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Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE JUNE 7, 2021 Page 1 of 41

INSIDE BTS’ ‘Butter’ on a Roll,

• ’s Spends Second Week at No. 1 ‘Evermore’ Returns to No. 1 on Chart on

• Revealed: BY GARY TRUST Billboard’s 2021 Indie Power Players TS’ “Butter” adds a second week at No. 1 on Sales chart, drops 4-10 on Streaming and rises • Bill Ackman’s UMG the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, a week 39-32 on . Play: A Bad Deal or after it soared in at the summit, becoming First two weeks at No. 1: “Butter” is the 23rd title Just Too Confusing the South Korean superstar group’s fourth to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and post a second for Investors? Bleader on the list. consecutive week on top, among 54 total No. 1 ar- • The again fends off ’s “Good 4 rivals, making for a 43% second-week success rate. Releases Spatial U,” which holds at No. 2 on the Hot 100, two weeks It’s the third among seven such songs this year, after Audio and Lossless after it launched at No. 1. Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” spent its first eight Streaming The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (of- weeks at No. 1 (encompassing its entire reign) and • How Premier’s ficial audio and official video), radio and sales ’s “Rapstar” ruled in its first two frames (also Josh Deutsch Is data. All charts (dated June 12) will update on Bill- covering its total time on top). Shaking Up Music board.com tomorrow (June 8). For all chart news, you Of BTS’ three No. 1 Hot 100 debuts, two have now Supervision can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both led for multiple weeks from the start (and overall): • An Open Letter to and Instagram. Its first, “Dynamite,” spent its first two weeks on the Senators From the “Butter,” released May 21 on HYBE/BigHit chart at No. 1 in September 2020 (among three total : End Entertainment/, drew 19.1 million weeks in command). “Life Goes On” led in its debut Gun Violence Now U.S. streams, down 41%, and sold 140,200 downloads, frame in December. • How New Zealand’s down 42%, in the week ending June 3, according to Extra ‘Butter’: Sales for “Butter” in its second Six60 Became the MRC Data. It also attracted 22.4 million radio airplay week reflect availability for its original and instrumen- World’s Biggest Live audience impressions, up 24%, in the week ending tal versions released May 21, and a “Hotter” remix Act This Year June 6. released May 28, all discounted to 69 cents in both The track logs a second week atop the Digital Song (continued)

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frames. Those versions, plus “Cooler” and claims top Streaming and Sales Gainer hon- “Sweeter” remixes released June 4, also ors on the Hot 100, up 10% to 21.2 million Taylor Swift’s priced at 69 cents, will impact the song on streams and 33% to 10,600 sold in the week next week’s Hot 100, dated June 19 and re- ending June 3. ( also won for ‘Evermore’ flecting sales in the June 4-10 tracking week. male artist of the year during the iHeart (Two other versions of “Butter” on sale festivities.) Returns to via BTS’ U.S. webstore, a 7-inch vinyl single, ’s former one-week Hot 100 for $7.98, and a cassette single, for $6.98, will No. 1 “Peaches,” featuring Daniel Caesar No. 1 on Billboard count for chart tabulation only once they and Giveon, keeps at No. 6; ’s “Kiss are shipped to consumers, expected to be on Me More,” featuring SZA, ascends 8-7, after 200 Chart June 18.) reaching No. 5; Rodrigo’s “” drops Olivia Rodrigo’s “” keeps at No. to No. 8 from its No. 3 high; and Masked BY KEITH CAULFIELD 2 on the Hot 100, two weeks after it de- Wolf’s “Astronaut in the Ocean” floats 10-9, buted at No. 1. It notches a third week atop after hitting No. 6, as it leads the multi-met- aylor Swift’s Evermore returns to (49.5 million, down 21%) ric chart for a third week. No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and enters Radio Songs at No. 35 with 20.2 Rounding out the Hot 100’s top 10, Lil for a fourth nonconsecutive week million impressions, up 75%, good for the X’s former one-week leader “Montero (Call on top, as the set vaults 74-1 with Hot 100’s top Airplay Gainer award. Me by Your Name)” returns to the region, T202,000 equivalent units earned ’s “Levitating,” featuring DaBaby, pushing 13-10. It also hits the Radio Songs in the U.S. in the week ending June 3 (up rebounds 4-3 on the Hot 100, after reaching top 10 (11-8; 44.1 million, up 17%), becoming 1,709%), according to MRC Data. Of that No. 2, and “Leave the Door Open” by Silk his second such hit, after “,” sum, album sales comprise 192,000 (up Sonic, the duo of and Anderson featuring , reached No. 2 in 8,307%) — marking the biggest sales week of .Paak, rises 5-4, after two nonconsecutive June 2019 (and ruled the Hot 100 for a re- 2021. It surpasses the previous largest sales weeks at No. 1. The latter adds an eighth cord 19 weeks). week of the year, when Swift’s Fearless (Tay- week atop Radio Songs (91.2 million, up 3%), Again, for all chart news, you can follow lor’s Version) sold 179,000 in its first week while ruling Hot R&B Songs for an 11th @billboard and @billboardcharts on both (chart dated April 24). week and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for a Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated Evermore’s sales surge in the week ending sixth frame; both multi-metric charts use June 12), including the Hot 100 in its en- June 3 was fueled by a number of drivers, the same methodology as the Hot 100. tirety, will refresh on Billboard.com tomor- including modern-era record-breaking vinyl The Weeknd and ’s “Save row (June 8). LP sales (102,000), Swift-signed CDs and Your Tears” climbs 7-5 on the Hot 100, after deep discounting on its digital album. two weeks at No. 1. After the pair performed Meanwhile, with Evermore’s fourth non- it on the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards, consecutive week at No. 1, Swift’s cumula- broadcast live on Fox, May 27, the song tive total weeks atop the Billboard 200,

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BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE Page 4 5OF of 1941

ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] IN BRIEF SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country acrossA alllbu of her ms;No. 1 , Brett climbs to 53Y oungon multi-metric ‘Catc consumptionh’-es as measured Fifth with Airplay 40,000 sold in the week ending June weeks. She breaks out of a tie with Garth in equivalent album units. Units comprise 15, 2014. (MRC Data began electronically Brooks (52Lea weeks atder; No. 1) as the Travis artist albumDenning sales, track equivalent Makes albums (TEA) History tracking music sales in 1991, with the com- with the third-most weeks at No. 1. The and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). pany was known as SoundScan.) Beatles have the most weeks at No. 1, with Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 indi- Evermore was initially released digitally Sam132, while Hunt’sElvis second Presley studio isfull-length, in second and place first in overvidual five tracks years, Southside sold from ansales album, (up 21%) or in3,750 the tracking and week. through On Country streamers Airplay, on it Dec. hops 11,18-15 2020, (11.9 but mil - (MCAwith 67.Nashville/ Nashville), debutsad-supported at No. 1 on Billboard or 1,250’s paid/subscriptionlion audience impressions, itsup 16%).vinyl edition was not issued until May TopEvermore Country Albums was last chart No. dated 1 five April months 18. In ago,its first on-demandweek (ending officialApril 9), it audio and video streams 28. Evermore’s huge vinyl sales are helped earned 46,000 equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingon the Jan.to Nielsen 16-dated Music/MRC chart. It’s Data. the first generated by songs fromand an totalalbum. Country The Airplay No.greatly 1 as “Catch” by five (Big months Machine of Labelbanked Group) pre-orders, ascends albumSouthside to wait marks that Hunt’s long between second No. weeks 1 on the new June 12, 2021-dated chart (where Ev- as2-1, the increasing vinyl version 13% to of 36.6 the million album impressions. was an- chartat No. and 1 since fourth last top November, 10. It follows when freshmanLuke LP ermore returns to No. 1) will be posted in nouncedYoung’s in firstmid-December, of six chart entries, and went “Sleep up forWith - MontevalloCombs’ What, which You arrived See Is at What the summit You Get in Nore-- full on Billboard’s website on June 8. For all pre-orderout You,” atreached the same No. time.2 in December 2016. He vember 2014 and reigned for nine weeks. To date, followed with the multiweek No. 1s “In Case You turned to No. 1 after nearly a year. Ever- chart news, follow @billboard and @bill- The LP was available widely across all Montevallo has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved millionmore was in album released sales. in December 2020 and boardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram. retailers,You” (three, and January in two 2018), green-colored “Mercy” (two, variants, August spentMontevallo its first has two spent weeks 267 weeks at No. on the1, on list, the tying Of Evermore’s 202,000 equivalent album as2018) well and as a “Here Target-exclusive Tonight” (two, red-colored April 2019). Lukecharts Bryan dated’s Crash Dec. My 26, Party 2020 as and the sixth-longest- Jan. 2, 2021. units earned in the tracking week ending vinyl.“Catch” The latter completes was hispromoted longest journey in Target’s to No. 1, runningEvermore titles ’sin 74-1 the chart’s move 56-yearis the biggest history. June 3, album sales comprise 192,000 (up circularhaving taken(for $24.99) 46 weeks while to reach the the company apex. It alsoout- positionalOn the all-genre jump to Billboard No. 1 since 200, the Southside Jan. 19, ar - 8,307%), SEA units comprise 9,000 (up 7%, offeredpaces the a 30-week20% discount climb ofon “Here the set Tonight.” (in-stores) rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On , “Catch” pushes 7-5 for HUNT YOUNG after2008, the chart, No. 3-peaking when Montevallo’s . In Rain- equaling 12.4 million on-demand streams of ona newJune high. 3. bowsHunt flew first 156-1 released after the street EPX2C date, which violation debuted the album’s songs) and TEA units com- After one week, Evermore is the second- andsales peaked pushed at itNo. onto 5 on the Top chart Country a week Albums early. in Augustprise 2014. a negligible Following sum. TheCOMBS majority ‘DOES’ of IT the AGAIN Lukebiggest Combs selling’ “Does vinyl to Me” album (River of House/Columbia2021, trail- MontevalloIt’s worth ,noting Between that the since Pines:In Acoustic Rainbows Mixtape hit startedalbum’s at its sales No. 7 camehigh in from Nashville), web-based featuring sellers Eric Churching Harry, ascends Styles 11-8’ onFine Country Line, Airplay,with 109,000. up 10% to NovemberNo. 1, three 2015. albums have re-entered the (136,000 of 192,000), including24.7 million Swift’s in audience. of- TheSwift song has is Combs’ two of eighththe top straight 10 best-selling career-opening vinyl Montevallo produced five singles, four of which hit the pinnacle of Country top 10, following a record run of seven consecutive out-of-the-gate, properly Airplay:chart at “Leave No. 1: theChris Night Stapleton On,” “Take’s Travel Your Time,”- “Houseficial Party” webstore. and “Make promoted No. 1 singles. albums of 2021, as Folklore is No. 6, with Youler ( MissNov. Me.” 21, 2015 “Break), Up in a Small’s The Town” Very Best peaked at No.As 2. earlier reported, EvermoreChurch broke adds his the 15th Country74,000 Airplay sold. top (Folklore 10. remains exclusively of HuntPrince co-penned (May 7, 2016 all 12) songs and Bon on Southside Jovi’s This, including record “Body for Like the abiggest Back sales week for a vinyl available on vinyl via Swift’s webstore and Road,”House whichIs Not was for releasedSale (March in 2017. 10, The 2018 smash). hit ruledalbum Country in the Airplay U.S. sincefor MRCTHAT DataTOOK began QUITE ‘A FEW’through MONTHS Target.) Travis Denning shatters the record for three weeks and the airplay-, streaming- and sales-based Hot Country Songs the most weeks it has taken to penetrate the top 10 as “After Also in the new top 10: Juice tracking sales in 1991. Released on May 28, While vinyl LP sales comprise 102,000 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 - FloridaWRLD Georgia’s Goodbye Line &’s Good“Meant Riddance to Be” (50 jumps weeks atop thethe latter vinyl list edition in 2017-18). of the albumlion in radiosold 40,000reach. of Evermore’s 192,000 sales for the week, CD 30-7“Downtown’s after its third-anniversary Dead,” which is also reissue on the with new set, reachedcopies in Nos. its 14first and three 15 days,The and song wentsurpasses on to two trackssales contributed that took 50 weeks 69,000 each (up to 3,705%), enter the digitaltop 10: ontwo Hot new Country tracks Songs while andDMX Country’s first Airplay, posthu respectively,- sell in102,000 June 2018. in the “Kin week- Easton ending Corbin June 3.’s “AThat Girl Likedownloads You,” which comprise reached No.21,000 10 in (up January 5,197%) 2018 be- folks”mous ledalbum, CountryExodus Airplay, bows on Feb.at No. 29, 8. becoming Hunt’ssmashes seventh the No. MRC 1. It hit Data-era fore peakingweekly atsales No. 6 that February,and cassette and Aaron tapes Watson comprise’s “Outta a little Style,” under which No.The 3 on Billboard Hot Country 200 Songs. chart ranks the most record for a vinyl album,achieved previously its No. held 10 highby in December1,000 (up 2017.578%). Evermore’s CD sales were 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 popular albums of the week in the U.S. based the debut frame of Jack White’s Lazaretto, bolstered by the availability of CDs signed 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 ALRIGHT FRED HAMMOND ASAPH A. WARD FACE’S LAUNCHING PAD PUBLISHING BIG CURTISS GLENN PULL US THROUGH MICHAEL DEWAYNE MCCLURE JR. JERMAINE DOLLY CGLENN PUBLISHING BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY ENT. KERRY DOUGLAS PUBLISHING DOLLYOLOGY WORLD LLC ROCK CITY MEDIA GROUP PUBLISHING SELAH HANDS ON E.VAX FRED HAMMOND ALLISON JEFFREY LAVALLEY DEXTER “” MILLS EMI-BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC. GENE “NO MALICE” THORNTON JR. PLEASE GIMME MY PUBLISHING, INC. TERRANCE “” THORNTON S NG I LOVE HIM KANYE WEST CYDEL C. YOUNG RENEE SPEARMAN BMG PLATINUM SONGS US CONTEMPO ONE PUBLISHING CANDIED JAMM MUSIC DELIVER ME (THIS IS MY EXODUS) EMI-BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC. I MADE IT OUT MR. REDAN Donald Lawrence PASTOR JOHN P. KEE NEIGHBORHOOD PUSHA PUBLISHING PEERMUSIC III, LTD. JA TWAN PUBLISHING Sir the Baptist PLEASE GIMME MY PUBLISHING, INC. SONGS OF KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING SAVGOS MUSIC, INC. Baptist Publishing House SONGS BY CONS PUBLISHING BMG Platinum Songs US IF GOD / NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD /ATV SONGS LLC THORNTON TRUST PUBLISHING Primary Wave Beats NATALIE LAUREN SIMS AVEX USA OBO XEVA MUSIC TWO THOUSAND AND ELEVEN RIBBON MUSIC Q W Publishing BMG PLATINUM SONGS US WIXEN MUSIC PUBLISHING, INC. LEAD AND YELLOW PUBLISHING UNSTOPPABLE I’M ALL IN MAKEBA RIDDICK S NGW I MARANDA CURTIS EMI-BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC. JANICE COMBS MUSIC ASAPH A. WARD SONGSBYMAK BE ESSENTIAL SONGS KANYE WEST BUTTERFLY WORKS PUBLISHING CAPITOL CMG PUBLISHING VICTORY Hands On MIRALEX MUSIC J DREW SHEARD II EMI-BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC. On God JUST FOR ME J DREW SHEARD MUSIC Selah KIRK FRANKLIN AUNT GERTRUDE MUSIC PUBLISHING WIDE AS THE SKY CAPITOL CMG PUBLISHING ATLAS MOUNTAIN SONGS PUBLIS KEEP THE FAITH CAPITOL CMG PUBLISHING CHARLES JENKINS INTEGRITY FIRST MUSIC PUBLISHING WON’T LET GO P. ALEX PUBLISHING TRAVIS GREENE SONGS OF KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING SONGS OF KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING GREENELIGHT MUSIC SONGS OF KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING OH HOW GOOD IT IS CHRIS BYRD YOU DON’T KNOW MALACO ZACARDI CORTEZ MR. QUE PUBLISHING KERRY DOUGLAS AY RON RONELL LEWIS CELEBRATE WITH US ON GOD COPYRIGHT SOLUTIONS MUSIC ...... PI’ERRE BOURNE CREATIVE CLASSIC SONGS GLOBAL MICHAEL “CAMEONE” CERDA KERRY DOUGLAS PUBLISHING PENNED BY ZETROC bmi.com/trailblazers2021 KANYE WEST STRAIGHTCHURCH PUBLISHING CYDEL C. YOUNG BMG PLATINUM SONGS US EMI-BLACKWOOD MUSIC, INC. YOU’RE DOING IT ALL AGAIN MUSIC MOVES MR. REDAN TODD DULANEY PLEASE GIMME MY PUBLISHING, INC. MUSIC OUR WORLD WARNER-TAMERLANE PUBLISHING CORP. U KNOW IT 2 Page 7 of 41

