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Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE JUNE 1, 2021 Page 1 of 28

INSIDE Smooth Start: BTS’ ‘Butter’ Blasts In • ’s ‘Sour’ Debuts at No. at No. 1 on 1 on Chart With BY GARY TRUST 2021’s Biggest Week TS’ “Butter” bounds in at No. 1 on the Bill- due to the May 31 Memorial Day holiday in the U.S.) • TuneCore Owner Believe Lowers board Hot 100 songs chart. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @ Target by 40% With The song marks the superstar South billboardcharts on both and . €300 Million IPO Korean septet’s fourth Hot 100 No. 1, all “Butter,” released on HYBE/BigHit Entertainment/ Bin the last nine months, marking any act’s quick- , is the 1,125th No. 1 in the Hot 100’s • Coachella and Stagecoach est accumulation of four initial leaders since Justin 62-year history, and the 54th to enter on top. Here’s Will Return in April Timberlake a decade-and-a-half ago. Among groups, a deeper look at its launch. 2022: Promoter BTS has landed its first four No. 1s the fastest since the Streams, sales & : Following its May 21 Jackson 5 in 1970. release, “Butter” drew 32.2 million U.S. streams and • UK Festival Season Facing ‘Make Or Plus, Olivia Rodrigo charts three songs in the Hot sold 242,800 downloads in the week ending May 27, Break Moment’ 100’s top 10, as “,” which a week earlier pre- according to MRC Data. It also attracted 18.1 million miered at the summit, ranks at No. 2; “Deja Vu” hits radio airplay audience impressions in the week ending • Def Jam Executive a new high at No. 3; and “Traitor” begins at No. 9. All May 30. Rich Isaacson Departs Label three songs are from her debut LP Sour, which soars The track debuts atop the Digital Song Sales chart, in at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with the big- where it’s BTS’ seventh No. 1, extending the act’s re- • How Marshmello gest week for an so far in 2021. cord for the most among groups. Meanwhile, the song’s Altered Reality Thanks to her three top 10s this week, Rodrigo 242,800 sold mark the most in a week since BTS’ own for His UEFA Champions League makes history as the first artist to chart three songs “Dynamite” opened with 300,000 (Sept. 5, 2020). Final Performance in the Hot 100’s top 10 simultaneously all from a “Butter” also begins at No. 4 on Streaming debut album. Songs and No. 39 on ; it’s the act’s second • Records The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (of- entry and top start on the latter list, after “Dynamite,” Names Jamila Thomas as ficial audio and official video), radio airplay and sales which entered at No. 49 last September and hit No. 10 Marketing VP data. All charts (dated June 5) will update on Bill- in December. board.com tomorrow (June 2, a day later than usual (continued)

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IN BRIEF

BTS’ 4th Hot 100 No. 1: “Butter” arrives weeks (Sept. 9, 2006-April 21, 2007) released May 28, also priced at 69 as BTS’ fourth Hot 100 No. 1. Here’s a recap. The Jackson 5, eight months and two weeks cents, will impact the song on next week’s “Dynamite,” three weeks at No. 1, begin- (Jan. 31-Oct. 17, 1970) Hot 100, dated June 12 and reflecting sales ning Sept. 5, 2020 BTS, nine months (Sept. 5, 2020-June 5, in the May 28-June 3 tracking week. “Savage (Laxed – Siren Beat),” with 2021) (Two other versions of “Butter” on sale Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo, one week, Oct. , nine months and three weeks via BTS’ U.S. webstore, a 7-inch vinyl single, 17, 2020 (Aug. 4, 1990-May 25, 1991) for $7.98, and a cassette single, for $6.98, will “Life Goes On,” one week, Dec. 5, 2020 Paula Abdul, one year (Feb. 11, 1989-Feb. 10, count for chart tabulation only once they are “Butter,” one week to-date, June 5, 2021 1990) shipped to consumers, expected to be later As “Dynamite,” “Life Goes On” and “But- Among all quartets of Hot 100 No. 1s, not this month.) ter” have all debuted at No. 1 on the Hot just acts’ first four leaders, BTS has earned Olivia Rodrigo claims three songs in the 100, BTS is the first group with a trio of No. its four the fastest since also earned Hot 100’s top 10, led by “Good 4 U” at No. 1 entrances; no other group has more than four over nine months in 2010-11, after four 2, a week after debuting at No. 1. The track one. leads all acts with five over eight months all in 2010. (She had sports gains in all metrics, at it spends a No. 1 starts. already tallied five No. 1s before 2010, in second week atop (62.7 Fastest first 4 No. 1s since …: BTS has 2006-08.) million, up 45%). achieved its first four Hot 100 No. 1s over ‘Butter’ & churn at No. 1: “Butter” is the Rodrigo’s “Deja Vu” darts 13-3 on the Hot a span of exactly nine months, from charts 10th song to score its first week at No. 1 on 100, surpassing its prior No. 8 peak regis- dated Sept. 5, 2020, through June 5, 2021. the Hot 100 in 2021. This year marks the tered upon its April 8 debut. Leading its lift, That’s the quickest accumulation of four ini- first in which at least 10 songs have hit No. it charges 20-2 on Streaming Songs for a tial leaders since Justin Timberlake earned 1 by the first chart dated in June since the new high, up 79% to 32.8 million streams. the honor over seven months and two weeks Hot 100 began using MRC Data (formerly (Chart déjà vu: The lyrics of Rodrigo’s in 2006-07. Nielsen Music) information in November “Deja Vu” shout out Billy Joel and his hit Among groups, BTS wraps the fastest 1991. It follows 2020’s total of 20 new No. 1s, “Uptown Girl,” and both songs now boast run to four initial Hot 100 No. 1s since the likewise the most in a year since 1991. No. 3 Hot 100 peaks. Joel’s classic reached Jackson 5 in 1970. “Butter” is also the seventh song to debut the rank in November 1983. Rodrigo also Here’s a look at the elite seven acts to land at No. 1 on the Hot 100 in 2021. A record sings about Glee in “Deja Vu.” The cast their first four Hot 100 leaders in under a 12 titles launched at the summit last year of the 2009-15 Fox TV series logged 207 year (dating to each act’s first week at No. 1): after no more than four did in any previous entries, the second-most all-time after , four months (Feb. 1-May 30, year. ’s 233, and is now mentioned in a 1964) ‘Hotter’ forecast: Sales for “Butter” in its hit ranking one spot higher than its best: The Supremes, seven months and one week first week reflect availability for its original the Glee Cast reached a No. 4 high, among (Aug. 22, 1964-March 27, 1965) and instrumental versions, both discounted three top 10s, with its breakthrough cover Justin Timberlake, seven months and two to 69 cents. Those versions, plus a “hotter” of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” which

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DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS 2021 COUNTRY POWER PLAYERS

Billboard’s eighth annual Country Power Players CONTACTS issue will profile the people who have driven Joe Maimone another solid year for the industry, 201.301.5933 | [email protected] generating billions in sales, streaming and Lee Ann Photoglo publishing. This special feature will highlight the top 615.376.7931 | [email protected] executives, artists and changemakers who kept the music playing during an incredibly challenging Cynthia Mellow 615.352,0265 | [email protected] year, as well as coverage of the changing face of country music. Marcia Olival 786.586.4901 | [email protected]

Advertise in Billboard’s Country Power Players Ryan O’Donnell issue to congratulate this year’s honorees while +447843437176 | [email protected] reaching key decision-makers who are driving the music business.

ISSUE DATE 6/26 | AD CLOSE 6/16 | MATERIALS DUE 6/17 BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE Page 4 5 OF of 1928

ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] IN BRIEF SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country hit No.A lbu4 in Junems; 2009. Brett YoungGiveon, keeps ‘Catc at No. 6;h The’-es Weeknd Fifth and Airplay Plus, Rodrigo’s “Deja Vu” becomes the Ariana Grande’s “Save Your Tears” rebounds Olivia Rodrigo’s highest-chartingLea Hotder; 100 hit by Travis that title. 9-7Denning after two weeks at No. Makes 1; Doja Cat’s History Now at No. 3 after previously reaching No. “Kiss Me More,” featuring SZA, rises 10-8 ‘Sour’ Debuts at 8, it surpasses Beyoncé’s song of the same after reaching No. 5; and, below Rodrigo’s Samname, Hunt featuring’s second Jay-Z, studio a full-length,No. 4 hit in and 2006, first in over“Traitor,” five years, Masked Southside Wolf’s sales “Astronaut (up 21%) inin the the tracking No. week. On 1 Country on Airplay, Billboard it hops 18-15 (11.9 mil - (MCAas well Nashville/Universal as J. Cole’s, which Music reached Group Nashville), No. 7 in debutsOcean” at No. 1climbs on Billboard 11-10’s after lion hitting audience No. impressions,6, as it up 16%). Top2016.) Country Albums chart dated April 18. In its first leadsweek (ending the multi-metric April 9), it chart earned 46,000 equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH200 YOUNG Brett Albums Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingRounding to Nielsen out Rodrigo’sMusic/MRC three Data. simultane- for a second week. and total No. 1 as “Catch” (Big Machine Label Group) ascends ousSouthside Hot 100 marks top 10s, Hunt’s “Traitor” second debuts No. 1 on at the Again, for all chart news, you can follow Chart2-1, increasing 13%With to 36.6 million 2021’s impressions. chartNo. 9. and Thanks fourth to top “Good 10. It 4follows U,” “Deja freshman Vu” and LP @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Young’s first of six chart entries, “Sleep With- Montevallo“Traitor,” all, which from arrived her debut at the album summitSour in No, - Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated Biggestout You,” reached No.Week 2 in December 2016. He vemberRodrigo 2014 is the and first reigned artist for ninein the weeks. Hot To100’s date, June 5), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, followed with the multiweek No. 1s “In Case You Montevallo has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved millionhistory in to album chart sales. three concurrent songs in will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow BYYou” KEITH (three, CAULFIELD January 2018), “Mercy” (two, August theMontevallo top 10 all has from spent a 267first weeks LP. on the list, tying (June 2). 2018) and “Here Tonight” (two, April 2019). LukeMeanwhile, Bryan’s Crash Rodrigo My Party ups as herthe sixth-longest- count to four “Catch” completeslivia Rodrigo his longest captures journey the to big No.- 1, runningcareer Hot titles 100 in the top chart’s 10s, as 56-year “Good history. 4 U,” “Deja having takengest 46 weeksweek ofto reach2021 forthe anapex. album, It out - Vu”On and the “Traitor”all-genre Billboard follow “Drivers 200, Southside License” ar- paces the 30-weekas her climbdebut of release, “Here Tonight.”Sour, opens rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On , “Catch” pushes 7-5 for HUNT YOUNG after(also the on No.Sour 3-peaking), which Montevallo debuted at. No. 1 in a new high.at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 JanuaryHunt first and released spent theeight EP X2Cweeks, which on top.debuted Ochart with 295,000 equivalent album units andElsewhere peaked at inNo. the 5 on Hot Top 100’s Country top 10, Albums Dua in August 2014. Following COMBS ‘DOES’ IT AGAIN Lukeearned Combs in the’ “Does U.S. to in Me” the (River week House/Columbia ending May MontevalloLipa’s “Levitating,”, Between the featuring Pines: Acoustic DaBaby, Mixtape dips started at its No. 7 high in Nashville), featuring Eric Church27, according, ascends to 11-8 MRC on Country Data. Airplay, up 10% to November3-4 after reaching 2015. No. 2 and “Leave the Door 24.7 million in audience. The Soursong alsois Combs’ launches eighth with straight the career-openingsecond-larg- 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:Open” by “Leave Silk theSonic, Night the On,” duo “Take of Bruno Your Time,”Mars “House Party” and “Make promoted No. 1 singles. est streaming week ever for a non-R&B/hip- Youand Miss Anderson Me.” “Break .Paak, Up descends in a Small 4-5 Town” after peaked two at No. 2. Church adds his 15th Countryhop album, Airplay andtop 10. second-biggest for an album nonconsecutiveHunt co-penned weeks all 12 songsat No. on 1. TheSouthside latter, including “Body Like a Back of any genre by a female artist. Road,”adds a whichseventh was week released atop in Radio 2017. The Songs smash (89 hit ruled Country Airplay for THAT TOOK QUITE ‘A FEW’ SourMONTHS is the Travis singer- Denning shatters and the recordactress’ for threemillion, weeks down and 1%),the airplay-, while ruling streaming-Hot andR&B sales-based Hot Country Songs the most weeks it has takendebut to penetrate album, the and Country was preceded Airplay top by 10 a astrio “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 - FloridaSongs for a 10th Line week’s “Meant and Hot to Be” R&B/Hip- (50 weeks atop the latter list in 2017-18). lion in radio reach. of top 10 hit singles on the Billboard Hot Hop“Downtown’s Songs for aDead,” fifth whichframe; is bothalso onmulti- the new set, reached Nos. 14 and 15 The song surpasses two tracks100 earlier that took in 2021,50 weeks including each to entertwo No. the 1s:top 10: onmetric Hot Country charts use Songs the and same Country methodology Airplay, respectively, as in June 2018. “Kin- Easton Corbin’s “A Girl Like“Drivers You,” which License” reached and No. “Good 10 in 4January U.” Before 2018 be- folks”the Hot led 100. Country Airplay on Feb. 29, becoming Hunt’s seventh No. 1. It hit fore peaking at No. 6 that February,“Drivers and License” Aaron Watsondebuted’s “Outta at No. Style,” 1 on whichthe No.Justin 3 on Hot Bieber’s Country former Songs. one-week Hot 100 achieved its No. 10 high in DecemberHot 100 in 2017. January, Rodrigo broke through 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 No. 1 “Peaches,” featuring Daniel Caesar and with roles on ’s Bizaard- 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 2021 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Over the past 25 years, the trio—will.i.am, The album single from December 2020, “GIRL LIKE ME” apl.de.ap, and Taboo—earned six GRAMMY® Awards and [feat. ] achieved success on Latin and Top 40 achieved sales of 35 million albums and 120 million singles radio, and was the subject of a viral TikTok challenge in across seminal releases such as Elephunk, The E.N.D., and late 2020. The success of TRANSLATION continues to more demonstrate Black Eyed Peas’ ability to reinvent themselves along with the ceaseless changing of the times. One of the era’s biggest acts, they emerged as “the second best-selling artist/group of all-time for Please join Billboard as we celebrate the 25 years of downloaded tracks,” (Nielsen) and landed on Billboard’s Black Eyed Pea success as one of the most compelling “Hot 100 Artists of the Decade.” In 2011, they dazzled the acts in the music world with a landmark performance at the Super Bowl XLV Halftime Show. CONTACTS

