BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE 4 OF 19 ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] Bulletin SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country YOURAlbu DAILYms; BrettENTERTAINMENT Young ‘Catc NEWSh UPDATE’-es Fifth AirplayJULY 28, 2020 Page 1 of 22 Leader; Travis Denning Makes History INSIDE Spotify Kicks Off an Earnings Season Sam Hunt’s second studio full-length, and first in over five years, Southside sales (up 21%) in the tracking week. On Country Airplay, it hops 18-15 (11.9 mil- (MCA Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville),Like debuts No at No. 1 Other:on Billboard’s lion audienceWhat impressions, to up 16%).Watch for as Top Country• What DoAlbums Virtual chart dated April 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it earnedFestivals 46,000 Pay equivalent Artists? album units,Music including 16,000 Biz in album Lays sales, ac- TRY Out TO ‘CATCH’ Pandemic’s UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves Impact his fifth consecutive cordingTomorrowland to Nielsen Music/MRC Tests Data. and total Country Airplay No. 1 as “Catch” (Big Machine Label Group) ascends Southsidea New marks Model Hunt’s second No. 1 on the 2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions. chart and fourth top 10. It follows freshman LP BY GLENN PEOPLES Young’s first of six chart entries, “Sleep With- Montevallo• Gov., which Andrew arrived at the summit in No - out You,” reached No. 2 in December 2016. He Cuomo Calls For vember 2014 and reigned for nineStarting weeks. To with date, Spotify on Wednesday (July 29) and three monthsfollowed ago. with the multiweek No. 1s “In Case You Montevalloa Public has Healthearned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved millionInvestigation in album sales. of The ending August 20, the second-quarter financials of When Spotify You” (three,released January first-quarter 2018), “Mercy” earnings (two, August on MontevalloChainsmokers’ has spent Drive- 267 weeks13 on publicly the list, tying traded music-related companies will lay May 1, Europe2018) was and more “Here than Tonight” two months(two, April into 2019). the Luke BryanIn’s Show Crash My Party as thebare sixth-longest- the damage done by the coronavirus pandemic. pandemic and“Catch” the United completes States his economy longest journey had been to No. 1, running titles in the chart’s 56-year history. having taken 46 weeks to reach the apex. It out- • A 79-Year-Old On one end of the spectrum are digital services such in a tailspin for six weeks. Some metrics went south On the all-genre Billboard 200, Southside ar- paces the 30-week climb of “Here Tonight.” Doing Hip-Hop? ‘The as Spotify that likely escaped unscathed; concert at the end of the first quarter, Spotify saw “some rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for Simpsons’ Is Where HUNT YOUNG after the No. 3-peaking Montevallopromoters,. with touring suspended through the entire pickup” in thea new churn high. rate and a dip in the ratio of daily Free Speech Battles Hunt first released the EPX2C quarter,, which debuted suffered unprecedented losses and have pre- to monthly listeners. But the downturn was short- Age Bias Claims and peaked at No. 5 on Top Countrypared forAlbums blank in slates August the 2014. rest Followingof the year. COMBS ‘DOES’ lived:IT AGAIN by LukeApril, Combs the churn’ “Does rate to Me” saw (River “some House/Columbia pretty nice Montevallo• Yellowcard, Between Ends the Pines: AcousticMusic Mixtape industry started professionals, at its No. 7particularly high in Nashville), record la featuring- improvements” Eric Church ,and ascends new 11-8 user on growth Country accelerated, Airplay, up 10% the to NovemberCopyright 2015. Lawsuit bels and publishers, who want to build their24.7 expecta million- in audience.company The said. song is Combs’ eighth straight career-opening MontevalloAgainst Juice produced WRLD five singles, four of which hit the pinnacle of Country top 10, following a record run of seven consecutive out-of-the-gate, properly Airplay: “Leave the Night On,” “Taketions Yourfor streaming Time,” “House royalties, Party” should and “Make take notepromoted of Spo -No. 1 singles.Key Takeaways: You• Miss The Me.” Organizers “Break Upof in a Smalltify’s Town” earnings peaked release at No. and 2. conference call discussionChurch adds his1) 15th Labels Country and Airplay publishers top 10. should look to Spotify’s HuntThat co-penned Controversial all 12 songs( onBillboard Southside will, including thoroughly “Body cover Like both). a Back In particular, sequential and annual growth rates to gauge the pan- Road,”Chainsmokers which was released in 2017.the Thekey smashmetric hit is ruledactual Country subscriber Airplay growth for comparedTHAT TOOK QUITEdemic’s ‘A FEW’ effect MONTHS on subscription Travis Denning royalties. shatters the record for threeConcert weeks and Respond: the airplay-, streaming-to the company’s and sales-based earlier Hot forecasts Country of Songs 133 millionthe most to weeks it has2) Thetaken publicly to penetrate traded the promoters’Country Airplay second-quarter top 10 as “After chart‘The for aVideo then-record Doesn’t 34 frames. It now ranks second only to Bebe Rexha and a Few” (Mercury Nashville) climbs 12-10 in its 57th week, up 4% to 21.4 mil - 138 million. An uptick in churn and a slowdown in earnings will reveal the coronavirus’s impact. With FloridaConvey Georgia How LineCareful’s “Meant to Be” (50 weeks atop the latter list in 2017-18). lion in radio reach. “Downtown’sWe Were’ Dead,” which isfirst-time also on the subscribers new set, reached could Nos. put 14 Spotify and 15 at theThe low song surpassesenough two liquidity tracks that to survivetook 50 weeks 2020, each promoters’ to enter thebigger top 10: on Hot Country Songs and Countryend Airplay,of the range. respectively, Another in June metric 2018. to “Kin watch- isEaston full-year Corbin ’schallenge “A Girl Like is You,”2021. which reached No. 10 in January 2018 be- folks” led Country Airplay on Feb.guidance 29, becoming of 143 Hunt’smillion seventh to 153 millionNo. 1. It hitsubscribers: fore peaking a at No.3) 6 that Warner February, Music and Group’s Aaron Watson earnings’s “Outta will reveal Style,” how which No. 3 on Hot Country Songs. fall in the forecast indicates that Spotify believesachieved the its No.well 10 high the in major December labels 2017. have navigated brick-and-mortar 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 pandemic’s effects will last longer than it predicted (continued) eighth top 10, having corralled 8.2 million U.S. streams (up 96%) and 5,000 in From Powder Springs” traveled to No. 32 in September 2018. ETHAN MICHAEL YOUNG: VIA MARTIN/NHLI GETTY HUNT: IMAGES. IMAGES MILLER/GETTY

Page 3 of 22

IN BRIEF

closures that hurt physical sales. Look for revenue, the second quarter was a challenge With little revenue in the quarter, comments on digital royalties and WMG’s even for fast-growing global publishers. A promoters’ balance sheets are far more outlook on subscription services for insight comparable company’s performance was important than their income statements. In into the second half of the year. Snap’s second-quarter revenue: up 17% particular, Live Nation has girded for deep After a torrential rally, Spotify’s share year-over-year but, more importantly, down losses by bolstering its liquidity through a price closed Monday at $272.82, up 82.4% sequentially from $462 million to $454 mil- $1.2 billion notes sale and a $130 million for the year but 9.0% below the high of lion in the first quarter. increase in its credit facility. As of May 1, $299.67 reached on July 22. Investors’ To investors, Spotify’s podcast business MSG Entertainment had roughly $1.4 billion ringing enthusiasm stems from a string of and continued rapid growth justify its $50 in cash and cash equivalents and short-term podcast deals with the likes of Joe Rogan, billion-plus market capitalization. J.P. Mor- investments, plus approximately $220 mil- arguably the biggest name in American gan’s Doug Anmuth set a $305 price target lion in advance cash proceeds from the $400 podcasting, and newcomer Michelle Obama. on Spotify shares while RBC Capital Mar- million sale of the Forum on March 24, The run-up was mostly anticipation for kets’ Mark Maheney has a $320 price target. according to its previous earnings release. future benefits of an aggressive push into Having set a $172 price target, Bernstein’s Warner Music Group’s earnings — set podcasting. While nobody can say if Spotify Juenger is less impressed by Spotify’s ability for Aug. 4 — will show how major labels made the right moves — wait until 2022 or to convert podcast listening into subscrib- performed in a quarter with brick-and- so — the company is likely to give an update ers and ward off Apple’s and Amazon’s push mortar retail closures hurting CD and vinyl on its progress of turning a music service into non-music content. sales. After most countries issued shelter-in- into a broader audio platform. Whatever harm the coronavirus caused to place orders in March, WMG’s first-quarter Podcasting works better as a subscriber digital music is a flesh wound compared to revenues fell 12% from $335 million to acquisition tool than an advertising genera- the damage inflicted on the live music busi- $294 million. Even though digital royalties tor. Rogan could become a Howard Stern- ness. Save for the occasional drive-in event, will have increased, Warner prepared for like cornerstone to Spotify’s podcasting the concert business has been suspended a bumpy 2020, adding $120 million to its stable and draw loyal listeners away from since mid-March, leaving the entire second credit facility and getting lenders to ease its other services. But Rogan will provide quarter without any revenue outside of debt covenants. During a virtual roadshow little direct advertising benefit — a Spotify ticket sales for future events, although even leading up to its June 3 IPO, the company spokesperson previously told Billboard it that should be negligible. As for Tuesday didn’t project its performance in 2020 and will work with Rogan’s existing marketing (July 28), German concert promoter CTS instead told investors to expect $1 billion in agency but not take over his ad sales (esti- Eventim was the sole live music company to EBITDA in 2021, sources told Billboard. mated by Berstein’s Todd Juenger to be $30 announce an earnings release date, August After Spotify, the four remaining major million annually). Instead, Rogan and other 20. The two U.S. publicly traded promot- players in digital music all release earn- podcast content is most valuable when it ers, Live Nation and MSG Entertainment, ings on a busy Thursday (all times EDT): reduces churn and attracts new subscribers. should release earnings by the first week of SiriusXM (5 am), Google’s parent company As for advertising, regularly 10% of Spotify’s August if they hold to typical timings. Alphabet (4:30 pm), Apple (5 pm) and Ama-

