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15 Nov 2022

Tyler Hubbard Hits Historic Heights on Country Airplay Chart With ‘5 Foot 9’

Tyler Hubbard scores his first leader as a solo act on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart as “5 Foot 9” ascends to No. 1 on the survey dated Nov. 19. The song increased by 5% to 31.5 million audience impressions in the Nov. 7-13 tracking week, according to Luminate.

Hubbard is half of duo Florida Georgia Line, with Brian Kelley, who is also working solo after pausing their joint career. The twosome has achieved 16 Country Airplay No. 1s, among 19 top 10s. With “5 Foot 9,” Hubbard makes history as the first artist to have topped the chart both with a duo/group and as a soloist, dating to the list’s January 1990 inception.

“To have my solo single go No. 1 is really special and I’m thankful to country radio, the fans and everyone who has supported me and made this possible,” Hubbard tells Billboard.

FGL’s run started in 2012 with its launch smash “Cruise,” which led Country Airplay for three weeks starting that December. (On the streaming-, airplay- and sales-based Hot Country Songs chart, “Cruise,” helped by a pop remix with Nelly, dominated for 24 weeks in 2012-13 and is tied for the fourth-longest reign in the chart’s history.) The tandem most recently ruled Country Airplay as featured on Chase Rice’s “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen.” for a week in August 2021. Before that, the duo’s “Long Live” led for a week that April.

“5 Foot 9” is Hubbard’s second Country Airplay entry apart from Kelley. “Undivided,” with Tim McGraw, reached No. 16 in May 2021.

Hubbard is the second artist to reach the Country Airplay summit after building a chart résumé as part of a hitmaking country duo. Wynonna Judd rattled off three straight initial leaders as a solo act in 1992: “She Is His Only Need,” “I Saw the Light” and “No One Else on Earth.” She and her mother Naomi Judd, as The Judds, rang up 14 No. 1s on Hot Country Songs in 1984-89 (which was then primarily based on radio airplay).

Also of note, Darius Rucker blasted out of the gate as a solo country act with three consecutive Country Airplay leaders in 2008-09 (not counting holiday tracks): “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” “It Won’t Be Like This for Long” and “Alright.” Hootie & The Blowfish, with Rucker as frontman, achieved six top 10s, including three top 10s, on the all-genre, multi-metric Billboard Hot 100 – and crowned multiple pop, adult and rock airplay charts – in 1994-96. The rock-based band has logged one Country Airplay entry: “Hold On” (No. 30, October 2019).

Hubbard co-penned “5 Foot 9” with Jaren Johnston (of The Cadillac Three) and Chase McGill, and co-produced it with Jordan Schmidt.

Hubbard will release his self-titled debut solo album Jan. 27. The Georgia-raised singer-songwriter co-wrote each of the LP’s 18 tracks. He released the six-song EP Dancin’ in the Country, which arrived at No. 12 on the Top Country Albums chart dated Sept. 3. On the Nov. 19-dated survey, it ranks at No. 41 with 5,000 equivalent album units earned in the Nov. 4-10 tracking week.

‘Down Home’ Is Up

Jimmie Allen notches his fourth Country Airplay top 10 as “Down Home” climbs 11-10 (17.3 million, up 3%).

Allen co-wrote the song with Rian Ball, Cameron Bedell and Tate Howell. It’s the lead single from Allen’s full-length Tulip Drive, released in June.

“Down Home” follows Allen’s team-up with Brad Paisley, “Freedom Was a Highway,” which topped Country Airplay for a week in February, granting Allen his third leader (and Paisley his 20th). Allen’s first entry, “Best Shot,” started a three-week rule in November 2018 and “Make Me Want To” led for a week in March 2020. Additionally, Allen’s duet with Noah Cyrus, “This Is Us,” reached No. 48 in October 2020.

