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19 Apr 2024

Nas’ ‘Illmatic’ Album: All 10 Songs Ranked 

The Queens MC’s groundbreaking debut turns 30 today.

Nas-Illmatic

Nas – ‘Illmatic’

Courtesy Photo

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the consensus best album in rap history. Illmatic, meaning “the science of everything ill,” was a pivotal moment in hip-hop, especially for the East Coast rap scene. At the time, West Coast “gangsta” rap was dominating the genre and the birthplace of the sound was becoming afterthought with the exception of groups like the Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest.

Enter Nasty Nas.

The teenage phenom hailing from Queensbridge Houses in Long Island City, Queens had already made waves in 1991 with a guest feature on Main Source’s song “Live at the Barbeque.” He sounded like a newer version of Rakim and Kool G Rap and his verse was talked about like a mythical treasure like the Lost Scrolls. Since rapping about the time he “almost went to hell for snuffing Jesus,” his Queens OG Large Professor and his then-new manager MC Serch shopped for a deal and recruited a who’s who of producers to help craft what would become the perfect rap album. Nas was the Second Coming, the Chosen One, and Large Professor, DJ Premier, L.E.S., Pete Rock, and Q-Tip were the wise men following the North Star in search of the true and living god emcee.

Now, 30 years later, Illmatic remains one of the most important artifacts in hip-hop history, proof that perfection can achieved and a symbol of lyrical mastery. This is the first album you play for someone who has never heard rap music before because the poetry is deep and never fails.

For the timeless classic’s anniversary, we decided to break down each track and rank them (no clue how you can rank a perfect album, but I try my best.) Check out our thoughts and rankings below.

19 Apr 2024

25 Weed Songs: Highest Hits in Hot 100 History

For part-time potheads, 4/20 is a holiday that comes but once a year. But for the steadfast stoner, you can celebrate 4:20 every day (twice a day is possible, but inadvisable).

Regardless of how deep your love for the leaf runs, everyone knows that marijuana and music are peas in a pod. We’ve previously rounded up 25 toking tunes, an editorial playlist that encompasses Cypress Hill, Afroman, Miley Cyrus, Bob Dylan, Peter Tosh, Wiz Khalifa and, of course, Snoop Dogg.

This list ain’t that. Looking at biggest Billboard Hot 100 hits of all time, we decided to round up the highest hits in the chart’s history. For purposes of this list, we’re casting a bloodshot eye toward songs with a title that includes “smoke,” “puff,” “high,” “stoned,” “burn,” “drug,” “toke,” “weed” or some variation. If the song’s title doesn’t tip to something along those lines, it’s out. (That means songs such as Dylan’s “Rainy Day Women #12 & #35” aren’t eligible; we’re sure he’ll get over it.)

We are also discounting songs where weed-adjacent words are in the song title but are clearly not referring to drugs or intoxication. For example: We include Sean Paul’s “We Be Burnin’” but not Usher’s “Burn.” “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes” isn’t here because The Platters weren’t singing about hotboxing the dance floor, but “Smokin’ in the Boys Room” is eligible. Sure, most folks assume cigarettes are what Brownville Station and/or the Crüe were puffing at school, but we don’t know for sure, so we’re giving that one the benefit of the dank doubt.

Anyone who’s a fan of mind-altering substances should know that truth is subjective, man, and this list is no exception. While the selections – and the order in which they appear – are culled from the biggest hits in Hot 100 history (more on that below), editorial decisions were made on what to include on this list. Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” isn’t here because it’s about a love that is above (i.e., better than) others; “I Want to Take You Higher” is eligible, however, because you can (and probably should) interpret “higher” as substance adjacent.

Also included: The many songs that refer to love as a drug, as well as songs that use “stoned” for a general sense of intoxication. If it’s about a mind-altering state brought about by romance, booze or whatever, it’s in.

Don’t like the criteria? Sounds like you need to chill out, catch a cool buzz and hit play on one (or all) of these songs and just follow the vibe where it takes you. Responsibly, of course.

This ranking is based on actual performance on the weekly Billboard Hot 100 chart. Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. To ensure equitable representation of the biggest hits from each era, certain time frames were weighted to account for the difference between turnover rates from those years.

19 Apr 2024

Stevie Nicks Pens Poem for Taylor Swift’s ‘The Tortured Poets Department’

Fans who got their hands on the physical copies of Taylor Swift‘s new album The Tortured Poets Department received an extra surprise when the project arrived Friday (April 19) — a passage written by the OG tortured poet Stevie Nicks.

The Fleetwood Mac frontwoman penned a poem dedicated to Swift, as printed inside the CD casings of the 16-track record. “He was in love with her/ Or at least she thought so,” it reads. “She was broken hearted/ Maybe he was too/ Neither of them knew.”