Joe Maimone Their eighth studio album, TRANSLATION, achieved 201.301.5933 | [email protected] staggering international success after its release in 2020, and features major collaborations with artists such as J Lee Ann Photoglo 615.376.7931 | [email protected] Balvin, Ozuna, , Shakira, Nicky Jam, and . The album resulted in a series of chart-topping singles, Cynthia Mellow including the massively successful “RITMO (Bad Boys For 615.352,0265 | [email protected] Life)” [feat. J Balvin] and “MAMACITA” [feat. Ozuna and Marcia Olival J.Rey Soul], both of which achieved #1 status on three 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Billboard Charts each, numerous award nominations, and Ryan O’Donnell gold, platinum, and diamond certifications globally. +447843437176 | [email protected]

ISSUE DATE 6/26 | AD CLOSE 6/16 | MATERIALS DUE 6/17 Page 7 of 28

IN BRIEF

vark in 2016 and Disney+’s High School see her debut charting album open at No. 1 ous: The Double Album is a non-mover at No. Musical: The Musical: The Series in 2019 since Invasion of Privacy. 4 with 55,000 equivalent album units (up – along with contributions to those shows’ Second-Largest Streaming Week for 4%), while ’s previous chart- soundtrack albums. a Non-R&B/Hip-Hop Album: Sour starts topper A Gangsta’s Pain falls 3-5 with 49,000 The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most with 218,000 SEA units – totaling 300.73 units (down 12%). ’s Shiesty popular albums of the week in the U.S. based million on-demand streams of the album’s Season returns to the top 10, vaulting 32-6 on multi-metric consumption as measured 11 tracks. That marks the second-largest with 35,000 units (up 97%) after the album in equivalent album units. Units comprise streaming week for both a non-R&B/ was reissued on May 21 with four additional album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) hip-hop album and second-biggest for an tracks. The album was initially released on and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). album by a woman of any genre. Ariana Feb. 5 with 17 tracks and peaked at No. 3 on Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 indi- Grande’s Thank U, Next continues to hold the March 20-dated chart. vidual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 the record for the largest streaming week ’s slips 5-7 on ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription for a non-R&B/hip-hop set, and any album the Billboard 200 with 34,000 equivalent on-demand official audio and video streams by a woman, with 307.07 million streams album units earned (down 16%). generated by songs from an album. The new for its 12 tracks in its first week (chart dated 42 Dugg scores his first Billboard 200 top June 5, 2021-dated chart (where Sour debuts Feb. 23, 2019). 10, and second charting album, as Free Dem at No. 1) will be posted in full on Billboard’s Sour’s Short and Sweet Arrival: With Boyz bows at No. 8 with 32,000 equivalent website on Wednesday, June 2 (one day just 11 tracks in total on Sour, the album is album units earned. Of that sum, SEA units later than usual due to the May 31 Memorial the shortest No. 1, by track count, since BTS’ comprise 31,000 (equaling 43.56 million Day holiday in the U.S.). For all chart news, eight-track Be debuted at No. 1 on the Dec. on-demand streams of the album’s tracks), follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on 5, 2020-dated chart. It’s fairly unusual for album sales comprise 1,000 and TEA units both Twitter and Instagram. such a short album to crown the Billboard comprise a negligible total. The album Of Sour’s 295,000 equivalent album units 200. Of the 27 No. 1 albums in the past 12 features his recent Hot 100 hit “4 Da Gang,” earned in the tracking week ending May 27, months (from June 6, 2020-onwards), 20 of with Roddy Ricch. SEA units comprise 218,000 units (equal- them had at least 15 tracks in their open- Rounding out the new top 10 on the Bill- ing 300.73 million on-demand streams of ing week, and 11 of those had at least 20. board 200 are ’s former lead- the album’s 11 tracks), album sales comprise (Some albums will garner a reissue in their er Justice (7-9 with 31,000 equivalent album 72,000 (making it the top-selling album of first week of release, adding further tracks units; down 10%) and Pop Smoke’s Shoot the week) and TEA units comprise 4,000. beyond their standard core tracklist. And for the Stars (holding at Sour was released on May 21 via Geffen many albums typically get reissued weeks No. 10 with 30,000 units; down 1%). Records/Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA). It’s and months later, with additional tracks. So the second No. 1 for Geffen this year, fol- far, Sour only has 11 tracks across all retail- lowing Rod Wave’s SoulFly (Alamo/Geffen/ ers and streamers.) TuneCore IGA, April 10-dated chart). One last note on Sour’s debut: It brings Biggest Week of 2021 for an Album: With just the second person named Olivia to No. 1 Owner Believe 295,000 units, Sour surpasses 2021’s previous on the Billboard 200. Before Olivia Rodrigo, biggest-week, tallied by ’s - the only Olivia to top the chart was Olivia Lowers Target less (Taylor’s Version) when it bowed 291,000 Newton-John, with two No. 1 albums units (April 24-dated chart). (Swift herself in 1974 and 1975 (If You Love Me Let Me by 40% With has a writing credit on Sour, as the track “1 Know and Have You Never Been Mellow). Step Forward, 3 Steps Back” samples the J. Cole’s The Off-Season falls 1-2 in its sec- €300 Million IPO Swift-penned “New Year’s Day,” from Swift’s ond week on the Billboard 200 with 92,000 2017 Reputation album.) equivalent album units earned (down 67%). BY TATIANA CIRISANO Dominant Debut: Sour captures the score their third top largest week, by units, for an act’s debut five-charting Billboard 200 entry, as the aris-based music distributor and charting effort since the Billboard 200 tran- rock act’s latest studio album, Scaled and Icy, artist services company Believe sitioned from an album-sales only ranking bows at No. 3 with 75,000 equivalent album launched its initial public offering to an equivalent album units-based chart on units earned. Of that sum, album sales (IPO) on the Euronext Paris stock the Dec. 13, 2014 survey. It beats ’s comprise 51,000, SEA units comprise 24,000 Pexchange Tuesday (June 1), although with a debut studio set, and first Billboard 200 en- (equaling 33 million on-demand streams of lower target than initially planned. try, Invasion of Privacy, which opened at No. the album’s tracks) and TEA units comprise When the French financial regulatory 1 on the April 21, 2018 chart with 255,000 less than 1,000. body approved Believe’s IPO registration units. Rodrigo is also the first woman to Morgan Wallen’s former No. 1 Danger- document early last month, Believe said it Page 8 of 28

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planned to raise 500 million euros ($608 Believe is accelerating its development million). In its IPO announcement, Believe driven by its profitable growth trajectory. It Coachella and reduced that target by 40% to 300 million will allow us to finance our growth, in par- euros ($367 million). ticular through targeted acquisitions.” Stagecoach Will Believe plans to sell a maximum of 15.4 “Developing an innovative technological million shares within an indicative price platform, having the best digital expertise Return in April range of 19.50 euros to 22.50 euros per share. on the market, with local teams close to French investment fund Fonds Stratégique artists and independent labels to build 2022: Promoter de Participations (FSP) is investing 60 mil- relationships of trust with them based on lion euros to participate in the IPO. respect, transparency and fairness: these are BY BROOKS The offering begins today and is expected the fundamental elements serving our ambi- to close at end of trading on June 8 for tion,” he continued. “Participating in this oachella and Stagecoach will re- shares in France and June 9 for internation- IPO, the first one of a Next 40 company, is turn in April 2022 after a two-year al share transactions. Pricing of the offering also an investment in the success of tomor- pandemic pause, officially ending will also take place on June 9, and Believe row’s artists and independent labels.” speculation that North America’s plans to start trading on the Paris Euronext (The Next 40 is a list of French com- Clargest multi-genre and its on June 10, with the ticker symbol BLV. panies tipped to become leaders in the largest country music festival would attempt Despite the reduced price target, Be- technology sector.) an October comeback. lieve’s IPO comes at a time when global Founded in 2005, Believe provides dis- “We look forward to being in the desert music assets are fetching high prices. K-pop tribution to major streaming services like next April with all of our friends,” festival label Big Hit Entertainment, the company and , digital marketing, founder and Goldenvoice president and synonymous with boy BTS, raised playlist pitching, sync services and more for chief executive Paul Tollett told Bill- $840 million in a public offering on the artists like Parcels, Gavin James and FKJ. board in a statement. South Korean stock exchange last October, It acquired New York-based distribution Today, festival organizers Goldenvoice and then, after naming the company HYBE, company TuneCore in 2015. announced that both Coachella and Stage- acquired Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Hold- Last month, Believe revealed that it pro- coach are returning next spring, with the ings for $1.05 billion in April. That followed vided services to more than 850,000 artists first weekend of Coachella scheduled April ’s purchase of Brazilian indie (either directly or through their labels) and 15-17, the second weekend scheduled for label Som Livre for $255 million. (Financial recorded 728 million euros in digital music April 22-24, and Stagecoach scheduled to music executives at the time said they were sales in 2020, up 54% from 472 million eu- take place April 29-May 1. stunned by the Ithaca valuation, especially ros in 2018. In the first quarter of 2021, the Lineups have not yet been released and after Braun and Ithaca’s financial backer, the company says it made 124 million euros in organizers tell Billboard the reason for Carlyle Group, sold the crown jewel of the revenue, a 26% uptick from the first quarter today’s announcement was simple — they Big Machine labels — Taylor Swift’s catalog of 2020. wanted to open up Coachella’s payment plan — to Shamrock Holdings for an estimated This article was updated June 1 at 2:45 program for fans looking to pay for their $300 million last November.) p.m. EST tickets in installments. Presale and payment In a statement, Believe founder and plan tickets for Coachella go on sale Friday CEO Denis Ladegaillerie shared his aim at 10 a.m. Pacific. for Believe to become “the global leader in Coachella was first pushed March 9, 2020 developing independent artists and labels in to October 2020, only to be canceled for the the digital world,” claiming that in the first year when it became clear the COVID-19 quarter of 2021, Believe attracted the largest pandemic was showing no signs of slow- number of those clients since its creation. ing down. Plans to host the festival in April “Over the past few weeks, we have met 2021 were scrubbed during the early weeks with a number of investors who have under- of January, without a new date being set. stood why Believe is ideally positioned to While Goldenvoice officials considered benefit from the digitalization of the music trying to bring back the festival in October market and the rise of independent artists 2021, Variety reported in March that the and labels,” he said, noting the FSP. “This plan was no longer on the table and that the transaction aims to build a solid and bal- festival would not return until 2022. anced shareholder base alongside TCV, our The decision not to return in October will historical long-term shareholder specializ- likely disappoint Palm Springs businesses ing in technology companies, at a time when in the tourism and hospitality sector, but Page 9 of 28

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the shortened time frame created too much ture of U.K. music festivals began on Nov. uncertainty for Goldenvoice. California UK Festival 6, with Massive Attack’s Robert Del health officials didn’t announce that festi- Naja, Paul Reed, chief executive at the As- vals would be allowed to return in 2021 until Season Facing sociation of Independent Festivals, and Sa- late March, giving Goldenvoice less than cha Lord, co-founder of festival, six months to plan, book and sell tickets for ‘Make Or Break among the execs called to give evidence two festivals that typical take at least 12 to 18 before members. months of planning. Moment’ UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku-Good- Coachella was first launched in October win welcomed the committee’s recom- 1999 and lost so much money, organiz- BY RICHARD SMIRKE mendations and said the report arrived at ers were almost bankrupted. The second a “make or break moment for this year’s Coachella took place in April 2001 and it has ONDON – The U.K. faces another summer festival season.” been staged in April a total of 18 times, mak- lost summer of cancelled festivals In 2019, almost 1,000 music festivals took ing it the unofficial kickoff event for the -con unless the government steps in to place in the U.K., attended by more than five temporary music festival world. Only two provide urgent financial support, million people and contributing £1.7 billion major national events — La report from Parliament’s Digital Culture, ($2.4 billion) to the economy, according to in Austin, and the EDM-focused Ultra Media and Sport Committee warns. the umbrella industry association LIVE. in Miami — take place before Coachella. The report backs calls from across the live Last year, all but a handful of socially dis- Stagecoach was launched in 2014. industry for a government-backed insur- tanced events were cancelled as a result of That pole position placement for Coach- ance scheme that would cover the cost of COVID-19, leading to a 90% fall in revenues. ella, coupled with its massive paid daily last-minute cancellations as a result of CO- This year has also seen the cancellation attendance of 125,000, makes the festival VID-19 for music events scheduled to take of more than a quarter of U.K. festivals highly influential in the live music business place after June 21. That’s the earliest pos- with capacities of 5,000 or more, includ- and serves as a preview for which acts are sible date that the British government has ing Glastonbury, Download, BST Hyde playing major festivals that summer. Pre- said that and festivals can resume Park and Bluedot, according to research sales and payment plan tickets go on sale 10 without restrictions in the U.K. cited by the committee. months before the festival and Goldenvoice Despite repeated calls from live execs for Many more cancellations will follow if gives fans six months to pay for their $429 the government to introduce insurance pro- insurance is not immediately provided, with tickets. After an initial deposit is made in tections in the U.K., ministers have ruled out independent promoters and festivals hard- June, $67.33 is deducted from fans accounts such support before all pandemic-related est hit, the committee says. “Without the monthly from July to December. restrictions are lifted. That would be too backing of large, transnational companies, Once those tickets are sold, Goldenvoice late for festival promoters looking to stage they cannot take the financial risk,” says the announces the lineup for the festival in Janu- events later this summer, says the DCMS final report. It goes on to criticize govern- ary and puts its general admission and VIP committee, which is also holding a separate ment ministers for refusing to “take multiple ticket packages on sale for the April event. inquiry into the streaming business. (The opportunities to address the market failure” More at Coachella.com and Stagecoach. results of that probe are expected to be pub- around insurance provisions for live events. com lished in the coming weeks.) Promoters are feeling the pressure. Ac- “The vast majority of music festivals do cording to the Association of Independent not have the financial resilience to cover Festivals, for a festival taking place in early the costs of another year of late-notice July organizers will have paid around 40% cancellations,” said committee chair Julian of total costs by June 14 – the date when the Knight in announcing the inquiry’s findings. government is due to announce whether “If the commercial insurance market won’t restrictions are to be lifted one week later. step in, Ministers must, and urgently.” Without some form of insurance, “what- Similar government-backed insurance ever happens with the reopening timetable, schemes exist in the Netherlands, Belgium, the vast majority of events could pull the Austria and Denmark, and, after months of plug in the coming weeks,” says Greg Parm- delays, were recently finalized in Germany. ley, the CEO of LIVE. They provide a much-needed safety net Despite the ongoing uncertainty, the for promoters committing non-recoupable U.K.’s vaccination effort — which has so far upfront costs for future events amid the seen 70% of British adults receive at least uncertainty of a pandemic. one COVID-19 vaccine shot – has given The committee’s inquiry into the fu- execs some cause for hope that Europe’s Page 10 of 28

