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05 Mar 2024

Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’ Enters Spotify’s Billions Club

More than five decades after its release, Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” joins Spotify’s Billions Club – an elite collection of works that have accumulated more than one billion streams.

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Recognized as a classic of the heavy metal genre, “Paranoid” is the title track from the band’s 1970 LP, peaking at No. 4 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart and No. 61 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Though it continues to rock hard on Spotify and other streaming platforms, “Paranoid” was written in the studio “in five minutes,” Black Sabbath bass player Geezer Butler told Guitar World in 2004. The song was “written as an afterthought. We basically needed a three-minute filler for the album, and Tony (Iommi) came up with the riff. I quickly did the lyrics, and Ozzy (Osbourne) was reading them as he was singing.”

“Paranoid” is one of the essential songs in a Black Sabbath catalog that has racked up over 75 million records sold, including more than 24 platinum albums in the U.K. alone and over 15 million albums in the U.S., according to BMG, which represents the band’s recordings outside North America.

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Black Sabbath was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, with members of Metallica doing the honors.

“Black Sabbath’s ‘Paranoid’ breaking 1 billion streams on Spotify proves great music will always live beyond the year it was recorded,” remarks James Farrelly, BMG vice president, streaming U.K.

“New generations of rock and metal fans are continuing to discover Birmingham’s finest, in particular, we are thrilled to see the continued growth of the band’s streaming business in LATAM. When someone connects with a great song for the first time they don’t care if it’s fifty years or five days old, and ‘Paranoid’ sounds as fresh and vital as ever, ensuring a bright future for the U.K.’s darkest band.”

Since its commercial launch in 2008, Spotify has welcomed 581 tracks into its Billions Club.

05 Mar 2024

Ice Spice On Advice From Taylor Swift, BLACKPINK’s Lisa at Eras Tour & More | Billboard News

Ice Spice opens up about her friendship with Taylor Swift, being inspired by Lana Del Rey and Rihanna, her four Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Hits and more. BLACKPINK’s Lisa attended Taylor Swift’s show in Singapore and Rosé was front row at the Chanel fashion show in Paris. AESPA’s Karina shared a heartfelt apology to fans after news broke that she is dating actor Lee Jae Wook. The legendary girl group, Spice Girls celebrated the 30th anniversary of their first audition. And more!

Tetris Kelly
Ice Spice talks Lana and Taylor, the latest on Lisa, Jennie and Karina, a girl power throwback from the Spice Girls. We sit down with 5sos’ Luke Hemmings and look at Women In Music honoree PinkPantheress’success. Happy Tuesday March 5, I’m Tetris and this is Billboard News. It’s no secret it is the week of Women In Music, and we’re giving out all the flowers. Let’s kick things off with our interview with Ice. Ice Spice gets advice from Taylor Swift as she discusses Lana Del Rey and some other inspirations that may shock you, Billboard chatted with the princess let’s dive in. Fact is that Taylor Swift and Ice Spice have been proven to be new besties and Taylor is a good friend telling Ice, “No matter what just keep making music and everything’s going to be fine.” And it is Ice scored four Billboard Hot 100 top tens in 2023 saying her favorite was “Princess Diana” with Nicki Minaj. And she hit up the Super Bowl with Tay and Lana Del Rey who was real inspo, our Women In Music honoree talked about her favorite hitmakers. “I would say Lana Del Rey, I’m obsessed with her and I feel like all of her songs are hits even the ones that aren’t as big as the others, Rihanna too. I have both her and Del Rey’s vinyls, Taylor Swift, of course. Nicki Minaj. Drake, the list is long.” And we can add you right to the top of our lives, Ice Spice.

Watch the full video above!

05 Mar 2024

Former ‘The Voice’ Contestant Madison Curbelo Returns For a Four-Chair Turn: Watch

Success is not final, failure is not fatal, Winston Churchill once remarked, but it “is the courage to continue that counts.”

Madison Curbelo might not be familiar with those words of inspiration the British wartime prime minister once shared with his compatriots, but she certainly gets the drift.

On Monday night (March 4), Curbelo stepped into the blind auditions for season 25 of The Voice with a guitar, a skinful of courage and a story of failure.

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Hailing from Puerto Rico, now residing in Westfield, Massachusetts, the 21-year-old stood out with her rendition of Ben E. King’s classic “Stand By Me.” Curbelo incorporated Spanish lyrics into her delivery, for a version reminiscent of Prince Royce’s 2011 cover, but very much her own take.

