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Sam Hunt shares how he created his ‘Locked Up’ EP and how his music is changing with his life. He highlights how “Outskirts” has blown up during his tour, new country artists and more! Sam Hunt: I don’t know about that. Maybe if Keith and I both two-on-one the kangaroo, we might be able to […]
Cub Sport, The Teskey Brothers and Jem Cassar-Daley will take great form into the 2024 AIR Awards, set for Thursday, Aug. 1 at Queen’s Theatre in Adelaide.
Cub Sport is hunting a triple. The Brisbane electronic pop foursome is shortlisted for best independent dance or electronica and independent album of the year for their ARIA No. 1 collection, Jesus At The Gay Bar, and their Adam Munnings-directed clip for “Keep Me Safe” is up for independent music video of the year. Cub Sport pounced for two wins at last month’s 2024 Queensland Music Awards.
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Also at the AIR Awards, The Teskey Brothers, led by Josh and Sam, are up for best independent blues and roots album or EP and independent marketing team of the year (Ivy League, Mushroom).
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The Teskeys are fresh from winning the songwriter of the year at the 2024 APRA Music Awards, and best record at the 2024 Rolling Stone Australia Awards for their ARIA No. 1 album The Winding Way, and their manager, Jeremy Furze, was named manager of the year at the 2024 AAM Awards.
Meanwhile, Jem Cassar-Daley’s “King of Disappointment” could be crowned song of the year, though it faces competition from works by Genesis Owusu (“Leaving The Light”), Maple Glider (“Don’t Kiss Me”), RVG (“Nothing Really Changes”) and Teen Jesus And The Jean Teasers (“I Used To Be Fun”).
Cassar-Daley, daughter of homegrown country great Troy Cassar-Daley, won a brace at the 2024 QMAs, including the night’s top honor – song of the year (for “King of Disappointment”).
Best independent label will be contested by ABC Music, Dot Dash Recordings, Ourness, Poison City Records and Spinning Top Records.
Now in its 18th year, the AIR Awards are a celebration of the best and brightest from Australia’s independent music community.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to recognize the work the independent music industry does in providing talented and emerging artists and music businesses with a platform to share their art with a wider audience,” comments minister for arts. Andrea Michaels, member of parliament.
This year’s ceremony will once more be bookended by the Indie-Con Australia conference, a gathering that focuses “on issues that are specifically relevant to the independent music sector,” say organizers, the Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR). The South Australian Music Development Office is major sponsor for the annual awards. Details on the program and lineup of speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.
When season 25 of The Voice began, 40 artists were split among the four teams.
Now, just five are alive in the competition.
On Tuesday night (May 14), The Voice trimmed its list of contenders following a round of “Last Chance” performances.
Asher HaVon, Bryan Olesen, Josh Sanders, Karen Waldrup, Maddi Jane, Madison Curbelo, Nathan Chester, Serenity Arce and Tae Lewis took their turns at the mic on the previous night. America voted. The four singers with the top scores went through: Karen Waldrup (Team Dan + Shay), Nathan Chester (Team Legend), Josh Sanders (Team Reba) and Asher HaVon (Team Reba).
The remaining singers battled it out for the last remaining spot.
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There could be only one. With his performance of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” Bryan Olesen (Team Legend) won the Instant Save, and a precious lifeline. Waldrup, Chester, Sanders, HaVon and Oleson progress to next week’s finale, which airs Monday, May 20, when each singer performs one last time for America’s vote.
On Tuesday, May 21, the winner of The Voice season 25 is announced.
An all-star cast will join on both nights, including Keith Urban (on Monday), The Black Keys, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and Kate Hudson (all performing on the Tuesday episode).
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Though not performing, a slew of coaching favorites will appear on The Voice Finale to celebrate its milestone 25th season, from Kelly Clarkson to CeeLo Green, Niall Horan, Jennifer Hudson, Nick Jonas, Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Gwen Stefani.
Both episodes air on NBC, and will stream on Peacock the following day from 6 a.m. ET.
It’s not just the singing talent that’s undergoing change. The lineup of John Legend, Chance the Rapper, Reba McEntire, and newbies Dan + Shay will have a new look when The Voice returns in this fall. Country great McEntire is the only returning coach on a panel that includes Gwen Stefani, Michael Bublé, and Snoop Dogg.
Watch the Last Chance performances below.
