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21 Oct 2022

First Country: Thomas Rhett, Scotty McCreery, Tanya Tucker & More

First Country is a compilation of the best new country songs, videos & albums that dropped this week.

Thomas Rhett, Merry Christmas Y’all

Thomas Rhett is already feeling festive, with the release of his first holiday project. The polished four-song EP finds the singer-songwriter bringing his warm, relaxed sound to classics including “Winter Wonderland” (bolstered with sleek horns and soft percussion) and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”

Scotty McCreery, “Small Town Story”

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McCreery’s latest continues in his winning arc of songs pulled from chapters of his own life, chronicling his own small town story, from learning guitar and playing sports, getting his first truck and falling in love. The song will be included on his upcoming deluxe version of his album Same Truck, out Nov. 18.

Tanya Tucker, “Ready as I’ll Never Be”

In 2020, Tanya Tucker experienced a career resurgence when her album While I’m Livin’ and song “Bring My Flowers Now” earned Tucker her first Grammy wins, nearly 50 years after she got her start in the industry. Today, the documentary The Return of Tanya Tucker (Featuring Brandi Carlile) releases in select theaters and chronicles the making of the project. The doc also includes this new track, which matches Tucker’s wisdom-filled, life-weathered voice with lyrics of life, nostalgia and moving on.

Tyler Hubbard, “I’m the Only One” (Video)

A newly minted solo artist, Hubbard highlights his comedic and acting skills in this new music video. He works at an upscale clothing store, and when the shop closes, it’s time to cut up and have fun. The clip is a lighthearted complement for this jovial love song, which will be included on Hubbard’s upcoming debut solo album, which releases in January 2023.

HunterGirl, “Hometown Out of Me”

Former American Idol contestant HunterGirl makes her debut release following her time on the show, with her first release for 19 Recordings/BMG. On her first post-show song, she makes sure fans know she hasn’t left her Winchester, Tennessee roots. She wrote the song with Laura Veltz and Jimmy Robbins, and the lyrics nod to the small town as the reason for her fearlessness (“Maybe you ain’t scared of crashing/ When you got a place to land”). The sweetly sentimental song is a perfect foil for her likable, girl next door-made-good persona and strong voice, and a pleasant pop/country outing that chronicles her current moment of transcending from talented aspiring artist, to make her first steps toward the big leagues.

Jessie James Decker with Billy Currington, “I Still Love You”

Decker and Currington reunite for another duet, following the song “Good Night,” which was featured on Currington’s 2015 album, Summer Forever. “I Still Love You” centers on a couple that falls apart, only for each to discover they are better together. Sonically, the song falls neatly into Currington’s slow-groove, R&B-tinged wheelhouse and gives Decker space to let loose on some soulful vocal runs. While it would never be mistaken for Currington’s 2004 duet with Shania Twain on the boppy “Party for Two,” it does further showcase the influence Twain’s career has had on Decker.

Greylan James, “Old Truck Young Love”

This laid-back, radio-ready track is the latest release from singer-songwriter Greylan James, known as a writer on Kenny Chesney’s “Happy Does,” among other songs. Here, he continues to show his knack as both an artist as well as a writer, on a track he wrote with Jessi Alexander, Ben Hayslip, and NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler.

Noah Thompson, “Make You Rich”

Thompson draws on his Kentucky roots and past career as a construction worker, as he passes on lessons he’s learned along the way, like valuing family and friends over materialistic things, and being a person of character. “A man is measured by more than a treasure stacked up in a bank,” he sings, adding, “Be a better man than your old man was.” A promising release from this former American Idol winner.

21 Oct 2022

Kelsea Ballerini, Carly Pearce & Kelly Clarkson to Team Up for CMA Awards Performance

Three top female artists will team up for a searing performance during the upcoming CMA Awards, which is slated to air on ABC on Nov. 9 from Nashville.

On her latest album, Subject to Change, Kelsea Ballerini welcomed friends Carly Pearce and Kelly Clarkson on the rowdy track “You’re Drunk, Go Home.” The trio of artists will make their debut live performance of the song during the CMA Awards. TMZ first reported the news, and Billboard has independently confirmed the trio will be performing the song together during the awards ceremony.

