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BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE 4 OF 19 ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] Bulletin SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country YOURAlbu DAILYms; BrettENTERTAINMENT Young ‘Catc NEWSh UPDATE’-es Fifth AirplayFEBRUARY 26, 2021 Page 1 of 25 Leader; Travis Denning Makes History INSIDE Executive of the Week: Sam Hunt’s second studio full-length, and first in over five years, Southside sales (up 21%) in the tracking week. On , it hops 18-15 (11.9 mil- (MCA Nashville/ Nashville),Columbia debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s lion Records audience impressions, up 16%).Exec VP/ Top• CountryUS Recorded Music chart dated April 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it earnedRevenue 46,000 Surpassed equivalent units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cording$12B to in Nielsen 2020: Music/MRCRIAA Data. Co-Headand A&R total Country AirplayImran No. 1 as “Catch” Majid (Big Machine Label Group) ascends Southside marks Hunt’s second No. 1 on the 2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions. chart and• Live fourth Nation top 10. It follows freshman LP BY DAN RYS Young’s first of six chart entries, “Sleep With- MontevalloRevenue, which Fell arrived at the summit in No - out You,” reached No. 2 in December 2016. He vember84% 2014 in and 2020 reigned as for nine weeks. To date, followed with the multiweek No. 1s “In Case You This week, a pair of young MCs came together on of Emergency, reached No. 5 on the in MontevalloConcerts has Prepare earned for 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved million inComeback album sales. a track that propelled each of them to new career 2019, while You”Polo-Tjay (three, collaboration January 2018), “Mercy” “” (two, climbed August Montevallo has spent 267 weekshighs on the on list, the tying charts. “,” the latest all the way to2018) No. and 11 on“Here the Tonight” Hot 100 (two, that April same 2019). year. • Live Nation Expects ’s Crash My Party as thesingle sixth-longest- from featuring , flew onto But “Calling My“Catch” Phone” completes is a singular his longest moment journey for to theNo. 1, to Ramp Up Business running titles in the chart’s 56-year history. having taken 46 weeks to reach the apex. It out- in Three Months the Hot 100 to an impressive No. 3 debut, while also Bronx-born MC and one that Majid says reflects on On the all-genre Billboard 200, Southside ar- paces the 30-week climb of “Here Tonight.” With Government topping the Streaming , Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Columbia as a destination for great music. rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On , “Catch” pushes 7-5 for Green Light HUNT YOUNG after the No. 3-peaking MontevalloSongs. and charts while taking social Here, Majida new talks high. the success of “Calling My media by storm. Phone,” the crop of rising hip-hop/R&B artists on Hunt• Maren first released Morris &the EPX2C , which debuted andChris peaked Stapleton at No. 5Lead on Top CountryThe Albumssong’s success in August is a2014. milestone Following for Lil Tjay,COMBS and ‘DOES’ is ColumbiaIT AGAIN Luke and Combs why “this’ “Does to Me” (River has become House/Columbia a place Montevallo2021 ACM, Between Awards the Pines: theAcoustic latest Mixtape big moment started for at itsa rising No. 7 highcrop inof formidableNashville), featuringwhere Eric artists Church like, ascends that, and 11-8 many on Country others, Airplay, want up to 10% be, to NovemberNominations 2015. hip-hop and R&B talent at ,24.7 which million in audience.and that Theis something is Combs’ A&R eighth and all straight departments career-opening are 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 also includes , , and very proud of.” Airplay:• 2021 “Leave ACM the Awards Night On,” “Take Your Time,”Polo “House G The Party” Kid andLaroi “MakeLil Naspromoted X No. 1 singles. YouNominations: .” “Break Snubs Up in a Smallothers. Town” And peaked it helps at No. Columbia’s 2. executive vp/co-headChurch adds hisLil 15th Tjay’s Country “Calling Airplay topMy 10. Phone” with 6LACK Hunt &co-penned Surprises all 12 songsof on A&R SouthsideImran, including Majid earn “Body the Like title a of BackBillboard ’s Ex- debuted at No. 3 on the Hot 100 this week, the first Road,” which was released in 2017.ecutive The smashof the hitWeek. ruled Country Airplay for THAT TOOK QUITEtop 10‘A FEW’of his MONTHS career Travisand an Denning impressive shatters debut the record for for three weeks• Apple and Music the airplay-, streaming- and sales-based Hot Country Songs the most weeks it has taken to penetrate the Country Airplay top 10 as “After While buzz for “Calling My Phone” first began any single. What key decisions did you make to chartLaunches 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 - FloridaSpotlight ‘Behind Line ’sThe “Meant toto Be” simmer (50 weeks when atop the the song latter was list inteased 2017-18). on TikToklion in, radio reach.help him achieve that? “Downtown’sSongs’ Dead,” which ishelping also on itthe vault new intoset, reached the top Nos.five 14 of and the 15 Hot 100,The Majidsong surpassesTrust two the tracks A&R that process took 50 and weeks trust each the to A&R’s enter the around top 10: on Hot Country Songs and Countrysays Airplay, the song’s respectively, success incomes June 2018.more “Kin from- Columbia’sEaston Corbin ’syou. “A Girl It started Like You,” when which Tjay reached had a No. session 10 in withJanuary one 2018 of be- folks” led Country Airplay on Feb.track 29, record becoming of artist Hunt’s development seventh No. 1. and It hit trusting fore peakingthe at No.our 6 otherthat February, artists onand the Aaron roster Watson and he’s “Outta met the Style,” pro which- No. 3 on Hot Country Songs. achieved its No. 10 high in December 2017. A&R process. And Tjay, despite being just 19, is far ducer G.Ry (who produced ’s “Laugh Now Cry 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 from a brand new sensation, as his debut album, State (continued) eighth top 10, having corralled 8.2 million U.S. streams (up 96%) and 5,000 in From Powder Springs” traveled to No. 32 in September 2018. ETHAN MICHAEL YOUNG: VIA MARTIN/NHLI GETTY HUNT: IMAGES. IMAGES MILLER/GETTY

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Later” and “Calling My Phone”). He sent a core hit song from him, but our job was to think it’s important to keep it simple and to me the song from the session and it was help elevate the sound. When you have an trust the process. amazing, and the big thing that came out of unexpected feature like 6LACK on a song it for me was he said, “It took me 15 minutes with Tjay, you wake up two rabid fan bases, to do.” So when it came down to setting up and the result is a global hit. US Recorded more sessions for Tjay, we were like, Let’s Columbia has a very strong roster of get him back in with G.Ry since he was able young, rising R&B/hip-hop talent. How Music Revenue to make that song so easily. Tjay’s A&Rs Ma- have you prioritized those genres in your ria Arangio and Luis Mota flew to L.A. and A&R department? Surpassed $12B in got in the studio with Tjay, G.Ry, Bordeaux [Chairman/CEO] Ron Perry and and Non Native and sent me the hook of [GM] Jen Mallory have done an incredible 2020: RIAA the song . We all thought it was job building a staff that just has great taste — great. As we were releasing new music for a lot whom have great taste in R&B/hip-hop. BY ED CHRISTMAN Tjay at the end of last year, Maria and Lu So when we set out to build the A&R staff, kept telling me they had a feeling about this signing and developing next-generation conomic downturn brought on by song. So my job was to trust them and get R&B/hip-hop acts was top priority. We went the pandemic couldn’t stop the the rest of the staff to believe in this song as after acts that we felt we understood and U.S. from its fifth much as we did. Tjay put an amazing verse would have a great impact culturally. We consecutive year of growth as rev- on the song and when the 6LACK verse can look acts like Lil Tjay, , Lil X Eenue increased 9.2% to $12.15 billion in 2020 came in, my jaw dropped and we all knew and Kid Laroi in the eye and confidently say, from the prior year’s $11.13 billion total, ac- we had a masterpiece. (Shoutout to Tim “We understand you and where you want cording the RIAA’s year-end revenue report Glover at Interscope and LVRN for getting to go.” This company has become a place released Friday (Feb. 26). 6LACK on the song.) where artists like that, and many others, Streaming continues to drive growth, The song also came in at No. 1 on want to be, and that is something A&R and posting a 13% increase to $10.075 billion , Hot R&B/Hip-Hop all departments are very proud of. from 2019’s tally of $8.88 billion. As a per- Songs and Hot Rap Songs, his first No. 1 What’s the biggest factor in helping centage of revenue, streaming accounted for on each chart. What helped make it so an artist break through today? And how 82.9% in 2020, versus 79.8% in 2019. huge on streaming right out of the gate? has that changed during your time in the Paid subscription on-demand stream- Tjay is not an overnight success. We have music business? ing from services like and Ap- been developing him from the time I met Great music, strong vision and an incred- ple grew 25% to 75.5 million subscribers him at 17 years old until now. His first al- ible team. I don’t think that has changed in from the prior year’s total of count of 60.4 bum True 2 Myself is certified platinum and the history of the business. The only thing million subscribers. he has over 10 songs certified gold or plati- that has changed is the technology on how The overall economic data provided by num. He is a superstar and people wanted the music is brought to the fans. But I just the RIAA’s year-end report “reflects this

