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21 Jun 2023

EXO’s Chen, Baekhyun & Xiumin Resolve Contract Dispute With SM Entertainment: Report

After three members of EXO took legal action against Korean record label and management agency SM Entertainment over what a law firm initially deemed as “slave contracts,” both sides have resolved their differences.

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Korean media reports that EXO’s Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin have decided to maintain their exclusive contract with SM Entertainment and continue together in their K-pop careers.

At the top of the month, the World Albums chart–topping trio (who also perform as EXO-CBX) hired Lin Law Firm to represent what the K-pop stars deemed a lack of payment transparency and unreasonably long contracts requirements. SM responded in statements to Korean media that refuted any contract issues and claimed new agencies were luring the stars into signing secondary contracts. SM later apologized for the secondary contract claim sharing that it came from incorrect information via a joint statement with the EXO members.

“This company and the three artists resolved their differences caused by misunderstandings and reached a mutual agreement based on smooth communication,” SM Entertainment, Chen, Baekhyun and Xiumin shared in a joint statement, according to Yonhap News. “Both parties have decided to continue pursuing EXO’s activities more actively and consistently while acknowledging and maintaining the contracts.”

Yonhap News notes that the statement cited that parts of EXO-CBX’s contracts were modified to better align with one another’s positions, but did not share specific agreement details.

Throughout the dispute, Lin Law Firm sent several press releases to Korean and international media, including Billboard, with updates and reactions to the developing situation. SM Entertainment did not share statements despite Billboard‘s multiple requests for comment.

Looking ahead, EXO will release EXIST, the group’s seventh full-length album, on July 10, which the group announced earlier this month. Despite the ongoing dispute, EXO still released the first taste of the LP via buzz single “Let Me In” on June 12, with eight of EXO’s nine members appearing in the music video.

21 Jun 2023

Killer Mike Says Andre 3000’s Long-Awaited Debut Album Is on the Way

After delivering a rousing feature on Killer Mike’s “Scientists & Engineers,” Andre 3000 might have more verses under the tuck. In a Tuesday (June 20) interview with Sway in the Morning, Killer Mike revealed that the Outkast lyricist doesn’t only have more music on the way, but also a new album that might be coming soon. 

During their discussion in light of Mike’s new album, Michael, Sway mentioned Andre having a new album on the way, with the Run The Jewels rhymer seemingly agreeing with him. “Yeah. I think we fly out in a couple weeks to go listen to it,” he revealed. The conversation continued with Sway saying that Mike had already heard nine songs and that there were more records in the stash.

In a previous interview with The Breakfast Club, co-host Charlamagne Tha God noted that Mike played him an unreleased song featuring Three Stacks and dubbed it “one of the greatest hip-hop records” he had heard. Mike doubled down Charlamagne’s claims and said: “There is another Killer Mike and Dre feature and all we gotta do is make this album go No. 1 and make the guys from the label really, really happy and I’ll be back next year. It’s about 12 minutes — seven and five. Stacks rap longer. When you handsome all the girls like you, you get to rap longer.”

If 3000’s album comes to light, it will serve as his debut effort as a solo artist. Along with “Scientists & Engineers,” 3000’s last sighting was from Kanye West’s 2021 Donda loosie “Life of the Party,” where the rap luminaries teamed up for the seven-minute gem. 

Last Friday (June 16), Killer Mike released Michael with a laundry list of features, including Future, Andre 3000, 2 Chainz, Ty Dolla $ign, Blxst, Curren$y, and more. The 14-track offering touches on Mike’s childhood, especially his relationship with his mother. 

“I miss my mama. I miss her so much,” Mike told Billboard last week. “I wish I could call her and tell her how much people love this record. I wish I could tell her having me listen to Curtis Mayfield influenced the first song on this record and the vibe of this record. I wish I could tell her how much her encouragement means to me. And I said all of this while she was alive. I told her she was dope. I told her, ‘Aw Ma, I love listening to Curtis Mayfield, The Isleys and Willie Nelson with you,’ but I didn’t understand how to let her know until she was gone the deep reverence I have for her. I revere her and I wish I had the opportunity to share that with her. She’s the only human being I hold that kind of reverence for. And that’s how that song makes me feel every time I hear it.”

Listen to Mike’s interview with Sway in the video above.

21 Jun 2023

Recording Academy Invites More Than 2,800 New Voting Members

The Recording Academy sent invitations to more than 2,800 new voting members on Wednesday (June 21). That’s more than the 2,000 invitations to new voting members it sent out last year. Of those, nearly 1,300 invitees accepted, according to the Academy. This is having a major impact on the composition of the Academy, which has more than 11,000 total voting members.