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Reggaetón stars Feid and Yandel came up with a very cool marketing ploy for Manifesting, their recently released joint EP and for their single “Brickell.” They would perform an “impromptu” live concert from a yacht cruising the waters of Biscayne Bay in Miami, with Brickell avenue within striking distance.
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Late Tuesday afternoon (May 14), Feid let fans know something was up, posting an Instagram story that showed him on a boat in the bay with the caption “Quien en bote hoy en Miami puessss (Who’s on a boat in Miami today, puessss).” A mere three hours later, a second Instagram story showed a caravan of boats trailing Feid’s yacht, and soon enough, he and Yandel began to sing.
But not for long.
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Just three songs into the performance, as Feid and Yandel’s yacht was nearing the Brickell bridge, local water police patrols asked the artists to shut down the party.
According to Andy Martínez, Yandel’s manager, officers told the artist teams “to please stop the music” because so many fans showed up, that traffic on the roads was ensnarled and “there were over 50 police patrols on hand” for the safety of the crowds trying to get to the bridge and boat’s route.
However, Martínez told Billboard, all was good. Feid’s team had obtained “all the necessary permits with the Coast Guard, and everything was in order and in time.”
The plan, says Martínez, “was to cross the bridge and sing the entire album. But they only got through three songs.”
As a marketing ploy, however, the show on the water was a hit. Social media videos show throngs of screaming people lining the canal as the yacht went by.
“Miami que locura, que chimba que momentos que amor tan especial. Gracias Gracias,” posted Feid on his Instagram.
It’s Tuesday, May 14th, and an obituary for Eminem’s Slim Shady appeared in a Detroit newspaper ahead of the release of his upcoming album. ZICO teases in an interview with Billboard that he’s heard some of Jennie’s solo tracks and that they’re all really good. Yves from LOONA returns to music for the soundtrack of […]
Rapsody shares why ‘Please Don’t Cry’ is her most vulnerable album, how her truth is incorporated throughout all of the songs and her various collaborations including: Lil Wayne, Erykah Badu, and Dixson. She also talks about the resurgence of women in hip hop and how Nicki Minaj & Cardi B helped pave the way and more!
Rapsody:
I think it’s exciting and beautiful time for hip hop, to have women at the forefront. We’re everywhere. It’s gonna stand the test of time and I think it’s going to help to even out the playing field, that may not be that we’re always at the forefront, but we won’t be in the shadow. What’s up y’all this is Rapsody and you’re watching Billboard News.
Gail Mitchell:
I’m thrilled to be sitting next to Rapsody.
Rapsody:
I’m so happy to be here with you. Legend.
I wanted to get your take on the resurgence of women in hip hop and you’ve seen a lot of change, ups and downs in that arena. Is this more than just a moment? I think some people might still try to look at it as a fad. It’ll go away, but is…
Rapsody:
No. You know, this is a beautiful beginning. You know, just we never seen it like this, or no. I think there was a time. 90s of course you know we have MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, Lauryn, Lil’ Kim, Foxy, Missy Elliott, Charli Baltimore, I can go on and on. But I think with social media, you just, you see it in such a heavy force. It’s everywhere. So I mean, I’m excited about it.
Gail Mitchell:
Who were your key influences on the hip hop side coming up?
Rapsody:
My key? Lauryn Hill, Jay Z, Lil Wayne, Nas, Biggie. Erykah Badu, she’s hip hop. To me MC Lyte, Queen Latifah. I listened, DMX heavy. What? Heavy, heavy East Coast right?
SYDNEY, Australia — Universal Music Australia forms a strategic relationship with hip-hop specialist One Day Entertainment, a bond both parties are confident will unearth and launch more Aussie acts. Through the agreement, One Day Recordings will work closely with UMA label EMI Music Australia on developing and exposing local talent, both here and abroad. The joint venture, say reps for UMG, ought to strengthen the major music company’s Australian artist roster by “drawing on One Day Recordings strong A&R connections within the domestic market.”Over the past few years, notes EMI managing director Mark Holland, “I’ve seen their drive, tenacity, and hunger to succeed in the music business first-hand and am keen to help find and nurture the future generation of musicians alongside them.”The One Day team, he continues, is “already proving to be a strong A&R source in the domestic market, utilizing their established position in artist and studio management, as well as touring and event promotion.”
