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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 NOVEMBERAirplay 30, 2020 Page 1 of 36 Leader; Makes History INSIDE BTS’ ‘Life Goes On’ Launches as Sam Hunt’s second studio full-length, and first in over five years, Southside sales (up 21%) in the tracking week. On Country , it hops 18-15 (11.9 mil- (MCA Nashville/Universal Music GroupHistoric Nashville), debuts at No. 1 on No. Billboard’s 1lion on audience Billboard impressions, up 16%). Hot 100 Top• CountryBTS Earns Fifth chartNo. dated April 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it earned1 46,000 on Billboardequivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cording200 toChart Nielsen With Music/MRC ‘Be’ Data. and totalBY GARY Country TRUST Airplay No. 1 as “Catch” (Big Machine Label Group) ascends Southside marks Hunt’s second No. 1 on the 2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions. chart• and Why fourth The Musictop 10. It followsBTS freshman’ “Life Goes LP On” soars onto the Billboard Hot ending Nov. 26,Young’s according first ofto six Nielsen chart entries,Music/MRC “Sleep With- Publishing Market Is Montevallo, which arrived at the summit songs in chart No - at No. 1. Data. It alsoout earned You,” 410,000 reached No.radio 2 in airplay December audience 2016. He Still Booming — And 100 vember 2014 and reigned for nine weeks.The song To date, is the South Korean septet’s third Hot 100 impressionsfollowed in the week with the ending multiweek Nov. No.29 (with 1s “In CaseKJYO You MontevalloHow Long has The earned Party 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like Loved million inWill album Last sales. No. 1, all in a span of three months, following “Dyna- City,You” Oklahoma,(three, January the 2018), lone “Mercy” reporter (two, to play August it Montevallo has spent 267 weeksmite” on the and list, Jawshtying 685 and ’s “ Love double-digit2018) times: and 13). “Here Tonight” (two, April 2019). • Pro Tips For Buyers ’s as the(Laxed sixth-longest- – Siren Beat),” the latter of which led aided by The track debuts“Catch” at completes No. 1 on histhe longest journey to No. 1, And Sellers Digital Song running titles in the chart’s 56-yearBTS history. . Sales chart havingand No. taken 14 on 46Streaming weeks to reach Songs the apex.. It out- On• The the 5all-genre Things MostBillboard 200,“Life Southside Goes ar On”- is also the first Hot 100 No. 1 in the (Breakingpaces down the the 30-week song’s climb first-week of “Here sales, Tonight.” it sold rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On , “Catch” pushes 7-5 for Investors Seek In A chart’s 62-year historyHUNT sung predominantly YOUNGin Korean. over 129,000 digital downloads and 20,000 physical after theSong No. 3-peakingCatalog Montevallo. a new high. Hunt first released the EPX2C , whichPlus, debutedShawn Mendes and ’s “Mon- singles. The digital download sale-priced to 69 and peaked• Dealmakers at No. 5 on Top Countryster” bounds Albums onto in August the Hot 2014. 100 Following at No. 8. COMBS ‘DOES’ cents,IT AGAIN while Luke a Combs cassette’ “Does single to Me”sold (Riverfor $6.98 House/Columbia and a vinyl MontevalloDirectory, Between the Pines: AcousticThe Hot Mixtape 100 blends started all-genre at its No. U.S.7 high streaming in Nashville), (of- featuringsingle Eric went Church for $7.98.), ascends 11-8 on , up 10% to November 2015. 24.7 million in audience. The song is Combs’ eighth straight career-opening ficial audio and official video), radio airplay and sales BTS’ 3rd Hot 100 No. 1 in 3 months: “Life Goes Montevallo• Buyers Directoryproduced 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: “,” “Takedata. AllYour charts Time,” (dated “House Dec. Party” 5) willand “Makeupdate on Billpromoted- No. 1 singles.On” is BTS’ third Hot 100 No. 1, all in a span of three You• Miss Top-Dollar Me.” “Break Tunes: Up in a Smallboard.com tomorrow Town” peaked at No. (Dec. 2. 1). For all chart news,Church you adds hismonths. 15th Country Its launch Airplay atop top the 10. Dec. 5-dated chart fol- HuntA Timeline co-penned Of 21stall 12 songscan on Southsidefollow @billboard, including and “Body @billboardcharts Like a Back on both lows “Dynamite,” which began atop the Sept. 5 survey Century Song Road,” which was released in 2017. The smashand . hit ruled Country Airplay for THAT TOOK QUITEand led‘A FEW’ for three MONTHS total Travis weeks, Denning and Jawsh shatters 685 the and record for Catalog Deals three weeks and the airplay-, streaming-Here’s and a deeper sales-based look Hotat the Country coronation Songs of the“Life most weeks Jasonit has taken Derulo’s to penetrate “Savage the Love Country (Laxed Airplay – Siren top 10Beat),” as “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 - • U.S. Vinyl Album Florida Georgia Line’s “Meant toGoes Be” (50On,” weeks released atop theNov. latter 20 liston inBigHit 2017-18). Entertainment/lion in radio reach.which, helped by BTS remixes, topped the Oct. 17 Sales Score Best “Downtown’s Dead,” which isColumbia also on the Records new set, as reached part of Nos. BTS’ 14 newand 15 album BeThe, song surpasseschart. two tracks that took 50 weeks each to enter the top 10: Week of 2020, on Hot Country Songs and Countrywhich Airplay, respectively, on in the June 2018. “Kin- chart.Easton The Corbin ’s “ACovering Girl Like aYou,” span which of exactly reached three No. 10months in January (Sept. 2018 be- Thanks to Walmart opens at No. 1 folks” led Country Airplay on Feb. 29, becoming Hunt’s seventh No. 1. It hit fore peaking at No. 6 that February, and Aaron Watson’s “Outta Style,” which Sale song is the 1,114th No. 1 in the Hot 100’s history. 5-Dec. 5-dated charts), BTS scores the fastest accumu- No. 3 on Hot Country Songs. achieved its No. 10 high in December 2017. Streams, sales & airplay: “Life Goes On” drew lation of three Hot 100 No. 1s in over 42 years, since 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 14.9 million U.S. streams and sold 150,000 in the week (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

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the tripled up over two months most in a single year, as four songs entered Peas, which doubled for five weeks in June- and three weeks, with a trio of singles from at No. 1 in both 1995 and 2018. July 2009 with “Boom Boom Pow” and “I the Saturday Night Fever : “How First predominantly non-English- Gotta Feeling.” Deep Is Your Love” (three weeks at No. 1, language No. 1 debut: “Life Goes On” is the 24kGoldn’s “Mood,” featuring , beginning Dec. 24, 1977); “Stayin’ Alive” first song sung in a non-English language to drops to No. the Hot 100 after five non- (four, Feb. 4, 1978); and “Night Fever” (eight, open atop the Hot 100. consecutive weeks at No. 1, with 87.3 million March 18, 1978). The first Hot 100 No. 1 in the Hot 100’s in airplay reach (up 2%), as it leads the Ra- BTS has landed its first three No. 1s more history sung predominantly in Korean, it’s dio Songs chart for a fifth week, 21.9 million quickly than any act since , the first No. 1 sung mostly in a language streams (down 2%) and 7,000 sold (down whose first three leaders, “I Want to Hold other than English since and 13%). It tops the multi-metric Hot Rock & Your Hand,” “She Loves You” and “Can’t ’s predominantly Spanish- Alternative Songs and Hot Alternative Buy Me Love,” hit No. 1 over a span of just language “” (featuring Bieber), Songs charts for a 14th week each and Hot two months and three days (Feb. 1-April 4, which reigned for 16 weeks in 2017. Before Rap Songs for a seventh frame (with all 1964). “Despacito,” no such song had topped the three charts using the same methodology as BTS is the second act with three Hot 100 Hot 100 since Del Rio’s “ the Hot 100). No. 1s in 2020, following , (Bayside Boys Mix),” which ruled for 14 Ariana Grande’s “Positions” slips 3-4 on who has led with “” (with weeks in 1996. Before that, ’ all- the Hot 100, after it led the Nov. 7-dated Bieber; May 23); “Rain on Me” (with Spanish-language cover of Ritchie Valens’ chart upon its debut. It charges 14-9 on Gaga; June 6); and “Positions” (Nov. 7). BTS “La Bamba” led in 1987. (47.9 million, up 27%), where it is the first act of more than two members 19th No. 1 of 2020: “Life Goes On” is the becomes her 14th top 10; dating to her first with three songs to spend their first weeks 19th song to ascend to No. 1 on the Hot 100 week in the tier (June 7, 2014), with “Prob- each at No. 1 in the same year since, again, for the first time in 2020. This year marks lem,” featuring , she ties Bieber trio the Bee Gees, who sent three hits to No. the highest total of songs earning their first for the most top 10s in that span. 1 in 1979: “Too Much Heaven,” “Tragedy” weeks on top since 19 also did in 2006 (and ’s “I Hope,” featuring and “Love You Inside Out.” the most by the first chart week of Decem- , dips 4-5 on the Hot 100, after First duo/group with 2 No. 1 Hot 100 ber since Nielsen Music/MRC Data-based reaching No. 3, as it dominates the multi- debuts: BTS is the first duo or group with information began fueling the chart in metric Hot Country Songs chart for an two No. 1 Hot 100 debuts, as “Life Goes On” November 1991). 18th week, and Bieber’s “Holy,” featuring follows “Dynamite” in having premiered at “Dynamite” back in top 5: “Dynamite,” Chance , keeps at No. 6 on the the summit. on BTS’ album Be, rebounds from No. 14 to Hot 100, after debuting at its No. 3 high. “Life Goes On” is the 46th single over- No. 3 on the Hot 100. Among acts of more ’s “Laugh Now Cry Later,” featuring all to start at No. 1 on the Hot 100. It’s than two members, BTS is the first to claim , descends 5-7 on the Hot 100, after the 11th to do so in 2020 (all since April), two spots in the Hot 100’s top three, or top debuting at its No. 2 peak, and notches a nearly triple the previous record for the five, simultaneously since The Black Eyed fifth week atop the multi-metric Hot R&B/

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Hip-Hop Songs chart (where it marks debuted at No. 1 on the chart dated March 7. that cost about $9 and a pricey CD edition Drake’s record-setting 21st No. 1). Also in the new top 10, Megan Thee that retailed for around $50. (Big Hit has and Justin Bieber’s Stallion’s Good News bows at No. 2, Tay- termed the CD edition a “deluxe” package, “Monster” enters the Hot 100 at No. 8, with lor Swift’s former No. 1 Folklore flies 29-6 though there is no traditional standard CD 19.1 million streams, 14.4 million in airplay after its vinyl edition was released to Target available.) audience and 17,000 sold. It starts at No. 5 stores and her Disney+ special premiered, Even BTS’ last No. 1, Map of the Soul: 7, on and No. 7 on Digital and ’s holiday set My was issued in five editions – a standard digi- Song Sales. (The song sold 15,000 down- Gift returns to the top 10 with a 25-10 . tal album and four collectible CD packages loads and 2,000 CD singles, with three CD The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most (each selling for around $25). versions available for $3 each: one with a popular albums of the week in the U.S. based Be’s rollout is reminiscent of the arriv- cover showing both Mendes and Bieber and on multi-metric consumption as measured al of Tool’s Fear Inoculum, which debuted one each showing only Mendes and Bieber, in equivalent album units. Units comprise at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 dated Sept. 14, respectively.) album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) 2019, with 270,000 equivalent album units – Mendes earns his sixth Hot 100 top 10 and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). of which 240,000 were in album sales. The and Bieber adds his 21st. Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 indi- album was initially only sold in two formats: ’s “” retreats vidual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 a digital download and a limited-edition CD 7-9 on the Hot 100, after spending four ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription that cost around $45-50, and came with a weeks at No. 1. It banks a record-extending on-demand official audio and video streams 4-inch HD screen, video footage, a speaker 41st week in the top 10, while ruling the generated by songs from an album. The new and a 36-page booklet. multi-metric Hot R&B Songs chart for a Dec. 5-dated chart (where Be debuts at to While the $50 BTS Be deluxe CD doesn’t record-furthering 37th week. No. 1) will be posted in full on Billboard’s have any technology housed in its package, Rounding out the Hot 100’s top 10, website on Dec. 1. For all chart news, follow it does contain paper goods such as a photo- Internet Money and ’s “Lemonade,” @billboard and @billboardcharts on both book, photocards, postcards and a poster. featuring and , slips 8-10, Twitter and Instagram. BTS is the first group to land two No. 1 after rising to No. 6. Of Be’s 242,000 units earned in the track- albums in 2020, and the second act overall, Again, for all chart news, follow ing week ending Nov. 26, album sales com- following rapper YoungBoy Never Broke @billboard and @billboardcharts on both prise 177,000, TEA units comprise 35,000 Again (with 38 Baby 2 and Top). Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated and SEA units comprise 30,000 (equating In total, BTS has now led the Bill- Dec. 5), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, to 48.56 million on-demand streams of the board 200 five times. Before Be and Map will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow album’s songs). of the Soul: 7, there was Map of the Soul: (Dec. 1). The Be album is a mostly-Korean-lan- Persona (April 27, 2019), Love Yourself: guage release, but does feature the group’s Answer (Sept. 8, 2018) and Love Yourself: first all-English song, “Dynamite.” The track Tear (June 2, 2018). BTS Earns Fifth marked the act’s first No. 1 on the Billboard In turn, BTS has achieved its five No. 1 Hot 100 chart dated Sept. 5. It also recently albums in just a little over two years and No. 1 Album on garnered the group its first Grammy Award six months. The last act to accumulate five nomination, for best pop duo/group per- No. 1s quicker was , who logged his Billboard 200 formance. Be is the 11th mostly non-English first five leaders in just over one year and album to hit No. 1. Of the 11 leaders that seven months (from DS2 on Aug. 8, 2015, Chart With ‘Be’ were recorded mostly in a language other through on March 18, 2017). The than English, five have been by BTS. last group to tally five No. 1s faster than BY KEITH CAULFIELD The album’s first week is the largest for an BTS was The Beatles, who strung together album by a group, both in terms of equiva- five No. 1s in just under two years and five TS lands its fifth No. 1 album lent album units and album sales, since months from Yesterday and Today (July 30, on the Billboard 200 chart, BTS’ own last No. 1 album, Map of the Soul: 1966) to its self-titled album (often referred as Be bows atop the tally. The 7, earned 422,000 units in its first week, of to as the White Album, Dec. 28, 1968). And set, which was released via Big which 347,000 were in album sales (chart finally, the last group to achieve its first BHit Entertainment on Nov. 20, arrives with dated March 7). five No. 1s faster than BTS was, again, The 242,000 equivalent album units earned in However, unlike many other high-selling Beatles. The Fab Four clocked its first the U.S. in the week ending Nov. 26, accord- albums that benefit from an array of avail- five No. 1s in just under one year and five ing to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Be is the able formats and exclusive or limited edi- months, between Meet the Beatles! (Feb. 15, second chart-topper of 2020 for the pop tions, Be was only available in two formats. 1964) and Beatles VI (July 10, 1965). group, following Map of the Soul: 7, which It was issued as a standard digital album At No. 2 on the new Billboard 200, Megan ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

Introducing the new Billboard Global 200 Charts powered by MRC Data, spotlighting the world’s most popular songs

Explore the first inaugural Global 200 and Global Excluding U.S. Charts

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BBGlobal200.indd 1 9/18/20 10:18 AM Page 7 of 36

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Thee Stallion’s debut full-length album Good Gift jumps back into the top 10, rising 25-10 resents both buyers and sellers, has helped News starts with 100,500 equivalent album with 35,000 equivalent album units earned facilitate $690 million in catalog sales in the units earned. Of that sum, 82,500 comprise (up 63%). The album debuted at No. 8 on past six years alone. SEA units (equaling 115.85 million on- the Oct. 10-dated chart, and then spent the “I’ve never seen this much deal flow in demand streams of the set’s songs), 16,000 next four weeks outside the top 50. How- the marketplace in 26 years in publishing,” comprise album sales and a little over 2,000 ever, it vaulted 150-39 on the Nov. 14 chart, says Loeb & Loeb partner Derek Crownover. comprise TEA units. Good News is also the and then rose 29-25-10 in the next three Deals such as Hipgnosis’ recent Nov. 2 ac- most streamed album of the week. weeks, as Thanksgiving (and the heart of the quisition of 33,000 songs from Kobalt Music The 17-track Good News set follows a pair Christmas season) approached. Copyrights Fund 1 for $322.9 million, Round of top 10s from Megan Thee Stallion with With Starting Over, What You See Is Hill Music’s 2018 purchase of Carlin Music the nine-track EP (No. 7; May 16, 2020) What You Get and all in the top 10 for $245 million and Concord’s 2017 pur- and the mixtape Fever (No. 10; June 1, 2019). together, it’s the first time in nearly three chase of for $550 million all point The new album includes the years that three albums which also appear to the escalating value of company catalogs. version of the No. 1 Hot 100 hit “Savage,” on the chart have Kobalt sold for 18.3 times net publisher’s featuring Beyoncé. The original version of all been in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 share (NPS), and Carlin 16 times. In 2015, “Savage” was included on Suga. concurrently. It last happened on the Jan. 3, the going rate for market valuations was a Ariana Grande’s former No. 1 Posi- 2018-dated chart, when Luke Bryan’s What multiple of 12 times. tions rises 4-3 on the new Billboard Makes You Country, Garth Brooks’ The Individual catalogs are also 200 with 61,000 equivalent album units Anthology: Part I, The First Five Years and selling at higher values than ever before. earned (down 18%), Pop Smoke’s for- Stapleton’s From A Room: Volume 2 were Only three years ago, the top individual song mer leader Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Nos. 8-10, respectively. catalogs brought a multiple of up to 16 times Moon bumps up a notch to No. 4 with NPS, which at the time seemed astronomi- 52,000 units (down 3%) and Future and Lil cal. Now, A-list catalogs are hitting up to 23 Uzi Vert’s Pluto x Baby Pluto falls 2-5 in its Why The Music times NPS. For example, ’s cata- second week with 46,000 units (down 56%). log of over 3,000 compositions, which she ’s former No. 1 Folklore charg- Publishing Market recently told Billboard she would probably es back into the top 10, rising 29-6, after sell “at the right time,” is valued at anywhere the set’s vinyl edition was released to Is Still Booming between $96 million and $184 million. Target stores during the tracking week, her This unquenchable market also marks a Disney+ special Folklore: The Long Pond — And How Long dramatic shift from a decade ago, when the Studio Sessions premiered on Nov. 25 and a major players — /ATV, Universal Music new digital deluxe edition of the album was The Party Will Publishing Group and Warner Chappell — released. dominated the landscape. While lawyers say Folklore earned 44,000 equivalent album Last that the majors are still highly competitive units in the week ending Nov. 26 (up 120%), when they’re interested in a catalog, it’s with 23,000 of that sum in album sales (up BY MELINDA NEWMAN independent publishers — backed by money 452%). Vinyl LP sales comprise 15,000 of from private equity and institutional inves- that sales figure (up 16,476%). Folklore’s our years ago, attorney Jeff Bie- tors with seemingly bottomless checking digital album sales also increased, rising to derman was having lunch with a accounts — that are heating up the market- 4,000 for the week (up 425%). A new deluxe publisher who had a prediction: place. edition of the album was issued to digital re- The bull market for song catalogs Companies are either getting swallowed tailers on Nov. 25 that includes Fwould crater within six months. Prices up — as Big Deal was by Hipgnosis in August of each of the album’s tracks (as heard in would plummet. So, the publisher reasoned, — or finding ways to gobble up assets them- the Disney+ special Folklore: The Long Pond Biederman should accept the offer on the selves. Such was the case with Spirit Music Studio Sessions). table for one of his client’s catalogs. Group, which in 2018 decided “we’re buy- Luke Combs’ former No. 1 What You Biederman, a partner at Manatt Phelps, ers, not sellers,” says chairman Jon Singer. See Is What You Get falls 6-7 with 41,000 laughs as he recounts the story. Fast forward The independent publisher’s owner, Lyric equivalent album units (down 2%), Chris to 2020, and the feeding frenzy for song Capital Group, raised $350 million in equity Stapleton’s Starting Over descends 3-8 catalogs remains not only unabated but from Morgan Stanley and debt financing with 37,000 units (down 64%) and Juice increasingly frenetic. from SunTrust Bank and Pinnacle Financial WRLD’s Legends Never Die dips 7-9 with “It has been feverish,” says Biederman. Partners, and has been on a shopping spree 36,000 units (down 2%). “There’s no diminution of interest at all.” ever since. Carrie Underwood’s holiday album My Biederman says Manatt Phelps, which rep- Other major shifts in the last decade that Page 8 of 36

