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 AirplayMARCH 4, 2021 Page 1 of 25 Leader; Travis Denning Makes History INSIDE Square Is Acquiring a Sam Hunt’s second studio full-length, and first in over five years, Southside sales (up 21%) in the tracking week. On Country Airplay, it hops 18-15 (11.9 mil- (MCA Nashville/Universal Music Group MajorityNashville), debuts at No. 1 on Billboard Stake’s lion audience in impressions, Tidal up 16%). for $297M Top• CountryWith Square’s Albums Tidal chart dated April 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it earnedAcquisition, 46,000 equivalent New album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingInterim to Nielsen Head Says,Music/MRC Data. andBY totalMICAH Country SINGLETON Airplay No. 1 as “Catch” (Big Machine Label Group) ascends Southside‘We’re Not marks Trying Hunt’s to second No. 1 on the 2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions. chart andWin fourth The Ear’top 10. It followsFinancial freshman services LP giant Square is acquiring a majority 2015. Since its Young’srocky launchfirst of six at chartwhich entries, a handful “Sleep of With- Montevallo, which arrived at thestake summit in Tidal, in No - the music streaming service led by Jay- the world’s outrichest You,” artists reached stood No. on2 in stage December and said 2016. He vember• New 2014 York and reignedMusic for nine weeks. To date, followed with the multiweek No. 1s “In Case You Z, the companies announced Thursday (March 4). they were underpaid for their music — garnering an MontevalloVenues hasCan earned Reopen 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved millionat in33% album Capacity sales. Square will pay $297 million in a mix of cash and immediate publicYou” (three, backlash January — 2018),the company “Mercy” has(two, faced August MontevalloStarting has April spent 2 267 weeksstock on the for list, a tyingmajority stake in the company, allowing the a range of challenges,2018) and “Here from Tonight” being sued (two, over April claims2019). Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party as theartist sixth-longest- stakeholders who initially partnered with Jay-Z of false advertising“Catch” around completes exclusive his longest releases journey to to a No.$3 1, • Miley Cyrus Signs running titles in the chart’s 56-year history. having taken 46 weeks to reach the apex. It out- With Columbia and Tidal to keep ownership stakes as well. Jay-Z will million dispute between the service and artist share- On the all-genre Billboard 200, Southside ar- paces the 30-week climb of “Here Tonight.” Records: Exclusive join Square’s board of directors, and Square’s hard- holder Kanye West, who terminated his exclusivity rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for ware lead Jesse DoroguskerHUNT will serve as theYOUNG interim deal with Tidal in 2017. after• the UK No. Live 3-peaking Industry Montevallo . a new high. head of Tidal upon the closing of the deal. Tidal quickly stopped reporting subscriber numbers Hunt firstWelcomes released the EPX2C , which debuted and peakedGovernment at No. 5 on Top CountryTidal Albums will operate in August independently 2014. Following within Square,COMBS the‘DOES’ publicly,IT AGAIN Lukewith Combs the service ’ “Doesreportedly to Me” (River hovering House/Columbia around MontevalloFunding,, ButBetween Summer the Pines: companyAcoustic Mixtape says, and started the acquisition at its No. 7 high is expected in Nashville), to close featuring 3 million Eric Church paying, ascendssubscribers 11-8 on in Country 2018, compared Airplay, up to 10% to NovemberFestivals 2015. Are Still in the second quarter of 2021. 24.7 million in audience.Spotify’s The 20 millionsong is Combs’ subscribers eighth at straight the time. career-opening MontevalloThreatened produced five singles, four of which hit the pinnacle of Country top 10, following a record run of seven consecutive out-of-the-gate, properly Airplay: “Leave the Night On,” “Take“It Yourcomes Time,” down “House to one Party” simple and idea: “Make finding promoted new No. 1 singles.Despite the issues, Tidal was given a lifeline by You• Miss BTS Me.” Crowned “Break IFPI Up in a Smallways Town” for artists peaked to at support No. 2. their work,” Jack DorseyChurch, adds hisSprint 15th (nowCountry merged Airplay with top 10. T-Mobile), when the HuntGlobal co-penned Recording all 12 songsSquare on Southside co-founder, including and “BodyCEO, said Like ina Back a statement. “New telecom giant invested $200 million into the stream- Road,”Artist which of was 2020 released in 2017.ideas The are smash found hit at ruled intersections, Country Airplay and we for believeTHAT there’s TOOK QUITEing service ‘A FEW’ for MONTHS a 33% Travis stake, Denningvaluing shattersthe company the record at for three weeks and the airplay-, streaming-a compelling and sales-based one between Hot musicCountry and Songs the economy.the most I weeks $600it has takenmillion. to penetrate The influx the Countryof cash Airplaydid not topstop 10 asTidal “After chart for a then-record 34 frames. It now ranks second only to Bebe Rexha and a Few” (Mercury Nashville) climbs 12-10 in its 57th week, up 4% to 21.4 mil - FloridaMARKET Georgia WATCH Line’s “Meant toknew Be” (50 Tidal weeks was atop something the latter listspecial in 2017-18). as soon aslion I expe in radio- reach.from falling behind on paying its bills, with the PAGE 22 “Downtown’s Dead,” which isrienced also on it,the and new it set, will reached continue Nos. to 14 be and the 15 best homeThe song for surpassesstreaming two tracks service that failing took 50 to weeks pay rights each to holders enter the on top 10: on HotSONGWRITERS Country Songs and Countrymusic, Airplay, musicians, respectively, and culture.” in June 2018. “Kin- Easton Corbin’stime “A Girl in 2018. AccordingLike You,” which reached to The NewNo. 10 York in January Times 2018, Jay-Z be - folks”& ledPRODUCERS Country Airplay on Feb.The 29, becoming sale is a coup Hunt’s for seventh Jay-Z, No. who 1. Itrelaunched hit fore peakingthe at No.bought 6 that out February, T-Mobile’s and Aaron stake Watson and most’s “Outta of those Style,” shares which No. 3 on HotCHARTS Country Songs. achieved its No. 10 high in December 2017. streaming service six years ago after buying Tidal’s will be sold to Square in the acquisition. LatestPAGES single 23 “Hard - 25 to Forget” jumps 17-9 on Hot Country Songs. It’s his “After” is Denning’s second Country Airplay entry. “David Ashley Parker Swedish parent company Aspiro for $56 million in (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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“I said from the beginning that Tidal was with Cash App, Square’s mobile payment revenue numbers. about more than just streaming music, and service, which could allow fans to pay artists Tidal was also early on prioritizing pod- six years later, it has remained a platform directly for content or merchandise. casting and investing in high-fidelity audio, that supports artists at every point in their Square’s acquisition of Tidal is expected both of which have grown in popularity careers,” Jay-Z said in a statement. “Artists to alleviate concerns around the music in- in recent years, most recently with Ama- deserve better tools to assist them in their dustry, as Tidal had once again been behind zon and Spotify both rolling out Hi-Fi tiers. creative journey. Jack and I have had many on payments to multiple rights holders in “The model Amazon is using now for their discussions about Tidal’s endless possibili- 2020, according to multiple sources. Square higher-priced tier, Jay-Z showed there is an ties that have made me even more inspired and Tidal will jointly focus on improving audience there, you have to give him credit about its future. This shared vision makes the streaming service’s payment structure for that,” one major label executive told Bill- me even more excited to join the Square moving forward. Tidal is also the subject of board. board. This partnership will be a game- a data fraud investigation in Norway, on When asked about the future of Tidal’s changer for many.” claims that it inflated the number of streams podcast strategy, Dorogusker said the In an interview with Billboard, Doro- for albums including Beyoncé’s Lemon- company will focus on music. “To the extent gusker says Tidal’s focus will be on building ade and Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo. that artists are doing podcasts in service of out new tools to support artists throughout According to Dorogusker, Square is happy their business, great, but we’re not looking their careers, alongside Tidal’s core music with the state of Tidal and did its home- at audio generally,” Dorogusker says. “We’re streaming business, which he says is grow- work on the company. “We feel really good not trying to win the ear, what we’re trying ing. about the diligence we did,” Dorogusker to do is be committed to music and musi- “We think the streaming service is an says. “We asked a lot of questions. We get cians, and make sure that Tidal continues important part of it, and it is growing and to the bottom of what we need to certainly to be a great place for music, music culture, will continue to grow,” Dorogusker says. not going to comment on any investigations and artists.” “But we’re especially interested in creat- that are ongoing, but we feel good about it. ing new adjacent opportunities in service Both sides feel really good about signing this of the whole artist experience and their deal.” experience with their fans in addition to Despite the controversy, Tidal has grown the streaming service. That could be more in recent years, with revenue jumping 13% about creating new markets like Square did in 2019 to $166.9 million, but losses have in the early days; we were serving customers also increased, jumping from $36 million in that were largely underserved and created 2018 to $55.9 million in 2019, according to a market, and we see millions of entrepre- financial documents filed by Tidal’s parent neurs, artists, musicians in the world who company Project Panther Bidco in the U.K. are underserved.” Tidal pointed toward its expanded relation- Potential synergies for Tidal are available ship with Sprint as a source of the improved