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Financial terms weren’t disclosed.Launching in 2013 as an artist collective comprised of Horrorshow, Spit Syndicate, Joyride and Jackie Onassis, One Day Entertainment began life as a events brand.In 2019, Sydney-based One Day Entertainment changed gears and diversified into artist and producer management, led by co-founders Nick Lupi and Adit Gauchan.Currently, One Day manages ARIA Award winning, Grammy- nominated producer 18YOMAN, and 2024 APRA Music Award-winning hip-hop ONEFOUR, the subject of the Netflix documentary, Against All Odds. One Day’s roster also includes Chillinit and tiffi.“The team at One Day,” says UMA president and CEO Sean Warner, “combined with our team at EMI Australia, will bring something unique and fresh to the domestic music ecosystem. Warner adds, “we are always on the hunt for new and up-and-coming talent, and with the help of Nick and Adit, alongside our in-house A&R teams, we aim to expand our roster even further – I’m looking forward to what this next chapter of our partnership brings.”
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The JV is announced after an impassioned plea from the artist management community on the eve of the APRA Awards, with a common goal to fix Australian artists’ “discoverability” problem. One solution, pitched by the Association of Artist Managers, is Michael’s Rule, a three-pronged industry code that would require all major tours in these parts to feature a local support act.
Led by SZA’s SOS, Travis Scott’s UTOPIA and growth in paid subscription streaming services, Sony Music revenue grew 16.9% to 1.59 trillion yen ($11.05 billion) in its fiscal year ended March 31, its parent company, Sony Corp., reported Tuesday, May 14.
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Sony Music’s revenue topped guidance of 1.56-1.57 trillion yen given in Sony Corp’s previous quarterly earnings in February. Its adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (AOIBDA) of 368.7 billion yen ($2.55 billion) also topped guidance of 350-360 billion yen.
The yen-denominated revenue figures were boosted by foreign exchange rates. Of Sony Music’s revenue gain, about 32%, or 76.5 billion yen ($529 million), came from foreign exchange. Both recorded music and music publishing divisions enjoyed higher revenue from streaming services and paid subscriptions — Spotify’s price increase in July 2023, and continued subscriber growth at all platforms, also provided a boost to recent earnings by Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group.
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Recorded music revenue of 1.07 trillion yen ($7.39 billion) was up 20.4% from the prior year. While physical revenue dropped 7.4% to 101.3 billion yen ($701.7 million), streaming jumped 18.5% to 709.5 billion yen ($4.91 billion) and accounted for 66.5% of recorded music revenue, down from 67.7% in fiscal 2022. The “other” category, which includes merchandise, rose 59.8% to 221.4 billion yen ($1.53 billion).
Other top releases for the fiscal year were Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, Harry Styles’ Harry’s House, Miley Cyrus’s Endless Summer Vacation, Luke Combs’ Gettin’ Old, Peso Pluma’s Genesis, Doja Cat’s Scarlet, Rod Wave’s Nostalgia and Beyoncé’s Renaissance.
Music publishing full-year revenue rose 18.1% to 326.7 billion yen ($2.26 billion). Streaming revenue improved 21.1% to 185 billion yen ($1.28 billion) and accounted for 56.6% of publishing revenue, up from 55.2% in fiscal 2022.
Visual media and platform revenue declined 0.4% to 202.1 billion yen ($1.4 billion). Within the segment, gaming revenue fell 9.5% to 98.2 billion yen ($680 million).
Stray Kids’ “Social Path (feat. LiSA)” was the top music release for Sony Music Entertainment Japan for the full fiscal year. Other top releases in Japan were King Gnu’s The Greatest Unknown, SixTONES’ The Vibes and two releases by Nogizaka46: Monopoly and Ohitorisama Tengoku.
For the second straight quarter, Sony Music’s operating income of 301.7 billion yen was the largest of any Sony Corp. business and accounted for about a quarter of the parent company’s total operating income. Although Games & Network Services’ revenue of 4.26 trillion yen ($29.55 billion) was more than 2.5 times Sony Music’s revenue, it had operating income of 290.2 billion yen ($2 billion) – about 4% lower than Sony Music’s operating income.
Even though Sony Corp.’s full-year revenue grew about 13% on a constant currency basis, the company is wary of uncertain business conditions and volatility. As such, Sony Music’s parent company is putting a greater focus on earnings, efficiency and business profitability.
During the earnings call, Sony Corp.’s management discussed the company’s “mid-range plan” that includes a partial spin-off off its financial services division in Oct. 2025 and increasing focus on growth in its three entertainment segments — music, film and games and network services — and its imaging and sensing solutions business. The parent company aims to achieve an annual growth rate of 10% or more in these business segments.
