by a and referrals to outside mental health pro- additionally offers a specially curated enter- member company of the Music Business As- Page 10 of 30

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sociation; and who have either an adjusted perts, Record Union put together The Well- gross income of $40,000 or less (projected ness Starter Pack, a “toolbox for wellbeing” Russian Rock for 2021) or fall 300% or more below the specifically for music creators that provides federal poverty line based on family size. information and resources on how to pri- Musicians Blame The fund also offers to provide information oritize their mental health holistically, with on alternative resources for those who don’t science-based guides on nutrition, exercise, Canceled Shows qualify. mindfulness, sleep and more. The second fund, established in partner- The Road to Rehab on Support for ship with the Country Music Association Run by 10-year music industry worker (CMA) Foundation, offers mental health and certified addictions counselor Dave Opposition Leader grants of up to $500 to anyone who has Sherman, The Road to Rehab provides sup- worked in the music industry for more than port for touring musicians struggling with BY VLADIMIR KOZLOV two years or has credited contributions on addiction and mental health issues. Services four commercially released recordings or include “on call” counseling via phone OSCOW — Russian rock musi- videos; and who has an annual household or Skype; in-person, full-time sober/life cians who have expressed adjusted gross income of $60,000 or less coaches; escorts to treatment facilities and support for imprisoned (projected for 2021) or who are 450% or more. Services are offered on a sliding scale opposition leader Alexei more below the federal poverty line based based on financial necessity. MNavalny say authorities are canceling their on family size. Grant recipients will be Silence the Shame shows as retaliation. connected with additional resources if the Started by former Universal Rock singer Ivan Alexeyev, known by his funds fail to match their level of need. executive Shanti Das, Silence the Shame fo- stage name Noize MC, says a major venue, Music Industry Therapist Collective cuses on education and awareness-building, Moscow’s VTB Arena, canceled a headline The MITC is comprised of a group of offering mental health trainings to com- show scheduled for November. Police in psychotherapist and counselors who boast panies including Publishing, Orenburg, in south-western Russia near the a broad range of music industry experience which recently partnered with the organiza- border with Kazakhstan, disrupted another working at record labels, recording stu- tion for a multi-year mental health program show, on April 30, the singer says. dios and publishing companies and as tour for its and employees. VTB Arena explained the cancelation managers, bookers/promoters and more. SIMS Foundation by referring to Noize MC’s earlier Insta- Therapists in the collective have worked at The SIMS Foundation provides mental gram posts, in which he criticized Russian high-end and residential treatment centers, health and substance use recovery services authorities following a poisoning attempt rehab clinics and in private practice and and support for Texas-based musicians and against Navalny last August and his support represent a breadth of therapeutic trainings music industry professionals, along with for protesters in neighboring Belarus, Noize and specialties. Terms and rates are set by their dependent family members, who re- MC tells Billboard. each individual clinician. side in the counties of Travis, Bastrop, Wil- Navalny has become a thorn in the side The organization additionally offers a liamson, Burnet, Blanco, Hays or Caldwell. of Russian President Vladimir Putin for guide to anxiety relief during COVID-19 that Those applying for assistance must provide organizing anti-government demonstrations was compiled by the collective’s director, proof that they have earned music-industry and running for office to press for reforms psychotherapist Tamsin Embleton, MITC income in the last 12 months. Co-pays for against corruption in the country. business development leader (and former appointments with SIMS clinicians are Police and Russia’s Federal Security CAA touring agent) Laura Newton and oth- determined on a sliding scale. The organiza- Service, known as the FSB, “are intimidating ers. tion additionally offers mental health train- owners of regional venues that are supposed Nuçi’s Space ings for employees. to host our shows,” Noize MC says. “The Located in Athens, Georgia and dedicated situation differs from city to city. Some- to ending the epidemic of suicide, Nuçi’s times we still manage to hold the shows or Space maintains a health and resource promptly move them to other venues.” center for local musicians that provides sup- But the police and FSB have also blocked port, connects individuals with access to af- the entrance to venues, the singer says. That fordable mental health treatment and more. was the case on April 30 in Orenburg, where The center was founded by Linda Phillips, the band booked two shows at two venues on whose 22-year-old musician , Nuçi, died the same day. “I was able to play the first one by suicide in 1996. before the police showed up, but the second Record Union one couldn’t go ahead,” Noize MC says. Together with health and wellness ex- In Russia, where live shows have his- Page 11 of 30

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torically been musicians’ main source of nuanced, challenging Southern music is a lot income — as opposed to CD sales and, more Label Look: Single broader than just here; there’s tons of artists recently, streaming — show cancellations in Tennessee, in Louisiana, in Mississippi. could deal a serious financial blow to artists. Lock Records So we started trying to chronicle all of that Maxim Pokrovsky, the frontman of rock in more of a broader, regional sense.” band Nogu Svelo, says recent show cancel- Aims to Expand What has emerged is a catalog of art- lations set his band back roughly $100,000. ists telling a story of American music that Noize MC says it’s too early to discuss While Boosting seldom makes it to the mainstream, but that financial losses as he still hopes to play all sustains the working-class music economy scheduled shows at one venue or another. Alabama’s Rich of a region that rarely gets the looks, or Venues canceled Nogu Svelo’s eight-date resources, of that of New York, Los Angeles, Siberian tour and a May 9 show in the Urals Music Scene Nashville or Atlanta. And Single Lock’s for city of Yekaterinburg. Initially, local authori- musicians, by musicians ethos, with simpli- ties informed the band’s promoters that the BY DAN RYS fied, often one-off profit-split contracts and COVID-19 pandemic had led to the cancella- an easygoing vibe has seen the label not tions. “But it soon became clear that the true lorence, Alabama isn’t the first only survive, but grow and expand, with a reason was our political stand,” Pokrovsky name that comes to mind when Grammy nomination in 2019, new global tells Billboard, adding that local authorities discussing the major hubs of distribution deal with Secretly signed last had apparently followed orders from the American music. But the city, year and a second office in New Orleans that central government. Flocated on the banks of the Tennessee River, opened during the pandemic. Specifically, the Ural Cultural Center serves as one of the nerve centers for the “It’s always been about being artist- in Yekaterinburg told him that his par- Shoals region of the state that carries a long focused, artist-friendly, musician-friendly ticipation in the April 21 rally in support of lineage of music history, as home to the first, sometimes to our own detriment,” says Navalny was the reason for the cancellation, legendary FAME Studios, the Muscle Shoals Tanner. “But from our various experiences he says. The venue said the city govern- sound and, since 2013, scrappy indie label with other labels and music companies, ment made the decision. “Then there was Single Lock Records. we’ve just been taking from the good and information that there was an order from Born out of necessity and founded by bad and [letting] the business follow the the president’s office,” Pokrovsky says. “We musicians in the local circuit, its four co- art.” can’t comment on this information or verify owners — producer, engineer and Alabama Adds Watson: “We understand what it, but we believe it’s true.” Shakes touring keyboardist Ben Tanner; it’s like to be on day 30 of a tour and be VTB Arena and the Ural Cultural Center singer-songwriter and former member improperly fed, under slept, under paid, and did not respond to Billboard’s request for of The Civil Wars John Paul White; Tan- just burnt out, and the struggle that it really comment. ner’s childhood friend and music aficionado entails to bring music to the world. I think Navalny returned to Russia in mid-Janu- Will Trapp; and Cedric Burnside drummer that informs every part of this company, and ary after treatment in Germany following a and Single Lock’s general manager Reed we’re proud of that.” poisoning attempt, widely believed to be Watson — have steadily built a label focused BACKGROUND orchestrated by the FSB. Putin denied gov- on spotlighting contemporary music from Tanner, White and Trapp all hail from ernment involvement in the poisoning. the region, which is often overlooked and the Shoals region, and after living in vari- Authorities immediately imprisoned Na- under-served by the lack of traditional mu- ous places found themselves back there valny for allegedly violating probation in an sic business infrastructure. While its three- in 2013, when conversations about a label earlier criminal case. dozen plus releases span , country, first started. Tanner, who had worked as an From March 31 to April 23, Navalny was soul, and , mixed with some engineer at FAME and was producing local on hunger strike as his health deteriorated that defy genre altogether, they fall under bands while playing with Alabama Shakes, and prison authorities refused to get him the umbrella of Southern music — redefined. began talking with Trapp about how to help examined by civilian doctors. According to “[As we] started to document and support the local scene, while also talking recent media reports, he is still facing health chronicle music from the Shoals area of with White about opening a studio that they problems that cannot be properly treated Alabama, which was certainly Southern could call their own — and before long the within prison. music, it wasn’t necessarily what the world two conversations coalesced into one idea. thinks when they heard the word ‘Southern’ “It started almost as a cooperative of — it wasn’t sh-t-kickin’ cowboy-hat stuff, people who were already working together it was nuanced and different,” and making records and music and playing says Watson. “As time has gone by, we’ve ex- in bands together, as a way to formalize it a panded our approach, because that scene of little bit, put a name on it, tighten that circle, Page 12 of 30

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try to put a little money into it,” Tanner says. out as illustrative of Single Lock’s ethos “There’s a lot of struggling happening in “It felt like we were bumping our heads and history. Longtime the pandemic, and this isn’t exactly a state against the ceiling where we were, spending keyboardist (and local Florence legend) where there are tons of other options for a whatever you could scrape together to make Donnie Fritts’ album Oh My Goodness, musician to make a quick buck. So we were a record, go on tour, if you get lucky maybe which Tanner and White produced and like, ‘Let’s see how generous our people are you get to press some vinyl. So it was really Watson played on, was a labor of love for and let’s see what we can raise.’” trying to raise everybody’s game a bit, and all involved. “Donnie was not the kind of Through an application program, the Ad- it’s evolved from there.” guy who was gonna get played on the radio, vocacy Fund was able to raise and disburse Shortly after formalizing the label, the and certainly not the guy who was gonna $25,000 in grants to the music community business side (which Tanner says they were get signed to a record deal any time soon,” in the state, part of a program that they “making it up as we went”) was stabilized says Watson, who describes that record as now say will not end when the pandemic by bringing on Watson, as well as signing his favorite that the label has released. “But subsides and people are able to return to the a label-services deal with Thirty Tigers, his songs were beautiful, and his music was touring circuit. “There’s always an uphill which ran through 2015. “You do something challenging and had something to contrib- struggle of trying to educate the general long enough, you start to discover what your ute to the world. We felt really strongly public about the life of a musician,” Tan- voice is and what resonates and what you’re about it.” The second came from Cedric ner says. “People appreciate their work but passionate about,” says Watson. “You have Burnside, of R.L., who brought his I don’t think they really understand the to find not only what you do well, but also record, Benton County Relic, to Single Lock amount of work it is, how little money it ac- a team that can support what you do. It’s in 2018. “When Cedric was talking to other tually is a lot of the time, and I think we can like any other company: you evolve and you labels, everybody wanted to change it,” says do a lot to help people understand.” figure it out and I think we’re starting to hit Tanner. “They were like, ‘We like it, but we WHAT’S NEXT our stride a little bit.” think you should add this, or re-cut this, or The Advocacy Fund wasn’t the only thing THE ARTISTS mix this.’ I think we were the only people Single Lock focused on during the pandem- Initially, Single Lock was the home base who were like, ‘This record’s awesome, what ic. The label also expanded, opening a new for friends and local artists like Dylan do you want to do?’” office in New Orleans and signing a global LeBlanc and Belle Adair, both of whom That instinct worked out well for all partnership with Secretly Distribution, an Tanner played with in previous bands. parties: Benton County Relic landed Single indie-focused collective that has supported Steadily, the label’s base grew through word Lock and Burnside their first Grammy looks Single Lock as its footprint broadens. “We of mouth and by early 2014, Single Lock when it was nominated for best traditional needed to be a part of a community of other released the first album by St. Paul and the blues album at the 2019 awards. “One of the labels and a distributor that understood Broken Bones, Half The City, which spent things I love about Single Lock is that they what we were trying to do,” says Watson. five weeks on the Billboard 200 and peaked let me be me,” says Burnside. “They don’t The New Orleans office, which Wat- at No. 56. The album’s success provided a change my music and they let me have my son has spearheaded, also led to Single springboard for the label, which early on own ideas. Not many record companies Lock’s partnership with Cha Wa. The New was largely producing all its releases in- would do that. They are just downright Orleans-based collective’s 2021 release house, often with Tanner behind the boards. great people, period. They are part of the was one of many albums on Single Lock’s Over time, Single Lock began releasing best team I’ve had in my career.” docket this year, which also includes a new albums that didn’t emerge from its studio, KEY STATS project from local Florence-based blue- with artists like Nicole Atkins, Aaron Ray For a label built on thin margins, in- grass/country group Pine Hill Haints, The and the Grammy-nominated, Mardi Gras person studio sessions and just a handful Song Companion of a Lonestar Cowboy, out Indian brass-band Cha Wa, whose latest of releases a year, the pandemic was always May 14, and the next Burnside album, I Be album My People came out in April. going to be a tough storm to weather. But Trying, out June 25th. And on Record Store “We haven’t done a lot of actively going Single Lock was able to turn provider, Day this year, the label is putting out a single out and searching for artists, doing the tra- launching The Advocacy Fund for Ala- that unites the Blind Boys of Alabama with ditional A&R scouring, it’s all been pretty or- bama Musicians to support working musi- banjo maestro Béla Fleck, a partnership ganic: somebody hears a record we made or cians, tour managers, lighting techs, sound that is as enticing as it is eye-catching. a record we worked on, or it’s like a friend engineers and others whose livelihoods But as the label enters its next phase, its of a friend and we’re all touring and playing were stripped from them by the events shut- co-owners maintain the same philosophy: in bands so we have these networks of musi- downs of the past year. keep things simple. “Survival is the pinnacle cian friends,” says Tanner. Or, as Watson “I think the state of Alabama as a whole of success, to me,” says Tanner. “Because puts it: “A healthy community expands in doesn’t quite recognize how much music this is like wildest dreams sort of stuff: I’ve the right way.” and music history — and living music his- got this studio I love, I’ve got this label, I get But two of the label’s releases stand tory — happens in this state,” says Watson. to work with a lot of great musicians and Page 13 of 30