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built a giant financial system that underpins stars, but really kind of opening the aperture With Square’s surprisingly big businesses, and layers of and serving more customers just the way software and services on top of that over Square did with serving businesses. Tidal Acquisition, time. We see that artists are entrepreneurs, The streaming music ecosystem is and they also are at a crossroads of music obviously crowded and very competitive New Interim Head and technology and the economy. That’s the — how do you look at differentiating the conversation that Jack [Dorsey, Square’s Tidal brand in comparison to companies Says, ‘We’re Not CEO] and Jay-Z had to kick this off at the like Spotify and Amazon who have also beginning. We see a lot of common purpose introduced high-fidelity tiers? Trying to Win between the two companies. We really like the core values that Tidal How will Tidal be integrated into has shown by focusing on high-quality The Ear’ Square? audio, having the biggest catalog of master We expect to run Tidal as an independent quality audio, even among its peers in the BY MICAH SINGLETON business. For years, we have been working industry. What we can do is build on that on ways to foster multiple brands inside our with a set of tools — sometimes simple tools, inancial services company Square company, which we have done successfully sometimes complex financial systems — that announced Thursday (March 4) with Square and now with Cash App. I was really help artists be more successful, not it is acquiring a majority stake in one of the architects of how we configure only in the studio but really looking at their Tidal, the music streaming ser- all of that so we get the best of independent entire career. Fvice led by Jay-Z and a handful of artists business and the shared resources and ex- Tidal has been a niche service for some stakeholders including Usher, Madonna and pertise that we have as a company. We’re go- time — is the goal to scale it up quickly? Beyoncé, for $297 million in a mix of cash ing to bring in Tidal alongside the other two, How do you look at the future of Tidal? and stock. keep the brand, invest in the brand, keep the We think the streaming service is an Those artist owners will maintain their streaming service, keep the management important part of it, and it is growing and stake in the company, but the new interim team, keep all the employees and continue will continue to grow. We love that and we head of Tidal (once the acquisition closes) on that journey with them. intend to continue to invest in that business, will be Jesse Dorogusker, a longtime Square is purchasing a majority stake but we’re especially interested in creat- Square executive and a former engineer at in Tidal, what does that mean for the cur- ing new adjacent opportunities in service Apple. During his time at Apple, Dorogusker rent artist stakeholders? of the whole artist experience and their led the accessories division, spearheading Square purchased a significant major- experience with their fans in addition to the development of the Lightning connec- ity stake that makes sure that we have the the streaming service. That could be more tor, which is utilized to power the main port means to run the business, operational about creating new markets like Square did for iPhones and iPads. As Square’s hardware control, and Jay-Z and the other founding in the early days, we were serving customers lead, Dorogusker led the development of artists, all of whom started Tidal with him in that were largely underserved and created the Square Reader, the tiny, ubiquitous card those early days also stay with a stake that is a market. We see millions of entrepreneurs, reader present in coffee shops across the meaningful. It keeps them in the boat, keeps artists, musicians in the world who are globe. them involved and we love to have their underserved. Billboard sat down with Dorogusker to advice and involvement. Tidal is currently the subject of a data discuss the acquisition, Tidal’s focus moving How will you work with those artists fraud investigation in Norway, and it has forward (“we’re not trying to win the ear,” stakeholders moving forward? been accused of being late on payments he says), and how the company will work in We’re really looking to them for advice to rights holders multiple times. Was that concert with Square to expand its audience. and insight. One of the ways to get to in- a major concern going into this deal? Why Tidal and why now? novation is to deeply know the customer. We feel really good about the diligence Dorogusker: We see a fit and an oppor- These artists have lived it, they started we did. We asked a lot of questions. We get tunity at the intersection of music and the with no career and created tremendous to the bottom of what we need to. Certainly economy. And we see a shared purpose that careers. They’ve been their own CEOs and not going to comment on any investigations Tidal has in its original founding, and so did developed their own business and struggled that are ongoing, but we feel good about it. Square. I’ve been at the company for close to through the industry. What we’re trying to Both sides feel really good about signing this nine and a half years, and from the begin- do is serve a really big set of artists, bigger deal. ning we started by finding and fixing the than you can even imagine, creating new Square hasn’t worked closely with real needs of small businesses, individuals opportunities for the long tail of working music labels in this capacity, is there any and entrepreneurs. We started with a flower artists, new artists, emerging artists. It isn’t existing relationship with major and seller, we started with a coffee shop and necessarily about just serving the super- independent labels? 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]

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We’re going to benefit from the manage- him in those board meetings as I am always “New Yorkers have done a tremendous ment team that’s coming across. The leader- there. And of course, looking for the art- job working to defeat COVID, and we’re ship team on the business and marketing ist’s perspective — him included, the other gradually loosening restrictions as the num- side, the engineering and product devel- shareholders included — we’ll have regular bers reduce and the public health improves,” opment side, and even editorial content, opportunities to talk to them, show them Cuomo said in a statement. “It’s clear that if they’re all coming across. These are people what we’re building and get their feedback, we remain vigilant, we will reach the light at who have been working with labels, concert and get involved with other artists as they the end of the tunnel.” promoters everybody day-to-day, and not seek that. The news comes as the music industry just the major labels, but hundreds of labels What’s your biggest challenge in lead- approaches the one-year anniversary of the beyond that. All of those existing relation- ing Tidal forward? pandemic-imposed shutdown on live events. ships continue and I’m looking forward to I always think the challenge in product A year ago this week, on March 6, 2020, jumping into it. I think the opportunity to development is to focus and execute well. Austin’s South By Southwest was forced to get with not just Jay and the artists, but also Where I’ve led as a product development cancel for the first time in its history, and Jack Dorsey, will be a new thing to add to person is in design and experiences because by the end of the month, physical events that conversation and I can’t wait to do that. if you can really simplify it, if you can really nationwide shut down entirely. We’ve seen podcasting become an in- make a great experience, you can talk to Cuomo also sightly cut back limitations creasingly important focus for streaming more people. It’s just really simple. If you on gatherings in New York starting March services and Tidal was early on it, do you can simplify a problem, if you can take out a 22. Residential gatherings of up to 25 people see that continuing to be a priority for step, if you can save people some time, you can be held outdoors, while indoor residen- the company? can create more integration, you can attract tial gatherings remain capped to 10 people. The core of the company is music, a music more people, which is what we’re trying to Non-residential social gatherings of up to obsession, and a focus on the musician. To do with this collaboration between Square 100 people can occur indoors, and up to 200 the extent that artists are doing podcasts in and Tidal. people outdoors. service of their business, great, but we’re not The day of the announcement, New York looking at audio generally. We’re not trying reported 5,323 coronavirus hospitaliza- to win the ear; we’re trying to be commit- New York Music tions, and a positive test rate of 3.53%. The ted to music and musicians, and make sure positive test rate in New York City is higher, that Tidal continues to be a great place for Venues Can averaging 7.44% weekly. music, music culture, and artists. Similarly, Tidal has invested in video Reopen at 33% over the years. How do you look at that Miley Cyrus Signs music video catalog moving forward? Capacity Starting We feel really great about the music video With Columbia catalog we have, and those are just other April 2 expressions of what the artist is trying to Records: Exclusive accomplish, whether it’s the behind-the- BY TATIANA CIRISANO scenes stuff we’ve done or some of the live BY TATIANA CIRISANO performances and even proprietary content ew York Gov. Andrew Cuo- that Tidal has had. But again, in service of mo announced in a press confer- iley Cyrus has signed a new the artists, what they’re trying to do, the ence on Wednesday (March 3) record deal with Columbia story they’re trying to tell, not a kind of a that all event, arts and entertain- Records, sources tell Billboard. generic expansion into video. Nment venues statewide will be allowed to She was previously signed to What will Jay-Z’s involvement be in the reopen at reduced capacity starting April 2. MRCA Records for three albums. Both labels day-to-day operations at Tidal? Venues can reopen at 33 percent capac- are owned by Sony Music. We expect Jay to be involved in the com- ity with up to 100 people indoors and up to A source close to the matter says the pany and in Square. Jay Z is joining Square’s 200 people outdoors, Cuomo said, and if all signing comes after Columbia chairman/ board where I expect he will not only have attendees can present proof of a negative CEO Ron Perry personally courted Cyrus, opinions and insights and contributions on coronavirus test prior to entry, capacity can who released her well-received seventh stu- Tidal, but across all of Square’s businesses, increase to up to 150 people indoors and up dio album Plastic Hearts on RCA in Novem- drawing on his experience as a business- to 500 people outdoors. Social distancing ber. The two have had a long relationship, man, as an entrepreneur as a philanthropist. and face coverings will be required for all the source says, as Perry has also been close We’re really going to value that opinion attendees, as well as strict adherence to all with Cyrus’ manager Adam Leber of Mav- from him, and I’m sure I will hear from applicable Department of Health guidance. erick Management, her mother, Tish Cyrus, 2 0 2 1 PRIMARY WAVE 15TH ANNIVERSARY

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and her attorney, Bill Sobel. Lucy Noble, chair of the National In fact, a scroll through Instagram re- UK Live Industry Arenas Association, welcomed the new veals that Perry and Miley even covered measures, but said it was a “huge concern” Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” together Welcomes that the government had ignored calls for at Leber’s 40th birthday party in 2017. an insurance scheme for promoters, venue Miley’s sister, Noah Cyrus, is notably Government and festival organizers, similar to COVID- signed to Columbia herself, along with Lil related insurance schemes already in place Nas X, who of course collaborated with Funding, throughout Europe. the siblings’ father Billy Ray Cyrus on 2019 “What the entire live sector wants is to be smash “Old Town Road.” The current Co- But Summer allowed to trade safely out of this situation,” lumbia roster also includes artists like Adele, said Noble. AC/DC, Beyoncé, Blink-182, Calvin Harris, Festivals Are Still According to the Association of Indepen- Harry Styles and 24kGoldn. dent Festivals, nine out of 10 U.K. festival or- Cyrus had been signed to RCA since 2013 Threatened ganizers say they cannot proceed with their for the release of her Billboard 200-top- events without a viable insurance scheme ping album Bangerz that year, which BY RICHARD SMIRKE in place. For a festival taking place in early spawned Hot 100 No. 1 “Wrecking Ball” July, around 40% of total costs would need and No. 2 “We Can’t Stop.” The singer- ONDON — Representatives of the to be paid before mid-June and that the av- songwriter and guitarist, who famously U.K. live industry have welcomed erage cost of staging a festival in the U.K. is 6 got her start as the star of Disney Chan- new emergency funding measures million euros ($8.4 million), the AIF says. nel series Hannah Montana, went on to to prop up the sector but warned Paul Reed, CEO of AIF, said that it was release three more Billboard 200 top five Lthat the “clock is ticking” to save summer vital the government introduces an insur- projects under RCA: Younger Now in 2017; festivals. ance scheme for live events by the end the EP She Is Coming in 2019; and the glam Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday of March to “avoid mass cancellations rock-flavored Plastic Hearts in November, (Mar. 03), Chancellor of the Exchequer Ri- throughout the U.K’s festival market.” which debuted at No. 2. shi Sunak pledged an extra 300 million “The clock is ticking when it comes to Along the way, Cyrus also independently euros ($419 million) towards the U.K.’s 1.57 staging live music events this summer,” released Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz, a billion euros ($2.2 billion) Cultural Recov- said Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, chief execu- psychedelic collaboration with the Flaming ery Fund, supporting the music, arts and tive of umbrella organization UK Music. Lips, in 2015, which RCA re-released com- entertainment industries. Glastonbury and Download festivals, mercially two years later. Sunak also announced an extension which were both scheduled for June, Following lukewarm reception to the through September of the job-retention have already cancelled their 2021 editions, rootsy Younger Now, and a scrapped plan scheme, which pays 80% of a furloughed although organizers for Creamfields and to make She Is Coming the first in a trifecta employee’s wages. Other measures included Reading/Leeds festivals (both scheduled for of EPs, Cyrus genre-hopped back over to in the chancellor’s 2021 budget include a late August) have said that their events are rock on Plastic Hearts, which became her six-month extension to the reduced 5% VAT going ahead. most acclaimed album in years. The project (sales tax) on ticket sales, as well as contin- — which includes single “Midnight Sky” as ued business-rate relief for venues unable to well as collaborations with Dua Lipa, open due to the pandemic. BTS Crowned IFPI Billy Idol, Joan Jett and Stevie Nicks — is “Today’s budget focused on helping live Cyrus’ first entry on Billboard’s Top Rock music to survive the long months of closure Global Recording Albums chart, where it debuted at No. 1. still ahead of us,” said Greg Parmley, CEO Cyrus also tallied eight entries on Hot Rock of U.K. music trade body LIVE, “and we Artist of 2020 Songs with the album, including the title desperately need that.” track, which peaked at No. 8. Last month, the U.K. became the first BY LARS BRANDLE major music market in Europe to unveil a detailed roadmap for its live sector to re- ake a bow, BTS. The K-pop phe- turn to operation. Limited-capacity concerts nomenon have received the 2020 can return starting May 17 and all social dis- IFPI Global Recording Artist of tancing restrictions will be lifted on June 21, the Year Award, an annual honor provided COVID-19 infection rates continue Tthat recognizes an act’s worldwide popular- to fall and there is no let-up in the U.K.’s ity across streaming and sales, including vaccination program. vinyl, downloads and CDs. Page 10 of 25

