Sony Music Acquires Todd Moscowitz's Alamo Records

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INSIDE Sony Music Acquires

• Recording Todd Moscowitz’s Alamo Records Academy Restructures BY DAN RYS Leadership With New Co-Presidents Sony Music Group has acquired a majority Fly in April. Other artists on the label include Smoke- stake ’s Alamo Records, the com- purpp, Comethazine, wifisfuneral, Yung Mal, 03 • Live Shows Are Todd Moscowitz Back, But Delayed panies announced Tuesday (June 22). Alamo, which Greedo, Lil Gotit and more. Federal Grants Are had initially been distributed through Universal Mu- Alamo’s entire catalog and existing roster will also Draining Concert sic Group’s Interscope Records, will become a new be moving over to Sony as part of the deal, while Pipeline frontline label under the Sony umbrella, according to Moscowitz will maintain his title as CEO. UMG/In- • Vivendi Investors the announcement. terscope was a seed partner in Alamo — which, when Approve $40B “I decided to partner with Sony Music because Rob announced, was initially called Cold Heat Records Spinoff of Universal [Stringer] and the team showed their deep under- — and had an option to purchase the label, a source Music Group standing of entrepreneurship,” Moscowitz said in a tells Billboard. But after reaping more than $125 mil- • As Truckers Pump statement. “Being competitive in this marketplace lion from its investment in the venture, UMG passed the Brakes on requires being fluid, fast and innovative and I have on its option to buy it, in part out of concerns over Returning to Touring, tremendous confidence that Alamo and our artists longterm profitability. Is the Industry Facing will get the support from Sony Music to take our en- Moscowitz has a long and successful track record a Driver Shortage? tire company to the next level.” within the music business, having worked in the vBillboard’s Songs of Moscowitz founded Alamo in 2016 after leaving 300 leadership team at Def Jam in the 1990s and early the Summer Chart Entertainment, which he had co-founded along- 2000s before moving to Warner Music Group and Returns, Led by BTS’ side Lyor Cohen, Roger Gold and Kevin Liles three taking over as president of Asylum Records, then CEO ‘Butter’ years prior. Since then, the label has had several of Warner Bros. Records, before co-founding 300. He • SoundExchange breakthroughs with its artists, particularly Rod Wave, also has been the longtime manager of Gucci Mane, Paid Out $947 Million blackbear and Lil Durk, whose joint album with Lil and has helped steer the legendary Atlanta MC’s in 2020 Baby The Voice of the Heroes debuted at No. 1 on the career for over a decade. With the new Sony deal, Billboard 200 last week. That success followed Rod Moscowitz has now worked in some capacity with all Wave’s first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with Soul- (continued)

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three major labels. nent-basis in May — will relinquish half of tiatives for incoming voting member classes “We are very excited to bring Todd and his title to co-presidents Valeisha Butterfield and, in April, led a board of trustees vote to his label, Alamo, to our company,” Stringer Jones and Panos A. Panay, restructuring the disband nomination-review committees. said in a statement. “He has always been organization’s executive suite. After a lengthy search process to hire a new a visionary in an area of music that is now Butterfield Jones — who was hired as president/CEO, Mason was named to the front and center of pop culture globally so the academy’s first chief diversity, equity role permanently on May 13 and recently we are delighted to add his experience and and inclusion officer in May 2020 after four told Billboard that a hiring search is under- expertise to our creative strategy. We wel- years as Google’s global head of inclusion — way for in-house counsel. come him, his artists and his team to Sony will retain her existing responsibilities and “We had come to a place where we Music and will provide all the partnership now oversee membership, awards, advocacy needed to do things differently,” says Mason, he needs to take the label to even greater and related initiatives. Panay, who founded adding the move represents “an opportunity heights.” and ran Sonicbids and will join the academy to build a dynamic new leadership team,” to from Berklee College of Music, where he focus on growth and innovation. was senior vp of global strategy and innova- On June 2, the academy’s board of trust- Recording tion, will also become chief revenue officer. ees also announced its new slate of elected “The three of us will be operating as a officers: Tammy Hurt as chair, Rico Love as Academy unit as we strengthen every system in every vice chair and Om’Mas Keith as secretary/ part of our organization from the inside treasurer. Christina Albert returned as chair Restructures out,” says Butterfield Jones. emeritus. “Developing the academy for the The new co-presidents assume their roles 21st century as part of this amazing group,” Leadership at a period of dramatic change for the acad- adds Panay, “I’m energized and inspired by emy. The previous CEO, Deborah Dugan, the opportunity to do good and do well.” With New Co- was ousted after five months, in January In their first interview together, Mason, 2020, just 10 days before that year’s Grammy Butterfield Jones and Panay talk about the Presidents Award ceremony. (The organization accused next steps in the academy’s continuing trans- her of workplace bullying. She filed an formation: BY GAIL MITCHELL Equal Employment Opportunity Commis- sion discrimination complaint alleging she How do you envision what your new roles or the first time, the Recording was terminated because she had threatened will encompass? Academy will have a separate CEO to expose misconduct. Arbitration hearings Butterfield Jones: It’s been a difficult and president — or make that pres- are scheduled to begin July 12.) Since then, year for music creators because of CO- idents. Starting Aug. 16, Recording as board chair and interim president/CEO, VID-19. So with the return to everyday busi- FAcademy president/CEO Harvey Mason Mason has instituted a major structural ness, we’re thinking about our membership jr. — who accepted that role on a perma- reorganization, overseen new diversity ini- — which will be part of my remit — and how

