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BILLBOARD COUNTRY UPDATE APRIL 13, 2020 | PAGE 4 OF 19 ON THE CHARTS JIM ASKER [email protected] Bulletin SamHunt’s Southside Rules Top Country YOURAlbu DAILYms; BrettENTERTAINMENT Young ‘Catc NEWSh UPDATE’-es Fifth AirplayMARCH 5, 2021 Page 1 of 24 Leader; Travis Denning Makes History INSIDE Executive of the Week: Sam Hunt’s second studio full-length, and first in over five years, Southside sales (up 21%) in the tracking week. On Country , it hops 18-15 (11.9 mil- (MCA Nashville/Universal GroupInterscope Nashville), debuts at No. 1 on Billboard ’sGeffen lion audience impressions, A&M up 16%). President Top •Country Tracking Music’s chart dated April 18. In its first week (ending April 9), it earnedNFT 46,000 Gold Rush:equivalent A units, including 16,000 in album sales, ac- TRY TO ‘CATCH’ UP WITH YOUNG Brett Youngachieves his fifth consecutive cordingTimeline to Nielsen of Recent, Music/MRC Data. of Promotionand total CountryBrenda Airplay No. 1 as “Catch” Romano (Big Machine Label Group) ascends SouthsideRecord-Breaking marks Hunt’s second No. 1 on the 2-1, increasing 13% to 36.6 million impressions. chart and fourthSales top 10. It follows freshman LP BY Dan Rys Young’s first of six chart entries, “Sleep With- Montevallo, which arrived at the summit in No - out You,” reached No. 2 in December 2016. He vember• 2014 Arab and Music reigned for nine weeks. To date, followed with the multiweek No. 1s “In Case You Olivia Rodrigo gained another No. 1 in her domina- this week), and crossed Machine Gun Kelly from MontevalloStreamer has earned 3.9 million units, with 1.4 Didn’t Know” (two weeks, June 2017), “Like I Loved millionStrengthens in album sales. Its tion of the charts with her smash debut single “drivers the rap chartsYou” to (three, the rock January and 2018),pop charts, “Mercy” where (two, August MontevalloPosition has In Battle spent 267 weekslicense” on the list, this tying week, as the surprise hit reached No. his blackbear2018) collaboration and “Here ” “My Ex’s (two, Best April Friend” 2019). Luke BryanAgainst’s Crash My Party as the1 on sixth-longest-Pop Airplay in just seven weeks. To put that remains at its “Catch”No. 11 peak completes on Pop his Airplay longest journey this week. to No. 1, running titles in the chart’s 56-year history. having taken 46 weeks to reach the apex. It out- • Recording in perspective, that’s the shortest ascent to the top Here, Romano talks about the breakout success for On the all-genre , Southside ar- paces the 30-week climb of “Here Tonight.” Academy to since Ed Sheeran’s world-conquering “Shape Of Rodrigo’s debut, the strategy for Eilish’s rollout and rives at No. 5, awarding Hunt his second top 10 On , “Catch” pushes 7-5 for Partner on Study HUNT YOUNG after the No. 3-peaking MontevalloYou”. in 2017, and the fastest to No. 1 for a female lead Interscope Geffena new high. A&M’s long track record of break- About Women’s Hunt first released the EPX2C artist’s, which debutdebuted in nearly 20 years, since ’s ing new artists at radio. Representation and peaked at No. 5 on Top Country“Hit ‘Em Albums Up Style in August (Oops!)” 2014. shot Following to the top ofCOMBS the chart ‘DOES’ IT AGAIN Luke Combs’ “Does to Me” (River House/Columbia Across Music “drivers license” reached No. 1 on Pop Airplay in Montevallo, Between the Pines: Acoustic Mixtape started at its No. 7 high in Nashville), featuring Eric Church, ascends 11-8 on , up 10% to Industry in the summer of 2001. just seven weeks. What key decisions did you make November 2015. 24.7 million in audience. The song is Combs’ eighth straight career-opening It’s another feather in the cap for Rodrigo, and to help that song achieve that feat? 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 • ’ Tour another big victory for Interscope Geffen A&M Upon release, “drivers license” set streaming re- Airplay:Company “Leave Files the Night$6.6 On,” “Take Your Time,” “House Party” and “Make promoted No. 1 singles. president of promotion , who earns cords, dominating the DSPs. [ General You MissMillion Me.” Suit “Break Over Up in a Small Town” peaked at No. 2.Brenda Romano Church adds his 15th Country Airplay top 10. HuntRejected co-penned Insurance all 12 songsthe on Southsidetitle of Billboard, including’s Executive “Body Like of a the Back Week. (Geffen Manager] Lee L’Heureux and I spoke about going for Road,” whichClaim released in 2017.Records The smash released hit ruled “drivers Country license,” Airplay and for Interscope THAT TOOK QUITETop ‘A40 FEW’ and HOTMONTHS AC Travis immediately, Denning and shatters we did.the record for three weeks and the airplay-, streaming- and sales-based Hot Country Songs the most weeks it has taken to penetrate the Country Airplay top 10 as “After handles its .) In addition to promoting When a song is that big of a smash on stream- chart• forS-Curve a then-record Founder 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 - “drivers license” to its standout peak — the song is also FloridaSteve Greenberg Line’s “Meant to Be” (50 weeks atop the latter list in 2017-18). lion in radio reach.ing right out of the gate, how do you approach “Downtown’sDeparts BMG: Dead,” which isGeffen’s also on the first new Popset, reachedAirplay Nos.No. 1 14since and 152007 —The Romano song surpassesthe radio two tracks strategy? that took Does 50 weeksit make each the to jobenter easier the top or 10: on Hot CountryExclusive Songs and Countryand Airplay,her team respectively, have broken in June records 2018. with “Kin-BillieEaston Eilish Corbin, ’sharder? “A Girl Like You,” which reached No. 10 in January 2018 be- folks” led Country Airplay on Feb.who 29, last becoming month Hunt’sbecame seventh the solo No. artist 1. It hit with forethe peakingmost at No.It’s 6 that wonderful February, andwhen Aaron you Watsonhave the’s “Outtaopportunity Style,” towhich No. 3 on Hot Country Songs. achieved its No. 10 high in December 2017. No. 1s on in the chart’s history go to radio with a song that has tons of interest and 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 (“Therefore I Am” also sits at No. 5 on Pop Airplay (continued) eighth top 10, having corralled 8.2 million U.S. streams (up 96%) and 5,000 in From Powder Springs” traveled to No. 32 in September 2018. ETHAN MICHAEL YOUNG: VIA MARTIN/NHLI GETTY HUNT: IMAGES. IMAGES MILLER/GETTY

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passion from millions of people. But it’s not big way and helped us partner with every just about the data. Radio loved the song and broadcasting outlet. Tracking Music’s wanted to jump in and be a part of Olivia’s Interscope has developed a strong story from the beginning, and they are, in a track record with breaking new artists at NFT Gold Rush: very big way. various radio formats over the past sev- With a huge hit right out of the gate, eral years. How has breaking new artists A Timeline of how do you follow it up at radio? at radio changed over the years? Easy answer: With a great follow-up song, Radio doesn’t have to be first anymore. Recent, Record- and Olivia has one. She is an extremely Some songs need to go to radio immediately gifted singer/ and an artist with for a variety of reasons. Others that become Breaking Sales true vision who’ll be with us for a very long massive radio hits may need a running start time. before impacting. It’s really a song-by-song BY TATIANA CIRISANO Last month, broke the re- decision based on our read and when the cord for most No. 1s ever among soloists time is right. ver the last week, the music at Alternative Airplay. What has been the How has promoting a record changed industry has been overtaken by strategy for Billie at radio? during the pandemic? a new industry buzzword: NFTs, We didn’t rush. Our partner Justin It has and it hasn’t. The basics haven’t or non-fungible tokens. Lubliner, the founder/CEO of Darkroom, changed — , good relationships OThese unique digital collectibles are brought Billie to Interscope when she was and good communication are constants. bought and sold with blockchain technol- only 14 years old. Justin has great instincts. We’re getting it done over email and Zoom, ogy, presenting a new and lucrative virtual We released a lot of records at streaming but it will be great when we can safely visit revenue opportunity for artists. As the without taking them to radio. The discus- our friends at radio again. We really miss scrambles to get in on sions with Justin about radio were constant them. the action — and prices skyrocket — the and ongoing. Alternative was the most last several weeks have come with a flurry natural fit, and when it was time, we leaned of NFT announcements from longtime NFT into that format first. Along with Justin, proponents like 3LAU and deadmau5 along we took a very open-minded approach by with newcomers, from Ozuna to Shawn working different songs at different formats, Mendes. even though Billie was a new artist. Eventu- Here are some of the last month’s ally, “Bad Guy” was a No. 1 song at both biggest sales and moments in the mu- the Alternative and Top 40 formats. Billie’s sic NFT space, tracing the technology’s managers, Danny Rukasin and Brandon rise from niche to next-big-thing. All prices Goodman, are amazing to work with, too. are written as the estimated dollar equiva- They supported our efforts at radio in a lent of bitcoin, which is a fluctuating cur-

