Q1 2020 Trend Highlights

Home , Baby Pluto, Far Behind, Louis Bell, Poo Bear, The Audibles

Q1 2020 THETTHET SS AATETE OF OF THETHE HOT HOT 110000 TOPTOP 1010

HIGHLIGHTS

Compositional and Industry Trends for the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 The State of the Hot 100 Top 10 takes an in-depth look at Q1 2020's compositional and industry-related trends for the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. What follows are a few highlights from the report.

ARTISTS...... PAGE 3

SONGWRITERS...... PAGE 6

PRODUCERS...... PAGE 10

RECORD LABELS...... PAGE 13

COMPOSITIONAL TRENDS...... PAGE 16

Data is for songs that charted in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 and excludes holiday songs.

Data related to compositional characteristics are propriety to Hit Songs Deconstructed.

Artist, songwriter, producer, label and charting information are aggregated from the PRO’s, Billboard, and streaming platforms.

All credits are from the date songs entered the Top 10.

At times percentages may not add to 100% due to numbers being rounded up or down.

Production teams (i.e. The Audibles) are counted as a single producer.

(Q1 2020) Performing Artists 23 There were 20 primary artists PERFORMING ARTISTS and 3 featured artists in the Hot 100 Top 10 in Q1 2020. Only two scored a #1 hit, Roddy Ricch and 20 3 PRIMARY FEATURED Post Malone. ARTISTS ARTISTS

#1 HITS Primary Artists

Roddy Ricch 1 1 12 TOP 10 HIT #1 HIT WEEKS IN THE TOP 10 The Box

1 1 13 Post Malone TOP 10 HIT #1 HIT WEEKS IN THE TOP 10 Circles

Only two artists scored more than one Top 10 hit, Justin Bieber and Lil Uzi Vert.

Primary Artists with More than One Top 10 Hit

Songs

Yummy Intentions 3 11 10,000 Hours TOP 10 HITS WEEKS IN THE TOP 10

Justin Bieber

Songs

Baby Pluto Lo Mein 3 1 Silly Watch TOP 10 HITS WEEK IN THE TOP 10

Lil Uzi Vert Songwriters Select Report Highlights

(Q1 2020) Songwriters

Three songwriters landed three or 91 CREDITED more Top 10 hits, Poo Bear, Lil Uzi SONGWRITERS Vert, and Justin Bieber.

Songwriters with More than One Top 10 Hit

Songs Yummy Intentions 3 11 10,000 Hours TOP 10 HITS WEEKS IN THE TOP 10 Poo Bear

Songs Yummy Intentions 10,000 Hours 3 11 Justin Bieber TOP 10 HITS WEEKS IN THE TOP 10

Songs Baby Pluto Lo Mein 3 1 Silly Watch TOP 10 HITS WEEK IN THE TOP 10 Lil Uzi Vert

Songwriting team sizes of five or more have consistently been the most popular, while writers who go it alone have been few and far between. The only solo writer in Q1 2020 was Toni Watson (Tones and I).

Songwriter Team Size Q1 2020

80%

60% 57% 57%

40%

20% 17% 17% 5+ Songwriters 4% 4% MOST POPULAR 0% 5+ 2 4 3 1

#1 HITS Songwriters Roddy Ricch 30 Roc Kaan Gunesberk The Box The Box Circles

Post Malone Billy Walsh Frank Dukes Louis Bell Circles Circles Circles Circles

Producers Select Report Highlights

(Q1 2020) Producers 37 There were six producers with credits on CREDITED more than one Top 10 hit. PRODUCERS

Producers with More than One Top 10 Hit

Poo Bear Bugz Ronin Brandon Finessin Intentions, Yummy Baby Pluto, Lo Mein Baby Pluto, Lo Mein

FINNEAS OZ Max Martin everything i wanted HIGHEST IN THE ROOM Blinding Lights Lose You To Love Me Life is Good Stupid Love Producers

Producer team sizes of two remained the most popular in Q1 2020, accounting for 43% of songs. 30% were produced by one producer and only 21% were produced by team sizes of three or more.

Producer Team Size Q1 2020

60%

43% 43% 40% 30% 2 Producers 20% 17% MOST POPULAR 4% 0% 0% 2 1 3 4 5+

#1 HITS Producers

30 Roc The Box

(Q1 2020) Record Labels

Atlantic and Interscope landed the most songs in the Top 10 with five songs each. Atlantic also scored a #1 hit, The Box, which remained in the top spot for 11 weeks.

