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27 May 2024

Two Albums Surpass 300,000 Weekly Units for First Time in Eight Years, Thanks to Taylor Swift & Billie Eilish

For the first time in eight years, two albums earned over 300,000 equivalent album units in a single week in the U.S., according to Luminate. On the latest Billboard 200 albums chart (dated June 1), Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department holds atop the list for a fifth straight and total week with 378,000 units earned in the week ending May 23 (up 45%) and Billie Eilish’s new Hit Me Hard and Soft debuts at No. 2 with a career-best 339,000 units.

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The last time two albums each cleared 300,000 units in a week was on the chart dated May 21, 2016, when Drake’s Views debuted at No. 1 with 1.039 million units, while Beyoncé’s Lemonade fell 1-2 in its second week with 321,000 units.

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The Billboard 200 chart ranks the most popular albums of the week in the U.S. based on multi-metric consumption as measured in equivalent album units, compiled by Luminate. Units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album. The new June 1, 2024-dated chart will be posted in full on Billboard‘s website on May 29, one day later than usual, owed to the Memorial Day holiday in the U.S. on May 27. For all chart news, follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

Since the Billboard 200 began ranking albums by equivalent album units, starting with the Dec. 13, 2014-dated list, there have only been five instances in which at least two albums have exceeded 300,000 units each in a single week. (Before that date, the chart was ranked by weekly traditional album sales.)

Here are the other three times at least two albums surpassed 300,000 units in a single week, with Swift also involved in the first such pairing:

On the May 14, 2016-dated chart, Beyoncé’s Lemonade bowed at No. 1 with 653,000 units, while Prince’s The Very Best of Prince fell 1-2 with 391,000 (after re-entering the list the week before, following his death).

The Dec. 5, 2015, chart saw a one-two punch of superstar debuts, when Justin Bieber’s Purpose started at No. 1 with 649,000 and One Direction’s final studio album, Made in the A.M., entered at No. 2 with 459,000.

On the Dec. 27, 2014, chart, J. Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive launched at No. 1 with 375,000 units, while  Swift’s 1989 slipped 1-2 with 324,000.

27 May 2024

Ariana Grande Teases ‘The Boy Is Mine’ Music Video: See the Preview

Ariana Grande‘s “The Boy Is Mine” is getting a music video, and a release date has been set.

The Eternal Sunshine singer posted an incredibly brief but intriguing preview of the video on Instagram on Monday (May 27).

“meow,” Grande captioned the clip, which reveals that the video for “The Boy Is Mine” will be unveiled on Friday, June 7.

The music video preview shows an unidentified actor placing a drink down, then filling a bathroom sink with a bucket of ice that he dunks his face into. Meanwhile, a hand wearing a claw-like glove creeps around the nearby doorframe. Before the viewer can see who or what is behind that door, the video’s title and release date flashes on the screen.

A little over a week ago, Grande uploaded a couple photos to Instagram that fans speculated were from the set of an upcoming music video. She wears a cat-ear headband in the pictures and has “TRUE LOVE” and “BE MINE” hearts affixed on her wall next to a painted portrait, showing the portrait’s subject only from his bottom lip down to his shoulders. No caption was provided for the pics.

Director Christian Breslauer, who worked on the visuals for both “Yes, And?” and “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” from Grande’s Eternal Sunshine album, commented on her Monday teaser and shared the sneak peek on his own Instagram account. “Get your popcorn, take your seats,” Breslauer wrote on the pop star’s post; “ACT III… soon,” he teased over on his page.

While Grande’s ready to drop “The Boy Is Mine,” current single “We Can’t Be Friends” sits at No. 1 on Billboard’s Pop Airplay chart (dated May 25). The Pop Airplay chart, which began in October 1992, ranks songs by weekly plays on over 150 mainstream top 40 radio stations monitored by Mediabase, with data provided to Billboard by Luminate. “We Can’t Be Friends” previously hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart dated March 23, the same week that Eternal Sunshine soared in at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

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Watch the teaser for the much-anticipated “The Boy Is Mine” video below.