15 Nov 2022

Paul McCartney, Elton John, Ringo Starr, George Lucas Sing Praises of Abbey Road Studios in Doc Trailer

It’s hard to imagine a more apt title for a film about one of the most beloved recording studios of all time: If These Walls Could Sing. The first trailer for director Mary McCartney’s upcoming documentary about Abbey Road Studios dropped on Monday (Nov. 14) and it is packed with fond remembrances from rock all-stars, including her dad, Sir Paul McCartney, as his former bandmate, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Noel Gallagher, Nile Rodgers and Star Wars creator George Lucas, among others.

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“When you enter a place with so much history around it, it’s kind of sacred in a way,” John says at the top of the two-minute trailer. “People want to come here. They want the sound of Abbey Road.” The Disney+ doc will drop on Dec. 16, in time to commemorate the studio’s 90th anniversary. In the preview, Mary McCartney says Abbey Road has been part of her life “for as long as I can remember,” as attested to by snaps of a baby Mary — now 53 — laying on the studio floor on a blanket.

There is, of course, ample footage of Sir Paul attesting to the special alchemy of those rooms in St. John’s Wood, including him popping up to play a beloved piano just over his shoulder as Mary ticks off the many genres of music that have been laid down in those four walls, from classical to pop, Afrobeat, blues and more.

Former Oasis guitarist/co-vocalist Noel Gallagher notes that “a huge part” of his record collection was recorded at Abbey Road before Lucas and composer John Williams speak of the studio as a “gift to music,” which explains why they recorded some of the most iconic Star Wars music at the London landmark during a time when it was struggling to attract patrons.

Mary McCartney spoke to Rolling Stone about the film, telling the mag, “Hearing it was the anniversary of Abbey Road Studios brought back so many memories to me. I have grown up visiting Abbey Road, it feels like family to me. In directing this feature-length documentary, it felt natural to explore the wealth of stories, and unearth so many unheard gems that I had not known about.” The film will also feature interviews with Oasis singer Liam Gallagher, Williams, Celeste and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, among others.

Watch the If These Walls Could Sing trailer below.

15 Nov 2022

Post Malone and Swae Lee Celebrate ‘Sunflower’ 17x RIAA Certification

Post Malone and Swae Lee celebrated a major milestone this week when their smash Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse single “Sunflower” became the highest-certified single in RIAA history. The pair took a photo op with their gaudy hardware on Monday (Nov. 14), showing off their 17x-platinum award, posing alongside co-producer Louis Bell and co-writer Billy Walsh.

The 2018 single leapt into first place over the previous record holder, Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road,” which previously held the record at 15x platinum. In addition to appearing on the Spiderverse soundtrack, the song was also on Posty’s third album, Hollywood’s Bleeding. It was a big haul for Posty on Monday, when he also picked up 14 other pieces of RIAA hardware, including a 14x-platinum plaque for “Congratulations” and a 10x-platinum one for “Psycho,” while his debut single, “White Iverson,” hit 10x-platinum as well.

TMZ reported that Rae Sremmurd’s Swae Lee was feeling the love from fans, who he thanked for their continued support. “You guys made history with us!” he said. “And to post and [Spiderverse character] Miles Morales, glad the music could get the attention and love it deserves. So much more to come! SREMMLIFE!”

The site also reported that Malone gave huge kudos to Swae Lee for being the “secret sauce” behind the moving hip-hop ballad, saying that his rhyme partner was very involved in the arranging of the melodies and did the “heavy lifting” on the song. The “Sunflower” video has racked up nearly 2 billion views to date.

Malone is getting ready to wrap the North American leg of his Twelve Carat Tour, with a pair of shows at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Tuesday and Wednesday (Nov. 16) nights.

See the pair with their plaque below.

15 Nov 2022

Parijita Bastola Earns Standing Ovation With Lady Gaga Cover on ‘The Voice’

When Parijita Bastola stepped onto the stage Monday night (Nov. 14) for NBC’s The Voice, the teenage hopeful leaned on Mother Monster.

For her appearance in the Top 16 Live Playoffs, the Severna Park, MD native went with Lady Gaga’s “I’ll Never Love Again,” a number many observers will see as a sign.

