Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE MAY 18, 2021 Page 1 of 20

INSIDE Publishers Quarterly:

• Vivendi Considers Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘License’ Sale of 10% Stake in Universal Music to Drives Sony to No. 1 U.S. Investor BY ED CHRISTMAN • Music Reports Steady Q1 as China’s Streaming Sony Music Publishing came in at No. 1. on the Hot Crazy” (No. 2). Market Grows 100 Songs publishers ranking for the period from UMPG’s Top Radio Airplay lead reflects its in- January 1 to April 1, but the company was dethroned creased market share (22.59%, up from 20.56%) • Mental Health On by Universal Music Publishing Group on Top Radio with 55 songs (from 58), including ’s Tour: As Live Events Ariana Grande Resume, Some Airplay after a 13-consecutive-quarter reign. “34+35,” (at No. 5). On Hot 100 Songs, where the pub- Artists Fear Return of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” dominated lisher ranked second, it earned a 22.64% market share ‘Old Habits’ Hot 100 Songs, and she and co-writer Daniel “Dan” with 58 songs (up from 20.29% and 50 songs), includ- Leonard Nigro tied atop the list’s rank- ing ’s “Blinding Lights” (No. 2). • Lollapalooza Is Set to Return at Full ing. On Top Radio Airplay, 24kGoldn’s “Mood” Market-share calculations on both charts could Capacity in July (featuring iann dior) remained at No 1. (UMPG and change — but not enough to alter the rankings — be- Kobalt control stakes in the song.) Kobalt’s Finneas cause both Sony and UMPG are disputing the shares • Sony Music Baird O’Connell (better known as ) was the that the Harry Fox Agency assigned for Brown and Diversifies Digital FINNEAS Distribution in No. 1 writer on Top Radio Airplay, with stakes in two Young Thug’s “Go Crazy.” Publishers of writers on China With Tencent, songs: his sister Billie Eilish’s “Therefore I Am” (No. that song have claimed over 100% of it, and when that NetEase Deals 4) and Justin Bieber & Benny Blanco’s “Lonely” happens, HFA assigns a pro rata share to each pub- (No. 12). lisher until the matter is resolved. If Sony and UMPG • T.I. and Wife Tiny Respond to Fresh Sony has led Hot 100 Songs in seven quarters out have the stakes in the songs that they claim, as Allegations of Sexual of the chart’s nine-quarter history, and had a stake opposed to what HFA assigned, their shares could in- Assault in 59 songs with a 23.56% market share (up from 54 crease by 40 to 70 basis points, although it’s not clear songs but down from 24.13% last quarter). It ranked which publishers would lose share. second with 20.69% on Top Radio Airplay with 55 On both Hot 100 Songs and Top Radio Airplay, songs, including Chris Brown and Young Thug’s “Go (continued)

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

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

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rankings three to five remained the same as Machine Music ninth with 1.11% mar- the previous quarter: Kobalt, Warner Chap- ket share and four songs, including Luke Vivendi Considers pell Music and BMG. Combs’s “Better Together” (No. 22); Kobalt’s market share rebounded on both and Downtown Music Publishing — which Sale of 10% Stake rankings, growing to a 18.26% market share sold the song copyrights it owned to Con- on Top Radio Airplay, with 48 songs (from cord on April 26 — 10th with 0.92% market in Universal Music 16.79% with 44 songs) and to 16,99% market share and seven songs, including Ava Max’s share on Hot 100 Songs, with 42 (from “Kings & Queens” (No. 16). to U.S. Investor 15.27% with 39 songs). On Hot 100 Songs, Round Hill Mu- Warner Chappell also grew its market sic ranked sixth with 2.54% market BY GEORG SZALAI share on both charts (for the second straight share and 10 songs, including “What’s Your quarter), reaching 16.05% market. share and Country Song” (No. 39); Reservoir sev- ivendi announced on Tuesday it 55 songs on Top Radio Airplay (from 15.15% enth with 1.08% market share and seven is considering the sale of an ad- and 49 songs), including “Go Crazy.” On Hot songs, including “34+35”; the - ditional 10% stake in Universal 100 Songs, the publisher reached 16.97% owned Big Deal/Words & Music eighth Music Group to a U.S. investor. market share with 53 songs (from 14.82% with 1.05% market share and three songs, VVivendi, which is planning an initial pub- and 40 songs), including “Blinding Lights.” including ’ “Buss It” (No. lic offering of the world’s biggest label group Warner Chappell led the Country Airplay 56); and Big Machine Music ninth in Amsterdam by late September, previously chart for the 17th consecutive quarter, with with 1.01% market share and three songs, sold a 20% stake in it to a consortium led by a 26.12% market share. including Luke Combs’ “Better To- Chinese online giant Tencent. In the IPO, it BMG stumbled on both rankings, drop- gether” (No. 20). ST Music, also known will distribute 60%. ping to a 7.74% market share with 25 songs as Songtrust, made its publisher rank- “The group is analyzing the opportunity on Top Radio Airplay (from 8.22% and 30) ing debut at tenth with a 0.71% market of selling 10 percent of UMG shares to an and to a 6.46% market share with 21 songs share and five songs, including ’s American investor or initiating a public of- on Hot 100 Songs from 7.61% and 27). “” (featuring Lil Baby and Da- fering (IPO) of at least 5 percent and up to On Top Radio Airplay, Round Hill Music Baby), the chart’s No. 9 song. 10 percent of UMG shares,” Vivendi said on came in sixth with 2.41% market share and A version of this article originally appeared Tuesday. “Furthermore, Vivendi will retain eight songs, including Thomas Rhett’s in the May 15, 2020 issue of Billboard. 10 percent of the UMG share capital for a “What’s Your Country Song” (No. 26); Res- minimum period of two years in order to ervoir seventh with 1.55% market share and remain associated with the development of nine songs, including “Go Crazy”; Pulse Mu- its subsidiary” while also “benefiting from sic Group eighth with 1.50% market share the protection of EU legislation applicable and seven songs, including Pop Smoke’s to parent companies and subsidiaries from “What You Know Bout Love” ( No. 13); Big different member states.”

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DIGITAL NEWSLETTERS 2 0 2 1 INDIE L A B E L P O W E R P L AY E R S

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

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

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

BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE Page 4 5 OF of 1920

ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] IN BRIEF SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country