DECISIVE INTELLIGENCE. DELIVERED DIGITALLY. CLICK HERE FOR FREE DELIVERY

DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS

Page 5 of 22

IN BRIEF

zon (5:30 pm). While Amazon has benefited What Do her recently released songs “Smile “and greatly from shelter in place orders and “Daisies.” Over the two days, 67 artists employees working from home, SiriusXM Virtual Festivals appeared digitally, compared to more than stood to suffer a small setback. The satellite 1,000 that appeared live last year for the radio company — it also owns streaming ra- Pay Artists? three-day event in Boom, Belgium. dio service Pandora and podcast app Stitch- The festival struck deals to pay artists a er — pulled its 2020 guidance on April 28, Tomorrowland royalty for every ticket sold, and the number citing an “uncertain” but “material” effects of views their sets generated, according to of macroeconomic forces beyond its control. Tests a New festival spokesperson Debby Wilmsen. “So, Two factors were apparent months ago. of course they get paid for their DJ set, but SiriusXM’s source of new customers, new Model also for the views. It depends a little on the and used auto sales, have nose-dived: -34% artists and the relationship we have with in March, -48% in April, -30% in May and BY ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO, KATIE them.” -23% in June (all figures are year-over-year BAIN, DAVE BROOKS While the rates varied according to the changes), according to TrueCar. Plus, Pan- artist, the starting royalty rate was one euro dora couldn’t have avoided the sharp down- id Tomorrowland just discover cent “per sold pay-per-view ticket incorpo- turn in digital advertising that turned eMar- a new formula for compensating rating the artist’s performance,” according keter’s full-year forecast from a 17% gain artists on the festival’s imagi- to a deal terms sheet obtained by Billboard. to a mere 1.7% improvement from 2019. nary island of Pāpiliōnem? Under this plan, if 100,000 total tickets DSince the coronavirus pandemic began were sold, a performing artist would be paid Earnings to Watch: shuttering much of the world’s live mu- €750 ($880), while the sale of 500,000 tick- July 29: Spotify sic scene in March, many in the industry ets would net a payday of € 3,750 ($4,415). July 30: SiriusXM, Amazon, Apple, Alphabet have wondered how much revenue digital More well known artists were paid a flat fee, August 4: Warner Music Group, Ryman livestream festivals could generate and what plus a per ticket royalty rate negotiated with Hospitality kind of paydays artists and headliners would the artists camp. One high-ranking industry August 6: iHeartMedia earn. source estimated that headliners were able August 7: Entercom Last weekend’s Tomorrowland: Around to earn about half of what they were going August 10: Liberty Media, Cumulus, Tencent the World festival was one of the first major to make at this year’s festival prior to the Music Entertainment festivals to go digital and put an astounding COVID-19 pandemic. August 20: CTS Eventim $10 million on the line in artist payments The festival charged viewers €12.50 Not yet announced: Live Nation, Madison and production costs for a massive online (about $15) for a day pass, 20 euros for a Square Garden Entertainment, Vivendi, event. The two-day electronic dance music weekend pass, and offered a separate €12.50 Sony, LiveXLive festival, which founders of the Belgian “relive” option that allows fans to tune event say took over three months with a back in for up to a week to see their favorite team of more than 200 workers, featured performances. a fantastical computer-generated world (Tomorrowland said early Monday that with big-name DJs like Tiësto and David more than 1 million people tuned in over Guetta performing pre-recorded sets filmed the weekend, but did not disclose how that in green screen studios on four continents. number was calculated or how many tickets One industry source tells Billboard that were sold.) between the financial support of nearly all Wilmsen declined to elaborate on the of the event’s long time sponsors and strong profit-sharing model and the formula the ticket sales, the $10 million event likely festival used to compensate artists. But one broke even and potentially netted a small manager with an artist performing at the profit. event told Billboard that artists could make Where other major EDM festivals have up to 100% — but not more — of their full canceled or postponed their events, most booking rate, if enough passes are sold. until 2021, Tomorrowland organizers de- For artists and their teams, after a few cided to hastily adapt their plans and create months of DJs free livestreams, often for a virtual festival with a limited, star-heavy COVID-19-related relief programs, To- lineup, which also included Martin Gar- morrowland was a welcome change. “The rix, Steve Aoki, Afrojack and a 15-minute livestreams are really scaling back,” the medley set by Katy Perry that included manager who spoke to Billboard said. “Art- PROMOTION

UPCOMING SPECIAL FEATURES

COUNTRY GRAMMY® POWER CONTENDERS PLAYERS ISSUE

Billboard’s 6th annual Country Power Billboard will publish its annual Players issue will profile the people GRAMMY® Contenders special issue, who have driven another solid year showcasing the music and artists that for the country music industry, made an impact during the eligibility generating billions in sales, streaming, period for the 63rd GRAMMY and touring. Awards®.

This special feature will include a This special issue will highlight the photo portfolio featuring the top artists, producers and other creative artists, songwriters, musicians, professionals whose work is in executives, and coverage on the most contention this year, including for talked about topics in country music. Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best New Artist.

ISSUE DATE: 8/15 ISSUE DATE: 9/19 AD CLOSE: 8/5 AD CLOSE: 9/9 MATERIALS DUE: 8/6 MATERIALS DUE: 9/10

CONTACT: Joe Maimone Gene Smith 201.301.5933 | [email protected] 973.452.3528 | [email protected] Ryan O’Donnell Marcia Olival +447843437176 | [email protected] 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Lee Ann Photoglo Debra Fink 615.376.7931 | [email protected] 213.448.5157 | [email protected] Cynthia Mellow 615.352.0265 | [email protected]

BBHA_UPCOMING_ISSUE_2020_GRAMMY&COUNTRY.indd 1 7/8/20 4:50 PM Page 7 of 22

IN BRIEF

ists are spending $10,000 to $15,000 to pro- model, in terms of artistically, but also even Some three weeks before the show went duce their livestreams. Not only are they not an economic model,” he said. “Because we live on the website, the Tomorrowland team making money [for the livestreams], they are have no idea how it is going to go. But I paid for Australian DJ sisters Nervo and losing money.” respect that you are willing to take a risk to their video team to travel from London to Tomorrowland had been doing free do something innovative.” Boom, where the duo shot their 35-minute livestreams as well, as co-founder Michiel With the pandemic spreading fast, forcing set. “It was recorded from about 20 different Beers noted during a digital press confer- countries in Europe and elsewhere to pro- angles,” the group’s Olivia Nervo tells Bill- ence last week. “We did seven or eight free hibit large gatherings like music festivals, board. “It felt weird at the beginning livestreams with [our livestream initiative] the Tomorrowland organizers decided in because the ‘crowd’ consisted of about 20 of United Through Music with a lot of big April to try something different. Other ma- the crew, but everyone was super vibey. The artists,” he said. “But this is a multi-million jor EDM festivals, such as Ultra and Electric volume was up loud, so it felt good.” (The dollar investment that we are doing to bring Daisy Carnival, had already decided to post- festival says that the video director had up this to this level — and at a moment where pone their events. But Beers and his team to 38 camera angles to choose from during our account is in the worst place in years… decided to hold their event in July as always the recordings.) And the price we are asking is more than by adapting technology it had already used Veteran headliner Tiësto shot his set fair.” (Regular weekend passes have typically to pre-visualize the festival. in will.i.am’s private rehearsal space in cost about €500 for the live event.) “All year long we make our stages in Los Angeles, according to one industry In the past, an A-list DJ could earn a low 3D, we make our light shows in 3D,” Beers source familiar with the matter, hiring seven-figure artist fee to play a top-tier explained at the press conference. “We have renowned director Stefaan “Smasher” festival like Tomorrowland. The artist’s fee everything digital. We thought if we could Desmedt, whose credits include U2, Ma- was guaranteed no matter how many tickets bring all our favorite artists together with donna and The Rolling Stones, to direct had been sold, with festivals typically need- all the 3D designs we have in one enormous his performance. ing to hit 80% to 90% of capacity to turn a world, which on one hand feels surrealistic Dimiti Vegas, part of the duo Dimitri profit. Paying artists royalty-based rates on and [on] another feels really real, that would Vegas & Like Mike, said that Tomorrow- tickets sold shifts some of the risk on to the be a dream.” land had a lot to build on if virtual festivals talent, but in theory creates the potential for The computer-generated world is a lush, were to become the new normal amid the a higher upside in the future since online hilly island called Pāpiliōnem, which seems ongoing pandemic. “The technology that festivals have an unlimited capacity. like a cross between an ancient Roman out- has been used, the Unreal Engine, there are Tomorrowland also didn’t have a digital post and the mythical city of Atlantis. Upon so many possibilities to dream up and play radius clause for all artists — “no spe- opening their browser, ticket buyers are pre- [with] in this amazing virtual world that cific exclusivity towards other scheduled sented with a stage map. Clicking on a stage Tomorrowland created,” he said during the livestreams is needed from the artist,” opens that area, and the show happening press conference. explained a term sheet obtained by Bill- within it, in a new browser. A single ticket Katy Perry said the future had arrived. board for artists earning one euro cent per provides access on three devices. There are “We kind of all knew this virtual insan- ticket sold. That’s a big departure from the waterfalls, a cave (with a DJ stage) and a ity, dystopian future was upon us, especially festival space, where mega-events can have “Moose Bar.” The main stage is bracketed by with, like, Fifth Element and Blade Run- radius clauses excluding artists from playing what look like 50-feet high statues of face- ner telling us 30 years ago,” she said. “We’re within 1,000 miles of a festival for three to less men and a massive sundial in front of here now, so let’s embrace. They tried to do it six months. the DJ booth. Just like in any EDM festival, with VR and we’re doing it now, with this.” Most festivals also require artists to cover fireworks blast intermittently, lasers flash their own travel and production costs, but and there are giant floating screens with the Tomorrowland promised to pay “all costs artists in close-ups. and out-of-pocket expenses directly related “We really didn’t want to work with ava- to the performance of the artist.” Tomor- tars,” says Wilmsen. “Michiel thinks avatars rowland also paid for the public perfor- are not sexy. They’re not magical; they’re mance rights and mechanical licenses for not Tomorrowland. We had to bring the real the compositions played during the event, DJs into the DJ booth.” which is standard practice for festivals. To place the artists into the virtual world, Guetta, who has performed at all 16 the festival organizers set up video shoots in editions of Tomorrowland, hinted at the green-screen studios in Sydney, São Paulo, uncertainty surrounding the compensation Los Angeles and Boom, Belgium, with cus- arrangements. “This is the only festival that tom-built DJ booths. “This is a Hollywood has the guts to not only try a new creative movie we are somehow making,” Beers said. Billboard Pro Spotlight: Can We Livestream Our Way Out of This? In Partnership with Bands In Town

