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01 Nov 2024

Executive Turntable: WCM Elevates Payments Pro, Plus UMG’s Nigerian Label Picks a President

Time to drop the needle on the latest Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music.

Read on for (mostly) good news and also check out Billboard‘s annual list of top executives leading the live sector, plus our weekly interview series spotlighting a single c-suiter, our helpful calendar of notable events, and have you ever wanted to look at tchotchkes inside the office of an executive while reading their in-depth answers to the most important questions facing the biz? From the Desk Of is probably your jam.

Daniel Lang was elevated to senior vp of global society relations and digital rights at Warner Chappell Music, reporting to CEO Guy Moot. Based in London, Lang will manage relations with U.S. and international collection societies, focusing on optimizing digital income flow and ensuring timely payments to songwriters. He’ll also represent Warner Chappell in negotiations with DSPs including Spotify and YouTube, among others. Since joining Warner Chappell in 2017, Lang has held key digital licensing roles, strengthening relationships with partners and modernizing practices with collection societies. Promoted to vp in 2021, his efforts have improved payment processes for songwriters. WCM CEO Guy Moot praised Lang’s management of both digital licensing and society relations, adding, “It was an experiment to combine these remits and it paid off handsomely.  I’m delighted that he’s agreed to take on this expanded global role as I know our writers will continue to benefit from his proactive, collaborative and inventive approach.” 

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Mavin Global chief operating officer Tega Oghenejobo has added president to his title at the Nigerian record label, effective immediately. Oghenejobo, who joined Mavin in 2012, has been instrumental in Mavin’s rise as an African music powerhouse, fostering talent development — the label’s roster includes Rema, Tyra Starr and others — and securing strategic alliances, such as with Universal Music Group, which purchased a majority stake in the compny earlier this year. Under Oghenejobo’s guidance, Mavin’s international wins include Rema’s “Calm Down” remix with Selena Gomez, which became the first Afrobeats track to reach over a billion Spotify streams, while Ayra Starr’s album “The Year I Turned 21” made her the first Nigerian female artist to chart on the Billboard 200. As president and COO, Tega aims to elevate Mavin’s global reach and boost its roster. Mavin CEO Don Jazzy praised Tega’s leadership and is confident in his vision to propel the company further. “Tega has been a cornerstone of Mavin’s success since day one,” said Jazzy. “His leadership, vision, and deep industry insights have been vital in shaping the label’s growth. His promotion to President and COO is a testament to his remarkable achievements, and I am confident he will continue to lead Mavin to even greater heights.”

Warner Chappell Music Korea appointed Sophia Hong as managing director, effective immediately. Reporting to WCM APAC president Arica Ng, the Seoul-based Hong will lead the company’s South Korean music publishing operations, focusing on market presence and business growth. Her role includes developing strategic initiatives, leading teams and identifying growth opps. Hong brings experience from roles at companies like Kakao Corp, MTV, Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop in both the U.S. and Asia. “Her unique insights, fresh perspective and curiosity about new approaches will enrich our work,” praised Ng. “We are committed to empowering songwriters and fostering collaboration, and with Sophia on board, we are well-positioned to create deeper connections with fans. We will collaborate closely to ensure that their voices are heard and their stories leave a lasting impact globally.”

Jayce Varden joined SongVest as chief strategy officer to spearhead the development of Songshares, a platform that enables fans to purchase fractional royalty shares in songs. Varden, who co-founded PledgeMusic and raised over $100 million through its crowdfunding campaigns, brings experience in fan engagement and artist support to the royalty investment platform. Additionally, Varden co-founded channl, a platform focused on audience engagement, and contributes as an advisor at Berklee Online. SongVest CEO Sean Peace praised Varden’s expertise in fan experiences and his alignment with the company’s mission to democratize music ownership. “Jayce’s pioneering work with PledgeMusic set a new standard for fan engagement, and his expertise in building unique fan experiences aligns perfectly with SongVest’s vision,” said Peace. “Together, we are taking the next step in democratizing music ownership for fans while empowering artists.”