“He really can’t answer her,” the text, dated Sept. 13, continues. “He’s afraid of her/ He’s hiding from her/ And he knows — that he’s hurting her/ She tells the truth/ She writes about it/ She’s an informer/ He’s an x-lover/ There’s nothing there for her/ She’s already gone.”

Trending on Billboard

Nicks dedicated the poem, “For T — and me…”

The contribution from the “Edge of Seventeen” singer comes hand in hand with the shoutout Swift gave Nicks on the Tortured Poets closing track, “Clara Bow.” “You look like Stevie Nicks in ’75, the hair and lips,” the pop star sings on the finale. “The crowd goes wild at her fingertips/ Half moonshinе, a full eclipse.”

Later on in the song, the “Anti-Hero” artist turns the line on its head — “You look like Taylor Swift
in this light, we’re loving it/ You’ve got edge, she never did.”

The two stars’ surprise partnership with Tortured Poets comes after Nicks praised Swift’s Midnights track “You’re On Your Own, Kid,” last year. When Fleetwood Mac bandmate Christine McVie passed away in November 2022, the “Landslide” icon took comfort in the younger star’s lyrics, she revealed.

“Thank you to Taylor Swift for doing a favor for me, and that is, writing a song called ‘You’re on Your Own, Kid,’” Nicks said at one of her concerts. “That is the sadness of how I feel.”

Read Stevie Nicks poem for Tortured Poets below.

19 Apr 2024

Taylor Swift Fans Think ‘Tattooed Golden Retriever’ Line on ‘Tortured Poets Department’ Is Definitely About This Shaggy Rocker Ex

Let the games begin! Quickly after Taylor Swift dropped her The Tortured Poets Department album, Swifties were sifting through the lyrics to play their favorite parlor game: who is this lyric about?

And while longtime fans were sure the singer’s 11th studio album — which, in a surprise, is a 31-track, double-disc, two-hour behemoth — would plumb into the end of her affair with former longtime boyfriend actor Joe Alwyn, or perhaps gush over new beau NFL player Travis Kelce — the lyrics many keyed in on were not about either man.

In fact, a number of Swifties speculated that on the title track she references a fellow musician who Taylor allegedly dated for a brief period in early 2023, The 1975’s shambolic singer Matty Healy. The lines in question refer to an ex as a “tattooed golden retriever,” which many Swifties thought seemed to poetically sum up the hedonistic, cigarette-puffing, inked-up rock rabble rouser who seamlessly swings from eager-to-please to gratingly off-putting.

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“You smoked then ate seven bars of chocolate/ We declared Charlie Puth should be a bigger artist/ I scratch your head, you fall asleep/ Like a tattooed golden retriever,” she sings on the collection’s gauzy second song. Healy often puffs cigs on stage during his band’s shows and his band released a song called “Chocolate” in 2013.

Other clues? A seeming reference to Healy’s one-time friend Lucy Dacus, in which Swift sings, “Sometimes I wonder if you’re gonna screw this up with me/ But you told Lucy you’d kill yourself if I ever leave/ And I had said that to Jack about you so I felt seen/ Everyone we know understands why it’s meant to be/ Because we’re crazy,” which also name-checks longtime friend and the song’s producer, Jack Antonoff. While Swift, and her team, never confirmed that the two were romantically linked, Swifties, as usual, dug deep for receipts.

“TTPD – Thank you Taylor for my new favorite description of Matty Healy, ‘Tattooed golden retriever.’ The Lucy & Jack name drop & wedding ring thing here triggered some kind of sleeper agent in me. Kinda wish this was the lead single but it feels too personal to be. 8/10 #TTPD,” wrote one, with another quipping, “the matty healy thing could have been a bizarre wrinkle in taylor swift lore and now it is the backbone of a major turning point in her career lmao.”

Oner song detective launched a deep-dive X thread with seemingly connected all the dots, including, “‘you left your typewriter at my apartment’ matty mentioned his love for typewriters multiple times, he spoke about it in this interview for example and a typewriter is also always a part of the stage of the 1975,” as well as “also when multiple magazines reported in may 2023 that matty is writing songs with taylor, they mentioned that he already left stuff like his guitar effect pedals, audio interfaces, synths and his macbook at her nyc apartment where he got papped multiple times the day before.”

At press time it did not appear that Healy had commented on the song.

Check out the fans comments and speculation below.

