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20 Oct 2022

Death Cab for Cutie Returns to No. 1 on Alternative Airplay Chart

Death Cab for Cutie tops Billboard‘s Alternative Airplay chart for the first time in a decade with “Here to Forever,” which rises to No. 1 on the tally dated Oct. 22.

The song is the Ben Gibbard-led band’s second Alternative Airplay leader, after “You Are a Tourist” notched a week on top in July 2011. The break between No. 1s marks the longest since Beck went 12 years, eight months and two weeks between the reigns of “E-Pro” in April 2005 and “Up All Night” in December 2017.

In between “Tourist” and “Forever,” Death Cab for Cutie reached Alternative Airplay six times, with three top 10s in that span, paced by the No. 2-peaking “Black Sun” in 2015.

“This kind of amazing news is something we never expect but are beyond happy to receive,” the band shared in a statement to Billboard. “A huge thank you to our stellar team at Atlantic Records for this accomplishment.”

Alternative Airplay is the second airplay chart that “Forever” has conquered in 2022. It ruled Adult Alternative Airplay for eight weeks beginning in August (and currently ranks at No. 3), having become the group’s seventh No. 1 on the survey.

On the all-rock-format, audience-based Rock & Alternative Airplay chart, “Forever” bullets at No. 3, after reaching No. 2, with 3.7 million audience impressions, up 2%, according to Luminate.

“Forever” is the lead single from Asphalt Meadows, Death Cab for Cutie’s 10th studio album. The set debuted at No. 4 on the Top Alternative Albums chart dated Oct. 1 and has earned 27,000 equivalent album units to date.

20 Oct 2022

Taylor Swift Leaves Fans Breathless by Revealing ‘Midnights’ Lyrics She First Teased 5 Months Ago

Taylor Swift‘s newest lyric reveal has Swifties all but hyperventilating. Unveiled with a billboard located in Mexico City — the latest of several spontaneous light-up signs planted by the pop star in cities all over the world — a line from one of the songs off Midnights was confirmed to be one very sneakily teased by Swift five months ago during her commencement speech for New York University.

Part of a Midnights pre-release partnership between Swift and Spotify, the billboard lit up at the stroke of midnight in Mexico City, just as its successors in New York City, London, São Paulo and Nashville did on different days throughout the past week. “Breathe in, breath through, breathe deep, breathe out,” it read, white lettering layered over a blue and orange watercolor graphic.

Those words may sound familiar to those who tuned in to the speech Swift gave at NYU’s spring commencement ceremony, at which she was presented with an honorary doctorate in fine arts. At the end of her 20-minute address, she delivered the line as a simple piece of advice to graduates — before quipping, “I’m a doctor now, so I know how breathing works” — without giving any sign to Swifties that they’d just unknowingly heard lyrics to an album they didn’t even know existed yet.

Earlier in the speech, the singer-songwriter also said, “Scary news is, you’re on your own now. Cool news is, you’re on your own now.” Sounds eerily similar to the title of Midnights track five, “You’re on Your Own, Kid,” doesn’t it?

The locations of Swift’s lyric reveals were all teased by Spotify’s official Twitter account a few hours before each billboard went up, meaning Swifties in each of the lucky cities had the chance to hunt them down before 12 a.m. and watch live as new lyrics were unveiled. That’s exactly what fans in Mexico City did. In the moments leading up to the “All Too Well” singer’s newest reveal, a group congregated nearby and joined together in a performance of “August,” a track off Swift’s Folklore.

The Mexico City unveiling marked just 23 hours left to go until Midnights, the 11-time Grammy winner’s 10th studio album, arrives at 12 a.m. ET Friday (Oct. 21). After the record drops, Swift has a busy week ahead of her.

On release day, she’ll premiere a music video for lead single “Anti-Hero” and treat fans to a “special very chaotic surprise,” as she shared in a recent Instagram post. Later, she’ll make appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and The Graham Norton Show, and drop a second music video for a still unidentified song.