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core truth — showing that even in a deeply growing 29.22% on a revenue basis to $619.6 production. As a percentage of revenue, that disrupted and challenging year, the sus- million, from the prior year’s total of $479.5 means synchronization accounted for 2.2% taining and uplifting power of music still million. While units grew 23.8% to 22.9 mil- of U.S. revenue in 2020 versus 2.5% in 2019. found ways to draw in fans and provide an lion copies from 18.5 million copies in 2019, The RIAA calculates revenue based on economic lifeline for artists and another component of the format’s revenue sales reports from label and estimates for when they needed it most,” RIAA chairman growth is the increase of list prices to an non-reporting labels, and then extrapolates and CEO Mitch Glazier wrote in a note, ac- average of $27.06 per copy versus $25.92 per wholesale revenue out to retail revenue, i.e. companying the release. copy in 2019, or a $1.14 increase per unit. how much the consumer is spending. In Streaming With Pride CD volume fell a whopping 23.4% to addition, 2019’s revenue numbers may not Looking within streaming on a revenue $483.3 from $630.7 million, even though the match what was in fact reported last year, basis, paid subscription revenue grew at a average list price grew $2 to $15.29 from due to the RIAA updating its information 14.6% clip to $7 billion, up from 2019’s $6.12 $13.28. Of course, the 33.5% unit downturn when the labels provide updated numbers billion, while limited-tier paid services, to 31.6 million copies from 47.5 million cop- to them, subsequent to the release of their like Amazon Prime and Pandora Plus, grew ies more than the increase in aver- revenue report. 13.4% to $723.6 million from 2019’s $638.2 age list price. Stores wrestled all year with In any event, based on the RIAA’s esti- million. government-mandated closures and store mated consumer spending on music for Meanwhile, ad-supported streaming, such traffic counts, but online CD sales offset 2020, RIAA senior vp research and econom- as Youtube and Spotify’s free tier, totaled picked up, according to other data. ics Josh Friedlander estimated wholesale $1.183 billion, up 16.8% from the prior year’s Overall, physical formats combined U.S. revenue came in at $8 billion, an 8% $1.013 billion. produced $1.139 billion in U.S. revenue, only increase over the prior year. SoundExchange revenue — from pro- down slightly from the prior year’s $1.14 bil- grammed streaming services like Pandora lion, or a 0.5% decrease, thanks to increas- and iHeartRadio — grew 4.3% to $947.4 mil- ing vinyl sales and rising vinyl and CD list Live Nation lion from $908.2 million. prices. As a percentage of revenue, physical Other ad-supported streaming services accounted for 9.4% in 2020, versus 10.3% in Revenue Fell increased as well, but at a slower rate, in- 2019. creasing 1.9% to $211.2 million in 2020 from Downloads Way Down 84% in 2020 as the prior year’s total of $207.3 million. (Oth- Like the CD, downloads also had a big er ad-supported streaming is described in a decline, accounting for $674.4 million in Concerts Prepare footnote as revenue from statutory services 2020, an 18% decrease from the prior year’s that are not paid out by SoundExchange, total of $822.8 million. As a percentage for Comeback which likely covers direct payments to of revenue, downloads — which includes labels with direct deals, and other streaming ringtones, kiosk on-demand CDs and other BY GLENN PEOPLES revenue not included in other categories.) digital — totaled 5.55% of overall U.S. rev- Separate from the revenue derived from enue versus 7.4% in 2019. fter going most of the year with U.S. consumers, when the music industry Within that, track downloads had the big- virtually no revenue, promoter as a whole is looked at, including recording gest decline of 23.4% to $312.8 million from Live Nation ended 2020 with artists, touring, concert venues, and people 2019’s $408.4 million, while album down- $1.86 billion in revenue, down working at digital services and retail stores, loads fell 13.4% to $319.5 million from 2019’s 84%A from 2019, according to its financial the RIAA estimates that the U.S. music $368.8 million. results published Thursday (Feb. 25). In the industry contributes $170 billion toward the When streaming revenue and download fourth quarter, its third full quarter since country’s gross domestic product, support- revenue are combined, digital totals $10.75 the pandemic stopped concerts and festivals ing 2.5 million jobs, Glazier wrote in the billion, nearly a 10.8% increase from the pri- worldwide, Live Nation’s total revenue was accompanying note. or year’s total of $9.7 billion. As a percentage $237.3 million, 92% lower than the prior- Physical Focus of overall U.S. revenue digital stood at 88.5% year period. Downloads and physical sales revenue for 2020, versus 87.2% in 2019. The average Fourth-quarter concert and ticketing rev- declined 7.82% to $1.814 billion from 2019’s retail price also declined slightly, down 2 enue were down 92% and 98% respectively. revenue of $1.967 billion. As a percentage of cents on downloads to $1.22. and 18 cents on Sponsorships and advertising revenues, revenue, those sales generated 15.3% of total albums to $9.65. valuable because of their high margins, were U.S. revenue in 2020 — down from the prior Finally, the RIAA reported that synchro- down 68%. year’s contribution of 16% of U.S. revenue. nization fell 5.7% to $265.2 million from The concert business had similar declines On a percentage basis, vinyl posted the $281.1 million in 2019, likely due to the pan- across the market. Madison Square Gar- biggest increase last year across all formats, demic’s shutdown of movie and television den’s fourth-quarter revenue deficit was

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94% following annual declines of 96% and in 48 hours, said Rapino. Music fans “have actual show.” 92% in the first and second quarters. Big Hit been excited to get back to the show as soon On Monday (Feb. 22) U.K. prime minis- Entertainment, the South Korean company as we get the green lights in these markets ter Boris Johnson released a roadmap for behind K-pop group BTS, posted 98% lower to open up.” the return of live music with indoor con- concert revenue in 2020. Since May 2020, Live Nation has pointed certs allowed to resume at a reduced capac- With the help of financial maneuvers to indications that fans are ready to attend ity in May and full scale return to normalcy since March 2020, Live Nation has a finan- concerts again: 95% of fans are likely to with no restrictions on public gathering by cial cushion of $643 million of free cash, attend a show when possible, based on its late June. helped by $417 million of debt raised in own reporting, and 83% of fans have chosen The U.K. plan is contingent on the con- early January, and $962 million of available to hold tickets to rescheduled shows rather tinued efficacy of the country’s vaccination debt capacity, which the company believes than seek refunds. They’ll have their choice efforts and no further surges in hospitaliza- is enough to fund operations until concerts of concerts as Live Nation expects 45 major tions. return this summer. To last this long, Live touring artists to be the road in 2022 com- Much of Live Nation’s hope for a return to Nation had to drastically curtail spending pared to 25 in a typical year. touring is tied to the distribution of vaccines throughout furloughs, postponing some cap- “We’re feeling more optimistic than we to the public, an effort that will hopefully ital expenditures and other belt-tightening. were a month ago,” said Rapino. speed up following an expected emergency By lowering the amount of cash it uses for authorization for a new single shot Johnson operations each month from $150 million & Johnson vaccine that could be approved pre-pandemic to $103 million in the fourth Live Nation by the FDA as soon as Friday. quarter, Live Nation president Joe Berchold Rapino also shared an infographic created said during Thursday’s earnings call, the Expects to Ramp by his company highlighting the company’s company has reduced its total cash usage sales pitch for the full scale return to touring by $1.65 billion compared to pre-pandemic Up Business in which he hopes will be fully underway by plans, 2022. There’s good news on the horizon, Three Months According to the graphic, two times as though, with heightened anticipation that many artists are expected to tour in 2022 the recent availability of vaccines will speed With Government as did in 2019 and Rapino noted that the a concert business recovery. Based on vac- company’s portfolio of venues has plenty of cine manufacturers’ capacity and govern- Green Light availability, noting only one-third of avail- ments’ ability to distribute, Live Nation able nights have been booked for 2022. officials believe that nearly all people in the BY DAVE BROOKS Rapino also pointed to the success of U.S. will have access to vaccines by June — recent sales for the and Reading (both not that cities and states will be fully open ive Nation CEO Michael Rapi- Aug. 27-29) festivals in the U.K., noting both by then. no shared new information Thurs- went on sale recent and collectively sold CEO Michael Rapino expects “more of a day (Feb. 25) about the company’s 100,000 tickets in 72 hours. “Creamfields regional model” to U.S. touring this summer, plans for the return of live music. went on sale and sold out in 48 hours, over he said during the earnings call on Thurs- LOnce the concert promoter gets government 70,000 [tickets],” Rapino said. [Fans] have day. “Every day we seem to have a new state approval to operate above a 50% capacity been excited to get back to the show as soon or country talking about when they’ll open in the majority of territories where it hosts as we get the green lights in these markets up.” Even though some states “might not be concerts, Rapino estimates the rehiring of to open up.” ready” for summer concerts, “We think we employees and rescaling of the company have enough artists,” he said. “And as long will take three months. as these states open to the right capacities, “We’ve been talking to our global employ- we can start mid-summer into the Southern ees about that kind of timeline when we can U.S. [and] go all the way to November.” [promote] our first show at scale,” Rapino With the U.S. lagging behind other told analysts and investors on a company countries in vaccinations, Live Nation has conference call Thursday for the com- gained more momentum in Europe. In the pany’s year-end earnings report. During the U.K., Live Nation put three festivals on sale three-month period, the company will “start after the government outlined its vaccina- bringing back marketing, production [and] tion plans: Reading and Leeds Festivals sold all the kind venue functions” adding that the 100,000 tickets in 72 hours while EDM-fo- company can expect to ramp up “between cused Creamfields sold out its 70,000 tickets the onsale or the announcement and the CONGRATULATIONS _ .MICHELLE . 'RICHBURG BILLBOARD • • 2021 • • TOP BUSINESS • • MANAGER • •

For over 30 years, Michelle Richburg has developed a specialized niche in the financial services industry as a "Banker to the Stars". Her reputation allows for a client list that includes high profile professional athletes, entertainers, and business leaders .