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The track is a piercing kiss-off to a drunk guy trying hopelessly make a romantic gesture, and proves to be a fine female empowerment moment. Notably, all three of the women have weathered divorces in recent years, with Clarkson splitting from Brandon Blackstock in 2020. That same year, Pearce divorced fellow country artist Michael Ray, and in August 2022, Ballerini revealed her split from fellow country artist Morgan Evans.

Ballerini previously told Billboard about the song’s origins and how Pearce and Clarkson came to be on the track.

“I felt that there’s some sass and comedy to this song,” Ballerini explained. “So I thought, ‘Who are the women in my life that are artists that have both of those things?’ Carly and I have been friends for, like, 10 years, before either of us had anything going on and we’ve just seen each other personally and professionally through so many seasons of life. We’ve always wanted to do a song together and this made sense.”

When it came to Clarkson, Ballerini said, “I thought the biggest ask I could make is Kelly Clarkson, and I texted her that morning. She did her vocals that night.”

At last year’s CMA Awards, Ballerini picked up two wins for “Half of My Hometown,” her collaboration with Kenny Chesney, netting video of the year and musical event of the year. This year, the song is nominated for single of the year heading into November’s awards ceremony.

Pearce is one of the most nominated artists leading into this year’s awards show, with five nods, including musical event of the year, music video of the year, and single and song of the year (all for “Never Wanted to Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde), as well as female vocalist of the year. Pearce took home the CMA’s female vocalist of the year honor for the first time last year.

To date, Clarkson has earned six CMA Awards nominations, as well as a win for musical event of the year in 2011 for her collaboration with Jason Aldean, “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”

21 Oct 2022

Here Are All of Taylor Swift’s Self-Directed Music Videos, From ‘All Too Well’ to ‘Anti-Hero’

Taylor Swift has been telling stories through her song lyrics for nearly two decades, but it’s only been the second half of her career that she’s been trying her hand at illustrating them visually. Ever since she first took the plunge of overseeing the visual for her Lover single “The Man” in 2019, though, more of her music videos than not have been directed entirely by the country-turned-pop star herself.

Her directorial journey started years before that, however. In 2010, she tried sitting in the director’s chair when she teamed up with Roman White — who’d previously directed Swift’s “You Belong With Me” and “Fifteen” videos — in supervising her Speak Now lead single’s mini-motion picture, “Mine.” It would take around nine years after that for the Grammy winner to step back onto the other side of the clapperboard, eventually taking on the role of co-director again with “Me!”

Several self-directed projects later, Swift’s video-making prowess culminated in the form of her very first short film All Too Well. The project doubled as a music video for the 10-minute “Taylor’s Version” re-release of a 10-year-old fan-favorite song of the same title, originally released on her 2012 record Red. After that would come a portfolio of music videos made by Swift for her 2022 10th studio record Midnights, the first taste of which came with the Oct. 21 premiere of “Anti-Hero.”

But what will come next for the full-time pop star, part-time filmmaker? “I’d like to keep taking baby steps forward and I’m at a place now where the next baby step is not a baby step,” she revealed at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2022. “It would be committing to making a film and I feel like I would absolutely love for the right opportunity to arise, because I absolutely adore telling stories this way.”

“I think I will always want to tell human stories about human emotion,” she added. “I never say never, but I can’t imagine myself filming an action sequence. If it happens one day, that will be funny character growth. Could see it going in a more comedic, irreverent place. I don’t always see myself telling stories about extreme guttural heartbreak at your most formative age.”

Not counting music videos such s “The Best Day” and “Christmas Tree Farm,” which are comprised of childhood footage curated by Swift, keep reading to see all of Taylor Swift’s self-directed music videos.

21 Oct 2022

Lucy Simon, ‘Secret Garden’ Composer & Carly’s Sister, Dies at 82

Lucy Simon, the composer who received a Tony nomination in 1991 for her work on the long-running Broadway musical The Secret Garden, has died. She was 82.