Atlantic Epic Warner 10 Columbia Interscope Warner Music RECORD Def Jam Republic Nashville LABELS EMG Vertigo

Labels with the Most Top 10 Hits

Atlantic Q1 2020 Atlantic 2019 Genre Breakdown Genre Breakdown

100% 100% 80% 57% 50% 50% 29% Atlantic 20% 14% Five Top 10 Hits 0% 0% Hip Hop/Rap R&B/Soul Hip Hop/Rap R&B/Soul Pop One #1 Hit

Interscope Q1 2020 Interscope 2019 Genre Breakdown Genre Breakdown

100% 100% 80% 64%

50% 50% 36% 20% Interscope 0% 0% Five Top 10 Hits Pop Hip Hop/Rap Pop Hip Hop/Rap

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HitSongsDeconstructed.com/matrixvocals Hot 100 Top 10 Compositional Trends Select Report Highlights

(Q1 2020) Hot 100 Top 10

There were 23 songs that charted in the Hot 100 Top 10 in Q1 2020, 13 of which entered the Top 10 for the first time. 23 2 Hot 100 Hot 100 Top 10 Songs #1 Hits

Adore You Lo Mein Baby Pluto ON 13 Blinding Lights Silly Watch NEW SONGS IN Don't Start Now Stupid Love THE HOT 100 Godzilla The Box TOP 10 Intentions Yummy Life Is Good

Staying Power: Weeks in the Top 10 in Q1 2020

12 10 10 8

5 5 4 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 ON The Box Yummy Godzilla Lo Mein Life Is Good Intentions Adore YouBaby Pluto Silly WatchStupid Love Don't Start NowBlinding Lights

In Q1 2020, only one new song charted at #1, The Box.

11 Weeks at #1

Primary Performing Artist: Roddy Ricch

Songwriters: 30 Roc, Roddy Ricch

Producer: 30 Roc

Record Label: Atlantic

Key Compositional Characteristics

Primary Genre: Hip Hop Key: Bb Minor Sub-Genres/Influences: Classical, Trap Form: I-B-A-B-A-B-O Lead Vocal Delivery Type: Sung & Rapped First Chorus Appearance: 0:16 / 8% of the Combo way into the song

Lyrical Themes: Boasting, Lifestyle Prominent Instruments: Bass Song Title Placement: Chorus (Synth), Claps, Drums/Perc (Primarily Length: 3:16 Electronic), Piano (Electric), Strings (String Tempo: 58 BPM Section), Synth (Non-Bass)

© 2010-2020 Hit Songs DeconstructedTM. All rights reserved. 18 of 24 Primary Genres Primary Genres Though pop fell in popularity by almost half from 2016 to 2018, the genre has seen a 70% prominent resurgence over the last two 60% years. By Q1 2020, 57% of songs belonged to 57% the pop genre compared to only 35% hip hop. 50%

40% R&B/soul continued on its downward 35% trajectory, dropping to just 4% of songs 30% during the first quarter of the year, with the sole representative being Lizzo's Good As Hell. 20% Country saw a similar turnout, with its sole hit being the Justin Bieber and Dan + Shay 10% collaboration, 10,000 Hours. 0% Hip Hop/Rap Pop Dance/club/electronic, rock and Latin were all no-shows.

Hip Hop vs. Pop Hot 100 Top 10

80% 68% 70% 59% 58% 60% 55% 57% 50% 52% 50% 43% 39% 40% 35% 35% 32% 28% 28% 30% 27%

20% 18%

10%

Q2/2018 Q3/2018 Q4/2018 Q1/2019 Q2/2019 Q3/2019 Q4/2019 Q1 2020

Hip Hop/Rap Pop

23 diverse sub-genres and influences shaped the sound and vibe of Q1 2020's Hot 100 Top 10 hits. Pop was the most popular influence across the Top 10 for the fourth straight quarter, followed by hip hop and trap rounding out the top 3. These three influences have consistently made up the top 3 since Q2 2017.

The quarter's two time-period influences stem from the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to hits such as Adore You and Blinding Lights, respectively. The quarter's geographic influences have roots in Asia (Lo Mein - Chinese; ON - Korean) and the tropics (Memories - Reggae).

Singer/songwriter has been on the rise and held steady for the second quarter in a row at 22% of songs, which is its highest level of popularity in over five years. Among the diverse hits that possess the influence are Post Malone's Circles and Selena Gomez's Lose You To Love Me.

Retro 1970s reached its highest level of prominence in over five years thanks to songs such as Harry Styles' Adore You and Lizzo's Good As Hell.

Singer/Songwriter Retro (1970s) Q2 2018 - Q1 2020 Q2 2018 - Q1 2020

30% 30% 22% 22% 20% 20% 17% 14% 13% 10% 8% 10% 7% 10% 4% 5% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 2/2018 3/2018 4/2018 1/2019 2/2019 3/2019 4/2019 1/2020 2/2018 3/2018 4/2018 1/2019 2/2019 3/2019 4/2019 1/2020

Trap Hip Hop Q2 2018 - Q1 2020 Q2 2018 - Q1 2020

100% 83% 79% 73% 90% 93% 70% 100% 85% 80% 56% 55% 57% 64% 64% 65% 43% 52% 50% 50%

0% 0% 2/2018 3/2018 4/2018 1/2019 2/2019 3/2019 4/2019 1/2020 2/2018 3/2018 4/2018 1/2019 2/2019 3/2019 4/2019 1/2020 © 2010-2020 Hit Songs DeconstructedTM. All rights reserved. 20 of 24 Sign Up for A PREMIERE Join the HSD SUBSCRIPTION Today Premiere Community and Save 15%! Use discount code TRENDS. Create music that competes at the highest levels through a deeper understanding of the techniques and trends behind today’s hits.