“In the music segment, we continue to aim to grow faster than the market by strengthening our efforts in emerging markets, increasing monetization opportunities for our music catalog, and incorporating adjacent businesses such as merchandising,” said Hiroki Totoki, president, COO and CFO.
Looking ahead to the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, Sony Music expects 4% increases in both revenue and operating income.
Sony Music’s fiscal fourth quarter revenue climbed 23.5% to 422.2 billion yen ($2.85 billion). Recorded music revenue in the quarter rose 29.4% to 288 billion yen ($1.94 billion) due to 23.9% growth in streaming revenue and a 91.9% improvement in the “other” category. Music publishing revenue grew 25.5% to 82.9 billion yen ($558.6 billion). Visual media and platform revenue dropped 3.8% to 51.4 billion yen ($346.6 million) due to a 22.2% decline in gaming revenue.
Both SOS and UTOPIA were also Sony Music’s top two albums in the fiscal fourth quarter as well as the full year. Other top albums in the quarter were 21 Savage’s American Dream, Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, Bad Bunny’s nadie sabe lo que va a pasar mañana, Peso Pluma’s Genesis, Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti, Tate McRae’s Think Later, Justin Timberlake’s Everything I Thought It Was and Harry Styles’ Harry’s House.
The year of the Dogg is upon us.
Hip-hop veteran Snoop Dogg has his hand in everything right now, from cocktails to cooking shows, an international tour, movie roles, coaching spots on NBC’s The Voice and a spot on the sidelines for the world’s greatest multi-sport event, the Olympic Games.
On Monday night (May 13), Snoop dropped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for a brisk walk through his busy schedule.
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This Dogg is having his day, again and again.
Rocking a customized Olympics kit, Snoop talked of taking his talents to Paris this summer, where he joins the NBC team for nightly reports from the 2024 games. “I wanna do something special with you over there, I don’t know what it is,” he tells Fallon. “Something musical. Something comedic.”
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That once-in-a-lifetime gig will slot into a stint as coach on NBC singing competition show, The Voice, alongside fellow newcomer, the Canadian crooner Michael Bublé.
Announced earlier this week, the 52-year-old joins a panel for this fall’s 26th season which is rounded out by returning coaches Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani, with the former notching her third consecutive season on the series and No Doubt singer and solo star Stefani adding yet another notch with her eighth go-round.
“If you know anything about me you know I love all forms of music,” he says of his pivot to the musical chairs of The Voice. “So this is a great opportunity for me to show that I really understand music. And be a real coach and really give direction to some of these artists that can be today’s next big thing.”
Snoop insists, “I’m not one-sided, I’m not just for you. I’m for everybody. I’m the people’s champ.”
Before the gun goes off in the French capital, Snoop will embark on a Canadia-exclusive trek this June with fellow G-Funk trailblazers Warren G and DJ Quik, for the Cali to Canada Tour. “We’ll be doing what we do,” he tells Fallon, “representing that west coast hip-hop and giving up a great show.”
Watch the interview below.
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The remaining nine contestants on The Voice took it home on Monday night (May 13), for a round of performances that will determine the makeup of the final.
The Voice this week celebrates Hometown Week, doing so at the point end of this 25th season — the semi-finals.
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On Monday (May 13), Asher HaVon, Bryan Olesen, Josh Sanders, Karen Waldrup, Maddi Jane, Madison Curbelo, Nathan Chester, Serenity Arce and Tae Lewis took their spots on stage.
Each contestant hit a solo song dedicated to their hometown and the people who supported them over the years. Then, the singers teamed up in trios for songs inspired by the feature film IF.
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Olesen, Jane and Chester performed the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven”; HaVon, Curbelo and Arce hit Coldplay’s “Fix You”; and Sanders, Waldrup and Lewis sang the Band’s “Forever Young.”
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Currently, newbie coaches Dan + Shay lead the way with three artists remaining in the competition, while Reba McEntire, John Legend, and Chance the Rapper each have two artists.
America voted, the results of which will be revealed on Tuesday night’s (May 14) results episode. Five will progress to the finale, four will go home.
It’s all change for The Voice. As previously reported, Snoop Dogg is joining the panel for this fall’s 26th season, alongside fellow newcomer crooner Michael Bublé. The coaching lineup for the singing competition will be rounded out by returning stars Reba McEntire and Gwen Stefani, with the former notching her third consecutive season on the series and No Doubt singer and solo star Stefani adding yet another notch with her eighth go-round.