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rency, at of sale. moment for the NFT industry, digital art- Grimes pulled in a fortune selling 10 Dec. 11: Deadmau5 makes his NFT de- ist Beeple kicked off a two-week online digital art pieces, including both one-of-a- but auction at Christie’s, marking the legendary kind pieces put up for auction and col- Deadmau5 has a history of leading auction house’s first-ever sale of a solely dig- lectibles offered at a set price. The highest- the way on new music technology, and ital artwork and the first time that Christie’s selling single item: “Death of the Old,” a late last year he made his NFT debut with has accepted cryptocurrency as payment. one-of-a-kind video involving a cross, sword his “RAREZ” NFT packs containing ani- While the auction is ongoing, the top bid at and flying cherubs and set to an original mated stickers, virtual trading cards and time of writing is up to $3.5 million. Grimes song, which the winning bidder took other digital collectibles. The drop pulled Feb. 26: Shawn Mendes releases NFT for nearly $389,000. The collection also in- in close to $100,000, and days later on Dec. avatar outfits cluded two short videos that sold hundreds 15, he auctioned off a single copy of “In Mendes became the first major pop star of copies for $7,500 a pop. Titan’s Light,” an audiovisual set in space, to embrace NFTs, teaming with avatar tech- March 1: Longtime blockchain propo- for more than $80,000. (His next NFT nology company Genies to create a line of a nent RAC announces a new NFT cre- collection, “Slickmau5,” lands on the Nifty digital wearables for fans to attach to their ative agency Gateway marketplace March 9.) own digital avatars, including a guitar, T- Portuguese producer RAC is among the Jan. 27: Monstercat rakes in over shirt, vest, necklace and rings. The digital pioneers of music-related NFTs, with the $180,000 from its first NFT drop goods netted Mendes more than $600,000, $26,000 sale of “Elephant Dreams” in Electronic label Monstercat entered his team said in a press release, with all October among his recent successes. the NFT scene with two drops, which proceeds going towards The Shawn Mendes Now, RAC is launching his own NFT cre- are designed by digital artist Giant Swan Foundation. ative agency, 6. “The rest of the industry is and soundtracked by Monstercat signee Feb. 26: , Yaeji, Toro y scrambling to understand this and we’ve Varien. The first drop, consisting of four Moi and more join first-of-its-kind NFT been doing it since 2017,” he wrote on Twit- otherworldly visuals priced at $350 to art exhibition ter. “If you want to join the best minds in the $450 each, was made available for just two Creative studio, and manage- space and do this right, reach out.” minutes and brought in more than $180,000. ment firm IAMSOUND partnered with NFT March 2: Mendes’ manager helps The second drop made available 500 copies marketplace Zora on an NFT art exhibi- launch a new NFT marketplace of a constellation-themed NFT pack for just tion vending original work by 12 visual art- On the heels of his client’s avatar attire 50 cents each, selling out in seconds. ists and musicians, including Guapdad 4000 drop, Mendes’ manager Andrew Gertler Feb. 8: Mike Shinoda sells an NFT con- in collaboration with media company 88ris- helped launch the new NFT marketplace taining a 37-second audio clip for $30,000 ing, Mura Masa, Yaeji and Toro y Moi on STURDY.EXCHANGE. Per , The co-founder made Feb. 26 and March 5. “For the superfans, this Gertler’s AG Ventures partnered with and is his NFT debut with “One Hundredth can be your grail,” IAMSOUND wrote in an leading an investment round for STURDY., Stream,” a 37-song clip played over a skull- Instagram announcement, and among the the pre-existing creative direction and like animation, which he auctioned off for top-selling works, Yaeji’s single-copy digital design firm (with clients like and $30,000. Shinoda — who explained his mo- pet fish sold for more than $27,000. Travis Scott) which the new marketplace is tivations for his fans in a thread — Feb. 27: Ozuna cashes in on digital ted- housed under. “Our new platform offers one has since added a handful of more audio- dy bear collectibles of a kind collaborations that allow fans and visual NFTs to his page on the marketplace The Puerto Rican collectors alike to own a piece of history and Zora that are currently going for anywhere star made five editions of a teddy bear- connect with the world’s leading artists,” from several hundred to thousands of dol- themed digital collectible available for the company wrote on Instagram. lars. purchase, with some versions offered in March 2: Disclosure produce a new “ of it like owning a 1 of a kind item a silent auction and others available for song live on Twitch, and mint it as in a game, or like ‘owning’ an Instagram limited sale. Titled “Ositos” (meaning an NFT post,” Shinoda wrote on Twitter. “It’s a “teddy bears”), the collection included an The dance music duo made their NFT weird thing to own, yes, but: Here’s the exclusive run of 15 videos consisting of debut by producing a brand-new song live crazy thing. Even if I upload the full version a bear animation made up of colored pills, on Twitch, then immediately minting that of the contained song to DSPs worldwide set to 19 seconds of music. Each one sold track as a single-copy NFT and putting (which I can still do), i would never get for around $5,000, netting Ozuna close it up for auction. The piece, titled “N.F.T- even close to $10k, after fees by DSPs, label, to $75,000 for those auctioned-off copies N.R.G.,” sold the next day for roughly marketing, etc.” alone, while he raked in another roughly $69,000. Feb. 25: Iconic auction house Christie’s $380,000 through other limited-sale items. March 3: 3LAU rakes in a record-break- hosts its first-ever NFT sale Feb. 28: Grimes sells $6 million worth ing $11.6 million for an anniversary NFT In a non-music-related but watershed of NFTs collection BEST ACTRESS GOLDEN GLOBES WINNER THE VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY NEW SINGLE “TIGRESS & TWEED” FROM THE MOTION PICTURE : THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY OUT NOW ! BRAND NEW ALBUM COMING SOON!

LOVE, YOUR FAMILY Page 7 of 24

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Electronic producer and early crypto really built up the market.” adopter 3LAU celebrated the three-year Arab Music The application offers the full contents of anniversary of his album Ultraviolet by sell- its library of 57 million songs to users in the ing 33 NFTs in an auction from Feb. 25 to Streamer Anghami Middle East-North Africa region, but limits 28. Successful bidders could redeem their users outside the region to only Arabic NFTs for vinyl, unreleased music and bonus Strengthens Its songs, due to licensing issues. tracks and even experiences. Anghami’s staff of more than 120 in- This week, the record-breaking results Position In Battle cludes Lebanese native Wassim “Sal” were in: The top-selling NFT from the col- Slaiby, the manager of such artists as The lection, which included the chance for the Against Spotify Weeknd and Doja Cat, who is overseeing buyer to record a song with 3LAU, fetched International Partnerships for the streamer $3.6 million, marking a new world record BY ALEXEI BARRIONUEVO from . for the selling price of a single NFT. The “He believed in it from day one,” Maroun total auction intake of $11.6 million also he Arab music industry has long says. “That was a huge validation for what broke the record for the primary sale of an been plagued by rampant music we’re doing. We then realized we were onto NFT collection. piracy, but that has not stopped something big.” March 3: say “NFT Your- music streaming platforms from Slaiby says he grew up about five minutes self” Taggressively moving into the region over the from Maroun in Beirut but the two didn’t The same day as 3LAU’s record-breaking past few years. meet until 2017 in London. “This platform is sale, Nashville rockers Kings of Leon an- Now the region’s largest local player, something I believe in and love,” Slaiby says, nounced “NFT Yourself,” a digital art collec- Anghami, is making moves to solidify its po- who brought to Anghami’s tion of 25 unique pieces sold through NFT sition as a top destination for music listeners five-year anniversary party. “Two guys from minting and blockchain system Yellow- in the Middle East and North Africa. where I’m from, it doesn’t happen. We’re Heart, with all proceeds benefitting Live The Abu Dhabi-based company became not supposed to make it anywhere.” Nation’s Crew Nation fund. the first Arab tech company to list on the The local streamer believes it has a better The two-week sale, which kicked off Nasdaq on Wednesday after agreeing to handle on Arab music tastes and better data today (March 5), coincides with the release merge with publicly listed Vistas Media than its competitors because of its longer of the band’s eighth studio album When You Acquisition Company. run in the region. Maroun says Anghami See Yourself — which YellowHeart will also The deal has brought an injection of $140 collects more than 56 million data point per release, marking the first time that fans have million to Anghami, which has more than day on its listeners. been able to purchase an album on block- 70 million registered users and partner- In some cases, Anghami’s numbers dwarf chain the same day it drops on streaming ships with and War- those of Spotify. Slaiby noted how Lebanese platforms. ner Music Group. The total includes $100 pop singer Nancy Ajram has 14.8 million The NFT collection includes a $50 million from the special purpose acquisition followers on Anghami, but only 729,000 exclusive NFT collectible packaged with company (SPAC) and the rest from com- monthly listeners on Spotify. “Arabs from a limited-edition physical vinyl, as well mitments from Dubai-based Shuaa Capi- across the world go to Anghami,” he says. as an auction for six “Golden Tickets,” each tal, which has $14 billion in assets under Fueled by rapid adoption of 3G and 4G offering four front row seats to one show management. mobile accounts in the region, and part- of the buyer’s choosing on every Kings of Founded by Lebanese entrepre- nerships with 36 telcos, Anghami grew its Leon headlining tour for life. At the time of neurs Eddy Maroun and Elie Habib, An- revenues by 80% the past three years and writing, the top bid for one Golden Ticket is ghami (“My Melody” in English) launched expects to grow by up to 60%-70% over the $53,000 in 2012 in Beirut and now operates in 15 next 12 months after the capital injection, countries, with other offices in Beirut, Maroun says. “I believe that the machine is Dubai, Cairo and Riyadh. Its main competi- oiled and ready to really scale up and grow,” tors are Spotify, which launched in 2018 in he says. “All it needs is the capital.” the region, and , which partnered With the stock listing, the company ex- exclusively that year with Rotana Music, the pects to have about $110 million in cash and Middle East’s largest recording label, which an enterprise value of about $220 million. recently got an investment from Warner Like its competitors, Anghami operates Music. an ad-supported tier and a paid tier called “Before Anghami there was no moneti- Anghami Plus. Of its 15 million active us- zation whatsoever from the labels besides ers, 1.4 million are paying subscribers. The the ring tones,” Maroun tells Billboard. “We company says it has 10 billion streams a year 2021 TOP MUSIC LAWYERS