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by Swift in her webstore (that went up for two bonus tracks: “734” and a remix of groups. This year’s list particularly reflects pre-order earlier in May) and at indepen- the hit single “Lucid Dreams” with Lil Uzi the strength of independent labels in the dent retailers. Evermore’s digital album sales Vert. Goodbye peaked at No. 4 on the Aug. 11, R&B and hip-hop genres (often achieving were goosed by the digital deluxe edition 2018-dated chart and was last in the top 10 hits through joint ventures with majors). of the album being sale priced to $6.99 at on the Dec. 21, 2019-dated list (No. 6). Distributors, regardless of their corporate iTunes and in Swift’s webstore from May DMX’s first posthumous album, Exodus, ownership, qualify as independent through 28-June 2. Then, on June 3, the price of debuts at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 with the repertoire they market. all digital versions of Evermore dropped 32,000 equivalent album units earned. Of Executives from over 80 companies are to $4.99, while Swift also introduced four that sum, SEA units comprise 16,000 (equal- recognized here. Many will gather June 14- “digitally autographed fan edition” versions ing 22.12 million on-demand streams of 17 as the American Association of Indepen- of the album on her webstore, each with the album’s tracks), album sales comprise dent Music hosts its second virtual Indie alternative cover art and a new bonus track, 14,000 and TEA units comprise 1,000. The Week, presented by SoundExchange, as well the 90’s trend remix of “Willow.” set features an array of guest stars, including as the , presented by Merlin. Evermore displaces Olivia Rodri- , Jay-Z, , , Money- A2IM’s four days of panels, keynotes and go’s Sour, which falls to No. 2 in its second bagg Yo, Nas, and . Exo- networking sessions, followed by the awards week with 186,000 units earned (down dus marks DMX’s eighth top 10 album on celebration, will affirm — along with these 37%). It’s the first time in two years that the Billboard 200. profiles — that the state of independence in women have gone back-to-back at No. 1, Rounding out the new top 10 on the the music industry has never been stronger. since P!nk’s Hurts 2B Human debuted at Billboard 200 are two former No. 1s: The Richard James Burgess No. 1 on the May 11, 2019, chart, displac- Weeknd’s After Hours (12-9 with 30,000 President/CEO, American Association of ing ’s When We All Fall Asleep, equivalent album units; up 5%) and Luke Where Do We Go?, which notched its second Combs’ What You See Is What You Get (11-10 Burgess salutes his team’s “short-notice non-consecutive week at No. 1 on the May with 29,000; down 1%). pivot to all-virtual events” in 2020 for both 4-dated chart. the Indie Week conference and the Libera While Sour gets bumped to No. 2 on Awards. Both will be presented online again the Billboard 200, it does so with the Revealed: this year. As A2IM has moved toward a third-smallest percentage decline for more diverse and gender-balanced board, it a No. 1 debut in 2021, following Justin Billboard’s also has launched initiatives like the Black Bieber’s Justice (down 35% in its second Independent Music Accelerator program, week) and Moneybagg Yo’s A Gangsta’s 2021 Indie which brought “many more Black-owned Pain (36.8%). Additionally, Sour is the first businesses into our fold,” says Burgess. “We album in over a year to see its first two Power Players continue to build back to a viable economic weeks each earn over 185,000 units. The environment for creators.” last album to start as strong was Lil Uzi BY BILLBOARD STAFF The Next Legislation We Need: “The Vert’s (288,000 and 247,000 lack of [a performance right for sound in its first two weeks, respectively, on the mid all of the challenges of the recordings on terrestrial radio] deprives charts dated March 21-28, 2020). past year — office shutdowns, tour creators of hundreds of millions of dollars A trio of former No. 1s follow Sour on cancellations, a surge in social a year from the U.S., and similarly from the new Billboard 200, as J. Cole’s The music platforms and even a vinyl around the world. That giant conglomerates Off-Season falls 2-3 (58,000 equivalent supplyA backlog — the independent music are exempted by law from having to pay for album units earned; down 37%), Morgan sector has been thriving. Independents as a the product of someone else’s labor and for Wallen’s Dangerous: The is a whole grew market share in 2020 from 29.7% the use of someone else’s property is unique non-mover at No. 4 (52,000; down 5%) and to 31.1%, according to an analysis in March and shameful.” Moneybagg Yo’s A Gangsta’s Pain is steady by MIDiA, which previously estimated that Jeremy Sirota at No. 5 (43,000; down 12%). Dua Lipa’s Fu- indie labels and artists account for nearly CEO, Merlin ture Nostalgia rises one spot to No. 6 with one-third of the global music market. Merlin is the digital rights music licensing 34,000 (down 2%). Billboard’s Indie Power Players recognizes partner for independent labels, distributors ’s Goodbye & Good Rid- industry leaders — nominated by their com- and other music rights holders around the returns to the top 10 for the first time panies and peers and selected by our editors world. After Sirota became CEO in Janu- in over 18 months, as the set jumps 30-7 — at independent labels and distributors. ary 2020, he welcomed 81 new members, following its third-anniversary reissue on Labels are defined as independent, regard- with first-time members from Burkina May 28 (32,000 equivalent album units less of size, by their ownership through Faso, Ghana, Peru, Singapore, Slovakia and earned; up 71%). The set was reissued with entities other than the three major music the United Arab Emirates. “In 2021, we’ve

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already welcomed 15 new members from says Assad. And his vision? “I wanted to be as the conduit between the label’s Seoul and all corners of the world, including India, one more major [label]. We can do the same outposts. The moves align with the Middle East, Kenya, Europe, Japan and things they can.” Bang’s vision of creating “the world’s best North America,” he says. Tunde Balogun entertainment lifestyle platform based on Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- Co-founder/president, LVRN music,” he says. munity: “The rise of social music plat- Junia Abaidoo Pandemic Business Practice That Will forms. In the last year alone, new services Co-founder/head of operations and touring, Last: “The format of . A mixture of launched, existing services grew and a LVRN online and offline performances will become few large platforms expanded. Merlin was Justice Baiden commonplace, and the value of offline per- the first partner to sign a sound recording Co-founder/head of A&R, LVRN formances will increase further.” — Yoon agreement with Snap, we closed a deal with Sean “Famoso” McNichol Steve Bartels Triller, we expanded our relationship with Co-founder/head of marketing and brand 12Tone Music YouTube — via Super Chat, Super Stickers partnerships, LVRN With the catalog on its way to 2 mil- and Shorts — and we’ve deepened our part- Carlon Ramong lion album consumption units and Dolly nership with .” Co-founder/creative director, LVRN Parton’s A Holly Dolly Christmas piling up Patrick Amory The -based label and creative nearly 250,000 album consumption units Co-owner/president, Matador Records agency LVRN (which stands for Love since its October release, the label has now Gerard Cosloy Renaissance) boasts R&B superstar signees turned its attention to its new signing, Il- Co-owner, Matador Records 6LACK and and has spent lenium, to build momentum for the artist’s Chris Lombardi the past year expanding different aspects next album expected this summer. “We con- Co-owner, Matador Records of the company, including boosting its tinued to keep our core staff motivated dur- Matador’s recent achievements include songwriting division through a publishing ing the pandemic, releasing and promoting launching international campaigns for Per- deal with Warner Chappell and growing the five different songs with multiple remixes fume , Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus; management roster by signing dvsn. The — to 30 versions in total — while deliv- bringing in new signees Mdou Moctar and company is also marking the first year of the ering two No. 1 Dance Mix/Show Airplay The Goon Sax; and acquiring new catalogs LVRN Mental Health Department, which Songs in the process,” says Bartels. from Interpol, Pavement, Spoon and Gang of Balogun says helps artists and staff cope Best Timesaving Tip: “Know what is Four. The company also has reissued some with challenges from creativity roadblocks important in each artist campaign and fur- of its earlier works through the Matador due to COVID-19. ther it without wasting time on things your Revisionist History series. The label was Best Timesaving Tip: “Prioritizing experience tells you won’t pan out. From also able to save “an incredible amount of what’s really important first, then getting to having worked within the major-label sys- money on our annual travel and entertain- everything else. In essence, we want to an- tem and now in indie entrepreneur land, I ment budget,” says Cosloy, 56. “Sometimes swer and try to do everything in the moment have learned what part of the marketing and sacrifices are necessary.” at once, which can lead to being drained or signing footprint can give you immediate Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- tired, especially when you’re rushing to get results for analysis in order to read whether munity: “The two-year turnaround time for things done. It can lead to missing important you move forward, move differently or just new vinyl is taking some getting used to.” information.” — Balogun stop.” — Cosloy Bang Si-hyuk Scott Borchetta Noah Assad Chairman/CEO, HYBE Founder/president/CEO, Big Machine Label CEO, Rimas Entertainment Lenzo Yoon Group In 2020, ’s El Último Tour del Global CEO, HYBE and HYBE America Andrew Kautz Mundo became the first all-Spanish album HYBE, formerly known as Big Hit COO, Big Machine Label Group to ever reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Entertainment and BTS’ longtime label, Under Borchetta and Kautz, Tim Mc- His single “Dákiti,” with Jhay Cortez, acquired Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings Graw’s return to Big Machine last year debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Global in a $1.05 billion deal in April that includes led to the singer’s No. 1 on Top Country Excl. U.S. chart, and Bad Bunny was Spoti- management, label services and publish- Albums in September with Here on Earth, fy’s most streamed artist of the year. Behind ing for clients including Justin Bieber and while the rechristened joined Big Bunny is manager Assad, 31, who signed Ariana Grande. The company also acquired Machine’s BMLG Records, scoring two him to his own Rimas Entertainment. The Naver’s V Live video streaming service and chart-toppers on Country Airplay and Puerto Rican indie now has a staff of 60 and partnered with Universal Music Group’s earning a Grammy nomination for its over 100 artists, producers and to create a K-pop label in the album Ocean. hit No. 1 on on its roster. “When it comes to disruption, and a se- Country Airplay with “I Hope You’re Happy anyone can do it. The problem is the vision,” ries that will debut in 2022. Yoon will serve Now” (with Lee Brice), while the country-

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pop trio Avenue Beat captured the zeitgeist promote more effective control of music the eponymous debut album by Bronson, with “F2020,” which went viral on TikTok. piracy.” — Bunt the duo’s collaborative project with Golden Shari Bryant Missi Callazzo Features, which notched a No. 5 debut on Omar Grant Co-owner, Megaforce Records the Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart. Co-presidents, Label Callazzo started as an intern at Megaforce “This new venture allows us to work even While its clients include , JAY-Z in 1989 and ended up taking over the com- more closely to create the best environment and J. Cole, Roc Nation’s label division takes pany that released early albums, as for artists and their music,” says Clausen, pride in developing younger talent, includ- well as records by , Testament, who serves on the boards of both A2IM and ing recent signings , Kalan. Ministry and Anthrax. The lattermost band Merlin. FrFr and Maeta, as well as the continuing celebrates its 40th anniversary this year Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- advancement of Rapsody, Belly, and Jaden and Megaforce itself is one year shy of that munity: “Removing market barriers and and Willow Smith. “We aren’t in the volume milestone. “We have not slowed down, the gatekeepers through streaming, allowing in business, because we are a smaller compa- pandemic notwithstanding,” says Callazzo, return commercial success for independents ny,” says Bryant. “It takes a little longer, but who notes forthcoming releases from Third of all shapes and sizes on a gradually more we will have a good amount of new artists Eye , Umphrey’s McGee and Rebelu- level playing field.” that will be in the mainstream conversa- tion. Tomas Cookman tion.” Best Way to Observe June- CEO, Industria Works/Nacional Records Best Timesaving Tip: “Systems. If you teenth: “There is always more to learn, and For the second year in a row, Cookman’s don’t have a strong foundation with systems this is a day to reflect, step back, fill in the team pivoted its weeklong Latin Alternative to handle your check list of mandatory blanks and educate oneself.” —Callazzo Music Conference in May to a free, virtual things that an artist must have — social Don Cannon event that had 25,000 registrants (compared media, photos, updated bio, one sheet, clear- Leighton “Lake” Morrison with 10,000 last year) and a peak viewership ances — you don’t have room to enhance.” Tyree “DJ Drama” Simmons of 5,000. “It’s further proof that the music — Grant Co-founders, Generation Now industry is thriving,” says Cookman, who Ken Bunt Before 2020, Generation Now earned this past year hired five new staffers for his President, success on the Billboard Hot 100 through company, which includes a and David Abdo its lone superstar, . The burgeon- management division. Senior vp global operations and distribution, ing label now has the luxury of pairing the Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- Disney Music Group “XO Tour Llif3” rapper with Kentucky-born munity: “As more and more funding enters Robbie Snow co-star . During the pandemic, the music industry, especially in areas like Senior vp global marketing, Disney Music the Louisville native scored a top five publishing, the further clarification of Group Billboard 200 debut with That’s What They creator rights and subsequent payments will Karen Lieberman All Say, anchored by his No. 2 Hot 100 hit, be key.” VP sales and digital, Disney Music Group “.” “[The pandemic] made us Mike Curb Disney Music Group, which includes Hol- more meticulous than ever,” says Morrison, Founder/chairman, Curb Records lywood Records and Walt Disney Records, “from the music to production to project As a philanthropist, Curb has made major counts the launch of its parent company’s rollouts.” contributions to, among others, the National new streaming service, Disney+, as a coup Pandemic Business Practice That Museum of African American Music, Bet- for its artist roster that also helped spread Will Last: “We’ll continue to address the hune-Cookman University, Fisk University cheer during the pandemic. “Our music importance of mental and physical health. and Nashville organizations to aid under- resonated with people around the world, Most businesses continue to push the nar- served communities during the pandemic. especially during quarantine,” says Bunt. rative of working hard every minute but fail As an activist, he penned a Billboard op-ed “Between fans singing Queen songs on to address staying mentally and physically last year titled, “Why a Slate of Tennessee their balconies to three television specials healthy in the process of reaching your Bills Are Discriminatory and Could Hurt of Disney Music Family Singalongs, music is dream.” — Morrison the State’s Music Community.” And at 76, he a universal language that brought joy and Marie Clausen remains a hitmaker: Curb Records’ Dylan comfort to millions.” Timed to Juneteenth, Head of North America/head of global Scott reached No. 4 on Country Airplay in the company will release the third volume streaming, Ninja Tune May with “Nobody” from his EP Nothing To of Music for the Movement, a collaboration In a difficult year for independent labels, Do Town, which hit No. 3 on Top Country with ESPN’s The Undefeated. Clausen, 39, and her team managed to pull Albums. Lee Brice’s latest album, Hey World, The Next Legislation We Need: “Reform off a successful deal with the label of elec- peaked at No. 7 on in of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act in tronic duo ODESZA, Foreign Family Col- January, and “Amen,” the latest single from order to update safe harbor provisions and lective. Together, the two labels launched the Christian pop duo for King & Country

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reached No. 6 on in May. new song, “Thought You Should Know.”) a lot of time, too.” — Glass Angel Del Villar England’s team kept the label on the charts, Michael Goldstone Founder/CEO, Del Records however, with roster mates Chris Lane, Founder/co-owner, Mom + Del Villar, 40, reports that despite the HARDY, Smith and Sean Stemaly, Thaddeus Rudd pandemic his label has had one of its most among others. Co-president/co-owner, Mom + Pop Music successful years on digital platforms, Matt Galle “During a challenging time, we were able highlighted by the flourishing career of Founder/CEO, to break through with Ashe,” says Gold- regional Mexican group Eslabon Armado, Mike Marquis stone of the “Moral of the Story” singer- which claimed its third No. 1 on the Re- CFO, Photo Finish Records whose debut album, Ashlyn, gional Mexican Albums chart in January Home to 3OH!3, Handsome Ghost and arrived May 7 featuring collaborations with with Corta Venas. For now, Del Villar is fo- , Photo Finish Records is still FINNEAS and Niall Horan. Goldstone also cused on getting Del Records’ roster back on counting the returns from SHAED’s break- points to Beach Bunny’s “Cloud 9,” which tour. “It’s the time to join forces, especially through single, “Trampoline,” which has he says hit over 2 million streams per day; in the genre, and create tours that people are racked up 2 billion streams worldwide, ac- electronic artist Porter Robinson’s “bril- dying to see,” he says. cording to the company. The surprise hit set liant” sophomore album, Nurture, which de- Pandemic Business Practice That Will up the label for its “best years yet” leading buted at No. 1 on the Top Dance/Electronic Last: “The fast and constant way we con- up to its 15th anniversary in 2021, says Galle. Albums chart in May; and upcoming priority sume music. We have to constantly release Meanwhile, Marquis is proud of a new releases from FKJ, and content.” partnership with band The Lucius. Brandon “” Dickinson to help grow the 600 million streams Best Timesaving Tip: “Being flexible and George “G-Money” Dickinson of its catalog and get the Arizona act “to the inclusive empowers voices to break through. Peter “Pete” Jideonwo next level of success,” he says. Most of our company touches every release. Partners, Grade A Productions The Next Legislation We Need: “To Having 25 people working on a release with The Grade A team took pride in “prop- address the monopolization of ticketing. management, agents and publicists makes erly honoring Juice WRLD’s legacy,” says The ticketing companies have too strong a for an optimum team.” — Goldstone Jideonwo, by delivering (in partnership hold on the buyers and charge outrageous Elliot Grainge with Interscope) the rapper’s posthumous fees to the consumer, which are typically not Founder/CEO, 10K Projects album Legends Never Die, which debuted shared with the artist.” — Marquis “This year, two of our label partners had last July at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Daniel Glass incredible success,” says Grainge, 27. “Taz “This, combined with the success of The Founder/CEO, Glassnote Music Taylor and Nick Mira at Internet Money had Kid LAROI, has been great to witness,” says Chris Scully one of the biggest records of the year with Jideonwo of the label’s Australian rapper, GM/CFO, Glassnote Music ‘Lemonade’ and established their company whose duet with on “Without Artist development is the “true DNA” of as an artist brand. And our partners Zack You” has reached the top 10 on the Hot 100. Glassnote, says Glass, who cites the label’s Friedman and Tony Talamo at Homemade “The progression of Grade A into a musical commitment to developing career artists Projects launched the careers of Surfaces, and business force has paved the way for a like Chvrches and Aurora as “the reason Peach Tree Rascals and Salem Ilese. The bright .” people sign with us.” When Chvrches’ 2018 success of these two partnerships really Best Way to Observe Juneteenth: “Take song “Forever” gained in streams and sales shows what we can do as independents the day off to reflect on how far we have after a 2020 synch on the series Elite, when we work together.” come and how far we still have to go. We Glassnote promoted the song to radio. The Next Legislation We Need: “Artists should volunteer for a cause or organization The label did the same for Aurora’s 2015 need healthcare now and too many of them dedicated to equality and be sure to do our song “Runaway” after a viral TikTok video are falling through the cracks. As a Brit who part in giving back. Juneteenth should be a propelled it to Nos. 19 and 22 on Billboard’s grew up where we had universal healthcare, nationally celebrated holiday.” — Jideonwo Global Excl. U.S. and Global 200 charts, the fact that this country does not provide a Seth England respectively, in May. “And with the return comprehensive healthcare plan to all of its Partner/CEO, Big Loud of touring,” says Glass, “they’re both on the citizens is so surprising to me. How many While has had one of cusp of joining the pantheon of arena art- years away are we from solving this problem the best-selling country albums of the year ists.” in the U.S.?” for Big Loud with Dangerous: The Double Best Timesaving Tip: “Counting to 10. Benjy Grinberg Album, the company in February suspended Inhaling and exhaling. Ironically, taking a Founder/president, Rostrum Records his after video emerged moment to think before responding or tak- Rostrum Records, once the label home of of Wallen using a racial slur. (Wallen in May ing action can end up saving the most time and , signed rapper sang of “making some bad decisions” in a . Taking the subway will save you earlier this year in a move 2021 COUNTRY POWER PLAYERS