THE PROGRAM Conversation Topics Include As part of Billboard’s on-going event series for Pro + Music Industry Redefined after COVID members, Billboard will host its first event, + Live Streaming Data Deep Dive Billboard Pro Spotlight: Can We Livestream Our + Now That We’re Live, How Do We Monetize? Way Out of This? In Partnership with Bands In + Building an Audience Online - Who Does it Best Town Details The programming will consist of four conversations + Total Billboard Pro Members: 10K with leading experts discussing the pivot from live + Date: 8/13 concerts and music experiences to streaming Contact + Joe Maimone, VP of Sales + 212.493.4427 + [email protected]

+ Logo inclusion on event title card

+ Logo inclusion on e-blast and social post SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES _____ + Newsletter Sponsorship: 1x Touring OR 1x Bulletin + Digital Media surrounding event hub with promotional traffic drivers

+ Print Page Page 9 of 22

IN BRIEF

event organizers In the Know Experiences 79-year-old who was fired as Simpsons com- Gov. Andrew and Invisible Noise. “We did everything poser after 27 years of celebrated work on in our power to enforce New York’s social the animated classic. As his lawsuit heads Cuomo Calls For distancing guidelines and collaborated with toward an important hearing next week, all state and local health officials to keep Clausen looks to undercut Fox’s position- a Public Health everyone safe.” ing that this dispute relates to an important A source close to the event tells Bill- First Amendment issue. Investigation board that 80 police officers were on site Clausen is suing Disney and its Fox divi- during the event and would have written sions with the claim that his termination of The citations to anyone breaking public safety was due to age and disability discrimination. protocols. Billboard has reached out to The The musician says he has been diagnosed Chainsmokers’ Chainsmokers and Nova’s Ark Project, with Parkinson’s disease and he objects to where the concert was held. how Simpsons producers dumped him in Drive-In Show With COVID-19 spiking across the coun- favor of Hans Zimmer’s company. try, Cuomo is joining a legion of online com- In April, in an attempt to defeat the suit, BY KATIE BAIN menters who expressed their concern with Fox gave a different side of the story. Ac- the show, which was presented by JAJA cording to the defendant’s court papers, midst backlash against a drive-in Tequila. (The Chainsmokers’ Alex Pall and Clausen was fired after producers raised show by The Chainsmokers, New Drew Taggart are stakeholders of the liquor concerns about his work in connection with York’s Gov. Andrew Cuomo has brand.) The duo was recently listed at No. 21 one particular hip-hop–themed episode called for an investigation into on Forbes list of the highest paid celebrities, of the animated show. Simpsons producer theA event by the New York Department of with an estimated net worth of $68 million. James L. Brooks wondered if Clausen was Health. Other participants in this well-moneyed the right person to prepare rap music, while “Videos from a concert held in South- controversy included Goldman Sachs CEO others allegedly were disturbed by the ampton on Saturday show egregious social David Solomon, who plays as DJ D-Sol; discovery that Clausen had been delegat- distancing violations,” Cuomo tweet- Southampton’s Town Supervisor Jay ing some of the work of composing music ed Monday (July 27). “I am appalled. The Schneiderman, who served as one of the for The Simpsons to others, including his Department of Health will conduct an inves- openers; and Southampton Mayor Jesse son Scott Clausen. Overall, according to tigation. We have no tolerance for the illegal Warren who MC’d the event. declarations by other top producers on the & reckless endangerment of public health.” show, the feeling was that the music could The July 25 show happened in a 100-acre be improved by replacing Clausen. outdoor sculpture park in The Hamptons, A 79-Year-Old “Defendants have presented evidence that with tickets running between $1,250- the decision not to use Clausen as composer $25,000 and proceeds going to a variety of Doing Hip-Hop? in future episodes of The Simpsons had charities. While organizers implemented speech-related motivations,” wrote an at- myriad safety precautions — including ‘The Simpsons’ torney for the Simpsons defendants. masks and temperature checks upon entry “Lies and deceit,” responds Clausen’s just- — video of the event that appeared on social Is Where Free filed opposition. Read( in full here.) media showed a large crowd gathered “Mr. Clausen’s evidence … demonstrates in front of the stage. Photos also showed Speech Battles that, since at least 2008, Fox had known he people — some with masks and some with- regularly delegated the composition of mu- out — gathering outside of their cars. Age Bias Claims sic to members of his team,” states the brief. In New York, face coverings are man- “This fact is confirmed not only through dated when people are in public and are BY ERIQ GARDNER Fox’s own cue sheets, but emails between within 6 feet of other individuals, or are in Matt Selman, Al Jean, Carol Farhat and even a setting where social distancing isn’t pos- s the old saying goes, no business James Brooks, wherein discussions about sible. The state is currently in Phase 4 of is like show business. For one Scott Clausen and others composing cues reopening. thing, show business is speech are undeniable.” “The video that everyone is talking business. But what acts by an The plaintiff’s attorneys then add, “The about was taken from an angle that doesn’t entertainmentA producer are legitimately notion that Mr. Clausen was unable to properly convey how careful we were to free speech, and what acts are plain ol’ capture the showrunners’ vision is equally follow the guidelines created by the CDC,” discrimination? That’s not always clear. Just ludicrous. … Mr. Clausen won two Emmys, reads a statement provided to Billboard by look at the ongoing case of Alf Clausen, the five Annie Awards and became the most Page 10 of 22

IN BRIEF

nominated composer in Emmy history, other things now in submission, add up to sympathetic about his death, and were torn amassing a record 23 Emmy nominations an inference that Fox is being deceitful with initially about pursuing this in light of his for his work on The Simpsons. The mere respect to the reasoning behind the decision death. As a result of all that has happened, fact that Al Jean and Matt Selman routinely to terminate the show’s longtime composer. they simply need additional time to decide skipped the recording sessions suggests how If Clausen doesn’t prevail on this point, what they want to do.” much faith and confidence they had in Mr. L.A. Superior Court Judge Michael L. Stern In February, Juice WRLD’s attorney Mark Clausen delivering their vision.” will then turn toward an analysis of the Humphrey requested and was granted a stay As for whether Clausen is capable of merit of Clausen’s claims. Under the second of the case until an administrator could be doing hip-hop, the composer says Brooks is prong of the SLAPP statute, a plaintiff must appointed for Juice WRLD’s estate, arguing only revealing “discriminatory ageist beliefs establish a probability of prevailing before that proceeding would create an “eviden- that Mr. Clausen was only good at old styles moving any further in the case. Clausen’s tiary hole” for the copyright infringement of music, rather [than] up-to-date genres, lawyers translate this as meaning the suit case’s other defendants, given that the case such as rap, electronic, etc. — even though need only show “minimal merit” (which is “largely, if not entirely, centered around the evidence and his work history prove they believe they have met), although Fox is Mr. Higgins’s actions and knowledge.” The otherwise.” likely to argue the screen is higher, particu- judge overseeing the case also asked both At an Aug. 5 hearing in Los Angeles Su- larly given the legitimate rationale they have sides to meet in the interim to discuss a pos- perior Court, the issue for the judge won’t offered for Clausen’s termination. sible settlement of the case. necessarily be whether Simpsons producers This article originally appeared in In addition to $15 million in damages, were justified in replacing Clausen, who also THR.com. the now-defunct Yellowcard — which says he’s worked within budget parameters. consists of band members William Ryan Instead, the question may be: Was the fir- Key, Peter Michael Mosely, Longineu War- ing about the music? Because if it’s about Yellowcard ren Parsons and Sean Michael Wellman- the music, Fox stands a very good chance Mackin — was seeking a running royalty of prevailing on its anti-SLAPP motion. Ends Copyright and/or ownership share of “Lucid Dreams” Clausen implies that his firing wasn’t about or, alternatively, statutory damages for each the music. Lawsuit Against act of infringement and for all defendants California’s SLAPP statute is intended to be permanently enjoined from exploit- to swiftly dispense with frivolous lawsuits Juice WRLD ing the track going forward. At the time the interfering with someone’s free speech. complaint was filed, they were also seeking Under the first prong of SLAPP analysis, a BY CLAUDIA ROSENBAUM damages from Juice WRLD’s concert tours judge examines whether a legal action arises and other public appearances, arguing that from an act furthering a defendant’s First ellowcard have dismissed the “overwhelming success” of the song Amendment activity in connection with a their lawsuit against late rap- launched his career. public issue. That analysis gets somewhat per Juice WRLD (a.k.a. Jarad The other defendants named in the case complicated with regards to entertainment Higgins) over his 2018 hit “Lucid include “Lucid Dreams” co-writer Taz Tay- and media companies. Courts don’t want to Dreams.”Y The pop-rock band filed a federal lor (a.k.a. Danny Lee Snodgrass Jr.), along overlook discrimination, but on the other copyright infringement case against Higgins with his publishers Taz Taylor Beats, Artist hand, judges are mindful that these entities last October alleging that he lifted “melodic 101 Publishing Group and publishing ad- produce speech as a regular function. That elements” of its 2006 song “Holly Wood ministrator Kobalt Music Services; produc- sometimes means that a controversial deci- Died” for his 2018 hit “Lucid Dreams” with- er Nicholas Mira, along with his publishers sion by an entertainment or media defen- out permission. Nick Mira Publishing, Electric Feel Music dant can be connected to a significant issue On July 24th, the band asked the court and publishing administrator Songs of of speech. No wonder the topic has been the to voluntarily dismiss the entire $15 million Universal; “Lucid Dreams” publisher BMG subject of very recent appellate opinions copyright infringement lawsuit. Rights Management; record label Grade A (like this one, or that one). Yellowcard’s attorney Richard Busch says Productions; and Grade A’s parent company, So, was Clausen’s firing motivated by a the band decided not to move forward with Interscope Records. desire to improve the music on The Simp- the case at this time, but still retains the “Defendants were fully prepared to de- sons — as Fox contends — or is that reason- right to refile at a later date. fend against the allegations -viewed as with- ing just pretextual? And how does a judge “My clients really were uncomfortable out merit- and remain so prepared should weight the evidence? Here, Clausen’s attor- about pursuing this action against Juice it become necessary,” says attorney Chris- neys Thomas Girardi and Ebby Bakhtiar at- WRLD’s grieving mother as the represen- tine Lepera. “There was no settlement or tempt to convince the judge that Fox’s prior tative of his Estate,” says Busch. “As they consideration whatsoever for Plaintiffs’ knowledge about work delegation, among said previously, they also are incredibly voluntary dismissal.” Page 11 of 22