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make records that I’m really proud of, and the need for inclusion. Flo Rida, , and . that is the dream. So it’s really just, let’s try “Diversity in songwriting rooms impacts Battey’s most significant country cut to keep it going and try to get better at it.” the way the Black creatives impact country arrived via 2018’s “One Number Away,” a music. It diversifies a listener’s perspec- double-platinum country radio chart-topper tive, and, moreover, they may diversify the he co-wrote with Combs. Black Songwriters genre’s fanbase, too,” says the two-time Battey found that having a hit cured a Grammy winner, who has worked with In- wealth of problems. “When I arrived in Share Their dia.Arie, John Legend and the Fisk Jubilee Nashville, I felt the stress and pressure of Singers, among others. being a Black writer in largely all-white Experiences In Appealing to as broad an audience as writing rooms. I honestly didn’t know if possible is just smart business, Sanders they even wanted me in the room, and I un- Country Music: continues: “Of course, an all-inclusive coun- comfortably felt like I was the ‘odd man out.’ try music industry and community, where I was a Black man in sneakers trying to get ‘It Feels Both everyone sees themselves reflected and Nashville songwriters into my songs about invested, is .” trucks,” he says. “Now that I’ve proven I Hopeful and Beyond artists-songwriters such as Kane belong, Nashville has shown me the most Brown, Allen, Darius Rucker and Mickey love I’ve ever received as an artist. The more Unpredictable’ Guyton, there are a handful of Black song- people adjust to Black songwriters who writers reaching chart heights, including Ja- achieve success, the greater opportunities BY MARCUS DOWLING mie Moore. Signed to Big Loud Publish- will emerge for Black songwriters entering ing, the three-time Grammy-nominated writing rooms.” s the country music community songwriter-producer co-wrote Florida “One Number Away’s” success — and that grapples with issues of equality, Georgia Line and Tim McGraw’s 2016 hit of more soulful and trap-tinged tracks by diversity, and racism, one area “May We All,” as well as Morgan Wallen’s the likes of Wallen and Sam Hunt in country where creatives see the greatest 2020 double-platinum single “Chasin You.” — denotes a space where country’s becom- opportunityA for inclusion is in predominant- (Wallen’s now infamous usage of the N- ing “more experimental,” says Battey, who ly white writers rooms. word in February served as a tipping point also performs as part of the country soul As Maren Morris flatly stated during a for increasing the urgency for conversations duo Exit 216. panel also featuring Luke Combs during regarding a racial reckoning in country That experimentation, not unlike other Country Radio Seminar earlier this year, “If music.) recent evolutions in country music, is di- you shut out [Black, indigenous, and people Aware that opportunities for talented, rectly related to streaming’s recent explo- of color writers], you have no idea if you are versatile writers existed in Nashville, Ste- sion in the genre. Streaming allows hip-hop shutting out the next hit song, do you?” ven Battey arrived in Music City six years — a genre that performs extremely well There are small signs of improvement, ago, searching for “the history-making digitally — to influence country’s direction though much progress needs to be made. longevity” that writers such as Moore, as significantly and gives the songs a home, Hot newcomer Brittney Spencer has writ- well as Black singer-songwriter Shy Carter, even when purists may shun the hybrid ten with Morris, her Highwoman bandmate who has registered hits with Faith Hill and sound. For more progressive and genre- Amanda Shires, , Blanco McGraw, Brown and , have agnostic fans the potential for country’s Brown, , Runaway June’s Jen- achieved. experimentations to cross inspirations with nifer Wayne, , Ashley Monroe Battey’s self-described “crazy, out of the styles with which they are already well and Hailey Whitters all over the last several box” move left him unaware and wet behind acquainted is allowing for expansion and di- months. the ears in dealing with Nashville’s industry versification of the genre’s fanbase, as noted “Being a Black singer/songwriter in and songwriting rooms. earlier by Sanders. Nashville right now feels both hopeful and “I thought there were a lot of Darius To wit, Battey says that artists and labels unpredictable,” Spencer tells Billboard. Rucker-type artists down here. Then I real- initially found “One Number Away” to be Since being highlighted on social media by ized, once in Nashville, how much I stood “too R&B” in 2015. However, by 2018 — as for her cover of their single out,” the Black songwriter says. platforms such as began to grow in “Crowded Table” in October 2020, Spen- Battey was already successful, though. importance and streaming numbers soared cer’s achieved a significant surge of acclaim For the decade prior — alongside his brother — Battey says, “artists like Dan + Shay and that’s led to a full writing calendar. But her Carlos — he’d worked in Los Angeles and Luke Combs were unafraid of taking risks trajectory remains too rare. won a Grammy, written for four No. 1 al- with their sounds.” He adds, “The landscape Shannon Sanders, executive director of bums and achieved five Top 10 singles, craft- of country music’s evolution allows progres- creative at BMI Nashville, is keenly aware of ing songs for artists including , sive-minded artists the ability to lose a few Page 14 of 30

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[traditionalist] fans, but potentially gain so to be corrected until everything happened were once closed to Black songwriters, many more.” [last] summer with George Floyd because Spencer is aware of her agency and the For an artist like Black country singer- for years, I was just personally, as an LGBTQ power of the moment. “Though I have ad- songwriter Breland — who partnered with songwriter, worried about getting into writ- vantages now that other writers of color in Hunt for a remix of Breland’s platinum- ing rooms and wasn’t paying much attention country music might not have, I understand selling “My Truck” and, more recently, with to anyone else.” the responsibility I have to use the blessing Urban and Nile Rodgers for the frenetic, She sees the issue more as one of lack of of people’s ears to the work that myself and driving “Out the Cage,” widening the lane of awareness and opportunity than blatant prej- others have made,” she says. “I don’t know what is considered country will lead to more udice. “I’ll swear on a stack of bibles when how long I, or we, will seriously remain in inclusion for Black writers and artists. I say it, but nobody I know would explicitly these rooms in greater numbers than ever. “Just broadening our definition of what turn down writing with someone because of But within this moment, I’m going to walk country music is will help a lot of that sup- their racial background or sexual orientation. into those rooms because I know that I — port come to be,” he told Billboard earlier this I write with who my publisher puts on my and others like me — can write and sing the year. “With songs like ‘My Truck,’ there were book to write with. The fact that this exists in hell out of a song, and I’ve deserved to be a lot of people who might’ve said, ‘Hey, this country music breaks my heart.” there contributing them.” isn’t necessarily a country song.” But I think Clark suggests how she and other song- with the parameters of cross-country, which writers working in rooms where Black writ- is: Is it telling a story? Do the lyrics relate ers’ voices have been marginalized can best Songs For Shots: to the concept? That’s really all you need. I be valuable allies. think the more we redefine what genre and “African-American songwriters and Mayor’s ‘Music country music are, the easier it will be for artists can only really write [their] songs,” people to support artists who play on the she says. “So while I can’t tell the story of Heals’ Program periphery of traditional country music.” an African-American person, I can get in The desire to significantly increase diver- the room with someone who is an African- Pays Musicians to sity in country’s most foundational creative American songwriter and help them craft spaces has only grown as a hot topic across their story because I’ve written songs — in Perform at NYC racial lines in the genre. general — for decades now.” Following Morris’ and Combs’ CRS panel, The key, as it has always been with coun- Vaccination Sites in March, broadcaster Hunter Kelly’s From try music, is telling the truth. “Black artists Nashville: Music Talks at 92nd Street must bring authentic, unique ideas that re- BY TATIANA CIRISANO Y series featured three top white Nashville flect themselves and their backgrounds into songwriters — Brandy Clark, Jessie Jo Dil- the writing room,” Clark continues. “Patsy ew York City residents who get lon, and Josh Osborne. Cline was a great country artist, and Charley vaccinated in the coming weeks During the conversation, Kelly and Pride was also a great country artist too. may be treated to musical per- Clark talked about a time where all bar- Great country music has no gender or color. formances during their appoint- riers, whether race or gender, are broken Great art — regardless of the background of Nments, thanks to a new program employing down and where country music addresses its creator — must always be heard.” local artists to play for vaccine staff and perspectives beyond its traditional white Spencer hopes the momentum for real recipients. male heterosexual monolith. Clark felt the change doesn’t fade as the headlines change, The program, “Music Heals,” launches next generation was already on that path, and guardedly optimistic that it won’t. Friday (May 7) from New York Mayor Bill noting her nephews — and likely future fans “Black empowerment of Black women de Blasio’s Office of Media and Entertain- of country music — “don’t see gay, straight, could just be a trend in town. White guilt ment (MOME) and musicians’ union AFM [black or white] differences in people the could be the new ‘fresh, hot feeling’ in Local 802. Hundreds of local musicians way that [older generations] have had to country music, but there are signs that the — many of whom lost income due to the learn it.” moment has a more genuine insistence,” she pandemic — will participate in the one-hour However, in a deeper conversation says. “The shift that’s happening is bigger paid performance gigs, which take place at with Billboard, Clark, who, in addition to her than me, other Black songwriters, Mickey 11 city-run vaccination centers across the career as an artist, has written with Kacey Guyton, whomever. I feel like we’ve [simul- five boroughs through June 20. Musgraves, Rucker, Guyton and other taneously] blown off the door and ripped a “Music Heals supports local musicians, notable artists, admitted her own blind spots wall out [of the country music industry] ... and lets every New Yorker working at a vac- when it comes to inclusivity, especially the In general, I don’t feel tokenized. I feel like cination site know how much we appreciate need for Black representation. people genuinely want to know me.” them,” said MOME commissioner Anne del “Honestly, I didn’t realize that this needed And, as she walks through doors that Castillo. “In many ways, this is a celebration Page 15 of 30