19 Apr 2024

Elvie Shane Takes the Unfiltered Path with New Album ‘Damascus’: ‘I Wasn’t Focused on Writing For a Specific Genre’

In October 2021, Elvie Shane earned his first Billboard No. 1 Country Airplay hit with the tender ode “My Boy,” inspired by his role as a stepfather. The song was certified platinum by the RIAA, and he followed it with his debut album Backslider, further ushering Shane into the circle as one of country music’s most-buzzed about new talents.

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But while “My Boy” and its successor “County Roads” were relatively tame odes to family and life lessons learned during moonlit nights on backroads, his new album, Damascus, out April 19 on Broken Bow/Wheelhouse Records, offers a fuller picture into Shane’s struggles and perspectives. Melding elements of country, rock and hip-hop, Damascus follows an arc of emotions, guiding listeners through heavier themes of addiction (“Pill”), prison (“215634”), championing blue-collar workers (“Forgotten Man”), redemption and peace (“Does Heaven Have a Creek”)

“I had songs like ‘Forgotten Man,’ ‘Baptized’ and ‘Jonesin’,’ but it seemed like there was a stark contrast in these songs, sonically and lyrically. I wanted to do something with all of them,” Shane tells Billboard. “I wasn’t focused on trying to write something for a specific genre.”

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Kentucky native Shane took inspiration for the album and the album title from a Biblical story, but also from Damascus steel, which is made from forging together different types of steel, making it stronger in the process.

“I approached this album as if I was making a Damascus knife, working with different types of steel—of sounds, and genres that have inspired me. I put them all together and created this album, and the concept frees me up. I wanted a narrative on the album, and I didn’t really have that with Backslider. I had a collection of the best songs I’d written along the way, and I found some kind of concept by the songs that I picked for Backslider, but it wasn’t as purpose-driven as this one.”

For Damascus, which he started working on in 2022, Shane and producer Oscar Charles teamed up to record in a rented home in Alabama, writing and recording with creatives including Ryan Tyndall, Dan Couch and Luke Preston.

Shane is unflinching in probing difficult themes on his new album. Songs including “Pill,” “Jonesin’” and “Appalachian Alchemy” address opioid addiction, giving voice to people who are struggling and seeking solace. The music video for “Pill” addresses opioid addiction, while the song was written essentially as an apology letter to his brother for the years that Shane faced his own hard struggles.

“Jonesin’” was written as Shane, following the success of “My Boy,” slipped back into some of the self-destructive habits that he had previously fought to leave behind.

“All the pressure of continuing to perform was piling up and taking care of my family and everything,” he says. ‘And regrettably, I just wasn’t as strong as I should have been. I allowed things back into my life that I had sworn off years ago. I wasn’t going as far into that as I had in my early twenties,” he says.

However, he describes the night he wrote “Jonesin’” in detail, saying, “I had probably had six different substances in my body throughout that day, and we wrote that song. That night, I was lying awake, and I think I had a resting heart rate of 180 for 20 minutes. I was having a bad time by myself there in the living room. But the next morning I got up and sang that vocal in ‘Jonesin’” and I feel like that is the most of me I’ve ever put into a vocal. It was real and in the moment.”

The defiant album opener “Outside Dog” was borne out of frustration with feedback he received when presenting his new batch of songs to members of his team.

“They were hesitant, like, ‘I don’t know if we need to put this stuff out here or if we should be looking for some other songs.’ And that really didn’t sit well with me,” Shane says.

Shane had moved with his family to his wife Mandi’s hometown in Kentucky during the making of the album. According to Shane, the back-and-forth with his team over the album’s content continued, until he reached a breaking point.

“It got to a point where I had to make a call and said, ‘I’m just going to stay in Kentucky.’ I was struggling with the industry and I thought, ‘I’m going to go back to cutting trees for my father-in-law or go drive a truck with my brother and dad.’ I could play some bar gigs from time to time to still have music in my life, but I was just done with this idea of having to write about very generic or a small set of topics that were able to be covered, to be able to be successful. Everyone on the team wants the same thing. They want to see success — people listening, buying tickets, consuming the music. But I wanted to include topics that I feel get glazed over from time to time. I want to go in and use the right verbiage and tell the stories the way they are.”

The turning point came with the Robert Deaton-produced Stoned Cold Country, a Rolling Stones tribute project, which featured several country artists performing classic Stones songs, including Shane’s rendition of “Sympathy for the Devil.”

“They did a documentary and played it for the record label and the team here,” Shane says. “The story I’ve heard from members of the team is when they saw that video, they got more of an inside glimpse into who I am and what I’m about, and they wanted to go down this road — so thank god for Robert Deaton letting me be part of that project because it led to a boost in believing in this project.”

Elsewhere on the album, the more light-hearted “First Place” welcomes Little Big Town — though Shane says it took a little liquid courage to get them to join the song.

