Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 13, 2021 Page 1 of 24

INSIDE Walter Yetnikoff Was a • Don’t Expect Radio to Start Paying Wolf Among ‘Hit Men,’ But That Artists Anytime Soon Was His Undoing • Amid Delta Variant Spike, Mexico Goes Ahead With Baja BY FREDRIC DANNEN Beach Fest A Music King’s Shattering Fall. It was September and plates, boozing to excess, cavorting with a bevy • Can Riot Grrrl 1990, and Time magazine’s lead business story related of girlfriends he dubbed his “shiksa farm,” and once TikTok Re-Imagine a Flawed Scene? that Walter Yetnikoff had been fired as CBS Records’ threatening to punch out Mick Jagger over a contract chief executive. Then the world’s largest record label, dispute. (“Hell’s bells,” lawyer and manager Eric • Britney Spears’ CBS had issued many of the top-selling albums of Kronfeld exclaimed after reading that account. Dad Jamie Spears the 1980s, among them, Michael Jackson’s Thrill- “What middle-aged record executive wants to get into Agrees to Step Down as Conservator of er, Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA, and George a fistfight with an artist?”) All of Yetnikoff’s excesses, Her Estate Michael’s Faith. The Time article proposed that the and a good number of my anecdotes about him, were bosses at Sony, CBS Records’ parent company since confirmed in his confessional 2004 memoir Howling • Cardi B Signs With 1988, were scandalized by the depiction of Yetnikoff at the Moon. Indeed, his self-portrait made my own Warner Chappell Music Publishing as a “crude, tantrum-throwing egomaniac” in Hit portrayal of him seem tame, including as it did details Men, my nonfiction account of the music indus- I had been unable to nail down, such as cocaine binges • K-Pop Powerhouse try, published two months earlier. The New York and sexual trysts in a room adjoining his 11th floor JYP Launches Times and Wall Street Journal also contended that my office at Black Rock, the New York headquarters that Fan-Engagement Subsidiary book had played a role in Walter’s dismissal. I believed housed CBS television, radio and records. then, and still do, that the claim was overblown. But Yetnikoff rose from modest beginnings in the • Tony Bennett from that point on, his name and mine became linked, Brownsville section of Brooklyn, the son of a laborer Retires From Touring to the displeasure of both of us. who periodically beat him. He edited the law review • Ariana Grande Song I’m not going to pretend that my portrait of Yet- at Columbia Law School, and after a stint in the army, Streams Spike After nikoff, who succumbed to cancer on Aug. 8 only three joined the law firm that represented CBS and its ‘Fortnite’ Concert days shy of his 88th birthday, was flattering. The Yet- founder and chairman William Paley. CBS Records nikoff of Hit Men was a wild man — hurling expletives (continued)

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IN BRIEF

hired him as a staff attorney in 1961, and to his defense. A month after he became in November 2003, a few months before the he moved steadily up the ranks to run the CBS president, I asked Tisch about the NBC publication of Howling at the Moon, which label’s international division, becoming report, and he all but wagged a finger at me. vindicated a good deal more his decision to label president in 1975. Unlike great record “Walter Yetnikoff is a very honorable man,” sell — Yetnikoff’s confessed cocaine use at men such as Ahmet Ertegun, Clive Da- he said. “Don’t go by the fact that he’s not Black Rock could have jeopardized CBS’s vis or Berry Gordy, Yetnikoff had a tin ear wearing a tie and has a beard. Walter is a federally sanctioned broadcast licenses, for music. But he had perfect pitch when it conservative businessman, and too smart which were subject to FCC oversight. came to artist relationships. When Michael to do anything that would jeopardize the Walter’s self-portrait was harsher than Jackson swept the 1984 Grammys for Thrill- company or himself.” anything I had written about him, yet long er, he grabbed Yetnikoff by the arm and The honeymoon didn’t last long. By 1987, after his tell-all was published, the men- brought him onstage to share in the glory. Yetnikoff was calling the short and bald tion of Hit Men still set him off. In a 2010 The Walter Yetnikoff I met in the late Tisch “the kike upstairs” and “the Evil interview, he called me “a plagiarist,” ‘80s was bearded and barrel-chested, and Dwarf.” That year, Walter midwifed the claiming I had appropriated passages from chain-smoking Nat Sherman cigarettes, a sale of CBS Records to Sony for $2 billion, a privately recorded tribute to the late God- habit that left his Brooklyn baritone a bit making himself rich in the process, with dard Lieberson “with no attribution.” raspy. The beard, I always suspected, was a sign-on bonus estimated at $20 million. (Not true: the attribution was in my source worn to cover a weak chin, but it also ac- He was gleeful. The last time I saw him, in notes.) Walter was always swearing to take cented his ethnicity, which he paraded with May 1988, Yetnikoff was standing outside legal action against all enemies, real or pride. He called himself Velvel, Yiddish the Titus Theater at the Museum of Modern perceived — in 1988, he told journalist Fred for “Little Walter,” and dubbed Thomas Art in New York City. Inside, Tisch was Goodman he was contemplating a RICO, Wyman, CBS president from 1980 to 1986, conducting the annual CBS shareholder’s or racketeering, complaint against MCA “the goy upstairs.” At the conclusion of my meeting, fielding questions about the sale of Records — but not once did he threaten me first encounter with him, he relayed plans the record division. “You know,” Yetnikoff with litigation. for a new musical genre, “Hasidic rock,” and said, noticeably drunk, “in the springtime, That honor fell to Clive Davis and David crooned one of his own compositions, “The life blooms, and the flowers grow, and the Geffen. In late 1989, the unedited manu- Shiksa Shtupping Song.” grass is green, but dwarfs die in the light of script of Hit Men was leaked by someone at When Laurence Tisch — a “landsman,” the sun. And it’s sort of early spring. That’s a Random House, and before long it seemed as Yetnikoff put it, Yiddish for “fellow dream I had.” all the book’s principal subjects had a copy. Jew” — ousted Wyman in September 1986, Tisch, for his part, had ceased referring to Davis sicked the prominent trial law- Yetnikoff was initially delighted. NBC News Yetnikoff as “a very honorable man.” In 1991, yer Robert Morvillo on me, and among his had recently singled out Yetnikoff for op- he asked a reporter for New York magazine, litany of complaints was my purportedly posing an investigation of alleged organized “Did you read that book Hit Men? Do you false and defamatory account of an unfor- crime influence in record promotion, and understand why I sold that business? Would tunate meeting between himself and the implied he was a cocaine user. Tisch rushed you want to be in that business?” Tisch died 21-year-old Bob Dylan. The Random House

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ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] IN BRIEF SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country lawyerA askedlbu to ms;see my source Brett material. YI oungman no longer ‘Catc had reasonh’-es to fear Yetnikoff, Fifth AirplayI don’t know whether Landau ever made showed her. It was Clive’s 1974 autobiogra- because Yetnikoff was self-destructing. In peace with Yetnikoff, but I wish I had. Walter phy. Geffen,Lea meanwhile,der; unleashed Travis his legal 1989,Denning Yetnikoff had checked Makes himself into Historymay have disliked me, but the feeling was bulldog Bertram Fields, and wasted his the Hazelden clinic in Minnesota, emerg- by no means mutual. In 2014, I updated Hit money, because the disputed passages had ing clean and sober, and remaining so, he Men’s e-book edition with a new last chapter Samalready Hunt been’s second removed studio in full-length,the course and of fact- first in overmaintained, five years, Southside until the endsales of his(up 21%)life. Butin the tracking— week.excerpted On Country in Billboard Airplay, — it hops and 18-15the addition (11.9 mil-- (MCAchecking Nashville/Universal and editing. Music Group Nashville), debutssobriety, at No. 1 onhe Billboard wrote in ’s Howlinglion audience at the Moonimpressions,, alup material 16%). was complimentary to Yetnikoff. Top Country Albums chart dated April 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it Entertainment lawyer Allen Grub- made him a better person only in some In the more than two decades since the book earned 46,000 equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingman took to Nielsen a different Music/MRC approach, Data. cordially ways. “On many other levels,”and total he Country said, “I Airplay No.had 1 as first “Catch” been (Big published, Machine LabelWalter Group) had taken ascends invitingSouthside me marksto his Hunt’soffice, second where No. he 1 insistedon the became worse.” In less than a year, Yetnikoff to2-1, heart increasing the 12-step 13% to principle 36.6 million to be impressions. of service charton serving and fourth me chicken top 10. It soup follows with freshman kreplach. LP alienated nearly all his closest allies in the to others,Young’s drawing first of onsix hischart experiences entries, “Sleep as a With- MontevalloGrubman ,wanted which arrived some atchanges the summit to the in chapNo - - business, including David Geffen, whom he recoveringout You,” reachedaddict to No. volunteer 2 in December at recovery 2016. He vemberter about 2014 him, and and reigned handled for nine the weeks. matter To date,in his had roused to rage with his insults. Bruce centersfollowed around with the the multiweek New York No. area. 1s “In And Case as You a Montevallo has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved milliontypical in fashion, album sales. as a friendly negotiation, an Springsteen manager Jon Landau, who starYou” trial (three, witness, January he 2018), had helped “Mercy”Steve (two, Popo August- approachMontevallo that has never spent 267would weeks have on the occurred list, tying to called Geffen his “rabbi,” issued a damn- vich2018), the and founder “Here Tonight” of Cleveland (two, April International, 2019). LukeGeffen. Bryan Yetnikoff’s Crash My had Party thrown as the sixth-longest-a lot of clients ing statement to Billboard in late August recoup“Catch” unpaid completes royalties his fromlongest Sony journey on Meat to No. 1, runningGrubman’s titles way, in the including chart’s 56-year Bruce history. Spring- 1990. In it, Landau said he and Springsteen Loafhaving’s Bat taken Out 46 of weeks Hell, which to reach had the been apex. issued It out- steen,On the and all-genre in return Billboard he expected 200, Southside absolute ar - had long enjoyed “a superb professional onpaces Popovich’s the 30-week custom climb label. of “Here True, Tonight.” while help- rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for HUNT YOUNG afterfealty the and No. even 3-peaking some Montevallo groveling. — he once relationship and a pleasant social one” inga new Popovich, high. Yetnikoff may have delighted in gotHunt Grubman first released to beg the on EPhisX2C hands, which and debuted knees with Yetnikoff, but for the past two years, sticking it to Sony. Whatever his motive, his andto close peaked a record at No. distribution 5 on Top Country deal. AlbumsMy man in- August“neither 2014. Bruce Following nor I haveCOMBS had a ‘DOES’ significant IT AGAIN Lukecross-examination Combs’ “Does to by Me” Sony’s (River attorney, House/Columbia whom Montevallouscript included, Between another the Pines: more Acoustic egregious Mixtape startedconversation at its No. 7 with high inhim.” Nashville), featuring Eric ChurchYetnikoff, ascends brilliantly 11-8 on Countryflummoxed, Airplay, makes up 10% for to Novemberexample of 2015. Grubman’s subservience to Yet- To this day, I am convinced24.7 million that Landau’sin audience. Thehilarious song is Combs’reading. eighth straight career-opening Montevallo produced five singles, four of which hit the pinnacle of Country top 10, following a record run of seven consecutive out-of-the-gate, properly Airplay:nikoff, “Leavebut I agreed the Night to On,”remove “Take it, Yoursimply Time,” be- “Housedeclaration Party” and shook “Make up thepromoted brass at No. Sony 1 singles. far When the news broke of Yetnikoff’s Youcause Miss it wasMe.” not “Break an importantUp in a Small detail. Town” Beyond peaked at No.more 2. than Hit Men, and playedChurch the adds decisive his 15th Countrydeath, Airplay I received top 10. a lot of messages from that,Hunt I said co-penned I would all change 12 songs nothing on Southside that he, including role “Body in Yetnikoff’s Like a Back ousting. Afterward, I friends and colleagues, who, like me, were Road,”couldn’t which convince was released me was in nonfactual. 2017. The smash “You hit ruledasked Country Landau Airplay whether for GeffenTHAT TOOK had QUITEprompt ‘A- FEW’saddened MONTHS by Travis his passing.Denning Ishatters particularly the record liked for three weeks and the airplay-, streaming- and sales-based Hot Country Songs the most weeks it has taken to penetrate the Country Airplay top 10 as “After have this quote here from Walter,” Grubman ed him to issue the statement. He denied the note sent by Adam White, a former 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 - Floridasaid. “‘Once Georgia I yelled Line’s at“Meant Allen, to and Be” his(50 weekswife atop theit, lattersaying list of in Yetnikoff, 2017-18). “Helion tookin radio a 14-year reach. editor-in-chief of Billboard and Universal told“Downtown’s me he had Dead,”to take which three is Valium.’” also on the Not new set, reachedrelationship Nos. 14 and and trashed 15 itThe for songirrational surpasses two tracksMusic that Group took executive, 50 weeks each and to a enter good the friend top 10: ontrue? Hot “It Country is true,” Songs Grubman and Country said. Airplay,“But I wish respectively, reasons. in June I 2018.harbored “Kin -a greatEaston deal Corbin of emotion,’s “A Girl Likesince You,” the whichHit Menreached days: No. “So 10 inadieu, January Velvel. 2018 be- folks”you’d ledadd Country I had to Airplay take three on Feb. more 29, becomingValium Hunt’sand seventh I don’t No. feel 1. likeIt hit I neededfore peaking any instruction at No. 6 that February,I never and thought Aaron of Watson him as’s ageless, “Outta Style,” but was which No.when 3 on I Hotread Country your book!” Songs. from David or anybody else.achieved I wrote its No. it 10in high in Decemberrather surprised. 2017. Wonder if he’ll shout at the Latest single “Hard to Forget” jumps 17-9 on Hot Country Songs. It’s his “After” is Denning’s second Country Airplay entry. “David Ashley Parker By the time Hit Men was published, Grub- consultation with Bruce.” gatekeeper, whether above or below.” 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 2 0 2 1 PHOTO FINISH RECORDS 15TH ANNIVERSARY