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of New Yorkers doing their part to ensure a Ativan) prescribed to Cornell by Dr. Koblin’s strong reopening, while reminding us of the Chris Cornell’s office beginning in Sept. 2015, 20 months creativity and culture that is so core to the prior to his death. It also claimed that Kob- city’s identity.” Family Settles lin had prescribed the painkiller Oxycodone The program will provide participat- to the singer. ing musicians with fair wages and benefits Malpractice Key to the Cornells’ lawsuit was their under union guidelines. It follows up “Music claim that Koblin failed to adequately warn for the Soul of NYC’s Health + Hospital Lawsuit With Cornell, who had a history of substance Heroes,” a series launched by the MOME misuse, of the potential risks and side effects and AFM Local 802 last spring, where local Beverly Hills of taking the prescribed medications. Vicky musicians performed virtually for staff and Cornell has long upheld that the drugs pre- patients at public hospitals in the city. Doctor scribed by Koblin were the overriding factor “We’re proud that our city’s diverse musi- in Cornell’s suicide. cians are providing live music to encourage BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN Post-mortem toxicology results showed New Yorkers to get vaccinated, which is the the presence of lorazepam, barbiturates, the key to re-opening NYC,” added AFM Local he family of Chris Cornell has sedative butalbital, caffeine and deconges- 802 president Adam Krauthamer. “We’re settled a malpractice lawsuit tants in Cornell’s system, along with the extremely thankful to the city for investing with the doctor they allege anti-opioid medication naloxone, which was in this excellent program, which lets the overprescribed medication to reportedly administered by medics upon public enjoy great music for a great cause.” Tthe late Soundgarden frontman prior to arrival at the Detroit hotel room where his Deputy mayor for health and human his suicide in May 2017, according to court body was found. A corresponding autopsy services Melanie Hartzog added that “un- documents obtained by Billboard. report determined that drugs were not a derstanding the value that art and music can Filed on April 2, 2021, in Los Angeles cause of death, however. have on healing, it’s only fitting that we now Superior Court, the motion reveals that the The Cornell family’s suit against Koblin bring live performances to our COVID-19 plaintiffs — Cornell’s widow Vicky Cornell isn’t the only one stemming from the singer’s vaccination sites across the city, all the while and their two children, Toni and Christo- untimely death. Vicky Cornell has been thanking the healthcare heroes who have pher — reached a confidential settlement locked in a pitched legal battle with the sur- played a vital role in our recovery.” agreement with defendants Robert Koblin, viving members of Soundgarden over control The performances kick off while the M.D. and his Beverly Hills practice, Robert- of Chris Cornell’s recordings, royalties and entertainment business in New York City re- son Cardiovascular Center. more after suing the band in Dec. 2019. mains limited, even as other businesses pre- Filed by the Cornells’ lawyer, Melissa pare to open. New York Governor Andrew Lerner, the motion requested that all docu- Cuomo announced on Monday that he will ments pertaining to the settlement remain 5 Takeaways lift most industry capacity restrictions on sealed or redacted, citing privacy concerns. May 19, including at retail stores, restau- Lerner writes that “troubled individuals” From the rants, salons and more, but outdoor and have “harassed” the Cornell family in the indoor music venues are still restricted. wake of Chris Cornell’s death, including by ‘Post-Pandemic “Music and vaccination are a harmonious threatening the lives of Toni and Christopher. pairing as both promote the health of New A lawyer for the Cornells tells Bill- Touring’ Panel Yorkers,” added New York City Department board the settlement agreement is still of Health and Mental Hygiene commission- subject to court approval. An attorney for at LAMC 2021 er Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “The vaccination Koblin did not immediately return a request hubs are places of joy and I can’t think of a for comment. BY GRISELDA FLORES better way to celebrate them than with song.” Filed in Nov. 2018, the Cornells’ lawsuit Find more information and list of partici- claimed that Koblin and his Beverly Hills he future of live shows and tour- pating vaccination sites here. practice “negligently and repeatedly” pre- ing is hard to predict, but “Post scribed medication to Cornell that clouded Pandemic Touring on a Local and his judgment and cognition, leading him to Global Level” panelists Richard engage in reckless behaviors that ultimately TLom (WME), Andrés Sánchez (OCESA), resulted in his suicide by hanging. The suit Austin Barmak (Electric Feel Ent.), Diego particularly focused on allegedly excessive Sáenz (PopArt) and Henry Cárdenas (CMN) amounts of the anti-anxiety medication all remain hopeful that live shows will re- lorazepam (sold under the brand name sume by the end of this year. Page 16 of 30

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In fact, multiple Latin tours have already stantly. And I don’t think it’s just the artist resonate with a lot of different people and been announced for 2021-22 since won’t want to lower ticket prices, but places,” she says. “His fluency in both Span- recording of this panel, which was moder- it’s every branch of the industry. It’s like a ish and English and cultural understanding ated by SeiTrack’s Javier Montemayor, who chain effect where everyone who is part of a of both sides of himself — Canadian and asked panelists a variety of questions that production will increase their prices Argentinian — was something I related to ranged from ticket pricing to whether or not because we’re all trying to make up for the right away as a first-generation American livestreams will remain even after in-person past year and be more economically stable.” and a Latina myself.” concerts start to pick up. Austin Barmak: “Like everyone else on Javier, who says he has “always wanted to The 2021 LAMC event is taking place this this panel, I’m not a fan of livestreams and I work with a label and have a team,” has now week from May 4-7 with back-to-back pan- don’t think they’ll ever substitute in-person signed to Elektra, the label announces today els on mental health and streaming strate- concerts. It’s still not well-developed and (May 7), making him the label’s first Latin gies. For the second year in a row, the 23rd it’s not as profitable as we’d like it to be. But pop signee. Now, he and Nasr are focused annual LAMC is offering free registration I do think it can serve as a complement to a on bringing his bilingual to the for all panels, workshops and showcases. live show and be there as another option for masses, with Javier inspired by stars like J Check here for the full panel and concert the consumer.” Balvin and Rosalía. schedule. “Both Sebastian and I are passionate about Below, five takeaways from the “Post Pan- redefining and pushing Latin music further demic Touring on a Local and Global Level” How Sebastian in the popular culture,” Nasr says. “We want panel at the LAMC: to tell the story of kids like us who have roots Henry Cárdenas: “We were the first to Javier Became and backgrounds in other cultures, but grew announce a tour and it was Maluma’s U.S. up here in North America listening to pop tour. It was necessary to tell the world that Elektra’s First radio and loving pop culture.” we’re ready to work. We had our doubts Javier had turned to YouTube because but we were surprised because ticket sales Latin Pop Signee he was inspired by Justin Bieber, who was were better than his 2019 tour. Before we discovered on the platform. “But Spanish announced the tour, we first talked to the BY TATIANA CIRISANO wasn’t a language he spoke,” Javier said. artist, then the venues and many think that “Pop music was always performed in Eng- by September we’ll be at 100% and so we hen Sebastian Ja- lish, and I always asked why?” went out with tickets. For now, September is vier moved to Canada at Javier knew it was important that his the goal and we’ll still be following govern- age 12 after growing up in music be bilingual, like he is, but finding ment guidance but we’re hopeful.” Argentina, he didn’t speak his own sound wasn’t easy. “Before signing Richard Lom: “I’m so thankful to Henry EnglishW and struggled to feel accepted. So my record deal, my music was all over the for going first and having the courage to an- he turned to YouTube, where he would place,” he says. So after signing with Elektra, nounce a tour. I’ve actually asked my clients post song covers and original music for he and Nasr took trips to Los Angeles and to wait until 2022 if they can because you viewers around the world under the handle to meet producers and writers, who never know what can happen and if you @ThatSpanishBoy. Hoping to build a fol- gave him the confidence to “trust my gut.” can’t play a full capacity venue, then there’s lowing and spread positivity, he would look It was during one of those L.A. sessions no business. So, I’ve advised them to wait at the video camera and “talk to it like it where he came up with the tune for his ma- until then.” was a person.” jor-label debut single and , “Bad Andres Sánchez: “We’ve scheduled most “I was such a shy kid, but the camera was For Me,” out today. Created with the help of our major tours and festivals for the last the only place where I felt like I could be of artist and songwriter Maye and producer few months of 2021. We’re still planning myself,” the 21-year-old tells Billboard. “I Josh Murty, the song explores why people on doing some livestreams or drive-ins too think people saw that and maybe saw a part stay in toxic relationships. “I hope that this but we think that by October, people will of themselves in me.” can be a wake-up call for everyone to stand have more confidence to go to a concert, The covers helped him amass more than up and question, ‘How can I be happier? Do and there will be more people vaccinated 113,000 YouTube subscribers, and he started I deserve better?’” Javier says. “That’s why I by then. And if we have to pivot again, we’ll working with a manager, Kris Christie. And wanted this song to be the debut single.” do it because it’s what we’ve been doing for in March 2019, when Elektra Music Group At , Javier joins a roster the past year. Fans will understand if that A&R manager Caterina Nasr was passed that includes , Brandi Car- happens.” along one of Javier’s early songs, she saw lile, Masked Wolf and . To Diego Sáenz: “I think prices will go up herself in the young artist, too. Nasr, his signing reflects a wider mission at especially in Latin American countries “I immediately heard something special Elektra to support a diverse range of artists where the value of the dollar changes con- in his voice and tone that I knew could and sounds. Page 17 of 30

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“From the beginning, one of the hallmarks a statement. “I hope the audience enjoys of Elektra has been real artist development watching the journey of new stars being How across a range of genres. It’s more important born in Hollywood, that will be promoted than ever that we continue to diversify the as NCT-Hollywood in the global market in Became Pop- kinds of artists and genres we are champi- the future.” oning, signing, and working with,” Nasr says. Plenty of K-pop artists have hailed from Punk’s Go-To “Sebastian is an excellent of just different nationalities and Asian ethnicities that, and it is an honor to get to work him (NCT includes members who are Japa- Songwriter, and continue to widen the breadth of what nese, Chinese, Thai, Korean American and we are aiming to do at Elektra.” Korean Canadian), and competition shows From Machine to form new groups are a fixture of Korean television. However, a series produced in Gun Kelly to NCT Label collaboration with an American company to form a U.S.-based K-pop group would be Looking to Form a first; in February, BTS’ company Big Hit Entertainment (now known as HYBE) an- BY LYNDSEY HAVENS a U.S.-Based nounced a strategic partnership with Uni- versal Music Group to do the same thing. t’s hard to imagine Mod Sun, with K-Pop Group in “This series is exactly the type of innova- lime green hair and explosive amounts tive programming that MGM is commit- of energy, growing up in quiet Minne- New Competition ted to creating on a global scale,” MGM sota. It’s why, he says, “I was the total Television chairman Mark Burnett said in Ioutcast.” The artist born Derek Smith recalls Series a statement. “K-pop is more than a genre of how being from the Midwest, particularly music; it’s a cultural phenomenon and we’re a town where few people shared similar BY REBECCA SUN so excited to partner with the incredible interests, established a “me-against-the- Soo-Man Lee and the team at SM to bring world aesthetic and attitude” from a young n the latest business deal to under- K-pop to the U.S.!” age — and taught him an important lesson. score the globalization of K-pop, MGM’s current unscripted series include “If I wanted to find people that liked what I MGM Worldwide Television Group is NBC’s , CBS’ Survivor, ABC’s liked, I needed to go out and find them,” he partnering with Korea’s SM Enter- Shark Tank and Fox’s Beat Shazam. Found- says. “They’re not coming to me.” Itainment to develop a competition series ed in 1995, SM Entertainment is one of He did just that, eventually drumming in a to scout young American men to form a U.S.- K-pop’s traditional “Big 3” agencies/labels, band formed with his first group of friends. based K-pop group. birthing such major artists as , “We didn’t have laptops and Pro Tools or To be more precise, the new boy group, Girls Generation, , , our own microphone and studio setup, we NCT-Hollywood, will be the latest subunit and SuperM. Today, K-pop is a $5 billion had none of that,” the pop-punk singer of SM’s hit “concept” group NCT, a growing global industry that generates more than 20 recalls. “That was not even possible 20 years collective of members (currently numbering billion downloads and streams worldwide, ago.” Still, the experience proved pivotal as 23) who can be combined into various sub- with more than 62 million listeners tuning he learned the importance of collaboration: units: NCT 127 (-based), NCT Dream into the genre every month on Spotify alone. “It went from being me-against-the-world (originally a teen-only group) and WayV This article was originally published to understanding us-against-the-world.” (-based). by The Hollywood Reporter. It’s a sentiment Mod Sun — who entered The talent search will be open to “Amer- the industry as a rapper, releasing his first ica’s most talented emerging artists,” who EP in 2010 and debut full-length in 2015 are males aged 13 to 25. Contestants will be — has only recently realized the full power flown to Seoul for K-pop boot-camp training of. He counts chart-topping artists like Ma- at the SM campus, where each episode they chine Gun Kelly and as lifelong will compete in dance, vocal and style tests best friends, and recently collaborated on and will be judged and mentored by SM hits with both. Meanwhile, he formed a founder Soo-Man Lee as well as various cur- friendship with the pop-punk princess rent NCT members. herself, Avril Lavigne, who later became “I look forward to making an unconven- the only featured artist on Mod Sun’s Febru- tional audition show that all music fans ary release, Internet Killed the Rockstar, his around the world can enjoy,” Lee said in fourth album and first on Big Noise. Page 18 of 30