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BTS smash records for fun. And with the respectively. the group’s last album, Culture II, dropped IFPI accolade, announced Thursday (March IFPI Top 10 Global Recording Artists in 2018 and debuted at No. 1 on the Bill- 4), the boy band set another benchmark by of 2020 board 200. They earned 199,000 equivalent becoming the first champ to perform pri- 1. BTS album units within their opening week. marily in a language other than English. 2. Taylor Swift Outside of the music, Quavo has emerged And, of course, they become the first 3. Drake as a savvy businessman, piling up a bevy of South Korean and first Asian act to take the 4. The Weeknd partnership deals, including ambassador title. 5. Billie Eilish roles for sports apparel company Lids and Until now, all recipients have hailed from 6. Eminem cognac company Martell. North America (Taylor Swift in 2014 and 7. Post Malone Earlier this week, he spoke with Bill- 2019, Drake in 2016 and 2018) or the United 8. Ariana Grande board about his newest movie role in Wash Kingdom (One Direction in 2013, Adele in 9. Juice Wrld Me in the River. 2015, Ed Sheeran in 2017). 10. Justin Bieber “I’m a ruthless gangster, ruthless killer BTS came close to winning the trade named Coyote,” he revealed. “It’s just an body’s top award in 2018, when they fin- honor to be on the screen with Robert De ished second, and again in 2019, coming in Quavo Enlists Niro, Jack Huston and John Malkovich. I’m seventh. just blessed and I can’t wait for y’all to see Despite the pandemic, the pop septet slot- Scooter Braun it. It’s a very action-packed movie. I had fun ted into record-setting form last year. doing it. I stayed in Puerto Rico shooting for In April 2020, the group bowed at No. 1 and Danny Zook a whole month grinding. There was some on the Billboard 200 with Map of the Soul: 7, long film days. Them film days are different. their fourth No. 1 in less than two years. For Management: It’s like you’re shooting a video all day.” Map of the Soul: 7 is one of the most pre- This Saturday (March 6), Quavo will play ordered albums of all time, notes the IFPI, Exclusive alongside Jack Harlow in a two-on-two and the album ruled the charts in more than matchup against 2 Chainz and Lil Baby as 20 countries. BY CARL LAMARRE part of Bleacher Report’s Open Run. The That was just the start of a monster year event will be live-streamed at 8 p.m. ET on for BTS. The Japanese-language Map of the n the heels of announcing the Bleacher Report app. The winning team Soul : 7 ~ The Journey ~ bolted past 500,000 his new movie role along- will split the purse and donate a portion to copies within two days of its release in July side Robert De Niro and John HBCUs of their choice. 2020. Later, RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V Malkovich, Migos front- and Jungkook became the first Korean act to Oman Quavo has enlisted Scooter Braun for score a Billboard Hot 100 leader as “Dyna- management, Billboard exclusively reports. Swedish House mite” hit the summit, and busted records Braun will co-manage the “Workin Me” star for opening-day streams on YouTube and alongside the rap group’s current manag- Mafia Parts Ways Spotify. “Dynamite” earned a historic Gram- er, Danny Zook. my nomination, for best pop duo/group Braun’s management company, Scooter With Columbia performance. Braun Projects, includes a roster of top-tier Before the year closed out, Be stormed the artists headlined by Ariana Grande, Justin Records: Exclusive global charts, and gave the group their fifth Bieber, and Demi Lovato. Quavo joining No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Braun doesn’t affect the group’s current BY KATIE BAIN AND ALEXEI “BTS are a global phenomenon,” com- standing on the management side with Zook BARRIONUEVO ments IFPI CEO Frances Moore. “They nor Quality Control, who also manages them have had another outstanding year, releasing on the label side. wedish House Mafia and Colum- three albums, and continually finding cre- While fans patiently await Migos’ elusive bia Records have amicably parted ative and engaging ways to share their story album Culture III, Quavo has remained busy ways, Billboard has learned. with the world. They truly show the power on the solo front. Last year, he racked up The EDM trio’s tenure with that music has to bring joy and happiness to three Hot 100 guest appearances, including Sthe label lasted only two years, with the people the world over.” DaBaby’s “Pick Up” and Pop Smoke’s “Aim group signing to Columbia in February BTS lead a Top 10 loaded with U.S. and For the Moon,” and Justin Bieber’s top-ten 2019. Despite a label deal sources say was Canadian acts and, surprisingly, devoid of single “Intentions.” Quavo released his first worth more than $3 million, the partner- Brits. The Top Five is rounded out by Taylor solo album Quavo Huncho in 2018. It peaked ship resulted in no new music from the trio, Swift, Drake, The Weeknd and Billie Eilish, at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. As for Migos, which blew up in the early 2010s with a Page 11 of 25

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series of era and genre-defining tracks in- role, Moore will be overseeing booking, cluding “Don’t You Worry Child,” “Save The marketing and business operations for LN’s Mariah Carey’s World” and “Greyhound.” multi-million dollar residency business in The trio previously released music on the Vegas market. Brother Files Polydor, Virgin and EMI, among others. In 2015, Moore helped open the Live Na- Two sources familiar with the matter also tion Las Vegas office and oversee marketing Emotional Distress tell Billboard that Swedish House Mafia has for the region. Over the last six years, she parted ways with their manager, Patriot was closely involved in all residencies as Lawsuit Over Management’s Ron Laffitte, who took over well as oversaw all marketing, PR, partner- for longtime manager Amy Thomson fol- ships and community relations initiatives. Singer’s Memoir lowing the group’s 2018 reunion show. Moore has launched dozens of residencies After splitting up in 2013 following their for artists including Lady Gaga at the Park BY CLAUDIA ROSENBAUM 53-date One Last Tour, the trio reunited for MGM, Jennifer Lopez and Backstreet a show-closing performance at Ultra Music Boys at the Planet Hollywood Resort & ariah Carrey’s brother Mor- Festival 2018. There they teased a full-on Casino, and Aerosmith’s pioneering Deuces gan Carey is suing his sister reunion, with SHM member Axwell an- Are Wild residency at the Park MGM, Ush- claiming his depiction in nouncing to the crowd, “It’s Swedish House er’s upcoming 2021 residency at the Colos- her memoir The Meaning of Mafia for life this time.” In the three years seum at Caesars Palace beginning in July MMariah Carey defamed him and caused him since, the group has played about a dozen and Britney Spears Best of Las Vegas award intentional infliction of emotional distress. dates in Europe, Asia, Mexico and Saudi winning residency at Planet Hollywood. Morgan is also filing suit against Carey’s Arabia, with these shows containing new, “Amanda has been an integral part of Live publisher Henry Holt & Co. and its imprint as-yet-unreleased music. In June of 2019, Nation’s success and highly esteemed repu- Andy Cohen Books, along with the book’s due to supposed scheduling conflicts, band tation in the Las Vegas market,” said Bob co-author Michaela Angela Davis, accord- members Sebastian Ingrosso and Steve Roux, president of Live Nation Concerts. ing to the 18-page lawsuit filed against the Angello didn’t make it to Seoul for a much- “I am looking forward to the company’s singer March 3 in New York Supreme Court. anticipated appearance at Ultra Korea. continued growth in the Las Vegas market, Morgan, who lives in Hawaii, said the Columbia signed the band in 2019 after a especially for our residency business as book falsely portrays him as “physically bidding war that included Universal Music we continue to build from a strong histori- violent man.” Mariah wrote in the book that Group, sources tell Billboard. It is unclear cal base of business with our artists and she had “few memories of a big brother who whether Swedish House Mafia will have to partners.” protected me” and that “[m]ore often, I felt return their advance to Columbia. Amanda will continue to work along- I had to protect myself from him and some- While sources also report that the trio side Sid Greenfeig who manages all of LN’s times I would find myself protecting my was in the studio in Stockholm throughout concert business in the market, including mother from him too.” 2020, working on a possible album, the across major large-cap venues T-Mobile She said that “Morgan had a long history group hasn’t released any new music since Arena and the all-new Allegiant Stadium. of violence, of being mixed up with shady 2012, and has been silent on social media The two report to Kurt Melien, who over- characters and shady situations, and there since December of 2019. sees all Las Vegas market growth as well as was no telling what he might do for money.” key client and artist partnerships. In his court papers, Morgan asserts he In 2019, Live Nation Las Vegas produced does not have “a history of violence,” adding Live Nation Taps over 410 concerts, 300 of which were also that he has never been convicted of residency dates and ushered several phil- a crime. Morgan also takes issue with the Amanda Moore anthropic partnerships for their residency book announcing that he had been “institu- artists including with the Boys & Girls tionalized,” saying his brief stay at Sagamore to Lead Las Vegas Clubs of Southern Nevada, Cure 4 The Kids Children’s Center as a young boy was a Foundation, The Shade Tree, The Animal private matter. Residencies Foundation, Nevada Ballet Theater, and While Mariah acknowledges in her book many others. that Morgan lent her $5k early on to make BY DAVE BROOKS her first professional demo, she also said that she has paid him back “five thousand ive Nation Concerts has pro- times over.” Morgan takes aim at that state- moted Amanda Moore to lead ment saying it implies that he attempted to the residency business for Live extort money from his sister. L Nation Las Vegas. In her expanded In February, Mariah’s older sister Alison Page 12 of 25

