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Drake is doubling down. After initially accusing Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify of boosting Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” to his detriment, in a second filing, Drizzy claims that UMG and iHeartRadio defamed him in the process of making the song massive.
According to Billboard, Drake filed this latest petition in Texas, and he alleges that K. Dot “falsely” accused him of being “a sex offender” in his megahit diss song “Not Like Us.” But his label promoted it anyway.
Per Billboard:
A day after filing an action in New York accusing UMG of illegally boosting Lamar’s track on Spotify, Drake’s company leveled similar claims in Texas court regarding radio giant iHeartRadio. The new filing, filed late Monday and made public on Tuesday, claims UMG “funneled payments” to iHeart as part of a “pay-to-play scheme” to promote the song on radio.
But the filing also offers key new details about Drake’s grievances toward UMG, the label where he has spent his entire career. In it, he says UMG knew that Kendrick’s song “falsely” accused him of being a “certified pedophile” and “predator” but chose to release it anyway.
Part of the backlash to Drake’s initial filing was that he had all this energy to question Kendrick Lamar’s ht song getting all these spins, but none for the accusation of being a pedophile. However, the way he addresses it in this filling is not earning him any points. Instead, the Toronto rapper sounds sour that UMG dared to make money at his expense—when considering they surely made cash off his own diss tracks.
“UMG … could have refused to release or distribute the song or required the offending material to be edited and/or removed,” Drake’s lawyers write. “But UMG chose to do the opposite. UMG designed, financed and then executed a plan to turn ‘Not Like Us’ into a viral mega-hit with the intent of using the spectacle of harm to Drake and his businesses to drive consumer hysteria and, of course, massive revenues. That plan succeeded, likely beyond UMG’s wildest expectations.”
While Spotify and iHeartRadio have yet to respond, UMG did so on Monday (Nov. 25). From the tone of its statement, the entity is not to happy with their superstar rapper and the nefarious actions he is insinuating.
“The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue,” said the company in a statement to Billboard. “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
This is only going to get more interesting, while Drake is going to continue getting cooked online.
Damiano David is iHeartMedia’s latest “On the Verge” artist with his new solo single, “Born With a Broken Heart.” In a first for iHeart, he will be featured across three formats, with all iHeartRadio CHR, Hot AC and Alt stations participating in the promotion. Damiano, 25, is best-known as frontman for the Italian rock band Måneskin, […]
‘Tis officially the season, which means its time for festive songs on the radio! iHeartMedia announced that the annual station flip to holiday music kicked off on Friday (Nov. 15) with more than 85 stations across the country broadcasting modern holiday hits as well as Christmas classics from Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and […]
iHeartRadio and Z100’s annual holiday concert at Madison Square Garden will feature a mix of veterans (Katy Perry, Meghan Trainor) and hot breakout stars (Teddy Swims, Benson Boone and Shaboozey).
iHeartRadio Z100’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One is set to take place on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. Other performers on the bill include Tate McRae, twenty one pilots, The Kid LAROI, Madison Beer, Gracie Abrams and NCT Dream. Z100’s Elvis Duran & The Morning Show announced the performers on air Friday morning (Sept. 27).
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Z100’s Jingle Ball is part of the national iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One. This year marks the 28th time the New York tour stop has been at MSG.
iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball lineup will be revealed at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Lineup Announcement Party featuring The Kid LAROI and Dasha presented by Capital One on Friday afternoon at the iHeartRadio LA Theater. iHeartRadio personality JoJo Wright will announce the lineup on site and the event will feature performances by The Kid LAROI and Dasha. The program will be broadcast across iHeartRadio stations and on Jingle Ball Radio on the iHeartRadio app at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour stops will be part of an exclusive network special on ABC, airing Dec. 18, and streaming next day on Hulu.
For the 10th straight year, Capital One will be the national presenting partner of the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour. Eligible Capital One cardholders will get first access to high-demand tickets and exclusive experiences through a special Capital One Cardholder Pre-Sale in each city. The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Capital One Cardholder Pre-Sale begins Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 10 a.m. local time and runs through Thursday, Oct. 3, at 10 a.m. local time, or while pre-sale supplies last. Pre-sale information and tickets will be available at iHeartRadio.com/CapitalOne.
All other tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, Oct. 4, at noon local time and will be available at iHeartRadio.com/JingleBall.