TuneCore appointed Atticus Shelley as vice president of finance, reporting to chief financial and strategy officer Matt Barrington. Shelley will lead the company’s financial strategies, manage the finance team, boost efficiencies and will also provide financial insights to guide expansion efforts and other top-level decisions. Shelley brings extensive experience from roles at Hulu, Spotify, and Investi Financial Inc., where he recently served as executive director of finance. At Spotify, he was the founding director of the company’s financial planning and analysis team and was instrumental in the DSP’s rapid global expansion. In announcing the appointment, Barrington highlighted TuneCore’s focus on scaling its offerings and supporting independent artists, expressing confidence in Shelley’s leadership to drive financial operations and “act as a key partner to the business around our artist development and growth strategies.”

The Country Music Association‘s senior director of integrated marketing Michelle Kirk will transition to the CMA Foundation as senior director, effective Dec. 1. In the new role, Kirk will be instrumental in the strategic planning, program development, operational oversight and directing of the foundation’s inititatives. Kirk first joined the CMA in 2012 as strategic partnerships coordinator, and moving into a senior manager role before transitioning to WME as a brand partnerships agent in 2015. Kirk rejoined CMA in 2019 and was promoted to the senior director, integrated marketing role earlier this year. –Jessica Nicholson

Music industry veteran Latoya Lee joined Berklee as the director of industry and employer engagement. In the role, she’ll support students’ talent development and help them establish connections within the industry, promoting both creative and professional growth. Lee launched her industry career at Konvict Muzik/BuVision ENT, advancing from an assistant to an A&R executive. During a six-year run at Warner Music Group, where she rose to senior director of A&R, Lee contributed to Trey Songz albums, Flo Rida’s “GDFR” and the Furious 7 and Suicide Squad soundtracks. She also collaborated with Berklee grad Charlie Puth on his hit “See You Again” and signed Xenia Manasseh to a publishing deal. Later, as vp of creative at Atlas Music Publishing, Lee supported Grammy-winning projects, including Nas’s King’s Disease III. 

Downtown Music‘s direct-to-creator division, CD Baby, promoted Nicholas Salomone to senior vp of business development and revenue, overseeing strategic partnerships and revenue growth across CD Baby and its services. He began his tenure at CD Baby in 2017 as senior content ID analyst, rising through the ranks to his more recent role as vice president of business developments and partnerships. Based in Seattle, Salomone reports to CD Baby president Molly Neuman, who said his “deep understanding of independent artists and their needs, along with his ability to foster strong relationships with our key revenue partners, make him the perfect leader for this role.” –J.N.

Leif Janzen joined Red Bull Records as vp of digital marketing, reporting to chief marketing officer Nikki Cox. In this role, Janzen will lead fan engagement and music discovery, focusing on platform development, partner management, paid media strategy and content creation for the label, home to Blxst, Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. and others. With over a decade of digital marketing experience, Janzen previously served as senior director of digital marketing at Capitol Music Group, working with artists like Aidan Bissett and Young Miko. He also held roles at Warner Music Group’s ADA, Victory Records, and worked as a talent buyer/media manager in Chicago.

Killphonic Rights strengthened its leadership team after securing funding from Stilwell Creative Capital. Industry veterans Syd Butler and Michelle Fantus join as co-heads of A&R. Butler, founder of Frenchkiss Records, has experience developing artists like Passion Pit, while Fantus brings over 18 years in senior A&R roles at Sony/ATV, Razor & Tie, Concord, and OneRPM, with recent work in creative partnerships at Spotify. Chelsea D’Amico becomes head of sync and creative licensing, adding a decade of experience from Mad Decent and Concord, where she worked with artists like Diplo. Michael Grubbs, previously head of A&R, shifts to head of creative, utilizing his background as an artist, producer, and composer. Jill Pedone, former head of sync, is now head of operations, leveraging her expertise from Lava Publishing and Sumerian Records and her longstanding collaboration with CEO Caleb Shreve.

Prodigy Artists promoted Eric Bindman to director of operations, supporting the LA-based music management firm’s growth and expansion. Previously a senior manager at Prodigy, Bindman has managed artists such as Audien, Elephante, Niiko x Swae, and Mattilo. With over 15 years of industry experience, he brings a multi-disciplinary background in artist management, touring, publishing, marketing and logistics. His prior work includes tour-managing acts like Deorro, Two Friends and Gareth Emery. Founded by Steven Haddad and Will Runzel, Prodigy Artists’ roster includes SLANDER, NGHTMRE, HEKLER, Wolfgang Gartner, and Bekon. Haddad and Runzel praised Bindman’s dedication and expertise since joining the company, calling him a “meticulous and skilled artist manager” who’ll “bring invaluable expertise to this next stage of growth.”

