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Welcome to the latest Executive Turntable, Billboard’s weekly compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across the music business. There’s a full slate of personnel news this week, so let’s hop to it.
EMPIRE‘s global expansion is afoot with the appointment of Guillermo Ramos as managing director of Europe, and Ted May as senior vice president of international marketing, both based in its London headquarters. Ramos will oversee European operations, including France and German-speaking regions, while May will lead global marketing strategies across six continents. Their roles aim to drive EMPIRE’s rapid international expansion and artist success. “Our London operation is integral to this as the centerpiece between the Americas, Africa and Asia,” said EMPIRE COO Nima Etminan. “With Guillermo and Ted, we feel confident to have found two seasoned, yet motivated individuals who will understand how to solidify our presence in Europe and expand our global footprint in international territories.” Ramos, formerly GM at Virgin Music Group, brings 18 years of experience, having worked with artists like Rema, Hozier and The Weeknd. May, with over 25 years, previously led MNRK/eOne’s UK and international operations, supporting acts like The Streets, Cher and The Lumineers. Ramos commented that “steady and meaningful expansion in Europe – and the globe – is a priority for our next chapter, driven by our leadership in the independent sector, at a time when an industry-wide paradigm shift is underway.”
Brian Wagner will take on the role of executive director for the International Entertainment Buyers Association, or IEBA, effective March 1. Wagner replaces Pam Matthews, who retired following 12 years leading the Nashville-based booking trade group. Wagner’s nearly three-decade career includes his work founding Flashpoint Entertainment (which launched Nashville venues Mercy Lounge and Cannery Ballroom). He also led marketing for the Ryman Auditorium, including curating the venue’s annual bluegrass series and the “Sam’s Place” series. In 2015, Wagner took on the role of assistant commissioner of marketing for the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, forging the “Soundtrack of America, Made in Tennessee” campaign. –Jessica Nicholson
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Merlin announced several key promotions within its team. Marta de la Hoz, with over seven years at the company, is now senior director of business analytics. Matt Rose was promoted to senior manager of strategy and growth. Nick Cashmore, instrumental in enhancing reporting, is now director of reporting. Pavan Vasdev steps into an expanded role as senior director of strategy and growth. Lastly, Tom White, a key player in advancing data analytics, is now senior data analyst.
The Syndicate hired veteran music publicist Sue Marcus from Stunt Company Media as vp of publicity, where she will co-lead the department with Brendan Bourke. Marcus brings her entire roster from Stunt Company and will be joined by publicist Anna Jenkins and new hire Cassidy Berstler, expanding the press team at the marketing agency to nine members. All three are based in Weehawken, NJ. Jeff Kilgour will now lead business development as svp, alongside Rob Gross. Marcus, with over 30 years of experience, worked at director levels at Roadrunner Records, Mercury Records and Island Def Jam before founding Stunt Company in 2001. She has led media campaigns for a wide range of artists and festivals, including Monica, Ra Ra Riot, Tom Verlaine, and Moon River Music Festival, among others. Her current roster includes Drew & Ellie Holcomb, JOHNNYSWIM, XiXA and Mayday Parade. “Sue’s incredible expertise, passion for storytelling, and the powerhouse roster she brings from Stunt Company will strengthen our expanding publicity department,” said Kilgour.
The Music Fights Fraud Alliance selected Michael Lewan to lead the anti-fraud collective. As executive director, Lewan will lead the MFFA’s strategic initiatives from Washington, D.C. Previously, he served as managing director of state and federal advocacy at the Recording Academy. Founded in June 2023, MFFA unites major music companies, including Downtown (CD Baby and FUGA), Believe (TuneCore), Amazon Music, Spotify, EMPIRE and United Masters, to combat fraud through cross-platform collaboration. The Alliance has mobilized working groups to address fraud identification, mitigation, and enforcement across distributors, labels and DSPs. Andreea Gleeson, CEO of TuneCore, emphasized Lewan’s role in strengthening the industry’s fight against fraud, citing his expertise in government relations and policy advocacy. “His leadership and vision will be crucial as we continue working toward a more equitable and transparent music industry,” she said.