“I’ll Never Love Again” is, of course, a Grammy Award winner and the emotional cannonball that appears in the finale of A Star Is Born.

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The aspiring Nepalese-American singer is just 17, but she delivered “I’ll Never Love Again” with all the power and emotion of a love-weary veteran.

The Team Legend contestant had all four coaches on their feet, and no doubt made new fans across the country.

“That was so emotionally beautiful and honest and it just pulled at everyone’s heartstrings,” Legend later enthused. “You set a spell on all of us and it was magical.”

Camila Cabello said what the rest of us were thinking. “You draw from such a well of emotion and you’re only 17,” she gushed. The performance was “masterful.”

Legend will be thankful for his quick thinking. Earlier in the competition, for her blind audition, she sang “Jealous” by Labrinth. Legend turned first and fast. Indeed, all four judges spun, but it was Legend who got the pick.

Before Bastola made her selection, she brought out presents for all of them: Rudraksha beads from Nepal, which she places around each of the panelists’ necks.

Then, in the Knockout Round, she knocked everyone out with her rendition of Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind.”

Going by the chatter online, Bastola could go far in this 22nds season of The Voice.

15 Nov 2022

Lewis Capaldi’s ‘Someone You Loved’ Is U.K. Most-Streamed Song

The Official U.K. Singles Chart celebrates its 70th birthday, and Lewis Capaldi gets to blow out the candles.

For the occasion of its milestone anniversary, the Official Charts Company crunched the numbers to find the most-streamed song of them all.

Capaldi’s “Someone You Loved” wins the prize. The Scottish singer and songwriter’s breakthrough hit from 2018 has accumulated 562 million U.K. streams (including 480 million audio and 81 million video streams), beating Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” and “Perfect,” respectively.

“Someone You Loved” is a classic slow-burn. The track bowed at No. 100 on the weekly chart following its release in November 2018, then embarked on its remarkable journey. In March 2019, the song hit No. 1, and stayed there for a total of seven weeks.

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For the record, Capaldi received a special-edition matte black No. 1 Award gift from the OCC, which he can stow with his separate trophies for topping the weekly Official U.K. Singles Chart with “Somebody,” “Before You Go” and “Forget Me,” and with his debut album Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent, which led the Official U.K. Albums Chart for 10 cycles.

“Someone” is one of 132 singles that have amassed more than 200 million streams in the U.K., a list that includes George Ezra’s “Shotgun” (No. 4 all-time) and Tones And I’s “Dance Monkey” (No. 5).

The biggest selling single of them all is Elton John’s “Something About The Way You Look Tonight / Candle In The Wind 1997,” which has topped 4.94 million sales, and is one of 179 singles have reached 1 million sales.

The very first U.K. singles chart was published on Friday, Nov. 14, 1952 in the New Musical Express (NME), capturing “a rudimentary survey of 20 record shops by the music paper’s advertising manager Percy Dickins,” the charts compiler reports. Al Martino’s “Here in My Heart” has the distinction of being the first No. 1.

Today, sales and streaming data is captured each day from the OCC’s panel of more than 6,500 retailers and DSPs, including physical product, digital downloads and streams, and aggregated in its central computer system. The top 40 is presented each Friday on BBC Radio 1 and MTV, and the full top 100 is published on OfficialCharts.com.

15 Nov 2022

Taylor Swift’s ‘Anti-Hero’ Eyes Fourth Week Atop U.K. Singles Chart

Taylor Swift’s “Anti-Hero” (EMI) hasn’t budged from the U.K. chart summit since its release, and it looks set to stay for a little while longer.

“Anti-Hero,” the lead track from Swift’s tenth and latest studio album, Midnights, leads the midweek chart and is on the path for a month-long stint at No. 1.

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At three weeks, it’s already TayTay’s longest-running leader in the U.K., eclipsing the two-week reign for 2017’s “Look What You Made Me Do.” And it appears to have fresh legs following the Nov. 7 release of a new version featuring producer Jack Antonoff’s solo project Bleachers.