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also sued the singer. Alison filed a $1.25 mil- Both before and during COVID-19, Mon- When a player launches Rocket League, lion dollar lawsuit against her for allegedly stercat has scored major wins by integrat- they immediately hear music by a Mon- causing her immense emotional distress ing its clients’ music into the gaming space stercat artist, with the lead track rotated from statements in the memoir. Alison said via partnerships with gaming giants like whenever new music drops within the she was seeking the money for Mariah’s Epic Games and its Psyonix subsidiary — game. (This partnership is non-exclusive, “heartless, vicious, vindictive, despicable makers of Fortnite and the popular soccer meaning Rocket League can integrate music and totally unnecessary public humilia- game Rocket League — the beat matching from other labels as well.) A playlist also tion” of her in the book, according to her game Beat Saber, the online game creation appears with a Spotify button, so players can two-page complaint filed Feb.1 in New York platform Roblox and more. add music from the game to their Spotify Supreme Court. While crowds haven’t gathered at clubs playlists and follow new artists through the Alison, who is representing herself, said or festivals since last spring, they’re still game. Roughly 90 Monstercat tracks — from in her court papers that in the chapter titled assembling en masse inside these games. heavy dubstep to pop-leaning EDM — have “Dandelion Tea,” Mariah made serious And by providing them with music from its been launched in Rocket League since 2017, allegations against her character. In the artists both huge and rising, Monstercat is resulting in approximately 400 million book, the star accuses her older sister of helping its acts earn money, visibility and streams. giving her Valium when she was 12, trying new fans. With Beat Saber, the partnership features to “pimp her out” and of throwing a cup of “[The pandemic] has really accelerated a rotation of Monstercat songs for players to boiling hot tea on her, causing third-degree the need to be involved in gaming,” says beat match to. (“Overkill” — a track by Mon- burns. Alison disputes these allegations. She Gavin Johnson, who leads Monstercat’s stercat act Riot — earned notoriety as one of accuses Mariah of using her book to “hu- gaming department. “We’re trying to cre- the game’s most difficult songs and helped miliate and embarrass” her. Alison says the ate games as a pillar for music discovery. earn the track 10 million Spotify streams.) “outrageous” allegations have been repeated We’re almost treating them as a DSP, like a For Roblox, the label put 50 tracks span- and published around the world. Spotify.” ning its entire roster forward for content A rep for Mariah declined to comment. Johnson joined Monstercat in 2012 to creation. With most games updated on an build out its gaming department, a task he almost daily basis, Monstercat is able to in- started by reaching out to gaming content tegrate new music into the games whenever Label Look: How creators on YouTube and Twitch to offer they see fit. music they could use without fear of content “It’s unlocking a new audience that can Monstercat’s ID claims and takedowns. Monstercat, instantly engage with the music,” John- which launched in 2011, owns the masters son says. “That’s creating almost this drop Gaming and publishing rights for nearly half its mentality, where fans of these games are 2,000 track catalog, giving them an agility getting just as excited to hear new music in Partnerships Have with such integrations that many of its label the games as they are to unlock the new car peers don’t possess. or the new level or new item. That’s the vi- Helped Its Acts “We very strongly feel that a content sion we’ve been giving our artists and their creator’s content should be protected and teams.” Thrive Through that they shouldn’t have to worry about Such integrations have made Monstercat takedowns,” Johnson says. “It’s important well-known and respected throughout the the Pandemic to us to be there for [them] and make sure gaming space, with one industry insider not- they can share their gaming content.” Label ing that their annual E3 party is one of the BY KATIE BAIN acts including Sullivan King and Vicetone gaming convention’s hardest to get into. have both gone viral on TikTok with their Such integrations are also translating n an industry driven largely by live Monstercat releases. to unprecedented numbers. In Septem- events, many DJs have scrambled to Offering legal music to content creators ber, Monstercat artist Slushii debuted his find new sources of income since the helped earn Monstercat a winning repu- single “All I Need” via a live performance pandemic forced them off the road tation in the gaming industry, with these on Fortnite’s Party Royale Main Stage. That Inearly a year ago. Livestream sets have of- synchs leading to more formal long-term same month, he also kicked off Rocket fered a stopgap for some, while others have gaming partnerships like the one with Rock- League and Fortnite’s Llama-Rama cross- relied on streaming revenue and savings. et League, which launched in 2017. over event, with “All I Need” serving as the But for the roughly 50 acts signed to indie Monstercat music appears in games in game’s lead song for a month. The song electronic label Monstercat, based in Van- myriad ways. Rocket League has a feature quickly became the fastest-growing track couver, Canada, a solution to this dilemma is called “Rocket League Radio” specifically ever released by Monstercat, with 30 million built right into their deals. designed to promote music within the game. streams and counting. Page 13 of 25

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To integrate tracks into various games, Apple Music earned, on average, 120% more Johnson works closely with each game’s streams than tracks not in the game. Billy Strings Run respective music supervisor, sending all of “I’m seeing a lot of new people showing the label’s upcoming records to decide what up on my social media platforms saying At Capitol Theatre music is right for which game. (“It’s just like stuff like, ‘I just heard ‘Flip Reset’ in Rocket an A&R process,” Johnson says.) In 2020, League and want to hear more, where do I Brings Together Monstercat placed roughly 400 songs into start?’” Kaskade says. “That, to me, is the video games, helping create revenue for thing that matters — is someone new ready Streaming Era’s its acts through these synchs — and, in the to dive into my discography? Streaming case of Beat Saber, through the sale of music numbers don’t tell you that. While I like Two Powerhouses packs. those tallies, what feels better is seeing some “Doing this integration definitely helped new skin in my game.” BY DAVE BROOKS with expenses and life,” Slushii says. “The Certainly the crossover between gaming livestream model that everyone tried to and electronic music isn’t new. Billions of he numbers are in for Billy launch when the pandemic started never minutes of music have been streamed via Strings’ six-night run at the Capi- really panned out. No one has really been the iconic Grand Theft Auto, which has fea- tol Theatre in Port Chester, New able to figure out a sustainable way for art- tured avatars of DJs including Solomun, The York last week. The bluegrass ists to make money from concert or festival Blessed Madonna and Dixon. Marshmello’s Tphenom sold 20,000 pay-per-view tickets live streams. So when an opportunity like 2019 Fortnite set drew 10 million virtual for four shows streamed on Fans.live, and this aligns so authentically with myself as attendees. In October, FIFA 21 debuted a lured another 200,000 viewers who tuned an artist and also creates some income, it’s a Diplo avatar. HARD Records, under par- in for the series opener and finale broadcast godsend.” ent company Insomniac Events, recently on Twitch. Such visibility also has value for more launched Try Hard events, which features At one point during the final concert on established acts. In December and January, gaming stars and DJs facing off on Twitch, Feb. 24, there were 24,000 concurrent view- scene star Kaskade premiered his tracks with the success of livestream events on ers tuning in at the same time to see Strings “Flip Reset,” “Solid Ground” and “Closer” that platform during the pandemic increas- play originals like “Dust In A Baggie” and within Rocket League, helping him reach ingly blurring the lines between gaming and debut the new song “Wargasm” as well as new fans during a time when he can’t con- electronic music. covers of Grateful Dead tracks including nect IRL. But with its long-term partnerships, Mon- “Help On The Way” and “Slipknot.” “[Live shows] are the place where you stercat’s presence in the gaming space is For Strings, the series was a chance to re- create lifelong fans,” says Kaskade. “Under- unlike anything currently being done by any vive an idea that had been more than a year standing that, it became a game of trying other indie dance label. These integrations in the works, paying tribute to the Dead’s anything new to reach my people. [Now], provide artists with consistent opportuni- six-night run at the Capitol Theatre in 1971 it’s not about making hits or charting or ties, while helping games establish them- while capping off an against-the-odds vir- streams. It’s about scratching an itch to con- selves as tastemakers. tual and drive-in tour during the pandemic. nect in a new way.” “In our minds, we have succeeded if peo- For Capitol Theatre owner Peter Shapiro, This bid for connection worked, with ple incorporate music into their lives that the show was a chance to fully activate the Kaskade’s three tracks earning a combined they’ve heard in Rocket League,” says the streaming business he has been developing 18 million streams since their release. These game’s audio director Mike Ault. “Because for years — dating back to the Fare Thee tracks, along with a new single — “Miles then they identify that song with their fond Well concerts of 2015 — that quietly turned to Go” with Ella Vos — will be released experience of our game, and recognize that into one of the most successful streaming Friday (March 5) as an EP called Reset. (The they can find other new favorites from us.” platforms during the pandemic. project will arrive on Monstercat Silk, a Shapiro tells Billboard that the Capitol brand formed in February when Monstercat Theatre and the Brooklyn Bowl were outfit- acquired L.A.-based progressive/deep house ted with a multi-camera streaming system and chill label, Silk Music.) years earlier to stream shows with partners Those tracks, along with Slushii’s “All like Nugs, while the Brooklyn Bowl outlet I Need,” have been played more than two in Nashville, which opened last year, was billion times in Rocket League since be- purpose-built for streaming. The Capitol ing added to the game. Rocket League Theatre includes a control room from which tracks on Spotify earned, on average, director Jonathan Healy was able to live- 47% more streams than non-Rocket direct eight cameras capturing the show, League tracks. Rocket League tracks on while fans from home were projection- Page 14 of 25

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mapped onto the walls of the 95-year-old- pretty robust merchandise piece. We sold “Cold on the Shoulder” by Gordon Light- venue. out of almost everything, it was basically foot. Couple that with Relix Media, which just posters and t-shirts and everything was “That’s why this genre has worked so Shapiro owns and which has been a critical gone.” well for streaming,” says Shapiro. “In the support vehicle for building Strings’ profile After the streaming tour, Strings launched jam scene, there’s no two shows that are the with jam fans, as well as as well as the huge the “Meet Me At the Drive In” tour in same, no two sets that are identical. And email lists he’s built from both his venues September, playing three nights at the Mo- fans have been paying [for?] live streams and the popular Lock’N festival which help hegan Sun Arena in Wilkes Barre, Penn. at long before the pandemic because they want market Strings to a wider audience. Shapiro the invitation of arena GM Will Beekman. to see what’s going to happen.” also owns the Fans.live digital platform he Strings followed with streaming concerts for Next up for Strings are a series of socially- built with an integration from Shopify to sell Nugs at Red Rocks in Denver and the Ryman distanced concerts at St. Augustine (Florida) tickets, which has streamed and broadcast in Nashville before revisiting a pact he made Amphitheater (March 19-21), followed 250 live and archival shows since April 1, with Shapiro a year earlier. by several streaming shows at Tipitina’s 2020. The idea was for Strings to honor the (March 24-25) in New Orleans and then a The platform has given Shapiro all the 50th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s series of concerts at Columbia Speedway pieces necessary to stage, market, stream ESP Experiments series, a six-show run in (April 1-4) in South Carolina. Shapiro is also and ultimately deliver and monetize stream- March 1971 where audience members, led planning a new run of streaming shows for ing concerts for any artist. by Dr. ​Stanley Krippner from Northwestern artists including the Hold Steady, replacing “For an artist like Billy Strings that University, attempted to send psychic mes- their usual “Massive Nights” residency at already has a strong following, we can lift sages about the show to telepathic receiv- the Brooklyn Bowl with a streaming perfor- them even more and get results,” Shapiro ers, including Woodstock opener Richie mance of their new record tonight on Re- says. “We can also add production elements Havens. lix’s Twitch channel, followed by two live that are really cool, like using Zoom to bring “We got the holds, brainstormed a little pay-per-view shows Friday and Saturday. fans into the show. Each household viewing bit and then the world fell apart,” Orner said “There’s so much being announced out the concert had an average of three people of the original plan for the 50th anniversary there every day, it’s impossible to keep tabs watching, which means nearly a half-million show. “And then Shapiro hit me sometime on everything,” Shapiro tells Billboard. “The people were tuned in.” over the summer and was like, ‘Hey, you only thing we can say with certainty is that Since 2017, Strings has been on an aggres- still into this?’ And I said, ‘Oh, a hundred the live streaming of shows is here to stay.” sive tour stretch, roaming North America in percent.’” a black Sprinter van and playing an average Strings’ re-creation of the experiment of 200 shows a year. In 2020, Strings was was less formal, with an adjusted hypoth- The Deals: Avex set to embark on his own tour following the esis that “concerts in the age of streaming success of his 2020 record Home — which beg fans to transport their mind and to feel Invests in ‘Virtual has been nominated for Best Bluegrass connected to a live performance when we Album at this year’s Grammy Awards on cannot physically be together,” which gives Artist’ Label March 14 — and open a number of dates for the collective mind the “the power to tap Americana superstar Jason Isbell. into extrasensory perception and manifest Spirit Bomb, When the pandemic hit, Strings found connection.” himself sidelined for the first time ever in Tickets were $20 in advance, $25 day Quality Control his career, but that didn’t last long. In April, of show and $60 for all four shows. Spe- he performed a number of at-home pay-per- cial guests like musician Oteil Burbridge Strikes Gaming view concerts through Nugs, which sold from Dead & Company, Widespread 8,900 tickets. He then did nine streaming Panic’s Dave Schools, Nashville singer Lind- Partnership concerts at a handful of venues in Nashville, say Lou and Bill Nershi with String Cheese opening with two nights at the new Brook- Incident and his wife Jillian Nershi all BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN lyn Bowl followed by two nights each at the served as special guest telepathic receivers. Station Inn, City Winery and Exit/In and For the six show run at the Capitol The- vex USA, the U.S. arm of Japa- one night at 3rd and Lindsley. atre, Strings played 120 songs — including nese music company Avex Inc., “We had a ton of interest from the venues nearly a dozen Dead covers — without any has invested in Spirit Bomb, a but ultimately played the clubs that had the repeats, Orner tells Billboard, The setlist record label and creative studio best internet,” joked manager Bill Orner. also included tracks like “Lonesome LA thatA develops virtual recording artists in col- “We did about 21,000 paid over nine nights Cowboy” by New Riders of the Purple laboration with real-life creators. (tickets were $9.99 each) and we had a Sage, “Sitting in Limbo” by Jimmy Cliff and Spirit Bomb comes from Strangeloop Page 15 of 25