Simon, sister of pop superstar Carly Simon, died Thursday at her home in Piedmont, New York, a family spokesperson said. Simon had breast cancer.

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The Secret Garden, with a book by Marsha Norman, opened in New York in 1991. Reviews were mixed, but it won a Tony for best book of a musical and went on to play for almost two years. A slightly revised version opened in London’s West End, and a pared-down-from-Broadway version went on tour.

The musical — adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 children’s novel — focuses on Mary, a young English girl forced to move to England from colonial India when her parents die of cholera. She moves in with her Uncle Archibald, a hunchback who is mourning his late wife, Lily, and blaming his bedridden son for her death.

While living in her uncle’s home, Mary discovers a hidden and neglected garden that once belonged to Lily, and she and a young gardener bring it back to life. At the same time, she brings new life to her uncle and cousin. The songs include “The Girl I Mean to Be” and “How Could I Ever Know.”

Steven Pasquale and Sierra Boggess were among the Broadway stars mourning Simon’s passing. “Her music is her gift to the world. In one of her last messages to me she said ‘I was going to ask you to carry my voice onward’ and I sat and wept,” Boggess wrote on Instagram.

Simon was born in New York on May 5, 1940, to publishing giant Richard Simon and his wife, Andrea. She was the second oldest of four children Joanna, Lucy, Carly and Peter.

Carly and Lucy once performed as The Simon Sisters, opening for other acts in Greenwich Village folk clubs. Their recording of “Winkin’, Blinkin’ and Nod” hit No. 73 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964.

While Carly Simon would find huge success with such hits as “Anticipation,” “Haven’t Got Time for the Pain” and “You’re So Vain,” Lucy went to nursing school.

After marrying and having children, Lucy Simon recorded two solo albums, Lucy Simon (1975) and Stolen Time (1977), for RCA. Lucy and her husband, David Levine, produced two Grammy-winning children’s albums, In Harmony (1981) and In Harmony 2 (1983).

Her return to Broadway with Doctor Zhivago in 2015 was less successful. The tale of five intertwined lovers set during final days of czarist Russia lasted less than two months after blistering reviews.

She is survived by her husband; her children, Julie Simon and James Levine; and four grandchildren Sophie, Ben, Charlie and Evie.

21 Oct 2022

First Stream Latin: New Music From Yurida & Angela Aguilar, Natanael Cano, Plus More

First Stream Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs, albums, and videos recommended by the Billboard Latin editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

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Yuridia & Angela Aguilar, “Qué Agonía” (Sony Music Entertainment México)

Yuridia joins forces with Ángela Aguilar for “Qué Agonía,” the fifth single from her newly released Regional Mexican album, Pa’ Luego Es Tarde, produced by Eden Muñoz. Both song and album came out Thursday (October 20). With beautiful orchestration, and sublime harmonies from these two powerhouses, “Qué Agonía” — written by Aguilar — is a romantic Mexican ballad about being in love long after a breakup. “The truth is, I didn’t forget you… and although a lot has happened, and life changed for us, the feeling is alive”, they sing. In the official video, they appear accompanied by an all-female mariachi band, among other musicians. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Jhayco, Feid, Sech, “En La De Ella” (UMG Recordings)

Jhayco has reeled in Feid and Sech for a triple-threat collab called “En La De Ella.” Produced by Sky and Jowan, the hard-hitting, edgy reggaetón song combines each of their distinct vocals, resulting in an even sultrier production. In true Jhayco, Feid, and Sech fashion, the witty lyricism focuses on empowering women with a very clear message: “Don’t even look at her, she’s doing her own thing/ Get her a bottle because that’s what she wants.” “En La De Ella” is just that, a new anthem for independent ladies. The official music video was directed by Deathofgian in Miami and stars all three acts. — JESSICA ROIZ

Snow Tha Product, To Anywhere (Snow Tha Product)

It took six years for Snow Tha Product to release a new album, but good things come to those who wait. Titled To Anywhere, her highly-anticipated second studio album finally dropped today. Packed with 14 tracks, an intro and one interlude, the album, which should be listened from top to bottom, is an autobiographical narrative where Snow details her journey in the industry as a Mexican-American rapper. “Now that I’m growing up I realize I do deserve to be happy. And even though things are hard sometimes, you need to do what really makes you happy,” she says in the intro, setting up the vibe of the album.