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

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in volume. voters by 2025. To date, it has reached 33 The service shares 50% of its rev- Recording percent of that goal by adding 831 new enues with artists and labels, deducting women voting members to its membership. 8% for publishing rights. Maroun says that Academy to “Two years ago, we started our Women given Anghami’s scale, it is still the top in the Mix initiative with the primary goal revenue generating streaming platform in Partner on Study of raising awareness,” said Harvey Ma- the region. Depending on the season and son jr., the Academy’s chair and interim country of consumption, 1 million streams About Women’s president/CEO, in a statement. “[We] had yield between $500 and $1,500, he says. an overwhelming initial response, garner- Anghami plans to leverage its large Arab Representation ing support from more than 650 of the most audience to build a broader media platform influential music people, executives and that includes a new vertical for virtual con- Across Music organizations. While we are hopeful that certs and live radio broadcasts, and to invest we will still see benefit from that effort, we in more podcasts. And the company plans to Industry haven’t seen enough progress to date. In leverage its experience in the Middle East order to accelerate our goals, we are excited and North Africa to crack other emerging BY PAUL GREIN to partner… on this study. The results of the markets in South Asia or Africa. research will serve as a guide for much- But it faces the persistent challenge of he Recording Academy, Berklee needed reforms in the industry at large.” widely accepted piracy in the region, and us- College of Music and Arizona Valeisha Butterfield Jones, the Acad- ers in countries like Egypt and Morocco that State University announced on emy’s chief diversity, equity & inclusion don’t have credit cards. The entire Middle Friday (March 5) that they are officer, added: “Women are key drivers in East and North Africa region generated a Tpartnering to conduct a study of women’s the economy and across all and paltry $19.6 million in total revenues in 2019 representation across the music industry. creative sectors in music, globally, yet we ($17.7 million from streaming), though it The study is expected to be completed and reflect 2 percent of producers and engi- rose 18.5% from 2018, according to the IFPI. released in early 2022. neers. It’s our responsibility at the Academy The company also hopes to confront As a first step, to be the change that we seek and inspire a supply-demand issue. Of Anghami’s 57 completed an analysis of the 63rd an- progress within the industry. We recog- million songs, only 1% is Arab music, even nual Grammy nominations and is publicly nize the important work that our industry though 50% of the music consumed on the reporting gender representation amongst colleagues have done in this area and are platform is Arabic-language music. nominees for the first time. Among the 853 doubling down on our commitment to play “We need to create more content,” Ma- nominees across all 83 Grammy categories, a more active role in providing solutions to roun says. “We need to really help the eco- 198 identify as women, representing 23 increase the number of women working in system, to co-create content with labels.” percent of nominees. (There are 84 Grammy this space…” categories, but one – best immersive audio Susan Whitehead, chair of Berklee Col- album – is on hold until because of lege of Music’s board of trustees, added: the pandemic.) “The music industry is in need of a broad Morever, three of individuals gender study that examines women repre- who received the most nominations this sentation beyond today’s in year are women. Beyoncé is this year’s order to help accurately identify key areas nominations leader with nine, followed for growth and improvement. We look by , Taylor Swift and Roddy forward to working with the Recording Ricch, with six. Academy to develop strong methodology for The forthcoming study with Berklee and this study and to authentically address the ASU isn’t the first initiative put in place lack of women representation in the music by the Recording Academy addressing industry.” women’s representation in music. In 2019, This new effort will build upon the the organization launched Women In the baseline constructed by Berklee’s 2019 Mix, which prompted hundreds of music study, “Women in the U.S. Music Industry: professionals and organizations to pledge to Obstacles And Opportunities,” authored by consider at least two women in the selection Erin Barra, director of popular music at Ari- process every time a producer or engineer is zona State University and executive director hired. Also in 2019, the Recording Academy of Beats By Girlz; Sharon Kramer, dean of pledged to double the number of women institutional research and assessment at 2 0 2 1 15TH ANNIVERSARY

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

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Berklee College of Music; and Becky Prior, Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, perform at open air festivals or put on a paid Berklee’s associate director of institutional Tunashoe had purchased insurance from livestreaming event would only in anyway research. Barra will lead the new study. Lloyd’s underwriters WRB, managed by W. mitigate loss revenue. Insisting that The “Being able to continue this work in part- R. Berkley Syndicate Management Limited, Chicks rearrange the tour that would not nership with such powerful allies signals for the tour. But when they informed the be “commercially and reasonably possible” the importance and immediate need for this insurance provider that due to the “plan- for Tunashoe to rearrange could damage type of research…,” Barra said in a state- ning and logistics required to mount a major the group’s reputations and jeopardize the ment. “We need to make visible and tangible national tour, it simply is impossible for health of the members of The Chicks, their the obstacles and opportunities we face as Tunashoe and The Chicks to reschedule the band and crew, and audience. women navigating an industry that wasn’t Tour for 2021,” the company denied their Lloyd’s underwriters WRB did not built by us or for us..” claim. respond to a request for comment. Lloyd’s Barra will be working alongside Lisa M. Tunshoe said that their insurance provid- declined to comment saying as its role Anderson, associate professor in the School ers have taken “unreasonable legal positions of overseeing and regulating a market of Of Social Transformation and Mako Fitts in direct conflict with specifically negoti- independent insurers, and that it has no Ward, that school’s assistant professor. ated contractual language and engaged in a information on the specific policy and are On Monday (March 8), the Recording ten-month campaign of repeated irrelevant not authorized to comment. Academy will kick off Grammy Week with questions and stall tactics,” according to the James Sammataro, who is not affiliated the inaugural Women in the Mix event lawsuit. with this case, said The Chicks’ legal argu- that will spotlight women producers and The insurance policies were in effect from ments seem valid as there are very few alter- engineers while encouraging and facilitat- Jan. 20, 2020 until Sept. 18 and provided natives to a stadium or performance. ing mentorship between established women insurance of “Up to $40,400,000 represent- “Any suggestion that you could have miti- in the industry and aspiring women music ing 80% ‘To Pay’ of Gross Guarantee of USD gated your damages by doing a live stream, professionals. 50,500,000” should the tour be “necessarily well, that that’s certainly not an adequate cancelled, abandoned, postponed, interrupt- substitute because people are paying to see ed or relocated” as a result of any reason not an in-person performance,” said Sammataro, The Chicks’ Tour excluded, per the Chicks’ lawsuit. They list a partner at Pryor Cashman who is co-chair the “Insured Persons” as the “Dixie Chicks of the firm’s Media + Entertainment Group. Company Files being Martie Erwin Maguire, Emily Erwin “They could potentially make some money Robison and ” and state that off the live stream, but those dollars are $6.6 Million Suit the “covered Perils” are “death,” “accident nothing comparable to what you’d make on and illness,” “unavoidable travel delay,” a normal tour. Over Rejected “venue damage,” “adverse weather,” “nation- Sammataro added that surprisingly de- al mourning,” and “other perils,” according spite all the canceled tours there has been Insurance Claim to the complaint. relatively corresponding insurance lawsuits. The insurance provider reportedly re- Instead, many have quietly worked out BY CLAUDIA ROSENBAUM quested that the Chicks “make formal inqui- to mitigate the harm and to ries with other promotors with the ability to preserve relationships. he Chicks’ touring company stage a 2021 tour,” according to the suit. It “We have resolved a lot of cases for clients Tunashoe Tours is suing Lloyd’s of also asked whether the “Chicks explored the in the concert space, where we either agreed London underwriters for $6.6 mil- possibility of whether any of the cancelled to a postponement agreed to some form of lion, alleging breach of contract 2020 shows can be rescheduled to open discount, or we return some money and Tfor failing to pay out an insurance claim over air festivals/venues in 2021” and wanted to push things back to a post-COVID world,” the band’s canceled 2020 tour. know whether the “Chicks evaluated the op- said Sammataro. “It’s an insular world and The North American Gaslighter tour tion for The Chicks to perform live stream- everyone’s dealing with the same reality. had been scheduled to go along with the ing to a paying audience.” We’re all trying to be creative. We’re all try- release of The Chicks’ first studio album in Attorneys for the group argued that a ing to live to the next day. You’re not going 14 years, Gaslighter. Starting June 6, 2020, later tour would have no album release to to burn a bridge with your counterparts who in Las Vegas, the band had been booked for drive ticket sales and “would therefore be you will have to later do business with.” 48 performances at North American arenas relegated to smaller venues, be less commer- However, Sammataro adds that he is also over the following three months, but the cially successful, and correspondingly be ir- sympathetic to the insurance companies trek was canceled on April 21 after the CO- revocably damaging to the band’s reputation who are themselves in a precarious situation VID-19 pandemic hit the country. and the band members’ careers.” They also especially being “on the other side of the According to the 17-page lawsuit filed dismissed any suggestion that The Chicks aisle.” Page 12 of 24

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“Everyone is hurting,” he said. resentatives. The lengthiest list of needed “For our clients, we’re not looking at it as a SBA Shares documentation is for live venues and pro- zero-sum game. We’re looking at it, let’s get moters who will need to prepare floor plans through this together and figure out a way Preliminary and documents showing that the venue has we can get to the other side collectively in a audio mixing equipment, a lighting rig and a way that’s fair.” Application public address system. Venue operators will also need to show marketing material with Checklist for event titles and ticket prices and box office/ S-Curve Founder ticketing reports that provide date, ticket Shuttered Venue price and the number of tickets sold. Steve Greenberg Talent representatives will need to pro- Operators Grants vide examples of contracts with the talent Departs BMG: they represent and venues they have worked BY TAYLOR MIMS with. A roster of individuals or acts repre- Exclusive sented between 2019 and 2020 will also be he Small Business Administra- required. BY MELINDA NEWMAN tion (SBA) released a preliminary The preliminary checklist goes on to application checklist on Friday breakdown what documentation will suffice wenty years after founding (March 5) for looking for each requirement to help businesses pre- S-Curve Records, Steve Green- Tto apply for the Shuttered Venue Operators pare. After nearly 10 weeks, the preliminary berg is leaving BMG. Grant (SVOG) program. While the applica- checklist gets venues closer to understand- The move comes slightly more tion or application date is still pending, the ing the full scope of what will be needed to Tthan five years after BMG acquired the New checklist will help independent businesses receive up to $10 million from the SVOG. York-based pop label for an estimated $10 that plan to apply to prepare the appropriate In the meantime, the Senate proposed million. documents necessary to receive the much- an amendment to the SVOG program that Greenberg launched the New York-based needed funding as soon as possible. would allow venues to apply for the new label in 2000 with the ’s “Who Let Located on the SBA’s website, the round of Paycheck Protection Program The Dogs Out” and scored subsequent hits checklist outlines that all applicants will (PPP2) loans that closes March 31. As of with , Andy Grammer, Fountains need a written state of need and assurance, right now, those seeking SVOG funds cannot of Wayne and most recently with AJR with corporate documents, government issued receive any PPP2 money or it would make “Bang,” which reached No. 8 on the Bill- photo ID, employee list with job titles and them ineligible for the grants. The amend- board Hot 100. employment states such as full or part time, ment is currently part of the latest stimulus Double Grammy winner Greenberg an- and a tax-exempt letter if the business is a package making its way through congress. nounced his departure to his staff and it is non-profit. Head here for the full preliminary check- effective today. Financial documents needed for the list provided by the SBA. Sources say the move comes as part of application will include 2019 and 2020 tax BMG’s streamlining efforts announced in returns and quarterly income statements. February with Thomas Scherer promoted The SBA will also require payroll statements to president, repertoire & marketing, Los covering Feb. 29, 2020, and a copy of the Angeles and New York. Scherer now leads most recent audited financial statements the company’s West Coast and East Coast from 2019. repertoire organizations. According to the checklist, “The SVOG S-Curve artists and staff are expected to application process is still under devel- be absorbed under the BMG umbrella with opment and this list is subject to further BMG phasing out the imprint name. refinement.” The document adds that “This Greenberg, who continues to manage is not an all-inclusive list and additional AJR, whose new album drops March 26 on documents may be required to meet eligibil- BMG, declined to comment other than to ity and compliance.” confirm his departure. BMG representatives The checklist also breaks down what did not immediately respond to a request for different types of documents will be needed comment. from the varying businesses that can benefit from these funds, from live music venues to movie theaters, museums and talent rep- Page 13 of 24

