Music News

12 Jan 2024

The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ Becomes First Song to Hit 4 Billion Streams on Spotify: See His Reaction

The Weeknd is now the first artist to rack up 4 billion streams for a single song on Spotify, with “Blinding Lights” hitting the milestone this week.

“I’ll never stop being humbled by anything I create making its way to millions of people let alone billions!” The Weeknd (real name: Abel Tesfaye) says in an exclusive statement. “I’m so thankful this song makes people feel a way that they keep going back to listen.”

“Blinding Lights” was released in November 2019 as the second single from The Weeknd’s fourth studio album, After Hours. It spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the first song to remain in the chart’s top 10 for an entire year. In November 2021, “Blinding Lights” dethroned Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” as the No. 1 Hot 100 hit of all time, topping Billboard’s Greatest of All Time Hot 100 chart.

Streaming played a big role in the unprecedented success of the song, which surpassed Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” in December 2022 to become the most-streamed song on Spotify.

“The Weeknd continues to reach new heights year after year on Spotify,” Jeremy Erlich, Spotify’s global head of music, tells Billboard. “This is one of many records he has broken with us. As our platform continues to grow globally, his music reaches more and more people, and his fandom deepens. The success of ‘Blinding Lights’ is a prime example that nothing connects people more than music. It’s an exceptional song in a class of its own.”

The Weeknd is currently the No. 1 artist on Spotify, with 113 monthly listeners, and back in February 2023, he was the first artist to hit 100 million monthly listeners on the platform.

In a 2021 Billboard cover story celebrating “Blinding Lights” becoming the No. 1 Hot 100 hit of all time, Tesfaye was thankful that the monumental song — co-written and co-produced with legendary pop hitmaker Max Martin — didn’t come earlier in his career.

“By the time ‘Blinding Lights’ happened, I was 10 years into my career and established as a music figure in the industry already,” he said. “So I’m glad ‘Blinding Lights’ happened when it happened as opposed to it being the first single I’ve ever dropped. That’d be scary for me.”

12 Jan 2024

Simu Liu Promises He Won’t ‘Slander’ Taylor Swift as 2024 People’s Choice Awards Host

Simu Liu is set to host this year’s People’s Choice Awards, and he’s already revealed what you won’t see during his opening monologue: any awkward jokes about Taylor Swift. 

Following Jo Koy’s polarizing performance as host of the Golden Globes Sunday (Jan. 7)  — during which the comedian made a quip that fell flat about Swift’s attendance at NFL games — the Barbie actor has pledged not to shade the “Anti-Hero” singer while on duty at the PCAs.  

“there will be no taylor slander at the 2024 PCAs,” Liu tweeted Thursday (Jan. 11), adding, “that’s a personal guarantee.” 

Aside from the fact that the Shang-Chi star is a well-documented Swiftie himself, it’s hard to imagine that any entertainer would want to have a repeat of Koy’s reception at the Globes. A couple of the stand-up comic’s jokes went over poorly at theceremony, particularly the following: “The big difference between the Golden Globes and the NFL? At the Golden Globes, we have fewer camera shots of Taylor Swift.”  

Immediately after the remark, cameras cut to Swift, who was in attendance as a nominee for cinematic and box office achievement thanks to her Eras Tour concert film (Barbie took home the prize). Her reaction was indifferent at best, with the pop star simply pursing her lips with a stony look on her face and taking a sip of champagne. 

Koy later clarified that he had “no ill intent” when making the joke, adding that “the whole intention of that joke was to make fun of the NFL.” “What hurts the most is me just supporting Taylor, I support her, I love her work,” he told the Los Angeles Times. “The joke is about the NFL and how they keep using cutaways to [her]. And it’s an obvious reason why. I’m not saying anything that no one’s saying, and it’s obvious what that joke was. It’s about the NFL.” 

Another bombed joke from Koy had to do with one of Liu’s own projects, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, in which he played one of several Kens opposite Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. 

“Barbie is [based] on a plastic doll with big boobies,” Koy said of the film, later earning criticism from those who thought the quip was sexist or reductive. Gerwig, however, had a more neutral take on the controversy. 

“Well, he’s not wrong,” she said in a recent interview. “She’s the first doll that was mass produced with breasts, so he was right on. And you know, I think that so much of the project of the movie was unlikely because it is about a plastic doll.” 

See Liu’s tweet about Swift below. 

12 Jan 2024

Jessica Simpson’s Daughter Mocks Star’s Iconic Chicken of the Sea Goof in Ad: ‘Who Would Ever Get Confused?’

It’s one of the early aughts’ most famous reality TV fowl ups. And now Jessica Simpson is showing she’s a good sport by sending up the time she asked then-husband Nick Lachey “is this chicken that I have, or is this fish?” on the 2003 premiere episode of Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica while digging into a bowl of Chicken of the Sea.

The now-43-year-old star proves she knows that Chicken of the Sea is actually tuna in a new ad for the brand as part of the “It’s the One For Me” campaign in which she co-stars with her 11-year-old daughter, Maxwell “Maxi” Drew.