27 May 2024

BTS’ RM Takes to the Streets for ‘Groin’ Music Video: Watch

RM has dropped the music video for his song “Groin,” which appears on the BTS star’s new album, Right Place, Wrong Person.

On Monday (May 27), the RM shared the Pennacky-directed clip for “Groin,” which finds the singer and rapper decked out in a dark Adidas track jacket while dancing and rapping in the streets.

The three-minute video arrives on the heels of RM’s second solo album, Right Place, Wrong Person, which was released on Friday (May 24), and topped Billboard‘s latest weekly new music poll featuring artists in various genres of music.

Right Place, Wrong Person brings with it 11 new tracks for fans to enjoy amid BTS’ military obligations.

Led by the dream single “Come Back to Me,” the album also features the alternative-based songs “Nuts,” “Heaven,” “LOST!” and more. Overall, the project reflects a “raw and honest presentation of RM’s distinctive sensibility, aesthetics, and beliefs,” per a BigHit news release, and follows the South Korean artist’s 2022 debut album, Indigo, which reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.

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Right Place, Wrong Person includes collaborations with British rapper-singer Little Simz (“Domodachi”) and singer-guitarist Moses Sumney (“Around the World in a Day”). “Come Back to Me” features lyrics by RM, with guest musicians OHHYUK from South Korean band HYUKOH, and guitar and bass from Kuo of Taiwanese band Sunset Rollercoaster, as well as contributions by singer-songwriter JNKYRD and San yawn of Balming Tiger.

RM and his BTS bandmates Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jung Kook are currently serving in the South Korean military, which mandates an 18-month military enlistment for all able-bodied men by the time they turn 28. A few of the members have pursued various solo projects amid their service, and the full group is planning to reconvene for band activities in 2025.

Watch RM’s “Groin” video below.

27 May 2024

Nicki Minaj Announces Rescheduled Manchester Concert Following Amsterdam Arrest

Nicki Minaj has announced the rescheduled date for her postponed concert in Manchester, England.

The rap superstar, 41, took to social media on Monday (May 27) to provide Barbz with an update on her May 25 show at Manchester’s Co-Op Live that was called off following her arrest in Amsterdam for allegedly carrying drugs.

“OK guys, I was JUST RE-ADVISED that we actually CAN NOT do any other date for the make up #gagcityMANCHESTER date besides JUNE 3rd,” Minaj wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

She added, “So JUNE 3rd is the new official date for all ticket holders who originally had tickets to the MAY 25th #Manchester show. I apologize for all the inconvenience this has caused. I really hope you can make the #JUNE3rd show. It’ll be really special. Ticketmaster will contact you to advise officially.”

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On Saturday (May 25), the “Super Bass” rapper was released from police custody in the Netherlands just hours after recording herself being arrested by Amsterdam authorities allegedly “carrying drugs.” As a result, the artist was forced to postpone her Manchester concert as part of her Pink Friday 2 Tour.

“Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight’s show happen, the events of today have made it impossible,” promoter Live Nation said in a statement on Saturday. “We are deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused.”

After “sitting in a jail cell for 5-6 hours” before arriving in Manchester, Minaj gave an update in a post on X Saturday night.

“We will have another date for tonight’s show shortly & I’ll probably be able to share it tmrw,” she wrote. “One July option & one June option is currently being discussed. I’ll find a way to not only make up the date with the performance but I’m going to create an added bonus for everyone that had a tkt for this show. Promise.”

The “Super Freaky Girl” rapper also shared her hotel location and welcomed local fans to stop by and say hello.

“Barbz, I’m going on the balcony so if you’re outside I’ll be able to see you & I may come downstairs,” she wrote. “I’ll be out there for about an hour. Rlly wanted to at least get to see you. But if you’re in bed plz STAY THERE.”