NASHVILLE NOTES: The W.O. Smith Music School appointed Valerie Cordero, Ph.D. as its new executive director. Dr. Cordero succeeds Jonah Rabinowitz, who led the school, which provides vital music education to Nashville’s underserved youth, for nearly 30 years. A Nashvillian since 2012, Dr. Cordero joins from Families for Depression Awareness, where she served as co-executive director, leading fundraising and marketing efforts and advocating for affordable mental health care … Black River promoted Ally Roden to publicity manager from coordinator … Red Street hired Patrick Waters as senior director of country A&R after a run as a Red Light artist manager. The company also crowned Kelly King vp of publishing.
Huskins-Harris Business Management rebranded as Harris, Huelsman, Barnes & Company, with John Huelsman and Morgan Barnes joining Becky Harris as principals at the company. Together, Harris, Huelsman and Barnes have over 40 years of experience, with the company’s current clients including Chris Young, producer James Stroud, Drew Baldridge, Frankie Ballard, Austin Brown, Scotty Hasting, Angie K, Alexandra Kay, Julian King, Nicotine Dolls, Michael Ray and American Idol winner Noah Thompson. –J.N.
AEG Presents is opening a new office in Oslo, Norway, led by industry veteran Peer Osmundsvaag starting March 1. Osmundsvaag, with 35 years of experience, was a founding partner at All Things Live and began his career as a DJ and party promoter in 1989. He founded Atomic Soul in 2001 and has worked with major artists like Eminem, Prince, and Justin Bieber. He also co-founded Norway’s Hove Festival and established Oslo’s PiPFest in 2014. Recognized for his contributions, he received Oslo’s Culture Prize in 2017. Notably, he promoted Norway’s two largest ticketed concerts to date: Eminem at Voldsløkka (55,000 attendees) and Rammstein at Bjerke Travbane (60,000 attendees). He’ll report to Adam Wilkes, president and CEO of AEG Presents Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Catch Point Rights Partners promoted Annie DeConto to director of business development, reporting to co-founders Richard Conlon, PJ Miklus and Patrick Riordan. Since joining in 2020 from stints at Morgan Stanley and Warner Music Group, she has played a key role in acquisition sourcing, marketing, and catalog analysis. “Her work underscores the firm’s dedication to developing data driven, creative liquidity solutions in collaboration with music creators, rights holders and the firm’s investors,” the founders said. Catch Point acquires rights and royalties from various music entities, offering liquidity solutions to copyright and royalty owners. Its portfolio includes thousands of sound recordings and musical works, including songs by The Smashing Pumpkins, Black Eyed Peas, Nine Inch Nails and Lil Wayne, among others.
RADIO, RADIO: Brian Kelly stepped down as vice president of Top 40 programming at Audacy. A 29-year veteran of the company, Kelly was also operations manager in Milwaukee, where he helped launch 103.7 Kiss FM and programmed 99.1 The Mix … European audio branding company PURE Jingles appointed Ilja Volkers as its new chief commercial officer. He joins with experience from BMG, Sony Music and Warner Music.
Breakaway Projects, the newly launched label and management division of Breakaway Music Festival, has announced its leadership team. Jaime Neely, a former Warner and BMG exec, will serve as president, bringing experience working with Lewis Capaldi, 5 Seconds of Summer and Monsta X. Harrison Bamel has been named vice president, also continuing his role leading Breakaway’s artist management team, where he oversees emerging electronic acts like Night Tales and Mojave Grey. Bamel will focus on A&R and artist development for the label. Matt Oliver joins as director of PR, leveraging over a decade of experience working with Facebook, Wu-Tang Clan, DMX and dirtybird records, among others. His role will center on increasing Breakaway Projects’ brand visibility across digital platforms.