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Other important additions to the provi- Pavilion, the large outdoor Proposed Rule sion are an additional $1.25 billion added to designed by Frank Gehry. There’s 49 more the SVOG fund and $840,000 earmarked for spaces to explore. Change Allows Small Business Administration staff, which The original iteration of 50 States of has been tasked with facilitating COVID- Music went live in 2019 and is pitched as a Indie Venues to related programs. The additional money will helpful tool for the music industry, fans and help fund the growing number of entities policymakers. Apply for Both that are eligible for the more than $16 bil- “Although COVID has taken a severe toll lion grant program, which is open to indie on the economy,” says a spokesperson for 50 SBA Grants and venues, promoters, agencies, production States of Music, “from the data you will find companies, museums, movie theaters, zoos that music will continue to be an important PPP Loans and other cultural institutions. contributor to its recovery.” “The quicker the SBA can staff up and The data set is provided by 10 industry BY TAYLOR MIMS roll out this program, the better. To say organizations: The American Association our members are frantic and anxious is an of (A2IM), American he federal government has an- understatement. The eviction notices have Society of , Authors and Publish- nounced an amendment to the been coming at an even faster pace as time ers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant goes by without this emergency relief,” said Global Music Rights (GMR), National — previously the Save Our Stages Frank. Independent Venues Association (NIVA), TAct — that will allow entities to apply to National Music Publishers Association both the SVOG and Paycheck Protection (NMPA), the Recording Industry Associa- Program 2. 50 States of tion of America (RIAA), Screen Guild If passed as part of President Joe Biden’s - American Federation of Television and COVID-19 relief package, the rule change Music Site: U.S. Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), SESAC, and would amend the venue aid package signed SoundExchange. into law in late December, barring venues Music Economy “It is widely known that music con- planning to apply for the SVOG from also tributes to our lives in meaningful ways,” applying for a second round of PPP funds. Supports 2.5 reads a joint statement. “It comforts us in The decision to either wait for SVOG appli- times of sorrow and punctuates moments cations to open or apply for the PPP2 money Million Jobs of joy. What is less known, however, is the — the deadline is March 31 — weighed heav- tremendous value music provides to towns ily on independent venues that have been BY LARS BRANDLE and cities across America in the form of closed for a whole year. jobs, community, culture, and revenue. We “This change can save countless venues he numbers are in: while the hope that policymakers, fans and artists from bankruptcy, as the immediate PPP2 health crisis has sidelined the live everywhere will continue to use this site as a money will help them hold on until the industry, the U.S. music economy resource to better understand and appreci- SVOG funds flow,” said NIVA Board Presi- remains a titan, collectively em- ate the full breadth of music’s impact on dent and CEO of First Avenue Productions Tploying some 2.5 million folks and generat- every community.” in Minneapolis Dayna Frank in a release. ing a whopping $170 billion in GDP. 50 States of Music was updated following “This entire industry is grateful to Majority Starting today (March 5), the 50 States of yesterday’s ADP Employment Report and Leader Senator Schumer for spearheading Music website has been updated with an ahead of Friday’s monthly jobs report by this provision and Senators Cornyn and interactive deep dive into the vital statistics the U.S. Bureau of Labor & Statistics. Klobuchar for championing our cause with of the music industry in each U.S. state. Each state’s data is downloadable to PDF. the Save Our Stages Act.” Visitors can click through for state-by- Dive in here. The proposed rule change allows those state analysis on a wealth of music business- who believe they are eligible for the SVOG es, key artists and musicians, record labels, to apply and receive funds from the PPP2. royalty recipients, songwriters, venues, and Any money venues receive from PPP2 more. will be deducted from any money they are Take Maryland. Drill down and you’ll granted through the SVOG. For example, if discover its music industry contributes $1.4 a venue is eligible for $100,000 SVOG and billion to state GDP and it’s the home of they have taken $25,000 in PPP2 funds, Billie Holiday and The Orioles, Brothers their SVOG cannot exceed $75,000. Osborne, Logic, and the Merriweather Post Page 14 of 24

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day at Hillside Memorial Park and Mortuary gives him a deep understanding for both Josh Humiston, in Los Angeles, with a celebration of his life the artistic and business side of what we do, to be scheduled at a later date. which is invaluable to our music creators, APA Partner and In lieu of flowers, donations can be made and his ability to forecast industry trends to Andrew McMahon’s Dear Jack Founda- within the ever-growing space Music Agent, tion, which benefits adolescents and young is second to none. I look forward to working adults with cancer. with Jesus on developing new talent and Dies at 48 This article was originally published supporting our incredible roster of Latin by The Hollywood Reporter. songwriters, producers, composers and BY MIKE BARNES music publishers.” As the former senior vp brands & partner- osh Humiston, a partner and music Jesus Gonzalez ships at Universal Music Group, Gonzalez agent at the Agency for the Performing spearheaded collaborations between top Arts, died Wednesday in a Los Angeles Named Vice Latin artists and global Fortune 500 compa- hospital after suffering a stroke. He nies helping secure deals for artists J Balvin, Jwas 48. President of Juanes and with brands such “Josh was a unique and exceptional agent as Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi and Mastercard who was fiercely passionate and loyal to his BMI’s Latin respectively. clients and this company for 26 years,” Jim Gonzalez is a voting member of the Re- Gosnell, CEO of APA, said in a statement. “A Creative Team cording Academy for the Grammy and Latin much-loved member of our APA family, he Grammy Awards. He received a bachelor’s wore his heart on his sleeve and would fight BY GRISELDA FLORES degree in political science from the Univer- equally as hard for his clients as he did his sity of California, Riverside. colleagues. He will be extremely missed by esus Gonzalez has been named vice all of us as well as the music community in president of BMI’s Latin creative which he served.” team, Billboard can confirm. , Humiston was promoted to partner Based out of BMI’s Los Angeles of- in 2007, becoming the first agent in the Jfice, Gonzalez will report to BMI senior vp Julian Turizo, Jay company’s 59-year history to begin in the creative Alex Flores and will join the com- mailroom and make it that far. His clients pany beginning March 8. He takes the spot Wheeler & More over the years included Flogging Molly, left by Delia Orjuela, the longtime vp Latin X, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, creative for BMI who resigned in Sept. 2019. Sign With Dionne Warwick, Smokey Robinson, Judas “As a songwriter myself, I know how Priest, Skillet and Everclear, among many important BMI is to those who create Publishing others. music,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “I’ve Born in Santa Monica on March 18, 1972, come full circle with BMI, beginning with BY LEILA COBO Humiston graduated from Beverly Hills my first showcase on their SXSW stage in High School and then Boston University. 2005, and now I’m on the other side of the ony Music Publishing’s Latin divi- He joined APA in 1995 and was upped to vp table supporting my fellow songwriters. I’m sion has entered into an exclusive concerts in 2001, responsible for developing extremely excited to join the team’s efforts multi-year worldwide publish- and overseeing the agency’s in serving the Latin music community by ing agreement with Colombian department. helping to create and expand on the won- Sbrothers and hitmakers Manuel and Julian According to APA, Humiston was a pas- derful opportunities that BMI provides for Turizo. Recording artist Manuel Turizo, sionate golfer, an ardent Los Angeles Kings, its affiliates.” who is signed to Sony US Latin, broke out Lakers and Dodgers fan and a “recurring, Gonzalez will oversee the team helping with 2017’s “Una Como Tu” and has enthusiastic fixture” at their games. to sign and develop new talent, assist BMI’s released a string of hits since, co-written Survivors include his wife, Jaime, and family of songwriters and publishers and with brother Julián. Most recently, “La their daughters, Isabella and Juliana; his serve as a liaison between the Latin music Nota,” featuring and Rauw parents, Jan and Robert; siblings Alison and community and the industry at large. Alejandro, peaked at No. 3 on Billboard’s Matthew; sister-in-law Lisa; and nieces Mila “Throughout his career, Jesus has forged Latin Airplay chart, and “Mala Costumbre,” and Rachel. strong relationships within the Latin music with and , peaked at No. 4 on Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a funeral community as a songwriter and a music the Global Ex US chart. for immediate family only will be held Sun- executive,” said Flores. “His background They’re the latest in a string of high- Page 15 of 24

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profile Latin signings for Sony since the gained international success with her years at The Orchard, where she most beginning of the pandemic. In the past nine singles “Loca ()” alongside , recently served as senior vp of account months, the publisher also scooped up Myke & , and “Toda (remix)” with Alex management, advertising and data analysis. Towers, who is dominating global charts; Rose, & Lenny Tavarez. In her role there, she led and reorganized a Argentine rising stars and Nicki Nicole, signed to Latin, global team that she strategically positioned ; Argentine producer ; Span- blends trap, pop and R&B. Her recent during the company’s expansion across ish star C. Tangana; Colombian producer collaboration with Bizarrap and , 40 cities. She additionally founded The Sky; Puerto Rican rapper Jay Wheeler; and “,” hit the global Spotify charts Orchard’s commercial insights team and multi-Latin Grammy winner Kany García. and has over 160 million streams. was a key force in developing and utilizing “It’s been a hugely prolific time,” says And C. Tangana, who just released his al- innovative data insight tools. Jorge Mejía, president & CEO of Sony Music bum El Madrileño, collaborated with Rosalia Kreidich has also worked at companies Publishing for Latin America and US Latin. in many of the tracks on her breakout El Mal including Ultra Records, Caroline Distribu- “There are many possibilities to sign and Querer. tion, and Records. discover.” “Cat will be in elevating our Those possibilities have considerable work for partners and projects across the broadened since streaming has opened up Executive globe, working closely with label manage- the platforms available to Latin music. Acts ment and our international teams,” said that once would have been considered niche Turntable: ADA Seton in a statement. “With her strong re- or regional, for example, are now finding lationships in the independent space, she’ll broad audiences that translate into millions Worldwide Hires also play a big role in attracting new busi- of views. ness both in the U.S. and internationally. On “It’s different in that what we consider EVP, WMG Vet behalf of everyone at ADA, we are thrilled to Latin music today has evolved quite a bit,” welcome Cat to our leadership team.” says Mejía. “Manuel and his brother Julián Promoted at WEA Elsa Vivero has been promoted to the have an urban bent, and Nicki and Bizarrap newly-created position of general manager/ come from with a trap bent. But BY CHRIS EGGERTSEN executive vp, global commercial services they’re not different in that we believe in at WEA, the label and artist services divi- them at the end of the day.” DA Worldwide, the global sion of . She was previ- Beyond the Turizos, Sony also signed independent distribution divi- ously executive vp, global digital account Myke Towers, widely viewed as one of the sion of Warner Music Group, has management. most exciting rising Latin rappers today and named Cat Kreidich to the role Based in New York, report recently signed to Warner Records. Towers ofA executive vp. directly to WEA president Maria Weaver, has placed seven top 10 hits on Billboard’s The New York-based Kreidich will lead who was appointed to her role in November. Hot Latin Songs chart in the past year and ADA’s expanding global footprint and part- With her expanded role, Vivero will his 2020 album Easy Money Baby debuted at nerships across international commerce and oversee all core functions of commercial No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart. marketing, along with label/product man- marketing and distribution while continuing Sony also entered into exclusive world- agement and operations, while reporting to to work closely with digital partners to am- wide publishing agreements with Jay Warner Music Group president of indepen- plify the presence of WMG labels and artists Wheeler, Cazzu, Nicki Nicole, Bizarrap, C. dent music & creator services Eliah Seton. worldwide through playlisting, collabora- Tangana and Kany García. A veteran of the music business, Kreidich tive campaigns, editorial opportunities and García, known for her finely crafted most recently spent a year-and-a-half at strategic planning. She will also oversee albums and exquisite songwriting, is a multi Sony Music Entertainment as senior vp, physical account management and market- Latin Grammy winner whose Mesa para commerce for legacy recordings, where ing services in the music retail space. dos is nominated for a Grammy award this she oversaw commercial activity for a $900 Vivero, who joined WMG in 1988, was year. million group across digital and physical named to Billboard’s Digital Power Players Wheeler, a dynamic rising reggaetón’ act, for artists including , Billy list in 2019. She has held sales and market- saw his “La curiosidad” peak at No. 5 on Joel and Bob Dylan. While there, she ing positions at Records, Poly- Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. helped restructure the department to better Gram and . From Argentina, Bizarrap is an interna- capitalize on the rapidly-expanding world of Venice Distribution, a subsidiary tionally known producer notorious for his streaming, executing successful campaigns of Troy Carter and Suzy Ryoo’s music Bzrp Music Sessions and Bzrp Freestyle for , Alicia Keys, Travis technology startup Q&A, has hired J.R. Sessions. Cazzu, signed to Universal Music Scott and . McKee as head of streaming, North America Latin and known for her incisive lyrics, Before joining Sony, Kreidich spent eight and Brandon “Reddpush” Terrell as direc- Page 16 of 24