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

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

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that affirms the view of Grinberg, 43, that and brokered his partnership with Apple Eric Hurt “independent doesn’t mean small.” Under TV+ to pen “Redemption” for the 2020 VP A&R, EMPIRE Nashville the multimillion-dollar deal, Rostrum will film Palmer starring . Heather Vassar release Rich the Kid’s music in partnership Smith celebrated her creative team’s three VP marketing, EMPIRE Nashville with BMG. Grinberg calls him “a key voice wins in physical album packaging at the In its first 12 months of existence, EM- of this generation, and we’re very excited virtual Making Vinyl Packaging Awards in PIRE Nashville made an impact with Willie that he chose Rostrum as his new home.” February. Jones, whose album Right Now includes the Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- The Next Legislation We Need: “An Black empowerment anthem “American munity: “Blockchain has so much potential amendment to the Copyright Act granting Dream.” Hurt signed Jones to a publish- to help create a database of music rights. It’s owners of sound recordings the same public ing deal that led to the EMPIRE Nashville crazy that the music industry hasn’t gotten performance right [on terrestrial radio] that release. (Jones has since moved to Sony its act together in this respect.” is enjoyed by copyright owners in virtually Music Nashville.) EMPIRE Nashville’s Bear Brett Gurewitz all other developed countries.” — Kloack and a Banjo, meanwhile, is a collaboration Founder/CEO, Epitaph/Anti- Records Simon Halliday between hitmakers Jared Gutstadt and Ja- Matt McGreevey Worldwide managing director, 4AD son “Poo Bear” Boyd, and Americana artist GM, Epitaph/Anti- Records Nabil Ayers Waylon Payne made his national TV debut The roster of Epitaph/Anti-, the label GM, 4AD on CBS This Morning: Saturday with a three- founded in 1980 by Bad Religion guitar- Despite the loss of live performances song performance. ist Gurewitz, succeeded this year despite as a promotional avenue, 4AD broke two Matthew Johnson the pandemic. Fleet Foxes’ Shore topped new acts during the pandemic: the President, Fat Possum Records the Americana/Folk Albums chart, while quartet Dry Cleaning and Maidza, a Melinda Caffin Architects’ For Those That Wish To Ex- singer-songwriter-rapper and a native of COO, Fat Possum Records ist reached the top 10 on the Top Album who lives in Australia. “During a A bevy of new releases and blasts from Sales chart. The label’s past year also time when both campaigns would rely heav- its past are paving the road for Fat Possum’s included releases by Ben Harper, M. Ward, ily on touring,” says Ayers, “they’ve both 30th anniversary in 2022. On tap: a forth- The Menzingers and The Ghost Inside. “It managed to feel omnipresent due to press, coming seventh album by Wavves — the has become very clear that we don’t need radio, video content we’ve created with band’s first for the label in 10 years — and a to be in the same building to be successful,” partners and great word-of-mouth.” partnership with Seymour Stein’s Blue Ho- says McGreevey, adding that continuing vir- Pandemic Business Practice That Will rizon Records that brings back Fleetwood tual operations “allow for our teams around Last: “Without the pressure of pegging an Mac’s Peter Green-era catalog. In May, Pos- the world to collaborate in a more meaning- album release to a tour or major festival, sum alums released Delta ful and immediate way.” we’ve had more space to release music, Kream on Nonesuch Records, featuring Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- video and to build a story. When touring covers of early signings R.L. Burnside and munity: “The rise in demand for vinyl comes back we’ll surely revert, but hope- Junior Kimbrough. The album served as a records has been great, but this is putting a fully we can implement some of what we’ve tribute to their first label home and to the major strain on the plants, causing produc- learned.” — Ayers band’s roots in the Mississippi hill country tion timelines to expand and resulting in Jimmy Humilde tradition. delays.” — McGreevey Founder/CEO, Rancho Humilde Gordon Kerr Tyson Haller Humilde’s label has helped launch a President/CEO, Black River Entertainment Senior vp/head of promotion, Concord wave of urban regional Mexican artists Launching an album during the pandemic Karen Kloack who’ve connected with a new generation of was a bold move for any artist or label. With Senior vp sync marketing, Concord listeners. They include 20-year-old Na- the support of Kerr and his Black River Carrie Smith tanael Cano, who had the most-consumed team, Kelsea Ballerini released two — Kel- VP creative services, Concord regional Mexican album of 2020 and helped sea, which arrived in March 2020, and Bal- Concord’s promotion team helped Rancho Humilde end the year as the No. 1 lerini, in September. Earlier in 2021, Bal- The Pretty Reckless become “the first Regional Mexican Albums label on the Bill- lerini earned an Academy of Country Music female-fronted band to score six No. 1s on board charts, outranking Universal and Award nomination for female artist of the the Airplay chart,” says Sony. Says Humilde: “I think the playing year. Under Kerr, Black River also has been Haller, when the band’s single “And So It field is more level than before.” nurturing rising acts like MaRynn Taylor, Went” (featuring ) reached the Best Timesaving Tip: “Trust your gut Josh Wilson and Carolina Story. top spot in April. Kloack helped Nathan- feeling. If you feel that a certain project will Allen Kovac iel Rateliff “fulfill his dream of perform- be successful, don’t doubt yourself, and go Founder/CEO, Better Noise Music/10th Street ing on Saturday Night Live,” she says, all in.” Entertainment 2021 25TH ANNIVERSARY

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

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

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With Better Noise named Billboard’s No. 1 actions like we all have never seen. It’ll be David Macias mainstream rock label of 2020, Kovac’s interesting to see how it impacts music and President, Thirty Tigers companies keep making a bang in the guitar- the content artists make.” — Thomas Two decades after Thirty Tigers was crunching game. While working “to amplify Kevin Liles founded in Nashville, the label, under the iconic success of Mötley Crüe and Co-founder/CEO, 300 Entertainment Macias, has become home to an acclaimed elevating Five Finger Death Punch into one Rayna Bass 120-act roster of Americana, country and of the biggest hard rock bands in the world, Senior vp marketing, 300 Entertainment folk artists, including the late John Prine, we have consistently developed younger Selim Bouab whose albums it distributes. Macias (who artists,” says Kovac, 66, noting the chart-top- Senior vp/head of A&R, 300 Entertainment also is a partner in Triple Tigers Records; ping success of Bad Wolves and the global Geoff Ogunlesi see below) in the past year has seen Alanis breakthrough of Mongolian band The Hu. VP A&R, 300 Entertainment; vp, YSL Re- Morissette debut at No. 1 on Top Rock Al- The Next Legislation We Need: “Much cords bums with Such Pretty Forks in the Road and stronger regulation of the streaming services Leesa Brunson Boland Jason Isbell and the 400 unit peak at No. 1 and the three major record companies.” Senior vp/head of A&R operations and A&R on Top Country Albums with Reunions, David LaPointe administration, 300 Entertainment while Lucinda Williams reached No. 3 on Founder/owner, LP The roster for 300 Entertainment has Americana/Folk Albums and No. 21 on Top continues to successfully a deep bench of success stories: Young Rock Albums with her 13th studio set, Good compete against regional Mexican and reg- Thug and topped the Billboard 200 Souls Better Angels. gaetón thanks, in part, to LaPointe’s inde- with their latest albums, and Megan Thee Joshua Mendez pendent label, marketing and management Stallion landed two Hot 100 No. 1s and Co-founder/COO, Rich Music firm, LP. His clients include Puerto Rican three Grammy Awards in 2021, including Rich Music is a nimble company where salsa legends such as N’Klabe, whose latest best new artist. Liles says his team is most label executives benefit from “dealing album “spawned the worldwide smash ‘Me proud about becoming the first label to land directly with the artist and not having to go Enamoré Como Nunca,’ ” says LaPointe, and on Inc. magazine’s Best Workplaces list. through 20 channels to make a decision,” La India, who reemerged with her first new “The humanization of our industry is a pri- says Mendez, 32. In 2020, Rich Music art- music in five years. And despite streaming ority for me,” he says. “We’re not just talking ists such as Sech, and Dimelo Flow models putting “independent artists in a about employees, artists, writers, producers amassed 2.5 billion streams, according to more difficult situation,” says LaPointe, the and managers. We are first talking about the company, while the Miami-based label label finished at No. 4 on Billboard’s Tropical human beings.” ranked on multiple Billboard year-end Airplay year-end labels chart in 2020. Pandemic Business Practice That Will charts, including No. 6 on Top Latin Labels, Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- Last: “Now more than ever, mental health No. 5 on Hot Latin Songs Labels and No. 6 munity: “The pandemic has certainly should be valued. This year we launched on Top Latin Albums Labels. brought to light many issues for indie artists a program to reimburse employees for the Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- with streaming ... and the ways data can be cost of mental health services up to twice munity: “Major labels changing terms for manipulated for leverage.” a week. [We have] also started another artist collaborations.” Kevin “Coach K” Lee companywide initiative, 300 Takes a Break, Martin Mills COO, Quality Control which is a fund for employees to take a vaca- Chairman, Pierre “Pee” Thomas tion.” — Liles Matt Harmon CEO, Quality Control Justin Lubliner President, Beggars Group U.S. In 2020, Quality Control maintained CEO, The Darkroom Risa Matsuki its dominance in rap (in partnership with Lubliner’s independently owned im- VP promotions, Beggars Group ) with ’s second album, My print, The Darkroom, in partnership with Miwa Okumura Turn. By earning 2.63 million equivalent al- Interscope, launched Billie Eilish to stardom Senior vp West Coast operations and licens- bum units in the United States, according to in 2019 and watched her sweep the Gram- ing, Beggars Group MRC Data, Lil Baby bested pop titans Taylor mys’ top honors in 2020 with her debut Beggars Group focused on the well-being Swift and The Weeknd for the year’s most album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where of furloughed touring workers amid the popular album. Thomas gushes that My Do We Go? The highlight of the past year pandemic. The label group, which includes Turn “was the [most-consumed] album of all for Lubliner, 30, was helping put together 4AD, Matador Records, Rough Trade and genres in 2020, and we rode into 2021 with a Eilish’s documentary, The World’s a Little XL Recordings, created a band-crew fund monumental Grammy performance.” Blurry, which he executive-produced. that distributed money to nearly 180 people Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- Pandemic Business Practice That Will among their artists’ crew members during munity: Non-fungible tokens “open up a Last: “Long walks for business meetings the holiday season — a time when they had world of ownership and secondary trans- instead of sitting in an office.” “no way to generate income,” says Harmon. NEW

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On July 17th, Billboard will publish a GRAMMY® First Look special feature showcasing the artists, producers and other creative professionals whose music was released from September 2020- June 2021 and look at the early contenders for the 64th GRAMMY® Awards in the categories of Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Best New Artist.

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CONTACTS

Joe Maimone 201.301.5933 | [email protected] Lee Ann Photoglo 615.376.7931 | [email protected]

Cynthia Mellow 615.352,0265 | [email protected] Marcia Olival 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Ryan O’Donnell +447843437176 | [email protected] Page 19 of 41

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The record company — alongside Ninja TV network FX to premiere FKA Twigs’ Charles Goldstuck Tune — also committed to become com- visuals for “Sad Day,” directed by Hiro Founders/co-chairmen, Hitco Entertainment pletely carbon-negative by the end of 2022 Murai. It also launched the solo career of Joel Klaiman by reducing emissions through product and the xx’s Romy with the release of the single President, Hitco Entertainment supply changes. “Lifetime” and the breakthrough debut of After “Roses” bloomed into a top five Best Timesaving Tip: “Picking up the Mustafa on his Regent Park Songs imprint. Hot 100 hit, underscored his phone. The best and most economical way In 2020, XL Recordings celebrated having breakthrough with two Grammy wins, to avoid Microsoft Teams or massive email the first openly nonbinary artist to receive a including best remixed recording. “That threads is to plug in your headphones, make Grammy Award nomination with Venezue- felt like a culminating moment in what the call and get the issue sorted.” lan artist ’s fourth studio album, KiCk i, was exceptional work by team Hitco,” says Todd Moscowitz landing a nod in the best dance/electronic Klaiman, who also notes that the launch in Founder/CEO, Alamo Records album category. March of D-Nice’s new single “No Plans for Tiara Hargrave Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- Love” (featuring Ne-Yo) marked the one- Executive vp/GM, Alamo Records munity: “Increased demand for exclusive year anniversary of the producer’s first Club In the five years since rock-to-rap mogul content from all partners. Labels and artists Quarantine livestream. Moscowitz founded Alamo Records, the have to be resourceful and creative and find Best Way to Observe Juneteenth: “Re- label has established itself as a dominant new angles to tell a story while keeping the gard it as a proper company holiday and force in hip-hop, with a roster that includes music front and center.” —Lyons offer access to resources so employees are , , and Smoke- Maykel Piron able to further educate themselves on the purpp. Most recently, the label has released Co-owner/CEO, Armada Music significance of the day and all that sur- two of the biggest of 2021 to Piron, 46, was proud of the “tremen- rounds it.” — Goldstuck date: Lil Durk’s (co-released dous team effort” of his staff for remaining Jon Salter with Geffen) peaked at No. 2 on the Bill- focused, productive and calm amid the President, ATO Records board 200, and Wave’s SoulFly topped the pandemic. “ is our bread and After receiving seven Grammy nods in chart in April — the company’s first No. 1. butter, so we took a hit when clubs closed,” 2020, ATO’s artists earned 11 nominations The Next Legislation That We he says. “But we managed to keep each in 2021, with Brittany Howard winning for Need: “Making mental health, financial other motivated and kept [sales] at almost best rock song. For Salter, 49, the Grammy literacy and addiction-reform resources the same level.” performances of Howard and Black Pumas available to all artists, which can change the Best Timesaving Tip: “Find out where were among the company’s highlights of life span of artists and help their quality of your main audience is and focus on reaching the last year. He also takes special pride in life.” — Hargrave them first. You’ll be able to grow from there. the ATO compilation album Silence Is Not Norbert Nix It is interesting to see that some of our re- an Option (turn this up). “It’s full of pow- President, Triple Tigers Records leases have taken longer to grow into a huge erful anthems from the ATO catalog that Under Nix, Triple Tigers has scored two success. So it is not always about saving explore issues of identity, community, social Country Airplay chart-toppers in the past time; it can also be about giving things time.” injustice and resistance,” he says. The album 12 months: Scotty McCreery’s “In Between” Louis Posen raised over $10,000, with proceeds going to and Russell Dickerson’s “Love You Like I Founder/president, Hopeless Records three Black Lives Matter charities. Used To.” The latter was Dickerson’s fourth Posen, 50, used TikTok to boost his punk Pandemic Business Practice That Will consecutive single to reach the peak when it rock acts, which helped All Time Low’s Last: “The pretaped ‘at home’ content for topped the list in November. That streak set 2007 sleeper hit “Dear Maria, Count Me TV/online programming. When done well, up the arrival of his second album, Southern In” reach double-platinum status in March, they can really sizzle, be dynamic, clever, Symphony. Nix guided the strategy for the racking up 4 million on-demand streams per more creative and exciting.” set, which included the video “Southern week. “Hopeless has been playing a leading Thomas Scherer Symphony Album Experience,” a collection role in redefining alternative music,” says President of repertoire and marketing, New of clips telling the story of the release, track Posen, “by diversifying our artist roster to be York and Los Angeles, BMG by track. Southern Symphony reached No. 14 more representative of the genre-blending Jon Loba on Top Country Albums. music that alternative fans love.” President, BMG Nashville Patrick North Best Timesaving Tip: “Setting specific BMG, under Loba in Nashville, has scored Label head, XL Recordings/Young time each day and week to quietly assess all with publishing client Carly Pearce, who Laura Lyons the opportunities and all the issues helps won two Academy of Country Music Awards U.S. campaign manager, XL Recordings/ to focus on the things that matter most and — including single of the year for her Lee Young remove the things that don’t.” Brice duet, “I Hope You’re Happy Now” The Young label recently partnered with Antonio “L.A.” Reid — and Gabby Barrett, whose hit “I Hope” Page 20 of 41

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(featuring ) became the third- President, Gaither Music Group label, Saddest Factory, under Secretly in longest-reigning No. 1 on Hot Country Since Gaither Music Group partnered October. “We’re in the process of re-signing Songs at 27 weeks. Scherer’s deal-making with Primary Wave Music in early 2019, a few artists,” says Carlen, which “speaks on the recorded-music front has led to suc- Sizelove, 51, has seen the company con- to the ways we’re able to grow with artists.” cess with AJR, Leslie Odom, , tinue to expand through strategic alliances, The company’s pandemic-motivated invest- KSI and Evanescence, and the acquisition of including a new deal with Universal’s newly ment in direct-to-consumer initiatives like catalogs including ’s Dark rebranded Virgin Music Artist and Label the Secretly Store and record club, she adds, Horse Records, which released the Services. “This is a very good, strategic part- will “most definitely endure.” for Bangladesh triple album in 1971. nership for Gaither Music Group, allowing Best Timesaving Tip “Be on when you’re Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- us to further develop the Gaither, Green Hill on and off when you’re off. If you’re in a munity: “The continued power shift to the and Rural Rhythm labels, both digitally and position to keep that balance between work artist, and more awareness of the real value internationally,” says Sizelove. and the rest of life, keep it and prioritize it. of owning your assets and creative treasures. The Next Legislation We Need: “One It’s a timesaver in itself.” — Carlen BMG is committed as a partner and an indie that addresses performance royalties from Arnold Taylor with global muscle. We’re the best of both terrestrial radio for sound recordings and CEO, South Coast Music Group worlds.” — Loba artists. I am a proponent for making sure the Daud Carter Moe Shalizi master owners and artists get paid for their Senior vp, South Coast Music Group Founder, Pick Six Records content in all areas of media.” Garrett Williams In the fall of 2020, Shalizi launched Pick Wassim “Sal” Slaiby VP of marketing/head of operations, South Six Records, which he runs alongside his Amir “Cash” Esmailian Coast Music Group management company, The Shalizi Group. La Mar C. Taylor The independently owned South Coast The indie label’s 10-person team has signed Co-founders, XO Records Music Group, through its partnership with hip-hop artist Wacotron, alt-pop act Prop, XO continued to make history with The , saw DaBaby’s third R&B artist Kameron and rapper Morray, Weeknd’s After Hours. The record charted album, Blame It on Baby, released a month who recently signed a deal with Interscope three Hot 100 No. 1s including “Blinding into the pandemic in April 2020, debut atop in partnership with Pick Six. “Sign less,” Lights,” which became the longest-running the Billboard 200. Meanwhile, his single says Shalizi of the label’s tight roster, and top 10 song in the chart’s history. These “Rockstar” (featuring ) spend “give more time to those artists until they achievements helped bolster the label’s phil- seven nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 on have a solid team around them.” anthropic endeavors, including co-founding the Hot 100 and was Billboard’s Song of the Pandemic Business Practice That Will The Weeknd’s million-dollar donation to Summer for 2020. Last: “Building opportunities outside of hunger relief in Ethiopia and XO’s aid for Best Timesaving Tip: “Build a solid team touring and music.” the survivors of the deadly blast that rocked so you can delegate tasks evenly. A team Jonny Shipes Slaiby’s home country of Lebanon in 2020. is only as strong as its weakest link, so it’s Founder/CEO, Best Timesaving Tip: “Pick up the phone important to have reliable and trustworthy Cinematic had a prolific 2020: For the to resolve issues immediately and efficiently; people in position.” second year in a row, the label with a roster never wait. Choosing your team wisely is the Fiona Prine that includes Flipp Dinero, Smoke DZA, key to moving mountains.”— Slaiby President, Oh Boy Records/Sour Grapes Mu- Joey Bada$$ and Cam’ron doubled its Ben Swanson sic/TommyJack Music streams. “To be coming up on two decades Founding partner/COO, Jody Whelan in and still seeing growth at that Chris Swanson Managing partner, Oh Boy Records level feels good,” says Shipes, 41. “Seeing Founding partner/president of A&R, Secretly More than a year after John Prine’s death, budding superstar Druski take off the way Group his legacy shines on at Oh Boy Records, he has over the past year is very exciting.” Phil Waldorf which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. For 2021, Shipes also plans to focus on the Founding partner/chief marketing officer, Oh Boy, which was founded by Prine in 1981 management division of the company, which Secretly Group with Al Bunetta and Dan Einstein, is the includes hip-hop veteran Styles P. Hannah Carlen second-oldest artist-owned independent Best Way to Observe Juneteenth: “At U.S./Canadian marketing director, Secretly label in the United States (and the oldest in Cinematic, it’s a closed-office holiday. We’re Group Nashville) and has released past titles from proud of the platform we’ve created to As one of the world’s largest independent Prine and Kris Kristofferson, among others. amplify the voices of our Black artists and label groups, Secretly includes subsidiary Prine’s widow Fiona, 59, is proud of how the employees, which we showcase not just this imprints like , company, which she runs with her son, Jody, month but year-round.” and Ghostly International, with artists like 40, has “continued to support artists on Paul Sizelove , who launched her own our label and keep fans engaged by offering Page 21 of 41