• • • • • • • • Page 9 of 25

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categories. “That’s really exciting [and] a big See the list of the main nominations be- Maren Morris & step in the right direction because we didn’t low. For a complete list, go to ACMcountry. have any last year,” Whiteside says. com. Chris Stapleton Women, however, for the third time in Entertainer of the Year four years, are absent from the coveted Luke Bryan Lead 2021 entertainer of the year category. Rhett, who won in the category last year in a tie Luke Combs ACM Awards with , is nominated again this year with Luke Bryan, Eric Chris Stapleton Nominations Church, Luke Combs and Stapleton. Female artist of the year In the prestigious album of the year cat- Kelsea Ballerini BY MELINDA NEWMAN egory, Bryan and Stapleton will go head to head against Brown, McBryde and Brothers Ashley McBryde aren Morris and Chris Osborne. Maren Morris Stapleton lead the nominees Noticeably absent from the nominations Carly Pearce for the 56th annual Academy is Morgan Wallen, whom the Academy Male artist of the year of Awards with ruled ineligible for this year’s awards after Msix each. a video of the singer using the N-word Luke Combs Miranda Lambert follows with five surfaced in early February. “The Academy Eric Church nominations, including her 15th nomination does not condone or support intolerance or Thomas Rhett for female artist of the year. Lambert is the behavior that doesn’t align with our com- Chris Stapleton most nominated female artist in Academy mitment and dedication to diversity and Duo of the year history with 68 lifetime nominations. inclusion,” the organization said in a state- Brooks & Dunn Ashley McBryde, Thomas Rhett and ment at the time. producer are tied with four nods. The annual awards show, normally held Dan + Shay The nominations for the show, which in Las Vegas, will return to Nashville for the Georgia Line will air April 18 on CBS and on Para- second time. Last year’s ceremony, which Maddie & Tae mount+, were announced Friday morning was delayed five months because of the pan- Group of the year (Feb. 26). demic, was broadcast from three Nashville Lady A As the country music community grapples locations: the House, the with issues of inclusion and diversity, the Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe. Old Dominion nominations celebrate two milestones: The same locations will house the awards The Cadillac Three For the first time, every single of the year show this year with one notable difference: The Highwomen nomination features a woman artist — Lam- Whiteside hopes that all the performances New female artist of the year bert, Gabby Barrett, Carly Pearce (with will be live instead of a mix of last year’s Ingrid Andress Lee Brice), Ingrid Andress and Morris. taped and live. Tenille Arts “We have come a long way when the five Among the other artists with multiple Gabby Barrett most focal singles of the year are female. nominations are Pearce, Andress, Hardy and When you figure there’s been so much producer Dann Huff with three nomina- Caylee Hammack discussion about the lack of females at radio tions. New male artist of the year and just the lack of female content and pres- Songwriter Shane McAnally has two of Jimmie Allen ence in general in the country music indus- the five nominees for song of the year with Travis Denning try,” says ACM CEO Damon Whiteside. McBryde’s “” and Old HARDY “We’ve all been working really hard to Dominion’s “Some People Do.” It’s the third Cody Johnson combat that as an industry,” he continues. time in six years he’s achieved this double Parker McCollum “And it’s exciting to see that there’s just so nod. Album of the year much great content coming from our really Joyce has two of the five nominees Born Here Live Here Die Here – Luke Bryan strong female artists out there. I think that’s for album of the year – McBryde’s Never Producers: Jeff Stevens, Jody Stevens a major, major statement right there.” Will and Brothers Osborne’s Skeletons. Joyce : Nashville Secondly, a record four Black artists is also nominated for producer of the year, Mixtape Vol. 1 – Kane Brown — Jimmie Allen, Kane Brown, Mickey an award he’s reliably won every other year Producers: Andrew Goldstein, Charlie Guyton and (for a duet with since 2012. Handsome, Dann Huff, Lindsay Rimes Underwood) — are nominated in various The eligibility period is Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2020. Record Label: RCA Nashville

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Never Will – Ashley McBryde Gro Met Ric Music Record Label: / Curb Producer: Jay Joyce “Starting Over” – Chris Stapleton Records Record Label: Warner Music Nashville Songwriter(s): Chris Stapleton, Mike Hen- “Nobody But You” – ft. Skeletons – Brothers Osborne derson Gwen Stefani Producer: Jay Joyce Publishers: I Wrote These Songs; Straight Producer: Scott Hendricks Record Label: EMI Records Nashville Six Music; WC Music Corp Record Label: Warner Music Nashville Starting Over – Chris Stapleton “The Bones” – Maren Morris “One Beer” – HARDY ft. Lauren Alaina & Producers: Chris Stapleton, Dave Cobb Songwriter(s): , Maren Mor- Devin Dawson Record Label: Mercury Nashville ris, Laura Veltz Producers: Derek Wells, Joey Moi Single of the Year Publishers: Big Machine Music, LLC; Ex- Record Label: Big “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert traordinary Alien Publishing; International “One Too Many” – , P!nk Producer: Jay Joyce Dog Music; Oh Denise Publishing; Round Producers: Cutfather, Dan McCarroll, Keith Record Label: Vanner Records/RCA Records Hill Songs; Warner-Tamerlane Urban, PhD Nashville Publishing Corp. Record Label: Capitol Records Nashville “I Hope” – Gabby Barrett Video of the Year Assistance on this story provided by Paul Producers: Ross Copperman, Zach Kale “Better Than We Found It” – Maren Morris Grein. Record Label: Warner Music Nashville Director: Gabrielle Woodland The ACM Awards are produced by Dick “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Producers: Sarah Kunin, Jennifer Pepke Clark Productions, a division of MRC, which Pearce & Lee Brice “Bluebird”– Miranda Lambert is a co-owner of Billboard through a joint Producers: Director: Trey Fanjoy venture with Penske Media titled P-MRC. Record Label: Big Machine Records / Curb Producer: Heather Levenstone Records “Gone” – Dierks Bentley “More Hearts Than Mine”– Ingrid An- Directors: , , Travis 2021 ACM Awards dress Nicholson, Running Bear and Sam Siske, Producers: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis with animation by Skylar Wilson Nominations: Record Label: Warner Music Nashville Producer: David Garcia “The Bones” – Maren Morris “Hallelujah” – Carrie Underwood and Snubs & Surprises Producer: Greg Kurstin John Legend Record Label: Columbia Nashville Director: Randee St. Nicholas BY PAUL GREIN Song of the year Producer: Greg Wells “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert “Worldwide Beautiful” – Kane Brown aren Morris and Chris Sta- Songwriter(s): Luke Dick, Miranda Lam- Director: Alex Alvga pleton are the leaders in this bert, Producer: Christen Pinkston year’s ACM Awards nomina- Publishers: Emileon Songs; Little Louder Songwriter of the year tions, with six nods each. But Songs; Pink Dog Publishing; Songs of Ashley Gorley Mwhat are all the snubs and surprises? You Universal, INC; ATV Tree Publishing; Michael Hardy came to the right place. Wrucke for You Publishing Hillary Lindsey Snub: Carrie Underwood wasn’t “One Night Standards” – Ashley McBryde Shane McAnally nominated for female artist of the year, Songwriter(s): Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Josh Osborne snapping a string of 15 consecutive nods in Hayford, Shane McAnally Music Event of the Year that category. She was also shut out from Publishers: Canned Biscuit Songs; Smack- “Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba entertainer of the year, a category she won works Music; Smack Blue, LLC; Smack- McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith last year (in a tie with Thomas Rhett). The street Music; Tempo Investments; Warner Urban other four entertainer of the year nominees Geo Met Ric Music; Warner-Tamerlane Producer: Dann Huff are holdovers from last year. Chris Staple- Publishing Corp Record Label: The Valory Music Co. ton made it back into the category, taking “Some People Do” – Old Dominion “Does To Me” – Luke Combs feat. Eric the spot Underwood filled last year. Songwriter(s): , Matt Ramsey, Church Snub: Kacey Musgraves, like Under- Thomas Rhett, Shane McAnally Producer: Scott Moffatt wood, was passed over for a nod for female Publishers: Carrot Seed Songs; EMI Black- Record Label: River House Artists/Colum- artist of the year. She had been nominated in wood Music INC; Smackville Music; Songs bia Nashville that category in seven of the last eight years. of ; Telemitry Rhythm House “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Musgraves hasn’t released a studio album in Music; Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp; Pearce & Lee Brice nearly three years, since her award-sweep- Smack Hits; Tempo Investments; Warner Producer: busbee ing Golden Hour. When she does, she may 20 21 5TH ANNIVERSARY Raleigh Music Group was founded in 2016 by industry veteran As Raleigh’s reputation has grown, the company has partners Peter Raleigh and Steven Storch. The company is steadily built a contemporary roster of songwriters, artists headquartered in the heart of Times Square, NYC with offices in and producers and now publishes songs performed by or . In its first five years has experienced remarkable global featuring superstar artists including: , Chris growth and expansion. Brown, Kid Rock, , John Legend, Lil Uzi Vert, A$AP Ferg, , A Boogie, , Trey Songz, , The boutique music publishing company attributes its success to its and film and tv Randy Edelman “client first” approach to music publishing – delivering a high touch, and Rick Marotta. high service experience to a select roster of music publishing clients it represents. The company has benefitted from the support of Please join Billboard in congratulating Raleigh Music Susan Aberbach, an owner of the catalog and an early group’s 5th Anniversary. stage investor. CONTACTS Raleigh’s client services are provided by A&R staff in NY and LA, a synch licensing team with strong relationships in the film/tv, Joe Maimone 201.301.5933 | [email protected] advertising and gaming industries, and a first-class copyright and royalty administration department. Lee Ann Photoglo 615.376.7931 | [email protected] The company’s best in class global sub-publishing partner network includes Budde, Café Concerto, Peer Music, Native Tongue, Supreme Cynthia Mellow Songs, Schubert, Cloud 9, GL Music, Clippers, , Nichion, 615.352,0265 | [email protected] Geoff Paynter Music, Fujipacific, IDM, Pelikan and others. Marcia Olival Raleigh represents numerous iconic catalogs and songs including 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “A Little Less Conversation”, and “All Shook Up”, ’s “Summertime”, “Let’s Call the Gene Smith Whole Thing Off” and “They Can’t Take that Away from Me”, The 973.452.3528 | [email protected] Tokens, “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”, Gregmark Music’s “Stormy Monday”, Anthony Newley’s “What Kind of Fool am I” and numerous Debra Fink other classics. The company also represents the classic catalogs of 213.448.5157 | [email protected] Bo Diddley, America, Anthony Newley, Willy (Mink) Deville, Lords of Ryan O’Donnell the Underground, Trax Records, and many others. +447843437176 | [email protected]