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“I just signed a record deal, but prior to album’s accompanying film Downfalls High. working together on music for her,” he says. that I was competing with every major label He says of all he contributed to this project, “We’ve made a ton of songs together now. artist as an independent and, that being said, though, he’ll never forget the experience of It’s literally the dream scenario to work with I also didn’t have a team around me telling working on the song. her as a songwriter because I actually get to me good or bad,” says Mod Sun. “I’ve been “I’m sitting in bed and it was 11:11 PM, hear my ideas come out in full form, in the able to sustain all the time because I have and this dude hits me up and I did not want best possible way.” all of these people who are great artists that to get out of bed,” he says. “It was right Mod Sun and blackbear, “Heavy” support me and without them, I don’t know after Christmas and he’s like, ‘Yo, you want Twelve years ago, Mod Sun’s lawyer if the world would have ever taken me seri- to come over and write a song with me?’ introduced him to another client of his, ously. It’s crazy because I grew up in what I And we hadn’t really done that together. So blackbear, and the two became fast friends. call the scene, and then it died. And now it’s I pull up, we get in the studio and ‘Bloody “He used to be in pop-punk bands and all like me and my best friends taking over the Valentine’ just comes out like vomit.” He that, scene bands, so we had this camara- damn world.” believes the song took about two hours to derie already right from there,” Mod Sun To keep that energy going, on Friday churn out, and by 2 AM, he and MGK had recalls. Soon enough, the two found them- (May 7), the deluxe version of Internet Killed been screaming at the top of their lungs selves opening for Travis Mills on tour with the Rockstar arrives with eight additional for a little too long because eventually, his blackbear riding on the bus and Mod Sun tracks, five of which have never been heard daughter (who is now 11 years old) walked in his own van. “I’m telling you, I love life. I before. “I wanted to tell the other side of the into the studio to see what was going on. “It enjoy s—t. So blackbear was like, ‘Man, f—k story, which is that if there’s a killing, there’s was the truest moment of like, me and Kels being on this bus, I’m going to come ride in a rebirth,” he says, explaining that the re- are forever going to be kids — and even his your van,’ which is a move that no artists recorded and new tracks use major chords daughter is acting like our fucking parents will ever do unless they really love you,” says to invoke a sunnier, more positive outlook at this point.” Mod Sun. “And we got back from that tour than the minor chords heard throughout the Mod Sun and Avril Lavigne, “Flames” — this kid has his own mansion — and he de- original album. Last September, after a night out in Hol- cides to live in my pool house. And we went “There’s been this idea of the rebirth of lywood celebrating the release of Machine through it all.” The pair bonded while roam- what a rock star is nowadays,” he continues. Gun Kelly’s , Mod ing around at 5 a.m. doing “real brother s—t” “I don’t do drugs or drink alcohol any- Sun was driving the two back home when and stayed close ever since, even forming more, I’m running three miles a day, eating Kelly stuck his head out the window and — the alternative hip-hop outfit Hotel Motel. healthy… I made it past 27. I changed up my seemingly innocently — hit the front wind- “He was there for me when I was making lifestyle and I want to live a long time. Bob shield. Except his ring managed to create a all of these really, really vast changes in my Dylan is still making music at this moment spiderweb crack, which led to Kelly kicking personal life,” says Mod Sun. “We both com- right now and he’s [nearly] in his 80s. That the whole thing in as he documented the pletely switched lifestyles. Fast forward to is a rock star to me.” stunt on Instagram Live. Not long after, Avril this song ‘Heavy,’ the subject matter is about Below, Mod Sun explains how his latest Lavigne ended up seeing what happened on- the weight of the world being very heavy high-profile co-writes came to be, from a line and decided to follow Mod Sun. “So the when you’re making these big decisions to rock and alternative radio hit for MGK to first thing I do is DM her like, ‘Hi icon,” and want to grow old and live your life. ‘Live an Internet Killed the Rockstar standout she was like, ‘Oh my God, that s—t was the fast, ’ is a whole different ideology featuring Lavigne. craziest thing I’ve seen on the Internet in than let’s grow old and have a family. And to Machine Gun Kelly, “Bloody Valentine” the last 10 years. You guys are awesome.’” be present was a really big struggle for me, Mod Sun first met Machine Gun Kelly That same week, Mod Sun had released to actually put down drugs and alcohol and while on Warped Tour in 2012. “He wasn’t “Karma,” the lead single off Internet Killed become present changed everything.” surrounded by a bunch of people, he wasn’t the Rockstar, and Lavigne was blown away. making friends, but me and him? Best She mentioned that she was gearing up to friends, right there. Spent every second work on a new album and was curious to together from there on out.” Mod Sun ended hear more of what Mod Sun was working up directing the one-take music video for on, so he sent her album track “Flames” his song “Sail” with an almost non-existent to which she replied with a voicenote. She budget — it now has nearly 140 million ended up contributing to the song, becom- YouTube views. More recently, Mod Sun ing the only feature on Internet Killed the creative-directed Machine Gun Kelly’s Tick- Rockstar; the acoustic version of the track is ets To My Downfall, which topped the Bill- included on Mod Sun’s deluxe album. board 200; co-wrote the hit “Bloody Valen- “The song changed my life, but further tine”; and also co-wrote and co-directed the than that it opened this whole space of us Page 19 of 30

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He adds, “I was able to pivot our experi- provide tangible resources for creatives be- Meet the ences virtually and I’m grateful for my team cause the art and creative community solve that encouraged me to do that because I a lot of the world’s problems but they’re not Duo Bringing didn’t want to do it, but I did and became t the forefront of opportunities, they become magical. And the pipeline that I lost, I got disposable and transactional. That’s why I Mindfulness back through a whole other sort of space I started my company. During the pandemic, never imagined.” music and movies kept us going so we were to Creatives Now, nearly a year since the launch of able to actually see the value that the cre- the Mindful Creative room, with frequent ative community plays to the world and to (And Clubhouse) visitors ranging from music executives to D- society as a whole and global culture. Nice, and in honor of Mental Health Aware- I was like there might become a time and BY GRISELDA FLORES ness Month, Billboard has teamed up with place that I might need to really facilitate Holman and Davis for a series of interviews something or provide some sort of tangible very Monday and Wednesday with executives and artists about how they resource like workbooks. And I wanted to morning, Ian Davis and Brandon stay mindful. be qualified to do that so my intention was Holman jump on Clubhouse for a Before the series starts rolling out next to just get into a meditation training and I 20-30 minute exercise they offer week get to know more about the duo be- ended up getting certified as a mindfulness Eto the creative community to “reset” and hind Mindful Creative in the Q&A below: meditation teacher. It’s actually grown in a “tap into your highest and best self” on their To start, can you both share a little bit different capacity and I consider myself a Mindful Creative room that has more than about yourself and your journey to vessel. I want to serve the creative commu- 200,000 followers. mindfulness and healing? nity and help them be their best selves and “It’s people in entertainment and in tech Brandon Holman: “I’m currently at TikTok not just talk about things and have conver- who are all coming into our room know- at the label partnerships team focusing on sations, which are great starter points but ing that every Monday and every Wednes- independent music, and a big part of my there needs to be more.” day from 9-10 a.m., there’s a safe space in my passion is mental health and wellness. Since you’ve started this journey, have the app where people can meditate and The reason that I got into tech was because you seen a significant change in the unwind,” says Holman, label partnerships I sort of left the music industry. I had early entertainment industry’s focus? Like is manager at TikTok. “And we we just became internships at labels and some management mindfulness and mental health a prior- a home.” firms. But I wasn’t really happy with the ity now? If not, how do we get there? Mindful Creative was launched in August toxic culture, the ego driven culture of a lot ID: “My hope is that we do get there. I per- when Holman reached out to Davis — whom of executives at the time. sonally think that with the pandemic going he met in 2012 at the first-ever Made In That’s when I realized I was so much on, there has been more of a priority like America festival in Philadelphia and since more than my title. I’m so much more than everywhere, not just in music, on just well- then it’s been a “platonic relationship” — to my employer. I started practicing self-worth, being overall. I think the work I’m doing is a propose joining Clubhouse and start a medi- relinquishing my ego, my identity from the part of that. And I want to help drive it. But tation club. “Back when Clubhouse was just job that I do. And after that moment, that’s companies and corporations need to have starting, it was just a lot more tech investors, what put me on my spiritual path, my heal- wellness strategies for their team because leadership sort of conversations. I was like ing journey. My big dream was to eventually if they don’t, they are not going to thrive Ian can really hold space in this creative come back to the music industry, but be at and be well. But it can’t just be a moment or wellness lane that no one on the app is doing the center point in the convergence of tech, something that happens only with the pan- right now,” adds Holman. music and entertainment. I started doing my demic. There has to be a continuity because Davis, certified mindfulness and medita- best to let my peers and friends know that that’s when real change happens.” tion teacher and founder of creative con- I’m a resource just from from having gone BH: “I think that collectively the industry is sultancy the Creative, was instantly through it.” just scratching the surface of what it could drawn to the idea of helping others heal via Ian Davis: “I worked in advertising and look like. I think the big question is, how a virtual space. When the pandemic hit, “I marketing as a producer, then going out and are things going to be once people fully do fell into like a quick space of depression just working with a lot of artists and creatives return back to the office? Are we going to because I had a really big revenue pipeline directly, some notable in music on brand fall into the old patterns or are we going lined up for a creative accounting and that partnerships and sponsorships. I continued to continue to pave the way from all the just disappeared,” says Davis, who in Febru- to do that but then realized I didn’t want to groundwork and foundation that we’ve been ary released his book [My] Daily Vibe, a 365- be responsible for creatives on a day-to-day building as we’ve been focusing on on self, day journal for creatives to be their “highest basis, but I still wanted to serve and help. our families, on wellness and mental health and best self.” And so I started a creative consultancy to during the pandemic? The pandemic is an Page 20 of 30