See Taylor Swift’s newest lyric reveal in Mexico City below:

20 Oct 2022

Blink-182‘s ’Edging’ Has Best Start on Rock Radio in 8 Years

Blink-182‘s “Edging” marks the highest debut on Billboard‘s Rock & Alternative Airplay chart in over eight years, as the band’s reunion single with Tom DeLonge starts at No. 2 on the Oct. 22-dated survey.

“Edging” earned 3.9 million audience impressions in the tracking week ending Oct. 16, according to Luminate, a sum achieved in just three days, as the song was released Oct. 14.

Just eight songs have debuted in the top two of Rock & Alternative Airplay in the chart’s 13-year history. The last was The Black Keys‘ “Fever,” which bowed at No. 2 on the tally dated April 12, 2014.

“Edging” already ties Blink-182’s top-ranking song on the list, “Bored to Death,” which peaked at No. 2 in 2016.

The new track’s strong start is sparked by its No. 12 debut on Alternative Airplay, the band’s best bow, topping “Death” and its No. 18 arrival. “Edging” logs the chart’s highest entrance since Twenty One Pilots‘ “Shy Away” started at No. 11 in April 2021.

“Edging” also begins at No. 33 on Mainstream Rock Airplay.

More chart action for “Edging” will be reflected on Oct. 29-dated rankings, reflecting the song’s first week of streams and sales and its first full week of airplay (Oct. 14-20).

“Edging” marks DeLonge’s return to Blink-182 as its guitarist and co-lead singer after departing in 2015. Alkaline Trio‘s Matt Skiba had filled in on the band’s last two albums, 2016’s California and 2019’s Nine.

20 Oct 2022

Former Hedley Singer Jacob Hoggard Sentenced to 5 Years for Sexual Assault

Canadian singer Jacob Hoggard, former frontman for multi-platinum pop-rock band Hedley, was sentenced this morning (Oct. 20) to five years in jail for the sexual assault of an Ottawa woman.

The 38-year-old was given the sentence by Ontario Superior Court Justice Gillian Roberts.

The hearing began on Oct. 6 in person, then continued Oct. 14 on Zoom, at which Hoggard declined his right to speak. He was in court for the sentencing, after which he embraced his wife and was then led out.

In June, after a four-week trial, a jury found Hoggard guilty of sexual assault causing bodily harm of a woman known only as “JB.” Hoggard could have received as much as 14 years in jail. The Crown sought a sentence of between six to seven years in jail; the defense asked for three to four years.

For about an hour, Justice Roberts read out portions of her sentencing conclusion, before handing down the sentence.

“Ultimately, the total sentence must be proportionate to the gravity of the offending conduct and the circumstances of the offender, including his degree of responsibility,” she noted. “It must be sufficient to reflect the inherent harmfulness of a manipulative and particularly degrading rape.”

She then asked Hoggard to stand. “In all the circumstances of this offense, and this offender, I believe a fit and appropriate sentence is five years.”

Hoggard’s legal team had already filed a notice of appeal. The victim has also filed a lawsuit for $2.8 million Canadian (USD $2M).

In the trial, Hoggard was found guilty of one count of sexual assault causing bodily harm, but not guilty of two charges against another woman, one the same charge and the other of sexual interference (referring to a person under the age of 16).

The case, involving two women (one a minor at the time) was heard in a Toronto court. The separate assaults allegedly occurred in 2016 in Hoggard’s hotel room. One woman is from Ottawa, the other from the Greater Toronto Area.

Hoggard, who took the stand in his own defense, pled not guilty to all charges.

The verdict came six days after the revelation that a new charge had been kept out of the media since March to avoid tainting the current jury. Hoggard will face a new trial on one charge of sexual assault causing bodily harm. The rape is alleged to have occurred in Kirkland Lake, Ontario, in 2016 when the band was on tour.

Allegations against Hoggard began to surface on social media in early 2018. The singer had risen to fame in 2004 on the long-canceled television show Canadian Idol, finishing in the top three before signing with Universal Music Canada for his band Hedley. Capitol signed them in the U.S. in 2006 but later dropped them. In Canada, the band’s success included chart-topping singles, platinum certifications and headlining tours. Hoggard hosted the Juno Awards in 2015. The band’s seventh and final album, Cageless, was released in 2017.