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well reclaim her spot. Snub: Little Big Town’s latest studio al- Surprise: Carly Pearce landed her first bum, Nightfall, failed to nab an album of the nomination for female artist of the year, year nomination. LBT’s last three country- and Ashley McBryde nabbed her second. promoted studio albums — Tornado, Pain Launches They took the slots filled last year by catego- Killer and The Breaker — were nominated ry perennials Underwood and Musgraves. in that category. On the plus side, the group Songwriter Surprise: Mickey Guyton was nomi- landed its 14th nomination for group of the nated for new female artist of the year. year in the past 15 years. (The group broke Spotlight ‘Behind Guyton was first nominated in this category its streak in 2011.) five years ago. Another highly promising Surprise: Ingrid Andress, who surprised The Songs’ Black country star, Jimmie Allen, received many by becoming the only country artist to his second nod for new male artist of the land a Grammy nomination in one of the Big BY DAN RYS year. He was first nominated in the category Four categories (album, record or song of two years ago. (ACM rules allow for two the year plus best new artist) also achieves a pple Music is rolling out a new nominations in the category, but it’s unusual surprising distinction in the ACM nomina- hub specifically created to for the years to be non-consecutive.) Both tions: She’s the only artist to have produced spotlight songwriters, producers, Guyton and Allen performed on last year’s or co-produced his or her single of the year publishers and session musi- ACM Awards. Guyton sang “What Are You nominee. She co-produced the exquisite cians,A which it is calling Behind The Songs. Gonna Tell Her,” becoming the first solo “More Hearts Than Mine” with Sam Ellis. The new hub will be centered on two Apple Black female artist to perform on the show; Snub: Keith Urban failed to land a nod for Music playlist brands, Songbook and Behind Allen sang “Make Me Want To.” male artist of the year for only the fifth time The Boards, as well as editorial features and Snub: Sam Hunt was shut out with his in the past 18 years. The other four nomi- promotions and original content like its Lyr- long-awaited sophomore album, Southside. nees in the category are holdovers from ics To Live By and Song Stories video series. His 2014 debut album, Montevallo, was last year. The slot Urban filled last year was The hub, which is searchable in Apple showered with nominations and awards at filled this year by Eric Church, who is nom- Music, is broken out into radio shows — like the ACM Awards for three years, from a nod inated in the category for the first time in Deep Hidden Meaning Radio, hosted by for new artist of the year in 2014 to wining five years. (Get this: Either Urban or Church the legendary — as well as the Gene Weed milestone award in 2017. has been nominated in this category in all playlists that focus on individual produc- Surprise: The Cadillac Three received but one of the last 18 years. Yet they have ers and songwriters, artists who also write its first nod for group of the year. The coun- never been nominated in the same year.) their own songs, and ones that focus on the try rock band, which was briefly known as Surprise: Michael Hardy, who was work of session , who are often The Cadillac Black before changing its name nominated for four ACM Awards last year, unheralded and uncredited in their work. in 2012, replaced Midland, which had been mostly for his work on Shelton’s “God’s Apple also has a partnership with the U.K. nominated in the category the last three Country,” is nominated for three awards songwriter/ body The Ivors Acad- years running. this year for his own recordings, released as emy, for which Behind The Songs will serve Snub: released their first HARDY. He’s up for songwriter of the year as the home. studio album in 14 years, Gaslighter, and got for the second year in a row and also new “Apple Music has, above all, continued to no ACM love. It’s not a total surprise. Their male artist of the year. invest deeply in the songwriting community last album before Gaslighter, 2006’s Taking Snub? Surprise? You Decide: Luke and its various components, and ‘Behind the Long Way, was passed over too. Bryan received his ninth consecutive nomi- the Songs’ is a new place we can call home,” Surprise: Three pop stars — John Leg- nation for entertainer of the year, but he was Rodgers said in a statement about the an- end, P!nk and Gwen Stefani — received passed over for male artist of the year for the nouncement. “I’ve loved bringing the stories their first ACM nods, as did Contemporary sixth year in a row. The voters seem to be of today’s most inspiring songwriters to life Christian music star Chris Tomlin. Legend saying: We like you as a singer, but love you on my Deep Hidden Meaning radio show, has a video of the year nod for “Hallelujah,” as an entertainer. and Apple Music been able to spotlight the a collab with Underwood. P!nk and Stefani best of what’s next with their resolute sup- are nominated for music event of the year port of The Ivors Academy and the Rising for collabs with Keith Urban and Blake Star Award.” Shelton, respectively. (Both of those pairs As streaming has taken over as the performed on last year’s ACM Awards.) dominant form of not only music listening Tomlin is nominated for music event of the and consumption, but also music discovery, year as one of four guests on Rhett’s “Be a songwriters have often been left behind in Light.” the discourse, as liner notes become less 2021 TOP MUSIC LAWYERS

Behind every artist, songwriter and music produc- CONTACTS er is a trusted group of advisers who provide Joe Maimone guidance, advice and negotiate deals. Billboard’s 201.301.5933 | [email protected] 6th annual Top Music Lawyers list will recognize the biggest names and most prominent legal Lee Ann Photoglo minds in the world of music and 615.376.7931 | [email protected] entertainment law. They are the deal makers behind Cynthia Mellow the major contracts and lawsuits in the music 615.352,0265 | [email protected] industry. Marcia Olival 786.586.4901 | [email protected] This feature will also include a round-up of top law schools attended by the notable alumni on the Gene Smith Top Music Lawyer list. 973.452.3528 | [email protected]

Please join Billboard in congratulating this year’s Ryan O’Donnell music power lawyers. Advertise and position your +447843437176 | [email protected] law firm to the decision makers in the industry who are always in need for the best legal counsel.

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prevalent and digital metadata can be often 312,000 in 2020), with a slight decline each playing 35 to 40 shows in a single year, ac- incomplete. Lately, streaming services have year in between. cording to Billboard’s own estimates. taken steps to address those issues, intro- The duo’s vinyl sales (which consist large- ducing songwriter and producer credits and ly of double albums) averaged about 36,000 lyric-based search functionalities, as well units a year over the same span, while CD TikTok Consumer as playlists that are specifically designed to sales were at nearly 12,000 units and album shine a light on writers whose work is often downloads at nearly 14,000 units. Privacy Class obscured by the headline-making artists Song downloads for the group declined who sing and perform their work. from 191,000 units in 2017 to 69,000 in 2021 Settlement In December, Spotify launched its own for an average of 117,000 annually, though Songwriters Hub within its app and web that tracks with an overall dip in downloads Includes $92M player to serve a similar dynamic, which is generally over that time frame. On-demand centered on its Written By playlist series, video and audio streams, meanwhile, have Payout which also features podcasts and other averaged 408.6 million during the same content from writers and producers. The period, with audio streams making the larg- BY ASHLEY CULLINS service also introduced songwriter pages, est contribution to the group’s revenue with giving writers their own place to share their roughly $2.74 million (vinyl was second- ikTok has reached a deal that will work on the platform. highest at $1.72 million). resolve a class action complaint has gone even longer without over consumer privacy violations touring than they have without releas- via its app and its predecessor Mu- Daft Punk Breakup ing new music, having been absent on the Tsical.ly and, if it’s approved by the court, the touring circuit since the conclusion of social video sharing app will pay $92 million Leaves Millions their 48-date Alive Tour in 2007. Of the 10 into a settlement fund. shows from that run that were reported to Amid the pandemic-prompted TikTok on the Table, But Billboard Boxscore, grosses ranged from boom in the spring, a series of suits were $348,000 for a 9,000-attendee show at filed by users of the social video sharing app Royalties Are Still Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre (at an and parents of underage TikTokers. The average of $38 per ticket, plus fees) to $2.8 matters were consolidated before an Illinois Rolling In million for the group’s final concert on Dec. federal court and on Dec. 18 an amended 22, 2007 at the Sydney Showground in Aus- complaint was filed. Their allegations in- BY ED CHRISTMAN AND DAVE tralia, where 30,736 fans paid an average of cluded that the app doesn’t notify users that BROOKS three times the amount charged for the Red its filters and effects use facial scans that Rocks show to see the duo perform. capture and store biometric data; that after aft Punk’s catalog brought in Without solid figures, it is difficult to a user records a video TikTok keeps a copy, $6.4 million in revenue annually estimate the total gross of that 2007 tour, even if the user never posts it, and there’s no over the last four years, accord- with a wide-ranging ballpark in the realm of notification that any such transfer occurs; ing to Billboard estimates, with $20-40 million. It is even more difficult to and that the app collects private and person- Dhalf of that amount coming from the U.S. approximate how much was left on the table ally identifiable information and device and the other half internationally. during the group’s 13-year touring drought. data for the purpose of collecting revenue If the electronic duo, who revealed Had they chosen to go on the road in 2022, through targeted ads. they were disbanding Monday, has typical they would have had several paths to earn They were seeking to define the class as superstar royalties rates of 22% on sales $ over the course of the year; a either a nationwide group of all U.S. TikTok and 33% of on-demand streams, that would two-weekend headliner set at Coachella, for and Musical.ly users or all users who live in calculate to roughly $1.883 million in artist , would have easily netted them $12 California, Illinois or any state with “materi- royalties for , not including master million minus costs, while at least 10 other ally similar consumer protection laws.” As recording synchronization, sampling royal- major global festivals would have likely to the biometric privacy issues, there was ties or publishing royalties. paid $5 million to $6 million per set. Pairing also a proposed Illinois subclass for all users Despite going more than seven years those festival appearances with a select who reside in that state and used TikTok without releasing an album, the Daft Punk stadium tour could have grossed the duo or Musical.ly to create one or more videos. catalog has been a consistent performer $3 million a night (an amount they could Details of the deal were announced over the last four years, averaging around also have reached with an arena tour with Thursday after U.S. District Judge John Z. 317,000 album consumption units a year double nights in each market), allowing Lee on Wednesday gave class counsel the (ranging from a high of 328,000 in 2017 to them to surpass the $100 million mark by green light to file an oversized motion for 2 0 2 1 PRIMARY WAVE 15TH ANNIVERSARY

On April 24, Billboard will salute Primary Wave Music on its 15th CONTACTS anniversary. Joe Maimone 201.301.5933 | [email protected] Founded in 2006, Primary Wave Music is home to some of the most iconic songwriters and artists across the history of recorded Lee Ann Photoglo music including Bob Marley, Stevie Nicks, Frankie Valli & the Four 615.376.7931 | [email protected] Seasons, Smokey Robinson, , , Cynthia Mellow Olivia Newton-John, and many more. 615.352,0265 | [email protected]

With offices in , Los Angeles, Austin, Nashville and Marcia Olival , Primary Wave Music has embraced an entrepreneurial 786.586.4901 | [email protected] spirit, offering and executing proactive one-of-a-kind ideas, Gene Smith unique services and marketing campaigns for our artists. Primary 973.452.3528 | [email protected] Wave has earned a stellar reputation for being forward thinking and re-introducing classic artists and their music into the modern Debra Fink marketplace as well as nurturing young talent to become legends 213.448.5157 | [email protected] themselves. This success is based upon their team of seasoned Ryan O’Donnell and creative executives collaboratively working together closely +447843437176 | [email protected] with our artists as partners. As a company, Primary Wave strives for excellence in the pursuit of iconic artists and catalogs that not only reflect great artistry, but moments of culture.