IfA Vivendilbu successms; in selling Brett off an ad -Young ‘Catch’-es Fifth9.9% Airplay of monthly music users in Q1 2021, ditional 10% of UMG, Tencent would be the Tencent Music up from 8.0% and 9.0% in the previous two label’s biggestLea shareholderder; at the Travis end of the Denning Makes Historyquarters. IPO process with 20%, followed by billion- Reports Steady In 2020, China had the fourth largest aire investor Vincent Bollore’s 16%. music streaming market globally, growing SamVivendi Hunt’s also second said studio on Tuesday full-length, that and UMG first in overQ1 five asyears, Southside China’s sales (up 21%) in the tracking90.7% week. to On $718 Country million, Airplay, according it hops 18-15 to IFPI. (11.9 mil- (MCAwould Nashville/Universal not introduce a so-called Music Group “poison Nashville), debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s lion audience impressions, upJust 16%). as Western music services are Toppill,” Country a protection against chart dated hostile April takeover 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it jumping into podcasts, TME is making a earned 46,000 equivalent units, including 16,000Streaming in album sales, ac- TRY Market TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingbids, when to Nielsen it becomes Music/MRC a separately Data. listed and total Country Airplay No.hard 1 as push “Catch” into (Big long-form Machine Label audio Group) — mainly ascends company.Southside Vivendi marks Hunt’s also proposed second No. the 1 formaon the - Grows audiobooks2-1, increasing — in13% what to 36.6 Cussion million Pang, impressions. chair- charttion of and a newfourth board top 10. of It directors follows freshman in which LP manYoung’s of Tencent first Music,of six chart said entries, in a statement “Sleep With - Montevallo, which arrived at the summit in No - out You,” reached No. 2 in December 2016. He neither “Vivendi nor Group Bolloré intend BY GLENN PEOPLES is an “evolution into an all-in-one online vemberto be represented.” 2014 and reigned for nine weeks. To date, musicfollowed and with audio the entertainment multiweek No. 1s destination “In Case You Montevallo has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved millionThe incompany album sales. announced recently that encent Music Entertainment rode inYou” China.” (three, TME January isn’t 2018), turning “Mercy” this plan(two, Augustinto sharesMontevallo of UMG has spentwill begin 267 weeks trading on the on list, the tying China’s booming music market more2018) money and “Here just Tonight” yet: average (two, Aprilrevenue 2019). per LukeAmsterdam Bryan’s CrashEuronext My Party market as the “before sixth-longest- or by” to a 24% gain in revenues from subscriber“Catch” dropped completes 1.1% his longest to 9.3 journeyyuan ($1.44) to No. 1, runningSept. 27. titles Vivendi’s in the chart’s proposal 56-year for thehistory. UMG January to March, the company fromhaving the taken first 46 quarter weeks toof reach2020. the Long-form apex. It out - shareOn the distribution all-genre Billboard will be put 200, to Southside a vote at ar the- Tannounced in its first quarter earnings re- audiopaces does, the 30-week however, climb make of “Here the music Tonight.” apps rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for HUNT YOUNG aftercompany’s the No. shareholders’3-peaking Montevallo meeting. on June port on Monday (May 17). Although TME’s stickiera new high. by increasing engagement: in Q1 22.Hunt first released the EPX2C , which debuted revenues declined 6.4% from the previous 2021, the percent of monthly active users andUMG’s peaked first-quarter at No. 5 on Top revenue Country rose Albums 9.4 in Augustquarter, 2014. revenue Following from itsCOMBS music ‘DOES’ apps rose IT AGAIN Lukewho Combs listened’ “Does to long-form to Me” (River audio House/Columbia improved Montevallopercent. That,, Between along the with Pines: “strict Acoustic cost Mixtape con- started34.5% at its to No.2.75 7 billionhigh in yuanNashville), ($427 million) featuring Eric Churchto 20.0%,, ascends compared 11-8 on toCountry 5.5% inAirplay, Q1 2020 up 10% and to Novembertrol,” left earnings 2015. interest and taxes up 36 compared to the same period24.7 million last year. in audience. The15% song in Q4is Combs’ 2020. eighth straight career-opening Montevallo produced five singles, four of which hit the pinnacle of Country top 10, following a record run of seven consecutive out-of-the-gate, properly Airplay:percent. “Leave the Night On,” “Take Your Time,” “HouseMusic Party” accounts and “Make for onlypromoted 35.1% No.of TME’s 1 singles. Also on Monday, Tencent Music an- YouA Miss version Me.” of “Break this article Up in a was Small originally Town” peaked pub- at No.total 2. revenue – social entertainmentChurch adds is his the 15th Countrynounced Airplay that top it 10. renewed a licensing deal lishedHunt by co-pennedThe Hollywood all 12 songs Reporter on Southside. , includingmajority “Body — Like but a represents Back a steadily growing with Sony Music Entertainment. Tencent Road,” which was released in 2017. The smash hit ruledshare Country of its Airplay business. for SubscribersTHAT TOOK to QUITEits mu -‘A FEW’Music’s MONTHS shares Travis rose Denning 0.6% shattersto $15.30 the on record the for three weeks and the airplay-, streaming- and sales-basedsic Hotapps Country — QQMusic, Songs Kugouthe most Music, weeks Kuwo it has takenNasdaq to penetrate on Monday, the Country giving Airplay it a topmarket 10 as capi “After- chart for a then-record 34 frames. It now ranks second only to Bebe Rexha and a Few” (Mercury Nashville) climbs 12-10 in its 57th week, up 4% to 21.4 mil - Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant to Be” (50 weeks atop theMusic latter and list in WeSing 2017-18). — grewlion by in radio4.9 million reach. talization of $25.9 billion. “Downtown’s Dead,” which is also on the new set, reachedfrom 2020’s Nos. 14fourth and 15 quarter, The the song biggest surpasses se- two tracksFinancial that took metrics 50 weeks (year-over-year each to enter the and top 10: on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, respectively,quential in June increase 2018. “Kin since- 2016.Easton Its Corbin “freemium”’s “A Girl Likesequential You,” which month reached changes): No. 10 in January 2018 be- folks” led Country Airplay on Feb. 29, becoming Hunt’smodel seventh is improving No. 1. It hit its conversionfore peaking rate, at No. the 6 that February,Total and revenue grew Aaron Watson 24.0%’s “Outta to 7.82 Style,” billion which No. 3 on Hot Country Songs. ratio of subscribers to bothachieved paid itsand No. free 10 high in Decemberyuan ($1.19 2017. billion); it fell 6.1% from Q4 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 music app users. Subscribers represented 2020. eighth top 10, having corralled 8.2 million U.S. streams (up 96%) and 5,000 in From Powder Springs” traveled to No. 32 in September 2018. ETHAN MICHAEL YOUNG: VIA MARTIN/NHLI GETTY HUNT: IMAGES. IMAGES MILLER/GETTY 2021 GERARDO ORTIZ 10TH ANNIVERSARY

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

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

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Music subscription revenue grew 40.2% ic: They used the time to build healthy hab- to 1.69 billion yuan ($258 million); it rose Mental Health its. As vaccinations kick in, and the concert 7.0% from 1.58 billion in Q4 2020. industry slowly returns to normal over the Operating profit grew 11.2% to 1.16 billion On Tour: As Live next year or so, artists wonder how they’ll yuan ($180.8 million). maintain these habits on the road. Net profit to shareholders grew 10.3% to Events Resume, Country star Hunter Hayes, who has 926 million yuan ($143.8 million). been public about “anxiety issues with being Music listening metrics (year-over-year Some Artists Fear on stage,” had put off intensive therapy for and sequential month changes): years while on tour, fearing too many days Music subscribers grew by 42.6% to 60.9 Return of ‘Old off would be devastating for his working million year-over-year; they improved 8.8% band and staff. In the last year, though, he from 56.0 million in the fourth quarter of Habits’ had time for regular sessions. “I was able to 2020. jump in and really do some work,” he says. Music monthly active users BY STEVE KNOPPER Although he’s ready to return to the road, (MAU) dropped 6.4% to 615 million year- he worries about keeping his mental-health over-year; it fell 1.1% from 622 million Q4 or John Osborne of Brothers Os- momentum: “There is that danger of being 2020. (A year ago, Tencent Music executives borne, the stressful past 14 months overstimulated again, and having that be the believed that the behavioral changes dur- amid the COVID-19 pandemic thing that feeds me and fuels me.” ing the pandemic that bumped up Q1 2020 have actually improved his mental The pandemic, adds Linnea Siggelkow, would persist. This doesn’t appear to have Fhealth. the Canadian pop singer- known happened as music MAUs were lower than a “The time off was something I really as Ellis, who has been diagnosed with year ago.) needed, in the 20 years I had been going depression, general anxiety disorder and Monthly music ARPU (average revenue nonstop,” says the country duo’s singer- other issues, has also given her the luxury per user) fell 1.1% to 9.3 yuan ($1.44) year- guitarist. “I’ve always been a workaholic and of therapy, as well as “this really tight-knit over-year; it was 1.1% lower than Q4 2020. I’ve never known how to stop. Quarantine support system I’ve been leaning on.” She Social listening metrics (year-over-year basically gave me no choice. That’s what I worries about how to maintain her new and sequential month changes) needed — something to put me on a couch quarantine habits while touring again: “I Social MAUs fell 14.2% to 224 mil- and teach me how to sit down and do noth- don’t know how it will work with finding lion; they were the same as Q4 2020. ing.” the space and privacy on the road to do an Social subscribers fell 12.5% to 11.3 mil- Now the issue for Osborne, 39, is the re- hour of therapy on your computer when lion; they grew 4.6% from 10.8 million in Q4 turn of touring. Like many musicians who’ve you’re in the van all day.” 2020. struggled with anxiety, depression and Musicians with anxiety and depression Social users’ ARPU grew 35.7% to other mental-health issues, Osborne fears will have to be vigilant about maintaining 149.7 yuan ($23.25) from Q1 2020 — when falling back into a road routine of working their routines, says Susan Borja, a re- ARPU fell 12.9% from Q1 2019 due to the non-stop. “I want to psychologically prepare searcher in the National Institute of Mental COVID-19 outbreak. Q1 2021 ARPU fell 13% myself for those moments,” he says from his Health’s traumatic stress program, includ- from 172.1 yuan ($26.73) in Q4 2020. Nashville home. “It’s easy to fall back into ing exercise, maintaining contact with old habits and old patterns.” therapists, friends and family and using In March 2020, artists endured their pandemic-era innovations like Zoom for nightmare scenario of abruptly cancel- virtual connection. “For artists who adopted ing all tour dates. For many, the transition healthy habits in the pandemic, there is a from road to home was destabilizing: Last risk of losing those,” she says. “We want to April, Hayley Williams of Paramore told make sure people are maintaining as many the Los Angeles Times she was struggling of those habits as they can while they’re to stop her mind from racing: “If I wake up entering a normal life.” and I don’t put music on, which I didn’t do Borja compares artists on the brink of today, I can feel the emptiness.” touring to teachers returning to the class- But many artists also paused a transient room who fear “relearning some of these lifestyle that centered on poor eating and skills we’ve had for a long time.” She adds, sleeping routines, the constant stimulation “Being patient, being forgiving with your- of adoring fans and meeting new people self, while you pick them up and get back to and easy access to drugs and alcohol. And a what you know, is going to be important.” strange thing happened during the pandem- The anxiety of returning to the road can 2021 COUNTRY POWER PLAYERS