IN BRIEF

Juice WRLD suffered a seizure and went plete an online COVID-19 questionnaire. some joy into people’s lives during these dif- into cardiac arrest in a terminal at Chicago’s Attendees were given free face masks and ficult times, and do it in the safest possible Midway Airport on Dec. 8 while law en- had their temperatures taken upon arrival. environment. We also wanted to give back to forcement were searching his Gulfstream jet Bathrooms at the event were also cleaned these important charities, create awareness for firearms and narcotics. He subsequently every ten minutes. for these local businesses and provide work to died at a local hospital at age 21; the cause “Guests were also instructed that they over 350 people who have been unemployed was later determined to be an accidental would not be allowed to leave their de- as a result of the pandemic. drug overdose. signed spots for any reason other than to The video that everyone is talking about use the restroom facilities,” reads a state- was taken from an angle that doesn’t properly ment provided to Billboard by In the Know convey how careful we were to follow the The Organizers of Experiences and Invisible Noise (below). guidelines created by the CDC. We did ev- “Announcements and reminders were made erything in our power to enforce New York’s That Controversial every 30 minutes from the main stage, and social distancing guidelines and collaborated security guards regularly patrolled the area with all state and local health officials to keep Chainsmokers to encourage mask wearing and promote everyone safe. social distancing guidelines.” Upon arrival, individuals within each car Concert Respond: But the show has faced significant back- had their temperatures taken and were also lash on Twitter, with artists including The provided complimentary face masks before ‘The Video Knocks and others assessing that the driving to their designated 20’ x 20’ spot. show put lives in danger while the rate of Guests were also instructed that they would Doesn’t Convey COVID-19 infections hit record highs across not be allowed to leave their designed spots the country. But event organizers say they for any reason other than to use the restroom How Careful did everything within their power to ensure facilities. Announcements and reminders safety protocols were followed, despite the were made every 30 minutes from the main We Were’ fact that videos circulating online appear stage, and security guards regularly patrolled as though a sizable crowd was gathered in the area to encourage mask wearing and BY KATIE BAIN front of the stage. promote social distancing guidelines. “The video that everyone is talking about We followed all proper and current proto- posh night of EDM and socially was taken from an angle that doesn’t prop- col, including spacing each spot more than distanced revelry was promised erly convey how careful we were to follow six feet apart, positioning sanitizing stations this past Saturday (July 25) when the guidelines created by the CDC,” the throughout the open grounds, temperature The Chainsmokers performed a statement from In the Know Experiences checks for all attendees, sanitization of charityA drive-in concert in The Hamptons. continues. ‘We did everything in our power restrooms every 10 minutes, local security Admission for the event ran between to enforce New York’s social distancing enforcing guests to wear their masks both $1,250-$25,000, with all profits going to guidelines and collaborated with all state in and out of their designated areas, contact local charities including No Kid Hungry, and local health officials to keep everyone tracing, clearly marked parking zones, as Children’s Medical Fund of NY and South- safe.” well as providing complimentary face masks ampton Fresh Air Home. The show, hap- The Chainsmokers are not the first artists upon arrival. pening at a 100-acre outdoor sculpture park, to face criticism after performing dur- opened with a set by Goldman Sachs CEO ing quarantine, with country artist Chase David Solomon, who performs as DJ D-Sol. Rice facing severe backlash after perform- But online backlash has sparked in the ing to a packed crowd of roughly 1,000 wake up the show, with footage from the people in June. event shared via social media showing a Drive-in concerts have, however, become crowd that didn’t appear to be properly dis- emerged as a new way for promoters and tanced assembled in front of the stage. artists to safely perform concerts during Produced by In The Know Experiences quarantine, with a long list of acts includ- and Invisible, organizers assured that the ing Alan Jackson, Mark Ribellet, The Avett event would follow guidelines recom- Brothers and more all performing live drive- mended by the Centers for Disease Control in shows as concerts and festivals have been and Prevention as well as all state and local cancelled due to the pandemic. health mandates. Before online ticket pur- When we decided to produce this Drive-In chases were finalized, guests had to com- Concert Fundraiser, our goal was to bring Page 12 of 22

IN BRIEF

Makes added that Brooklyn Made will Billboard 200 chart dated Sept. 7, 2019, with Anthony Makes look to expand outside of New York for a 867,000 units earned in the week ending national reach. Brooklyn Made will also be Aug. 29, 2019. Exits Live promoting shows in the NYC area in open Equivalent album units comprise album rooms such as Madison Square Garden, Bar- sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and Nation to Form clays Center, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each Theatre, Town Hall, Hammerstein, The unit equals one album sale, or 10 indi- Promotion Apollo, Carnegie Hall and many others. vidual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 “We’ll grow at a healthy clip that makes ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription Company sense. I’m truly looking to create a mod- on-demand official audio and video streams ern version of what it means to be a music generated by songs from an album. Brooklyn Made company. Bring that retro style back where Of Folklore’s more than 500,000 units tal- it was all about your relationships and how lied in its first three days, album sales power BY TAYLOR MIMS you treat artists, your staff, etc,” said Makes. more than 400,000, while the bulk of the “I’m not opening this company to grow it remainder is in SEA units. ormer Live Nation New York and sell it, this is my final stop.” Folklore’s 16 songs garnered 126 million president Anthony Makes has an- Makes also owns the bar Givers & Takers on-demand streams in its first two days of nounced the formation of his new located in the Gowanus section of Brooklyn. release in the U.S. No album outside of the independent concert promotion Plans are already under way for Brooklyn R&B/hip-hop or Latin genres has gener- Fcompany Brooklyn Made. With more than Made to add more bars and eventually ven- ated that many streams in a week in 2020. 30 years of experience in the music busi- ues under the company. (The biggest streaming week for any album ness, Makes will launch the new endeavor in 2020 was earned by Legends Never Die’s from his home in Park Slope, Brooklyn. debut frame, with 422.63 million.) “After having a front row seat to every- Taylor Swift’s Folklore is currently only available to thing that was happening in the corporate purchase via Swift’s official webstore or via concert promotion world, I really felt now ‘Folklore’ Off to digital retailers such as the iTunes Store. No was the right time to leave Live Nation to do information has been announced regard- this,” Makes said in a release. “I came up as Fast Start, Over ing a wider release on any physical format an independent promoter. For my first de- (CD, vinyl, etc.) to retailers outside of Swift’s cade I was promoting concerts on my own. Half-Million Units webstore. For the past twenty years I worked with Swift’s webstore is selling over a dozen AEG, Bowery Presents and of course Live Earned in U.S. in physical/digital album bundles (with a CD, Nation. I went up the corporate ladder as vinyl LP or cassette, plus the digital album). far as I could go. After all of that, I felt like I First Three Days All of the physical/digital bundles deliver needed to go back to my roots.” the digital version of the album upon pur- Brooklyn Made will begin operations BY KEITH CAULFIELD chase to the customer, while the physical this month and has already secured two version will ship to the customer later. Sales clients for events as soon as concerts can aylor Swift’s new album Folk- of such bundles – where two formats of resume in New York. The new company will lore has earned more than 500,000 the same album are bundled together – are work with 1,800-capacity Capitol Theatre equivalent album units in the U.S. counted as one sale, with the album configu- in Port Chester, N.Y. and the 15,000-capac- in its first three days of release, ac- ration sold determined by the first version of ity CMAC/Marvin Sands Performing Arts Tcording to initial reports to Nielsen Music/ the album that is fulfilled to the customer. Center in Canandaigua, N.Y. MRC Data. The set was released with little Swift’s store additionally has over a dozen “For us here it’s going to be a matter advance notice on Friday, July 24. merchandise/digital album bundles cur- of organic growth. One of our main goals Per those reports, Folklore has, in just its rently available to purchase. here is to work with quality people, quality first three days, already surpassed the big- venues and quality artists,” said Makes. “I’ve gest week of 2020 for any album, captured personally known the CMAC folks for over earlier this month by the arrival of Juice 12 years, and I’ve been working with Peter WRLD’s Legends Never Die, which launched Shapiro and The Capitol Theatre for almost with 497,000 units in the week ending a decade. These are both world class venues July 16. The last album to garner at least so it’s a thrill to begin this journey with 500,000 units in a week was Swift’s previ- them.” ous LP, Lover, which bowed at No. 1 on the Page 13 of 22