Nine cities on the tour will partner with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring pediatric patients through entertainment and education focused initiatives.
The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour is executive produced by Tom Poleman, chief programming officer for iHeartMedia, and John Sykes, president of entertainment enterprises.
The iHeartRadio Jingle Ball special on ABC is produced by Sykes, Poleman and Bart Peters, svp of production & development; as well as OBB Pictures, a division of OBB Media, for the second consecutive year. The special is executive produced by OBB’s Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner, Kfir Goldberg, Simone Spira and Glenn Stickley; with Arlen Konopaki and Lana Womack co-executive producing. Sam Wrench is returning to direct.
For the latest information on Z100’s Jingle Ball 2024, visit Z100.com/jingleball or listen to Z100’s Jingle Ball on-air or online via the station’s website, as well as on iHeartRadio.com and the iHeartRadio mobile app.
Lineups for several of these shows will be announced throughout the day. Artists and/or event subject to change or cancellation without notice.
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m. CT – iHeartRadio 106.1 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Dickies Arena. Lineup will be announced at 9 a.m. ET, visit 1061KISSFM.com/jingleball for more information.
Los Angeles
Date: Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. PT – iHeartRadio 102.7 KIIS FM’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at the Intuit Dome. Lineup will be revealed at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Lineup Announcement Party featuring The Kid LAROI and Dasha presented by Capital One this afternoon at the iHeartRadio LA Theater. Broadcast live across iHeartRadio CHR stations and on Jingle Ball Radio on the iHeartRadio app at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET, iHeartRadio personality JoJo Wright will announce the lineup onsite and the event will feature performances by The Kid LAROI and Dasha. For lineup information, visit kiisfm.com/jingleball.
Chicago
Date: Monday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m. CT – iHeartRadio 103.5 KISS FM’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Allstate Arena. Lineup will be announced at 8:55 a.m. ET, visit 1035kissfm.com/jingleball for more information.
Detroit
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio Channel 95.5’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Little Caesars Arena. Lineup features: Jack Harlow, Teddy Swims, Jason Derulo, Madison Beer, Saweetie, NCT Dream, Isabel LaRosa and Wonho.
New York
Date: Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio Z100’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Madison Square Garden. Lineup features: Katy Perry, Tate McRae, twenty one pilots, Teddy Swims, Meghan Trainor, The Kid LAROI, Madison Beer, Benson Boone, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey and NCT Dream.
Boston
Date: Sunday, Dec. 15, at 6 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio Kiss 108’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at TD Garden. Lineup features: Tate McRae, twenty one pilots, Meghan Trainor, The Kid LAROI, Kesha, Benson Boone and KATSEYE.
Philadelphia
Date: Monday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio Q102’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Wells Fargo Center. Lineup features: Katy Perry, Tate McRae, Teddy Swims, Meghan Trainor, Jason Derulo, Gracie Abrams, Shaboozey and Dasha.
Washington, D.C.
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio HOT 99.5’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Capital One Arena. Lineup features: Tate McRae, The Kid LAROI, Meghan Trainor, Teddy Swims, Kesha, Jason Derulo, Gracie Abrams, Dasha, Isabel LaRosa and P1Harmony.
Atlanta
Date: Thursday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio 96.1 The Beat’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at State Farm Arena. Lineup will be announced at 4 p.m. ET, visit Power961.com/jingleball for more information.
Miami
Date: Saturday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m. ET – iHeartRadio Y100’s Jingle Ball 2024 Presented by Capital One at Kaseya Center. Lineup will be announced at 9 a.m. ET. Visit Y100.com/jingleball for more information.
The business of music has transformed in the last two decades, driven by technology that shattered barriers to entry and creators’ determination to control their destiny. At the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year, more than half of the nominees were independent. And it’s more than just business: the indie movement has enabled diverse voices that could not be heard previously to occupy their rightful place in the industry. This makes music, and our society, more egalitarian and better.
Whether blues, punk, hip-hop or country, America’s most recognizable music genres started out in the indie sector, and today the association I lead has more than 750 members across 35 states, and most of them are small businesses with less than 50 employees. As the music industry has changed, so have they.
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Yet, some of the most important players in the music ecosystem cling to a bygone era that was dictated by the motto, “Might Makes Right.”
Exhibit A is iHeartRadio. The corporate behemoth controls 860-plus stations across the country that play over 50 million songs a year. Those songs helped iHeart’s multiplatform group — covering broadcast radio and national sales — generate more than $2.4 billion in 2023 alone, according to its latest earnings report.