While Snow raps about her hustle and struggles, one thing is clear: Snow is, artistically and personally, as confident as ever. And she isn’t holding back either, calling out those who wanted to see her fail. Sonically, To Anywhere is a collection of styles, with Snow embracing reggaetón, hip-hop and trap, to name a few. Snow also brings in special guest stars like Vf7, Santa Fe Klan, Lauren Jauregui and Juicy J to join her on a few songs. — GRISELDA FLORES

Alejandra Guzmán, “TUYA” (La Reina del Rock Records)

Alejandra Guzman returns to her rocker roots in her intimate and personal single called “TUYA,” powered by ’80s-influenced electric guitars and her powerful, raspy vocals. The explicit lyrics, full of sensuality and passion, tell the story of when you can’t stop thinking about someone, but can still feel they are with you just with their memories. “I’m thinking of your mouth, in front of the mirror/ My clothes get in the way, I’m improvising here in bed alone, taking away my desire,” she sings in the chorus. — INGRID FAJARDO

Natanael Cano X Victor Cibrian, “Que Me Importa” (Warner Music Latina/JHRH)

For his new single, Natanael Cano recruits Victor Cibrian, who’s gained TikTok virality this year with his music. In “Que Me Importa,” Cano maintains his signature corrido tumbao sound and is recorded live with charchetas, tololoche, and a tuba. He’s as honest as ever in the lyrics, singing about life’s hardships but also achieving his goals. “El que perseverancia alcance, se los digo yo,” they chant. Cibrian’s deep vocals perfectly lace with Cano’s higher tones. In the track, Cibrian even shares a motivational speech about working on your goals in silence to prevent bad juju from the haters. — J.R.

GALE, “D Pic” (Sony Music Latin)

Up-and-coming artist GALE is back with her anti-pop ethos, this time with her brutally honest new track, “D Pic.” In the moody alt-rock song, the Puerto Rican singer-songwriter wants to make her point clear: Don’t cross her boundaries. “I don’t know why you think that I like getting messages in the middle of the night/ Maybe the rest don’t say anything but sorry, I’m just not that desperate/ I don’t want photos of your … put that away and go to …” About the song, GALE says, “I had gone through this experience, and consent is very important to me, so this song wrote itself; we did it in 20 minutes. This song is my way of saying, ‘If you aren’t asked for it, don’t send it,’ so I hope people will connect with it.” — G.F

Joonti X Moffa X Animal, “Tempestad” (AP Global Music)

Following the model that once worked for artists such as Ozuna, Rauw Alejandro, and Bad Bunny in their early years, the new wave of Puerto Rican artists is not holding back from collaborating together. “Tempestad” brings to light rising acts Joonti, Moffa, and Animal, in an innovative track that starts off as a pop ballad before transitioning into an EDM-trap fusion. Made to become the next big club banger, “Tempestad” is about receiving mixed signals from the person you’re interested in. The video features all the artists enjoying a night out around town. — J.R.

Majo Aguilar, “Tómbola” (Fonovisa/Unviversal Music Group México)

Majo Aguilar is treating fans with a new girl-power anthem, powered by a bright mariachi tune. “Tómbola” is traditional in a sense that it’s a heartbreak track, but Aguilar isn’t sitting around feeling bad for herself. Instead, she’s looking at the bright side: “I’m free. I’m brave. And if there’s something that gives me joy, it’s that people that laugh and bring me light.” The emerging Mexican artist, granddaughter of the great Antonio Aguilar and Flor Silvestre (daughter of Antonio Aguilar Je.), is carving a lane for herself in the regional Mexican space, and just landed her first-ever Latin Grammy nomination for best ranchero/mariachi album for Mi Herencia, Mi Sangre. — G.F. 