To participate in the entire 66th Annual Grammy Awards process, invitees must accept their invitations by July 14.

In addition, the Academy sent invitations to more than 850 professional (non-voting) members today. This is also more than last year, when it sent invitations to more than 600 professional members, of whom more than 500 accepted, according to the Academy.

The Academy currently has more than 2,700 professional members.

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. today sent an email to all members of the Academy saying: “Members are the foundation of the Recording Academy. And today, we’re privileged to extend invitations to a remarkable group of close to 3,700 creators and professionals spanning various genres, crafts, backgrounds, and regions to join our mission to cultivate a more enriching world for creators.”

Today at 11 a.m. PT, the Academy is hosting an Instagram Live with selected members of this year’s new class. They include Tony winner and Grammy nominee Myles Frost (MJ: The Musical), Emmy nominee Chrissy Metz (This Is Us) and rapper Rap-Unzel, who got her big break in 2017 when she competed on Jermaine Dupri’s reality TV series The Rap Game. The session will be moderated by Ashley Thomas, the Academy’s senior director of member outreach & systems.

In a recent video which was posted in the Academy’s site, Mason shed light on the fairly recent practice of actively reaching out to prospective new members rather than waiting for them to approach the Academy, which was the way it used to work.

“As of three years ago, we started going out into genres, into communities and saying ‘We need more banjo players, we need more rap artists, we need more women, we need more people of this genre’ and we started inviting people in. That’s how we started to change our membership. We’ve still got a long way to go. That’s how we’re going to get better results.”

The Academy will release data about the demographic breakdown of this year’s class of new inductees after the enrollment period ends on July 14.

21 Jun 2023

Talent Agency APA and Touring Firm AGI Merge, Rebrand as Independent Artist Group

Two major forces in talent representation are coming together via the merger of Agency For the Performing Arts (APA) and Artist Group International (AGI).

Announced today (June 21), this partnership launches the newly formed Independent Artist Group (IAG). The company will have offices in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and Atlanta.

Current APA president Jim Osborne will lead IAG as CEO. Dennis Arfa, founder and CEO of AGI, will serve as chairman of IAG’s music division. AGI president Marsh Vlasic will serve as vice-chair of this music division, with Vlasic, Arfa, AGI COO Jarred Arfa, AGI president of touring Adam Kornfeld and the rest of the company’s senior agents and staff all joining IAG. As reported by Digital Music News, APA recently let go of several of its music agents.

The creation of IAG follows an agreement between APA and Yucaipa Entertainment LLC, a private investment firm owned by Ron Burkle that, as DMN reports, acquired AGI in January 2012 and made a major non-equity investment into APA in September 2012.

Arfa founded touring agency AGI 35 years ago. The company delivers IAG a client roster that includes Billy Joel, Metallica, Def Leppard, Rod Stewart, Motley Crue, Linkin Park, Jane’s Addiction, Darryl Hall & John Oates, Norah Jones, Neil Young, The Strokes, Smashing Pumpkins, Ghost, Elvis Costello, Cage The Elephant and Five Finger Death Punch.

APA touring music clients coming to IAG include 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Ms. Lauryn Hill, 2 Chainz, NE-YO, Key Glock, $not, Kamasi Washington, D’Angelo, blackbear, JAX, Cypress Hill, Bryce Vine, Jon Bellion and Robert Glasper.

The merger follows recent AGI and APA collaborations involving AGI clients Billy Joel, Daryl Hall, Perry Farrell, GHOST and Billy Corgan.

“Dennis Arfa and his exceptional colleagues at AGI are revered in the industry, having built a spectacular artist roster and a sterling reputation,” Osborne says in a statement. “The great news is we have already established a tremendous working relationship with them through shared representation on some of their most valued artists. This new partnership with AGI and our rebrand to Independent Artist Group (IAG)is another major step that elevates us within the agency landscape…and we are not done yet!”

“This was the natural next step in our evolution and made in the best interests of our valued artists,” adds Arfa. “We have admired how Jim Osborne and their colleagues have been market leaders in creating brand expanding, non-touring revenue opportunities for their clients and we are excited to build on that success with them and look forward to integrating under the Independent Artist Group (IAG) banner.”

21 Jun 2023

Bad Bunny Confirms Travis Scott Collaboration: ‘We Worked on That a While Back’

After dominating the past year with his blockbuster Un Verano Sin Ti album and a handful of subsequent singles and collaborations, Bad Bunny is already shifting his attention to new music. In an interview with Rolling Stone, published on Wednesday (June 21), the Grammy-winning reggaeton phenomenon revealed that a collaboration with Travis Scott is on the way.

