Bulletin YOUR DAILY ENTERTAINMENT NEWS UPDATE AUGUST 4, 2021 Page 1 of 27

INSIDE Sony Music Roars Back With $1.82B

• Live Nation in Quarterly Revenue Revenue Up 677% as Concerts Come Back BY ED CHRISTMAN

• DaBaby ‘Levitating’ Sony’s music operations galloped to an explosive 54% the profit measurement for the quarter over the same Remix Yanked by gain in revenue in the the company’s first fiscal quar- period of 2020. Radio Programmers After Homophobic ter ended June 30, growing to nearly 199 billion yen Streaming growth continues to be the driving force in Remarks ($1.82 billion) as compared to the pandemic-scarred overall growth for both recorded music and music pub- fiscal first quarter of the prior year, when revenue lishing, as the format grew 60.3% to a combined total of • Sony Music totaled 129.2 billion yen ($1.2 billion). 132.7 billion yen ($1.2 billion), as compared to 2020 when Publishing Announces Global Sony’s music operations include Sony Music En- recorded music and music publishing streaming revenue Deal With Olivia tertainment, Sony Music Publishing and Sony Japan. combined for 82.6 billion yen ($769.6 million). Rodrigo When the company’s visual media/platform opera- Sony cited hit titles like Harry Styles’ “Fine Line”; tion, which includes mobile gaming and other income the Lil Nas X singles “Sun Goes Down” and “Montero • New York City to Require Proof streams, is added in, overall music revenues — as (Call Me By Your Name)”; Polo G’s Hall of Fame; Lil of Vaccination for categorized by Sony Corp. — totaled 252.2 billion yen Tjay’s Destined 2 Win; The Kid LAROI’s F*CK LOVE; Indoor Concerts ($2.3 billion) for the quarter, versus 173.7 billion yen Doja Cat’s Planet Her and Hot Pink; KANG DAN- Beginning in ($1.6 billion) in 2020, or a 45.2% increase. IEL’s YELLOW; DJ Khaled’s KHALED KHALED; and September Equally as impressive, operating income grew by Luke Combs’ What You See Is What You Get, among • DaBaby Was 55.4% to 55.4 billion yen ($505.8 million) from the others, as driving revenue during the quarter. Dropped by Working 35.64 billion yen ($331.2 million) garnered in the first Breaking out revenue by music operation: Families Party Before fiscal quarter of 2020. That translates into an operat- —Recorded music generated 151.9 billion yen ($1.39 Other Concerts ing margin of 22%, a significant improvement from the billion) in the first quarter, a nearly 55% increase over Followed Suit 20.5% of revenue recorded in the year earlier period. the first quarter of 2020 (98.1 billion yen, or $911.6 Moreover, without last year’s one-time gain of 7.2 bil- million). That translates into 76.3% of music opera- lion yen ($66.9 million) from the sale of a portion of tions, excluding the visual media/platform, up from • BILLBOARD 200 shares of Pledis, a Korean label, this quarter’s operat- 75.9% in the year earlier period. CLICK ing income would mark a whopping 94.8% growth in (continued)

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A DEEP DIVE LIBRARY stocked with intelligence on fan data, SUBSCRIBE TO BILLBOARD PRO FOR song catalog sales, TV synchs, Africa’s burgeoning music ACCESS TO NEW REPORTS business and the gaming industry’s embrace of artists. AND THE ARCHIVE ALIVE LET IT RAIN (IS THERE ANYBODY) STAND IN YOUR LOVE TOGETHER SONG OF THE YEAR Jason Ingram Ed Cash Ethan Hulse Kirk Franklin Jonathan Smith Capitol CMG Publishing Rita Springer Ran Jackson Way Maker Zach Williams Be Essential Songs Ricky Jackson Anthems of Hope NOBODY Capitol CMG Publishing Josh Kerr Sinach Be Essential Songs Mark Hall EGH Music Publishing Luke Smallbone Capitol CMG Publishing Wisteria Drive Music Bernie Herms Gateway Create Publishing Be Essential Songs Avex USA obo Xeva Music Map Catalogs BNA Bangers BELIEVER Be Essential Songs Curb Dayspring Music Mitch Wong (APRA) BMG Platinum Songs US SYMPHONY Heavenly Junkie Music SONGWRITER OF Capitol CMG Publishing My Refuge Music Dillon Chase Kilns Music THE YEAR Integrity’s Praise! Music Works by Pure Note Songs Cassidy Estevez Richmond Park Publishing Rob Estevez Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing BURN THE SHIPS REASON Luke Guevara Tunes of Black River Ethan Hulse Matt Hales (PRS) Chris Stevens Heritage Worship Music Publishing Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. Rescue Story Luke Smallbone Hot Mess Music International Life Church Worship Publishing Curb Dayspring Music Sony/ATV Tree WAY MAKER Stand In Your Love Kilns Music Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. THE BLESSING Sinach The Father’s House Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc. Chris Brown Capitol CMG Publishing Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. RESCUE STORY Cody Carnes Ethan Hulse Steven Furtick YES I WILL DEAD MAN WALKING Andrew Ripp Kari Jobe Mia Fieldes (APRA) PUBLISHER OF Jordan Sapp Jonathan Smith Be Essential Songs Jonathan Smith THE YEAR Capitol CMG Publishing Zach Williams Capitol CMG Publishing Be Essential Songs Songs by JSAPP Anthems of Hope Kari Jobe Carnes Music Upside Down Under Capitol CMG Publishing Be Essential Songs Music By Elevation Worship Publishing FEAR NO MORE Cashagamble Jet Music Worship Together Music YOU ARE LOVED Believer Blake NeeSmith EGH Music Publishing Writer’s Roof Publishing Sheri Easter Burn the Ships Jason Roy Songs By Fishbone Marcia Henry Dead Man Walking Fear No More Publishing Wisteria Drive Music THE FATHER’S HOUSE Capitol CMG Publishing God’s Not Done With You Harper and Hudson Ben Hastings (APRA) She Loved Music House of Emack Music RIVER Ethan Hulse Sunset Gallery Music Holy Water Map Catalogs Dave Clark Be Essential Songs Let It Rain (Is There Anybody) Moon and Musky Music Karen Peck Capitol CMG Publishing See a Victory Christian Taylor Music EGH Music Publishing Stand In Your Love GOD’S NOT DONE WITH YOU ClearBox Benefit Shout MP Brio Bernie Herms Karen Peck Music The Blessing Tauren Wells Map Catalogs THE GOD I SERVE The Father’s House Be Essential Songs Shakertown Road Music Sonya Isaacs CELEBRATE WITH US! Way Maker Crucialworks Entertainment Rebecca Isaacs Bowman bmi.com/christian2021 You Are Loved G650 Music SEE A VICTORY Karen Peck Pure Note Music Chris Brown Jimmy Yeary Songs of Universal, Inc. Ben Fielding (APRA) Beattyville Music Steven Furtick BMG Platinum Songs US GOING THERE Jason Ingram Christian Taylor Music Lee Black Be Essential Songs ClearBox Benefit Scott Inman Capitol CMG Publishing EMI-Blackwood Music, Inc. MUSIC MOVES Christian Taylor Music Music By Elevation Worship Publishing Karen Peck Music ClearBox Benefit Shout MP Brio Makem Smile Music Sunset Gallery Music R. I. Bowman Music OUR WORLD SOMETIMES IT’S THE RADIO HOLY WATER Joseph Habedank THE GOD WHO STAYS Ed Cash Jimmy Yeary Jonathan Smith Franni Cash Cain Cedar Church Music Be Essential Songs Martin Cash Christian Taylor Music Cashagamble Jet Music Scott Cash ClearBox Benefit Capitol CMG Publishing Sony/ATV Tree We The Kingdom Music Page 3 of 27

IN BRIEF

—Music publishing, which includes Sony enue, that breaks out to streaming at 71.8%; yen to $1 for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, Music Publishing and Sony Japan’s publish- downloads at 4.5%; physical at 13.7%; and 2021; and 107.6 yen to $1 for the fiscal quarter ing operations, garnered 47.1 billion yen other revenue at 10%. In the prior year’s ended June 30, 2020. ($430.4 million), a 51.6% increase over the fiscal first quarter, those percentages were 31.1 billion yen ($289 million) tallied in the streaming at 70.2%; downloads at 7.8%; year earlier period. As a percentage of music physical at 12.9%; and other at 9.1%. Live Nation operations, again excluding visual media/ Within music publishing: platform, that equals 23.7% in the first quar- —Streaming revenue reached 23.6 billion Revenue Up ter of this year, versus 24.1% in 2020’s first yen ($215.6 million), up 69.8% from 13.9 bil- quarter. lion yen ($129.2 million) 677% as Concerts Looking at the recorded music operation —Other income totaled 23.5 billion ($214.8 for the first fiscal quarter of 2021: million), a nearly 37% increase over the Come Back —Streaming revenue grew 58.4% to 109.1 prior corresponding period’s 17.2 billion yen billion yen (996.5 million) from 68.9 billion ($159.8 million) BY GLENN PEOPLES yen ($640.3 million) As a percentage of publishing revenue, —Downloads fell 11.1% to 6.8 billion yen that breaks out to an almost 50/50 split or the period of April 1 to July ($61.7 billion) from 7.6 billion yen ($70.7 versus the year earlier period, when the 1, Live Nation rocketed past its million) ratio ran 44.7% streaming and 55.3% other. performance in the early days of —Overall digital revenue totaled 115.9 billion The company also reported that its music COVID-19 with a 677.2% increase yen ($1.06 billion) versus 76.5 billion yen publishing catalog now encompasses 5.03 Fin revenue the prior-year period and a 98.2% ($711.1 million), an increase of 51.4% million songs, up from 4.86 million. improvement from the first quarter, accord- —Physical sales grew 63.8% to 20.8 billion Looking ahead, Sony Corp. has adjusted ing to the company’s second quarter 2021 yen ($189.8 million) from 12.7 billion yen its forecast for the overall music segment, earnings report released Tuesday (Aug. 3). ($117.9 million) in the year earlier period, including the visual media/platform opera- Ticketing revenue made the greatest leap, when U.S. brick and mortar retail sector was tion, to project annual revenues of 1.04 tril- jumping to $244 million compared to a $87 completely shuttered due to the Covid-19 lion yen and operating income of 190 billion million loss a year earlier. Concert revenue pandemic yen. In April, the company had been project- gained 102.4% year over year and 19.9% from —Other income streams, including mer- ing operating income of 162 billion yen on the first quarter. chandising, live concerts, master recording 990 billion yen in revenue. The company Last weekend’s Lollapalooza festival performance royalties and synchronization, said potential upcoming revenue drivers in- in Chicago was indicative of music fans’ totaled 15.2 billion yen ($139.1 million), a clude releases from Bleachers, Chris Young, pent-up demand for concerts. Along with 71.5% increase from 8.9 billion yen ($82.6 John Mayer, Leon Bridges, Niko Moon, Rolling Loud Miami and Latitude Festival million) WALK THE MOON, Yebba and Khalid. in Suffolk, England, Live Nation hosted As a percentage of recorded music rev- This story uses an exchange rate of 109.5 about 750,000 concertgoers in the past few