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have led to the buying bonanza include the Owning masters and publishing together Citrin Cooperman stresses that the seller growth of streaming, and, crucially, low provides a smoother functioning income should get “even footing with the buyer” by interest rates that are unlikely to increase stream, says Spirit’s Singer. “You have assembling a team: a transaction attorney, anytime soon. Those rates make the strato- both sides, you control it, you don’t have to an accountant and a valuation firm. Bro- spheric multiples work. “If you have a lot of worry,” he says. “It’s easy to license. kers guide the seller through the process access to capital and the cost of money is 3% that. We’d do those [deals] all day long, [but] and “bring business acumen to those that to 4% and you’ve got an asset that you they don’t come around that often, mainly don’t have it.” Hull also recommends that is going to grow at 5%, your investment because the major record companies own the buyer review the last three to five years is not at risk at a 20 times multiple,” says most of the masters.” of royalty earnings to accurately forecast Crownover. With interest rates expected to low future revenue. Also of importance, says Crownover, — the Federal Reserve has committed to a What are the tax consequences if I sell my is technology, which has made number- near zero rate through 2021 and possibly into catalog? crunching both easier and more accurate, 2023 — and money continuing to flood the The Internal Revenue Service allows indi- transforming publishing from an opaque market, experts say they see no end in sight vidual songwriters to treat income from the and obscure business into an understand- for the foreseeable future. Long term, the sale of self-created music works as capital able, forecastable industry. “Ten years boom could slow when subscription services’ gains rather than personal income, meaning ago, there were only certain people who growth plateaus — though is testing the sale is taxed at no more than 20%, rather understood publishing in the marketplace,” price hikes in several markets that would than the marginal rate for personal income, he says. “All the royalty statements were on increase payments to songwriters that could which peaks at 36%. But the capital gains paper. It was very hard to get the informa- offset that if they are implemented. Also, rate could be on the way up: President-elect tion manipulated. Now, there’s much more there is a finite number of top-shelf catalogs, Joe Biden campaigned on a tax plan that ability to source documents and do a deep but that would likely only slow sales, not drop included a call for an increase, either by dive on how the asset is performing from a multiples. In the meantime, expect a few treating capital gains as personal income or royalty perspective.” A-list songwriters who have been holding on doubling the capital gains tax. Hipgnosis’ entry as a full-fledged player in to their publishing to see the value in selling. What does exclusivity mean in a catalog 2018 also kicked sales up a notch. Founded “Everybody says ‘never’ until the price is sale? by with an initial fund of right,” says Biederman. “It just depends upon A buyer and seller will enter into an $300 million, its first purchase was a stake how many zeroes there are.” agreement of exclusivity during which the in The-Dream’s catalog. By 2018, Hipgnosis seller cannot engage with other would-be was trading on the Stock Exchange buyers. In the past, shopping periods were and now has spent over $1 billion buying as- Pro Tips For drawn out and sellers received more than sets. (Round Hill Music, founded by former one bid. Today, sellers move faster and want hedge fund manager Josh Gruss in 2011, Buyers And Sellers exclusivity with buyers during the due dili- held a similar public offering on the London gence process, says Lisa Alter of Alter Kend- Stock Exchange in mid-November that BY GLENN PEOPLES rick & Baron. “Now buyers are really putting raised $573 million.) their best deals forward immediately and “From the seller side, Hipgnosis has kept uying and selling music pub- trying to lock deals up to keep them out of the pressure on for everybody,” says Bieder- lishing catalogs is filled with the hands of their competitors.” man, while some of Mercuriadis’ competi- costly pitfalls. The complexity of What is the net publisher’s share? What is tors believe he is driving up prices. publishing contracts, copyright a “multiple”? Also on the uptick: Some publishers Blaw and royalty streams create pitfalls that The net publisher’s share (NPS) is the are expanding their portfolios to include can add unforeseen costs and hamstring the amount a composition or catalog pays a masters. In the last several months, Primary buyer or seller with unwanted terms. Bill- publisher annually after payments have Wave formed a partnership with Olivia board spoke with leading attorneys and been made to the songwriters. A multiple Newton-John that includes the masters experts to identify trouble spots and provide refers to a catalog’s price relative to its NPS. and publishing assets she owns, as well solutions. For example, in ’s market, a catalog can as acquired a stake in ’s How should a catalog seller prepare? sell for 16 to 20 times NPS — meaning that if publishing and master recording income Deals can become “lopsided” when a a buyer pays $20 million for a catalog with streams, while Spirit Music Group pur- seller cannot match the buyer’s institutional $1 million NPS, the multiple is 20. Note that chased a portion of Tim McGraw’s masters knowledge and ability to value a catalog, even though catalog acquisition prices are as well as masters and publishing assets says Scott Bradford of DLA Piper: “They often described in terms of the multiple, the owned by singer-songwriter Ingrid Mi- don’t look into the value and instead go with buyer and seller negotiate a price based on chaelson. what the buyer is offering.” Chris Hull of future royalties; they do not negotiate the Page 9 of 36

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multiple paid. valuation, says Jonathan West of Latham right to termination in the 1976 Copyright What is a catalog’s chain of title, and why & Watkins. A buyer needs to consider the Act to give songwriters a second bite at the does it matter? source of a composition’s royalties. “Public apple: the chance to negotiate better terms When performing due diligence, the performance and streaming royalties are or sign a contract with a different publisher. prospective buyer should confirm the chain relatively valuable because they are consis- To exercise the right, the songwriter must of title: the sequence of ownership of a tent,” says West. “[Synch] is unpredictable, notify the publisher of the right to termi- song’s rights from origin to the present. This and it’s a one-time payment.” What’s more, nate no more than 10 years and no fewer is especially important with older titles. A too many synch placements in TV, film and than two years before the termination date. prospective buyer will review songwrit- commercials can indicate a song has been However, if the work is acquired, a new 35- ers’ contracts to see if any rights have been overlicensed and could have diminishing year period begins when the new publisher assigned to other parties. The buyer might value. initiates its publishing services or 40 years find partial rights have been assigned (either What is a “key man” clause? after the rights were acquired. West advises the publishing rights or writer’s share), and A buyer of a small publisher should look buyers that the termination window will rights differ by country. for a key man clause, a contractual term that “open 35 years from the date of grant, which What is a “matching right,” and why lets songwriters terminate their contract if would be the earliest possible publication should it be in a contract? a person key to their success — a “key man” date.” So, for a song published in 2010, the A matching right gives a publisher the — departs the company. If so, a buyer may termination date is 2045. opportunity to match a third party’s bid for be forced to retain that person who has the What happens if a songwriter doesn’t the songwriter. A matching right provides relationship with a valuable songwriter. exercise a termination right? the publisher a chance to acquire a song- How long does a copyright last? A failure to exercise a termination right writer’s share that it has administered. A The length of a copyright depends on means the chance is lost — forever — which songwriter can accept a matching right but the year the song was written. For works can have real financial consequences. Del might want the right to expire a certain created after 1978, the copyright extends for Casino offers this example: A songwriter number of years after the contract’s end the author’s life plus 70 years. Copyright for who hasn’t invoked his termination right ex- date. “I try to limit the term of the matching works created before 1978 last for 95 years. tends his publishing contract, thus extend- right,” says attorney Casey Del Casino. From The copyright for a song written by two or ing the termination right; if the publisher the songwriter’s point of view, the matching more people lasts 70 years past the death of then sells the publishing right for $1 million, right can subdue bidding if potential buyers the last surviving author. So, for example, a the songwriter doesn’t get a penny of that expect the publisher to trump their offer. post-1978 work by a songwriter in his or her sale — because he didn’t use the termina- The matching right extends if the parties 40s or 50s could attract buyers who would tion right to take ownership of the publish- extend the contract. But a songwriter’s heirs own the copyright for the next century (30 ing right. “The new publisher still pays the are also bound to a matching right, and in years of the author’s life plus 70 years). writer’s share, but you don’t own it,” says a worst-case scenario, those heirs sell the When a song is a work-for-hire, the com- Del Casino. From a buyer’s perspective, a songwriter’s share without knowing the pany, not the songwriter, that employed the possible termination changes the value of a matching right exists and fall into breach of writer owns the rights. catalog. “Maybe a certain percentage of the contract. Does the buyer or seller perform due purchase price is withheld until we know Why are some catalogs more valuable diligence? whether or not they are going to be termi- than others? The prospective buyer should perform a nated,” says attorney Erin Jacobson. Some genres receive more radio play and due diligence review to confirm the chain What happens when a third party has steady streams over the long term. “Clas- of title, registrations, revenue streams claims to a catalog? sic rock and classic R&B trade the highest, and contract terms. Less often the seller “Sometimes there are a lot more people especially if it comes with administration also performs due diligence, and may see tangentially involved in a transaction than rights,” says Michael Poster of Michelman an increased payoff that justifies the cost. you would know,” says Alter. The buyer & Robinson. “There’s not as much concern Alter says that in her experience, “the seller might learn that former managers, ex- with decay” in airplay or streaming. Mul- winds up making more money” if the seller spouses or previously unknown offspring (it tiples of 20 times NPS “may apply to a cur- does the due diligence, because the buyer happens, attorneys say) can claim a stake in rent pop catalog,” says Rob Sherman of DLA puts greater trust in the numbers behind the a catalog. “Other than asking the question Piper. But those multiples don’t apply to valuation. of the seller and doing judgment and lien “production music or an old rock song. Set What is a termination right? searches, as a buyer you’re relying on due expectations appropriately.” Songwriters have the right to regain own- diligence requests, the representations, and Are all royalties treated the same when ership of their publishing rights 35 years af- warranties and lien searches,” says Poster. valuing a catalog? ter the work was published or 40 years from Some royalties play a larger role in catalog the date of grant. Congress included this Page 10 of 36

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life of rights auction for producer royalties royalties — especially if investors are not The 5 Things Most for Youngboy Never Broke Again’s platinum able to work a song or catalog. “If Sony/ single “Valuable Pain” brought a high bid of ATV has been successful getting synchs for Investors Seek In $79,950. a song on its roster, then that definitely fac- Investments are passive — auction win- tors in,” says Young. But, he adds, “if a song A Song Catalog ners are not able to market a song or catalog gets synched a bunch early in its life, that or increase its value through synchs, for ex- could be a contraindication of its long-term BY FRANK DIGIACOMO ample — and can also be blind, based solely synchability.” on performance criteria or data provided by Royalty Exchange’s analysis shows that hile listeners’ emotional Royalty Exchange. among the catalogs that sold for a multiple reactions play a large role The 239 sales that Royalty Exchange ana- of 10 times or more, streaming generated on in whether songs become lyzed — looking at both average and media average 62% of their royalties, with the me- hits, a much different — data — were all music-related and excluded dian being 64%. For those that sold for less andW objective — set of considerations can private syndicate transactions and 10-year than 10 times net publisher’s share, stream- determine whether a song or song catalog temporary sales. The company also broke ing generated only 44% of the earnings on represents a sound investment. out all sales with closing multiples of 10 average and a median of 42%. In order to uncover some of those factors, times net publisher’s share or more. FAMILIARITY Royalty Exchange — an online platform that Royalty Exchange identified five key fac- Royalty Exchange says it has demon- facilitates investments in music publish- tors that investors look for when consider- strated that blind investments in catalogs ing royalties (in addition to other media) ing whether to invest in a song or catalog. that meet certain financial criteria, without and, according to its website, has generated LONGEVITY examining the details of the music, songs or over $84 million in sales — examined 239 The longer a catalog has been earning royal- artist, earn higher returns on average. But sales that it has facilitated since 2018. The ties, the longer investors feel comfortable its analysis indicates that when investors Denver-based company shared its analysis that it will continue to earn royalties. “It’s can review song and artist details, the clos- with Billboard of the key elements that af- known in investing circles as ‘The Lindy ing multiples are 20% higher. “It has been fected the closing prices, relative to the prof- Effect,’” says Young, a reference to Lindy’s replicated too many times to be luck: For as- it they generated for their publishers. It also Deli, which catered to show business veter- sets where the artist or song is well known,” provided data that shows how royalties from ans from 1921 to 2017 in New York’s Times says Young, “the more you pay, the less your different formats — streaming, radio and Square. “If a song has been earning for 10 return is going to be.” synchs — trend as songs age. (See charts.) years, it probably will continue earning for He adds that “anecdotally, we’ve seen cat- Royalty Exchange says it has conducted another 10 years.” alogs for superstar artists close at far higher over 1,000 transactions (although not all are It’s not surprising, then, that the average multiples, which indicates that investors are music-related) and claims an average 10% age of songs included in a catalog is one of willing to pay more for bragging rights to a return on investment. Royalty Exchange the most important determining factors be- certain song or catalog, or that they feel that auctions tend to result in investments that hind how much investors are willing to pay: superstar artists are a safer investment.” total tens of thousands of dollars as opposed Looking at all sales, Royalty Exchange COST to tens of millions and often include tempo- found that catalogs older than five years at- While investors typically value a catalog rary sales — investments that carry a time tracted a closing multiple about 20% higher in terms of its last 12 months of net pub- limit. These allow artists and songwriters to than the median. lisher’s share (essentially gross profit) — and raise cash on a song or album without giving Looking at the catalogs that sold at a determine how many multiples of that up ownership. multiple of 10 times or more, the average age figure they are willing to spend to acquire “We serve the 99%,” says executive vp and was 13 years, with the median age being 10 it — the absolute cost of the catalog is also partner Gary Young. “Hipgnosis has done years. a factor, according to Royalty Exchange. Its maybe 60 very targeted deals. We’ve done SOURCE OF ROYALTIES analysis shows that investors have indicated more than a thousand with a far greater Because longevity is important, inves- a willingness to pay a higher multiple for a range of catalogs.” Recent offerings have tors look for catalogs that generate royalties lower-cost catalog. included a 10-year investment in U.S. and from sources they feel will continue. Top Of the catalogs that sold for a multiple of Canada publishing royalties for 24 Doo- among these is streaming-based royalties. 10 or higher, the average transaction was bie Brothers songs, including the 1974 hit Streaming royalties are considered more $56,800, with the median being $28,000. “Black Water,” which closed at $160,000; a sustainable than radio airplay or digital/ GENRE 30-year term investment in sound recording physical sales. (See chart.) Synch royalties Young says that according to the analysis royalties for Evanescence’s multiplatinum can be lucrative, but Young says that past there was no discernible preference for one album Fallen, which closed at $705,500. A synch performance does not predict future genre over another. The list of catalogs that Page 11 of 36

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sold for multiples of 10 times or higher range biggest deals of this year. In addition to the Thomas St. John, owner from hip-hop to country to R&B to rock to Jackson estate, Dunn serves as financial Los Angeles electronic. “So long as the average age of the adviser to the estates of and 424-273-1172 catalog is 10 years or more and still generat- . [email protected] ing streaming activity,” he says, “investors are 1.618 Industries St. John advised on the sale of willing to acquire the royalties.” John Rudolph, CEO Santa Monica, Calif. his catalog to Vine Alternative Investments. 310-339-3915 CONSULTANTS Rudolph recently worked two of the biggest Provident Financial Management Dealmakers songwriter catalog sales of 2020: He advised Zach Best, director, publishing and royalties on its $100 million-plus department Directory catalog sale to Concord Music Publishing Los Angeles in August and shopped ’ pre- 310-282-0477 BY ED CHRISTMAN, CLAUDIA 2020 song catalog, which was acquired by Best advised Frankie Valli and Bob Gau- ROSENBAUM, GLENN PEOPLES Eldridge in November. dio on their Primary Wave deal, which he Bernstein Private Wealth Management described as a “multimillion-dollar, 10-year n a hot market for music publishing Dan Weisman, vp strategic partnership.” transactions, hiring the right people is 629-213-6000 Creatv Media more important than ever. For the in- [email protected] Peter Csathy, founder/chairman dividual songwriter or his or her heirs, Weisman, a former artist manager at Roc Los Angeles Iassembling the right team is critical when Nation, advises artists and songwriters on 877-775-4849 walking into an unfamiliar process. Buyers selling their catalogs and offers a number of [email protected] hire experts to wade through contracts and services that are essential for a sale, includ- Csathy served as a consultant to Devo for its royalty statements. And both parties tap ing pre-transaction evaluations, tax plan- catalog sale to Primary Wave and facili- into their experts’ industry relationships. ning and connections to his extensive net- tated the ’s acquisitions This list encompasses attorneys who have work of professionals in these and related of the Boston, Air Supply and transacted recent deals, the experts that fields. These resources are provided without catalogs. valued the catalogs, the connected brokers charge to songwriters and artists with a GEF Entertainment that guided sellers through the process and minimum of $1 million in annual income Eddie Fernandez, president the people who funded the acquisitions. from their catalog. According to sources, the Los Angeles IN-DEMAND ADVISERS firm has been involved in over $100 million 310-888-1800 Shot Tower Capital in catalog sales this year. A former senior vp for Sony/ATV Latin and David Dunn, managing partner Hallwood Media Universal Music Publishing Group Latin, Baltimore Neil Jacobson, founder/CEO Fernandez was most recently involved in 410-376-7900 Los Angeles Warner Chappell’s acquisition of the catalog Dunn and Shot Tower have been involved [email protected] of longtime Venezuelan hitmaker Franco De as advisers in many of the biggest publish- Jacobson left the presidency of Gef- Vita. ing deals of the last decade — especially over fen Records in December 2019 to launch Citrin Cooperman the last four years. He advised Sony and a Hallwood, a company representing top Christopher Hull, partner consortium of buyers when they acquired songwriter-producers. He has brokered New York EMI Music Publishing in 2012, then worked music-rights sales for , Brendan 212-697-1000 with the estate, where he O’Brien and . Hull handles audits, conducts financial due is a financial adviser, to sell its half of Sony/ Hearts Bluff Music diligence and prepares music valuations on ATV to Sony for $750 million in 2016. He Scott Parker, founder/president behalf of songwriters and music publishers. advised the sell-side again in 2018, when the Nashville YMU Group consortium sold its shares of EMI to Sony 615-327-2900 Pat Savage, managing director/group direc- for $2.3 billion in a deal ultimately valued at [email protected] tor $4.5 billion. Shot Tower also sold Imagem According to the Nashville-based adviser, it London Music to Concord Bicycle Music in 2017, has sourced over $50 million in publishing- +44 (0) 208 742 4950 the biggest publishing deal of that year, and and royalty-related compositions compris- Savage was the accountant in the Primary in 2020 shopped Pulse Music and Big Deal ing 20,000 titles, including “Jungle Boogie,” Wave-Chrissie Hynde deal. Music. The former sold to Concord for $160 “Sleeping Single in a Double Bed,” “We Built CATALOG VALUATION million; the latter to Hipgnosis for approxi- This City” and the I Love Lucy theme. Massarsky Consulting mately $90 million. Both were two of the Thomas St. Massarsky, president Page 12 of 36