Major Bob Music made three key leadership changes, promoting Andy Friday to chief operating officer and Emily Hasty to creative director, while bringing in Aubrey Daniels as head of publishing. Friday, who has worked with Bob and Mike Doyle for over 15 years, will now oversee all Doyle-owned companies while continuing his role as day-to-day manager for Treaty Oak Revival. Previously head of publishing, he played a key role in signing Zach Top and Treaty Oak Revival to Major Bob Music/Bob Doyle & Associates. Daniels joins as head of publishing, bringing extensive experience from Bluewater Music, SNG Music, and KP Entertainment. A Belmont alum, she was nominated as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence in 2021. Hasty, now creative director, first joined Major Bob as an intern in 2022 before working her way up to creative coordinator. She signed her first writer, Anslee Davidson, in 2023. Major Bob Music, founded by Garth Brooks’ longtime manager Bob Doyle, said it has notched over 70 No. 1 singles in its 39-year history.
DawBell, a UK-based communications agency, reappointed Lewis Fromberg as account director to lead brand, sports and popular culture communications and commercial strategy. Fromberg previously spent six years at DawBell, working with major artists and brands and earning the PR Campaign of the Year award for work on a Lewis Capaldi album. After a period at Red Bull, he returns in an expanded role. Additionally, DawBell promoted Rachael Chinery and Charlie Brun to associate PR directors for music. Both have played key roles in campaigns for top artists and events, including Elton John, Dua Lipa and The BRIT Awards.
BOARD SHORTS: The Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame welcomed DJ Johnny “Juice” Rosado to its board of directors. Juice (class of 2008) said he aims to enhance the diversity of artist representation in the hall. Known for his roles as a composer, producer, turntablist, and educator, Juice has contributed to some of hip-hop’s greatest works, thanks to a longtime association with Public Enemy and other acts … Los Angeles College of Music is introducing 370 Music Group, a non-profit, student-run record label and music licensing company aimed at supporting and showcasing talent from the LACM community. The initiative is guided by LACM’s Faculty Advisory Board, which includes industry pros Erin Workman, Adam LaRue, Jennifer Smith, Karla Ortiz and Michael Chrysanthou. The label will officially launch at this weekend’s inaugural Music Industry Summit at the college in Pasadena.
ICYMI:
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Jukebox, a music platform where investors can buy royalty shares, appointed Mike Coppola to be its new CEO. He succeeds Scott Cohen, who led Jukebox since its launch in 2022 … Mom+Pop Music is the latest coastal label to sink roots in Music City, appointing Katie Fagan as president of Mom+Pop Music Nashville. Previously, Fagan clocked years as head of A&R at Prescription Songs in Nashville, where she launched the company’s first office outside of LA. [Keep Reading]
Last Week’s Turntable: SiriusXM Hires Ex-Airbnb Legal Chief
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Lil Baby is setting the record straight after Atlanta police linked him to the tragic deaths of two teenagers at his music video shoot.
In a statement, he expressed gratitude for public concern and urged against believing “fake news,” asserting, “I’m overly good.”
Atlanta PD says the violence popped off because Lil Baby chose to film his video in a neighborhood already heated with tension. Cops believe that decision sparked the tragic deaths of 13-year-old Lamont Freeman and another victim. They’re saying Lamont barely had 27 minutes to live as a kid before gang violence snatched his life away.
Atlanta Police Homicide Commander Maj. Ralph Woolfolk criticized Lil Baby’s decision to film in a known gang area, labeling it a “cowardly act” and suggesting it contributed to the subsequent violence. In response, Lil Baby’s attorneys, Drew Findling and Marissa Goldberg, issued a statement dismissing the allegations as “complete and total nonsense.”
They emphasized that the location for the music video shoot was chosen by a professional team, not by Lil Baby personally. As the investigation continues, Lil Baby maintains his innocence, asserting that he is “overly good” and urging the public to be cautious of misinformation.