The spot finds mother and daughter chilling on the couch as the singer-turned-fashion-designer’s eldest asks why her mom is eating food out of a packet of lemon garlic wild caught light tuna. “It’s called Chicken of the Sea, but it’s not really chicken, it’s tuna. So don’t get confused by it,” Simpson counsel’s her first born with a wisdom born of two decades of hindsight — and countless memes.

“Who would ever get confused by that?” Maxi asks incredulously. “No one?” Jessica responds before a long, awkward pause broken by an “as if” assurance of “not your mom.” Cue Maxi’s maximum eye-roll and Jessica’s mortified thousand-yard stare clearly recalling her not-finest TV moment.

Back in the day, Lachey responded to his wife’s response by sweetly explaining, “Chicken of the Sea is the brand. You know, ’cause a lot of people eat tuna, just like a lot of people eat chicken. Chicken of the Sea.”

“Oh, I understand now. I read it wrong,” Jessica said back then.

After divorcing Lachey in 2006, Simpson married husband Eric Johnson in 2014 and the couple also share son Ace Knute, 10 and daughter Birdie Mae, 4. In November, Simpson said she’s been working on her first new original album since 2008’s Do You Know.

Watch the Simpsons settle the chicken-or-fish debate conclusively below.

12 Jan 2024

Jelly Roll, 50 Cent, Jonas Brothers, Blake Shelton & More to Headline 2024 RodeoHouston

RodeoHouston’s 2024 lineup is set to once again showcase some of the loftiest talents in a range of genres, including rock, rap, country, Latin, Christian and more.

Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, 50 Cent, the Jonas Brothers, Lainey Wilson, Eric Church, Los Tigres del Norte and for King & Country are a few of the artists slated to headline when RodeoHouston gets underway at Houston’s NRG Stadium from Feb. 27 through March 17.

“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is proud to bring such a wide range of musical genres to the RodeoHouston stage,” said Chris Boleman, Rodeo president and CEO, in a statement. “We’re welcoming 10 new entertainers who will make their debut on the star stage, as well as many fan-favorites from a variety of genres from our country roots, to EDM and hip-hop.”

Among the newcomers to this year’s RodeoHouston stage are Carly Pearce, Oliver Anthony, 50 Cent, HARDY, current CMA new artist of the year winner Jelly Roll, reigning CMA entertainer of the year Lainey Wilson, “Rich Men North of Richmond” singer Oliver Anthony Music, Ivan Cornejo, Nickelback and Whiskey Myer.

These artists further add to RodeoHouston’s nearly 100-year legacy, in which time the rodeo has committed more than $600 million to aid education and youth-focused efforts in Texas. Each year, RodeoHouston draws more than 2 million people to its mix of rodeo/Western activities, musical performances and carnival midway.

Tickets go on sale at rodeohouston.com on Thursday, Jan. 18, in two waves — at 10 a.m. and
2 p.m.

See the lineup of performers below:

  • Feb. 27 – Opening Day, presented by Texas Capital – Blake Shelton
  • Feb. 28 – Armed Forces Appreciation Day, presented by Crown Royal – Carly Pearce
  • Feb. 29 – for KING + COUNTRY
  • March 1 – Black Heritage Day, presented by Kroger – 50 Cent
  • March 2 -HARDY
  • March 3 – Ivan Cornejo
  • March 4 – First Responders Day, presented by BP America – Hank Williams Jr.
  • March 5 -Oliver Anthony
  • March 6 – Community Day, presented by TC Energy – Jelly Roll
  • March 7 – Volunteer Appreciation Day, presented by Phillips 66 – Luke Bryan
  • March 8 -Major Lazer
  • March 9 -Lainey Wilson
  • March 10 – Go Tejano Day, presented by Fiesta Mart – Los Tigres del Norte
  • March 11 -Whiskey Myers
  • March 12 -Bun B
  • March 13 -Nickelback
  • March 14 – Zac Brown Band
  • March 15 – Jonas Brothers
  • March 16 – Brad Paisley
  • March 17 – RODEOHOUSTON Finals – Eric Church

12 Jan 2024

Miley Cyrus’ ‘Flowers’ Breaks Record With 37th Week at No. 1 on Adult Contemporary Chart

Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” rewrites the longest reign in the history of Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, logging a 37th week at the summit on the ranking dated Jan. 20.

The single surpasses the command of Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” in 2018-19.

Here’s an updated look at the songs that have dominated Adult Contemporary the longest over the chart’s 62-plus-year archives.