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unfortunate situation, but there are some Capitol. In his new role, he will draw upon benefits and positives in culture and society Executive his artist management experience to sign that have resulted from this horrific and and develop artists for the company. horrendous event.” Turntable: “Solomon’s proven instinct for identifying What’s the reaction been like on Club- impactful artists and his ability to nurture house? SoundExchange their creativity aligns perfectly with our mis- BH: “Clubhouse has has really helped us sion at Capitol,” said Vaughn. “His successes grow. And it also has created a part of the Hires VP, Capitol to date reflect our shared commitment to industry that is open to dialogue and vulner- artists from all corners of the pop music land- able conversations with executives and cre- Fills A&R Role scape, which is more dynamic and diverse atives in the industry. Not only do we have a than ever. Everyone at Capitol joins me in formal practice where we can sit and medi- BY CYDNEY LEE welcoming Solomon to the team.” tate. People come up for feedback at the end “I’m truly excited to build upon the rich of our sessions, people really open up about oundExchange announced Linda history of , and help in what they’re going through, celebrate the Bloss-Baum as vp of govern- a new era filled with artists who are pushing wins, but also talk about the losses, whether, ment relations and public affairs. the boundaries of creativity and new ways you know, their parents contracted COVID She will report to Esther-Mireya of accomplishing their dreams and goals,” or they themselves had it. It’s been really STejeda, chief marketing and communica- said Sounds. “Jeff Vaughn is assembling a amazing to see.” tions officer of the company. powerhouse team, and I’m grateful to him What would Mindful Creative session An industry veteran, Bloss-Baum previ- for believing in my talents and trusting me look like outside of Clubhouse? ously held roles at , to help the label grow in the years to come.” BH: “I could totally see this at Coachella, /NBCUniversal and Chantel Sausedo joined the Recording at Sundance and all the times that Ian is in Time Warner Inc. In her new role, she will Academy as their new managing director of town and we mob out to all these parties lead the public affairs department, driving artist relations. and events, it’s like, can we have the branded a strategy centered on industry-shaping For over 20 years Sausedo worked as a experience with all of our resources and all advocacy efforts to support fair treatment of producer and . She’s worked of our network? But like, you know, we’re music creators in the digital age. alongside big names such as Stevie Won- meditating, we’re having these conversations. “We are at a critical juncture of trans- der, and Miranda Lambert to We’re focusing on on our diet and nutrition. formation that will challenge the ways in name a few. In her new role, Sausedo will I want to be drinking green juice at Palm which the music industry is organized and facilitate artist involvement at the Academy Springs instead of going to Neon Carnival or the policies we need to ensure its long-term in the areas of awards, advocacy, marketing Revolve — like that is way more cooler. And health,” said Tejeda. “Linda’s expertise and and more. those are the things that I think managers, background spanning the creator commu- Rostrum Records promoted Jhared agents, like all the people behind the scenes nity, Capitol Hill and other policymakers “Jae” Brown to vp of A&R. He will report actually need at Coachella versus parties.” is a perfect fit as SoundExchange seeks to to Benjy Grinberg, founder and president of address the industry’s challenges.” Rostrum. “The next five years will reshape the mu- “I’m very grateful to work in such a sic industry, from where and how music is creative and nurturing environment that created and distributed, to the systems that inspires the best out of our artists as well as make the business side easier, to how we each one of our team members,” said Brown. create a just and equitable ecosystem that “I’m excited about the work that we’re do- reflects the value of artists, labels, and other ing, the roster we’re building and the oppor- creators,” added Bloss-Baum. “With a mem- tunity to further Rostrum’s impact on music ber community of over 245,000, SoundEx- in my new role. Rostrum’s “artist-first” ethos change is the only organization that respects and commitment to true artist develop- the totality of the industry, giving us an ment coupled with our focus on executing important responsibility at the intersection creators’ visions will make us a tier 1 desti- of the technology and music ecosystems. ” nation for talent for years to come. I’d like Capitol Records named Solomon to thank Benjy for his mentorship and his Sounds svp of A&R. He will report to CEO continued confidence in my ability.” and chairman Jeff Vaughn. Brown will handle and oversee A&R for Sounds spent 10 years at his company and acts like Rich the Kid, Taleban Dooda and label Sounds Music Group before joining more. He joined Rostrum in 2020 and most Page 21 of 30

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recently worked as senior director of A&R. to plan and execute every facet of a produc- work alongside president and CEO Jason Prior to Rostrum, Brown worked at Capitol tion. The Silent House Group is now the Owen to cultivate a business that delivers Records/Motown Records in their global one-stop shop for all the needs of unscripted best-in-class services across management, marketing/A&R department. and live entertainment.” legacy preservation and development of Better Noise Music announced a handful Bracco has extensive experience in the creative artistic opportunities. of promotions and new hires including Sean television industry, most recently serving as “Jason and I both come from branding Maxson as vp of marketing. evp of programming and development for backgrounds, and I got a unique opportu- “We are a strategic, forward-thinking dick clark productions. With over 20 years nity early on in my time at Sandbox to work company, and I am pleased to have a team of experience in music and television pro- with Johnny Cash’s estate,” said Matas. with a wealth of knowledge and diverse set duction, Gierahn also previously worked at “The depth of this work emphasized the of skills to help drive that,” said president dick clark productions as evp of production. importance of managing these critical of Better Noise Dan Waite. “This new and Rhythm Promotion at Atlantic Re- brands. Audiences have shown a continued existing group of top-notch professionals cords promoted Michelle Burden and Mot- reverence for this particular collection of are building on top of successful engage- ti Shulman to vp of promotion and svp of individuals – and that’s where we as brand ment via our international offices, data promotion, respectively. Each will report to managers are excited by the idea of not only science department, social media, and Steve evp of promotion Juliette Jones. presenting sustainable business models, but Kline’s streaming and radio teams, so we Burden joined Atlantic in 2019 and previ- also continuing to tell their stories as a pillar are building the infrastructure across all our ously worked at Warner Brothers Records, of the greater cultural landscape.” teams. These new additions bring another Sony Music and Def Jam. Shulman has been WME hired Andy Duggan as an agent in level of creativity and experience to move us at Atlantic for 16 years and also worked at their music department based in London. through our exciting projects ahead while Def Jam in the past. In his new role, he will use A&R skills still keeping us focused on Better Noise Venice Distribution announced two and manager relations to further enhance Music’s Founder Allen Kovac’s primary new hires. Sophia Bacuros as vp of digital the company as a global leader. He most mission: artist development via data driven marketing for the West Coast and Deryck recently served as a music agent at Primary engagement.” Vanderbilt-Nicholson as head of U.S. audi- Talent since 2005. For over 20 years, Maxson has held mar- ence and culture. “Andy has an exceptional track record keting and promotions executive positions Bacuros previously spearheaded digital of identifying and developing emerging at various labels and companies. In his new marketing at HITCO Entertainment where artists and creating unique opportunities role, he will oversee all marketing, strategy she aided in the development of Dixie for his clients that have evolved with the and execution for the company’s music D’Amelio and . In her new role, complexities of the modern music busi- releases and film/TV productions. she will guide the execution of marketing ness,” said Lucy Dickins, co-head of music Better Noise’s additional new hires initiatives, creative content strategy and art- at WME. “He is extremely well-respect- are Saleem Khan as accounts payable ist relations. ed within both the UK music community coordinator; Anne Wall as director of busi- Vanderbilt-Nicholson previously served and the global music business and has ness affairs, licensing and royalties; Jimmy as the director of media and artist rela- consistently had his finger firmly on the Harney as head of public relations; Jonathan tions where worked with talent such pulse of the next generation of cutting-edge Janis as director of marketing; and Michael as M.I.A., Giggs and rising artists like - artists. We are thrilled to welcome him to Filippone as income tracking manager. tional Oranges and THEY. In his new role, our team.” Silent House announced its split into he will oversee artist development, creative three companies, Silent House Studios, marketing strategies and cultural impact for Silent House Events and Silent House Pro- artists. ductions. They also announced the hiring “Sophia and Deryck bring a combination of Marc Bracco as president of Silent House of skill and taste that independent artists Productions and Linda Gierahn as CCO and and labels appreciate,” said Venice founder head of production at Silent House Produc- Troy Carter. “They have impeccable track tions. records for breaking artists in innovative “We are thrilled to be taking this next ways and will be welcome additions to the step in the evolution of Silent House as we Venice team.” continue collaborating with our partners to Sandbox Entertainment launched take care of any production needs that our a Sandbox Succession, a new division clients have,” said Silent House founder and providing estate management services. The CEO Baz Halpin. “With Mark and Linda on new venture will be led by Josh Matas. board, we now have all of the pieces in place Matas joined Sandbox in 2015. He will Page 22 of 30

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doc Olé Olé Olé! set in the period spanning from Swift’s Rep- , Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell: This doc is utation Stadium Tour in 2018 to the rollout built around archival footage of the late rap of her 2019 studio album Lover — a period BTS & More Up legend The Notorious B.I.G. It features rare in which she fully embraced her power. The footage filmed by Damion “D-Roc” Butler doc, directed by Lana Wilson, was released for Best Music and interviews with Biggie’s family and on and in select theaters on Jan. friends, including Butler and Sean Combs. 31, 2020. “Only the Young,” a song by Swift Documentary at The film was directed by Emmett Malloy, featured in the end credits, was released as a whose previous works include Big Easy promotional single and climbed halfway up MTV Movie & TV Express (featuring Mumford & Sons, among the Hot 100. others) and ’ Under Great The : How Can You Mend a Awards: Exclusive White Northern . Broken Heart: Frank Marshall directed and Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry: The executive produced this doc, which is built BY PAUL GREIN film reveals the creation process of Eilish’s around a fresh interview with the trio’s sole blockbuster debut album When We All Fall surviving member, , as well as ar- usic docs spotlighting Billie Eil- Asleep, Where Do We Go?, which made Eilish chival interviews with his late twin brothers ish, Taylor Swift, BTS, Britney only the second artist in Grammy history to Robin and Maurice Gibb. The doc shares its Spears and Demi Lovato are sweep the awards in one night. It fea- title with the 1971 classic that was the trio’s among those competing for best tures Eilish’s brother and collaborator, Finneas first No. 1 hit on the Hot 100. Mmusic documentary at the 2021 MTV Movie & O’Connell. Directed by R. J. Cutler, the film The New York Times Presents: Framing TV Awards. MTV announced the nominations was released in select theaters via Neon and : Released on Feb. 5 on FX and in two socially voted categories — this one and on Apple TV+ on Feb. 26. Hulu, this doc explores Spears’ rise to fame best musical moment — on Friday (May 7). Break the Silence: The Movie: This doc, as a teenage superstar, her rough treatment The MTV Movie & TV Awards are being directed by Jun-soo, goes behind by the media, her highly publicized break- split in two this year. The first show, airing the scenes of BTS’ 2018–19 “Love Your- down in 2007 and the court-ordered con- live from the Palladium in Los Angeles on self: Speak Yourself World Tour.” Park servatorship overseen by her father James Sunday, May 16, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, focuses on Jun-soo previously directed the K-pop “Jamie” Parnell Spears. The film, directed by scripted programming; the second, which sensations’ concert docs Bring the Soul: Samantha Stark, is the second of two films will air the following night at the same time, The Movie (2019) and Burn the Stage: The on this list that was directed by a woman. focuses on unscripted programming. That Movie (2018). (The other is Taylor Swift: Miss Americana.) second show, dubbed MTV Movie & TV Demi Lovato: Dancing With the Devil: This Tina: “Her life, her story” is the tagline for Awards: Unscripted, is described as “a first- documentary series about Lovato’s life this film, which follows the life and career of-its-kind celebration of all things reality and career was released in four parts on of the one and only Tina Turner. The film television.” YouTube from March 23 to April 6. The features interviews with her pals Oprah DJ Snoopadelic (aka ) will series covers a range of topics, including Winfrey and Angela Bassett, who received serve as DJ for Sunday show. Kim Lee of the Lovato’s near-fatal overdose in 2018. It was an Oscar nod for playing Turner in the Netflix reality series Bling Empire will DJ released alongside Lovato’s seventh studio 1993 biopic What’s Love Got to Do With It. the Monday show. album Dancing With the Devil... the Art of Directed by Daniel Lindsay and T. J. Martin, As previously announced, comedian Starting Over, which reached No. 2 on the the film was released in the U.S. on March Leslie Jones will host the first show; come- Billboard 200. The film was directed by 27 by HBO. dian Nikki Glaser will host the second. Michael D. Ratner, whose previous credits Fan voting for best music documentary Here are the nominees in the two social include Justin Bieber: Seasons. will open on MTV’s Instagram Stories on categories: : In Wonder: This film May 10 and close May 11. The award will be Best Music Documentary depicts Mendes’ onstage life, his life with presented on the Monday show. : Excuse Me, I Love girlfriend and his struggles Best Musical Moment (Presented by You: This concert film follows Grande on- with anxiety. It was released by Netflix on Sonic Drive In) stage and behind-the-scenes on the Sweet- Nov. 23, 2020, ahead of his fourth studio Black Is King, “Brown Skin Girl” ener World Tour in 2019. Netflix released album, Wonder, which entered the Billboard The Kissing Booth 2, “Lost in the Wild” (Elle the film on Dec. 21, 2020, to mark the first 200 at No. 1. Grant Singer, who directed & Marco’s Dance Competition Performance) anniversary of the tour’s conclusion. The the film, has directed music videos for Sam Love & Monsters, “Stand by Me” (Mav1s & film was directed by Paul Dugdale, whose Smith, , , Joel watch the Sky Jellies) previous credits include ’s Ghost and many more. To All The Boys: Always and Forever, “Begin- Stories and ’ road movie Taylor Swift: Miss Americana: The film is ning Middle End” (Peter & Lara Jean’s Song) Page 23 of 30