But iHeart is stuck in 1990. It doesn’t bother discovering new artists. Instead, it overplays the hits and milks classic songs that were released decades ago. Despite the growing movement to achieve economic justice, iHeart denies artists and labels payment for their work.
Take a moment to reflect on that. iHeart makes $12 billion a year playing music but refuses to pay the hard working and talented people who perform and produce the songs that are the reason consumers tune-in in the first place. In its desperate attempt to cling to the past, iHeart and lobbyist group the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) have spent nearly $100 million since 2020 lobbying Congress and spreading campaign contributions around to maintain the unfair status quo.
iHeart is powerful. But it’s on the wrong side of history. And it’s about to face what it hates most: a public forum where broadcasters must defend their craven practices. On Wednesday (June 26), the House Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the refusal of broadcasters to pay music creators for their work.
Richard James Burgess speaks onstage during the GRAMMY Influencer Activation at GRAMMY House during the 66th GRAMMY Awards on Feb. 1, 2024 in Los Angeles.
Jerod Harris/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Of course, iHeartMedia CEO Bob Pittman won’t testify. He leaves the dirty work to the NAB. But that doesn’t matter. When the issue of compensation for AM/FM airplay is held in a public forum, broadcasters lose. That is why their lobbyists work so hard to prevent congressional hearings. But courageous members of Congress such as Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) are making sure there is a public debate. And they have a solution to ending the injustice: the American Music Fairness Act, which would grant an AM/FM performance royalty. This bill would bring AM/FM radio into the 21st Century, and finally grant American recording artists the same rights enjoyed by their counterparts in almost every other country on the planet.
In the last two decades, how we discover and listen to music has dramatically changed, and not just the move from vinyl records to streaming. We can now ask a device in our house, such as Alexa, to play music, and it does. Spotify and SiriusXM are now buttons next to AM/FM on the dashboard of our cars. Polling from 2020 found that of the people who regard staying up to date on new music as important to them, only 11% turn to AM/FM radio to do so. Even in my generation, that number is only 27%. OK, Boomers!
We need to update the laws to catch up to these changes. It makes no sense if, when driving, music creators heard on SiriusX are being compensated, but not if you hear them on an AM/FM station. If you listen to radio programming through the iHeartMedia app on your phone, through a smart speaker, or even in your car, iHeart has to pay creators too. That’s why they have their hand out to Congress asking for a mandate to keep AM radios in cars.
The American Music Fairness Act brings justice and balance to the industry. Music creators get paid for their work. AM/FM stations have to pay just like the streaming services. And, because the legislation protects truly local radio stations, most stations in the country would pay just $10 to $500 a year to play music.
I know independent music creators, who I represent as president and CEO of the American Association of Independent Music, could definitely use the income from those royalties. My members love partnering with true locally controlled community radio stations, but the behemoths usually don’t take their calls. There are hundreds of thousands of artists and other creators who hustle and struggle to make a living by giving us the music we love.
This approach is fair, it’s equitable, and it’s just. And iHeart hates it.
Broadcasters try to create as much fear, uncertainty, and doubt to avoid doing what’s right. They claim a $500 annual fee to play music would decimate stations’ ability to broadcast emergency communications – then they hike the annual dues it charges its members. They cling to the asinine rationale that the alleged promotional value of radio play justifies their immoral scheme. Worse, broadcasters claim they shouldn’t have to pay for the songs they play while demanding Congress get more money for them when their content is used by YouTube and other platforms.
Broadcasters do all of this with a straight face. But time is running out. When the arc of justice comes around, iHeart and the National Association of Broadcasters will learn they are on the wrong side of history.
Dr. Richard James Burgess is an acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, composer, author, manager, marketer and inventor, who presently serves as the president and CEO of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM).
The iHeartRadio Music Festival is returning to heat up Las Vegas on September 20 and 21, and iHeartMedia revealed the star-studded lineup on Tuesday (June 4). The Ryan Seacrest-hosted event, which is presented by Capital One and will take place at T-Mobile Arena, is set to feature performances by Big Sean, Camila Cabello, Doja Cat, […]
Paramore announced Thursday (Jan. 4) that they are dropping out of this year’s iHeartRadio ALTer EGO show “due to unforeseen circumstances.” “The band apologizes for any inconvenience,” the group wrote in their statement on Instagram Stories, which you can read here. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Other than […]
Cher is joining the Jingle Ball party! The legendary singer is joining the lineup for the iHeartRadio Z100 Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden on Friday (Dec. 8).