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Studios, the creative studio that has de- acters are vessels for music and creative inner city kids to learn about gaming and signed visuals for musicians including The expression, and we want fans to be part of other options for them in using their time Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, TOKiMON- that creative process.” now and careers in the future. It’s about STA and Flying Lotus. In his own statement, Spirit Bomb aligning the QC brand that we’ve built in rap The investment by Avex will give Spirit CEO Ian Simon noted that the company with XSET in gaming to create movements Bomb a footing in the Japanese market, previously worked with Avex in L.A. and for their future in gaming, to go from geeky where the label’s brand of pop-oriented, Tokyo over a period of several years. “We to cool and open up that industry to black anime-inspired and “dystopian” virtual bonded right away over a shared desire to and brown communities.” artists are similar to the type of virtual char- discover the future of music-based media,” Launched in 2013 by Lee and Pierre acters that tend to dominate in the country. he said. “Their unmatched understanding of “Pee” Thomas, Quality Control has The partnership will also allow Spirit Bomb the Asian market, and their incredible artist launched such hip-hop stars as Lil to develop more virtual artists, build out its relationships, make them a perfect partner Baby, Migos, Lil Yachty and Cardi B. music catalog and launch immersive content for us.” Under the partnership with XSET, the com- initiatives, including interactive live streams Spirit Bomb, whose parent Strangeloop pany will premiere a short film featuring allowing viewers to influence musical Studios took part in the Tech Stars Music Atlanta-based pro Fortnite player Ashton performances in real time. Avex has already accelerator program last year, previously “Astonish” Harris, who joins QC Sports enabled Spirit Bomb to fully transition into received an investment from Warner Music and XSET’s roster as a content creator and Unreal Engine for all Spirit Bomb content Group. competitive gamer. production and live experiences. Gaming and lifestyle compa- XSET, which was established just six Along with its financial investment, Avex ny XSET and QC Holdings, parent months ago, has already partnered with will look to integrate its artists and writers company of hip-hop label Quality Control multiple brands and luminaries from the into the Spirit Bomb project as collaborators Music and QC Sports, have signed a wide- worlds of music, gaming and sports, includ- and music creators. ranging strategic partnership that includes ing rapper Swae Lee. It additionally backs Artists including Nosaj Thing, Justin an investment in XSET by Quality Control. several top competitive esports teams, Boreta of The Glitch Mob and Huxley Anne In the coming months, the two companies including the all-female CS:GO team. are currently working with Strangeloop will be partnering on initiatives including Virtual venue and interactive digital on future Spirit Bomb releases. Xen, Spirit content creation, music collaborations, joint platform Looped announced Tuesday (Mar. Bomb’s first virtual artist, has already played recruitment and management of new gam- 2) that it has closed its seed round, bringing high-profile streams including Burning ing talent, the integration of QC talent into total funding to $7.7 million. Man’s Infinite Playa event; she’s also slated the XSET roster, exclusive music releases, The financing round is led by Will Ven- to release an EP in early 2021. Other forth- gaming and lifestyle events, merchandise tures, with participation from Rocketship coming releases include the debut release collaborations, music licensing deals with VC, Alpaca VC, Forefront Venture Part- from Spirit Bomb’s new character Anti- gaming publishers and more. ners, HOF Capital, Toy Ventures, Intuition Fragile and a compilation EP due in March “We are beyond hyped to join forces Capital, Predictive VC, Ketch Ventures or April. with Quality Control,” said XSET CEO and and over 90 angel investors including Live “The creativity and futuristic vision of co-founder Greg Selkoe in a statement. Nation Urban president and Maverick Spirit Bomb/Strangeloop have been striking “QC are visionaries and early identifiers Management partner Shawn Gee, Blueprint to us since we first met them,” said Avex of the hip hop and gaming revolution. We Group co-CEOs and Maverick Management USA president Naoki Osada. “They are our have enormous respect for them and are partners Gee Roberson and Cortez “Tez” great friends, we share a similar philosophy thrilled to be able to tap into QC’s incredible Bryant and singer-songwriter Jill Scott. about the future of music, and are delighted creative abilities and business acumen as we “In a crowded virtual venue market, to now call them business partners. We be- continue to grow together. QC meets their Looped clearly stands out from the pack,” lieve their successful experience with both audience in the places where they discover said Will Ventures managing partner Brian big pop stars and cutting edge artists will music- and gaming is new music’s newest Reilly in a statement. “Their focus on be a strong factor to bring their forward- locale. This relationship crystallizes our product innovation sets them apart, and thinking vision to a mass audience, in both existing synergies, and synthesizes a brand it’s enabled them to establish industry- the Japanese and American market.” new creative and artistic medium.” leading talent, partners, and traction. Their “We want Spirit Bomb to be a creative XSET was formed with a commitment to products will change how creators engage medium for music, art, and stories to get out diversity and equity in gaming, including with their fans by increasing access and into the world,” added David Wexler, CCO elevating the representation of communities facilitating authentic connections. We’re of Spirit Bomb. “In an ever more crowded of color and women in the gaming space. excited to support Looped in their mission virtual world, a lot of music and meaningful Added QC founder and CEO Kevin to bring creators closer to their fans all over content gets lost in the shuffle. Our char- “Coach K” Lee, “We are passionate to help the world.” Page 16 of 25

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Launched in Oct. 2019, Looped enhances Motown Gospel has signed singer-song- the ‘Murder On Music Row.’ I am so proud the interactive fan experience with real- writer Kelly Price in a joint venture with to be connected again with Sammy in 2021 time widgets including merch, polling, Price’s Sang Girl! Inc. Her new EP, Grace, is and cannot wait for Country music fans games and one-on-one video chats with cre- due on Apr. 2. far and wide to experience this amazing ators. Since launch, the platform has hosted Price’s 2006 album, This Is Who I Am, album.” virtual events for such A-list artists as Billie hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums Sadler has additionally signed with 117 Eilish, Shawn Mendes, BTS and Dua Lipa. chart and broke the top 10 of the Top R&B/ Publicity and Platinum Circle Media for Compton-based rapper and singer Kalan. Hip-Hop Albums chart. She has been nomi- publicity and digital, respectively. FrFr and his label First Class Entertain- nated for a total of nine Grammys. Keep Cool/RCA Records has signed ment have signed a partnership with Roc Digital distributor DistroKid has singer-songwriter Marzz, whose de- Nation. partnered with Twitch to offer qualifying but track “So Frequently” was produced Under the deal, Kalan will release his DistroKid members “who have shown a by Timbaland. The superstar produced debut album TwoFr 2 on Mar. 12. The album level of dedication and success in music” discovered Marzz after catching wind of is a sequel to the 2018 mixtape TwoFr, the opportunity to join the Twitch Affiliate her freestyles and covers of songs by artists which featured such tracks as “Fine Ass” Program. including Teyana Taylor and Ella Mai. and “Naked.” The Twitch Affiliate Program, which is According to a release, the video for “So Kalan recently hit No. 10 on Billboard’s open to Twitch streamers who meet specific Frequently,” directed by Mahaneela and Top L.A. Emerging R&B/Hip-Hop L.A. Art- qualifications, allows affiliates to build a animated by Robin Eisenberg, “pays homage ists 2021 chart. Last year, YG hopped on a community and earn an income on the to Marzz’s love for anime while reflecting remix of his track “Right Wit It.” Twitch platform. According to a blog post, on the memories of a former girlfriend. The TwoFr 2 track “Scoring” recently earned “DistroKid worked with Twitch to extend rising star proudly embraces her sexuality, airtime during a Los Angeles Lakers NBA their Affiliate qualifications to recognize the once hidden due to her religious upbringing, playoff game last fall and is currently im- work that DistroKid members have put into hoping to extend her message of love and pacting urban radio. Another track, “Get In,” creating music & building fans across music acceptance to those struggling with their features Stunna 4 Vegas, while “No Love” streaming services.” true identities.” features Mozzy and Cypress Moreno. Twitch affiliates have the ability to earn Sony Music Middle East has signed a money on the platform via channel sub- recording, licensing and distribution deal scriptions, ads and virtual goods known as Police: OMB with Egyptian artist, producer and TV Bits. personality Hamaki. Under the agreement, Texas-based country artist Sammy Peezy Charged Hamaki will release multiple singles and an Sadler has signed with BFD/Audium Nash- album in 2021. ville. Sadler’s forthcoming album, which is in Shooting on The company has additionally reached a slated for May 7, will be preceded by singles multi-year, multi-artist production agree- including a cover of “Church On The Cum- Roddy Ricch ment with Arabic music producer Hamdy berland Road” feat. Shenandoah’s Marty Badr and his Cairo-based production Raybon. Video Set company Craft Media. Badr, who works at In 1989, Sadler – then on the cusp of re- Hamaki’s music producer, will help scale leasing his debut album – was injured in the BY ASSOCIATED PRESS Egyptian pop music via multiple projects incident known as “Murder on Music Row,” with both established and emerging talent during which a gunman shot and killed Cash n Alabama rapper was arrested under the deal. Box magazine chart director Kevin Hughes. in connection to a shooting at In the Arab world, Hamaki is known for After taking a decade to heal both physically music video set in downtown hits include “Rasmak fi khayali,” “Kol youm and mentally, Sadler released a string of Atlanta, authorities said. OMB men da,” “Ya Sattar,” “Oddam El Nas,” “Mel albums, toured across the U.S. and released PeezyA was arrested Monday (March 1) and Bedaya” and “Wahda Wahda.” Also a TV a book about his experiences. charged with aggravated assault with a personality, he served as a coach on Season 5 “Sammy Sadler is one of Country music’s deadly weapon and possession of a firearm of The Voice Arabia and The Voice Kids. greatest discovered/undiscovered gems,” during the commission of a crime, news Founded in 2003, Craft Media has worked said Chuck Rhodes, general manager, BFD/ outlets reported. to launch such Egyptian music stars as Audium Nashville. “Crystal clear vocals The shooting happened on Feb. 21 Hamaki, Maya Diab, Pousi and Mahmoud and a dynamic entertainer, Sammy has at a scrap yard where rappers Roddy Al Lethy and produced Middle Eastern partnered with some of Nashville’s greatest Ricch and 42 Dugg were filming a music iterations of TV shows including The Country legends for his newest project 1989 video. Atlanta police said two men were Voice and The Masked Singer. chronicling hits from the year he survived wounded in the gunfire. Another man was Page 17 of 25