See Minaj’s announcement about her rescheduled Manchester concert on X below.

https://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/1795143672272400655/history

27 May 2024

Pearl Jam Joined by Bradley Cooper for ‘A Star Is Born’ Song Performance at BottleRock 2024

Pearl Jam brought out Bradley Cooper for a surprise performance of “Maybe It’s Time” from A Star Is Born during the band’s headlining performance at BottleRock Napa Valley 2024.

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The 49-year-old actor, who portrayed grizzled rocker Jackson Maine alongside Lady Gaga in the 2018 film, joined Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder for an acoustic rendition of the Jason Isbell-written song at the California music festival on Saturday (May 26).

Vedder previously covered “Maybe It’s Time” — which reached No. 93 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2018 — during a solo performance the Innings Festival in Tempe, Ariz., in 2019.

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Later in Pearl Jam’s BottleRock set, Cooper joined the group again for their cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

Leading up to his role in A Star Born, Cooper spent some time with Vedder to learn the ropes of the rock star lifestyle.

“I went up to Seattle and spent four or five days with him and I asked him 9,000 questions,” Cooper told Yahoo! Entertainment. “And he gave me minor, little things that only musicians know about what to do, just aesthetically and the inner workings.”

During an interview with Howard Stern in 2020, Vedder revealed the main piece of advice he gave to Cooper. “We just hung out for a couple of days, and he just asked me a few questions and I told him things like, you know, ‘Make sure your guitar covers your balls at all times,’” the artist said.

Upon the film’s release, Cooper received overwhelming praise for his gritty homage to Kris Kristofferson’s version of the male lead in the 1976 remake of the 1937 original. Cooper and Gaga won a best original song Oscar for their duet of “Shallow” at the 91st Academy Awards in 2019. The song also peaked at No. 1 on the Hot 100 that same year.

Watch Cooper join Pearl Jam at BottleRock 2024 here.

27 May 2024

Taylor Swift Announces Extra Support Acts for Eras Tour Dates in London

Taylor Swift is adding extra support acts for her upcoming Eras Tour dates in London.

The pop superstar will be performing a total of eight shows at Wembley Stadium this summer as part of her blockbuster world tour. The first three concerts take place from June 21-23 and the remaining five are scheduled for Aug. 15-17 and Aug. 19-20.

On Sunday (May 27), Swift announced that three additional artists will be opening for her alongside Paramore on the June dates. Joining the lineup are Mette (June 21), Griff (June 22) and Benson Boone (June 23).

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“I just found out Fortnight is #1 on the UK airplay chart!!!! You guys are amazing and I can’t wait to see you so soon! Thought this might be a fun time to announce the first group of opening acts I’ll be adding to the London shows, going on before Paramore,” Swift wrote in her Instagram Story. “I chose artists whose music I love listening to, and I can’t wait for them to add an extra jolt of excitement to our shows at Wembley Stadium in June.”

The “Cruel Summer” singer added, “Mette, Griff, and Benson Boone, welcome to The Eras Tour!!”

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The three artists excitedly responded to the news on their respective social media accounts.

“TAYLOR SWIFT HAS INVITED ME ON THE ERAS TOUR!!!!!! 8 yr old me who had fearless on repeat wouldn’t believe this,” Griff wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “So unbelievably grateful to Taylor for all the love she’s shown me and my music. See you at Wembley on June 22nd”.

Mette added on X, “It’s a new ERA for ya girl… Opening the ‘Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour’ on June 21st at Wembley Stadium in London. Thank you @taylorswift13 – Never been so excited in my entire life!!! #TSTheErasTour.”

Boone reposted Swift’s announcement on his Instagram Story, writing, “@taylorswift so excited to be a part of the show thank you for having me,” alongside a face with tears and red heart emojis.