IN BRIEF

category for their title track “Letter to My Juice WRLD 2020 Emmy Godfather” from The Black Godfather, where they will face off against Ingrid Michael- Tops Billboard Nominations: See son’s “Build It Up” from Little Fires Every- where. The Wu-Tang Clan’s The RZA got in Artist 100 Chart, the Full List the mix for his main title theme music for the Hulu doc Wu-Tang: An American Saga. The Chicks Fly BY GIL KAUFMAN Netflix set a record with the most nomi- nations in a year with a whopping 160, best- to No. 2 he nominations for the 2020 ing HBO’s previous record of 137 in 2019. Emmy Awards were announced The 72nd Emmy Awards, hosted by BY XANDER ZELLNER on Tuesday morning (July 28) by Jimmy Kimmel, will broadcast Sunday, Sept. former Saturday Night Live star 20, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on ABC. uice WRLD tallies his fourth week TLeslie Jones, who was joined, virtually, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy at No. 1 on the Billboard Artist by Laverne Cox, Josh Gad and Tatiana Series 100 chart (dated Aug. 1), as his post- Maslany. This year’s ceremony will be rei- Anthony Anderson, black-ish humous LP Legends Never Die logs its magined as a socially distanced event due to Don Cheadle, Black Monday Jsecond frame atop the Billboard 200. the production restrictions imposed in the Ted Danson, The Good Place The set holds at No. 1 with 162,000 wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method equivalent album units, according to Nielsen HBO’s dystopian graphic novel adapta- Eugene Levy, Schitt’s Creek Music/MRC Data. It opened with 497,000 tion Watchmen topped all nominees with 26 Ramy Youssef, Ramy units, the biggest weekly sum for a title this nods, followed by Amazon’s The Marvelous Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy year. Mrs. Maisel (20), Netflix’s Ozark (18) and Series The Artist 100, which launched in 2014, HBO’s Succession (18). Furthermore, Dis- Christina Applegate, Dead to Me measures artist activity across key metrics ney+ got into the game in its first year with Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. of music consumption, blending album and the Star Wars spin-off The Mandalorian ty- Maisel track sales, radio airplay, streaming and ing Saturday Night Live and the final season Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me social media fan interaction to provide a of Schitt’s Creek with 15 each. Catherine O’Hara, Schitt’s Creek weekly multi-dimensional ranking of artist Golden Globe and Oscar-winning Nine Issa Rae, Insecure popularity. Inch Nails leader Trent Reznor and collabo- Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish Meanwhile, The Chicks re-enter the Art- rator Atticus Ross nabbed two nominations Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama ist 100 at No. 2, a new peak, on the strength for their work on the song “The Way it Used Series of their album Gaslighter, which arrives at to Be” for Watchmen (outstanding original Jason Bateman, Ozark No. 1 on Top Country Albums and No. 3 on music and lyrics) and outstanding music Sterling K. Brown, This is Us the Billboard 200 with 84,000 units. The composition for a limited series, movie or Steve Carell, The Morning Show trio’s first album of new material since 2006 special (original dramatic score) for the Brian Cox, Succession is its fifth No. 1 on Top Country Albums, as HBO series. Billy Porter, Pose The Chicks pass The Judds for the most The Voice was noticed in the reality pro- Jeremy Strong, Succession leaders among female duos or groups in the gram, casting for a reality program, con- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama chart’s 56-year history. temporary hairstyling for a reality program, Series Check out this week’s full Artist 100 period/character hairstyling, lighting design Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show chart here. for a variety series, contemporary makeup, Olivia Colman, The Crown competition program and technical direc- Jodie Comer, Killing Eve tion, while runaway hit The Masked Sing- Laura Linney, Ozark er was noticed for outstanding costumes for Sandra Oh, Killing Eve a variety program and competition program. Zendaya, Euphoria Labrinth earned two nods for composition Outstanding Supporting Actress in a work on Euphoria and for writing the tune Drama Series “All For Us” for the teen drama, whose star, Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown singer/actress Zendaya was noticed for lead Laura Dern, Big Little Lies actress in a drama series. Julia Garner, Ozark The Neptunes’ Pharrell and Chad Hugo Thandie Newton, Westworld also got a bid in the original music and lyrics Fiona Shaw, Killing Eve Page 14 of 22

IN BRIEF

Sarah Snook, Succession Margo Martindale, Mrs. America Curb Your Enthusiasm Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies Jean Smart, Watchmen Dead to me Samira Wiley, The Handmaid’s Tale Holland Taylor, Hollywood The Good Place Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Tracey Ullman, Mrs. America Insecure Drama Series Outstanding Supporting Actor in a The Kominsky Method Nicholas Braun, Succession Limited Series or Movie The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Billy Crudup, The Morning Show Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen Schitt’s Creek Kieran Culkin, Succession Jovan Adepo, Watchmen What We Do in the Shadows Mark Duplass, The Morning Show Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Outstanding Drama Series Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul Schmidt: Kimmy Vs. the Reverend Better Call Saul Matthew Macfadyen, Succession Louis Gossett Jr., Watchmen The Crown Bradley Whitford, The Handmaid’s Tale Dylan McDermott, Hollywood The Handmaid’s Tale Jeffery Wright, Westworld Jim Parsons, Hollywood Killing Eve Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Guest Actor in a Drama Series The Mandalorian Comedy Series Jason Bateman, The Outsider Ozark Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Ron Cephas Jones, This is Us Stranger Things D’Arcy Carden, The Good Place James Cromwell, Succession Succession Betty Gilpin, GLOW Giancarlo Esposito, The Mandalorian Outstanding Variety Talk Series Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Andrew Scott, Black Mirror The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live Martin Short, The Morning Show Full Frontal with Samantha Bee Annie Murphy, Schitt’s Creek Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Jimmy Kimmel Live! Yvonne Orji, Insecure Series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Cecily Strong, Saturday Night Live Alexis Biedel, The Handmaid’s Tale The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Laverne Cox, Orange is the New Black Outstanding Variety Sketch Series Comedy Series Cherry Jones, Succession A Black Lady Sketch Show Mahershala Ali, Ramy Phylicia Rashad, This is Us Drunk History Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method Cicely Tyson, How to Get Away With Saturday Night Live Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine Murder Outstanding Competition Program Sterling K. Brown, The Marvelous Mrs. Harriet Walter, Succession The Masked Singer Maisel Outstanding Guest Actress in a Com- Nailed It! William Jackson Harper, The Good Place edy Series RuPaul’s Drag Race Daniel Levy, Schitt’s Creek Angela Bassett, A Black Lady Sketch Show Top Chef Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Bette Midler, The Politician The Voice Maisel Maya Rudolph, The Good Place Outstanding Animated Program Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live Maya Rudolph, Saturday Night Live Big Mouth, “Disclosure: The Movie: The Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Wanda Sykes, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Musical” Series or Movie Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Saturday Night Bob’s Burger’s, “Pig Trouble in Little Jeremy Irons, Watchmen Live Tina” Hugh Jackman, Bad Education Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy BoJack Horseman, “The View From Half- Paul Mescal, Normal People Series way Down” Jeremy Pope, Hollywood Adam Driver, Saturday Night Live Rick and Morty, “The Vat of Acid Epi- Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much is True Luke Kirby, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel sode” Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Eddie Murphy, Saturday Night Live The Simpsons, “Thanksgiving of Horror” Series or Movie Dev Patel, Modern Love Outstanding Short Form Animated Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America Brad Pitt, Saturday Night Live Program Shira Haas, Unorthodox Fred Willard, Modern Family Forky Asks a Question, “What is Love?” Regina King, Watchmen Outstanding Limited Series Robot Chicken, “Santa’s Dead (Spoiler Octavia Spencer, Self Made Little Fires Everywhere Alert) Holiday Murder Thing Special” Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere Mrs. America Steven Universe Future, “Fragments” Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Unbelievable Outstanding Television Movie Limited Series or Movie Unorthodox American Son Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America Watchmen Bad Education Toni Collette, Unbelievable Outstanding Comedy Series Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings: These Old Page 15 of 22

IN BRIEF

Bones Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show starring The Mandalorian El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie Jennifer Lopez and Shakira — Adam Wayne Modern Family Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. Blackstone The Ranch The Reverend Outstanding Original Main Title Schitt’s Creek Outstanding Music Composition for a Theme Music Space Force Series (Original Dramatic Score) Carnival Row, Nathan Barr Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Vari- The Crown — Martin Phipps Defending Jacob, Ólafur Arnalds ety Series Or Special Euphoria — Labrinth Hollywood, Nathan Barr The Daily Show With Trevor Noah The Mandalorian — Ludwig Göransson Unorthodox, Antonio Gambale Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones Ozark — Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurriaans Why We Hate, Laura Karpman 62nd Grammy Awards Succession — Nicholas Britell Wu-Tang: An American Saga, The RZA Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Outstanding Music Composition For A Outstanding Sound Editing for a The Oscars Limited Series, Movie Or Special (Origi- Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Outstanding Sound Mixing For A nal Dramatic Score) Multi-Camera) Nonfiction Or Reality Program (Single or Hollywood — Nathan Barr Apollo 11, Eric Milano Multi-Camera) Little Fires Everywhere — Mark Isham, Beastie Boys Story, Martyn Zub, Paul Auli- Apollo 11 Isabella Summers cino, Pernell Salinas Beastie Boys Story Mrs. America — Kris Bowers Cheer, Logan Byers, Kaleb Klinger, Sean Cheer Unorthodox — Antonio Gambale Grey Laurel Canyon: A Place in Time Watchmen — Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross Laurel Canyon: A Place in Time, Jonathan RuPaul’s Drag Race Outstanding Music Composition For A Greber Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness Documentary Series Or Special (Original McMillion$, Ben Freer, Jordan Meltzer, Outstanding Casting For A Reality Dramatic Score) Jody McVeigh-Schultz Program Becoming — Kamasi Washington Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, Born This Way Home — Amanda Jones Ian Cymore, Rachel Wardell, Steve Griffen Love is Blind McMillion$ — Pinar Toprak, Alex Kovacs Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Com- Queer Eye Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Mad- edy Or Drama Series (One Hour) RuPaul’s Drag Race ness — Mark Mothersbaugh, John Enroth, Better Call Saul The Voice Albert Fox The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Outstanding Choreography For Vari- Why We Hate — Lara Karpman Ozark ety Or Reality Programming Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics Star Trek: Picard The Oscars The Black Godfather, “Letter to My Godfa- Stranger Things Savage X Fenty Show ther” — Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo Westworld So You Think You Can Dance Euphoria, “All For Us”’ — Labrinth Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Lim- So You Think You Can Dance Late Week Tonight With John Oliver, “Eat ited Series Or Movie World of Dance Shit, Bob” — David Dabbon, Joanna Roth- American Horror Story: 1984 Outstanding Character Voice-Over kopf, Jill Twiss, Seena Vail Devs Performance Little Fires Everywhere, “Build it Up — El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie Big Mouth, “How to Have an Orgasm” — Ingrid Michaelson Hollywood Maya Rudolph The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, “One Less An- Watchmen Central Park, Episode One — Leslie Odom gel” — Thomas Mizer, Curtis Moore Outstanding Music Supervision Jr. This is Us, “Memorized” — Siddhartha Euphoria, Jen Malone, Adam Leber Crank Yankers, “Bobby Brown, Wanda Khosla, Taylor Goldsmith Insecure, Kier Lehman Sykes & Kathy Griffin” — Wanda Sykes Watchmen, “The Way It Used To Be” — Killing Eve, Catherine Grieves, David The Mandalorian, “Chapter 8: Redemp- Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross Holmes tion” — Taika Waititi Outstanding Music Direction The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Robin The Simpsons, “Better Off Ned” — Nancy The Kennedy Center Honors — Rickey Urdang, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Cartwright Minor Palladino The Simpsons, “Frinkcoin” — Hank Azaria Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Stranger Things, Nora Felder Click here to see the full list of nominees. Prince — Sheila E, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis Watchmen, Liza Richardson The Oscars — Ricky Minor Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Com- Saturday Night Live — Lenny Pickett, Eli edy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Brueggemann, Leon Pendarvis Animation Page 16 of 22