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tor of A&R. Additionally, Ray Kurzeka was the company’s day-to-day business opera- 2016. He also previously worked as head of elevated to global head of revenue and tions, establish a comprehensive structure development at Maker Studios, which was services operations. around plans and rollout strategies, lead acquired by Disney in 2014 for $750 million. McKee most recently served as head of business development for label artists and ASCAP has hired Patty Erickson as digital sales & revenue at Alamo Records, create infrastructure around their brands senior vp and head of human resources. She where he was a key force in driving the and implement revenue-generating oppor- succeeds Carolyn Jensen, who is retiring label’s streaming growth. Terrell previously tunities for the company. from the position after 17 years. worked as an independent consultant and “Clarissa brings a deep knowledge of In the role, Erickson will work closely in the hip-hop scene. creating talent-driven initiatives and opti- with ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews on Carter, who serves as CEO at Q&A, said mizing company infrastructure as Raedio leadership, culture and diversity, equity and in a statement, “J.R. McKee is one of the continues to expand as of an audio every- inclusion initiatives. most talented young executives in the music where company,” says Raedio founder and Erickson joins ASCAP from BBC Studios industry. His vision for artists and pas- presidentTagoe. “Raedio is experiencing Americas, where she was senior vp and head sion for the future of music are impressive. incredible momentum in every vertical from of human resources. During her tenure, she His track record at breaking artists speaks music supervision to record label, and Clar- oversaw and advised on strategic and opera- for itself and I’m looking forward to him issa will be pivotal in positioning us for long tional HR activities including diversity and delivering hits for our premium services term growth and success.” inclusion, organizational structure design partners at Venice. Brandon “Reddpush” Reformina joins Raedio with over 15 years and implementation, culture enhancement, Terrell is a cultural powerhouse in Atlanta. of music and entertainment experience. She talent management, employee engagement He has an ability to connect with artists and previously held roles at Paradigm, CAA and and policies, practices and protocols during has impeccable taste in music. We’re making Q&A, among others. the COVID-19 public health crisis. a significant investment in providing a high “As an audio-everywhere company, Rae- Prior to that, Erickson held senior human level of services alongside our distribution dio is uniquely positioned to own real estate resources positions at RHI Entertainment software by adding these two executives to in a competitive market as it continues and Viacom. She is a certified leadership our premium services team.” working with audio and music horizontally and wellness coach. Venice was launched in December as the across entertainment,” added Reformina. Atlantic Screen Music (ASM) has software division of Q&A. It offers tools that “Benoni and Issa’s vision is forward thinking hired Rosie Hill as its first global director enable labels to distribute music, manage in a time where music is being discovered of sync. artist rosters and track splits and payments. through content and experience, and I’m ex- Hill joins the company from Sentric Music licensing marketplace Song- cited to be part of the team and its growth.” Music Group, where she served as global tradr has hired Lindsay Nahmiache as Livestream and on-demand audio plat- head of sync for almost four years. While chief marketing officer. In the position, form LiveXLive Media has hired Andy there, she oversaw syncs with Ford, Halifax Nahmiache will serve a key role in scaling Vick as head of programming and executive Bank and TV series including Normal Songtradr’s growth in new and existing vp of LiveXLive’s new content division Stu- People and This Is Us. She has also held roles markets and expand its global reach in the dioOne, which will develop and distribute at Warner Chappell, Disney and technology/music arena. original programming and tentpole events (now Concord), where she ran the UK sync Over the course of a career spanning 17 on the platform. team for eight years. She additionally sits on years, Nahmiache has worked with brands In his new role, Vick will develop and the Guild of Music Supervisors Rightshold- including Virgin Radio, Granville Island expand digitally native content to drive sub- ers committee. Brewing, Juan Valdez Coffee, eOne Films scribers, sponsors and new revenue streams In the role, Hill will develop sync op- and Meow Wolf. She is the co-founder and across LiveXLive, including audio, video, portunities, partnerships and secondary CEO of Jive PR + Digital and a U.N. ambas- podcast/vodcasts, live-streaming, virtual exploitation initiatives. She will additionally sador for women’s entrepreneurship. goods, merchandise and pay-per-views. be tasked with identifying opportunities for Nahmiache joins Songtradr following the Vick has worked in the entertainment and reinterpretations of key cues/ company’s launch of the new B2B music and tech industries for 15 years in strategic works and work with all Atlantic divisions platform Vinyl.com and ahead of the an- and creative leadership roles. He was most to develop their rosters and seek creative nouncement of a new tech-music product in recently president of virtual reality and initiatives outside the traditional sync envi- the coming weeks. immersive entertainment at STX Entertain- ronment. Raedio, the record label started by Beno- ment. In 2015, he co-founded and served as Tommy Merrill has launched Merrill ni Tagoe and Issa Rae, has appointed Clar- chief content officer at immersive content Artists, a global music company featur- issa Reformina as senior vp of strategy. and technology company Surreal, Inc., ing both a recorded music division and a In the role, Reformina will be tasked with which produced over 100 VR experiences concert promotion business. Though it has developing systems and processes around during his tenure and was bought by STX in the same name as Merrill’s previous booking Page 17 of 24

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company, the new business is separate from additionally produced music for the produc- ing the monetization program SoundCloud that venture. tion music start-up West One and worked Premier. Based in Los Angeles with offices in Nash- with Trevor Horn at Sarm Amenia previously served as global head ville, New York and London and in partner- Studios in London. of content partnerships and editorial for ship with Marshall Arts and Marshall Arts “We have spent the last 50 years build- streaming service Rdio and as vp, music USA — where Merrill will continue to serve ing Sonoton with much love and care,” said marketing at MTV. as chief talent developer — Merrill Artists’ Sonoton founders Rotheide and Gerhard “We are reinventing the future of live promotion division is designed to comple- Narholz in a statement. “It was a daunt- radio, and a critical part of our strategy is ment its recorded music division, which is ing prospect to consider transitioning the to bring the best creators to the platform housed in a new Sony-distributed record stewardship of the company to a new CEO. to do what they do best, create engaging label imprint through ECR Music Group. We are absolutely ecstatic that Alex Black experiences. Stationhead makes it possible Merrill previously worked as senior talent will be the one to take on this role. Over for anyone to host their own show with buyer at New York’s Rockwood Music Hall, the many years we have enjoyed a work- no institutionalized barriers to entry,” said where he personally booked over 35,000 ing relationship with him. He continually Stationhead CEO and artist Ryan Star in a shows. He also served as president of artist impressed us with his excellent business statement. “Joe has a proven track record of development at The Press House for three acumen, creativity and passion for music. building these types of programs for some of years and has been a frequent advocate for We can withdraw from management now, the biggest influencers in the audio industry music makers on Capitol Hill as part of the knowing that Sonoton will be in the perfect and we look forward to him bringing his grassroots #IRespectMusic movement. hands for a successful future.” experience to Stationhead.” Merrill Artists’ debut roster includes Paul Nicola Spokes has been named manag- Kristin Somin has been named director Freeman, Greg Holden, , Tim Lefe- ing director at Island in the UK. She joins of communications at The Oriel Company. bvre and . the label following longtime Island execu- Most recently, Somin served as man- Independent production music com- tive Natasha Mann’s departure to Universal ager, publicity at RCA Records, where she pany Sonoton Music has named Alex Music UK as director of diversity & inclu- spearheaded national publicity strategy Black to the role of CEO, a newly-created sion. and campaigns for artists including Doja position. The appointment comes as the In her new role, Spokes will work closely Cat, and Flo Milli. She was at company broadens its focus to incorporate with Island senior vp Steve Pitron and RCA for nearly seven years, beginning as a new forms of music publishing to its pro- the rest of the label’s senior executive team publicity assistant in 2014. duction music business. while reporting to president Louis Bloom. Based in Munich, Black will oversee Spokes previously worked for four years day-to-day operations at Sonoton, which as UK label head at Caroline International, Soar owns exclusive rights to over 130,000 works where she oversaw release campaigns for from all genres and represents over 2,400 artists including Tame Impala, D-Block on Dance/ composers. Europe, Digga D and Internet Money. Black most recently worked as global She previously spent 15 years at Ministry of Electronic Charts director at EMI Production Music for Sony Sound, where she rose to the role of market- Music Publishing for seven years, working ing director. After Breakup with management teams across the globe “Social audio” streaming platform Sta- and managing the development of the com- tionhead has hired Joe Amenia as director Announcement pany’s brands, including production music of creator partnerships. labels such as KPM, MusicHouse and Juice. In the role, Amenia will be responsible BY GORDON MURRAY He additionally managed the company’s for recruiting creators and influencers to sub-publishing interests. develop shows and live experiences for aft Punk registered tremen- Prior to his role at EMI, Black served as the platform. He reports to Stationhead dous gains on Billboard’s dance/ managing director of Imagem Production COO Murray Levison. electronic charts (dated March Music. There, he oversaw the brand transi- Amenia was previously director, artist and 6) following their breakup an- tion from Boosey & Hawkes Production Mu- creator relations at SoundCloud, where he Dnouncement Feb. 22. sic, created the Boosey & Hawkes classical developed the company’s first global team The helmeted French DJ duo place library label and managed the development tasked with representing, supporting and four titles on the Top Dance/Electronic of the company’s media catalog. Before that, educating creators about content and mar- Albums chart, including a re-entry at No. 1 he ran his own PR company, Rocketscience keting opportunities to connect with fans, with 2001’s Discovery, and land six songs in Media, where he worked with acts includ- monetize their work and grow their audi- the upper half of the Hot Dance/Electronic ing and Basement Jaxx. He ences. He was also instrumental in launch- Songs chart, including their classics “Get Page 18 of 24