“We worked on that a while back — and I think Travis has been working on his project for a minute,” remarked the “Me Porto Bonito” singer. “I don’t know if maybe I’ll release a song [this year] if I like it enough, but I don’t think so. I said this year was for resting.”

The song would mark the first collaboration between the two artists. Last month (May 29), a video surfaced of an alleged snippet of a song users attributed to Bad Bunny and Travis Scott. The very same day, BNYX, the producer behind Drake’s Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit “Search & Resue,” quoted the tweet and played into the speculation with a couple of peeking emojis.

Regardless of when the song arrives, the collaboration is almost certain to be a massive success. Bunny’s 2022 release, Un Verano Sin Ti, spent a whopping 13 weeks atop the Billboard 200 and spawned four Hot 100 top ten hits: “Moscow Mule” (No. 4), “Tití Me Preguntó” (No. 5), “Después de la Playa” (No. 6) and the Chencho Corleone-assisted “Me Porto Bonito” (No. 6). Just last month, Bad Bunny earned his milestone tenth career Hot 100 top ten with the No. 8-peaking “Where She Goes.”

Scott’s upcoming Utopia album is set to follow up Astroworld, his third studio album which spent three weeks at the summit of the Billboard 200 and launched the Diamond-certified Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Sicko Mode.”

21 Jun 2023

Elton John and His Band Receive Billboard Awards For Making Touring History

It’s a gloriously sunny afternoon in June, and Elton John, sharply dressed in a salmon-pink pinstripe suit bedazzled with his name, is hobnobbing with his longtime band, his crew and his tour promoters in the garden of his elegant, expansive estate in Windsor, just 15 shows away from the end of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour that began five years ago.

But this isn’t just another pre-show soiree: it’s a special gathering organized by AEG’s chairman/CEO Jay Marciano to celebrate some historic chart milestones that Elton and his band have recently set.

The first is that the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour has grossed more than $887 million and sold 5.7 million tickets, with over 300 shows in 20 countries, becoming the top-grossing tour of all time, according to Billboard Boxscore.

The second is that Elton John has become the highest-grossing solo artist and top ticket-selling solo artist ever, grossing nearly $2 billion and selling over 20 million tickets since Billboard Boxscore started tracking data 40 years ago.

“When I started out, I just wanted to play music…I didn’t set out to have the highest-grossing tour of all time,” John told the crowd as he accepted the two awards from Billboard’s editorial director, Hannah Karp, and Billboard’s evp of charts and data partnerships, Silvio Pietroluongo. “Ed Sheeran will be very upset,” the Rocketman added drily, tipping to the fact that his tour surpassed the previous Billboard Boxscore record set by his pal and mentee’s Divide Tour.

John’s generosity extends well beyond inviting everyone to a garden gathering at his home with husband and manager David Furnish. He lauds the many behind-the-scenes players who made the record-setting trek possible, from Marciano to tour director Keith Bradley to longtime agent Howard Rose. And he insists on a standing ovation for head chef Tony Liddell, declaring that the “food on this tour has been the best food ever” in his half century-plus of globetrotting. The audience, which includes tattooed guitar techs, chic designers and some neatly dressed business folk, seems to heartily agree, at least judging by the thunderous clapping.

And, of course, his band – Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, Matt Bissonette, John Mahon, Kim Bullard and Ray Cooper – get their fair share of props, in addition to receiving their own sleek, individualized awards for being part of the top-grossing tour in Billboard Boxscore history. His longtime lyricist, Bernie Taupin, is also given an award for his contributions to John’s achievements.

“It’s quite a wonderful thing to see people rewarded and to see the band get the plaques as well. I couldn’t have done it without the band. They so deserve this,” John says. “I have the best crew and the best band in the world – and that means you, Bruce Springsteen,” he adds with a wink.

Silvio Pietroluongo, Elton John and Hannah Karp

Silvio Pietroluongo, Elton John and Hannah Karp

Ben Gibson

The rock icon also had kind words for Billboard, of which he’s remained an avid reader for decades. “Billboard, you know you’re my bible,” he says to Karp and Pietroluongo, also hailing Billboard’s executive editor Melinda Newman – whom he’s been interviewed by numerous times over the years – as a “great person.”