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Cher will join previously announced performers Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, OneRepublic, Sabrina Carpenter, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, Pentatonix, David Kushner and Melanie Martinez.
The “Believe” singer released her first holiday album, fittingly titled Christmas, back in October. The 13-song set, which debuted atop Billboard’s Top Holiday Albums chart, has a blend of classic tunes and newly written tracks with a star-studded lineup of guests including Michael Bublé, Cyndi Lauper, Darlene Love, Tyga and Stevie Wonder.
“I had no intention of doing a Christmas album,” Cher previously told Billboard of her decision to get into the festive spirit musically. “But [Warner Records] said, ‘Why don’t you do a Christmas album, Cher?’ and I said if I can do my version I’ll do it, and they were very pleasant.”
“They’re not ‘Christmas Christmas’ songs, OK, they’re just great songs,” she added. “And I never say that because I almost never like what I do. But I mean people love it and I’m happy. I’m so particular, but I love the songs and everyone who hears them loves them.”
One of the album’s tracks, “DJ Play a Christmas Song,” hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary radio airplay chart (dated Dec. 9), marking her first AC No. 1 since “If I Could Turn Back Time,” which led for a week in September 1989. She ends the longest break between No. 1s in the chart’s 62-year history: 34 years, two months and one week.
Taylor Swift comes out on top once again, this time taking honors as iHeartRadio’s most popular artist of the year.
Swift leads the iHeartRewind year-end artist chart by raking in more than 2.8 billion plays on iHeartRadio stations nationwide and the branded app.
The pop superstar’s margin of victory is a sizable one; she collected 500,000 more spins than second-place SZA (2.3 billion-plus), while Morgan Wallen completes the podium at No. 3 (2.1 billion-plus).
Miley Cyrus comes in at No. 5 on the Top Overall Artists 2023 Nationwide tally with 1.87 billion-plus plays, though she can boast iHeartRadio’s biggest hit of the year with “Flowers.”
After dominating the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023 with an eight-week stretch at No. 1, “Flowers” leads iHeartRewind’s Overall Songs 2023 Nationwide list, ahead of “Creepin’” by Metro Boomin featuring The Weeknd & 21 Savage (1.3 billion-plus) and “Calm Down” by Rema and Selena Gomez (1.2 billion-plus), respectively.
A closer look at both charts shows a strong correlation, with Swift, Cyrus, The Weeknd, Ed Sheeran, SZA, Wallen and Metro Boomin doubling up.
The iHeartRewind crown is just one in a growing collection for Swift. On Nov. 29, she was named Spotify’s most streamed artist of 2023, pulling more than 26.1 billion streams on the platform worldwide.
And earlier in November, Swift reigned over Billboard’s 2023 year-end Top Artists chart, following her supremacy across both the Billboard 200 albums and Hot 100 songs chart.
The iHeartRewind charts are compiled using total audience spins (TAS), and its top artists and songs tallies are broken down into categories (overall, pop, country, hip-hop, alternative and R&B), and along lines of top songs/stations/podcasts by generation, season and state.
The TAS calculation is based on certified Mediabase airplay and multiplied by the number of radio listeners at the time of those plays, for a total audience impression which is the broadcast equivalent of the number of streams from a DSP.