John Legend turned first (and fast). Then Dan + Shay, followed by Chance the Rapper and finally, Reba McEntire. A four-chair turn, and a standing ovation from Legend, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney.

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A clearly ecstatic Curbelo has been here before, but not like this.

The youngster was a contestant on season 20. On that occasion, the 18-year-old sang “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” None of the coaches at the time — Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton, and Nick Jonas — would turn their big, red chair.

Failure is not fatal.

“Confidence is the biggest thing that has changed. And I’ve been writing so much music,” she explained after her latest performance made all four coaches turn. “So I kind of like discovered the sound that I love. And just finding Madison, I think was a big thing.”

Legend admitted he wasn’t a believer back then, but things have changed. “I feel like you’re just ready now. And I love that you say that you found your sound. And you found the way you want to express yourself,” he remarked. He could feel her smile with his back turned, and “every run you did was so tasteful.”

Legend pitched Finding Madison as an album title, getting his sales pitch in discretely.

Dan + Shay set out to recruit the singer. “You radiate light and joy,” explained Mooney. “It’s true, you know when you get told no sometimes in your life I think that pivots you and puts you on a different trajectory. And allows you the opportunity to grow in your moments. Your voice was just flawless.”

Chance weighed in, “you’re an awesome talent. So exciting and fun. You have a really cool energy. It makes me smile just hearing you sing.” He added, “whoever you go with, just think about ways that we can help you in terms of arrangements.”

Curbelo had a decision to make, a choice of four teams. She chose Dan + Shay who, for a moment, gave off the kind of energy that typically beams from a winner.

Watch the audition on NBC‘s The Voice below.


https://youtube.com/watch?v=–cGsGzaq7w&version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent

05 Mar 2024

Beyoncé En Route For Third Week Atop U.K. Chart

Beyoncé should hold onto her U.K. chart crown for a third week, at least.

Based on midweek sales and streaming data tabled by the Official Charts Company, Bey’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” (via Columbia/Parkwood Ent) has the advantage.

Beyoncé’s country-tinged hit is her sixth solo U.K. leader, and her first in 14 years. She has an additional two U.K. No. 1s as a member of Destiny’s Child.

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Meanwhile, Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control” (Atlantic) currently sits behind “Texas Hold ‘Em” at No. 2, with Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things” (Warner Records) closing out the podium at No. 3.

After cracking the top 10 for the first time last Friday, Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign‘s “Carnival” (YZY) continues to move north. “Carnival” is set to climb 9-6 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, for a new peak position. The track appears on the Vultures 1 collection, which recently peaked at No. 2 in the U.K.

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The top debut on the singles tally should belong to Olly Alexander with “Dizzy” (Polydor), the U.K. entry for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Produced by Danny L Harle, “Dizzy” is new at No. 15 on the chart blast. As frontman with Years & Years, the pop singer scored 10 top 40 singles, including five top 10s and No. 1 in 2015 with “King”.

Close behind is Charli XCX‘s “Von Dutch” (Atlantic), new at No. 16 on the chart update, for what should become the British singer and songwriter’s 15th top 40 hit.

Meanwhile, Twenty One Pilots‘ is expected to land a third top 40 with “Overcompensate” (Atlantic). It’s new at No. 26 on the chart blast.

Finally, Pharrell Williams and Miley Cyrus could bag another top 40 with “Doctor (Work It Out)” (via Columbia), new at No. 32 on midweek tally. The collab has reportedly been in the works for over a decade, and was intended to appear on but apparently scrapped from Cyrus’ 2013 album Bangerz.

Miley already has 24 U.K. top 40 hits, with three No. 1s, including “Flowers” which led the national chart for 10 weeks in 2023. Pharrell has 19 U.K. top 40s, including four leaders.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday, March 8.

04 Mar 2024

Bono’s ‘Surrender’ Wins Audiobook of the Year at 2024 Audie Awards

Bono’s audiobook Surrender, which the U2 frontman authored and narrated, was named Audiobook of the Year at the 2024 Audie Awards, which recognize distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment. The awards were presented at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles on Monday (March 4).

Bono’s audiobook, subtitled 40 Songs, One Story, was released by Penguin Random House Audio in November 2022. It runs 20 hours and 25 minutes. A companion album, Songs of Surrender, debuted and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 in April 2023.

The four other finalists for audiobook of the year were All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby, narrated by Adam Lazarre-White, published by Macmillan Audio; Inside Voice: My Obsession with How We Sound, written and narrated by Lake Bell, published by Pushkin Industries; Sing a Black Girl’s Song, by Ntozake Shange, edited by Imani Perry, foreword by Tarana Burke, narrated by Alfre Woodard, D. Woods and full cast, published by Hachette Audio; and Tom Lake by Ann Patchett, narrated by Meryl Streep, published by HarperAudio.

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Oscar-nominated screenwriter Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding) hosted the awards show. Presenters included Felicia Day (a 2024 Audie Award winner), Lake Bell (a 2024 finalist) and Samira Wiley (a 2021 finalist).

Former first lady Michelle Obama won in the business/personal development category for The Light We Carry. Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald won in the literary fiction & classics category for Homer’s The Iliad. In the humor category, the winner was Leslie F*cking Jones, written and narrated by Leslie Jones, with a foreward by Chris Rock.

All 27 categories were gender-neutral this year. The best male narrator and best female narrator categories were transformed to best fiction narrator and best non-fiction narrator.

The awards are presented by Audio Publishers Association (APA), a not-for-profit trade organization. Since 1986, the APA has worked to bring audio publishers together to increase interest in audiobooks.

The full list of winners can be found on the APA’s website: audiopub.org.

Here are 2024 Audie Award winners in selected categories:

Audiobook of the year

Surrender

Written and narrated by Bono

Published by Penguin Random House Audio

Autobiography/memoir

Making It So

Written and narrated by Patrick Stewart

Published by Simon & Schuster Audio

Business/personal development

The Light We Carry

Written and narrated by Michelle Obama

Published by Penguin Random House Audio

Fantasy

The Dragon Reborn

By Robert Jordan

Narrated by Rosamund Pike

Published by Macmillan Audio

Fiction

Tom Lake

By Ann Patchett

Narrated by Meryl Streep

Published by HarperAudio

Humor

Leslie F*cking Jones

Written and narrated by Leslie Jones, foreword by Chris Rock

Published by Hachette Audio

Literary fiction & classics

The Iliad

By Homer, translated by Emily Wilson

Narrated by Audra McDonald

Published by Audible Studios

Short stories/collections

Wild and Precious: A Celebration of Mary Oliver

By Mary Oliver, with the contributions by Sophia Bush, Ross Gay, Samin Nosrat, Rainn Wilson, and Susan Cain

Narrated by Sophia Bush

Published by Pushkin Industries

04 Mar 2024

Liam Gallagher and John Squire Eye U.K. No. 1

Manchester united! Liam Gallagher and John Squire have emerged as favorites for the U.K. chart title with their first collaborative album.

Based on midweek sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Liam Gallagher & John Squire (Warner Records) takes pole position.

Gallagher is no stranger to life at the top. Across his career, Liam has landed eight U.K. No. 1 albums as a member of Oasis, and a further five as a solo artist.

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Liam Gallagher & John Squire would represent a first leader for Squire, who has impacted the top 10 on four occasions as guitarist with the Stone Roses, and once as bandleader of the Seahorses.

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Coming in at No. 2 on the Official Chart Update is The Mandrake Project (BMG), the seventh solo record from Bruce Dickinson, best known as lead singer of Iron Maiden. The Mandrake Project is the British heavy metal veteran’s first full-length release since 2005, and is set to become his first U.K. top 10 as a solo artist.

Leeds, England rock favorites Kaiser Chiefs’ should nab an eighth U.K. top 10 appearance with Easy Eighth Album (Kaiser Chiefs), on track for a No. 3 debut. Kaiser Chiefs have twice led the tally, with 2007’s Yours Truly, Angry Mob and 2014’s Education, Education, Education & War.

Yard Act, also from Leeds, is targeting a No. 4 start with their sophomore studio release, Where’s My Utopia? (Island), while Manchester-formed rock act Everything Everything complete an all-new top 5 on the midweek tally with Mountainhead (BMG). It’s on track to bow at No. 5, for what would be their sixth U.K. top 10 album.

The current leader, Rod Stewart and Jools Holland’s Swing Fever (EastWest/Rhino) is expected to swing from the chart zenith, down 1-6.

After dominating the 2024 Brit Awards over the weekend, where she collected a record-setting six honors, RAYE is on the rebound. The homegrown R&B star’s debut My 21st Century Blues (Human Re Sources) is set to vault 96 places for a top 10 reentry, at No. 7. My 21st Century Blues won album of the year at the BRITs, and peaked at No. 2 following its release last year. The British artist also won for artist of the year, song of the year for her No. 1 single “Escapism” (featuring 070 Shake), R&B act, new artist and songwriter of the year.

Meanwhile, British rapper and songwriter Skrapz (real name: Christopher Kyei) is tracking for a top 10 berth with Reflection (1&Only), his fourth studio LP. It’s new at No. 8 on the midweek tally, and predicted to become his first U.K. top 10 album.

Also heading for U.K. top 40 enters are recordings from Big Big Train (The Likes Of Us at No. 13 via Century Media), Jacob Collier (Djesse Vol. 4 at No. 18 via Decca) and These Wicked Rivers (Force of Nature at No. 36 via Fat Earth).

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published Friday, March 8.

04 Mar 2024

BTS’ V’s Upcoming Track, Justin Bieber Turns 30, Drake to Pay for Fan’s Home & More | Billboard News

Cher is set to receive the Icon Award at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Justin Timberlake, Green Day, TLC, Jelly Roll, Tate McRae and more will perform at the show. V of BTS has announced the release date for his new track “FRI(END)S.” Justin Bieber celebrated his 30th birthday and his loved ones took to social media to share sweet messages for the singer. Drake promised a fan he would pay off their late mother’s home. And more.

Tetris Kelly:

V arrives with new music, plus updates on Justin Bieber and Drake. Find out who is on the top of this week’s chart. We have details on the iHeartRadio Awards. And tell you about one of our Women in Music honorees.

Happy Monday March 4th. I’m Tetris and welcome to Billboard News. We have such a busy week this week with Women in Music and can’t wait to take the ride with you. But let’s get started with the news.

Cher is being honored in a big way, as Justin Timberlake, TLC and more are announced to perform. We’re giving you the details on the iHeartRadio Awards. The 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards go down on Monday, April 1st and now we know who’s performing. The show will feature performances by Justin Timberlake, Green Day, TLC, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Tate McRae and more.

Cher is set to receive the 2024 iHeartRadio Icon Award at the show. Bon Jovi, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez and P!nk are previous recipients of the award. Cher is also among this year’s nominees for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

And that might have been our top story but that is far from it all.

Watch the full video above!

04 Mar 2024

Hot 100 Chart Reveal: March 9 | Billboard News

Tetris Kelly:
With new music in from SZA, can Beyoncé hold on to the top spot? This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated March 9th.

Falling to No. 10 is Taylor Swift. “Snooze” is at No. 9.

“Greedy” stays in last week’s spot.

Zach and Kacey rise two slots to No. 7.

SZA’s “Saturn” debuts at No. 6.

Teddy Swims is at No. 5.”

“Beautiful Things” rises to No. 4.

Jack Harlow drops a spot to No. 3, while “Carnival” jumps up to No. 2.

And holding on to a second week at No. 1 is Beyoncé with “Texas Hold ‘Em.”

Watch the full video above!

04 Mar 2024

Raphael Saadiq Signs With Forward Artist Management: Exclusive

Raphael Saadiq has signed with Forward Artist Management, Billboard has learned exclusively. The new agreement with the Los Angeles-based firm follows in the wake of the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter-producer’s latest success: co-writing and co-producing Beyoncé’s first Hot 100 No. 1 country single, “Texas Hold ‘Em.”

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Forward Artist Management head Tyler Childs tells Billboard, “Raphael is one-of-one. He’s been making history, creating some of the biggest musical moments of the last 30 years. He continues to write and rewrite the playbook on what an elite artist, producer, songwriter and creative is. The entire FAM team is thrilled to support him and excited to get to work.”

In addition to “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Saadiq co-wrote and co-produced Beyoncé’s concurrently released country single “16 Carriages.” He also won the best R&B song Grammy last year for Beyoncé’s “Cuff It,” which he co-wrote and produced for her most recent album Renaissance. A founding member of seminal R&B trio Tony! Toni! Toné! — which reunited in 2023 for a sold-out national theater tour, its first in 25 years — Saadiq has worked with a diverse slate of superstar artists during his lengthy career. That roster includes Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Usher, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige and Solange.

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His latest project as a solo artist was 2019’s Jimmy Lee. He also co-wrote the Academy Award-nominated song “Mighty River,” from the film Mudbound, with Blige and Tara Stinson. Saadiq is represented by Tim Mandelbaum of Fox Rothschild.

Forward Artists’ Childs also manages RZA and The Wu-Tang Clan, who launched the first-ever hip-hop residency at The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas last month with two more dates scheduled for March 22-23. Additional Forward Artist clients include Benjamin Booker (managed by Jacob Greene), Tyler Cole and Sarah Cothran.

Prior to Forward Artist Management, Childs served as vp of A&R/creative at Sony ATV Music Publishing. While there, he worked with artists and songwriters such as Ilsey Juber (Panic at the Disco’s “High Hopes,” Shawn Mendes’ “Mercy” and Mark Ronson and Miley Cyrus’ “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart”), Walk the Moon (“Shut Up and Dance”), Imagine Dragons (“Whatever it Takes”) and Pitbull featuring Ne-Yo (“Time of Our Lives”). Other artists that Childs collaborated with include Clairo, James Blake and Tegan and Sara.

04 Mar 2024

Troye Sivan Among Nominees for 2024 Rolling Stone Australia Awards

After cleaning up at the 2023 ARIA Awards, Troye Sivan is in the box seat heading into the 2024 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards, set for March 26 in central Sydney.

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The Aussie pop singer Sivan is in the hunt for best record with Something to Give Each Other, his ARIA Chart-topping 2023 album, and the Rolling Stone Global Award. Sivan dominated the ARIAs with four wins, extending his career collection of pointy trophies to six.

Almost nominated for multiple RS Awards categories are Dom Dolla, Peach PRC, Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers, The Teskey Brothers and Fisher.

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For the first time, the Ivy Sydney will host the ceremony, with winners in five categories announced on the night: best record, best single, best new artist, Rolling Stone Global Award and and the Reader’s Choice Award.

Also announced today (March 4), Kylie Minogue has a chance to add more silverware to her treasure chest with a nod for the Global Award, for which the brand’s international editorial teams, including editors from Rolling Stone U.S. and Rolling Stone U.K., cast their votes.

Kylie is riding a hot streak. The “princess of pop” received the global icon honor at the weekend during the 2024 Brit Awards in London; recently signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for live representation in the U.S. and Canada and acting roles worldwide; her More Than Just a Residency show in Las Vegas has been extended through May; she won her second Grammy last month; and she’ll receive Billboard’s Women in Music Icon Award at a ceremony March 6.

“Throughout 2023, Australian artists continue to surpass expectations both domestically and on a global stage, and we’re excited to recognize the ongoing growth of our local music scene,” comments Poppy Reid, editor-in-chief at Rolling Stone Australia publisher The Brag Media. “Our fourth annual Rolling Stone Awards will recognize the outstanding work and exceptional artists emerging from this country. We are also stoked to welcome back our headline partner Shure, who have a longstanding commitment to showcasing and supporting local music. We look forward to celebrating with the music industry on March 26.”

Rolling Stone Australia’s average issue readership is up 10.5% to 243,000 for the 12 months to September 2023, according to the latest Roy Morgan Australian Magazine Readership Report. That result represents a sixth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth for the domestic print edition of Rolling Stone.

2024 Shure Rolling Stone Australia Awards Nominees:

Best Single
Dom Dolla ft. MK – ‘Rhyme Dust’
Budjerah – ‘Therapy’
Amy Shark – ‘Can I Shower At Yours’
Fisher ft Kita Alexander – ‘Atmosphere’
Peach PRC – ‘Perfect For You’
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers – ‘I Used to be Fun’
Lime Cordiale – ‘Colin’
Tkay Maidza ft. Flume – ‘Silent Assassin’

Best New Artist
Royel Otis
Dom Dolla
Oliver Cronin
The Rions
Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
GrentPerez
Blusher
Old Mervs

Best Record
Teenage Dads – Midnight Driving
G Flip – DRUMMER
The Amity Affliction – Not Without My Ghosts
The Teskey Brothers – The Winding Way
Troye Sivan – Something to Give Each Other
Brad Cox – Acres
Dope Lemon – Kimosabè
Peach PRC – Manic Dream Pixie

Rolling Stone Global Award
Kylie Minogue
Tones And I
Troye Sivan
The Teskey Brothers
Dom Dolla
DMA’S
Fisher
Vacations
Tame Impala