21 Oct 2022

Ask Billboard: Taylor Swift’s Career Streaming, Airplay & Sales, Ahead of the Chart Debut of ‘Midnights’

Submit questions about Billboard charts, as well as general music musings, to askbb@billboard.com. Please include your first and last name, as well as your city, state and country, if outside the U.S.

Or, tweet @gthot20.

Let’s open the latest mailbag.

Taylor Swift’s Career Streaming, Airplay & Sales Totals

There’s a good chance you’re listening to Midnights if you’re reading this, so let’s not make this too much of an interruption and get right to it.

Here is a rundown of Taylor Swift‘s career album sales and top songs measured by on-demand official streams, radio airplay and digital song sales in the U.S., through Oct. 13, 2022, according to Luminate.

Taylor Swift’s Album Sales in the U.S.:
7.3 million, Fearless / 6.3 million, 1989 / 5.8 million, Taylor Swift / 4.8 million, Speak Now / 4.5 million, Red / 2.4 million, Reputation / 1.7 million, Folklore / 1.5 million, Lover / 1.1 million, The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection (EP) / 913,000, Evermore / 774,000, Red (Taylor’s Version) / 596,000, Fearless (Taylor’s Version) / 376,000, Speak Now: World Tour Live CD + DVD / 369,000, Beautiful Eyes (EP)

Taylor Swift’s Most-Streamed Songs (on-demand, official) in the U.S.:
1.5 billion, “Shake It Off” / 1 billion, “Blank Space” / 992 million, “Look What You Made Me Do” / 720 million, “I Knew You Were Trouble” / 711 million, “You Need to Calm Down” / 708 million, “You Belong With Me” / 656 million, “Bad Blood” (feat. Kendrick Lamar) / 655 million, “Delicate” / 638 million, “Love Story” / 603 million, “Lover”

Taylor Swift’s Most-Heard Radio Songs in the U.S. (audience impressions):
6.9 billion, “You Belong With Me”/ 6.2 billion, “Love Story” / 6 billion, “Blank Space” / 5.7 billion, “Shake It Off” / 5.4 billion, “I Knew You Were Trouble” / 5.1 billion, “Style” / 4.9 billion, “Wildest Dreams” / 4.3 billion, “Delicate” / 3.7 billion, “Bad Blood” / 2.9 billion, “Teardrops on My Guitar”

Taylor Swift’s Top Digital Song Sales in the U.S.:
6.2 million, “Love Story” / 5.5 million, “Shake It Off” / 5.46 million, “I Knew You Were Trouble” / 4.9 million, “You Belong With Me” / 4.6 million, “Blank Space” / 4.1 million, “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” / 3.5 million, “Our Song” / 3.2 million, “Bad Blood” / 3 million, “Teardrops on My Guitar” / 2.6 million, “Mean”

21 Oct 2022

Swifties Can‘t Get Enough of Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’: ‘There Are No Skips In This Album’

Taylor Swift unveiled her 10th album Midnights at midnight ET on Friday (Oct. 21), and Swifties have spent every hour since devouring the LP’s 13 songs and seven bonus tracks.

Naturally, the ardent fandom took their opinions to social media, with one fan declaring on Twitter, “THERE ARE NO SKIPS IN THIS ALBUM.”

Several Swifties honed in particularly on highlight “Anti-Hero.” “When Taylor said, ‘IT’S ME, HI, I’M THE PROBLEM IT’S ME. AT TEA TIME, EVERYBODY AGREES. I’LL STARE DIRECTLY AT THE SUN BUT NEVER IN THE MIRROR. IT MUST BE EXHAUSTING ALWAYS ROOTING FOR THE ANTI HERO.’ my self-sabotaging a– felt that deeply,” one wrote. Another called the track “officially the anthem of my life.”

A separate Swiftie made a number of callbacks to past fan-favorite songs when dissecting Midnights, saying, “midnights is for the cruel summer, call it what you want, I know places, back to december, if this was a movie, the story of us, seven, don’t blame me, getaway car, I think he knows, message in a bottle, false god, and the very first night enjoyers.”