Swift is currently in the middle of the European leg of her global Eras Tour, on which she recently premiered the brand-new Tortured Poets miniset at her Paris shows. In addition to “Fortnight,” the updated setlist features “Down Bad,” “So High School,” “But Daddy I Love Him,” “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart,” “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived” and “Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me?”  

The 14-time Grammy winner wrapped shows in Lisbon over the weekend and will spend the rest of the summer traveling through Europe before returning to the U.S. and Canada for a second North American leg this fall. 

27 May 2024

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Sean John Frames Removed From Stores

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Sean Diddy Combs

Source: @diddy / Instagram

Sean “Diddy” Combs is stacking up the L’s after video of him being an abuser was made public. One of the nation’s biggest eyeglass retailers, America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, has dumped Diddy’s branded products.

TMZ reports that Diddy’s Sean John frames have been unceremoniously dumped by the retailer. You can’t even get the frames for a discont.

Per TMZ:

Stores received a message Tuesday to remove all Sean Johns from the frame boards and replace them with frames at an appropriate price point from understock. They put a hold on selling the frames and told the stores to wait for further instructions. Unclear what the company plans to do with the merchandise.

Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ … they began pulling the frames online last month and did the same earlier this week in brick-and-mortar stores.

Reportedly, the company hasn’t relayed exactly why it permanently shelved the products. But the writing is on the proverbial well.

Cassie’s allegations that Diddy sexually trafficked her for years was bad enough but then video CNN shared of the mogul beating the singer and his former girlfriend back in 2016 confirmed the worst. Then Diddy only made things worse with a universally panned apology.

27 May 2024

6 Waterproof Outdoor Speakers That You Can Take to the Beach or Pool Worry-Fee

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Listening to your favorite artists on Apple Music, Spotify or whatever streaming service you prefer doesn’t just have to be done indoors. While Bluetooth earbuds and wireless headphones allow you to take your music on the go, gatherings of more than just yourself require a speaker. Home speakers are reliable for indoor use, but incorporating a quality outdoor waterproof speaker is a travel necessity for a versatile design that won’t break if your outdoor BBQ gets rained on.

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An outdoor speaker will not only emit crystal clear sounds for you and your friends to enjoy, these speakers also won’t get damaged by any spilled drinks or splashes thanks to their heavy-duty and waterproof materials. The devices are also usually lightweight to help carry your tunes from place to place without weighing your backpack or tote bag down.

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Keep reading to learn more about the outdoor waterproof speakers below.

What Are the Best Waterproof Outdoor Speakers?

Looking for the best waterproof outdoor speakers? ShopBillboard did the digging for you and rounded up bestselling models below for you to buy online now.

model holding black outdoor waterproof speaker

editor’s pick

Marshall Stockwell II Portable Bluetooth Speaker

$149.99

$219.99

32% off

$149.99

$219.99

32% off

$149.99

$219.99

32% off

If you want your music to sound as if you’re at a concert, then consider adding Marshall’s Stockwell II speaker to your cart. It’s designed to not only look like a mini amp but also emit professional quality sounds that’ll feel as though you’re standing at a live show. Additionally, it comes with waterproof materials as well as a built in handle to make it easy to carry to picnics and any outdoor hangs.

One Amazon reviewer even went as far as to say, “it was literally sinking in the water, slipped out of my freaked-out hands and then fell again — and I dried it off and it sounds like nothing happened. Incredible!”

black waterproof outdoor speaker

bluetooth pick

JBL Clip 4 Portable Mini Bluetooth Speaker

$49.99

$79.99

38% off

$49.95

$79.95

38% off

$46.74

$79.95

42% off

For less than $50, you can get JBL’s mini speaker and enjoy portable listening without fear of rain causing the speaker to short out. Besides having Bluetooth capabilities, the mini speaker has a built-in clip that’ll let you seamlessly attach it to your bag or belt loop. Plus, the buttons on the front create a shortcut so you can quickly adjust the volume and play music with just a push.