Photo Finish Records is an independent record label CONTACTS boasting a diverse roster including Alternative Rock, Indie Pop, Electro Pop, and Hip Hop that has amassed billions of Joe Maimone 201.301.5933 | [email protected] streams and over 40 million tracks sold. Lee Ann Photoglo The New York City-based label was created and founded 615.376.7931 | [email protected] by Matt Galle and 2021 will celebrate its fifteenth year of success. As the label grew and developed, Matt brought in Cynthia Mellow his business partner Mike Marquis to co-run the label with 615.352,0265 | [email protected] him. Marcia Olival 786.586.4901 | [email protected] Photo Finish has forged a well-deserved reputation for developing and breaking an eclectic roster of artists Ryan O’Donnell including 3OH!3, SHAED, The Maine, Marian Hill, Mister- +447843437176 | [email protected] Wives, ROZES, The Mowgli's, and new signings Ross Copperman, CAL, Elliot Lee, Lakeview, guardin, and joan.

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IN BRIEF

nounced a competing bill, the American has more recently hinted he might support a Don’t Expect Music Fairness Act, sponsored by U.S. rep- deal involving lower digital rates in exchange resentatives Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) and Dar- for the performance royalty. That sort of Radio to Start rell Issa (R-Calif.), requiring stations to trade might benefit radio as it, like labels “compensate all artists for their property.” have, transitions to a digital environment. Paying Artists As Warwick said at the time: “It’s time to pass Such cooperation is unlikely just yet, legislation that finally levels the playing field though. This year, the NAB has been draw- Anytime Soon and ensures fairness for working musicians.” ing more and more congresspeople to its The broadcasters’ counter argument – as side, recently announcing support from BY STEVE KNOPPER it has been for years – is that performance 177 representatives and 22 senators. (This royalties would cripple their business. Ben is slightly lower than previous years, like or roughly the last 10 years, every Downs, general manager of Bryan Broad- the 2019-20 legislative session, when 228 artist who has ever won a Grammy casting, told Billboard recently that such congresspeople announced support for a Award has thanked spouses, pub- fees would cost KNDE Candy 95.1 in College pro-radio bill, but it’s still early.) And Con- licists, record labels, fans, agents Station one of the chain’s 11 stations, an ad- gress, while perhaps not as partisan as it was Fand God — but never radio stations. Why? ditional $120,000 per year. The new record- during the Trump era, remains divided on Artists are furious that broadcasters haven’t industry bill tries to account for this, creat- most issues. paid them for their work in 110 years. ing a tiered system in which stations that “The political calculus,” Lamy says, “is Over this time, artists and their represen- earn less than $1.5 million annually would probably as daunting as ever.” tatives have filed lawsuits, convinced Con- pay just $2 per day for unlimited music. gress to introduce legislation and lobbied But it doesn’t matter. Neither bill is likely state and local officials. They always have to pass. Amid Delta star power on their side, trotting out singers Since the Copyright Act of 1909, broad- from Frank Sinatra to Dionne Warwick to casters have consistently won this argu- Variant Spike, make their case. But the broadcasters, from ment — in the ‘30s, when top bandleaders corporate giant iHeartMedia to tiny chain Fred Waring and Paul Whiteman formed an Mexico Goes Bryan Broadcasting of College Station, advocacy group called the National Asso- Texas, keep winning. They simply have ciation of Performing Arts; in the late ‘80s, Ahead With more political power. when Frank Sinatra wrote letters to fellow That’s because while the music business pop stars to build a unified artists’ coalition; Baja Beach Fest is concentrated in Los Angeles, New York and in the ‘90s, when Congress passed laws and Nashville, radio stations are every- forcing digital services to pay royalties and BY LEILA COBO AND where, building relationships with local exempted over-the-air broadcasters from ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO politicians in person. “Broadcasters are in doing the same. (“I personally was brought every district and their relationship with into this some 28 years ago by Frank Sina- he largest Latin music-focused members of Congress is strong,” says Jona- tra,” Warwick said in her speech supporting festival in the Americas to resume than Lamy, a communications consultant the record-industry bill. “That’s how long I since the coronavirus pandemic be- who represented the Recording Industry have been actively involved.”) gan kicks off today in Mexico’s Ro- Association of America for years. There are, however, signs the broadcast- Tsarito Beach, with reggaeton stars Ozuna, J The battle is ramping up again this sum- ers may not hold out forever. Radio ad Balvin and Karol G among the headliners. mer, and the latest skirmish between Big revenues have been flat for years, so stations The six-day Baja Beach Fest, which ex- Music and Big Radio is in what Lamy calls don’t have as much financial clout as they pects crowds of up to 30,000 a day over the the “pre-scrimmage-flexing” phase. used to, while record labels are booming due weekends of Aug. 13-15 and Aug. 20-22, is In May, the National Association of Broad- to streaming. And while big broadcasters moving ahead despite the state of Baja Cali- casters declared 124 representatives and 15 iHeartMedia and the other big companies fornia, where Rosarito is located, retrench- senators supported its Local Radio Freedom are taking advantage of streaming apps and ing to “yellow” status — from “green” — in Act, opposing “any new performance fee, podcasts, smaller groups lack the means the past week amid a third wave of virus tax, royalty or other charge.” Supporters to do so, and are at risk of losing business. infections. include Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Ark.) These groups might be more willing to make Festival organizers tell Billboard they won and Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas). a deal. approval from local officials after presenting (Radio stations have paid mechanical rates Gordon Smith, the NAB’s president and a 122-page health and safety plan that will to songwriters and publishers for years.) CEO, used to call the royalty a “Damocles use a “closed source” app to verify that at- A month later, the record industry an- sword hanging over the radio industry,” but tendees have either a valid vaccination card WE’RE BACK, LIVE IN MIAMI