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ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] IN BRIEF SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country we trulyAlbu deepenms; our partnership Brett with them Young tion as well ‘Catc as innovation.h’-es Ultimately Fifth for me, doing Airplay it in a silo. We want to make sure that and across the industry. That will remain a the attraction of this job is having the honor we’re working from the inside out of the key part of Leawhat we doder; and won’t Travis change. toDenning serve an institution I Makesgrew up admiring, History academy and collaboratively with our music It’s also important to say that the three of us developing the academy for the 21st century partners to better serve music creators and will be operating as a unit. We bring a lot of as part of this amazing group I’m energized our members. And as Harvey says, it’s about Samdifferent Hunt ’stalents, second skills studio and full-length, backgrounds and first to in overand five inspired years, Southside by and being sales given (up 21%) the oppor in the tracking- having week. Ona bias Country for action, Airplay, doing it hops the 18-15 work (11.9 mil- (MCAwhat Nashville/Universalwe do. So we’re excited Music Group about Nashville), the work debuts tunity at No. to 1 ondo Billboard good and’s dolion well. audience impressions, andup 16%). getting results while measuring every Topthat Country we’ll be Albums doing togetherchart dated and, April as 18. Panos In its first weekHarvey, Valeisha was (ending April 9), it already in-house step of the way. Accountability will be a key earned 46,000 equivalent album units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingsays all to the Nielsen time, Music/MRCdeploying those Data. skills after a DEI executive searchand total that Country began Airplayin No.focus, 1 as “Catch” looking (Big across Machine everything Label Group) we do ascends with acrossSouthside the organization marks Hunt’s as second we need No. them.1 on the December 2019. But how did Panos come to a 2-1,critical increasing eye. Then 13% to making 36.6 million sure impressions.that we’re chartStaff and culture, fourth topmembership 10. It follows and freshman awards LPwill your attention? settingYoung’s high first goals of andsix chart reaching entries, them “Sleep year With - Montevallobe part of ,what which I arriveddo while at thethinking summit about in No - Mason: Panos was actually somebody that overout year. So inYou,” reached one No. year, 2 in we December will have 2016. that He vemberhow we 2014 strengthen and reigned every for nine system weeks. in everyTo date, I met during the CEO search. I really love visionfollowed set withand thebe workingmultiweek toward No. 1s “In it. We’reCase You at Montevallo has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved millionpart of in our album organization sales. from the inside his vision and entrepreneurial edge. He’s a You”real inflection(three, January point 2018), as “Mercy”an organization. (two, August I out. So whileMontevallo has internal spent 267 work weeks will on thebe alist, key tying so involved in technology; looking around can2018) say and in my“Here 13 Tonight”or 14 months (two, Aprilhere 2019). that this Lukefocus Bryan for me,’s Crash we’ll My be Party doing as theit together sixth-longest- as a the corners to see what’s coming for not is an“Catch” organization completes that’s his longest ready journeyfor change, to No. 1, runningunit. titles in the chart’s 56-year history. only our industry but a lot of industries. As readyhaving for taken the pivot46 weeks and to this reach new the leadership. apex. It out- OnPanay: This the all-genre is a Billboard time of change 200, Southside in the ar- I’ve said, I want to attract top talent to help pacesPanay: The the 30-week industry climb is of becoming “Here Tonight.” a rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On Hot Country Songs, “Catch” pushes 7-5 for HUNT YOUNG aftermusic the industry. No. 3-peaking It’s a Montevallo time where. our mem- us do really important work. A lot of what globalizeda new high. world where talent is evenly bershipHunt first needs released a strong the academyEPX2C , which with debuted a big we’re trying to do is not just grow the acad- distributed, but opportunity is not. Part andplatform peaked that’s at No. able 5 on to Top help Country them deal Albums with in Augustemy. 2014. We also Following want to makeCOMBS sure ‘DOES’ we’re ITser AGAIN- Lukeof our Combs job as’ “Does an academy to Me” (River is to House/Columbia create as Montevallothe great opportunities, Between the Pines: that Acousticare ahead, Mixtape but startedvicing at its our No. members 7 high in andNashville), industry featuringpartners Eric Churchmany opportunities for, ascends 11-8 on Country members Airplay, to updevelop 10% to Novemberalso the great 2015. challenges that are facing with everything possible. So when24.7 million inI meet audience. a Themeaningful, song is Combs’ sustainable eighth straight careers career-opening for the 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:musicians “Leave because the Night of COVID On,” “Take and Yourall the Time,” “HousePanos Party” or have and the“Make opportunity promoted to reposition No. 1 singles. future. I’d like us as an academy to continue Youtechnological Miss Me.” “Break changes Up inthat a Small have Town” affected peaked the at No.[an 2. executive like] Valeisha,Church I’m doing adds his it 15th Countrygrowing Airplay our top global 10. presence, accelerating industry.Hunt co-penned I’ve been all in 12 the songs music on industrySouthside for, including with “Body the perspective Like a Back of how can this benefit the change that’s already been started and Road,”27 years which in various was released roles, starting in 2017. The as a smash talent hit ruledthe Country members Airplay and forour partnershipsTHAT TOOK withinQUITE ‘A FEW’embracing MONTHS Travisthe technological Denning shatters transforma the record- for threeagent weeks booking and artiststhe airplay-, like Chick streaming- Corea, and Nina sales-based the Hot industry. Country Songs the most weeks it has takention to penetrate that our the industry Country is Airplay undergoing. top 10 asIt “Aftertakes 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 - FloridaSimone Georgia and Leonard Line’s “Meant Cohen. to I Be” started Son (50 weeks- atop the latterWhat list is inone 2017-18). thing youlion want in radio accomplish reach. 3000 streams to make a minimum wage, icbids in“Downtown’s 2000, Dead,”one of whichthe first is also successful on the new set, reachedby this time Nos. 14next and year? 15 The song surpasses two tracksright? that As thetook academy, 50 weeks eachwe’re to in enter the theposition top 10: ononline Hot Country companies Songs that and connects Country Airplay,bands and respectively, Butterfield in June 2018. Jones: I’d “Kin- Easton love for Corbin us col’s- “A Girl Liketo You,”embrace which the reached “sciences” No. 10 part in January of its full 2018 be- folks”music led promoters Country Airplay with over on Feb. a million 29, becoming gigs Hunt’slectively seventh to No. set 1. a It North hit Starfore peakingfor where at No. we 6 that February,name: National and Aaron Academy Watson’s of “Outta Recording Style,” Artswhich No.booked. 3 on Hot Then Country at Berklee Songs. I was in charge want to go as an organizationachieved and its how No. 10 we’re high in Decemberand Sciences. 2017. To really be a leader in not 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 of global strategy and overall strategic direc- going to drive that impact. It’s not about only understanding, but helping to educate 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 WE’RE BACK, LIVE IN MIAMI