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

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

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seem overwhelming. Frank Turner, the compartmentalize and balance everything in a release. “To ensure we celebrate safely British punk-rock singer-songwriter who out. It sounds f***ed up, but the pandemic this summer, I encourage everyone to con- has dealt with depression and drug use, really helped.” tinue to be safe and smart; if you’re sick, stay fears the health implications of returning home; wash your hands frequently; wear to packed indoor concert halls with crowds a mask if you’re traveling or using public breathing all over each other. Lollapalooza Is Set transit; and most importantly get vaccinated “We’ve been told to spend the last year if you haven’t already.” staying away from other people — it’s made to Return at Full Lollapalooza will announce its lineup a lot more people more conscious of mi- Wednesday at at 10 a.m. CT. Tickets will go crobes and particles,” he says. “It makes me Capacity in July on sale two hours later. nervous in many ways.” Adds Brett Newski, a Milwaukee singer- BY TAYLOR MIMS songwriter who just put out a cartoon Sony Music book, It’s Hard to be a Person, containing hicago’s Lollapalooza is return- lighthearted tips about overcoming anxiety ing and it’s just over two months Diversifies Digital and depression: “I actually do fear going away. Festival producers C3 back to the road.” Presents announced Tuesday Distribution The last 14 months — during which C(May 18) that the three-day festival will re- Newski took up meditation — have been turn at full capacity July 29-Aug. 1 at Grant in China With “the most routine probably any musician has Park. Lollapalooza’s late July return will ever had,” he says. “I do worry: ‘Am I going mark one of the first major North American Tencent, NetEase to forget all that information? Am I going festivals to occur since the pandemic broke to get caught up and jump on the hamster out in March 2020. Deals wheel again and book up everything and “Here in Chicago, the word ‘Lollapalooza’ have a hectic brain?’” has always been synonymous with summer, BY ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO On the other hand, returning to the road great music and four days of unforgettable is an inherently healthy idea for most musi- fun — which made last year’s decision to ony Music is making moves to cians, even those with anxiety and depres- postpone it all the more difficult,” said Chi- diversify its digital distribution in sion. They’ll be able to generate crucial cago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot in a release. China. income again, relieving pressure, and they’ll “Now, less than a year later and armed with The major label has extended regularly interact with people and do what a vaccine that is safe, effective and widely Sits distribution agreement with streaming they love every night. Ashe, a singer-song- available, we are able to bring back one of platform Tencent Music Entertainment, writer who just put out her album Ashlyn, our city’s most iconic summer music festi- while entering into a new distribution deal has anxiety around not wanting to “disap- vals. I want to thank the Lollapalooza team with NetEase Cloud Music, one of Tencent’s point people” who are perhaps seeing their for working closely with the City to create biggest competitors. first concerts in 14 months, but the end of a reopening strategy that prioritizes safety The distribution agreements come as the pandemic represents “so much more joy and can’t wait to see festivalgoers return to Chinese regulators are reportedly planning than there is anxiety.” Grant Park this summer.” to crack down on Tencent’s dominance in Early in the pandemic, Anna Clendening, In order to attend, fans will have to pro- China and possibly force it to divest some the singer who became a pop star through duce full COVID-19 vaccination or negative of its streaming assets. Among regulators’ Vine and America’s Got Talent, spent COVID-19 test results. For patrons who are anti-trust concerns have been exclusive months ending a relationship with an addict not fully vaccinated, a negative COVID-19 catalog deals Tencent struck with major and wound up struggling to the point of test result must be obtained within 24 hours labels, which allowed the Chinese company trying to check herself into a hospital psych of attending Lollapalooza each day. Details to grow rapidly at the expense of its rivals. ward. Diagnosed with borderline personal- on the festival entry process will be available Those deals have become less common in ity disorder, she has since undergone inten- in early July. recent years. Tencent said Monday that the sive therapy, three hours via Zoom for four “We’ve made tremendous progress in two companies extended a multi-year agree- days every week, and feels more equipped to containing the spread of COVID-19, with ment in which TME will continue to make maintain her equilibrium on the road so she all of our leading metrics stable or on the Sony’s music available across all its online doesn’t have to endure the mood swings of decline. This is a reason to celebrate and platforms in mainland China, including QQ “that super-high and super-low.” why we’re able to make this announcement Music, Kugou Music and Kuwo Music. The “I’ll still have some anxiety,” she says. today,” said Chicago Department of Public deal extends to Tencent’s live-streaming “But now I can take care of myself and Health commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D platforms and to WeSing, its online karaoke Page 10 of 20

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platform. with regulators. “At this point we are not in Daily Beast, the two women filed respec- The Chinese company said that TME’s a position to comment or predict potential tive police reports in California and Nevada online platforms will also make Sony Music outcomes of such dialogue with the regula- claiming they were drugged and raped by content available on connected devices such tors,” Liang said. “But we are committed to the hip-hop star (real name Clifford Joseph as smart speakers, televisions and in-car complying with all relevant laws and regula- Harris Jr.) and his partner Tiny (Tameka audio systems throughout mainland China. tions, including those related to antitrust.” Dianne Harris). Sony and Tencent did not comment on NetEase Cloud Music, part of internet and A spokesperson from the Los Angeles the length of the extension to their previ- video game giant NetEase Inc., has raised Police Department told the publication that ous agreement. Sony and Tencent have had over $1.3 billion in the past two years. After its investigation is active, and relates to an a distribution relationship in China since completing a $600 million funding round in incident that allegedly occurred back in 2014. October of 2018 — investors included Baidu 2005. The accuser claims she was offered “Extending our cooperation with SME and Boyu Capital — the platform sold a mi- a drink that was spiked, and was later as- was a natural next-step for us,” Cussion nority stake to Chinese retail giant Alibaba saulted by the pair. Her identity is being Pang, TME’s executive chairman, said in a last September for about $700 million. kept anonymous. statement. “We look forward to leveraging Last year, NetEase Cloud Music part- THR has confirmed the LAPD’s ongoing our strong distribution channels to explore nered with Alibaba’s Xiami music streaming investigation. new ways of music marketing and the pro- service to share their libraries, a move seen A second woman, identified as Rachelle motion of new artists, as well as deepening as a way for both platforms to strengthen Jenks, stepped forward earlier this month to our reach to Japanese pop culture fans in themselves against Tencent. But in January, file a police report alleging similar incidents China.” amid regulatory scrutiny of Alibaba and its took place in Las Vegas in 2010, and waived But on Monday, NetEase Cloud Music, billionaire founder Jack Ma, Alibaba said it the right to anonymity, the report continues. another leading music streamer in China, was shuttering Xiami Music. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police said it was partnering with Sony, for the first Tencent Holdings, TME’s parent, could Department would not confirm or deny if time, to distribute to NetEase’s over 800 be forced to pay more than 10 billion yuan the investigation was active, according to million registered users in mainland China. ($1.54 billion) as part of a sweeping anti- the Daily Beast, whose journalists claim to The deal’s “in-depth cooperation” also in- trust action by China’s competition regula- have observed a copy of the report. cludes online karaoke and music vlogs. tor, Reuters has reported. The government Legal reps for T.I. say the rapper and his Through the new partnership, Hangzhou- is looking to loosen the company’s strangle- wife Tiny haven’t been contacted by police based NetEase said it was enhancing its hold on the streaming market, which has and they’re being kept in the dark on specif- selection of music from a range of global tightened since Tencent acquired competi- ics. superstars and renowned artists in China, tors Kuwo and Kogou in 2016. “The Harrises have not spoken to or been including G.E.M., Karen Mok, Jolin Tsai, TME’s three music services had 60.9 mil- contacted by the Los Angeles Police Depart- A-Lin, Nana-Ouyang, Sophia Huang, Eric lion paying users at the end of March (up ment (LAPD), the Las Vegas Police Depart- Chou and Evan Lin. Sony Music is also 43% from the first quarter of 2020) and 615 ment (LVPD) or, indeed, any member of law working to expand the reach of its catalog million monthly active music users (down enforcement from any other jurisdiction in China by working with NetEase to drive 6.4%), the company said Monday. in the country,” comments attorney Steve engagement from the users of its platform. Sadow in a statement on behalf of Clifford “We are pleased to be partnering with Ne- and Harris, seen by Billboard. tEase Cloud Music to further grow the avail- T.I. and Wife Tiny “Even assuming the story in The Daily ability of our music in China and increase Beast is close to accurate, it appears the the level of global investment in our roster Respond to Fresh LAPD ‘accuser’ has chosen once again to of world class artists,” said Dennis Kooker, remain anonymous, thereby preventing Sony’s president, global digital business and Allegations of us from being in a position to disprove or U.S. sales. refute her allegations — or even examine For Tencent, the partnership was yet Sexual Assault them. Meanwhile, although we now appear another sign that the playing field for for the first time to have the name of an ‘ac- streaming platforms in China is continuing BY LARS BRANDLE cuser’ who supposedly filed a police report to level out. The company’s newly appointed with LVPD, we have absolutely zero details chief executive, Ross Liang, acknowledged wo more women have report- about her or her claim.” to analysts on an earnings call Monday that edly stepped forward with Both women are represented by attorney Tencent has received “increased regulatory serious sexual assault allegations Tyrone A. Blackburn, who is also handling scrutiny” in recent months and has “been against T.I. and his wife. the claims of several other women who’ve actively cooperating and communicating” TAccording to an article published in The made similar allegations against the couple. Page 11 of 20