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New York & Company, was frequently linked to music es company FUGA and SongTrust, a royalty [email protected] industry deals. Since starting her own firm collection service for DIY music artists. Massarsky is a leading expert in catalog in 2015, her music-related work has been LAW FIRMS valuation, income analysis and litigation tied to Broadway: In 2016 she was involved Alter Kendrick & Baron economics. in Concord’s partnership with Andrew Lisa Alter, partner FTI Consulting Lloyd Webber to form theatrical licensing Katie Baron, partner Brad Sharp, senior managing director venture The Musical Company, and the New York Roy Salter, senior adviser following year helped broker Concord’s 212-707-8377 Los Angeles acquisition of Samuel French, a publisher of Alter represented Carlin in its sale to Round 310-552-3774 British and American play scripts. Hill Music (with a reported price of $245 Sharp is well known in the industry for Goldman Sachs million), as well as numerous Primary Wave valuations for music publishing Aaron Siegal, managing director, technology, acquisitions and/or partnerships, includ- clients. Also well known in the industry is media and telecom group, investment bank- ing the publishing and recorded masters Salter, who has been with FTI since 2012, ing division catalogs of Olivia Newton-John and The when his Salter Group was acquired by the New York Four Seasons, as well as the music publish- firm. Salter leads the firm’s valuation and 212-902-1000 ing for the catalogs of Burt Bacharach and financial advisory services practice and the The Wall Street powerhouse was involved the pre-1964 songs of . Alter and media and entertainment industry group, in the sale of EMI Music Publishing to Sony Baron represented Primary Wave in the ac- among other responsibilities. Corp. in 2018 and is now shopping Kobalt quisitions of the publishing and recorded The W Group Music Group, which is said to be seeking a masters royalty income streams for Whitney Kirsten Wilson, founder/president $1 billion capitalization for its platform. Houston, Donnie Hathaway, Sublime, Air Denver LionTree Supply, and Bob Ezrin. Baron 303-788-1420 Aryeh Bourkoff, founder/CEO also advised Reservoir Media Management Wilson performances valuation work for New York in its acquisition of over 16,000 copyrights publishing and recording assets for banks, 212-644-4200 from music publisher Shapiro Bernstein. estates and private equity clients. The media specialist has been involved in a Barnes & Thornburg INVESTMENT BANKS few big deals over the past Jason Karlov, partner Alvarium Investments decade. In 2012, it was among the army of Los Angeles Jonathan Goodwin Partner/head of mer- investment bankers involved in the sale 310-284-3880 chant banking of EMI Music Publishing to a Sony-led Karlov is the chair of the entertainment, London consortium of buyers. In 2017, it successfully sports and media practice group. Notable +44 20 7195 1400 shopped SONGS Music Publishing to Kobalt deals in the last year include the Journey Goodwin declined to comment on his music for between $120 million and $160 million, publishing and record catalog sale, the publishing work, but sources say he has leading SONGS founder/CEO Matt Pincus Imagine Dragons publishing catalog sale been involved in a number of catalog deals to join LionTree as an adviser the following to Concord Music Publishing and the sale both before and after he merged his previ- year. of publishing catalogs of The Killers and ous firm Lepe Partners with Alvarium in The Raine Group Arthouse Entertainment. March 2019. Prior to that union, Lepe and Fred Davis, partner Carroll Guido Groffman Cohen Bar & Alvarium worked as advisers to the sellers New York Karalian of Spinnin’ Records — including its publish- 212-603-5550 Elliot Groffman, partner ing operations — for its 2017 acquisition [email protected] Michael Guido, partner by ; the Ministry of Raine served as financial adviser to the So- New York Sound label to Sony International in 2016; ny-led consortium that bought EMI Music 212-759-2300 and Eagle Rock Entertainment, a record Publishing in 2012 for $2.2 billion, a record Groffman represented Big Deal Music in its label and producer and distributor of music at the time. In 2020, Davis took on what acquisition by Hipgnosis Songs. Guido re- programming for DVD, TV and digital me- could become another landmark publishing cently represented and Richie dia, to in 2014. deal when he was hired to explore strate- Sambora in their catalog sales to Hipgnosis. Barron International Group gic opportunities for Downtown Holdings, Clintons Liz Barron, founder/CEO which could lead to additional capitalization Andrew Myers, partner New York for the company or its sale. Downtown’s London 212-551-4510 assets include a publishing division with +44 20 7395 8468 In the early 2000s, Barron, then at Bear an estimated $20 million in net publisher’s Myers recently advised Chrissie Hynde in Stearns and later investment bank Berenson share, CD Baby, business-to-business servic- her catalog sale to Primary Wave. Page 13 of 36

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The Davis Firm Nashville pop songwriting-production team known as Doug Davis, co-founder 615-749-8312 Stargate — in their sale to Shamrock Capital. New York Crownover represented country songwriter He also represented Concord Music Group 212-414-4200 Hillary Lindsey — a Grammy Award winner in its investment in Pulse Music Group. Davis recently repped the sale of the catalog for her work on Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Rosenfeld Meyer & Susman of pop hitmaker Savan Kotecha to Hipgnosis Take the Wheel” as well as for Little Big Bill Hochberg, partner Songs. Town’s “” — in Concord Music Beverly Hills, Calif. Del Casino Law Publishing’s investment in her catalog. 310-246-3209 Casey Del Casino, owner Manatt Phelps & Phillips Hochberg has repped a variety of catalog Nashville Eric Custer, partner sellers. His current clients include the es- 615-243-0645 Lee Phillips, partner tates of Curtis Mayfield and . Del Casino represents buyers and sellers of Los Angeles Selverne & Company music publishing catalogs, including the sale 310-312-4111 Michael Selverne, partner of copyrights derived from termination of Custer was involved in the publishing sales New York prior grants of copyrights. of songs by Smokey Robinson, Sly & Robbie, 212-259-3900 DLA Piper Paul Anka and songwriter-producer-guitar- Selverne represented SONGS Music Robert J. Sherman, co-chair, entertainment ist George Pajon Jr., who has collaborated Publishing in its sale to Kobalt Capital and finance practice with the Black-Eyed Peas on a number of Round Hill Music in its $240 million acqui- Los Angeles their hits and worked with , sition of Carlin Music Publishing. 310-595-3120 and . Phillips was recently Singh Singh and Trauben Sherman advised Concord Music Publishing involved in the sale of Paul Anka’s publish- Simran Singh, partner on the closing of $1 billion in debt financing. ing to Primary Wave. Beverly Hills, Calif. Fox Rothschild Michelman & Robinson 310-856-9705 Tim Mandelbaum, partner Michael Poster, partner Singh recently represented the duo Luny New York New York Tunes in its sale to Sony/ATV. 212-878-7900 212-730-7700 Toberoff & Associates Mandelbaum repped Blondie for its sale Poster advised Vine Alternative Investments Marc Toberoff, founding partner of the rights to the band’s writers’ share to on its October acquisition of Calvin Harris’ Malibu, Calif. Primary Wave and RZA for his share of half catalog. He has also represented Johnny 310-246-3333 of his publishing royalties to his catalog. McDaid in his catalog sale to Hipgnosis. Toberoff was the primary counsel represent- Erin M. Jacobson, Esq. Myman Greenspan Fox Rosenberg Mo- ing Ray Charles’ heirs in Primary Wave’s ac- Beverly Hills, Calif. basser Younger & Light quisition of a majority stake in U.S. music 424-354-9364 Eric Greenspan, partner publishing revenue from Charles’ pre-1964 Jacobson, who bills herself as “The Music Jeffrey Light, partner catalog. Industry Lawyer” (it’s also her website Tamara Milagros-Butler, partner Venable URL), was involved in transactions related Francois Mobasser, partner Wallace Christner, partner to songs written by or recorded by Elvis Pre- Audrey Benoualid, senior associate (music) Washington, D.C. sley, , Sam Cooke, Ray Gilbert Los Angeles 202-344-4988 and Andy Williams. 310-231-0823 Christner provided sell-side mergers and King Holmes Paterno & Soriano The firm’s deals include catalog sales of acquisitions counsel for Pulse Music Group Peter Paterno, partner Pulse Music (to Concord Music Publish- in its partnership with Concord Music Laurie Soriano, partner ing), Flip Records (Stain’d, to Publishing; Big Deal in its sale to Hipgno- Los Angeles Shamrock), and Godsmack and Disturbed sis Songs; and Sony/ATV’s $750 million 310-282-8989 to Primary Wave; and Hipgnosis’ purchases purchase of Michael Jackson’s remaining Paterno represented Eurythmics’ Dave of No I.D.’s (on behalf of No interest in the company. Stewart in the sale of his music catalog to I.D.) and Sean Douglas’ music catalog (on Latham & Watkins Hipgnosis and frontman behalf of Sean Douglas). Jonathan West, partner Johnny Rzeznik in the sale of his catalog to Reed Smith Los Angeles Round Hill Music. Soriano advised Calvin Stephen Sessa, partner 424-653-5513 Harris on the sale of his catalog to Vine Los Angeles West represented Ithaca Holdings in its Alternative Investments. 310-734-5426 acquisition of Atlas Music Publishing and Loeb & Loeb Sessa represented the songwriting catalogs Big Machine Label Group. He represents Derek Crownover, partner of Tor Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen — the Bytedance (TikTok) in content acquisition, Page 14 of 36

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talent engagement and music licensing. and the remainder in deals, ac- writers and other copyright owners, accord- Wolf Rifkin Shapiro Schulman & Rab- cording to sources. ing to its website. While Royalty Exchange kin JP Morgan Chase handles mostly smaller transactions that are Brian Schall, partner David Shaheen, managing director of enter- well under $1 million, it has handled some Heidy Vaquerano, senior counsel tainment group rights and income stream sales for owners Los Angeles Los Angeles that sold copyrights related to high-profile 310-478-4100 JP Morgan Chase was the lead bank in a acts like The Doobie Brothers, Evanescence Schall represented Tom DeLonge of syndication of lenders that provided $600 and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. Blink-182 and R&B songwriter-producer million in refinancing for Concord this sum- Brian Kennedy in their catalog sales to mer. Hipgnosis. Vaquerano represented Tom Pinnacle Financial Partners Buyers Directory DeLonge of Blink-182 and R&B songwriter- Andy Moats, executive vp/director of music, producer Brian Kennedy in their catalog sports and entertainment BY ED CHRISTMAN sales to Hipgnosis. Nashville Ziffren Brittenham 615-744-2895 hen EMI Music Publish- John Branca, partner [email protected] ing’s roster of over 2 Los Angeles Pinnacle has been extremely active in hav- million songs was put up 310-552-3388 ing closed loans totaling hundreds of mil- for auction in 2011, only Branca has made industry-shaping publish- lions of dollars in music publishing and label twoW players bid — a competitive field that ing deals, including the 1985 purchase of finance in 2020. While the bank doesn’t looks quaint now that highly capitalized the Beatles catalog for Michael Jackson and disclose clients or deals, it was co-lead in institutional investors have joined the 1995 merger of Sony and ATV to create the bank syndication that provided the debt and driven prices of catalogs for a single Sony/ATV Music. In 2020, Branca and his for Spirit Music’s $350 million recapitaliza- songwriter or act into the tens of millions of partners at Ziffren Brittenham have been tion and management-led buyout in 2019. dollars. selling catalogs and royalty streams for Truist (formerly SunTrust Bank) KINGS OF THE DEAL artists, writers and publishing companies, Jeff Dunn, head, sports and entertainment Concord most of which are subject to confidentiality group Steve Salm, chief business development agreements. Atlanta officer LENDERS 866-495-5416 Los Angeles City National Bank [email protected] 310-385-4455 Denise Colletta, senior vp/team leader, Truist, which formed in December 2019 as When Concord merged with Bicycle Music entertainment division result of the merger between banks Sun- in 2015, the deal put over 100 publishing and Nashville Trust and BB&T, was a lender in some of the recording catalogs — including the storied 800-773-7100 biggest deals of the last few years, and part Stax, Fantasy, Prestige and Vanguard labels Long one of the go-to banks for the music of the syndicate that provided $600 million — under one roof and created a company industry, City National has financed and in refinancing to Concord Music in August. with, at the time, an estimated $125 mil- advised on a number of music publishing In 2019, Truist — with Pinnacle Financial lion in revenue. Since then, Salm, who has deals, and its refusal to divulge its clients Partners — led the syndication of the debt negotiated around 250 catalog and song and the work it has done for them is part of that was used in the $350 million recapi- acquisitions since the early days of Bicycle, that appeal. talization and management-led buyout of has made some of the biggest publishing First Horizon Bank Spirit Music. deals of the last three years. Concord’s 2017 Mark FordSenior vp, Music Industry MARKETPLACE $550 million purchase of Imagem remains Nashville Royalty Exchange the biggest music publishing acquisition 615-734-6572 Anthony Martini, partner that did not involve one of the majors. In [email protected] Denver 2020, he led the deal to acquire a majority First Horizon has been involved as a lender 800-718-2269 stake in Pulse Music for, sources say, $160 in the purchase of music assets, includ- [email protected] million, and followed it with what may be ing participating in the loan syndicate that The Denver-based online auction platform, the richest artist publishing catalog pur- provided a $600 million recapitalization of which sells music publishing assets and chase of the year: upwards of $105 million Concord. In the last five years, First Horizon royalty income streams (among other media for 100% of Imagine Dragons’ writer’s share has amassed a several hundred million dol- investments), recently handled its 1,000th and a percentage of the publishing rights, lar loan book, with the vast majority of that transaction, which all told have generated which are co-owned by Universal Music funding supporting music publishing deals over $84 million in sales revenue for song- Publishing Group. As a result of those deals, Page 15 of 36

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Concord is closing in on $200 million in $35 million to $40 million, and sources say Universal Music Publishing Group publishing revenue for the year. Primary Wave is managing $1 billion in as- Jody Gerson, chairman/CEO Hipgnosis Songs Fund sets. Santa Monica, Calif. Merck Mercuriadis, founder Round Hill Music 310-235-4892 London Josh Gruss, CEO UMPG’s $2.1 billion acquisition of BMG [email protected] New York Music Publishing in 2007 remains the third- Over the last two years, Hipgnosis and 212-380-0080 largest publishing deal of the century, and Mercuriadis have disrupted music publish- In November, Round Hill joined Hipgno- it has been understandably discriminating ing pricing models by spending almost $1.2 sis on the London Stock Exchange after when it comes to subsequent purchases. billion to snap up 117 catalogs containing raising $282 million in advance of its initial Since taking the reins of the publisher 57,000 songs — sometimes at eye-popping public offering. Led by Gruss, the music in January 2015, Gerson has focused on multiples that have exceeded 20 times net publishing investment platform plans to signing artists and songwriters instead of ac- publisher’s share (NPS). Hipgnosis is pub- purchase 120,000 songs including works by quisitions, which has paid off in significant licly traded on the London Stock Exchange, The Beatles, and Céline growth for the company. UMPG is on track which gives it access to the level of deep Dion. Round Hill is also seeking capital to generate close to $1.4 billion in 2020, up funding that enabled Mercuriadis to make a commitments of over $250 million for its from $818 million at the end of 2014. preemptive $323 million offer for the Kobalt Music Royalty Fund III. This should give Music Copyrights Fund 1, which includes the company a substantial war chest to add Guy Moot, co-chair/CEO the song catalogs of , to its largely blue-chip portfolio. In 2018, Carianne Marshall, co-chair/COO Stevie Winwood, The B-52’s, George Benson Round Hill made one of the biggest publish- Los Angeles and Skrillex. ing deals of the last five years, acquiring 310-441-8600 the coveted Carlin America catalog — over Prior to 2019, Warner Music Group had Primary Wave 100,000 copyrights for hits by AC/DC, Billie focused on purchasing recorded masters, Larry Mestel, founder/CEO Holiday, Meatloaf and — for but that year its publishing division, Warner New York $245 million. More recently, it spent ap- Chappell, acquired the 1,500-song catalog 212-661-6990 proximately $20 million for Goo Goo Dolls of and, in a joint venture with Primary Wave has been on a buying spree frontman Johnny Rzeznik’s catalog. Providence Equity, launched Tempo Music, since 2016, spending upwards of $500 THE MAJORS an investment platform for recorded-music million in a series of deals and strategic Sony/ATV Music Publishing and publishing assets. Tempo began with partnerships that ranged from $50 million Jon Platt, chairman/CEO a $650 million war chest that has since to $100 million. Mestel, who says Primary New York grown to $1 billion, and Warner administers Wave is in the “icon and legend” business, 212-833-6800 Tempo’s publishing investments. WMG has spent $22 million for Smokey Robinson’s Now in its third year under the leader- projected that revenue for Warner Chappell catalog and $50 million to buy 80% of two ship of Jon Platt, Sony/ATV is typically a could hit $665 million in fiscal year 2020. catalogs owned by founder potential buyer when significant catalogs INDIES Chris Blackwell: Bob Marley’s song catalog are up for sale, but, like all of the majors, it’s Anthem Entertainment and Blue Mountain Music, which includes more discerning when it comes to writing Helen Murphy, CEO songs by and Toots & The Maytals. Other a check — especially since parent company Toronto catalogs on Primary Wave’s roster include Sony Corp. financed the two biggest music 416-850-1163 Air Supply, Devo, Boston’s Tom Scholz, a publishing deals of the last decade. In 2012, Anthem (formerly ole) has slowed the ag- portion of the Ray Charles catalog and songs Sony led a consortium of buyers in the gressive acquisitions pace it maintained by — or writer’s shares of songs by — Def acquisition of EMI Music Publishing for from 2010 to 2015, but it’s still in the market Leppard, Hall & Oates, and Boy George $2.2 billion. Then, in 2018, it bought out for a catalog that complements its portfo- & Culture Club. Primary Wave also owns those partners for $2.3 billion, the Michael lio of 55,000 songs by over 400 songwrit- a 50% stake in the assets of the Whitney Jackson estate’s stake in EMI for $288 mil- ers, as well as 60,000 hours of film, TV and Houston estate. Mestel likes to throw brand lion (after buying the estate’s share of Sony/ production music libraries. (It also operates and marketing support behind the com- ATV for $750 million in 2016) and assumed a record label.) Its most recent purchase, in pany’s investments — for instance, working $1.36 billion in debt — in a deal that valued late 2019, was the catalog, which with Robinson to establish the second Sun- EMI at $4.75 billion. These transactions included songs recorded by Halsey, Leon day in October as National Father-Daughter gave Sony/ATV $1.45 billion in publishing Bridges, Meghan Trainor and Lizzo. An- Day in honor of the singer’s revenue in the fiscal year ended March 31, a them’s holdings generated approximate- relationships with his six daughters. Bill- catalog of 2.1 million songs and a license to ly $60 million in NPS and about $35 million board estimates the NPS of its holdings at be selective. in earnings before interest, taxes, deprecia- Page 16 of 36