“After I wrote it, a friend videoed me and the writers jamming to it. I got just drunk enough to send it to [Little Big Town member] Karen Fairchild on Instagram,” he recalls. “I was like ‘Hey, I listened to “Boondocks” today. Thanks for the inspiration.’ But that was a serious cop out, because what I really wanted to do was ask them to be on the song. So about 20 minutes later — a little more liquid courage later — I asked them about singing on it. I woke up the next day and had a message from Karen saying they would sing on it. They were so great in the studio, worked so hard and sounded incredible.”

The album closes with “Does Heaven Have a Creek?,” which he wrote after thinking about his late grandmother.

“I was sitting outside of my camper in Kentucky at the lake we were living on. I was listening to Tyler Childers’ Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven? and Brent Cobb’s And Now, Let’s Turn the Page, so I was immersed in kind of gospel and hymns,” he recalls. “I thought of my grandmother who’s been gone 20-plus years now. I looked up at the sky and was like, ‘Granny, does heaven have a creek where I can swim in my old blue jeans?” And I got my guitar and played that.”

The WME-signed Shane previewed the album on his Acoustic Stories Tour earlier this year. The album’s harder rock moments would seem to be a fit beyond solely country radio, something Shane is also keen on.

“It’s on my bucket list to have a rock single. That would be amazing,” he says.

19 Apr 2024

Executive Turntable: Shore Fire Elects Four Co-Presidents; ‘Tiny Desk’ Maestro Has New Job; LiveCo’s CEO Swap

It’s time for another spindle around the Executive Turntable, Billboard’s comprehensive(ish) compendium of promotions, hirings, exits and firings — and all things in between — across music. 

Shore Fire Media promoted five staffers to key leadership posts at the 34-year-old public relations agency. Allison Elbl, Matt Hanks, Mark Satlof and Rebecca Shapiro are now co-presidents at Shore Fire, while Jaclyn D. Carter has been promoted to senior vice president. Founder and CEO Marilyn Laverty will continue leading the Brooklyn-based firm while taking on an expanded role at Dolphin Entertainment, which acquired Shore Fire in late 2019. The agency’s roster includes Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, the Avett Brothers, Sylvan Esso, Hurray for the Riff Raff and Robert Plant/Alison Krauss, as well as corporate clients including Rhino, Secretly and Gateway Studios. Geographically, Elbl heads Shore Fire’s West Coast office in Los Angeles, while Carter helms the Nashville outpost and Hanks, Satlof and Shapiro hold down the fort in Kings County.

“These executives each put their imprint on Shore Fire in a unique and powerful way,” said Laverty. “They have shaped Shore Fire with their passions, creativity, broad interests and expertise. I’m so grateful to work with them and thrilled to recognize their leadership with the announcement of these new roles. I anticipate great success as Mark, Rebecca, Matt, Allison and Jaclyn drive innovation and growth for both Shore Fire and Dolphin in the future.”

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Meanwhile…

Sony Music knew there was something about Harri Davies, hiring the industry veteran as head of A&R at RCA Records UK, effective immediately. As his title confirms, Davies will be handling all things A&R for the label — scouting, signings, strategy, etc — and will report into co-presidents Glyn Aikins and Stacey Tang. He’s got over a decade of experience in the bank, most recently as senior director of A&R at Concord Music Publishing. Davies’ more notable signings in the line of duty include Krept & Konan, Imanbek, Flowdan and Tyla. “Harri embodies the globally-minded, creative spirit that has always been at the heart of RCA UK,” said Aikins and Tang. “His understanding of the music landscape and passion for nurturing artists will undoubtedly have a positive effect, steering our team and artists towards further global success.”

Monument Records promoted Casey Thomas to vp of marketing & commercial partnerships, with Ansley Neeley promoted to manager, marketing & creative. Boston native Thomas joined Monument from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2018, serving first as a manager of PR; she was elevated to publicist and later director of marketing, publicity and creative. Alabama native Neeley began her career at The Greenroom PR, before joining Monument in 2021 as the label’s promotion coordinator, before adding in marketing coordinator responsibilities in aiding the setup of all label releases, planning artist events and overseeing/developing the roster’s creative elements. Monument Records’ roster includes Walker Hayes, Tigirlily Gold and Shelby Lynne. –Jessica Nicholson

Bob Boilen.