iHeartRadio’s Top Artists & Songs 2023
Top Overall Artists 2023 Nationwide
Taylor Swift (2.8+ billion)
Sza (2.3+ billion)
Morgan Wallen (2.1+ billion)
The Weeknd (1.89+ billion)
Miley Cyrus (1.87+ billion)
Luke Combs (1.85+ billion)
Metro Boomin (1.4+ billion)
Rema & Selena Gomez (1.2+ billion)
Ed Sheeran (1.1+ million)
Post Malone (1+ billion)
Top Overall Songs 2023 Nationwide
“Flowers” Miley Cyrus (1.4+ billion)
“Creepin’” Metro Boomin featuring The Weeknd & 21 Savage (1.3+ billion)
“Calm Down” Rema & Selena Gomez (1.2+ billion)
“Die For You” The Weeknd (1.11+ billion)
“Kill Bill” Sza (1.1+ billion)
“Sure Thing” Miguel (850.6+ million)
“Last Night” Morgan Wallen (778.8+ million)
“Anti-Hero” Taylor Swift (771.5+ million)
“I’m Good (Blue)” David Guetta & Bebe Rexha (745.9+ million)
“Snooze” Sza (692.7+ million)
Top Pop Artists 2023
Taylor Swift
Sza
Miley Cyrus
The Weeknd
Metro Boomin
Top Pop Songs 2023
“Creepin’” Metro Boomin featuring The Weeknd & 21 Savage
“Flowers” Miley Cyrus
“Calm Down” Rema * Selena Gomez
“Kill Bill” Sza
“Die For You” The Weeknd
Top Country Artists 2023
Morgan Wallen
Luke Combs
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Jordan David
Top Country Songs 2023
“Rock And A Hard Place” Bailey Zimmerman
“Thought You Should Know” Morgan Wallen
“Last Night” Morgan Wallen
“Dancin’ In The Country” Tyler Hubbard
“Thank God” Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown
Top Hip-Hop Artists 2023
Sza
Future
Drake
21 Savage
Lil Baby
Top Hip-Hop Songs 2023
“Wait For U” Future featuring Drake
“Love You Better” Future
“Just Wanna Rock” Lil Uzi Vert
“Creepin’” Metro Boomin featuring The Weeknd & 21 Savage
“All My Life” Lil Durk featuring J. Cole
Top Alternative Artists 2023
Linkin Park
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Green Day
Fall Out Boy
Foo Fighters
Top Alternative Songs 2023
“Lost” Linkin Park
“Love From The Other Side” Fall Out Boy
“Sex, Drugs, Etc.” Beach Weather
“Sail Away” lovelytheband
“Rescued” Foo Fighters
Top R&B Artists 2023
Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
Wizkid
H.E.R.
Mary J. Blige
Ronald Isley
Top R&B Songs 2023
“Essence” Wizkid featuring Tems
“Damage” H.E.R.
“Love’s Train” Bruno Mars, Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic
“Make Me Say It Again Girl” Ronald Isley, The Isley Brothers, and Beyoncé
“Free Mind” Tems
iHeartMedia is getting in the festive mood with the return of the iHeartRadio Holiday Special, which will take over AC and Classic Hits stations nationwide and the iHeartRadio app on Nov. 22.
Hosted by Mario Lopez, the two-hour special event will feature interviews with Cher, Elton John, Train, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Meghan Trainor, Rob Thomas, and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic discussing their favorite holiday songs and traditions.
The announcement comes Friday (Nov. 10), which marks iHeartRadio’s annual flip to holiday music on more than 85 stations across the country.
“Listeners look forward to that special day when we convert so many of our stations to Christmas music because it means that the holiday season has really started,” said Tom Poleman, chief programming officer for iHeartMedia, in a press statement. “To celebrate we are bringing back the iHeartRadio Holiday Special with Cher, David Foster and Katharine McPhee, Elton John, Meghan Trainor, Rob Thomas, Ryan Tedder and Train who will be sharing their personal holiday memories.”
It’s no surprise that Cher will make an iconic appearance during the special, as she’s fresh off the release of her first holiday album, Christmas, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Top Holiday Albums chart last month. Produced by her longtime producer Mark Taylor, the set includes the legend’s interpretations of “Santa Baby,” “Run Rudolph Run” and “Please Come Home For Christmas.”
Cher recently told Billboard that she “had no intention of doing a Christmas album. But [Warner Records] said, ‘Why don’t you do a Christmas album, Cher?’ and I said if I can do my version I’ll do it, and they were very pleasant.”
Elton John is celebrating 50 years of his jingly single “Step Into Christmas,” which so far peaked at No. 84 on Billboard‘s Holiday 100 chart in 2017.
Listeners can hear holiday music across the iHeartRadio app on stations including iHeartChristmas, playing all the holiday favorites; North Pole Radio, hosted by Santa Claus and featuring a message line where kids can leave Christmas wishes for the big man himself; iHeartChristmas Classics, the place to hear all the timeless holiday classics; or holiday channels playing all kinds of music, including iHeartCountry Christmas, iHeartChristmas Jazz, iHeartChristmas R&B, iHeartChristmas Rock, Holiday Season Radio and more. Search “iHeart Holiday” in the app to find all the Christmas music options.