After multiple women and girls told their stories online, Hoggard issued a statement in February 2018, which read in part, “I need to be completely clear: I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual behaviour in my life. Ever. However, over the last 13 years, I have behaved in a way that objectified women.” He added, “It’s time for me to change. I’ve decided to step away from my career indefinitely.”

Hedley’s agency, management and record label dropped the band and radio pulled their music from their playlists.

Hoggard was charged in July of 2018. He married his second wife later that year on Dec. 31.

The trial was originally scheduled to begin in November of 2018, but was pushed back several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It finally began in May.

Stories about sexual assault allegations can be traumatizing for survivors of sexual assault. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can reach out to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). The organization provides free, confidential support to sexual assault victims. Call RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline (800.656.HOPE) or visit the anti-sexual violence organization’s website for more information.

20 Oct 2022

Loretta Lynn Memorial Service to Air on CMT

George Strait, Brandi Carlile, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Little Big Town and Wynonna are among the artists who will pay tribute to Loretta Lynn on Oct. 30 during Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Celebration of the Life and Music of Loretta Lynn.

The event, helmed by CMT and Sandbox Productions in partnership with the late legend’s family, will air live and commercial-free on CMT at 7 p.m. ET from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. Lynn, 90, died at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tenn., on Oct. 4.

Hosted by NBC’s Today show co-host and family friend Jenna Bush Hager, the evening will also include performances and appearances from Barbara Mandrell, Lynn’s sister Crystal Gayle, Darius Rucker, Emmy Russell & Lukas Nelson, Faith Hill, Margo Price, Martina McBride, Sheryl Crow, Tanya Tucker, The Highwomen (Carlile, Amanda Shires, Natalie Hemby and Brittney Spencer) and more artists to be announced later. 

“We are truly honored to work closely alongside Loretta’s family to create a celebration of life fit for a true queen of country music, Loretta Lynn,” said CMT’s senior vp of production, music & events Margaret Comeaux and senior vp of music strategy and talent Leslie Fram, who serve as executive producers along with Sandbox’s Jason Owen, Ladypants Productions’ Patrizia DiMaria, Lynn’s daughter and manager Patsy Lynn Russell and Essential Broadcast Media’s Ebie McFarland. “She was a true original, a woman who always sang from her heart, never shied away from challenging the status quo and blazed the path forward for her fellow female artists. From her firecracker spirit and signature musicality to her unmistakable country style and unparalleled authenticity, we look forward to honoring her in the best way we know how: sharing stories and songs with her family, friends and the legions of fans she loved dearly.”

Lynn, whose hardscrabble life story was turned into the 1980 Oscar-winning biopic Coal Miner’s Daughter, recorded 16 No. 1 singles and was among country music’s pioneering female artists. 

The memorial service comes five months after CMT and Sandbox joined together to honor the life and career of another Nashville icon, Naomi Judd, for a similar televised live event. Judd died April 30 at age 76. 

Also coming from CMT is Nov. 8’s Next Women of Country: Celebrating the Songs of Loretta Lynn showcase at City Winery Nashville. Fram and Wendy Moten will co-host the evening, featuring performances in the round from Bowen + Young, Brooke Eden, Caylee Hammack, Erin Enderlin, Miko Marks, Sacha, Stephanie Quayle and Tiera Kennedy.

CMT dedicated its Oct. 14 broadcast of the 2022 CMT Artists of the Year celebration to Lynn’s memory, with her sisters Gayle and Peggy Sue Wright delivering an emotional performance of “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” and with special presentations from McBride and Tucker.

Two additional commercial-free encores of the Oct. 30 celebration will air on CMT on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. ET and Nov. 6 at 11 a.m. ET.  The special will also be made available on Paramount+ in early 2023.

20 Oct 2022

Ed Sheeran Had Already Started Writing a James Bond Theme Before Billie Eilish Got the Gig

Ed Sheeran was very, very close to achieving an all-time career goal for any artist when he was tapped to write a James Bond theme song in 2019. In fact, he had already begun crafting his take on the venerable genre for Daniel Craig’s Bond swan song, No Time To Die, when he was swapped out for eventual Oscar/Grammy/Golden Globe-winner Billie Eilish.