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preliminary approval. In addition to the candidates. As for Kenji, his MiraTouch debut proj- payout, TikTok has promised to initiate a ect, EAT YOUR HEART OUT, arrived earlier new privacy compliance training program to today. The eclectic artist kicked things to protect users’ data. Internet Money high-gear with his 11-track endeavor, which This article was originally published honors legendary rock band KISS. by The Hollywood Reporter. Producer Nick “EAT YOUR HEART OUT is the third project I’ve dropped since working with In- Mira Partners ternet Money, and it’s the craziest one yet,” Kenji details. “I touch on my feelings about With 10K Projects: love, heartbreak, and personal struggles, Spent Millions of both emotional and mental. The artwork Exclusive pays homage to KISS because I love old rock His Own Money bands.” BY CARL LAMARRE You can listen to EAT YOUR HEART on Presidential OUT below. nternet Money producer is Campaign branching out to launch his label, MiraTouch, with his first signee and BY COLIN STUTZ Dro Kenji. MiraTouch will partner Iwith Elliot Grainge’s 10K Projects and In- Anderson. Paak anye West Spent more than $12 ternet Money, Billboard exclusively reports. million of his own money in his “Not only is Nick a once-in-a-lifetime pro- Are Teaming 2020 presidential campaign, his ducer, but he’s got one of the strongest ears final Federal Election Commis- in ,” says Grainge, 10K Project’s on a New Band Ksion report reveals. CEO. “Nick is a fantastic label partner who The superstar artist spent $13.2 million brings unique and forward-thinking ideas to Silk Sonic in full and raised more than $2 million from the table, including Dro Kenji, whose new 3,047 individual contributions. He ended project we’re excited to release today. We’re BY LARS BRANDLE the race with $1.3 million cash on hand. Peo- thrilled to continue our work alongside ple first reported the news. Nick, Taz, and the Internet Money crew to f Bruno Mars and Anderson. A snapshot of West’s contributors’ profes- build out the MiraTouch partnership and Paak gave the impression they’ve sions provides some insight into the citizens make some more hits.” been chilling while the pandemic backing his campaign. More than one Mira, along with his Internet Money passes, they haven’t. third — 1,191 — self-identified as students, team, enjoyed considerable success in 2020. IThe dynamite duo are Grammy winners pitching in $60 to $4,220. More than 20% The production team landed a top-ten hit as solo artists. It turns out, they’ve used this identified as self-employed and nearly 11% on the Hot 100 with the Don Tolliver and slow time to collaborate on a new act named as not-employed. Gunna-assisted single “Lemonade.” They Silk Sonic, the first music for which will The majority of West’s campaign funds later secured a with Roddy Ricch. drop in a matter of days. went to “ballot access” services and consult- “It’s beyond exciting to be working with “We locked in and made an album,” Mars ing. After entering the race in July, miss- such amazing partners who are familiar tweeted. “The band’s called Silk Sonic. First ing numerous deadlines to appear on state with MiraTouch’s goals and aspirations,” song drops next Friday 3/5.” ballots, West qualified for ballot access in Mira tells Billboard. “Now I’m blessed to be We haven’t heard from Mars since 2019 12 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, able to sign my own producers and artists, when he guested on ’s No.6 Col- Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missis- whom I can share a vision with and provide laborations Project track, “Blow”. The R&B sippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah and guidance to. More importantly, having a la- and pop singer’s last solo album proper was Vermont. bel is a big leadership step, and I’m prepared 2016’s 24K Magic. His second largest single expense of to push the producers, artists, and the youth Paak, the master multi-instrumentalist $918,130 went to Los Angeles Apparel for who I want to see win.” from California, last dropped an LP in campaign apparel. He continues, “MiraTouch will strive to 2019, Ventura. West managed to earn 66,636 total votes make the best product out there for the fans. Check out Mars’ announcement below. for about 0.04% of votes nationally, ac- Right now, I’m really excited for my produc- cording to an NBC News report on Dec 10, ers John Luther & Paryo to tear up the scene earning him a sixth place finish among all and produce for everyone’s favorite artists.” Page 18 of 25

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inward: his new album, El Madrileño (‘The Tangana spoke with Billboard about the C. Tangana’s ‘El Man From Madrid’), out Feb. 26, is an hom- new project, and everything it represents, age to his hometown. The project digs deep from his home in Spain. Madrileño’ Trades into the roots of Madrid’s essential sounds This album sounds far more Spanish but also incorporates visual imagery and a than your previous works. Do you agree? Trends for Edgy sense of tradition (every single cover from Totally. I’ve always been centered on the project is a Goya-like painting) that begs urban music. Then I did trap, , Collaborations to be discovered, unpeeled and re-listened , dancehall. All that is inside me, to. He raps and sings, as traditional Spanish but I’ve never used folk and roots music as and Spanish Soul guitar intertwining with electronic loops a starting point. And since I was traveling and handclaps. around the world, the nostalgia made me BY LEILA COBO And although 12 out of the 14 tracks are feel more madrileño than ever. I mixed that collaborations, they are so unexpected with what was around me. efore he collaborated with Ro- they’ll make you reel, ranging from Cuban Is the album born from the artists or salía, helping her craft the avant- veteran Eliades Ochoa and icons Toquinho the songs? garde songs of her 2018 break- and José Feliciano to alt up and com- Initially from the songs. But since it’s born through album El Mal Querer, C. ers like Omar Apollo and Ed Maver- from my travels, I was clear there would be BTangana had traversed rap and trap in Spain, ick. There’s also traditional and many artists and many collaborations. Many with an attitude that was both hardcore and Spain aplenty in the arresting, bachata- times I’d be in the studio and think: “This experimental. A former Catholic schoolboy laced “Tu Me Dejaste de Querer,” featuring part would be perfect for…” In “Muriendo de and philosophy major in college, he pos- Niño de Elche and La Húngara; the single, envidia” with Eliades Ochoa, for example, sessed the intellectual banter that music released in November, racked up 2 million the part he sings is something El Pescailla snobs love, but also a knack for finding the streams on Spotify within 24 hours, making used to sing. During the time of crooners right commercial edge to his hooks. Tangana the platform’s top debut of the day. like , we had Pescailla, who By 2017, he had won Best New Artist The song debuted and peaked at No. 83 on sang rumba catalana, and I always thought at Spain’s music awards, and Best the Billboard Global 200 chart dated Nov. Eliades sang in the same register. Worldwide Act from Spain at the MTV 21, 2020 and at No. 38 on Billboard Global That was in Cuba. How did that en- EMA Awards. , Becky G, Excl. US chart. counter happen? Farruko, Paloma Mami, and Lauren The collaborations are a mix of care- I went to Cuba to film a video, because Jauregui all recorded collaborations and ful curation, but also simple admiration. my creative director is in love with Cuba. with Tangana, in a bid to dip their “People often think you move because of While we were there having dinner [one toes into a Spanish market increasingly satu- artistic affinity, but the artists I’m inter- night], we realized there were two men sit- rated with “Latin” reggaetón. Meanwhile, ested in aren’t the ones who stylistically do ting in a back table in the garden, and one of Tangana tested the waters in the U.S. and something like me, but those who have a them took off his cowboy hat. It was Eliades Latin America, where he played Lollapaloo- [similar] professional vision of a work ethic,” Ochoa. We went up to him, introduced za . says multi-time Latin Grammy winner Jorge ourselves, told him about the project and he With a rapper’s swagger and writer’s Drexler, who collaborates with Tangana in said if we came back to Cuba, he’d take us to broodiness, combined with a sleek sense of “Nominao.” his studio with his musicians. We did. style, Tangana – real name Antón Álvarez Drexler — a lauded, rock-minded singer- One of my favorite tracks is “Cambia!,” (“Pucho” to his friends) — became a media songwriter who won an Oscar in 2005 for featuring two up-and-coming regional obsession in Spain, with influencers and “Al otro lado del río” — joins forces with Mexican stars: Adriel Favela and Carin intellectuals hyper-analyzing the meaning Tangana in a sparse, guitar-driven song León. behind every gesture and video image. By that delves with irony on the fleetingness I discovered Adriel Favela with his [2018 last summer, Tangana’s global streams were of fame. The video ends with an encoun- song] “La Escuela No Me Gustó,” which nearing the 2 billion mark. ter between Tangana and introduced me to . I have many Then, he turned 30. “The thought of do- legend Andrés Calamaro in an elevator. “I’ve Mexican friends and they told me about ing the same 30 songs I’d been doing when always liked artists who build bridges, and I the new trend with young acts doing more I was 20 kept me up at night,” he says. So met Pucho precisely when he was building urban . And during a trip to , did the notion of taking his music further, important bridges,” adds Drexler, “with Iber I heard Carín León on the radio, and his going deeper, delving into creative areas not America, with the song, with the format and melodies reminded me of ‘90s Spanish pop bound only by sound recordings. with the rules of the song. And with a com- act Andy y Lucas. The easy route could have been even big- mitment to a bridge between the past and a Then, one night in Madrid, we began ger collaborations. Instead, Tangana turned raging modernity.” writing a corrido, I sent the demo to Adriel Page 19 of 25