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ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] IN BRIEF SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country weekends.Albu Withms; ticket sales Brett and attendance Young and the right ‘Catc dates.” h’-es Fifth AirplayLiquidity on June 30, 2021, was $2.1 “pacing faster than expected,” the compa- Here are the elements details of Live Na- billion — unchanged since Q1 2021 — a com- ny’s positiveLea adjustedder; operating Travis income was tion’sDenning Q2 2021 earnings Makesreport: Historybination of $971 million in available debt “well ahead of where we thought we would Financial metrics - year over year (Q2 capacity and $1.1 billion in free cash. [have] for this quarter,” said CEO Michael 2021 vs. Q2 2020) Event-related deferred revenue was $2.1 SamRapino Hunt during’s second Tuesday’s studio full-length, earnings call. and first in over Revenue:five years, Southside$575.9 million, sales up (up 677.2% 21%) in from the tracking billion week. asOn of Country June 30, Airplay, 2021, it comparedhops 18-15 (11.9 to $0.9 mil- (MCAThat enthusiasmNashville/Universal has led Music the Groupaverage Nashville), fan to debuts$74.1 at No. million 1 on Billboard’s lion audience impressions, billionup 16%). as of June 30, 2020. Long-term de- Topspend Country more Albums on the chartexperience dated April — more 18. In food its first weekAdjusted (ending operatingApril 9), it income: $9.7 million, ferred revenue was $381 million for events earned 46,000 equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingand beverage, to Nielsen more Music/MRC VIP packages Data. and more up from a $431.9 millionand loss total Country Airplay No.that 1 as have “Catch” been (Big rescheduled Machine Label more Group) than ascends one upsets.Southside “The marks pocketbooks Hunt’s second are open,” No. 1 onsaid the Net loss: $210.5 million, down 66% from year2-1, outincreasing as of June 13% to30, 36.6 2021. million impressions. chartpresident and fourthJoe Berchtold top 10. It follows. freshman LP $610.6 million TheYoung’s company first ofexpects six chart adjusted entries, operating“Sleep With - MontevalloTicketing, which was arrivedthe biggest at the factor summit to inLive No - Financial metrics - sequential (Q2 2021 vs. incomeout You,” to bereached positive No. in 2 in the December second half2016. of He vemberNation’s 2014 second and reigned quarter for recovery nine weeks. by To con date,- Q1 2021) 2021.followed with the multiweek No. 1s “In Case You Montevallo has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved milliontributing in album $99.4 sales.million of adjusted operat- Revenue: up 98.2% from $290.6 million You”Stock (three, market January 2018), “Mercy” (two, August ingMontevallo income to has offset spent 267the weeks concert on the division’s list, tying Adjusted operating income: up from a 2018)Enterprise and “Here value Tonight” on August (two, April 3, 2021: 2019). $21.1 Luke$84 millionBryan’s CrashAOI loss. My Party Helped as the by sixth-longest- a high $151.7 million loss billion,“Catch” down completes 4.9% from his longest $22.2 billionjourney onto No. 1, runningnumber titles of concerts in the chart’s going 56-year on sale, history. June was Net loss: down 34.8% from $322.7 million Marchhaving 31, taken 2021. 46 weeks to reach the apex. It out- TicketmasterOn the all-genre North Billboard America’s 200, fourth-bestSouthside ar- Division metrics - year over year (Q2 2021 paces12-month the 30-week price change:climb of “Hereup 167.8%, Tonight.” from rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for HUNT YOUNG aftermonth the ever No. 3-peaking and the U.S. Montevallo concerts. division vs. Q2 2020) $46.67a new high.to $78.33. setHunt a record first released for most the shows EPX2C put, which on sale debuted — Concerts revenue: $287 million, up Of the 15 analyst ratings for Live Nation and50% peaked higher at than No. the 5 on previous Top Country record Albums set in in August102.4% 2014. from Following $141.8 million COMBS ‘DOES’ IT AGAIN Luketracked Combs by Refinitv,’ “Does to Me” 9 recommend (River House/Columbia buys, 5 MontevalloMarch 2019., Between With the the 2022Pines: concert Acoustic pipeline Mixtape startedTicketing at its No. 7revenue: high in $244Nashville), million, featuring up from Eric Churchare hold, ascends and 1 11-8is sell. on Country The 12 analystAirplay, upprice 10% to Novemberup double 2015. digits from 2019, event-related a $87 million loss 24.7 million in audience. Thetargets song istracked Combs’ have eighth an straight average career-opening of $93.50. 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:deferred “Leave revenue the Night— from On,” advance “Take Your ticket Time,” “HouseAdvertising Party” and “Makeand sponsorships promoted revenue: No. 1 singles. Major Events of Q2 and Q3 (to date) 2021 Yousales Miss — was Me.” up “Break $650 Up million in a Small to $2.1 Town” billion. peaked at No.$44.6 2. million, up 142.4% fromChurch $18.4 adds million his 15th CountryDebuted Airplay a top one-week, 10. “Return to Live” Hunt“We’re co-penned content allwith 12 songsour ’22 on lineup Southside right, including Division “Body Like metrics a Back - sequential (Q2 2021 vs. promotion with $20 tickets to almost 1,000 Road,”now,” said which Rapino. was released Billie inEilish, 2017. JohnThe smash Mayer hit ruledQ1 Country 2021) Airplay for THAT TOOK QUITE ‘A FEW’concerts MONTHS in Travis 2021. Denning shatters the record for threeand Alanis weeks andMorissette the airplay-, are streaming-among the and artists sales-based Concerts Hot Country revenue: Songs upthe 19.9% most from weeks $239.4 it has taken toTicketmaster penetrate the Country extended Airplay its deal top with10 as “AfterASM 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 - Floridawith Live Georgia Nation Line dates’s “Meant set for to Be”2022. (50 “We’re weeks atop themillion latter list in 2017-18). lion in radio reach. Global. talking“Downtown’s mostly aboutDead,” what which to is add also now on the into new set, reachedTicketing Nos. 14revenue: and 15 up 762.2%The song from surpasses $28.3 two tracksAcquired that took Mellen 50 weeks Events, each toa Western enter the topAus 10:- on’23 Hot and Country ’24... We’ve Songs got and three, Country four Airplay, years respectively, million in June 2018. “Kin- Easton Corbin’s “A Girl Liketralia You,” touring which reachedcompany. No. 10 in January 2018 be- folks”here of led strong Country demand Airplay [that] on Feb. we’re 29, becoming going to Hunt’s Advertisingseventh No. 1. and It hit sponsorships fore peaking revenue: at No. 6 up that February,Announced and Aaron partnership Watson’s “Outtawith French Style,” which No.smooth 3 on Hot out Country over time Songs. so everyone can get 97.3% from $22.6 millionachieved its No. 10 high in Decemberticketing retailer2017. Carrefour Spectacles for 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 the right market and the right Friday nights Additional financial information online sales and over 600 ticket offices. 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

“Levitating” two days after DaBaby’s Rolling “We wanted to not do a knee-jerk reac- DaBaby Loud comments. “It wasn’t a difficult deci- tion, but do the right thing,” says the Long sion. We haven’t done a huge press release. Island programmer. “And his comments ‘Levitating’ Remix We just think it’s the right thing to do.” were unacceptable.” Until DaBaby appeared at Rolling Loud, Yanked by Radio his “Levitating” remix was driving the song’s popularity: As of July 29, the remix Sony Music Programmers had 79% of the song’s more than 650 million on-demand streams across all versions, ac- Publishing After Homophobic cording to MRC Data. (Of that, 511.5 million on-demand streams were for the DaBaby Announces Global Remarks remix, 117.6 million for the original Dua Lipa solo version, and 22.1 million for other ver- Deal With Olivia BY STEVE KNOPPER sions, including remixes with Madonna and Missy Elliott.) Rodrigo ua Lipa wasn’t the only one Some programmers see the controversy “horrified” by DaBaby’s re- as a mixed blessing, since audiences were BY KRISTIN ROBINSON marks about people with HIV starting to tire of the DaBaby version. “The and AIDS at last week’s Rolling Dua Lipa mix sounds good. And you get fter months of working together, DLoud festival in Miami. Radio programmers burn on records, so it’s perfect timing,” adds on Wednesday (Aug. 4) Sony who play the pop star’s music have stripped Rice, also Cox Media Group’s Top 40 format Music Publishing officially -an the rapper from the air over the past 10 leader. “That wasn’t the intention, but some nounced the signing of teenage days, shifting to Lipa’s solo version of top things just work out like that.” popA phenom Olivia Rodrigo to a worldwide five smash “Levitating” that was released in In a July 27 Instagram post, Lipa said of publishing deal. March 2020 with her Future Nostalgia al- DaBaby: “I really don’t recognize this as The agreement has been in place for bum rather than the DaBaby remix that the person I worked with. I know my fans months and includes the track list of her dropped last October and has become a know where my heart lies and that I stand chart-topping debut album, SOUR, as well smash hit. 100% with the LGBTQ community.” (War- as future works created under the deal. Audacy, the country’s second largest radio ner reps wouldn’t comment for this story. Rodrigo’s collaborator, songwriter and chain, tells Billboard it removed the remix The biggest radio chain, iHeartMedia, also producer Daniel “Dan” Leonard Nigro — from the airwaves “in light of DaBaby’s wouldn’t comment, but on Tuesday it joined with whom she worked closely on her debut homophobic statements.” Austin City Limits and other major festivals album SOUR — is also repped by Sony. “We pulled everything,” says Will Calder, in dropping DaBaby from its upcoming Rodrigo is by far this year’s biggest branding and programming director for iHeartRadio Music Festival.) breakthrough success, beginning with the Cox Media Group-owned Florida pop sta- Lipa’s post influenced radio executives’ release of her smash debut “drivers license” tions Hot 101.5 in Tampa and Power 95.3 in decisions: Audacy’s statement said it was and follow-up “good 4 u,” both of which Orlando. “I couldn’t allow that stuff to air on “following the lead of Dua Lipa on this.” held the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 in my radio stations and be justified with the But the Cox programmers said they paid 2021 for a combined total of nine weeks. support of the community.” most attention to their own DJs and listen- The SOUR songs helped land Rodrigo and On July 27, 70.2% of the radio stations ers. Miguel Fuller, a Hot 101.5 morning- Nigro in a tie atop the Hot 100 Songs song- playing “Levitating” opted for the hit show host in Tampa Bay, is an outspoken writer rankings for the period of Jan. 1 to DaBaby remix that’s currently sitting at No. LGBTQ supporter who was the St. Pete April 1. They also led the Top Radio Air- 5 on the Hot 100, according to MRC Data; Pride parade’s grand marshal in 2016, play’s songwriters tally from April 1 to July on Aug. 2, just 49.5% of stations aired that and the station has followed his lead. “We 1, and split the top two positions on Hot 100 version. Overall, “Levitating” remains a switched to the version without DaBaby Songs for that period with Rodrigo at No. 1 robust radio hit, with combined airplay for immediately,” Calder says. “It’s times like and Nigro at No. 2. both versions dropping only slightly from these that really show what matter outside Within weeks of SOUR’s May 21 release, an audience of 12.3 million on July 20 to just of the one Pride month that’s designated out the album smashed record after record. Not over 12 million on Aug. 2. of the year.” only was the project the biggest debut of the “His comments were just plain wrong, In Long Island, Rice’s team asked listen- year, it also earned the most U.S. audio streams and hurtful,” says Jeremy Rice, branding ers for comments via social media and on from a female debut album ever. It was RIAA- and programming director for WBLI in the air before switching to the solo Lipa certified gold in its first week and saw the Long Island, N.Y., which shifted to the solo version. placement of all eleven tracks in the top 30 WE’RE BACK, LIVE IN MIAMI

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of Billboard’s Hot 100, cementing Rodrigo as The new mandate will require vaccina- cilmember Mark Levine, who also serves the first female artist (and fourth artist overall) tion for workers and customers within as the chair of the New York City Council’s ever to achieve this accomplishment. indoor dining, fitness and entertainment fa- Committee on Health. As Sony Music Publishing Chairman and cilities, and is slated to begin rolling out the “I’m confident this will bring about an CEO, Jon Platt, puts it, Olivia Rodrigo is a week of Aug. 16. It won’t be fully enforced increase in vaccination at a moment when “once-in-a-generation talent with the heart until a month later, beginning Sept. 13, and we desperately need it,” de Blasio said. “This of a true songwriter.” For the Disney darling is timed to school reopenings and return- is not an easy policy. It’s not a policy without turned hitmaker, there is “nothing [she] to-office plans. Broadway is also slated to controversy. But that has defined every loves more than songwriting,” and is “ex- reopen Sept. 14. difficult decision we’ve had to make in this cited to be working with the team at Sony “The only way to patronize these estab- crisis.” Music Publishing.” lishments indoors will be if you’re vaccinat- As for unvaccinated children below the Sony held the top spot on both Top Radio ed — at least one dose,” de Blasio said during age of 12, de Blasio said that the city is “ap- Airplay and Hot 100 Songs publishers charts the press conference. “The same for folks in proaching 250,000 12- to 17-year-olds who for the period from April 1 to July 1. terms of work, they’ll need at least one dose. have already been vaccinated” before con- According to Sony Music Publishing This is crucial because we know this will firming that within the next two weeks, his senior vp creative, Jennifer Knoepfle, SMP encourage a lot more vaccination.” office will be working with business leaders is “so lucky to support [Olivia] from the De Blasio confirmed the mandate will be and health officials to finalize policies beginning of what will surely be a long and enforced through “a strategy” dubbed “Key around children under 12 and stressing that fruitful career.” to NYC Pass.” The health pass — or vaccine the focus remains on getting as many people Added Sony Music Publishing director, passport — program will allow city residents who are currently eligible vaccinated. A&R Thomas Krottinger, who signed Ro- to provide proof of vaccination to busi- “We’re focusing on where we can have an drigo: “It has been a great privilege to work nesses and venues through the city’s app, impact and that’s among those who can be with Olivia over the last year – she constant- the Excelsior Pass or their CDC vaccination vaccinated,” de Blasio said. “We’re not going ly pushes her creative boundaries, allowing card. “We need people to use one of those to exclude those under 12. We want them her to craft genuine, emotive songs that things if they want to go to indoor dining to be safe, we want them to be careful. But transcend genres and bring people together. or entertainment or fitness facilities,” the really what we’re trying to do here is focus We are honored to partner with Olivia and mayor said. on the folks who could be vaccinated. The her incredible team, and we are beyond “It’s pretty straightforward. You check whole purpose of doing this is to give people excited to champion her as she continues someone’s vaccination status at the door,” the ultimate incentive to get vaccinated if inspiring the world!” he later added. “People check in to go to a they’re eligible.” restaurant or bar or anything. You check He later added, “We do expect in the next their vaccination status. If they have it great. few months, kids in the 5 to 11 range will New York City to If they don’t, turn around.” become eligible.” De Blasio also stated that general inspec- Dr. Jay Varma, who has been the city’s Require Proof of tions, penalties and enforcement for the ini- main spokesperson and architect of its CO- tiative are not set to begin until September VID-19 pandemic response since April Vaccination for to allow the city and its businesses “some 2020, also emphasized that the city will be time to get people ready.” using a layered approach — from indoor Indoor Concerts The policy aims to encourage vaccination masking to “extensive improvements in around the city amid rising COVID-19 cases, indoor ventilation” — to help tackle the pan- Beginning in due in part to the rapid spread of the delta demic alongside the vaccination mandate. variant, which has become the city’s domi- De Blasio attributed the city’s decision September nant strain. According to city data, just 55 around mandatory vaccinations for indoor percent of New Yorkers are fully vaccinated, activities to the private sector, including the BY ABBEY WHITE while around 60 percent have at least one recent announcements by fitness compa- dose. nies like Equinox, as well as the Broadway ew York City Mayor Bill de Bla- “This measure will make indoor settings community. “I want to thank Equinox and sio announced Tuesday morning where people are likely to take their mask SoulCycle for the decision they made about that proof of vaccination will be off, they’re likely to be close together, social- vaccine mandates,” he said. “I want to thank required to participate in indoor izing, speaking where ventilation may not be everyone in the Broadway community for Nactivities, including live performances and good — in short, all the conditions that the the decision they made related to indoor entertainment, a first-of-its-kind program in delta virus wants to spread — this initiative performances.” the U.S. will make those places safer,” said Coun- “Not everyone is going to agree with this, O N S A L E SEPT. 18, 2021