The clip and its waterproof material is just one of the various features reviewers have been loving, with one Target shopper writing that “it has gotten wet many times and has held up just fine.”

purple bluetooth portable speaker

high-end pick

Bose SoundLink Flex Bluetooth Portable Speaker

$149.99

$149

$149

Bose’s Soundlink Flex speaker isn’t just bold and bright in design, it comes with luxurious features on top of its dust- and waterproof materials that make it worth the price. Think: up to 12 hours of battery on a full charge and built-in microphones to use your voice assistant to control settings and make calls. Plus, the device uses Bose’s high-tech audio technology that provides optimal sound no matter what position the speaker is in.

The speaker has gathered more than 2,000 reviews online, with 81% of shoppers giving it a five-star rating.

floating outdoor speaker

floating pick

Blufree Floating Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

Immerse yourself in your music as you float in your pool or lounge in your backyard hot tub using this completely waterproof speaker. It was built to float in the water allowing you to enjoy soothing playlists or your latest party mix without having to make sure your speaker is protected from the weather. Besides being able to safely float, the device can be submerged underwater up to 30 minutes for as deep as three feet without damage.

Reviewers are impressed with the color changing lights as well as the “impressive, clean, wireless sound with plenty of bass,” which is why it’s earned itself more than 7,000 reviews.

small outdoor waterproof speaker

travel-friendly pick

Sony SRS-XB100 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

$48

$59.99

20% off

Sony’s portable speaker is not only up to 20% off right now, it shows off a small size that you can clip onto your backpack, bike or carry on your wrist. While it’s tiny in size, it packs a long-lasting battery of up to 16 hours on a full charge. Plus, the brand’s Sound Diffusion Processor allows sounds to emit far and wide.

More than 7,000 Amazon shoppers can’t get enough of Sony’s speaker, which is small enough to fit in a cupholder with one reviewer even saying, “I could comfortably dunk this thing into water and be comfortable that it will still work.”

blue portable speaker

affordable pick

iLive Audio Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker

For less than $15, iLive’s waterproof speaker will emit clear tunes without requiring you to splurge. The device comes with easy press buttons on the top to adjust the volume, power it on and play or pause the music. It’s also Bluetooth-compatible to allow you to play your music directly from your smartphone.

The speaker already has a 4.6-star rating with one shopper gushing over its ability to work just as new even five years after purchasing. Plus, another review finds it “works great in the shower!”

Can You Put a Waterproof Speaker In a Pool?

Generally, most outdoor waterproof speakers are not designed to be submerged in water as it can cause lasting damage to the speaker or tech. Typically, outdoor speakers with waterproof qualities are made to withstand a little bit of of water whether its a splash from the pool or a drizzle of rain. It’s not recommended that you completely submerge your outdoor speaker under water if you want to ensure its longevity, but you can determine how waterproof your device is based on the IPX guide.

The IPX Standard looks to provide a “clearer” picture as to how waterproof a device is, according to Hyper Gear’s guide. The scale goes from 0-8 with the highest number being the maximum amount of waterproofing a device has — meaning, yes, you would be able to completely submerge the tech in water safely.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best laptop deals, soundbars under $200 and record players and turntables.

27 May 2024

Empire of the Sun Sets ‘Ask That God’ Tour

Empire of the Sun rises again with a tour in support of Ask That God, the forthcoming fourth studio album by the electro-pop outfit from Down Under.

Led by Luke Steele (frontman of indie-rock act The Sleepy Jackson) and Lord Littlemore (Nick Littlemore of electronic trio PNAU), Empire of the Sun will embark on a tour of Australia, kicking off Oct. 24 at Hordern Pavilion, Sydney, and visiting Melbourne, Brisbane and wrapping Nov. 1 with a show at Red Hill Auditorium, in Steele’s hometown, Perth.