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on my phone, and he heard it while he was You’re completely right. I feel that with Finger Death Punch, Escape The Fate on the touring bus with his musicians. Half- urban music, I’ve been hiding things I liked and AWOLNATION. hour later, he sent me a video of all of them but had never surfaced: like rumba, pop, “This promotion comes at an exciting singing and playing the song. When I saw rock. As an artist I didn’t want to see that time for Better Noise,” said Waite in a state- that reaction, I made the move to call Carin part of me. Probably because I thought it ment. “Mötley Crüe have some surprises and also ask him to be on the song. I just wasn’t cool or trendy or what I could show in store for their fans in this their 40th called him and said, “I’m a fan.” as a young artist. But it turns out that’s the anniversary year. Five Finger Death Punch It’s such a diverse album. What binds it coolest thing I can show. Something that already have 3 number 1’s from their current together? isn’t trendy, but if you look at it through my album F8, giving them a career total of 11 More than anything, I wanted it to sound lens, becomes new or becomes something number 1’s. We have signed Tempt man- like a Spanish album, independent of the you can understand. aged by Steve Strange and Andy Gould, genres. I also wanted it to be an album that and Eva Under Fire managed by Tony didn’t get stuck in nostalgia. Even at its Couch & Mike Newman and Hyro the most traditional, it had to have something Executive Hero managed by Scott Sheldon, Berko modern. And I also wanted all the tracks to Pearce and Peyton Marek.” be linked by the subject of love. Turntable: Waite added, “Our expansion on the You talk about love, but there’s quite ground in Australia has paid dividends and a bit of spite in here — particularly in Better Noise our revenues have grown so we are look- terms of being professionally successful ing to replicate that and expand into South where others doubted you. What do you Names Label America and then South East Asia, looking have to prove? to either start local offices or purchase exist- First, I always had artistic ambition, and it President, BMI ing labels.” was hard for urban music to get the profes- Waite has been involved in expanding sional respect. Now, I’ve sat with all these Hires Diversity & the Better Noise staff as of late, recruiting maestros, and I’ve kind of gotten over it. But talent including the company’s new head of as a rapper, my artistic ambition was a bit Inclusion Officer publicity, Jimmy Harney. frustrated. BMI has hired Sandye Taylor as chief Well, your style of rap is quite different BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN diversity, equity and inclusion officer, from most things out there… reporting to BMI president and CEO Mike That’s the other thing. The complex of an Waite has been elevated O’Neill. Taylor, who starts in the new role being different, of not really liking fame. I’m to president of Better Noise on Mar. 8, will be a member of the com- a studio rat, and you have to face this entire Music, the independent record pany’s executive leadership team. machinery and be professional about it. In label under the Better Noise In the position, Taylor will be tasked Spain, I do feel the media pressure of having DEntertainment umbrella. Based in the UK, with leading BMI’s diversity, equity and a career, and it’s been both frustrating and Waite was previously managing director, UK inclusion strategy. work closely inspiring when it comes to writing songs. & Europe at . with the company’s senior management Going back to the collaborators, you In his new role, Waite will oversee all art- team to support BMI’s Core Values, build could have collaborated with bigger com- ist relations and music and film content re- on the company’s commitment to cultivat- mercial names. Why not? leases across the company’s global network ing an inclusive workplace and employ an Precisely that’s the vindication. I was of offices, reporting directly to CEO Allen equitable approach to attracting, retaining clear I wanted young acts like Omar Apollo, Kovac. and advancing diverse talent. In addition, Ed Maverick, Adriel. But I wanted them to Before joining Better Noise in 2017, Waite she will lead BMI’s community engagement be outsiders. Ed Maverick has 150 million worked in roles at at MTV Viacom Interna- initiatives. Spotify plays. He moves fans, but he’s an tional, Universal Records, , Taylor arrives at BMI from Royal Bank outsider. I love the mainstream. I love the NME, O2 Arena and BBC Studios. He is an of Canada (RBC), where she began serving , album. I love all the active member of AIM (Association of Inde- as global head of diversity & inclusion for Puerto Rican producers. But I felt this was pendent Music), FAC (The Featured Artists the Capital Markets group in 2015. During an opportunity and my idea was to do an Coalition), MMF (Music Managers Forum) her tenure, she launched and developed album with outsiders, even if they have a and IMPALA, where he serves as a board Diversity Leadership Councils, established huge audience. member and is involved in the organiza- accountability and progress measures, over- I’d dare say that none of the artists tion’s diversity efforts. saw the creation of recruiting programs to on the album are really trending in a big Better Noise is home to acts includ- target diverse graduate and undergraduate way, except for Adriel and Carín. ing Mötley Crüe, Papa Roach, Five candidates and more. Page 20 of 25

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Before RBC, Taylor worked as senior vp, team. She has also worked at BMG, Comedy global on-platform advertising manager at head of D&I for global wealth & investment Central, Paramount Channel and MTV Asia, The Orchard/, where she over- management and global banking & markets where she worked as part of the talent man- saw the international advertising strategy at Bank of America Merrill Lynch. During agement team behind live events such as the for Spotify and YouTube. her 12 years there, she established goals, MTV Asia Awards. B2B music licensing marketplace Song- metrics and accountability measures to push ADA Asia launched in Sept. 2020. tradr has brought on music and marketing forward and monitor diversity and inclu- Outback Presents has hired concert pro- vets Mike Tunnicliffe and Joe Belliotti to sion milestones and developed practices to motion veteran Danny Eaton as senior vp. lead the brand solutions division of a new attract diverse talent. Over the course of his long career, Eaton B2B music platform, Vinyl by Songtradr. “I am thrilled to join the BMI team as has promoted nearly 9,000 concert events. The Vinyl platform is designed to assist they continue their journey of cultivating an After working for eight years in manage- agencies and creatives by matching brand inclusive workplace where every employee ment for ZZ Top, he launched Eaton Page strategies with music solutions. To that end, feels valued and empowered,” said Taylor Productions promoting concerts for artists Tunnicliffe and Belliotti have developed in a statement. “I look forward to helping including Linda Ronstadt, James Tay- an approach to help brands identify their facilitate a culture of belonging and con- lor and . In the 1980s, he founded unique music strategy or sonic branding nectivity that enables all team members to 462 Concerts in Dallas, where he produced strategy; reach targeted audiences through meaningfully contribute and gain recogni- musical events for the Eagles, Paul Mc- livestreaming, digital experiences and artist tion for their performance. BMI’s leadership Cartney, , Smashing Pump- partnerships; and find the right music while is committed to continuing DE&I progress, kins, Tool and more. In 1996, he was named reducing the cost of licensing. and I am excited to help lead this critically Independent Promoter of the Year by Poll- Tunnicliffe, who joins as executive vp, important work.” star. brand solutions, will lead the ideation, ’s ADA Asia has Later in his career, Eaton joined AEG, development, structuring and packag- appointed three senior executives in the re- where he started the first local AEG Live ing of music partnership products. Before gion: Chiou Rei Min, who has been named office in the U.S. During that time, he was Songtradr, he held senior-level positions at head of Greater China; Jin Hwang as head tasked with rebuilding the formerly-bank- Universal Music Group, GroupM, Initiative of Korea; and Tan Wei Keng as director, rupt Nokia Live Theater in Grand Prairie, Media, Western International Media, Lowe business operations. All three will report to Texas. He was named senior vp for Live Worldwide and Tempus Group plc. He ADA Asia’s managing director, Chee Meng Nation in Dallas in Feb. 2010. previously worked in advertising at agencies Tan. Jordyn Reese has been upped to global including HDM Horner Collis and Kirvan Based in Taipei, Taiwan, Chiou joins ADA head of advertising at ONErpm, where she (Havas), The Leagas Delaney Partnership Asia from the regional streaming platform was first hired in 2019 as product manager, and Saatchi & Saatchi. KKBOX, which she helped launch in Hong US Latin & Urban. She was most recently Belliotti, who was previously head of Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand director of global advertising & audience global music for The Coca-Cola Company, over the course of 10 years. In her most development, a role she was elevated to has been named senior vp, brand solutions. recent role as vp, CSO office, she helped after pioneering ONErpm’s internal digital He will be tasked with strategy and creative transition the DSP’s ChynaHouse from a agency infrastructure and executing multi- development while collaborating with both production house to a label while oversee- platform ad campaigns for artists includ- emerging and established brands to match ing brand marketing, artist development and ing Elohim, , , 112 and El music solutions. Most recently, he co-found- promotion. Chulo. ed The Music Division, an outsourced music Hwang, who is based in , South Based in Miami, Reese will lead an department working with emerging and Korea, comes from QUAN Entertainment, international team of eight artist advertis- established brands. where she was most recently executive ing strategists in Mexico, Brazil, , “This new platform is exactly what the in- director. During her tenure, she worked Nigeria, Russia and the U.S. and drive the dustry needs,” said Tunnicliffe. “Brands are with external partners such as local music expansion of the ONErpm’s digital agency hugely interested in the power of music to distributors and platforms. Before that, she into emerging territories. She reports help market and grow their businesses, but negotiated hundreds of distribution deals directly to ONErpm CEO and founder Em- the music marketplace is extremely complex with local artists and labels at the leading manuel Zunz in the new role. and fragmented. We are aiming to make that Korean streaming service Genie Music, Recently, Reese was selected to join easier and more results-focused. Songtradr where she also managed release campaigns Spotify Soundboard after working with the has quickly become a leader in the B2B and built relationships with the indepen- streaming platform’s internal teams, allow- licensing space and ‘Vinyl by Songtradr’ will dent music community. ing her first-to-market access to beta test capitalize on Songtradr’s technology and The Singapore-based Keng joins ADA Spotify’s Marquee ad products. data to help brands grow their businesses Asia from the Samsung brand marketing Before joining ONErpm, Reese served as through music.” Page 21 of 25

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“Songtradr has seen significant growth role, Horner will assist Big Picture clients Koch Records. He has also served time in over the past year and ‘Vinyl by Songtradr’ in building brands via cohesive, original the promotion departments at Universal will build on their growing global B2B music content across social platforms. South Records, UMG/ and footprint,” added Belliotti. “This new plat- “I am so excited to have a hand in not Bigger Picture Music Group. form will provide a tech and data-enabled, only helping Big Picture Media grow as a Forthcoming for The Erv Woolsey curated approach to music solutions for PR firm, but also as a brand,” said Horner Company and Rollin’ The Dice Records are brands, helping them bring to life their busi- in a statement. “Offering new services, such releases from Stone Senate, the Davisson ness strategies and shape culture.” as brand consulting is a great way to do just Brothers Band and Ian Munsick. Preach Management, the talent manage- that.” ment firm started by Jay Cohen in 2012, has “The passion and determination of my launched Preach Records in partnership co-workers inspire me everyday to be a Bobby Shmurda’s with Universal Music Group/Ingrooves better person and a better publicist,” added and beatBread. The label was founded by Schaffer. “It’s a real honor to be able to help Streams Up 624% Cohen, who will serve as CEO, and Preach Dayna expand and grow Big Picture Media co-founder Daniel Baldock, who will serve into new territories. The past 7 years with Since Prison as CMO. the company have taught me so much and I The core Preach Records staff also look forward to what 2021 and beyond will Release includes Aaron Boyd, Samantha bring for us and our clients.” Friske, Jack Wonham, Damon Made- Cooper added, “I am so excited to con- BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD ra, Victoria Giddings, Niall Cash, Thando tinue to grow both personally and profes- Zulu, Luisa Lion, Lea Fromme, Jenny sionally in my new role with BPM. Dayna .S. on-demand streams of Bobby Uder and Daniel Baldock. has always encouraged us to go after what Shmurda’s catalog are up 624% The label’s debut roster consists of MacK- makes us happy and I am looking forward to since the rapper’s release from enzie Bourg (The Voice, American Idol), helping make that happen with the growth prison Feb. 23, according to Dear Silas, Jackson Breit, iToldLexi, Tim of our business. Our team is truly the best UMRC Data. Riehm and Muntu. there is and that is because of the passion On Feb. 22, when news of Shmurda’s With offices in Los Angeles, London and and excitement that each of us bring to our pending release broke, and Feb. 23, the day Hamburg – along with partners in Canada clients. I can’t wait to share that electricity it occurred, Shmurda’s music as a lead artist and Southeast Asia – Preach Records will with the West Coast.” totaled 3.7 million U.S. on-demand streams, cultivate a smaller, more selective roster, Laura Hostelley has been promoted from up 624% from the previous two-day pe- allowing for hands-on focus from the entire director to vp of marketing at Nashville riod, Feb. 20-21, when his streams totaled team rather than trying to replicate the label Triple Tigers Records. She reports to 507,000. distributor or major label models, according president and partner Norbert Nix. His streams jumped 264% from 288,000 to a release. It has additionally pledged to Hostelley joined Triple Tigers Records in on Feb. 21 to 1.1 million on Feb. 22. They closely tailor its record deals to each artist’s 2016, soon after its creation. She was upped then surged by 150% to 2.6 million on Feb. individual needs and refrain from taking from promotion coordinator to product 23, the day of his release. ownership of masters or boxing signees into manager in 2017 and elevated to director of The biggest song by Shmurda in the most multi-year or multi-album agreements. marketing in 2019. During her tenure, Triple recently available two-day tracking period is Boutique public relations agency Big Pic- Tigers has signed artists including Scotty “Hot N—-a,” also known as “Hot Boy,” which ture Media, founded by Dayna Ghiraldi- McCreery, Russell Dickerson and Cam received 2.2 million streams Feb. 22-23, up Travers, has promoted Natalie Schaffer to (in a partnerships with RCA Records New 340% from 491,000 on Feb. 20-21. “Bobby director of publicity and Katy Cooper to York). Bitch” follows with a 965% increase from manager of publicity and business develop- Before boarding Triple Tigers, Hostelley 95,000 streams on Feb. 20-21 to 1 million on ment, the firm has announced. contributed reviews and created content as Feb. 22-23. In their elevated roles, Schaffer will con- a freelance writer at Sounds Like Nashville Both songs mark Shmurda’s only Bill- tinue spearheading Big Picture Media’s New and Taste of Country. board Hot 100 appearances as a lead artist. York City office, while Cooper will bring the Allen Mitchell has been promoted to “Hot N—-a” peaked at No. 6 on the chart agency to Los Angeles. vp of new artist management & operations dated Nov. 22, 2014, while “Bobby Bitch” hit Big Picture Media additionally announced at The Erv Woolsey Company/Rollin’ The No. 92 the following week. In his lone other it will expand its publicity roster to include Dice Records, the label imprint formed last visit, he reached No. 25 in October 2018 as influencers, while also launching new year in partnership with Copperline Music featured on ’s “Stoopid.” advisor services to be led by publicist and Group/The Orchard. More gains may be reflected on Bill- brand strategist Kirsten Horner. In the Mitchell kicked off his career at Audium/ board charts dated March 6, which cover the Page 22 of 25