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Lucky,” featuring (No. 6), up 112%), “Around the World” (No. 12; 1.8 and “One More Time” (No. 9). million streams, up 260%), “ to It’s the first week at No. 1 for Discovery, Dance,” featuring Pharrell Williams (No. 22) which becomes the act’s sixth total top- and “Digital Love” (No. 23). Prize Cancels per. The set, released in February 2001 Thanks to its Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (four months prior to the Top Dance/Elec- haul, the duo’s Thomas Bangalter and Guy- 2021 Ceremony, tronic Albums chart’s inception), previously Manuel de Homem-Christo each tie at No. ranked as high as No. 3 in February 2002. 1 on Dance/Electronic Songwriters chart, Announces 2022 Leading at last in its 177th chart week, Dis- leading the list for the first time. covery crushes the record for the longest ‘LOVELIFE’ GOSSIP: On the Dance/ Dates climb to the top, previously held by The Mix Show Airplay chart, veteran Italian DJ/ Postal Service’s Give Up, which hit No. 1 producer Benny Benassi and singer Jeremih BY JOE LYNCH in 2004 after a 65-week ascent. Discov- lift 3-1 with “Lovelife.” It’s Benassi’s second ery earned 8,000 equivalent album units, up leader and first in nearly a decade, since ue to the ongoing coronavirus 375%, in the tracking week ending Feb. 25, “Cinema,” featuring Gary Go, hit the summit pandemic, the Polar Music according to MRC Data. in September 2011. Benassi boasts seven to- Prize has skipped its annual Daft Punk also score on Top Dance/Elec- tal chart appearances, beginning with “Satis- ceremony for the second year in tronic Albums with 2013’s former No. 1 Ran- faction” (credited as Benny Benassi Presents Da row. 2020 laureates Diane Warren and dom Access Memories (22-3; 7,000 units, The Biz), which reached No. 11 in 2003, just Anna Netrebko will be feted this year; Marie up 284%), its 1997 debut Homework (No. 9; months after the chart’s inaugural. Ledin, managing director of the Prize, 3,000 units, up 505%) and another previous “Lovelife,” Jeremih’s first topper, is draw- announced that “2020 Laureates, Diane topper, 2010’s : Legacy soundtrack (No. ing core-dance airplay at many outlets, Warren and Anna Netrebko, will be honored 15; 3,000 units, up 195%). including at leaders KMVQ-HD2 San Fran- on various occasions throughout this year Here’s a look at Daft Punk’s leaders on the cisco, Music Choice’s Dance/EDM channel and we will announce details soon.” Next Top Dance/Electronic Albums chart: and WZFL (Revolution 93.5) (as year’s ceremony, taking place on May 24, Title, Year(s) at No. 1 (Total Weeks, if monitored on WHYI-HD2 Ft. Lauderdale, 2022, will celebrate new, to-be-announced more than one) Fla.) The Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart laureates. , 2005 measures radio airplay on a select group of “Next year is special to us as it will be 30 , 2007 (two) full-time dance stations, along with plays years since the first presentation of the Polar Tron: Legacy (soundtrack), 2010-11 (10) during mix shows on nearly 80 top 40-for- Music Prize to Sir Paul McCartney and Tron: Legacy (Reconfigured), 2011 matted reporters. the Baltic States in 1992. We will continue , 2013-14 (21) CODD, RODRIGO GO TOP 10: Addi- in the very special tradition initiated by Discovery, 2021 tionally on Dance/Mix Show Airplay, Irish the founder of the Prize, the late Stikkan On the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs DJ/producer Shane Codd earns his first top Anderson, but there is no such thing as busi- chart, the act sends six songs into the top 25, 10 with “Get Out of My Head” (17-8). ness as usual with the Polar Music Prize,” including two in the top 10 as noted above: Plus, Olivia Rodrigo rides to her first top says Alfons Karabuda, chairman of the Polar “Get Lucky” and “One More Time.” (The 10 with her seven-week and counting Hot Music Prize committee. “The very reason survey, which premiered in 2013, permits, 100 No. 1 “Drivers License” (24-10). for its existence is to show the remarkable, like the all-genre , older diverse and sometimes unexpected impact tracks with new activity to appear if ranking that the laureates have had on the world of in its upper half.) music and sometimes on society as a whole, “Lucky,” which landed 13 frames at No. through their talent, dedication and that ex- 1 in 2013, launches with 2.7 million on- tra ingredient we call musical excellence. No demand U.S. streams, up 130%, and sales year bears resemblance with the previous of 1,000 downloads, up 367%. “Time,” now ones and 2022 will be no exception. So what the act’s second top 10, tallied 2.8 million can we say about the laureates of 2022? streams, up 254%, and sales of nearly 1,500, Well, nothing until Feb. 8, when the an- up 624%. The track, released in 2000, is also nouncement will take place in Stockholm.” one of Daft Punk’s seven The Polar Music Prize was founded in No. 1s. Sweden by Stig “Stikkan” Anderson, the Daft Punk also earn places on Hot Dance/ manager and of ABBA, and Electronic Songs with “Harder, Better, comes with a cash award of one million Faster, Stronger” (No. 11; 2.4 million streams, Swedish kronor, dispersed each year to one Page 19 of 24

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artist from the realm of pop and one from to the world! Now we have a No. 1 with our heartbreaking stories that have surfaced, the world of classical or (such as the baby ‘Travesuras,’ a very important track in I knew I had to do something to help my 2020 laureates, power ballad pro Diane my career as it has a lot from my culture.” hometown,” the 26-year-old rapper said in Warren and opera star Anna Netrebko. War- Beyond its Latin Airplay coronation, an official statement. “I am so happy that ren recently won her second Golden Globe “Travesuras” conquers the Tropical Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, the for best original song). Airplay list, jumping 3-1. It’s both Garcia NACC and I aligned on the goal of repair- and Casper’s first No. 1 there. “Thanks to ing the homes of the elderly and uninsured the Billboard family for always following single moms who are the most vulnerable Nio García & the movement closely and supporting us as and often displaced by these kinds of devas- Latinos!” García adds. tating events.” Casper Mágico’s NACC will work with Congresswoman Lee for referrals on homes needing rebuild- ‘Travesuras’ Megan Thee ing from online submissions through the Helping Houston Rebuild official website. Powers to No. 1 Stallion Is Houston residents will receive aid based on critical need and a lottery. Public adjusters on Latin Airplay Helping Rebuild will assess damages and licensed profes- sionals will evaluate plumbing, electricity Chart Her Houston and structural repairs with walls, floors, and other damages, while volunteers will BY PAMELA BUSTIOS Hometown remove water-logged materials. “Throughout my Congressional District io García and Casper Mági- Following Winter and Houston, I saw the pain of people hav- co earn their first No. 1 on ing destroyed homes. The historic and tragic the Latin Airplay chart as Freeze disaster that was driven by the freeze and “Travesuras” takes over atop the lack of preparation of the Texas electric NMarch 6 survey. BY HERAN MAMO grid caused lives to be lost and families to The urban/old-school merengue track be displaced,” Congresswoman Lee said in a soars 8-1 with a 43% boost in audience im- egan Thee Stallion is working statement. “The collective efforts of Megan pressions, to 9 million, earned in the week with the National Association Thee Stallion, the NACC and the 18th Con- ending Feb. 28, according to MRC Data. of Christian Churches (NACC) gressional District will help restore the lives With the chart’s new champ, the pair Disaster Services and U.S. Rep- and hopes of people who suffered from no scores their highest-ranking entry on the Mresentative Sheila Jackson Lee to rebuild fault of their own. Our goal is to rebuild and list, besting the No. 2 high of “Te Boté,” with her Houston hometown. restore these homes, which is imperative , , Ozuna and Bad Bunny, The hip-hop megastar is specifically rais- for my constituents to feel safe and secure. in 2018. ing funds to rebuild and repair homes for Thank you to Megan the Stallion and NACC, “It’s another dream fulfilled, another senior citizens and single mothers at no cost and I look forward to working with you on goal achieved,” Casper tells Billboard. “This following Texas’ recent freeze. She enlisted this very important project of restoration of continues showing me that the work we the help of the local nonprofit organization people’s homes.” are doing with our team is paying off and responsible for offering emergency services Fellow Houston rapper Travis Scott also motivates me to continue working harder to those recovering from national disasters took action following the state’s historic than ever!” and the U.S. representative for Texas’ 18th winter disaster. His Cactus Jack Foundation “Travesuras” was released on Nov. 5 via congressional district, but some of Meg’s A- launched an emergency food program to Flow La Movie, distributed by Glad Empire list friends and brand partners are also sup- provide 50,000 hot meals to people with and produced by Xound & Goldi. The porting the cause. Her “Beautiful Mistakes” help from the City of Houston and the track samples Héctor ‘El Father’’s “Noche collaborator and “Body” music Houston Health Foundation. NACC, The de Travesuras” (2000), fusing its reggaetón video co-star Taraji P. Henson as well as her Black Service Chamber and restaurant own- sound with robust bachata guitar chords. label 300 Entertainment and Fashion Nova, ers helped Scott and his foundation identify “I want to thank God for so many bless- Mielle, Revlon, The Coach Foundation and the most vulnerable groups of people in ings,” García continues. “Grateful to my fans Dolce and Gabbana are all listed as donors need of assistance. and team for our achievements. I’ve been to the initiative, which will begin immedi- “It’s an honor to join forces with Hous- dreaming about this moment for a long time, ately and continue over the next two years. ton native Megan Thee Stallion to rebuild we work to make good music and bring it “Seeing the devastation and hearing the water-damaged homes,” said Pastor Ortega Page 20 of 24