Lil Baby recently dropped his highly anticipated album WHAM, and it’s already making waves in the rap scene. One of the biggest moments on the album is the feature from Young Thug, marking his first verse since being released from prison. Fans were hyped to hear Thug’s voice again, and his verse adds a special touch to the project. With star-studded features and powerful moments like Thug’s return, WHAM is solidifying Lil Baby’s status as, and still is, one of rap’s biggest forces.
African female artists have been killing it this month. A week after Ayra Starr dropped her new single “All the Love,” she became the first African female artist to win best international artist and first female artist to win best African music act in 16 years at the 2025 MOBO Awards. And Tems‘ record-breaking domination continues, with her becoming the first Nigerian to win two Grammys, after taking home the trophy for best African music performance with her “Love Me JeJe” single, becoming the first African woman to be involved in MLS ownership when she joined San Diego FC’s ownership group as a club partner, performing at Aston Martin’s 2025 F1 livery unveiling in London and becoming the first African female artist to have a song hit 1 billion Spotify streams with Future‘s “WAIT FOR U,” also featuring Drake.
Just days after Tems made Spotify history, Tyla became the first unaccompanied African soloist to enter Spotify’s Billions Club with her 2023 breakout smash “Water,” and she’s been making a major foray into the fashion world by covering British Vogue and signing an endorsement deal with Nike. And Qing Madi — who’s been featured on countless publications’ Artists to Watch lists this year, including Billboard‘s — asserts her dominance while diving deeper into the intricate matters of the heart with her debut album I Am the Blueprint. “You can tell that this is coming from a teenager, someone who’s lived a certain life and is trying to open her heart to the public,” she told Billboard in her recent African Rookie of the Month interview.
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British-Nigerian quiet storm icon Sade‘s power remains potent, as Rema sampled “Is it a Crime?” on his latest single “Baby (Is it a Crime),” which he confirmed was coming when he was photographed leaving Amoeba Records in Hollywood, Calif. with the English band’s Promise vinyl. “Baby (Is it a Crime)” peaked at No. 3 on U.S. Afrobeats Songs and No. 4 on World Digital Song Sales.
And there is plenty more that has happened in an action-packed month, with big new singles from the likes of Black Sherif, L.A.X., Shallipopi and an energetic new EP from Seyi Vibez, among others. We’ve highlighted 10 of our favorite new songs by African acts that have come out roughly within the last month. Check out our latest Fresh Picks, and catch a vibe with our Spotify playlist below.
Rema, “Baby (Is It a Crime)”
Three months after Rema set the internet ablaze with his sizzling snippet of “Baby (Is It a Crime)” — which samples Sade’s 1985 smooth jazz classic “Is it a Crime?” — he finally dropped the full single. Produced by P. Prime, Sade’s soulful, timeless vocals weave in with Rema’s suave, refreshing vocals in this sultry Afrobeats banger as he reminds his lover that he treasures her and will even shower her with treasures (“Buy you a Birkin matching my AP color,” he sings in the third verse). “I’m a huge fan of Sade. I like the peace her vocals give me. I was just in the studio, and I talked to my boy like, ‘Let’s see how we sample some of her stuff.’ Played around with a couple of stuff until we found this one,” the Heis hitmaker told Complex on the 2025 Grammys red carpet.
Qing Madi, “Feeling Alright”
Qing Madi expresses unwavering love on her “Feeling Alright” standout track from her debut album I Am the Blueprint. As a young woman navigating money and fame, Madi reflects how much heedfulness and resilience romance requires over Wademix and Ozediku’s feelgood production. “It’s an anthem about loyalty and the quiet strength found in standing by a friend or significant other, irrespective of the circumstances,” she explained on Instagram.
Beeztrap KOTM, Sarkodie & Kwesi Arthur, “BANG BANG BANG”
Beeztrap KOTM makes the club go “BANG BANG BANG” with fellow Ghanaian rappers Sarkodie and Kwesi Arthur. He interpolates R. Kelly’s 1996 Grammy-winning hit “I Believe I Can Fly” while flaunting his larger-than-life moves, and Sarkodie and Arthur’s distinct flows float over Kwame Agger’s spirited drill production.