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tion and amortization (EBITDA) in 2017. and purchased the SONGS catalog at the acquisitions include the song catalog of BMG end of that year and songwriter-producer heavy metal label Century Media, Blue Rain- Hartwig Masuch, CEO David Hodges’ catalog for an undisclosed coat Music, U.K. publisher Reverb Music New York (U.S. headquarters) sum in October 2020. Catalog sellers should and TVT Music, as well as the catalogs of 323-969 0988 keep in mind, however, that the bulk of the artist-songwriters Hans Zimmer, the Isley [email protected] parent company is up for sale and claiming a Brothers and, sources say, writer-producer After establishing itself as the leading cata- valuation that exceeds $1 billion, according , who collaborated with Bob Gau- log buyer from 2010 to 2015, BMG shifted to to sources. Kobalt’s most recent financial dio on a number of hits by Sea- buying labels after prices for music publish- results, for the fiscal year ending June 30, sons. In May, Reservoir bought the 16,000- ing assets began escalating again. Still, it 2019, show that it generated $405 million in song Shapiro Bernstein catalog, which remains a potential buyer for song catalogs music publishing revenue and collected an- includes “In the Mood,” “Rockin’ Robin,” that it deems sound acquisitions, and is the other $66 million in publishing royalties “Ring of Fire” and “Little Bitty Pretty One” current leader in a three-way race with Ko- from its AMRA performing rights organiza- and songs recorded by , Judy Gar- balt and Concord to be the industry’s fourth tion. land, Edith Piaf and Michael Jackson. While major. Today, BMG has an estimated $425 Mojo Music & Media the terms of the deal were not disclosed, million in annual music publishing revenue Mark Fried, CEO sources say the catalog generated about $3 thanks to a portfolio that includes Cherry Lake Success, N.Y. million in annual NPS and the owner was Lane Publishing, Stage Three, Crosstown 917-992-2746 seeking $60 million. Sources say it is Reser- Songs, Evergreen Copyrights, Chrysalis [email protected] voir’s biggest acquisition to date. Music, Bug Music, Talpa Music B.V., Virgin Mojo established itself as a player in 2019 Spirit Music Group Music, Famous Music, Minder Music and a when it acquired HoriPro Entertainment Jon Singer, chairman stake in the Arc Music catalog. Group’s catalog of 15,000 songs by REO New York Downtown Music Speedwagon, George Strait, KISS and Jerry 212-533-7672 Justin Kalifowitz, CEO Reed. Earlier acquisitions include songs In January 2019, Spirit Music senior ex- New York written or co-written by Artie Kornfeld, ecutives Singer (now chairman) and Ross 212-461-1449 such as “The Pied Piper,” as well as Johnny Cameron led a management buyout of the In October, Downtown Holdings hired Fred Burke, , Bernie Wayne and Bobby company from Pegasus Capital Advisors Davis, a partner at The Raine Group, to seek Robinson. Billboard estimates that Mojo has by raising $350 million through its hold- strategic opportunities, including a buyer, an annual NPS of $6 million. ing company, Lyric Capital Group. (Cam- for the company. The surprise move came Peermusic eron remains an owner of Spirit and, along after substantial purchases in the recorded- Ralph Peer, chairman/CEO with Singer, co-founding partner of Lyric music sector — $200 million for CD Baby Mary Megan Peer, deputy CEO Capital.) As chairman of Spirit, Singer in 2019, $40 million for Dutch business- Berkeley, Calif. now oversees a 75,000-song catalog that to-business services company FUGA in 510-848-7337 includes tunes by Pete Townshend, T. Rex, early 2020 — and this year’s publishing [email protected] James William Guercio, , acquisitions of Africa’s Sheer Music and and Marilyn and Alan Bergman. Spirit had Good Soldier Songs, which includes The Founded in 1928, peermusic is one of the about $21 million in NPS when Singer took 1975’s catalog. The ongoing auction process largest independent music publishers in the over, and sources say the publisher is in the could result in a sale of the company or world, with a presence in over 30 countries. process of raising capital for a new invest- recapitalization with additional funding for It is also one of the most selective. Peer- ment fund. management to continue pursuing growth music’s last known deal took place in 2019, NEW PLAYERS opportunities. when it acquired the 40,000 songs of Ko- Eldridge rean music publisher Music Cube. Todd L. Boehly, co-founder/chairman/CEO Laurent Hubert, CEO Reservoir Media Greenwich, Conn. New York (U.S. headquarters) Golnar Khosrowshahi, founder/CEO 203-298-5300 [email protected] New York Eldridge, which has ownership stakes in The company announced in early November 212-675-0541 dick clark productions, MRC Data, the Los that it had sold its Kobalt Music Copyrights Reservoir has spent over $350 million on a Angeles Dodgers and Billboard, among Fund 1 for $323 million to Hipgnosis. Johan combination of signings and small acqui- other entertainment properties, has long Ahlström, the CEO of its investment divi- sitions to build itself into a major player, flirted with pursuing music publishing asset sion, Kobalt Capital, says the plan is to con- with an estimated annual NPS of $35 million deals, and in mid-November it landed its tinue acquiring publishing assets through to $40 million and, Billboard estimates, a first: songs on albums by Las Vegas rockers Fund II, which raised $600 million in 2017 valuation of $800 million. Khosrowshahi’s The Killers released prior to 2020. Finan- Page 17 of 36

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cial terms were not disclosed, and the band After investing $250 million in a range of (NPS) — essentially gross profit — that retained ownership of its master recordings. entertainment and media assets through its buyers are willing to pay for the publishing Universal Music Publishing Group will also Shamrock Capital Content Fund I — in- rights to a cache of hit tunes. While buyers continue to administer the group’s song cluding 5,000 songs — the company closed typically paid five to six times NPS in the catalog. solicitation for its Entertainment Content ’80s and ’90s, they’re currently shelling out Ithaca Holdings Fund II in July after building a $400 mil- 10 times NPS for production music to as Scooter Braun, chairman/owner lion war chest. According to its website, much as 23 times for catalogs of enduring A- Los Angeles Shamrock typically makes investments in list hits — with the average multiple falling Ithaca made two key publishing acquisi- the $5 million to $50 million range, although somewhere around 16 — thanks to voracious tions in 2019, Atlas Music — of the sources say its acquisition of the Swift cata- and relatively new players Hipgnosis, Pri- Van Halen catalog and songwriters Brandi log was exponentially larger. (The company mary Wave and Concord, as well as an influx Carlile, Dan the Automator, Warren Haynes declined to provide any specifics regarding of private equity dollars, all buttressed by and Toby Gad, writer of ’s “All its acquisitions.) low interest rates. of Me”) — and Big Machine Music Pub- Tempo Music | August 2000 Universal Music Group buys lishing, along with its acquisition of Big Sherrese Clarke Soares, founder/CEO Rondor Music, the independent music pub- Machine Label Group, which gave it owner- New York lishing company of A&M co-founders Herb ship of Taylor Swift’s master recordings. In Tempo is funded by Providence Equity Alpert and Jerry Moss, for $400 million in mid-November, Shamrock Holdings bought Partners, which manages upwards of $30 Seagram stock and cash. The Rondor catalog Swift’s masters from Ithaca. billion in assets and has given Clarke Soares, has 50,000 titles, including songs by The Vine Alternative Investments former managing director of Morgan Beach Boys, Otis Redding, Peter Frampton Rob Amir, partner Stanley, $1 billion in backing to buy music and Tom Petty. New York publishing and recorded masters catalogs. July 2002 Sony/ATV acquires Acuff- [email protected] (Tempo plans to eventually expand to other Rose for $157 million in cash. The catalog Vine made news in October when it pur- media.) Warner Music Group, which is also contains 55,000 songs by songwriters such chased DJ-producer Calvin Harris’ 150-song a partner, will provide any administration as Roy Orbison, and catalog for $105 million, according to sourc- needs. The company keeps its business close Hank Williams, with titles that include “Bye es — only its second deal in the music sector. to the vest but has done at least one deal a Bye Love” “Oh, ” and “Your At the time, Vine partner Rob Amir told Bill- month in 2020, according to Clarke Soares. Cheatin’ Heart.” board that the addition of Calvin Harris “is Its first acquisitions were select copyrights March 2004 EMI Music Publishing, a continuation of our pursuit of building a of singer-songwriters Shane McAnally and which bought 50% of Jobete in 1996 for $132 multigenre media ecosystem.” Vine’s previ- Ben Rector and producer-songwriter Jeff million and acquired another 30% in 2003 ous entertainment investments were limited Bhasker. for, Billboard estimates, $120 million, buys to film and TV entities. It acquired Lake- the remaining 20% in 2004 for $80 million. shore Entertainment in 2019 and, along with For that total payout of $292 million to $332 Falcon Investment Advisors, purchased a Top-Dollar Tunes: million, the publisher lays claim to a trove controlling interest in Village Roadshow of iconic Motown songs including “My Girl” Entertainment Group in 2017. A Timeline Of 21st and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” Shamrock Capital Advisors and such vaunted songwriting collaborators Jason Sklar, managing partner Century Song as Holland-Dozier-Holland and Norman Patrick Russo, partner Whitfield and Barrett Strong. Los Angeles Catalog Deals April 2007 Sony/ATV buys the Lieber 310-974-6600 & Stoller catalog for $50 million, adding [email protected] BY ED CHRISTMAN a collection of classics to its portfolio that Shamrock raised its profile significantly includes “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” in November when it purchased Taylor ine-figure deals for publishing “Stand by Me,” “Love Potion #9, “I Keep Swift’s catalog from Scooter Braun’s Ithaca catalogs were being inked as far Forgettin’” and “Santa Claus Is Coming to Holdings — its biggest recorded-music back as 1986, when SBK paid Town.” acquisition to date. Its last major publishing $125 million for CBS Songs and May 2007 After almost nine months of deal took place in 2018, when it bought the NWarner Music spent $225 million for the negotiations with European regulators, catalog of Stargate, the working handle of Chappell Music catalog. What has changed Universal Music Publishing Group acquires songwriting/producing duo Tor Hermansen since the of the 21st century is the BMG Music Publishing for $2.1 billion after and Mikkel Eriksen, who have co-written arrival of the billion-dollar deal and a brisk UMPG agrees to sell off some of the catalogs songs for Beyoncé, Katy Perry and . rise in the multiples of net publisher’s share it already owns. The deal gives UMPG songs Page 18 of 36

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by , , Maroon 5, dy”), the Carole King catalog and evergreens Dennis, Lionel Richie, Kaiser Chiefs and 30 , R. Kelly and Juan Ga- such as “Over the Rainbow,” “Baby Love,” Seconds to Mars. briel. The 10-figure price is the highest paid “New York, New York,” “Have Yourself a May 2018 Sony buys out the consor- for a song catalog at the time. Merry Little Christmas” and “Every Breath tium of investors that it partnered with to May 2007 Sony/ATV acquires Famous You Take.” In addition to the price paid, the purchase EMI Music Publishing for ap- Music from Viacom for $370 million. The deal is significant because EMI’s publishing proximately $2.3 billion — the largest music 125,000-song catalog contains several assets sell for a higher price than the $1.9 publishing deal to date. The acquisition, decades worth of classics. Among them: billion that Universal pays to acquire its which carries a valuation of $4.75 billion, “,” “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If label operations. gives Sony/ATV a massive catalog of 2.1 mil- It Ain’t Got That Swing),” “Silver Bells,” December 2012 BMG buys Rosetta/Virgin lion songs. “That’s Amore,” “Footloose,” “Take My Publishing — which, at the time, has annual January 2020 Concord buys a majority Breath Away,” “The Real Slim Shady” and revenue of $25 million to $40 million — stake in Pulse Music Group for approxi- “Bad Day.” Famous’ roster of songwriters for $140 million. The 21,000-song catalog mately $160 million, according to sources. includes , Modest Mouse and includes Nirvana’s “” The 10,000-song catalog includes titles by Ozomatli. and ’80s hits like ’ “Shout,” songwriters Starrah, Ty $ign, , February 2008 Dutch music publisher Culture Club’s “Karma Chameleon” and Tyler Johnson, , Rich the Kid, James Imagem pays $170 million for the catalogs The Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me.” Blake, YBN , El-P and Bonnie McKee. that UMPG agreed to sell in order to acquire Famous Music UK’s catalog is also part of August 2020 Concord , BMG Music Publishing. They include the the deal. buying Imagine Dragons’ share of its back U.K. catalogs of Rondor and Zomba as well September 2013 BMG expands further catalog (UMPG also owns a stake) in a deal as BBC Publishing. by creating a joint venture with indie music reported to be in the range of $100 million April 2008 Imagem goes shopping again, publisher Primary Wave for $150 million, to $120 million. acquiring classical music publisher Boosey which includes the purchase of certain September 2020 Hipgnosis Songs Fund, & Hawkes for $199 million. The deal in- publishing assets. The deal ends in 2016, but which has been disrupting music publish- cludes the Rodgers & Hammerstein catalog BMG retains ownership of a catalog of songs ing pricing models since 2018 by spending of musicals, movies and songs. that includes Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Septem- nearly $1.2 billion for songs and catalogs November 2010 BMG Rights Manage- ber,” Hall & Oates’ “Kiss on My List,” John and paying higher-than-expected multiples, ment, a joint venture between German me- Lennon’s “I Want To Hold Your Hand” and acquires Big Deal Music for $80 million, ac- dia giant Bertelsmann and the private equity ’s “How Sweet It Is,” while Pri- cording to sources. The deal not only comes firm of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts — not to mary Wave continues acquiring other music with 4,400 songs by over 160 songwriters in- be confused with BMG Music Publishing, publishing assets. cluding , Kamasi Washington, which UMPG absorbed in 2007 — acquires March 2014 BMG buys out private equity Sharon Van Etten, Sylvan Esso and St. Vin- the Chrysalis catalog for $169 million. The partner Kohlberg Kravis Roberts’ 51% stake cent, it also enables Hipgnosis to establish deal nets BMG 100,000 songs by artists such in the music publisher for $742 million. The its first full-service office in Los Angeles. as David Bowie, Cee Lo Green and Sheryl deal ends a five-year joint venture that be- October 2020 Vine Alternative Invest- Crow. gan after BMG relaunched its music opera- ments, one of the new financial players in September 2011 BMG lays out about tion after selling its labels to and music publishing, purchases the 150-plus- $320 million for Bug Music, a Los Angeles- its publishing catalog to Universal. song catalog of Scottish DJ, producer and based indie publisher with about $80 mil- March 2016 Sony buys out the Michael singer-songwriter Calvin Harris, whose lion in annual revenue and an NPS of $31 Jackson estate’s 50% share in Sony/ATV for hits include “,” “Feel So Close” and million. The 250,000-song catalog includes $750 million. the Rihanna collaborations “We Found classics “Fever,” “Summer in the City,” June 2017 Concord (then known as Love” and “This Is What You Came For.” “” and “Under the Concord Bicycle Music) acquires Imagem According to sources, the price was $105 Boardwalk,” as well as titles from a stable for approximately $560 million. The Dutch million. of writers that features , Del publisher’s 250,000-song catalog has grown November 2020 Hipgnosis makes its big- Shannon and . to include the Rodgers & Hammerstein and gest acquisition to date: a preemptive deal June 2012 A consortium of investors Boosey & Hawkes catalogs and features to purchase Kobalt Music Copyrights Fund including Saudi Arabia-based Mubadala and songs written by Phil Collins and Genesis, 1 — 42 catalogs comprising 33,000 songs by led by Sony Corp. completes its acquisition , Pink Floyd, Mark Ronson, Linkin Lindsey Buckingham, Steve Winwood and of EMI Music Publishing for a then-record Park, Sammy Cahn, Iron Maiden, Chet The B-52s, among other writers — for $323 amount of $2.2 billion. In addition to the Faker, M.I.A., R. Kelly, , Justin million. Jobete catalog, the deal covers a cache of Timberlake, Wynton Marsalis, Vampire Queen songs (including “Bohemian Rhapso- Weekend, , Steve Miller, Cathy Page 19 of 36

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independent records stores on Nov. 27 will addressing a lack of transparency in record U.S. Vinyl Album offer up exclusive and hard-to-find albums contracts and opaque accounting practices, only at indie retailers. After that, the usual safe harbor provisions and the European Sales Score holiday shopping season rush is sure to keep Copyright Directive, which will hold online vinyl sales sturdy through Christmas. user-generated services like YouTube liable Best Week of for unlicensed content. The inquiry comes at a time when the 2020, Thanks to , Elbow coronavirus pandemic has decimated income from touring, focusing artists’ atten- Walmart Sale Members Call for tion on how much — or in many cases how little — cash they actually make from music BY KEITH CAULFIELD Better Streaming streaming. Spotify paid labels and rights holders a .S. vinyl album sales vaulted Royalties at blended per-stream rate of $0.00366 in 2019, to their best week of the year, while ’s rate is about $0.0070 thanks largely to sale pricing Opening of UK per stream and YouTube doles out $0.0033 and promotion at Walmart. In for ad-supported official videos. Uthe week ending Nov. 19, vinyl album sales Parliament Probe The COVID-19 crisis “has provided an increased 55.5% to 943,000 copies sold, ac- opportunity for us to really see what we’re cording to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. That BY RICHARD SMIRKE making from recorded music [and] it’s also marks the third-largest week for vinyl pretty horrific,” Tom Gray, from British since 1991, when Nielsen Music/MRC Data ONDON — Low payouts from rock band Gomez, told the committee. He began electronically tracking music sales. music streaming services are plac- cited a “very successful” unnamed songwrit- Sales of vinyl albums at mass merchant ing artists’ livelihoods and future er friend who recently received payment of stores (which include the Walmart chain) careers at risk, four British artists £70 from YouTube in return for 1 million comprised 315,000 of the week’s total. Ltestified at the opening of a U.K. Parliament plays of his music. On Nov. 14, Walmart discounted all vinyl probe into the streaming business. “There have always been imbalances in albums in-store to $15 — including Walmart- On Tuesday, rock band Elbow front- the system, and they need to be addressed,” exclusive variants (like colored vinyl). man Guy Garvey warned that “the system, O’Brien told the Parliament members, “but The last time overall U.S. vinyl album as it is, is threatening the future of music,” as it’s more acute now.” sales were higher was in the week ending more artists are struggling to make a living All of the taking part in Tues- Dec. 26, 2019, when volume hit 1.24 million with the current rates streaming platforms day’s session said they were fans of music sold — the largest week for vinyl album are paying. streaming but stressed that something sales in the Nielsen Music/MRC Data era. With streaming accounting for more needed to be done to address the imbalance Among the biggest beneficiaries of than half of the global music industry’s between revenues record labels and rights Walmart’s promotion are Queen’s Great- revenue, the Digital, Culture, Media and holders receive from streaming services and est Hits (23,000 vinyl LPs sold, industry- Sport (DCMS) Committee is looking into the often-miniscule payments artists were wide, up 1,006%), Fleetwood Mac’s Ru- the economic impact that streaming ser- getting for their work. mours (16,000; up 369%) and Bob vices like Spotify, Apple Music and “It would be disingenuous of me to pre- Marley and the Wailers’ Legend (15,000; up are having on artists and record labels, as tend that there aren’t some artists who are 639%). well as the sustainability of the wider music doing well from streaming,” Gray said. “But The increase in vinyl sales helped industry. the problem is that they conform to one type Queen’s Greatest Hits, first released in Garvey and Radiohead guitarist Ed of artist broadly speaking. They tend to be 1981, reach the top 10 of the Billboard O’Brien were among a group of four artists solo artists. They tend to be fully indepen- 200 chart for the first time, Rumours rose and two industry analysts that provided evi- dent ... and they tend to be working in a 23-12 and Marley’s Legend jumped 79-19. dence on the first day of the inquiry, which genre that is highly playlisted.” It’s expected that vinyl sales will con- is anticipated to stretch for several months Garvey and Gray both advocated a move tinue to post some sizable numbers through and will call upon executives at major labels towards streaming platforms and labels the rest of 2020. Target launched its own and streaming platforms to answer ques- implementing a user-centric payment model discount promotion on vinyl on Nov. 22 tions. that will see artists paid every time their (pricing vinyl as low as $20, along with The Parliament probe — which so far is music is directly streamed, rather than a buy-two, get-one free offer) while Re- being done with witnesses testifying virtu- the current where royalties cord Store Day Black Friday festivities at ally, as the U.K. is in lockdown — is also are distributed on a pro-rata model based Page 20 of 36