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exciting and relevant entertainment content Managing partner, InnerCat Music Group tions of two multiplatform networks for and opportunities to support a variety of Ana Gonzalez $9.6 million: mitu, an entertainment and local and national nonprofits.” Managing partner, InnerCat Music Group lifestyle network for Latinx audiences that Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- Garrett Schaefer will work in tandem with GoDigital’s own munity: “Corporate consolidation and GM, InnerCat Music Group Latido Networks, and YogaWorks, a health these giant platforms that deprioritize and InnerCat, which describes itself as a and wellness platform that includes on- squeeze out smaller, more niche artistic full-service music technology company, demand and live yoga classes. In addition, communities.” — Whelan saw its catalog reach 22.75 billion total its Cinq Music Group — a distributor, label Bryan “Birdman” Williams streams to date, with breakouts like Jamby and publisher — acquired the rights to cata- Ronald “Slim” Williams El Favo, whose platform rose to 1.87 million logs by pop star and regional Co-founder/co-CEOs, Cash Money Records subscribers on YouTube, according to the Mexican label Rancho Humilde. Cash Money has launched some of the company. During the pandemic, InnerCat Pandemic Business Practice That Will biggest artists in hip-hop during its two- also developed a proprietary video player Last: “We will probably never have a fully decade history, and younger artists like that broadcasts virtual on-demand concerts staffed office. Rather a rotation of people Jacquees are now leading its next wave such as Gilberto Santa Rosa’s Christmas through a smaller facility.” of new talent. But the Williams brothers special that had over 500,000 viewers. And David Porter have also focused on giving back during the while InnerCat was eligible for federal loans Co-founder/CEO, Made in Memphis Enter- pandemic. In June 2020, they donated over through the Paycheck Protection Program, tainment $225,000 to Forward Together New Orleans, the company didn’t want to “take anything Tony D. Alexander offering rent relief for residents of their at the expense of other small businesses Co-founder/president/managing director, childhood housing project. “We are most who really needed the help,” says Cabezas, Made in Memphis Entertainment concerned,” says Slim, “with the financial 48. “That’s a testament to the team here — Made in Memphis Entertainment is wellness, literacy and attaining generational we’re a family.” working to revitalize the city’s music scene, wealth within the Black community.” Best Timesaving Tip: “Programming or and the multifaceted company includes — in The Next Legislation We Need: “We’d coding. Seriously, we’re a tech company as addition to its indie label MIME Records like to see laws in place that support access much as we are a music company.” — Cabe- and distribution divisions Beatroot Music to capital for small Black businesses and zas and Beatroot Africa — a studio, 4U Record- equal access to mortgages and loans.” — Ghazi ing; a film/TV synch company, Heavy Hit- Slim Williams Founder/CEO, EMPIRE ters Music Group; and MIME Publishing. Mason Williams Nima Etminan Recent success stories include Memphis Senior vp catalog A&R, Concord/Craft Re- COO, EMPIRE rapper Moneybagg Yo, who recorded much cordings Tina Davis of his No. 1 Billboard 200 album, A Gangsta’s Bruce McIntosh Senior vp A&R, EMPIRE Pain, at 4U, and BIG30, who is distributed VP Latin catalog, Concord/Craft Latino In the past year, EMPIRE’s expansion into through Beatroot. The goal was to “create a Craft spent the last year investing heavily West Africa led to “extensive growth and global network of interconnected, hyperlo- in the development of audiovisual content, success with artists such as Fireboy DML cal music communities,” says Alexander, 49. producing thoughtfully curated clips and and from our partnership with Plans for a new 4U studio in Atlanta “is a big relevant series for its label and artist chan- YBNL, as well as Wande Coal, Yaw Tog, step toward that goal.” nels. The catalog strategy has led to signifi- Patoranking, L.A.X. and more,” says Davis, Best way to observe Juneteenth “Volun- cant gains for its various YouTube channels the result of a “super talented and dedicated teering with an organization focused on — most notably for Fania Records, which team” on the continent. dismantling the vestiges of systemic racism. boasts nearly 700,000 subscribers; and Dis- The Next Legislation We Need: “Up- Many of today’s injustices remain tied to cos Musart, which counts roughly 800,000. dated laws regarding policing to abolish slavery, which is why it’s important to sup- “From A&R to e-commerce,” says McIn- qualified immunity to officers that engage in port organizations fighting for social justice tosh, “it’s all about audience cultivation and unconstitutional or illegal acts that result in like When We All Vote.” — Alexander engagement and offerings of all sorts for death or incarceration. The law should also Jacqueline Saturn everyone from explorers to superfans.” include a standard on how to investigate the President, Virgin Music Label and Artist Best Way to Observe Juneteenth: “Our use of lethal force, which should be a last Services Stax and Fania Records labels both have resort, not the first tactic.” — Davis Matt Sawin repertoire associated with the social justice Jason Peterson GM, Virgin Music Label and Artist Services movements that took place in each of their Chairman/CEO, GoDigital Media Group Marni Halpern respective communities. — McIntosh GoDigital grew from just over 100 em- Senior vp promotion, Virgin Music Label and Paris Cabezas ployees to a staff of 450 following acquisi- Artist Services Page 22 of 41

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Cindy James — a 12-album Black Label Society box set Founder/CEO, Symphonic Distribution Head of commercial marketing, Virgin Music that includes 20 colored-vinyl records and Janette Berrios Label and Artist Services other collectibles — as a notable accom- Head of corporate marketing, Symphonic Adam Starr plishment. “It’s tangible evidence of the Distribution Senior vp/head of marketing, Virgin Music TLC our teams put into our artists’ art and a Brea, who founded Tampa, Fla.-based Label and Artist Services tribute to the extent eOners are willing to go Symphonic Distribution in 2006, is in- In February, Universal Music Group to excite fans.” creasingly finding success in U.S. Latin and rebranded Caroline, the independent label Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- hip-hop: opening an office in Brazil, landing services division of Capitol Music Group, as munity: “Rights management and admin- Dominican legend as a cli- Virgin Music Label and Artist Services. The istration. Independent companies, not to ent and inking a licensing deal with African new entity revitalized the Virgin brand cre- mention unsigned artists, that lack scale streaming startup MePlaylist. ated by Richard Branson nearly 50 years ago and resources might have some commercial Best Timesaving Tip: “Block out time on to serve as a global network for indie artists success, but many are not collecting all the your calendar to avoid doing calls. Some- including Lil Baby and SHAED. The rebrand money owed to them, due to inadequate times you have to just do the work and stop enabled UMG to further its commitment resources in this regard.” talking.” — Brea in “building our worldwide network,” says Joel Andrew Drew Hill Saturn, who helmed the change, by “provid- President, CD Baby Managing director, Proper Music Group ing our partners with more resources and an Excelling at service to independent The ’s Proper Music saw intricate global plan for releases.” artists is in CD Baby’s DNA, says Andrew, its sales of vinyl music jump 41% in 2020 Best Timesaving Tip: “A 30-minute who takes pride in how the company has from 2019, compared with 13.3% indus- Zoom can be just as productive as an in-per- helped sustain acts during the pandemic. trywide in the market. Despite COVID-19 son meeting. Commuting time really adds “Artists turned to us in droves, and we got restrictions, Hill, 43, says his working-from- up, and it’s amazing to consider just how to pay them a whole lot of money, [helping home team understood that “artists and la- much more business and personal interac- sell] 2.2 million new tracks [that yielded] bels were relying on us to keep them afloat.” tion can be done on a daily basis.” — Saturn $140 million paid out to indie artists in Without live gigs, physical music sold online Camille Marie Soto Malavé 2020,” he says. became a lifeline, confirming that nimble CEO, Glad Empire Best Timesaving Tip: “Have a plan indies are “better placed” to respond to a Over the past year, Glad Empire launched months before releasing content. We added shifting market, he adds. production division Conteni2 Media Group a free new tool, our CD Baby Release Plan Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- and opened a new media studio in Orlando, Generator, where artists can improve or munity: “The indie community has success- Fla., to produce livestreams and podcasts. customize releases. It’s saving them so much fully innovated to embrace e-commerce as a “It’s a one-of-a-kind place for musicians time.” viable way to continue connecting fans with and content creators,” says Soto Malavé, 39. Matt Barrington the music they love, despite the adversity of Her team distributed titles including Myke Co-head/COO, TuneCore various lockdowns.” Towers and Juhn’s “Bandido,” which peaked Andreea Gleeson Laura Campbell Pittard at No. 4 on Hot Latin Songs and No. 6 on the Co-head/chief revenue officer, TuneCore Director of marketing, Redeye Worldwide Global Excl. U.S. chart in February. Soto Ma- The digital distributor TuneCore pays Jason Taylor lavé and her team also inked a distribution its artists “a true 100%” of all earnings, says Director of sales and label relations, Redeye deal with Flow La Movie, the label behind Barrington. “This is because we partner Worldwide Nio Garcia and Casper Magico. with our parent, Believe, and deal directly Michael Howard The Next Legislation We Need: “Stricter with [digital service providers], while most Director of operations, Redeye Worldwide anti-piracy and copyright laws that protect of our key competitors use a middleman A year into the global pandemic, Redeye, creators from getting their works leaked who takes a percentage off the top before a worldwide distribution and music services online and/or stolen. It is a huge problem.” passing along earnings.” (Believe revenue company, has learned how to turn a negative Chris Taylor topped $448 million in 2020.) In March, the into a positive. Taylor says that despite the Global president, music and live, eOne company introduced TuneCore Rewards, difficulties of the past year, the company is “We do records in a real traditional way,” which provides entrepreneurial guidance most proud of “our ability to navigate the Taylor told Billboard last year. “We’d rather on music promotion, release planning and challenges and obstacles of the pandemic sign 50 artists and have 40 of them making social media for artists, giving them a “road and come out stronger than we were pre- money.” So, in a moment of transition, with map to success, eliminating the guesswork,” pandemic.” financial firm Blackstone agreeing to buy says Gleeson. “It’s a key educational compo- Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- eOne Music from for $385 million, nent in our support of artists.” munity: “The staggering increase in de- Taylor singles out some traditional product Jorge Brea mand for vinyl and the barriers indies face Page 23 of 41

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in supplying products to fulfill that demand. Brad Navin Co-founder/CEO, While there have been significant changes in CEO, The Orchard Kristin Graziani manufacturing turn[around] times, freight Colleen Theis VP artist relations, Stem costs and international transit times because COO, The Orchard In 2020, artist services company Stem of the pandemic, consumer demand contin- Mary Ashley Johnson launched the funding tool Scale with ues to be at an all-time high.” — Howard Senior vp North America, label management $ in advances for independent Philip Kaplan and sales, The Orchard artists and labels. Unlike the typical terms Founder/CEO, DistroKid Alan Becker for advances, artists keep their masters and DistroKid now distributes at least 30% of Senior vp product development, The Orchard decide what percentage of their earnings to all new music: 20 million tracks from 2 mil- Tim Pithouse contribute to recoupment each month. So lion artists, with over 35,000 new tracks a Senior vp/head of artist services, The Or- far, over 50 artists, including Brent Faiyaz, day. The company says it also collects over chard have used Scale to finance projects. “Our $200 million annually from digital service This past year was the distributor’s big- artists can access capital on their terms,” providers for its distributed artists. “Blows gest ever, one that included 40 Grammy says Graziani, “empowering them to take my mind,” says Kaplan, who notes that nominations that yielded 10 awards for control of their music and their business.” recent integrations with Twitch, Snap and artists it represents, plus over 399 albums Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- Audiomack have added value for clients in- reaching the Billboard 200. One of those munity: “Artists and labels are able to cluding , Arizona Zervas and Dan made history: K-pop sensation BTS became access capital easier than ever before. The the Automator. the first group ever to simultaneously debut growth of streaming has made music as an Best Time Saving Tip: “During meetings, at No. 1 on both the albums chart and the asset class more and more recognizable to I try to get as much done as possible, even Hot 100. “We are able to scale our business financial markets.” — Graziani coding, so that the meeting doesn’t create a and nimbly respond in real time to engage- Bob Roback lot of new to-dos.” ment, because we lead with aggressive data CEO, Ingrooves Music Group Cat Kreidich and technology, coupled with great relation- Lloyd Hummel President, Alternative Distribution Alliance ships,” says Johnson, 47. Executive vp global commercial strategy, John Franck Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- Ingrooves Music Group Executive vp commercial and marketing, munity: “Leaning too hard on playlist adds Ingrooves has been experiencing expan- Alternative Distribution Alliance and viral moments without off-platform sion and growth both geographically and To expand its global network, Warner marketing, strategic planning and driving in its data-driven distribution products. Music Group’s independent label and artist fans back to partners. We need all of the “We’ve carefully built out a strong, connect- services division, Alternative Distribution elements to give artists the best shot at true ed team across the world over the past 18 Alliance, launched ADA Latin, encompass- development.” — Johnson months,” says Hummel. “That’s hard in nor- ing Latin America, Spain and Portugal; and Ben Patterson mal times, but this group has more than met ADA Asia, covering greater China, Korea COO, Downtown Music Services the challenge during a global pandemic.” On and Southeast Asia, says Kreidich. The With the sale of Downtown Music’s pub- the product front, adds Hummel, “our new distributor has also signed deals with Toy lishing copyrights to Concord, announced in Smart Audience advertising program finds Selectah’s Worldwide Records and Cos- April, Downtown will further focus on offer- fans who are most likely to actually stream mica Records and a new joint venture with ing services to unsigned and established in- our artists’ music, not just social media surf- Billy Mann and Benton James’ icons+giants die artists. Patterson transitioned from head ers who might click on an ad.” label. In the United States, ADA worked of Downtown subsidiary DashGo to COO of Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- with S-Curve/BMG to break AJR’s “Bang!,” Downtown Music Services. “One of our first munity: “The challenge of building an audi- which “grew over a full calendar year,” says releases as Downtown Music Services is ence [with] 400,000-plus new tracks being Franck, and “is now two-times platinum in Cheat Codes’ debut album, Hellraisers, Pt 1.,” released every week, plus the competition the United States after crossing four radio he says. The release “shows the capabilities for mindshare among so many emerging formats.” we can offer artists who wish to maintain in- platforms. It’s more important than ever Best Way to Observe Juneteenth: “On dependence and ownership of their music.” that indie artists educate themselves, build my children’s school calendar, Juneteenth is Pandemic Business Practice That Will a trusted, knowledgeable team around them a holiday for our school district. I was happy Last: “I have a sinking sensation that these and use tools and insights to help guide to see that and think the best way to observe video calls are going to hang around — if their careers.” the day is to spend time with my two daugh- only because a three-meeting day with L.A. Ed Seaman ters, educating them on the importance of traffic can now be a five- or six-meeting day COO, MVD Entertainment Group the day and making sure they understand in front of a camera.” As a distributor, MVD represents audiovi- the history around it.” — Franck Milana Rabkin Lewis sual products across DVD, Blu-ray, CD, vinyl Page 24 of 41

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and digital rights in shipping releases and Tabaac, meanwhile, highlights his com- Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- merchandise to brick-and-mortar retailers. pany’s “record-breaking” year by noting munity: “It takes a village to manage vola- The company posted its “best year ever in that receipts were up over 45% from the tile vinyl manufacturing timelines. Strategic 2020, by a lot,” says Seaman, 55, who notes previous fiscal year and that AMPED’s planning between label, distributor and its chief accomplishment is a bunch of many distribution partners — which include manufacturer is at an all-time premium.” — recent “label renewals” with clients Bear Glassnote, Bloodshot, Epitaph and AWAL Welz Family (Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis), — had impressive showings on the Indepen- Emmanuel Zunz JSP Records and others. “Very few labels dent Albums chart on a week-to-week basis, Founder/CEO, ONErpm move on from MVD,” he says. “We don’t take as well as 20% of CD sales at indie music The Nashville-based distributor expanded that for granted.” stores. internationally in 2020, with new opera- Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- The Next Legislation We Need: “I’d like tions in London and Nigeria and 130 new munity: “Turnaround time for vinyl [manu- to see H.R. 1 [the For the People Act] passed hires. In January, the company launched a facturing]. It is causing release dates to push because without free and fair elections the streamlined user interface on its website way out on the horizon.” whole ship goes down.” — Pryor combining “daily performance stats and Jonathan Strauss Michael Ugwu demographic consumption data with direct- Co-founder/CEO, Create Music Group Founder/CEO, Freeme Digital to-fan marketing,” says Zunz, 48. The plat- Wayne Hampton Named the first Black member to the form offers three tiers of service for talent Co-founder/chief development officer, Create board of Merlin in 2020, Ugwu leads Freeme — DIY, Taking Off and Next Level — with Music Group Digital, which describes itself as Nigeria’s artists earning more personalized support as Alexandre Williams foremost online digital music distributor. their fan bases grow. “We are one of the few Co-founder/COO, Create Music Group The company works with over 2,000 artists companies where an artist can start DIY and Create Music Group, which focuses including stars Rudeboy, Flavour, emerging graduate to bespoke marketing and label on unsigned artists that self-release their local act The Cavemen and Nigerian comedy services,” he says. music, introduced the Create Carbon credit legend Basketmouth. Ugwu has developed Pandemic Business Practice That Will card last year, “which gives creators the abil- Freeme Space as a creative hub that over Last: “We will remain more virtual, and our ity to access their royalties as soon as they’re the past year has seen nearly 100 videos direct-to-fan initiative is more important earned rather than wait to receive them in recorded by artists including Burna Boy and than ever.” regular monthly payouts,” says Strauss. “For multinational brands like Budweiser and Contributors: Trevor Anderson, Rania way too long legacy music companies have Hennessy Cognac. Aniftos, Chuck Arnold, Katie Bain, Alexei held on to artists’ money unnecessarily, and Darius Van Arman Barrionuevo, Tatiana Cirisano, Anna Chan, this innovation has been hugely popular Co-CEO, Secretly Distribution; founding Ed Christman, Leila Cobo, Mariel Concep- with our artist clients.” partner, Secretly Group cion, Stephen Daw, Frank DiGiacomo, Thom Trend Most Affecting the Indie Com- Christopher Welz Duffy, Deborah Evans Price, Griselda Flores, munity: “Transparency, and the lack of it. Managing director, Secretly Distribution Gary Graff, Lyndsey Havens, J’na Jefferson, One reason that artists are flocking to Create Jacqui Resur Gil Kaufman, Steve Knopper, Juliana Koran- is that we show artists what they are earning Head of label relations, Secretly Distribution teng, Carl Lamarre, Joe Levy, Heran Mamo, on a daily basis. We aren’t hamstrung by Shelly Westerhausen Worcel Geoff Mayfield, Taylor Mims, Gail Mitchell, the same legacy accounting and reporting Head of North American physical sales and Melinda Newman, Glenn Peoples, Neena systems that the major-label system uses. marketing, Secretly Distribution Rouhani, Jessica Roiz, Dan Rys, Christine Independents are truly leading the way in Secretly Group’s distribution division Werthman, Jewel Wicker, Nick Williams, this regard.” — Williams welcomed new label partners Awful Re- Stereo Williams Dean Tabaac cords and Father/Daughter; grew its artist Methodology: The record companies Head, AMPED Distribution services division with clients including featured on Billboard’s Indie Power Players Jocelynn Pryor Crumb, Portugal. The Man and Yaeji; and list are defined as independent because they VP marketing, AMPED Distribution led a release campaign for Phoebe Bridg- are not owned by one of the three major music The measure of AMPED’s success for ers’ Punisher, which earned the singer-song- groups: Sony, Warner and Universal. (They Pryor is simple math. “Week over week writer four Grammy nominations including may release repertoire through the major we’re consistently bringing the heat on best new artist. “We’re constantly evolv- groups in joint ventures). Distributors are de- our acts’ chart positions,” she says about ing our services to meet partners’ needs,” fined as independent, regardless of ownership, Waxahatchee’s Saint Cloud landing at No. 1 says Welz, who also notes the company’s based on the repertoire they market, largely on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart, creation of over 50 virtual workshops for from labels not under the majors’ umbrel- as well as other chart successes from Adam label partners on topics like diversity and las. Billboard editors and reporters weighed Lambert, AWOLnation and Testament. metadata optimization. a variety of factors in determining the 2021 Page 25 of 41

