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2023 is coming to a close, and what better way to celebrate the year than with Billboard‘s year-end charts? But what are the year-end charts? When did they start and how are they created? Billboard sits down with Managing Director of Charts Keith Caulfield to explain how we create these year-end tallies. Alyssa Caverley:This is […]
The 2023 Billboard Music Awards are just around the corner, and this year, fans are getting the opportunity to see their favorite artists like never before. The latest episode of Billboard Explains looks into the BBMAs‘ exciting new format and how winners are chosen.
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What makes the BBMAs unique to other award shows is that it’s all data driven. Winners are chosen solely based on how well they perform on the Billboard charts, tracking album and digital song sales, radio airplay, as well as streaming and social engagement to choose the winner of each category. During the show, artists appear on the BBMA stage to accept their award or perform their latest chart topping hit.
However, this year, the Billboard Music Awards are delivering an entirely new award show concept. The performances and award celebrations will take place at different locations across the globe, and feel unique to each individual artist. Performances and winners will be unveiled across the BBMAs and Billboard’s social channels, or the show can be watched in full at bbmas.watch on Sunday (Nov. 19) — meaning the entire event will take place online rather than on television.
Additionally, Billboard teamed up with Spotify to find the most loyal fans who have helped their favorite artists top Billboard charts by listening to their music. Those fans will be receiving a golden ticket that allows them to attend the performance of their favorite artist that will stream during the awards ceremony.
Tune in to the 2023 Billboard Music Awards on Nov. 19, and check out the full Billboard Explains video on the revamped ceremony above.
After the video, catch up on more Billboard Explains videos and learn about Peso Pluma and the Mexican music boom, the role record labels play, origins of hip-hop, how Beyoncé arrived at Renaissance, the evolution of girl groups, BBMAs, NFTs, SXSW, the magic of boy bands, American Music Awards, the Billboard Latin Music Awards, the Hot 100 chart, how R&B/hip-hop became the biggest genre in the U.S., how festivals book their lineups, Billie Eilish’s formula for success, the history of rap battles, nonbinary awareness in music, the Billboard Music Awards, the Free Britney movement, rise of K-pop in the U.S., why Taylor Swift is re-recording her first six albums, the boom of hit all-female collaborations, how Grammy nominees and winners are chosen, why songwriters are selling their publishing catalogs, how the Super Bowl halftime show is booked and more.
Billboard Explains how the Billboard Music Awards are being reimagined with a new concept, what makes the BBMAs different from other awards shows, how fans can get involved and more. Alyssa CaverlyThe Billboard Music Awards. The show that recognizes artists who have topped the Billboard charts. This year the big event is being reimagined with […]
Narrator:Is Peso Pluma Mexican Music’s next global superstar? The Latin genre has been growing in popularity over the years and Peso is at the center of the explosion. But what is Regional Mexican? And what is it about Peso and the other new artists of today catching everyone’s attention? This is Billboard Explains Peso Pluma […]
Alyssa Caverly:2023 marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, and we’re celebrating the women who changed the genre. It used to be dominated by men, but not anymore. Women have broken down hip-hop barriers and paved the way for the superstars of today. But who are the female trailblazers? Who’s taking over now? And how has […]
In this episode of Billboard Explains, we take a look at the rise of copyright lawsuits and the significance behind Ed Sheeran‘s case and his win over his track “Thinking Out Loud.”
Producer:Copyright lawsuits are on the rise. Ed Sheeran recently won a copyright lawsuit claim against his Billboard Hot 100 hit “Thinking Out Loud.” While the pop star successfully defended his hit song, it’s actually one of many copyright lawsuits that are bringing music’s most well-known stars into the court.
From Robin Thicke and Pharrell to Katy Perry, why is there a rise in copyright infringement cases? And how does Ed Sheeran’s victory impact the music industry? This is Billboard Explains: Music Copyright Lawsuits.
Let’s first dive into what Sheeran’s copyright case was all about: Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” versus Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” The family of “Let’s Get It On” co-writer Ed Townsend accused Sheeran of copying the chord structure of Gaye’s 1973 hit. The jury ultimately ruled in favor of Sheeran, saying that he didn’t copy any of the elements of the song and created it independently.
This isn’t the first time Marvin Gaye has been involved in a copyright case. In 2013, Gaye’s family claimed Robin Thicke and Pharrell’s song “Blurred Lines” copied Gaye’s 1977 hit song “Got to Give It Up.” Thicke actually told Billboard that Gaye inspired the song, saying in part, “I told him, ‘Pharrell, I wanted to do something kind of like Marvin Gaye’s ‘Got to Give It Up’ that kind of feel because it’s one of my favorite songs of all time.’”
The jury found Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams guilty of copyright infringement, and awarded Marvin Gaye’s estate over $5 million and 50% of future royalties on the song. The verdict of the “Blurred Lines” case jump-started a wave of copyright lawsuits targeting some of music’s biggest hits, from opening guitar riffs to similar melodies, to similar lyrics. So why does this particular case matter? According to Billboard‘s Senior Legal Correspondent Bill Donahue, the “Blurred Lines” lawsuit created confusion and fear among songwriters and artists at the time. So this case shows that the pendulum is swinging the other way. Basically, Sheeran winning this case helps other songwriters in the future. He says it best:
Ed Sheeran:“These codes are common building blocks, which were used to create music long before ‘Let’s Get It On’ was written, and will be used to make music long after we’re all gone.”