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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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I understand that,” de Blasio said. “But for referring to the anti-queer rhetoric that of DaBaby’s statements, on-site HIV testing so many people, this is going to be the life- was spread during the start of the AIDS services. “That’s why we want it to be a free saving act. That we’re putting a mandate crisis in the 1980s. “It was just really awful event,” Stamp says. “So that people can just in place that is going to guarantee a much to hear.” enjoy each other and be with their com- higher level of vaccination in this city — that Stamp got to work and helped her orga- munity, but also do it for a message and for is the key to protecting people and the key nization become the first live music event a change.” to our recovery.” to drop DaBaby from its roster on July But cutting a headliner also typically This story was originally published by The 26. Can’t Wait Live: A Concert for Jobs, means losing money, and for a grassroots Hollywood Reporter. Climate & Care, a free concert set to be organization like the Working Families held in Philadelphia on Aug. 13 in support Party, the decision to drop a big name could of the Working Families Party, originally mean a serious financial hit. Stamp acknowl- DaBaby Was had DaBaby slated as its headlining act, edged that fact, but argued that dollar signs alongside Saweetie and Wyclef Jean. But shouldn’t change the outcome, especially Dropped by less than 24 hours after DaBaby made his when your organization is founded on controversial statements at Rolling Loud, deeply held moral principles. Working Families the organization announced via social me- “It doesn’t feel good, but to be honest, dia that he would no longer be appearing as does it feel good to give resources to some- Party Before their headlining act. one who publicly states values that are not “Our organizations are committed to a in line with your organization’s? No, that Other Concerts just and equitable world for all. That means doesn’t feel good, either,” she says. “At the dealing with the contradictions that come end of the day, a lot of stuff doesn’t feel good Followed Suit with meeting people where they are, and when you’re in a movement, so we’re used organizing across place and circumstance to to that. We’re not in the business of making BY STEPHEN DAW deliver the structural changes that our com- people feel good ... discomfort has its place munities need,” the party’s statement read. in doing what’s right.” ell before the whirlwind “That also means we have to hold people Stamp says she was heartened to see 72-hour span that saw Da- accountable and live to our values, which most major music festivals drop DaBaby Baby dropped from a slew is why there is a change in our lineup. Our from their lineups; now, she’s hoping they of music festivals, a com- fight for jobs, care, climate and immigration take it a step further and offer help to the parativelyW modest free concert organized by only works if we uphold those values.” communities that the rapper offended. the Working Families Party became the first “Things like this aren’t easy,” Stamp says “I’m glad that so many people are holding to remove the rapper from its lineup due of the decision. “We got together and we each other accountable, so now it’s like, to a string of homophobic comments he just talked about how could we make an an- ‘What are some ways to pivot to the issue at made. nouncement that focused on the fact that we hand?’” she asks. “It would be great if these “If you didn’t show up today with HIV, know this [DaBaby’s comments] is wrong, festivals now put more resources into the AIDS, or any of them deadly sexually trans- but also really re-pivot and not make it LGBTQ community. Maybe you offer free mitted diseases that’ll make you die in two about any individual. Rather, it was a situa- HIV testing at the festival. I understand to three weeks, then put your cellphone tion where we could say, ‘This is what we’re that you can’t do it all, but there’s a level of lighter up,” the rapper told the Miami crowd fighting for.’” things that I feel like we could really get to at Rolling Loud on July 25. “Ladies, if your That strategy — remove DaBaby and focus do here.” p—-y smell like water, put your cellphone on what Working Families Party is working As for DaBaby, Stamp makes clear that lighter up. Fellas, if you ain’t sucking di— in towards — can be seen directly in the make- people should be allowed to learn from their the parking lot, put your cellphone lighter up of the event. Can’t Wait Live serves not mistakes. “I’m not trying to give DaBaby up.” (DaBaby issued a formal apology on only as a concert but as a rally where artists any excuses, he doubled down on what he Monday, Aug. 2.) and activists in attendance will publicly said,” she says. “But we’re still living in this For Nelini Stamp, director of strategy and demand that Congress pass “a legislative society where we’re trained some bad stuff, partnerships with the Working Families package that makes meaningful investments you know?” Party, the 29-year-old rapper’s comments in jobs, climate, care, housing, and immigra- When the rapper apologized publicly af- came as a shock and a disappointment. “The tion,” according to the event’s summary. ter being dropped by major music festivals, reality is that, especially because there’s According to Stamp, that’s just a start — Stamp highlighted the fact that change is been years of misinformation about HIV the organization is also working to provide possible for everyone, even in the worst and AIDS, [those comments] reminded me a suite of services to those who attend, cases. “We believe in the power of transfor- a little bit of the ‘80s,” she tells Billboard, including on-site legal services, and in light mational change,” she says. “Time and time Page 12 of 27

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again we’ve seen communities do the deep, subscription tiers by giving users the ability labels investing in NFT platforms, as they structural work it takes to hold people ac- to pick and choose what they want to listen seek out the next big thing in music. Warner countable for the harm they’ve caused, and to with unlimited skips but with interrup- Music Group is an early investor in Dapper we’ve seen people learn, grow, and make tions from ads. Labs, the company behind NBA Top Shot, fundamental changes to repair that harm.” “We’re always working to enhance the popular NFT platform, investing in the Stamp hopes the rapper is sincere in his the Spotify experience and we routinely startup back in 2019. apology, so that the work toward healing conduct tests to inform our decisions,” the The major labels have made it clear that can begin. “This concert is a testament Spotify spokesperson said. “We’re currently NFTs will be a notable part of their future to the power of transformational change, conducting a test of an ad-supported sub- plans and the rollout strategies around with people coming together across lines of scription plan with a limited number of our albums moving forward, but the volatility difference to demand that people in power users. Some tests end up paving the way for of NFTs alongside environmental issues has deliver the jobs, care and climate solutions new offerings or enhancements while others pushed the majors into taking a slow and our communities need to thrive,” she says. may only provide learnings.” steady approach in both investments and “If DaBaby makes it clear that he’s ready for During Spotify’s latest quarterly earn- consumer-facing products. real accountability and is ready to fight for ings, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek noted that Sony Music did not disclose the size of all of us to thrive, our communities are here advertising revenue had become a “second their investment in MakersPlace. and ready to have those conversations.” big revenue driver” for the company. Spotify Can’t Wait Live: A Concert for Jobs, Premium brought in €2.06 billion (~$2.44 Climate & Care will take place 4:30 p.m. ET billion) in revenue during Q2, while ad- Recording on Friday, Aug. 13 at The Mann Center’s TD supported brought in €275 million (~$326 Pavilion in Philadelphia. For more informa- million). Academy to Use tion, click here. This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter. Inclusion Rider Spotify Tests for 2022 Grammy Sony Music Ad-Supported Awards Invests in NFT Subscription Tier Marketplace BY MIA NAZARENO for $0.99 a Month he Recording Academy is set to in- MakersPlace corporate an inclusion rider in BY J. CLARA CHAN hiring contracts for the upcoming BY MICAH SINGLETON Grammy Awards, set for Jan. 31 at potify is testing an ad-supported TStaples Center in Los Angeles. This would subscription tier that will allow FT marketplace MakersPlace make the Grammys the first major awards users to play songs of their choice, has raised $30 million as part show to publicly commit to such a clause. with unlimited skips, for $0.99 a of its Series A funding round In collaboration with Color of Smonth, a Spotify spokesperson confirmed from investors including Sony Change, the Academy’s addition of an inclu- to The Hollywood Reporter. NMusic Entertainment, Eminem, former Def sion rider is intended to create a more di- Called Spotify Plus, the subscription tier Jam CEO Paul Rosenberg, and NFT early verse awards ceremony through the imple- is a fraction of the price of Spotify Premium, adopter and DJ 3LAU, the company an- mentation of more equitable recruiting the $9.99/month ad-free offering. It is cur- nounced Wednesday (Aug. 4). and hiring practices. rently being tested with a “limited number It has been an excellent year for Maker- The inclusion rider will be added as an of users,” according to the spokesperson, at sPlace, which has so far conducted more addendum to the contracts between the a variety of price points — including $0.99 a than $100 million in transactions this year, Recording Academy and Fulwell 73 Produc- month. including facilitating the $69.3 million sale tions, the Grammys’ production company. Spotify’s ad-supported free tier currently of Beeple’s Everydays: The First 5000 Days The goal of the inclusion rider is “to make only allows users to play music on shuffle with the storied auction house Christie’s — its best effort to recruit, audition, interview, mode and limits users to skipping songs up the most expensive NFT sale in history and and hire on-stage and off-stage people who to six times per hour. Spotify Plus, which the biggest digital artwork sale in history. have been historically and systematically was first reported on by The Verge, would The investment into MakersPlace by excluded from the industry,” according to a sit in-between Spotify’s free and premium Sony Music continues the pattern of major press statement. Page 13 of 27

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As the Grammys continue to push for director at Warner Music | Blavatnik Center people and the venues to reschedule,” diversity within its organization and on- for Music Business at Howard University. Brooks said in a statement. “We have a stage, CEO Harvey Mason Jr. says he hopes The Academy’s full inclusion rider adden- three-week window coming up where we, other organizations will follow suit. “We’re dum will be made public on Sept. 16. as a group, will assess the remainder of the honored to work alongside Color Of Change The first time many people heard the stadium tour this year. It’s humbling to see and the inclusion rider’s esteemed co- phrase “inclusion rider” was at the Acad- people put this much faith in you as an art- authors as we take this monumental step emy Awards in March 2018, when Frances ist, and it kills me to think I am letting them to ensure equitable industry standards that McDormand won best actress for Three down.” support a more diverse and inclusive music Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. After Brooks typically announces a show community,” he said in a statement. “As the asking “all the female nominees in every around two months in advance, rolling out Academy continues its transformational category” to stand, she said: “Look around, the dates one at a time. Also on the docket journey, diversifying our industry is at the ladies and gentlemen, because we all have are two sold-out stadium dates rescheduled core of every decision we make. We’re stories to tell and projects we need financed. from the pandemic: a Sept. 18 Cincinnati dedicated to fostering an environment of Don’t talk to us about it at the parties to- show and a Sept. 25 Charlotte, N.C., show, as inclusion industry-wide and hope that our night. Invite us into your office in a couple well as newly announced dates in Baltimore efforts set an example for our peers in the days — or you can come to ours, whichever on Oct. 2 and Boston on Oct. 9. Prior to the music community.” suits you best — and we’ll tell you all about pandemic, Brooks was playing a show every In collaboration with Color of Change, a them. I have two words to leave with you three weeks or so; for the summer and fall, civil rights nonprofit, the inclusion rider ini- tonight, ladies and gentlemen: inclusion he was hoping for a show every weekend, tiative at next year’s Grammys is a practical rider.” and he has kept close to that pace. way for the Academy to support historically After a 16-month pandemic-imposed underrepresented communities in media hiatus, Brooks relaunched his tour July 10 in and entertainment. “There are a lot of un- Garth Brooks Las Vegas, followed by Salt Lake City (July written rules in the entertainment industry 17) and Cheyenne, Wyo. (July 23), mak- that create racial exclusion, and at Col- to Re-Evaluate ing him one of the first acts to go back into or Of Change, we know that to change soci- stadiums at full capacity. His July 31 stadium ety you have to change the rules,” Rashad Stadium Tour show in Nashville was canceled because of Robinson, president of Color of Change, weather and a new date has not been an- said in a statement. “This Inclusion Rider is Amid Surging nounced. a written rule that will change the culture While Brooks requires that his band and of hiring at the Grammys, and will make Pandemic crew be vaccinated and masked backstage, inclusion the norm. We are proud to partner the tour is relying on local COVID protocols with the Recording Academy and hope that BY MELINDA NEWMAN for concert attendees. In a press confer- this joint effort inspires other entertainment ence prior to the Nashville show, Brooks industry leaders to join us in our fight for month after Garth Brooks re- suggested that fans do what they feel is right equity by adopting the Inclusion Rider.” started his three-year stadium for them: “If you see somebody in a mask, Co-written by Kalpana Kotagal, a civil tour, the country superstar says don’t look odd at them. If you’re seeing rights lawyer and partner at Cohen Milstein after his next two shows, he will somebody not wearing a mask, don’t look Sellers & Toll, the rider clause is intended reassessA if he should continue given the CO- odd at them.” to keep institutions accountable in creating VID-19 resurgence due to the fast-spreading As he prepared to return to the road, change. “The Grammy Awards inclusion delta variant. Brooks told Billboard in late June that rider will include the fundamental elements Brooks’ Aug. 7 show at Kansas City’s Ar- keeping everyone safe was his top prior- of the tool, including a commitment to deep- rowhead Stadium will go on as planned, as ity. “Let’s say we get the best reviews we’ve ening and diversifying hiring pools, setting will the Aug. 14 show at Memorial Stadium ever gotten in our life; still, for me, the most benchmarks and targets for hiring, collect- in Lincoln, Neb. According to Brooks’ web- important thing is what happens after that ing and thoroughly analyzing applicant and site, more than 74,500 tickets have been sold in that city,” he said. “Did everyone come hiring data and implementing accountability for the first show and over 86,000 for the out of it OK? And if so, then, thank you, God. measures,” says Kotagal. second. That’s what you’re hoping for more than Besides Kotagal, the inclusion rider was However, tickets for Sept. 4’s Seattle show anything.” co-authored by Fanshen Cox, head of at Lumen Field, which were slated to go on Brooks’ representatives did not immedi- strategic outreach at Pearl Street Films; Va- sale Friday, have been put on hold. ately respond to a query if they were aware leisha Butterfield Jones, co-president at “It breaks my heart to see city after city of any COVID cases traceable to his concerts the Academy; and Ryan Butler, founding go on sale and then have to ask those sweet and there have been no press reports of any Page 14 of 27