“I was within a f—ing gnat’s pube of doing one [a Bond theme song], and they changed directors, and then they just changed scripts and that was it.. we’d done all the meetings, I started writing it,” Sheeran said colorfully on this week’s episode of That Peter Crouch Podcast. The singer said that as an English performer penning a Bond theme is always a career bucket list item. “I’m not gonna pretend it didn’t hurt not doing it. But if they came back I’d be like, ‘yeah, yeah, of course, yeah!’”

In 2019, Sheeran’s manager Stuart Camp said he and the singer had met with series producer Barbara Broccoli in Dublin in 2017 to discuss a potential Bond theme, saying the film’s team “were interested” in Ed taking a shot at being the latest English/Scottish/Welsh act to give it a go; Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, Lulu, Duran Duran, Adele and Sam Smith have all previously recorded Bond themes.

The opportunity at the time appeared tied to director Danny Boyle helming of the 25th Bond movie — Boyle had worked with Sheeran on Richard Curtis’ 2019 Beatles fantasia Yesterday — but after Boyle quit over creative differences and was replaced by Cary Joji Fukunaga, Eilish was tapped for the gig.

Listen to the podcast (Bond talk starts 31:29).

20 Oct 2022

Omar Apollo Signs Global Publishing Deal With Concord

Omar Apollo has signed a global publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing. The new partnership comes after the Latin singer-songwriter’s major label debut album, Ivory (2022) via Warner Records, and a juggernaut soulful single “Evergreen (You Didn’t Deserve Me At All),” which recently landed at No. 51 on the Hot 100.

The contract with Concord will cover his complete music catalog, which includes Ivory and future works. 

“Omar has already proven himself to be one of the most exciting artists, pushing music forward,” Jeremy Yohai, senior vp of A&R at Concord, said in a statement. “It’s been amazing working Omar together with Dylan [Shanks, management] and his current music success is only the beginning.” 

“Working with Jeremy and the Concord Music Publishing team has been great,” adds Apollo.

The independent music publishing company also houses the works of acclaimed songwriters like The 1975, BIA, Daft Punk, and Duff McKagan, and represents the catalogs of legends such as Benny Blanco, Phil Collins, and Joan Sebastian among others.

Prior to Ivory, the Mexican-American artist was already a force to be reckoned with. He carved out a space as a prolific, millions-streaming SoundCloud creator; entered the top 20 of Heatseekers Albums for both 2019’s EP Friends and 2020’s mixtape Apolonio releases; and earned two Latin Grammy nominations in 2021. Plus, he’s been building a fervid, cult fan base that’s now ready for a mainstream breakthrough. 

With a heady mix of pop-punk (“Talk”), delectable funk (“No Good Reason”), Spanglish trap (“Tamagochi”), and plenty of bluesy cuts in the new album, Apollo further testifies his genre-spanning prowess and song-crafting eminence and that’s equipped for global consumption. Proof? For starters, Ivory debuted at No. 1 of the Heatseekers Albums chart, and singles like “Evergreen” racked up about 66 million plays across streaming channels. 

This year, the bilingual star made memorable appearances in major festivals like Coachella, Lollapalooza, and ALC Fest. He also guested on Good Morning America, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and is preparing for another headlining tour Stateside that includes stops at Brooklyn’s King Theatre and Los Angeles’ Greek Theatre. 

20 Oct 2022

Producers Entertainment Group Launches Publishing Arm, Inks Deal With Warner Chappell Music: Exclusive

Music publishing can sometimes be a drag, but today, that’s not a bad thing: Producers Entertainment Group (PEG) officially launches PEG Music Publishing on Thursday (Oct. 20), in collaboration with Warner Chappell Music (WCM), Billboard can reveal.