IN BRIEF

say, “Well, it’s the law.” Right? selling records and trying to be as optimistic Strictly Discs in Correct. As I think is typical of our in- as possible. dustry, we have a lot of people who stop at I’m curious, because the economy is so Wisconsin, in a record stores when they’re traveling. And bad and a lot of people are out of work we’ve had a few people call to confirm both right now, have you noticed any kind of Pandemic: ‘Our our hours and also what’s required of them an uptick in people trying to sell records to shop with us. And when they say, “Do I to you guys? State Is Definitely have to wear a mask?” and I say, “Well, actu- We do a couple things that impact how ally you do in all of Dane County,” still a lot used collections ebb and flow, and one of Trending in the of people are surprised by that. So it’s clear them is direct mail marketing that we do that that’s not as commonplace around the targeting sellers. We’ve done a couple of Wrong Direction’ state as it is around here. those that have hit recently, so it’s hard to Taylor Swift announced her surprise pinpoint exactly whether it’s economic BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN album last week, which is kind of a big concern or just opportunity that’s driving deal for music retail. Do you have any that, but we have had a lot of used collec- n October 1988, Angie Roloff and her idea when you would be receiving physi- tions come in. husband Ron opened Strictly Discs in cal copies of the album? We talked last time that you guys were Madison, Wisconsin, after Ron left a I don’t know for certain just yet. The one planning for Record Store Day. How are career in the biomedical research field thing with Taylor Swift is, I don’t know if those plans coming along? Ito pursue his love of music full time. Nearly she’s ever released an album that wasn’t a We had a staff meeting last week where 31 years later, the couple made the difficult surprise. So it kinda feels like we’ve been to everybody was either present physically or decision to shutter in-store operations this rodeo before. But one of Wisconsin’s remotely. What we are looking at right now due to COVID-19, roughly a week before prized sons, Bon Iver, is on it, so I’m sure is an “RSD 2020 to-go” sort of model. In Governor Tony Evers forced a mandatory it will draw in fans in Wisconsin all around. years past, the celebration is all about being shutdown of all non-essential businesses. But I haven’t gotten a ship date or a firm in line, being in the store, and then taking Now that the Wisconsin Supreme Court street date on it. your Record Store Day treasures home. This has overturned Evers’ stay-at-home order She hasn’t released an album that year, it’s going to be getting them home as — ruling it “unlawful” and “unenforceable” wasn’t a surprise? What do you mean? quickly as possible. So we are actually right — the Roloffs and their employees have It just feels like everything with Taylor now — and things could change — but right reopened Strictly Discs in a limited capacity. Swift is choreographed in a last-minute sort now, we’re looking to have the physical store As part of Billboard’s efforts to best cover of frenetic way. I’m sure it’s hard for her to be closed for the morning of Record Store the coronavirus pandemic and its impacts keep things secret with the rabid fan base Day, and we would just be servicing folks on the music industry, we will be speaking that she has, so I’m sure there’s lots of rea- outside. So they would come to the door, we with Roloff every two weeks to chronicle sons for it. It certainly keeps people coming would give them a form that they can fill out her experience throughout the crisis. (Read back for more. [with] their wish list and one of us would the latest installment here and see the full Is her music typically a pretty good retrieve those items. Then they would go series here.) seller for you guys? around the building to the side door that How are things going? We always tend to sell her releases quite we have, and that’s where they would check We’re fortunate and thankful, but when well on vinyl. And it’s nice, too, because out. So [we’re trying to] minimize any you talk about COVID generally, our state it’s a good alternative, especially for young chance for bottlenecks inside the store. is definitely trending in the wrong direc- girls, that’s fairly clean. [As opposed to] like Is there anything else that you wanted tion. When we talked last, we were quote- a Lana Del Rey or someone else who also to mention? unquote trending poorly, and now we’re in appeals to that age group. The only thing I can think of is, for so the group of 19 states that is classified as How’s business been? many of us, 2020 is the year that’s been having uncontrolled spread. On the positive, Business has been surprisingly quite good. canceled or postponed or on hiatus. And the at least, [Dane] County has seen cases going I guess that’s why when you asked me how one positive for me and for Ron personally in the right direction at least for the last things were, [I said] we just feel really, really is Friday was opening day for the Chicago week, which perhaps is due to more people fortunate. We can spend a lot of our time Cubs. When they were debating whether or wearing a mask. I’m hopeful for that. being concerned about what the trajectory not baseball was going to come back, it felt I know that the county actually enact- of the economy and this virus is going to be so strange, [but] I found that has given me ed a mask order a couple weeks ago. So and how it’ll impact Record Store Day and something to look forward to. now if anyone comes in the store and says the fourth quarter, but at the end of the day, I don’t want to wear a mask, you can just we’re still pricing records, ordering records, Page 17 of 22

IN BRIEF

category in the same year. Idol was nomi- theme music for that same show. J.Lo & Shakira nated for nine straight years from 2003-11 Ken Burns snubbed: Ken Burns’ Coun- (though it never won). In 2012, The Voice ef- try Music (PBS) failed to receive a nomi- Land Emmy Nods fectively replaced it in the category. The nation for outstanding documentary or Voice has been nominated every year since, non-fiction series. The nominees in this for Their Super winning four times. highly competitive category were American Zendaya’s breakthrough: Zendaya was Masters (PBS), Hillary (Hulu), The Last Bowl Halftime a surprise nominee for outstanding lead Dance (ESPN), McMillion$ (HBO) and Tiger actress in a drama series for her role as Rue King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness (Netf- Show & Other Bennett on Euphoria (HBO). Zendaya, 23, lix). Burns won in this category for The Civil rose to fame a decade ago on the Disney War (1991), Baseball (1995) and The National Nomination Channel series Shake It Up. Zendaya took Parks: America’s Best Idea (2010). the spot many expected to go to Elizabeth Grammys Snubbed…Again: The 62nd Highlights Moss for The Handmaid’s Tale. annual Grammy Awards received four RZA is a VIP: RZA, a founding mem- nominations, but was passed over for a nod BY PAUL GREIN ber of the Wu-Tang Clan, is nominated for the big one—best variety special (live). for outstanding main title theme music The Grammys have never won in this top ennifer Lopez experienced a big dis- for Wu-Tang: An American Saga (Hulu). His category (or its predecessor categories). appointment on Jan. 13 when her ac- competition includes two entries by Nathan This was Ken Ehrlich’s last chance to win claimed performance in Hustlers was Barr—Carnival Row (Prime Video) and Hol- that award as executive producer of the passed over for an Oscar nod. She lywood (Netflix). Grammys. Ehrlich, a 46-year TV vet, has yet Jdidn’t let it get her down for long. Less than Ross & Reznor on the march: Atticus to win an Emmy. three weeks later, she and Shakira head- Ross and Trent Reznor received two nomi- Music docs dominate: Three music docs lined the Super Bowl LIV half-time show. nations—outstanding music composition are nominated for outstanding documentary Today (July 28), the two superstars received for a limited series, movie or special and or non-fiction special. They are The Apol- their first Emmy nominations for that outstanding original music and lyrics, both lo (HBO), Beastie Boys Story (Apple TV+), performance, in the category of outstanding for their work on the HBO series Watch- and Laurel Canyon: A Place in Time (Epix). A variety special (live). man. Ross and Reznor already share an fourth music doc, The Black Godfather (Net- This is the sixth time that the Super Oscar for The Social Network and a Grammy flix), about legendary exec Clarence Avant, Bowl half-time headliners have received for The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo. missed the cut. Three music docs have won Emmy nominations. Bruce Springs- Minor’s major achievement: Rickey in this category in the past: George Harrison: teen (2009), Beyoncé (2013), Bruno Minor has two of the five nominees for Living in the Material World (2012), What Mars (2104), Katy Perry (2015) and Lady outstanding music direction, for The Os- Happened, Miss Simone?, about Nina Sim- Gaga (2017) were also nominated. In cars (ABC) and the Kennedy Center Hon- one (2016) and Leaving Neverland, about addition, the half-time shows headlined ors (CBS). His competition includes Let’s Go sexual abuse allegations against Michael by Prince (2007) and Coldplay (2016) were Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince (CBS), Jackson (2019). nominated, but in those years the perform- on which Sheila E., Jimmy Jam and Terry SNL extends its record: Saturday Night ers weren’t recognized. Lewis were music directors. Live (NBC), which was already the most- The Emmys are the first EGOT-level Labrinth’s labors pay off: Labrinth also nominated series in Emmy history with 270 awards show to announced their nomina- received two nominations—outstanding mu- Emmy nominations, received 15 more nods, tions since COVID-19 brought awards shows sic composition for a series and outstand- including outstanding variety sketch series. to their knees in March. Tony nominations ing original music and lyrics for his work This is SNL’s 25th nomination in this cat- were scheduled to be announced on April on Euphoria (HBO). egory or a predecessor category, outstanding 28, but they were postponed indefinitely Females dominate scoring cat- variety series. because of the pandemic. Here are other egory: Three women are nominated for SNL’s MVPs: Kate McKinnon, Cec- top storylines, mostly music-oriented, from outstanding music composition for a ily Strong and Kenan Thompson are today’s Emmy nominations. documentary series or special (original dra- nominated for outstanding supporting A tie for top music show: The matic score). Amanda Jones is nominated actress/actor in a comedy series for their Voice (NBC) received its ninth nomination for Home (Apple TV+), Pinar Toprak as one work on SNL. This is McKinnon’s seventh for outstanding competition program, which of two composers on McMillion$ (HBO) and nomination as a performer for her work enables it to tie the show that paved the way Laura Karpman for Why We Hate (Discov- on the show; Thompson’s second; Strong’s for it, American Idol. Remarkably, the two ery Channel). Karpman received a second first. McKinnon thus ties Tina Fey for the shows have never been nominated in this nod for outstanding original main title most nominations by a performer in SNL’s Page 18 of 22