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resulting outbreaks from his outdoor shows. before his set at Lollapalooza would be a Brooks is now having to contemplate the sincere apology. How Usher one thing he said he didn’t want to have to But the video never arrived. On Sunday consider. When asked in June what would morning, Lollapalooza issued a statement Landed in Las happen if he had to shut down, he told Bill- via social media, saying, “DaBaby will no board, “I don’t know. I have to tell you the longer be performing at Grant Park to- Vegas — And truth — after 16 months of being shut down night.” As the day wore on, news began to from financially to mentally, everything, I trickle out that DaBaby’s camp had missed Rekindled the just don’t want to think about it. I’m sure its deadline to deliver the apology video to [my managers] have a plan. For me, my job is Lollapalooza organizers C3 Presents and Spark ‘That Had to look forward, and run as safe and as fast Live Nation. Rapper Young Thug would now as I can.” perform in DaBaby’s time slot instead. Been Missing’ On Monday morning, organizers of Gov- ernors Ball in New York and promoters with BY GAIL MITCHELL DaBaby Day N Vegas each announced they were dropping DaBaby from the event’s lineup, he following story is the R&B cover Promised a Video followed by news DaBaby was losing his of Billboard’s 2021 R&B/Hip-Hop headline spot at the Can’t Wait Live! benefit Power Players issue, dated Aug. Apology to Save concert in Philadelphia and Manchester 7, 2021. To read the hip-hop cover U.K.’s Parklife Festival. The following day, Tstory on Lil Baby, click here. Lollapalooza DaBaby was dropped from the bill of the It’s late afternoon in Las Vegas, and the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, temperature outside is an ungodly “100-plus Gig, But Never Music Midtown in Atlanta and ACL Fest in stupid,” according to a local newscast — the Austin, Texas. kind of weather that sends people scuttling Delivered Still on the calendar for DaBaby is an Aug. to sit beneath the nearest AC unit. But down 14 concert in Bonner Springs, Kansas; Hot in the cool darkness of The Colosseum at BY DAVE BROOKS 97 Summer Jam in East Rutherford, N.J., on Caesars Palace, Usher Raymond IV is busy Aug. 22; and a Sept. 4 concert at Fiddler’s working up a sweat. ust days after making homophobic Green near Denver for radio station KS He’s wrapping up the first day of rehears- comments at Rolling Loud Festival 107.5 F.M. In April, DaBaby announced he als with the full cast and crew for his first in Miami on July 25, representatives was dropping off of the Leeds and Read- Las Vegas residency, which will open in for rapper DaBaby reached out to ing festival for 2021; DaBaby was originally just 10 days, on July 16. Against a backdrop Jthe promoters of seven fall festivals that booked to play the U.K. festivals in 2020 but of a neon-lit city skyline that stretches the had booked the Charlotte, N.C., rapper and would not be performing in 2021 “due to width of the massive stage, the superstar assured them an apology would be forth- circumstances out of the artists’ control,” a and his dancers — including several zipping coming. DaBaby was planning to tape a statement from the festivals explained. about on skates — gyrate around a dozen short video that would be played before he DaBaby eventually did deliver a second floor-to-ceiling pillars that give the roughly took the stage at Lollapalooza in Chicago on apology via a formal statement on Insta- 4,300-seat theater some added drama. He Sunday, Aug. 1, in which he would deliver a gram posted Monday, writing, “I want to powers through some of his early-2000s heartfelt apology to the LGBTQ+ commu- apologize to the LGBTQ+ community for hits in quick succession: “Lovers and nity for his distasteful remarks during his the hurtful and triggering comments I made. Friends,” “Bad Girl,” “My Boo,” “U Remind set in Miami the previous weekend. Again, I apologize for my misinformed Me.” Later that night, in a black-and-white The video would make up for DaBaby’s comments about HIV/AIDS and I know backstage suite that was originally built for lackluster apology on July 27 (two days after education on this is important. Love to all. Céline Dion — it includes a dressing room, his Rolling Loud set) where he brushed off God bless.” a kitchen, a conference room and a separate complaints by LGBTQ+ activists, writing DaBaby’s management and his booking garage housing his motorcycle — he says he on Twitter, “I ain’t trippin on y’all, do you. agent, Andrew Lieber with MAC Agency, has been relishing the creative freedom of y’all business is y’all business.” The remarks declined to comment. a residency like this. “I always put so much only amplified public outcry that DaBaby effort into the choreography of these songs be dropped from his upcoming gigs, and on and the emotional aspect,” he says. “But July 28, reps for DaBaby’s camp assured the with this, I was given an opportunity to be various festival promoters on his upcoming a little theatrical, so I decided to make the tour that the video he was creating to air show an evolution of all my work.” Page 15 of 27

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It makes perfect sense that Usher would Songs chart but became his first album in in the ass? Yeah, absolutely,” he says. “He end up on a Sin City stage. Watching the 12 years to not debut at No. 1 on the Bill- was always singing in the hallways, whether lithe 42-year-old, even in rehearsal mode, board 200, ending a four-album streak that it was the scales or something else from his is a reminder of the dazzling showman- began with 2004’s blockbuster Confessions. vocal lessons. We’d be like, ‘Shut the hell up.’ ship that set him apart from his pop and In that time, the growth of streaming has re- And he still does that!” R&B peers when he first started scaling shaped the music industry, hip-hop has be- Though Usher has steadily released new the charts in the 1990s. And with nine Bill- come the dominant cultural force, and a new tracks in the last few years, Pitts credits board Hot 100 No. 1s to his name — tied generation of R&B prodigies has revived Adult R&B Songs No. 1s like 2019’s “Don’t with the Bee Gees, Elton John, Katy Perry the genre — and also made it more competi- Waste My Time” with Ella Mai and 2020’s and Paul McCartney for the 10th most in tive than ever. But while the enthusiastic “Bad Habits” with “putting the battery back the chart’s history — he is a fitting choice response to his Vegas residency suggests he in the pack” for the new album, which was to help welcome back Vegas nightlife with could easily coast on nostalgia, Usher isn’t originally due last summer but postponed one of the first major residencies since the ready to settle into legacy-artist status just amid the pandemic. “That has given us time pandemic began. (It was originally sched- yet. “I would call myself ‘seasoned’ more to make things as bulletproof as possible,” uled to open last July, and completes a string than ‘elder statesman,’ ” he says, smiling. continues Pitts. “The game may be changing of summer dates in August before returning Still, Vegas is just one part of a multi- as to how new music is introduced, but what in December.) He’ll be joined in town this pronged plan to reintroduce Usher and his hasn’t changed is that it always goes back to year by returning residency headliners like catalog to the public, according to Laf- making great, timeless R&B music. The rest Bruno Mars (whose Park MGM residency fitte, who took him on as a client two years will work itself out.” has grossed $29.1 million from 25 shows, ago. Laffitte was the one who suggested Besides, Usher has always been a natural according to figures reported to Billboard a residency to Khan — he also manages shape-shifter, building out his R&B founda- Boxscore) and Gwen Stefani ($22 million the Backstreet Boys, whose first Vegas tion with forays into pop, EDM and trap — from 49 shows at Planet Hollywood Las Ve- residency, which ran from 2017 to 2019, see 2018’s A, a joint project with producer gas), as well as Vegas first-timers like Perry was a springboard for a subsequent world Zaytoven paying tribute to Atlanta hip-hop and Carrie Underwood (whose shows will tour and the group’s first No. 1 album on — and working with everyone from Diplo debut in December). the Billboard 200 in almost 20 years. (The and David Guetta to Jermaine Dupri and “This is something we’ve wanted to do group will return to Planet Hollywood for a Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. A member of his for a long time,” says Amanda Moore, senior Christmas residency in November.) “Usher team previewed half a dozen songs for Bill- vp Las Vegas residencies at Live Nation understands what it means to level up,” says board, which feature a mix of old and new Entertainment. “People want to party in Laffitte. “Between hosting the iHeart Radio collaborators. There’s the Dupri-produced Vegas, and there’s no greater soundtrack Awards [in May] and now the residency, the “Believe,” an uptempo breakup track; a than Usher’s hits with their multigenera- purpose was to reactivate and reenergize new-lease-on-life anthem called “Fresh Air” tional and global appeal. I don’t think there’s Usher’s multigenerational fan base at a time produced by Mike Sabath (Lizzo, Meghan a person on the planet that doesn’t know the when youth is dominating with Spotify, Trainor); and “Kissing Strangers,” a striking words to ‘Yeah!’” Apple and other [streaming platforms].” reflection on the aftermath of a relationship Usher: The Las Vegas Residency isn’t just Usher has also spent the last few years produced by the late busbee (Maren Morris, arriving at a pivotal time for live music. It’s working on his ninth studio album — his P!nk). kicking off at a pivotal point for Usher, too. third on RCA — which he expects will roll Collectively, those songs are reminiscent He hasn’t toured North America since the out later in 2021. RCA is, of course, not a bad of the classic R&B sounds and intimate UR Experience trek in 2014. Despite his place to be for an R&B artist — right now, it’s lyrics on a pair of his career-defining al- popularity as a touring artist, his team was a home to next-generation powerhouses like bums, 8701 and Confessions. Some of Usher’s little nervous when it put tickets on sale last Khalid, SZA, H.E.R., Normani, Doja Cat and most treasured hits have been the anguished September, months before vaccine rollouts. Jazmine Sullivan. It’s also where Usher gets slow jams that felt ripped from his diary, “I knew there was pent-up demand to see to work with longtime friend Mark Pitts, even if they weren’t strictly autobiographi- Usher in this setting, yet we didn’t know if who was named label president in Janu- cal, and Usher has lived a lot of life since his it was going to work against us,” says Julia ary. The two have history: A teenage Usher last album, including a divorce from second Khan, who co-manages him with Patriot briefly lived in New York with Pitts and wife Grace Miguel in 2018. But there has Management’s Ron Laffitte. “But people vot- Sean Combs, who were rooming together at been plenty to celebrate, too, including a ed with their ticket purchases, feeling there the time, while recording his self-titled 1994 new relationship with Jenn Goicoechea, would be light at the end of this tunnel.” album, and Pitts had a top A&R role at Arista vp A&R at Epic Records, with whom he is Usher also hasn’t released a proper studio during Usher’s early-2000s tenure there. expecting a second child. (Daughter Sover- album since 2016’s Hard II Love, which Asked if he still sees that precocious teen in eign Bo was born in September; Usher has yielded two top 10 singles on the Adult R&B Usher today, Pitts laughs fondly. “The pain two sons from his other previous marriage.) Page 16 of 27

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Even his voice sounds richer with experi- added value of being immersed in a theatri- the Confessions vein or if it’ll be something ence. “He has always been an energetic cal experience. else. It’s still kind of a moving target, as I’m singer and performer,” says RCA chairman/ What’s your daily regimen like to pre- just beginning to put together a sequence. CEO Peter Edge. “But his vocals now are pare for this? Some of the songs that you heard have been insane.” My preparation starts at six in the morn- at the top of my list for the last year. And Vegas, to hear Usher tell it, is where his ing with stretching and yoga to wake my you heard a few new ones as well. I do want story comes together: a chance to celebrate body up. Then I’ve been working out every to put together a body of work that speaks his legacy, sharpen his creativity and let his day with an amazing trainer at a UFC facil- to all of the people that I’ve been able to life off the stage thrive as much as his life on ity. We work in water, lift weights and do a capture as fans but also will be something it. “I’m feeling like I’m about 18 right now — lot of core exercises, focusing on my pelvic unique to me and to R&B music that doesn’t in terms of passion, not wisdom,” Usher says floor, to make sure I can handle all the danc- just live in one space. with a laugh. “There’s a playful nature that I ing, skating and singing I’m doing. I’m arm- How do you feel about having veteran think is coming back. I actually feel like I’m ing my body almost like an athlete, a boxer. status in an industry so focused on the having fun. And that had been missing for Between 7 and 9 a.m., I have a little some- next young, new thing? some time.” thing to eat. By then, my body is warmed up It’s not easy to sustain a career, but there Why a residency, and why now? just enough to work with my vocal coach. are artists who have managed to do it and I probably would have had a different Then I move into a few meetings about the have been here for some time: Beyoncé. Ali- answer before the pandemic. But after we show, maybe work with the band, have a cia Keys. Justin Timberlake. Janet Jackson. shut down, it made even more sense. After a little lunch and squeeze in another meeting. And that hasn’t changed opinions about who year of being isolated, there was an opportu- I try to stop around six o’clock, review notes they are and what their contributions still nity for people to come from all around the I’ve made during rehearsal. Then I get home are. I just hope I’m in that same category. world and experience what felt like the re- around eight to spend time with the kids, But it hasn’t changed my ability to embrace opening of life and entertainment. The other have a little dinner and then decompress. new artists coming up, like Summer Walker, side of it is: I have a bit of difficulty bottling Listening to the new music, it sounds Yuna, doing duets with Ella Mai or Chris up all the different audiences I’ve collected like you spent a lot of time soul search- Brown. I definitely understand the reality — over time. But the one place where you can ing and pressing the reset button — like and the idea — of embracing [the] new. speak to everybody is Las Vegas. It’s univer- many of us have lately. My mother used to always say, “When sal ground, a melting pot of people coming I had already spent two years collaborat- all else fails, just continue to do something from all over America, Australia, India, Asia, ing and recording with some of the pro- good.” The more music you put out, the Europe, Africa. There are tons of festivals, ducers I worked with on Confessions, like more people begin to understand. That’s but Las Vegas gives you a different opportu- Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox in why I stay creative and collaborative, work- nity — a guarantee in some way. It has also Atlanta. There’s always the responsibility to ing with up-and-comers like Mike Sabath. afforded me the opportunity to really be the speak to the audience that has been growing How people feel about my music has never family man I’ve always wanted to be with an with you, and also to a new audience. What been up to me. It’s up to their interpretation incredible partner I love very much. I’ve always done is just try to make music of how they feel about it. You’ve always been a showman at that’s as true as I can possibly be and also of- Is there a song or album you wish the heart. How did that inform your Vegas fer something I think people can learn from public had understood better? residency? and experience with me: relationships, love, I think people have understood the way It’s hard for me to stand still. I work for life, the reality of our growth and maturity. they could have. And I was as sure as I pos- every bit of applause I get. I try my hard- But you’re right. I think this pandemic sibly could have been from 8701 and Here est to give people an incredible experience. gave me another year to kind of reset, even I Stand to Looking 4 Myself, Confes- Because we’re in Las Vegas, you’ve got all though I did put out a few records and made sions or Hard II Love. People are critical. types of shows, from burlesque to others some videos. But you continue to do it for the love. You that are more risqué, so why not take that In 2019, you posted an Instagram from do it for people to connect with what you’re opportunity to be as creative as possible? the studio with a whiteboard that read trying to articulate. That pressure is there There’s a strip-club scene [in the show]. “Confessions 2.” Is that the title of the every time. That’s why I try to give myself Skating is a part of my culture from Atlanta, album? as much of a shot as I possibly can by giving and that’s something that I’ve never actually I am not at the place where I’m going to fans variety. You’re going to like something. done onstage before. When I think of Vegas, sign off on the album title at this point. But (Laughs.) I think Gene Kelly, Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis — I am working on an album, and it would How important are numbers — charts, those are the people who’ve inspired me to be very smart to say it will come out this streaming — to you now? play in this space. I had a lot of time to think year. It’s probably too vague right now No. 1 is always going to mean a lot to about the show, and I really do enjoy the to determine whether it’s going to be in everybody. But it doesn’t, and shouldn’t, Page 17 of 27