Three hours after dropping the standard version of Midnights, Swift followed it up at 3 a.m. ET with seven bonus tracks including “The Great War,” “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve,” “Glitch” and “High Infidelity.”

Friday morning, she also released the music video for “Anti-Hero,” featuring three different versions of herself as well as John Early, Mike Birbiglia and Mary Elizabeth Ellis as her fictional adult sons and daughter-in-law.

Check out some of the best fan reactions to Swift’s Midnights below.

21 Oct 2022

First Spin: The Week’s Best New Dance Tracks From Bonobo, Gorgon City & More

This week in dance music: The first full-fledged Amsterdam Dance Event kicked off in the Dutch capital on Tuesday (watch for our full recap early next week), Claude VonStroke’s iconic Dirtybird label was acquired by the San Francisco-based EMPIRE, Oliver Tree and Robin Schulz hit the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, and we went deep with one of the actual inventors of electronic music Jean-Michel Jarre.

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And bangerz with a Z? We’ve got those too. Let’s dig in.

Bonobo, “Defender”

Before Bonobo completes his North American tour this weekend, he’s leaving a parting gift. New single “Defender,” out on his Outlier label in partnership with Ninja Tune, is another surprise drop following previous loosie “ATK.” Both deliver on the producer’s rich, textural electronica, but whereas “ATK” was bouncy and more straightforwardly upbeat in its approach, “Defender” sees the return of his tender touch. Floating above propulsive drums, the crystalline thumb-piano melody is light as a lullaby, joined by a gentle vocal scat. Even when blaring foghorn synths add heaviness, Bonobo keeps the magic alive with swirling synths and accents that twinkle like stars at midnight. “Defender” might not be your first thought when it comes to club tracks, but we’d still rave to this any day (or night). — KRYSTAL RODRIGUEZ

Fred again.., “Delilah (Pull Me Out Of This)”

If you don’t know about Fred Again.. by now, you probably just won’t ever. That said, to quote Drake, if you’re reading this, it’s too late and you have now been bitten with the collective Fred-a-mania. Much like aforementioned hip-hop superstar, the pop-hit producer-turned-hypest act in electronic dance loves to turn bits of voicemails, samples and IRL recordings into divine slices of melodic funk, and he names these tracks after the friends and artists he folds into the music. His latest portrait is dubbed “Delilah (pull me out of this),” and he paired the video with a recording his buddy nabbed at a festival in Los Angeles.

“So a few days ago I played a show in LA and my friend theo was filming stuff in the crowd,” Fred tweets. “He stumbled across this absolutely beauuutiful moment right at the back of it all. 

To me this song is about a time I sorta had a panic attack in a club and needing your person to pull you out of it, so the moment at the end when they both stand up and jump away feels particularly muchhh to me. There’s obviously a whole story that’s goin on for them too, you can see on their friends faces at the end! I’ve spoken to them about it, i think it’s maybe better not to explain that, cos like different people think different stuff when they watch it, n that’s always great to me.”

He also had some good news to share in the YouTube description box: “Okayyyy,” Fred writes on YouTube. “SO I am so so really very VERY happy to say that Actual Life 3 will be out on October 28th!!!!!” After months of hype, we can confidently say we’re very happy, too. – KAT BEIN

Gorgon City feat. Flirta D, “Sidewindah”

Gorgon City lean deeper into their U.K. roots on new single “Sidewindah.” The track has been a frequent fixture and requested ID in the duo’s live dates for a hot minute, and it’s clear why. Their dancefloor-friendly house music gets a grime infusion courtesy of veteran MC Flirta D, whose altered vocals stutter and skid with short-circuiting delirium. Add some serpentine synths, hyperspeed shakers and gigantic, gelatinous bass wobbles, and you’ve got a good time. In addition to releasing “Sidewindah,” Gorgon City have just announced their return to Colorado’s famed Red Rocks next April for a Realm label showcase. — K.R.