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IN BRIEF

or have tested negative for COVID-19 within push notification in their phone with a code tion were required. 72 hours of either festival weekend. And the to activate the chip inside their wrist band festival is requiring attendees to wear face and enter the festival. masks except when eating and drinking. “Anyone can go on Photoshop and make a Can Riot Grrrl The open-air event, which was postponed vaccine card or test and show it at the door,” in 2020 due to the pandemic, comes as Delta Ampudia says. “We found this perfect way TikTok Re-Imagine variant-driven infections are spiking across that we think is bullet proof and will be the the U.S. and Mexico, throwing some tour prototype for other festivals.” a Flawed Scene? plans into question. Country star Garth Unvaccinated attendees must do a COVID Brooks said earlier this month that he is test at Covid Clinic, which has over 100 BY MIA HUGHES considering putting the remainder of his testing locations in the U.S., most of them in U.S. stadium tour on hold after his Aug. 14 California. Ticket holders have to provide pen TikTok’s#riotgrrrl hashtag show in Lincoln, Neb. their Baja Beach order numbers (which and you’ll find a thriving eco- Baja Beach represents another big test for gives them a 50% discount on the COVID system. There are countless promoters betting that verification schemes test price). If the test comes up negative, videos to scroll through, almost for vaccinations and negative tests will be the result is linked to Baja Beach’s system, Oall made by young women or non-binary enough to ensure that large festivals do not which activates the wrist band. people, teens or young adults. Some show become super spreader events. Those who are not in the U.S. can get off their riot grrrl-inspired outfits. Others The Lollapalooza festival in Chicago tested in testing centers approved by the recommend bands to their audience. Others reported last week that 90% of its estimated Mexican government in Rosarito and Ti- still talk directly to camera, discussing riot 385,000 attendees were vaccinated, and of juana. The festival will also provide special grrrl’s history or culture. As of August 2021, those vaccinated, .0004% have reported Baja Beach masks for those who need them. videos tagged with the phrase have amassed testing positive. As of Aug. 11, there have “It was a really big financial commit- 94M views — in TikTok numbers, a relative been no reported hospitalizations or deaths ment,” says Den Uijil , who declined to give niche maybe, but a notable one. linked to positive cases at the festival, the exact numbers. “It wasn’t just the tech but A feminist movement born in the punk Chicago Department of Public Health said. the research and development, creating the communities of Washington, D.C. and Olym- More than 95% of the Baja Beach attend- process and the strategic partnerships.” pia, Washington during the early ’90s, riot ees are fully vaccinated, Alonso Pérez Rico, More than 25 Latin artists are scheduled grrrl is best known for its flagship bands, Baja state’s secretary of health, told Argen- to perform at Baja Beach Fest, includ- Bratmobile and Bikini Kill. The term was tine news site Infobae earlier this week. ing Becky G and Rauw Alejandro. The first used in a 1991 zine made by Bratmobile The remaining 5% can either still get vac- first weekend is sold out, and the second members Allison Wolfe, Molly Neuman and cinated or be let in with proof of a negative weekend is 85% sold out, according to the Jen Smith and Bikini Kill vocalist Kathleen COVID-19 test, he said. (Three days before festival’s website. Three-day festival passes Hanna. Its adherents organized feminist the start of the festival, organizers said 90% are $329, with VIP passes running $449 marches and protests, and there were of ticket holders had registered their wrist (they include afterparty access.) weekly meetings where young women gath- bands and were vaccinated and verified.) Amid a surge in COVID-19 infections, ered to share their experiences and ideas. “The verdict is still out on whether these massive concert events are not an anomaly in Most importantly, riot grrrl was DIY; mes- gatherings are truly safe,” says AJ Niland, a the Latin music world. Maluma still plans to sages were spread via zines, which could be New Orleans-based promoter whose Health launch a U.S. arena tour in early September. cheaply printed and widely disseminated. Screening Solutions provides vaccine and In Miami, bachata group Aventura is playing But the movement was considered dead testing services for the concert industry. a show tomorrow (Aug. 14) at the Hard Rock by the mid ’90s, years before most of those “We’re in this sort of weird, precarious time Stadium and promoters say 40,000 tickets TikTok creators were born — swallowed by where we don’t have enough historical data have been sold. In accordance with Florida intra-community differences and plain fiz- to really determine how these events are laws, masks are recommended but not zling of momentum. Now, in the comment going to play out.” enforced for Aventura attendees. Negative sections under #riotgrrrl videos, teens are Baja Beach founders Chris Den Ui- virus tests and vaccination cards are also not having their own conversations, asking and jil and Aaron Ampudia say most of the required for ticket buyers, but are required answering questions, building a community. attendees are expected to come from across for crew members, promoters say. They’re curious, engaged and crucially, do- the border in southern California. To miti- Outside of Florida, masks and tempera- ing it themselves. gate fraud, the festival will rely on a system ture checks were required for ticket holders Koren Dalipe, 23, who makes TikToks that requires ticket-buyers to upload their to enter the Staples Center in Los Angeles as@zazieinthemetro, discovered riot grrrl vaccination cards into the system. Once the for the string of shows by Grupo Firme in in high school. She explains, “[The ethos of ] system verifies the card, the customer gets a July. But neither tests nor proof of vaccina- ‘Maybe you don’t know how to sing, maybe O N S A L E SEPT. 18, 2021

2021 NEW & R ENOVATED VENUES

On September 18th Billboard will provide CONTACT readers with an exclusive backstage Cynthia Mellow | 615.352.0265 pass into the newest and latest renovated [email protected] venues around the world. This special Joe Maimone | 212.493.4427 feature will assess the architecture, [email protected] production capabilities, sound, capacity Lee Ann Photoglo | 615.376.7931 level, fan amenities, and more that entice [email protected] talent to these highly anticipated venues. Ryan O’Donnell | +447843437176 Take this opportunity to advertise your venue [email protected] and reach key touring industry decision- makers as they plan tour schedules and map Marcia Olival | 786.586.4901 out must-play venues. [email protected]

O N S A L E 9 / 1 8 | I SSU E C L O S E 9 / 7 | M A T E R I A L S D U E 9 / 8

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IN BRIEF

you don’t know how to play guitar, but we munity getting larger and larger lately. It’s a Black female musicians Tamar-kali, Honey- don’t know either [and] we’re gonna do it really cool community of mainly girls who Child, Simi and MayaGoddess in opposition anyway’ — I thought that was really em- are angry, [who] release all their frustration to the white-centered riot grrrl scene. powering.” She began posting punk-themed into paper.” “The fact is that as a Black girl from TikToks in late 2020, her following grow- There’s more than just nostalgia at work Brooklyn going to punk and hardcore shows ing with her series on ‘punk’s lost BIPOC here. Vass was inspired to make her zine in NYC in the ’90s, riot grrrl felt super history’ — each video focusing on a punk by the 2021 murder of Sarah Everard — a SoCal suburban and white,” Tamar-kali musician of color (Dalipe herself is Chicana 33-year-old marketing executive walking herself — who now scores major feature and Filipina). As of August 2021, she has home from a friend’s house — by an off-duty films such as Shirley and The Last Thing over 19,000 followers. police officer in London. It’s proof that the He Wanted — tells Billboard. “I related to A following developed similarly for Mad- need for feminist dissent has never disap- the DIY meets feminist ethos and enjoyed a die Peletsky, 19, who since 2019 has posted peared. Crucially, the conversations about good share of the music. But as a movement, as@riotmoms; her content, focusing largely rape culture and reproductive rights that it didn’t match my sensibilities as a person on riot grrrl and grunge, now has over ’90s riot grrrls were leading now have a incessantly aware of the belligerent racism, 114,000 followers. Both Dalipe and Peletsky place in mainstream culture, and almost sexism and homophobia I was experiencing found their following suddenly and fairly every young woman is conscious of some on the streets of NYC.” inexplicably; TikTok’s discovery-geared version of feminism. On seeing her own work discussed on algorithm, centered on an endless-scroll For Plus, having grown up amid late-stage TikTok, Tamar-kali says, “The power of the You homescreen, is an ideal but unpredict- capitalism and impending climate disaster, internet will never cease to amaze me. I love able breeding ground for trends to spread. the riot grrrl ethos chimes with the growing this generation’s penchant to investigate. “The algorithm is something that nobody sense among Gen Z that they can’t afford They want the whole story.” can figure out,” says Peletsky. “It puts a bunch political apathy. Dalipe says, “I see so many “A lot of people had never heard about of different s—t in your face — random stuff, people going to protests, or making websites [Sista Grrrl]. That kinda goes with people or stuff that you love, or stuff that nobody where you can donate or sign petitions. So trying to wash away [the scene’s] problem- knows you love.” Artist manager Lindsey I think it’s because [riot grrrl] is very do it atic history,” Peletsky says, of why she felt Miller, 22, of Heathers Artist Management, yourself.” Kate Kanfield, bassist of VIAL, moved to discuss the movement on TikTok. adds, “It’s probably the easiest social media adds: “Riot grrrl has an anti-capitalist ethos. “Having inclusivity to Black women and to get a following on. There’s points where And I think right now, there are universal Black non-binary people — pushing their it’s just so random, what goes viral.” experiences of, ‘I don’t know if I’m ever gon- music, adding it to playlists, writing about Miller and business partner Mel Grinberg, na work in a job that I enjoy, I don’t think them in zines — is so instrumental in getting 25, manageVIAL, a neo-riot grrrl band from I’ll ever be able to buy a house’. There’s a everybody’s message out.” Minneapolis whose debut album LOUD- drive for a community that can get that, and Tamar-kali agrees, though she acknowl- MOUTH dropped on July 30th. The band scream about it with you.” edges the surrealness of her contributions consists of women and non-binary indi- It helps that for the first time in a while, still being relevant today. “Broadening the viduals aged between 19 and 22; their fun, mainstream music is trending towards lens through which we view the past to light-hearted posts, usually hashtagged with alternative and punk — look at Willow reflect the actuality of the diverse world we #riotgrrrl, have so far shot them to 125,000 Smith, Machine Gun Kelly and the myriad live in can only be a good thing. It’s a head followers, and they’ve signed to queer- other hip hop and pop artists enlisting trip, though. A decision to create a collec- focused indie Get Better Records. One track, Travis Barker to help them transition to pop tive, the everyday DIY punk rock organiz- “Rough,” has over a million Spotify streams. punk. On a platform like TikTok, it’s easy to ing you did with your peeps, can become a To Gen Z, there’s a retro appeal to riot go looking for the authentic communities historical marker or this cultural moment grrrl. Having a style to latch onto counts for under that surface. that folks aspire to.” a lot. “Kinderwhore,” a subversively femi- But there is a cautious undertone to any The members of VIAL, who are all white, nine look marked by frilly dresses and exag- conversation about riot grrrl revival. The emphasize the importance of intersectional- gerated makeup that originated in grunge ’90s riot grrrl scene has been often criti- ity and anti-racist activism. George Floyd and riot grrrl, is popular on TikTok. Plus, cized for platforming white, middle class was murdered in their home city, and they zines feed into the widespread cultural nos- women, while women of color struggled to take care to support mutual aid initiatives in talgia for physical media. TikTok creators make their concerns heard. BothDalipe an- their community. “As riot grrrl was imag- share brief clips of the process of making dPeletsky, upon noticing a lack of critical ined to be a community for people who were them, call for contributions and encourage conversation among riot grrrls on the app, misrepresented, underrepresented, or just others to make their own. Molli Vass, 18, explored these flaws in TikTok videos. Both not f—king listened to, if we bring it back in who posts as@bratgrrrll and creates the havealsoposted about the Sista Grrrl Riots, any capacity there has to be serious conver- Brat zine, says, “I’ve noticed the zine com- a series of shows thrown by a collective of sations about it,” Kanfield says. “[And an] Page 12 of 24