Meanwhile, several top 10 tracks are eyeing new peaks, including Oliver Tree and Robin Schulz’s viral hit “Miss You” (Atlantic), rising 7-3 on the chart blast; Meghan Trainor’s “Made You Look” (Epic), up 9-4; and Venbee & Goddard’s club tune “messy in heaven” (Columbia), up 8-5.

Following the theatrical release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” (Def Jam) could enjoy a lift, improving 12-8 on the midweek survey.

Rising Afrobeats artist Rema is on target for his first U.K. top 10 single, as “Calm Down” (Mavin) looks to improve 16-10, thanks in part to a new remix featuring the vocals of Selena Gomez.

Based on midweek sales and streaming data collated by the Official Charts Company, Bugzy Malone and Teedee are in pole position for the week’s top debut, with “Out Of Nowhere” (Bsomebody) set to appear at No. 17, while Brit Award-winning rapper Stormzy could add to his growing collection of chart hits with “Firebabe” (0207/Merky), new at No. 18 on the chart blast. If it holds its momentum, “Firebabe” will give the grime star his 27th top 40 entry.

The festive season is coming, and the Queen of Christmas is on the way. Mariah Carey’s evergreen hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” (Columbia) is poised for another return to the top 40, blasting 66-36 on the midweek tally.

Carey’s signature song set an Official Chart record in December 2020 when it finally reached No. 1, after 26 years. No song had spent more weeks in the top 40 before completing the journey to the top.

Several weeks later, Wham’s “Last Christmas” (RCA) set a new mark by reaching the summit for the first time, 36 years after its initial release. “Last Christmas” is on the move once again, flying 94-45 on the midweek chart.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday (Nov. 18).

14 Nov 2022

Louis Tomlinson Battles Bruce Springsteen For U.K. Chart Crown

Louis Tomlinson strolls to a lead in the U.K. chart race with Faith In The Future (via BMG). But there’s a Boss to contend with.

Tomlinson, the former One Direction star, leads the Official Chart Update with Faith In The Future, his second solo effort. As a member of 1D, Tomlinson triumphed over the national albums survey on four occasions, and his debut solo set, 2020’s Walls, peaked at No. 4.

The home straight could have some obstacles for Tomlinson, as Bruce Springsteen’s Only The Strong Survive (Columbia) sits close behind in second place.

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Springsteen’s 21st studio album is a collection of soul covers. To date, the Rock And Roll Hall of Famer has 22 U.K. top 10 albums, including 12 No. 1s — equal third-best among solo acts, after Robbie Williams (14) and Elvis Presley (13), respectively.

According to the Official Charts Company, fewer than 1,200 chart sales split the two albums at the halfway point.

As it currently stands, the top five is closed out by a trio of former leaders, Taylor Swift’s Midnights (down 2-3 via EMI), Drake & 21 Savage’s Her Loss (down 1-4, via OVO/Republic Records), and Ed Sheeran’s = (up 10-5, via Asylum).

Christmas is just around the corner, and the festive releases are ready to make the annual march into the charts.

British classical crossover stars Aled Jones and Russell Watson could bag a third U.K. top 10 as a duo with Christmas With Aled & Russell (BMG). It’s new at No. 8 on the chart blast.

Andrea Bocelli’s family record A Family Christmas (via Decca), featuring son Matteo and daughter Virginia, could be this week’s big gainer, notes the OCC, lifting 58-13 on the midweek chart for a possible new peak position.

Just outside the top ten at the midweek point is Nigerian artist Wizkid with his fifth LP More Love, Less Ego (Columbia). It’s on track for a No. 12 debut, which would become the Afrobeat act’s career U.K. peak, improving on the No. 15 best for 2020’s Made in Lagos.

Also aiming for a top 20 debut is U.S. roots-rock act Larkin Poe, with seventh album Blood Harmony. It’s set for a No. 15 entry, for what would be the band’s first top 40 entry.  

And finally, Christine & The Queens are poised for a top 20 return with Redcar les adorables étoiles (prologue) (via Because Music), new at No. 17 on the chart blast. The French act has impacted the U.K. chart on three occasions, including a No. 2 on debut for 2016’s Chaleur Humaine, and a No. 3 peak for its 2018 followup Chris.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published Friday (Nov. 18).