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around market share. based on its inquiry findings that govern- role, Stern was head of U.S. investments Gray also criticized outdated record label ment officials can then choose whether to at Alibaba Group. Earlier in his career, he contracts that see rights holders withhold- pass into law. held various banking and investing posi- ing the lion’s share of streaming income, Its real power lies in shining a light on tions in New York, Beijing, Hong Kong and noting that the imbalance in artist payouts previous hidden business practices and . Stern is also known for his criminal was occurring while “foreign-based multi- inequalities. A two-year probe into the U.K. justice reform work at San Quentin prison in national” corporations reported record live music market which ended last year California and as senior advisor at The Last revenues. helped bring about major changes to the Mile, which prepares incarcerated individu- Last month, Universal Music Group, the British secondary ticketing sector, culminat- als for successful re-entry. world’s biggest record label, posted €1.86 ing in shutting down its two BSE Global has tapped Jackie Wilson, billion ($2.14 billion) in third quarter major U.K. secondary sites, Get Me In and II as executive director of diversity & inclu- revenue, up 3.1% on the same period the Seatwave. sion. Wilson oversees BSE Global’s diversity previous year. Spotify’sthird quarter 2020 Viagogo, which made headlines when and inclusion strategies and initiatives, and operating income fell to a loss of €40 mil- it twice snubbed a request to appear before will help develop and execute the com- lion from a gain of €50 million during the the committee, also made changes to comply pany’s overall social justice vision. Wilson same time last year, while revenues climbed with British law following the DCMS in- began his career as a litigation associate at 14% to €1.97 billion ($2.29 billion), with the quiry and a number of concurrent investiga- Graham Curtin law firm, before becoming streaming giant growing its customer base tions by regulatory bodies. general counsel at All Pro Sports & Enter- to 144 million paid subscribers and 320 mil- Additional reporting by Ed Christman. tainment, Inc., where he spent five years as lion total monthly active users. a certified player agent and spearheaded the Gray drew attention to physical breakage social responsibility and community efforts clauses — automatically deducting 10% of of professional athletes. an artist’s royalties to cover the cost of dam- In a pair of joint announcements with aged vinyl and CDs — that are still present in Brooklyn partners ASM Global and Levy, Adina in many record deals. Erwin was named as of While acknowledging he was one of the Announces Five Barclays Center and Chris Giacalone as vice lucky artists who had made a good living president of hospitality. from playing music, O’Brien said he was tak- New Senior Hires “We are thrilled to welcome five top ex- ing part in the inquiry to support new acts ecutives into our business operations,” said struggling to survive in the digital music BY TAYLOR MIMS CEO of BSE Global John Abbamondi in a economy. release. “The executives are accomplished One of those is British singer-songwrit- arclays Center in Brooklyn has leaders in their respective fields, and their er Nadine Shah, whose 2017 album Holiday announced the hiring of five new incredibly deep expertise will be instrumen- Destination was nominated for the Mer- senior executives. The home of tal as we prepare for an NBA season like cury Prize. She released her fourth studio the NBA’s is run no other. I am extremely excited and look set, Kitchen Sink, on BMG this year. Bby BSE Global and supports management of forward to working with them to take our Shah told MPs that, despite her success the WNBA New York Liberty. fan experience to the next level.” as an acclaimed artist with a substantial Emerson Moore has been named execu- Erwin joins as GM of Barclays Center, fanbase, she and many fellow musicians tive vice president and chief people officer coming into the role with more than 25 were struggling to pay their rent. “The real- of BSE Global. Moore will lead human years of experience in the sports and enter- ity is that lose lots of musicians,” resources for BSE Global. He joins the tainment industry. Most recently, she served she said. organization after spending 13 years at TMP as senior vice president of business opera- Garvey said that if musicians could not af- Worldwide Advertising & Communications, tions at TD Garden Arena in Boston. Prior to ford to live, “then we haven’t got tomorrow’s where he most recently held the positions TD Garden, Erwin spent 15 years at The Fox music in place.” of EVP, general counsel, head of human Theatre in Atlanta where she held various Whether the Parliament hearings will resources and secretary. Prior to TMP, roles including vice president and GM, and have any genuine impact on the streaming Moore was an associate in the corporate ultimately, chief operating officer. industry remains to be seen. Although the department at Proskauer, an international “Adina is one of the most respected venue DCMS committee is made up of 11 elected law firm. operators in the sports and entertainment members of U.K. Parliament, it exists inde- Peter Stern has been announced as the industry and we are thrilled to have her as pendently from the British government and new executive vice president and chief part of the ASM family” said ASM Global does not have any regulatory power. Instead, financial officer. He will oversee the finance chairman Bob Newman in a release. “She’s the committee makes recommendations department for BSE Global. In his prior a talented leader and we are very fortunate Page 21 of 36

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to be able to leverage her wealth of expertise for weeks to not being invited? In my opin- female artist and the Ashford & Simpson as we plan for a new NBA season at Barclays ion zero nominations = you’re not invited!” songwriter’s award for “I Can’t Breathe.” Center and look forward to a robust enter- he tweeted. That socially-conscious song is also Gram- tainment season sometime soon.” On Tuesday, The Weeknd initially ex- my-nominated for song of the year. Giacalone will oversee the arena’s pre- pressed his frustration toward the Record- H.E.R. was this year’s top nominee at the mium hospitality spaces and the concourse ing Academy on behalf of himself, his Soul Train Awards, with eight nods. Brown concessions, and work closely with Livio fans and the entire music industry. “The was runner-up, with seven nods. Velardo, who recently joined as senior Grammys remain corrupt,” he stated. “You ’s debut album, Over It, executive chef after serving as executive owe me, my fans and the industry transpar- which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200, chef at the iconic Balthazar Restaurant and ency...” Harvey Jr., the Recording won album of the year. Bakery in . Academy’s chair and interim president/ Megan Thee Stallion, whose “Savage” “We’re proud to bring aboard two incred- CEO, spoke to Billboard over the phone reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 (via a remix ibly talented hospitality experts in Chris late Tuesday to respond to The Weeknd’s featuring Beyoncé), won the rhythm & bars Giacalone and Chef Livio Velardo as we claims of the Grammy’s “corrupt” nature. “It award for that smash. look forward to welcoming guests back to saddened me. I try to empathize with where Beyoncé shared the video of the year Barclays Center,” said Levy president and that came from, but it was difficult to hear,” award for “ Girl” with her eight- CEO Andy Lansing in a release. “Chris is he said. “I can understand he’s disappointed year old daughter, Blue Ivy, as well as Saint one of the best in the business and has deep [at being shut out]. Everybody at the acad- Jhn & . That video is also nominated expertise in operating iconic sports and emy understands that he’s disappointed. I for a Grammy for best . entertainment venues. was personally surprised that he was not Snoh Aalegra, a Swedish singer/song- nominated.” writer based in Los Angeles, took best Artists from to Tinashe and new artist. Aalegra’s 2019 sophomore The Weeknd Scooter Braun, whose client Justin album, Ugh, Those Feels Again, reached No. Bieber was in the clear this year with four 73 on the Billboard 200. Says He Went nominations, expressed their disappoint- Brandy and Monica, who teamed to ment in the Academy’s decision to not record the 1998 classic “The Boy Is Mine,” From Planning honor The Weeknd’s stellar year. each received an award. Brandy took the See The Weeknd’s follow-up tweet re- Soul Train certified award. Monica received a Grammys garding his Grammys snub below: the Lady of Soul award. Here’s the complete list of 2020 Soul Performance to Train Award winners: Is Song of the year: Chris Brown & Young ‘Not Invited’ Thug, “Go Crazy” Top Winner at Album of the year: Summer Walker, Over BY HERAN MAMO It 2020 Soul Train Video of the year: Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, he Weeknd posted a second mis- & Wizkid, “Brown Skin Girl” sive to social media on Wednesday Awards: Complete Best R&B/soul female artist: H.E.R. (Nov. 25), a day after he received Best R&B/soul male artist: Chris Brown a surprising zero nominations for List of Winners Best collaboration performance: Chris Tthe 2021 Grammy Awards. Brown & , “Go Crazy” Reports had been circling that The Week- BY PAUL GREIN Rhythm & bars award: Megan Thee Stal- nd (real name Abel Tesfaye) was in talks to lion, “Savage” perform at the 63rd annual awards show, hris Brown was the top winner Best dance performance: Chris Brown & which he confirmed in his follow-up state- at the 2020 Soul Train Awards, Young Thug, “Go Crazy” ment, writing that he had been planning his which aired on BET on Sunday Best gospel/inspirational award: Kirk performance with (Nov. 29). Brown won four of the Franklin “for weeks.” He now interprets the snub — C12 awards presented, including best R&B/ The Ashford & Simpson songwriter’s despite his fourth album After Hours and soul male artist. “Go Crazy,” Brown’s col- award: H.E.R., “I Can’t Breathe” its standout hit “Blinding Lights” smashing lab with Young Thug, won three awards, Lady of Soul award: Monica streaming and Billboard chart records — as a including song of the year. The smash has Soul Train certified award: Brandy direct “You’re not invited!” message. cracked the top 10 on the . Best new artist: Snoh Aalegra “Collaboratively planning a performance H.E.R. won two awards — best R&B/soul Page 22 of 36

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digital platforms include Bro’Sis’ “I Believe” Signs to BMG Acquires and Monrose’s “Shame.” Newly-Launched Catalog of La Doña in 0207 Def Jam Cheyenne San Francisco, Label Records, Including in a Pandemic: Songs by BY TATIANA CIRISANO ‘The Industry Is ritish rapper Stormzy has signed Germany’s to 0207 Def Jam, making him Hanging by a the first artist to align with the new frontline label and the U.K. Thread’ Bhome of Def Jam Recordings, which Univer- BY ED CHRISTMAN sal Music U.K. unveiled last week. BY GRISELDA FLORES Born in South London, Stormzy has MG has acquired the catalog helped popularize the grime genre and of Cheyenne Records, which merging Mexican-Ameri- become one of the most successful artists to includes 600 master recordings can femmetón singer-songwriter emerge out of the U.K. in recent years. The from such German artists as No La Doña’s new album, Algo Nuevo, 27-year-old has won more than two dozen BAngels, Bro’Sis, Overground, , dropped March 12 via Human Re music awards in the U.K., including British , Monrose, Queensberry, Room ESources just as the coronavirus pandemic male solo artist at the and best 2012, Some & Any, and La Vive. intensified in the U.S. , festivals and worldwide act at the MTV Europe Music BMG said it will bolster the availability other large gatherings across the country Awards, and has collaborated with artists of the Cheyenne catalog with an integrated were canceled, including her planned South like and . digital campaign, using cheyenneswelt. by Southwest debut, interrupting her early Stormzy was previously signed to Warner de as the base, allowing fans to deep dive career momentum. Music Group’s U.K., which deep into the label’s catalog. The company As part of Billboard’s efforts to best cover formed a joint-venture deal with Stormzy’s also said it will publish high-quality versions the coronavirus pandemic and its impacts #Merky label to release his second al- of the original official music videos. The on the music industry, we will be regularly bum, Heavy Is The Head, in December 2019. catalog will hit digital platforms on Friday speaking with La Doña — whose real name Leading 0207 Def Jam are twin broth- (Nov. 27). is Cecilia Cassandra Peña-Govea — to ers Alec and Alex Boateng as co-presi- Terms of the deal were not disclosed. chronicle her experience throughout dents. Stormzy has already worked closely “The catalogue of Cheyenne Records is the crisis. (Read the previous install- with Alec, who takes his new role after among the crown jewels of German pop ment here and see the full series here.) seven years as co-head of A&R at Atlantic. music of the 2000s, and we are delighted to It’s been a while since we last spoke, Meanwhile, Alex is promoted to his role bring them back to the public,” Maximilian any major life update? after a decade at Universal Music U.K. Kolb, BMG managing director GSA, said in Not really. Well I guess the “biggest” “Bringing the Boateng brothers together a statement. “The acquisition shows BMG’s update would be that I’m self-managed now. at 0207 Def Jam is an important moment commitment to delivering the best service to I’ve been on my own for a few months. So, in British culture,” Universal Music U.K. artists and songwriters in the digital world.” I’ve been super busy doing my own thing, chairman & CEO David Joseph said upon BMG says the deal will bring back stream- managing any new gigs the come up. It’s as the label’s launch. “They have already as- ing availability to No Angels, which has been if there is more responsibility on me because sembled an exceptionally talented top team absent from digital streaming platforms for I feel like the industry is adjusting to the with a clear vision for this exciting new five years. The company notes the group had livestreams and we’re realizing that we’ll be chapter in the history of one of the world’s sales of more than five million, making it the doing much of that for the next few months, most famous labels.” biggest-selling German girl band of all time. so I’ll have to navigate through logistics, No Angels’ 2002 debut single, “Daylight In COVID-19 precautions all on my own. Your Eyes,” sold more than 500,000 copies You don’t have a manager anymore but within a week after its release, according to do you still have an agent? BMG. Well I just started working with [Devin Other hits that will now be available on Landau] again a little over a month ago after Page 23 of 36

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he co-launched TBA, which does take a load for livestreams. Before it was like, ‘can you According to a press release from the off in terms of just keeping track of every- self-produce this video for $50?’ and I was Police Department, officials believe thing. I reached out to him after I stopped like, “I definitely cannot.” Now that these Yase was shot near the East Dublin BART working with my manager and looped him livestreams are more established and people station around 1:00 a.m., with officers in on everything I had been up to these past who are producing them are more experi- responding to reports that a person with few weeks. But my distributor (Human Re enced and have clear rules, better budgets multiple gunshot wounds had been trans- Sources) still doesn’t have any A&Rs, so I and know the restrictions that need to be ported to a medical facility in Pleasanton, don’t really have a project manager over put in place, I feel comfortable doing them California. there. Without a manager or a project man- once in a while. With time, one eventually “On Saturday, November, 28, 2020, about ager, it’s really up to me now what I make adjust to the times. 1:00 a.m. Dublin Police responded to Val- of my career. Which is fine but difficult at What can we expect from you for the ley Care Medical Center in Pleasanton for the same time because I don’t have the same rest of the year? Any new music? a report of a subject who had just arrived drive to put out new music as I did when I Right now I’m just preparing for the suffering from multiple gunshot wounds,” was touring and doing live shows. beginning of next year and working on a reads the statement from police. “Initial And what are some lessons learned grant through the SF Arts Commission, an information led officers to believe the shoot- from being in that situation early on in individual artist grant which can award up ing may have occurred near the East Dublin your career? to $20,000. I’d want to use that funding for BART station. The victim was transported Well growing up in a family band taught a project that features Black indigenous via ambulance to Medical Center in me many lessons early on, but think Latinx voices, I want to focus on creating Castro Valley where he later succumbed to that because the industry is hanging by a something intentional and not just turning his injuries.” thread. Because of COVID-19, I’ve realized out music. I’m preparing to apply for that The rapper’s label, Highway 240 Produc- that there is no security in any area in that grant since it’s a pretty extensive process the tions, also paid tribute to the MC, writing, industry. So you just gotta have security deadline is Dec. 15. But, as you know, after “We appreciate all the love and support. in your own creative process. That was the Latin Grammys it kind of quiets down Yase loved his fans, he worked every day for something I knew going into music but it for a bit so I’ll just work on this for now and y’all. We have hundreds of songs coming for was very abruptly demonstrated during really hit 2021 running. you. Please repost and share let the world COVID-19. Any plans for Thanksgiving? know who the “Top Dog” is @yasemon- You released your a new single for the No! I think my family and I are going to ey600 @yasemoney600.” first time this year earlier this month do a couple of drop offs and just taking it The label also teased a collab EP with fel- titled “Chuparrosa,” what’s the response easy that day. Before I think we were like, low Bar Area MC Itsfatfat called “Every Day you saw from fans and how have you felt “OMG we’re not getting together,” but now I Is Friday!”, which was announced one day since? know it’ll be fine. It’s more important for me before Yase’s murder. I’ve felt really proud but the day it was to know that my family is safe and we can At press time, spokespeople for Yase had released, my partner’s mother died, so it’s enjoy each other in the future. not yet returned requests for comment. been a lot. But going back to “Chuparrosa,” According to his Spotify bio, Yase began it was like releasing a collective grief we’ve making videos for his tracks on a borrowed all been feeling because of all the lost we’ve Rapper Lil Yase, iPad when he was 18 while living in Sunny- experienced. After releasing it, people have vale, a neighborhood outside San Francisco, been sharing their stories with me saying 26, Killed in falling in with a crew of rappers that includ- they felt a connection. ed Llama Llama, Sage the Gemini and Yatta. “Chuparrosa” was also that Shooting Over He gained local attention with video for re- you can put out whatever you want because mix of the 2015 single “Get It In” featuring as artists you get questioned so much about Thanksgiving G-Val, Lil Blood, Mozzy, Nef the Pharoah what your image is going to be, who you’re and Yatta, followed by the songs “Bum B— going to collaborate with but at the end of Weekend ch,” “Worst Way,” and “Furl.” He dropped the day, you’re the artist and it felt good to the 2016 mixtape From the Black Too Alot, release something I truly wanted to release. BY BILLBOARD STAFF followed by 2018’s Winner’s Circle and last You weren’t doing many performances year’s Sorry For the Heat EP. of the pandemic but p-and-coming San Francisco Yase, who was perhaps best known for his you’ve been doing a lot more lately. rapper Lil Yase (born Alexander 2019 track with the Shoreline Mafia, “Mad,” Why did you start saying yes to these Mark Antonyyo Jr.), 26, was shot also released the single “Case Closed” last livestreams? and killed in the East Bay area on month. I think because there is way more support USaturday (Nov. 28). Check out some tributes to Yase below. Page 24 of 36