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largest touring market will reopen by mid- to the committee’s findings. Although they direction, and it is time for me to move on. summer, despite a recent rise in COVID-19 aren’t obliged to enact its recommendations, When Paul asked me to join him at Def Jam infections relating to the Indian variant. they are expected to engage with them. and take my first “job” in 25 years, I jumped Two of the U.K.’s biggest festivals — the at the chance to work with him at this most 185,000-capacity dual-site Reading and iconic of record labels. Although these past Leeds festivals headlined by Liam Galla- Def Jam Executive three and a half years have never been easy, gher, Stormzy and Post Malone and the my experience here has been amazing on so 70,000-capacity Creamfields — sold out Rich Isaacson many levels. First among them, I have loved their late-August dates. A number of other and valued the camaraderie and excitement festivals that traditionally run between May Departs Label of being part of a team, leading a team and and July, such as Isle of Wight, All Points the thrill that comes with that. East and Neighbourhood Weekender, have BY DAN RYS Together we met the many challenges our rescheduled to later in the summer. business demands: delivering for our art- Meanwhile, a 10,000-capacity, three-day ich Isaacson is leaving Def Jam, ists, competing for number one records (and “Download Pilot” festival run by Festival the longtime exec announced successfully achieving many), and attempt- Republic/Live Nation — headlined by Frank in an internal memo obtained ing to develop and break new talent. And Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Enter by Billboard. The together we faced adversity through leader- Shikari — is scheduled to take place at Rco-founder, who has been executive vp and ship changes, political upheaval, a social and Donington Park, Derby June 18-20 as part of general manager of the iconic hip-hop label cultural reckoning around systemic racism, the second phase of the government’s Events since coming on board alongside then- a global pandemic, and more. But through Research Program – a series of pilot concerts chairman/CEO Paul Rosenberg in January it all, and despite our differences and these set up to provide scientific data on how small 2018, said his last day was May 28. difficulties, we managed to come together and and large-scale events can safely resume. “The company,” he wrote, “is going in a even beat our business plan, as the family we The first phase of the program saw two new direction, and it is time for me to move are - Def Jam. club nights take place in Liverpool as well as on.” For that, I am so grateful. I have made life- a one-day music festival, headlined by Blos- Isaacson, who co-founded Loud along- long friendships, learned from super smart soms, in front of 5,000 fans. Ticket hold- side Steve Rifkind in 1991, was the first big people, worked with legendary artists, and ers were encouraged to take a PCR test on hire announced after Rosenberg took over have had the privilege of being in the trenches the day of the event and a second one five the company following the end of Steve with some of the best executives I have known days later. Having analyzed the data, public Bartels’ tenure. During his time at Def Jam, in my almost 30 years in the business. I will health officials found that the events did the street-marketing pioneer oversaw No. 1 miss you all (well almost all of you), and I am not cause any detectable spread of Covid-19 albums from the likes of , Log- here for you all. You know how to find me. I across the region. ic and Justin Bieber, the signing of a new will be around in the wings for a brief period Reflecting on the Events Research Pro- wave of talent to the label like YK Osiris, to help with the transition to new leadership gram, the DCMS committee report said and high-profile releases from hip-hop so please don’t be strangers. that despite initial positive data it was “not luminaries like , , YG, Big I wish you all only the best of everything. confident the pilots will deliver the evidence Sean and as well as legends like Pub- Now get back to work. needed in time to lift all restrictions on live lic Enemy and, most recently, the star-stud- Rich events from 21 June.” ded posthumous album from DMX. Other recommendations made in the His track record is now 30 years strong, 40-page report include tougher measures and includes co-founding street marketing requiring festivals to reduce their environ- company SRC and Latin marketing firm mental impact and a change in legislation Fuerte Group, as well as his own manage- to allow illegal drug-checking services to ment firm, RI Entertainment. He remained operate lawfully at U.K. festivals. in his role overseeing day-to-day operations The report also addresses some of the at Def Jam following Rosenberg’s departure barriers that exist for British and European in February 2020, keeping the label ticking touring artists as a result of the U.K. leaving under interim boss and Universal Music the European Union. It warns that tours Group general counsel Jeff Harleston ever and festivals are at risk “unless the Govern- since. Isaacson’s next move is not clear. ment finds a solution to Brexit-related Read his full memo below. costs and complexities.” Today is my last day as General Manager Ministers now have eight weeks to respond of Def Jam. The company is going in a new Page 11 of 28

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first scheduled to be played. This year in particular, Pepsi was looking How Marshmello “It was summertime last year, it was like, for a highly digital act, aiming to drive aware- ‘Are we planning for another physical per- ness around the event via digital content. Altered Reality formance or do we completely go digital?’” ‘Mello, with nearly 30 million Instagram says Krista Carnegie, COO of Marshmello’s followers, a worldwide audience spanning for His UEFA management company The Shalizi Group. age groups and an arsenal of genre-spanning “Then I saw this creative come in and I kind global hits, was an obvious choice. All he had Champions of forced their hand like, ‘We’re doing digi- to do was assemble . tal. This is going to be next level.’” “I wanted to choose songs of mine that League Final “If there’s a chance to do something that’s people know,” Comstock says of the show’s like, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen something like six-song setlist, which includes “Come & Performance that before,’” Comstock adds, “those are the Go,” “Wolves,” “Happier,” “Alone,” “Silence,” opportunities I like to take.” and Friends.” “Maybe you knew the singer BY KATIE BAIN Conceptualized by creative director Es and didn’t know it was me. This is my op- Devlin, known for her work with artists portunity to say, ‘These are all of my little his past March, a fleet of engi- like Beyoncé, and The Weeknd (in- children that I’ve made over the years.’” neers, dancers, drummers, virtual cluding the latter artist’s 2021 Super Bowl For Comstock and his team, the massive and extended reality wizards, halftime show), the opening ceremony was streaming potential of the show wasn’t un- choreographers, designers and designed to bend reality and make viewers familiar, with more than 10 million virtual Tone superstar congregated at home question whether or not Marsh- attendees tuning in for Marshmello’s 2019 at a soundstage in an industrial area of Long mello was in the stadium — and if so, how virtual performance inside Fortnite, an Beach, Calif. the things they were seeing onscreen were event considered a major evolution for how Over three days of shooting, this sprawl- actually happening. artists can connect to fans. For the Marsh- ing crew used every tool at their disposal “This one was a bit hard to get everyone mello team, it was crucial that any subse- to make it appear as though that superstar to understand, because there’s quite literally quent virtual performance would expand producer, Marshmello, was performing no reference for it,” Carnegie says of the on that milestone. inside a European soccer stadium thousands creative concept. “There’s going to be points “We’ve been asked to do so many of these of miles away. To make the magic happen, where we’re filling the stadium with sky concerts since Fortnite,” Carnegie says. “We even ‘Mello needed to expand his skillset. and water.” While such effects could never don’t feel like we can ever take a step back “I had to practice dance moves,” says the happen IRL, via mixed reality technology, from it. If we don’t feel like we can elevate producer, born Chris Comstock. “Choreog- anything and everything became possible. again, it’s not really fitting for us.” raphy is something I’d never done.” To get started, a production team first The UEFA opportunity was this chance to The massive effort — two years in the flew to Istanbul capture images of ev- elevate. Not only had this type of technology making — was all for Marshmello’s six-min- ery inch of the stadium — from the seat never been used before, in terms of expo- ute opening ceremony performance for the cushions to the cracks in the walls — so the sure Comstock agrees that playing opening UEFA Champions League Final, happening digital teams could make their virtual ren- the ceremony is akin to doing the Super today (May 29) in Porto, Portugal. Watch the derings as realistic as possible. Meanwhile, Bowl halftime show. Both are sponsored by complete performance below. ‘Mello and his team assembled a setlist of Pepsi; both reach a massive global audience The producer was originally scheduled hits to appeal the already global star to an (particularly as soccer, or football as it’s to play the prestigious event — head- even larger worldwide audience, while the referred to everywhere else in the world, is lined by Dua Lipa in 2018 and Imagine show’s sponsor Pepsi helped enlist guest consistently ranked the world’s most popu- Dragons in 2019 — in 2020, although that stars and Khalid. lar sport) and both shows all but ensure performance was ultimately canceled due “For us and for UEFA, it’s really impor- a significant post-show sales and stream- to COVID-19. In the run-up to the show, the tant that the performer resonates around ing streaming boost. pandemic would create a significant last- the world, and you also have to have an ap- Back in Long Beach, Khalid came minute scramble that made it so everyone peal to football fans,” Ellen Healy, PepsiCo’s through to perform his part in “Silence” involved in the performance was working senior marketing director of music and en- and Gomez dropped in to do her vocals on it until just days ago. tertainment, says of choosing the right artist for “Wolves.” (While the team tried to get But that curveball was yet to come when for the gig. “It’s finding the right balance Anne-Marie to SoCal to perform part on the production team first pivoted to 2021, between the type of music, who they are, “Friends,” U.K. quarantine protocols made initially gathering to determine if the per- what the performance looks like and how the timeline impossible.) formance would happening virtually or in you create that connection. Each year the Meanwhile 15 dancers, a number kept person in Istanbul, where the match was list of potential artists is not very long.” limited due to safety protocols, was through Page 12 of 28

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the magic of technology expanded into a (Culture III) and Black Forum’s May 28 re- fleet of 100 performers. At the edge of the Motown Records lease Fire in Little Africa. The latter marks stage, choreographer JaQuel Knight, known the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa for his work with Beyoncé and Megan Thee Names Jamila race massacre through a new generation of Stallion, coached ‘Mello through his moves. Tulsa musicians reflecting on their ances- Initially, the production team hadn’t Thomas as tors’ legacy. planned to announce that the show was hap- Of joining Motown, Thomas tells Bill- pening virtually, intending to create some- Marketing VP board exclusively, “Motown is an integral thing so realistic that viewers wouldn’t be part of Black music’s legacy and embodies able to tell if ‘Mello was performing digitally BY GAIL MITCHELL what I’m looking to do professionally and or from the actual stadium. (“I feel like I’m personally as I enter the next phase of my shooting an Avengers movie,” Comstock says amila Thomas has been appointed career and work with #TheShowMustBe- of the reality-bending production process.) as vp, artist marketing at Motown Paused. I also don’t know another label But the plan changed just weeks be- Records. In addition to overseeing that’s offering a space like Black Forum fore today’s match, when the Champions marketing strategies and campaigns that supports Black education, activism and League Final was moved from Istanbul to Jfor Motown’s artists and partners, Thomas culture. With Ethiopia and Brian’s genuine Portugal. With two U.K. teams competing will lead marketing initiatives for the label’s belief in me, I’m inspired to work toward and Istanbul on the country’s “red list” of recently relaunched spoken-word imprint the bigger picture under their forward- COVID-19 travel destinations, moving the Black Forum. thinking leadership.” event to Portugal made it possible for more Thomas, whose appointment is effective Thomas’ Motown post also brings her U.K. fans to attend. immediately, will also continue to work with back to the . Her ear- The location change threw a sizable #TheShowMustBePaused, which she co- ly marketing background includes working wrench into the production, with the cre- founded last year. The global music industry at Def Jam as a coordinator on campaigns ative teams scrambling to replace imagery of initiative is dedicated to fostering racial for Jhené Aiko’s Sailing Soul(s), Pusha T’s the Istanbul stadium with visuals from the diversity, equity and inclusion. and ’s Hall Portugal venue. Luckily, because Porto’s Es- In a release announcing Thomas’ appoint- of Fame. From there, she segued to Cash tádio do Dragão is a relatively new facility, ment, Motown chairman/CEO Ethiopia Money Records to collaborate on initiatives the team was able to redo wide shots of the Habtemariam said, “Jamila is a proven for breaking and established artists such as stadium based on pre-existing technical and passionate advocate for artists and an , Drake and . drawings. And because crews knew exactly incredibly talented marketer who oper- what stadium shots they needed to replace, ates from a place of true passion for music, a complete digital rendering of the new culture and community. Motown is home How Does stadium wasn’t necessary. to some of the most prolific and impactful Navigating the curveballs of a global pan- voices of our time, including those of our demic was, ultimately, just another solution artists, partners and executives, and we’re to solve for in a performance that ulti- excited to welcome her to our team.” Chief Partnerships mately hit all the benchmarks the creative Brian Nolan, executive vp of Motown team had envisioned. Over the course of and the label’s marketing division, added, Officer Camille six minutes, Marshmello danced amongst “Throughout her career, Jamila has dem- an army of fellow Marshmellos; he strut- onstrated her understanding and ability Hackney Stay ted through a cityscape amalgamating the to build and execute campaigns that help tournament’s 16 finalist cities, he played artists connect with fans around the world. Mindful? while fireworks went off behind him She has incredible instincts and vision as a and his music blasted while the Estádio do marketer.” BY NEENA ROUHANI Dragão filled up with water. Really, the only Prior to joining Motown, Thomas spent thing ‘Mello didn’t do was take to the field three years as senior director of market- n recognition of Mental Health Aware- for the actual match. ing at Atlantic Records where she worked ness Month, Billboard has partnered “I think I made a travel team when I was on campaigns for artists such as , with Ian Davis and Brandon Hol- like, 8,” Comstock says of his own soccer Pardison Fontaine, PNB Rock, DRAM and man of The Mindful Creative on a career. “Then I realized I was a bit better Don Q. Before that, she served as head of Iseries of conversations with music artists and at music.” marketing at Asylum Records. executives about the self-care practices they Watch Marshmello’s complete perfor- Thomas is already at work on projects use to keep themselves on track, both during mance below. by the City Girls (“Twerkulator”), the pandemic and beyond. Page 13 of 28