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injured at the scene but it’s unclear whether the opportunity with Mello Music Group. of shows for larger bands that have pushed he was shot. Atlanta police spokesman Of- Partnering with Mello Music at this stage rock culture like Chuck Ragan’s Hot Water ficer Anthony Grant said all three men were of my career is a blessing. As a label, they Music, post hardcore band Thursday and in stable condition. Neither Roddy or Dugg let you be yourself and let you be an artist; pioneering punk groups like Face To were wounded. while also helping you expand independent- Face, Blink 182 and legendary hard-charg- Another man was arrested at the scene ly,” Stalley exclaims to Billboard. ing outfit Cro Mags, who helped solidify and charged with drug possession, Grant He continues, “They understand me as the New York hardcore scene with bands said. The man wasn’t considered a suspect an artist and as a creative, which is very like Sick of It All, Agnostic Front and Go- at the shooting. Fulton County Sheriff’s important. They have a great and enthusi- rilla Biscuits. Office spokeswoman Tracy Flanagan said astic fanbase, and I look forward to merging “We’re huge fans of Saint Vitus here at Peezy, whose real name is LeParis Dade, was my brand and fanbase with theirs. I look Dice. In just over a decade, this inconspicu- taken to the Fulton County Jail, where he forward to growing with the label.” ous bar in Greenpoint has put on some of remains on a $60,000 bond. Dade must wear Mello Music Group placed the welcome the biggest punk, metal and hardcore shows an ankle monitor and surrender his passport mat to Stalley by teaming him up with Joell ever,” says Russ Tannen, chief revenue of- before he can post bond, Flanagan said. Ortiz, Namir Blade and Solemn Brigham for ficer at Dice. “Saint Vitus is as genuine and It’s unclear whether he had an attorney their latest collaboration, “Black Rock.” The authentic as you’ll get in a music venue - and who would comment on his behalf. Peezy, record will reside on the label’s forthcoming that’s why fans love it so much. We can’t 24, has over 550,000 subscribers on You- compilation album titled Bushido. Slated for wait to bring their epic line-up of shows to Tube, where he’s posted music, cooking and production include vets Alchemist, illmind, even more fans once we can go out again.” advice videos. He’s known for his song “Big and Apollo Brown, while the rap side will Earlier today, Gov. Andrew Cuomo an- Homie,” which has over 32 million views. boast features by Skyzoo, Open Mike Eagle, nounced that concerts could resume at New Ricch assured fans he was okay following B-Real, Murs, and Stalley. York venues on April 1 at 33 percent capacity the reports of the shooting, tweeting “aint The project will officially be out on April with up to 100 people in attendance. nobody shoot at me... we all good. im juss 2. You can pre-order here. “We are really excited for the Dice era tryna feed the streets” on Feb. 22. “While my debut Mello Music project here at Saint Vitus Bar,” says David Castillo, A day earlier, 42 Dugg also confirmed will be released later this year, I’m eager co-owner of Saint Vitus. “We are excited to he was fine via an Instagram Live with Lil to showcase my talents with the rest of the emerge with a better experience for heavy Baby. “Y’all stop with that fake s—-, man. label on the Bushido Compilation album and music fans! Viva DICE!” We ain’t been around no gun shooting, none debut “Black Rock”; the single is dope!” of that,” he shared. “Real talk, man. We Stream “Black Rock” below. good... Thanks for the love, though. I appre- Pop Smoke Has ciate the love, though.” Brooklyn’s Saint Longest-Running Stalley Announces Vitus Signs With No. 1 on Top R&B/ New Partnership Dice For Ticketing Hip-Hop Albums

With Mello Music BY DAVE BROOKS Chart Since 1990

Group: Exclusive usic discovery and ticketing BY TREVOR ANDERSON platform Dice will provide BY CARL LAMARRE exclusive digital ticketing ser- he late Pop Smoke’s posthumous vices for legendary metal and debut album rides its enduring talley is capitalizing on his busy Mpunk bar Saint Vitus in New York. momentum to a milestone unseen 2020 run — including three EPs — The tightly-packed and beloved bar and in 30 years on Billboard’s Top with a new deal under renowned performance space on the tip of Greenpoint, TR&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The independent label Mello Music Brooklyn has taken on a bigger-than-life set, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, SGroup. Today (March 4), the Ohio MC profile as a CBGBs for Gen Z, with the Saint leads the chart for a 17th week, the longest announces his latest partnership and fresh Vitus logo serving as a punk rock signifier stay at No. 1 since 1990. new music with some of Mello Music’s cur- worn across shirts, hoodies and stickers. Moon, released via Victor Victor World- rent signees. The venue is tight — 250-capacity for wide/Republic Records, rebounds from “I’m very excited about the situation and most shows — but it has hosted a number No. 3 on the chart dated March 6 through Page 18 of 25

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43,000 equivalent album units earned in and “What You Know Bout Love” leading 25 of the Hot 100 (35-25). On Hot Country the week ending Feb. 25, according to MRC the list for five and four weeks, respectively. Songs, the track returns to its No. 3 high. Data, up 13% from the previous week. The Current single “Hello,” featuring A Boogie Among other Emerging Artists moves, project, released last July, was the posthu- Wit Da Hoodie, shows early signs of dupli- Clinton Kane debuts at No. 11, thanks to his mous debut studio album for Pop Smoke, cating its predecessors’ success, as it jumps track “Chicken Tendies.” It debuts at No. 88 who died at age 20 in February 2020 during 27-22 in its third week on the 40-position on the Hot 100, becoming his first entry on a home invasion. chart. The jump comes thanks to a 39% the chart, with 5.5 million U.S. streams and With 17 weeks in charge, Moon records surge in plays in the week ending Feb. 28, 2,000 sold in its opening week. the most weeks in the top slot since M.C. according to MRC Data. The Emerging Artists chart measures Hammer’s Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt artist activity across key metrics of music Em dominated for 29 weeks in 1990. In consumption, blending album and track addition, Moon passes Eminem’s Recovery, Ritt Momney sales, radio airplay and streaming to provide which posted 16 weeks at the helm, for top a weekly multi-dimensional ranking of art- status in the 21st century. Overall, Moon be- Keeps Breaking ist popularity. The chart excludes acts that comes only the 11th album to notch 17 or have notched a top 25 entry on either the more weeks at No. 1 since the chart began ‘Records,’ Hits Hot 100 or Billboard 200, as well as artists in 1965, and second rap title, after Please that have achieved two or more top 10s on Hammer. No. 1 on Emerging Billboard’s “Hot” song genre charts and/ Here’s a look at the leaderboard’s updated or consumption-based “Top” album genre standings: Artists Chart rankings. Weeks at No. 1, Album Title, Artist, Year(s) at No. 1 BY XANDER ZELLNER 37, Thriller, Michael Jackson, 1983-84 Why Don’t We to 29, Please Hammer Don’t Hurt ‘Em, M.C. itt Momney reaches No. 1 on Bill- Hammer, 1990 board’s Emerging Artists chart Bring ‘The Good 26, Just Like the First Time, Freddie Jack- (dated March 6), leading for the son, 26, 1986-87 first time on the strength of his Times and the Bad 23, Can’t Slow Down, Lionel Richie, 1983-84 Rcover of Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Put Your 20, Songs in the Key of Life, Stevie Wonder, Records On.” Ones’ to Roblox 1976-77 The remake continues to scale the Bill- 20, Street Songs, Rick James, 1981 board Hot 100 since it debuted in October, Launch Party 19, Purple Rain, Prince and The Revolution, rising from No. 39 to a new No. 36 high on 1984 the latest list with 43.4 million radio audi- BY HERAN MAMO 18, The Temptations Sing Smokey, The ence impressions (up 9%), 4.3 million U.S. Temptations, 1965 streams (up 9%) and 1,300 downloads sold hy Don’t We will be bring- 18, Bad, Michael Jackson, 1987-88 (up 17%), according to MRC Data. ing their latest album The 17, Aretha Now, Aretha Franklin, 1968 The single enters the top 10 of the all- Good Times and the Bad 17, Shoot for the Stars Aim for the Moon, Pop format Radio Songs chart (13-9), as it rises Ones to the online gaming Smoke, 2020-21 8-6 on Pop Airplay and 19-18 on Adult Pop platformW Roblox March 5-7. Pop Smoke’s album longevity traces both Airplay. In October, it reached No. 32 on Why Don’t We will perform their most to fans’ extensive dedication to support- Alternative Airplay. popular songs in an exclusive live show and ing the late budding rapper’s catalog as Bailey Rae’s original “Records” became host a Q&A for the Metaverse community. well as a steady stream of radio singles that a crossover hit after its 2006 release. It Beforehand, fans can shop limited edition have all found strong airplay reception in reached No. 6 on Adult Contemporary, No. virtual merch, including digital avatars for recent months. Moon’s first four singles – 8 on Adult Alternative Airplay, No. 8 on all five band members Daniel Seavey, Cor- “Dior,” “The Woo,” featuring 50 Cent and Smooth Jazz Airplay and No. 64 on the Hot byn Besson, Jonah Marais, Jack Avery, and Roddy Ricch, “For the Night,” featuring Lil 100. Zach Herron, play mini games and complete Baby and DaBaby and “What You Know Ritt Momney (whose moniker is a play quests. Bout Love” – have all reached the top 10 of on Utah Senator Mitt Romney’s name) suc- “Having spent so many hours on Roblox, the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. ceeds Niko Moon atop Emerging Artists, it’s awesome that we get to connect with our The latter three, in addition, also became as the latter graduates from the chart after fans in this community we know so well,” staples on Rhythmic Airplay, with each spending two weeks at No. 1 as his break- Herron said in a statement. “While we’ve reaching the top three and “For the Night” through single “Good Time” hits the top missed being on tour and interacting with Page 19 of 25