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change your passion. It hasn’t changed ing those high notes, as if to say, “No one mine, whether I put out a record that hit else can sing this but me.” Where do you Artist Group No. 1 instantly or took time to get there. two stand? I have a record company that’s willing to With regard to The Weeknd, he’s another International fight for it and get it heard, to connect with person I had a positive conversation with my audience and prospective new fans. I’ve who completely felt [the headlines were] a Partners With tried a lot of stuff. There’s a way to play in misinterpretation. Again, I can’t get caught R&B where you can be as creative as you up in what’s said outside when I know per- X-ray Touring want. Don’t cut yourself off — don’t feel you son to person that no harm was meant. need to be tied so authentically to one thing. Fans have been clamoring for an Usher BY TAYLOR MIMS I see what H.E.R. is doing, what Giveon, session on Verzuz. Is that on your radar? Daniel Caesar and Justin Bieber are doing. I’m really happy to see what’s going on rtist Group International is But people choose to try and segregate [R&B with Verzuz. But I don’t think I’m going to expanding even further into the music]. Sometimes it’s a bit odd that an do it as of right now. However, if you want to European market through a new R&B record with worldwide appeal has to hear a curated catalog of songs, come to Las alliance with X-ray Touring. AGI go through a very specific funnel before the Vegas. It’s waiting for you, baby. (Laughs.) isA part investment firm Yucaipa’s Y Enter- rest of the world can hear it. Why is it that Outside of music, you were at the tainment Group, which is also extending a an R&B record can’t just be launched and White House earlier this year when joint venture with X-ray Touring. heard around the world? President Biden formally declared June- The companies will work together, Are you still involved in the Raymond teenth a federal holiday. What did that with X-ray under the continued con- Braun Media Group, which you cofound- mean to you? trol and direction of founding part- ed with Scooter Braun? I’d heard of Juneteenth, but there was ners Martin Horne, Ian Huffam, Steve Yes, it’s our production company. The only an awakening in me to investigate deeper Strange and Scott Thomas to expand on artist we have together in RBMG is Justin and understand the reality of our history: their unique position in the global agency Bieber. We’re not doing any other projects We had to declare our individuality and business. currently, but we’ll be friends for life. I am independence because it gives us recogni- “This had been a long time coming and I on a remix of Justin’s “Peaches.” He doesn’t tion, ownership and entrepreneurship here know all of X-ray is excited by this strategic need me now. (Laughs.) But he asked me to on American soil. It’s the ability to uplift and partnership with AGI and Y Entertainment,” do it. It has been great to be part of what was truly be a participant in what it is to be an said Huffman in a release. “There will be already an amazingly successful record. American. Should I have been the person many changes over the next few years but In the recent Netflix docuseries This Is advocating for it as much as I did? I don’t our proven collective track records offer ar- Pop, T-Pain said he battled depression af- know. But more than just making music, I tistes the best route forward to live success.” ter a conversation years ago in which you wanted to use my life to be able to shine a The new alliance will bring together ex- made harsh comments about his use of light in that direction. I wanted people who tensive artist rosters from both X-ray Tour- Auto-Tune. He clarified on social media didn’t necessarily know their history to un- ing and AGI. X-ray represents more than that there’s no bad blood between you, derstand. We deserve to have that day. 400 acts including Coldplay, Eminem, Rob- but the story got a lot of attention. How With everything going on for you right bie Williams, Gorillaz, Queens Of The Stone do you respond to that? now, it feels like your 40s have become a Age, Linkin Park, Pixies, Stereophon- I’m happy that T-Pain said something — I’m clarifying phase in your life. ics, Bombay Bicycle Club, Phoebe Bridgers, not sure if it was before or after our actual I’m really at peace right now. Part of it has The Internet, The Offspring, Enter Shikari conversation, after I heard what was said. It to do with living long enough to have come and Fever 333. AGI’s notable artists include was very hurtful to know that he had experi- through certain things. Time management Billy Joel, Metallica, Rod Stewart, Neil enced that kind of hardship in life. I wouldn’t now is very important — knowing what to Young, Linkin Park, Motley Crue, Def Lep- wish that on any person. Private conversations choose to give your attention to and how pard, The Strokes and Cage the Elephant. for me have always been intended to uplift. that will determine your outcome. You can AGI chairman Dennis Arfa added his But when or if people get pieces of it, they can pick a job and do that job every day. Yet it admiration for the X-ray team, stating “We always have some other interpretation. But may not necessarily be as gratifying because have wanted to work with X-ray for many we’ve spoken since and we’re good. it feels like a regimen, an obligation. But I’m years and are thrilled to finally have the op- In an interview last year, The Weeknd still in love with music and so glad I chose portunity to do so.” described hearing your 2012 song “Cli- this as my life’s passion, because it continues Yucaipa also have interests in London max” and thinking it directly borrowed to fuel me. based talent agencies Independent Talent from his style, though he was flattered. This story will appear in the Aug. 7, Group (ITG) and K2, LBI Entertainment You then posted a video of yourself sing- 2021, issue of Billboard. talent management, Independent Sports & Page 18 of 27

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Entertainment, Steinberg Sports, APA, US Now they are looking to pay it forward coming from streaming, where they were promoter Danny Wimmer Presents and with the official Aug. 4 launch of their own up by 27 percent, according to a MiDIA Spain’s Primavera Sound festival. label, Psychic Hotline, with manager Mar- Research report on 2020 revenue. “I am thrilled and excited to be joining tin Anderson and Kris Chen, formerly of While there is no official roster for Psy- forces with X-ray, a company that I have Nonesuch Records. “We are benefitting so chic Hotline, the label will be focusing on a long admired and respected,” said AGI pres- directly from having people who really ad- special singles series in the coming months ident Marsha Vlasic in a release. “I feel ex- vocated for us really early on in our careers,” that will be available on DSPs and in limited tremely positive about all of us being able to Meath tells Billboard, “and we wanted to runs on vinyl. The series debuts with Meath do great things together. During a time like create a label that was as independent and Blake Mills’ “Neon Blue,” as well as an this which has been so difficult for all us, minded. We wanted to be able to re-gift that instrumental version of the same song from having this come together has been such to artists that we believe in.” Sam Gendel. Sylvan Esso’s debut album will a breath of fresh air and energy. Glad and Though the label has quietly released be reissued Oct. 8, and a special Mountain proud to be part of this family!” music since 2018 from artists in and around Man reissue is slated for later this year. X-ray have also announced the addition the group’s North Carolina community, Meath and Sanborn are also celebrat- of long-standing agent Josh Javor to the Psychic Hotline now has a distribution ing the label’s unveiling with the Psychic management board. Javor has been with the partner in Secretly Distribution, part of the Hotline Block Party scheduled for Aug. 14 at company since its inception and X-ray be- Secretly Group, and a vision for expansion Cat’s Cradle in North Carolina. The venue is lieves he will bring invaluable fresh insight that involves artist-centric deals. a short drive from their Chapel Hill record- across all of the agency’s activities. “We’ve always been really lucky to have ing studio, Betty’s, named for Sanborn’s “I am personally excited and delighted by a management that has negotiated really grandmother. our renewed joint venture partnership with aggressive, very artist-centric deals for us, “To us, the label feels attached to this my good friend Ron Burkle and the Yucaipa which I think is one of the reasons why our space in a way,” says Sanborn. “The whole group,” said X-ray’s Strange in a release. experience with labels has been relatively point is to provide a space to enable artists “I am also looking forward to our new less painful,” Meath says. Those artist- to make work that might not be able to get strategic partnership with AGI in the US. I friendly negotiations involved securing made any other way. Whether or not it’s have known Dennis and Marsha and others short-term deals with labels, which is why, profitable doesn’t really matter. It’s just been at AGI for many years and I truly believe for example, the band already fully owns its this absolute joy, especially during the pan- that our alliance will work fantastically well. 2014 self-titled debut album. demic, of having this haven to go to, and we We already feel that the chemistry between Meath and Sanborn plan on offering simi- want that feeling to be the guiding feeling of both companies can only strengthen our lar short-term, flexible deals to artists who the label.” global impact.” sign with them. “We don’t ever want anyone to be in a situation where they’re stuck with us,” Sanborn says. “All of our deals are Canadian Country Sylvan Esso Teams organized around consent and autonomy. If it’s not working for them, we want them to Star Dallas Smith With Secretly For be able to walk and take their work.” Psychic Hotline will not seek to own any Signs Worldwide Psychic Hotline masters, and Meath and Sanborn say that the goal will always be to work out the best Deal With Big Label deal for the artist, rather than the label. “In every situation that we possibly can, the Loud Records BY CHRISTINE WERTHMAN artist will be making more money than the label,” says Meath. “The idea is basically to BY MELINDA NEWMAN melia Meath and Nick Sanborn, neutralize the idea of a record label, and to the artists behind the electro- be able to give a band an offer so that they ig Loud Records has signed two- pop band Sylvan Esso, have can use it to get better offers from other time Canadian Country Music never had a bad label experience. labels.” Awards winner Dallas Smith to SanbornA calls Partisan Records, the band’s The label’s official launch happens at a a global recording deal. His first first home, “the dream of an indie,” and time when independent labels and artists Bmusic under the new pact is expected in the Loma Vista Recordings, the group’s current are continuing to transform the industry. fall. label, “a safe place,” one that has allowed the Despite the pandemic challenges and subse- Additionally, Smith’s Local Hay Records duo to “explore a different level of the busi- quent revenue losses of 2020, independents imprint, formed with record producer Scott ness than we had before.” still grew by 6.7 percent, with much of that Cooke, has entered into a joint venture with Page 19 of 27

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Big Loud Records and will focus on signing scholarships for children, temporary Canadian artists to worldwide deals. Ariana Grande housing for self-quarantine purposes and The moves expand Big Loud’s relation- funerals of first responders and their family ship with the Juno Award winner, whom the & Justin Bieber’s members who died of COVID-19. company has managed since 2014. “The generosity, and support that Ariana “We couldn’t be more excited to con- ‘Stuck with U’ Grande, Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun tinue and expand our working relationship have shown the men and women on the with Dallas Smith,” said Seth England, Big Raised $3.5M for front lines of this ongoing pandemic has Loud partner/CEO in a statement. “Dallas been a surreal and humbling experience was the first country artist Joey [Moi, Big First Responders for us,” added Jillian Crane, president of Loud partner/record producer] and I ever First Responders Children’s Foundation. worked on together. We’ve had the pleasure Children’s “As an organization, we have been able to of watching him quickly become Canada’s help the everyday heroes who have been on biggest country star, and we look forward to Foundation the frontlines of the pandemic, and their helping him grow his footprint globally.” family’s immediate needs with the support “Dallas is a day-one guy for me in what BY HERAN MAMO that has only been made possible due to the is truly an incomparable musical union collective effort of everyone involved, which and friendship that spans more than two riana Grande and Justin we are thankful for.” decades,” added Moi, who produced Smith’s Bieber’s 2020 charity collabora- The single debuted at No. 1 on the Bill- former rock band Default, as well as his solo tion “Stuck With U” has raised board Hot 100, marking Bieber’s sixth efforts. “With new music ahead that truly $3.5 million for the First Re- chart-topper and Grande’s third. “Stuck has no borders, I can only imagine what spondersA Children’s Foundation. with U” also sold 108,000 downloads in its Dallas will achieve in the years to come and The two pop stars released their CO- first week, according to Nielsen Music/MRC know for certain it’s a freight train that we VID-19 lockdown ballad on May 8, 2020. Data, becoming the first song to crack the all want to be on.” In working with their manager Scooter 100,000-sold marker in a single week since Smith has scored 11 No. 1s on Bill- Braun’s SB Projects and their labels Def Jam Taylor Swift’s “Me!,” featuring Brendon board’s Canada Country chart — the most Recordings (Bieber) and Republic Records Urie, in May 2019. of any artist — including “Some Things (Grande), the team donated 100% of the The homemade accompanying visual Never Change” featuring Big Loud label- proceeds from the song’s streams and sales featured Bieber and Grande with their re- mate Hardy, which reached the peak this to the foundation. The First Responders spective partners Hailey Bieber and Dalton February. Children’s Foundation redirected the funds Gomez, as well as Demi Lovato, Kendall and Smith previously recorded for 604 Re- to thousands of families of first responders, Kylie Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West, cords and had brief stints on Republic Nash- including healthcare workers, paramedics, Chance the Rapper, Michael Bublé, Jaden ville in 2013 and Big Loud Records’ precur- firefighters and EMTs who have fought the Smith and many more. “Stuck with U” also sor Big Loud Mountain Records in 2014. pandemic on the frontlines for the last year won awards for best music video from home “I’m really excited to expand my trade- and a half. at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards and mark,” Smith said. “Music has always been “As the world was shutting down, we favorite music collaboration at the 2021 at the forefront of what I do and it’s an es- were looking for ways we could make a tan- Kids’ Choice Awards. sential part of every project for me. Working gible impact as it has always been Scooter’s with the team at Big Loud Records and hav- priority that SB Projects and our artists ing access to integrate plans and creativity give back,” Shauna Nep, vice president of every step of the way provides me with the philanthropy for SB Projects, said in a state- opportunity and immense support to contin- ment. “We were so thrilled to partner with ue my work and growth with a committed the First Responders Children’s Foundation and focused team behind me that shares a who have been supporting those on the common goal of amplifying, strategizing and frontlines of the pandemic, as well as their succeeding in all areas.” families. Over a year later, we are so proud to see how much has been raised and what has been accomplished. We thank the Foun- dation for their leadership and commitment to this work.” The First Responders Children’s Founda- tion will specifically allocate the money for Page 20 of 27