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In a statement shared with Billboard, avatars to form conversation clusters, and Blackburn said he was happy with the lat- Andrew Dreskin each account has access to a sound mixer est developments from the LAPD. “They that allows fans to control the volume of showed great concern and are moving Launches their conversations and the concert on their forward with an investigation into the al- computers. legations,” he said. “In response to [the Har- Flymachine With today’s launch, Flymachine is also rises’] counsel’s request that these women revealing an impressive list of independent come out publicly, the protection and safety Virtual Venue promoter and venue clients that automati- of these women are my biggest priority. ... cally makes it the middle market leader in Their identities are known to law enforce- Platform the space. It’s familiar territory for Dreskin, ment, and that’s what matters.” who developed Ticketfly into the most dom- In February, The Times reported BY DAVE BROOKS inant ticketing company in independent mu- that Blackburn was seeking a criminal inves- sic, and Farman, who co-founded the largest tigation and approached law enforcement ike most big ideas, the concept for and most influential indie festival company authorities in Georgia and California on be- Flymachine was hashed out during in North America and will continue his role half of 11 people claiming they were victim- a Grateful Dead concert. at Superfly alongside his co-founders. ized by the couple or their entourage. The Andrew Dreskin, founder of “There was a lot of excitement from alleged incidents occurred between 2005 Lboth Ticketfly and TicketWeb, had been on artists who wanted to perform for fans in to 2018 and were described as instances of a text message chain with a group of friends areas that they just couldn’t reach,” Farman “sexual abuse, forced ingestion of illegal who, in non-pandemic times, attended tells Billboard, noting that the explosion in narcotics, kidnapping, terroristic threats and concerts by members of the Grateful Dead streaming technology has given artists a false imprisonment,” as well as nonsexual and wanted to see who was up for streaming global fan base. intimidation, assault and harassment, said a show and watching together through their In terms of design, the Flymachine team Blackburn. phones. recognized early on “the importance of an Further sexual assault allegations and Just like fans around the world, Dreskin’s intuitive design that worked for fans,” says victim statements have since come to light. group was “clamoring for a way to experi- Davis. “We didn’t set out to build something Stories about sexual assault allegations ence live events without being in the venue,” that felt unnatural. We wanted to create an can be traumatizing for survivors of sexual he tells Billboard. While there was no authentic experience for fans that replicated assault. If you or anyone you know needs shortage of streaming platforms and video the live experience without trying to replace support, you can reach out to the Rape, Abuse players on the market, none offered the ca- it.” & Incest National Network (RAINN). The pabilities of a rich social experience where Flymachine’s clients include promot- organization provides free, confidential sup- fans could easily interact with one another er Michael Swier’s Ballroom and port to sexual assault victims. Call RAINN’s or with strangers. in New York and the Mo- National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656. Less than a year later, Flymachine was roccan Lounge and Teragram Ballroom in HOPE) or visit the anti-sexual violence orga- born. Co-founded by Superfly chief expe- Los Angeles, along with TV Eye (Queens), nization’s website for more information. rience officer and Bonnaroo and Outside Bimbo’s 365 Club (San Francisco), the Lands co-founder Rick Farman, [namethe- Vogue Theatre (Vancouver, B.C.), Adelaide machine] chief technology officer Matthew Hall (Toronto), Higher Ground (Burling- Davis and ATC Management, Flymachine ton), Marathon Music Works (Nashville), officially launches today as a virtual venue The Signal (Chattanooga), The Truman for live entertainment with the most ad- (Kansas City), The Casbah (San Diego), Ra- vanced communal and social interaction dio Woodstock (Woodstock, New York), The tools available on the market. Crocodile (Seattle) and the Neighborhood Last week, Flymachine demoed the Theatre (Charlotte). platform with a concert from Cautious “I didn’t think there was a way to in- Clay at the Bowery Ballroom in New York. novate on live events any further, but the Fans could opt to watch the concert from pandemic and the opportunities it presented the main concert hall, join a public virtual are truly unique,” Dreskin said. “Flymachine room or create their own private virtual is an opportunity for promoters to extend room and invite friends to watch the show the gross and an opportunity for artists to and interact. Each fan is represented by a walk out with more money. It is an opportu- hexagon shaped avatar — when fans want nity for fans who can’t make it to the venue to interact, they simply drag and drop their or who don’t live in a city where the tour is Page 12 of 20

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routing to experience the event. Ultimately “It isn’t an Avicii collab,” Liv Nervo everyone in the ecosystem benefits.” NERVO Is explains to Billboard, “because his family won’t allow us so, we’re just remaking an old Remaking Its song we wrote which Tim did a track to. He TuneCore Names called it ‘Enough Is Enough,’ but the original Unreleased Avicii song is called ‘Let Me Show You Love.’” Vevo Vet Becky Bootleg versions of the urgently bom- Collab Without bastic EDM track exist under both names Sebber as CFO online, with a video of Avicii performing ‘Tim’s Chords or the song at Tomorrowland 2011 listed under BY CYDNEY LEE “Enough Is Enough (Let Me Show You Parts’ Love).” Both Liv and Mim Nervo can be seen uneCore named Becky Sebber as singing along in the video. chief financial officer. Based out BY KATIE BAIN The Avicii estate has previously con- of its headquarters, she firmed that there is a large amount of will report to Matt Barrington, iv Nervo, one half of the NER- unreleased Avicii music, although whether TCOO and co-head of TuneCore. VO sisters, recently revealed in or not it will ever be released remains to be Owned by Paris-based company Believe, an interview that the Australian seen. The work on the 2019 posthumous TuneCore is the leading independent DIY duo was in motion to complete a Avicii album, Tim, was completed by several digital music distributor. The two com- Ldecade-old Avicii collaboration called “Let of producer’s closest collaborators who had panies work together to support artists Me Show You Love (Don’t Give Up On Us).” been involved with the making of the music throughout all stages of their careers. But due to rights holdings, she tells Bill- before the artist born Tim Bergling commit- “Becky brings with her a wealth of board, the project in motion appears to be ted suicide on April 20, 2018. knowledge and a deep understanding of more a remake of the song than a release of “I get sad every time I work on it,” Liv the technology and music worlds, exactly the known version, and will not include any Nervo continued in the May 8 interview where TuneCore sits,” said Barrington. “Her of Avicii’s contributions. with Treviño, “because to think what hap- experience speaks for itself and I’m looking “It’s a completely new track,” Liv Nervo pened to him and what a genius he was — I forward to her leadership as the company says. “None of Tim’s chords or parts are be- wish he was alive and we could release it grows.” ing used.” together.” Sebber joins TuneCore from Condé Nast This explanation adds context to a May NERVO’s representative adds that “Let where she was vp of operations and strate- 8 interview between Liv Nervo and Mex- Me Show You Love (Don’t Give Up On Us)” gic planning, overseeing finance, operations ico-based DJ and journalist Trino Treviño, will be a NERVO release “at some point in and strategy for the company’s TV, film and who asked about plans for the old Avicii the future yet to be determined.” digital video division. Prior to this, Sebber collab’s release. Additional Reporting by Alexei Barrion- was vp of finance at Vevo where she played Liz Nervo confirmed that the duo — she uevo a key role in the network’s and her sister Mim — are currently working launch in 2009. on “Let Me Show You Love (Don’t Give Up In her new role, she will oversee all finan- On Us),” noting that the, “We’re still work- cial operations across TuneCore’s central ing on the production, because we can’t get business units and work closely with each it right. It’s really difficult to get right, but finance team as both TuneCore and Believe it’s going to be amazing though.” continue to leverage their relationship to She continued by noting that there’s “so maximize opportunities. much pressure” involved in regards to work- “TuneCore is one of the most exciting ing on “a record with so much history.” companies in the music industry right now,” A representative of the Avicii estate said Sebber. “The spirit of this company, its tells Billboard that the song in question is employees and its artists are truly inspira- “absolutely not an Avicii track” and has not tional and I’m excited to make an immedi- been approved for release by the late pro- ate meaningful contribution to TuneCore’s ducer’s estate. A representative for NERVO growth.” confirms that the duo owns the song’s topline lyrics and melody, which they wrote for Avicii, while the Avicii estate retains ownership of the underlying composition. Page 13 of 20