The LGBTQ+ talent management company’s newly created music publishing arm has an administration deal with WCM, which is a subsidiary of Warner Music Group. The freshly inked deal involves some of the biggest names in contemporary drag culture: Alaska Thunderfuck, Bob the Drag Queen, Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Manila Luzon, Miz Cracker, Peppermint, Sherry Vine and Trixie Mattel are the first signings as part of this arrangement. Additionally, country singer-songwriter Brandon Stansell, whose sophomore album This Must Be the Place was released over the summer, is also part of PEG’s deal with WCM. PEG says more signings from the company’s roster are to come.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been passionately dedicated to amplifying the voices of LGBTQ+ artists,” says Ryan Aceto, PEG Records head of A&R. “I’m thrilled that with this partnership, our artists and songwriters will have even more opportunities and resources to get their art out into the world. PEG Records is committed to putting our artists on the same level as other mainstream artists.”

“We’re excited to partner with Ryan and the PEG team to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ music creators – finding new ways to market their music and tell their stories through playlisting and strategic partnerships, as well as creating new opportunities for them to collaborate with other Warner Chappell songwriters,” says Ashley Winton, WCM svp of creative services.

The admin deal between PEG Music Publishing and Warner Chappell Music applies to the aforementioned artists’ catalogs and future compositions. At the top of 2022, Warner Chappell Music – which has offices in more than 20 countries — made headlines when it was announced that WCM had acquired the rights to David Bowie’s catalog, including every song written by the late icon.

PEG Records’ Aceto has previously overseen partnerships with ADA/Warner Music Group, the Recording Academy, Epic Games, Peloton and the Grammy Museum. PEG Records is a member label of Warner Music Group’s Alternative Distribution Alliance.

20 Oct 2022

Beyoncé & Mary J. Blige Lead Soul Train Awards 2022 Nominations: Full List

The Soul Train Awards are taking over Las Vegas on November 13, and BET announced its list of nominees for the star-studded ceremony. Actor and comedian Deon Cole will host the night dedicated to celebrating the best in soul, R&B and hip-hop music.

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“Hosting the Soul Train Awards is a dream come true. I grew up watching Soul Train and ‘til this day, I’ve never met a Soul Train Line I didn’t bless with my skilled two step,” said Cole in a press statement. “It is truly a privilege to be given this opportunity to celebrate Don Cornelius’ legacy, all of the amazing Black talent that illuminated our screens on the iconic TV show, and my favorite genres of music: Soul, R&B and Hip Hop.”

Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead this year’s list of nominees, with an impressive seven nods each. Ari Lennox follows with six, and Lizzo and Chris Brown each have five nominations. Burna Boy, Muni Long and Steve Lacy all have four nods.

The 2022 Soul Train Awards premiere on Sunday (Nov. 13) at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her. See the full list of nominations below.

Best New Artist
CKay
Coco Jones
Dixson
Doechii
Fireboy DML
Muni Long
Steve Lacy
Tems

Certified Soul Award
Chaka Khan
Charlie Wilson
Diana Ross
Mary J. BligeMaxwell
PJ Morton
Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers
T-Pain

Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
CeCe Winans
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Major.
Marvin Sapp
Maverick City Music X Kirk Franklin
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
Ari Lennox
Beyoncé
H.E.R.
Jazmine Sullivan
Lizzo
Mary J. Blige
SZA
Tems

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Babyface
Brent Faiyaz
Burna Boy
Charlie Wilson
Chris Brown
Giveon
Lucky Daye
PJ Morton

Album of the Year
An Evening With Silk Sonic, Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
Away Message (EP), Ari Lennox
Breezy, Chris Brown
Good Morning Gorgeous, Mary J. Blige
Heaux Tales, Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe, Jazmine Sullivan
R&B Money, Tank
Renaissance, Beyoncé
Special, Lizzo

Song of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox

The Ashford And Simpson Songwriter’s Award
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Church Girl,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“I Hate U,” SZA
“Last, Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox

Best Dance Performance
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Persuasive,” Doechii
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown
“Woman,” Doja Cat

Video of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)

Best Collaboration
“Amazing,” Mary J. Blige feat. DJ Khaled
“Be Like Water,” PJ Morton feat. Stevie Wonder & Nas
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Gotta Move On,” Diddy feat. Bryson Tiller
“Hate Our Love,” Queen Naija & Big Sean
“Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers feat. Beyoncé
“Move,” Beyoncé feat. Grace Jones & Tems
“Slow,” Tank feat. J. Valentine