IN BRIEF

our fans all over the world, being able to by Bad Bunny, with 25%. connect in this way is bringing fandom to a Kali Uchis Before the song’s Tik Tok explosion over whole new level. Literally anyone can join the last month, “Telepatía” was behaving the party, no matter where they are, so we’re Leads Global more like a typical Latin hit, with 50% of its excited to see everyone this weekend on sales and 21% of its streams from the U.S. Roblox.” Debuts With Tik in the week ending Feb. 11. Over the course Roblox developer Melon Dec partnered of two weeks, that 50% share of U.S. sales with Atlantic Records to celebrate the Tok-Powered has grown to 74% and then 76%, while its release of the group’s sophomore al- streams soared from 21% to 39% to 41%, bum, which earned them their first No. ‘Telepatía’ suggesting that Tik Tok’s influence is greater 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart in within the U.S. February. Atlantic Records also helped pop BY ERIC FRANKENBERG Of course, Uchis’ chart history also leans star Ava Max host a Launch Party for her domestic, as she established her bona fides debut studio album Heaven & Hell on the nother week, another Tik with Isolation, which peaked at No. 32 on platform in September. Tok-aided debut on the Bill- the U.S.-based Billboard 200. “Ultimately our goal is to champion the board global charts. “Telepatía” Sin Mideo debuts at No. 77 on the Bill- artists, and Roblox helps us do that by giv- by Kali Uchis arrives at No. 29 board 200 this week, while surging 10-3 on ing them an opportunity to connect with onA the Billboard Global 200 and No. 61 on the Top Latin Albums chart. “Telepatía” en- fans and promote their music in new ways,” the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart (both ters the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 54, marking added Paul Sinclair, general manager and dated March 6), the highest new entry on Uchis’ first entry as a lead artist, and shoots executive vice president of Atlantic Records. each tally. 10-2 on the Hot Latin Songs chart. “Why Don’t We are crazy talented, and we In the tracking week ending Feb. 25, want to get their music heard by as many “Telepatía” earned 24.2 million streams and fans as possible. With their huge online/so- sold 1,000 downloads worldwide, according Janet Jackson cial media presence and Roblox’s popularity to MRC Data. among their key audience, this partnership “Telepatía” is from November’s Sin Mideo Two-Night is a no-brainer.” (del Amor y Otros Demonios), the first The Good Times also debuted at No. 3 on Spanish-language album from Uchis, whose Documentary the Billboard 200 for the quintet’s high- primarily English-language LP Isolation was est charting effort on the tally, but their released in 2018. The song was building Event Arriving on longtime manager Randy Phillips and Artist before making sharp increases in February. Group International founder and chair- Most recently, it has logged back-to-back A&E & Lifetime man Dennis Arfa said the good times for global gains of 498% in sales a week ago Why Don’t We, which Phillips consid- and 201% this week, and 205% and 178% in BY HERAN MAMO ers as “an arena or stadium act of the streams. future,” won’t be happening on the road “Telepatía” scored 76% of its worldwide anet Jackson will celebrate the 40th anytime soon. sales and 41% of its global streams from the anniversary of her self-titled 1982 “The worst thing for a tour like Why U.S. in the latest tracking week, far more album with a special two-night docu- Don’t We is uncertainty,” Phillips told Bill- than the week’s averages of 53% and 24%, mentary event that will simulcast on board. “If the fans aren’t sure about the respectively. Overperforming in the U.S. is JA&E and Lifetime in 2022. future, or their parents are still out of their more typical for English-language songs Boasting unprecedented and unfettered jobs, you can’t go out on the road in that by American acts. “Telepatía,” however, is access to the best-selling pop icon, the docu- environment. It simply won’t work.” sung primarily in Spanish (with additional mentary, tentatively titled JANET, offers an Why Don’t We’s Launch Party will take lyrics in English) and Uchis is Colombian. intimate look at her story for the first time place on Roblox on Friday, March 5 at 7 (If we remove English-language songs from through exclusive archival footage, never- p.m. ET. Three additional performances the equation, that average of 24% in U.S. before-seen home videos and celebrity are scheduled throughout the weekend on streams plummets to 11%, turning the 41% interviews. The two-night, four-hour special Saturday, March 6 at 4 p.m., and again on domestic share for “Telepatía” into even will uncover the hardest moments in her Sunday, March 7, at 12 a.m. ET and noon ET. more of an anomaly.) personal life and professional career, includ- Watch the official trailer below. Among songs on both global charts this ing the passing of her father and the Jackson week that are not entirely sung in English, family patriarch Joe, her 2004 Super Bowl “Telepatía” boasts the highest share of U.S. halftime show performance with Justin streams (41%), followed by “Te Mudaste” Timberlake the death of her brother Mi- Page 20 of 25

IN BRIEF

chael Jackson, and becoming a mother “Reba has been a creative force in both and numbered and feature a certificate of later in her life. music and television for many years. We authenticity alongside rare and unseen Ben Hirsh directed JANET, with Work- are thrilled to have her on board to produce photos from famed photographers Danny erbee producing for Lifetime and A&E and and star in not just one — but two movies Hastings, ProTim Photo, Kyle Christie and Associated Entertainment Corporation for us,” added Tanya Lopez, executive vice Andy Cantillon as well as friends and family co-producing. Janet Jackson and Randy president of movies, limited series & origi- of the Clan. Jackson are executive producers on the nal movie acquisitions, Lifetime and LMN. The site says the book will be printed project, while Rick Murray is credited as “Reba has been part of Lifetime’s air many and bound in leather in Italy, with Jones’ the executive producer for Workerbee and years ago and we can’t wait to welcome her sculpture inspired by “the ancient past and Brie Miranda Bryant is serving as executive back!” the bronze ritual bowls of the Zhou Dynasty producer for A+E Networks. Juliet Giglio and Keith Giglio whose first ruler was King Wu-Wang,” with JANET will air in early 2022 on Lifetime wrote Christmas in Tune, which is produced the chambers consisting of “Spun Mild Steel and A&E, two of A+E Networks’ flagship by Hartbreak Films. McEntire and Paula bowls while the raised ridges, base and logo channels. The top-rated television network Hart will serve as executive producers. are furnished in solid brushed brass.” Click announced 2,500 hours of new program- on the book’s publishing site for more ming in the pipeline for 2021 and 2022 on information on how to order the book. Wednesday (March 3), including 70 hours of 36 Chambers? Check out a preview video of the book premium documentaries and 221 movies. below. “Our brands have clear identities Try 400 Pounds, with a strong foundation of hit series. Across our entire portfolio and in a variety of Wu-Tang Clan Nick Jonas Joins genres, we continue to have an incredible roster of A-list, diverse talent in-front of Announce Massive Apple TV+ Audio and behind the camera,” said A+E Net- works Group President Paul Buccieri in an Photo Book Mystery Series official statement. “Our ongoing efforts to launch and invest in best-in-class original BY GIL KAUFMAN ‘Calls’: Watch programming for our linear properties, as well as further expanding our 360-experi- he Wu-Tang Clan are already one the Trailer ences, demonstrates a deep commitment of the biggest, most legendary hip- to being available wherever and however hop crews in history. But now the BY HERAN MAMO viewers want to be entertained, whether nine-member Staten Island icons through high-performing podcasts, vir- Tare proving their weight with a limited- ick Jonas, Lily Collins, Rosario tual experiences or digital multiplatform edition large format coffee table photo Dawson, Aubrey Plaza, Pedro content.” book called Wu-Tang Clan: Legacy that will Pascal and more are lending their Reba McEntire scored a two-picture deal wrap more than 300 pages of pics inside a voices to the auditory mystery with A+E Networks, where she will both 400-pound steel and bronze sculpture. Nthriller series Calls heading to Apple TV+ star and produce a holiday film Christmas There will only be 36 editions of the this month. in Tune and a non-holiday film in develop- weighty chamber created by sculptor Gethin The official trailer, which premiered ment for 2022. Christmas in Tune, which Jones, described as the “biggest and rarest Wednesday (March 3), teased snippets follows a marketing executive named Bella book” in hip-hop history according to a site of the nine bone-chilling conversations who reunites her parents to sing at a charity announcing the titanic tome. “From concep- between loved ones that will leave listen- Christmas concert, will be included in the tion to the present day, this is the story of ers, both onscreen and off, hanging. Based network’s annual holiday slate “It’s a Won- the undisputed greatest Hip Hop group of on Timothée Hochet’s CANAL+ French derful Lifetime” and will include an original all time being unveiled through rare and series of the same name, Calls is an immer- holiday tune by McEntire. Her hit TV se- never before seen photos,” said Wu-Tang sive television series that blends audio and ries Reba aired in syndication on Lifetime. Clan Management CEO John “Mook” Gib- abstract visuals to tell dark short-form sto- “I am thrilled to partner with Lifetime for bons in a statement. ries through seemingly ordinary, unrelated a return to television movies! My fans and I The bronze-encrusted black steel cham- phone calls that eerily find their point of enjoy their programming and loved watch- ber sculpture — which looks a bit like the connection. Fede Álvarez (Evil Dead, Don’t ing the Reba show there for so many years,” FIFA World Cup trophy emblazoned with Breathe) directed the Apple Originals series the legendary country singer and actress the Wu-Tang logo — opens up to reveal the in association with CANAL+ and in produc- said in an official statement. 21” x 21” book, which will be signed, dated tion with Studiocanal and Bad Hombre. Page 21 of 25

IN BRIEF

The star-studded cast of Calls also in- cludes Nicholas Braun, Clancy Brown, Mark Duplass, Karen Gillan, Judy Greer, Paul Walter Hauser, Danny Huston, Riley Keough, Joey King, Stephen Lang, Jaeden Martell, Paola Nuñez, Edi Patterson, Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jennifer Tilly. All nine episodes of the first season will premiere worldwide on Apple TV+ on Fri- day, March 19. The French-language version of Calls will premiere on CANAL+ in select markets. Apple TV+ will premiere the series under the title Llamadas, which will include custom Spanish-language graphics, in select Spanish-speaking markets in Latin America. Watch the official trailer for Calls below. Page 22 of 25

A WEEKLY NATIONAL Market Watch MUSIC CONSUMPTION REPORT

Source: WEEKLY UNIT COUNT

Total Audio Video Album Digital Digital Albums Consumption Streams On-Demand On-Demand Sales Album Sales Tracks Units This 21,027,722,000 18,255,300,000 2,772,422,000 1,651,000 466,000 3,840,000 15,308,000 Week* Last 19,782,003,000 17,101,982,000 2,680,021,000 1,759,000 464,000 3,764,000 14,556,000 Week

Change 6.3% 6.7% 3.4% -6.2% 0.5% 2.0% 5.2%

This Week 19,312,522,000 16,429,978,000 2,882,544,000 2,371,000 624,000 5,104,000 14,750,000 Last Year

Change 8.9% 11.1% -3.8% -30.4% -25.2% -24.8% 3.8%

*All data measures U.S. activity as of the week ending February 25, 2021. All units counts are rounded to the nearest thousand.