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Bridgerton, “Wildest Dreams” (Daphne & Unfortunately, the grueling nature of travel Simon’s Honeymoon Phase) and the schedule needed to make a tour Kim Kardashian Cobra Kai, “I Wanna Rock” (Miguel & work has become less than desirable. The Johnny at a Dee Snider Concert) current climate of our world brought me Denies Buying , “Edge of Great” many realizations. Life is short and I’d like WandaVision, “Agatha All Along” to spend my remaining time on this earth Illegally Exported Fan voting for best musical moment will being less hurried.” open May 11 on MTV’s Instagram Stories Still, Neville said his love for singing has Ancient Roman and close May 14. The award will be pre- not waned. sented on the Sunday show. “It provides so much joy for me, at least Statue WandaVision (5), (4), The as much as for those listening, if not more,” Boys (4), (3), Borat Subsequent he said. BY CLAUDIA ROSENBAUM Moviefilm (3) and The Mandalorian (3) are “Don’t see this as a permanent goodbye, this year’s leading scripted nominees. by of God, I will keep making more he U.S. Attorney’s office is de- RuPaul’s Drag Race (4), 90 Day music and may show up at a special event or manding a federal judge intervene Fiance (2), Bling Empire (2), Legend- concert down the road,” he promises. and order the forfeiture of a seized ary (2), Love & : Atlanta (2), Nailed Neville hasn’t performed live since March antique Roman statue that was im- It! (2), Ridiculousness (2) and The Chal- 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic Tported in Kim Kardashian’s name, though a lenge (2) are the top unscripted nominees. caused concerts to come to an abrupt halt rep for the star denies she ever purchased it. MTV’s Bruce Gillmer, Wendy Plaut and in the U.S. Instead, he has livestreamed The seizure of the statue occurred May Vanessa Whitewolf and Den Of Thieves’ Jesse solo performances from Freville Farm, the 3, 2016, when a custom’s officer contacted a Ignjatovic and Barb Bialkowski are executive 12-acre home in upstate New York where he Homeland Security Investigations Special producers for both shows. Jackie Barba and and his wife, photographer Sarah A. Fried- Agent for assistance regarding a shipment Alicia Portugal are executives in charge of man, have lived since 2013. that arrived at the Port of Los Angeles production and Lisa Lauricella serves as the The virus is of great concern to Neville, that contained an antique statue that was music talent executive for both shows. whose old age and asthma makes him espe- possibly protected cultural property from cially at risk of developing a severe case of Italy. The Customs entry form for the statue COVID-19. listed “Kim Kardashian dba Noel Roberts “I don’t want to get sick,” Neville said in Trust” in Woodland Hills, California, as the an article last year written for AARP. “So, I artifact’s importer, according to a complaint Announces canceled my tour dates and we’ve been home filed April 30 by the U.S. Attorney’s office in and isolated on our farm in New York.” California. The merchandise in the ship- He’s Retiring Neville’s solo career flourished after the ment was listed as having a gross weight of 1966 release of “Tell It Like It Is,” followed 5,000 kg and valued at $745,882. According From Touring by collaborations with on to documentation from the broker, Mas- “Don’t Know Much,” which peaked at No. terpiece International, the statue — which BY ASSOCIATED PRESS 2 on the in 1989, and “All depicts the lower half of a human figure — My Life” (No. 11 in 1990). was listed as “Fragment of Myron’s Samian ans of the sweet, melodic sounds He garnered much of his fame from his Athena, Limestone, Roman, 1st – 2nd of New Orleans’ legendary vocal- work with the Neville Brothers, an R&B, century A.D.” ist Aaron Neville won’t have many funk and soul group that was based in his Border patrol agents demanded docu- opportunities to hear him live from hometown of New Orleans and also con- mentation from Masterpiece International, Fnow on. sisted of his brothers Art, Charles and Cyril. which said it was told that the work did “not In posts Thursday (May 6) on his of- The group, which formally disbanded in originate from Italy.” However, government ficial website and via social media, Neville 2012, was known for closing out the New officials determined that this statement announced his official retirement from Orleans and Heritage Festival’s two- contradicted several of the entry documents touring. weekend run each spring. submitted, including the invoice, which Now 80, Neville said embarking on multi- indicated that the defendant statue did, date tours is no longer appealing. indeed, originate in Italy. “The time has come for me to stop ripping In a statement to NBC News, a rep for and running on the road,” Neville wrote. “I Kardashian denied that she ever bought waited for someone to invent a way to beam the statue. “We believe it may have been me from show to show but no such luck. ... purchased using her name without autho- Page 24 of 30

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rization and because it was never received, at a very young age — but it was his attrac- media and digital platforms, Gera owes it all she was unaware of the transaction,” the tion to artists such as Molotov, Control to a real friendship and the heart. rep said. “We encourage an investigation Machete, and King Lil G that sparked his “This song did not have a marketing strat- and hope that it gets returned to the rightful interest in hip-hop. egy or a plan. It has soul,” he says. “I wrote owners.” TMZ is reporting that sources say “I love their songs because they expressed it thinking about someone very important to the purchase was made by Kardashian’s what they felt without fear of anything,” he me and people can tell that it hurt me a lot. estranged husband, . says. “I began writing at the age of 13 and I can’t find any other explanation and it’s In February 2018, an archaeologist from never let go.” beautiful. You’re not only showing off your Italy’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage con- Finding his sound was also an easy pro- artistic side but also your human side.” ducted an analysis of the defendant statue cess for Gera, who always had the vision of Meet this week’s Billboard Latin Artist on determining it to be of classical Peplophoros being the fresh rapper that could fit in every the Rise below: style (early to mid-Roman Empire), which song. “My ideology was to create phrases Name: Gerardo Daniel Torres Montante represents a copy of an original Greek that people want to tattoo on themselves. Age: 26 sculpture. “Based on the information and My style had to be unique and sound like all Recommended Song: “Botella Tras scientific aspects the archaeologist pro- the artists that have influenced me,” he adds. Botella” - Gera MX, vided, the archaeologist opined that the With a trajectory that spans almost 10 Major Accomplishments: “Everything defendant statue was looted, smuggled and years, Gera recalls that the first time he that’s happening with this song!... For Mexi- illegally exported from Italy,” according to went viral was in 2014 with his song “Suelo can rap, it’s very difficult to enter the Bill- the complaint by the government. Soñar y Tropezarme,” which put on the map board charts because of our tone and sound. The statue is currently in the custody of his unapologetic and real music. It was the There is nothing wrong with that, but this U.S. Customs and Border Protection, where first time people sang one of his songs at a is something nice that’s happening to two it will stay during this case. The government concert, he says. friends from Mexico. It feeds your soul and is asking a judge to enforce the forfeiture of Now, the 26-year-old rapper is making the makes you believe in yourself 1,000 per- the statue. rounds with his Christian Nodal-assisted cent more. ‘Botella Tras Botella’ will make Billboard’s request for comment from Kar- “Botella Tras Botella,” which dropped April history. That, and also, to be able to have dashian’s rep was unanswered at press time. 23rd via Virgin Music México. Lacing both my mom, grandparents, and sister stable, of their genres, the breakup song, produced without nothing to worry about.” by Erick Gutierrez Cervantes and Edgar What’s Next: “Make good decisions for Latin Artist on Barrera, is a Country-tinged, acoustic ranch- my career. Be smart, stick with my team, era with Hip-Hop beats. release more music, do live shows. In fact, the Rise: How It has become a phenomenon. we announced a concert in Monterrey and “Botella Tras Botella,” which was born it sold out in 15 minutes. I’m just enjoying Mexican Rapper during a carne asada hang out in the midst this moment. I’ve worked hard for 10 years, of the pandemic, makes history on the Bill- it’s been a challenging but beautiful career Gera MX Made board Hot 100 chart as the first Regional and I think I finally found what I needed to Mexican title to enter the list in its almost be able to breathe. Now, I’m going to work History On 63-year history. In addition, the song also double to take this to the next level.” debuts at No. 3 on Hot Latin Songs and Billboard’s Hot 100 in the top 10 on both Global charts: No. 4 on Billboard Global Excl. U.S. and No. 9 BY JESSICA ROIZ on Billboard Global 200. “Christian and I live in the same resi- orn in Monterrey and raised in dential, and one day he rode his bike to my San Luis Potosi, Gera MX says house to hang out. I still can’t believe that his upbringing is what shaped his Nodal, this huge artist that everyone knows, career as one of Mexico’s hottest rides a bike to my house. That’s when I Brappers of the moment. knew he was part of la raza,” Gera express- “I come from a dangerous neighborhood es. “He played the melody on the and that made it easy for my lyrics,” he tells Bill- I just knew that this was the song. We hit board. “I had so many things to share, the studio, turned our feelings into lyrics, nothing was invented. I simply penned my and here it is. We weren’t even looking for feelings [on] paper.” it,” he continues. Gera MX discovered his love for music As for the song’s massive success on social Page 25 of 30

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were staying, there wasn’t a . So I was Coldplay Beam super grateful.” And in T-minus three days, Coldplay Digs ‘Deep’ Into Space for will perform “Higher Power” on Ameri- can Idol for the “Coldplay Songbook & With Massive Otherworldly Mother’s Day Dedication” episode Sun- day. The band will also open the 2021 Brit Digital Archive Premiere of Awards on Tuesday with the new single. “Higher Power” is the first taste of Cold- of 186 Bootlegs New Song play’s yet-untitled ninth album, which the band has been teasing via a worldwide viral BY GIL KAUFMAN ‘Higher Power’ campaign under the guise of AlienRadio. Watch the premiere of “Higher Power” earl Jam is throwing open the BY HERAN MAMO from high above and listen to the song doors to a massive digital archive below. of live recordings spanning nearly oldplay went out of this world 200 shows, 5,500 songs and two — literally — for the premiere of Pdecades. The massive drop encompasses their new single “Higher Power.” The Players fan-favorite bootlegs from tours in 2000, The British rock band beamed 2003, 2008 and 2013, according to a release Cthe first performance of “Higher Power,” Behind Doja Cat’s announcing the project that ropes in 186 live replete with dancing alien holograms, to shows and 5,404 individual tracks. French ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet on ‘’ The recordings can be accessed from the Thursday (May 6) before the song arrived “Deep” hub on the official PJ site — which on terrestrial platforms via / Feat. SZA: See requires membership in the Ten Club fan Atlantic. Pesquet is currently serving as mis- club, or through Apple Music and Spotify — sion commander aboard the International the Full Credits with each show featuring descriptions writ- Space Station, where he listened to the track ten by Ten Club members. PJ, known for for the first time. BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN mixing up its set list from night to night, is The empowering Max Martin-produced also offering some fan-curated playlists that hymn prods each listener to tap into their he Weekend’s “” include “Best of City,” “Best of Year,” “Best potential and find their greater purpose remix with Ariana Grande may Political Songs” and “Best Covers,” as well as with its punchy, spacey synths, which can have captured the top spot on starter packs for newbies such as “Pearl Jam feel like a scarier deep dive than actual the Billboard Hot 100 this For Dummies.” space exploration. Tweek, but another high-profile collabora- PJ has released hundreds of official boot- Frontman expanded on tion — Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” featur- legs of nearly all the band’s shows for the this to Pesquet, saying he believes “it’s safer” ing SZA — reached its own milestone on the past two decades, both on CD and digitally. for humans to scrutinize life on different chart by ranking at No. 6, its highest position The site’s Custom Setlist Generator makes planets because they’re too scared to look at on the tally yet. things even more personal by creating a life on Earth with the same lens. “Really it’s The track — the first song to be released one-of-a-kind playlist created by inputting one big allegory,” Martin adds. “The song is off Doja Cat’s forthcoming studio al- your name and birthday and picking a city; about trying to find the astronaut in all of us, bum Planet Her — debuted at No. 7 on the you can then save the playlist to Spotify the person that can do amazing things.” Hot 100 two weeks ago. It’s the second top or Apple Music and share it with friends But where the actual recording came 10 song for Doja Cat on the chart after “Say on and . As a bonus, the about is much more commonplace, accord- So” feat. Nicki Minaj, which peaked at No. 1 instant setlist manifests in singer Eddie ing to Martin’s interview with Apple Music’s in May 2020, and the fourth for SZA. Vedder’s handwriting with personal written Zane Lowe. “It came on a kitchen sink. A Explore the team of musicians, producers descriptions of the bootlegs from Ten Club bathroom sink. And then the title, ‘Higher and more behind the track with recording superfans. Power,’ had been around for a while. If you credits provided by Jaxsta below. Check out a band playlist below. go on my phone, there’s like 15 abandoned Artists: Higher Powers that aren’t that good. Voice Main Artist - Doja Cat notes,” he said. “And then it just dropped Featured Artist - SZA through that song. On a keyboard that my Songwriters: friend’s friend lent me. Because of where we Composer Lyricist - Amala Zandile Dlamini Page 26 of 30