Better Noise Music unveiled key promotions and hires to enhance its artist development efforts. Jackie Kajzer has been promoted to senior vice president of radio promotion and artist development, recognized for discovering artists like Five Finger Death Punch. April Ginns is now tour marketing manager, responsible for strategic tour marketing plans. Victor Lang, promoted to managing director of Europe, will oversee BNM’s European initiatives. Finally, Frank Ehlers joined as senior label manager for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland (GSA), bringing 20 years of industry experience to support artist growth in the region. BNM president/COO Steve Kline and GM Paul Cormack highlighted the positive impact of these changes, emphasizing the value of Frank’s expertise and the expanded roles of Victor, Jackie, and April. This restructuring reflects BNM’s commitment to a growing roster, which includes From Ashes to Ashes, Bad Wolves and The Hu.

SeatGeek appointed Mike Shane as executive vp of enterprise partnerships to enhance its growth and innovation strategy. Shane brings over ten years of experience from roles with the Washington Nationals, Philadelphia Flyers, and Wells Fargo Center. Reporting to co-founder and president of supply Russ D’Souza, Shane will focus on expanding enterprise partnerships and advancing ticketing technology. D’Souza praised Shane’s industry insight and growth-driven innovation, highlighting his strong track record. “Mike has sat in the chair that our current and future clients are in, and knows the challenges they face as well as their ambitions,” he said.

ICYMI:

Boyd Muir

Boyd Muir

Universal Music Group’s CFO, Boyd Muir, shifted over to the newly created role of COO … EMPIRE hired Jeffrey Yoo as senior vp of East Asia … Over in Australia, Simone Schinkel stepped down as CEO of Music Victoria … UTA appointed Kirk Taboada, a veteran in the live Latin music scene, as an agent within its music division … Goldenvoice unleashed a new round of promotions within its talent buying group … and Dick Clark Productions appointed Diana Miller as evp of talent. [KEEP READING]
Last Week’s Turntable: TikTok Star Hooks Up With Jen

01 Nov 2024

Steven Curtis Chapman on His Upcoming Grand Ole Opry Induction: ‘It’s Going to Be Very Special’

In July, when Ricky Skaggs surprised Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) artist Steven Curtis Chapman with an invitation to become an official member of the Grand Ole Opry, it marked a full-circle moment for the Paducah, Kentucky native. Chapman grew up listening to the sounds of the Grand Ole Opry each week on his father’s radio. Chapman’s father ran a small music store in Kentucky and on the weekends, he would play music with friends including dobro player Jack Martin, who played with bluegrass pioneer Lester Flatt and performed on the Opry.

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After receiving his invitation, one of the first things Chapman did was call his parents back home in Kentucky to tell them the news.

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“I said, ‘You’ll never believe what happened tonight.’ And [my father] said, ‘I know exactly what happened–I’m still crying. I was listening.’ He was so proud and excited,” Chapman recalls. “They are going to make plans to be there and [I’ll have] my whole family to celebrate the moment. It’s going to be very special.”

When Chapman is officially inducted as the 239th member of the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (Nov. 1), he will be the first CCM artist to receive that honor.

Chapman made his Grand Ole Opry debut at 18, as a performer at Opryland USA theme park, singing Skaggs and George Jones songs during a matinee. He estimates he’s appeared at the Opry 50 times in the last four decades.

Over the last 40 years, Chapman has become one of CCM’s foremost architects, thanks to songs including “The Great Adventure,” “For the Sake of the Call,” “Dive” and “Love Take Me Over.” He’s had nine projects reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums chart and earned five Grammys and nearly 60 GMA Dove Awards.

“We felt it was time for Steven to become an Opry member, looking at his incredible career and his connection to the Opry since he was a teenager. He loves every style of music that’s played out here and can play that style of music,” the Grand Ole Opry’s senior VP/executive producer Dan Rogers tells Billboard. “He brings his own genre to the show, and his credentials are impeccable, but we often say when someone’s inducted, that at its core Opry membership is about relationships — relationships with fans of the Opry, between members and the between artists and the ideal of the Opry.”