Bob Boilen

Doby Photography/NPR

RADIO, RADIO: NPR legend Bob Boilen, creator of Tiny Desk Concerts and All Songs Considered, is the next program director at DC-area community station Takoma Radio (WOWD-LP). The station said Boilen will take over from Steve Hoffman, the PD since 2017, starting June 1. The native New Yorker departed NPR last October after a 35-year run, having left his mark as a digital pioneer as a long-time producer at NPR Music. “It’s a thrill to be a part of community radio with a spirit of commitment and imagination that this station and its volunteers offer,” said Boilen, who already hosts My Tiny Morning Show on the 8-year-old station … SiriusXM president and chief content officer Scott Greenstein signed a three-year extension of his employment agreement, stretching until May 24, 2027. The former movie executive (USA Films, Miramax) is celebrating 20 years at the satellite radio giant.

Secretly Distribution hired Rich Thane as the new associate director of artist and label strategy. Based in London and reporting to Josh Madell, director of artist and label strategy, Thane is tasked with growing Secretly’s client roster of indie labels and forming label services deals with management firms and estates, among other duties. Previously, Thane rose to senior director of global playlist strategy during an eight-year stretch at Warner Music, where he led teams across London, NYC and LA. Thane has also held a variety of positions at Eventim, Billetto and Amazon Music. “Rich’s passion for and knowledge of independent labels and artists is unparalleled, and he comes to Secretly Distribution with a wealth of close personal connections across the global music community,” said Madell. “Add to this his deep understanding of modern playlisting strategy, and it’s hard to imagine someone better suited to this role, as Secretly leans into our global growth.”

Nashville’s Big Loud Records is making some changes in its radio promotion department. Current vp of radio promotion Ali Matkosky will soon exit the company for a new role with Relative Music Group, while director of promotion Southeast Tyler Waugh will take over the role at the label, home of Morgan Wallen, HARDY and Dallas Smith. “Ali has been an integral part of this team and her contribution over the past six years has been nothing less than significant,” Big Loud Records svp of radio promotion Stacy Blythe said. “Tyler’s unwavering passion and dedication have propelled him to the role of vp of radio promotion, where his leadership will continue to inspire and drive success.”

Sony Music stalwart Pauline Duarte was named vp of Columbia Records France. She’ll oversee all operations at Columbia France in addition to her other gig leading Epic Records France. Duarte succeeds Laurent Chapeau, who joined Sony in 2008 in a business development capacity and has helmed Columbia’s French division since 2013. Duarte has been a member of the Sony fam for roughly 14 of the last 21 years, only taking a Def Jam detour in 2013 before joining Epic in 2020. As part of the reorganization, Franck Hiag has been named director of Epic Records France, reporting to Duarte. “The vision of Columbia that Laurent Chapeau has developed over the past decade is outstanding,” Duarte said. “I admire his work with iconic artists and his ability to spot young talents. I’m delighted to succeed him and to be able to help shape the future of the label while respecting its musical heritage.”

LiveCo, an independent concert promoter, hired live events veteran Chuck Steedman as its next president and CEO. Steedman takes over from co-founder Brian Becker, who has helmed LiveCo since it was formed two years ago by consolidating five indie promoters — BASE Entertainment, Premier Productions, Icon Concerts, Rush Concerts and Peachtree Entertainment — under one roof. Steedman arrives at LiveCo from private equity fund Raptor Sports Capital, where he was a principal, and previous roles include global evp of strategy and development at ASM Global and chief operating and development officer at AEG Facilities. LiveCo brands specialize in country, faith music, family shows and comedy, and have the backing of private equity fund Waterland. “LiveCo is a fantastic company made up of some of the most innovative and talented people and brands in live entertainment,” said Steedman. “I am humbled that Waterland and LiveCo leadership have chosen me to lead this incredible organization into a new era of providing experiences for fans, artists, and entertainers across our amazing platforms.”

ALL IN THE FAM: Penske Media Corporation launched PMC Brand Group (PMBG), an in-house agency dedicated to building licensing programs, partnerships and consumer products for PMC’s portfolio of brands including this one, plus The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Rolling Stone, SXSW, The Golden Globes, VIBE and quite a few more. The PMBG team will be led by Thomas Ferguson, vp of licensing, partnerships and consumer products, with assistance from Laura Ongaro, associate vp of licensing and partner management, and Noelle Hickey, who is promoted to associate director of marketing and partner management.

Allie Gruensfelder

Allie Gruensfelder joined marketing agency The Syndicate as director of publicity. In her new role, Gruensfelder will focus on overall press strategy and creating opportunities for national and local media coverage for clients. Prior to The Syndicate, she led campaigns for Hoobastank, The Maine and other acts as vp of Trendsetter Media & Marketing. Gruensfelder will report to Jeff Kilgour, svp of business development, and work from the firm’s office in Weehawken, NJ. “Allie is an exceptional talent and her experience, creativity, and passion will be invaluable to the company,” said Kilgour. “She always brings innovative ideas to her campaigns and we’re thrilled to have her fresh perspective strengthen the team.” Reach her at allie@thesyn.com.