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Indie Power Players list including, but not 2.8% to $22.67 on Monday morning.) Unlike purchased 20% of the company at a 30 bil- limited to, nominations by peers, colleagues most SPAC acquisitions — where a publicly lion euros ($33 billion at the time) valuation and superiors at selected music companies, as traded shell company reverse merges with a in two installments finalized in March 2020 well as recommendations by indie trade group private startup to take the company public and January 2021. A2IM. In addition to nominations, editors without a traditional, lengthy IPO process If investors want to know they’re getting weigh the success of each executive’s label or — PSTH’s plan will invest in UMG and UMG at a discount, they won’t find comfort distributor as measured by chart, sales and gives its shareholders the equity before the in ’s valuation. PSTH streaming performance. Career trajectory and record company spins off from its parent puts UMG’s enterprise value at 24 times industry impact were also considered. Unless Vivendi later this year. 2020 EBITDA — the same as WMG when it otherwise noted, Billboard Boxscore and The proposal calls for PSTH to put $4 went public last year. That means investors MRC Data are the sources for tour grosses billion into UMG ahead of its spin-off that wanted better terms from Ackman will and sales/streaming data, respectively. MRC from Vivendi on the Euronext Amsterdam need convincing given UMG is intrinsi- Data is also the source for radio audience exchange that’s expected to take place by cally worth more than WMG. Ackman said metrics. Unless otherwise noted, album September. The deal would value UMG as much in a statement issued Friday by streaming figures cited represent collective at 35 billion euros ,or roughly $42.6 billion — declaring that UMG has “one of the most U.S. on-demand audio totals for an album’s consisting of $40 billion of equity and $2.6 outstanding management teams” that he’s tracks, and song/artist streaming figures rep- billion of debt. “ever encountered.” resent U.S. on-demand audio and video totals. It’s big news for the music industry UMG is certainly a stable company This article originally appeared in the June but based on the stock market’s reaction Fri- with the most successful labels turn- 5, 2021, issue of Billboard. day it’s probably not what investors were ing out the most hits of the three majors. hoping for. The deal’s complexity turns And as the largest music company in the what’s normally a straightforward acquisi- world, UMG should enjoy the benefits of Bill Ackman’s tion into a convoluted . For economies of scale. If a market leader gets a starters, PSTH is making an investment, premium over its rivals, UMG is worth more UMG Play: A not acquiring UMG — even though the “A” than 24 times its 2020 EBITDA. in SPAC stands for acquisition. PSTH inves- But PSTH shares could have significant Bad Deal or Just tors may get an acquisition eventually: The upside to take investors well beyond $42.6 funds not used in the UMG deal will be set billion. Goldman Sachs issued a report in Too Confusing aside for another SPAC — and that’s part of April putting UMG’s value at 44 billion eu- the deal’s complexity. ros ($53.5 billion) about 24% above PSTH’s for Investors? Even though PSTH has $5.6 billion in valuation and 61% more than the Tencent cash it will only use $4 billion in the deal. It based its estimate on a litany of BY GLENN PEOPLES UMG deal — the record amount raised optimistic assumptions: an 11% cumulative in PSTH’s IPO on Sept. 11, 2020, at $20 annual growth rate for the global streaming PDATE: PSTH shares climbed as per share. As a result, PSTH sharehold- market, culminating in revenue of $75 bil- much as 6.8% to $23.55 on Mon- ers will get two securities instead of lion in 2030; “an accelerated shift to music day (June 7), gaining back about one: ownership of UMG as well as a Persh- streaming” that will continue beyond the half of the value lost on Friday. ing Square acquisition fund representing pandemic. UThe share price closed at $23.03, up 4.4% the funding left over from the UMG invest- Using Goldman’s valuation of UMG from Friday’s closing price of $22.06. ment. The third component is a warrant — a increases the value of a share of PSTH to Investors are either confused or con- right to purchase — for a future Pershing about $24.02 — the proposal breaks up cerned by the announcement that hedge Square SPAC. each $20 share into one piece for UMG at fund manager Bill Ackman intends to ac- Altogether, the arrangement is so twisted $14.75 and $5.25 for the acquisition fund. At quire a 10% stake in Universal Music Group it evoked a chuckle from CNBC host David Goldman’s $53.5 billion valuation, the UMG through a novel – and unpredicted — deal by Faber — never a good sign — during a con- equity increases to $18.52 per share (assum- the largest-ever special purpose acquisition fused, three-minute explanation of the ing the acquisition security remains at $4.25 company (SPAC). transaction’s details on Friday. per share). Friday’s closing price of $22.06 On Friday the share price for the Persh- What valuation investors should place on implies that investors are unsure about ing Square Tontine Holdings dropped as UMG could also be a sticking point for some UMG’s valuation. But using the valuation much as 14.9% to $21.33 and ended the day PSTH shareholders. Ackman’s deal values from Tencent’s investment, a share of PSTH down 11.94%, at $22.06, after Ackman’s UMG at 35 billion euros ($42.6 billion), the would be worth $16.93. Pershing Square Capital released details midpoint of two other estimates. A Ten- There’s also the matter of whether on the planned deal for PSTH. (PSTH rose cent Corp.-led consortium of investors PSTH shareholders wanted something else Page 26 of 41

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and could consider UMG to be an unful- advanced hardware to fully take advantage filling target compared to some buzzy Apple Music of the improved audio quality. But for users tech companies. PSTH shares were riding who do have the proper equipment, Apple high in early 2021 amidst speculation Releases will offer lossless CD-quality audio (16-bit the SPAC might target Airbnb, financial / 44.1kHz to 24-bit / 48Hz) and Hi-Res tech firm Stripe or Starlink, the nascent Spatial Audio lossless (24-bit / up to 192 kHz, which will satellite-based internet provider founded require a digital-to-analog converter). by Elon Musk. Bloomberg and Chik-Fil-A and Lossless Spatial Audio will work by default on the were also tossed about. Given Ackman’s latest AirPods and Beats headphones with celebrity status and reputation as an Streaming an H1 or W1 chip, and the latest iPhones, activist investor, some PSTH sharehold- iPads, and Macs. ers may have anticipated a more daring BY MICAH SINGLETON move that would give him greater influence in the target company. pple is rolling out Spatial Audio How Premier’s SPACs became popular in part because and lossless music, its high- investors want to invest in private compa- fidelity music streaming option Josh Deutsch nies that usually take investments only from Monday (June 7), the company hedge funds and venture capital firms. By announcedA during its annual Worldwide Is Shaking Up the time a private company has an IPO, those Developers Conference. early investors have already profited from Last month, Apple unveiled Spatial Au- Music Supervision their investments many times over. PSTH’s dio, a new feature powered by Dolby Atmos plan for Universal still achieves that goal, but Music that gives listeners a surround sound BY JOE LEVY only for a fraction of the highly valued com- experience in their headphones. Both Spa- pany, where the upside may not be as high as tial Audio and Lossless will be available at uring the pandemic, Josh some were hoping. no additional charge for Apple Music users, Deutsch let the lease for his Some investors might think a direct route a massive change for streaming services that 4-year-old music supervision to UMG is a better idea, though. Reuters col- previously charged between $15 and $20 and strategy shop, Premier Mu- umnist Liam Proud argued on Friday that a month for high-fidelity music. ( Dsic Group, run out. When he was ready to investors who want a piece of UMG could Music was the first to cut its price to $10 a start working somewhere other than home instead buy Vivendi stock ahead of the spin month for high-fidelity music in May). again earlier this year, he found space at The off. Since Vivendi will distribute UMG Much like competing features like 3D Au- National Arts Club, a 137-year-old Gothic shares as special dividends to its sharehold- dio from Amazon Music and , Apple’s Revival landmark building in Manhattan’s ers, buying Vivendi stock would effectively Spatial Audio catalog is limited at launch Gramercy Park, a short walk from his apart- be buying UMG shares directly and for to “thousands” of songs, a notable gap from ment. The club has over 600 paintings and less money. However, that could create the 75 million songs on its platform, but the sculptures in its permanent collection, so tax issues for the shares’ recipients, hedge company has said it will focus on getting the place is like a lived-in museum. Randall fund Bluebell Capital complained in a May new music produced in Dolby Atmos to Poster — the music supervisor known for 21 letter to Vivendi. As a solution, Blue- continue to add to its Spatial Audio catalog his work with Wes Anderson and Martin bell suggested that Vivendi pay a one-time moving forward. Scorsese, and a friend of Deutsch’s since dividend of 2.80 euros per share to ac- The feature, which has been present on grade school — took an office down the hall complish to cover expected taxes from the iPhones since late 2020 for movies and TV after Premier acquired his firm, Search dividends (Vivendi will have a chance to shows, has been a priority for Apple, which Party. Poster says it’s like working inside an address the matter during its June 22 annual has made it a staple throughout its latest Anderson movie. shareholder meeting). line of products. Spatial Audio will roll out Deutsch is best known for Downtown Pershing Square’s pitch for the com- in FaceTime later this year in iOS 15, as well Music, the label he co-founded 15 years ago, plex transaction included a universal as its new Apple TV 4K and its latest Mac- that signed an array of artists who helped truth along with details of its financial Books, the company announced Monday. define the freewheeling indie aesthetics of wizardry: “Everyone loves music!” With Lossless will also be available Monday, the 2000s: Gnarls Barkley, , Ma- more time to digest the details and mull and Apple says that 75 million songs will be jor Lazer, Eagles of Death Metal and Cold over UMG’s value, and more selling by available in high-fidelity music before the War Kids. The label brought about Down- Ackman, investors might give this proposal end of the year. Apple has framed lossless town Music Publishing and harnessed its more love. as a “pro” feature since lossless music can’t startup mentality to a series of digitally be streamed over Bluetooth and it requires focused side businesses. Page 27 of 41

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He founded Premier in 2017 with the idea signed, and I would have liked to acquire market segment. This was right before [the of bringing scale to music supervision. A 2019 the publishing rights. But we didn’t have 2020] Grammys, and we had a pretty good investment from Primary Wave allowed him enough money. We’d raised just enough, hat feeling she was going to win [for best to acquire Wool & Tusk, a boutique firm with in hand, from friends and family. “Crazy” album]. The client went with it, and expertise on the advertising side of synch, to topped every chart. It was the first record to very successful. Koffee won the Grammy, which Poster’s Search Party adds depth and go to No. 1 [in the United Kingdom] on the and there was all this earned media love prestige in the worlds of film, TV, original back of digital sales. And when I saw what around the use of the track. composition and music production. happened, the next thing we did was start a What’s the macro example? Poster is currently overseeing the record- publishing company. We’ve done some brand musical-identity ing of period music for Scorsese’s upcom- But you were also conscious of building work. You see so many brands invest- ing Killers of the Flower Moon, set in 1920s out other areas than recorded music and ing heavily in visual identity and then Oklahoma, and also worked on Questlove’s publishing. not thinking about music from a strategic soon-to-be-released Summer of Soul docu- We made some investments — pre-stream- perspective: “What am I trying to sound mentary. Last year, Premier’s supervision ing — in the discovery landscape to solve like? What does that actually mean for my business grew 60% and the company added specific problems or frustrations that we had. brand?” We worked with ESPN where we podcasting to its work with brand clients We launched the first ad-supported legal were brought on by McKinney to help craft such as AT&T, Coca-Cola, Google and Sam- download site, RCRD LBL, and we started an a music strategy for ESPN’s SEC and ACC sung. Premier’s podcast projects includes offshoot with Ian Rogers from Topspin called networks and to give each property a dis- work with Malcolm Gladwell’s Pushkin RCRD DLS to try and crack the direct-to- tinct music identity. For the SEC Network, (such as Gladwell’s Revisionist History and consumer space. We bought We Are Hunted, working closely with ESPN music director Rick Rubin’s Broken Record) and the which scraped SoundCloud. Twitter acquired Kevin Wilson, we covered a wide base of Obama’s Higher Ground (such as the Barack that business in 2012. established and emerging artists with roots Obama- conversation What problem was Premier built to in SEC territory, from the southern soul series Renegades). solve? of Wilson Pickett to Terrell Hines’ hip-hop “Podcast production budgets are not I had a side hustle as a music supervisor to alternative and Americana acts like Thad huge,” says Deutsch, who believes the for- over the years, and I saw a hole in the mar- Cockrell and Moon Taxi. It culminated mat will better grow audience with licensed ket. There wasn’t really a scalable solution with Big Loud artist HARDY customizing tracks rather than the library music many to music supervision, or even a full service his song “Where Ya At” to call out specific podcasts rely on. He compares the conver- offering strategy, supervision or [administra- SEC teams and towns. sation around licensing to the early days of tion] on an integrated basis. So we built up a How does what you offer big-brand cli- streaming, when rights holders were con- full music-strategy stack. The idea is to help ents differ from the way they work with cerned about streams paying a fraction of a our clients make more considered deci- an ad agency? penny while digital service providers were sions. It’s not just about the good taste of the A lot of those clients come to us through hemorrhaging money. “They were both people that work here. It’s about showing their agencies. With T-Mobile, we sit across right. But over time we’re at scale and it’s the client why they should use this music six agencies, and we work very nicely with now returning significant value to the pub- and how they will get a better return. all of them. We’re not trying to do what lishing community and the recorded-music Give me an example. they do. I’m not trying to be a full-service community.” He sees the podcast universe I’ll give you a micro example and a macro creative agency. expanding and wants to figure out licens- example. We did a project with an agency Besides the Super Bowl, what are some ing fees that make sense for both podcast called R/GA for Lifewtr, which is a Pepsi other big opportunities for advertising producers and rights holders. “We don’t find product. The brief was multicultural posi- synchs? that uncomfortable,” he says. “We want to tivity. The music is usually an afterthought The Olympics are always big. Back to school lead in that role.” in advertising — an editor falls in love with is big. We were already starting to see You’ve said that when you started a track that the budget doesn’t allow, and holiday in April and May, which is early for you were also inter- then we come in to put out a fire. This was us. You’re months ahead, so you’re think- ested in starting a publishing company, not that. We were brought in early, and our ing about things two quarters early. It’s but that would have taken more money strategy team leveraged data and cultural always holiday season around here. But the than you had at the time. insights to say, “This aligns with your brand calendar is a little bit more dynamic than it I was a songwriter before becoming an A&R value, with this campaign and with the audi- was a decade or two ago. There’s all sorts of person and had been the veteran of a couple ence you want to reach.” We advocated hard new and important cultural moments. Black of publishing deals, so I understood the for the dancehall artist Koffee. We knew History Month, now more than ever, is tak- intrinsic value of that kind of intellectual that there was a lot of love for her track ing on cultural and commercial significance. property. Gnarls Barkley was the first act we “Toast,” and it was reacting with the right Same thing with Women’s History Month Page 28 of 41

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and women’s movement issues. Pride as Billboard and the undersigned implore well. We did an amazing Juneteenth activa- An Open Letter you — the people who are elected to repre- tion last year with and [ad agency] R/ sent us — to close the deadly loopholes that GA. It was very moving and last year took on to Senators put the lives of so many music fans, and all an unusual amount of significance. of us, at risk. You were in the publishing business. From the Music Sincerely, What’s your take on the prices that pub- , Tori Amos, Sara Bari- lishing assets are commanding these days? Industry: End Gun elles, Aaron Bay-Schuck, , Selim It makes sense to me, because coming from Bouab, , Scooter Braun, Cortez the publishing world I understand the Violence Now Bryant, Michael Bublé, Vanessa Carlton, return profile. The right assets behave like Joseph Carozza, Steve Cooper, Tom Corson, annuities. For a certain type of investor, it’s BY BILLBOARD STAFF Lee Daniels, Ellen DeGeneres, , a very reasonable return. There’s a rea- , Mike Easterlin, John Esposito, Melissa son why Anthem is funded by the ive years ago, amidst a string Etheridge, Fletcher, , , Teachers’ Pension Plan. You have a lot of of deadly attacks at live music Kevin Gore, Julie Greenwald, Josh Groban, institutional money because the return venues including the horrific mass Horacio Gutierrez, Joe Hahn, Halsey, Billy profile of music publishing assets is very shooting at Pulse nightclub in Joel, Craig Kallman, Alicia Keys, , consistent. The explosion of the streaming FOrlando, Fla., on June 12, 2016, the cover Carole King, , Adam Lambert, Cyndi ecosystem has only accelerated that growth, of Billboard’s July 2016 issue featured an Lauper, Kevin Liles, Dre London, Jennifer and at a time of uncertainty it’s nice to know open letter to Congress signed by 200 artists Lopez, , , Carianne that you can get a reasonable return out of and music industry executives calling for gun Marshall, , Paul McCartney, Ju- this asset class. I’ve been drinking that Kool- reform. Unfortunately, the need for reform lia Michaels, Guy Moot, Jason Mraz, Gregg Aid for a long time. It’s hard for me to see has only grown more urgent as such shoot- Nadel, , Mark Pinkus, Gregory anything about this that isn’t great. ings have continued around the country at Porter, , Bonnie Raitt, Dawn Sometimes investors and creativity a terrifying clip. So now, five years later, as Richard, RMR, Paul Robinson, Mag- aren’t a great mix. venues prepare to reopen after their pandemic gie Rogers, Kelly Rowland, Mike Shino- There’s always a risk that reckless capital shutdown and music fans ready to return to da, , Matt Signore, , Rob is going to have a deleterious effect on the concerts and festivals, we stand again with Stevenson, , , Justin creative process. Maybe that will impact the the music community to ask lawmakers to Tranter, Sir Trilli, Sharon Van Etten, Aimie front-line business a little bit more than the take swift action to stop the violence. — Han- Vaughn-Fruehe, , Andrew Watt. catalog business. However, I would say that nah Karp, Billboard editorial director If you are interested in signing this letter, the biggest players in the space are people An Open Letter to Senators: Stop Gun please email [email protected]. coming from the music industry. Primary Violence Now Wave, full disclosure, is a partner. But Merck As leading artists and executives in the Mercuriadis has built a team of veteran music industry, we are adding our voices to folks. The multiples can seem incredibly the chorus of Americans demanding change. aggressive, but by and large you have a lot of Music always has been celebrated com- very talented music industry veterans help- munally, on dance floors and at concert halls. ing to guide that investment. It’s returning But this life-affirming ritual, like so many value to the artist community, it’s returning other daily experiences — going to school or value to the rights holders. It’s hard for me church or work — continues to be threat- to see someone who is suffering as a result. ened, because of gun violence in this country. This article originally appeared in the June The one thing that connects the tragedies 5, 2021 issue of Billboard. like the shootings in Boulder, El Paso, Las Vegas, Parkland and so many other places in America, to the one that happened in Or- lando five years ago this June, is that it is far too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on guns. We call on the Senate to do more to pre- vent the gun violence that kills more than 100 Americans every day and injures hundreds more: Take action on background checks. Page 29 of 41