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understanding that we have to do everything a Vox article to dub them “the most hated ful mainstream contributions to the move- we can to make sure it’s not like it was.” band on TikTok”. “It turned a lot of people ment. The Linda Lindas, a band of Asian- There are also gender essentialist aspects off from riot grrrl and punk in general,” American and Latina teenagers who made a to the ethos that can feel unwelcoming to says Taylor Kraemer, VIAL’S lead vocalist cameo in Moxie, had a performance of their trans women and non-binary people. Riot and keytarist. The band add that they and furious song “Racist Sexist Boy” go viral grrrl-adjacent bands The Butchies (fronted other non-male bands on TikTok caught the and signed to Epitaph Records soon after. by Kaia Wilson of Team Dresch) and Le fallout of the drama; guitarist KT Branscom The British Channel 4 show We Are Lady Tigre (fronted by Kathleen Hanna) have says, “It became a trend to be really, really Parts, created by British-Pakistani writer been criticized for playing the Michigan nasty towards women and non-men in the and director Nida Manzoor and centering Womyn’s Music Festival, notorious for its music scene because of that.” around an all-female all-Muslim punk band, trans-exclusionary entry policy. (Hanna The marketing gold rush isn’t confined premiered to critical acclaim. has since voiced her support of trans to TikTok, either. The visuals around one Katie Fischer, drummer of VIAL, says, “I rights on Twitter.) On TikTok, a new term, of the biggest albums of the year, Olivia think [legitimacy] really depends on who’s ‘riot ghoul’, has been used by people who Rodrigo’s Sour, resemble riot grrrl zine and making it, and what the intention behind it identify with the movement’s empowerment Kinderwhore aesthetics (Hole frontwoman is. If the intention is to uplift marginalized of those who face misogyny, but don’t feel Courtney Love took offense to one image’s voices and give them a platform, then it comfortable accepting the label of ‘grrrl’. similarity to Hole’s Live Through This al- turns out well. If the intention is to emulate “Evolving any movement that sought to bum artwork — Hole were not a riot grrrl the popular aesthetic or the popular sounds, dismantle the same old patriarchal hierar- band, but are conflated often enough with it doesn’t.” chy is great,” says Tamar-kali. “I shirk a bit the scene to contribute to public perception In Tamar-kali’s eyes, the important thing at the term ‘revival’. They say nostalgia is of its aesthetic.) Plus, the track “Brutal” is is that there can continue to be honest the lowest form of engagement. [But] the audibly Bikini Kill-influenced, while the discussion around riot grrrl. “I definitely see movement was a part of rock history and its Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Good 4 U” is space for authentic critical reflection and ethos is alive and well today. So if we vibe full of more general ’90s punk echoes. conversation. It is absolutely necessary. In with this concept of evolution and expan- Meanwhile, the Netflix original mov- other words, acknowledging that riot grrrl sion as opposed to regurgitating or panto- ie Moxie — produced, directed by and was naturally centered around the identities miming the past, the newest expression will co-starring Amy Poehler — centers around and experiences of its founders, and that it meet the moment. riot grrrl; Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl” plays as is simply one part of our collective story.” It’s certainly possible that any movement Hadley Robinson’s main character finds her Meanwhile, VIAL hope that the mainstream under the banner of riot grrrl is bound to its mom’s box of riot grrrl memorabilia. But interest will trickle down, giving smaller initial problems. Though Dalipe still consid- critics of the movie decried its inauthentic- riot grrrl bands a shot at industry success. ers herself a fan of riot grrrl’s bands and a ity and lack of intersectionality. “It was a Kanfield says, “I’d like to see these small supporter of its ethos, because of the scene’s little too much like, let’s stick with this ’90s DIY bands get some money. I would love to exclusionary tendencies she no longer riot grrrl trope, instead of let’s actually dive see these baby bands that have been putting identifies as a riot grrrl. “It kinda made me into what riot grrrl means to kids who are in work for years make enough off of it.” [think] maybe this space wasn’t made for young now,” Grinberg opines. “It’s like, cool, Whether conditions are right for bands people like me, a Brown person who doesn’t we get it, we know what middle aged white like VIAL to reap those rewards still remains really know if she identifies as cis. I’m of ladies think about riot grrrl. I care more to be seen. So does what success would even the opinion that the master’s tools cannot about what do young people of color feel mean for the movement, and whether the dismantle the master’s house, to quote Au- about it?” original scene’s pitfalls could be avoided dre Lorde. I feel like we should just start a For riot grrrl to be stripped into toothless this time. But perhaps it’s enough that a new movement. [One that’s] more inclusive aesthetics is nothing new; the phrase ‘girl new generation of young women and other of people of different gender identities, and power’, which originated in a riot grrrl marginalized identities have stumbled upon a people of color.” zine, entered ubiquity as a mantra used by movement that helps them find a voice. Of course, any youth movement carries the Spice Girls. “There is a huge market “Regardless of how you might feel about potential for profit, and that too can spell for it, and where there is a market there’s what goes on in mainstream music, it is nice trouble. Tramp Stamps, a band with a mark- a threat,” Peletsky says. “But I think even to see more kids getting into it,” says Grin- edly riot grrrl aesthetic and a publishing if that happens, fanzines and stuff like that berg. “And yeah, maybe it’ll be temporary. deal with Dr Luke, sparked weeks of inter- are still home-made. They’re still telling the But if more people are like, ‘Hell yeah, punk net debate when they appeared on TikTok story of women all around the world, going music’, and that makes young girls want this April. Many deemed them an inauthen- through the same s—t that we are. Riot grrrl to make punk music, then f—k yeah. You tic marketing ploy or an “industry plant”, is very personal.” know? Go for it.” and the backlash was substantial enough for Plus, the last year has seen more meaning- Page 13 of 24

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are “no factual grounds” for suspending or silent and step aside immediately.” Britney Spears’ removing him — but, nonetheless, he agrees This article was originally published it’s time to stop the fight. by The Hollywood Reporter. Dad Jamie “It is highly debatable whether a change in conservator at this time would be in Ms. Spears Agrees Spears’ best interests. Nevertheless, even Cardi B Signs as Mr. Spears is the unremitting target of to Step Down as unjustified attacks, he does not believe that With Warner a public battle with his daughter over his Conservator of continuing service as her conservator would Chappell Music be in her best interests,” writes Thoreen in Her Estate the filing. “So even though he must contest Publishing this unjustified Petition for his removal, Mr. BY ASHLEY CULLINS Spears intends to work with the Court and BY TATIANA CIRISANO his daughter’s new attorney to prepare for ritney Spears’ father Jamie an orderly transition to a new conservator. ardi B has signed a publishing Spears has agreed to step away As the Court has likely surmised, before Ms. deal with Warner Chappell Music from his role as conservator of Spears’ new attorney arrived, Mr. Spears (WCM), Billboard can confirm, her estate just weeks after her had already been working on such a transi- moving the hip-hop superstar’s Bnew legal team filed a petition to remove tion with Ms. Spears’ former court-appoint- Ccatalog over from Sony Music Publishing. him and replace him with a CPA. ed counsel, Sam Ingham.” The news, first reported by Variety, brings After 13 years of widespread scrutiny but The filing says Jamie Spears hopes to Cardi B’s recording and publishing under little movement, the circumstances sur- work with Britney’s new legal team to final- the Warner Music Group umbrella, as Cardi rounding Spears’ conservatorship have rap- ize the pending accounting paperwork and has been signed to Warner Music Group’s idly changed in the past two months. It all help ensure a smooth transition. Atlantic Records since 2017. A representa- started when she gave more than 20 minutes “When these matters are resolved, Mr. tive for WCM declined to comment, and of emotional testimony in a June 23 hearing. Spears will be in a position to step aside. But representatives for Sony Music Publishing She told L.A. County Superior Court Judge there are no urgent circumstances justifying could not be reached at press time. Brenda Penny she was traumatized but she’s Mr. Spears’ immediate suspension,” writes Cardi’s move to WCM comes in advance been putting on a brave face for her fans. Thoreen. “Regardless of his formal title, Mr. of her highly-anticipated sophomore “I’ve lied and told the whole world I’m OK Spears will always be Ms. Spears’ father, he album, which will follow up Invasion of and I’m happy,” Spears said. “I truly believe will always love her unconditionally, and he Privacy, her Grammy-winning debut album this conservatorship is abusive. I don’t feel will always look out for her best interests.” released in 2018. She has released a bevy like I can live a full life.” Rosengart on Thursday issued a state- of successful singles in the time since, During the July 14 hearing in which ment describing Jamie’s decision to step including Hot 100 No. 1s “Up” and “WAP” Mathew Rosengart was approved to replace away as “a major victory for Britney Spears with Megan Thee Stallion, and notches Samuel D. Ingham as Spears’ attorney, the and another step toward justice.” her latest feature today, appearing on Liz- singer shared additional comments that His statement makes clear, though, that zo’s brand-new single “Rumors.” made clear she wasn’t happy with her the fight isn’t over. WCM co-chairs Guy Moot and Cari- father’s involvement and accused him of “We are pleased that Mr. Spears and his anne Marshall, alongside president of U.S. conservatorship abuse. Later that month, lawyer have today conceded in a filing that A&R Ryan Press, have signed a string of hit Spears’ legal team filed a petition seeking to he must be removed. We are disappointed, artists and songwriters recently, including appoint Jason Rubin as the successor to the however, by their ongoing shameful and Anderson .Paak, Bruno Mars, Saweetie, 42 conservator of Spears’ estate. Rubin, whose reprehensible attacks on Ms. Spears and oth- Dugg, Belly, Quincy Jones and Cab Cal- background includes financial elder abuse ers,” he said. “We look forward to continuing loway. litigation and considerable forensic account- our vigorous investigation into the conduct of ing experience, would join Jodi Montgom- Mr. Spears, and others, over the past 13 years, ery who says Spears has asked her to stay on while he reaped millions of dollars from his as conservator of her person. daughter’s estate, and I look forward to tak- Jamie Spears’ attorney Vivian Thoreen on ing Mr. Spears’s sworn deposition in the near Thursday filed a response to the petition for future. In the interim, rather than making his removal. It pushes back on many of the false accusations and taking cheap shots at allegations of wrongdoing, and says there his own daughter, Mr. Spears should remain Page 14 of 24