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The national trek, produced by Frontier Touring, is the first announced in support of Ask That God, the group’s first album in eight years. Additional treks are yet to be announced.

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Due out July 26 (via EMI Australia), Ask That God is led by the first singles “Changes” and “Music On The Radio;” both are accompanied with sparkling, Michael Maxxis-helmed music videos that capture Steele and Littlemore in all their astral-wizardry.

Ask That God is the follow-up to 2016’s Two Vines, which logged at week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Dance/Electronic Albums and featured contributions from Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham, Wendy Melvoin from Prince’s Revolution band and two members of David Bowie’s Blackstar band, pianist Henry Hey and bassist Tim Lefebvre. 

To build the buzz, Empire of the Sun today shared behind the scenes footage from the “Changes” music video.



“Ask That God is an album we searched for and were thankfully blessed with. We are nothing more than conduits, gathering experience and finding what is meant for the Empire to find,” explains Steele.

Since their breakthrough debut album from 2008, Walking On A Dream, which housed the title track and “We Are The People,” Empire of the Sun has collected eight ARIA Awards (including four at the 2009 ceremony), two APRA Music Awards, an APRA Billions Award, and collected 7.6 billion streams, according to EMI.

“Walking On A Dream” belatedly cracked the Billboard Hot 100 in 2016, peaking at No. 65, after hitching a ride with a Honda Civic campaign. The track would become a U.S. chart leader, hitting No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs, for their second leader after 2013’s “Alive” – a song that was released five years after “Walking on a Dream.” Empire of the Sun would also preside over the Billboard + Clio Music’s Top Commercials chart for successive months in the United States, where the single is now platinum certified.

Littlemore hinted at some hidden gems in an interview with Billboard in 2021. “There’s a lot of great music in the bag. I’m hoping that will see the light of day,” Littlemore told this reporter. “I have great faith. I don’t feel we have exhausted that well by any stretch. The name still has a lot of goodwill. I really hope we can come together and finish it.”

27 May 2024

Sabrina Carpenter Fends Off Billie Eilish For Another U.K. Singles Chart Crown

The U.K. singles chart race was something of a feast, as Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso” (Island) beat Billie Eilish’s “Lunch” (Interscope) for the title.

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With its latest crown, confirmed Friday, May 24, “Espresso” extends its streak to four weeks. Carpenter’s breakout hit is once more the most-streamed track in the U.K., with 8.3 million plays.

Eilish is crowned on the U.K. Albums Chart with Hit Me Hard And Soft (Interscope), which bows with the second-biggest tally of the year, behind only Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department.

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Three tracks from Hit Me Hard And Soft impact the top 10 on the singles survey, led by “Lunch” at No. 2 – the top debut of the week. Album track “Chihiro” lands at No. 7 and “Birds Of A Feather” arrives at No. 9, together lifting Eilish’s all-time tally of U.K. top 10 singles to 12.

Completing the podium is Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” (via American Dogwood/Empire), returning to its peak of No. 3. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” adds to a country-flavored top 10 that includes Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s “I Had Some Help” (down 2-6 via Republic Records), and Dasha’s “Austin” (unchanged at No. 10 via Warner Records).

Among the new releases on the latest Official U.K. Singles Chart is Gunna’s “One of Wun” (300 Entertainment), new at No. 32 for the U.S. rapper’s seventh U.K. top 40 appearance.

Tems cracks the top 40 with “Love Me JeJe” (RCA/Since 93), rising 49-39 for the Nigeria-born Afrobeats star’s fourth U.K. top 40 hit.

Finally, U.S. metal veterans Disturbed return to the chart with their 2015 cover of the Simon and Garfunkel classic “The Sound of Silence” (Reprise), which bounces 47-39 following a viral dance remix by Cyril. Disturbed’s cover originally peaked at No. 29 in 2016, while Simon and Garfunkel’s original version was released in the 1964, and a remix featured in the 1967 film The Graduate, but never charted in the U.K.