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official box office reports.) ANZAC weekend event, drawing upwards How New Having conquered their homeland, Six60 of 100,000 viewers across 30 countries, say are now planning to take their touring jug- reps. Earlier, the band made history when Zealand’s Six60 gernaut to audiences in Australia, the U.K. TikTok live streamed their Feb. 27 concert and Europe. at ’s Claudelands Oval. Became the “Every month we have a sit-down and New Zealand has done better than most try to figure out how to do something really countries in controlling the spread of the CO- World’s Biggest big, to make a difference,” frontman Walters VID-19 virus. By shutting borders early in the tells Billboard. “We’re continually trying to pandemic and closely monitoring outbreaks, Live Act This Year challenge ourselves.” the country has limited its confirmed cases A travel “bubble” connecting the lands to less than 2,700, with only 26 deaths, as of BY LARS BRANDLE Down Under opened in April, enabling June 6, according to Johns Hopkins Univer- quarantine-free travel between Australia sity. No country with more than 5 million RISBANE, Australia — There and New Zealand. Six60 will take advantage people has fewer deaths. (Taiwan, with 23.5 was a cool breeze in the air, and with a nine-date tour of Australia due to million people, had fewer deaths until two a touch of rain, when Six60 kick off Nov. 3 at Hobart’s Odeon Theatre. A weeks ago. A recent virus outbreak pushed its strolled to the stage on April 24 headline performance is booked for Dubai’s fatalities to 260 as of Monday.) Bfor their concert in Auckland’s Eden Park futuristic Expo later this fall, a visit to Bot- Visitors to New Zealand and Australia are stadium. Against the backdrop of a tradi- tlerock Napa Valley this Sept. 3–5 is in the required to undertake 14 days of manda- tional haka dance and a Maori welcome cards and an 11-date U.K. and Europe jaunt tory quarantine, a hurdle that’s too much from a local cultural group, the local rockers will begin Nov. 18 at Le Badaboum, Paris, for most tourists. It’s a situation that has soon got the crowd warmed up. France. Along the way, Six60 will play Lon- allowed homegrown acts to shine. While the international spotlight has don’s iconic Alexandra Palace on Nov. 26, a Playing Eden Park, the spiritual home fallen on New Zealand in recent years room that’s bound to be filled with ex-pats. of rugby in New Zealand and the national — with the likes of Joshua Stylah, Be- “It’s hard to ignore the overwhelming men’s team, the All Blacks, wasn’t without nee and enjoying success — no act response in Australia with the demand its challenges. can touch the recent domestic box office for tickets, over 30,000 tickets sold in the There had never been a music show there of Six60. In a year where the COVID-19 current climate in the first week of the in 100 years. And that seemed unlikely to pandemic decimated the live concert busi- on-sale and counting,” says - change when organizers faced a large and ness, the New Zealand band has emerged as ing, senior at Live Nation, who is vocal opposition, led by former prime min- the biggest touring act in the world in 2021, overseeing the tour’s Australian leg. ister Helen Clark. To win support, it would mostly by exploiting their country’s extra- In 2019, Six60 became the first New come down to a game of numbers. low number of COVID-19 virus cases and its Zealand act to sell out a stadium, Western It turned into a “little battle” to get ap- confident handling of the health crisis. Springs (50,000 tickets). In 2020 they sold proval, recounts Reilly. The band and their And when Six60 members Matiu Walters, out Western Springs again and added it to reps assembled a report to woo residents. Marlon Gerbes, Ji Fraser, Chris Mac and Eli a national sell out stadium tour, which sold The study boiled the argument down to a Paewai ripped open their set at Eden Park over 135,000 tickets, the national record, financial one: Green light a performance by with “Don’t Forget Your Roots,” the group smashing their old mark (75,000) for tickets a local band and keep 100% of the taxable fulfilled a dream. That night, Six60 played on a domestic tour. touring income in New Zealand. to a full house of 50,000-plus at the national (For some perspective, Lorde has never It was a winning argument. When the stadium of New Zealand — becoming the played a show in New Zealand larger than report was put out to the community, it first band ever to do so. With a reputation Auckland’s Spark Arena, which boasts a received 95% approval, Reilly says. as seasoned live performers, no other act is capacity of about 12,000 and has hosted Formed in 2008 in , a South Is- playing to crowds of this size. performances from , Harry land town popular with students, Six60took Eden Park capped a string of major open- Styles and many other international acts.) their name from the address of the flat they air shows in New Zealand, Six60’s second Walters’ performance at Eden Park was lived in, No. 660. Since then, they’ve become lap in support of their 2019 self-titled seemingly in his roots. His grandfather accustomed to the big stage. They’ve landed album. The band grossed $13.7 million and played at the venue, in an entirely different four No. 1 albums on the Official New sold 168,761 tickets across seven shows in ball game. Muru Walters represented the Zealand Music Chart, and sold more than 1 New Zealand in 2021, according to Billboard New Zealand Maoris in a 1956 rugby test million singles, an astonishing number for a Boxscore. (Six60 played to another 10,000 match against the touring South African side. country whose population of approximately fans at Cardrona Valley in Wanaka on Jan. 1; For those who couldn’t get a seat for the 5 million is roughly equal to that of the Aus- The pre-bought tickets were not included in Eden Park concert, Veeps streamed the tralian city of Sydney. Page 30 of 41

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Malay (, Lorde, ) experience the history and contribute to the produced the band’s third self-titled album, Gibson Garage music community that they’ve been a part of which reached No. 8 on Australia’s chart. for over a century. In New Zealand, it remained at No. 1 for 12 Aims to Keep The new space — located only a few doors consecutive weeks. down from the company’s headquarters, Across their career, Six60 has snagged the Pandemic- within Nashville’s Cummins Station build- 17 New Zealand Music Awards, including ing — will allow visitors the opportunity to best group at the 2018 ceremony, one of five Inspired ‘Guitar shop for or design their own guitar, ex- on the night. plore generations of music history through “It’s their time to shine globally,” Energy’ Flowing interactive exhibits, and catch tapings of the says Nick Vinci from , which award-winning Gibson TV series (Gibson’s signed the group for North America in Octo- in Nashville portfolio also includes Epiphone, Kramer, ber 2019. Their metrics in New Zealand “are KRK and the newly acquired MESA/Boo- staggering and prove their insane potential.” BY ISAAC WEEKS gie brand). There is also a stage within the (Epic released the SIX60 album the follow- 300-capacity showroom for live perfor- ing month, and then released the single “All s the COVID-19 pandemic began mances by those on Gibson’s artist roster. All She Wrote” this February.) to affect businesses throughout Garage entertainment and programming is Six60 didn’t escape the chaos inflicted by the U.S. in March 2020, many free to the public, unless otherwise noted. the pandemic. The bandmates were “gutted” companies found themselves un- “To me, it’s a hope. It’s a space to inspire when promoters scrapped a string of inter- ableA to predict where they may end up when me, to come and pick up new instruments, national dates, says Walters, including a July — or if — their doors reopened. but also perform and collaborate with other 2020 open-air concert at the 3,000-capacity For James “JC” Curleigh, president/CEO new musicians,” says Jared James Nichols, Somerset House in central London. of iconic instrument maker Gibson Brands, one of the artists hand-chosen to perform “We’re pulling some crazy numbers.” the pause was a moment for reinvention for for an industry preview at the Garage on Walters says. “A lot of our decisions in the the 127-year-old brand and a way to connect May 26. “It feels like a more appreciative studio are based around how they resonate with guitar players in a new way. spot [than a Broadway bar], with actual live, and we just love the art form so much. “Our factories were shut down, our music lovers who may come here to watch a It’s been able to carry us so long and so well retailers were shut down, but I felt that we performance for the right reasons. I would here in New Zealand. There’s no reason why needed to prepare for a significant opportu- think that playing for a crowd that actu- that can’t happen overseas.” nity,” Curleigh tells Billboard of last March. ally came to listen to a performer standing “Something interesting happened two or onstage in a house of guitars, it would make three months later, because the factories a musician want to step up their game.” and retailers reopened, and it felt like there Curleigh had the vision for such a space was a pivot from ‘COVID crisis’ to ‘COVID before he joined Gibson in late 2018 after a creativity.’ People had time [for projects], six-year as Levi Strauss’ president of whether it was taking up cooking or orga- global brands. “At almost day zero of join- nizing 100,000 photos on their phones, or ing Gibson, I began work on crafting the creating music.” ultimate Gibson experience, where people Some of that time went into people pick- could explore both the history of the com- ing up the guitar after a long hiatus or for pany and actually hold the guitars,” he says. the first time. “I think the last 12 months “There’s absolutely an awesome demand have created more guitar energy than the for our fanbase to have a direct relationship previous 12 years combined, so the question with us, and we see that on our website and becomes: How do we keep that going? ... app. … We’re here to bring Gibson to life for And keep it going for the next generation?” our fans. Those fans can be those that have Curleigh says. been with us forever, or those that I call The leadership believes it found the ‘lapsed fans’ that may have taken a break answer in the Gibson Garage. Located in the from us and gotten their guitar needs filled heart of downtown Nashville, the Gibson by other companies during our dark days, Garage — set to officially open on Wednes- and now they are coming back to see what day — was developed as a multimillion-dol- we can deliver.” lar investment with an eye toward becoming Those “dark days” include in 2018, when a new destination for music lovers to both Gibson filed for bankruptcy protection after Page 31 of 41

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years of struggling with debt. The company manager Gab Soong and digital advertising continued operations after receiving $135 Margin Walker administrator Zane Ruttenberg. million from lenders. Curleigh has brought Resound will continue to bring progres- the brand back to its core music mission Presents Team sive artists to the state with a primary focus after it went astray by trying to become a on Central , including Austin and San music lifestyle brand, including borrowing Launches Antonio. Fans can expect to catch Resound $300 million to purchase consumer elec- shows at marquee Texas venues including tronics company Royal Philips in 2014. New Booking Austin’s The Mohawk and San Antonio’s Gibson brand president Cesar Gueikian Paper Tiger. The brand will produce events states that embracing the company’s past as Agency Resound in rooms of all sizes, such as The Paramount primarily a guitar producer will continue Theatre, Parish, Empire, Antones, ACL Live, the financial well-being of the company for BY TAYLOR MIMS The Espee, and more. generations to come. Resound has already begun to work with “I think we’re back; we’re a guitar com- n December, Texas’ independent mu- shows from Julien Baker, Greyson Chance, pany again,” Gueikian says. “We have 127 sic scene lost promoter Margin Walker The Mountain Goats, IDLES, Molly Burch, years of history, shaping sound as a guitar Presents after the pandemic halted Gary Numan, Levitation fest, Big Freedia, company. The company had gotten a little shows. On Monday (June 7), Mar- Dan Deacon, Crumb, TV Girl, , - distracted. … Working to bring this company Igin Walker owner Graham Williams an- cano Batman, comedian Kyle Kinane, City back to where it deserved to be in the world nounced he’s starting fresh with progressive Morgue, The Garden, , Beach of music, it’s something that we’ve spent a promotion company Resound. Bunny, All Them Witches, Bikini lot of time concentrating on, but after nearly Resound is a new concert promotion Kill, Arlo Parks, Circle Jerks and more. three years on this journey, there is a sense and creative agency centered on live-music of accomplishment.” booking, marketing, and creative experi- Gueikian also sees the Gibson Garage as ences that elevate the community in Central EDC Las Vegas a small-scale test market for other concepts Texas. Williams previously launched Margin the business may explore. “If we’re working Walker Presents in 2016, following a depar- 2021 Drops on new prototypes, or working on some- ture from the companies he co-founded, thing new with an artist, we’ll be able to say, Transmission Entertainment (2007-2016) Lineup: More ‘Let’s take it to the Garage and see the level and (2006-2015). of interest.’ If we want to experiment with “The shutdown of live events left many of Than 200 Artists the feeling or flow of the [sales] floor, and us in the business anxious for a return, but take those findings to open [a Garage] in it also has us all re-thinking what we do and Scheduled to Play London or L.A., we can use this space as a how we do it,” said Williams in a release. launch platform.” “With Resound, we want to bring back to BY KATIE BAIN Gueikian says Gibson also plans to the scene what we’ve always done best: launch a weekly Emerging Artists Evening throwing badass shows and events while fter announcing its May 2021 re- to showcase new talent, as well as possibly expanding our reach and thinking outside turn and then cancelling those add a weekly beginners night for all those of the box to evolve as a business within our dates shortly thereafter, EDC who have picked up the guitar during the community and culture.” Las Vegas 2021 is finally ready to pandemic. Like many independent music outfits getA the party started. “There’s definitely a set of new guitar across the country, Margin Walker Presents Putting the gears even more into motion, players around the world now, and that’s closed in 2020 due to the pandemic. During the dance music mega-festival has dropped exciting,” Gueikian says. “The obligation we and since that time, the core team has been the lineup for its Oct. 22-24 event, with have toward them now is to keep it fun, keep hard at work building this next effort with more than 200 acts — including Eric Prydz, it engaging, and to keep them continuing to “intention and care to be able to cater to Rezz, Deadmau5, Kygo, , learn. We have to keep it where they don’t the changing needs of music fans in Central Diplo, Alison Wonderland, Louis the Child, just put their guitars back under the bed.” Texas and the brands activating within it.” Tokimonsta and — all scheduled to The Resound team has decades of experi- play the three-day show at the Las Vegas ence as experts in their field and is comprised Motor Speedway. of the following: owner Graham Williams, This lineup announcement follows an director of talent buying Rosa Madriz, encouraging few days for the global dance creative director Ian Orth, administrative community. Last week, Tomorrowland 2021 bookkeeper Chanel Quinones, marketing took a big step forward when Belgian gov- Page 32 of 41

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ernment approved outdoor events with up launched his own label and publisher, Pelo Concert in Central Park” — will take place in to 75,000 starting on Aug. 13. Over in Ibiza, Music, where he released Argentine artists the park’s 13-acre Great Lawn, where major officials announced a July 25 pilot event like Miranda!, Babasónicos, Pablo Lescano crowds have gathered for performances by at the islands Hard Rock Hotel that will and Marilina Bertoldi. the likes of Carole King, , Simon test safety protocols for additional outdoor On social media, dozens of artists and ex- & Garfunkel, Band and the events on the island, with such venues po- ecutives remembered a man who took risks New York Philharmonic. It’s also the site of tentially opening up by mid-July depending and was larger than life. Global Citizen Festival. on the results of the test run. “There are no words. I think I was “I turned to Clive, I said, ‘I need the While a variety of relatively small-scale convinced that Pelo was immortal,” Ber- biggest, most extraordinary all-star lineup dance festivals have taken place throughout toldi tweeted. you can put together, heavy on New York the United States since late April, EDC Las Singer/songwriter and producer Alejan- artists,’” de Blasio said in a Monday morning Vegas 2021 will be the biggest dance fest to dro Lerner remembered him as “the only press conference. “In August, get ready for happen in the U.S. since the beginning of producer who wanted to discover artists, an unforgettable week, a once-in-a-lifetime the pandemic, with roughly 200,000 people not invent them. He took your dreams and concert and a moment that really says New expected to attend. multiplied them.” York City’s back.” See the complete lineup below. “One of my great godfathers and men- Live Nation is involved with the produc- tors,” producer Toy Selectah posted. “Sad- tion for the event, the Times also reports, dened you won’t be here to give us your along with Davis’ son Doug, a music lawyer. Rubén ‘Pelo’ advice again. What a tremendous recording Davis said that the majority of the tickets legacy you leave behind.” will be free, although there will be V.I.P. Aprile, Legendary seating options. The mayor’s office told the Times that the Argentine NYC Mayor concert will play host to both vaccinated and unvaccinated sections, with about 70% Producer, Taps of tickets going to vaccinated attendees. So far, 9.1 million New Yorkers have been Dies at 71 to Produce vaccinated, representing 47% of the state’s population. The mayor’s office has been roll- BY LEILA COBO Central Park ing out campaigns to encourage vaccination among residents who are reluctant to get ubén “Pelo” Aprile, the Argen- ‘Homecoming’ the shot, and including creating an Excelsior tine producer and record man Pass digital vaccine passport — but only 1.1 who was a central figure in the Concert million passes had been downloaded as of history of and last week, and it’s unclear how widely-ad- Rpop, has died, sources and published re- BY TATIANA CIRISANO opted the system will become by August. ports confirm. He was pivotal in the The Central Park concert will be the main success of acts like Charly García, Illya ew York City Mayor Bill de Bla- event among several “Homecoming Week” Kuryaki, Mercedes Sosa and Luis Alberto sio has called on veteran music events across all boroughs, de Spinetta, among many others. producer and executive Clive Blasio clarified during the press conference. Aprile passed away on Thursday (June 3) Davis to produce a “mega-con- “This focal point is in Central Park in a hospital in of complica- Ncert” in Central Park celebrating the city’s because that is obviously an iconic loca- tions from COVID-19. He was 71. grand re-opening after the pandemic-strick- tion and a place where we can put together Aprile, a gregarious man known for his en year, New York Times reports. an amazing, huge concert to celebrate our “asados” (Argentine barbecues) and long While the details are still being worked rebirth. But there will be major activities in chats over whiskey, founded Argentine label out, and no artists are confirmed, the concert all five boroughs,” he said. “Time to come Interdisc in in 1977, releasing music by the is tentatively set for Aug. 21 as part of a home, time to help us move forward. This likes of Spinetta, García, Celeste Carballo “Homecoming Week” de Blasio is plan- homecoming week is going to be something and Pedro Aznar, and first albums by rock ning. Davis, who grew up in Brooklyn, told very, very special.” legends like Andrés Calamaro and Los Fabu- the Times he aims book eight “iconic” artists Billboard has reached out to representa- losos Cadillacs. to perform a three-hour show for 60,000 at- tives for Davis and the mayor’s office for In the late 1980s, Aprile sold the In- tendees and a worldwide television audience. more information. terdisc catalog to PolyGram , The spectacle — which has the work- where he eventually worked. In 2000, he ing title “The Official NYC Homecoming Page 33 of 41