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labels in both Korea and elsewhere have to make, as he is a capable performer. This K-Pop Powerhouse been investing heavily in the fan engage- is, however, doctors’ orders. His continued ment space, which centralizes companies’ health is the most important part of this, and JYP Launches ability to track and monetize fan data via when we heard the doctors — when Tony’s social media, merch stores, email marketing wife, Susan heard them — she said, ‘Abso- Fan-Engagement campaigns and more. lutely not.’” In addition to the launch of JYP Three Danny said his father will be doing Subsidiary Sixty, JYP Entertainment has been making “other things,” but just not those previously a major push in the fan-engagement space scheduled shows. To be clear, Bennett is BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN as of late. Earlier this year, the company not retiring from the road because of any acquired a 23.3% stake in DearUBubble, a vocal issues — by all accounts he was in fine eoul-based JYP Entertain- platform that allows fans to chat with their form at the Radio City shows — but because ment — the label home to favorite artists via private messages. It also Danny said the traveling is just too exhaust- such top-selling K-pop acts recently invested in Zepeto, a Korea-based ing for the 18-time Grammy winner who has as TWICE, iTZY and Day6 — has app and social media platform that gives been entertaining audiences for more than Slaunched JYP Three Sixty (JYP 360°), a new fans the opportunity to interact with artists 75 years. subsidiary that will focus on fan engagement in a virtual world through the use of 3D ani- “We don’t want him to fall on stage, for and maximizing the value of the company’s mated avatars (Blackpink hosted a virtual instance — something as simple as that,” artist IP. signing event on the platform in September). Danny said of the decision to scotch the JYP Three Sixty will provide “next-level Last August, alongside SM Entertainment, run of fall casino gigs, emphasizing that fan experiences” while expanding JYPE’s JYPE also co-founded the virtual concert “we’re not worried about him being able to global distribution and developing new busi- company Beyond LIVE, which has since sing. We are worried, from a physical stand ness opportunities, according to a release. It hosted livestream concerts for TWICE, point… about human nature. Tony’s 95.” will “create and continue to strengthen IP” Stray Kids, NCT, Baekhyun and Taemin. The Radio City shows, “One Last Time: in service of both the label’s existing roster An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady — which also includes such acts as Stray Gaga,” are the precursor the pair’s upcoming Kids, 2PM and JYPE founder J.Y. Park – as Tony Bennett second duets album, Love For Sale (Oct. 1 via well as new artists yet to be launched. Columbia/Interscope Records). Leading the new department as CEO is Retires From JYP Entertainment’s HK Shin, who over- sees TWICE and has been an instrumental Touring Ariana Grande force in introducing the group to U.S. and global audiences. Prior to that, he worked BY GIL KAUFMAN Song Streams on the global music teams at Samsung and Korean tech company Naver. fter playing a pair of standards Spike After Coincidentally, this past January — long shows with pal Lady Gaga at after Shin departed the company — Naver New York’s Radio City Music ‘Fortnite’ Concert invested over $320 million in HYBE En- Hall last week and then cancel- tertainment, the parent company of social lingA his planned 2021 solo tour dates earlier BY TATIANA CIRISANO media app Weverse, which K-pop stars use this week, Tony Bennett’s son/manager to connect with their fans. The massive deal, Danny revealed that the pop icon has of- riana Grande’s rainbow-filled, among others, only served to underscore the ficially retired from the road. pastel-hued concert in Fort- growing value of fan engagement platforms Bennett was slated to play shows in New nite last weekend may have to investors. York, Maryland, Connecticut, Arizona, lasted under 10 minutes, but its Over the past several years, K-pop stars Oklahoma and Canada in the fall, but the impactA lingered long after the show, help- — most notably BTS — have been at the 95 year-old singer whose family revealed ing fuel a spike in streams for the songs forefront of supercharging the artist-to-fan earlier this year that he was diagnosed with included in her set. relationship by harnessing the power of so- Alzheimer’s in 2016 has decided to stay During the concert, an avatar version of cial media to cultivate a sense of intimacy – close to home. the pop star performed hits like “7 rings” and generate additional revenue by offering “There won’t be any additional con- and “Positions” in a range of enchanted prerelease songs and albums, VIP ticketing, certs,” Danny Bennett, who has been his settings, from a swing set in the clouds to merchandise, virtual concerts and more dad’s manager for more than four decades a floating marble castle. Titled “The Rift to their most ardent followers. As a result, told Variety. ”This was a hard decision for us Tour,” the spectacle aired five times inside Page 15 of 24

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the free-to-play video game between Aug. catalog surged 136% the day after his de- become a well-known Bette Midler tune. 6 and 8. Epic Games, Fortnite’s developer, but Fortnite concert. So what could account That cover appeared on her first major-label declined to state how many viewers tuned in for the gap in streaming impact? release, Lone Star State of Mind, in 1987. over the weekend. Unlike “The Rift Tour,” “Astronomical” Griffith was a four-time Grammy nominee, Among the five of Grande’s songs on included the arrival of a brand-new track: winning once: best contemporary folk album the setlist, Dangerous Woman track “Be “The Scotts,” Scott’s collaboration with Kid for Other Voices/Other Rooms in 1994. Alright” was the breakout hit, leading the Cudi that was live-debuted during the way in post-show streams. Total on-demand concert and rocketed to No. 1 on the Hot audio and video streams of the song surged 100 chart the following week. Not counting Executive 123% between Aug. 5 (the night before the “The Scotts,” streams of Travis’ discography event kickoff ) and Aug. 8, from roughly still rose by 38%. But when comparing these Turntable: Dick 42,000 streams to 93,000, according to events, it’s also worth noting that “Astro- MRC Data. As with most of the songs on her nomical” took place just a month into the Clark Productions setlist, streams of “Be Alright” steadily rose coronavirus pandemic, when music fans throughout the weekend: “Be Alright” col- across the globe had nowhere else to go Taps New VP; lected 53,000 streams on Aug. 6; 83,000 on but online – and at roughly the same time Aug 7 and 93,000 on Aug 8. that Scott would have been headlining the PULSE Promotes The second-biggest gains went to Sweet- cancelled Coachella 2020, inadvertently ener’s “R.E.M,” streams of which rose 94% framing his Fortnite performance as a re- Creative Director from 43,000 on Aug. 5 to 84,000 on Aug. placement. All these factors helped Scott 8. Streams of “The Way,” Grande’s 2013 draw a stunning 27.7 million unique players BY HANNAH DAILEY collaboration with Mac Miller, rose 44% to his concert. from 146,000 to 211,000. Streams of thank ick Clark Productions, which u, next standout “7 rings” rose 23% from is part of MRC’s Live & Al- 446,000 to 552,000. “Positions,” Grande’s Nanci Griffith, ternative division, is bringing most recent hit single, gained an extra on Fonda Anita as their new 10,000 or so streams – from 611,000 to Grammy-Winning Dexecutive vp of production. She’ll join the 621,000 – but given the song’s high starting company’s leadership teams and be respon- stream count, the surge only accounted for a Folk Singer/ sible for physical production for all of DCP, 2% increase. which is currently in pre-production for the Grande’s concert also included a hand- Songwriter, 2021 American Music Awards. ful of tracks by other artists, which enjoyed “As we look to attract the best artists and streaming gains as well. Australian rock Dies at 68 producers in everything we do, our internal band Wolfmother’s “Victorious” saw the talent is no exception,” said MRC co-CEO biggest percentage jump of all: Streams BY ASSOCIATED PRESS Modi Wiczyk. “Fonda brings significant ex- rose from close to 3,000 to close to 23,000, perience in production and will be a critical marking a 663% increase. Streams of anci Griffith, the Grammy- addition to our leadership team as we evolve the Labrinth, Sia and Diplo supergroup winning folk singer-songwriter dick clark productions for its next stage of LSD’s track “Audio” jumped 222% from from Texas whose literary songs growth and adapt our business for the ad- 21,000 to 68,000, and streams of “Come like “Love at the Five and Dime” supported streaming emerging around us.” & Go” by Juice Wrld featuring Marshm- Ncelebrated the South, has died. She was 68. Anita most recently served as vp of ello rose 35%, from 564,000 to 759,000. A statement from her management production for tentpoles, events, music & The event doesn’t appear to have made company on Friday (Aug. 13) confirmed her specials for ViacomCBS inclusive of MTV, much of a difference on streams of Grande’s death, but no cause was provided. VH1, CMT, Nickelodeon and BET. She and total catalog, which actually dropped by 2% “It was Nanci’s wish that no further for- her team oversaw production of the music between Aug. 5, when her catalog accumu- mal statement or press release happen for a division including BET Awards, NAACP lated 7.29 million streams, and Aug. 8, when week following her passing,” Gold Mountain Image Awards, The Soul Train Awards, the her catalog collected 7.18 million streams. Entertainment said in a statement. “CMT Music Awards pre-show and MTV “The Rift Tour” was billed as Fortnite’s Griffith worked closely with other folk Video Music Awards pre-show. Her resume follow-up event to Travis Scott’s “Astro- singers, helping the early careers of artists extends beyond award shows though, with nomical” in-game concert in April 2020, but like Lyle Lovett and Emmylou Harris. more than a decade producing projects like Grande’s streaming gains from the concert Griffith was also known for her record- “Showtime at the Apollo,” “Gun Hill” and pale in comparison to Scott’s – whose entire ing of “From a Distance,” which would later MTV’s “Making the Band II.” Page 16 of 24

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Annie Aberle has been elevated to the “SoundExchange is hard at work build- artists around the world on over 20 stream- role of senior creative director at PULSE ing innovative technology systems, growing ing and social platforms, with a mission Music Group, where she previously served our suite of fintech services and expanding to help entertainment professionals make as director of A&R. She’ll work with the our data capabilities to make the busi- smarter and faster music business decisions. publishing company’s A&R team and its ness of music more simple, efficient, and Independent label Mom+Pop Music is roster of songwriters and producers. fair,” Tejeda said. “It’s an exciting time to expanding its digital department with the Aberle brings a packed resume to her new redefine our corporate affairs group with new hires of Michael Schreder and Whit- role, having worked with clients like Tyler best-in-class industry leaders as we level- ney Dublin as directors of digital, Ilana Johnson, who most recently co-wrote & up to meet and surpass the demands of a Lombardo as digital marketing manager produced Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar” digital-first ecosystem.” and Dasha Johnson as digital marketing and co-wrote “Adore You,” ALDAE, who Werner has over 25 years of experience and promotions coordinator. They’ll be co-wrote five songs on Justin Bieber’s album under her belt, having most recently served based in the label’s New York City office and Justice and SG Lewis, who has collaborated as vp, Head of Global Marketing at Global report directly to Lindsay Schapiro, vp, head with artists like Dua Lipa, Nile Rodgers, Citizen, executive director for VH1 Save of digital. Khalid, Robyn, Clairo and Lucky Daye. The Music Foundation and vp, Consumer Prior to joining Mom+Pop, Schreder ran “I’m eternally thankful to Ashley, Scott Marketing and Music Marketing for VH1 DSP pitching and partnerships at digital and Josh for the opportunity they have and LOGO. She’s credited with building music company Believe Music, meanwhile given me, and for everything they’ve done VH1’s Music Marketing and Partnership Dublin ran campaigns as part of the artist to help me grow and be successful since I group, developing long-term relationships and label services team at music distribution joined PULSE,” Aberle said. “I’m so fortu- with brands like Starbucks, Six Flags, Nor- and services company The Orchard. “Joining nate to be part of this team, which epito- wegian Cruise Lines, Club Med and SXSW. the Mom+Pop team last year has been such mizes a genuinely singular kind of creative In her new position, she’ll lead engagement a pleasure,” Schreder said. “I’m thrilled to experience for artist, writers and producers and growth strategies for SoundExchange’s be working alongside an exceptional digital out there. It’s a blessing to call these bril- lineup of creators. team and helping to elevate Mom+Pop art- liant creatives my clients and my family.” Levine joins the company as part of an ists’ releases in new and creative ways.” Flo Millie, 8ae, Kehlani, Trevor Daniel, initiative introduced by Tejeda. Marketing Lombardo previously worked on digi- and Audrey Mika have all been signed to and Entertainment Partnerships is a new tal campaigns at management services PULSE in the past year as an extension of its discipline at SoundExchange, which the firm mtheory and Johnson worked on the deal with EL-P. They join a lineup including former vp, Industry Relations will head. Mom+Pop radio promotion team. The label’s Starrah, Ty Dolla $ign, Rich the Kid, YBN He’ll build strategic brand relationships and digital department has spent the past year Cardae, El-P, YBN Nahmir and OZ. foster alliances to advance SoundExchange driving success for songs like Ashe’s “Moral “What sets PULSE’s A&R team apart is our brand initiatives and impact across tech, of the Story,” Porter Robinson’s “Look at the ability to identify great new artists and song- music, and entertainment. Sky” and Beach Bunny’s “Cloud 9.” It’s also writers before anyone else does and then do Former BMG executive vp Andreas added rising artists such as Frances Forever whatever it takes to help them to reach their Katsambas has joined Charmtetric, an and SEB to its roster. potential,” said senior vp/head of Creative analytics and business intelligence resource “In the throes of extremely uncertain Ashley Calhoun and co-CEOs Scott Cutler for the entertainment industry, as president times, when live music and the music indus- and Josh Abraham. “Since she joined PULSE of strategy, marketing & operations. try at large felt unsteady, my first few weeks Annie has embodied that approach, and she’s Katsambas has assumed senior positions at Mom+Pop reassured me that artists are accomplished some incredible things in a at BMG across his career, most recently as busy - and more creative! - than ever, and very short time. We’re thrilled to have her be leading BMG’s development in Latin those of us working alongside them to sup- a part of our team and congratulate her on America and Canada as executive vp. He port their artistic vision will have plenty to this well-deserved promotion.” oversaw 30 releases achieving diamond, do,” Lombardo said. “From working on new Music technology company SoundEx- platinum, or gold sales status, having joined signings like Frances Forever and SEB, to change has appointed Stephanie Wer- the company as a senior vp and overseeing marketing releases from established acts like ner to be their new vp of brand market- all international releases for North Ameri- Porter Robinson and Sleater-Kinney, every ing and industry engagement and Barry can artists. Prior to that, he founded his own day at Mom+Pop has kept me on my toes. On LeVine to vp of marketing and entertain- independent record label The End Records, our team especially, the past few months has ment partnerships. The two will round out which was acquired by BMG in 2016. shown that informing digital strategy in our the company’s newly-expanded corporate Chartmetric is a tool geared toward the rapidly changing music ecosystem proves to affairs group based in New York and will re- music industry specializing in data collec- be more important than ever before.” port to Esther-Mireya Tejeda, chief market- tion, data cleaning and data visualization. Margaret Yen has joined This Machine, ing and communications officer. The company tracks more than two million the media company of R.J. Cutler, who’s Page 17 of 24