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criminal charges had ever been filed against Ministry Guitarist Quirin based on Longoria’s allegation, citing Horacio Palencia Longoria saying she had been told by an Sin Quirin Exits SAPD officer that a local district attorney Signs Global had rejected the case because Longoria’s Band in Wake of relationship with Quirin continued after she Publishing Deal turned 18.) Allegations of A second woman also claimed she had sex With UMPG with Quirin when she was underage, after Underage Sexual meeting him at a Society 1 performance in Mexico Portland in March 2005, a month after she Relationships turned 16. Both women said they made it BY GRISELDA FLORES clear to Quirin that they were minors when Years Ago they met him. exican singer-songwrit- Through an attorney, Quirin denied er Horacio Palencia has a BY GIL KAUFMAN to Spin that he ever had sexual contact with signed an exclusive global Longoria when she was underage, or with publishing agreement with inistry guitarist Sin Quirin has any other minor. He acknowledged meet- MUniversal Music Publishing Group Méxi- left the band a year after two ing and exchanging contact information co, Billboard has learned. women alleged that he had with Longoria in 2002, but stated that he With a catalog that surpasses more than sexual relationships with them had done so for the purposes of adding her 500 songs and having penned chart-topping Mmore than 15 years ago, when they were to the mailing list for his previous band, tracks for acts that range from Banda underage. A spokesperson for the group Society 1, and that any subsequent social MS to Luis Fonsi, Palencia was most re- confirmed to Billboard that Quirin (born encounters happened as a result of Longoria cently named for the seventh time regional Sinhue Quirin) was no longer with the vet- attending concerts. Mexican songwriter of the year at the 28th eran industrial group, echoing a statement “Mr. Quirin did not begin visiting Ms. annual BMI Latin Awards. It marks the first he reportedly posted on Facebook on Friday Longoria in San Antonio,” Randolph time he signs exclusively to a publisher. (May 14). Ortega, Quirin’s attorney, wrote as part of “I’m very happy to have made this deci- According to multiple reports, Quirin an emailed statement at the time. “During sion because I know that my songs will be did not address the allegations in his post, this time Society 1 was touring heavily in in good hands at UMPG,” Palencia said in but said he was taking time to focus on his various locations throughout the United a statement. “I now have peace of mind of health. At press time, it appears the guitarist States. When the band was in or near the having my past and future catalog in one has taken his social media accounts offline, San Antonio area, Ms. Longoria would come home, which will allow me to continue and the Facebook post is not visible to the to the show as a guest.” writing new songs. I’m always grateful to public. Ortega also denied the allegations by the UMPG for their fantastic job in supporting Ministry recently revealed the dates for second woman, “Brooke” — an entertain- my career as a songwriter.” their COVID-delayed Industrial Strength ment industry worker who, Spin reported, Yadira Moreno, managing director for tour, which is now slated to kick off on Oct. had requested anonymity because she UMPG México, Central America and VP 3 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. feared professional blowback — saying at new business development Latin America, In a report published in January 2020, the time, “Mr. Quirin maintains no recollec- added, “We have always admired Horacio’s two women told Spin magazine that Quirin tion of meeting a minor outside a show in unique talent for storytelling with his songs. approached them when they were teens at- Portland. Mr. Quirin denies ever have (sic) UMPG’s family is thrilled to offer him a tending performances of Society 1, the band any sexual relationship with anyone under home for all his songs. Our new agreement he was in at the time. One woman, Kelly the age of majority.” will allow us to foster even further his art Longoria, alleged she was 15 and he was 33 The attorney — who also represented with the love and passion he deserves.” when they first met and that he began trav- the industrial group at the time — added UMPG México is home to other singer- eling to visit her when she were still in high to Spin at the time that frontman Al Jour- songwriters such as Mon Laferte, Leonel school. Longoria also claimed Quirin had gensen “is unaware of any of potential ne- García, Natalia Lafourcade and Espinoza sex with her numerous times while she was farious activity by any member of Ministry Paz, to name a few. a minor. Longoria included these details in during their respective tenure(s) with the “We are amazed at Horacio’s numerous a sworn statement she gave to the San Anto- band including but not limited to Mr. Sin achievements and versatility as a songwrit- nio Police Department in 2017, 15 years after Quirin.” er,” stated Alexandra Lioutikoff, UMPG she first met Quirin. Spin( reported that no president for Latin America and U.S. Latin. Page 14 of 20

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“His much-deserved success evidences his health can negatively impact someone’s hard work ethic and he’s a joy to work with. life. That is why we’re proud to collaborate Bad Bunny Is Now We are very excited for this new opportu- with the Amy Winehouse Foundation to not nity to collaborate.” only honor Amy and her incredible life and the Co-Owner For now, Palencia is focused on growing career but also help those who are suffering his career as a singer and most recently re- from this devastating disease,” MusiCares Of Puerto Rican leased his latest singles “Traviesa (Remix)” executive director Laura Segura said. “... in collaboration with Raymix and Aczino, We are here to help the people behind the Basketball Team and “Con Ojos de Amor.” music and we couldn’t be any more proud of this endeavor.” BY JESSICA ROIZ The auction is part of a series of events MusiCares throughout 2021 to mark the 10th anniver- fter dipping his toes in sary of Winehouse’s passing. That includes the WWE and getting Auctions Rare an in-person Back to Amy exhibit at City high praise from pro wres- Winery Nashville, featuring more of Moriar- tlers, Bad Bunny (real name Amy Winehouse ty’s photos, and a three-hour livestream on BenitoA Antonio Martinez) continues to do July 23, a portion of ticket sales from which great things in sports. This time, he’s becom- Photo as will also benefit MusiCares and the Amy ing a co-owner of Puerto Rico’s basketball Winehouse Foundation. team Los Cangrejeros de Santurce. Charitable NFT “Charles has captured a fresh-faced Amy The Puerto Rican superstar, alongside full of life and fun, I treasure those photos,” Rimas’ Jonathan Miranda and Noah Assad, BY TATIANA CIRISANO Amy’s mother, Janis Winehouse, said of the has been named partner of the renewed exhibit. franchise, which also announced a re- usiCares, the charitable arm Philanthropy has emerged as a popular vamped team and image. of the Recording Academy, use case for NFTs, a form of digital collect- “The main purpose and commitment has partnered with the Amy ibles bought and sold on the blockchain. of this initiative are to help foster posi- Winehouse Foundation to Over the past several weeks, artists includ- tive change on the island,” noted an official Mauction off a rare photo of the late singer- ing David Guetta, Mick Jagger, Match- statement. “The goal is to promote a better songwriter as a non-fungible token (NFT), box Twenty, Kings of Leon, Shawn future through sports, music, and the arts. with all proceeds set to help the two chari- Mendes and Halsey have donated either The main objective is to encourage ideas ties support musicians struggling with men- the entirety or a portion of NFT proceeds and dreams in Puerto Rican youth, which tal health, addiction and substance abuse. to a range of charities, and last month, the provoke an authentic and real social trans- Taken by photographer Charles Moriarty, National Independent Venue Association formation.” the photo NFT captures Winehouse in a (NIVA) partnered with artists like Tove Los Cangrejeros de Santurce also unveiled phone booth in downtown , Lo and Dillon Francis on an NFT collection the return of NBA star Jose Juan Barea, and was animated in the style of a comic which raised more than $200,000 for its who played for the Dallas Mavericks, as the strip by visual artist Mark Palkoski. The efforts to help struggling independent music team’s point guard. NFT — which comes with a limited-edition venues stay afloat during the pandemic. Founded in 1918, Los Cangrejeros de print of the original image signed by Mori- Santurce is known as one of the most suc- arty — is open for bidding on the NFT mar- cessful Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN) ketplace OpenSea now through May 30 at 7 franchises, winning eight championships. p.m. EST, with the reserve price of 3 Ether See the announcement below: (equivalent to about $10,147). As of Tuesday morning, no bids have yet been placed. The Grammy-winning icon died of alcohol poisoning on July 23, 2011, having suffered from drug and alcohol addiction for much of her life. The Amy Winehouse Foundation was set up by her family that September to help young people make in- formed choices about drugs and alcohol. “Here at MusiCares, we’ve seen time and time again how struggles with mental Page 15 of 20