When Sir Elton takes his seat, Marciano assumes the role of emcee with relish (earlier in the show, he quipped, “you never give the concert promoter the mic – now it’s too late”). Marciano surprises John with a lush commemorative tour book that everyone who worked on the trek will receive (“no eBay!” John jokes to his band and crew) before Marciano announces, “And there’s more.” Sir Elton cuts in: “Are you gonna tell them I’m gay now? Sh-t.”

After hailing Furnish as the man with the “master plan of the tour” who overdelivered on his commitments (“I wish there were more like you”), Marciano announces he’s holding a $1 million check for the Elton John AIDS Foundation from Phil Anschutz, Jay Marciano and AEG Presents.

Elton John

Ben Gibson

Following that, prizes are doled out – because what is a garden party if there aren’t prizes? And these ones were worth their weight in gold, quite literally. In the vein of the famed yellow brick road, gold bricks — custom designed by Dominic Jones, whose jewelry has been worn by everyone from Amy Winehouse to Beyoncé — were handed out as trivia rewards (each one was made of sustainable gold and minted by the Royal Mint). Earlier in the afternoon, while noshing and mingling, crew members were invited to answer a variety of EJ-related questions on digital kiosks. “How many shows has Elton John played in London over the years?”; “How many notes does Elton play on the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour?”; “What does the DC stand for in DC Parmet?” [Parmet is John’s longtime tour manager]. The answers: 177, 82,500 and… well, perhaps it stands for “Deeply Confidential.” While someone got a prize for the most creative answer, Parmet teased that maybe, just maybe, the truth of that mystery will be unveiled on July 8, when the Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour rolls into Sweden for its final show.

“Most remarkable of all to us at Billboard, even as [Elton John] moves such massive, record-setting audiences from the stage, is the support and mentorship and love that he’s given so many people in his life on the most personal of levels,” said Billboard’s Karp. “Billboard doesn’t have a chart to track such data, yet. But if we did, we’re pretty certain he’d be at the top of that one, too.”

21 Jun 2023

Avril Lavigne & Yungblud Let It All Hang Out Singing a Shania Twain Classic for ‘Carpool Karaoke’ Series

Avril Lavigne and Yungblud have the prerogative to have a little fun in a new episode of Carpool Karaoke: The Series on Apple TV+, and Billboard has an exclusive first look.

The pop-punk rockers take on Shania Twain’s 1999 hit “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” while in a black SUV, with the “Girlfriend” singer behind the wheel. The clip starts with the two easing into the beginning of the song, but as it progresses, the English artist gets more and more animated, dancing and singing enthusiastically in the front passenger seat.

By the time the chorus hits, the two are completely invested, with Lavigne singing at the top of her lungs to Yungblud, and the “I Think I’m OK” rocker at one point putting on his companion’s red heart-shaped sunglasses. “Oh oh oh!/ Get in the action/ Feel the attraction/ Color my hair, do what I dare,” they belt out as Lavigne flips her hair. “Oh oh oh!/ I wanna be free/ To feel the way I feel/ Man! I feel like a woman!”

Twain’s hit song peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1999, and spent a total of 28 weeks on the all-genre tally. It has since gone on to be named No. 1 on Billboard‘s Greatest Karaoke Song of All Time list. “I think @billboard just crowned me the Queen of Karaoke?!” the singer tweeted in response after the list was revealed in October 2022. “Seriously though, it’s really really cool to see the life that ‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman!’ has taken on and I’m just obsessed with you all…”

Duetting on “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” isn’t Lavigne and Yungblud’s first collab. Lavigne released “I’m a Mess” featuring the English artist in November. The song was written by the two, along with Travis Barker and John Feldmann.

The new episodes of Carpool Karaoke: The Series premiere Friday, June 23, on Apple TV+. This latest batch will also feature performances by Alanis Morissette with Cara Delevingne, Glee stars Lea Michele and Darren Criss, the cast of Girls5eva, the cast of Ghosts and more.

Watch Billboard‘s exclusive clip above, and check out the trailer for the new episodes below:

21 Jun 2023

Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma’s ‘La Bebe’ Rules Latin Rhythm Airplay Chart

Yng Lvcas and Peso Pluma achieve their first No. 1 on Billboard’s Latin Rhythm Airplay chart as “La Bebe” advances from No. 2 to lead the list dated June 24. It’s the first team-up where both artists secure their first champ in 2023, and the first since Bizarrap and Quevedo led with “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 52” in 2022.

“La Bebe” takes the lead with 9.4 million audience impressions, a 19% gain from the week prior, earned in the U.S. during the June 9-15 tracking period, according to Luminate.