Lojay, “Somebody Like You”
Lojay – who earned his first Grammy nomination this year for best African music performance with Chris Brown’s “Sensational,” also featuring Davido – searches for a different kind of validation by chasing “Somebody Like You,” the first single from his forthcoming debut album. His “Monalisa” collaborator Sarz’s sublime Afropop production sets up Lojay’s “Summertime in Abuja” opening line as he reminisces on past heartbreak and clings on to “the hope of healing and finding love again,” he said in a press release.
Ruger, “Jay Jay”
Ruger likens his slick, Lothario schemes to Nigerian football legend Augustine Azuka “Jay-Jay” Okocha’s Machiavellian dribbling and stepover tactics on his new single “Jay Jay.” The Afropop star cautions any girl who’s trying to get with him that he’s only here for a good time, not a long time, especially with the first lyric: “If ah girl worry me, I delete her/ Put her inside the bin bag.” But his right-hand producer Kukbeatz’s playful beat complements Ruger’s tongue-in-cheek bad boy nature.
Seyi Vibez, “SHAOLIN”
The Nigerian street MC returned with an insistent new EP, Children of Africa, and “SHAOLIN” is the undeniable breakout of the set. The track is bursting at the seams with barely-contained energy, a microcosm of his entire career to this point, and it has a frantic video that accompanies it perfectly.
L.A.X., “Lockdown”
L.A.X.’s sound is always defined by its musicality, and the layered guitars and horns on this track continue that tradition. “Lockdown” itself is a song about the highs and lows of love and the depth of emotion that comes with it; as a singer, he’s defining his lane with each release, showcasing a feel for melody that sets him apart from many of his peers.
Black Sherif & Fireboy DML, “So It Goes”
Black Sherif has been on a heater with his singles lately, as he gears up for his forthcoming album IRON BOY, and this collaboration with Fireboy DML softens some of his rougher edges without losing the depth of feeling he manages to convey consistently. Fireboy’s melodic flow complements him perfectly, too, and the hook is a memorable addition to his growing catalog.
ODUMODUBLVCK & Victony, “PITY THIS BOY”
A track that shows off another side of ODUMODUBLVCK, who has so far in his career defined himself through frenetic energy and breakneck verses, “PITY THIS BOY” finds him taking a deep breath and sitting in the pocket more, showcasing the versatility in his flows. And Victony — who broke out with the distinctive earworm “Soweto” in the last few years — helps to underline that vibe; the two have some of the most recognizable voices in the world of African music right now, and this link up puts a spotlight on each of them.
Shallipopi, “Laho”
There’s something sinister yet alluring about the feel of “Laho,” a track that almost oozes and seeps into the consciousness. Shallipopi exudes cool over the beat, not trying to do too much with it, which is what makes the listener keep coming back for more. He’s one of the more creative talents on the scene right now, and just about every release is worth dissecting at this point.
In our Latin Remix of the Week series, we spotlight remixes that the Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors deem exceptional and distinct. We might not publish a review every week. This is our selection today. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news RaiNao celebrated the first anniversary of her album CAPICÚ by unveiling CAPICÚ […]
It’s obviously been a major year for Cynthia Erivo. The star, who portrayed the iconic Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s Wicked, is in the running for best actress in a leading role at this year’s Oscars ceremony and her inimitable vocal ability has been the inspiration behind many social media users attempting to recreate her otherworldly vocal run at the end of the film’s “Defying Gravity” number.
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But she’s not done just yet. Erivo chatted exclusively with Billboard about her brand new single, “Replay,” which arrived on Friday (Feb. 28) and marks her first solo release since 2021. “I’m sort of leaning into vulnerability these days,” she says with a laugh, and that sentiment is clear on the Justin Tranter co-written track, which delves into the emotional rollercoaster of being human. “I’m a constant work in progress, and I can’t keep fears at bay,” she opens the pop-leaning track with, before proclaiming in the chorus: “My mind is like a record, setup on auto-replay.”