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in science, technology, engineering, arts, found creative ways to use the Internet to BTS, Dua Lipa & mathematics and motivation (S.T.E.A.M.M.) help the world stay connected during the through his nonprofit, YELLOW, and also COVID-19 pandemic. More Lead 2021 for supporting Black and Latinx business “This past year, the Internet kept us owners through his newest nonprofit, Black together when the only option was be- Webby Awards Ambition. (The Anthem Awards, a new ing apart,” said Claire Graves, president of venture from The Webbys, will launch this The Webby Awards. “Our connection has Winners summer. The Anthem Awards will honor been everything, and our 2021 winners are mission-driven work across causes in an a testament to this. They have entertained BY PAUL GREIN effort to amplify the voices that spark global us, helped us uplift one another, explained change, according to a statement.) complex issues affecting our world and TS, Dua Lipa, Kristen Bell, The Director Ava DuVernay is the winner inspired global movements.” Daily Show With Trevor of film and video person of the year “for Here is a partial list of winners, with Noah and The Late Late Show continuing to be a force for good in the an emphasis on music and entertainment With James Corden are among entertainment industry with the launch of awards. Bthe multiple winners at the 2021 Webby ARRAY Crew, a database to diversify Hol- This first grouping of winners won both Awards, presented Tuesday (May 18). The lywood’s below-the-line talent.” Webby Awards and Webby People’s Voice Webby Awards, now in their 25th year, cel- Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson receives a Awards: ebrate creative work on the Internet. special achievement award “for his phe- The Motherly Podcast: Kristen Bell BTS’ “Carpool Karaoke” segment on The nomenal use of social media to connect with gives us the motherhood advice we all Late Late Show With James Corden won a people, provide inspiration and motivation need to hear: best individual episode, fea- Webby People’s Voice Award for variety & to millions of followers globally, and serve tures (podcasts). reality, general video. Kiswe Powers BTS’ fans with new and exclusive content.” Hamilton - Twitter Watch Party: events Innovative Virtual Concert “Map of the Jimir Reece Davis, aka Amorphous, also & livestreams, social content series & cam- Soul ON:E” won both a Webby Award and receives a special achievement award “for paigns (social). a Webby People’s Voice Award for music, breaking the Internet through his self- The Daily Show Bonus Tracks: inter- general virtual & remote. released mash-ups and for injecting the In- view/talk show, social content series & Dua Lipa’s “Hallucinate” won a Webby ternet with much-needed positivity through campaigns (social). People’s Voice Award for animation, general his new single ‘Sunshine.’” NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts: music, video. “Dua Lipa Has New Rules for COVID Yara Shahidi wins the inaugural Webby video series & channels (video). Dating” won a Webby Award for comedy: advocate of the year award for her commit- Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: comedy, shortform, general video. ment to utilizing the Internet and her influ- branded entertainment (video). Fans can watch this year’s show, hosted ence to vocalize issues that impact the Black Kiswe Powers BTS’ Innovative Virtual by actress, podcaster and activist Jameela community and BIPOC communities at Concert “Map of the Soul ON:E”: music, Jamil, at http: watch.webbyawards. large. The award honors an individual who general virtual & remote (virtual & remote). com on May 18 starting at 3 p.m. ET. Katie uses their online platform to amplify their This second grouping of winners won Couric, Gayle King, Naomi Watts and more commitment to social justice advocacy. Webby People’s Voice Awards only: are slated to appear as presenters and spe- Other special achievement award win- The Daily Show Podcast Uni- cial guests. ners are Dr. Anthony Fauci (person of the verse: scripted fiction, limited-series & Comedy Central won as the Webby media year); mathematician Gladys Brown West specials (podcasts). company of the year for earning the most (lifetime achievement award); Stop AAPI ’s An Oral History of The Of- honors across all Webby categories: 14. Hate (Manjusha Kulkarni, Cynthia Choi and fice: entertainment, limited-series & spe- Andra Day and Riz Ahmed, who were Russell M. Jeung) (social movement of the cials (podcasts). Oscar-nominated for their performances year); Among Us (breakout of the year); and Jennifer Garner: celebrity/fan, general in The United States vs. Billie Holi- Celeste Barber; and José Andrés. social (social). day and Sound of Metal, respectively, won Webby winners are selected by members The Daily Show: best overall social, Webbys for best actress and best actor for of the International Academy of Digital features (social). their work in those films. Arts and Sciences. The Webbys claim that 2 Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical: tele- is the winner of the million votes were cast from Internet fans vision & film, social video (social). inaugural Webby Anthem Award. The award around the world to choose the winners of 2020 MTV Video Music Awards: events honors Williams for working toward racial the Webby People’s Voice Awards. & live streaming, social video (video). equity in education and entrepreneurship by This year’s show is dedicated to honoring BTS Carpool Karaoke: variety & reality, empowering a new generation of students individuals, organizations and projects that general video (video). Page 16 of 20

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Momsplaining with Kristen Bell: com- hair, is now sporting a new hot-pink hair nor (which was released June 5, 2001). She’ll edy: longform, general video (video). color in the sneak peek. perform a medley of songs from that prized Dua Lipa’s ‘Hallucinate’: animation, “It’s good to be back on The Voice and album on the Billboard Music Awards, general video (video). see Carson, Kelly, Nick, and John,” Levine which will broadcast live from the Microsoft Spotify’s Alone with Me: Music, General quipped in a statement to Billboard about Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, May 23. Websites and Mobile Sites (websites and coaches Kelly Clarkson, Nick Jonas and Keys is no stranger to the BBMAs: She mobile sites). John Legend and host Carson Daly — no- performed “Love Looks Better,” from her This third grouping of winners won ticeably leaving Shelton off the list. 2020 album Alicia, on last year’s show. She’s Webby Awards only: Levine announced Maroon 5’s seventh also a nine-time BBMA winner. Her biggest The Late Late Show with James Cor- studio album Jordi, named after the band’s night at the BBMAs came in 2004, when she den: celebrity/fan, general social (social) late longtime manager Jordan Feldstein, won seven awards, including female artist of and entertainment, general social (social). on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in April, which the year. Only Usher won more awards that The Daily Show Twitter: humor, general includes their 2019 hit single “Memories” year: 13. The two superstars had a collab social (social). and the Megan Thee Stallion-assisted smash “My Boo,” which topped the Bill- Megan Thee Stallion x New York Times “Beautiful Mistakes.” The latter collabora- board Hot 100 for the six weeks leading up - Protecting Women of Color: best editing, tion is No. 19 on this week’s Billboard Hot to the that year’s BBMAs. performance & craft (video). 100 (dated May 22), having climbed as high In addition, Keys is a 15-time Grammy ‘Dua Lipa Has New Rules for COVID as No. 18. winner. Her biggest night at the Grammys Dating’: comedy: shortform, general video After saying he “would love” to per- came at the awards for 2001, when she won (video). form at Shelton and Stefani’s wedding, five Grammys, including best new artist and To view the full list of winners, visit: win- Levine joked with DeGeneres about how song of the year for “Fallin’.” She was just 21 ners.webbyawards.com. much he’s missed making fun of Shelton at the time, which made her the youngest on The Voice and how he likely got disin- song of the year winner to that point. Keys vited to their wedding by admitting that he hosted the Grammys in 2019 and 2020. She Adam Levine plans to ruin the couple’s special day. “I’ll is the only former best new artist Grammy go to the wedding and I’ll object,” he said. winner to go on to host the show. Returning to ‘The “I will probably not be invited now, but I’m Keys has amassed five No. 1 albums on saying this on live television.” the Billboard 200 and four No. 1 singles on Voice’ to Perform Catch Adam with Maroon 5 on the live the Hot 100. Her No. 1 albums are Songs finale of The Voice, airing Tuesday, May 25, in A Minor, The Diary of Alicia Keys, As I With Maroon 5: at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Am, Girl on Fire and Unplugged, a live album she recorded at the Brooklyn Academy of Exclusive Music. Her No. 1 singles are “Fallin’,” “My Alicia Keys Boo” (with Usher), “No One” and “Empire BY HERAN MAMO State of Mind” (with Jay-Z). to Mark 20th Keys released her new book, More Myself: riginal The Voice coach Adam A Journey, in March 2020 through Flatiron Levine is coming back to the Anniversary of Books. Last year, she launched her lifestyle show for a special performance beauty brand Keys Soulcare. of “Beautiful Mistakes” with his Debut Album This year’s BBMAs will have some- Oband Maroon 5, Billboard can exclusively thing for fans of all kinds of music. Hosted reveal. With Billboard by Nick Jonas, the show will include per- The performance will take place during formances by (in alphabetical order by prin- the live finale next Tuesday, May 25. Levine Music Awards cipal artist) AJR, BTS, DJ Khaled featuring left his red spinning chair in 2019 after H.E.R. and Migos, Duran Duran, Glass eight years and 16 seasons of the NBC sing- Performance Animals, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis with ing competition. He was replaced by Gwen Sounds of Blackness featuring Ann Nesby, Stefani at the time, and Gwen’s fiancé and BY PAUL GREIN P!nk, twenty one pilots and The Weeknd. fellow Voice coach Blake Shelton had a spe- In addition to performing, P!nk will re- cial reunion with Levine outside the show’s licia Keys has come up with the ceive the ICON Award. She is the youngest stage ahead of the performance, as seen in perfect way to celebrate the 20th recipient of that award to date. the photo above. Levine, who previously un- anniversary of her star-making Drake will receive the Artist of the De- veiled his silver Lord of the Rings-inspired A debut album, Songs in A Mi- cade Award. Trae Tha Truth will receive Page 17 of 20