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of NACC Disaster Service. “Our heart One of those songs, “Saiyaan Ji,” by Yo Yo hours before the boss dropped his new joins hers as we assist those most affected, Honey Singh, featuring the aforementioned three-song EP, 2. especially seniors and single mothers. We Kakkar, lingers on the current Global Excl. In the early hours of the new OVO encourage those who can to support our U.S. chart at No. 120. A week ago, it became channel on Friday morning (March 5) the efforts by becoming a volunteer or making a only the second song by Indian artists to eclectic mix of R&B and hip-hip tracks donation.” appear on the Global 200, with a No. 188 included songs from were Drakeo The Ruler entrance. — who recently roped Drizzy in on his song The first appearance by an Indian act “Talk To Me” — as well as Drake himself Jubin Nautiyal & on the Global Excl. U.S. chart occurred on (“”), British MC Digga D (“Woi”), the inaugural Sept. 19 edition, via Puri’s OVO Sound R&B duo (“Mood”), Emraan Hashmi “Cono” with Jason Derulo (from the U.S.), with Burna Boy (“Location”), Solange (“Bad Jhorrmountain and ADJE (both from the Girls”) and Charlotte Day Wilson with Syd Continue Indian Netherlands). (“Take Care of You”). Check out Drake’s rare tweet announcing Artists’ 2021 Hot the Sound 42 launch below. Drake Re-Boots Streak on Global ‘OVO Sound Cameron Crowe Chart Radio’ Show on Signs With UTA BY ERIC FRANKENBERG New Dedicated BY ETAN VLESSING ubin Nautiyal returns to the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart as “Lut Gaye,” SiriusXM Channel TA has signed Oscar-winning featuring fellow Indian artist Emraan , director and produc- Hashmi, debuts at No. 104 on the BY GIL KAUFMAN er Cameron Crowe in all areas. JMarch 6-dated list. In the week ending Feb. The talent agency will work 25, the Hindi-language song logged 26.8 rake brought back his OVO Ualongside Crowe’s longtime manager, Irving million streams and sold 500 downloads Sound Radio show on his new Azoff, to represent Crowe across film, TV outside the U.S., according to MRC Data. 24-hour SiriusXM channel on and other media platforms. Crowe, who Nautiyal previously charted alongside Thursday night (March 4). The comes over to UTA from CAA, is best known Neha Kakkar when their duet “Taaron Ke Dnew 24-hour satellite channel — which for iconic Hollywood movies like Fast Times Shehar” ranked at No. 193 for a week in marks OVO’s return to the airwaves after an at Ridgemont High, Say Anything… and Jerry October. initial 2015-2018 run on ’s Beats Maguire. “Lut Gaye” is so far the eighth song by 1 platform — has been dubbed Sound 42 Crowe won the Oscar for best screenplay artists from India to crack the Global Excl. and in a welcome message from Drizzy he for Almost Famous, which he also directed U.S. chart, dating to the list’s September explained why he decided now was the time and produced. His other film credits 2020 inception. Why so relatively few? The for a reboot. include Vanilla Sky, Singles, Elizabeth- Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. “First and foremost I want to send some town and We Bought A Zoo. charts include local streams from global dig- positivity and blessings out to everybody,” Crowe’s films have earned 10 Academy ital music services available in that territory, the rapper said during a chat with his Award nominations and two Oscars. On but do not yet include any India-specific longtime manager, Oliver El-Khatib. “I hope the documentary front, he recently pro- streaming services. The nation has also not you’re staying physically strong, mentally duced David Crosby: Remember My Name. produced a crossover hit in that span such strong and making the most of what we’ve His other projects include as those from South Korea (BTS, BLACK- been dealt. I’m excited to announce this Twenty and and Leon Russell: The PINK). new platform and this new opportunity that Union. While Indian artists have been rare on the we have with SiriusXM, a 24-hour, round- Crowe is also represented by attor- Global Excl. U.S. chart, Nautiyal and Hashmi the-clock curated music station bringing the neys Bruce Ramer and Kevin Marks of are not complete outliers, as “Lut Gaye” is people that have trusted in us for years the Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman. the third song by Indian acts to debut on same thing that we’ve always delivered.” This article originally appeared in THR. the survey in the last three weeks, and the Broadcast live from Toronto, the channel com. fourth in five weeks. All feature in is a mix of songs by Drake and like-minded Hindi. acts, which just so happened to launch just Page 21 of 24

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Concurrently, “Saludos” makes progress ’s Trey Edwin Luna y on the all-genre Latin Airplay chart, where the song surges 18-6 and earns the band its Anastasio La Trakalosa de highest-charting effort. Over on Hot Latin Songs, which blends airplay, streaming Planning Monterrey Tally and digital sales, “Saludos” hits a new high, Substance Abuse Third No. 1 on rebounding 43-34. Treatment Center Regional Mexican Metallica Donate in Vermont Airplay Chart $75,000 to Help

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS BY PAMELA BUSTIOS Texas Winter

hish guitarist Trey Anastasio dwin Luna y La Trakalosa de Storm Victims plans to start a substance use Monterrey score their third disorder treatment center in No. 1 on the Regional Mexican BY GIL KAUFMAN Vermont, where the band was Airplay chart (dated March 6) as Pformed in 1983. Anastasio, who is now 14 E“Saludos a Mi Ex” jumps 3-1 in its 15th week etallica donated $75,000 years sober, announced Thursday (March on the list. to Feeding America to 4) that his Divided Sky Foundation has pur- The song, written by Salvador Aponte, support Texans impacted chased a building for the nonprofit center in César Valdivia and Edwin Luna, rises with by last month’s disastrous Ludlow. 6.3 million in audience impressions, up 20%, Mwinter storms. The band’s All Within My “Like so many people in America and earned in the week ending Feb. 28, accord- Hands non-profit provided the donation so many in Vermont, I became addicted to ing to MRC Data. to make sure that food banks in communi- opiates,” Anastasio said in a statement on “This new No. 1 took us by surprise,” Luna ties impacted by the February blizzards in his website. “I was extremely lucky to have tells Billboard. “It’s a good energy conductor the South that left millions without power access to care, and I know how important for me and Angel Reyna to continue produc- and safe drinking water for weeks could get it is to be part of a recovery community. I’m ing. He’s a key factor for La Trakalosa de much-needed aid to those in need of food grateful that we can help provide that op- Monterrey in handling all arrangements. We and supplies. portunity for others.” have a great understanding of each other’s “The winter storm that struck Texas last The center is tentatively scheduled to needs and we fuse that with Rogelio Salazar month was beyond anything the state’s open by the end of this year. Anastasio from Remex Music. Thanks to the support residents could imagine preparing for,” raised funds for the purchase through his of our listeners, this trio will continue work- the band said in a statement. “As tem- virtual concerts last fall from New York ing together.” peratures dropped well below freezing and City’s Beacon Theatre. Fans contributed Over the group’s 13 chart entries, dat- widespread power outages swept the area, more than $1.2 million.The center has not ing back to 2015’s “Terreno Limpio,” Luna families suffered. Grocery chains did the yet been named and will be managed by y La Trakalosa have earned three leaders, best they could to support their communi- Ascension Recovery Services, according to all of which arrived in less than a year; ties, but their supply was hit hard. While his website. “Dormida,” ruled Regional Mexican Airplay temperatures have risen and electricity has for three weeks starting on the April 4, been restored in many areas, residents are 2020-dated chart. “Me Hubieras Pasado” still very much in the throws of a struggle.” had a two-week reign starting on the chart According to KXAN, as of this week hun- dated Aug. 22, 2020. “Saludos a Mi Ex” ar- dreds of Central Texas residents were still rives atop the current list and becomes just without water almost two weeks after the the second title by a regional Mexican group storms. At its peak, the weather left nearly to lead the tally in 2021. three million homes and businesses in the With a 15-week climb to the top, it’s the Lone Star state without power, leading to longest jump to the top this year, following boil-water notices and pleas to reduce elec- Christian Nodal and Angela Aguilar’s 10- tricity usage to ensure the state’s strained week trek to the summit on the Jan. 1-dated power grid did not suffer further failures. list. “Texans running low on food are find- Page 22 of 24

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ing empty grocery store shelves,” Metallica since ’s “Reckless Love” spent Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, marks continued in their statement. “Food pantries 13 weeks on top starting in April 2018. Daigle’s first appearance in the genre. are running out of supplies. And the freeze Ripp, from Chicago, broke through with has wiped out substantial portions of the his co-writing credit on Zach Williams’ state’s citrus and vegetable crops. As part of “Rescue Story,” which reached No. 2 on Mariah Carey, our commitment to fighting food insecurity, last year. Ripp’s first All Within My Hands has donated $75,000 LP, Evergreen, is due in May. Kelly Rowland & to Feeding America to be distributed to HIS ‘WAY’ IN tobyMac debuts on Bill- Texas food banks.To join in on these efforts, board’s Hot Christian Songs chart, which More to Perform visit FeedingTexas.org to donate to their is powered by airplay, sales and streaming Crisis Relief Fun.” data, with “ (Maybe Mid- Songs in HBO A number of Texas-native artists night)” at No. 11. have stepped up to help in the weeks since The song marks tobyMac’s 45th entry and Max’s ‘The the storms caused massive blackouts and third-highest start. “I Just Need U” arrived killed nearly 60 people, including Beyon- at the pinnacle in January 2018, becom- Runaway Bunny’ cé and , rapper Lil Jay and ing his sixth and most recent No. 1, and “21 Kacey Musgraves, among others. Years” opened at its No. 3 peak in January Animated Special 2020. The new track sold 4,000 downloads BY ETAN VLESSING Tops in the week ending Feb. 25 and bows atop Christian Digital Song Sales, awarding toby- BO Max is set to premiere the Christian Airplay Mac his seventh leader and fifth No. 1 start. animated special The Runaway It also opens with 1.1 million U.S. streams. Bunny, narrated by Tracee Ellis Chart With On Christian Airplay, it flies 35-21 with Ross and based on the classic 924,000 impressions. Hkids’ book by Margaret Wise Brown, on ‘Jericho,’ Talks DAIGLE’S RETURN March 25. is back with her first new music in the The TV adaptation by producer and direc- ‘Ability to Enjoy Christian genre since 2018, as “Hold on to tor Amy Schatz will feature a performance Me” enters Christian Airplay at No. 25 with of an original Margaret Wise Brown lullaby the Ride’ 479,000 impressions. by Ross, and songs performed by Mariah The song was released to digital and Carey, Kelly Rowland, Rosanne Cash, Ziggy BY JIM ASKER streaming platforms Feb. 26 and is set to Marley, Kimya Dawson, debut on next week’s Hot Christian Songs and Michael Kiwanuka. ndrew Ripp’s debut single chart (dated March 13). Originally published in 1942, the Runaway “Jericho” rises 2-1 on Bill- “Hold,” which Daigle co-wrote, marks Bunny book — with illustrations by Clem- board’s Christian Airplay chart her 17th Christian Airplay entry, a sum that ent Hurd and the poetry of Margaret Wise dated March 6. includes four No. 1s among 12 top 10s. The Brown — has sold over 12 million copies and AIt the tracking week ending Feb. 28, the Louisiana-born artist’s crossover smash will be brought to HBO Max using tradi- song, which Ripp wrote with Ethan Hulse, “” dominated Christian Airplay for tional hand-drawn animation, narration and increased by 3% to 10.1 million audience 18 weeks starting in September 2018. On the songs. impressions, according to MRC Data. current, March 6-dated Hot Christian Songs The Runaway Bunny portrays a restless “’Jericho’ is the result of trying less and chart, the ballad banks its record-extending little bunny who dreams of leaving home as trusting more,” Ripp tells Billboard. “I took 119th frame at the summit. the film adaptation explores love and child- a two-year break from music to let go of my “You Say” is from Daigle’s 2018 al- hood. dream and make room for something new. bum Look Up Child, which entered at No. “The Runaway Bunny is a timeless clas- This gave me new perspective, fresh inspira- 1 on that Septem- sic about youthful independence and the tion and, most of all, the ability to enjoy the ber and dominates the list this week for a strength of a mother’s love. Amy Schatz has ride.” record-extending 91st week. lovingly brought this story to vivid life with The song is the first rookie single to top This January, Daigle scored a No. 1 on Bill- an incredible group of collaborators,” Billy Christian Airplay since Cain’s “Rise Up board’s Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales Wee, senior vp of original animation at HBO (Lazarus),” which began a four-week chart as featured on Petey Martin’s “Come Max said in a statement. in the penthouse in December. It’s the first Back Home.” The track, which also bowed This article originally appeared on The introductory song by a solo male to lead at No. 18 that week on the multi-metric Hollywood Reporter. Page 23 of 24