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ments and endorsements spanning lifestyle they’ll also be able to play original content Snoop Dogg and cannabis industries, launched his own such as JioSaavn’s Soundbound series of wine and gin brands, and, earlier this year, concerts filmed at their Mumbai office, their Appointed Senior struck an exclusive, five-year touring deal Live Anywhere series of livestreamed gigs, with TEG MJR, the U.K.-based promotion and “video assets” of some of the platform’s Strategic Advisor arm of Australian live entertainment and in-house podcasts. (No date has been set yet tech giant TEG. for when it will be available on Apple iOS at Def Jam devices.) “There’s no reason this can’t move into BY LARS BRANDLE Indian Streaming additional pathways over the next few months into things like curated shows and noop Dogg, the hip-hop icon, Service JioSaavn countdowns,” he says. movie star, businessman, philan- The new feature is the latest JioSaavn thropist and football fanatic, can Debuts ‘MTV-Like’ initiative aimed at increasing the number of now add “record label executive” “Pro” or paying customers, which remain in Sto his considerable arsenal. Video Experience single digits, in percentage terms, after eight The 49-year-old rap star (real name Cal- years of trying. Currently, free users can vin Cordozar Broadus Jr.) joins Def Jam BY AMIT GURBAXANI watch a maximum of three videos a month. as a senior strategic advisor, with immedi- JioSaavnTV is another offering by the In- ate effect. UMBAI — That India loves dian streamer to try to entice ad-supported Snoop is appointed executive creative to watch music as much as it users to become subscribers in a country and strategic consultant, a new role that listens to it is evident both in where price-sensitive customers have led will allow him to strategically work across the popularity of YouTube and DSPs to launch mini-premium plans. These the label’s executive team and artist roster. Mshort video apps such as Instagram Reels sachet-like tiers allow consumers to avail Based in Los Angeles, he’ll report to Univer- — for which it is among the world’s biggest specific features for a lower price. While us- sal Music Group chairman and CEO Lucian markets — as well as the fact that 70% of ers on Gaana, one of JioSaavn’s main Indian Grainge and Def Jam interim chairman and the music heard in the country comes from rivals, can create and share short videos on CEO Jeffrey Harleston. film . the app, JioSaavnTV is the first large-scale “We’re thrilled that the one and only Domestic streaming service JioSaavn effort by a domestic platform to make music Snoop Dogg is bringing his deep industry is harnessing some of that passion with videos an integral part of its offerings. experience, strong relationships, boundless JioSaavnTV, a new feature that launched User numbers have remained more or creativity and infectious energy to Def Jam,” last month through which users on Android less stagnant in recent months while India comments Grainge in a statement. mobile devices can view music videos and has battled a devastating second wave of The “Drop It Like It’s Hot” rapper has a video playlists organized by genre, moods, COVID-19, with nearly 111,000 of its 349,000 peerless recording career spanning 19 studio charts and films. deaths recorded in the past month, accord- albums, generating more than 30 million While it sounds like an attempt to take on ing to Johns Hopkins University. Never- album sales, according to UMG. His most YouTube — the perennial impediment to In- theless, JioSaavn’s paid subscriptions saw recent set, From tha Streets 2 tha Suites, dian audio-streaming services’ efforts to get an uptick during the last year, Malhotra dropped April 20. more consumers to subscribe — co-founder tells Billboard. (He would not share sub- He’s led the Billboard 200 albums chart and CEO Rishi Malhotra says JioSaavn is scriber numbers.) on three occasions, and made 43 appear- attempting a different approach. The growth is a result of a combina- ances on the Hot 100. “We’re not going after YouTube by any tion of factors such as the pivoting of Pro Harleston adds: “I have had the pleasure means,” he tells Billboard. Whereas on You- rewards from VIP access at music festivals knowing and working with Snoop Dogg for Tube “you have to go and hunt and pick for to deals on products and discounts on “Pro more than 20 years. Not only does Snoop things, our [unique selling proposition] is Academy” classes and courses conducted by understand what it takes to be a success- that it’s editorialized,” Malhotra says. “What prominent singers and chefs. “Users see that ful artist, he is one of the most creative, we’re doing is creating an experience that as already worth what they would pay for strategic and entrepreneurial people I know. has a programming layer to it as opposed to the subscription,” Malhotra says. Snoop has a genuine passion for the label just a repository or a library layer.” Another big contributor was the unbun- and the culture, and we are all excited to While “the core” of JioSaavnTV are dling of subscriptions into duration-based have Snoop join the Def Jam Family.” videos licensed from music labels, Malhotra offers and feature-based “Plus” packs that Snoop also has a passion for getting says that viewers can expect “an almost gave customers the choice of either ad-free business done. He’s made several invest- MTV-like experience” through which streaming or unlimited downloads of caller Page 34 of 41

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ring-back tones known as JioTunes. Tick- work’s Hot 100 chart (issue 1343), powered eted livestreams are also free for Pro users. by Radio Monitor. The Weeknd A Pro subscription costs Rs99 ($1.35) per It’s the latest in a growing list of accolades month or Rs399 ($5.47) a year. and records for the 17-year-old, born Charl- Sweeps 2021 As for widening the customer base over- ton Howard. all, Malhotra says “the next slate of users are Earlier this year, he became the youngest Juno Awards definitely coming from regional markets” in Australian solo artist to lead the ARIA Al- Tier-III cities (those with lower population bums Chart, when F*ck Love (Savage) went BY PAUL GREIN density and cost of living), which are bring- to No. 1. The mixtape also peaked at No. 3 ing on more customers because that’s where on the Billboard 200, and he was selected as he Weeknd swept the 2021 Juno mobile network operator Jio (JioSaavn’s the MTV Push Global artist for the month Awards, which honor the year’s parent company) is adding subscribers. of April. best music by Canadian artists. Starting in July, JioSaavn will be available Also that month, he was the youngest This year’s Junos were presented in twice as many Indian regional languages winner at the 2021 APRA Music Awards, Tover two nights, Friday June 4 and Sunday when it adds Marathi, Gujarati, Malayalam, where he took out the newcomer award. June 6. Both shows were virtual affairs, with Bhojpuri and Haryanvi. The service is Then, in May, the Kid showed fresh legs Sunday’s show including eight performanc- already accessible in five Indian languages: as “Without You” lifted 10-1 in its 22 week es and six award presentations. Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, Kannada and Tamil. on the ARIA chart, for his first No. 1 single. The Weeknd won five awards — art- Malhotra says the focus over the next few Global streams of his music are well past 1 ist of the year, album of the year and months will also be to win back users lost billion and the lad’s signature song has since contemporary R&B recording of the year to other services. “The way we’ll do that is topped Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative (After Hours), single of the year (“Blind- by being the must-have” where consumers Songs and Hot Alternative Songs charts. ing Lights”) and songwriter of the year. feel “they have to have this on their phone LAROI’s adventure should gather pace The pop and R&B superstar swept these because it’s got the live experiences, the TV following his signing with Scooter Braun’s SB same five categories five years ago with his and the Pro experiences,” he says. Projects, where he joins a roster that includes album Beauty Behind the Madness and single Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, , “Can’t Feel My Face.” Yet The Weeknd J Balvin, Dan + Shay and . Braun didn’t appear on the show, either to perform briefly co-managed Aussie act Sheppard. or accept an award. According to Variety, which broke the sto- , Justin Bieber and JP Sets Chart ry, SBP president Allison Kaye and general Saxe were also big winners on Sunday’s manager Jen McDaniels will split manage- telecast. Airplay Record ment duties for LAROI. The Weeknd is the first artist to sweep the Sources tell the title that competition was awards for artist, album, single and song- BY LARS BRANDLE heated for the Kid’s signature, and included writer of the year twice. The Weeknd is the Ron Lafitte of Patriot Management (Pharrell also first three-time winner for artist of the he Kid is growing up fast. Williams, Ryan Tedder) and Adam Leber, year, an award that originated in 2003. He In a matter of days, the Sydney- who manages and Miley Cyrus, previously won it in 2015 and 2016. raised, Los Angeles-based chart- who collaborated with the Aussie artist on a The Weeknd was famously shut out in the champion The Kid LAROI busts remix of “Without You”. nominations for the 63rd annual Grammy Ta longstanding radio airplay record in his Laroi signed with UTA for representation Awards. He fared much better at the awards homeland, and unveils a deal with U.S. man- in February. in his home country. The Weeknd was this agement guru Scooter Braun. year’s only multiple Juno winner out of 43 The teenage singer and rapper’s “Without categories presented over the two nights. You” enters a 14th non-consecutive week These five wins bring his career total of at No. 1 on Australia’s radio airplay chart, Juno Awards to 15, which puts him in sixth wrecking the 13-week record set by Bernard place on the all-time winners list behind Fanning with 2005’s ‘Wish You Well’. Anne Murray (25), (21), Céline “The record for No. 1 airplay back home? Dion (20), Orchestre symphonique de Mon- That’s crazy!” LAROI comments. “Thank tréal (18), and The Tragically Hip (17). you to radio for supporting me and thank Mendes took the fan-voted fan choice you to my fans for your support. I love you award for the third time in the past five guys and can’t wait to come home.” years. He previously won in 2017 and 2018. The new mark is set on The Music Net- Only Bieber has won more times in that Page 35 of 41

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category (five). Michael Bublé and Avril Maestro Fresh Wes, Kardinal Offishall, Jully Lavigne have also won it three times. Black, and Haviah Mighty. Bell Bieber won pop album of the year Jann Arden, who was inducted into the for Changes. It’s his record-setting third Canadian Music Hall of Fame, performed Accused of Child win in that category, following My World “Good Mother” from the National Music 2.0 (2011) and Purpose (2016). Barenaked Centre in her hometown of Calgary. The Endangerment Ladies, Lavigne, Bublé, Lights and Alessia Tragically Hip, winners of the Humanitar- Cara have each won twice in that catego- ian Award, performed “It’s a Good Life If BY ASSOCIATED PRESS ry. Changes was nominated for a Grammy You Don’t Weaken” with special guest Feist this past year for best pop vocal album, but from Massey Hall in . ne of the stars of the popu- lost to Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia. The Junos are counting this at their 50th lar Nickelodeon children’s This brings Bieber’s collection of Junos telecast. The awards debuted in 1970, but show Drake & Josh faces crimi- to eight. Other 2021 winners who moved they skipped a year in 1988 and had only a nal charges regarding a girl he up the all-time winners list include Orches- perfunctory streamed awards presentation Ohad met online and who attended his 2017 tre symphonique de Montréal (18), Alanis in June 2020, at the nadir of the pandemic. concert in Ohio when she was 15. Morissette (13), Arkells (seven), Toronto The show included a series of illuminat- Jared “Drake” Bell, 34, pleaded not guilty Symphony Orchestra (six) and Bahamas ing spots dubbed “My Junos Moment” in on Thursday in a Cleveland courtroom to (five). Bieber performed “Somebody” from a which such stars as Morissette, k.d. lang a felony charge of attempted endangering studio in Los Angeles. It was his first Junos and revisited clips from past children and a misdemeanor charge of dis- appearance in 11 years. shows and commented on what those mo- seminating matter harmful to juveniles. Saxe won breakthrough artist of the year. ments meant to them. “All facts will be revealed in a courtroom,” He’s the first male artist to win in that cate- Here is a complete list of winners pre- Bell’s attorney Ian Friedman said Friday gory since Brett Kissel seven years ago, after sented on Sunday’s show. See this story for (June 4), declining to comment further. which the award went to a succession of six a complete list of winners presented on Bell was charged by information, which female artists – Kiesza, , Ruth B, Friday’s show. typically indicates a plea agreement has , bülow and Lennon Stella. Saxe Juno fan choice: Shawn Mendes been reached. He is scheduled to appear received a Grammy nomination for song Album of the year: After Hours, The before a judge on June 23. of the year in November for “If the World Weeknd, The Weeknd XO/Republic/Uni- Tyler Sinclair, spokesperson for Cuyahoga Was Ending,” which he co-wrote with Julia versal County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley, said Michaels. Saxe and Michaels performed Artist of the year: The Weeknd, The the girl filed a complaint with Canadian po- that song, and another, “Like That,” on the Weeknd XO/Republic/Universal lice in October 2018. Police there contacted Junos, also from Los Angeles. Breakthrough artist of the year: JP Cleveland police, prompting an investigation. Savannah Ré’s Solid won traditional R&B/ Saxe, Arista/Sony The attempted endangering children soul recording of the year. The award was Pop album of the year: Changes, Justin charge relates to the concert, Sinclair said, presented by Liberty Silver and Jully Black. Bieber Def Jam/Universal where Bell “violated his duty of care” and In 1985, Silver became the first winner in Traditional R&B/soul recording of the created a risk of harm to the victim. He an R&B category at the Junos. This marks year: Solid, Savannah Ré, 1Music/Universal didn’t elaborate further. the first year that R&B has been split into Bell and the girl had “developed a rela- traditional and contemporary categories. As tionship” online several years prior to the noted, The Weeknd won the contemporary concert, Sinclair said. The disseminating R&B award. harmful material charge concerns Bell hav- According to the Junos, 52% of this year’s ing sent the girl “inappropriate social media 48 unique winners were first-time winners, messages,” Sinclair said. 46% had female representation and 40% Bell, also a singer, began acting as a child, had BIPOC representation. but was catapulted to stardom as a teen The show also featured performances by with Nickelodeon’s The Amanda Show and Ali Gatie & Tate McRae (“Lie to Me” and later Drake & Josh, which debuted on the “What If I Told You That I Loved You”); channel in January 2004. The final episode William Prince featuring Serena Ryder aired in September 2007. Bell and co-star (“The Spark”) and Jessie Reyez (Do You Josh also starred in two Drake & Love Her” and “Before Love Came to Kill Josh movies. Us”). It also included a salute to 30 years of rap at the Junos featuring Michie Mee, Page 36 of 41

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inception, following the 289.2 million that it and BTS’ ‘Butter’ logged in the May 21-27 tracking week fol- lowing its May 21 release. Announce Holds Atop Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” holds at No. 2 on the Global 200, two weeks after ‘Panas & Parceros’ Global Charts, opening at No. 1, with 122.8 million streams (down 10%) and 18,400 sold (down 20%). 2021 Joint Tour: ’s Rauw Alejandro’s “” rockets 31-3 on the Global 200, with 102.6 million Exclusive ‘Todo de Ti’ streams (up 180%) and 2,000 sold (up 96%) worldwide. BY JESSICA ROIZ Roars to Top 3 The track was released in full May 21 after being teased on Alejandro’s Instagram wo of Latin pop’s hottest acts BY GARY TRUST account May 16, drumming up early interest of the moment, Mau y Ricky in it — literally, as the artist sat behind a and Piso 21, are teaming up for TS’ “Butter” stands pat atop drum set, playing to the rhythm of the song, their first-ever joint tour, “Panas & both the Billboard Global which departs from his typical / TParceros,” Billboard can exclusively reveal. 200 and Billboard Global Excl. urban vibe. Slang for “friend” in both Venezuela (pa- U.S. charts, reigning for a second The Puerto Rican rapper and singer-song- nas) and Colombia (parceros), the two acts Bweek after launching at No. 1. writer achieves his first Global 200 top 10. He will take their bromance on stage, and will Plus, Rauw Alejandro’s “Todo de Ti” previously reached a No. 22 best in February also participate in each other’s songs, in- vaults from No. 31 to No. 3 on the Global 200 with “Baila Conmigo,” with . cluding hits such as Mau y Ricky’s “Descon- and 18-3 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart in its The Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Save ocidos” and “Papas,” and Piso 21’s “Te Vi” second week on both surveys. Your Tears” surges 8-4 on the Global 200, and “Mas de la Una,” to name a few. Elsewhere, Måneskin’s “” following its one-week reign in May. After Produced by Live Nation, the joint tour reaches the Global Excl. U.S. top 10, following the pair performed it on the 2021 iHeartRa- will create a never-before-seen concert ex- its win in the 2021 . dio Music Awards, which aired live on Fox, perience, where longtime friends will share Billboard’s two global charts (the latest of May 27, the song sports worldwide gains of the stage as opposed to just co-headline. which are dated June 12) began last Sep- 19% in streams, to 73.5 million, and 35% in The 2021 Panas & Parceros tour will kick tember and rank songs based on streaming sales, to 20,600. (The Weeknd also won for off on Sept. 26 in New York’s Hammerstein and sales activity culled from more than 200 male artist of the year during the broadcast.) Ballroom, and will run throughout the fall territories around the world, as compiled by Rounding out the Global 200’s top five, with pit stops in other U.S. cities as well as MRC Data. The Billboard Global 200 is in- Dua Lipa’s “Levitating,” featuring DaBaby, Mexico. clusive of worldwide data and the Billboard drops 4-5, after reaching No. 2. Live Nation will reveal full tour dates and Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from ‘Butter’ Reigns Again Outside U.S. cities, as well as ticket sale information, at 10 territories excluding the U.S. BTS’ “Butter” concurrently claims a a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 8. Chart rankings are based on a weighted second week at No. 1 on the Billboard Global In April, Mau y Ricky and Piso 21 col- formula incorporating official-only streams Excl. U.S. chart, with 151.3 million streams laborated together for the first time on on both subscription and ad-supported (down 41%) and 41,600 sold (down 72%) in JonTheProducer’s debut single “Doctor,” tiers of audio and video music services, as territories outside the U.S. in the May 28- which also includes Prince Royce. Check well as download sales, the latter of which June 3 tracking week. out the song below: reflect purchases from full-service digital As on the Global 200, the song boasts the music retailers from around the world, with second-best streaming sum so far on the sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites Global Excl. U.S. chart, following its arrival excluded from the charts’ calculations. with 257.4 million outside the U.S. the week Second-Best Streams for ‘Butter’ Atop before. Global 200 Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” spends a BTS’ “Butter” adds a second week atop second week at its No. 2 high on the Global the Billboard Global 200, with 169.8 million Excl. U.S. chart, while Rauw Alejandro’s streams (down 41%) and 73,300 sold (down “Todo de Ti” blasts 18-3, with 94.4 million 71%) worldwide in the May 28-June 3 track- streams (up 187%) and 1,000 sold (up 113%) ing week. The streaming sum is the second- beyond the U.S., becoming his first top 10 on greatest in a week dating to the Global 200’s the ranking; he previously hit a No. 15 high Page 37 of 41