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the Change Maker Award. tries, are presented by UEFA and Pepsi, a Billboard Music Awards finalists and win- UEFA Champions League partner since Scores ners are based on key fan interactions with 2015. (Pepsi also sponsors the halftime show music, including audio and video streaming, of the United States’ biggest sporting event, First No. 1 on album and digital song sales, radio airplay, the Super Bowl.) Previous UEFA opening and social engagement, tracked by Bill- ceremony performers have included Dua Billboard’s Top board and its data partners, including MRC Lipa and Alicia Keys. Data and Next Big Sound. This year’s awards In a preview clip for the performance, Album Sales are based on the chart period of March 21, Marshmello can be seen deliberating be- 2020 through April 3, 2021. tween cities for the match, with locations Chart With ‘Van Fan-voted categories include top social suggestions coming from some of the big- artist and top collaboration. Voting opened gest stars of the sport — including Argentine Weezer’ on May 10 at 9 a.m. PT and closes on May 21 icon Lionel Messi, French star Paul Pogba at 11:59 p.m. PT on Twitter and billboard. and English player Jadon Sancho — while BY KEITH CAULFIELD com/bbmasvote. For more information, ‘Mello’s 2020 Juice Wrld collab “Come & visit billboardmusicawards.com/vote. Go” plays in the background. Watch the clip eezer scores its first No. 1 The 2021 Billboard Music Awards are below. on Billboard’s Top Album produced by dick clark productions, which The 2021 UEFA Champions League Final Sales chart as the band’s is owned by MRC; MRC and Penske Media was originally scheduled to take place at latest studio album, Van are co-parent companies of Billboard. Barry Istanbul’s Atatürk Stadium, but was moved WeezerW, opens atop the tally. The set was Adelman and Robert Deaton are the show’s to Portugal on May 13 after the U.K. listed released May 7 and sold 23,000 copies in the executive producers. Istanbul on its “red list” of COVID-19 travel U.S. in the week ending May 13, according to The BBMAs will broadcast live from the destinations, which would have meant that MRC Data. Van Weezer is the rock act’s 13th Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sun- fans from the U.K. would not have been able top 10 and 19th chart entry overall on Top day, May 23 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on NBC. to attend. Album Sales. For the latest news on the Billboard According to a statement from the Union Meanwhile, Jack Ingram, Miranda Music Awards visit billboardmusicawards. of European Football Associations, the Lambert and Jon Randall’s The Marfa com and billboard.com/bbma. organization “discussed moving the match Tapes bows at No. 3, while new albums from to England but, despite exhaustive efforts on Dodie and Van Morrison start in the top five. the part of the Football Association and the Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks Marshmello to authorities, it was not possible to achieve the top-selling albums of the week based the necessary exemptions from U.K. quaran- only on traditional album sales. The chart’s Perform at UEFA tine arrangements.” Portugal remains on the history dates back to May 25, 1991, the first U.K.’s green list, meaning fans can travel to week Billboard began tabulating charts with Champions the country for the match. electronically monitored piece count infor- Meanwhile, the rest of us can watch from mation from SoundScan, now MRC Data. League Final home when ‘Mello makes history as the first Pure album sales were the measurement electronic producer to play the globally- solely utilized by the Billboard 200 al- BY KATIE BAIN renowned sporting event. bums chart through the list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart switched to a arshmello will score big when methodology that blends album sales with he headlines the opening cere- track equivalent album units and streaming mony of the UEFA Champions equivalent album units. The new May 22, League Final later this month. 2021-dated chart (where Van Weezer debuts MTaking place in Porto, Portugal on May at No. 1) will be posted in full on Billboard’s 29, the match between Manchester City website on May 18. For all chart news, fol- and Chelsea (both English Premier League low @billboard and @billboardcharts on teams) will be opened by a six-minute both Twitter and Instagram. virtual performance by the EDM star, with Of Van Weezer’s debut sales of 23,000, additional special guests to be announced in physical album sales comprise 14,000 of that the coming weeks. figure (6,500 CDs and nearly 7,500 vinyl The opening ceremony and match, which LPs), while digital album sales comprise will be broadcast to more than 200 coun- 9,000. Page 18 of 20

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Weezer previously topped out at No. On re-enters Top Album Sales at No. 6 with shortly after Herndon became the first 2 with three different albums on Top 6,000 sold (up 276%) following the May major male country artist to come out as Album Sales: 2019’s Weezer (Teal Al- 9 debut of CNN’s documentary What’s Go- gay. For the fourth consecutive year, CMT bum), 2018’s Weezer (White Album) and ing On: Marvin Gaye’s Anthem for the Ages. returns as presenting partner of the event, 2005’s Make Believe. Van Weezer is the sec- This marks the first top 10 and highest- with Alan serving as co-host for the sixth ond top 10 of 2021 for the band, following charting set for Gaye on the nearly-30-year- time. the No. 6-peaking studio set OK Human in old Top Album Sales chart. (What’s Going “I’m thrilled to be partnering with the February. (Van Weezer was meant to be On peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 in dynamic team at CMT once again to bring released in May of 2020, to accompany the 1971 and is one of six top 10s for Gaye on the Concert for Love & Acceptance to a band’s Hella Mega stadium tour with Green that list.) broad audience as musicians, actors, come- Day and . Instead, the album Rounding out the new top 10 on Top dians, and more demonstrate their support and tour were delayed, and Weezer first Album Sales are Harry Styles’ former No. for LGBTQ youth and artists in the country released an entirely separate album, OK Hu- 1 Fine Line (20-7 with 6,000 sold; up 20% music community and beyond,” Herndon man, earlier this year.) after a surge in vinyl LP sales), Fleetwood said in a statement. “This event comes Van Weezer also bows at No. 1 Bill- Mac’s Rumours (18-8 with 5,000; down from my heart, and I hope it continues to board’s Vinyl Albums sales chart, which 3%), Michael Jackson’s Thriller (22-9 with resonate with people all around the world ranks the top-selling vinyl LPs of the nearly 5,000; up 1%) and BTS’ former No. as we spread a message of acceptance for all week. The set additionally starts at No. 1 1 Map of the Soul: 7 (21-10 with 4,500; down people and work toward a world where only on the Tastemaker Albums chart (which 7%). love remains.” tallies the top sellers at independent and Past performers have included Vince Gill, small chain record stores), Top Rock Tanya Tucker, Reba McEntire, Brett Young, Albums and Alternative Albums. On the Brothers Osborne, Jake Owen, Lee Brice, Tyler Rich, Michael all-genre Billboard 200, it begins at No. 11. Ray, Chris Daughtry, Gavin DeGraw, Crystal Carrie Underwood’s former No. 1 My Kristin Chenoweth Gayle, Billy Gilman, Chely Wright and Savior rises 4-2 on the latest Top Album Hunter Hayes. Sales chart with 11,000 sold (down 34%). Set to Headline To RSVP for the live online event, visit The album, now in its seventh week on the the Foundation for Love and Acceptance chart, has yet to leave the top four since its Ty Herndon’s at F4LA.org. No. 1 debut (April 10-dated chart). Jack Ingram, Miranda Lambert and Jon Concert for Love Randall’s collaborative album The Marfa Paul Weller’s ‘Fat Tapes debuts at No. 3 on Top Album Sales & Acceptance with a little over 10,000 sold. Of that sum, Pop’ Is Cruising to 7,500 were digital albums, while the rest BY MELINDA NEWMAN were vinyl LPs. (The set has not been re- U.K. No. 1 leased on CD.) rothers Osborne, Kristin Che- Singer-songwriter Dodie lands her noweth, Terri Clark and Tenille BY LARS BRANDLE first top 10 on Top Album Sales as Build a Townes are among the artists Problem debuts at No. 4 with 7,000 sold. who will appear during the 2021 he Modfather is shouting to the It’s Dodie’s fourth visit to the chart after BConcert for Love & Acceptance, presented top. three earlier placings on the tally with Hu- by Ty Herndon and CMT on June 30 at 8 Paul Weller’s Fat Pop (Poly- man (No. 15, 2019), You (No. 14, 2017) p.m. ET. dor) is the leader on the U.K.’s and Intertwined (No. 88, 2016). Build a Prob- Co-hosted by CMT’s Cody Alan and Tmidweek chart, with an advantage of almost lem is considered Dodie’s first full-length produced by Herndon’s Foundation for Love 13,000 chart sales over his nearest competi- studio album, as her previous releases were & Acceptance, the livestreamed event via tor, the OCC reports. positioned as EPs. CMT’s social channels will benefit GLAAD, Fat Pop is the former Jam and Style Van Morrison’s latest release, aptly ti- MusiCares and Nashville’s Oasis Center. Council frontman’s 16th solo studio album. tled Latest Record Project, Volume 1, bows at Other acts on the bill include Brooke Eden, It’s the best-seller on CD and vinyl formats No. 5 on Top Album Sales with a little over Harper Grae, Chris Housman, Locash, so far this week, and if it holds its momen- 6,000 sold. He last debuted on the chart in Kathy Mattea, Rissie Palmer, Gretchen Pe- tum it’ll give Weller his sixth solo leader and 2019 with Three Chords & The Truth, debut- ters, Walker County and Chase Wright. second in less than 12 months, following ing and peaking at No. 7. GLAAD and Herndon created the first 2020’s On Sunset. Marvin Gaye’s 1971 album What’s Going Concert for Love and Acceptance in 2015 Coming in at No. 2 on the Official U.K. Page 19 of 20