“I’ve always wanted to be a music artist outside of being an actress, and my journey to it has just been different,” Erivo explains. “Some people come to it pretty early and some people come to it when the time is right, and this is the time for me.”
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With that in mind, the 38-year-old artist wants to introduce herself musically on her own terms, as the upbeat pop production of “Replay” leads listeners away from the ballads that they might be used to her belting for films in the past — to hopefully see Erivo as Cynthia, not as some of her famous onscreen roles. “I think people are really used to me singing a particular kind of way and particular kind of songs, but those songs are other people’s songs. Working on this music has been sort of a stream of consciousness that ended up being the page,” she says. “I think sometimes we’ll apply genre to a person, when the person hasn’t actually given you the genre that they are. I just happen to love to sing, but sometimes you don’t want to make big sounds, and you actually just want to tell a story, and that was what ‘Replay’ was about.”
She continues, “The song gives people the opportunity to get to know me a lot better, to get to know what goes on in my head from time to time, to get to know what I’ve thought in the past and sometimes even now, and the things that I have experienced. It’s almost like a personal lullaby that tells people who I am and that I’m human too, just like everybody else.”
Beyond its relatable and clever lyrical content, the production of “Replay” was just as personal to Erivo, inspired by the 90s Brit-pop she grew up with. “As a Brit, I wanted to bring something that felt particularly English, from my time, because I felt like we haven’t heard anything that feels like that in a while,” the London native explains.
“Everything that you hear in there — all the backing vocals, all of the pads, all of the whistling, even some of the percussion — that’s all me,” she adds enthusiastically. “I’m using my nails for what would sound like a clap. The whistle in the background is actually me whistling. The vocal padding and that vocal arrangement, that’s all me. If you listen carefully, you’ll feel the tempos speed up and then slow down again. It’s on purpose. It starts at 89 beats per minute, goes to 94 beats per minute and goes right back to 89 beats per minute, because it feels like what the heart rate does. It speeds up when things are getting a little bit strange, and then it comes back down.”
With her passion about “Replay” so evident, it’s no surprise Erivo is gearing up to release a full-length album, which she began working on in August 2023 and throughout her time filming Wicked. “I have to say that this is probably one of the most valuable experiences I’ve had in my life. I’ve written albums before, and it didn’t feel like this,” she says. “I knew the things I wanted to talk about and I knew the stories I wanted to tell. I knew the colors that I wanted in it — literally and figuratively, because some of the songs literally are based on a color. Like, what color do I want to write? Green! Then, one day I want to write about sex and, one day, I want to write about love or, today, I want to write about heartbreak, or maybe something in the color of blue.”
Overall, Erivo is ready for this next chapter in her career, keeping her heart on her sleeve as she always does and has become beloved for. “I want people to see that I’m a musician, like a person who understands the language of music implicitly and is willing to use it in loads of different ways,” she says. “It would be easy for me to sing a big ballad. Trust me, there’s a ballad on this album. But, more than anything, I love the making of music, the creating of music. I love using the music to tell the story. My story.”
Listen to Erivo’s “Replay” here.
Argentine rapper and singer Duki will be the headlining act at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival 2025 on Friday night (Feb. 28). He will perform at the Quinta Vergara amphitheater, the festival’s venue in the coastal city of Viña del Mar, Chile. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Duki is […]
Neil Young has added a major festival date to his upcoming summer run with new band the Chrome Hearts. Young, 79, will headline a July 11 date at the annual BST Hyde Park summer concert series in London, where he will be joined by “Peace Train” singer Yusuf/Cat Stevens and Van Morrison, with more support acts to be announced later.
American Express U.K. card members can grab tickets now through 9 a.m. on March 5, with a BST Hyde Park pre-sale slated to open at 10 a.m. on Monday (March 3) and a general on-sale kicking off at 10 a.m. on March 5; all times GMT.