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around, people weren’t not following the hopeful that we’re going to have a solu- Event Designer rules and part of that was because they want tion in the first part of next year. Having this stuff so bad they’ll do whatever they said that, thinking about the Pfizer one, the Bobby Garza need to make it happen. vaccine has to be kept at such an incredibly Were there any snags? You’ve been wor- low temperature that it’s not going to get in Austin, in a ried about knuckleheads who refuse to wear distributed to a lot of people. Honestly, the masks and so on. thing that makes me feel the most good is Pandemic: Recent The only thing we had trouble with: We that my mom is going to be able to come see were selling these squares to pods of four my kids. That’s an incredibly personal and Spike ‘Definitely people, and there were a couple of instances selfish thing, but that was the first thing on where people were buying individual pods my mind. In the Back of for themselves, then realizing they could A friend recently suggested that while it’s fit three extra folks. We had originally not sad venues are closing, it’ll eventu- Everyone’s Minds’ anticipated making any extra accommoda- ally be safe for them to reopen and demand tions for that — you show up with your will come back. Can you critique that idea? BY STEVE KNOPPER four people, don’t get in line until your four So many of these people that worked in people get there. That sparked some con- this industry that developed their craft by hen the concert busi- versations, but honestly, everybody’s been foregoing some sort of technical school and ness shut down in in such good humor about even these small actually learning their craft — those are mid-March, Bobby bumps in the road. the people that are going to have to go find Garza abruptly shifted The U.S. is on fire right now with COVID another job right now. I don’t think you fromW putting on live events to tearing them cases. How does that affect the upcoming maintain the soul of an industry without down — his company, Austin-based Fore- shows? those people. Sure, while there’s always front Networks, had to cancel the California We’re always concerned about that. going to be another widget that takes a food-and- Yountville Live Everybody’s been watching numbers move widget’s place, it’s the “what kind” and the later that month, and massive productions around with a little bit of trepidation, “what motivation.” If somebody moves into like December’s Trail of Lights in Austin because it’s like, who knows how bad it’s this other space and starts engaging in di- are in question, too. In early April, his life going to get when. My particular thought saster profiteering and owning up leases for changed even more dramatically: Forefront was some of this spike stuff has to do with failed venues, is the standard of quality for furloughed 30 percent of its staff, including Halloween and a two-week incubation these beloved venues going to be the same? him. period and starting to see rises in cases. So yeah, I still worry about it. As part of Billboard’s efforts to best cover It’s definitely something in the back of Are you letting yourself get to the point the coronavirus pandemic and its impacts everyone’s minds, to make sure that we’re of thinking about staffing and resources to on the music industry, we will be speak- doubling down on the stuff we’re doing and reopen the industry? ing with Garza, a 43-year-old Forefront people are safe. Not yet. Right now, this struggle to create creative team leader who used to be general How did you personally react, emotion- socially distant shows is a worthy exercise. manager of festival producer Transmission ally, to live music for the first time since If a vaccine starts getting distributed, I don’t Events, every other week to chronicle his March? think that means the following weekend experience throughout the crisis. (Read Tank & the Bangas was on the 12th, and there’s going to be a 100,000-person festival. the latest installment here and see the full I love that band in normal times, but she’s We’ve got a long way to go for some of that series here. such a powerful frontwoman that as soon as stuff. We should always be introspective and How did the latest Long Center outdoor they came on, I got goosebumps. It was a full look for quality in what we do. concerts you’ve been working on, featuring band, at night, with lights. This one had a What are your Thanksgiving plans? Tank & the Bangas and Big Freedia, go? level of electricity to it. It was so exciting to We’re all going to get tested and try to do Incredibly smooth, knock on wood. As think about the idea that even in these times something outdoors or well-ventilated with people were showing up, or as they were now we could find a way to make things masks on and make sure my mom can be in leaving, the words “thank you” that came appropriately safe and enjoy this thing that the same space as my kids. We’re trying to out of people’s mouths and people saying had been missing in my life for so long. make it work. I’m worried about the rest of they really needed this was fantastic. People Where does the recent positive vaccine the holidays. were respecting what the house rules news put the timeline for reopening the My prediction for your family over the were — walk in, adequately distance, go to concert business? holidays: homemade cookies. your square, stick in your square, we bring I don’t think it’s smart yet to know. The Oh, dude! 100%. you your stuff. People weren’t wandering things about the progress make me very Page 25 of 36

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match. The goal also inspired Argentine The -based artist made history RIP Diego singer Rodrigo’s song titled “La Mano de again by snagging the award for a second Dios (Homenaje a Diego Maradona).” time, one of a hattrick of ARIA wins on the Armando The World Cup winner also recorded night. “Querida Amiga” with Argentine duo Pimp- The Zambian-born, Botswana-raised Maradona: inela and “El Sueño del Pibe,” a 1943 tango singer and rapper also took out best female penned by Juan Puey and Reinaldo Yiso. artist and best independent release for her A Look at the Maradona died of a heart attack 14 days debut full-length album The Return, winner after being released from the hospital, of the 2019 . Soccer Star’s Brief where he underwent brain surgery. Sampa also delivered one of the ARIA Born Oct. 30, 1960, Maradona made his Awards’ highlights, a performance of “Final Music Career big debut in at age 15. He then Form” shot in Africa. went on to lead ’s national team to On receiving the hip-hop honor, she BY GRISELDA FLORES AND LEILA victory in the 1986 World Cup. In total, he noted: “This award means a lot to me COBO played 91 games for his country’s national because hip-hop has been redefined in the team and also played for at club past five, 10 years in . Young black iego Armando Maradona was level as well as Napoli. artists, colored people, keep doing what more than just a fútbol legend. Following news of Maradona’s death, J you’re doing. Keep bringing your stories to The Argentine soccer idol, Balvin, Ricardo Montaner, , Fito the forefront, because now we get to see a who died Wednesday (Nov. Paez and DJ Snake, among others, took to side of Australia that wasn’t shown.” D25) at age 60, also dabbled frequently with social media to pay tribute and remember opened the gala with a perfor- music and the recording industry. Back in their idol and one of the greatest soccer play- mance of “.” Soon after, the 2001, Jorge Ferradas — who currently ers of all time. See their reactions here. Gold Coast singer won her seventh ARIA for manages Camilo, Lali and Nathy Peluso, best Australian live act, one of four publicly- among others — was an executive in Sony voted ARIA Awards. She doubled-up later Argentina, during the midst of the country’s , with best pop release, the third time she has financial crisis. won the award. But soccer felt foolproof, so the label A breakout year for bought the rights to the recordings Mara- climaxed with ARIAs glory, as the Sydney dona had done for his memoir Soy El Dominate 2020 indie outfit bagging their first ARIA Award, Diego and released them as a double-CD for breakthrough artist. Led by brothers Oli- titled Soy El Diego De La Gente (I Am the ARIA Awards ver and Louis Leimbach, the band enjoyed People’s Diego). their first chart-leader during the year “It had been a publishing success, but BY LARS BRANDLE with their sophomore album, 14 Steps To A didn’t translate into ,” laughs Better You. Ferradas now. “But we did an album presen- ame Impala, Sampa The Great, The heart of the ARIAs program is, in a tation, and everything was worthwhile. He Amy Shark and typical year, the induction ceremony for the was pure art in what he did,” adds Ferradas, were among the big winners at the ARIA Hall of . This year’s honoree, a soccer player and fan himself. “I’m from 2020 ARIA Awards, held Wednes- Archie Roach, is the heart of Australia’s Argentina, I live in the U.S. and I got the Tday (Nov. 25) in a virtual format from The indigenous music community. news while I’m in Spain. And here, so far Star Event Centre in Sydney, with per- 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the from his home, someone just said: ‘I don’t formers and guests beamed realtime from release of , Roach’s debut full care what he did with his life; I only care around the globe. length album which featured “Took The what he did with mine!’” Just hours after scoring a pair of nomi- Children Away,” a heartbreaking tale of the On another occasion, Maradona per- nations for the 2021 Grammy Awards, enforced separation of Indigenous children formed onstage at Teatro Gran Rex with ’s masters from their families. Spanish star Joaquín Sabina to sing “Y Nos filled their boots with ARIAs. Tame Impala It was based on Roach’s own life and Dieron Las Diez.” In 2000, Sabina, a zealous scooped five awards including best group experiences. fan of Maradona’s and also a friend, was in- and album of the year for , the The album received two ARIA Awards spired to write a poem titled “Mano de Dios outfit’s chart-topping fourth LP. in 1991 and “” (The Hand of God)” in homage to Mara- Sampa The Great made history in 2019 received an international Human Rights dona’s controversial goal that he scored in when she became the first woman of color Achievement Award, the first time that the the Argentina vs. England 1986 World Cup to win the ARIA for best hip-hop release. award had been bestowed on a songwriter. Page 26 of 36

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It’s now preserved in the National Film And show across Australia. Lime Cordiale - Sound Archive Of Australia. 2020 ARIA AWARD RECIPIENTS (Chugg Music Pty Ltd) Roach, now frail after several health Album Of The Year Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (Modular battles, led a moving performance of the DMA’s - THE GLOW (I OH YOU / Mush- Recordings/Island Records Australia / song with support from Paul Kelly, pianist room) Universal Music Australia): WINNER and others, filmed from his Mauboy - Hilda (Sony Music) The Teskey Brothers - Live At The Forum hometown Warrnambool. Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps To A Better You (Ivy League Records / Mushroom) On receiving the spiky trophy, Roach (Chugg Music Pty Ltd) Breakthrough Artist presented by PPCA quipped: “They’re as lethal looking as they Sampa The Great - The Return (Ninja Tune Alex the Astronaut - The Theory of ever were. I’d hate to trip and fall on one.” / Inertia Music) Absolutely Nothing (Minkowski / AWAL He’ll need to be careful about the house, Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (): WINNER because he collected another two sharp Recordings/Island Records Australia/ Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps To A Better You trophies on the night, for best contemporary Universal Music Australia): WINNER (Chugg Music Pty Ltd) album (Tell Me Why) and male artist of the Best Male Artist - Driving Music ( / year, beating out a shortlist that included Archie Roach - Tell Me Why (Bloodlines / Universal Music Australia) , Ruel, and Mushroom): WINNER Miiesha – Nyaaringu (EMI Music Australia) . Guy Sebastian - Standing With You (Sony The Kid LAROI - F*ck Love (Columbia / “They didn’t make a mistake?” he asked Music) Sony Music) when his name was called out for best male. Ruel - Free Time (RCA / Sony Music) Best Pop Release With induction into the Hall of Fame, The Kid LAROI - F*ck Love (Columbia / Amy Shark - Everybody Rise (Wonderlick Roach now sits alongside the greats of Aus- Sony Music) Recording Company/Sony Music): WIN- tralia’s music scene, from AC/DC to the Bee Troye Sivan - In A Dream (EMI Music NER Gees, Dame , INXS, Peter Australia) Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps To A Better You Allen, Olivia Newton John, and Best Female Artist (Chugg Music Pty Ltd) others. Amy Shark - Everybody Rise (Wonderlick – Together (Monkey Puzzle, Inc., under The evening closed with a powerhouse Recording Company / Sony Music) exclusive license to Atlantic Recording tribute to the late feminist trailblazing icon Miiesha - Nyaaringu (EMI Music Australia) Corporation for the and WEA and ARIA Hall of Fame Inductee Helen Sampa The Great - The Return (Ninja International for the world outside of the Reddy, who passed away Sept. 29 at Tune / Inertia Music): WINNER United States) of 78. An all-star cast of Australian female Sia - Together (Monkey Puzzle, Inc., under Tame Impala - (Modular artists joined forces for a performance of “I exclusive license to Atlantic Recording Recordings/Island Records Australia / Uni- Am Woman,” a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Corporation for the United States and WEA versal Music Australia) 100 back in 1972. International for the world outside of the Troye Sivan - In A Dream (EMI Music Amy Shark, , ARIAs host United States) Australia) , , Jessica Tones And I - Bad Child / Can’t Be Happy Best Release presented by Hen- Mauboy, Kate Miller-Heidke, Katie Noonan, All the Time (Bad Batch Records / Sony nessy and Mo’Ju were among the Music) Baker Boy - Meditjin feat. JessB (Danzal 30-strong chorus. Best Dance Release Baker/Island Records Australia / Universal Other performers on the night included - Don’t Sleep (Dew Process / Uni- Music Australia) Tame Impala, Lime Cordiale, Sia, and versal Music Australia) Briggs - Always Was EP (Adam Briggs / international stars Billie Eilish and Sam Dom Dolla - San Frandisco (Sweat It Out Island Records Australia) Smith. / Warner Music): WINNER - Last Laugh (Sony Music) “2020 has been a challenging year for the - Rushing Back feat. (Fu- Sampa The Great - The Return (Ninja Australian music industry, but it’s clear that ture Classic) Tune / Inertia Music): WINNER the quality of the music has not suffered,” - Shelf Life (Stop The Kid LAROI - F*ck Love (Columbia / comments outgoing ARIA CEO Dan Rosen. Start Music / Sony Music) Sony Music) “I’m especially pleased to see the winners Stace & KLP - (Medium Rare Best Soul/R&B Release come from all parts of our music commu- Recordings / Sony Music) Genesis Owusu - Don’t Need You (OUR- nity, and that we could celebrate with audi- Best Group NESS / AWAL) ences from all around the world.” - CALM (Interscope / KIAN - Every Hour (EMI Music Australia) YouTube streamed performances online EMI Music Australia) Miiesha - Nyaaringu (EMI Music Austra- through an ongoing partnership, and free- DMA’s - THE GLOW (I OH YOU / Mush- lia): WINNER to-air broadcaster Nine Network aired the room) Tash Sultana - Pretty Lady (Lonely Lands Page 27 of 36

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Records / Sony Music) / Cooking Vinyl Australia) Sampa The Great - Time’s Up (feat. Krown) Tkay Maidza - Last Year Was Weird, Vol.2 Polaris - The Death Of Me (Resist / Cooking (Ninja Tune / Inertia Music) (Dew Process / Universal Music Australia) Vinyl Australia) Tame Impala - Is It True (Modular Record- Best Independent Release - Everyone Loves You… ings/Island Records Australia / Universal Archie Roach - Tell Me Why (Bloodlines / Once You Leave Them (The Amity Afflic- Music Australia) Mushroom) tion. Marketed & Distributed by Warner The Chats - The Clap (Bargain Bin/Cooking DMA’s - THE GLOW (I OH YOU / Mush- Music Australia under exclusive license) Vinyl Australia) room) The Chats - High Risk Behaviour (Bargain Tones And I - Ur So F**kInG cOoL (Bad Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps To A Better You Bin / Cooking Vinyl Australia) Batch Records / Sony Music) (Chugg Music Pty Ltd) Best & Roots Album Troye Sivan - Easy (EMI Music Australia) Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Ghosteen Busby Marou - The Great Divide (Warner Violent Soho - Pick It Up Again (I OH YOU (Ghosteen / AWAL Recordings) Music Australia Pty Ltd) / Mushroom) Sampa The Great - The Return (Ninja Frank Yamma - Tjukurpa: The Story (Wan- Best Australian Live Act Tune / Inertia Music): WINNER tok Musik/MGM) Amy Shark - Amy Shark Regional Tour Best Rock Album Lucky Oceans - Purple Sky (Songs Originally (Wonderlick Recording Company/Sony Cold Chisel - Blood Moon (Cold Chisel / By Hank Williams) (ABC Music / Universal) Music): WINNER Universal Music Australia) The Teskey Brothers - Live At The Forum Baker Boy - (Danzal Baker/ DMA’s - THE GLOW (I OH YOU / Mush- (Ivy League Records / Mushroom): WIN- Island Records Australia / Universal Music room) NER Australia) Ocean Alley - Lonely Diamond (Indepen- Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife - You Be The Cold Chisel - Blood Moon Tour (Cold Chisel dent / Unified Music Group) Lightning (Cooking Vinyl Australia) / Universal Music Australia) Tame Impala - The Slow Rush (Modular Best Children’s Album DMA’S - Unplugged & Intimate | Laneway Recordings/Island Records Australia / Teeny Tiny Stevies - Thoughtful Songs Festival (I OH YOU / Mushroom)) Universal Music Australia): WINNER for Little People (ABC Music / Univer- King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - St Violent Soho - Everything Is A-OK (I OH sal): WINNER Jerome’s Laneway Festival (Flightless YOU/ Mushroom) The Vegetable Plot - Season Two (ABC Mu- Records) Best Adult Contemporary Album sic / Universal) Paul Kelly - Paul Kelly - Making Gravy 2019 Archie Roach - Tell Me Why (Bloodlines / The Wiggles - Choo Choo Trains, Propeller (GAWD AGGIE / EMI Music Australia) Mushroom): WINNER Planes & Toot Toot Chugga Chugga Big Red PNAU - All Of Us Australian Tour (etcetc Donny Benét - Mr Experience (Dot Dash Car! (ABC Music / Universal) Music) Recordings / Remote Control Records) Tiptoe Giants - Colour the World (Tiptoe RÜFÜS DU SOL - 2019 Summer Festival Gordi - Our Two Skins (Liberation Records) Tunes / ABC Music) Tour (Rose Avenue Records under exclusive - Rome (Wonderlick Recording Best Comedy Release license to Reprise Records.) Company) Anne Edmonds - What’s Wrong With Sampa The Great -The Return Australian Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Ghosteen You? (Guesswork Television): WINNER Tour 2019 (Ninja Tune / Inertia Music) (Ghosteen / AWAL Recordings) Bev Killick - Crummy Mummy (Rivershack The Teskey Brothers - Run Home Slow (Ivy Best Country Album Records / MGM) League Records / Mushroom) Casey Barnes - Town of A Million Dreams Celia Pacquola - All Talk (Guesswork Televi- Song of the Year presented by YouTube (Chugg Music Pty Ltd) sion) Music Fanny Lumsden - Fallow (Cooking Vinyl Crossbread feat. Chris Ryan and Megan 5 Seconds Of Summer - Teeth (Interscope Australia): WINNER Washington - Just Jesus (ABC Music / / EMI Music Australia): WINNER Jasmine Rae - Lion Side (ABC Music / Universal) Flume Feat. Vera Blue - Rushing Back (Fu- Universal) Tom Gleeson - Joy (Guesswork Television) ture Classic) The McClymonts - Mayhem To Madness PUBLIC VOTED AWARDS Feat. Illy & - (Island Records Australia / Universal Music Best Video presented by YouTube Music Exit Sign (Hilltop Hoods / Island Records Australia) Baker Boy - Meditjin feat. JessB (Danzal Australia/UMA) Travis Collins - Wreck Me (ABC Music / Baker/Island Records Australia / Universal Lime Cordiale - Robbery (Chugg Music Pty Universal) Music Australia) Ltd) Best Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Album Guy Sebastian - Standing With You (Sony Mallrat - Charlie (Dew Process/Universal King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - Music): WINNER Music Australia Chunky Shrapnel (Flightless Records): Lime Cordiale - Robbery (Chugg Music Pty Ruel - Painkiller (RCA / Sony Music) WINNER Ltd) Sam Fischer - This City (Sony Music) Parkway Drive - Viva The Underdogs (Resist PNAU feat. Vlossom - Lucky (etcetc Music) The Jungle Giants - Heavy Hearted (Am- Page 28 of 36