Sea Gayle Music executives Chris DuBois and JD Groover have joined with Geoff Ogunlesi of The Ognlesi Group to form a new management company, 1221 Artist Management. Groover will take on the title of vp of management at 1221 while keeping his senior creative director/A&R role at Sea Gayle. DuBois, who is CEO of Sea Gayle, and Ogunlesi will oversee 1221 while continuing at their respective operations. The execs see only benefits to adding management services to their arsenal. “In today’s publishing world, having turnkey management services is a natural way to grow and support an artist’s career,” said DuBois. Ogunlesi, whose LA-based management company counts Young Thug and Reyna Roberts as clients, said he found the right partners. “As our company has thought about expanding into the country space and into Nashville, we wanted to do so with integrity as I have the utmost respect for the culture and the people involved,” he said.

NASHVILLE NOTES: The Country Music Association promoted Michelle Kirk to senior director of integrated marketing, and Mary Overend to senior director of marketing. Kirk previously re-joined the CMA in 2019 after time at WME. Overend joined the CMA in 2015 following time at Carters/OshKosh B’Gosh … Ashley Gorley’s publishing company Tape Room Music elevated Caroline Hodson to director of A&R. The native Mainer joined TRM as an intern in 2020, the year she graduated Magna Cum Laude from Belmont University. “Caroline has been a rockstar since day one and is immensely deserving of this promotion,” shares president Blain Rhodes. “She is an integral part of our team, and our writers are lucky to have her in their corner.”

Melissa Newhart, an executive in UTA‘s music brand partnerships division and a former vp at Roc Nation, joined the board of directors of WhyHunger. The non-profit, which advances initiatives aimed at ending world hunger, also appointed philanthropist Jimmy Zankel to the board.

Max Cutler, former head of talk creator content partnerships at Spotify, launched a new multi-media storytelling company called PAVE Studios. According to the announcement, PAVE Studio will work to build a “unique ecosystem of genre-specific brands” creating hyper-targeted content across audio, video, books, live experiences and more. “Storytellers who successfully engage audiences and create fandoms through written, audio, and video content have led the charge in cultivating their robust communities into diverse businesses,” Cutler said. “PAVE Studios will set the stage for a better way of producing, distributing and consuming the world’s greatest original content, all while empowering creators, simplifying content discovery, and fostering vibrant fan communities.”

ICYMI:

Cindy James

The Verve Label Group promoted Joseph Oerke to executive vice president of Decca Records U.S., tasked with leading it into a “new era as the leading classical record company in America” … One-time executive of the week Cindy James was promoted to general manager of Virgin Music Group‘s operations in North America … and Telemundo‘s got a new structure.
Last Week’s Turntable: BMI’s New Digits

19 Apr 2024

Latin Joint Albums From the Past Decade: J Balvin & Bad Bunny, Feid & Yandel and More

After releasing two previous collaborative efforts, Feid and Yandel made many fans very happy when they dropped a joint EP called MANIFESTING 20-05 earlier this month.

This wasn’t the first time two reggaetón giants joined forces for an entire set; in fact, one of the first artists to do so were J Balvin and Bad Bunny in 2019 with Oasis. The eight-song set includes bangers such as “Que Pretendes” and “La Canción.”

“Benito and I share an aesthetic and originality,” Balvin previously told Billboard. “When he appeared on the scene, he brought a fresh perspective. I felt like the only crazy one there! It’s very hard for a label to bring two artists together like this. It has to come from a place of respect.”

The album debuted at No. 1 on Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums in July 2019 (and led both charts for eight weeks).

Later, in 2021, good friends Ozuna and Anuel AA released Los Dioses, a 12-track album that flaunted their versatility, evolution, and bromance. The set also hit No. 1 on both the Top Latin Albums and Latin Rhythm Albums in February. “Right now, we’re making an album together but our relationship is not about an album,” Ozuna said to Billboard at the time. “This is a brotherhood, I’d say deeper than most anyone else in the genre has.”

But way before reggaetón acts got together to work on albums, there were Mexican rock divas Gloria Trevi and Alejandra Guzman. The dual powerhouses delivered Versus in 2017, in honor of their joint tour. The album was also a No. 1 hit, debuting atop Top Latin Albums and Latin Pop Albums in July 2017.