14 Nov 2022

Jin’s 13 Best Solo Musical Moments

Jin might be known to the world as “Mr. Worldwide Handsome,” but BTS‘ ARMY know him also as a focused, equally tender and powerful vocalist whose knack for ballad and rock songs have been displayed throughout the K-pop star’s career.

Starting by sharing his covers of popular Korean rock songs from the past through BTS’ SoundCloud account early in the group’s career, Jin grew his vocal prowess through the years and showed the music styles that spoke most to him. Later, the star got opportunities to share his ability to tell stories through songs in soundtrack singles for popular Korean dramas like Hwarang and Jirisan. In 2019, Jin released his first entirely original solo song, and he’s only continued to show further displays of his musical perspective. Even the super-silly, super-viral “Super Tuna” single that he dropped in 2021 speaks to Jin’s larger personality as someone who doesn’t take himself too seriously and how music can allow one to truly let loose.

Jin’s latest solo accomplishment comes via his new single “The Astronaut,” which features Jin and Coldplay as writers and composers on the track. The heartfelt rock track debuts at No. 51 on the Hot 100 dated Nov. 12, 2022, marking his first-ever credited solo entry while also acting as the top-selling song of the week (taking No. 1 on the Digital Song Sales and World Digital Song Sales charts). The remarkable chart feat is the latest step in Jin’s ongoing solo efforts that have been purposeful and pointed in their execution, slowly revealing the multifaceted artist that Jin is in his own right.

From covers to OSTs to special collaborations with his BTS band mates, read on for Jin’s best solo moments.

14 Nov 2022

Megan Thee Stallion Granted Restraining Order Against Label Ahead of American Music Awards

The ongoing legal battle between Megan Thee Stallion and her label 1501 Certified Entertainment has taken another nasty turn around this weekend’s American Music Awards.

According to court documents obtained by Billboard, the “Savage” rapper (born Megan Pete) was granted a restraining order against 1501, along with her distributor 300 Entertainment, after claiming 1501 “unlawfully” took steps “to block or interfere with Pete exploiting, licensing, or publishing her music” in the lead-up to the upcoming AMAs on Sunday (Nov. 20). Filed in Harris County District Court in Texas, the order says Megan “provided evidence” that the company “recently engaged and will continue to engage in threatening and retaliatory behavior that will irreparably harm” her music career.

Without providing further detail on what 1501 or 300 allegedly did, the court notes that it filed an ex parte order — essentially, a type of emergency order granted without waiting for a response from the other side — “because there was not enough time to give notice to Defendants, hold a hearing, and issue a restraining order before the irreparable injury, loss, or damage would occur.” It adds that voting for the AMAs, where Megan is nominated for favorite female hip-hop artist, closes on Monday night (Nov. 14) at midnight, and that Megan “will suffer irreparable harm if her music cannot be used in conjunction with her promotion for the AMAs.”

Under the order, 1501, 300 and anyone acting “in concert or participation with” them are restricted from “preventing or blocking the use and exploitation” of Megan’s music in promotional content for the AMAs, — including by “threatening or otherwise attempting to intimidate or coerce” third parties not to use it — through Nov. 20. It also sets a hearing on Megan’s restraining order request for Nov. 22.

The restraining order is just the latest volley in a more than two-year-old legal battle that began in 2020 when Megan filed a lawsuit alleging that 1501 founder Carl Crawford tricked her into signing an “unconscionable” record deal in 2018 that was well below industry standards. She claims that upon signing a management deal with Jay-Z‘s Roc Nation the following year, she got “real lawyers” who showed her that the 1501 agreement was “crazy.”

In February, Megan filed a separate lawsuit claiming 1501 had refused to count her 2021 Something for Thee Hotties release as an album — a pivotal definition, as her 1501 deal states that she must produce three albums to fulfill her obligations. 1501 quickly countersued, arguing that Thee Hotties included just 29 minutes of original material and therefore didn’t qualify.