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Composer Lyricist - Carter Lang cents on iTunes as part of the retailer’s “69¢ Composer Lyricist - David Sprecher Hits” sale (timed around the Saweetie & Composer Lyricist - Gerard A. Powell II April 25 Academy Awards). Composer Lyricist - Lukasz Gottwald ’ anthem, a 1985 Hot 100 Jhene Aiko to Composer Lyricist - Rogét Chahayed No. 1 from The Breakfast Club, paces the Composer Lyricist - Solána Rowe group at No. 14, up 834% to 5,100 sold in the Perform on Composer Lyricist - Stephen Kipner week ending April 29, according to MRC Composer Lyricist - Terry Shaddick Data. It also re-enters Alternative Digital Asian American Producers: Song Sales at No. 1 for its first week atop Co-Producer - Carter Lang the list, which began in 2011. Additionally, and Pacific Co-Producer - tizhimself the song earned 3.4 million radio airplay Producer - Rogét Chahayed audience impressions on stations that report Islander Advocacy Producer - Yeti Beats to the multi-metric Hot 100 and Hot Rock Engineers: & Alternative Songs charts, up 4%, and 2 TV Special Engineer - Joe Visciano million streams in the same tracking frame, Engineer - John Hanes up 1%. BY ASSOCIATED PRESS Engineer - Mike Bozzi The other movie titles to reach Hot Rock Mixing Engineer - Serban Ghenea & Alternative Songs boosted by iTunes’ latinum-selling performers of Labels: sale: ’s “When Doves Cry” (No. part-Asian descent, including Distributor - Sony Music Entertainment 15; 4,000 sold, up 593%), Twenty One R&B singer Jhené Aiko and rap- Label - Kemosabe Records/RCA Records Pilots’ “Heathens” (No. 16; 1,700 sold, per Saweetie, will perform on a Explore the full “Kiss Me More” credits up 510%), Prince and the Revolution’s PTV special produced by The Asian American on Jaxsta here. “Purple ” (No. 18; 4,400 sold, up 510%) Foundation, the newly formed organization and ’ “(Everything I Do) I Do launched to improve AAPI advocacy. It for You” (No. 19; 3,400 sold, up 372%). TAAF announced Thursday (May 6) that Soundtrack The Prince songs are from 1984’s Purple English icon Sting will also perform at “See Rain; “Heathens” was written for 2016’s Sui- Us Unite for Change — The Asian American Classics From cide Squad; and Adams’ classic was featured Foundation in Service of the AAPI Com- in 1991’s Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. munity.” It will air on May 21 on a number Simple Minds, Among all genres, the biggest ben- of channels, including MTV, BET, VH1 and eficiary of the soundtrack sale for the Comedy Central, as well as Facebook Watch. Prince & More week was , Lil’ TAAF’s launch comes as anti-AAPI hate Kim, Mya and P!nk’s “Lady Marmalade.” and violence persist at alarming rates. Actor Hit Hot Rock The 2001 Moulin Rouge! soundtrack smash Ken will host the special, which will surged by 2,976% to 9,000 sold and bounds include appearances by Daniel Dae Kim & Alternative in at No. 5 on the all-format Digital Song and Lisa Ling and “will feature testimonials Sales chart. from leading Asian American public figures, Songs Chart as well as individuals working to enact change ,” organizers said. BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD The TV special coincides with TAAF’s See Us Unite campaign, which launched Thurs- hanks to the iTunes Store’s latest, day and is designed to expand support for and ongoing, sale pricing, five clas- the AAPI community. The Ford Foundation, sic soundtrack hits return to Bill- MacArthur Foundation, The Henry Luce board’s Hot Rock & Alternative Foundation and the Wallace H. Coulter TSongs chart dated May 8, led by Simple Foundation have partnered with TAAF for Minds’ “Don’t You (Forget About Me).” the campaign, and funds raised will benefit Older songs are eligible to appear on several grassroot-led efforts, including Stop the Billboard Hot 100 and its subgenre AAPI Hate and Asian Americans Advancing charts if ranking in the top half and with a Justice. meaningful reason for their resurgences. In Aiko, who is part-Japanese, is one of the case of these five titles, all were dis- R&B’s top stars and has achieved multi-plat- counted in the chart tracking week to 69 inum status with songs like “Sativa,” “While Page 27 of 30

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We’re Young” and “The Worst.” Saweetie is in her pink hair opened the set with “Candy torrent of nine tracks, kicking off with her of Chinese, Filipino and Black descent, and Candy,” her second single from 2012. Seated cover of Capsule’s “Super Scooter Happy” has released hits like “,” “My Type” in an armchair in the living room at first, she from 2013 to brighten the mood. She then and “Best Friend,” featuring Doja Cat. stood up during the second verse to deliver followed up with “Todoke Punch” (2017), her song and dance with two other danc- performing the track alone and encourag- ers to the live audience. Her long-awaited ing the audience to punch the air together Kyary Pamyu with fans at the beginning of the with her. Next up was her hit song “Tsuke- show was already an emotional moment so matsukeru” (2012), performed with a team Pamyu Throws soon into the set. of dancers and fans providing backup by The pop artist then moved left into the happily doing the “Tsukema Dance.” Kyary a House Party kitchen to perform another early release, seemed moved by the sight and thanked “Cherry Bonbon” (2011), wearing an apron everyone for joining in. for Fans in First that one of the dancers handed to her. “Clap The segment was far from over, and Kyary your hands!” she called out, the crowd further hyped up the crowd with “Mottai- Live Concert in eagerly responding to her request. She then Nightland” (2013), delivering a blaring live scooted over to the right into the bathroom rendition that highlighted the dynamic Over a Year area and sang “Choudo iino,” also off her nature of the sparkly pop tune. While fans 2011 debut mini-album. Waving the shower weren’t able to sing along or cheer during BY BILLBOARD hose in one hand and joined by dancers who the set, the pop artist made sure everyone hop out from the bathtub, Kyary performed joined in on the fun by making eye contact -pop artist per- the tune in a flurry of bubbles. and providing pointers on how to mimic formed in front of an actual audience After the bathroom segment, the singer some of her hand moves. Like the way she for the first time in over a year on delivered “Scanty Skimpy” (2014) with a prompted fans to raise their hands during Apr. 17, at her Premium Live “Great dancer in a suit. Later joined by four other “Kizunami” (2018), her desire to uplift ev- JInvitation” double concerts at Ex Theater dancers, the vibrant performance of the erybody in the audience was apparent. Roppongi in . swinging number was like watching an “Having fun? Now let’s dance together!” The icon of kawaii is celebrating her entertaining musical film. Kyary called out, as the familiar dance beat tenth year in music in 2021, having made Kyary then paused to address her fans. of her debut single “” sparks her major label debut in August 2011 with “Hey everyone, long time no see! How’ve a wave of excitement over the crowd. her mini-album Moshi Moshi . In you been?” she asked, and the crowd re- Donning a hat decorated with flowers, she January, she launched her own sponded with enthusiastic applause. “It’s performed the electro-pop tune called KRK LAB and released the first single been a year and two months since I last saw while the audience danced along with her. off the new imprint, “GUM GUM GIRL,” to you. Thank you for coming even though the The marathon continued with ’s kick off the milestone year. pandemic is far from being over. I hope you “Ninja Re Bang Bang” (2013) remix, the The Premium Live “Great Invitation” enjoy this premium, one-day-only live show 8-bit game music beat further fueling the event was Kyary’s first live show during called Great Invitation.” euphoria in the air. her anniversary year, and also the first time She then went on to explain the concept Kyary kept the momentum going with a she performed for an in-house audience of the opening video. “The clip you saw in bop from last year, “Kamaitachi.” Originally in 14 months. The performance on the two the beginning like a scene from a movie ex- slated to be premiered in front of audiences stages strictly adhered to Tokyo’s COVID-19 presses the year I spent feeling sick of wait- during her cancelled 2020 tour, the live guidelines and protocols, with fans sending ing to be able to do concerts again, because version of the romantic number featuring love Kyary’s way by waving glow sticks and I thought that a phone not ringing for a year Japanese lore in its imagery was delivered to clapping only. really captured that sentiment,” she shared. fans at last. She the nonstop run The evening show began with an opening “When I found myself not being to do live with “Gum Gum Girl,” her latest single that video in the style of a black-and-white old shows [because of the pandemic], something features some serious battle scenes in the movie, showing the 28-year-old singer wait- that I used do on a routine basis almost, accompanying music video. Repeating the ing to be invited to a party. When the phone I thought a lot about things like what I’m key phrase, “Ippon! Ippon!,” Kyary nailed rings at long last to relay her invitation capable of providing.” the aggressive choreography that also in- to the gala, the video transforms to show “The theme of this show is something like corporates kicking action, portraying a cute Kyary’s smile in full color. ‘my home.’ I love being at home, so I wanted but tough ninja that embodies her signature The curtain then rose to the sound of a to give you all a peek into the wonderful aesthetic. toy piano, and the Harajuku princess wear- world that is my home. Enjoy!” The singer finally took a little break to ing a red-and-white dress and big ribbons Kyary then launched into a nonstop address fans again. “Going from ‘Kamaita- Page 28 of 30