IN BRIEF

45-year history. In addition to these series the ninth consecutive year that legacy net- regulars, Eddie Murphy, Phoebe Waller- works have been represented with just one Need a Campaign Bridge, Brad Pitt and Maya Rudolph were (or no) series in this marquee category. nominated for guest appearances on the RuPaul could make history: RuPaul Song? Mick show. Pitt was cited for his performance as Charles is nominated for outstanding host Dr. Anthony Fauci, Rudoph for playing Sen. for a reality or competition program for Ru- Jagger, Sia & Kamala Harris. Paul’s Drag Race (VH1). He has won in that Today’s top comedian: Dave Chap- category the last four years running. If he More Sign Open pelle has two of the six nominees for wins again, he’ll become the top winner in outstanding variety special (pre-recorded). the history of the category. He is currently Letter Urging He is nominated for his latest stand-up spe- tied with Jeff Probst, a four-time winner cial, Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones (Netf- for Survivor. Politicians to lix) and for The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Strike a Pose: Billy Porter, who won Prize For American Humor (PBS) on which best actor in a drama series last year for Ask First he was the honoree. Chappelle won in this his role on Pose (FX), is back to defend his category two years ago for Dave Chappelle: title this year. Porter won both a Tony and BY LARS BRANDLE Equanimity. Chapelle has won the Grammy Grammy for his role in Kinky Boots. for best comedy album the last three years Best Bette: Bette Midler, who has tars of rock, pop and hip-hop have running. He won in January for Dave Chap- already won three Emmys, is nominated for had enough of hearing their songs pelle: Sticks & Stones, an album release of the outstanding guest actress in a comedy series pumped at political rallies without currently nominated special. for The Politician (Netflix). Another Emmy the green light. So they’re standing Kimmel is variety’s perennial brides- would be nice, but what Midler really needs Sup for their rights. maid: Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC), starring is an Oscar. Then she’ll be an EGOT. Today, the Artist Rights Alliance is de- this year’s Emmy Awards host, Jimmy Dern’s dream year: Less than six months manding politicians on both sides get clear- Kimmel, received its ninth nomination for after winning an Oscar for her supporting ance on the music they plug at their events outstanding variety talk series. The show role in Marriage Story, Laura Dern is nomi- and in advertisements. has yet to win. Only one other show has nated for an Emmy for outstanding perfor- The ARA, a not-for-profit advocate for been nominated this many times in this mance by a supporting actress in a drama songwriters and musicians, is calling for the category without winning — Real Time With series for her work in Big Little Lies (HBO). major U.S. national political party com- Bill Maher, which snagged 12 nominations The sitcom king: Ted Danson is nomi- mittees to “establish clear policies requir- without a win. nated for outstanding performance by a lead ing campaigns to seek consent of featured Curb is comedy’s perennial brides- actor in a comedy series for his work on The recording artists, songwriters, and copyright maid: Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO) Good Place (NBC). This is his 14th nomina- owners before publicly using their music in received its ninth nomination for out- tion in the category, which extends his lead a political or campaign setting.” standing comedy series, a record equaled as the actor with the most nominations in An all-star lineup has signed an open let- or bettered by only three series in TV the history of the category. Alan Alda and ter, calling out both sides of politics in the history — all of them all-time clas- Kelsey Grammar share second place with lead-up to the 2020 presidential election. sics. M*A*S*H and Cheers were each nomi- 11 nods. Danson received 11 nods in this “As artists, activists, and citizens, we nated 11 times. All in the Family was nomi- category for his role on Cheers. ask you to pledge that all candidates you nated nine times. (The big difference is that Versatile stars: Jennifer Anis- support will seek consent from featured these other shows all won in this category at ton and Jason Bateman, who first gained recording artists and songwriters before least once. Curb has yet to win.) fame on sitcoms, are nominated for out- using their music in campaign and political Legacy networks lag: Just one series on standing lead actress and actor, respectively, settings,” reads the letter, seen by Billboard. a legacy network, The Good Place (NBC) is in a drama series. Aniston is nominated for “This is the only way to effectively protect nominated for outstanding comedy series. her role on The Morning Show (Apple TV+). your candidates from legal risk, unnecessary This is the third year in a row that legacy She received three nominations (including public controversy, and the moral quagmire networks (ABC, CBS or NBC) have been one win) in the lead comedy actress cat- that comes from falsely claiming or implying represented with just one show in that egory for her decade-long role on Friends. an artist’s support or distorting an artists’ marquee category, which legacy networks Bateman is nominated for the third year in expression in such a high stakes public way.” completely dominated from the ‘50s into the a row for his role on Ozark. He was previ- The letter is addressed to the Democratic early ‘90s. Worse, no series on a legacy net- ously nominated in the lead comedy actor and Republican National, Congressional, work are nominated for outstanding drama category twice for his role on Arrested and Senatorial committees and is signed by series for the first time in four years. This is Development. the likes of Rolling Stones members Mick Page 19 of 22

IN BRIEF

Jagger and Keith Richards, Aerosmith’s Ste- For artists that do choose to engage politi- on social media and in the culture at large, ven Tyler and Joe Perry, Sia, Regina Spektor, cally in campaigns or other contexts, this kind it’s the politicians that typically end up on the R.E.M, Lorde, Blondie, Elvis Costello, Sheryl of unauthorized public use confuses their wrong side of those stories. Crow, Rosanne Cash, Lionel Richie, Pearl message and undermines their effectiveness. For all these reasons, we urge you to estab- Jam and Green Day. Music tells powerful stories and drives emo- lish clear policies requiring campaigns sup- This is more than just politely asking tional connection and engagement – that’s ported by your committees to seek the consent permission, the letter explains. At its heart why campaigns use it, after all! But doing so of featured recording artists, songwriters, is the question of artistic integrity, and without permission siphons away that value. and copyright owners before publicly using where a songwriter or artist’s music is used The legal risks are clear. Campaign uses of their music in a political or campaign setting. to falsely imply endorsement for one party music can violate federal and (in some cases) Funding, logistical support, and participa- or candidate, the situation can quickly turn state copyrights in both sound recordings tion in committee programs, operations, and legal. and musical compositions. Depending on the events should be contingent on this pledge, “We’ve seen so many artists and estates technology used to copy and broadcast these and its terms should be clearly stated in dragged into politics against their will and works, multiple exclusive copyrights, includ- writing in your bylaws, operating guidelines, forced to take aggressive action to prohibit ing both performance and reproduction, could campaign manuals, or where you establish the use of their music - usually songs that be infringed. In addition, these uses impact any other relevant rules, requirements, or are broadcast during political rallies or used creators’ rights of publicity and branding, conditions of support. in campaign ads. It can confuse and disap- potentially creating exposure for trademark Please let us know by August 10th how you point fans and even undermine an artists’ infringement, dilution, or tarnishment under plan to accomplish these changes. long-term income – and mostly, it’s just not the Lanham Act and giving rise to claims right,” explains the ARA in a statement. for false endorsement, conversion, and other The issue of consent is one that won’t go common law and statutory torts. When DaBaby’s away. As the presidential election draws campaign commercials or advertisements are nearer, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and involved, a whole additional host of rules and ‘Rockstar’ Tops others have threatened the Trump campaign regulations regarding campaign fundrais- with lawsuits for playing their music with- ing (including undisclosed and potentially Songs of the out approval. unlawful “in-kind” contributions), finance, Signees have requested the parties and communications could also potentially be Summer Chart For respond by Aug. 10 on how they plan to “ac- breached. complish these changes.” More importantly, falsely implying support 7th Week, Jack Read the letter in full below. or endorsement from an artist or songwriter Dear Campaign Committees: is dishonest and immoral. It undermines the Harlow Jumps, As artists, activists, and citizens, we ask campaign process, confuses the voting public, you to pledge that all candidates you support and ultimately distorts elections. It should Dua Lipa Debuts will seek consent from featured recording art- be anathema to any honest candidate to play ists and songwriters before using their music off this kind of uncertainty or falsely leave BY GARY TRUST in campaign and political settings. This is the the impression of an artist’s or songwriter’s only way to effectively protect your candi- support. aBaby’s “Rockstar,” featur- dates from legal risk, unnecessary public con- Like all other citizens, artists have the ing Roddy Ricch, continues troversy, and the moral quagmire that comes fundamental right to control their work and its hot-weather hold atop Bill- from falsely claiming or implying an artist’s make free choices regarding their political ex- board’s Songs of the Summer support or distorting an artists’ expression in pression and participation. Using their work Dchart, posting a seventh week at No. 1 on such a high stakes public way. for political purposes without their consent the ranking (dated Aug. 1). This is not a new problem. Or a partisan fundamentally breaches those rights – an The 20-position Songs of the Sum- one. Every election cycle brings stories of art- invasion of the most hallowed, even sacred mer running tally tracks the most popular ists and songwriters frustrated to find their personal interests. titles based on cumulative performance work being used in settings that suggest en- No politician benefits from forcing a on the weekly streaming-, airplay- and dorsement or support of political candidates popular artist to publicly disown and reject sales-based Billboard Hot 100 chart from without their permission or consent. them. Yet these unnecessary controversies Memorial Day through Labor Day (this year Being dragged unwillingly into politics in inevitably draw even the most reluctant or encompassing charts dated June 6 through this way can compromise an artist’s personal apolitical artists off the sidelines, compelling Sept. 5). At the end of the season, the top values while disappointing and alienating them to explain the ways they disagree with song of the summer will be revealed. fans – with great moral and economic cost. candidates wrongfully using their music. And “Rockstar” rules the Aug. 1-dated Hot Page 20 of 22