The new champ on Latin Rhythm Airplay arrives after “La Bebe” topped Latin Digital Song Sales for one week on the April 15-dated ranking. Plus, the song previously reached a No. 2 high on the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts, on Hot Latin Songs, and on Latin Streaming Songs.

As mentioned, as “La Bebe” becomes the reigning champ on Latin Rhythm Airplay, it earns both Lvcas and Pluma their first No. 1, who also secured their maiden entry when the song debuted in the upper half of the ranking (at No. 14) in April.

Previously, both Bizarrap and Quevedo completed the feat when “Vol. 52” crowned Latin Rhythm Airplay for eight weeks starting the Oct. 29, 2022-dated survey.

Further, Yng Lvcas and Pluma are only the third and fourth acts to capture a first leader on the chart in 2023, following Maldy and Baby Rasta’s prior victories through “Gatubela” with Karol G, and “Punto 40” with Rauw Alejandro on the Jan. 7 and Jan. 28-dated lists, respectively.

Elsewhere, “La Bebe” pushes up the overall Latin Airplay tally, to its No. 3 high.

21 Jun 2023

Taylor Swift & Megan Thee Stallion Help Announce U.S. FIFA Women’s World Cup Roster: Watch

The new season of Ted Lasso might have come to a close, but soccer in the real world is just starting to heat up — especially on the women’s side. On Wednesday (June 21), a slew of celebrities ranging from Taylor Swift to Tim Howard joined forces to introduce the official USWNT FIFA Women’s World Cup roster.

Led by President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden, the announcement video featured appearances by global pop sensation Swift, Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion, basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal, Emmy-nominated Across the Spider-Verse actress Issa Rae, Tony Award-nominated playwright Tina Fey and Emmy-winning Law & Order: Special Victims Unit star Mariska Hargitay. Other notable appearances included Lil Wayne, Gabrielle Union, Blake Lively, John Cena, Sophia Bush and Quinta Brunson.

In her segment, Swift said, “Hey guys, it’s Taylor! I have been tasked with the incredible responsibility of announcing to you another teammate on the U.S. Women’s World Cup roster. It is my honor to announce to you No. 13, Alex Morgan!” Dedicated Swifties will notice that the “Cruel Summer” singer announced the player who will be wearing her favorite number. “I’m such a fan of the whole team, and I can’t wait to watch you guys play this year,” Swift concluded.

Megan Thee Stallion had the honor of announcing Megan Rapinoe, whom she affectionately nicknamed “The Legend.” “She has shined for years with the women’s soccer team, and she’s going to continue to do so at this year’s World Cup. Congratulations, girl, and bring home another title!” the “Savage” rapper remarked.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to take place from June 20, 2023, to Aug. 20, 2023, in Australia and New Zealand.

Watch the full announcement above.

21 Jun 2023

Machine Gun Kelly Got a New Tattoo From His Teenage Daughter at Hellfest

Machine Gun Kelly went to Hellfest with his teenage daughter last week and all he got was some fresh ink. The “Emo Girl” rap rocker posted a series of pictures from his slot at the festival in Clisson, France on Tuesday (June 20), beginning with one of 13-year-old Casie Colson Baker wielding a tattoo gun and black surgical gloves as she added to her dad’s formidable collection of tats with a new image on the inside of his right wrist.

While both are smiling in the snap — in which Colson is taking a pic of Casie’s design on his phone for posterity — the series of images do not reveal the teen’s handiwork. Instead they focus on his performance, with one picture from behind capturing his punky spiked hair and the others highlighting the rest of his unique stage attire, including long black shorts embedded with silver rings, a knee-length sleeveless leather duster and body paint on his chest that features the word “war” scrawled across his bellybutton with a white line through it.

“My daughter said summer vacation, we ended up at hellfest,” he captioned the series, which also included images of him standing shirtless on the ledge of his hotel, a snap of father and daughter looking super high-fashion in a Dolce & Gabbana shoot and another cute one in which the rapper holds her hand as he takes a nap in the back seat of a car.

MGK shares Casie with his ex, Emma Cannon; the teen contributed some spoken word bits to dad’s 2022 Mainstream Sellout album alongside Kelly’s pal Pete Davidson on the L.A.-dissing interlude “Wall of Fame.”

It seemed like a pretty epic weekend over all given that it also included Colson teaming up with his heavy metal heroes Mötley Crüe at Hellfest for a live rendition of “The Dirt (Est. 1981),” their 2019 collaboration for the soundtrack to the film adaptation of the band’s biography of the same name.

Check out MGK’s post below.