Below, check out other Latin acts who have released joint albums in the past decade:

19 Apr 2024

Taylor Swift’s ‘Tortured Poets Department’ Breaks a Major Spotify Record in Less Than 12 Hours

Another day, another record broken by Taylor Swift. In less than 12 hours, Swift’s new The Tortured Poets Department double album has become Spotify’s most streamed album in a single day in 2024 so far, Spotify confirms exclusively to Billboard.

The 31-track set snags the honor from the previous record-holder, Beyoncé’s Billboard 200-topping Cowboy Carter LP, which ultimately earned 300.41 million on-demand official streams in its first full week of release.

Spotify is still tracking for other potential records today that could be broken by Swift.

Trending on Billboard

The Tortured Poets Department serves as the pop superstar’s eleventh studio album; it’s also her first album of new music since 2022’s Grammy-winning Midnights. Swift’s new LP features collaborations with Florence + the Machine and Post Malone, as well as writing and production contributions from Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner. On Thursday (April 18), Swift revealed that the Post Malone-assisted “Fortnight” would serve as the set’s first single, with a music video to follow on Friday (April 19) at 8 p.m. ET.

On Thursday, the “Cruel Summer” singer also debuted a teaser of the “Fortnight” video, which features an appearance from Malone. “At this hearing, I stand before my fellow members of The Tortured Poets Department with a summary of my findings,” she wrote in the enigmatic caption of the grayscale clip.

Although Tortured Poets is Swift’s first album of new music since Midnights, she has steadily pumped out her re-recorded Taylor’s Version albums in the interim. In between the two aforementioned LPs, Swift topped the Billboard 200 with both Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) and 1989 (Taylor’s Version), the latter of which became the star’s record-extending sixth album to debut with over one million pure sales in its first week.

Swift announced The Tortured Poets Department at the 2024 Grammys in February, where she won album of the year for a record fourth time thanks to her Midnights album.

19 Apr 2024

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson & Chris Janson Talk ‘Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get’ Video: ‘You Bring Mountain Dew, I’ll Bring Tequila’

You don’t have to ask Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson twice if he wants a good time. 

When Chris Janson called the actor earlier this year to see if he’d appear in the country star’s music video for “Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get,” within an hour, Johnson had replied yes.

The result is a fun escapade as the two ride around a field and lounge in the back of a 1970 brown Ford Explorer in the clip, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. The mood matches the upbeat song’s good-timing lyrics: “When I get a truck, I just jack it up/ Find myself a mudhole, go and get it stuck/ Head to toe in camo, that’s just how it is/ But I ain’t tryna hide, what you see is what you get.”

“I love this song and love the idea behind it, which is just always remain who you are, anchor in and be your real self,” Johnson says, over Zoom. “I always like to say the most important thing we could be is ourselves, and that’s what Chris is. That’s one of the reasons why we bonded and we shot the video and it was awesome.”

The two met in 2022 when Janson was in California with his son and they spotted the wrestling and film superstar in a parking lot, while they were both waiting for their cars. “If it weren’t for my kid going, ‘Oh my gosh, The Rock is right in front of us! Daddy, please ask for a picture,’ this would have never maybe happened,” Janson says. “I’m a pretty shy guy. I’ve never once, I’m proud to say, asked for a photo, because I understand the extent of what it constitutes when you are in the public eye. But God works in mysterious ways.”

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Janson introduced himself, the two started talking about country music, and upon discovering their mutual love for Hank Williams Jr., they broke in to his 1980 hit “The Blues Man.” A friendship and a nickname were born: Janson is listed in Johnson’s phone as “Chris ‘The Blues Man’ Janson,” while, for discretion’s sake, Johnson is listed in Janson’s phone simply as “DJ.”

They shot Johnson’s portion of the video outside Dallas on March 8 because he was in town for the WWE Smackdown. They met at the Mesquite Arena, slapped a GoPro camera on the truck and had a video crew follow them, and within two hours they were done. “It was so, so unscripted,” Johnson says. “It was, ‘Hey, I got a truck. You bring your guitar. We got a cool location. You bring your Mountain Dew, I’ll bring the tequila, and let’s see what happens,’” he recalls. “I will say this in front of him: I had the greatest time making this video because as I was telling him afterwards, I gave him a big hug and I said, ‘Dude, I just don’t get moments like this where I could just hang out and be with a buddy and have some drinks and have fun,’ because we’re all so busy.”

The only bummer? They didn’t get to buy the vintage truck, which they both fell in love with. “And at the end of it, DJ goes, ‘We should try to buy this truck!’ And I said, ‘Yes, we should!,’” Janson says. “So we both kind of nice like [asked], ‘Hey, man, you want to sell the truck?’ He’s like, ‘No, I don’t think so.’ He was old-school Texas, which I can appreciate. I respect that.”