IN BRIEF

100 for a likewise seventh total week on top. Most Top 10s, Streaming Songs with 84,000 equivalent album units earned Elsewhere on Songs of the Summer, The 46, Drake in its first week, ending July 23, according to Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” rises 3-2, swap- 19, Post Malone Nielsen Music/MRC Data. ping spots with Megan Thee Stallion’s “Sav- 18, Ariana Grande With the launch, the trio of lead singer age,” featuring Beyoncé (2-3), while Jack 18, Lil Uzi Vert Natalie Maines and multi-instrumentalists Harlow’s “Whats Poppin,” featuring Da- 18, The Weeknd Emily Strayer and Martie Maguire claims Baby, Tory Lanez and Lil Wayne, jumps into 16, Justin Bieber sole ownership of the most Top Country the summery summary’s top five (7-4), as it 15, Nicki Minaj Albums No. 1s among female duos or groups, rebounds to its No. 2 high on the Hot 100. 15, Kanye West passing The Judds’ total of four. Plus, Dua Lipa’s “Break My Heart” enters 14, Juice WRLD On the all-genre Billboard 200, Gas- Songs of the Summer at No. 20, as it returns 14, Rihanna lighter bounds in at No. 3, marking The to its No. 17 best on the Hot 100. The single, 14, Travis Scott Chicks’ fifth top 10. The 12-song set, which which ascends to No. 1 on the Pop Songs Drake has tallied seven top 10s in 2020, the group produced with Jack Antonoff, also radio airplay chart, joins Lipa’s prior hit starting with his feature on Future’s “Life soars in at No. 1 on the Album Sales (71,000 “Don’t Start Now,” at No. 10 on Songs of the Is Good” (No. 2 peak in January). He led sold) and Americana/Folk Albums charts. Summer. the list for three weeks in April-May with The Chicks previously ruled Top Coun- Check out the top 10 summer songs ev- “Toosie Slide” and debuted three more top try Albums with their 1998 debut Wide ery year throughout the Hot 100’s his- 10s in May: “Pain 1993,” featuring Playboi Open Spaces (for seven weeks beginning tory (from the chart’s start in 1958) and the Carti (No. 3); “Chicago Freestyle,” featur- in January 1999); Fly (36 weeks, 1999- weekly Songs of the Summer chart in its ing Giveon (No. 6); and “D4L,” with Future 2000); Home (19 weeks, 2002-03); and Tak- entirety. and Young Thug (No. 10). ing the Long Way (nine weeks, 2006-07). As for DJ Khaled, he now has six Stream- Additionally, their 2003 release Top of the ing Songs top 10s, with “Popstar” and World Tour Live reached No. 3. Drake Extends “Greece” his first since “Wish Wish,” featur- On March 10, 2003, shortly before the ing Cardi B and 21 Savage, debuted and United States invaded Iraq, Maines, who, Streaming Songs peaked at No. 10 in June 2019. along with her bandmates, is from Texas, Concurrently, “Popstar” bows at No. 3 told the crowd at a London concert, “We’re Record With on the multi-metric Billboard Hot 100, ashamed the President of the United States followed by “Greece” at No. 8. As previ- is from Texas.” The commentary set off a Features on DJ ously reported, the songs are Drake’s 39th firestorm of pushback, and the band’s run at and 40th Hot 100 top 10s, breaking him out the format was abruptly interrupted. Khaled’s ‘Popstar’ of a tie with Madonna for the most in the The group has scored six Country Airplay chart’s 62-year history. No. 1s, among 14 top 10s, all through March & ‘Greece’ 2003. “Gaslighter,” the title-track first single from the new album, reached No. 36 in BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD The Chicks’ March. “Gaslighter” re-enters the multi-metric rake extends his record for ‘Gaslighter’ Ignites Hot Country Songs chart at No. 28, after the most top 10s on Bill- peaking at No. 20 in March, up 191% to 2.2 board’s Streaming Songs with at No. 1 on Top million U.S. streams. Plus, the set’s “Sleep at his two latest features, on DJ Night” debuts at No. 33 and “March March” DKhaled’s “Popstar” and “Greece,” which Country Albums re-enters at No. 47, after spending a week on debut at Nos. 3 and 4, respectively, on the the chart at No. 32 earlier in July. list dated Aug. 1. Chart In June, following Black Lives Matter “Popstar” and “Greece” bow with 28.4 protests, the group officially changed its million and 22.1 million U.S. streams, respec- BY JIM ASKER name to The Chicks. “We felt like ‘Dixie’ tively, in the tracking week ending July 23, is a word that does hold a lot of negative according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. he Chicks (formerly Dixie connotations and harkens back to a time in The tracks become Drake’s 45th and 46th Chicks) score their fifth No. 1 our country that brought pain to so many top 10s on Streaming Songs, which began on Billboard’s Top Country Al- people,” Maines recently told Billboard. in January 2013. He now boasts 27 more bums chart with Gaslighter. “We are relieved to have a new name and top 10s than his closest competitor, Post TThe act’s first album of new material in 14 shed the ‘Dixie’ once and for all.” Malone. years blasts in atop the Aug. 1-dated survey Page 21 of 22

IN BRIEF

Swift’s eighth and latest album was the Rolling Loud most downloaded and streamed LP over the Best Coast weekend, according to the OCC, and is on Festival Will Now track to become the pop star’s fifth U.K. No. Announce Virtual 1 following Red (2012), 1989 (2014), Reputa- Make Its European tion (2017) and Lover (2019). Anniversary Show As previously reported, three songs from Debut in 2021: See the new set are tracking for Top 10 debuts With Hayley on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, led by the New Lineup “Cardigan” at No. 4 (“Exile” with Bon Williams, Mark Iver is at No. 7 on the Official Chart Update BY GIL KAUFMAN and “The 1” starts at No. 9). Hoppus & More Folklore should enjoy another chart punch he Rolling Loud Festival will now in months to come when it’s widely released BY TAYLOR MIMS make its European debut in July on physical formats. 2021 when it touches down in Por- Coming in at No. 2 on the midweek survey os Angeles duo Best Coast has an- tugal at Praia da Rocha Beach in is Irish pop veteran Ronan Keating’s elev- nounced a 10th anniversary virtual TPortimão, organizers announced on Tuesday enth studio effort Twenty Twenty (Decca). show celebrating their debut al- (July 28). It’s the best-selling CD at the half-way bum Crazy For You. The one-night The inaugural overseas edition was origi- point in the chart week. Keating, a onetime Levent will take place on Aug. 14 via Seated nally set to take place in July 2020, but has member of Boyzone, has eight Top 10 solo and feature special guests, archival footage, been rescheduled to July 6-8, 2021 due to albums to his credit. interviews and more. the COVID-19 outbreak. Meanwhile, Bob Marley & The Wail- For the anniversary show, members The 2021 edition will feature headlin- ers’ Legend (Tuff Gong) blasts 20-5 follow- Bethany Cosentino and Bobb Bruno will ing slots from original headliners ASAP ing the classic album’s release on picture reveal a performance filmed in quarantine of Rocky, Future and Wiz Khalifa. disc vinyl. the duo playing the album from start to fin- A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Chief With 936 weeks in the chart, Legend is No. ish for the first time ever. The show will also Keef, DaBaby, Lil Durk and Lil Keed will 2 on the list of all-time U.K. Top 100 streaks have archival footage from 2010 and 2011, also make appearances. behind ABBA’s Gold (952 via Polydor) and interviews with Cosentino and Bruno and Pre-sale kicks off Thursday (July 30) ahead of Queen’s Greatest Hits (904 via special guests Hayley Williams of Para- at 9:00 a.m. GMT, with general on-sale Virgin). more, Mark Hoppus of Blink-182, Lauren beginning Friday (July 31) at 9:00 a.m. Eclectic U.S. artist Fiona Apple could Mayberry of Chvrches and more. GMT. Learn more here. snare her first U.K. Top 10 entry with Fetch “Crazy for You truly changed my life. I See the full lineup below. The Bolt Cutters (Epic). It’s currently at No. was 22 years old, feeling so lost, confused 9 following its release on physical for- and anxious - and so I wrote a bunch of mats. Bolt Cutters bowed at No. 33 in April songs about it. I had no idea the album Taylor Swift’s as a digital-only release. would impact people the way it did back Finally, U.S. rapper Logic (Def Jam) then, and I had no idea its legacy would last ‘Folklore’ Set For should go out on a high with his final a decade later,” said Cosentino in a release. album, No Pressure. It’s at No. 10 on the “When I started this band, I had no expecta- Big Opening Sales midweek chart. tions of what would happen, I just wanted Over in the singles chart race, Joel to make and play music with my friend. Week In U.K. Corry and MNEK’s summer dance tune Bobb and I feel so lucky to have been able to “Head & Heart” (Asylum/Perfect Havoc) do everything we have over the last 10 years, BY LARS BRANDLE maintains its lead over Jawsh 685 and Jason and we are so appreciative of our fans who Derulo’s “Savage Love (Laxed -Siren Beat)” have stuck with us since the beginning.” ayTay is blowing away her rivals (RCA). The duo will also host an intimate meet in the U.K. chart race. The Official U.K. Singles and Albums and greet session for 30 fans. The band Taylor Swift’s surprise album Charts are published late Friday local time. will also be releasing limited edition merch release Folklore (EMI) has raced for the anniversary as well, including face Tto the lead of the midweek chart, and is out- masks and t-shirts with Crazy For You -in- performing the rest of the Top 5 combined, spired artwork. the Official Charts Company reports. The anniversary show will kick off at Page 22 of 22

IN BRIEF

6pm PDT with tickets starting at $10. All Skin Total Cleans’r, which was filed on June tips from the event will be donated to The 12. There are also medicated and non- Loveland Foundation, which is bringing medicated skincare preparations and soaps, opportunity and healing to communities of accessories, bags, and more listed with the color, especially to Black women and girls, office. by helping to provide financial assistance to Based on Rihanna’s responses to fan ques- those seeking therapy and beyond. tions, it seems she is trying to be inclusive with her products. For example, those with sensitive skin need not worry — Riri’s got Rihanna Opens you. When one Instagram follower with sensitive skin asked the star if the line Up About Her would work for them, Rihanna responded: “saaaammmee!!! I get so scared to try new Personal Skincare product! But I made this with love for my sensitive skin gang!” Journey Ahead of Guys shouldn’t feel left out either. Re- sponding to fans on Twitter after the reveal, Fenty Skin Launch Rihanna shared on Tuesday: “The true sin would be leaving my guys out! Not up in BY ANNA CHAN here!” and “Whoever told you skincare has a gender, LIED to you!” f your skin’s been screaming “SOS,” Check out all of the posts below. rest easy. Rihanna’s coming to your rescue. The singer announced on social media Tuesday (July 14) that IFenty Skin is coming super soon — as in, the end of the month. RiRi then revealed via tweets on Mon- day (July 27) that she created the line with “many skin types” in mind. “My skincare journey has been quite complex...some parts of my face are oily, some are dry, fatigue from travel, plus I have super sensitive skin, and chile now being in my 30s?!!” she wrote. She added, “Making @fentyskin was a challenge to cover all bases and thinking of the many skin types that are out there! But y’all know I love a good challenge.” Earlier, Rihanna shared the launch date for the collection on both Instagram and Twitter: “Ima try my best to be humble about this but, @fentyskin is coming July 31 exclusively at FENTYSKIN.COM!!” The Barbadian singer didn’t reveal what products would be in the new line, but the video accompanying her announcement offered a few hints. In the clip, the artist lathers up and cleans her face, then pats on what appears to be toner, before wrapping up with a little moisturizer. According to the U.S. Patent and Trade- mark Office, there were six filings for Fenty Skin trademarks. Among them are a Fenty