Chapman’s induction also acknowledges the deep shared history of faith-based songs and country music. Over the decades, country artists have recorded gospel albums or included gospel songs in their sets—an approach that counterbalances country music’s songs of alcohol, broken relationships and cheating, highlighting the duality of Saturday nights are for sinning and Sunday mornings are for redemption that the genre is known for.

Hank Williams, Sr.’s “I Saw the Light” traces a spiritual conversion story, while Kris Kristofferson’s “Why Me” is a plea to a higher power for grace and mercy. The country music anthem “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” looks at death through a spiritual lens. Dolly Parton’s “Silver and Gold” and “He’s Alive,” the Brad Paisley/Parton collaboration “When I Get Where I’m Going,” Johnny Cash’s “Jesus Was a Carpenter,” George Strait’s “Love Without End, Amen,” Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take the Wheel” and “Something in the Water,” Garth Brooks’s “Unanswered Prayers,” Morgan Wallen’s “Don’t Think Jesus,” and Jelly Roll’s “Need a Favor” all weave in sentiments of faith.

“One of the first songs I learned to play on the guitar was [Cash’s] ‘Folsom Prison Blues,’” Chapman notes. “Songs [with lyrics about] ‘I was on my way to prison… but I saw the light,’ you have to have both of those. And that is the Grand Ole Opry in a nutshell, those songs are so baked into the DNA. You listen to Bill Monroe and all these songs… ‘Will The Circle Be Unbroken.’ ‘I Saw the Light,’ ‘I’ll Fly Away,’ those songs are synonymous with the Opry.”

One of the Grand Ole Opry’s earliest homes-from 1943 to 1974- was the church-turned-music venue the Ryman Auditorium. The building, originally known as the Union Gospel Tabernacle, was built by riverboat captain Thomas Green Ryman and opened its doors in 1892, seven years after Ryman attended a tent revival in Nashville led by evangelist Samuel Porter Jones. Ryman was inspired to build the Union Gospel Tabernacle as a place people could join in worship (the building was later renamed the Ryman Auditorium).

In 1994 came the first incarnation of the Ryman’s “Sam’s Place—Music For the Spirit,” (named after Jones), which welcomed some of the top names in Christian, gospel, bluegrass and country. Two decades later, Chapman helped revive the series at the Ryman.

In 2008, the Grand Ole Opry released How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites From the Grand Ole Opry, a collection of country artists’ Grand Ole Opry performances of gospel standards. For the past four decades, the Opry House has also hosted the annual Sunday Mornin’ Country, with country artists expressing their faith in song.

In recent years, several CCM and Gospel artists have made their Grand Ole Opry debuts as the Opry continues welcoming a breadth of genres to its stage, including Wilson, for King & Country, We the Kingdom, CAIN, Blessing Offor and Naomi Raine. Opry inductees in recent years have included bluegrass/southern gospel group The Isaacs, bluegrass icon Rhonda Vincent and comedians Henry Cho and Gary Mule Deer.

“Half of our crowd is here because they love country music and the other half is in Nashville and they know the Opry is a microcosm of the music of this town,” Rogers says. “We try to program the best country music show we possibly can, but also give them a real taste of the different styles under the country music umbrella.”

Lady A’s Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood will induct Chapman, while Friday’s performance lineup will also feature Skaggs, Carly Pearce, Russell Dickerson and alternative rock band Colony House, which includes Chapman’s sons Caleb and Will.

One of the songs Chapman will perform is “The Grand Ole Opry Stage,” a song he crafted for the induction, which chronicles his journey.

“The song ends with the lyrics, ‘We’ve all been invited to the unbroken circle of the Grand Ole Opry stage,’ and I’ll go into ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken,’ and my family and Ricky Skaggs and any artists that are there that will join me and finish out my induction by singing that song,” Chapman says, adding, “Of course, I’ll be a blubbering mess by the end of it, just taking it all in.”