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with “Baila Conmigo.” tassels, having truly given my all. NVDA in The Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Save 2022 will be release. And there’ll Clarence Williams Your Tears” rebounds 5-4 on the Global be no more touring or promo,” O’Connor Excl. U.S. chart, after reaching No. 2, and Lil wrote on Twitter. III, Prince’s Father Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” Replying to a fan who inquired about her descends 3-5, after six weeks at No. 1. upcoming concert dates, O’Connor clarified: in ‘Purple Rain,’ Also in the Global Excl. U.S. top 10, Måne- “Yes, all shows which were originally set for ’s “Zitti E Buoni” reaches the region, led 2020, rescheduled to 2021 and then to 2022 Dies at 81 by its 31.5 million streams (up 6%) outside are going to be pulled. Because this soldier the U.S. in the week ending June 3. The woman has grown old quicker than covid.” BY BILLBOARD STAFF Italian quartet’s track is the newly-mint- In a follow-up tweet, she added, “It’s not ed champion of the 2021 Eurovision Song sad news. It’s staggeringly beautiful news. A larence Williams III, who starred Contest, whose finale was held May 22. wise warrior knows when he or she should as the brooding undercover cop The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard retreat: #MeTime.” Lincoln Hayes on the countercul- Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated June 12) will “It’s been a forty year journey,” said tural 1968-73 ABC drama The Mod update on Billboard.com tomorrow (June 8). O’Connor, who’s released 10 full-length stu- CSquad, has died. He was 81. For both charts, the top 100 titles are avail- dio albums over the years. “Time to put the Williams died in Los Angeles on Friday able to all readers on Billboard.com, while feet up and make other dreams come true.” (June 4) of colon cancer, his management the complete 200-title rankings are visible On Saturday, O’Connor returned to Twit- confirmed to . on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription- ter to say she was sorry to anyone on her An actor of uncommon intensity, Williams based service. For all chart news, you can team who might have been taken aback by began his career on the stage and earned a follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on her sudden announcement. Tony nomination in 1965 for best featured both Twitter and Instagram. “Apologies if any upset caused to booking actor in a play for his work in the power- agents or promoters or managers due to my ful three-person drama Slow Dance on the tweeting about my retirement,” she wrote. “I Killing Ground. Decades later, he returned Sinead O’Connor guess the book made me realise I’m my own to Broadway to star opposite Maggie Smith . I didn’t wanna wait for permission in the original 1979 production of Tom Stop- Says She Is from the men, as to when I could announce pard’s Night and Day. it. Also, I’d had a few whiskeys.” On the big screen, the Harlem native Retiring From O’Connor just released a memoir portrayed Prince’s troubled father in Purple titled Rememberings. The book, which Rain (1984) and was Wesley Snipes and Touring and delves into her upbringing, her journey Michael Wright’s drug-addled dad in Sugar in music and her struggles with illness, Hill (1993). In Giuseppe Tornatore’s The Recording was first announced in December, soon Legend of 1900 (1998), Williams tapped into after the singer had said she was entering his family’s musical roots to appear as BY ASHLEY IASIMONE a year-long treatment program for trauma legend Jelly Roll Morton. and addiction. At the time, she told fans Known for his prodigious afro and n a series of tweets over the week- that she planned to return with both a new gap-toothed smile, Williams also worked end, Sinéad O’Connor stated that she album and tour in 2022. regularly with famed director John Fran- is retiring from her career in touring “I grew up with a lot of trauma and abuse. kenheimer, first on Elmore Leonard’s 52 and recording music. I then went straight into the music business. Pick-Up (1986) and then on The General’s IThe Irish singer-songwriter, known for And never learned really how to make a Daughter (1999), Reindeer Games (2000) her ethereal take on the Prince-penned normal life. Never took proper time to heal. and two telefilms, the Attica-set Against the “” that peaked at No. Wasn’t ready to either,” she wrote on Twit- Wall in 1994 and George Wallace in 1997. 1 on the Hot 100 in 1990, announced her ter in November. Williams also displayed a flair of com- retirement plans on Friday evening (June edy, playing a former leader of the People’s 4) on Twitter. Billboard reached out to a Revolutionary Army in Keenen Ivory representative for O’Connor, who confirmed Wayans’ blaxploitation parody I’m Gonna she is retiring from music. Git You Sucka (1988) and the maniacal drug “This is to announce my retirement from lord Samson Simpson in the classic Half- touring and from working in the record Baked (1998), starring Dave Chappelle. business. I’ve gotten older and I’m tired. And in Tales From the Hood (1995), Wil- So it’s time for me to hang up my nipple liams had some strange stories to tell as the Page 38 of 41

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eerie funeral director Mr. Simms. YMCA — Cicely Tyson was starring in it — He is survived by his sister Sondra Pugh, Williams owned a debt of gratitude to and the director gave him a couple of lines daughter Jamey Phillips, niece Suyin Shaw, Bill Cosby, who had seen Slow Dance on in the play. grandnephews Elliot Shaw and Ese Shaw the Killing Ground and recommended the After appearing in an uncredited role in and grandniece Azaria Verdin. actor to producer Aaron Spelling, who was Lewis Milestone’s Pork Chop Hill (1959) This article originally appeared on The casting The Mod Squad. Spelling then gave and on Broadway in 1960’s The Long Hollywood Reporter. Williams a small part as a reluctant getaway Dream, Williams enlisted in the U.S. Army driver on an anthology series that he and and served as a paratrooper in the 101st Danny Thomas were producing. Airborne Division. Kanye West Spelling was on hand for Williams’ scene. Back home, he played on Broadway in The “They went in, they rob the store, you Great Indoors and served as an artist-in- Named heard a pistol shot and they ran in the car,” residence at Brandeis University before his the producer recalled in a 1999 interview big break on The Mod Squad. Songwriter of for the Archive of American Television. Linc “was a very different role for an “Then [Williams] drove off and smashed African-American and a wonderful lead the Year at 2021 right into a telephone pole. I thought ev- character that a lot of youngsters, black erybody was killed.” and white, and principally African-Amer- BMI Trailblazers “We all rushed over. I said, ‘Clarence, ican youngsters could identify with,” he Clarence, what happened?’ He said, ‘I’ve told the in 1995. of Gospel never driven before.’ I said, ‘Why didn’t you However, five years on the show was tell me that?’ He said, ‘Because I wanted the enough for him. Music Awards job.’ I hired him that night for Mod Squad.’ “ “They wanted to go six or seven years, Created by Bud Ruskin, who had led an and I decided I didn’t want to do that,” Wil- BY PAUL GREIN LAPD undercover narcotics unit, The Mod liams told the Tribune in 1997. “I’d Squad wound up airing for five seasons done all I could with the part. And so I said anye West was named song- on ABC. Williams, Peggy Lipton as Julie let me go back, refresh myself, learn some writer of the year at the 2021 Barnes and Michael Cole as Pete Cochran things, read, travel and just try to put some BMI Trailblazers of Gospel portrayed young adults who had run-ins more arrows in my quiver.” Music Awards, which were an- with the law — Linc had been arrested dur- Williams did return for a Mod Squad re- Knounced on Monday (June 7). West received ing the Watts riots — before becoming cops union telefilm in 1979. (Omar Epps played the honor for writing the award-winning under the command of Capt. Adam Greer Linc opposite Claire Danes and Giovanni gospel songs “Hands On,” “On God” and (Tige Andrews). Ribisi in an ill-advised 1999 feature version “Selah.” The songs appear on his ninth The Mod Squad tapped into the counter- of the series.) studio album, , which won a cultural vibe of the era, incorporating timely He went on to play FBI agent Roger Har- Grammy in March for best contemporary issues like racism, anti-war protests and dy on the original and the hu- Christian music album. drug addiction into storylines as Linc, Julie manoid Omet’iklan on Star Trek: Deep Space These are West’s first three Trailblazer and Pete infiltrated high schools, acting Nine. And from 2003-07, Williams portrayed Awards, adding to his collection of 38 BMI classes, prisons, hippie newspapers, gangs, father figure Philby Cross opposite Kellie Awards from their R&B/Hip-Hop, Pop and movie sets, etc. to catch the bad guys. Martin in 10 Mystery Woman telefilms on London events. West collaborated with gos- “They were most definitely the hippest Hallmark Channel. pel great Fred Hammond on “Hands On,” and coolest undercover cops on television at His body of work also in- which landed on Billboard’s Christian, Gos- the time,” notes the website Groovy History. cluded the movies The Cool pel, R&B/Hip-Hop and Hot 100 charts. “Se- Williams was born on Aug. 21, 1939, the World (1963), (1992), Hood- lah” broke into the top 20 on the Billboard son of professional musician Clay Wil- lum (1997), Life (1999), Impos- Hot 100 and was nominated for top gospel liams. He was raised by his grandparents: tor (2001), Constellation (2005), American song at the 2020 , -pianist Clarence Williams, a Gangster (2007), A Day in the Life (2009) where it competed against “On God.” frequent collaborator of blues legend Bes- and Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013) and “Deliver Me (This Is My Exodus),” written sie Smith whose songs were used years appearances on TV’s Hill Street Blues, Mi- by Donald Lawrence and Sir the Baptist, later in Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Eva Taylor, a ami Vice, Law & Order, Everybody Hates was awarded song of the year. Performed singer and actress. Chris, Burn Notice, Justified and Empire. by Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers with Williams became exposed to acting as a Williams was married to actress Gloria Le’Andria Johnson, the song won the GMA teenager when he stumbled upon a re- Foster (Oracle in the first two Matrix mov- Dove Award for traditional gospel recorded hearsal for Dark of the Moon at the Harlem ies) from 1967-84. song of the year. This is the eighth BMI Trail- Page 39 of 41

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blazers of Gospel Award for Lawrence; the first for Sir the Baptist. Lawrence was previ- Bruce Springsteen Here Are All ously awarded gospel song of the year in 2015 for “The Gift” and was also one of the 2009 to Return to the Performers Trailblazers of Gospel Music honorees. Publisher of the Year went to Songs of Ko- Broadway For His & Presenters balt Music Publishing for representing three of BMI’s 20 most-performed gospel songs — One-Man Show For 2021 CMT “I Made It Out,” written and performed by Pastor John P. Kee featuring Zacardi Cortez; BY ASSOCIATED PRESS Music Awards “Keep the Faith,” written and performed by Charles Jenkins; and “Won’t Let Go,” writ- EW YORK (AP) — The Boss just BY PAUL GREIN ten and performed by Travis Greene. can’t quit Broadway. In addition to the major award winners, Bruce Springsteen will return &B star H.E.R. will perform in BMI honored the 20 most performed gospel to Broadway this summer for a tandem with country star Chris songs of 2020. This year’s group of song- Nlimited run of his one-man show Springsteen Stapleton on the 2021 CMT Mu- writers includes 19 first-time Trailblazer on Broadway. Performances at the St. James sic Awards, which are set to air Award winners including Zacardi Cortez, Theatre begin June 26 with an end date set RWednesday, June 9, on CMT and affiliated Cydel C. Young, Renee Spearman, Terrence — at least for now — for Sept. 4. stations. This is H.E.R.’s first country awards “Pusha T” Thorton, Natalie Lauren Simms “I loved doing Springsteen on Broad- show appearance. and Allison Jeffrey LaValley. way and I’m thrilled to have been asked to H.E.R. has won two Grammys and an “It is always an honor to celebrate BMI’s reprise the show as part of the reopening of Oscar this year and is nominated in two incredible community of gospel music Broadway,” the rocker said in a statement. categories at this year’s BET Awards on songwriters,” said Catherine Brewton, vice Springsteen on Broadway debuted in June 27. president creative, Atlanta. “Their artistry 2017 and was extended three times, finally The booking was announced Monday is a gift through which we find the strength closing in late 2018. Columbia Records put (June 7), along with another cross-genre to persevere in the face of adversity and the out a two-disc of Springsteen on pairing — pop star JP Saxe and country words to rejoice in moments of worship.” Broadway and a filmed version of the show hitmaker Ingrid Andress. Saxe won a Juno These winners were announced today is on Netflix. Award in his native Canada on Sunday as on BMI.com and across the company’s so- In the show, Springsteen performs 15 breakthrough artist of the year. This will cial media platforms. BMI created a special songs — including “,” “Thun- mark Andress’ first appearance on the CMT page featuring performances and first-hand der Road,” and “Born in the USA” — and main stage. accounts of the songwriting process behind tells stories about growing up in . Hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Kane some of the award-winning songs, as well as Some of the stories will be familiar to read- Brown, the 2021 CMT Music Awards airs special messages from the winners. ers of his autobiography, and he even reads Wednesday, June 9, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT from it. His wife, , accompanies on CMT, MTV, MTV2, Logo, Paramount him for “.” Network, TV Land and CMT Australia. Audience members will be required to The CMT Music Awards are billed as provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination country music’s only entirely fan-voted in order to enter the theater. award show. The two and a half-hour show will feature performances shot “in and around Music City.” Voting for video of the year is open at vote.cmt.com. Performers: H.E.R. + Ingrid Andress + JP Saxe BRELAND + Mickey Guyton Brothers Osborne + + NEEDTOBREATHE Chris Young + Chris Stapleton Kelsea Ballerini + Paul Klein from LANY Lady A + Carly Pearce + Lindsay Ell Page 40 of 41

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Lauren Alaina + Jon Pardi Cee’s fourth Top 20 hit and Fredo’s eighth. Olivia Rodrigo Finally, Italian rockers Måneskin score a second Top 40 single in as many weeks Mickey Guyton + Gladys Knight Nabs Another with “I Wanna Be Your Slave” (Columbia), + Jack Ingram + Jon which zooms 59 places to No. 24, just one Randall U.K. Chart Double spot ahead of their 2021 Eurovision Song Thomas Rhett Contest winning single “Zitti E Buoni”. Blanco Brown (live from the Ram Trucks BY LARS BRANDLE Side Stage) Dylan Scott (live from the Ram Trucks Side livia Rodrigo continues to lord it Olivia Rodrigo Stage) over the U.K. charts. Hailey Whitters (live from the Ram Trucks The U.S. teen phenom scores on Track For Side Stage) a second consecutive chart dou- Lainey Wilson (live from the Ram Trucks Oble as Sour (Geffen) enters week two atop Third Week Side Stage) the national albums survey and “Good 4 Niko Moon (live from the Ram Trucks Side U” bags a second week at No. 1 on the U.K. Atop U.K. Chart Stage) singles chart. Tenille Arts (live from the Ram Trucks Side Sour finishes the week some 17,000 chart With ‘Good 4 U’ Stage) sales ahead its nearest rival, Easy Life’s Presenters: debut album Life’s A Beach (Island), with BY LARS BRANDLE Anthony Mackie streams accounting for 75% of its total, the Brett Young OCC reports. livia Rodrigo is charging to a Busy Philipps By logging a second week at No. 1, Sour is third straight week atop the Carly Pearce now the longest-running leader of 2021, Official U.K. Singles chart with Dylan Scott ended an unusual, 22-week run of one-week “Good 4 U.” Gladys Knight chart-champions. OThe U.S. pop phenomenon rules the U.K.’s Iliza Shlesinger Veteran Scottish band Texas earns a ninth First Look update with her latest hit, as Top 10 title and a highest chart position in it races well ahead of its closest competi- Michael Strahan more than two decades with Hi (BMG), new tor, The Weeknd’s “Save Your Tears,” the Mickey Guyton at No. 3. OCC reports. Restless Road Further down the list, Taylor Swift’s for- Rodrigo is currently riding high on both Trace Adkins mer No. 1 Evermore (EMI) blasts 70-4 the U.K. singles and albums surveys, for a Taylor Lewan (Tennessee Titans) following its release on vinyl, and Scottish second successive week. Cody Alan, Katie Cook and Ashley ShahAh- outfit Del Amitri start at No. 5 with Fatal She’s not the only Californian teen mak- madi (hosts, CMT Hot 20 Countdown) Mistakes (Cooking Vinyl), their first album ing a big splash at the midweek stage. Billie The 2021 CMT Music Awards is executive in 19 years. Eilish’s latest, “Lost Cause,” is on track for a produced by CMT’s Margaret Comeaux and Meanwhile, “Good 4 U” holds top spot Top 20 debut. Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin on the Official U.K. Singles Chart with “Lost Cause” bows at No. 16 on the chart and Amy Lin Johnson. Executives in charge 108,000 chart sales, including 12.6 million blast, and will give Eilish her 9th Top 20 hit of production are Jackie Barba and Heather streams, according to the OCC. It’s one of in the U.K. if it holds its momentum. D. Graffagnino. Leslie Fram is executive three Sour tracks in the Top Ten, as “Déjà Scottish DJ Calvin Harris should land in charge of talent. Shanna Strassberg and vu” dips 4-5, and the global hit “Drivers his 36th Top 40 entry later this week, thanks Taryn Hurd are talent producers. License” reenters at No. 6. to his new collaboration with Tom Gren- Another act scoring multiple entries in nan, “By Your Side.” It’s new at No. 12 on the Top 10 is Little Mix, the Brit Award- the chart blast, and is set to be the week’s winning group whose “Heartbreak Anthem” highest new entry. (Atlantic/RCA) collaboration with Galan- Grennan, whose Evering Road album led tis and improves 9-8, while the U.K. Chart earlier this year, has two Top “Confetti” (RCA) vaults 15-9. 40 singles to his name, “Little Bit Of Love” The highest new entry on the current and his collab “Lets Go frame belongs to Flee Get Lizzy’s “Meant Home Together.” To Be” (Ye), featuring rappers Central Cee The Official U.K. Singles Chart is pub- and Fredo. It debuts at No. 17, for Central lished late Friday, local time. Page 41 of 41

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America and the biopic Re- criticism in 2011 for marrying 50-year-old Japanese spect, is represented by CAA, Gang Tyre and acting coach and The Green Mile actor Doug Wolf Kasteler. Kim, repped by WME, Blue Hutchison when they were 16 years old. The Breakfast’s Marble Management and GangTyre, works couple divorced in 2020. as a writer-producer on HBO’s Barry and “She wouldn’t just publicly tweet about ‘Crying in H Mart’ wrote for Netflix’s Love. wanting me to take ‘a dirt nap’ but would Zauner is represented by CAA, Ten Atoms privately DM me and tell me to kill myself. Memoir Set for and The Book Group. Things like, ‘I can’t wait for you to die,’” This article was originally published Stodden alleged of Teigen. Film Adaptation by The Hollywood Reporter. Teigen addressed the tweets and publicly apologized on Twitter, writing, “Not a lot of BY MIA GALUPPO people are lucky enough to be held account- able for all their past bullshit in front of the rying in H Mart — the beloved New entire world. I’m mortified and sad at who Yorker essay-turned-New York Exits Netflix’s I used to be. I was an insecure, attention Times bestseller — is now set for a seeking troll. I am ashamed and completely feature film adaption. ‘Never Have embarrassed at my behavior but that is CIn a competitive situation, MGM label nothing compared to how I made Courtney Orion Pictures has picked up the rights to I Ever’ After feel. I have worked so hard to give you guys Michelle Zauner’s memoir with Stacey Sher joy and be beloved and the feeling of letting and Jason Kim onboard to produce. The au- Courtney you down is nearly unbearable, truly.” thor is also known for her music This article was originally published released under the name Japanese Break- Stodden Bullying by The Hollywood Reporter. fast, recently releasing the album Jubilee on June 4. will provide the Controversy soundtrack for the feature film. Zauner will adapt her book, which tracks BY SHARAREH DRURY her years growing up as one of the few Asian American kids at her school in Oregon and hrissy Teigen has exited a guest the months spent at her grandmother’s apart- voiceover role in the Netflix com- ment in Seoul, as well as her career in the edy Never Have I Ever, following East Coast indie music scene and meeting her admission and apology to her husband. At the center of her story is Cbullying Courtney Stodden a decade ago. Zauner’s relationship with her mother, who Teigen decided to step away from the role, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, at which which would have occurred in one episode, point Zauner reckons with her identity both according to a spokesperson for the show. as a daughter and a Korean American. The previous season featured voiceover nar- “It is a surreal thrill to have the opportu- ration by famed tennis player John McEnroe nity to memorialize my mother in film, and for Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s character Devi. I consider it of the highest honor to pursue A spokesman for the show said the role that task alongside creative luminaries such is expected to be recast. The Hollywood as Stacey Sher, Jason Kim and Orion Pic- Reporter has reached out to Teigen’s reps for tures,” Zauner said. further comment. Headed by Alana Mayo, Orion was Teigen apologized to Courtney Stodden relaunched by MGM with the intent to in early May after being accused of bullying focus on features from underrepresented them a decade ago, including telling Stod- voices and authentic storytelling in film that den to take their own life. amplifies underserved voices, both on- and Stodden had recently called out multiple off-screen. Its slate includes Billy Porter’s celebrities, including Teigen as well as Joy directorial debut What If? and an adaption Behar and , in an interview of the novel Women Talking that has Frances with the Daily Beast for harassing them McDormand set to star and produce. on and off social media when they were a Sher, whose recent credits include Mrs. teenager. Stodden garnered fame alongside