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Albums Chart Update is J. Cole’s The Off- recently performed new single “Higher different cover bands will compete head Season (Interscope). The U.S. rapper has the Power” for the 2021 Brit Awards. to head for a cash prize. Stephen “tWitch” most-streamed album in the first half of the “We’d love for you to join us for our first- Boss, the DJ for the soon-to-end Ellen week, and it’s on target to become his third ever concert on TikTok on Monday, May the DeGeneres Show, will serve as the host for Top 10 entry. Cole’s peak U.K. position in his 24th, for Red Nose Day,” frontman Chris the new show. career to date is a No. 2 for 2018’s KOD. Martin said in a video message to their fans. Clash of the Cover Bands, which will be The current leader on the Official U.K. He added in an official statement, “Red Nose executive produced by Jimmy Fallon and Albums Chart, Rag’n’Bone Man’s Life By Day does amazing things around the world Electric Hot Dog, is set to premiere later this Misadventure (Columbia), dips 3-1 but still to keep children safe, healthy, educated and year on E! The show will follow two bands manages to lead the market in downloads. empowered. We’re really happy to be able to of a “similar musical genre” as they perform Also new to the midweek chart is St. support their work with this performance.” in a two-round performance showdown to Vincent’s sixth and latest effort, Daddy’s showed support for Red Nose determine which cover is better. Meghan Home (Loma Vista). It’s new at No. 4 and is Day in 2015 with Game of Thrones: The Mu- Trainor also said during NBC’s upfront pre- on track to give the Grammy Award-winning sical, a 12-minute comedy sketch with the sentation that the competing bands could alternative pop artist her best-ever chart cast of the HBO fantasy drama series that win $10,000, and that fans will get to vote position in the U.K. has amassed more than 35 million YouTube on which cover band gets to perform on The Completing the Top 5 at the midweek views. Tonight Show at the end of the season. stage is ’ covers album Delta “The TikTok community are huge fans of Each of the guest judges on the series Kream (Nonesuch), while new albums Coldplay, and we’d like to thank the band have notably been involved with singing from Myles Kennedy (The Ides of March at for choosing us for this intimate perfor- competitions in the past. Trainor served as a No. 7 via Napalm), Matt Berry (The Blue mance,” said Ole Obermann, global head of celebrity judge on Fox’s The Four, Lambert Elephant at No. 11 via Acid Jazz), Nicki music at TikTok. “This is both an exciting first rose to fame as the runner-up of Ameri- Minaj’s re-release of Beam Me Up Scotty (at opportunity for our global audience to hear can Idol season 8, and Dean served as a No. 13 via Cash Money/Republic Record- and watch great music, as well as raise mon- producer and host on NBC’s Songland. ings), Jorja Smith (Be Right Back at No. 14 ey for a charity that does such good work via Famm), and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young for children both in the United States and (Déjà Vu at No. 20 via Atlantic) are eyeing around the world.” ‘American Idol’ Top 20 bows. The Official U.K. Singles and Albums Season 19 Finale Charts are published late Friday local time. Meghan Trainor, Reveals All-Star Adam Lambert Coldplay Guest List & More Join as Announces TikTok Judges for E!’s BY GIL KAUFMAN Concert for Red efore the season 19 American ‘Clash of the Idol champ is revealed at the end Nose Day 2021 of Sunday night’s (May 23) three- Cover Bands’ hour season finale, viewers will BY HERAN MAMO Bbe treated to the usual cavalcade of star per- BY BILLBOARD STAFF formances. You’ll have to wait until the final oldplay announced Monday (May few minutes to find out if your new Idol is 17) that they will livestream a s E! prepares to give viewers Chayce Beckham, Grace Kinstler or Wil- concert on TikTok next week to some new covers of their favorite lie Spence, but in the meantime you’ll be support Red Nose Day. songs, Meghan Trainor, Adam treated to performances by the three judges CThe Red Nose Day x Coldplay concert Lambert and Ester Dean are — Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan will stream Monday, May 24 at 2 p.m. ET readyA to help pick the best of the best per- — as well as Alessia Cara, Chaka Khan, Fall on their TikTok account ahead of the an- formers. Out Boy, Leona Lewis and former Fleet- nual Red Nose Day fundraising campaign On Monday (May 17), E! announced that wood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. on Thursday, May 27, that aims to end Trainor, Lambert and Dean would join their And that’s not all. Also slated to take the child poverty. The four-song performance upcoming series Clash of the Cover Bands, stage are Luke Combs, Macklemore, Mickey will be held in London, where Coldplay a new reality competition show in which Guyton and Sheryl Crow. The episode will Page 20 of 20

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air live coast-to-coast from 8-11 p.m .ET (5-8 is also producing with Ram Bergman under p.m. PT) on ABC. The top three were re- their T-Street banner. vealed on Sunday’s show, when popular teen Knives Out was released via Lionsgate rocker Casey Bishop was knocked out of the in 2019, taking in $311.4 million at the box competition, leaving powerhouse R&B bel- office on a $40 million budget. Johnson, ters Kinstler and Spence and gritty country who earned a 2020 Oscar nomination for rock vocalist Beckham. Bishop’s exit came the Knives Out screenplay, told The Holly- less than a week after top five finalist Caleb wood Reporter he began work on the script Kennedy left the show following a contro- shortly after the first film was released. versy over a video in which he sits next to a In a massive $469 million deal, Netflix friend wearing what appeared to be a KKK won the rights for two sequels and a ready- hood. made franchise. The only contingencies of “We get emotionally involved in these the deal were that Craig must star in the kids,” Bryan told People magazine in the first sequels and that each must have at least the official statement on the incident. “We want budget of the 2019 movie. the best for Caleb. As far as the nuances on Odom Jr. earned two Oscar nominations how ABC gets viewed, either way, decisions — supporting actor and original song — for got made and it’s our job as judges to show his role in Regina King’s directorial debut. up and do our best job and comment on Upcoming projects include New Line’s So- the kids who are in front of us. But we wish pranos prequel The Many Saints of New- nothing but the best for Caleb. It does make ark and John Ridley’s sci-fi feature Needle in for a very, very challenging and upsetting a Timestack. He first broke out in the theatre week.” world when he won a Tony for portraying Aaron Burr in Hamilton. He is repped by CAA, Untitled, and Jacko- Leslie Odom Jr. way Austen. This article was originally published Joins ‘Knives Out’ by The Hollywood Reporter. Sequel

BY MIA GALUPPO AND BORYS KIT

fter scoring an Oscar nomination for his role in One Night in Mi- ami, Leslie Odom Jr. has booked his next role, joining the star- studdedA call sheet of Rian Johnson’ Knives Out sequel. Odom will join fellow franchise newcom- ers Kathryn Hahn, Janelle Monáe, Dave Bautista and Edward Norton, as well as returning star Daniel Craig. Plot details are being kept zipped up in a bodybag, but the follow-up is due to shoot this summer in Greece and will be another big-name ensemble murder mystery anchored by Craig’s enigmatic Southern detective Benoit Blanc. Netflix, which took over the franchise from MRC and Lionsgate, had no comment on the casting. Johnson wrote the script, will direct, and