01 Nov 2024

Charli XCX’s Brat Summer Will Last Forever Now Thanks to Dictionary’s ‘Word of the Year’ Title

Brat summer is now endless. After the title of Charli XCX‘s smash sixth album became an inescapable meme this year, the Collins Dictionary has dubbed the “brat” its word of the year for 2024.

The dictionary announced the designation on Friday (Nov. 1), noting that “brat” refers to someone who is “characterized by a confident, independent and hedonistic attitude.” According to the full entry, “Brat, newly defined in 2024 as ‘characterized by a confident, independent, and hedonistic attitude’, has been named Collins’ Word of the Year 2024. Inspired by the Charli XCX album, brat has become one of the most talked about words of 2024. More than a hugely successful album, brat is a cultural phenomenon that has resonated with people globally, and ‘brat summer’ established itself as an aesthetic and a way of life.”

The singer’s own definition of “brat” is “that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes,” which, when paired with the album’s signature lime green square background and blurry Arial font created an aesthetic that ruled the summer. Charli’s also described the aesthetic as, “me, my flaws, my f–k ups, my ego rolled into one” and “that girl who is a little messy and likes to party and maybe says some dumb things sometimes. Who feels herself but maybe also has a breakdown. But kind of like, parties through it, is very honest, very blunt. A little bit volatile. Like, does dumb things. But it’s brat. You’re brat. That’s brat.”

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Some of the necessary items for a brat girl summer, according to Charli, include: “a pack of cigs, a Bic lighter, and a strappy white top with no bra.” The vibe became so hot, in fact, that Vice President Kamala Harris began using it to boost her presidential campaign after Charli declared “kamala IS brat” in July.

Experts at Collins comb through their 20-billion-word database to make their annual list of new and notable words that represent the evolution of the English language. Other words that were short-listed for this year’s WOTY included: brainrot, era (defined as “a period in one’s life or career that is of a distinctive character” in honor of Taylor Swift’s global tour), as well as looksmaxxing, rawdogging, anti-tourism, delulu, romantasy, supermajority and yapping.

01 Nov 2024

Mariah Carey Finally Says ‘It’s Time’ in Addams Family-Themed Christmas Season Kick-Off Video

Finally! Mariah Carey was right on time on Friday morning (Nov. 1), ushering in the holiday season with her annual Christmas kick-off video. The Queen of Christmas officially declared that the countdown to the most wonderful time of the year had begun with her eagerly awaited “It’s Time” video.

This year, her Instagram post featured a video of Carey, 55, dressed as Morticia Addams from the Addams Family. The clip opens on a dark and spooky night, complete with a full moon, howling wolves and a steady rain falling on a haunted mansion. Cut to Carey in a sparkly black dress, a black wig and dark makeup taking the hand of a dancer dressed as Gomez Addams as they do the couple’s signature terrifying tango.

But after a few spins and dips, Mariah gives Gomez a hard push out of frame, tosses a dagger at his face — which narrowly misses her smiling beloved — and then gives a knowing look right down the lens and uses her mind to open a curious cabinet as the final calendar pages from October fly away.

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You know what was inside: Mariah’s red and white Santa jumper, of course. “IT’S TIME!!!!” Mariah wails in her signature whistle register from the seat of a sleigh filled with presents as the scene fills with fake snow, Gomez is transformed into a snowman and, of course, MC’s iconic holiday classic “All I Want For Christmas Is You” blasts out.

The video ends with Carey smiling broadly as she and her reindeer prepare to take off in her sleigh. Carey had been teasing the launch of Christmas season for weeks, including dropping a “Christmas Time Set List” on Apple Music, unwrapping the cover art for four new “All I Want For Christmas” physical singles and, as always, posting a “not yet” video to make sure nobody jumps the gun on her favorite holiday.

Now that the skeletons needs to be packed away for another year, ’tis the season to crank up “All I Want,” because Carey is celebrating the 30th anniversary of her Merry Christmas album on the Merry Christmas Time Tour, which is slated to kick off on Nov. 6 in Highland, CA. Last year, “All I Want” topped the Billboard Hot 100 once again, marking the fifth year in a row that the holiday classic has topped the tally since first doing so in 2017.

Watch Carey’s “It’s Time” video below.