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and advocate on behalf of our members in rollout of the $16 billion Shuttered Venue while others have borrowed substantially. terms of how ultimately these new plat- Operators Grant program that Congress ap- “There’s been a huge learning curve forms ought to not only respect the liveli- proved in December is leaving independent for the SBA — they went into this having hoods of artists, but should be there to help venues and promoters ill-prepared for a no idea how our business works,” Forte them grow and take them to the next level. robust return. tells Billboard. While the pace of the grant Harvey’s vision for this management For the past 15 months, venues have been awards has picked up – the stakeholders structure is so cutting edge. Actually, largely shuttered due to COVID-19 restric- have daily meetings with the SBA to receive you will see more and more organizations tions. The SVOG was created to save indie updates on agency’s progress — the delays putting together [leadership]collectives of venues from permanent closure and level have led to concerns about overleveraged talent. This is the only way that organiza- the playing field with corporate competi- promoters and agents defaulting on their tions of all kinds will be able to anticipate tors Live Nation and AEG, which relied on obligations, potentially creating a liquidity and lead toward the future. That’s what we borrowing during the pandemic — except crisis that would be hard to contain because are attempting to do as a collective and as a that the checks haven’t gone out yet and no of the terms of the loans many are receiving. broader team. one’s certain who’s getting one. As of June “Unfortunately, if there is a problem,” Mason: In 64 years, we’ve done some 21, only 677 venues and promoters had adds Forte, “we probably won’t know until important and amazing things especially received SVOG funds from the SBA, about it’s too late.” in providing much-needed support of our 13.5% of those that applied. And although This story will appear in the June 26, 2021, music community during COVID-19. But many of these spaces can open up now, that issue of Billboard. I have very big goals and aspirations for only intensifies their need for funds so they what I think we can accomplish with this can rehire employees, make deposits to book team. The three of us have been talking a lot acts, hold shows and start bringing in money Vivendi Investors about “leveling up.” How do we level up all again. of our processes and initiatives, all of our “Everything’s turning on so fast,” Approve $40B staff, membership, awards and services? says Stephen Chilton, owner of the Rebel In the last year to 18 months, we’ve been Lounge, a 300-capacity club in Phoenix. Spinoff of looking at everything with a critical eye “We all know that September, October and to find ways to improve all we do. We also November are going to be crazy, but we have Universal Music know there’s some transformation that still no revenue coming in now and it’s hard to needs to happen. But at the end of this first staff up enough to handle that volume.” Group year, as we stride toward more change and Indie promoters face a tough decision on improvement, I want to have also fostered how to proceed while still awaiting SVOG BY ED CHRISTMAN our growth mindset. We can be a better, funds as festival season approaches. Prime stronger academy and industry partner. Social Group co-founder/president Adam ow that Vivendi sharehold- A version of this story will appear in the Lynn canceled three out of six events for ers have approved spinning off June 26, 2021, issue of Billboard. the multicity Breakaway Music Festival this 60% of Universal Music Group, year and rescheduled the others for later in the world’s largest music major 2021 due to uncertainty over the status of its Ncan become a publicly listed company by a Live Shows Are SVOG application. targeted date of Sept. 21, the French media Others are even worse off, and he says conglomerate announced on Tuesday. Back, But Delayed that “many independents are not able to is- At the company’s annual general share- sue their fans refunds” because they already holder’s meeting, 99.9% of shareholders in Federal Grants spent that money on artist deposits or pro- attendance voted to approve the distribu- duction costs. Now those promoters are just tion of 60% of UMG to Vivendi sharehold- Are Draining hoping that SVOG funds come through in ers. The meeting was virtually attended by time — or else they’ll need to cancel shows shareholders that owned 69% of Vivendi Concert Pipeline at the last minute and lose more money, as shares. well as customer goodwill. The company said that the vote demon- BY DAVE BROOKS Because independent businesses don’t strated shareholders’ “full support for the have the same access to cash as corporations recommended strategic approach and the oncerts are coming back with like Live Nation and AEG, agent Wayne options chosen by the Management Board to what looks to be a busy, com- Forte with Entourage Talent says much of implement this transaction.” petitive fall season. But the Small the independent touring sector is getting Once public, the shares will be listed on C Business Association’s sluggish dangerously closed to running out of capital, Euronext Amsterdam. Page 8 of 16

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The recent deal to sell 10% of the com- Tedeschi Trucks Band and many others for deter some people.” pany to Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square nearly three decades, refuses to go back. “[I Plus, pay rates for “reefers,” or refriger- Tontine Holdings gave UMG a 33 billion was on the road] two months at a time or ated trailers attached to semi-trucks, are euro ($39.4 billion) valuation; including debt more. And that was wearing on my marriage up 324% over the past year, according it has an enterprise value of 35 billion euros and my life,” he says. “Now you listen what to DAT Trendlines, a trucking industry ($41.6 billion). you want to on the radio, and if you feel like data service. Rogan says a four-day run In response to written questions from pulling over and taking a nap, you pull over from Phoenix to Redmond, Ore., and back shareholders, Vivendi said PSTH was a and take a nap.” makes him $3,800, and he’s home multiple “strategic choice to support UMG over Rogan’s not the only former tour bus days to spend time with his wife; before the long term alongside Tencent and its driver who’s found a more comfortable the pandemic, he made $450 a day driving co-investors, given the quality of the long- lifestyle in trucking during the pandemic. a tour bus and was on the road for months. term shareholder base of this SPAC, which Now artists and their teams are struggling The higher rates were a problem for the includes many sovereign wealth funds.” to find qualified drivers and that’s proving concert business even before the pandemic, The company added that the transaction, problematic as concerts resume — beginning according to Maples, and replacements have if completed, would bring “€3.3 billion of with Foo Fighters’ recent Madison Square come from Mexico and other countries – additional cash to Vivendi, providing it with Garden gig and broadening to summer and until the Trump Administration’s restrictive significant liquidity for future investments.” fall tours like Green Day, Eagles and Harry immigration polices cut off much of that Meanwhile, Vivendi shareholders approved Styles. labor pool. the payment of an ordinary dividend of 0.60 “It’s going to be wild. There’s going to be “Drivers can get paid going warehouse to euro per share with respect to fiscal year 2020, a massive shortage of drivers in the enter- warehouse, and don’t necessarily go on the which will be paid June 25, 2021. tainment industry,” says Jamie Streetman, road for six to eight months out of the year,” operations manager for Coach Quarters, he says. which has 20 buses in its Nashville fleet and With shows booked and tickets sold, As Truckers has carried stars from Aretha Franklin to artists and coach companies have been Jay-Z. scrambling for weeks to figure out how Pump the Brakes “A lot of these guys, it’s not like they’ve to deal with this shortage. For imminent taken a little leave of absence for a month. tours, like Foo Fighters and Green Day, the on Returning to They’ve gone to little Jimmy’s graduation or problem hasn’t fully kicked in, but many in Sally’s piano recital — little things like that the concert business expect to contend with Touring, Is the mean a lot over a year.” it when a flood of tours returns to the road Another reason for drivers’ departures this fall and, especially, in 2022. “We haven’t Industry Facing a from the industry: Most tours are requiring specifically run into any shortages yet,” says vaccines for their entire crews, and Rogan Zito, Green Day’s production manager. “I Driver Shortage? and others refuse to get the shots. “F—k feel sorry for some of the ones later in the no,” he says, before launching into a rant year.” BY STEVE KNOPPER about how he doesn’t trust the government How will tours figure this out? Green Day and, if vaccines are so easy to produce, why has scaled back its production, dropping n March 14, 2020, John Rogan hasn’t anybody cured cancer or AIDS? Rock from 20 trucks to 14 for its upcoming run. was driving Staind frontman LaRocca, another former driver who left the Coach Quarters’ Streetman is frantically Aaron Lewis in a tour bus from concert business for pandemic freight-haul- seeking out experienced drivers and, as a Cleveland to a casino gig in New ing and refuses to come back, says half of his backup plan, is considering training new OYork state. The call came in from manage- decision is due to vaccine hesitancy. He has ones. “We’re going to rise to the occasion,” ment: “Pull ‘em over.” As one of Rogan’s last asthma and a history of heart attacks and Maples says. “The rock n’ roll industry is acts as a concert-industry bus driver, he diabetes and “wants to see how it’s going to nothing if not flexible and innovative. We’re drove members of the crew to the Cleveland work out in the next couple of years.” For going to figure it out, but we’ve got our work airport. By March 16, he was home, in a now, he’s able to live a more solitary life in cut out for us.” small town north of Phoenix, where he sat his cab, wearing masks and gloves at truck One idea is to do nothing and wait. “We for months. stops and restaurants. don’t know yet how many people who found During the pandemic, Rogan bought “Quite rightfully, everybody on tour is go- other things to do are going to permanently a used Peterbilt 379 big rig, fired up a ing to require everybody to be vaccinated,” continue to do those other things, or are load-board app and switched to hauling says Steve Maples, vp of entertainment going to return to the siren call of the en- Amazon freight. Now the 53-year-old, who trucking for Rock-It Cargo, which special- tertainment business,” says Robert A. Roth, has driven the Allman Brothers Band, the izes in moving tour freight. “That’s going to the veteran rental rep for stage-lighting Page 9 of 16