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plifire Music / Together We Can Work Alice Ivy - Don’t Sleep (Dew Process / Uni- Best Original Soundtrack or Musical The- Together / The Orchard) versal Music Australia) atre Cast Album - (Ivy League IAMMXO (aka Mohamed Komba) for Miie- Chelsea Cullen - (Origi- Records) sha - Nyaaringu (EMI Music Australia) nal Motion Picture Soundtrack) (Sony Tones and I - (Bad Eric J Dubowsky for Ruel - Free Time (RCA Masterworks):WINNER Batch Records / Sony Music) / Sony Music) Dan Golding - Untitled Goose Game Best International Artist Kevin Parker for Tame Impala - The (Original Soundtrack) (House House / - Future Nostalgia (Warner Music Slow Rush (Modular Recordings / Island Decca Classics Australia / Universal Music Australia Pty Ltd) Records Australia / Universal Music Aus- Australia) - Music To Be Murdered By (Inter- tralia): WINNER Grigoryan Brothers - A Boy Called Sailboat scope/Universal Music Australia) Greg Wales for Violent Soho - Everything Is (ABC Classic / Universal) Halsey - Manic (Capitol/EMI Music Aus- A-OK (I OH YOU / Mushroom) Matteo Zingales & - Mystery tralia) Producer Of The Year Road (Original Score: Seasons 1-2) (ABC Harry Styles - Fine Line (Columbia/Sony Kevin Shirley for Cold Chisel - Blood Moon Music / Universal) Music):WINNER (Cold Chisel / Universal Music Australia) & Darren Seltmann - The - Legends Never Die (Inter- DNA & Louis Schoorl for - Letdown (Music from Seasons 1+2) (ABC scope/Universal Music Australia) Hilda (Sony Music) Music / Universal) Justin Bieber - Changes (Def Jam Record- IAMMXO (aka Mohamed Komba) for Miie- Best Album ings/Universal Music Australia) sha - Nyaaringu (EMI Music Australia) Grace Barbe - FANM:WOMAN (Afrotropik Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired To A M-Phazes for Ruel - Free Time (RCA / Sony / MGM) Hellish Extent (Universal Music Group/ Music) Joseph Tawadros - Live at the Syd- Universal Music Australia) Kevin Parker for Tame Impala - The ney Opera House (ABC Music / Lizzo - Cuz I Love You (Atlantic/Warner Slow Rush (Modular Recordings / Island Universal):WINNER Music Australia Pty Ltd) Records Australia / Universal Music Aus- Melbourne Ska Orchestra - Live At The Taylor Swift - Folklore (/ tralia): WINNER Triffid (ABC Music / Universal) Universal Music Australia) FINE ARTS AWARD The Crooked Fiddle Band - Another Subtle The Weeknd - After Hours (Universal Music Best Classical Album Atom Bomb (Bird’s Robe Records / MGM) Group/Universal Music Australia) Alicia Crossley - Muse (Move) Xylouris White - The Sisypheans (ABC Mu- Telstra ARIA Music Teacher Award David Greco & Erin Helyard - Schubert: Die sic / Universal) CJ Shaw - Palmerston District Primary schöne Müllerin (ABC Classic / Universal) School, ACT Jayson Gillham, Symphony Or- Kathryn McLennan - Virginia State School, chestra, Nicholas Carter - Beethoven Piano , Virginia QLD Concertos (ABC Classic / Universal) Sarah Donnelley - Wilcannia Central & Erin Helyard - A$AP Set School, Wilcannia NSW: WINNER Beethoven & Mozart Violin Sonatas (ABC Thomas Fienberg - Evans High School, Classic / Universal): WINNER to Return for Blacktown, NSW ARTISAN AWARDS Slava & Sharon Grigoryan -Our Place: Best Cover Art Duets For Cello And Guitar (ABC Classic / Longitude Fest for Donny Benét - Mr Experi- Universal) ence (Dot Dash Recordings / Remote Con- Best Album 2021 trol Records) Katie Noonan - The Sweetest (ABC Made In Katana for Jessica Mauboy - Hilda Jazz / Universal) BY TAYLOR MIMS (Sony Music) Luke Howard - All That Is Not Solid (Live Louis Leimbach for Lime Cordiale - 14 Steps At Tempo Rubato, Australia / 2020) (Mer- rish festival Longitude is set to return To A Better You (Chugg Music Pty Ltd) cury KX / Universal Music Australia) from July 2-4 with previously sched- Luke Henery for Violent Soho - Everything Mike Nock; Hamish Stuart; Julien Wilson; uled headliners Kendrick Lamar, Ty- Is A-OK (I OH YOU) Jonathan Zwartz - This World (Lion- ler, the Creator and A$AP Rocky. Adam Dal Pozzo, sharecords / The Planet Company) IThe hip-hop superstars are set to headline and Michelle Pitiris for WASHING- Nat Bartsch - Forever More (ABC Jazz / Friday through Sunday, respectively. All TON - Batflowers (Washington / Island Universal) three artists were expected headline the Records Australia / Universal Music Paul Kelly & Paul Grabowsky - Please 2020 edition of the event that takes place Australia):WINNER Leave Your Light On (GAWD AGGIE / yearly at Marlay Park in Dublin, but the Engineer Of The Year EMI Music Australia): WINNER festival was cancelled due to the spread of Page 29 of 36

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COVID-19 back in April. events. Rezz, Laidback Luke, Camelphat, Wuki and Joining the headliners will be Lil Uzi Lockhart, who had previously released many more. Vert, DaBaby, AJ Tracey, Aitch, Megan music under the name Fawkes, was also “I will always remember you as a Thee Stallion, Playboi Carti and . supported by industry heavyweights includ- passionate, and amazingly talented per- Also performing across the weekend for ing and , who son,” wrote Armada music co-founder the first round of acts announced are Trip- played his music and selected him to open Maykel Piron. “We are beyond sad to be pie Redd, Ski Mask the Slump God, Ma- shows. The most recent i_o release — an up- saying goodbye forever, but we won’t let that bel, Lil Tjay, NLE Choppa, Polo G, Jack date of Ian Van Dahl’s trance classic “Castles take away from the amazing time we had Harlow, iann dior, Jay1, KSI, , ” — came out via Armada just working together. Our hearts go out to your Ivorian Doll and Offica. last Friday, November 20. family and loved ones. We will miss you.” Several artists who were originally “Going to miss you my dude, it was a real “Today I lost my f—king brother. My best announced for the 2020 edition includ- pleasure working with you and watching friend,” Lockhart’s friend and collaborator ing Young Thug, Charli XCX and Rex Or- you succeed,” tweeted upon Jauz tweeted yesterday. “The person who ange County have not yet been confirmed Lockhart’s passing. “may you find rest, and I trusted more than anyone when it came to to return. The festival, produced by MCD let your music live on into eternity.” music. Today the world lost an incredible Productions and Festival Republic, is set to “It’s difficult to know where to begin,” human being and one of the most visionary, announce more artists closer to the event. mau5trap says in a statement to Billboard. genius producers of our generation.” Day tickets for the festival begin at €89.50 “Garrett first came to mau5trap in 2017 with (about $107 U.S.). Weekend passes start a vision for the i_o project — it was one of at €219.50 (about $262 U.S.). Tickets go on those moments where we knew right away sale Friday at 9am BST. Tickets available it was special from the start. It has been an via www.ticketmaster.ie. absolute pleasure and honor working along- Invited Back to Check out the full line-up below. side i_o and his incredible team for the past few years, building this passion project from ‘Saturday Night the ground up. The love and support we Rising Techno have received from family, friends, and fans Live’ from all over the world has been immensely Producer i_o overwhelming.” BY RANIA ANIFTOS “We will never forget so many iconic Dead At 30 moments with our beloved friend Garrett; organ Wallen is getting an- there’s too many to count,” the statement other chance to take the Satur- BY BILLBOARD STAFF continues. “i_o was family and an integral day Night Live stage. part of mau5trap history through multiple The popular sketch comedy echno producer i_o has passed record releases, events, and tours. His ap- Mseries announced its next round of perform- away at age 30. proach to genres and music started a move- ers and hosts on Wednesday (Nov. 25), and The news was announced ment and was unprecedented. Garrett was the country star is set to appear on the Dec. yesterday (November 24) via his a kind and loving friend with an incredible 5 episode as the musical guest alongside TTwitter, with an announcement saying that vision for his project and a true artist of his host Jason Bateman. “On Monday, November 23, the world lost a generation. He will never be forgotten and Bruce Springsteen will perform and beautiful soul, Garrett Falls Lockhart, also will always be with us on the dance floor.” Timothée Chalamet will host on Dec. 12, known as i_o. This extremely talented spirit Named a Billboard Dance artist to and Dua Lipa will take on musical guest taught us that even if nothing matters, you watch in December of 2018, the Washington alongside host Kristen Wiig on Dec. 19. can still lead with love. Garrett’s truth and DC born, Los Angeles-based producer col- “Let’s try this again,” Wallen tweeted in soul lives on through the music he shared.” laborated with a range of artists — including response. No cause of death has been given. , who selected Lockhart to work on Back in October, just 72 hours before The rising producer released his first the track “Violence” from her 2020 LP, Miss he was supposed to perform on SNL, Wal- track as i_o in December of 2017, and rose Anthropocene. In 2019 and 2020, he released len was pulled from the show after videos swiftly with an experimental acid techno his three part 444 EP series. surfaced of him partying with fans without sound that earned him releases on marquee A fixture of the Los Angeles electronic wearing a mask or practicing social dis- labels, including Mau5trap and Armada community, Lockhart was scheduled to play tancing while attending the University of Music. He counted deadmau5 as a major in- 2021 festivals including Electric Zoo and Alabama football game on Oct. 3. spiration and received support from his idol Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas. He is “I got a call from the show letting me via his myriad mau5trap releases, and sets at being mourned online by artists including know that I will no longer be able to play Page 30 of 36

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and that’s because of COVID protocols, for album of the year and best pop vocal which I understand,” the country singer Dua Lipa’s ‘Studio album (Future Nostalgia), song and record said in an emotional video following the of the year and best pop solo performance announcement. While he didn’t test positive 2054’ Guest List (“Don’t Start Now”) and best pop duo/group for the novel coronavirus, “my actions this performance for her collaboration with Bal- past weekend were pretty short-sighted and Just Added a Lot vin, and on “Un Dia.” they have obviously affected my long-term “Studio 2054” promises to feature perfor- goals and my dreams.” More VIP Guests mances of tracks from Future Nostalgia, the remix album Club Future Nostalgia and the BY BILLBOARD STAFF singer-songwriter’s 2017 self-titled debut. Mexican Singer The event will be streamed via LIVENow urely you thought Dua Lipa wasn’t beginning at 9 p.m. ET in New York with & Actress Flor done announcing the A-list standard tickets going for $11.99 and bundle lineup for Friday’s (Nov. 27) “Stu- tickets ($27.50) giving access to exclusive Silvestre Dies dio 2054” livestream event? After pre-show, behind-the-scenes footage and Sthe “Levitating” singer revealed on Tuesday an invite to the After Show Party with Dua at 90 that her pop queen will be in attendance and guest DJs on the decks; joining her for the “multi-dimensional live more information is available here. BY GRISELDA FLORES performance” shot at a massive warehouse, Watch a preview video below. Dua tripled down on Wednesday (Nov. 25) exican singer and actress Flor by announcing a ton more headline talent. Silvestre has died at 90 in In addition to Elton John, the singer Hits Top her ranch “El Soyate” located revealed that she’ll also be joined by An- in Zacatecas, , Bill- gele, Bad Bunny, FKA Twigs, J Bal- 20 on Billboard Mboard has confirmed. Silvestre was the wife vin, Tainy and her “Prisoner” collabora- of regional Mexican icon Antonio Agui- tor, Miley Cyrus. “It’s my absolute pleasure Global Charts lar and mother to Pepe Aguilar. and honor to announce Elton John will be According to an official press release, she joining me at Studio 2054 this Friday,” Lipa With ‘Bichota’ died of natural causes the morning of Nov. said in a statement. “A one of a kind global 25. “The Aguilar family is thankful for those musical icon, singer songwriter and flawless BY ERIC FRANKENBERG who always showed affection toward Flor,” performer, it’s going to be spectacular! He is the statement reads. “The family asks for truly musical royalty and I am elated that we arol G has been a consistent privacy at this moment.” will be appearing together.” presence on the Billboard Global In her 70-year career, the songstress John added, “I loved speaking to Dua 200 and Billboard Global Excl. born Guillermina Jiménez Chabolla was when we met up to talk on Instagram Live a U.S. charts since their Sept. known for starring in classic black-and- few weeks ago, she is incredibly smart and K19 inceptions. Her own “Ay, Dios Mio!,” white films as one of the leading stars of talented. So when she asked me to be part “Tusa” with , and “Caramelo” the “golden age” of the Mexican film indus- of Studio 2054 I said ‘yes!’ in a heartbeat. with Ozuna and , have ap- try, where she’d act and sing, showcasing It’s amazing to be part of a live performance peared on both charts every week, but on her one-of-a-kind melodious voice. when live music just isn’t happening right the most recent rankings, she notches her Silvestre — sister of fellow singer Enriqu- now, and especially in such a colorful and highest-charting hit as a sole lead artist. eta “Queta” Jiménez, who is known as “La creative way. If you’re going to do virtual On the Nov. 28-dated charts, the Colombi- Prieta Linda” — recorded ranchera, bolero, live music then this is the way to do it.” an star bursts into the top 20 with “Bichota.” bolero ranchero, tambora and huapango in The event, which promises to be a “cel- The song charges from No. 33 to No. 12 her more than 300 songs. ebration of the unconventional and unique,” on the Global Excl. U.S. ranking and from Born Aug. 16, 1930, Silvestre married actor will have Dua Lipa moving through a series No. 40 to No. 20 on the Global 200. In the and singer Antonio Aguilar, who died in of custom-built sets that the release said will tracking week ending Nov. 19, it earned 46.3 2007, in 1959, with whom she pioneered the include: surreal tv shows, roller , ec- million global streams and sold over 1,000 Mexican folk equestrian shows. They had static raves, trashy rocker hang outs, vogu- downloads worldwide, according to Nielsen two sons: Toño and Pepe Aguilar. Silvestre is ing ballrooms and diva style dressing rooms. Music/MRC Data. the grandmother of rising regional Mexican The pop star will have plenty to celebrate “Bichota” surpasses “Ay, Dios Mio” to singers Angela and Leonardo Aguilar. on Friday, since she was nominated for six become Karol G’s highest-charting title as a Grammy Awards on Tuesday, including sole lead artist on both charts. The former Page 31 of 36

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reached No. 18 on the Global Excl. U.S. tally Bocelli his 20th No. 1 on the Classical Al- and No. 25 on the Global 200. Andrea Bocelli bums chart and his 14th No. 1 on the Clas- The song’s worldwide stream count sical Crossover Albums tally. He extends spiked by 53%, while its sales shot up 36% Earns 10th Top his own record for the most No. 1 albums on (a week after posting gains of 39% and 19%). both charts. Not only does the single rank higher on 10 on Album The Classical Albums ranks the most the Global Excl. U.S. chart, it is increasing popular classical albums of the week based at a more rapid pace in its list’s metrics: its Sales Chart With on multi-metric consumption, combining streams outside the U.S. are up 58%, while album sales, track equivalent album units its sales surge by 52%. ‘Believe,’ Bows at and streaming equivalent album units. The While it hasn’t yet hit the Billboard Hot Classical Crossover Albums chart ranks the 100, “Bichota” does move up two spots to No. 1 on Classical top-selling classical crossover titles of the No. 5 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, becom- week. ing Karol G’s seventh song to crack that Albums Back in the top 10 of the new Album tally’s top five. Sales list, AC/DC’s Power Up debuts at No. Concurrently, four hits by international BY KEITH CAULFIELD 1 with 111,000 copies sold. As earlier re- acts debut on both global charts. Here’s a ported, the album also enters at No. 1 on recap. ndrea Bocelli earns his 10th the multi-metric consumption Billboard “Dime Como Quieres”: Regional Mexi- top 10 on Billboard’s Album 200 chart – the band’s first No. 1 since 2008. can superstar teams up Sales chart (dated Nov. 28), as Chris Stapleton’s latest effort Starting with Angela Aguilar and cracks the top half his latest release, Believe, bows Over starts at No. 2 with 75,000 copies sold, of both charts at No. 63 start on Global Excl. atA No. 5. The set was released on Nov. 13 while Queen’s Greatest Hits blasts 46-3 U.S. and No. 90 on the Global 200, with 28.2 via Sugar/Decca Records, and sold 20,000 (a new peak) with 24,000 sold (up 737%) million streams and 1,000 sold worldwide in copies in the U.S. in the week ending Nov. 19, – its best sales week since 2007. The bulk the tracking week. according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data. of the latter’s sales (23,000 in fact) came “Niji”: The Japanese singer and actor Also in the top 10, AC/DC’s Power from vinyl LP sales, thanks in large part to Masaki Suda begins on the Global 200 at No. Up launches at No. 1, Chris Staple- a Walmart sale where all vinyl in-store on 174, and, more than 100 spots higher, at No. ton’s Starting Over debuts at No. 2, Penta- Nov. 14 was marked down to $15. Greatest 70 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart (3.9 million tonix’s We Need a Little Christmas arrives at Hits, which was initially released in 1981, streams; 19,000 sold). No. 8 and a flurry of catalog titles see major also reaches the top 10 of the Billboard 200 “Ilusao (Cracolandia)”: A quintet of gains thanks to sale pricing at Walmart. for the first time. Brazilian acts, MC Hariel, Alok and MC Billboard’s Album Sales chart ranks the Greatest Hits logs its best sales week since Ryan, as well as featured acts MC David and top-selling albums of the week based only the Dec. 8, 2007-dated chart, when it sold Salvador da Rima, launch at No. 88 on the on traditional album sales. The Album Sales 36,000 copies (in the tracking week ending Global Excl. U.S. and No. 178 on the Global chart’s history dates back to May 25, 1991, Nov. 25 – which reflected the busy Thanks- 200 (19.1 million streams). the first week Billboard began tabulating giving and Black Friday shopping holidays “Black Mamba”: South Korean charts with electronically monitored piece that year). Aespa makes its arrival at No. 100 on the count information from SoundScan, now Dolly Parton’s A Holly Dolly Christ- Global Excl. U.S. and No. 183 on the Global Nielsen Music/MRC Data. Pure album sales mas returns to its peak of No. 4 on Album 200 (18.9 million streams; 3,000 sold). were the measurement solely utilized by Sales, as it rises two spots with 21,000 cop- the Billboard 200 albums chart through the ies sold (up 90%). list dated Dec. 6, 2014, after which that chart Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours jumps 18-6 switched to a methodology that blends al- with 17,000 sold (up 261%), with vinyl LP bum sales with track equivalent album units sales comprising 16,000 of that sum (up and streaming equivalent album units. For 369%). Rumours was also a beneficiary of all chart news, follow @billboard and @bill- Walmart’s $15 sale pricing. Rumours ad- boardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram. ditionally reaches the top 10 on the Album Bocelli got his first top 10 on the Album Sales chart (whose history dates to May 25, Sales chart in 1999 with Sogno, which 1991) for the first time, and marks the band’s debuted and peaked at No. 4. He landed his first top 10 since the 2003 album Say You first No. 1 with 2018’s Si. Will debuted and peaked at No. 3 (May 3, Through his career, Bocelli has sold 24.3 2003-dated chart). Rumours also tallies its million albums in the U.S. Believe also gives best sales week since the May 21, 2011-dated Page 32 of 36