Lastlings, “Get What You Want”

Getting up off the couch and getting after your dreams is hard, but music can help. The Rocky theme is a bit played, and while it’s great and all, “Get What You Want” from sibling duo Lastlings has a sultry motivational groove that can move your body, heart and mind toward your greatest self with a bit more electronic edge. 

“We spent a week writing in 2021 and this was one of the first songs that came from the session,” the group’s Josh Dowdle says. “We had two rooms. One writing room for Amy with a piano, and one for me where I made the instrumental.”

“It explores mental health and the relationship that I have with myself,” Amy Dowdle adds. “It’s about putting myself out there and not letting doubt get in the way of what I truly want. ‘I’ve got a lot of enemies that live inside my head.’ This song isn’t about love for another person, it’s about my relationship with myself. ‘You’ refers to a darker version of myself that I am trying to fight and overcome.”

The brother and sister band are signed to RÜFÜS DU SOL’s label Rose Avenue, and this single marks the first bit of original material since its debut album First Contact, which dropped in 2020. – K. Bein

Tiësto’s DJ Mix

Our mainstage main man Tiësto is taking himself on, via a flurry of edits of his own tracks. Produced exclusively for Spotify, the playlist includes edits of hits including “The Business” and “The Motto,” and comes as part of a series that includes similar packages from Aluna, Yung Bae and BLOND:ISH. All of these acts have released these edits in conjunction with the Amsterdam Dance Event, which is wrapping up today in The Netherlands. To celebrate, Spotify is tonight hosting a release party at ADE, during which each act will unveil their edits with an accompanying drone show.

“When playing my mix I hope listeners can feel the energy of my live set,” Tiësto says. “Play it while you workout, while gaming, in your car, anywhere – wherever you play it, it should feel like the soundtrack to the best day or night of your life!” — KATIE BAIN

21 Oct 2022

How Doja Cat’s ‘Vegas’ Transcended ‘Elvis’ to Become Her Latest Pop Radio Hit

The past two years have been a whirlwind of success for Doja Cat, who emerged from TikTok virality to become one of radio’s most beloved artists of the young decade so far. And she’s been on the type of hot streak that has her in rarefied territory: With five top five hits on Pop Airplay off her latest album, the RCA-released Planet Her, her album became just the seventh to ever accomplish that feat, a mark she set over the course of an entire calendar year — an impressive achievement in an era when attention spans are short and longevity is fleeting.

This week, Doja Cat adds to her run of success as her latest single “Vegas,” off the Elvis soundtrack (also out on RCA), became her sixth No. 1 single at Pop Airplay — replacing her collaboration with Post Malone, “I Like You (A Happier Song),” atop the list and making her the first artist to replace herself atop the chart since Ariana Grande nearly two years ago. And as “Vegas” also becomes Dojo’s sixth top 10 single on the Hot 100 — all since 2020 — her manager at SALXCO and newly-named executive vp of A&R and artist development at Capitol Music Group Gordan Dillard is Billboard’s Executive of the Week.

Here, Dillard tells Billboard about Dojo’s success at pop radio, how her team has kept the album alive and charting for so long and how they leverage TikTok to help work records at radio, as well as some of the transformations in the industry. “We approach albums with longevity in mind,” he says. “When the music is complete, we work months to build out strategic marketing plans, release schedules, promotional assets and much more. We are very strategic when it comes to how and when the records are released [and] we work very closely and far in advance with our partners to ensure maximize impact and longevity for every record.”

This week, Doja Cat’s “Vegas” reached No. 1 on the Pop Airplay chart, her sixth No. 1 on that chart, and became her sixth top 10 Hot 100 hit. What key decisions did you make to help make that happen?

There were a lot of decisions that went into the success of this record. We approached it the same as we would any solo Doja record, but also gave a ton of support to the director Baz Luhrmann, the film itself, and the release. We executed our marketing efforts in tandem with the film. “Vegas” was first premiered with Shonka [Dukureh] — rest in peace — at Coachella before the film or trailer featuring “Vegas” was released which laid a great deal of anticipation for the release. Along the way, the entire team, both RCA and management, played a key role in executing and staying consistent with the efforts to hit these record-breaking achievements.