IN BRIEF

company Christie Lites. It’s possible, adds his motorcycle riding, but hotels, shops and Maples, that departed drivers will change bars were closed at his favorite destinations, Billboard’s Songs their minds when they see so many bands so he “sat around and didn’t do a whole lot.” on the road and miss “catering and swag – Like Rogan and LaRocca, he hauled freight. of the Summer no catering and swag at Walmart.” But unlike them, he says: “None of us like Veteran tour-bus drivers have specialized hauling freight.” Chart Returns, skills and are not easily replaceable: They And while veteran driver Jay Tonini can stay awake for hours at a time, even acknowledges “the freight doesn’t talk Led by BTS’ if it takes dumping buckets of cold water back to you,” he still plans to switch back over their heads; they can carry on endless to driving touring buses, first with violinist ‘Butter’ conversations with rock stars, to the point Lindsey Stirling in late June. “Pat Monahan, of lifelong friendships; and the best ones are lead singer for Train, I drive him all the BY GARY TRUST skilled mechanics who can quickly repair time. We’ve been texting back and forth,” he their vehicles in the middle of nowhere. “It’s says. “He’s like, ‘I’m ready to roll.’ ‘I know, hat will be the No. 1 song of a different type of driving,” Streetman says. brother, let’s go!’” And despite the rising the summer of 2021? We’re “Our first goal will be to find people that rates for hauling freight, Tonini says he gets making our way toward have already got the experience.” paid better in music touring — he asked his the answer, as Billboard’s LaRocca, 56, drove a bus for 30 years, trucking company for more money, but it annual WSongs of the Summer chart returns touring with more than 600 artists big and couldn’t compete. to Billboard.com today (June 22). small. One of his early jobs was to deliver Still, drivers like Rogan and LaRocca are The 20-position Songs of the Sum- Bob Dylan’s 180-pound bull mastiff to him a problem for the industry. Rogan started mer running tally tracks the most popular during a tour stop in Canada; he was with driving trucks at 17, delivering furniture, titles based on cumulative performance Frank Sinatra for his final show in 1992, before shifting to tour buses in the early ‘90s on the weekly streaming-, airplay- and and has also toured with Van Halen, Debbie and working for Florida Coach, which has sales-based Billboard Hot 100 chart from Harry, Aerosmith and CeeLo Green. When hauled stars from John Legend to Willie Memorial Day through Labor Day (this year the pandemic hit, LaRocca was on the road Nelson over the decades. Back then, the encompassing charts dated June 12 through with Music of Cream, and found himself driver rate was just $175 per day, but Rogan Sept. 11). At the end of the season, the top briefly unable to get out of Canada to return got to stay in nice hotels and hang out with song of the summer will be revealed. to his home near the beach in Gulfport, clients like Widespread Panic, whom he BTS’ “Butter” ranks at No. 1 on the Songs Miss. When he finally made it back, he calls “the best group of people I’ve ever of the Summer survey, followed by Olivia thought, “Maybe it’s time for a break.” drove in my life.” Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” at No. 2 and Dua He and a friend spent nine months “trick- Over time, though, Rogan began to sour Lipa’s “Levitating,” featuring DaBaby, at No. ing out” old trucks as a hobby. “I realized, on the industry, as drivers began to post 3. Rounding out the top five, Justin Bieber’s when people started calling me back recent- braggy backstage photos on Facebook and “Peaches,” featuring Daniel Caesar and ly, that I can make more money if I get the artist managers had a way of “digging into Giveon, places at No. 4 and “Leave the Door right truck,” he says. “And I can just be my your pocket deeper and deeper.” He spent Open” by Silk Sonic, the duo of Bruno Mars own guy and actually have some time again.” a portion of the pandemic driving a client, and Anderson .Paak, ranks at No. 5. He makes 4,800-mile trips every eight days, whom he won’t name, when the artist tried DaBaby’s “Rockstar,” featuring Roddy usually with live chickens as his cargo. “I to do a few shows with diminished capacity. Ricch, finished atop the 2020 Songs of the run around California, get to see the sun It was a frustrating experience for everyone. Summer chart, after Lil Nas X’s “Old Town come up every day. I don’t have somebody The client asked Rogan to drive for a family Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, claimed going, ‘Hey, can we stop over here and go to vacation and other personal trips for a few the title in 2019. Drake’s “In My Feelings” the bathroom?’” days at a daily rate, which is lower than his won in 2018, following triumphs for Luis It’s not as if every concert driver is leaving usual salary. That became frustrating, and Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito,” the industry. “Everyone I know can’t wait Rogan “just kind of got over the industry,” featuring Justin Bieber, in 2017, and Drake’s to ditch the freight and get back to touring,” he says. “One Dance,” featuring WizKid and Kyla, in says Benjamin Nagy, who drives Elle King’s “I don’t want to lose another relationship 2016. tour bus. over a job. There are better ways to live your Check out the top 10 summer songs every John “Stranger” Adams, a rock n’ roll life,” adds Rogan, who now owns two trucks year throughout the Hot 100’s history (from truck driver since he carried the Young- and runs his own company, CM Transport. the chart’s start in 1958) and this season’s bloods’ gear in the early ‘70s, went home “The industry went in a direction where I first weekly Songs of the Summer chart in for three months after the pandemic. He wasn’t happy. I’d grown out of it. The pan- its entirety. was excited at first, hoping to catch up on demic just forced my hand.” Page 10 of 16