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streaming tracking week of Feb. 19-25. Llamo Mi Ex Remix”) and, most recently, a Shmurda (born Ackquille Pollard) was re- bilingual bop with (“Mood”). Lil Tjay’s ‘Calling leased from prison Feb. 23 after serving six “I could define my sound as pure, univer- years, most recently in New York’s Clinton sal and versatile,” he says. “I believe that I’m My Phone’ Scores Correctional Facility, for multiple charges, capable of doing something fresh with other including conspiracy, reckless endanger- genres. I love to compete with myself to see Streaming Songs ment and gun possession. how far I can go.” On the , earned his No. 1 first entry on both the Latin Airplay chart Latin Artist on and the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart dated BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD Feb. 27 with “Ayer Me Llamó Mi Ex.” On the Rise: Khea Tropical Airplay, the track peaked at No. 5. il Tjay’s “Calling My Phone” is He also earned an entry on both the Global a streaming success right off the on Exporting 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts with the bat, as the 6lack-featuring song same song. bows atop Billboard’s Streaming Argentine Trap to “There’s a movement behind me and I LSongs chart dated Feb. 27. think that as an artist and colleague, we find “Calling My Phone” debuts at No. 1 with the Masses ways for Argentine music to become global 34 million U.S. streams in the Feb. 12-18 and I think that it’s happening already,” he tracking week, according to MRC Data. BY JESSICA ROIZ notes. It’s the first No. 1 on Streaming Songs Learn more about this week’s Latin Artist for both acts. Lil Tjay’s previous history n less than five years, Khea (real on the Rise below: included a pair of top 10s as a featured art- name: Ivo Alfredo Thomas Serue) has Name: Ivo Alfredo Thomas Serue. His ist (Polo G’s “Pop Out,” No. 3, June 2019, managed to scale the Billboard charts artistic name was inspired by the automo- and ’s “Mood Swings,” No. 6, Au- with his trap and hip-hop fusions. He bile brand Kia. gust 2020), while the No. 28-peaking “F.N” Ialso inked a deal with Age: 20 was his top result as a lead artist (October worldwide in early 2020, further cementing Recommended Song: “Ayer Me Llamó 2019). 6lack’s previous best, meanwhile, was himself as a promising newcomer. Mi Ex (Remix)” his song “Pretty Little Fears,” featuring J. “Music has always surrounded me. I come Major Accomplishment: “Truthfully, Cole, which peaked at No. 43 in September from an artistic family,” the Argentine artist being able to help my family and friends in 2018. tells Billboard. “I discovered , many aspects. Not only financially, but also Of the three songs to reach No. 1 on who’s important to my generation. As I got share my experiences and knowledge with Streaming Songs for the first time in 2021, older, I discovered rap music and that’s my friends. Another accomplishment of two are by artists new to the summit, with when I realized that instead of listening to mine is learning every day and meeting new Lil Tjay joined by Olivia Rodrigo, whose music, I wanted to create it.” people in this industry.” “Drivers License” reigned for four weeks In 2017, Khea made the decision to quit What’s Next: “There’s an important re- beginning in January. school for a year to follow his dreams. It mix for Argentina coming soon. It includes Concurrently, “Calling My Phone” starts was that same year that his career began to artists such as , and Maria at No. 3 on the multi-metric Billboard Hot flourish. Becerra. It’s going to be incredible.” 100, the first top 10 for both Lil Tjay and “I went viral with ‘Loca,’” he says of his 6lack. It also bows atop Hot R&B/Hip-Hop collaboration with and Duki, which Songs and Hot Rap Songs. was remixed by Bad Bunny. “My life The song was initially teased on social changed from zero to a hundred and it also media, particularly TikTok, in late 2020 be- marked the beginning of a movement in fore its eventual release, contributing in part Argentina.” to its career-best start for both artists. Though he came from the trap scene in the South American country, Khea, who officially signed with Interscope Records in January 2020, has tapped into different genres as of late. He has a pop urban col- laboration with (“Donde Estas”), a bachata-trap with , Natti Natasha and Royce (“Ayer Me Page 23 of 25

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“Telepatía” Arrives: Back on Hot Latin fortunes, however, arrived at the top of 2021 & Songs, secures her first top 10, to lift the single. That airplay has been key as “Telepatía” debuts at No. 10. The single in the single’s rise — “Mines” climbs five ’s appears on the Colombian’s all-Spanish- spots to a new No. 11 peak on the R&B/ language LP Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Hip-Hop Airplay chart. There, it improves ‘De Vuelta Pa’ Demonios), a No. 2 start and peak on Latin 17% in listener reach to 11.1 million audi- Pop Albums and a No. 8 peak on Top Latin ence impressions in the week ending Feb. 21, La Vuelta’ Hits Albums. according to MRC Data, its first weekly total The song’s breakthrough on the all- above the eight-figure mark. No. 1 on Latin metric chart owes its entrance largely to its Beyond its home format, the single also popularity on TikTok, where millions have has strong reception on radio as it Airplay Chart been sharing videos with a song that talks holds at No. 13 on Rhythmic Airplay in its about keeping a love connection alive from a 11th week on the chart. Despite no change in BY PAMELA BUSTIOS distance, reflective of current times. rank, “Mines” did register a 6% gain in plays The song has soundtracked more than 25 for the week. addy Yankee and Marc An- million videos on the app. The song reaches Airplay gains push the song 47-44 on the thony score their first No. 1 the top 10 on Hot Latin Songs mainly on all-genre chart in its third together, as “De Vuelta Pa’ La the strength of streaming. It registered week thanks to a 13% bump to 17.7 million in Vuelta” lands atop the Latin 3.4 million U.S. clicks on the week ending audience reach. DAirplay chart dated Feb. 27. Their team-up Feb. 18, which yields a No. 8 start on Latin “Mines” appears on Yung ’s R&B earns Yankee his 23rd leader, which places Streaming Songs. (TikTok activity does not EP, Love Scars: The 5 Stages of Emotions, him as the artist with the third-most No. 1s. contribute to the charts). which debuted at No. 9 on the Top R&B Al- “De Vuelta” traces its 3-1 jump to a 16% bums chart. On the most recent chart (dated boost in audience impressions, to 11.1 mil- Feb. 27), it ranks at No. 16. lion, earned in the week ending Feb. 21, Yung Bleu Scores according to MRC Data. The song was produced by Sergio George and written by First Top 10 on Top Edgar Barrera, Elena Rose, Yankee, Marc Anthony, Rafael A. Pina Nieves and Sergio Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Dance/Electronic George. With 23 home runs, dating back to Songs Chart Digital Song “Rompe” leading for 15 weeks in 2005, Yankee breaks away from a tie with Ozuna BY TREVOR ANDERSON Sales Chart for to become the third among all acts in terms of No. 1s, standing only behind Enrique Igle- ung Bleu achieves a rookie First Time With sias’ 31 leaders and J Balvin’s 27. Here’s the career milestone as his song leaderboard of acts with at least 20 No. 1s on “You’re Mines Still” reaches the ‘Opportunities’ Latin Airplay: top 10 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/ 31, Hip-HopY Songs chart (dated Feb. 27). The BY GORDON MURRAY 27, J Balvin track, which features Drake, ascends from 23, Daddy Yankee No. 11 to crack the upper tier in its 14th et Shop Boys soar 5-1 on Bill- 22, Ozuna week on the list. board’s Dance/Electronic Digi- 20, With the move, Yung Bleu, the 26-year- tal Song Sales chart (dated Feb. Marc Anthony, who ups his career count old singer-rapper from Mobile, Alabama, 27) with “Opportunities (Let’s to 12, captures his first No. 1 since 2015 collects his first top 10 on Hot R&B/Hip- PMake Lots of Money).” It’s the veteran UK when “La Gozadera” ruled for one week in Hop Songs with his initial chart entry. duo’s first leader on the list, which began August. Drake, meanwhile, adds his record-extend- in 2010. The 1986 classic continues to be Over on Hot Latin Songs, which blends ing 80th visit to the region, further outpac- buoyed by an Allstate insurance commercial airplay, digital sales and streams, “De Vuelta” ing runner-up James Brown, who has 57. featuring the song, first broadcast on CBS remains at No. 9 for a second week. It con- “Mines” debuted at No. 20 on Hot R&B/ during the Super Bowl Feb. 7. currently makes a dent in the sales realm, Hip-Hop Songs in October after Drake “Opportunities” sold 3,000 downloads, as it rebounds 8-6 on Latin Digital Song remixed the song but slipped down the up 179%, in the tracking week ending Feb. Sales with a little over 500 downloads sold. chart for the rest of 2020. A boost in radio 18, according to MRC Data. Plus, Plus, Page 24 of 25