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After steadily decreasing in popularity from 2015 to 2018, songs with a solo lead vocalist have been on the rise, accounting for 78% of Top 10 hits in Q1 2020.

Solo lead vocalists have been on the rise both within and outside of the hip hop genre. Outside of hip hop, 80% of Q1 2020's Top 10 hits featured solo lead vocals, a near even match with songs within the hip hop genre (75%).

Solo vs. Multiple Lead Vocalists Q1 2020

100% 78%

50% 22%

Solo Lead Vocalist Multiple Lead Vocalists

Hot 100 Top 10: Hip Hop Hot 100 Top 10: Non-Hip Hop 2016 - Q1 2020 2016 - Q1 2020 100% 75% 68% 61% 65% 100% 80% 50% 69% 63% 39% 52% 58% 50% 32% 35% 48% 42% 25% 50% 31% 37% 20%

0% 0% 2016 2017 2018 2019 Q1 2020 2016 2017 2018 2019 Q1 2020

Solo Lead Vocalist Solo Lead Vocalist

Multiple Lead Vocalists Multiple Lead Vocalists

Male lead vocalists continued to dominate in Q1 2020, accounting for 74% of Hot 100 Top 10 hits. Female leads trailed far behind at 26% of 85% songs, and there were no songs that featured a HOT 100 TOP 10 male/female duet. MALE LEAD VOCALS

Outside the hip hop genre, songs with a male lead vocalist remained the most popular, accounting 60% for 60% of Top 10 hits during the first quarter of NON-HIP HOP SONGS 2020. Songs with a female lead accounted for 40% MALE LEAD VOCALS of hits, their highest level of prominence since Q4 2014.

Within hip hop, the disparity between male and 100% female lead vocalists is much greater. During the HIP HOP SONGS first quarter of the year, all songs featured a male MALE LEAD VOCALS lead vocalist.

Lead Vocal Gender Q1 2020

100%

80% 74%

60%

40% 26% 20%

0% 0%

Male Female

Male/Female

In 2019, average song length was 3:10 and 36% of songs were under three minutes. This is significantly lower than the averages for the previous five years (2014-2018), when average song 57% length ranged between 3:43 and 3:34. SONG LENGTH RANGE

However, in Q1 2020 average song length increased 3:00 - 3:29 to 3:17 (from 3:01 in Q4 2019) and only 22% of songs were under three minutes in length.

Song Length Range 3:17 2019 vs. Q1 2020 AVERAGE 80% SONG LENGTH 57% 60% 38% 40% 36% 22% 19% 20% 13% 7% 9% 0% Under 3:00 3:00 - 3:29 3:30 - 3:59 4:00 +

2019 2020

Average Song Length 2016 - Q1 2020

400

342 350 337 336 310 317 300 BPM

250

200 2016 2017 2018 2019 Q1 2020

Average

© 2010-2020 Hit Songs DeconstructedTM. All rights reserved. 23 of 24 WANT MORE? DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT! This 100+ page report will keep you in tune with how today's most successful songs are evolving.

Whether you want to work with COMPOSITIONAL TRENDS 2019 VS. Q1 2020...... PAGE 34 trends or against them, by staying in Primary Genres...... PAGE 43 tune with today's hit song landscape, Sub-Genres & Influences...... PAGE 46 you'll gain critical insight that can be Lead Vocals...... PAGE 54 Lyrical Themes...... PAGE 61 used to make strategic songwriting, Instruments...... PAGE 65 production and business decisions. Key...... PAGE 70 Tempo...... PAGE 73

INDUSTRY PLAYERS Song Length...... PAGE 77 Performing Artists...... PAGE 6 Song Form...... PAGE 82 Songwriters...... PAGE 15 First Section/Intro...... PAGE 84 Producers...... PAGE 19 Pre-Chorus...... PAGE 89 Record Labels...... PAGE 23 Chorus...... PAGE 92 Post-Chorus...... PAGE 96 SPOTLIGHTS Instrumental & Vocal Breaks...... PAGE 100 Q1 2020 New Arrivals...... PAGE 26 “D” (Departure) Sections...... PAGE 103 Q1 2020 #1 Spotlight...... PAGE 32 Last Section/Outro/Endings...... PAGE 106

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