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recording owners. where she completed a 30-day program fol- SoundExchange “I’m especially pleased that last year’s lowing news of her father’s health struggles, payouts were so robust at a time when cre- against her will. She’s been on an indefinite Paid Out $947 ators needed them the most,” Huppe said. work hiatus since early 2019. In November SoundExchange says it has distributed 2020, her attorney Samuel D. Ingham III Million in 2020 nearly $8 billion since the organization’s told the court she will no longer per- establishment in 2003. form as long as her father is in control of BY ED CHRISTMAN her career because she felt “afraid” of him. The newly obtained court docs also reveal oundExchange distributions grew Court Docs Reveal that Britney questioned her 68-year-old fa- 4.3% to $947 million in 2020 from ther’s condition for the role as conservator, $908 million paid out a year earlier Britney Spears’ which he took on in 2008 after his daughter to artists, record labels and other suffered serious mental health issues that Screators with points on master recordings. Years-Long were publicly exacerbated by media and the Overall revenue collections totaled $1.003 paparazzi, as seen in Framing Britney Spears. billion in 2020, a 4.2% increase over $963 Fight to End Her In a 2014 hearing closed to the public, million pulled in for the prior year. Ingham told the court that Spears wanted “Music was among the industries hit Conservatorship her father removed from the position after hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic,” running down a “shopping list” of griev- SoundExchange president & CEO Michael BY HERAN MAMO ances, such as his drinking. Jamie serves as Huppe, said in a statement. “With venues the co-conservator of Britney’s $60 million shuttered and touring revenue effectively ritney Spears has quietly been estate with Bessemer Trust Company, the non-existent, digital royalties represented advocating for the end of the bank the superstar originally requested to the lifeblood and primary income source for court conservatorship that has oversee her finances instead of her father. a large segment of the music industry.” controlled her life and career Britney will address the Los Ange- SoundExchange collects and distributes Bfor more than 12 years, according to court les court directly about the status of her digital performance royalties on behalf of records obtained by The New York Times. conservatorship on Wednesday, which she nearly 250,000 recording artists’ and master On Tuesday (June 22), The Times re- requested on an expedited basis in April. rights owners’ accounts. Last year the com- vealed its findings from confidential court Billboard has reached out to Britney pany paid out 94.4% of its collections from records of how the pop superstar expressed and Jamie’s lawyers as well as her reps for webcasters (like SiriusXM and iHeartMe- resistance to the conservatorship, which comment. dia), which was up a tick from the 94.3% it “restricted everything from whom she dated achieved in 2019. to the color of her kitchen cabinets,” the re- “It is a testament to our technology and cords indicate, and her father Jamie Spears’ Grammy Museum data systems and point of great pride that central role in it. SoundExchange was able to continue to “She articulated she feels the conservator- and Recording deliver on-time and seamless payments to ship has become an oppressive and control- creators throughout 2020,” Huppe added in ling tool against her,” a court investigator Academy Launch a statement. “I’m especially pleased that last wrote in a 2016 report, later recalling how year’s payouts were so robust at a time when Britney said that the system had “too much Quinn Coleman creators needed them the most.” control.” “She is ‘sick of being taken advan- Overall expenses grew slightly to $58 tage of’ and she said she is the one working Scholarship million, up from 2019’s $57 million. The and earning her money but everyone around organization said its operating expense ratio her is on her payroll.” BY DARLENE ADEROJU was 5.3% in 2020, but that’s after deducting The NYT recently explored her rare case interest payments earned on collections. in the documentary Framing Britney Spears, n Tuesday (June 22) in celebra- Otherwise, overall expenses equaled 5.8% which premiered in February and shed light tion of Black Music Month, the of revenue. on the effects of her life under the spotlight Grammy Museum and Record- According to its financials, statutory and under the conservatorship, fueling more ing Academy announced a new collections totaled $794 million in 2020, so support for the #FreeBritney movement. Omulti-year college scholarship and intern- that means SoundExchange also handled Britney told the court in 2019 that she felt ship program that aims to support the next $209 million in royalty payments from the conservatorship made her perform and generation of Black music creators. services that had direct licenses with sound stay at a mental health treatment facility, In honor of the late Quinn Coleman, who Page 11 of 16

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died last year at age 31, the Quinn Coleman custodian of those funds to provide financial No. 73, “Enough for You” (peaked at No. 14) Scholarship and supplemental internship resources that will help to provide a path- No. 95, “1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back” program will provide financial support and way of professional development and ca- (peaked at No. 19) career development opportunities that will reers for the next generation of Black music (The LP’s other track, “Hope Ur OK,” help prepare college students for post-grad- creators,” he added. “Our aim is to continue departs the chart after it reached No. 29.) uate, full-time employment. Coleman was a fundraising in Quinn’s honor to eventually Among other Artist 100 chart moves, Polo Capitol Records executive, DJ and the son of establish an endowment to ensure that this G returns to his No. 2 high, up from No. 23, Randy Coleman and former BET Networks important program and work lasts well into as he notches his first No. 1 on the Billboard chairwoman and CEO Debra Lee. the future.” 200, where Hall of Fame launches with Beginning next year, the Grammy Mu- More details regarding the Quinn Cole- 143,000 units; Migos returns at No. 3 (after seum will annually select one Black college man Scholarship and supplementary intern- spending two weeks at No. 1 in 2017-18) as student per city in Atlanta, Los Angeles, ship program, including eligibility require- their new album Culture III debuts at No. Nashville, New York City and Washington, ments, will be announced in Spring 2022. 2 on the Billboard 200; and TWICE tallies D.C., or surrounding areas, pursuing a career its first week in the top 10, re-entering at in music, or other related fields, to receive No. 9, as EP Taste of Love: The 10th Mini Al- the newly announced Quinn Coleman Olivia Rodrigo bum bows as the group’s first Billboard 200 Scholarship. (A total of five Black college top 10 at No. 6. students will be selected to receive the Spends Third Plus, Rage Against the Machine, Sublime scholarship each year.) and The Doors all debut on the Artist 100, Lee, the late Coleman’s mom, said in a Week at No. 1 on at Nos. 64, 93 and 98, respectively, on the statement, “Quinn’s creativity defied labels strength of new Record Store Day exclusive and expectations. In the mixing of songs Billboard Artist releases that infuse the Vinyl Albums chart. shared during nights as ‘DJ Spicoli,’ in Rage Against the Machine’s The Battle of the creation of his genre-blending festival 100 Chart Mexico City opens at No. 2 on Vinyl Albums; Trillectro, which brought together musi- The Doors’ Morrison Hotel Sessions en- cians rarely placed together on the same BY XANDER ZELLNER ters at No. 8; and Sublime’s Sublime Meets lineup, and in countless other collabora- Scientist & Mad Professor: Inna L.B.C. starts tions and projects, Quinn had the foresight livia Rodrigo adds her third at No. 21. to create connections that others didn’t see week at No. 1 on the Billboard The Artist 100 measures artist activity coming. I am honored to have this intern- Artist 100 chart (dated June 26), across key metrics of music consumption, ship and scholarship program named after thanks to the continued success blending album and track sales, radio air- my son, Quinn.” Oof her debut studio album Sour. play, streaming and social media fan interac- “Quinn had a passion for helping young The set places at No. 3 on the Billboard tion to provide a weekly multi-dimensional Black music creators and artists,” she con- 200 with 122,000 equivalent album units, ranking of artist popularity. tinued. “This program will help keep his according to MRC Data, after debuting at For all chart news, you can follow @bill- legacy alive.” No. 1 four weeks ago. board and @billboardcharts on both Twitter As part of the Quinn Coleman Scholar- Plus, 10 of the set’s 11 songs concurrently and Instagram. ship, each of the five annually selected stu- chart on the Billboard Hot 100, led by for- dents will receive a tuition scholarship, book mer No. 1 “Good 4 U” at No. 2. and equipment stipend, money to invest in a Here’s a look at all of Rodrigo’s entries on personal portfolio and an interview prepara- the latest Hot 100: tion stipend. They will also participate in a Rank, Title paid summer internship and work with the No. 2, “Good 4 U” (peaked at No. 1, one Grammy Museum, Recording Academy and week) affiliated chapters. No. 10, “Deja Vu” (peaked at No. 3) Michael Sticka, president of the Grammy No. 19, “Drivers License” (peaked at No. 1, Museum, said in a statement, “The music eight weeks) industry, Quinn’s family and friends and No. 25, “Traitor” (peaked at No. 9) the general public came together to donate No. 40, “Happier” (peaked at No. 15) funds in memory of Quinn with the aim to No. 43, “Favorite Crime” (peaked at No. 16) impact the future of music.” No. 52, “Brutal” (peaked at No. 12) “In collaboration with Quinn’s family, No. 69, “Jealousy, Jealousy” (peaked at No. the Grammy Museum is honored to be the 24) Page 12 of 16