01 Nov 2024

Central Cee Shares Release Date For Long-Awaited Debut Album ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’

U.K. rapper Central Cee has announced the release date for his long-awaited debut album, Can’t Rush Greatness. The LP is slated for release on January 24, 2025 via Columbia Records and will be the first full body of work since his 2023 mixtape 23.

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The 26-year-old shared the news on his social media feeds alongside the artwork, which you can see below. Pre-orders are now open on Cench’s website.

No tracklist has been released for the album so far, but it has been confirmed that his new song “One By One,” which was recorded in a Colors session, would not feature on the record. 

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A press release also confirmed that the album was recorded in multiple locations over the last year, and it will feature guest producers as well as an appearance from fellow U.K. rapper Dave. The pair collaborated on the single “Sprinter” in 2023, which topped the U.K.’s Official Singles Charts for nine weeks and landed at No.10 on the Billboard Global 200.

2024 has seen a number of singles from the west London artist. In May, he teamed up with Lil Baby for “BAND4BAND” which landed at No.18 on the Billboard Hot 100, and at No.3 on the Official Singles Chart in the U.K. The song was the highest-charting U.K. rap single on the charts in Hot 100 history.

Elsewhere there was an appearance on Ice Spice’s debut Y2K, a team-up with Afrobeats star Asake on single “Wave” and most recently with RAYE on the single “Moi” in September.

Speaking to Dazed, Central Cee elaborated on the process of the making of Can’t Rush Greatness. “With the mixtapes, I was living in [the same] house I grew up in,” he said. “Now we’ve elevated, we’re actually musicians. There were times it was hard to say man’s a musician. I was just a guy that [went into the] studio [sometimes]. Now, I’m an artist.”

Last week, Central Cee was named as an additional headliner for Spain’s Primavera Sound Festival in June 2025, topping the bill alongside Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan.

01 Nov 2024

Amyl and The Sniffers Storm the ARIA Chart with ‘Cartoon Darkness’ Debut

Amyl and The Sniffers are turning heads on the ARIA Albums Chart this week, debuting at No. 2 with their high-energy third album, Cartoon Darkness.

It’s a big moment for the Melbourne punk rockers, who’ve managed to climb even higher than their self-titled debut in 2019, which landed at No. 22, and almost match their 2021 release Comfort To Me, which peaked at No. 2. Their chart presence, paired with three ARIA Awards (including Best Group in 2022), marks them as a fierce force in the Australian music scene.

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While Amyl and The Sniffers were poised to snatch the top spot, it was hip-hop innovator Tyler, The Creator who claimed No. 1 with Chromakopia. Released on an unusual Monday schedule, Tyler’s album marks his seventh studio effort and his first ARIA Albums Chart topper, narrated by none other than his mother, Bonita Smith. The record features the hit single “Noid,” debuting at No. 13, alongside four other tracks in the Top 50. Tyler’s star power in Australia continues to rise, building on his previous top 10 albums, with Igor reaching No. 3 in 2019 and Call Me If You Get Lost landing at No. 2 in 2021.

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Meanwhile, Aussie favorites Sheppard re-enter the chart at No. 10 with their fourth album, Zora, which had earlier peaked at No. 8, meaning they’ve now locked in four consecutive Top 10 albums.

Green Day makes a throwback splash, too, with the 20th-anniversary edition of American Idiot hitting No. 12. The 2004 classic, which spent two weeks at No. 1 upon its initial release, is proving its staying power, especially as fans celebrate its recent reissue.

On another nostalgic note, Powderfinger’s Parables For Wooden Ears re-enters the chart at No. 36 for its 30th anniversary. Originally peaking at No. 51 in 1994, the album now returns as fans reflect on Powderfinger’s legacy, including six No. 1 albums and a massive 18 ARIA Awards to their name.

On the singles front, Rosé and Bruno Mars continue their reign at the top with “APT.,” making history as Rosé becomes the first solo Korean artist to hold the No. 1 spot on the ARIA Singles Chart for more than a week since PSY’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012.

Bruno Mars also holds steady at No. 4 with his duet with Lady Gaga, “Die With A Smile,” showing his consistent staying power in the Australian market.

With Cartoon Darkness, Amyl and The Sniffers remind us that punk is alive, well, and making serious waves on the charts. Their gritty, unfiltered sound is resonating louder than ever, bringing fresh energy to the Australian rock scene and showing that they’re here to stay.