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est list, the most of all labels. Since the start executive vp unscripted and alternative Lil Nas X Helps of 2021 alone, Columbia has led for 15 of the entertainment at Walt Disney Television. 32 Hot 100 chart weeks this year. “Their star power is unmatched, and their Columbia Records Columbia additionally controls the support is a gift to our contestants that have Billboard 200 and Billboard Global 200 deeply benefited from their wisdom over the Net Half of Hot charts dated Aug. 7. The Kid LAROI’s F*ck past four seasons — and they’re ready to do Love reaches the Billboard 200 summit for it again. As we begin a momentous season, 100’s Top 10, the first time and his and Bieber’s “Stay” I think it’s safe to say this dream team has scores its first week at No. 1 on the Global officially cemented their legacy on Idol.” Joining BTS & The 200. ABC renewed American Idol for the 2021- Bieber was also central to the last time 22 season in May, but as has been the case Kid LAROI that a label monopolized the top of the Hot for much of the show’s run at the network, 100, Billboard 200 and Global 200 simul- did so without securing deals with its judges BY GARY TRUST taneously. On charts dated April 3, Def and host. The announcement of their return Jam dominated all the surveys, as Bieber’s just as the gears begin to turn on the coming olumbia Records is the latest label album Justice launched atop the Billboard season also follows a familiar pattern. to boast at least half of the Bill- 200 and the set’s “Peaches,” featuring Daniel “American Idol is still the original music board Hot 100’s top 10 in a single Caesar and Giveon, soared in atop the Hot show that genuinely creates superstars and week, as five of its songs infuse 100 and Global 200, as well as the Global continues to evolve to allow true artists Cthe tier on the latest, Aug. 7-dated chart. Excl. U.S. chart. to succeed in this unique business,” said BTS’ “Butter” leads the Hot 100 for executive producer and showrunner Megan a ninth week; Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s Wolflick. “The chemistry and passion Katy, “Industry Baby” debuts at No. 2; The Kid Katy Perry, Luke Luke, Lionel and Ryan bring is second to LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” (on Co- none. We couldn’t be more ecstatic that they lumbia and Def Jam) repeats at No. 4, after Bryan, Lionel are returning for this iconic 20th season in reaching No. 3; Lil Nas X’s former leader search of the freshest new talent that this “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)” holds at Richie & Ryan nation has to offer.” No. 8; and BTS’ fellow former No. 1 “Permis- Added Eli Holzman, executive producer sion to Dance” places at No. 9. Seacrest Renew and CEO of Industrial Media, “We are In the past decade, Republic Records has thrilled that Katy, Lionel, Luke and Ryan achieved a leading 27 weeks with at least ‘American Idol’ will be back to help discover our next Amer- half of the Hot 100’s top 10, led by seven ican Idol. This dream team has selected and songs in the bracket on the chart dated July Contracts for guided some of the most talented Idol con- 14, 2018, all by Drake that week. Interscope testants in the history of the series, and we Records has managed the feat six times and 2022 can’t wait to see who they’ll find next.” UMe and now Columbia have each earned it The show’s “Idol Across America” virtual once in that span. BY RICK PORTER auditions open Aug. 6 and will run through Before Columbia, Republic last landed the Sept. 21, giving hopefuls from every state a honor, when six Republic releases ranked merican Idol is keeping the band chance to showcase their talent to Idol pro- in the top 10 of the Hot 100 dated March together for its fifth season on ducers, who will then select people to try 20, 2021. Again, Drake paced the haul that ABC. out in front of the judges. The series is week, when he made history as the first Judges Katy Perry, Lionel slated to debut on ABC in early 2022. act ever to debut songs at Nos. 1 (“What’s RichieA and Luke Bryan and host Ryan Fremantle and Industrial Media’s 19 Next”), 2 and 3 simultaneously. Seacrest have all inked new deals to remain Entertainment produce American Idol. As Lil Nas X adds the song that grants Co- with the singing competition in 2022 — Wolflick executive produces with Freman- lumbia its share of half the Hot 100’s top 10, which will mark the show’s 20th season tle’s Jennifer Mullin and 19 Entertainment’s the label’s success atop the chart has been overall, the first 15 on Fox. Their returns Holzman and Aaron Saidman. especially notable since he first reigned with are locked in as Idol is set to open up virtual This article was originally published his breakthrough smash “Old Town Road,” auditions to would-be contestants across the by The Hollywood Reporter. featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, for a record 19 country on Aug. 6. weeks starting on the chart dated April 13, “Luke, Katy, Lionel and Ryan are music 2019. Columbia has posted 46 weeks atop and industry icons that have become syn- the Hot 100 from that week through the lat- onymous with Idol on ABC,” said Rob Mills, Page 21 of 27

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up for his performance in support of The coerced to do things for Kelly’s pleasure. Johnny Marr Courtneeners at a sold-out Old Trafford in The judge said the witnesses who allege Manchester on Sept. 25. abuse can testify with only their first name Signs With given to jurors, who will sit in the gal- lery rather than the jury box because of a BMG Ahead of R. Kelly Lawyer reconfigured courtroom tied to coronavirus restrictions. Donnelly also said she will gen- ‘Outstanding’ Says Singer Has erally not allow questions aimed at revealing if any of the women have had mental health New Release Gained Weight, treatment. She said she will not allow the ju- rors to be told that one witness had worked BY LARS BRANDLE Lost Money as an exotic dancer years after she said she was abused. ith new music on the Ahead of Trial Also likely to be excluded from the trial horizon, Johnny Marr has is any testimony about religious beliefs or signed a new worldwide BY ASSOCIATED PRESS that some of the women were directed to album deal with BMG. have sex with one another, the judge said. W“I’m very pleased to be working with the &B star R. Kelly gained weight Prospective jurors have already filled out people at BMG on this new chapter,” the and lost money while he awaits questionnaires aimed at ensuring they have British guitar great says in a statement. “It’s a sex-trafficking trial that starts no biases that would affect their judgment. a good feeling.” in earnest next week, his lawyers They will begin answering questions next Marr already has a long-term relationship Rsaid Tuesday (August 3) at a court hearing. Monday. Kelly, is known for work including with BMG, which has represented his pub- The revelations came as U.S. District Judge the 1996 hit “I Believe I Can Fly” and the lishing on his three solo albums The Mes- Ann M. Donnelly in New York made a series cult classic “Trapped in the Closet,” a mul- senger (from 2013), Playland (2014), and Call of rulings to narrow down what evidence tipart tale of sexual betrayal and intrigue. The Comet (2018), all of which reached the can be shown to jurors. Kelly’s sex life has drawn scrutiny since U.K. top 10. She mostly ruled for prosecutors but said the 1990s, and he also is facing sex-related “The fact that he has decided to expand some evidence will be excluded because it is charges in Illinois and Minnesota. He has and deepen his relationship with BMG too similar to other parts of the case aimed pleaded not guilty. shows how well our holistic, artist-centric at showing Kelly engaged in racketeering in The judge in New York ruled last week approach works,” comments Alistair pursuit of women and girls he could abuse. that the public and the media will be banned Norbury, BMG President Repertoire & The Grammy-winning, multiplatinum-sell- from the courtroom after 12 news organiza- Marketing U.K. “We are delighted to be the ing R&B singer is accused of leading an en- tions asked that six reporters be permitted releasing partner for this outstanding new terprise of managers, bodyguards and other inside because watching a portion of the body of work.” employees who helped him recruit women courtroom on monitors in two overflow Marr is, of course, a founding member of and girls for sex, sometimes at concerts and rooms was insufficient and might not seminal ‘80s Manchester band The Smiths, other venues. He has pleaded not guilty to constitute an open proceeding. She cited who were nominated for the Rock Hall for racketeering, bribery, coercion, entice- the coronavirus restrictions. As he left the the first time in 2014. His distinctive guitar ment and sex trafficking. courthouse Tuesday, Cannick, one of Kelly’s playing is said to be ground zero for the Devereaux Cannick, one of his lawyers, lawyers, was asked if the closing of the indie sound. told the judge that Kelly, born Robert courtroom might be grounds for appeal if Over time he has worked with the likes of Sylvester Kelly, needs to be measured for his client is convicted. He smiled and said, Talking Heads, Electronic, Modest Mouse, new clothing because he’s gained so much “If there was a conviction, we’d use every The Cribs, The Avalanches, Hans Zimmer, weight in jail. And he asked that court error that was made” in an appeal. Neil Finn and Billie Eilish, and recently transcripts be provided at no cost because worked on the score and soundtrack for the Kelly has been unable to work for two years. forthcoming James Bond film, No Time To “His funds are depleted,” Cannick said of Die. a client who left the courtroom after the He’s currently in the studio working on hearing with his hands cuffed. “It’s going to new music and will get a chance road test be a long trial,” Donnelly said after prosecu- some of those new tunes when he plays tors outlined their plans to call numerous several intimate tour dates across the U.K. witnesses, including women who say they in September. Those shows are a warm- were sexually abused, physically abused and Page 22 of 27

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make you die in two to three weeks.” Black Americans and queer and transgen- 11 HIV “DaBaby and all Americans must learn the der people of color, a dialogue is critical. We truth about HIV and work towards defeat- must address the miseducation about HIV, Organizations Pen ing the stigma that keeps people from HIV expressed in your comments, and the impact prevention and life-saving treatment that it has on various communities. Open Letter to allows them to live long and healthy lives, 2021 marks the 40th year of the HIV/ and not transmit HIV. Together with leaders AIDS epidemic and the greatest obstacles in DaBaby Calling in the HIV field, we are asking for a meeting our work to end HIV are the compounded with DaBaby to educate and enlighten him, stigmas attached to anti-Blackness, liv- For Educational and all Americans, about the facts: HIV is ing with HIV, misogyny, and anti-LGBTQ preventable and with treatment, it can be- attitudes and stereotypes, all of which are Meeting come undetectable and therefore untrans- fueled by misinformation. Fear and stigma mittable,” says Dashawn Usher, GLAAD keep people, particularly Black Americans, BY HERAN MAMO associate director, communities of color, in from accessing HIV prevention or care that a press release. “DaBaby can be a powerful White Americans have historically accessed n Wednesday (Aug. 4), 11 lead- and influential voice where Black Ameri- and continue to access more easily. We believe ing organizations in HIV/AIDS cans need it most. We urge him to learn the you now have an opportunity to not just move education, prevention and treat- facts and use his platform to share the truth past this unfortunate incident, but to use your ment have penned an open let- that can save lives.” platform and celebrity to heal not harm. Oter to DaBaby requesting a private meeting Adds Raniyah Copeland, president/CEO We believe that anyone can be an HIV ad- to address his miseducation. of the Black AIDS Institute: “Because HIV vocate by amplifying: how there is medication Organizations including GLAAD, Black disproportionately impacts all Black Ameri- (PrEP) that can prevent people from getting AIDS Institute, Prevention Access Cam- cans more than any other race, the Black HIV with one pill a day, how routine treat- paign, and more, as well as researchers from AIDS Institute’s motto has remained Our ment stops the virus from being passed on by Emory University, the University of Hous- People. Our Problem. Our Solution. DaBa- people living with the HIV, how people receiv- ton and Wake Forest University, addressed by’s words reflect the mindset of many Black ing HIV care can survive and thrive while the North Carolina MC two days after he is- folks. Whether it’s stigmatizing people who living with it, and how open and empathetic sued a formal apology for his homophobic are gay, trans, and/or living with HIV, or conversations eliminate stigma. You can be rant at Rolling Loud Miami on July 25. it’s a deeply-rooted misogynoir, we can end a powerful and influential voice, especially “I want to apologize to the LGBTQ+ HIV within our lifetime only if we work across your home base in the South, where the community for the hurtful and triggering past ignorance that holds up systems of Black community’s needs are notoriously un- comments I made. Again, I apologize for my anti-Blackness that hurt and divide us. It’s der-represented across every public spectrum. misinformed comments about HIV/AIDS why critical conversations about shaming We encourage you to share this information and I know education on this is important,” and oppressing our own people must be had with your fans and followers, and become an DaBaby wrote in a lengthy note on Monday, in the whole of Black communities. Having agent of truth and change. additionally thanking those who reached Black-led HIV organizations, particularly Music artists have historically led the out to him offering “wisdom, education, and from the south, join this effort underscores way to lift up understanding of HIV and resources. That’s what I needed and it was the need for widespread Black leadership accelerate LGBTQ acceptance. Several art- received.” in brokering conversations that turn the ists and platforms have spoken up against Elton John was among the high-profile misinformed into messengers of truth. We you. While we appreciate their stand, we also musicians speaking out after DaBaby’s con- must ensure we ourselves are creating a invite them to take action and to do their part troversial remarks, offering the rapper, his world where all Black lives are afforded the to end HIV by supporting organizations like fans and other artists important information humanity we deserve.” ours serving people who are Black, LGBTQ about HIV and AIDS, courtesy of his Elton Read their open letter below: and/or living with HIV. John AIDS Foundation. We, the undersigned, represent organiza- As mentioned in your latest apology, edu- The new memo from the 11 organizations tions leading the fight to prevent HIV and cation is important. We agree. GLAAD and underlines how HIV is a preventable, treat- provide care and treatment for people living Gilead Science’s 2020 State of HIV Stigma able condition, how it disproportionately with HIV, especially Black LGBTQ people Study found that 90% of Americans believe affects the Black community in the U.S. and across the Southern United States. “there is stigma around HIV,” that “people how the stigma around it can spread fear. We heard your inaccurate and harmful are quick to judge those with HIV,” and “peo- During the Blame It on Baby artist’s onstage comments at Rolling Loud and have read your ple make assumptions when someone is tested tirade last week, he claimed HIV/AIDs is a Instagram apology. However, at a time when for HIV.” There were a significant number of “deadly sexually transmitted diseases that’ll HIV continues to disproportionately impact people (40%) who did not know that HIV can Page 23 of 27