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chart, when it sold 30,000 copies in the 6% boost in plays at the radio format in the Trey Songz & wake of the premiere of the Glee TV episode week ending Nov. 22, according to Nielsen dedicated to the album (May 3). Music/MRC Data. Summer Walker’s Carrie Underwood’s holiday set My Internet Money is led by songwriters and Gift is pushed down 3-7 on the new Album producers , 20, and Taz Taylor, ‘Home’ Hits No. Sales chart, but posts a gain, as it sold just 28, who have contributed to a string of under 17,000 copies (up 17%). pop, R&B and hip-hop hits in recent years. 1 on Adult R&B ’s latest holiday album We Need Notably, both men have already claimed No. a Little Christmas bows at No. 8 with 16,000 1s as producers and writers on the Songs Chart sold. It’s the 11th top 10 for the vocal group. Songs chart. The pair entirely co-produced Of those 11 top 10s, six have been Christmas — and co-wrote, with others — ’s BY TREVOR ANDERSON titles. “Ran$om,” which ruled for one week last Bob Marley and The Wailers’ Leg- year, while Mira also produced and co- rey Songz scores his third No. end: The Best Of… vaults 48-9 with 15,500 wrote Juice WRLD’s “Lucid Dreams,” 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B sold (up 453%). It also was goosed by the another one-week champ, in 2018. Songs airplay chart as “Back Walmart vinyl sale, as the title sold nearly With both men sporting production and Home,” featuring Summer Walk- 15,000 on vinyl LP (up 639%). writing credits on “Lemonade,” Mira adds a Ter, advances from the runner-up spot (on Legend logs its best overall sales week third Rhythmic Songs No. 1 as a writer and the chart dated Nov. 28). The track climbs since the Sept. 20, 2014-dated chart, when producer, while Taylor nets his second in thanks to an 8% increase in plays in the the album sold 41,000 copies after it was both capacities. week ending Nov. 22, according to Nielsen discounted to 99-cents in the Google Play Gunna, meanwhile, scores his second No. Music/MRC Data. store. 1 after his featured turn on Chris Brown’s R&B singer Songz notched his first of 16 Closing out the new top 10 on the Album “Heat.” That track reigned for one week in appearances on the Adult R&B chart with Sales chart is another title that gets a lift 2018. NAV and Don Toliver each post a first “Gotta Go” in 2006. He previously also from Walmart, as Creedence Clearwater Re- Rhythmic Songs No. 1. topped the list with “Can’t Be Friends,” vival’s Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits rises In addition to its Rhythmic Songs corona- which led for two weeks in February 2011, 59-10 with 14,000 copies sold (up 485%). Of tion, “Lemonade” skips 21-14 on the R&B/ and “What’s Best for You,” a one-week that sum, 13,000 are in vinyl LP sales (up Hip-Hop Airplay chart through a 15% surge champ in October 2014. 776%). Chronicle nets its best sales week to 8.6 million in audience in the week end- Walker, meanwhile, claims her first Adult since the Aug. 17, 2013-dated chart, when it ing Nov. 22. The track also holds at No. 34 R&B leader in her budding career. The new moved 15,000 copies. on the Pop Songs airplay chart, though it champ outdoes her previous personal best, adds 20% in weekly plays at the format. “,” which registered nine “Lemonade” appears on Internet Money’s weeks at No. 2 in June-August this year, Internet Money album , which debuted at No. blocked by Kem’s “Lie to Me” for seven 6 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart weeks and then Toni Braxton’s “Do It” for & Gunna’s and at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 in Sep- the final pair. tember. “Home,” originally released last summer, ‘Lemonade’ Leads found solid reception with mainstream audiences before it crossed over and gener- Rhythmic Songs ated strong traction in the adult R&B realm. The single reached No. 12 on the R&B/ Chart Hip-Hop Airplay chart in August, securing Songz’s best result in more than five years, BY TREVOR ANDERSON since “Slow Motion” stormed to No. 2 in July 2015. roduction collective Internet For Walker, “Home” locked up her fourth Money rallies to its first No. 1 as consecutive top 20 appearance to continue artists on Billboard’s Rhythmic her stretch as one of mainstream R&B/ Songs airplay chart as “Lemon- hip-hop’s favorite newcomers. Her break- Pade,” a collaboration with Gunna that also through “,” featuring Drake, features Don Toliver and NAV, ascends and “Games” both rose to No. 6, while the from No. 2 on the list dated Nov. 28. The col- collaboration “Come Thru” peaked laboration reaches the summit thanks to its at No. 9. Page 33 of 36

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“Home” also picked up some play at “A lot of times, people say that they talked Winans Family rhythmic radio, with the track spending six to somebody from my team. I don’t know weeks on the Rhythmic Songs radio chart what year that was, I don’t know who... what Extends Chart and attaining a No. 35 high. are you talking about? And a lot of times, The single is the title track to Songz’s they won’t even bring me... they don’t tell Legacy, As Juan & 2020 album, which debuted at No. 1 on me who they talking to,” Meg said in the in- the Top R&B Albums chart and No. 9 on terview. “If I’ve probably never heard of you, Lisa Winans Lead the Billboard 200 in October. like I’ve never seen that dress before. But it’s been a dress that has been done a lot, like Gospel Airplay for over the years. So I feel bad that people’s Megan Thee initial reaction would be to just come at me First Time like, ‘Oh, you a Black woman! You’re stealing Stallion Denies from Black women!’ And I’m like, ‘Damn, BY JIM ASKER hold on, sis, ‘cause like I don’t know you.’” Stealing Designs While denying the allegations, Megan he iconic Winans family again explained how she would’ve made amends ranks at No. 1 on a Billboard chart, for Fashion Nova with the designer, whom she left unnamed this time thanks to two members during the interview. new to the coveted spot. Collection “It’s a way to come at people. ‘Cause if it TOn Gospel Airplay, husband and wife would’ve been a real misunderstanding, I Juan & Lisa Winans’ debut single “It BY HERAN MAMO would’ve never had a problem saying, ‘I’m Belongs to Me,” featuring , sorry, sis.’ I would have checked my stylist. climbs 2-1, up by 22% in plays in the week our-time Grammy-nominated Like you don’t do that. That’s not right,” ending Nov. 22, according to Nielsen Music/ rapper Megan Thee Stallion is de- Megan continued. “And then I would’ve had MRC Data. fending her debut Fashion Nova the dress taken down, whatever the money While the twosome reigns in its first collection after a designer accused made from the dress, I would’ve gave the Gospel Airplay appearance, Marvin Winans, Fher of stealing her work. money to the girl if that was really some- who is Juan’s uncle, adds his second No. 1. A designer named Aazhia came for- thing that she felt like was stolen from her.” He first led as featured on Andrae Crouch’s ward on Instagram last week claim- The “Body” rapper’s Fashion Nova collec- “Let the Church Say Amen,” for four weeks ing the 25-year-old rapper had used her tion dropped exactly one week ago, with 106 starting in April 2012. unique TLZ L’Femme dress design to denim pieces, dresses, bodysuits, outerwear Marvin Winans is a member of land- create the Chase the Bag Shoulder Pad and more ranging from $24.99 to $199.99. mark gospel group , which also Mini Dress with a similar long cloth drap- It reportedly brought in $1.2 million within includes Carvin (Juan’s father) and Michael ing in between the legs. “IMA BREAK THIS the first 24 hours, according to TMZ, who Winans. The act most recently ruled Top DOWN REAL SIMPLE! MY DRESS WAS broke the news last Friday — the same Gospel Albums in 1990 with its LP Return. STOLEN AND USED IN THIS MEGAN day Meg’s highly anticipated debut al- Juan Winans began his career as a teen- X FN COLLAB! WAS I TOLD? NO! WAS I bum Good News dropped. aged member of the group Winans Phase 2, COMPENSATED? NO!” she wrote in the Aazhia responded to Megan’s interview with younger members of the family. The lengthy caption, which alleged the rap- the same day in an IGTV video. “I’m vexed act scored a No. 1 on Top Gospel Albums in per’s team reached out to Aazhia to pull because it’s condescending, it’s disrespect- its lone appearance, as We Get Next led in one of her dresses for an event Megan was ful, it’s hypocritical. Everything that she September 1999. attending. “I’M VERY MUCH SO TAKEN said was addressed towards me, although Lisa Winans (formerly Lisa Kimmey) BACK BY THE THE LACK OF RESPECT we were talking about multiple Insta bou- broke through as a member of Christian FOR ANOTHER BLACK WOMAN! THERE tiques,” she claimed. “My dress is from the music trio Out of Eden with her sisters IS THIS TIRED NARRATIVE THAT THE ‘90s. And she also said, in her opinion, it’s Andrea Kimmey-Baca and Danielle Kimmey BLAVK WOMAN IS SO DISRESPECTED, not stolen.... But for me, all I saw was more Torrez. In 1994-2005, the group posted six BUT WE DO IT TO EACH OTHER!!!!” disrespect.” entries, including two The “Savage” rapper, who has been Watch Megan’s interview in full below. top 10s. actively chanting a “protect Black wom- Another member of the Winans family en” rallying cry since her shooting inci- scales the airplay-, sales- and streaming- dent with Tory Lanez in July, cleared the based Hot Gospel Songs chart, as CeCe air during an interview with The Morning Winans’ “Never Lost” hops 12-10. The song Hustle on Tuesday. gained by 12% to 234,000 U.S. streams and Page 34 of 36

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by 4% in format radio plays in the tracking ebrate Halloween. I’m grateful to God to be able to make music week. Winans adds her third Hot Gospel The 72-minute performance had the most that can offer some type of inspiration in a Songs top 10 and first since “Never Have to views in its first seven days of any musician- time that has been filled with so much trage- Be Alone” hit No. 4 in February 2017. Her uploaded livestream on Facebook in October dy and loss,” Hawthorne tells Billboard. “So, first chart entry, “Pray,” led for two weeks in 2020, with 823,000 views, and it was also this No. 1 is for the people: Stay inspired.” January 2006. the most-commented (75,000) and most- “Speak” was co-written by Johntá Austin, The Nashville-based Winans (born Pris- shared (24,000); however, its reactions only Troy Taylor and Jeremy Hicks. It samples cilla Marie Winans Love) is originally from totaled 36,000, which helped BTS to the gospel icon Donnie McClurkin’s 1996 single Detroit and is the daughter of Delores and overall lead. “Speak to My Heart” (which was released David Winans, aka, “Mom & Pop Winans.” Two other Sponge Cola clips reach the prior to the 2005 start of Hot Gospel Songs CeCe and older brother BeBe Winans have October 2020 list at Nos. 4 and 6. and Gospel Airplay). posted six top 10s on Top Gospel Albums, See the full top 10 below. Hawthorne had last led Hot Gospel Songs most recently First Christmas (No. 5 in 10. MC Davo with “Won’t He Do It” for 41 weeks begin- January). Two of those titles hit No. 1. CeCe 9. GianMarco ning in March 2018, the longest reign by a Winans has also scored six No. 1s, among 10 8. Blake Shelton female artist. The song is tied with Kanye top 10s, on the chart as a solo act. 7. West’s “Follow God” (2019-20) for the 6. Sponge Cola fourth-longest-leading No. 1 among all acts, 5. Luke Combs after ’s “Never Would Have BTS Rules 4. Sponge Cola Made It” (46 weeks, 2007-08) and Kirk 3. Armaan Malik Franklin’s “Wanna Be Happy?” (45 weeks, October’s Top 2. Sponge Cola 2015-16) and “Love Theory” (44 weeks, 1. BTS 2019-20). Facebook Live As a finalist on the eighth season of NBC’s , Hawthorne first topped Videos Chart Koryn Hot Gospel Songs with “How Great Thou Art,” which she performed on the show, for BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD Hawthorne’s a week in April 2015.

TS’ Facebook Live performance ‘Speak to Me’ for Radio.com on Oct. 6 is a mas- Ariana Grande’s sive success on Billboard’s Top Tops Hot Gospel Facebook Live Videos chart, rul- ‘Positions’ Chasing Bing the October 2020 tally. Songs: ‘I’m The chart, the latest of which recaps Oc- Sixth Week at No. tober 2020 activity, is a monthly look at the Grateful to Offer widest-reaching and most-reacted-to videos 1 In U.K. posted by musicians on Facebook Live, as Inspiration’ tracked by media analytics company Share- BY LARS BRANDLE ablee. Rankings are determined by a formula BY JIM ASKER that blends reactions, comments, shares and riana Grande is on track for a first-seven-days views. oryn Hawthorne notches sixth week at No. 1 in the U.K. On Oct. 6, the K-pop per- her third No. 1 on Billboard’s with “Positions,” while Liam formed on a 14-minute video in conjunction airplay-, sales- and streaming- Gallagher is dreaming of his own with Radio.com that was streamed on BTS’ based Hot Gospel Songs chart, careerA high. Facebook. Kas “Speak to Me” rises 2-1 on the Nov. Gallagher’s new charity single “All You’re The clip rules the tally in one of its four 28-dated list. Dreaming Of” is the most downloaded track component metrics — reactions (252,000) — In the tracking week ending Nov. 19, in the early part of the week, and is heading and also ranks high in views in its first seven the song increased by 2% to 312,000 U.S. for the week’s highest debut. days (746,000), comments (38,000) and streams, according to Nielsen Music/MRC The former Oasis and Beady Eye front- shares (11,000), leading to its No. 1 spot. Data. It also holds at its No. 14 high on man starts at No. 12 on the Official Chart: Filipino rockers Sponge Cola follow BTS Gospel Airplay, up 10% in plays in the week First Look, which tallies sales and streaming at No. 2 with an Oct. 30 live performance, ending Nov. 22. data from the weekend. with the band dressed in costumes to cel- “Wow, this year has been a tough one but The singer’s personal best as Page 35 of 36

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a solo artist is 2017’s “Wall Of Glass” which playwright Tim Minchin bows at No. 3 Michael Ball & peaked at No. 21, though he hit the singles with Apart Together, his debut solo studio chart summit eight times with Oasis. album. It’s not Minchin first appearance on Alfie Boe Beat BTS Gallagher premiered the new song Satur- an ARIA chart. He appeared on the singles day night on ITV’s The Jonathan Ross Show. survey at No. 11 with “Come Home (Cardinal to U.K. Albums There’s a festive theme across the chart Pell)” in February 2016. blast as ’s “All I Want For Reunited Melbourne trio Something For Chart Title Christmas” rockets to No. 4, and is one of Kate return to the albums tally with The four yuletide tunes aiming for the Top 10. Modern Medieval, their first LP in eight BY LARS BRANDLE Among them is Wham’s “Last Christmas,” years. The follow-up to Leave Your Soul To up 20-7; Justin Bieber’s cover of Brenda Science (No. 5 in October 2012), Medieval is TS will have to do with second Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas new at No. 4 best in the U.K., where Michael Tree” roars 48-8; and The Pogues featur- It’s the group’s seventh studio album and Ball & Alfie Boe’s Together At ing Kirsty Maccoll’s classic “Fairytale Of their sixth Top Ten on the ARIA Albums Christmas (Decca) reigns on New York lifts 26-10. Chart. Bdebut. Further down the list, look for holi- Rounding out the Top 5 is Nick The pair’s fourth studio record is their day tunes from Shakin’ Stevens, Jess Cave’s companion album to his Idiot third to hit No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Glynne, Band Aid, Elton John and Wiz- Prayer solo concert at London’s Alexandra Chart following Together (2016) and Togeth- zard to jostle for Top 20 positions. Palace. Recorded in June during the lock- er Again (2017). The Official U.K. Singles Chart is pub- down, Nick Cave Alone At Alexandra Pal- Their latest clocked up 32,882 chart sales lished late Friday, local time. ace bows at No. 5. The ARIA Hall of Famer’s in its first week, 96% of which were physical live album drops in at No. 18 on the Official sales, the reports. U.K. Albums chart this week. Earlier in the year, Ball topped the Singles AC/DC’s ‘Power There’s a notable climb for Taylor Chart along with fundraising hero Captain Swift’s former leader folklore, which leaps Sir Tom Moore on their charity cover of Up’ Plugs In For 21-6 following its release on vinyl. Folk- “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” lore logged four successive weeks at No. 1 With Christmas making a big impact, BTS Second Week in August and is the album with the longest open at No. 2 on the U.K. chart with BE (Big streak at the summit this year. Hit Entertainment), their fifth Korean- Atop Australia’s Meanwhile, Aussie garage rockers Skeg- language album. It’s the K-pop stars’ fourth ss score a second chart entry in 2020 Top 10 collection in the territory in the past Albums Chart with Holiday Food / Everyone Is Good At two-and-a-half years. Something, new at No. 17. The new set com- Meanwhile, AC/DC’s Power Up (Colum- BY LARS BRANDLE piles two of the band’s early EPs. ) dips 1-3, and is one of five Australian Skegss hit No. 4 just last month with the album releases in the , a list that C/DC are fully charged on the vinyl reissue of 50 Push Ups For A Dollar EP. includes Kylie Minogue’s (BMG), ARIA Albums Chart as Power Elsewhere on the chart, the prolific down 5-10; Nick Cave’s Idiot Prayer (Bad Up repeats at No. 1. outfit King Gizzard & The Seed), new at No. 18; Tim Minchin’s Apart Power Up equals the effort Lizard Wizard earn another chart impres- Together (BMG), new at No. 27; and ARIA ofA the Aussie rock heroes 1992 album Live, sion, this time with K.G. It’s the Melbourne Award-nominated newcomer The Kid LA- which also spent two weeks at the chart band’s seventh Top 50 entry in 2020. Last ROI’s F**k Love (Columbia), down 19-33. summit. week at the 2020 ARIA Awards, King Giz- Taylor Swift’s former leader Folk- With AC/DC plugged in at the zard took out best hard rock/heavy metal lore (EMI) enjoys a lift thanks to its release top, BTS debut at No. 2 with BE, for their album for Chunky Shrapnel, a No. 2 entry on on vinyl. Folklore leads the Official Vinyl fourth Top 50 entry on chart the chart in July 2020. Chart and vaults 37-4 on the all-title survey. this calendar year. Over on the ARIA Singles Also enjoying top tier debuts this week BE features the track “Fly To My Room,” Chart, 24kGoldn’s “Mood” featuring Iann are Neil Diamond and the London Sym- produced and co-written with Sydney Dior enters a seventh week at No. 1, ahead phony Orchestra’s Classic Diamonds (Capi- electronic duo Cosmo’s Midnight, while of pop hits by Ariana Grande (“Positions”) tol), which shines at No. 5, for the American album track “Life Goes On” is the highest and Billie Eilish (“Therefore I Am”), re- crooner’s 15th Top 10 collection; while new entry on the Australian singles survey, spectively. heavy metal icons Iron Maiden bow at No. 7 at No. 27. with the live set Nights Of The Dead - Legacy Homegrown artist, comedian and Of (). Page 36 of 36

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Over on the Official U.K. Singles ward, she said she thought the one actress Chart, Ariana Grande enters a fifth week who’s expressed interest in playing her in at the summit with “Positions.” Grande’s the film, Anne Hathaway, “isn’t exactly right seventh No. 1 leads an unchanged top for it.” three, ahead of Billie Eilish’s “Therefore I Spokespeople for Amazon Studios and Am”(Interscope) and ’s “Sweet Brownstein could not be reached for com- Melody” (RCA), respectively. ment at press time. The highest new entry belongs to Miley In the meantime, Wilson said the search Cyrus, whose “Prisoner” (RCA/Warner for the lead roles is ongoing and it’s not Records) featuring Dua Lipa starts at No. 8. known yet if whoever gets cast will sing Close behind is Shawn Mendes and Jus- the Hall of Fame band’s hits tin Bieber’s collaboration “Monster” (Is- themselves or lip synch. land) at No. 9, and BTS completes the Top 10 with “Life Goes On,” new at No. 10. Ann Wilson Says Heart Biopic Directed by Carrie Brownstein Is in Development

BY GIL KAUFMAN

biopic about the pioneering rock band Heart is in the works, ac- cording to guitarist Ann Wilson, who also revealed that Sleater- KinneyA’s Carrie Brownstein is on board to direct the unnamed project. “Yeah, there’s one in the works,” Wil- son told SiriusXM Volume West host Lynd- sey Parker last week about the film, which Brownstein is apparently also writing. While the script is a work in progress at the moment, Wilson — who has fronted the band since 1970 along with her sister, singer Nancy — said, “I saw the first draft of the script, it’s really cool...The script started in childhood and ended up in the ‘90s.” Wilson said the Amazon project is set to be produced by Sleepless in Seattle’s Lynda Obst, and that she doesn’t have any particu- lar actresses in mind to portray the pioneer- ing female-fronted Seattle rock band (best known for such 1970s and early 80s FM-ra- dio staples as “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda” and “What About Love”). While “a few actresses” have come for-