01 Nov 2024

19 K-Pop Stars Who Love Avril Lavigne

Just after POW reached their first anniversary, the rock-inspired K-pop boy band dropped a new EP, Boyfriend, whose lead single title track paid homage to one of the scene’s favorite artists — pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne.

For “Boyfriend,” the quintet reinterpreted Avril’s 2007 single “Girlfriend,” the Canadian superstar’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and one of the year’s biggest tracks. POW kept the original’s stomping production and undeniably catchy chorus intact for the hybrid track with a new mix of Korean and English lyrics.

POW members Jungbin, Yorch, Hyunbin, Dongyeon and Hong tell Billboard that the superstar played a significant role in their musical backgrounds and made a song like “Boyfriend” happen.

“We’ve loved band sounds and Avril Lavigne’s songs were always on our playlist,” the group says. “We think she was the first to show how punk can be so appealing in pop music. We’re grateful she made it possible for us and so we’ve worked hard to release ‘Boyfriend.’”

“For this remake, I listened to all of Lavigne’s albums,” adds POW eldest member Yorch. “I was drawn to her timeless drum sounds and couldn’t get over the rawness and cool beat of the drums. I recently got an electric guitar and she’s opened my eyes to acoustic real sound. And, it’s something K-pop should also look out for.”

When honoring both the sound and aesthetics from Avril’s debut in 2002, the A&R for POW’s record label, GRID Entertainment, saw their work as helping connect K-pop more extensively to music culture today.

“We believe that youth culture is the essence of mainstream K-pop,” a representative from GRID’s A&R says. “Rebellious, grunge-like, and youthful innocence defines K-pop and POW’s music is grounded in real rock and band sounds. It still feels like the 2000s era, a period where analog and digital collide. That is why we find Avril Lavigne’s music relevant, powerful and resonating with people in their teens, 20s, and 30s. It’s her greatest strength and the reason her music inspires us for interpretation.”

From bands like POW, SEVENTEEN and Stray Kids to solo superstars like BoA and former LOONA members Yves and Heejin, here is a collection of K-pop stars who have expressed their admiration for Avril Lavigne.

01 Nov 2024

Snoop Dogg Previews ‘Missionary’ with ‘Gorgeous’ Ft. Jhené Aiko: Stream It Now

Snoop Dogg’s new single, “Gorgeous,” featuring Jhené Aiko, marks an exciting return to his roots while ushering in a fresh era in his collaboration with Dr. Dre.

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The track, released today via Death Row, Aftermath and Interscope and produced by Dre alongside Blu2th, Preach Bal4, and FredWreck, is the first official single from Snoop’s upcoming album Missionary, set for release on Dec. 13.

With “Gorgeous,” Snoop channels his signature West Coast style, blending laid-back rap verses with Aiko’s ethereal vocals to deliver a track that’s smooth and reflective, an early taste of the creative synergy expected on Missionary.

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“Gorgeous” isn’t just a new single; it represents the continuation of a storied partnership between Snoop and Dre that has shaped hip-hop since the early ’90s. Their history began with the theme song for the 1992 film Deep Cover and quickly escalated with The Chronic, where Snoop’s voice became synonymous with Dre’s groundbreaking production style.

The collaboration peaked when Dre produced Snoop’s debut album, Doggystyle, which landed at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and cemented Snoop’s status as a hip-hop heavyweight. Since then, Snoop has amassed 12 Billboard Top 10 hits, with career-defining tracks like “Gin and Juice” and “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” the latter marking his first No. 1 single.

Dr. Dre’s role in Snoop’s career has been pivotal, with each collaboration underscoring their mutual influence on the sound and legacy of West Coast hip-hop. Snoop’s recent milestone of achieving Billboard Top 10 hits across four consecutive decades—joining the ranks of Jay-Z and Mariah Carey—only highlights his enduring relevance in the industry.

Alongside Jhené Aiko, “Gorgeous” sets the stage for Missionary, which will feature an array of high-profile guests, from Eminem and 50 Cent to Sting and the late Tom Petty.

Stream “Gorgeous” below.