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Today’s conversation is with Camille the athleticism of it, I do it for the mind quickly. An old fish never starts to smell bet- Hackney, chief partnerships officer at clearing and mindfulness parts of it, too. ter with time. You face it head on, deal with Atlantic Records and head of the global One of the beautiful things of COVID is whatever blowback and move through it. If brand partnerships council at Warner Music that we now have more time to connect with a deal goes south, or an artist needs to back Group. She is also president of Warner Music each other. For me, as a leader, it’s been in- out of a deal, I say, “Alright, let me evaluate Group and the Blavatnik Family Founda- valuable. At 11 o’clock, every single weekday, it and make sure that I relay the message as tion’s joint $ Social Justice Fund, I meet with the team and I spend the first soon as possible.” I don’t like any kind of bad announced last June amid the nationwide 10-15 minutes of that meeting checking in news to linger. Black Lives Matter uprising. with people. It’s been amazing, because you The music industry was hit hard, early on. How do I define wellness? It’s a mental, understand what’s going on in people’s lives. When all the venues were shut down, the emotional and physical state. In the advent If someone is going through something, I thing that I was concerned most about was of COVID, you also have to define wellness can say, “Okay, you handle that personal sit- those artists who thrive from that connec- based on the people you love. It has to be not uation, either I’ll take on something or shift tion being on stage and seeing their fans just an individual wellness, but a collective a responsibility to another person.” [When] in person. So, whenever I would talk to an wellness. We have to factor that into what we understand each other’s lives and how artist, I would always kind of check in with it means to focus on your well being, real- our life is intertwined with our work life, we them. Because not being able to [perform] izing how connected we are to one another. work better together. We talk about deals, and that being so key to who you are as a COVID amplified that because truly, your we’re always talking about business, but it’s creative being had to have been devastat- behavior affects my health. Not just your layered on top of the context of people’s well ing. There were certain artists who were individual, physical and mental wellness, being and their mental health. introverts who just wanted to be in the but the ones you love, who are around you, Companies need a well-being strategy. studio anyway, but so many really need and where they are. Part of the well-being strategy is allow- that live connection. Now that things are Balance, for me, is more like a dance, and ing flexibility for people to maximize their coming back, I am hoping that many of our not always a graceful one. Where I spend performance in a way that helps nurture artists were able to kind of get through that my time and who I spend it with helps and encourage their spirit. For some people, without any real scarring. But I still worry me achieve balance. I live in , their job might not be artist-facing and they about that. and the day-to-day energy of Manhattan, I might be more productive working from I think we’re in a better place as an indus- love. But it can take its toll. You do need to home, they might be less distracted and able try, now that companies are having a mental take breaks, and every break can’t be flying to put out a better work product that way. health and wellness strategy for their down to the Caribbean and hanging out on a Meeting people where they are and trusting employees. I hope people avail themselves beach. You have to find some way to escape that you’re getting the best out of them, but to the resources that are there. A big part it, and then be able to re-emerge into that doing it in a way where their work environ- of it is making sure people are aware that frenetic environment with ease. I have been ment works for them. I think that’s a place there are resources. In the black community, fortunate to have a second home in upstate that we need to get to. I don’t know if our there’s still a hesitancy to talk to some- New York, in the middle of the woods, on a business is there yet. one who’s not in your circle. But [we’re] mountain. All I see is air, blue sky, trees and I will say that motherhood has encouraging people to do their own kind of no people other than my immediate family. a better manager and leader. We work in personal check-in and seek out help if you That brings a certain sense of calmness. a business where there is a varying degree need it. I think we’re in a better place now Space to connect, to clear your head and of personalities. You learn how to manage as an industry. Sadly, it took a pandemic for think about things. It breaks up the frenzy. through that and keep your sanity. So I gen- us to recognize it, but I think we are moving What I do in order to get through the day erally don’t take things personally. I think in the right direction. is yoga poses. In my office, when we’re not you get into reacting [rather than] respond- As told to Neena Rouhani and Ian Davis. in COVID time, I have a headstand chair. ing if you take things personally. If someone So you might walk in on me in an inverted sends me something crazy —which happens headstand, up against my picture of Ed a lot — I know it has everything to do with Sheeran, trying not to bump him off the that person and what they’re feeling at that wall. It helps me breathe and relax. I think moment. I try to think about the larger pic- I have yoga mats in every possible place ture, the type of relationship I want to have where I lay my head. I don’t always have with this person, and what my response time to do a proper hour and 20 minutes, will trigger in them. It’s never personal, it’s but even if I can just get in a few poses, that always business. is how I remind myself to take deep breaths. One thing that I did learn early on from It’s definitely self care for me. It’s not just Leo Cohen [is to] always deliver bad news Page 14 of 28

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Santis’ office, however, told the paper that Florida Promoter the two-tiered pricing is a violation of the How Does state’s rules. “Charging higher ticket prices Charging for individuals who do not furnish proof of LVRN Co-Founder vaccination unfairly discriminates against Unvaccinated people who have enumerated rights under Junia Abaidoo Florida law,” said DeSantis’ press secretary. Punk Fans Williams said he thought his scheme was Stay Mindful? safe since the executive order has limited 5,555 Percent penalties and the new law doesn’t go into BY CARL LAMARRE effect until after the show, but he was not More For Show prepared for the flood of anti-vaccination n recognition of Mental Health Aware- messages, spam calls and death ness Month, Billboard has partnered BY GIL KAUFMAN threats that the band’s next show could be with Ian Davis and Brandon Hol- their “last” one; he and the bands on the man of The Mindful Creative on a fter Republican Florida Gov. Ron bill are forwarding the threatening emails Iseries of conversations with music artists and DeSantis issued an executive to authorities. executives about the self-care practices they order this spring barring busi- The dispute comes as the country is slowly use to keep themselves on track, both during nesses in the state from making opening up after a year of COVID lockdown, the pandemic and beyond. patronsA prove their coronavirus vaccina- with states and local governments each This installment is with Junia Abaidoo, tion status, Florida promoter Paul Williams taking their own unique path to loosening co-founder/chief operating officer of LVRN. came up with a novel way to make his shows restrictions and increasing capacity limits The -based R&B label/management more COVID-safe. as the nation appears unlikely to reach the company is home to , , As the country begins to open up follow- crucial goal of “herd immunity” to help stem Shelley FKA Drama, Westside Boogie and ing more than a year of no shows due to the the spread of the disease due to vaccine newly-acquired duo dvsn. Abaidoo is a gradu- pandemic lockdown, Leadfoot Productions reluctance among some communities. ate of Georgia State University. recently announced that a June 26 show Despite the backlash, Williams I try to be as real as possible with all of by Teenage Bottlerocket at VFW Post 39 in told Post that he and the bands are “still our artists. A big part of what we do is man- Saint Petersburg will feature what Williams sticking to our guns,” noting that just a age expectations and their mental state to is calling “discounted” $18 tickets for those handful of the “discount” tickets were left as a certain degree. It’s easy to get high and with a valid photo ID and COVID-19 vac- of Saturday afternoon after the story of his very low when you’re dealing with someone cination card that shows you’ve gotten the stunt made national headlines and that none judging your artwork. Music is one of the appropriate amount of shots as of June 12. of the “standard” priced ones had sold yet. career choices where you literally put some- If, however, you don’t care for the discount, Teenage Bottlerocket Miguel Chen thing out and get immediate responses that tickets are available to the non-vaccinated for said his band is psyched to get back on the come directly to your phone. On one level, just $999.99, a more than 5,500% difference. road for the first time since March 2020 it’s being as honest as I can with them. Giv- A note on the show page states that all and that they have accepted that COVID ing them a truth that they don’t want to hear staff, volunteers and band members will be and music will have to coexist for a while. and then other times, it’s reinforcing not to vaccinated. “Also know if you buy one of “So we had this idea of … let’s contact these forget who they are and why they’re so dope these advance tickets and show up without promoters and kind of spitball and come up and in the position they’re in. your vaccination card or government issued with creative ways to do safe shows,” he said Artists put a lot of pressure on them- photo id, you won’t be let in at this price, of the Texas-based group, who all got vac- selves. You could find out if people think you will need to pay the remaining $981.99 cinated as soon as they could. what you put out is a piece of s—t instanta- to enter or go back and get your card,” reads Experts told the Post that others should neously. Artists get in their own heads and the show page, adding, “We are NOT telling we wary of following in the band and pro- they’re very sensitive about their work and you what to do here, we are making a busi- moter’s footsteps because such a large price it can go to another level if they let it. I do ness decision and letting the market decide. difference for the unvaccinated “violates the both sides of that. I try to be vocal and be If someone wants to come in unvaccinated, spirit” of Florida’s ban on requiring proof of intentional about reinforcing things when they will scare off a large number of patrons immunization. According to the executive I see them. I’ll also let them know when a and will need to pay the difference. order, Florida can’t require, “any documen- song is really f——-g amazing — even when “I’m not denying entry to anyone,” Wil- tation certifying COVID-19 vaccination or they might not ask. It’s easy for even the liams told the Post. “I’m just post-transmission recovery to gain access to, biggest artists on our label to not know if offering a discount.” A spokesperson for De- entry upon, or service from the business.” their s—t is good or not. I try to be very vocal Page 15 of 28

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about reinforcing the amazing s—t and the communicating. We wanted to come to each in Houston, Billy Joe Thomas broke through s—t that I just love because I’m a fan of all of other correctly and understand who we are in 1966 with a gospel-styled cover of Hank our artists. as people. That led us to do group therapy Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” Listening to them is a big thing. Regard- sessions to make sure that we were facing and went on to sell millions of records less if I agree with them or not, I’ll try to be barriers in our communication and contin- and have dozens of hits across genres. He a good listener. A lot of times — especially ued to grow as a collective. reached No. 1 with pop, adult contemporary on a label like ours — we have an amazing I just had a daughter five weeks ago, and and country listeners in 1976 with “(Hey staff but we work with a lot of artists. The there’s no better way to center myself and Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done last thing you want is for any artist to feel automatically revert back to what’s impor- Somebody Wrong Song.” The same year, like they’re not heard. I try to be really open tant than being around her. So that’s been his Home Where I Belong became one of the about listening and not be so quick to give amazing in that regard. Outside of that, first gospel albums to be certified platinum them the right answer all the time. Some- there’s a lot of great things I’ve read that for selling more than 1 million copies. times they just need you to hear them out. have shaped my mindset. Books like The His signature recording was “Raindrops I would love to see more companies take Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday and Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” a No. 1 pop hit on our approach. Our leader on the men- another book called Flow. These books and an Oscar winner for best original song tal health front is a therapist by the name have helped me kind of understand the as part of the soundtrack to one of the big- of Syreeta Butler and that’s her end goal importance of being okay with things I can’t gest movies of 1969, the irreverent Western as well. We definitely align in that vision. control and doing what I can to control Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Thomas I think it’s needed. I’ve seen a little bit of the things I can. I think that’s a pillar for wasn’t the first choice to perform the whim- chatter from labels approaching it in their anybody’s mental health. There’s just so sical ballad composed by Burt Bacharach own ways so I love to see it. much s—t to be pulled into if you allow it. and Hal David; Ray Stevens turned the song- Hopefully, as many labels that can do it, Books like that have given me mental tools writers down. But his warm, soulful tenor do it for their entire team, staff and artists. in terms of, “I can approach this differently” fit the song’s easygoing mood, immortalized I think it’s extremely important for artists. or “This can be an opportunity” if I look at it on film during the scene when Butch (Paul We’ve seen the effects of just not having like that. Newman) shows off his new bicycle to Etta things in place that are outlets for artists. Place (Katharine Ross), the girlfriend of the I’m not somebody that believes labels don’t Sundance Kid (Robert Redford). care about their artists, but I think we have B.J. Thomas, “Raindrops” has since been heard a ton of examples of how we could’ve did everywhere from The Simpsons to Forrest more for this person that overdosed or that ‘Raindrops Keep Gump and was voted into the Grammy Hall person who got killed due to uncalled-for of Fame in 2013. But, at first, not everyone violence that they didn’t need to be part of. Fallin’ on My was satisfied. Thomas was recovering from We all need to be thinking of ways we could laryngitis while recording the soundtrack do more. Head’ Singer, version and his vocals are raspier than for I would love to see that happen, whether the track released on its own. Redford, that’s our approach or companies approach- Dies at 78 meanwhile, doubted the song even belonged ing it in different ways. As long as we’re in Butch Cassidy. trying, we’re at least moving in the right BY ASSOCIATED PRESS “When the film was released, I was highly direction. We don’t have it all figured out, critical — how did the song fit with the but we’re trying something. It was impor- .J. Thomas, the Grammy-win- film? There was no rain,” Redford told USA tant enough to the point we thought we ning singer who enjoyed success Today in 2019. “At the time, it seemed like a should at least try something. We’re going to on the pop, country and gospel dumb idea. How wrong I was.” improve over time and introduce new things charts with such hits as “I Just Thomas would later say the phenomenon and resources. If everyone tries different BCan’t Help Believing,” “Raindrops Keep of “Raindrops” exacerbated an addiction things, then we can figure it out collectively. Fallin’ on My Head” and “Hooked on a Feel- to pills and alcohol which dated back to his On the executive side, I have four other ing,” has died. He was 78. teens, when a in Houston co-founders of LVRN. We all have different Thomas, who announced in March that suggested he take amphetamines to keep personalities, but one of the amazing things he had been diagnosed with lung cancer, his energy up. He was touring and record- about our company is that we’ve been able died from complications of the disease ing constantly and taking dozens of pills a to coexist as a family from our existence un- Saturday (May 29) at his home in Arlington, day. By 1976, while “(Hey Won’t You Play) til now. As we grew and hired more people, Texas, a statement released by his represen- Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong we spent less time together and recognized tatives said. Song” was hitting No. 1, he felt like he was a need for us to be on the same page as far as A Hugo, Oklahoma-native who grew up “number 1,000.” Page 16 of 28

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“I was at the bottom with my addictions open yourself up to drugs and alcohol at are somewhat back to normal,” Wagner says. and my problems,” he said in 2020 on The such a young age it becomes something you “We will try to keep everyone safe. There Debby Campbell Goodtime Show. He cited a have to deal with the rest of your life,” he will be more people cleaning and all of our “spiritual awakening,” shared with his wife, told the Huffington Post in 2014. staff will be required to have masks across Gloria Richardson, with helping him to get “What a road block and heartbreak and the grounds. With fans attending, we’ll fol- clean. times of failure these addictions have caused low CDC guidelines and whatever they’re Thomas had few pop hits after the mid- me. But I had that little piece of lightning saying at the time of the festival in terms of 1970s, but he continued to score on the from that song. That’s the essence of the mask or no masks outdoors.” country charts with such No. 1 songs as whole thing. To love and be loved. And that Launched in 2015, Ruido Fest has featured “Whatever Happened to Old-Fashioned takes a lifetime to accomplish. It’s always an array of Latin artists, including Enanitos Love” and “New Looks from an Old Lover.” been an important part of my emotions.” Verdes, Hombres G, Zoé, Molotov, Vanessa In the late 1970s and early ‘80s, he was also Zamora, Bomba Estéreo, Intocable, El Tri, a top gospel and inspirational singer, win- Los Tigres del Norte and Maldita Vecindad. ning two Dove awards and five Grammys, Ruido Fest Set For more information on the festival and including a Grammy in 1979 for best gospel how to buy tickets, visit ruidofest.com. performance for “The Lord’s Prayer.” to Return With See Ruido’s 2021 lineup in alphabetical Fans of the 1980s sitcom Growing order below. Pains heard him as the singer of the show’s Star-Studded Ambar Lucid theme song. He also acted in a handful of Café Tacvba (Sunday headliner) movies, including Jory and Jake’s Corner, Lineup of Los El Chisme and toured often. Recent recordings includ- El Shirota ed The Living Room Sessions featuring cam- Fabulosos Evil Empire eos from Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill and Richard Inner Wave Marx. He had planned to record in 2020 in Cadillacs, Cafe Kaina Muscle Shoals, Alabama, but the sessions La Armada were delayed because of the pandemic. Tacvba & More La Doña Thomas married Richardson in 1968, and Las Nubes had three daughters: Paige, Nora and Erin. BY GRISELDA FLORES Lido Pimienta He and his wife worked on the 1982 mem- Little Jesus oir In Tune: Finding How Good Life Can fter a year away, ’s Ruido Los Amigos Invisibles Be. His book Home Where I Belong came Fest is set to return in August Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (Friday head- out in 1978 and was co-authored by Jerry with a star-studded lineup that liner) B. Jenkins, later famous for the million- includes Los Fabulosos Cadil- Margaritas Podridas selling Left Behind religious novels written lacsA, Café Tacvba and Panteón Rococó as Maye with Tim LaHaye. headliners. Mexican Institute of Sound Besides music, Thomas loved baseball Marking the return of one of Latin mu- Moenia as a kid and started calling himself B.J. sic’s biggest festivals to the Midwest since Nahuales Underground because so many Little League teammates the COVID-19 pandemic, the alt-rock fest is Nanpa Básico also were named Billy Joe. By his teens, he set to take place Aug. 20-22 at Union Park. Panteón Rococó (Saturday headliner) was in church and had joined a local Other artists set to perform throughout Rosalba Valdez rock band, the Triumphs, whom he would the three-day event include Moenia, Los Silverio stay with into his 20s. He enjoyed Ernest Amigos Invisibles, La Doña, Lido Pimienta, The Mini Projects Tubbs, Hank Williams and other country Mexican Institute of Sound and Little Jesus, Tone Zone Skam performers his parents liked, but on his own among others. he was inspired by the soul and rhythm and The announcement arrives as cities across blues singers he heard on the radio or saw the country are beginning to loosen COVID on stage, notably Jackie Wilson, whose hit restrictions, including Chicago, which is cur- ballad “To Be Loved” Thomas later covered rently in its “bridge phase” of its reopening and adopted as a kind of guide to his life. plan. Max Wagner, co-founder of Ruido and “I was raised in a fairly dysfunctional situ- owner of event production company Met- ation and I went through years of intense ronome, tells Billboard that production will alcoholism and drug addiction so the song follow state and city guidelines. was always a touchstone for me. When you “The hope is that by late August things Page 17 of 28

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production company Metronome. “One had in the past. Ruido Fest thing we’ll do is that if anybody purchases On that topic, will international art- a ticket and they’re uncomfortable with the ists travel early and get vaccinated in Organizer on rules that we have in place, we’ll transfer it Chicago or will they already have to be to 2022.” vaccinated? How will that play out? Returning After In the Q&A below, Wagner expands on I think that’s up to each artist. I would what festival-goers can expect at this year’s imagine that all of them would be vac- a Year Away: Ruido Fest. cinated. Here in the U.S., there’s plenty of Can you tell me about what this past year vaccination opportunities and you can get ‘I Never Had has been like for you and your team? From it for free anytime you want, at least that’s canceling Ruido to having those conversa- how it is in Chicago. But that’s not the case Any Doubt That tions about bringing it back in 2021 and in Venezuela or Mexico or Chile, so we’re what that would look like. assisting in the visa process with those that We’d Come Back’ The work of putting a festival together are coming from outside to expedite them is a year-round endeavor and we’re always and if they feel that in order to secure their BY GRISELDA FLORES sort of working on Ruido. Last year was performance, they need to get in two weeks tough and we’ve put a lot of time and energy earlier to either quarantine or get their n late August, Chicago will once again although we didn’t have the actual event, vaccine, we’ll work with the schedule that host the Ruido Fest at Union Park which is kind of the payoff. We were able to makes them the most comfortable. But we’re after a one-year hiatus due to the do some streaming offering for our fans for going to provide as safe an environment for COVID-19 pandemic that canceled its free during the festival dates last year. It al- artists, the staff and then there’s the fans. I2020 edition. lowed us to connect with fans, but you know What can Ruido Fest goers expect? With coronavirus cases on the de- it’s also given us more time to reflect and Will masks be required even if you’re cline across the country and with more than to try and focus in on what’s important and vaccinated, will have to show proof of 40% of the total U.S. population fully vac- what’s to be improved or what can be done vaccination? cinated, according to the CDC, Ruido Fest better. I’m trying to focus on the silver lin- With fans we plan on following all state, has unveiled its star-studded lineup. This ings out of the situation. Things are opening city and CDC guidelines, which are ever- summer’s edition, taking place Aug. 20-22, back up and most summer festivals in Chi- changing. There are HIPPA (Health Insur- will feature a mix of both international and cago have announced they’re coming back. ance Portability and Accountability Act) U.S.-based artists, including headliners Café We’re excited to make our announcement. laws in this country so it’s technically illegal Tacvba, Panteón Rococó and Los Fabulo- How far in advance have you been for me to ask you for your medical informa- sos Cadillacs. securing these acts? tion. Some of the stuff we put out will say Other artists confirmed for the sixth I confirmed the first act, which was Café subject to change but the hope is that by late edition of three-day event include La Doña, Tacvba, back in March of 2020. And the rest August things are somewhat back to normal. Little Jesus, Lido Pimienta, Moenia and Los of it has been booking more bands in the fall, We will try to keep everyone safe. There will Amigos Invisibles, among others. then there was a long period in the win- be more people cleaning and all of our staff The summer festival scene seems to be ter when we just couldn’t really get much will be required to have masks across the more optimistic than last year. Prior to Ruido done because of the uncertainty of travel. grounds. I don’t care if you got vaccinated Fest, Chicago’s will also make Traditionally, a lot of the bands have come or not, you’re wearing a mask. In terms of its return in full capacity from July 29-Aug. 1 from overseas and it’s tough for anyone to requiring people to do things, it’s tough in a at Grant Park. It will mark one of the first ma- sign on when they just don’t know. A lot of society that praises freedom to enact things jor North American festivals to occur since our conversations went like: “When do you on people. One thing we’ll do is that if any- the pandemic began in March 2020. think you’ll know, I don’t know. I’ll let you body purchases a ticket and they’re uncom- While those attending Lollapalooza will know when I do know something.” Some of fortable with the rules that we have in place, have to produce full COVID-19 vaccination that uncertainty has thankfully gone away we’ll transfer it to 2022. or negative COVID-19 test results, for now, in the last six to eight weeks, so I’ve been Will it be open to full capacity? Ruido Fest producers say they will follow able to confirm a few more acts that are The current regulation is that there’s a city, state and CDC guidelines but will not U.S. based. That’s a change in the artists formula using square footage (15 people for require proof of vaccination for entrance. that are performing in Ruido this year but I every 1,000 square feet). Thankfully our “In terms of requiring people to do things, don’t think it’s limited us in terms of what venue, which is Union Park, is really spa- it’s tough in a society that praises freedom to the appeal will be to the fans and the types cious. We’re messing with the layout to re- enact things on people,” says Max Wagner, of artists that will be in the lineup, because ally make it so that folks who want to space co-founder of Ruido Fest and owner of event they’re very much in line with what we’ve out will have obvious options to do so. I’ve Page 18 of 28

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been involved with the management of 15 wealth of choice at their fingertips, with festivals in that park and I’m feeling pretty Moodagent the likes of Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube confident that we can make spaces that are Music and other streaming brands estab- safe and spots where you can go in and relax Arrives In lished here. if you’re feeling some . We’re work- According to trade data published in ing on the layout to make sure everyone will Australia as Global March by ARIA, the myriad streaming plat- feel comfortable. forms powered Australia’s market in 2020, Also, we’re hardly the first festival that’s Rollout Ramps-Up posting total growth of 14% in 2020, for going to happen Chicago. At Lollapalooza, income of A$362 million ($275 million). there’s going to be 120,000 people going to BY LARS BRANDLE It was the sixth successive year of growth a festival almost a month before us so we’re for the recorded music industry, though to also going to adjust and be smart about what RISBANE, Australia — Mooda- take some shine off the results, the rate of we see on the ground and how things are gent has arrived Down Under, as growth for subscription service appears to going there. And if we see something isn’t part of the subscription stream- be slowing. working for them, we can innovate on our ing platform’s wider push into end and I’m not afraid to do that. BAsia Pacific. Also, will those added COVID-19 pro- The new Australian affiliate is led by ’s tocols make the organizing more industry veteran Tom Mee, who’s tapped as costly? It’s added stuff that you didn’t GM of Australia & New Zealand. Foreign Family have to think about before? Until recently, Mee served as head of Yes, but I don’t see it as a burden in any artist and label marketing ANZ at Spotify, Collective Label way. It’s not just, “Oh we have to do this and in executive positions with Universal for COVID-19,” but how we run things go- Music Australia and Warner Music Australia Partners With ing forward. We’re not looking it as this is before that. something we have to do special for this He’s joined at the Sydney office by direc- : ‘We year but moving forward because the health tor of music and editorial Toni Pipicelli and and safety of our workers, artists and fans regional marketing director Bushra Abel. Feel An Affinity’ is priority and it’s a new world we live in. The mood-based listening platform will There are a million preparations that go on come online in NZ “shortly,” reads a state- BY KATIE BAIN to make these events happen so we’re taking ment. it as, “OK, so we do this now.” Moodagent confidently claims a personal wo electronic powerhouse labels As a newer festival, is it hard to come and interactive user experience, based on its are forging a new partnership. back after a year of not having Ruido back-end blend of machine learning, audio Foreign Family Collective Fest? Does it really throw you off when analysis and “tens of thousands of hours” of (FFC), the imprint from electronic you’re out for a year? human musicology. Tduo ODESZA, is partnering with revered Everyone questions their existence in a The service’s interactive playlists, or electronic label Ninja Tune. Under the pandemic but I never had any doubt that “moodagents,” are activated by mood slid- terms of this partnership, Ninja Tune will we’d come back. There’s a reason why we ers for Sensual, Tender, Happy, Angry and handle the global release, promotion and announced a band and dates for 2021 ear- Tempo. Feel angry? The listener can let that distribution of the entire Foreign Family lier last year — because we were relatively out, and the playlists stay in your lane. Collective catalog. With Ninja Tune at the confident that things would come to this The app can be downloaded from the helm of these initiatives, the FFC team will point. And thankfully the things that needed Apple App Store and Google Play, with its be allowed more time to focus on A&R and to happen happened in terms of the vaccine premium tier priced at A$11.99 ($9.30) per the label’s creative direction. distribution and the numbers improving. If month. “Historically, Ninja Tune has been at the for some reason we didn’t do this year, we Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, forefront of a variety of incredibly impact- would just announce 2022 dates and come Moodagent was founded in 2001 by Mikael ful and new trends and genres in music – an back then. Henderson (chief product officer) and Peter impact and legacy we hope to also have,” Berg Steffensen (chief innovation officer). ODESZA’s Harrison Mills and Clayton The business also boasts offices in Berlin, Knight tell Billboard. “And at the core, the Delhi, and Mumbai, and has a stated goal people that comprise Ninja Tune are, simply of being present in 25-plus countries by the put, creatives, innovators and music-crazed. end of 2023. And we feel an affinity with that. Australian music fans already have a The partnership follows years of collabo- Page 19 of 28

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ration between the two labels, with signifi- in 2021, we’re super confident it’ll be a suc- return to the Staples Center in January 2022 cant milestones in the professional rela- cessful partnership globally.” to celebrate its quinceañera, Billboard has tionship including Ninja Tune’s release of According to Mills and Knight, teaming learned. And for the first time ever, this ODESZA’s monumental third LP A Moment with Ninja Tune will ultimately help them will be a three-day show (January 14-16), Apart, which hit No. 3 on the Billboard 200 achieve their biggest goal of supporting art- headlined by Ozuna (January 14), Daddy in the fall of 2017. (Counter Records also co- ists they believe in. Yankee (January 15) and J Balvin (January released the project.) “In the short term, we are excited to get 16) along with a roster of superstars. “When we first heard ODESZA, it was back to throwing concerts and in-person Also performing are Wisin & Yandel, evident they were exploring all corners of events,” the guys say. “In the long run, we Myke Towers, Becky G, Sech and Natanael the ‘electronic’ music world, but distilling can’t wait to expand the reaches of the Cano (on Day 1); Natti Natasha, Manuel Tur- it down into something inimitably them — roster and find new artists from all over the izo, Rauw Alejandro, Lunay and Kali Uchis characterized by incredible harmonic work, world. Another priority of ours is to con- (Day 2); and Nicky Jam, Black Eyed Peas, songcraft, and a production signature that’s tinue exploring new technologies in artistic Jhay Cortez, Justin Quiles and Nío García intimate and warm but also epic and incred- expression and ways to bring the dialogue (Day 3). Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. June 1 ibly evocative,” says Marie Clausen, Ninja’s between creator and appreciator closer, to on asx.com. Tune’s Head of North America and Head of connect artists and fans in new mediums.” “There’s nothing like it,” says Alessandra Global Streaming. As for their next album, Mills and Knight Alarcón, president of SBS Entertainment, Foreign Family Collective’s current roster say they’re “working away at it and are the live event arm of SBS, which also owns includes two dozen musical acts, includ- super proud of—and happy with—what we the SBS radio network and TV station La ing ODESZA, , Memba, Big Wild, have been creating recently.” Mega. “We’re activating the entirety of LA Evan Giia and the ODESZA side project Certainly, when this LP is ready, it will Live. We’ll have an outdoor stage with per- BRONSON, a collaboration with Austra- have a world-class home. formances by local and up and coming art- lian producer . The label ists, and inside, for the first time, we’ll have is also home to five visual artists including three completely different talent lineups.” Japanese Dad, the artist with whom the duo Ozuna, When Calibash was first held 15 years ago collaborated on their March NFT release. in Los Angeles, it was the first multi-artist “Whilst it’s difficult to really condense Latin urban show to bring together multiple their super eclectic A&R and signings into A-talents under the same umbrella and in one sonic lane or sound,” Clausen says of and J Balvin the same evening. The show was an im- this roster, “it feels like they’re further mediate success, and for years, sold out the exploring all their myriad influences, styles, Headline Calibash Staples Center, attracting between 14,000 and ideas via FFC and seeing what lies in and 15,000 fans a night. It grew to two days, the deeper expanses of those sonic worlds. Comeback In and most recently, to two locations, with a Ultimately they sign what they love, which Calibash also taking place in Las Vegas after is all any label should do.” January: Exclusive the Los Angeles event. Based in the U.K., Ninja Tune was found- For 2022, “because there’s such a need ed in 1990 by electronic musicians Matt BY LEILA COBO to see live performances, we decided to go Black and Jonathan More, who performed with a different format,” says Alarcón. as . The label now has offices in alibash, the multi-artist show Fans will be able to buy single night tick- Berlin, , Paris and Los Angeles and that’s produced and presented by ets, two-night tickets or “festival” passes for hosts an expansive roster that currently SBS Entertainment, is the best- all three nights. features Jayda G, , Machinedrum, known urban Latin festival in the Prices will range from $45 for the cheap- Tycho, Wajatta, Bicep, 박혜진 Park Hye Jin, CUnited States, and perhaps, the best-known est seat to $1,000 for a top VIP seat (which Thundercat and other electronic music Latin fest in the country. grants access averaging $150 per night and legends and essential rising stars. Staged every year at the Staples Center $600 for a three-day pass). Aside from ticket “Our global brand is very strong, and in Los Angeles, and for the past three years sales, SBS also sells merchandise and of we’re excited to present the FFC projects also in Las Vegas, Calibash has since its in- course sponsorships, both for the indoor through our networks,” says Clausen. “We’ll ception reflected and set trends, hosting acts and outdoor portions of the fest. be working the projects in the same way like , and Justin Calibash has always benefitted from its we do anything else — as hard as possible Bieber alongside Latin names like J Balvin, curation, which is consistently on point in in every direction possible, as long as the and Nicky Jam. terms of , and from the support music stays as strong as it has been and the Now, after being sidelined in 2021 due it gets from SBS’ powerful radio stations, artists work as hard as artists are required to to the COVID-19 pandemic, Calibash will and increasingly, streaming app LaMusica, Page 20 of 28

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which also produces daily music content songs on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart, by Billboard, the plaintiff — identified only and is headed by Alessandra Alarcón’s sib- including 11 No. 1s. as Jane Doe — alleges that Marilyn Manson ling, Bianca Alarcón. “For decades [Marco’s] music has tran- “raped” her and subjected her to “degrading “There isn’t one platform that funnels scended time, touching the lives of music acts of sexual exploitation, manipulation, all- content. That’s what La fans across generations,” says Gustavo and psychological abuse.” Musica is,” says Bianca Alarcón. When it Menendez, president U.S. Latin & Latin In the suit, which was first reported comes to SBS’ properties, “instead of just an America, WCM. “As both a songwriter and by TMZ, Doe says that they met at a pre- announcement, we create a suite of content recording artist he’s made a massive impact, Grammy party in February 2011, and began around it.” laying the foundation for many who have a consensual relationship shortly thereafter, Although the Calibash announcement is followed him in both the regional Mexican with the musician — born Brian Warner SBS’ first major live announcement and Mexican pop space. It’s an honor to rep- — asking her to move in with him after post-pandemic, the company is producing resent one of the most important and hugely about two weeks. According to Doe, he was other major live shows before year’s end. influential Latin music catalogs of all time.” “gentle and romantic at first,” but that things They will soon announce Mega Mezcla in Solís, who began his storied career as the changed quickly. New York and Miami Bash in Miami, both lead singer and composer of regional Mexi- According to Doe, the musician “demand- hosted by popular DJ and recording artist can group Los Bukis, eventually launched ed extremely frequent sex” and said that she Alex Sensation. There are also plans to a solo career, standing out as one of only a couldn’t sleep through the nights because bring back Día Nacional de la Banda, and to handful of regional Mexican acts who have he would wake her approximately every continue the “En Privado” (In Private) and successfully crossed over into . two hours for sex. She also claimed that “he “Mi Casa es Su Casa” intimate shows, which Beyond his success as a recording artist, would force [her] to have sex with him,” were launched during the pandemic. with five Latin Grammys to his name, Solís and that she’d “pray for Warner to pass out As for Calibash, there are also plans un- was also a prolific songwriter who’s been during intercourse” so she could try to “slip derway to take it on the road beyond Vegas. covered by a veritable who’s who of Latin away and get some sleep.” “It’s a huge brand, especially in the West stars, including Maná, Paulina Rubio and The lawsuit also details how Warner al- Coast,” says Alessandra Alarcón. “Maybe it Enrique Iglesias. legedly became more violent during their will become the Latin Coachella.” Long signed to indie label Fonovisa, which intimate moments, including one instance was eventually acquired by Univision and when Doe claims he bit her neck “exceed- later, by Universal, Solís decided to go inde- ingly hard,” and how she worried that her Latin Legend pendent a few years ago and has been releas- aunt would see the “bruises and other marks ing music under his own label, Marbella. on her body from Warner’s physical abuse.” Marco Antonio Likewise, his songs have long fallen under Doe states in her suit that she was sexu- his own Crisma publishing. ally assaulted when she went to return the Solís Signs With The WMC deal was done in collabora- key to Warner’s apartment. Per the suit, tion with Foundation Media Partner’s Paul she was about to leave when he allegedly Warner Chappell Vasquez and Harvey Russell. pushed her to the floor, and “with her face down on the carpet, and his hands on top BY LEILA COBO of her, Warner raped Ms. Doe.” After the Marilyn Manson assault detailed in the court document, Doe arco Antonio Solís, one of the says the musician then threatened to kill her most respected, prolific and Accused of Rape and “bragged that he would get away with successful singer/songwrit- it” if he did take her life. ers in Latin music, has signed & Sexual Assault In addition to allegations of sexual assault Ma three-year worldwide deal with Warner and abuse, Doe says in her suit that at one Chappell Music (WCM), Billboard can ex- in New Lawsuit point, Warner told her about his relation- clusively reveal. ship with ex-fiancee Evan Rachel Wood and The deal covers future works as well as BY ANNA CHAN how “he had wanted to kill her.” She went most of Solís’ vast catalog, which includes on to explain how he said he allegedly tied global hits like “Si No Te Hubieras Ido,” woman who was previously in a the actress — who in February publicly “Más Que Tu Amigo,” “O Me Voy O Te Vas,” relationship with Marilyn Man- named the musician as her abuser — to a and “A Donde Vamos a Parar.” son has filed a lawsuit against chair and aimed a gun at her. Solís, who writes alone, holds the record the rocker. In court documents She also details a videotape she claims for most No. 1 albums (12) on Billboard’s Top filedA Friday, May 28, in Los Angeles with the Warner made her watch that he called Latin Albums chart. He has also placed 50 Superior court of California and obtained “Groupie.” In the video, according to Doe, a Page 21 of 28

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young female fan who appeared to be a teen- National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656. in the May 21-27 tracking week, following ager came into a home he was staying in, he HOPE) or visit the anti-sexual violence orga- its May 21 release. allegedly tied her to a chair and “humiliated nization’s website for more information. The song obliterates the prior weekly and berated her” as “she cried and pled.” Ac- marks, held by BTS itself, dating to the Global cording to the lawsuit, a gun was also visible 200’s inception. The group’s “Life Goes On” in the video. Doe noted in the suit that she BTS’ ‘Butter’ opened with 152.5 million global streams asked Warner if the female in the video was on the Dec. 5 chart, while its “Blue & Grey” dead, but that he would not answer, leading Makes Record- began with 86,900 sold on the same survey. Doe to think Warner had “murdered her.” Meanwhile, the South Korean septet A source close to Warner tells Bill- Breaking Bow scores its record-extending fourth Global board that the video “is a scripted short film 200 No. 1, as “Butter” follows “Life Goes shot by a crew and a famous photographer/ Atop Billboard On,” which led the Dec. 5 list; “Savage Love videographer,” and that the young female (Laxed – Siren Beat),” with Jawsh 685 and was an actress who previously appeared in Global Charts Jason Derulo (one week, Oct. 17); and “Dy- “The Long Hard Road Out of Hell” music namite” (four nonconsecutive weeks, Oct. 3 video for Marilyn Manson. The insider says BY GARY TRUST through Jan. 16). this film was intended to be “an extra video Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” drops to feature for an upcoming album release, but TS’ “Butter” glides in atop both No. 2 on the Global 200 after launching a was never released.” the Billboard Global 200 and Bill- week earlier at No. 1, although it surged Doe says in her lawsuit that it wasn’t until board Global Excl. U.S. charts. in streams and sales in its second week of February 2021, after reading about other The song starts with the high- availability (May 21-27), with parent al- allegations of sexual assault against Warner, Best weekly worldwide streams and sales bum Sour released May 21. The song drew that she recalled her own assault, saying she since the surveys began last September. 135.8 million streams, the fourth-biggest had “repressed those memories.” Plus, BTS adds its fourth and third No. 1 on week for any song since the chart originated Doe is demanding a trial by jury, and is each respective ranking, the most of all acts (up 53%), and 23,000 sold (up 43%) globally seeking compensatory damages, punitive so far. in the tracking week. damages, attorney fees and more. Meanwhile, Olivia Rodrigo charts four Rodrigo is the first artist to claim four A member of Warner’s team “strongly songs in the Global 200’s top 10 and three in spots in the Global 200’s top 10 simultane- denies the accusations” in Doe’s lawsuit. the Global Excl. U.S. top 10, the most concur- ously, thanks to four tracks from Sour, her In addition to Wood, Warner has been rent top 10s yet for any artist on each tally. debut album. Joining “Good 4 U,” “Deja accused of assault by other women, Billboard’s two global charts (the latest Vu” soars 13-3, passing its prior No. 8 peak including Game of Thrones actress Esme of which are dated June 5) rank songs set upon its April debut, with 71.3 million Bianco, former girlfriend Ashley Morgan based on streaming and sales activity culled streams (up 62%) and 8,200 sold (up 23%) Smithline, and Ashley Walters, a former from more than 200 territories around worldwide; “Traitor” debuts at No. 7 (54.6 personal assistant. the world, as compiled by MRC Data. The million streams, 4,800 sold); and “Drivers Immediately after Wood named him, the Billboard Global 200 is inclusive of world- License,” which reigned for eight weeks musician denied her claims of abuse. “Obvi- wide data and the Billboard Global Excl. beginning in January, rebounds 22-9 (54 ously, my art and my life have long been U.S. chart comprises data from territories million streams, up 54%; 7,700 sold, up 9%). magnets for controversy, but these recent excluding the U.S. Rounding out the latest Global 200’s top claims about me are horrible distortions of Chart rankings are based on a weighted five, Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” featuring Da- reality,” he wrote in a statement shared on formula incorporating official-only streams Baby, drops to No. 4 from its No. 2 high, and Instagram. “My intimate relationships have on both subscription and ad-supported Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More,” featuring SZA, always been entirely consensual with like- tiers of audio and video music services, as slips to No. 5 from its No. 3 best. minded partners. Regardless of how - and well as download sales, the latter of which ‘Butter’ Also Makes Record-Breaking why - others are now choosing to misrepre- reflect purchases from full-service digital Bow Outside U.S. sent the past, that is the truth.” music retailers from around the world, with BTS’ “Butter” simultaneously debuts Stories about sexual assault allegations sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites at No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. can be traumatizing for survivors of sexual excluded from the charts’ calculations. chart, with a record-shattering 257.4 million assault. If you or anyone you know needs Record Streams & Sales for ‘Butter’ streams and 146,200 sold in territories out- support, you can reach out to the Rape, Abuse Atop Global 200 side the U.S. in the May 21-27 tracking week. & Incest National Network (RAINN). The BTS’ “Butter” blasts in atop the Billboard As on the Global 200, the song soars past organization provides free, confidential sup- Global 200 with a record-breaking 289.2 the prior weekly Global Excl. U.S. marks, held port to sexual assault victims. Call RAINN’s million streams and 249,000 sold worldwide by BTS’ “Life Goes On” (137.8 million streams Page 22 of 28

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outside the U.S.; Dec. 5) and LiSA’s “Homura” ditional music, and producing other artists. (96,400 sold outside the U.S.; Oct. 31). Patrick Sky, His last full length studio album, Through a BTS claims its record-extending third Window, dropped in 1985. Global Excl. U.S. No. 1, as “Butter” follows Folk Artist Sky also made guest appearances on “Life Goes On” (one week, Dec. 5) and “Dy- recordings by Buffy Sainte-Marie, Eric namite” (eight nonconsecutive weeks, Sept. Who Recorded Andersen and Mississippi John Hurt, and 26 through Jan. 16). No other act has more he found new musical energy as a duo with than one No. 1 on the ranking. Controversial his Cathy, recording Down to Us in 2009, an Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” jumps 5-2 album of traditional Irish music. in its second week on the Global Excl. U.S. ‘Songs That Made chart (73.9 million streams, up 60%; 5,600 sold, up 39%). She also becomes the first art- America Famous,’ Taylor Swift’s ist with a trio of concurrent top 10s on the tally, as “Deja Vu” reaches the top 10 at No. Dies at 80 ‘Evermore’ 8, up from its prior No. 13 high (39.5 million streams; 1,800 sold), and “Drivers License” BY LARS BRANDLE Breaks Modern- revs 19-10, after ruling for a record nine weeks (32.3 million streams; 1,600 sold). atrick Sky, a standout of Green- Era Record for Elsewhere in the Global Excl. U.S. top wich Village’s scene of five, Lil X’s “Montero (Call Me by Your the ‘60s, who, as he matured as Biggest Vinyl Name)” descends to No. 3 after six weeks at a songwriter and artist, blended No. 1; Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” featuring Da- Psharp satire with politics and cut an album Album Sales Week Baby, retreats to No. 4 from its No. 3 high; and deemed “x-rated” for its time, died May 26. The Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Save Your He was 80. BY KEITH CAULFIELD Tears” backtracks 4-5, after reaching No. 2. Born Patrick Lynch to Creek Indian and The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Irish ancestry, Sky learned to play guitar, n just three days, Taylor Swift’s Ever- Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated June 5) will banjo, and harmonica during a youth spent more has set the record for the biggest update on Billboard.com tomorrow (June largely near the LaFouche Swamp region of sales week for a vinyl album in the U.S. 2, a day later than usual due to the May . since MRC Data began tracking sales 31 Memorial Day holiday in the U.S.) For Like so many of his peers, Sky served in the Iin 1991. both charts, the top 100 titles are available military for several years after attending col- The vinyl edition of Evermore, released to all readers on Billboard.com, while the lege. These experiences would shape his art. on May 28, sold over 40,000 copies in the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Sky settled in in the U.S. through May 30, according to ini- Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based 1960s and cut his self-titled debut album in tial reports to MRC Data. That beats the service. For all chart news, you can follow 1965. Patrick Sky opened with what would record for an entire single-week of vinyl @billboard and @billboardcharts on both become a folk staple, “Many a Mile.” sales, held by the debut frame of vinyl Twitter and Instagram. As his satirical edge took shape, Sky re- devotee Jack White’s Lazaretto, when corded his fifth album LP Songs That Made it launched with 40,000 copies in the week America Famous in March 1971, a set said ending June 15, 2014. (MRC Data began to be so confrontational, it was rejected by electronically tracking music sales in 1991, multiple record labels. The album didn’t see when the company was known as Sound- the light of day for another two years. Scan.) It’s presumed that Evermore’s vinyl Adelphi Records president Gene Rosen- sales sum will grow by the end of the track- thal wasn’t scared off. He spotted its “re- ing week on Thursday, June 3. deeming social content” and agreed to issue Evermore was initially released digitally the record, complete with its controversial and through streamers on Dec. 11, 2020, but title, cover art and label design, a bare-butt its vinyl edition was not issued until May parody of the Apple Corps logo. 28. Evermore’s vinyl sales are helped greatly Indeed, a link to the record on the Adel- by five months of banked pre-orders, as the phi Records website warns readers of its vinyl version of the album was announced in lyrical contents, which “are an aggressive mid-December, and went up for pre-order breach of ‘political correctness.’” at the same time. Over time, Sky changed gears to Irish tra- Evermore’s record-breaking vinyl sales Page 23 of 28