So the two friends shared some barbecue, Johnson left for his gig, and Janson left for his. They are still likely to burst into song. As Janson recounts the story, he starts singing George Strait’s “A Showman’s Life.” “That’s a great one,” says Johnson, nodding his head.

Johnson grew up on country music, and by the time he was 15, he had moved from Hawaii to Nashville. As he explains, his career path could have gone very differently. “We were evicted out of Hawaii, couldn’t pay the rent, sent to Nashville,” Johnson says. “I moved in with a buddy of mine, a family friend in a motel. That’s when we started going down, hanging out on [Broadway]. A couple of days later, I was in Piggly Wiggly, singing a Hank song. A woman [who was shopping] came around and she kind of looked at me. I thought I’d done something wrong. She goes, ‘Do you sing?’ I’m 15 and I went, ‘No, I just love to sing. I love country.’ She goes, ‘You should go down to [Broadway]. That’s where all the singers are.’”

Prompted by her words, Johnson started hanging out on Broadway, “trying to get a gig at these honky-tonks because I had this dream in my head — or a delusion— that I was going to be a country music star.” He recounts the story on his Instagram.

As for whether Johnson, who has shown off his singing chops in movies like Moana, is jumping into the country waters like so many other celebrities and making a country album, he says, “We have to work on it. Maybe this year, we’ll see.” But first he plans to take Janson up on his invitation to join him on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Janson joined the esteemed Opry last year and has played it more than 200 times. Or they could hop on stage at Broadway’s legendary Tootsie’s, where Janson was singing while living out of his car while he was still a teenager. “I was living in the backseat of my car on purpose,” he says. “I didn’t have enough money to have a hotel or anything, which was fine. I felt like I had made it.”

“We’ll do it together [at Tootsie’s],” Janson says. “It will be the first time together that we’ve been back in there. That’s the wildest thing. If you think about it, I don’t know one other person who has the same exact story as mine and that’s how we bonded in the parking lot over taking a picture. He tried to do it there and I tried to it there and they gave me a gig there. I was a tip jar guy.”

Johnson picks up on his friend’s story, recounting how Janson auditioned at Tootie’s at 10 a.m. and got the gig, but that his try-out didn’t go so well. “What’s full circle for me is I went in [to Tootsie’s], it was in the afternoon, I was told ‘No, you can’t. Get out.’ Eight years later, I returned back to Nashville to the fairgrounds where I was a pro wrestler making 40 bucks a match.”

Though the two friends haven’t tried writing songs together, Johnson says he would love to, and Janson is eager to give it a try, too. “He’s one of the most talented guys I know, on and off stage, and I would absolutely be honored to write a song with him,” Janson says. “We’re all about what happens naturally so the answer I would give, and I’m sure he would agree, is that if it happens naturally, great. And if it doesn’t, that’s okay, too. We’re still friends.” As if on cue, prompted by Janson stressing doing what happens naturally, Johnson bursts into the Buck Owens and the Buckaroos’ 1963 hit, “Act Naturally,” grinning as he sings, “They’re gonna put me in the movies.”

19 Apr 2024

Authorities Looking For Kanye West After He Allegedly 2-Pieced Man Who Assaulted His Wife

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Looks like Kanye West has once again found himself in some legal hot water due to his temper, but if his account is to be trusted, he might’ve been in the right for once as he’s being accused of putting hands on another man (no Diddy).

According to TMZ, authorities are searching for the Donda rapper after a man claims Kanye West assaulted him Tuesday night (April 16). Interestingly enough, the man who says Yeezy punched him apparently brought it on himself as Ye’s camp alleges that the man in question “grabbed” and “assaulted Kanye’s wife, Bianca Censori. That action caused Kanye to react as any husband would and put some paws on the alleged assailant.

TMZ reports:

They add, “The assailant didn’t merely collide into her. He put his hands under her dress, directly on her body, he grabbed her waist, he spun her around, and then he blew her kisses. She was battered and sexually assaulted.”

We’re told Kanye and Bianca took off after the alleged altercation … and, the alleged victim did not require treatment for injuries.

We’re told police plan on reaching out to Kanye for his side of the story, and will also speak to witnesses.

If this actually turns out to be true, we can’t blame Kanye for reacting the way he did. Most men would try to knock out any other man who’d violate their wife in such a manner. At the same time, Kanye has been putting hands on people over the past few years for the smallest of reasons, so you never know with this man.

That being said, we wouldn’t be surprised if the man in question saw an opportunity for a quick payday and tried to push Kanye’s buttons to “earn” himself a quick come-up. Just sayin’.

What do y’all think of Kanye’s latest situation? Justified or nah? Let us know in the comments section below.