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fresh off the success of her documentary The World’s A Little Blurry following Billie Eil- Bonnaroo and One Year In: ish. Having worked with Cutler in the past documentaries like 30 Days and the Sun- Breakaway Ta-Da! Catering dance Award-winning The September Issue, Yen joins This Machine’s senior executives Festivals Team Up Boss Shelleylyn Trevor Smith and Elise Pearlstein as senior vp of Music, working to oversee and grow With Propeller For Brandler Is ‘Busier the company’s music projects. In the one year since This Machine Sweepstakes Than Ever’ - launched, it has put together the Untitled Martha Stewart Documentary and Big BY DAVE BROOKS And Anxious Vape for Netflix and Murf the Surf at EPIX. “We could not be more excited to wel- onnaroo and the multiple-city About Delta come Margaret to This Machine,” Cutler Breakaway Festival series have said. “She’s a brilliant producer and a great teamed up with social impact- BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN executive, and her taste, vast experience focused digital platform Propel- and unique expertise are the perfect match Bler to raise awareness for important social s the coronavirus pandemic con- for our sensibilities and objectives. This causes via a fan-friendly sweepstakes. tinues to rage in the U.S. thanks in Machine is champing at the bit to grow our For Bonnaroo, one lucky fan and a guest large part to the more-infectious work and relationships within the music will win a chance to join Foo Fighters for a Delta variant, Billboard is catch- industry and Margaret is just the person to secret VIP experience at the sold-out festi- ingA up with individuals we interviewed at help us do so.” val, Sept. 2-5, 2021, in Manchester, Tenn. The the beginning of the crisis to see how they’ve A Grammy award-winner, Yen is a minted iconic rockers will be headlining the festival weathered the past year. music supervisor with a list of credits span- following this year’s release of their tenth This installment is with Shelleylyn ning Extraction, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, studio album, Medicine at Midnight, and Brandler, the owner of Ta-Da! Catering in Los Midnight Sky, The Prom, Moxie, Yes Day, more recently the recorded debut of their Angeles, who has been feeding rock stars and The White Tiger, Kate and the upcoming Dee Gees alter ego album, Hail Satin. their staff backstage since 1998 at festivals Lin-Manuel Miranda musical Tick Tick Fans can enter to win by taking action and venues including Coachella, Vans Warped Boom. “I’m so thrilled to be building a music with Bonnaroo Works Fund via Propel- Tour, The Hollywood Bowl and The Forum. documentary space at This Machine with ler either by making a donation to the fund, After struggling mightily in the early days RJ, Elise and Trevor,” Yen said. “This is an or purchasing a “Radiate Compassion” of the pandemic — including being forced to amazing team of people who inspire trust, poster by Oliver Hibert before Aug. 17, lay off nearly her entire staff — she’s back to build legacy stories and produce fascinating 2021. Bonnaroo Works Fund is a 501(c)(3) catering for such big-name stars as the Foo verité. I can’t think of better collaborators nonprofit organization focused on cham- Fighters, Guns N’ Roses, Green Day and to deliver documentaries that celebrate the pioning those changing the world through the Eagles as concerts resume. But the surg- transformative power of music.” social impact, human development, and ing Delta variant is once again making her community inspiration. anxious about where things are headed. At Breakaway Fest, headliner Martin Gar- First, I went into a little bit of a hiberna- rix who is headlining the traveling multi-city tion, and it felt so good. We just felt like, festival’s Charlotte event, Oct. 1-2, is offer- “Okay, this is just a little forced break.” But ing one fan and a guest a chance at an ex- then it kept going. clusive ultra VIP experience that includes a I was in a really hard spot because a lot meet and greet with the top tier DJ and artist. of the small businesses that were getting Fans can enter to win the Leave It All grants and loans from great organizations Behind sweepstakes by taking action with that were helping restaurants stay open, a mental health charity To Write Love on lot of them asked you to fill out an applica- Her Arms via Propeller. To Write Love tion, and you needed a brick and mortar. on Her Arms is a non-profit movement I have these kitchen trucks. So I was kind dedicated to presenting hope and finding of left with the short straw and not getting help for people struggling with depression, these loans and grants month after month addiction, self-injury and suicide. after month. I was misguided with a lot of my PPP Page 18 of 24

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loans and didn’t get what I probably de- like 1,000 shoes and 250 t-shirts and then really contagious, everyone knows it’s con- served. I received such a minuscule amount the net proceeds will go to helping you pay tagious. I feel that there’s going to be cases, for, like, one person, because we used a the bills however you see fit.” So I thought but as long as we keep the hospitals low, and company that was a payroll company, and that was super cool. I collabed to design a we keep the death rate low, that we might we were told that [my employees were] the Ta-Da catering and Vans tennis shoe. have to come to terms that people are going payroll company’s employees. I had a hard I really got a lot of support from all my to get it. But at least the chance of survival is time even paying my mortgage. clients. I cater this really awesome festival looking better. We definitely pivoted. We were doing called Ohana. Eddie Vedder produces it. Out As told to Chris Eggertsen. a delivery service, but we found that we of nowhere I got a call...I was told by Ed’s were competing with a lot of neighborhood partners in Ohana that he wanted to help restaurants that had that already built into his people who he knew were left out and Classic Eagles their business. weren’t getting financial aid. Ed sent a nice We ended up having to let go of our staff. little check to his crew who worked Ohana. Albums to Be We have some chefs that are dads, and we The check was from him directly, his name tried to give them a little bit of work. I was on it and all. It helped me pay the bills and Reissued as High- even giving people a little bit of money out lifted my spirits still to this day. We split it of my savings that were really, really strug- with some key people here at Ta-Da! too. End Vinyl Box Sets gling. But that wasn’t sustainable. No one reached out to him and asked for a We would get the random call maybe once handout. It was all initiated by him and took BY ROB LEVINE every six weeks, like, “Hey, can you deliver me by surprise, but I was so grateful. to this livestreaming thing?” [At that point] We started at the Greek beginning of he Eagles are back – again. it was just me and my business partner, Chef April. On May 1, we did the first concert at At a time when many classic Mike. It was just like, “Okay, I have to keep SoFi Stadium, Vax Live. It was really excit- rock acts are reissuing albums on my chin up and be willing to take whatever ing for us to be back at work basically just high-end vinyl or as deluxe box comes my way.” And so I would get up, and killing it. We had like 60 employees come Tsets, the Eagles are upping the ante: Rhino the first thing I would do is start washing back. We worked for three weeks on it. Entertainment is licensing the band’s first the dishes. And then start being the prep [Now] we’re busier than we’ve ever been six albums to Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, cook and start building the boxes and doing in our entire lives. It’s like zero to 1,000. We an audiophile label that will release each of whatever I had to do, build the salads, make have so many stadium shows, from Green them as two-disc 45rpm box sets for $125. the little salad dressing cups. Then I would Day to Guns N’ Roses. We have something The band’s first, self-titled album comes go and deliver the meal. for The Eagles. out August 15, followed by Desperado on And then I would drive back to the We did the Foo Fighters for like 10 days September 15 and then later On the Bor- kitchen, do the dishes, take out the trash, [for] rehearsals [at the Forum], and then der, One of These Nights, Hotel California, prep it again, then go deliver the next meal, the band was supposed to come in on July and The Long Run. and then I would have to stop at a restau- 14th, 15th, 16th. Then we got the notice that “We are incredibly honored to be doing rant depot or whatever, get some supplies someone in the organization got a positive these Eagles records,” says Josh Bizar, vp or something, go back to the kitchen, do a COVID test. I guess this is going to be part Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab. The label, which sweep, do a trash, prep for the next morn- of the new norm, I don’t know. Like when has the approval of the band as well as ing. I was working easily from 4 or 5 a.m. to someone gets COVID, are we all gonna just Rhino, is working with Eagles catalog cura- 7 or 8 p.m. stop again? [Ed. Note: the Foo Fighters show tor Richard F. W. Davis. I don’t even usually look back, I just look at the Forum has since been rescheduled to As far as the price, which is typical for forward. But [everything] was crumbling Aug. 26.] Mobile Fidelity’s “Ultradisc One-Step” around me. I was like, “Oh my gosh, I have As we have a few shows under our belt, products, “people will pay more for a quality to go into my retirement money to live?” we noticed all the bands requesting in ad- product,” Bizar says. The label generally Even though every CPA says, “ Whatever vance to “please try and hire all vaccinated presses limited amounts of records – the you do, we don’t want you to spend your staff.” Thankfully, we now have a 100% first two Eagles releases are limited to 7,500 retirement money.” But I had no other road vaccinated staff and we are now able to ac- copies each – which tend to sell out. to go to. I had to put my place on Airbnb. commodate that without question. Audiophiles of a certain age will recog- You do what you have to do. We are going to be really busy starting nize Mobile Fidelity products by the text We’ve been catering Vans Warped Tour about mid-August, all the way till December. “Original Master Recording” that runs for like 20 years. I got a call like end of I mean, who knows, like I said. I’m just hop- across the top of its releases, and it has sold February, beginning of March, and they said, ing this isn’t going the wrong direction. high-end reissues of albums it licenses from “We’re doing this program where we donate I guess my big question is, this thing is labels and other rightsholders since the Page 19 of 24