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add to the great music-on-vinyl comeback One of Robertson’s latest releases was story for the once-dormant format. 2020 Lil Loaded, his for the track “Hard Times,” marked the single-largest year for U.S. vinyl feat. , a track off of 2020’s Criptape. album sales in MRC Data history (27.54 mil- Dallas Rapper If you’re thinking about suicide, or are lion copies) and the 15th consecutive year of worried about a friend or loved one, contact growth for vinyl (up 46.2%). Further, vinyl Behind ‘6locc the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, LPs accounted for 27% of all albums sold in available 24 hours, at 1-800-273-8255. 2020. Vinyl albums were once the dominant 6a6y,’ Dies at 20 format for album purchases in the U.S., up until the early 1980s. After that, cassettes BY ASHLEY IASIMONE Eurovision 2021 took hold until the early 1990s, when the CD format flourished and became the leading allas rapper Lil Loaded has died Reports 183 format for album sales. at the age of 20. Evermore, again, was initially issued to Ashkan Mehryari, attorney for Million Viewers, streaming services and as a commercial Lil Loaded (real name Dashawn digital album on Dec. 11, 2020, and de- DRobertson), confirmed the rapper’s passing Solid Gains Online buted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. in an email to Billboard on Monday night The album’s CD, cassette and vinyl editions (May 31). He said the death was reportedly BY LARS BRANDLE followed on Dec. 18, 2020; Feb. 12 and May the result of a suicide. 28, 2021, respectively. The delayed release Lil Loaded was known for the viral track he Eurovision Song Contest was of Evermore’s physical formats is owed to “6locc 6a6y” that arrived in 2019, and just sorely missed. After skipping 2020 the amount of time it takes to manufacture last week was certified gold by the Re- due to the pandemic, Eurovision the products, with vinyl requiring the lon- cording Industry Association of America returned this year with an interna- gest time to produce. (RIAA). He had released his latest music Ttional ratings juggernaut. As Evermore was a surprise release (Swift through . According to data published Tuesday announced its existence on Dec. 10), there “dopest fanbase on earth,” he’d written on (June 1) by the European Broadcasting was likely no time for her team and her re- his last post on Instagram on May 27, when Union (EBU), organizers of the annual cord label, Republic Records, to coordinate he proudly shared the news about “6locc party, some 183 million viewers tuned in for the manufacturing of the physical editions 6a6y” being certified gold. the 65th Eurovision, won this year by Italy’s of the album in time for the Dec. 11 stream- In 2020, Robertson had been arrested on entrant Måneskin and their song “Zitti e ing and digital release. So, the CD, cassette a murder charge in connection to the shoot- buoni”. That’s an increase of more than one and vinyl editions hit retail later. ing of 18-year-old Khalil Walker. million viewers on the previous edition. Not all albums these days have such de- According to the Dallas Morning News, in The May 22 Grand Final in Rotterdam, layed physical releases, but many do. Ariana February he was indicted on a lesser charge the Netherlands, was particularly eye-catch- Grande’s Positions is another such example. of manslaughter. At the time, his attorney ing, posting a four percentage point greater The album was released on Oct. 30, 2020, af- told the local news outlet that the two were TV audience share (40.5%) than the most ter Grande had teased the album’s existence friends and the incident involved “.” recent finale, in 2019. Oct. 14. While Positions was released on Robertson was born in San Bernardino, Importantly, the popular song competi- Oct. 30 as both a digital album and as a CD, California, before moving to Dallas when he tion was a hit with young audiences. The its cassette and vinyl LP were delayed until was a kid. He grew up listening to Michael 15–24-year-old demographic was up 7 April 9. Like Evermore, Grande’s vinyl LP Jackson — “to me he started the whole rap- percentage points against the correspond- had months of pre-orders fueling its even- ping/singing thing. That’s where it origi- ing data from 2019. More than half that age tual arrival, when it sold 32,000 copies in nally came from for me,” he said in a 2019 group (52.8%) tuned in on TV. the week ending April 15. interview with XXL — and Lyfe Jennings, Eurovision also spread the cheer online. One superstar album on the horizon that and also drew inspiration from artists like In the week leading up to the final, some will not have a delayed vinyl release is Billie , The Game, , Snoop 50.6 million unique viewers logged onto the Eilish’s Happier Than Ever. On July 30, the Dogg, Rich Homie Quan and Tupac. official YouTube channel, up 28% on 2019, album will be released via streaming plat- He started at 18. Before “6locc with fans connected from 234 countries. forms; and commercially as a digital album, 6a6y” made its mark — as of May 31, its Not surprisingly, the 18–34-year-olds ac- and on CD, cassette and vinyl formats (with offical video on YouTube had been viewed counted for most of the live views (71%), and at least six different color vinyl editions close to 29 million times — he dropped his Eurovision was a buzz topic on social media, available in the U.S., in addition to its stan- first song, “B.O.S.,” which was a reworking of with nearly 5 million Eurovision-related dard black vinyl edition). YNW Melly’s “Butter Pecan.” tweets sent on the night of the Grand Final. Page 24 of 28

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During Eurovision week, the official -Eu and community development.” rovision social accounts — across Instagram, Jazmine Sullivan, “As a live experience, the Essence Festival Facebook, Twitter and TikTok — generated normally attracts more than 500,000 at- 14 million engagement actions on posts, the DJ Khaled, tendees annually during July 4th weekend EBU reports. in , but last year, we made the Losers can also be winners. The U.K.’s Ne-Yo & More necessary decision to shift our multi-day entrant James Newman scored zero points celebration to an innovative virtual format in the final with his song “Embers,” but that Set to Perform due to COVID-19,” she continued. “The didn’t stop 7.4 million viewers watching on ESSENCE Festival was the first of its kind in his homeland, the highest number from at 2021 Essence and scale to be executed virtually during the that territory since 2014 and up 6% on 2019. pandemic and our team worked tirelessly Where awards ceremonies in the U.S. Festival of Culture to deliver the content, programming and and beyond are posting diminishing ratings, resources that our community desired.” Eurovision, and its camp, relentlessly upbeat BY DARLENE ADEROJU format, plays to a different beat. “We’re thrilled to see that audiences wel- he Essence Festival of Culture pre- Strictly Discs comed back the Eurovision Song Contest in sented by Coca-Cola is back. The such huge numbers and very proud to have two weekend-long event kicks off in Wisconsin, brought millions together at a time when in New Orleans from June 25 to so many are still apart,” comments Martin T27, with continued festivities the following in a Pandemic: Osterdahl, Executive Supervisor of the 2021 weekend, July 2 to 4, and is open in person Eurovision Song Contest. exclusively to Louisiana residents. For all Enforcing The “overwhelmingly positive response” non-Louisiana residents hoping to join the to contest and its performers are an indica- fun, the festival will be available for stream- Masks Will Be tion that, the Eurovision’s impact is “bigger ing at EssenceStudios.com and Essence.com. than ever,” he continues. On Tuesday (June 1), the star-studded a Challenge The glitter-fest has long been dismissed in list of performers was announced. Jazmine some parts, particularly the U.K. and U.S., as Sullivan, DJ Khaled, Ne-Yo, , Tank, BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN a procession of style with no substance. The Michelle Williams, Kirk Franklin and viewing numbers would suggest otherwise. D-Nice are among those slated to hit the n October 1988, Angie Roloff and her And as Billboard reports, the contest that stage. Attendees can also expect special husband Ron opened Strictly Discs in famously launched the career of ABBA, has guest appearances from Mary J. Blige, Madison, Wisconsin, after Ron left a become more attractive to major record Angela Yee, Adrienne Bailon, Sarah Jakes career in the biomedical research field labels because of that massive audience. Roberts, Tracy G, Tiana Major9, Big Freedia, Ito pursue his love of music full time. Nearly Miss Lawrence, Supacent and many more. 31 years later, the couple made the difficult The 2021 Essence Festival of Culture will decision to shutter in-store operations due include virtual experiences for the sec- to COVID-19, roughly a week before Gov. ond consecutive year amid the COVID-19 Tony Evers forced a mandatory shutdown of pandemic. To help prevent the spread of the all non-essential businesses. After the Wis- virus, in-person activations — set to honor consin Supreme Court overturned Evers’ essential workers and first responders who stay-at-home order in May 2020 — ruling it remain on the frontlines amid the ongoing “unlawful” and “unenforceable” — the Rol- health crisis — will be accessible only to offs and their employees reopened the store Louisiana residents. and have kept it running ever since. Latraviette Smith-Wilson, Essence chief As part of Billboard’s efforts to best cover strategy and engagement officer, said in a the coronavirus pandemic and its impacts statement, “The Essence Festival of Culture, on the music industry, we will be speak- now the largest festival in the nation by per ing with Roloff regularly to chronicle her day attendance, is an unparalleled conven- experience throughout the crisis. (Read the ing and celebration of global Black culture previous installment here and see the full and continues to have even deeper impact series here.) on our communities via our expanded focus What’s changed for you since we last on economic inclusion, cultural ownership spoke? Page 25 of 28

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Not a whole lot. Our staff is vaccinated, dates, and I know that we’re going to handle make any change. everybody’s had their second shot, so that’s those in the same way we handled the drop I imagine the mask thing as a business clearly progress. And our county, it just dates last year. We’ll work the line outdoors, owner is especially complicated because came out last week, is leading the country and we’ll only open once the line is gone, there are going to be people like you who for large counties as far as vaccination rates. because that worked so well and it really are a little more cautious, and people who Now, outside of our county, it can be a little helped to minimize crowds inside the store. are less cautious. Is there any fear that bit of a different story, but that’s always the But it’s hard to [imagine] how that might you could turn some of those more cau- case in Madison. look if we have quite a few people in the tious people off and make them not want What’s going on with mask mandates store [after we open the doors that day] — if to come in the store if they see a bunch of in Madison? that’s gonna feel comfortable for folks if we people milling around without masks? There was some uncertainty after the don’t have mask [mandates]. Definitely staff Absolutely. I feel that that is a real risk. CDC made their announcement last week, are going to wear masks — it’s just a matter Because we heard over and over again how because we were still, in Dane County, and of how we handle customers and making much [people] appreciated how cautious a couple others in Wisconsin, under a mask sure that they both feel comfortable, and we were, and the fact that, by all accounts, mandate. So last week, the county health de- that we aren’t treading on their rights. I things were handled well. We didn’t have partment announced that they would hold a anticipate that enforcement is going to be any trace cases come back to us. So there’s press conference announcing their plans. challenging after the June 2 date. part of you that feels satisfied that that Everyone that I had spoken to was ex- Even in Madison? Because you’ve indi- went so well, and maybe hesitant to change pecting that they were going to follow the cated in the past that it is a fairly liberal course because it’s been successful. But I suit of so many other areas and just lift the city. do believe in science, and when it points to mandate altogether, and they chose not to. It is, but we continue to get calls on occa- the fact that we can make changes, I feel They chose to announce that when the cur- sion, and some frustration from customers, like we should. So the very short answer is, rent health order that was in place, which about wearing masks, and I just feel like that I have no idea what we’re going to do. It’s expires on June 2 and does contain the in- will amp up when the county order expires, great that things are going so much better, door mask mandate, that they didn’t intend and there’ll be more questions of, “Why do I though, so I have to keep reminding myself to issue any more countywide health orders. have to wear a mask here if the CDC and the to celebrate the victory. So, in effect, it would expire on that date. county says I don’t?” The reason they stated that is they thought Do you think that the CDC jumped the that by that time, approximately 75% of the gun a little bit in making that recom- The Players county would be fully immunized. mendation? How are you feeling about that? It’s really hard for me to know. Again, I Behind Olivia Well, I was really relieved that they didn’t approach this with a little bit more trepida- just lift them quickly. There have been times tion than I think many people do. I think Rodrigo’s where the orders have changed, especially with how this year-plus has gone, we’re all when we were reopening, and sometimes conditioned to be a little bit more fearful of ‘Good 4 U’: See they happened so quickly that I think a lot that risk, even if it’s small. So I’m trying to of business owners have felt a little flat- take a measured approach, and talking to the Full Credits footed in responding to them. In this case, both staff and customers who may fall into we were really glad that we have a couple of higher-risk categories to get their perspec- BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN weeks to decide how we’re gonna proceed. tive. And I’m just kind of starting that pro- Which way are you leaning as far as cess. As I gather some of that information, his week, Olivia Rodrigo scored requiring masks in the store after June 2? some of them are comfortable with people her second No. 1 debut on the Hot Well, I’ve been talking to our employees, not wearing masks. And I feel like if they 100 (after “Drivers License”) with talking to the other merchants on the street, are, then I should maybe start to feel a little “Good 4 U,” the third single off her talking to other record store owners, just bit more that way, too. Tacclaimed freshman album Sour. The feat kind of gauging how other people feel. I I don’t anticipate rushing into anything makes Sour the first debut album ever to think I’ve mentioned to you that I knew this on the [June] 2. I anticipate kind of looking score two No. 1 debuts on the pop chart. process would make me nervous, and I want and continuing to gauge how everyone’s “Good 4 U” racked up 43.2 million U.S. to make sure that I’m not too conservative feeling in the time leading up to that, and streams and sold 12,000 downloads in the in how we approach it just because of me then probably the weeks after. It feels like week ending May 20, according to MRC feeling fearful. with June 2 being the lift, and June 12 being Data, while also drawing 3.8 million radio We have a couple of big dates coming up. the first drop date, that airplay audience impressions in the week We have both of those Record Store Day we might as well just wait until after that to ending May 23. The song also debuted atop Page 26 of 28