In September, Megan filed yet another lawsuit seeking more than $1 million in damages, claiming that 1501 “systematically failed” to pay her the proper amount of royalties she was owed and had “wrongfully allowed for excessive marketing and promotion charges,” in addition to allegations that the label leaked her most recent album Traumazine. In response, attorneys for the label argued it was actually Megan who had failed to pay 1501 its fair share of money she made from endorsements, partnerships and other business deals, as well as requirements related to publishing royalties. They further added that any claims of underpayment of royalties should be redirected to 300 Entertainment.

Representatives from 1501 and 300 did not immediately respond to Billboard‘s request for comment.

14 Nov 2022

Billy McFarland Still Considered ‘Fugitive’ for Fyre Fest Disaster, Says Bahamian Tourism Minister

A tourism minister for the Bahamas is throwing cold water on Billy McFarland‘s comeback plans. In a statement Monday (Nov. 14), Chester Cooper, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister for Tourism, said that the creator of the disastrous Fyre Festival is still considered a “fugitive” in the country and that anyone knowing his whereabouts should contact the Royal Bahamian Police Force. In response, McFarland issued a letter to the Bahamian government later that day apologizing for Fyre Fest and promising, “I will spend the rest of my life working to right my wrongs.”

The news — first reported by local newspaper The Tribune — comes after McFarland was earlier this year released from prison and later home confinement for crimes he committed while raising money for the 2017 festival. Last month, McFarland released a video on TikTok teasing out a new Bahamas-based project that would be promoted through a treasure hunt set to begin this week on the Caribbean island nation.

“The public is advised that no application has been made to the Government for consideration of any event promoted by Billy McFarland or any entity or parties known to be associated with him,” said Cooper in a statement. “McFarland was the organizer of the Fyre Festival several years ago, a notorious charade for which McFarland was convicted and sent to prison in the USA.
 
“The Government of The Bahamas will not endorse or approve any event in The Bahamas associated with him.
 
“He is considered to be a fugitive, with several pending complaints made against him with the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).”

McFarland first announced his plans for PYRT on Oct. 24 after serving four years in prison, noting he’s “working on something new” that’s “a little crazier but a whole lot bigger than anything I’ve ever tried before.” In the video announcement, he then flipped a whiteboard to reveal a treasure map taped to the other side and a phone number to call for more information.

In addition to his prison sentence, McFarland was ordered to pay roughly $26 million in restitution for his crimes. In May, his attorney Jason Russo told Billboard that McFarland was focused on finding “the best way to generate income to pay this restitution back and make amends,” adding, “Any new projects that he does become involved in will be done solely for the purpose of generating the restitution for paying back his victims.”

Later Monday, a representative for McFarland provided Billboard with a copy of a letter McFarland says was sent to the Bahamian government in response to Cooper’s statement. In it, he says he has been working to “make amends” with the Bahamian people and pledges to “make these families whole as soon I am allowed.” He goes on to “ask for guidance on whom to speak with to begin my journey to do right by the incredible people of the Bahamas and Family Islands.”

Read it in full here:

Dear Government of The Bahamas,

I am writing to you to profusely apologize for my actions 5 years ago. I was completely wrong and I wholly regret my actions.

I’ve now served my punishment in prison and now that I am out, my main focus is how I can right my wrongs and how I can make the Bahamas and Family Islands, a region I care so deeply about, whole again. 

Over the years, and particularly since my release on August 30, I have been in constant touch with the people throughout the Islands. Their generosity and kind hearts have been a constant guide and motivation for me. I have been re-engaging with the families of the islands to see what I can do to begin making amends. 

I don’t have much right now, but I am committed to make these families whole as soon I am allowed. I ask for guidance on whom to speak with to begin my journey to do right by the incredible people of the Bahamas and Family Islands.

I truly acknowledge the hurt I caused to the people, and region, and I will spend the rest of my life working to right my wrongs. 

Sincerely,
Billy McFarland