The gig will be Young’s first at BST Hyde Park since a 2019 co-headlining gig there with Bob Dylan. Young’s show will join a growing roster of 2025 BST Hyde Park headliners, which also include Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan and Jeff Lynne’s ELO.
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The addition of the Hyde Park show expands the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s burgeoning 2025 road roster, after this week’s announcement of the dates for the first leg of the European/North American Love Earth tour, which is slated to kick off in Europe on June 18 at Dalhalla in Rättvik, Sweden before moving on to gigs in Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
The tour will then hit the U.S., beginning with an August 8 show at PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, N.C., before moving on to Detroit, Cleveland, Toronto, New York, Chicago, Denver and Vancouver, with the last currently scheduled date set for Sept. 15 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles; a spokesperson said more date will be added to the run later.
Young will be accompanied on all the shows by the Chrome Hearts band, featuring his longtime collaborator keyboardist/organist Spooner Oldham, as well as Promise of the Real members Micah Nelson (guitar/vocals), Corey McCormick (bass) and Anthony LoGerfo (drums). The group released the grungy anthem “Big Change” in January. Young debuted the Chrome Hearts band last year and has said an album from the group is tentatively slated for release in April.
Check out the poster for Neil Young at BST Hyde Park below.
Lizzo‘s fun night out turns into a nightmare (and then gets fun again) in the high-energy video for her comeback single “Love in Real Life.” Two years after her last solo single, the singer was back in our ears and our eyes on Friday (Feb. 28) with the release of the rollicking, uptempo pop rock […]
BLACKPINK will be hanging around in your area a bit longer this summer. The K-pop girl group announced the addition of five more dates for their anticipated world tour on Thursday (Feb. 27). After initially rolling out 10 stops on the outing earlier this month, JENNIE, ROSÉ, JISOO and LISA have doubled down, adding second nights […]
Tate McRae has officially hit a new career high in Australia. The Canadian singer-songwriter has secured her first No. 1 album on the ARIA Albums Chart with So Close To What, marking her third top 10 placement Down Under.
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It follows I Used To Think I Could Fly, which peaked at No. 10 in 2022, and Think Later, which climbed to No. 2 in 2023.
In addition to her album topping the charts, McRae is making waves on the ARIA Singles Chart. “Sports Car,” which previously peaked at No. 10 earlier this month, has rebounded from No. 25 to No. 9, while “It’s OK I’m OK” re-enters at No. 37 and “2 Hands” returns at No. 40.
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McRae also lands a new hit with “I Know Love,” her duet with boyfriend, The Kid LAROI, debuting at No. 17. It marks The Kid LAROI’s 11th top 20 hit in Australia and adds another major moment to McRae’s chart success. In total, she has nine tracks in the ARIA Top 50 this week.
Elsewhere on the Albums Chart, Australian indie outfit Rum Jungle makes a strong debut at No. 9 with Recency Bias, the Newcastle band’s first full-length release. The album arrives following sold-out tours across the U.K., Europe, and Australia.
British singer-songwriter Sam Fender also achieves his highest Australian chart entry yet with People Watching landing at No. 17. His previous best came with Hypersonic Missiles (No. 62 in 2019) and Seventeen Going Under (No. 46 in 2021), both of which topped the U.K. chart.
On the ARIA Singles Chart, Rosé and Bruno Mars reclaim the No. 1 spot with “APT.,” which now boasts 12 non-consecutive weeks at the top. The track has bounced back to No. 1 four times since October 2024, temporarily losing the crown to songs from Gracie Abrams, Mariah Carey, Lola Young, and Kendrick Lamar.
McRae also dominates the Vinyl Albums Chart, with So Close To What debuting at No. 1 ahead of Hit Me Hard And Soft by Billie Eilish and New Love by Ziggy Alberts.
With a No. 1 album, multiple singles in the top 50, and a strong vinyl debut, McRae continues her rapid rise in Australia.