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the Billboard Global 200 and at No. 5 on Sfeir’s detention raised concerns at home the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. tally. Lebanese Singer that he was the latest victim of rising tension Explore the team of musicians, producers between Lebanon and its traditional ally, and more behind the track with recording Samir Sfeir Saudi Arabia, which has increasingly used credits provided by Jaxsta below. pressure, instead of assistance, in dealing Artists: Deported From with the small Mediterranean country where Main Artist - Olivia Rodrigo the Iran-backed Hezbollah dominates. : Saudi Arabia After Only last month, the kingdom barred all Composer Lyricist - Daniel Nigro fresh produce arriving from Lebanon from Composer Lyricist - Olivia Rodrigo 50-Day Detention entering Saudi Arabia after drug smuggling Producers: was found in such shipments. It was a sharp Producer - BY ASSOCIATED PRESS measure that dealt a major blow to one of Producer - Daniel Nigro the main sources of foreign currency to the Production Team: prominent Lebanese singer embattled Mediterranean country. Drum Programming - Alexander 23 and composer known for his Tension between the two regional pow- Drum Programming - Daniel Nigro strong opinions said he has been erhouses — Saudi Arabia and Iran — often Engineers: deported from Saudi Arabia after translated into a deadlock in decision- Asst. Recording Engineer - Ryan Linvill aA 50-day detention — mostly in solitary con- making in Lebanese politics. Saudi Arabia, Mastering Engineer - finement — because of opinions expressed which is seeking new allies in Lebanon, has Mixer - Mitch McCarthy online in support of Lebanon’s president imposed sanctions on Hezbollah, labelled Recording Engineer - Daniel Nigro and his ally the Iran-backed Hezbollah. a terrorist group by the United States and Performers: Samir Sfeir arrived in Beirut Thursday other Gulf countries. Acoustic Guitar - Daniel Nigro from Saudi Arabia. He looked haggard and Sfeir said he was the victim of an online Background Vocalist - Alexander 23 grizzled — having lost his trademark long smear that used his old tweets Background Vocalist - Daniel Nigro black bob. He also said he was forgiving of and TV comments which he claimed were Bass - Alexander 23 the authorities in Saudi Arabia, telling The misrepresented to appear offensive to the Bass - Daniel Nigro Associated Press in a telephone call that he is kingdom. Sfeir said his investigators viewed - Alexander 23 holding no grudge. some of his statements as offensive to Leba- Electric Guitar - Daniel Nigro Sfeir, who had residency in the kingdom non’s army. - Daniel Nigro for five years, said he is now banned from Sfeir is known for his political statements Labels: returning. in the media and on other platforms to criti- Distributor - Universal Music Group “I was bothered by the manner. I wish cize opponents of Aoun, and has expressed Label - Olivia Rodrigo PS / Interscope / they just told me to leave and not come his unwavering support to Hezbollah as a Geffen back. I would have done it,” he said. defender of the country’s unity. He said the Explore the full “Good 4 U” credits on Sfeir said he was “a political prisoner” in alleged smear campaign was launched after Jaxsta here. the Kingdom and his captors only ques- he posted a picture of himself receiving a tioned him on political issues, including his vaccine in Saudi Arabia — something his links to Hezbollah and President Michel detractors thought he did not deserve. Aoun. No charges were pressed, he said. “Social media and electronic flies [armies] “My investigator told me that I am mak- are ruining things,” he said. “They asked me ing political statements,” Sfeir said. “In many questions ... They said, I am not al- their system, they don’t have such thing. lowed to be offensive to any Arab country.” They disapproved.” After several interrogation sessions by dif- ferent Saudi investigators, Sfeir was released and sent to Lebanon. Other than solitary con- finement, Sfeir said he was treated respect- fully. His wife, Marie, told a local TV station that Sfeir refused to eat in the first days of his detention and didn’t have his medicine. There was no official comment from Saudi Arabia about the reasons and condi- tions of his detention and release. Page 27 of 28

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Further, Rodrigo is just the sixth woman has embraced us, which means the world to Olivia Rodrigo to chart at least 11 songs on the Hot 100 at me. I’m forever grateful to everybody that’s once. She joins Swift (the leader with 18, helped get my songs out there. Thanks to Charts All 11 Songs on Sept. 7, 2019), Cardi B, Beyoncé, Billie everybody, and I never take it for granted.” Eilish and Ariana Grande. (Among all acts, The single, which Combs wrote with From ‘Sour’ in Drake drew a record 27 songs on the July Drew Parker and Robert Williford, follows 14, 2018, Hot 100.) “Better Together,” which ruled for five Hot 100’s Top 30 Among Rodrigo’s other new achieve- weeks beginning in January; “Lovin’ on You” ments, she spends a 10th week at No. 1 on (four weeks, starting last September); “Does BY XANDER ZELLNER the Hot 100 Songwriters chart, thanks to her to Me,” featuring Eric Church (two, May writing credits on all 11 tracks on Sour. She 2020); “Even Though I’m Leaving” (five, livia Rodrigo adds more honors ties Roddy Ricch for the second-most weeks November 2019); and “Beer Never Broke My on Billboard’s charts (dated June spent at No. 1 in the chart’s two-year history, Heart” (two, August 2019). 5) as all 11 tracks from her debut after Finneas (11). “Forever” is among the tracks premiered studio album Sour land in the All charts dated June 5 will update on the deluxe version of What You See Is Otop 30 of the Billboard Hot 100. Wednesday (June 2) on Billboard.com. What You Get, which was reissued in Octo- As previously reported, Sour launches ber 2020, dubbed What You See Ain’t Always at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 295,000 What You Get in its 23-track expanded form. equivalent album units, according to MRC Luke Combs One album has generated six Country Data, surpassing Taylor Swift’s Fearless Airplay No. 1s all via its standard edi- (Taylor’s Version) for the biggest week of Continues tion: Luke Bryan accomplished the feat 2021 for any album. Sour also sets a new on the chart dated April 15, 2017, when mark for the largest week, in terms of units, Career-Opening “Fast” became the sixth leader from his for an act’s debut album, besting Cardi full-length Kill the , which opened B’s Invasion of Privacy in 2018. No. 1 Streak on atop in August 2015. Here’s a recap of Rodrigo’s Hot 100 haul The song followed the set’s first five No. this week. (All are debuts except where Country Airplay 1s: “Move” (two weeks, November 2016); noted.) “Huntin’, Fishin’ & Lovin’ Every Day” Rank, Title Chart With (one, July 2016); “Home Alone Tonight,” No. 2, “Good 4 U” (down from No. 1, where featuring Karen Fairchild of Little Big it debuted a week earlier) ‘Forever After All’ Town (two, February, 2016); “Strip It No. 3, “Deja Vu” (up from No. 21; new peak) Down” (two weeks, beginning in October No. 9, “Traitor” BY JIM ASKER 2015); and “Kick the Dust Up” (one, August No. 11, “Drivers License” (up from No. 24; 2015). previously spent eight weeks at No. 1) uke Combs’ “Forever After All” Bryan cracked opened his six-pack of No. No. 12, “Brutal” ascends 2-1 on Billboard’s Country 1s all from the 13-track Kill The Lights; a No. 14, “Enough for You” Airplay chart dated June 5, be- Target-exclusive version added three songs, No. 15, “Happier” coming his record-extending 11th but none were released as singles. No. 18, “Favorite Crime” Lcareer-opening No. 1 single on the list. “Forever” is Combs’ 11th straight career- No. 19, “1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back” In the week ending May 30, the track opening No. 1 single (counting properly- No. 24, “Jealousy, Jealousy” increased by 7% to 32.3 million audience promoted songs) on Country Airplay. He No. 29, “Hope Ur OK” impressions, according to MRC Data. broke the record for the best rookie streak Rodrigo is the first female artist, and the “Forever” is the sixth No. 1 from Combs’ when he scored his fifth consecutive leader, fourth act overall, to simultaneously chart 11 second LP, What You See Is What You Get, “Beautiful Crazy,” in March 2019. or more songs in the Hot 100’s top 30. Drake combining its original and deluxe versions. Meanwhile, “Forever,” which arrived atop holds the record for the most simultaneous The set has ruled Top Country Albums for the airplay-, sales- and streaming-based Hot top 30 entries, with 17 on July 14, 2018 (the 37 weeks, starting upon its debut in Novem- Country Songs chart in November, leads week that his album Scorpion debuted atop ber 2019. the list for a fifth week. It corralled 13.5 mil- the Billboard 200). Drake is followed by Post “It’s pretty crazy having this song go No. lion U.S. streams and sold 7,000 downloads Malone (12; May 12, 2018, thanks to the ar- 1,” Combs marvels. “It’s all thanks to the in the week ending May 27. On the 2021 rival of Hollywood’s Bleeding), Rodrigo and J. fans [and] we have a really great team, from iHeartRadio Music Awards, which aired live Cole (also 11; last week’s, May 29, 2021-dated management, to label, to band and crew. May 27 on Fox, Combs won twice, for coun- chart, via the launch of The Off-Season). And, we’ve been lucky that country radio try artist of the year and album of the year Page 28 of 28

IN BRIEF

for What You See Is What You Get. album to her concert film, starts at No. 4. formances by many of the greats of contem- Shoegaze icons My Bloody Valen- porary music, from Prince to , tine return to the chart at No. 7 with their Nina Simone, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Olivia Rodrigo ‘90s classic Loveless, following a reissue and others. campaign by Domino Records; and Super Tickets for this year’s fest go on sale Smashes Records Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys has from June 8 via the Montreux Festi- a highest-ever solo chart position with his val website. En Route to U.K. seventh album Seeking New Gods. It’s new at No. 10. Chart Double Over on the Official U.K. Singles Olivia Rodrigo’s Chart, BTS bags the U.K.’s highest new BY LARS BRANDLE entry of the week with “Butter” (Big Hit ‘Good 4 U’ Is On Entertainment). It’s new No. 3 for the K-pop t’s official: Olivia Rodrigo has the No. phenom’s second U.K. Top 5 single. “Butter” Track to Extend 1 single and album in the U.K. right is the most downloaded single of the week, now. And she smashes several records by a margin of more than 10,000 sales. U.K. Chart Reign along the way. IAt 18 years and three months, the Califor- BY LARS BRANDLE nian singer and actor becomes the youngest Rag’n’Bone Man, solo artist ever to score the U.K. double, as livia Rodrigo should extend her “Good 4 U” (Geffen) lifts 2-1 on the national Arlo Parks and stay atop the Official U.K. Sin- singles chart and Sour debuts at No. 1 on gles Chart for at least another the albums survey. More Confirmed week with “Good 4 U” (Geffen). Sour blasts to the top of the Official U.K. OThe teenage U.S. artist and actor last Fri- Albums Chart with 51,000 combined sales, for 2021 Montreux day (May 28) set a handful of new records the reports, for the as her debut album Sour opened at No. 1 and biggest opening week of the year. Jazz Festival “Good 4 U” climbed to the top of the na- That’s also the biggest opening week for tional singles survey, for her second leader. a debut album in two years, since Lewis BY BILLBOARD STAFF Rodrigo’s latest hit single rules the First Capaldi’s Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Look chart, which ranks tracks based on the Extent dropped in May 2019. rit Award-winners Rag’n’Bone first 48 hours of sales and streaming activity, Sour racks up 45.7 million track streams Man and Arlo Parks, and Detroit while her second single “Déjà Vu” (No. 5) over the seven-day cycle — or 30,945 techno legend Jeff Mills are and her debut “Drivers License” (No. 6) are streaming-equivalent sales — for the most among the headliners booked for impacting the Top 10. first-week streams for a debut album, eclips- Bthe 2021 edition of Montreux Jazz Festival, At this early stage, Stay Flee Get Lizzy’s ing Capaldi’s record, according to the OCC. slated to roll out across 16 days next month “Meant To Be” (Ye) featuring Fredo and The last artist to score the double with in Switzerland. Central Cee is on course to be the highest their debut was Sam Smith, who achieved Also confirmed to the lineup are Wood- new entry. It’s at No. 16 on the chart blast. the feat six years ago with2015’s In The kid, Nathy Peluso, Inhaler, the Paradox Stay Flee Get Lizzy is the artist project Lonely Hour and “Lay Me Down”. project of Jeff Mills and Tony Allen, and of Dion “Sincere” Lizzy, the rapper and in- The big numbers keep coming, as “Good many more. dustry figure who landed a Top 40 hit with 4 U” gives Rodrigo her second leader fol- Set to take place from July 2-17, Montreux 2018’s “Ay Caramba” featuring Nottingham lowing “Drivers License” back in January. Jazz Festival this year debuts a new stage, Fredo and hip-hop duo Young T & Bugsey. “Good 4 U” generates 117,000 chart sales in Scene Du Lac, on the banks of Lake Geneva. Meanwhile, The Weeknd’s “Save seven days — including 13.5 million streams The festival, one of Europe’s best-known Your Tears” (Republic Records/XO) — for the biggest No. 1 single of 2021. and longest-running live music events, was lifts 8-3 following his performance Sour leads an all-new Top 4, as Gary canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. with Ariana Grande at the 2021 iHeart- Numan’s 22nd solo studio LP Intrud- In April of this year, organizers an- Radio Music Awards while Rag’n’Bone er (BMG) starts at No. 2; U.S. alternative nounced plans for the festival’s return, with Man & P!nk’s “Anywhere Away From Here” pop outfit Twenty One Pilots see their a limited capacity and its new stage. (Best Laid Plans/Columbia) is chasing a new latest, Scaled and Icy (Atlantic/Fueled By Montreux Jazz Festival was established peak, rising 11- 8. Ramen), take off at No. 3; while P!nk’s All I in 1967 by the late jazz connoisseur Claude The Official U.K. Singles Chart is pub- Know So Far: Setlist (RCA), the companion Nobs. Over time, the event has hosted per- lished late Friday, local time.