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chi’ to ‘Gum Gum Girl’ really makes me lose she kept the crowd engaged in spite of the Concurrently, “Ski” earns 12.9 million my wind,” she confessed, sitting down on a restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 pro- U.S. streams on streaming platforms such as chair to catch her breath. She then opened tocols, encouraging everyone to participate Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and more in up about the inspiration behind her cos- and enjoy. The balanced mix of throwback the April 23-29 tracking week, which places tumes for the show. “Do you know a great tracks and recent releases showcased it at No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 in its French actress named Brigitte Bardot? I love Kyary’s evolution over the years, raising second frame on the survey after debuting at her and wanted to channel her style as the expectations for what’s more to come from No. 18. It’s featured on the album Slime Lan- motif for my costumes in order to express the princess of kawaii. guage 2, which drops to No. 2 on the Bill- this at-home feel. It ended up being a bit like This article by Keisuke Tsuchiya first ap- board 200 after debuting at No. 1. my look in ‘Furisodation,’” she shared, and peared on . The song ranks at No. 3 on Top Triller went on to explain that the props such as Global, meanwhile, where it trails new No. 1 the lamp, vase, and teapot were all antiques “Veere Kadh De” by India’s Sarthak Kalyani that she actually owned, plus some other & and Swagat Rathod. personal belongings. “Believe it or not,” she gushed, “the cushion was a birthday present ’s ‘Ski’ from [popular actor] Go Ayano!” The singer then informed fans that she Challenge Sends used her quarantine time from the past Sponsors Jerseys year to remedy her vision. “I got an opera- Song to Top tion called ICL on my eyes during this past for English Soccer year and two months, and now I have 20/20 Triller U.S. No. 1 vision without contacts. So I see all your Club Ipswich faces really clearly!” she said, pointing out BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD that she’d been aware of the signs that fans BY ASSOCIATED PRESS had brought. “And I see that sign that says, oung Thug and Gunna’s viral ‘Happy 10th Anniversary.’ Thank you.” hit “Ski” finds its way to No. nglish singer Ed Sheeran is the Emphasizing that “Yes, it’s my tenth anni- 1 on Billboard’s Top Triller new shirt sponsor for third-divi- versary,” she voiced her hope of doing various U.S. chart, crowning the list sion soccer club Ipswich. live shows during her milestone year. “Please datedY May 8. The longtime Ipswich fan, look forward to it!” she said, to the delight of The Top Triller U.S. and Top Triller Eknown for songs such as “” and fans responding with loud applause. Global charts highlight the biggest songs “Perfect,” signed a one-year deal Thursday Kyary then kicked off the remainder on Triller based on a formula blending the (May 6) to sponsor the men’s and women’s of the set, performing “Sai & Co” (2016) amount of views of videos containing a shirts next season. and encouraging everyone to dance with respective songs, the level of engagement “The football club is a big part of the local her to the marching beat. Riding high on with those videos and the raw total of videos community and this is my way of showing my the happy mood, she closed her hit-filled uploaded featuring each song, according to support,” said the 30-year-old musician, who set with “Otona na Kodomo” (2013), with Triller. Data for the charts is represented on grew up in the area. “I have always enjoyed lyrics that express the desire to become a a Friday-Thursday tracking week, with the my trips to Portman Road and I’m looking “sparkly” grown-up, in line with her will to latest period running April 23-29. forward to going back there as soon as sup- keep evolving after ten years in music. The “Ski” is somewhat tailormade for success porters are allowed into stadiums again.” curtain fell slowly after Kyary finished deliv- on the Top Triller U.S. chart; upon its April Ipswich is in the middle of the standings ering her positive messages to fans, and the 16 release, the song began to be featured in in League One with two games remaining, concert ended with a video that concluded user-generated clips for the #skichallenge, while the women’s team plays in the fourth with the words: “to be continued 10th AN- whose participants included , Chris division. NIVERSARY YEAR.” Brown and many more. An American consortium recently bought Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s first concert in “Ski” rises to No. 1 in its second week on the club and has pledged to invest in order front of a live audience since the pandemic the tally after debuting at No. 2 May 1. The to earn promotion to the second division. began brimmed with the cuteness and joy biggest Triller upload of the week for the “With the new owners from the U.S. com- that fans love and expect from her, while song came courtesy of Young Thug himself, ing in, there are sure to be exciting times also displaying her maturity and strength a clip of Italian soccer player Moise Kean ahead for Ipswich fans, including myself,” as an artist and entertainer. Her determina- participating in the challenge. According Sheeran said. tion to throw the best party even during a to Triller, the video has racked up 267,000 The new logo features mathematical pandemic could be sensed from the way plays since being uploaded April 22. symbols and the word “TOUR.” Sheeran’s Page 29 of 30

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albums use mathematical symbols as titles: limited edition art prints, vintage trading 2011’s + (Plus), 2014’s x (Multiply) and , cards and sticker sheet. 2017’s ÷ (Divide). In the past, Z2 Comics has worked on Z2 Comics graphic novels with the likes of , , and Jimmy Eat Uzi Is the First Team up For World. “Ever since I saw the Parade of the Dead concert I knew the Hilltop Hoods Turkish Artist to Alien Adventure would be down for anything,” enthuses Archer. “In the comic we throw monsters at Hit Global Excl. Graphic Novel them, we drown them in interdimensional ectoplasm and we blast them across a planet U.S. Chart in 2021 BY LARS BRANDLE in a rocket car. They read our story idea, nodded their heads and said ‘We love it’. It’s BY ERIC FRANKENBERG illtop Hoods have smashed been an absolute dream.” records in their homeland, It’s the latest outside-the-box project hirty international territories are Australia. Now the hip-hop for The Hoods, who founded Golden Era represented on the latest Bill- veterans are set to take-down Records, launched a sneaker range, and in board Global Excl. U.S. chart Haliens, through a groundbreaking alliance 2016 teamed up with (dated May 8), via artists from with Z2 Comics. on a world-first immersive 3D video, for Tsuch dominant mainstays as the U.K., Co- The Adelaide trio will make the leap into “Through The Dark”. lombia and Japan, to less saturated markets graphic novels for Hilltop Hoods Present: Hilltop Hoods have won multiple ARIA, such as France, Nigeria and Panama. Noctis, and become the first Aussie act to APRA and AIR Awards and in 2019 set the One country in particular makes more in- work with the U.S. comic publisher. record for most leaders by an Aussie band roads, as Uzi debuts at No. 165 with “Krvn,” Hoods founding members Pressure, or group (six), when The Great Expanse de- marking the first song by a Turkish act, and and DJ Debris are characters in the sci-fi ad- buted at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums Chart. in the Turkish language, to hit the chart venture and they’ll have their work cut out, Pre-order Hilltop Hoods Present: Noc- in 2021. It’s the second overall since the as they tackle “demonic aliens from another tis here. chart began last September. dimension,” a joint-statement reads. “Krvn” drew 8.6 million streams (and sold It’s a “childhood dream” realized, com- a nominal amount) outside the U.S. in the ments Suffa, who wrote the book with his JO1 Rules week ending April 29, according to MRC bandmates in partnership with Scott Dooley Data. Those figures almost mirror its overall (The New Yorker) and Andrew Archer (The Japan Hot 100 global totals, as nearly all its streaming and Tokyo 5), with art by Jeff Nice The( Tokyo 5). sales activity was from outside the U.S. As a lifelong fan of Deathlok, X-Force, as Four Songs The song was released March 19 on Uzi’s Spawn and others franchises, “I never latest full-length, Kan. The hypnotic track thought I’d be able to play a part in putting a Debut in Top 10 earned 1 million global streams in its first comic together, and Z2 have been so gener- week of release and grew from there. In ous with their knowledge, resources and BY BILLBOARD JAPAN the last four weeks, its streaming count has time,” Suffa notes. progressively increased by 45%, 33%, 82% “As for the writing and illustrations - I’ve our songs debut in the top 10 on this and, this week, 141%. been a fan of Tokyo 5 since its inception,” week’s , “Krvn” is currently No. 1 on Spotify and he adds, “Nice’s artwork is stunning, and dated April 26 to May 2, with JO1 No. 3 on YouTube in Uzi’s native Turkey. Andrew Archer writes like someone who re- leading the pack. The 11-member Uzi also ranks at Nos. 3, 4 and 5 on Spotify ally understands how comic book universes Fboy band’s new single, “Born To Be Wild,” Turkey’s weekly Top Songs list with “Um- should be constructed. Teaming them up rules the tally with 289,433 copies sold in its rumda Değil,” “Makina” and “Dua” (with with comedian Scott Dooley, who injected first week. The track leads physical sales and Gunes), respectively. his sense of humor throughout, has resulted look-ups, hitting No. 1 on the Japan Hot 100 Uzi joins Ezhel, who became the first in a really exciting comic that everyone’s powered by these two physical metrics of Turkish act to appear on the Global Excl. U.S. really proud of.” the chart’s methodology, while also coming chart, as “Allah’indan Bul,” also a Turkish- Hilltop Hoods Present: Noctis will hit in at No. 2 for Twitter mentions, No. 43 for language track, reached No. 139 in October. racks this October, with multiple versions video views, and No. 53 for downloads. Sales available for preorder through Z2, including dipped slightly from the group’s previous a deluxe and super deluxe edition, featuring single, “Stargazer” (313,504 copies in its first Page 30 of 30

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week), but the new global group continues to “Without You.” scope/Universal), which powers to No. 9 sustain its high appeal. Gold Coast singer Shark makes it two on the ARIA Chart. It’s lifted from the mul- Singer-songwriter ’s new from two, as bows at No. 1 tiple Grammy Award-winning pop star’s single called “Fushigi” ruled downloads this on the ARIA Albums Chart. Featuring sophomore album Happier Than Ever, due week with 41,578 units to bow at No. 2 on collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Keith out July 30. the Japan Hot 100. The new theme of an Urban and , Cry Forever is ongoing TV drama also comes in at No. 3 for the follow-up to her debut Love Monster, radio airplay, No. 8 for Twitter, and No. 21 which hit the top back in 2018. Sony’s Camila for streaming. Shark has been enjoying a winning streak Breakout singer Ado’s new single called of late. On Wednesday night (May 5), she Cabello-Starring “Odo” (the kanji character meaning collected the highest selling single trophy “dance”) debuts at No. 4. The follow-up to for the second successive year at the 2021 ‘Cinderella’ Heads her No. 1 smash “Usse-wa” — which remains , this time for a fixture in the top 10 at No. 9 this week — “.” to Prime, ruled video this week with 4,181,925 views Also new to the albums chart this week and also came in at No. 2 for downloads is Gojira’s Fortitude (Roadrunner/Warner), Bypassing (24,696 units), No. 3 for Twitter, No. 12 for new at No. 3. It’s the French metal band’s streaming, and No. 58 for radio. first appearance in the Top 10, and the fol- Theaters Juice=Juice’s “Down Town” — a cover lowup to 2016’s Magma, which peaked at of a J-pop classic by Sugar Babe, a legend- No 11. BY BILLBOARD STAFF ary ‘70s band led by veteran artist Tatsuro British outfit Royal Yamashita — hits No. 8 on the Japan Hot 100 Blood make a splash with Typhoons (War- ony’s live-action musical adapta- this week. The seven-member Hello! Project ner), new at No. 5. It’s the followup to their tion of Cinderella will bypass a ’s previous single “Pop Music” sophomore album How Did We Get So Dark, theatrical run, opting instead to also bowed in the top 10 at No. 8, but “Down which hit No. 4 back in June 2017. debut on Amazon Prime, sources Town” is out-performing its predecessor in DJ Khaled’s latest all-star album Khaled Sconfirm. A release later this year is planned. the radio metric, coming in at No. 4 whereas Khaled (Epic/Sony) gives the U.S.-based The film is the latest major studio film to “Pop Music” started out at No. 79. The radio- producer his fourth Top 10 in Australia. It launch on a streamer amid the ongoing friendly modern cover of a beloved classic opens at No. 7 on the ARIA Chart. fallout from the pandemic. could further expand the group’s reach. Meanwhile, Norwegian DIY artist Girl With the box office back and running, The Billboard Japan Hot 100 combines In Red (AWAL/Inertia) appears on the this summer’s theatrical release calendar is physical and digital sales, audio streams, ARIA Charts for the very first time, as her particularly crowded when it comes to fam- radio airplay, Twitter mentions, YouTube debut LP If I Could Make It Go Quiet starts ily fare. Cinderella was set to dance its way and GYAO! video views, Gracenote look-ups at No. 10. on the big screen in June. Directed by Kay and karaoke data. Over on the ARIA Singles Chart, The Cannon (Blockers) from her screenplay and See the full Billboard Japan Hot 100 chart, Kid LAROI shows some youthful energy as with a story by James Corden and produced dated April 26 to May 2, here. “Without You” vaults 10-1 in its 22 week. It’s by Corden, Cinderella stars Camila Ca- LAROI’s first No. 1 single. The lift follows bello in the title role, alongside Billy Porter, a remix which features U.S. pop start Mi- , Pierce Brosnan, Minnie , The ley Cyrus. Previously, “Without You” had Driver and Missy Elliott. logged five weeks at No. 2. Corden, whose London-based banner Kid LAROI Rule Earlier this year, the Sydney singer Fulwell 73 (The Late Late Show) is produc- and rapper made history by becoming ing together with Jonathan Kadin, also Australia’s Charts the youngest solo Australian artist to lead stars. Throughout the pandemic, Sony has the ARIA Albums Chart when F*ck Love sold off a number of its movies to streamers. BY LARS BRANDLE (Savage) climbed to the summit. The studio will reserve certain licensing The last time a homegrown single led rights to Cinderella, similar to other deals it t’s an all-Aussie double on Australia’s the Australian chart was in January 2020, has structured. charts this week as Amy Shark de- when ’s “” This article originally appeared on The Hol- buts at No. 1 on the national albums completed its record-setting 24th week at lywood Reporter. tally with Cry Forever (Wonderlick/ the top. ISony) and (Sony) bags his Finally, Billie Eilish has a 12th Top 10 first leader on the singles survey, with hit in Australia with “Your Power” (Inter-