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before the business,” says Christian. “Artist Cordae development and the focus of legacy isn’t Olivia Rodrigo & emphasized enough in the current space of Announces His music.” BTS Hold Atop For the Maryland-raised artist, legacy is New Record Label a top priority, noting how working with Jay Global Charts, Z provided a major early opportunity for Hi Level: ‘I Know Kanye West, and how later, Kanye’s contri- Maneskin Adds butions helped the career of rappers like What It Takes Travis Scott take off. “I know [my signees] New Top 10 are always going to be attached to my legacy to Make Artists — and when it comes to my legacy, I take BY GARY TRUST everything I do very seriously,” says Cordae. Legendary’ Among the values Cordae emphasized is livia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” creative control and music rights for artists. notches a third week at No. BY NEENA ROUHANI “[Hi Level] is a full embodiment of Black 1 on the Billboard Global empowerment and ownership,” he says. 200 and BTS’ “Butter” adds rammy-nominated rapper Cor- “And I can’t be out here preaching owner- Oa fourth frame atop the Billboard Global dae has announced the arrival ship, and not giving kids their masters.” Excl. U.S. chart. of his own label, Hi Level, in an Much of the inspiration behind Cordae’s Plus, Måneskin earns its second Global interview with Billboard. label comes from watching his own mother. Excl. U.S. top 10, as “I Wanna Be Your Slave” G“I looked at the genuine relationships that “My mom was a single mom. She had to surges from No. 18 to No. 10. The Italian I’ve been able to build these last couple of wake up every morning at 5am, go to work, quartet first reached the region with “Zitti years, and realized I already have enough get back from work at seven o’clock — then E Buoni,” the winning song in the 2021 moving parts to create an extremely suc- have to cook and get it done,” he says. “She Eurovision Song Contest. cessful label,” says the 23-year-old artist- was on some high level s—t.” Billboard’s two global charts (the latest of turned-exec. Although Cordae has been busy playing which are dated June 26) began last Sep- While the rapper is signed to Atlantic, Hi executive, he says he has no plans of taking tember and rank songs based on streaming Level is a fully independent label funded his foot off the gas when it comes to his own and sales activity culled from more than 200 by Cordae himself. “I’m able to see all the artistry. “My music is the engine that drives territories around the world, as compiled by functioning parts and what it takes to run it all,” he says. “That’s my passion and my MRC Data. The Billboard Global 200 is in- a successful [label], from the inside,” he ultimate love.” clusive of worldwide data and the Billboard says of his relationship with Atlantic. In the The North Carolina born rapper is Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from future, Cordae does plan to release music gearing up to release From a Bird’s Eye territories excluding the U.S. through Hi Level. View, this July. It will be Cordae’s second Chart rankings are based on a weighted “Hi Level [will house] artists, production, studio album, following his Grammy-nom- formula incorporating official-only streams and management, where everyone elevates inated debut, The Lost Boy. “Nothing that on both subscription and ad-supported together, by way of working together,” says you’ve heard so far from me is gonna be on tiers of audio and video music services, as Cordae’s manager, Ace Christian. the album,” he clarifies. well as download sales, the latter of which The label will offer in-house marketing For Cordae, the label exemplifies how far reflect purchases from full-service digital and PR services, in addition to artist devel- he’s come in the industry within just a few music retailers from around the world, with opment. While Cordae has yet to sign any short years. “At the beginning of 2018 when sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites artists, he says that there are a few he has I was working at TGI Friday’s, I was like ‘Yo, excluded from the charts’ calculations. his eye on. “Everybody thinks my first artist this my last year working for someone,’ and ‘Good’ Still Best on Global 200 is gonna rap like me, when that may not I haven’t worked for anybody ever since,” he Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” posts a third be the case at all,” says Cordae. “If we find says. “Hi Level just embodies that for me.” week at No. 1 on the Global 200, as the the next Jazmine Sullivan, I’d be extremely smash by the southern California native happy.” drew 99 million streams (down 10%) and Christian says Cordae’s vision spans sold 15,300 (down 13%) worldwide in the beyond the music, centering the importance June 11-17 tracking week. of signed artists’ personal and professional BTS’ “Butter” holds at No. 2 after two growth. “Hi Level was created to focus on weeks atop the Billboard Global 200; The the well-being of artists and creatives, even Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Save Your Page 13 of 16