Producer:So what’s the impact on the music industry as a whole? Things are starting to change when it comes to copyright cases. Many artists are choosing to go to court and fight for their work as opposed to settling out of court. They want to prove they’re innocent of the claims and not become a target for a cash grab. And the music industry as a whole is learning more about what makes a legitimate copyright case, actual stolen music and lyrics versus common musical elements.
Ed Sheeran:“If the jury had decided this matter the other way, we might as well say goodbye to the creative freedom of songwriters. We need to be able to write our original music and engage in independent creation without worrying at every step of the way that such creativity will be wrongly called into question.”
Producer:All in all, while Sheeran’s win won’t necessarily stop future lawsuits from happening, the win still marks a significant moment in music history.
Ed Sheeran‘s copyright case for “Thinking Out Loud” is far from the first of its kind, but it sets a new precedent for all cases regarding musical integrity going forward. How does Sheeran’s case impact the music industry, and what has prompted the recent rise in copyright cases?
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The latest episode of Billboard Explains dives in to music copyright lawsuits of the past and present, starting with Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” versus Marvin Gaye‘s 1973 hit “Let’s Get It On” and touching on cases with Robin Thicke and more.
Gaye’s family and “Let’s Get It On” co-writer Ed Townsend accused Sheeran of copying Gaye’s hit, but the court ruled that the British singer did not copy elements of the song. Thicke and Pharrell Williams, who worked together on “Blurred Lines,” came under fire from the Gaye family as well, when they were accused of copying Gaye’s 1977 song “Got to Give It Up.” In Thicke’s case, he admitted that he was directly inspired by the track and named it as one of his favorite songs ever; the court ruled that Thicke and Williams were guilty and were ordered to pay Gaye’s family $5 million in addition to 50 percent of the track’s royalties.
While Thicke’s case swung the pendulum and made artists more fearful about potential lawsuits, Sheeran’s case proves that artists have a chance to successfully defend their work and are willing to fight instead of settling outside of court.
After the video, catch up on more Billboard Explains videos and learn about how Beyoncé arrived at Renaissance, the evolution of girl groups, BBMAs, NFTs, SXSW, the magic of boy bands, American Music Awards, the Billboard Latin Music Awards, the Hot 100 chart, how R&B/hip-hop became the biggest genre in the U.S., how festivals book their lineups, Billie Eilish’s formula for success, the history of rap battles, nonbinary awareness in music, the Billboard Music Awards, the Free Britney movement, rise of K-pop in the U.S., why Taylor Swift is re-recording her first six albums, the boom of hit all-female collaborations, how Grammy nominees and winners are chosen, why songwriters are selling their publishing catalogs, how the Super Bowl halftime show is booked and why Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” was able to shoot to No. 1 on the Hot 100.
It’s Friday which means we’ve got some new music! Kesha dropped two new singles, SEVENTEEN’s ‘FML’ is finally here, Jack Harlow surprised everyone with a new album called ‘Jackman’, and more! Gayle credits Taylor Swift with helping her put backlash into perspective when it comes to her success or her polarizing smash hit “abcdefu.” Doechii shared some of her Florida slang with us. And more!
Reggaetón is becoming one of the most popular genres of music globally, but how did it get there and, more importantly, who are the women making their mark in the male-dominated genre?
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The latest episode of Billboard Explains dives into the women who are carving their own paths within the genre, breaking barriers and setting new records within the space.
Reggaetón started in Panama and later continued evolving in Puerto Rico, combining elements of reggae music, Latin dancehall and hip-hop influences through the 1990s. Tego Calderón and more led the first wave of the genre, while Daddy Yankee brought the genre to the masses in 2004 with his hit “Gasolina.”
Ivy Queen, also known as the first lady of reggaetón, was the first female artist to break barriers within the genre. She got her start at a club called The Noise in Puerto Rico, where she was the first woman to ever step onto the stage and won in her very first battle. Her rebut single “Muchos Quieren Tubarme” stemmed from her performance at the club and cemented her status as a reggaetón star. In the time since, artists like Becky G, Natti Natasha and more have popped up, with Karol G and her album Mañana Será Bonito marking the first time an all-Spanish language album by a female artist reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
After the video, catch up on more Billboard Explains videos and learn about how Beyoncé arrived at Renaissance, the evolution of girl groups, BBMAs, NFTs, SXSW, the magic of boy bands, American Music Awards, the Billboard Latin Music Awards, the Hot 100 chart, how R&B/hip-hop became the biggest genre in the U.S., how festivals book their lineups, Billie Eilish’s formula for success, the history of rap battles, nonbinary awareness in music, the Billboard Music Awards, the Free Britney movement, rise of K-pop in the U.S., why Taylor Swift is re-recording her first six albums, the boom of hit all-female collaborations, how Grammy nominees and winners are chosen, why songwriters are selling their publishing catalogs, how the Super Bowl halftime show is booked and why Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” was able to shoot to No. 1 on the Hot 100.
Did you know Karol G’s album ‘Mañana Será Mas Bonito’ became the first all-Spanish language album by a female artist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album charts? And it’s a reggaeton album? Reggaetón has grown in popularity over the years. But what is reggaetón and why is it considered a male-dominated space? Which female artist broke barriers in the genre? And who are the women taking over? This is Billboard Explains: Women in Reggaetón.