YEAR TO DATE 2021 2020 Change YEAR TO DATE Total On-Demand 162,157,677,000 157,359,067,000 3.0% Streams ALBUM SALES BY AGE 11m Audio On-Demand 140,550,964,000 128,114,918,000 9.7% Streams 10m Digital Track Sales 30,144,000 39,003,000 -22.7% 9m Album Sales 14,993,000 15,651,000 -4.2% 8m Albums 10,238,000 120,173,000 111,998,000 7.3% 9,655,000 Consumption Units 7m

6m

ALBUM CONSUMPTION UNITS BY FORMAT 5m 2021 2020 Change 4m CD Sales 5,307,000 7,066,000 -24.9% 5,996,000

3m

Vinyl Sales 5,765,000 3,561,000 61.9% 4,756,000

2m Digital Sales 3,864,000 4,960,000 -22.1% Catalog Current 1m Other Sales 58,000 63,000 -8.7% 2021 2020 2021 2020 0 Track Equivalent 3,014,000 3,900,000 -22.7%

Audio On-Demand 102,165,000 92,447,000 10.5% Equivalent -20.7%  6.0% Album consumption units ­— also known as albums plus TEA plus SEA — consists of album sales; track-equivalent album (TEA)  sales whereby 10 tracks equal one consumption unit; and stream equivalent albums (SEA) whereby 1,250 paid and/or 3,750 ad-supported audio on-demand streams (OAD) equal one consumption unit. Page 23 of 25 DATA FOR WEEK OF 03.06.2021 HOT 100 SONGWRITERSTM HOT 100 PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 TIE 1 6 WKS DAN NIGRO  1 2 WKS DAN NIGRO  #1 TIE 1 6 WKS OLIVIA RODRIGO  2 JOEY MOI  3 LIL DURK  3 FINNEAS  4 BRS KASH  4 YC  5 FINNEAS  5 ROSS COPPERMAN  TIE 6 BELLY  6 IAMTASH  TIE 6 DAHEALA  TIE 7 MR. FRANKS  TIE 6 MAX MARTIN  TIE 7 TBHITS  TIE 6 OSCAR HOLTER  9 D.A. GOT THAT DOPE  TIE 6 THE WEEKND  TIE 10 MAX MARTIN  11 SPOTEMGOTTEM  TIE 10 OSCAR HOLTER  12 CHRISTOPHER PEARSON  TIE 10 THE WEEKND  13 BILLIE EILISH  13 PXCOYO  14 LIL BABY  14 NATE RHOADS  15 DABABY  15 SCOTT MOFFATT  16 JUSTIN BIEBER  16 BLAKE HARNAGE  17 MEGAN THEE STALLION  17 BLAQ TUXEDO  18 DAVE BAYLEY  TIE 18 BLAKE SLATKIN  TIE 19 MR. FRANKS  TIE 18 OMER FEDI  TIE 19 TBHITS  20 TRAVIS BARKER  21 POP SMOKE  21 CHI CHI  22 POOH SHIESTY  22 DANN HUFF  TIE 23 BLAKE SLATKIN  23 AARON DESSNER  TIE 23 OMER FEDI  24 RYAN METZGER  25 JON NITE  25 ZACH KALE 

COUNTRY SONGWRITERSTM COUNTRY PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 10 WKS MORGAN WALLEN  1 43 WKS JOEY MOI  2 JOSH OSBORNE  2 ROSS COPPERMAN  3 ERNEST KEITH SMITH  3 DANN HUFF  4 ASHLEY GORLEY  4 SCOTT MOFFATT  5 JON NITE  5 JAY JOYCE  6 LUKE COMBS  6 ZACH KALE  TIE 7 GABBY BARRETT  7 DAVID FANNING  TIE 7 ZACH KALE  8 ZACH CROWELL  9 CHARLIE HANDSOME  TIE 9 JOSH MURTY  TIE 10 CHRIS STAPLETON  TIE 9 NIKO MOON  TIE 10 MIKE HENDERSON 

R&B/HIP-HOP SONGWRITERSTM R&B/HIP-HOP PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 3 WKS BRS KASH  1 2 WKS YC 

SONGWRITERS & PRODUCERS & SONGWRITERS 2 LIL DURK  2 IAMTASH  3 LIL BABY  3 D.A. GOT THAT DOPE  4 SPOTEMGOTTEM  4 PXCOYO  5 CHRISTOPHER PEARSON  5 NATE RHOADS  6 POP SMOKE  6 BLAQ TUXEDO  7 POOH SHIESTY  7 CHI CHI  8 MEGAN THEE STALLION  8 LIL JU  9 DABABY  9 CASHMONEYAP  10 KING VON  10 DAMN E 

R&B SONGWRITERSTM R&B PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 MAR. TIE 1 18 WKS BELLY  1 5 WKS NATE RHOADS  #1 TIE 1 36 WKS DAHEALA  2 BLAQ TUXEDO  6 #1 TIE 1 29 WKS MAX MARTIN  TIE 3 MAX MARTIN  2021 #1 TIE 1 29 WKS OSCAR HOLTER  TIE 3 OSCAR HOLTER  #1 TIE 1 45 WKS THE WEEKND  TIE 3 THE WEEKND  TIE 6 DRAKE  6 LOSHENDRIX  TIE 6 NATE RHOADS  7 SEVN THOMAS  TIE 6 YUNG BLEU  8 CARDIAK  9 LOSHENDRIX  9 NASCENT  TIE 10 GIVEON  10 DZL  AIRPLAY/STREAMING & AIRPLAY/STREAMING COMPILED BY DATA SALES TIE 10 SEVN THOMAS 

The top songwriters and producers on the Billboard Hot 100 and selective genre songs chart that utilize the Hot 100 formula (blending streaming, airplay and download sales data) for the charts dated March 6, 2021. Rankings are based on accumulated weekly points for all charted songs — on the specified chart for the week — on which a songwriter or producer is credited. If a song is written or produced by more than one person, points are divided equally among all credited parties. Page 24 of 25 DATA FOR WEEK OF 03.06.2021 RAP SONGWRITERSTM RAP PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 4 WKS BRS KASH  1 2 WKS YC  2 LIL DURK  2 IAMTASH  3 SPOTEMGOTTEM  3 D.A. GOT THAT DOPE  4 CHRISTOPHER PEARSON  4 PXCOYO  5 LIL BABY  5 CHI CHI  6 POOH SHIESTY  6 LIL JU  7 POP SMOKE  7 DAMN E  8 MEGAN THEE STALLION  8 SGT J  9 DABABY  TIE 9 DJ SWANQO  TIE 10 CJ  TIE 9 SEAN ISLAND  TIE 10 MITHOON  TIE 9 YUNG DZA  TIE 10 PXCOYO 

DANCE/ELECTRONIC SONGWRITERSTM DANCE/ELECTRONIC PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 TIE 1 1 WK GUY-MANUEL DE HOMEM-CHRISTO  1 1 WK DAFT PUNK  #1 TIE 1 1 WK THOMAS BANGALTER  2 HVME  TIE 3 F A L L E N  3 F A L L E N  TIE 3 SAINT JHN  4 SURF MESA  TIE 5 BOB CREWE  TIE 5 HIGHTOWER  TIE 5 BOB GAUDIO  TIE 5 TIESTO  TIE 5 SURF MESA  TIE 7 BLOODPOP  TIE 8 ANTON RUNDBERG  TIE 7 BURNS  TIE 8 JAMES BELL  9 FRANK FARIAN  TIE 8 JULIA KARLSSON  TIE 10 JARLY  TIE 8 TIESTO  TIE 10 SIGALA. 

LATIN SONGWRITERSTM LATIN PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 56 WKS BAD BUNNY  1 69 WKS TAINY  2 EDGAR BARRERA  2 OVY ON THE DRUMS  3 TAINY  3 MORA  4 MYKE TOWERS  4 MAG  5 MORA  5 SANTANA THE GOLDEN BOY  6 CAMILO  6 SKY ROMPIENDO  7 MAG  7 EDGAR BARRERA  TIE 8 HAZE  8 ALBERT HYPE  SONGWRITERS & PRODUCERS & SONGWRITERS TIE 8 JHAY CORTEZ  9 CAMILO  TIE 8 NYDIA YERA  10 MANUEL LARA 

ROCK & ALTERNATIVE SONGWRITERSTM ROCK & ALTERNATIVE PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 21 WKS TAYLOR SWIFT  1 8 WKS TRAVIS BARKER  TIE 2 BILLIE EILISH  2 FINNEAS  MAR. TIE 2 FINNEAS  3 AARON DESSNER  6 4 OMER FEDI  4 RYAN METZGER  2021 5 BLAKE SLATKIN  5 OMER FEDI  6 AARON DESSNER  6 BLAKE SLATKIN  7 DAVE BAYLEY  7 DAVE BAYLEY  8 TRAVIS BARKER  8 KBEAZY  TIE 9 ADAM METZGER  9 MARSHMELLO  TIE 9 JACK METZGER  10 ROSTAM  TIE 9 RYAN METZGER  AIRPLAY/STREAMING & AIRPLAY/STREAMING COMPILED BY DATA SALES Page 25 of 25 DATA FOR WEEK OF 03.06.2021 ALTERNATIVE SONGWRITERSTM ALTERNATIVE PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 TIE 1 5 WKS BILLIE EILISH  1 7 WKS TRAVIS BARKER  #1 TIE 1 7 WKS FINNEAS  2 FINNEAS  3 OMER FEDI  3 RYAN METZGER  4 DAVE BAYLEY  4 OMER FEDI  5 BLAKE SLATKIN  5 BLAKE SLATKIN  6 TAYLOR SWIFT  6 AARON DESSNER  7 AARON DESSNER  7 DAVE BAYLEY  8 TRAVIS BARKER  8 KBEAZY  TIE 9 ADAM METZGER  9 MARSHMELLO  TIE 9 JACK METZGER  10 ROSTAM  TIE 9 RYAN METZGER 

HARD ROCK SONGWRITERSTM HARD ROCK PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 6 WKS WOLFGANG VAN HALEN  1 1 WK TRAVIS BARKER  2 PETE LOEFFLER  2 GREG KURSTIN  TIE 3 TRAVIS BARKER  3 JOE BARRESI  TIE 3 TRIPPIE REDD  4 NICK LONG  5 NICK LONG  5 BRENDAN O’BRIEN  TIE 6 ANGUS YOUNG  6 MICHAEL BASKETTE  TIE 6 MALCOLM YOUNG  TIE 7 FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH  TIE 8 IVAN MOODY  TIE 7 KEVIN CHURKO  TIE 8 JASON HOOK  9 TYLER SMYTH  TIE 8 KEVIN CHURKO  10 DASHDONDOG BAYARMAGNAI  TIE 8 ZOLTAN BATHORY 

CHRISTIAN SONGWRITERSTM CHRISTIAN PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 16 WKS ETHAN HULSE  1 23 WKS JONATHAN SMITH  2 MATTHEW WEST  2 PAUL MABURY  3 ANDREW RIPP  3 JEFF SOJKA  4 MICAH KUIPER  4 AJ PRUIS  5 AJ PRUIS  5 MICAH KUIPER  TIE 6 BRIAN JOHNSON  6 ETHAN HULSE  TIE 6 PHIL WICKHAM  7 NICK SCHWARTZ  8 LAUREN ASHLEY DAIGLE  8 MARK MILLER  SONGWRITERS & PRODUCERS & SONGWRITERS TIE 9 JASON INGRAM  9 JASON INGRAM  TIE 9 PAUL MABURY  10 AARON ROBERTSON 

GOSPEL SONGWRITERSTM GOSPEL PRODUCERSTM #1 #1 1 4 WKS CHARLES JENKINS  1 3 WKS KYLE LEE  2 BYRON LEWIS CAGE  2 KENNETH LEONARD, JR.  MAR. 3 RICH TOLBERT JR.  TIE 3 BERNIE HERMS  6 4 JONATHAN TRAYLOR  TIE 3 CHUCK BUTLER  2021 5 BRIAN COURTNEY WILSON  5 AARON LINDSEY  6 TRAVIS GREENE  6 ALEX HILL  7 JOKIA WILLIAMS  7 RICH TOLBERT JR.  8 CHUCK BUTLER  TIE 8 JOHNTA AUSTIN  9 BRYAN POPIN  TIE 8 TROY TAYLOR  TIE 10 DONNIE MCCLURKIN  TIE 8 TRYBISHOP  TIE 10 JOHNTA AUSTIN 

AIRPLAY/STREAMING & AIRPLAY/STREAMING COMPILED BY DATA SALES TIE 10 TROY TAYLOR  TIE 10 TRYBISHOP