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be treated. Nearly 60% wrongfully believe it is Dr. Davin D. Clemons, CoFounder and “important to be careful around people living Chief Financial Officer, Relationship Un- The Offspring’s with HIV to avoid catching it.” leashed Here are the facts: Gwendolyn D. Clemons, CoFounder and Drummer Says People living with HIV today, when on ef- Executive Director, Relationship Unleashed fective treatment, lead long and healthy lives Kia Colbert, Program Director, EnCORE, He Was Dumped and cannot sexually transmit HIV. Treat- Emory Centers for Public Health Train- ment can suppress the virus to a point where ing and Technical Assistance for Not Getting it is no longer detected in a person’s body. Raniyah Copeland, President and When it is undetected, it is untransmit- CEO, Black AIDS Institute Vaccinated table, the key message of the U=U campaign. Ian L. Haddock, Founder and Executive Approximately 1.2 million people in the Director, The Normal Anomaly Initiative BY LARS BRANDLE U.S. have HIV. 13% of them don’t know it, Rev. Dr. Shonda Jones, Wake Forest Faith reinforcing the need for HIV testing and to Coordinating Center he Offspring drummer Pete end stigma around HIV testing. Arianna Lint, CEO & President, Arianna’s Parada won’t be appearing with People most vulnerable to HIV are those Center the band anytime soon, after he with limited access to transportation, hous- Dr. Allison Mathews, Wake Forest Uni- was let go for refusing to get vac- ing, healthcare, and social support. We should versity Faith Coordinating Center Tcinated. That’s the line according to Parada, focus on advocating for resources in our com- Deondre B. Moore, U.S. Partnerships & who, with the punk rockers set to embark on munity rather than stigmatizing women and Community Engagement Manager, Preven- a major tour of North America, the U.K. and LGBTQ people. tion Access Campaign Europe, has found himself on the outside. Black Americans account for more HIV Warren A. O’Meara-Dates, Founder/Chief Taking to social media, the drummer diagnoses (43%), people living with HIV Executive Officer, The 6:52 Project Founda- admits he flouted the band’s rules by not (42%), and the most deaths among people tion, Inc. getting the COVID jab. But he claims that with HIV (44%) than any other racial and Neena Smith-Bankhead, Center Direc- his doctor advised him “not to get a shot ethnic group in the U.S. tor, EnCORE, Emory Centers for Public at this time,” due to the associated risks of The CDC states the U.S. South experiences Health Training and Technical Assistance Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare autoim- the greatest rates of HIV and lags behind in Bec Sokha Keo (they/them), Public Impact mune disorder that he has battled since his providing quality HIV prevention services Scholar, SUSTAIN Center at the Universi- youth and which “evolved progressively and care. According to AIDSVu, a program ty of Houston Graduate College of Social worse over my lifetime.” from Emory University’s Rollins School of Work Despite this, he claims, Parada’s band- Public Health and the Center for AIDS Re- DaShawn Usher, Associate Director, Com- mates see him as “unsafe to be around, in search at Emory University, 31,864 people are munities of Color, GLAAD the studio, and on tour.” living with HIV in North Carolina, where you Dafina Ward, Executive Director, South- The 48-year-old musician says he has “no were raised. ern AIDS Coalition negative feelings towards my band” and is Medications like PrEP protect people who “heartbroken” by the situation. And he in- do not have HIV from contracting it. The sists he’s not an anti-vaxxer but, rather, sits CDC states that PrEP reduces the risk of get- on the side of informed consent. ting HIV from sex by about 99% when taken “I need to state, unequivocally, that I sup- as prescribed. port informed consent – which necessitates As leaders of organizations directly serving choice unburdened by coercion,” he contin- Black, LGBTQ, and HIV+ communities, we ues. “I do not find it ethical or wise to allow invite you to a private, off-the-record, virtual those with the most power (government, discussion with us. You stated you now un- corporations, organizations, employers) to derstand how and why your comments were dictate medical procedures to those with the damaging. An open conversation holds the least power.” potential for you to now create meaningful Billboard reached out to The Offspring’s impact by transforming from an adversary to reps for comment. an advocate. Parada joined The Offspring in 2007 and Sincerely, performed on the band’s latest record, Let Dr. Samira Ali, Director, SUSTAIN Cen- The Bad Times Roll, their first album in ter at the University of Houston Gradu- nearly a decade. Bad Times dropped out in ate College of Social Work April and went to No. 1 on the Billboard’s Page 24 of 27

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Alternative Albums Chart and No. 27 on the rum in Miami, and coincides with the 2021 virus — when not of the delta variant — is Billboard 200. Billboard Latin Music Awards broadcasting significantly less likely to be spread by a live from Telemundo on Sept. 23. vaccinated person. To register and for more information, Just yesterday, Garth Brooks an- Lunay, Chris Jedi visit BillboardLatinMusicWeek.com. nounced that he was reevaluating his ongoing stadium tour in light of the surging & Gaby Music Will pandemic and delta variant. Fall Out Boy to Create a Hit In Miss Two Hella Lil Nas X & Jack Real Time At 2021 Mega Tour Dates Harlow’s ‘Industry Latin Music Week Due to Positive Baby’ Debuts at BY JESSICA ROIZ COVID-19 Test No. 1 on Hot R&B/ unay, Chris Jedi and Gaby Music have been confirmed for Bill- BY JOE LYNCH Hip-Hop Songs board’s 2021 Latin Music Week returning to Miami in September n Wednesday (Aug. 3) morn- Chart Lwith a week-long event that unites the top ing, Fall Out Boy announced Latin hitmakers, influencers and industry that out of “an abundance of BY TREVOR ANDERSON leaders, and features live performances and caution” they will miss the New conversations with superstars. OYork and Boston tour dates on their Hella he tag team of Lil Nas X and Jack Puerto Rican sensation Lunay, known for Mega run with Weezer and Green Day due Harlow storm in and shake bops like “Soltera,” “La Cama” and the Anit- to a positive COVID-19 test from “an indi- up Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop ta-assisted “Todo o Nada,” will join longtime vidual on the band’s team.” Songs chart as their collabora- producers Chris Jedi and Gaby Music to “It’s important to note that everyone on Ttion, “Industry Baby,” debuts at No. 1 on form part of “Making the Hit, Live,” a mas- the entire tour, both band and crew, are fully the list dated August 7. The single traces its terclass where Latin Music Week attendees vaccinated,” reads Fall Out Boy’s statement chart-topping bow to a huge streaming sum, can see how they craft a song in real-time. on Instagram. “Each band and their crew helped by a social media promo campaign To register, visit BillboardLatinMusic- have operated in a bubble independently that played on Lil Nas X’ court appear- Week.com. to safeguard everyone as much as possible ance days before the song’s release and its The star-studded 2021 Latin Music Week at each show and in between shows.” The provocative music video, which the rapper lineup includes Daddy Yankee, Karol G, statement also notes the Hella Mega tour warned on Twitter was “not for kids” and and Nicky Jam, includes Anitta, Carin León, has a full-time COVID safety protocol of- mostly takes place in an all-male prison. Elena Rose, Erika Vidrio, Esteman, Goyo, ficer on staff. Through the chart-topping start, Lil Nas Grupo Firmer’s Jhonny Caz, Kany García, The Hella Mega Tour hits New York X (real name: Montero Hill) banks his sec- Los Dos Carnales, Myke Towers, Natanael City’s Citi Field on Aug. 4 and Boston’s Fen- ond No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, after Cano, Nicki Nicole, Nicky Jam, Rauw way Park on Aug. 5. Green Day and Weezer “Old Town Road,” which lodged a record 20 Alejandro, Raymix, Tainy, Tini, Tostao and are still slated to perform, along with open- weeks on top thanks to its remix featuring Yotuel Romero, with more to be announced ing act The Interrupters. Billy Ray Cyrus. in the coming weeks. While FOB’s statement doesn’t specify Jack Harlow, meanwhile, collects his Under the slogan “The Beat of Latin whether the individual who tested positive first leader. He previously managed a No. 2 Music,” and making its mark as the longest- for COVID-19 is affected by the delta vari- career best with his breakout single, “What’s running and biggest Latin music industry ant, the CDC recently shared data revealing Poppin’,” featuring DaBaby, Tory Lanez and gathering in the world, this year’s event will that the delta variant is far more transmis- Lil Wayne. continue through the end of Latin Mu- sible amongst the vaccinated. Looking at The instant success also returns a familiar sic Week as Billboard launches its En Vivo a sample group in Provincetown, Mass., name - Kanye West - to the top slot, though concerts series in partnership with Sam- over the Fourth of July weekends, the CDC not as a performer. The prolific hitmaker sung, Amazon Music, and Bacardí. learned three-quarters of new infections serves as a producer on “Industry Baby,” and The 2021 Latin Music Week will take occurred in vaccinated individuals. Previ- with the new champ, West adds an eighth place from Sept. 20 to 24 at the Faena Fo- ously, data had indicated that the corona- Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs No. 1 in that role. Page 25 of 27

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He last led over six years ago (as both a co- lent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one producer and performing artist) on “FourFi- Tommy Torres album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from veSeconds,” with Rihanna and Paul McCart- an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 ney, which reigned for seven weeks in 2015. Returns to Top paid/subscription on-demand official audio Elsewhere, “Industry Baby” enters at No. and video streams generated by songs from 1 on Hot Rap Songs – Lil Nas X’ second Latin Albums an album. leader and Harlow’s first – and at No. 2 on El Playlist generated 3,000 in album the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Chart With Bad sales and a little over 3,000 in SEA units in “Industry Baby” begins as the week’s its first tracking week, that equates to 4.8 top-streamed and top-selling R&B/hip-hop Bunny-Assisted million on-demand streams for the album’s song. In the former category, it registered tracks. An unexpected project for some, 40.6 million U.S. streams in the week ending ‘El Playlist de Torres’s first collaboration was entirely July 29, according to MRC Data, and opens co-written and co-produced with his now at No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Stream- Anoche’ labelmate, Bad Bunny. A blend of rock, pop, ing Songs rankings. Likewise, it kicks alternative, Torres’ central musical forte, El off atop the R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song BY PAMELA BUSTIOS Playlist also fuses reggae and tropical nu- Sales standings through 11,000 downloads ances. sold in the same period. fter a nearly eight-year absence “Working alongside Benito was just awe- Radio airplay, meanwhile, is off to its from Billboard’s Top Latin some,” Torres remembers. “We approached greatest reception in the pop and rhythmic Albums chart, Tommy Torres is this as a band album, in the sense that we markets. After its first full week of track- back with El Playlist de Anoche, both brought our A-Game to the studio and ing, “Industry Baby” cracks both the Pop hisA fifth studio album which debuts at No. 7 all decisions, and I do mean ALL decisions, Airplay and Rhythmic Airplay charts at on the August 7-dated survey. from the song topics to the arrangements, to Nos. 29 and 28, respectively. Though it has The nine-track set follows the No. 1 the artwork, to the title of the album, were yet to reach the corresponding Mainstream album 12 Historias, his first and only leader all made by both. We might have differ- R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay list, support from the on any albums chart (Oct. 2012). In be- ent influences, but we hear and feel music genre sector is building; “Baby” notched 213 tween, the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter similarly. We both reacted to certain things plays across 34 stations in the latest tracking earned two other top 10 efforts, both live in a very emotional intuitive way. That made week. albums: Unplugged Desde Puerto Rico (No. it easy to move forward because those emo- “Industry Baby” is likely to appear on Lil 9, May 2013) and 12 Historias: En Vivo (No. tional reactions were our only north. If we Nas X’s first full-length studio album, Mon- 10, 2013). were having a good time and getting goose tero, which the rapper announced in “I felt such a crazy excitement from fans bumps, we just moved on to the next thing, June is “coming soon.” The album could since the album was released,” Torress no overthinking.” also contain his other 2021 hit, “Montero tells Billboard. “So, comparing that to past With El Playlist’s arrival at No. 7, Torres (Call Me by Your Name),” which debuted at experiences with my last three releases, captures his fourth Top Latin Albums top 10 No. 1 on the Hot 100 in April. I would lie if I told you I didn’t have the and first chart appearance since 2013. He’s expectation for it to debut in the top 10. just the third Latin pop act to secure a top 10 Obviously, times are different now, since it’s debut on the overall Latin tally in 2021. Ca- more about streaming-based than actual milo (Mis Manos, No. 5, chart dated March sales, but still, the positive reaction has been 21) and Selena Gómez (Revelación EP, No. crazy.” 1, Jan 27-dated survey) preceded with a top El Playlist de Anoche starts with 6,000 10 start. equivalent album units earned in the U.S. Torres’ first entry on Latin Pop Al- in the week ending July 29, according to bums since 2013, El Playlist concurrently MRC Data. The project, released July 23 on enters at No. 2 there. Rimas Music, attains its initial count almost About the recording and creative process, equally from album sales and streams. Torres adds: “The only challenging aspect The Top Latin Albums chart ranks the was to work at makeshift home studios, most popular Latin albums of the week in where the acoustics are never perfect. Since the U.S. based on multi-metric consump- we did it in the middle of the pandemic, we tion as measured in equivalent album units. couldn’t just get out and rent commercial Units comprise album sales, track equiva- studios, so we built out a studio at an AirBnb lent albums (TEA) and streaming equiva- in Los Angeles, at my home in Miami, and Page 26 of 27