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seventies. In 1999, Mobile Fidelity was pur- even though he must contest this unjustified chased by entrepreneur Jim Davis, who also Britney Spears’ Petition for his removal, Mr. Spears intends owns MusicDirect, an online store that sells to work with the Court and his daughter’s high-end stereo equipment, as well records Mom Lynne new attorney to prepare for an orderly tran- and CDs. sition to a new conservator.” Over the past decade, as vinyl grew into Reacts to Ex- Rosengart described the move as “a ma- a substantial business, Mobile Fidelity has jor victory for Britney Spears and another been selling reissues on vinyl and audiophile Husband Jamie step toward justice,” while Jamie claimed SACDs – mostly of classic rock acts like Bob that there are “no factual grounds” for Dylan, the Grateful Dead, Dire Straits, and Stepping his removal from the conservatorship. In others. Although the label tends to reissue the latest court papers, he took aim at his artistically significant albums, few of the acts Down From ex-wife, calling Lynne’s claims “ludicrous” it works with are as popular as the Eagles. and her declaration “inaccurate” due to “We try to get to 36 releases a year,” Bizar Conservatorship her little involvement in their daughter’s says. “Like everyone who wants to make conservatorship. records, we’re limited by the amount that BY HERAN MAMO The superstar’s mother claimed in a July can be pressed.” 26-dated filing that her involvement in the Mobile Fidelity’s Ultradisc One-Step ne day after Britney Spears’ conservatorship began at the end of 2018 products are further limited by the way father, Jamie Spears, agreed and continued into 2019, during a period she they’re pressed. Most vinyl is mastered to a to step down from his role as called a “time of crisis.” lacquer disc, which is used to make a “moth- conservator of the pop star’s “I became involved in this conservator- er,” which in turn is used to make stampers Oestate, her mother, Lynne, spoke up about ship because I wanted to ensure that ev- that press heated vinyl into records. But her ex-husband’s decision. erything in my daughter’s life was handled “from lacquer to mother to stamper, you “Lynne Spears is pleased Jamie has in the best interests of my daughter, the lose some detail,” Bizar says. Mobile Fidelity agreed to step down,” Lynne’s attorney conservatee. Which I did not believe at makes its Ultradisc releases by creating a Gladstone N. Jones told Entertainment the time (and I still do not today) to be the “convert” from the lacquer that stamps discs Tonight on Friday (Aug. 13). “Lynne entered case,” she stated in the document obtained directly but can only be used so many times into this conservatorship to protect her by Billboard. “It is clear to me that James P. before it wears out. daughter almost three years ago. She has ac- Spears is incapable of putting my daughter’s complished what she set out to do. She will interests ahead of his own on both a profes- have no further comment.” sional and a personal level and that his being Billboard had reached out to Lynne’s at- and remaining a conservator of my daugh- torneys for comment. ter’s estate is not in the best interests of my On Thursday, Jamie’s lawyer Vivian Lee daughter, the conservatee.” Thoreen filed a response to the petition for Another hearing is currently scheduled his removal, which the singer’s new legal for Sept. 29. team, led by Hollywood power attorney Mathew Rosengart, filed in July after he was approved to replace Samuel D. Ingham as Britney’s attorney during the July 14 hear- ing. Lynne alleged in the petition — which also calls for Jason Rubin, a CPA, to replace her ex as conservator of Britney’s nearly $60 million estate — that Jamie had “absolutely microscopic control” over their 39-year-old superstar daughter’s life and was “incapa- ble” of prioritizing her interests. “Even as Mr. Spears is the unremitting target of unjustified attacks, he does not believe that a public battle with his daughter over his continuing service as her conserva- tor would be in her best interests,” Thoreen wrote in the filing obtained by Billboard. “So Page 20 of 24

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in creating From the Top: Olympians and 34, Barbra Streisand Elton John Exec Rockstars is to inspire young fans around 32, The Beatles the globe to achieve their own success and 32, Frank Sinatra Produces New make their own mark on the world,” Mark 27, Elvis Presley Parkman, Olympic Channel GM, said in a 23, Bob Dylan Series Pairing statement. 22, Madonna And it may even give artists some new 21, Paul McCartney/Wings Music Stars & fans: Consider Brown now a Yungblud 21, Bruce Springsteen enthusiast. “It was so much fun spending 21, George Strait Olympic Athletes: the day with Yungblud, I had the chance to 20, Elton John teach him some skateboarding basics and 20, Prince Exclusive then I got to see him perform,” she said. “It (Notably, The Kidz Bop Kids music brand was SO cool! I loved teaming up with the has collected 24 top 10s, in 2005-16, with its BY MELINDA NEWMAN Olympics to share my story and show girls series of kid-friendly covers of hit singles. around the world that they can do anything The franchise’s early albums were per- ased on his Instagram posts, El- boys can do - they can even do it better!” formed mostly by anonymous studio singers, ton John loves the Olympics. although later releases focused on branding Plus, one of his business ven- named talent.) tures, Rocket Sports, works with Prince Lands Prince first hit the Billboard 200’s top 10 BOlympic athletes on marketing endeavors, on the May 28, 1983-dated chart, when 1999, so it’s no surprise that the Rocket Man 20th Top 10 which was released in 1982, climbed from wants to keep the Olympic flame burning a No. 13 to No. 9 (its original peak; follow- little longer even though the Tokyo games Album on ing his death, the set re-entered the chart just finished. John is the executive producer and hit a new No. 7 peak). on the new Olympic Channel original se- Billboard 200 Welcome 2 America marks Prince’s first ries From the Top: Olympians and Rockstars. debut in the Billboard 200’s top 10 since The series, which pairs a top Olympic ath- Chart With 2014 and his highest entrance since 2009, lete with a musical artist, premieres Monday when Lotus Flow3r/MPLSound/Elix3r de- at Olympics.com with teenage skateboard- ‘Welcome 2 buted at its No. 2 peak. Here’s a recap ing phenomenon Sky Brown and rising of Prince’s 20 top 10 albums on the Billboard star Yungblud. In their three-part segment, America’ 200, listed by peak date. the 13-year old bronze medalist provides Prince’s 20 Top 10 Albums on the Bill- Yungblud with skateboarding tips while he BY KEITH CAULFIELD board 200: performs for her and gives her a guitar les- Peak position, Peak date, Title son. Four more pairings will roll out starting rince’s new archival studio al- No. 1 (24 weeks), beginning Aug. 4, in December. bum Welcome 2 America arrives at 1984, Purple Rain (soundtrack) (Prince and “There has long been an inextricable No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart The Revolution) connection between music and sport, two (dated Aug. 14), garnering the late No. 1 (three weeks), beginning June 1, worlds that often come together for cultural Plegend his 20th top 10 album. With the bow, 1985, Around the World in a Day (Prince and moments around the world,” John said in a he is now among a dozen artists to reach the The Revolution) statement. “With that in mind, I am thrilled milestone since the chart began in 1956. No. 3, May 3, 1986, Parade: Music From to work with the Olympics to continue to Welcome 2 America was recorded in 2010 the Motion Picture Under the Cherry inspire fans around the world and showcase but not released until this July 30. It marks Moon (Prince and The Revolution) the next generation of incredible talent, his first newly-released album to reach the No. 6, May 9, 1987, Sign ‘O’ the Times from the podium to the stage.” Billboard 200’s top 10 since his death on No. 1 (six weeks), beginning July 22, The series, a collaboration between the April 21, 2016, at age 57. 1989, Batman (soundtrack) International Olympic Committee and Here’s an updated look at the artists with No. 6, Sept. 22, 1990, Graffiti Rocket Sports, combines new interviews at least 20 top 10 albums on the Billboard Bridge (soundtrack) with archival footage to show how much 200, from March 24, 1956, when the list No. 3, Nov. 9, 1991, Diamonds and athletes and artists at the tops of their game began publishing on a regular, weekly basis, Pearls (Prince and The New Power Genera- share in common. through Aug. 14, 2021. tion) “Musicians and athletes travel similar Most Billboard 200 Top 10s: No. 5, Oct. 31, 1992, Love Symbol Al- paths to achieve their greatness. Our goal 37, The Rolling Stones bum (Prince and The New Power Genera- Page 21 of 24

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tion) past, Dickinson said he thinks COVID is No. 6, Oct. 14, 1995, The Gold Experience Iron Maiden’s a different case because of it is so highly No. 3, May 8, 2004, Musicology transmissible and could be fatal to the No. 1 (one week), April 8, 2006, 3121 Bruce Dickinson unvaccinated. “Even if you’ve had a double No. 3, Aug. 11, 2007, Planet Earth jab, you can still get COVID, and therefore No. 2, April 18, 2009, Lotus Flow3r/ Reveals you can spread it to other people who might MPLSound/Elix3r (with Bria Valente) not have been vaccinated and they might get No. 5, Oct. 18, 2014, Art Official Age Breakthrough very sick and die,” he told RS. No. 8, Oct. 18, 2014, Plectrumelec- “Now you cannot legislate against mortal- trum (Prince & 3rdEyeGirl) COVID-19 ity. There are many things in this world that No. 1 (one week), May 7, 2016, The Very Best kill people and they’re not illegal but are un- of Prince (debuted Aug. 18, 2001) Infection fortunate. Cancer kills a lot of people. Heart No. 4, May 14, 2016, The Hits/The B- attacks kill a lot of people. Obesity kills a lot Sides (debuted Oct. 2, 1993) BY GIL KAUFMAN of people. Malaria kills a s—-load of people No. 6, May 14, 2016, Ultimate (debuted Sept. every year. … So at some point, we have to 9, 2006) ron Maiden singer Bruce Dickin- just go, ‘We’re probably going to have to live No. 7, May 14, 2016, 1999 (debuted Nov. 20, son is the latest musician to open up with this. And if we’re going to live with it, 1982) about testing positive for COVID-19 then you have your vaccination.’” No. 4, Aug. 14, 2021, Welcome 2 America after being vaccinated. Dickinson, Dickinson’s breakthrough case comes Also, with Welcome 2 America’s debut, I63, postponed the final two shows on his after country icon Reba McEntire revealed Prince now has top 10-charting albums in the U.K. spoken-word tour earlier this week this week that despite being double vaxxed 1980s, ‘90s, 2000s, ‘10s and ‘20s. He’s just the after there was a coronavirus case in his she and her boyfriend also recently tested sixth act to land top 10s in each of the last five “immediate household” and after beginning positive for the highly contagious virus that decades, alongside Paul McCartney, Me- a government-mandated 10-day quarantine has infected nearly 35 million Americans tallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Bruce Springs- at home the metal icon said he began feeling and killed more than 620,000. teen and James Taylor. like he was getting a cold. The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most “I thought, ‘Oh well, s—t.’ I was kind of popular albums of the week in the U.S. based sneezing a bit. For a couple of days, I felt a Reba McEntire on multi-metric consumption as measured bit groggy, kind of like the flu, and that was in equivalent album units. Units comprise it,” Dickinson told Rolling Stone. “I’ve pretty to Host Livestream album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) much got no doubt that had I not had the and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). vaccine, I could be in serious trouble.” Since to Announce 2021 Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 indi- he’s stuck at home, Dickinson has used vidual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 the time to promote the band’s upcoming Country Music ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription double album, Senjutsu, which the band will on-demand official audio and video streams begin touring behind next June. Hall of Fame generated by songs from an album. Though he told the magazine he doesn’t personally believe vaccinations should be Inductees required for fans to attend the shows, he’s ready to hit the road either way. “It is a BY PAUL GREIN personal choice,” he said, adding that he still hopes that his fans will choose to get jabbed. eba McEntire will host a “Personally, I think people are just very livestream on Monday, Aug. 16, in badly advised if they don’t go and get them- which the 2021 Country Music selves double jabbed as quickly as possible, Hall of Fame inductees will be not for the reasons of going into concerts, Rannounced. McEntire was inducted into but for their own health.” the Country Music Hall of Fame, which is Dickinson said he believes that his break- widely considered the ultimate validation through case could have been way worse if for a country music performer, in 2011. he hadn’t been vaccinated and he was happy The Country Music Association has to just stay indoors and not pass it along to livestreamed the Country Music Hall of anyone who might be vulnerable. Fame inductee announcements since 2015. Though he’s refused the flu shot in the Other livestream hosts have included Page 22 of 24