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Tears” rises 5-3 following its one-week is joined by 11 diverse musicians from reign; Bad Bunny’s “Yonaguni” ranks at ‘David Byrne’s around the globe in a celebration of live No. 4, a week after it launched at No. 3; and music, community and connection. The the- Rauw Alejandro’s “Todo de Ti” dips 4-5 American Utopia’ atrical concert includes songs from Byrne’s after reaching No. 3. 2018 album American Utopia along with Hot ‘Butter’ to Receive Special songs from Talking Heads and Byrne’s solo “Butter” by South Korea’s BTS adds a career. Following American Utopia’s arrival fourth week at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 2021 Tony Award on Broadway in 2019-20, Spike Lee’s ac- Excl. U.S. chart, with 77.2 million streams claimed filmed version of the show opened (down 27%) and 15,800 sold (down 57%) in BY PAUL GREIN the Toronto International Film Festival. territories outside the U.S. in the June 11-17 David Byrne’s American Utopia is pro- tracking week. he Tony Awards administration duced by Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson, Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” tallies a committee announced Tuesday Patrick Catullo and Todomundo. The show fourth week at its No. 2 high on the Global (June 22) that they are award- is scheduled to return to Broadway begin- Excl. U.S. chart and Rauw Alejandro’s “Todo ing special Tony Awards to David ning Sept. 17. de Ti” keeps at its No. 3 best. TByrne’s American Utopia; Freestyle Love Freestyle Love Supreme was created by The Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Save Supreme, a show co-created in 2004 by Lin- Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda and An- Your Tears” rebounds 5-4 on the Global Manuel Miranda; and The Broadway thony Veneziale. Kail went on to direct the Excl. U.S. chart, after reaching No. 2, and Advocacy Coalition. off-Broadway and Broadway productions of Bad Bunny’s “Yonaguni” slips to No. 5 a Special Tony Awards are presented to Miranda’s musicals In the Heights and Ham- week after it opened at No. 4. outstanding productions, artists and or- ilton. Kail won the 2016 Tony for best Elsewhere in the Global Excl. U.S. chart’s ganizations that do not fall into any of the direction of a musical for the latter. Kail and top 10, Måneskin ascends to the tier as “I competitive categories. These awards will Miranda were among four creators of Ham- Wanna Be Your Slave” jumps 18-10, up 18% be presented Sept. 26 as part of the 74th an- ilton who were awarded the Kennedy Cen- to 29.6 million streams and 3% to 2,300 sold nual Tony Awards. ter Honors in 2018. outside the U.S. American Utopia on Broadway received a What started out with a loose format in The group achieves its second Global Grammy nomination this past year for best the basement of The Drama Bookshop in Excl. U.S. top 10, after “Zitti E Buoni” also musical theater album. The show is based 2004 worked its way to The Booth Theatre rose to No. 10, two weeks earlier. That song on David Byrne’s 2018 album American on Broadway in 2019, with the same produc- won the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest for Utopia, which received a Grammy nod for ers — Kail, Miranda, Jenny & Jon Steingart Måneskin, making the Roman four-piece best alternative music album. and Jill Furman. Directed by Kail, the show the competition’s first champion from Italy Byrne won both an Oscar and a Grammy features a comedic improvisational musical since 1990. for co-scoring the 1987 film The Last Em- structure and a rotating cast of Broadway The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard peror with Ryuichi Sakamoto and Cong Su. performers. Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated June 26) will “In what has been such an unusual year Freestyle Love Supreme will return to update on Billboard.com Tuesday (June 22). in theatre, we are thrilled to be presenting Broadway with a limited engagement at For both charts, the top 100 titles are avail- these special Tony Awards to three such de- the Booth Theatre. Previews begin Oct. 7. able to all readers on Billboard.com, while serving recipients,” said Heather Hitchens, Performances are slated to run through Jan. the complete 200-title rankings are visible CEO and president of the American Theatre 2, 2022. on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription- Wing, and Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway Advocacy Coalition is an based service. For all chart news, you can The Broadway League, in a joint statement. arts-based advocacy nonprofit dedicated to follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on “The Broadway Advocacy Coalition has building the capacity of individuals, organi- both Twitter and Instagram. provided an unparalleled platform for mar- zations and communities to use storytelling ginalized members of our theatre commu- to dismantle the systems that perpetuate nity and tools to help us all do better as we racism. Founded in 2016 by several Black strive for equity. The two productions we members of the Broadway community, it has are honoring, David Byrne’s American Uto- grown into a multidisciplinary organization pia and Freestyle Love Supreme, take theatre which unites artists, legal experts and com- to the next level, delivering outside-of-the- munity advocates to create lasting impact box presentations that have gone beyond the and collaborations on policy issues ranging stage and brought theatre into the homes of from criminal justice reform to education millions of people around the world.” equity to immigration. In David Byrne’s American Utopia, Byrne As previously announced, the Tony Page 14 of 16

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Awards will host a multi-platform celebra- Hip-Hop Songs chart. It received a Grammy ASCAPUrban on Instagram and @ASCAP tion on Sunday, Sept. 26, starting with nomination for best R&B song. on Instagram and Twitter. the presentation of the 74th Annual Tony Lil Baby is ASCAP songwriter of the year A complete list of winners can be found Awards at 7 p.m./4 p.m. PT live exclusively for such hit songs as “Baby,” “The Bigger at ASCAP.com/rsawards21. on Paramount+; and followed by The Tony Picture,” “Emotionally Scarred” and “For Awards Present: Broadway’s Back! on CBS the Night.” Lil Baby’s last two albums — the and available to stream live and on demand 2020 solo project My Turn and the 2021 col- J. Cole on Paramount+ and the CBS app. lab with Lil Durk, The Voice of the Heroes — have entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1. Announces 2021 On Wednesday, @ASCAP will premiere Writers of Kanye an exclusive Lil Baby performance of “The ‘Off-Season Tour’ Bigger Picture” at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT on @ West’s ‘Follow ASCAP YouTube; a link to the premiere With 21 Savage will be posted on @ASCAP social media. God’ Win Top Universal Music Publishing Group BY GIL KAUFMAN receives publisher of the year for their writ- Gospel Song ers’ success with songs including “Blinding . Cole announced the dates for his 17- Lights” (The Weeknd), “Rockstar” (DaBaby, city The Off-Season Tour on Tuesday at 2021 ASCAP Roddy Rich) and “Laugh Now Cry Later” (June 22), which will feature 21 Sav- (Drake, Lil Durk). age and special guest Morray on select Rhythm & Soul As previously announced, songwriter- Jdates. The Live Nation-produced outing is producers Timbaland and Swizz Beatz and slated to kick off on Sept. 24 in Miami at Music Awards rapper and DJ D-Nice will receive ASCAP’s FTX Arena, and will criss-cross the country, Voice of the Culture Award. The award with dates in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Boston, BY PAUL GREIN celebrates the music stars for creating Chicago, Houston, Denver, Las Vegas and Verzuz and Club Quarantine, respectively, Phoenix before winding down with an Oct. anye West’s “Follow God” won virtual events that became touchstones of 21 show at The Forum in Los Angeles. top gospel song at the 2021 empowerment for the community during Tickets for the tour will go on sale on ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music the pandemic. Friday (June 25) at 10 a.m. local time. The Awards. The awards, which Immediately following the award presen- dates are, of course, in support of Cole’s Kare in their 34th year, are being presented tation Tuesday (June 21) at noon ET/9 a.m. sixth studio album, The Off-Season, which virtually for the second year in a row. Win- PT, the trio will participate in a special 2021 dropped in May and includes the single ners will be announced Tuesday (June ASCAP Experience conversation, “Voices of “My.Life” — featuring Savage and Morray 22) through Thursday on @ASCAP and @ the Culture: How Swizz Beatz, Timbaland & — which gave the MC his first No. on 1 Bill- ASCAPUrban social media. D-Nice United the World Through Music.” board’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The “Follow God,” which West co-wrote with Fans can RSVP for the discussion at ASCA- album also features cameos from Bas, 6lack ASCAP writers Bryant “XCELENCE” Bell Pexperience.com/schedule. and Lil Baby. and Jahmal “BoogzDaBeast” Gwin, reached The ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Following the fabulous Forum date, Cole No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on Awards wrap up Thursday with an in will drop in at both the New York (Oct. 29) the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The memoriam segment celebrating the life and and Los Angeles (Dec. 11) editions of this song is from West’s ninth studio album Je- legacy of rapper DMX; an @ASCAPUrban year’s Rolling Loud Festival. sus Is King, which topped the Billboard Real Sounds Deconstructed session with Check out the dates for the tour below. 200 and won a Grammy for best contempo- jetsonmade; and a tour of the SoSo Def rary Christian music album. It was West’s studio led by producer Jermaine Dupri. first Grammy win in eight years. Both jetsonmade and Dupri are 2021 ASCAP Chris Brown’s “No Guidance” (featur- Rhythm & Soul Music Award winners. ing Drake) won for both top hip-hop/R&B D-Nice will close out the festivities with an song and top rap song. The awards were afterparty, a special edition of Club Quaran- presented to writers Anderson “Vinylz” tine on Instagram Live, on @dnice begin- Hernandez, Che Ecru, Joshua “J-Louis” ning at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT. Huizar, Matthew “Boi-1da” Samuels and Fans and friends can tune in for exclu- Noah “40” Shebib. “No Guidance” reached sive photos and videos from the winners No. 5 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 on the R&B/ with the hashtag #ASCAPAwards via @ Page 15 of 16