“Vegas” replaced her collaboration with Post Malone, “I Like You (A Happier Song),” on the chart, making her the first artist to replace themselves there since Ariana Grande almost two years ago. Why has she had such success at that radio format?

Doja is a world-renowned musical artist and one of the biggest female pop stars of her generation. She has always put music first and with the incredibly hardworking promotional team at RCA, she has had and will continue to have radio success. Our radio partners are also amazing and supportive.

This song in particular didn’t make big waves immediately on its release, but after picking up steam on TikTok has grown into her latest major hit. How have you guys been able to use TikTok to help fuel Doja Cat’s songs and career in other areas?

The digital world is an ever-evolving machine. Breaking records and artists are much different than they were even just a few months ago. Doja and her music has always had a great following on TikTok and the TikTok team has always been great to work with while always being supportive of our marketing ideas. Social media has always been a key component to Doja’s organic communication with her fans and we’ll always keep it that way.

Planet Her had produced five top-five hits at pop radio, just the seventh album to do so, and stretching across more than a year. In an era when albums tend to come and go relatively quickly, what did you and your team do to keep the album so relevant and producing radio hits for such an extended period of time?

We approach albums with longevity in mind. When the music is complete, we work months to build out strategic marketing plans, release schedules, promotional assets and much more. We are very strategic when it comes to how and when the records are released [and] we work very closely and far in advance with our partners to ensure maximize impact and longevity for every record. Also, our team is very strong, smart and we strike together. Teamwork is key in our success.

This song is from the Elvis soundtrack. Do you work songs differently for a soundtrack song as opposed to something from one of her own projects?

No, this record specifically came at the perfect time. The process is still the same even if this song was from a soundtrack. We still approach it as if it’s a solely Doja Cat record.

You’ve been a manager for a decade, both with your own company and with SALXCO. How has management evolved in that time?

In my opinion, management is much more involved nowadays more than ever. Managers have become CEOs of the artist’s business. We are much more involved in the growth of the artist’s initiatives outside of just music. We are somewhat business partners with our artists.

You also have a new job at Capitol. How do you balance that job with managing an artist at another label?

I don’t think about it like that. They are separate and I don’t mix the two. Although the skill sets are transferable and help with both positions. I also have amazing teams on both sides that support and allow me to be instrumental in the individual successes. Without them neither would be possible.

21 Oct 2022

You Have to See This Sports Reporter Reference Every Track on Taylor Swift‘s ‘Midnights’ During Broadcast

Taylor Swift finally unveiled her Midnights album on Friday (Oct. 21), and to celebrate, Sportsnet anchor Faizal Khamisa challenged himself to reference all 13 tracks of the original album while running through his sports broadcast.

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“Alex Bregman was once baseball’s ‘Anti-Hero,’ but now he’s just plain hero for Houston,” he says at one point, before calling a heated hockey fight some “Vigilante S—.” He flawlessly incorporated all tracks into the broadcast, checking off each song as he went along.

While the broadcast featured the 13 tracks that dropped at midnight, Swift promised a  “special very chaotic surprise” in the wee hours following the album’s release, and she didn’t disappoint, dropping a trove of seven extra Midnights tracks.

“Surprise!” she wrote on social media. “I think of Midnights as a complete concept album, with those 13 songs forming a full picture of the intensities of that mystifying, mad hour. However! There were other songs we wrote on our journey to find that magic 13.”

The fuller, 20-track version of Midnights is titled Midnights (3am Edition), and includes the previously unannounced songs “The Great War,” “Bigger Than the Whole Sky,” “Paris,” “High Infidelity,” “Glitch,” “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve.”

After a weekend of soaking up those 20 new tunes, Swifties can tune into NBC on Monday for Swift’s previously confirmed appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Then on Tuesday, Oct. 25, a second, unnamed Midnights music video will drop. And next Friday, Oct. 28, Swift will stop by the BBC for The Graham Norton Show in the U.K.