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Brenda Lee, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks & Tri- No. 9-peaking “Touch of Grey.” sha Yearwood, and WSM’s Bill Cody. (Lee, Grateful Dead Gill and Brooks have all been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame; Yearwood Adds Third NEEDTOBREATHE is still waiting for the call.) Inductees are selected in three catego- ‘Dave’s Picks’ Adds Fifth ries: modern era artists (20+ years after first achieving national prominence), veterans No. 1 on Top Rock Top Christian era artists (40+ years after first achieving na- tional prominence) and a third category that Albums Chart Albums No. 1 With rotates between recording and/or touring musicians; songwriters; and non-performers. BY KEVIN RUTHERFORD ‘Into the Mystery’ Last year’s inductees were Marty Stuart, Hank Williams Jr. and songwriter Dean third release in Grateful Dead’s BY JIM ASKER Dillon. The 2019 inductees were Brooks & long-running Dave’s Picks series Dunn, Ray Stevens and record producer and hits No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock EEDTOBREATHE rolls up its label executive Jerry Bradley. Albums chart. fifth No. 1 on Billboard’s Top McEntire has co-hosted the last two CMA ADave’s Picks, Volume 39 debuts at No. 1 Christian Albums chart Awards telecasts. She co-hosted the 2019 on the Top Rock Albums tally dated Aug. 14 (dated Aug. 14) as Into the Mys- show with Carrie Underwood and Dolly with 22,000 equivalent album units, all from Ntery bounds in at the summit. Parton and the 2020 show with Darius album sales, according to MRC Data. In the tracking week ending Aug. 5, the Rucker. She also hosted or cohosted the The album was recorded at the band’s set earned 13,000 equivalent album units, show for three years running from 1990-92. April 26, 1983, concert at The Spectrum in with 9,000 in album sales, according to McEntire has received 51 CMA Awards Philadelphia. MRC Data. nominations. Among female artists, only Grateful Dead’s three leaders on Top Rock All five of NEEDTOBREATHE’s Top Miranda Lambert has amassed more nods Albums, which began in 2006, are all from Christian Albums No. 1s have started atop – 55, plus two more as a member of Pistol the Dave’s Picks series. Volume 32 (also re- the list, among 12 top 10s. The new LP Annies. McEntire is a six-time CMA winner. corded at The Spectrum, on March 24, 1973) concurrently opens at No. 9 on Top Rock She was the first artist to win four times led in November 2019, followed by Volume Albums, where it’s the band’s seventh top 10. for female vocalist of the year (1984-87). 34 (recorded at Miami’s Jai-Alai Fronton on Mystery is the eighth studio LP for In 1986, she became the fourth woman to June 23, 1974) in May 2020. NEEDTOBREATHE, which formed in 1998 win for entertainer of the year, following In between the 34th and 39th editions in Seneca, S.C. It follows previous studio Loretta Lynn (1972), Dolly Parton (1978) and of Dave’s Picks (named for archivist David full-length Out of Body, which arrived in the Barbara Mandrell (1980-81). Lemieux), each release reached chart’s penthouse last September. In between, Live The livestream announcement on Mon- top five, including a pair of No. 2-peaking From the Woods Vol. 2 hit No. 6 on Top day, Aug. 16, will begin promptly at 10 a.m. titles: Volume 35 (from the Philadelphia Christian Albums this May. CT here. Civic Center on April 20, 1984) and Volume On Sept. 7 in St. Louis, NEEDTO- 37 (from multiple shows at the College of BREATHE is set to embark on a 38-city tour William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va., in with supporting acts Switchfoot and The April 1978). New Respects. In all, Grateful Dead boasts 72 Top Rock Albums entries, the most of any act in the chart’s history and more than double the count of its closest competitor, Bob Dylan (31). Volume 39 is also the band’s record-extending 40th top 10 (ahead of runner-up Dylan’s 20). Of the group’s 40 top 10s, 30 are from the Dave’s Picks series. Concurrently, Volume 39 bows at No. 16 on the all-format Billboard 200, the band’s highest rank since In the Dark, which peaked at No. 6 in August 1987. The latter houses the group’s lone Billboard Hot 100 top 10, the Page 23 of 24

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November 1970, All Things Must Pass went pies and 258 clinical trials. In 2017, the orga- The Kid Laroi and on to log eight weeks at No. 1. nization began developing a health-equity Thanks to the release of a special 50th initiative to help underserved communities Justin Bieber’s anniversary edition, the album reenters the by increasing the diversity of enrollment in national chart at No. 9. cancer clinical trials and fund research that ‘Stay’ Reigns addresses cancer inequities. Also known as SU2C, the organization is a Again In Australia Stevie Wonder division of the charitable Entertainment In- dustry Foundation. Katie Couric, among its BY LARS BRANDLE & Common to founders, is set to appear on the special.

t’s another week, another chart title Perform Together for The Kid Laroi, whose collabora- Meek Mill tion with Justin Bieber, “Stay” (Co- for Stand Up to lumbia/Sony), completes a fifth cycle Receives Iat No. 1 in Australia. Cancer Telethon Earlier this week, the track lifted to No. Nelson Mandela 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the BY ASSOCIATED PRESS first leader by an Australian male solo artist Changemaker since Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To tevie Wonder and Common will Know” in 2012. perform together for the seventh Award Elsewhere on the ARIA Singles Stand Up to Cancer telethon, with Chart, The Weeknd’s earns his tenth Top Anthony Anderson, Sofia Vergara BY PAUL GREIN Ten with “Take My Breath” (Universal). It’s Sand husband-and-wife Ken Jeong and Tran new at No. 9 for the highest debut on this Ho as hosts. ap star and social activist Meek week’s frame. Brittany Howard also will perform on Mill received the Nelson Man- Just one place behind is Doja Cat’s “Need the hourlong special on Aug. 21 (8 p.m. ET), dela changemaker award at a To Know” (RCA/Sony), up 17-10. It becomes with Matthew McConaughey, Chandra private event on Thursday. The the U.S. artist’s third Top Ten after “Say So” Wilson, Kate del Castillo, Jennifer Garner, Raward is given by PTTOW! (Plan to Take (No. 4 in March 2020) and “Kiss Me More,” MJ Rodriquez, Tony Hale, Jaime Camil and on the World) — which is described as an which peaked at No. 2 in May 2021 and cur- Max Greenfield among the celebrities help- invitation-only community for CEOs, chief rently holds at No. 7. ing to raise money for cancer research. marketing officers and icons, spanning 70 Meanwhile, Billie Eilish’s Happier Reese Witherspoon and her media entre- major industries. Than Ever (Interscope/Universal) enters a preneur husband, Jim Toth, are serving as Meek was honored for his work with the second week at No. 1 on the ARIA Albums executive producers. REFORM Alliance. He is co-chair of the Chart, and its title track lifts 6-3 on the The event, which is held every other organization, along with Michael Rubin, singles survey. year, will be carried simultaneously and partner in the Philadelphia 76ers. Under Youngn Lipz bags his first chart appear- commercial-free on 60-plus U.S. and Cana- their leadership, the organization has ance with Area Baby (Universal), new at No. dian broadcast, cable and streaming outlets, worked to achieve legislative wins on social 7. The Sydney rapper is going places. Just including ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. Fami- justice initiatives in several states, including this week, he was tapped for Spotify’s global lies who have been affected by the disease, Michigan, Virginia, Georgia and Mississippi. emerging artist program RADAR, which in- including that of an 11-year-old boy with A brief audio clip from Thursday’s pre- cludes features in the RADAR playlist, pro- leukemia, will share their stories. sentation serves as the coda to Meek’s new motional support for his upcoming releases, As prelude to the TV special, the group video, “Mandela Freestyle.” A voice-over on-platform marketing, bespoke content is holding a weeklong fundraising initia- says: “The Nelson Mandela changemaker and social promotion. Also, he won for most tive starting Friday, with celebrities and award recognizes individuals who are performed hip-hop / rap work at the 2021 social media stars “joining forces across carrying on Mr. Mandela’s legacy across APRA Music Awards for “Misunderstood,” social platforms” for the cause, Stand Up to one of the following key pillars — social which appears on Area Baby. Cancer said. equity through activism, community- and Finally, late Beatles great George Har- Since its founding in 2008, Stand Up to nation-building, protection and education rison returns to the ARIA Albums Chart Cancer said it has raised more than $600 of children and youth. So today, we honor with his classic solo album All Things Must million for research that has contributed to Robert ‘Meek Mill’ Williams for carrying on Pass (Universal). Following its release in federal approvals for nine new cancer thera- President Mandela’s legacy.” Page 24 of 24

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“Mandela Freestyle” focuses on Meek’s commitment to criminal justice reform and includes these potent lyrics: “The system broke and we can’t fix it/ Take it to the chop shop/ Pick it apart and build it back/ Make it equal for the brown and Blacks.” Previous winners of the Nelson Mandela changemaker award include Masai Ujiri, Toronto Raptors president and founder of Giants of Africa Foundation; Hugh Evans, Global Citizen CEO/founder; Sharon Stone, actress and humanitarian; Deborah Dugan, former CEO of (RED) and former president/ CEO of the Recording Academy; Sophia Bush, actress and Global Education Access advocate; and Clarence Jones, adviser to Dr. Martin Luther King. Meek Mill, 34, is the first music star to receive the Nelson Mandela change- maker award, though will.i.am and Quincy Jones received other awards from PTTOW!. Meek Mill has had two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200: Dreams Worth More Than Money (2015) and Champion- ships (2018). The latter album brought him his only Grammy nomination (for best rap album) and generated his only top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 to date, “Going Bad” (featuring Drake).