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at Benito’s AirBnb in Orlando. This made to-find darker shades for women of color it feel like my first album where I recorded — that are available online and in LVMH- mostly everything in my bedroom. It’s not owned Sephora stores. ideal but there’s a certain energy that comes from working like that. I think it worked to the benefit of the album.” Forbes Says Rihanna’s Fenty Bounty Boosted Her to Billionaire Status

BY GIL KAUFMAN

ou already knew Rihanna was a boss onstage, onscreen and in the studio. But the singer is also now officially a boardroom billionaire. AccordingY to Forbes magazine, RiRi has reached rarified pop air thanks to her mega- successful four-year old Fenty Beauty brand, which it estimates has pushed her personal fortune to $1.7 billion. The gaudy figure gives Rihanna the bragging rights as the wealthiest female musician in the world and puts her just behind Oprah Winfrey as the richest female entertainer on the planet. The magazine es- timates that the bulk of Rih’s fortune is not from her music career, but from the value of Fenty Beauty, which she launched in 2017 and owns 50% of; Forbes eyeballed her half- stake in Fenty as being worth around $1.4 billion. Much of the rest of her fortune is report- edly from the singer’s stake in her lingerie company, Savage x Fenty, which is worth an estimated $270 million and has an estimated valuation of $1 billion, as well as her career earnings as a musician and actress in such films as Ocean’s Eight and Battleship; Ri- hanna reportedly retains an estimated 30% ownership stake in Savage x Fenty. Fenty Beauty is a 50-50 joint venture with French luxury goods behemoth LVMH that focuses on inclusion through a diverse range of products — including typically hard- Page 27 of 27 LAST THIS ARTIST CERTIFICATION Title PEAK WKS. ON LAST THIS ARTIST CERTIFICATION Title PEAK WKS. ON WEEK WEEK IMPRINT/DISTRIBUTING LABEL POS. CHART WEEK WEEK IMPRINT/DISTRIBUTING LABEL POS. CHART 26 #1 GREATEST THE KID LAROI F*ck Love 1 53 61 CHRIS STAPLETON 4 Traveller 1 307 1 1 WK GAINER COLUMBIA 51 MERCURY NASHVILLE/UMGN

OLIVIA RODRIGO Sour SZA 2 Ctrl IN BRIEF 3 2 GEFFEN/IGA 1 10 38 52 TOP DAWG/RCA 3 216

DOJA CAT Planet Her H.E.R. Back Of My Mind 4 3 KEMOSABE/RCA 2 5 48 53 MBK/RCA 6 6

MORGAN WALLEN Dangerous: The Double Album RAUW ALEJANDRO Vice Versa 5 4 BIG LOUD/REPUBLIC 1 29 51 54 DUARS/SONY MUSIC LATIN 17 5

POP SMOKE Faith BAD BUNNY El Ultimo Tour del Mundo 1 5 VICTOR VICTOR WORLDWIDE/REPUBLIC 1 2 54 55 RIMAS 1 35

LIL BABY & LIL DURK The Voice Of The Heroes MIKE. the highs. 6 6 ALAMO/QUALITY CONTROL/MOTOWN/IGA/CAPITOL 1 8 NEW 56 4THEHOMIES/DITTO 56 1

PACE EST GEE Bigger Than Life Or Death MEGAN THEE STALLION Good News 65 7 SETTER WARLIKE/CMG/INTERSCOPE/IGA 7 2 60 57 1501 CERTIFIED/300/AG 2 36 7 8 POLO G Hall Of Fame 1 7 57 58 TAYLOR SWIFT 2 Lover 1 101 The Kid COLUMBIA REPUBLIC 56 9 TAYLOR SWIFT Folklore 1 53 80 59 J. COLE 3 2014 Forest Hills Drive 1 347 REPUBLIC DREAMVILLE/ROC NATION/COLUMBIA/LEGACY Wins DUA LIPA Future Nostalgia WALKER HAYES Country Stuff (EP) 8 10 WARNER 3 69 68 60 MONUMENT 60 6 Over a year after The

2 Kid LAROI’s F*ck Love 12 11 LUKE COMBS What You See Is What You Get 1 90 72 61 GLASS ANIMALS Dreamland 7 38 RIVER HOUSE/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE/SMN WOLF TONE/POLYDOR/REPUBLIC was released, it surges HOT Moon Boy The Highlights SHOT 12 YUNG BLEU 12 1 66 62 THE WEEKND 2 25 DEBUT VANDROSS/EMPIRE XO/REPUBLIC from No. 26 to No. 1 on

MONEYBAGG YO A Gangsta’s Pain BOB MARLEY AND THE WAILERS 15 Legend: The Best Of... the Billboard 200 for 11 13 CMG/N-LESS/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 14 58 63 5 689 TUFF GONG/ISLAND/UME its first week atop the POP SMOKE 2 Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon JUICE WRLD Death Race For Love 9 14 VICTOR VICTOR WORLDWIDE/REPUBLIC 1 56 63 64 GRADE A/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 125 list, following multiple

BO BURNHAM Inside (The Songs) SLEEPY HALLOW Still Sleep? reissues that added 10 15 BO BURNHAM/IMPERIAL/REPUBLIC 7 8 82 65 WINNERS CIRCLE/RCA 38 9 tracks to the project. The THE WEEKND 2 After Hours JOURNEY 15 Journey’s Greatest Hits 13 16 XO/REPUBLIC 1 67 64 66 COLUMBIA/LEGACY 10 679 set, now in its 53rd chart BILLBOARD 200 BILLBOARD

LEON BRIDGES Gold-Diggers Sound AC/DC 25 Back In Black week, earned 85,000 NEW 17 LISASAWYER63/COLUMBIA 17 1 70 67 COLUMBIA/LEGACY 4 474 equivalent album units in JUSTIN BIEBER Justice KENDRICK LAMAR 3 good kid, m.A.A.d city 15 18 RAYMOND BRAUN/DEF JAM 1 19 62 68 TOP DAWG/AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE/IGA 2 457 the United States during

PAUL MCCARTNEY McCartney III Imagined DOJA CAT Hot Pink the week ending July 29 NEW 19 MPL/CAPITOL 19 1 67 69 KEMOSABE/RCA 9 91 (up 409%), according to JOHN MAYER Sob Rock CHRIS STAPLETON Starting Over 2 20 COLUMBIA 2 2 71 70 MERCURY NASHVILLE/UMGN 3 37 MRC Data. Streaming

LIL BABY 3 My Turn LIL DURK The Voice activity powers most of 19 21 QUALITY CONTROL/MOTOWN/CAPITOL 1 74 69 71 ALAMO/GEFFEN/IGA 2 32 that figure. POST MALONE 3 Hollywood’s Bleeding 42 DUGG Free Dem Boyz 20 22 REPUBLIC 1 99 75 72 4PF/CMG 8 10 F*ck Love arrived J. COLE The Off-Season JACK HARLOW Thats What They All Say July 24, 2020, with 15 14 23 DREAMVILLE/ROC NATION/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 11 87 73 GENERATION NOW/ATLANTIC/AG 5 33 tracks. It was reissued 21 24 QUEEN 5 Greatest Hits 8 449 77 74 FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE Life Rolls On 21 24 AUG. HOLLYWOOD BMLG Nov. 6 with seven addi- MIGOS Culture III POST MALONE 5 Stoney tional tracks and jumped 7 16 25 QUALITY CONTROL/MOTOWN/CAPITOL 2 7 76 75 REPUBLIC 4 242 81-3 on the Nov. 21 chart 2021 22 26 JUICE WRLD Legends Never Die 1 55 39 76 G HERBO 25 5 4 GRADE A/INTERSCOPE/IGA MACHINE ENTERTAINMENT/IMPERIAL/REPUBLIC — its peak until now. JUICE WRLD Goodbye & Good Riddance LIL TJAY Destined 2 Win It was then reissued a 23 27 GRADE A/INTERSCOPE/IGA 4 167 74 77 COLUMBIA 5 17 third and fourth time, on 18 28 TYLER, THE CREATOR Call Me If You Get Lost 1 5 73 78 YOUNG THUG & VARIOUS ARTISTS Young Stoner Life: Slime Language 2 1 15 COLUMBIA YOUNG STONER LIFE/300/AG July 23 and July 27, add- LUKE COMBS 3 This One’s For You SUMMER WALKER Over It ing seven and six tracks, 25 29 RIVER HOUSE/COLUMBIA NASHVILLE/SMN 4 217 79 79 LVRN/INTERSCOPE/IGA 2 95 respectively, including 31 30 ARIANA GRANDE Positions 1 39 83 80 2PAC 10 Greatest Hits 3 381 REPUBLIC AMARU/DEATH ROW/INTERSCOPE/UME his current Billboard ROD WAVE SoulFly ED SHEERAN 4 ÷ (Divide) Hot 100 top five hit, 28 31 ALAMO/GEFFEN/IGA 1 18 81 81 ATLANTIC/AG 1 230 “Stay,” with Justin Bieber. 30 32 HARRY STYLES 2 Fine Line 1 85 78 82 TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS 12 Greatest Hits 2 420 ERSKINE/COLUMBIA MCA/GEFFEN/UME The F*ck Love tracklist FLEETWOOD MAC 20 Rumours ROD WAVE Pray 4 Love 29 33 WARNER/RHINO 1 435 88 83 ALAMO/IGA 2 69 now stands at 35. Of the album’s 24 34 MACHINE GUN KELLY Tickets To My Downfall 1 44 86 84 LIL UZI VERT Eternal Atake 1 73 EST19XX/BAD BOY/INTERSCOPE/IGA GENERATION NOW/ATLANTIC/AG 85,000 units earned, MORGAN WALLEN If I Know Me KANYE WEST 3 My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy 37 35 BIG LOUD 10 148 123 85 ROC-A-FELLA/DEF JAM 1 144 streaming-equivalent album units make up 41 36 TAYLOR SWIFT Evermore 1 33 NEW 86 JACKSON BROWNE Downhill From Everywhere 86 1 REPUBLIC INSIDE nearly 82,000 (up 403%, CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL 10 Chronicle The 20 Greatest Hits MICHAEL JACKSON 33 Thriller 34 37 FANTASY/CONCORD 18 534 84 87 EPIC/LEGACY 1 481 equaling 113.97 million on-demand streams 32 38 DJ KHALED Khaled Khaled 1 13 96 88 DRAKE 6 Take Care 1 439 WE THE BEST/EPIC YOUNG MONEY/CASH MONEY/REPUBLIC of the album’s tracks), TRAVIS SCOTT 3 ASTROWORLD THE WEEKND 3 Starboy 45 39 CACTUS JACK/GRAND HUSTLE/EPIC 1 156 92 89 XO/REPUBLIC 1 228 album sales 2,000 (up 978%) and track-equiv- 36 40 POOH SHIESTY Shiesty Season 3 25 89 90 YOUNGBOY NEVER BROKE AGAIN Top 1 46 1017 GLOBAL/ATLANTIC/AG NEVER BROKE AGAIN/ARTIST PARTNER GROUP/ATLANTIC/AG alent album units nearly ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST 8 Hamilton: An American Musical BRUNO MARS 7 Doo-Wops & Hooligans 35 41 HAMILTON UPTOWN/ATLANTIC/AG 2 305 85 91 ELEKTRA/EMG 3 530 2,000 (up 458%).

POLO G The GOAT LIL UZI VERT Luv Is Rage 2 —KEITH CAULFIELD 40 42 COLUMBIA 2 63 95 92 GENERATION NOW/ATLANTIC/AG 1 205

ELTON JOHN Diamonds KANYE WEST 5 Graduation 43 43 ROCKET/ISLAND/UME 7 194 132 93 ROC-A-FELLA/DEF JAM 1 182

BAD BUNNY YHLQMDLG LUKE BRYAN Born Here Live Here Die Here 44 44 RIMAS 2 74 100 94 CAPITOL NASHVILLE/UMGN 5 40

BILLIE EILISH 4 When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? ZAC BROWN BAND Greatest Hits So Far... 50 45 DARKROOM/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 122 93 95 HOME GROWN/BMG 20 315

EMINEM 7 Curtain Call: The Hits RODDY RICCH 2 Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial 52 46 SHADY/AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 539 98 96 BIRD VISION/ATLANTIC/AG 1 86

GIVEON When It’s All Said And Done... Take Time DABABY BLAME IT ON BABY THE BILLBOARD 200 CHART RANKS THE MOST POPULAR ALBUMS OF THE WEEK, AS COMPILED BY MRC DATA, BASED ON MULTIMETRIC CONSUMPTION (BLENDING TRADITIONAL ALBUM SALES, TRACK EQUIVALENT ALBUMS AND STREAMING EQUIVALENT ALBUMS). 42 47 NOT SO FAST/EPIC 5 20 99 97 SOUTHCOAST/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 67 THE BILLBOARD 200 CHART RANKS THE MOST POPULAR ALBUMS OF THE WEEK, AS COMPILED BY MRC DATA, BASED ON MULTIMETRIC CONSUMPTION (BLENDING TRADITIONAL ALBUM SALES, TRACK EQUIVALENT ALBUMS AND STREAMING EQUIVALENT ALBUMS).

POST MALONE 5 beerbongs & bentleys LEWIS CAPALDI Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent 53 48 REPUBLIC 1 170 105 98 VERTIGO/CAPITOL 20 115

MAROON 5 Jordi MAC MILLER Swimming 55 49 222/INTERSCOPE/IGA 8 7 90 99 WARNER 3 151

DRAKE 5 Scorpion EMINEM Music To Be Murdered By 59 50 YOUNG MONEY/CASH MONEY/REPUBLIC 1 161 97 100 SHADY/AFTERMATH/INTERSCOPE/IGA 1 79 SALES DATA COMPILEDBY SALES DATA COMPILEDBY

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11chart_bb200 [P]_29203407.indd 6 8/3/21 5:44 PM