01 Nov 2024

The Cure Make a Haunting Return With ‘Songs of a Lost World’: Stream It Now

The Cure has finally released Songs of a Lost World, their first new album in 16 years since 4:13 Dream in 2008.

Available on all major streaming platforms, this album marks a long-awaited return for fans and captures the haunting, atmospheric sound that has defined The Cure’s influence on music for over four decades.

The album’s journey began with the first single, “Alone,” released on Sept. 23. Frontman Robert Smith described the track as “the song that unlocked the record.”

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“As soon as we recorded that song, I knew it had to be the opening song, and I felt the whole record come into focus,” he said.

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Smith had spent significant time searching for the right words to encapsulate the record’s tone, ultimately returning to a phrase he had been considering for years. “For some time, I tried to find the right opening phrase for the right song that would lead the way for the project, working on the concept of ‘being alone,’ always with the nagging feeling of already knowing what the opening phrase should be.”

Inspiration struck when Smith recalled Dregs, a poem by the English poet Ernest Dowson. “As soon as we finished recording, I remembered the poem ‘Dregs’ by the English poet Ernest Dowson,” Smith noted. “That was the moment I realized that the song—and the album—had become something concrete.”

Another notable track, “A Fragile Thing,” continues the exploration of vulnerability and the inevitability of change. The song’s lyrics, “Nothing you can do to change the end,” reflect a poignant acceptance of life’s impermanence.

Produced by Smith and longtime collaborator Paul Corkett, who also worked with the band on Bloodflowers, Songs of a Lost World is available in various formats, including standard LP, double LP, exclusive indie-store colored vinyl, CD, deluxe CD with Blu-ray, and digital editions, giving fans a range of options to experience the new record.

To commemorate the album’s release, The Cure will perform their only scheduled show of the year at Troxy in London, which will be live-streamed on their YouTube channel under the title “Show of a Lost World: The Cure Live at Troxy” at 7 a.m. AEDT on Nov. 2. Tomorrow, BBC2 will also air a night dedicated to The Cure’s music and legacy in celebration of the album launch.

With more than 30 million albums sold, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2019, and four Glastonbury headlining performances, The Cure’s legacy as one of the U.K.’s most influential bands is undeniable. Formed in 1978, the group has continually reinvented itself while staying true to its dark, introspective style.

Stream Songs of a Lost World below.

31 Oct 2024

Shawn Mendes Honors Lost Loved Ones with ‘Heart of Gold’: Stream It Now

Shawn Mendes just released “Heart of Gold,” a new single that’s as touching as it is personal.

Written about a childhood friend who passed away from a drug overdose, “Heart of Gold” taps into the raw emotions of losing someone too soon.

In the song, Mendes opens up with lines reflecting the regrets of not being there when it mattered: “Honestly, it’s been a while since I thought of you / In the end, we didn’t talk much / I didn’t know what you were going through / I’m sorry that I wasn’t there.” Then, in the chorus, he celebrates his friend’s legacy: “You had a heart of gold, yeah / You had a heart of gold / You left too soon, it was out of your control.”

Recently, Mendes gave “Heart of Gold” another layer of meaning by dedicating it to late One Direction member Liam Payne during a live show in NYC on Oct. 18. Stopping the music to speak to fans, Mendes shared, “We heard the news about Liam. It felt like… It felt completely devastating. I got to meet him a couple times, and he was a beautiful soul and his eyes gleamed — it was beauty, shining into his eyes.”

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He explained that the song is not just about loss but about celebrating those who have left an impact: “It’s about grieving those we miss with tears, but it’s also about celebrating them… who they were and what they’ve left in this world.” Mendes added, “I just want to take a second to send so much love to him wherever he is up there… Liam, we love you! And the world is crying for you, brother.”

As he launched into the song, Mendes dedicated the night’s performance to Liam, saying, “This one’s for you tonight, Liam, from all of us.”

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Throughout his career, Mendes has scored four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, with his debut album Handwritten kicking off his career by landing at No. 1 in 2015. His collaboration with Camila Cabello, “Señorita,” topped the Billboard Hot 100, and he’s had big hits like “Stitches” and “Treat You Better” reach the Top 10. Mendes has also hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Songs chart three times.

Stream “Heart of Gold” below: