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31 Jan 2024

The Wiggles Appoint First-Ever CEO

More than three decades into their career, the Wiggles continue to evolve and make history with No. 1 records, awards, arenas shows and more. Now, the beloved kids entertainers set another new mark, with the appointment of Luke O’Neill to the newly-created position of chief executive officer.

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The incoming CEO will be expected to lead the organization’s digital transformation and global expansion.

Among his tasks, O’Neill will be expected to expand the Wiggles’ digital footprint, develop new products, grow the commercial operations of the business, and build greater distribution channels to reach larger audiences.

“The Wiggles have always been pioneers in delivering high-quality, educational, and entertaining content for children,” O’Neill comments. “I am thrilled to lead the team as we explore new opportunities in the digital and commercial spaces and expand our global presence. Together, we will continue to create memorable experiences for children and families around the world.”

The incoming chief carries experience in accelerating growth and leading digital transformations for businesses in real estate, hospitality, and events industries, and has served as a consultant with the Wiggles since mid-2023.

O’Neill has already played “a crucial role in shaping the strategic direction for the brand’s future,” reads a statement announcing his appointment, by “leading the development of a new digital strategy, while refocusing efforts in consumer product licensing and sponsorship opportunities.”

The Wiggles and their big red car aren’t slowing down. The group celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2021, then found a new gear. Along the way, the group won triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown for the first time (with a cover of Tame Impala’s “Elephant”); landed a No. 1 album on the ARIA Chart (also a first), became the first band in Australian history to perform two national arena tours in a single year; and scooped the Ted Albert Award for outstanding service to Australian music (a first for a kid’s entertainment act). Last year, the Wiggles teamed up with the Pinkfong Company for a four-part Baby Shark collaborative series.

Since 1991, the Wiggles have sold over 30 million albums and DVDs and 8 million books globally.

31 Jan 2024

Adele Sets Summer Shows In Germany

It’s not a tour, though Adele is officially playing concerts in Europe this summer.

The British pop superstar announces four exclusive dates in Munich, Germany on Aug. 2 and 3, then the following weekend of Aug. 9 and 10, for her first shows on the Continent since 2016.

The “Hello” singer will perform at a bespoke 80,000-capacity venue, an “open-air environment that has been exclusively created for these special shows,” reads a statement.

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The development comes just months out from Adele completing her Weekends With Adele residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, dates that kicked off in Nov. 2022 and were extended through mid-June.

“So a few months ago I got a call about a summer run of shows. I’ve been content as anything with my shows in London’s Hyde Park and my residency in Vegas, so I hadn’t had any other plans,” she writes on Instagram, “However, I was too curious to not follow up and indulge in this idea – a one off, bespoke pop-up stadium designed around whatever show I want to put on.”

Though Germany gets the prize with this run of shows, Adele has teased a broader trek, and just maybe, new music. “I just don’t think I’m gonna write an album for quite some time,” Adele said in a video posted recently by fans. “But next time I do,” she continued, “I’ll come to wherever it is you live.”

Adele is, without question, one of the most popular artists on the planet when she’s locked-in for an album or touring cycle. She has landed five No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100, including 10-week runs for “Hello” and “Easy On Me,” and three of her four albums have logged extensive time at the top of the Billboard 200. Few records deliver the goods quite like her sophomore smash 21, which reigned over the chart for 24 weeks following its release in 2011.

Following the release of her third album, 25, Adele was crowned IFPI’s Global Recording Artist of the Year in 2015.

It’s a similar tale in her homeland, the U.K., where Adele has four No. 1 singles and three No. 1 albums, with 21 recognized by the Official Charts Company as No. 4 on the list of all-time bestselling albums and, in 2021, was named the best-selling album of all time in the U.K. by a female artist.

The Londoner has amassed 16 Grammy Awards, including seven in the “Big Four” categories.

Adele has discussed her battles with stage fright and admittedly doesn’t have easy relationship with full-scale touring. Those dates on the Strip, however, have been “really, really, really” fun, and might have changed her mind on the touring process.

In a social media post last October, Adele explained the drill of two shows each weekend had awoken something in her. “I’ve felt so much and learned so much about myself and you. It’s humanized everything I thought was scary,” she wrote. “Mostly though – it’s just made me realize how much I really enjoy being on stage, that I’m bloody good at it and that it is 100% where I belong!”

Ticket registration for the Munich shows are open now at Adele.com and closes next Monday, Feb. 5.

30 Jan 2024

James Arthur Takes Lead In U.K. Chart Race With ‘Bitter Sweet Love’

And just like that, James Arthur is the frontrunner in the race for the U.K. albums chart crown.

Arthur, the former X Factor U.K. champion, enters the lead with Bitter Sweet Love (Columbia), his fifth studio album, following the release of a “Digital Deluxe” version on Saturday (Jan. 27), including three live recordings cut in Hamburg with the Lufthansa Orchestra, and four bonus tracks.

The pop singer promoted his new release on the weekend, performing the title track for Michael McIntyre’s Big Show on BBC One.

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What a difference a day makes. Prior to the Official Chart Company’s latest update, Radiohead spin-off the Smile was in pole position with Wall of Eyes (XL Recordings), which held a lead of just 200 chart units over indie rockers the Reytons’ Ballad of a Bystander (The Reytons), in second spot.

Now, Arthur’s Bitter Sweet Love roars ahead with an additional 5,000 chart units collected overnight, mostly physical sales, the OCC reports. With its rocket boosters on full blast, Bitter Sweet Love moves 4,000 chart units ahead of its nearest competition, the Smile’s Wall of Eyes.

The winner of X Factor back in 2012, Arthur has cracked the top 3 with all his previous releases including a leader with 2016’s Back From the Edge, a collection that featured his No. 1 single “Say You Won’t Let Go.”
Arthur also entered the U.K. top 10 with his 2013 self-titled debut (at No. 2), 2019’s You (No. 2) and his most recent LP, 2021’s It’ll All Make Sense In The End (No. 3).

As it stands, a slew of new releases are on track for top 10 berths, including Future Islands‘ People Who Aren’t There Anymore (at No. 6 via 4AD), Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes‘ Dark Rainbow (No. 8 via International Death Cult), New Model Army’s Unbroken (No. 9 via Ear Music), and Super Furry Animal Gruff Rhys‘s Sadness Sets Me Free (No. 10 via Rough Trade).

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published Friday, Feb. 2.

30 Jan 2024

Hit-Boy Reacts to Grammy Nod, Talks Working With Nas & J. Lo & More | Billboard News

Hit-Boy reacts to his Grammy nomination, talks about self-releasing music, what sets him apart from other producers, and working with artists such as Nas and Jennifer Lopez. His father, Big Hit, joins in on the conversation and talks about navigating the music industry after spending 12 years in prison, what his life was like while serving his sentence and what their relationship is like now that he is out.

Big Hit:
Guess I’m to blame, busting that superstar DNA. Big Hit came. Hit-Boy came. Hit-Boy came, C III came. The best is yet to come.

Hit-Boy:
Yo, yo. It’s Hit-Boy.

Big Hit:
It’s Big Hit.

Hit-Boy & Big Hit:
You’re watching Billboard News.

Tetris Kelly:
Hey, it’s Tetris with Billboard News, and I have the honor of being with a man that has so many hits, it’s his name. Hit-Boy, man. What’s up? How’s it going?

Hit-Boy:
I’m good, man.

Tetris Kelly:
Let’s talk about this Grammy nomination. Your 11th nomination — producer of the year non-classical. Does it hit any different on your 11th time?

Hit-Boy:
Oh, man. It’s crazy because I didn’t expect to … I mean I don’t have no expectations when it comes to, like, awards and stuff like that. But just even being in the nominations, it just hit me this year just because this whole year, I’ve been kind of focusing on things that I can control, which was my own projects, working with my dad, put out a project with Musiq Soulchild, so everything that you know was under me being nominated was mostly stuff that, you know, I really put my heart and soul into, so it did hit different.

Tetris Kelly:
And then, I mean, you’ve worked on so many projects this year like you said. How do you feel you stack up when you’re like looking at “I’m going up against Jack Antonoff, you know, my homie from Georgia, Metro Boomin,” like, what do you feel sets you apart as a producer?

Watch the full video above!

30 Jan 2024

Britney Spears Apologies to Justin Timberlake, New Megan Thee Stallion Album & More | Billboard News

Megan Thee Stallion is making sure we have a Hot Girl Summer with the announcement of her upcoming album and tour. Britney Spears took to social media to apologize for some of the things she wrote about Justin Timberlake in her memoir ‘The Woman in Me.’ Justin Timberlake has revealed that more *NYSNC music is on the way. We attended the premiere of the upcoming film ‘The Greatest Night in Pop’ and got to interview a few of the film’s cast and crew. And more!

Tetris Kelly
Megan makes some major announcements amidst her Nicki feud. Britney praises Justin while he gives *NSYNC fans hope. I talked to the Grammy-nominated Hit-Boy and Lionel Richie and Sheila E. take us down memory lane. Welcome back to Billboard News, I’m Tetris Kelly. It’s Tuesday, January 30th, and if you thought we were done talking about Megan and Nicki, well you thought wrong because they keep making news.

Megan Thee Stallion
I’m trying to keep the hotties happy, they fussin’ at me right now. They like, “where’s the music?”

Tetris Kelly
Megan Thee Stallion hit Good Morning America to bring all sorts of good news and avoided any of the controversy surrounding Nicki Minaj’s reaction to her song “Hiss.” Can you believe just a few short years ago, Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj were collaborators on “Hot Girl Summer”? And though their recent beef is dominating the news cycle. Meg is keeping her head up and returning to Hot Girl Summer.

Megan Thee Stallion
Oh, we’re having the tour this year. The Hot Girl Summer Tour is going to be 2024 summertime, I feel like I’ve never been able to be outside doing my own thing. During the summer like since like 2019.

Tetris Kelly
The rapper gave a full interview on ‘Good Morning America’ promoting multiple projects like her ‘Mean Girls’ track and Planet Fitness collab, but did she discuss Nicki’s diss track “Big Foot?” No, she but promised her new album is coming.

Megan Thee Stallion
This is gonna be the first time that I drop an album on time for the summer. I do want to give the hotties the Megan Thee Stallion experience.

Tetris Kelly
It’s going to be a busy summer for Thee Stallion. For more on the story hit Billboard.com

Watch the full video above!

30 Jan 2024

Coco Jones Signs With Warner Chappell Music

Piping-hot R&B singer and songwriter Coco Jones signs with Warner Chappell Music, just days out from the 66th annual Grammy Awards where she’s nominated in five categories.

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Announced today (Jan. 30), Jones strikes an exclusive publishing agreement with the major music publisher. “Music has been a constant in my life and the motivation that has anchored me since the very beginning,” she comments in a statement. “Discovering a team at Warner Chappell that shares that same passion and understands my voice and vision is very special to me.”

Born in South Carolina and raised in Lebanon, Tennessee, Jones is all-round entertainer. At age 12, she embarked on the path to tween stardom with roles on Disney Channel shows and films like So Random! and Let It Shine; appeared in the sitcom Good Luck Charlie; and more recently, she won the role of Hilary Banks on Peacock’s Fresh Prince reboot, Bel-Air.

In 2022, she signed with High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings, and the following year landed her breakthrough with the RIAA platinum-certified, Billboard Hot 100 hit single, “ICU.”

“Coco is a natural superstar,” comments Xavier Champagne, senior director, urban A&R, WCM, following the signing. “She’s a top-tier performer and has a special talent for songwriting that connects deeply with her fans.”

Now, industry plaudits await. At the 2024 Grammys this Sunday (Feb. 4), Jones will compete for best R&B song and best R&B performance (both for “ICU”), best new artist, best R&B album for What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe) and best traditional R&B performance for her collaboration with Babyface, “Simple.”

“Coco Jones has one of the most unique voices out there, and it’s great to see her having her moment as both a songwriter and artist,” enthuses Ryan Press, president, North America, WCM. “She’s helping pave an entirely new era of R&B and her hustle and work ethic have led to a year of breakthroughs. Now let’s go win some Grammys.”

30 Jan 2024

Noah Kahan Heading For Fifth Week Atop U.K. Chart With ‘Stick Season’

Noah Kahan season isn’t winding down anytime soon in the United Kingdom.

Based on sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Kahan’s “Stick Season” (via Republic Records) is on track for a fifth straight week at No. 1.

Should the Vermont singer and songwriter’s standout single hang on for another week at the top, “Stick Season” would be the first track to reign over the U.K. chart for five consecutive weeks since Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red,” according to the OCC.

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Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor” (Polydor) keeps shuffling, thanks to its exposure to new audiences in the dark drama Saltburn. It’s expected to hold at No. 2, its peak position logged following its release back in 2001.

Teddy Swims continues to make a splash with “Lose Control” (Atlantic), which is set for a career-best chart position. “Lose Control” lifts 6-3 on the chart update, ahead of Jack Harlow’s “Lovin On Me” (up 5-4 via Atlantic) and Ariana Grande’s “Yes, And” (down 4-5 via Republic Records).

British rapper Skepta should score the top debut on the chart, with “Newgas Me Up (Diligent)” (via Big Smoke/Epic). It’s new at No. 29 on the chart blast, and is right on track to land the Mercury Prize winning grime star his 22nd U.K. top 40.

Finally, Justin Timberlake’s return as a solo recording artist could net him a 27th top 40 appearance on the U.K. singles tally. Timberlake’s “Selfish” (RCA) appears at No. 35 on the midweek chart, and is the first track lifted from his sixth solo album, titled Everything I Thought It Was. EITIW is slated for release on March 15.

The Official U.K. Singles Chart is published Friday, Feb. 2.

29 Jan 2024

Radiohead Side Project The Smile Leads Midweek U.K. Chart With ‘Wall of Eyes’

It’s tight, and it’s early days, but the members of the Smile can afford a grin. The Radiohead spin-off leads the midweek U.K. chart with Wall Of Eyes (XL Recordings), their sophomore album.

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There’s not much in it. Just 200 combined units separate Wall of Eyes from the second-placed album on the Official Chart Update, the Reytons’ Ballad of a Bystander (via The Reytons).

Comprised of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, with Sons of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner, the Smile will nab a second U.K. top 10, following their 2022 debut A Light For Attracting Attention, which peaked at No. 5.

Radiohead knows more than most about life at the chart penthouse. The alternative rock legends have led the Official U.K. Albums Chart with six titles: OK Computer (from 1997), Kid A (2000), Amnesiac (2001), Hail to the Thief (2003), In Rainbows (2008) and A Moon Shaped Pool (2016).

The Reytons have chart form of their own. The Rotherham, England indie-rock band topped the chart last year with What’s Rock and Roll?

Wall of Eyes and Ballad of a Bystander lead an all-new top seven on the chart blast, as James Arthur sets his sights on a fifth U.K. top 10 appearance with Bitter Sweet Love (Columbia), on track for a No. 3 debut.

Rounding out the top five on the chart blast is Tom Odell’s Black Friday (No. 4 via Urok) and Future Islands People Who Aren’t There Anymore (No. 5 via 4AD), while new entries from Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes (Dark Rainbow at No. 6 via International Death Cult), New Model Army (Unbroken at No. 7 via Ear Music) and Gruff Rhys (Sadness Sets Me Free at No. 9 via Rough Trade) are heading for top 10 debuts.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published Friday, Feb. 2.

29 Jan 2024

Megan Thee Stallion vs. Nicki Minaj Update, Taylor Swift at AFC Championship & More | Billboard News

Nicki Minaj has released a new track titled “Big Foot” which is seemingly in response to Megan Thee Stallion’s recent track “Hiss.” Taylor Swift celebrated the Chiefs’ big AFC Championship win with boyfriend Travis Kelce and fans hope to get a glimpse of the singer at the Super Bowl on February 11th. The 2024 Grammys are almost here and we’re giving you a look at all the exclusive parties your favorite artists will be at. And more!

Tetris Kelly:

Nicki Minaj continues her beef with Megan Thee Stallion. The Chiefs are heading to the Super Bowl but will Taylor be in Vegas? We run down all the hottest Grammy week parties. We reveal who’s in the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and catch up with Grammy nominee 6lack.

Happy Monday, friends! It’s January 29th and we have so much to get into so let’s start with our top stories!

Nicki Minaj has released a track targeting Megan Thee Stallion called “Big Foot” and it’s shocking in so many different ways. We’re here to break them all down. This all started when Megan Thee Stallion released track “Hiss” and referenced Megan’s Law, a law that makes registered sex offenders public knowledge. Nicki has taken that as a direct shot at her husband and over several days went on IG live and X ranting about Meg and promising the release of the new track. Several X users pointed out that a lot of the lines from the new song can be found in those rants.

But none more shocking than a repetitive section about Megan’s deceased mother.

She even retweeted “It would be insane to hear this line chanted,” at her tour. But nobody was ready for the beat to fall out and Nicki to keep going for a minute.

As Nicki said “Child!” What do you think of the track? Please and I mean, please let us know in the comments.

Watch the full video above!

29 Jan 2024

Hot 100 Chart Reveal: Feb. 3 | Billboard News

Teddy Swims reaches a new peak while Doja Cat has two tracks within the top 10. Can Ariana Grande’s “Yes, And?” hold on to the top spot? Watch the video to find out which track earned the crown.


Tetris Kelly:
This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated Feb. 3. 21 Savage falls five spots to No. 10. “Snooze” stays put at No. 9.

“Paint the Town Red” slips to No. 8 as Doja’s “Agora Hills” climbs 11 to No. 7. Ariana drops from No. 1 to No. 6 in her second week, while Zach Bryan and Kacey move up a spot to No. 5.

Teddy Swims hits a new high of No. 4.

Tate McRae returns to her peak at No. 3.

“Cruel Summer” is back up to No. 2.

And for the fourth time in his chart run, “Lovin on Me” is at No. 1.

Watch the full video above!