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1986’s “West End Girls,” the act’s sole Bill- ond straight week that Guetta has debuted second Regional Mexican Albums No. 1 and board Hot 100 No. 1, shoots 23-9, marking a song at No. 11, after last week’s “Floating fourth top five, all of which launched in less Pet Shop Boys’ second Dance/Electronic Through Space,” with Sia.) “Big” sold 1,000 than a year, as Atrapado En Un Sueño, his Digital Song Sales top 10 (1,000 sold, up downloads, also good for a No. 18 start on sophomore debut and first entry on any Bill- 83%). Both tracks are from the Boys’ debut Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales. board album chart, debuted and peaked at album Please, which reached No. 7 on the HE ‘GOT’ TO THE TOP 10 AGAIN: On No. 2 in April 2020 with 4,000 equivalent Billboard 200 in June 1986. Dance/Mix Show Airplay, Robin Schulz album units. The pairing of and Chris scores his third top 10 with “All We Got,” $ad Boyz nets the Guanajato singer-song- Lowe also takes “Opportunities” onto the featuring KIDDO, who collects his first writer’s best start in terms of overall units, multi-metric Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (11-8). let’s take a look: chart at No. 17. (The survey, which pre- Silk City, the duo of and Mark Ron- Title, Equivalent Album Units, (Debut miered in 2013, permits, like the Hot 100, son, banks its second top 10 on the survey Week) older tracks with new activity to appear if with “New Love,” featuring Ellie Goulding, Atrapado En Un Sueño, 4,000, April 11, 2020 ranking in its upper half.) With 202,000 U.S. who notches her ninth (19-9). Plus, Ariana Cruisin’ With Junior H, 2,000, Sept. 12, 2020 streams, up 52%, “Opportunities” earns the Grande gains her 15th top 10 with “34+35” Musica <3, 1,000, Sept. 12, 2020 act its highest position yet on the chart. Pet (14-10). $ad Boyz 4 Life, 6,000, Feb. 27, 2021 Shop Boys have posted eight titles on Hot With $ad Boyz’s arrival at No. 1, Junior H Dance/Electronic Songs, including fellow posts three albums on the Regional Mexican top 25 hits “The Pop Kids” (No. 21, 2016) Junior H Rules Albums’ top 10, as Atrapado En Un Sue- and “Dreamland,” featuring Years and Years ño ranks at No. 6 and Cruisin’ With Junior (No. 21, 2020). Regional Mexican H at No. 9 on the current chart. ‘RASPUTIN’ RESURGES: Also on Hot Elsewhere, Sad Boyz bows at No. 5 on Dance/Electronic Songs, Boney M. scores Albums Chart the Top Latin Albums list and at No. 192 its first top 10 with the No. 10 arrival of on all-genre Billboard 200, his first entry its 1978 track “Rasputin,” which has been With ‘$ad Boyz there. revived thanks to the #RasputinDanceChal- lenge on TikTok. “Rasputin” racked up 2.6 4 Life’ million stateside streams, good for its No. 25 AJR’s ‘Bang!’ rank on Dance/Electronic Streaming Songs. BY BILLBOARD STAFF Boney M. collected three Dance Club Crashes Into No. 1 Songs hits back in the day: “Daddy Cool” unior H’s $ad Boyz 4 Life debuts (No. 11, 1977), “Ma Baker” (No. 31, 1977) and at No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Spot on Adult Pop “Kalimba De Luna” (No. 49, 1985). Albums chart (dated Feb. 27), secur- GOOD NEWS: Further on Hot Dance/ ing the urban corridos act his second Airplay Chart Electronic Songs, and Jleader and fourth straight top five. earn top Streaming Gainer honors with $ad Boyz 4 Life starts with 6,000 equiva- BY GARY TRUST “Goodbye” (26-19), up 29% to 764,000 U.S. lent album units earned in the week ending streams. The track also jumps 13-7 on the Feb. 18, according to MRC Data, with the JR achieves its first No. 1 on Bill- Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart, where it’s bulk of the album’s units deriving from board’s Adult Pop Airplay chart the first top 10 for Imanbek and the third for streaming activity. (dated Feb. 27), rising 2-1. Goodboys. The Regional Mexican Albums chart The song completes the BIG ‘BANG’: Speaking of Imanbek, he and ranks the most popular regional Mexican al- longestA trip to the top among groups in the Rita Ora debut at No. 16 on Top Dance/Elec- bums of the week in the U.S. based on multi- chart’s 25-year history: 43 weeks. It bests tronic Albums with Bang. The first chart ap- metric consumption as measured in equiva- the 36-week climb for The Script’s “Break- pearance for both the singer and producer, lent album units. Units comprise traditional even” in 2009-10. Among all No. 1s, “Bang!” Bang begins with 2,000 equivalent album album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) trails only the 45-week ascent of Maren units earned. and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Morris’ “The Bones” in 2019-20. One of the EP’s four tracks, “Big,” with $ad Boyz 4 Life, released Feb. 12 via “Bang!” previously became AJR’s first top and featuring Gunna, bows JHRH/Warner Latina, registered 6,000 SEA 10 on the Pop Airplay chart, reaching No. at No. 11 on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, in its first tracking week, which equates to 6 in December. It hit No. 2 on Alternative sporting 1.5 million domestic streams. The 8.3 million on-demand streams generated by Airplay last June, marking the fourth top 10 song is Guetta’s landmark 50th charted title, the songs on the album. for the brother trio of Adam, Jack and Ryan second only to ’s 52. (It’s also the sec- The 16-track set earns the 18-year-old his Met. Page 25 of 25

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The song also became AJR’s first top fantastic that you have chosen this moment icles of the Civil Rights Movement of the 10 on the all-genre, airplay-, sales- and to lend your voices to this critical issue.” 1960s through the struggles and triumphs of streaming-based , where The group said they understood the key actors, including Hamer. it rose to No. 8 in January. impact of climate change and urged their Waxylu Films and Dream Management “Bang!” is from AJR’s album Ok Orchestra, fans to join them in the initiative. “The first and Entertainment, which holds the rights due March 26, the follow-up to the act’s first step is to educate ourselves about climate to Hamer’s life story, are behind the project. Billboard 200 top 10, 2019’s Neotheater. The change,” they reportedly said during a Along with Common, whose past producing new set’s next single, “,” could recent event at the British ambassador’s credits include Selma and The Chi, Jenni- debut on Adult Pop Airplay as soon as next residence in Seoul. “We need to know fer Madeloff and Jeff Waxman will pro- week (on the chart dated March 6). what’s happening, because it affects all of duce God’s Long Summer for Waxylu Films, “This journey has been so strange,” AJR us. We want to learn more, and we hope our along with Jay Speights, D. Min of Triumph told Billboard in a statement when “Bang!” fans do too.” Inc., and Jackie Bazan of Bazan Entertain- hit the Hot 100’s top 10. “There’s never re- Blackpink appeared in a video promoting ment. ally been a moment of this band blowing up. the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference in “Fannie Lou Hamer is a revolutionary It’s really been one day at a time, one year December. Watch it below. figure we should all know,” says Common. at a time, friends telling other friends. For “Her story and impact is evidence that Black it to culminate with something as weird as History IS American History. We have all ‘Bang!’ feels so gratifying.” Common to benefited from her work and dedication. I feel blessed to be working with this incred- Produce Biopic ible group of producers to bring this story to Blackpink the screen.” of Voting Rights Charles McLaurin, field secretary for the Named Goodwill Hamer-organized Student Nonviolent Coor- Activist Fannie dinating Committee’s first voter organizing Ambassadors efforts in the Mississippi Delta and close Lou Hamer friend of Hamer, along with Hamer’s cousin For UN Climate Minister Vester Townsend Lobbins will BY MIA GALUPPO serve as story consultants. Change “It’s impossible to talk about voting rights ivil and voting rights activist Fan- in America and not include Mrs. Hamer. Her Conference nie Lou Hamer will be getting the story will serve as a reminder of our long biopic treatment. history of struggle to secure voter rights BY GIL KAUFMAN Common is set to produce a fea- for all citizens in this country, and, add her Cture about the life of Hammer, titled God’s powerful voice to the current struggle to -pop group BLACKPINK have Long Summer, which will follow Hamer’s pass new voting rights legislation,” offers been named goodwill ambassa- rise from oppressive plantation sharecrop- McLaurin. Lobbins adds,“I hope this movie dors for the upcoming 26th Cli- ping system in 1962 Mississippi where at will introduce Fannie Lou to a new genera- mate Change Conference, which 44 years of age, according to the project’s tion of activists and freedom fighters and Kwill take place from Nov. 1-12 in , synopsis “she fought against the Southern inspire them to ‘keep on fighting til ‘America . political establishment, systemic racism and gets it right’, as she used to say,” says Minis- According to the Korea Herald, the quar- misogyny by exercising her right to vote ter Vester Townsend Lobbins. tet were appointed as advocates to raise and fighting for the rights of others. Labeled This article originally appeared on awareness for the global campaign against as plain spoken and unfit to lead the move- The Hollywood Reporter. climate change. ment, Hamer captivated the nation with her The group recently received a personal powerful voice, sheer will and faith in her letter from British Prime Minister Boris fight against leaders at the highest levels of Johnson, according to the Herald, in which state and federal government and within the he invited them to the conference and Civil Rights Movement itself to help secure said, “Your recent video ‘Climate Action passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.” in Your Area #COP26’ was a huge success, Peter J. Meli will write the screenplay, being viewed over 10 million times across based on Hamer’s 1967 autobiography To social media platforms. Climate change is Praise Our Bridges and the book God’s Long the most important issue of our time... it is Summer by Charles Marsh, which chron-