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simply wanted to tell an honest story about Blackpink Stars ‘Pose’ to End family, resilience and love. How fortunate am I to have done that for three seasons. I’m in New Adidas With Abbreviated filled with gratitude to our intrepid , cast, crew, and producers who worked tire- Campaign Season 3 on FX lessly to make Pose come to life, humbled by our loyal audience, thankful to the ballroom BY RANIA ANIFTOS BY LESLEY GOLDBERG community who trusted us to tell their story, overwhelmed by the critics who warmly ow you like Blackpink in he category is: final seasons. embraced us, and forever indebted to Ryan Adidas? FX’s groundbreaking and Murphy, FX, and 20th Television for chang- The superstar girl group ap- Emmy- and Peabody Award- ing my life.” pears in Adidas’ new “Watch winning drama Pose will come Pose scored an early season three renewal HUs Move” campaign, which celebrates wom- Tto an end with its previously-announced in June 2019, ahead of its sophomore return. anhood and their freedom of expression. third season. In making the announcement, The series — which also counts Brad Fal- The launch in conjunction with the “Raise the Disney-owned basic-cable network chuk, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Your Voice” collection, and BP rocks sleek revealed that the final season will consist of Martin Woodall and Sherry Marsh among and stylish streetwear looks that reflect Jen- an abbreviated seven episodes. That’s down its exec producers — had just wrapped nie, Rosé, Lisa and Jisoo’s personal style. from eight and 10 in seasons one and two, filming the season three premiere when In the campaign photos, Jisoo poses respectively. The final season will debut the pandemic forced productions across the against an orange jungle gym in a white Sunday, May 2 at 10 p.m. with two episodes; globe to shut down. The final season will t-shirt dress, floral zip-up windbreaker and the series ender will air June 6. jump from 1991 to 1994, when ballroom feels white sneakers with light accents. Lisa “We got to tell the exact story we wanted, like a distant memory for Blanca (series star turns up the swag with black and white as we wanted to tell it, and I’m incredibly Mj Rodriguez) who struggles to balance be- track pants, paired with a white crop top honored and grateful,” co-creator Ryan ing a mother with being a present partner to and an oversized zip-up hoodie. Rosé kept Murphy said in a statement Friday (March her new love, and her latest role as a nurse’s it chic with a black three-quarter zip dress, 5). aide. while Jennie is the ultimate cool girl in a Pose was one of Murphy’s last remaining Meanwhile, as AIDS becomes the leading two-toned denim set. shows he created before he stunned the in- cause of death for Americans ages 25-44, It’s also not the first time Blackpink dustry and moved his longtime overall deal Pray Tell (Emmy winner Billy Porter) starred in an Adidas campaign. In January from Disney-backed 20th Television to Net- contends with unexpected health burdens. 2020, the group joined Yara Shahidi, Ninja flix. In the time since, Pose exec producer Elsewhere, the emergence of a vicious new and Pharrell Williams, among others for and director Janet Mock followed Murphy upstart house forces the House of Evange- athletic brand’s “Change Is a Team Sport” to Netflix with a groundbreaking overall lista members to contend with their legacy. campaign. deal of her own. Co-creator Steven Canals, The decision to end the series arrives Watch some more campaign videos below, meanwhile, has remained at Disney and after Canals previously told The Hollywood and check out the collection here. signed his own pact with 20th Television Reporter that when he pitched Pose, he If you purchase an independently re- and is already prepping another LGBTQ- envisioned the series running five sea- viewed product or service through a link themed series for FX. sons. “With that said, could it be a four- on our website, we may receive an affiliate “’Write the TV show you want to season? Could it be a six-season? Sure,” commission. watch!’That’s what I was told in 2014 while he told THR in August 2019. “It could be completing my MFA in screenwriting,” more or less. What’s really important for Canals said in a statement Friday. “At the all of us — and maybe more specifically for time we weren’t seeing very many Black and Ryan, Brad and I — is that we felt we told Latinx characters — that happened to also the story that we intended to tell. Once be LGBTQ+ — populating screens. And so I we’ve point, we’ll know that it’s time wrote the first draft of a pilot the ‘younger to end it.” me’ deserved. Pose was conceived as a love While three seasons may seem like a letter to the underground N.Y. ballroom shorter run than anyone would have expect- community, to my beloved New York, to my ed, Pose has left an indelible mark on the TV queer and trans family, to myself. I, along landscape. The drama made TV history by with my incredible collaborators, never featuring a record number of trans charac- intended on changing the TV landscape. I ters portrayed by trans actors with a cast Page 24 of 24

IN BRIEF

that includes Porter — who became the first demonstrates the power of our industry to am grateful to FX for being our home, 20th openly gay man to win the lead Emmy shine a light on the underrepresented and Television for the support, to Ryan Murphy and Mock ranking as the first trans woman point to our humanity —and to do for your bold vision, to our audience for of color hired as a writer on a TV series, as it with glitter, gusto and sheer fabulousness! your love and loyalty, and to the ballroom well as the first transgender woman of color A special thanks to Ryan for introducing us community for trusting us.” to write and direct a TV episode. Pose also to voices like Steven Canals and Janet Mock, This article originally appeared on The boasts the largest recurring cast of LGBTQ and then for clearing the way for them to do Hollywood Reporter. actors ever for a scripted series. Rodriguez, their best work. And while we are sad to bid Porter, Michaela Jaé, Dominique Jackson, the show farewell at the end of this season, Indya Moore and Hailie Sahar star Dyllón audiences are in for a beautiful and - Burnside, Angel Bismark Curiel, Sandra tional final ride.” Bernhard and Jason A. Rodriguez. As for Murphy, the prolific showrunner’s “Words cannot truly express my gratitude roster of scripted originals for Disney’s and appreciation for those who have given 20th TV includes Netflix’s Ratched and The FX and the world the gift that is Pose,” said Politician as well as Fox’s 911 and spi- FX chairman John Landgraf. “Ryan Murphy, noff, 911: Lone Star, and the FX/FX on Hulu Steven Canals, our incomparable cast and entries American Crime Story, American their collaborators created a masterpiece Horror Story and spinoff American Horror and, in doing so, have left an indelible legacy Stories. Murphy’s Netflix roster includes that will open doors, new doors, for the mini A Chorus Line, Halston and Mon- trans community. Pose is proof that Ryan’s, ster, among others. Mock exec produces Dana’s and our commitment to giving more the latter, marking a reunion with Murphy opportunities to underrepresented writers, following their collaboration on Pose. directors, producers, actors and craftspeople “Pose has been one of the creative high- was not done to signal our virtue — but lights of my entire career. From the very be- because our world is literally filled with ginning when Steven Canals and I sat down untapped geniuses looking for nothing more to hear his vision and ideas for the show, it than a chance to prove their extraordinary has been a passion project. To go from the talent, beauty and value in the marketplace beginning of my career in the late ‘90s when of stories. Pose has always been a family it was nearly impossible to get an LGBTQ drama — one about acceptance and inclu- character on television to Pose — which will sion, pain and joy, struggle and perseverance go down in history for having the largest and, most of all, love. The third and final LGBTQ cast of all time — is a truly full circle season is a fitting and beautiful ending to moment for me,” Murphy said. “Pose’s story this story.” may end in 1996, but its impact will go on With the conclusion of Pose, FX’s roster forever.” of scripted originals includes the Murphy- Added Mock: “My life has been forever produced anthologies American Horror changed because of Pose, a drama series that Story and American Crime Story; Donald centered around trans and queer people, Glover’s Atlanta, Pamela Adlon’s Better people living with HIV/AIDS, and Black Things as well as Breeders, Dave, Mayans, and Latinx people — without trepidation or Mr INbetween, Snowfall, What We Do in apology. It’s left an indelible mark on our the Shadows and the upcoming Reservation culture, modeling that a TV show can be Dogs, Shogun, Platform and Pistol, among successful and entertaining while also cast- others. Many of FX’s originals have moved ing authentically, hiring LGBTQ talent in to debut first on its streaming hub, FX on front of and behind the camera, and moving Hulu, including Y: The Last Man, Jeff Bridg- people living on the margins to centerstage. es entry The Old Man and Murphy’s episodic Though I am heartbroken to say goodbye to anthology American Horror Stories. our beloved characters, I know the work my “Pose represents a great source of pride fellow writers and producers, our crew, and for all of us inside Disney Television Stu- trailblazing cast did on Pose will live forever dios,” said Walt Disney TV chairman of as a glittering, heart-filled, bright beacon of entertainment Dana Walden. “This show love, acceptance, family and community. I