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Jordan Reynolds, is the third single from the Walker Hayes’ Luke Combs duo’s forthcoming fourth LP, following “I Should Probably Go to Bed,” which peaked ‘Fancy’ Dance Sends Country at No. 2 on Country Airplay and No. 4 on Hot Country Songs in January. Moves Spark His Smash ‘Forever Lead single “10,000 Hours,” with Justin Bieber, dominated Hot Country Songs for First No. 1: ‘Just After All’ to Top 21 weeks beginning in October 2019 and Country Airplay for two frames starting the Me Being Me ... 10 on All-Format following January. All of Dan + Shay’s first seven Country With My Family’ Radio Songs Chart Airplay top 10s hit No. 1, starting with “Nothin’ Like You” in December 2015. BY JIM ASKER BY JIM ASKER AND GARY TRUST On Hot Country Songs, “Glad” returns to the top 10 and its highpoint (11-10), with 6.5 alker Hayes’ “Fancy uke Combs’ “Forever After All” million U.S. streams and 1,400 sold. Like” rockets onto Bill- dominates Billboard’s multi- COUNTRY COMEDY Brantley Gilbert’s board’s Country Digital metric Hot Country Songs chart new tongue-in-cheek single “The Worst Song Sales chart (dated (dated June 26) for an eighth week Country Song of All Time,” featuring Hardy JuneW 26) at No. 1 with 10,300 sold, up 943%, Land Country Airplay for a fourth frame, and Toby Keith, debuts at No. 32 on Country in the week ending June 17, according to with 36 million audience impressions in the Airplay with 3.2 million audience impres- MRC Data. tracking week, according to MRC Data. It sions in its first three days following its Walker earns his first leader on any Bill- also drew 13.3 million U.S. streams and sold June 18 release, helped by hourly plays on board ranking. The Mobile, Ala., native first 5,200 downloads. iHeartMedia stations that day. charted in September 2010 with “Pants,” The song is Combs’ sixth of his 11 Country Among the song’s pitches for its title which hit No. 40 on Hot Country Songs in Airplay No. 1s to lead for four weeks or status: “Stick a fork in the constitution / January 2011. In 2018, he scored his first top more. Tim McGraw has charted a re- I support Kim Jong-un and Putin,” goes a 10 on the multi-metric tally with the No. cord eight No. 1s that have reigned for at lyric in the second verse. “Yeah, this is the 9-peaking “You Broke Up With Me.” least four weeks each, followed by Kenny worst country song of all time.” The single, which Hayes co-wrote, is from Chesney and Toby Keith with seven each, his EP Country Stuff, released June 4. The while George Strait also boasts six. song has gained traction on TikTok, where “Forever” also becomes Combs’ first top Cardi B, Beyonce Hayes boasts over 375,000 followers, after 10 on the all-format Radio Songs chart, he posted multiple clips dancing to the song where it rises 11-10 with 40 million in overall & More Artists with his children, including one with his reach. Notably, the song is the first to hit the 15-year-old daughter, Lela, that has been Radio Songs top 10 by charting on Country Who Have viewed more than 7 million times. Airplay but on no other individual genre “I have my first No. 1 on Billboard with chart, such as a pop or adult tally, since Competed a song that’s completely me, through and Radio Songs became an all-genre ranking in through,” Walker marvels. “That’s the cool- December 1998. Against est part. It almost seems too easy because it While 90% of the airplay for “Forever” was just me being me, in the song and with in the tracking week was from country Themselves For my family.” stations, and the song is being promoted “Fancy Like,” released on Monument Re- only to country, Pop Airplay chart reporter Video of the Year cords, also begins at No. 4 on the all-genre WHHY Montgomery, Ala., played it five Digital Song Sales chart, where Walker times in the latest tracking week. at BET Awards earns his first top 10. On Hot Country Songs, ‘GLAD’ TO HEAR Dan + Shay, the duo the track arrives at No. 37, becoming his of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, add their BY PAUL GREIN third top 40 hit on the survey. ninth Country Airplay top 10, as “Glad You Exist” climbs 11-9, up 13% to 17.9 million ardi B has two of the six videos impressions. nominated for video of the year at The song, which Smyers and Mooney the BET Awards on June 28. She’s co-penned with Ryan Lewis, Tayla Parx and C nominated with both “Up” and Page 16 of 16

IN BRIEF

“WAP” (featuring Megan Thee Stallion). both nominated. “Started From the Bottom” This is the 10th time in BET Awards won. history that an artist has had two nomi- Beyoncé, 2014: “Partition” and “Drunk in nated videos in this category as a lead or Love” (featuring Jay-Z) were both nominat- co-lead artist. It’s the second time Cardi B ed. Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” won. has achieved this feat. She also did this two Chris Brown, 2015: “Loyal” (featuring years ago with “Money” and “Please Me” (a Lil Wayne and Tyga) and “New Flame” collab with Bruno Mars). (featuring Usher and Rick Ross) were both Cardi M and Mars are competing in this nominated. Beyoncé won for “7/11.” category this year — Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Cardi B, 2019: “Money” and “Please Door Open” is also nominated for video Me” (a collab with Bruno Mars) were both of the year, as are Chloe x Halle’s “Do nominated. Childish Gambino’s “This Is It,” Chris Brown and Young Thug’s “Go America” won. Crazy” and Drake’s Laugh Now Cry Later” Cardi B, 2021: “Up” and “WAP” (featur- (featuring Lil Durk). ing Megan Thee Stallion) are both nomi- Beyoncé has had two nominated videos nated. as a lead or co-lead artist three times, more than any other artist. Jay-Z, like Cardi B, has done it twice. But does having two nominated videos mean that Cardi B is so hot she is likely to win with one or the other, or that her competing entries are likely to split her votes so that neither one wins? The history of the BET Awards doesn’t yield a clear answer. In the nine previous times that an artist has had two nominated videos (as a lead or co-lead artist), that artist won five times. In the other four cases, somebody else won the award. Here’s a full list of artists who have had two video of the year nominees as lead or co-lead artists — and who won the award that year. OutKast, 2004: “Hey Ya!” and “The Way You Move” (featuring Sleepy Brown) were both nominated. “Hey Ya!” won. Beyoncé, 2007: “Irreplaceable” and “Beautiful Liar” (a collab with Shakira) were both nominated. “Irreplaceable” won. Beyoncé, 2009: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” and “If I Were a Boy” were both nominated. “Single Ladies” won. Jay-Z, 2010: “Empire State of Mind” (a collab with Alicia Keys) and “Run This Town” (a collab with Rihanna and Kanye West) were both nominated. Beyoncé’s “Video Phone” (featuring Lady Gaga) won. Jay-Z and Kanye West, 2012: “Otis” and “Ni**as in Paris” were both nominated. “Otis” won. Drake, 2013: “Started From the Bottom” and “HYFR” (featuring Lil Wayne) were