Most Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Chart:

  • 37 (to date), “Flowers,” Miley Cyrus, beginning April 15, 2023
  • 36, “Girls Like You,” Maroon 5, Nov. 10, 2018
  • 35, “Blinding Lights,” The Weeknd, Nov. 7, 2020
  • 28, “Drift Away,” Uncle Kracker feat. Dobie Gray, June 7, 2003
  • 24, “Easy on Me,” Adele, Nov. 13, 2021
  • 24, “Shape of You,” Ed Sheeran, May 6, 2017
  • 22, “Perfect,” Ed Sheeran, Feb. 24, 2018
  • 22, “Hey, Soul Sister,” Train, July 3, 2010
  • 21, “Hello,” Adele, Nov. 28, 2015
  • 21, “Breakaway,” Kelly Clarkson, March 12, 2005
  • 21, “A New Day Has Come,” Celine Dion, March 30, 2002
  • 20, “Memories,” Maroon 5, March 21, 2020
  • 20, “Just the Way You Are,” Bruno Mars, Feb. 5, 2011

“Flowers,” released on Smiley Miley/Columbia Records, previously topped the mainstream top 40-based Pop Airplay chart (which began in 1992) for 10 weeks and the adult top 40-focused Adult Pop Airplay ranking (which dates to 1996) for 17 frames.

Meanwhile, the single’s combined 64 weeks atop Adult Contemporary (37), Adult Pop Airplay (17) and Pop Airplay (10) mark the most for any hit. The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” ranks second with 61 weeks atop the trio of charts combined, followed by “Girls Like You” (55); 51 songs have led all three lists.

“Flowers,” which Cyrus co-wrote, launched at No. 1 on the all-genre, multimetric Billboard Hot 100 last January and ruled for eight weeks, becoming her second leader. It’s from Cyrus’ album Endless Summer Vacation, which debuted at its No. 3 best on the Billboard 200 albums chart in March, marking her 14th top 10.

“Flowers” went on to land No. 1 finishes on Billboard’s 2023 year-end Radio Songs and Adult Pop Airplay Songs charts. Cyrus also scored six 2024 Grammy nominations, including three for “Flowers”: record and song of the year and best pop solo performance.

The Adult Contemporary chart ranks titles by weekly plays on a panel of over 80 adult contemporary radio stations. The tally began in Billboard’s pages (as the “Easy Listening” chart) on July 17, 1961. Once Luminate data began powering the chart exactly 32 years later (July 17, 1993), lengthy reigns became much more common than before. (Airplay is now provided to Luminate by Mediabase.)

Notably, the longest No. 1 Adult Contemporary run on the chart prior to Luminate tracking belongs to Paul Mauriat’s “Love Is Blue” (11 weeks, 1968), followed by three 10-week leaders: Al Stewart’s “Time Passages” (1978-79), Herb Alpert’s “This Guy’s in Love With You” (1968) and Roger Miller’s “King of the Road” (1965).

Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” claimed the longest Adult Contemporary rule of the ‘90s before the adoption of Luminate data (eight weeks, 1991), while nine tracks share the longest No. 1 stays of the ‘80s (six weeks each): Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting,” Simply Red’s “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” (both 1989), Kool & The Gang’s “Cherish” (1985), Lionel Richie’s “Hello” (1984), Barry Manilow’s “Read ‘Em and Weep” (1983-84), Richie’s “You Are” (1983), Neil Diamond’s “Yesterday’s Songs” (1981-82), Kenny Rogers’ “I Don’t Need You” (1981) and Air Supply’s “Lost in Love” (1980).

All charts dated Jan. 20 will update on Billboard.com Wednesday, Jan. 17 (a day later than usual due to the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday on Jan. 15).

12 Jan 2024

Lil Nas X Dunks on Satan in Heavenly New ‘J CHRIST’ Video: Watch

He’s pole-danced to hell, he’s broken out of prison and he’s even eloped with his football-playing boyfriend. Now, Lil Nas X is ready to strut his way through the Pearly Gates.

On Friday (Jan. 12), the rapper shared his much-hyped music video for “J CHRIST,” taking the Biblical title to its furthest extent. The clip opens with a series of celebrity lookalikes — ranging from Taylor Swift to Kanye West to a moonwalking Michael Jackson — as they climb the stairway to heaven. Upon arrival, they’re greeted at the entrance by a dragged-up Lil Nas X, declaring he’s reading to “walk up in the club poppin’ s–t like it was Doublemint.”

The video — directed by Lil Nas X himself — then proceeds to show a series of callbacks to his hellish video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” showing the oft-discussed pole to hell and a demonic Lil Nas X stirring a cauldron of arms and legs. Flying back up to heaven, Lil Nas reunites with his former flame the Devil, this time in a one-on-one basketball game where the rapper soars over his head, dunks the ball, and celebrates with a personalized cheerleading routine.

For the remainder of the video, fans are treated to a host of Biblical vignettes — Jesus’ crucifixion, Nabal shearing David’s sheep, Moses parting the Red Sea — before the rapper transforms into Noah, ushering the denizens of Earth onto a massive ark to survive the flooding of the world. “Back up out the gravesite/ B—h, I’m back like J Christ,” he declares over a pounding beat. “I’m finna get the gays hype/ I’m finna take it yay high.”

As a storm subsides and Nas’ Noah survives, the screen declares that this is “Day Zero” of “a new beginning,” sharing a quote from 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

The “J CHRIST” video comes after Lil Nas X spent much of the week promoting his single the best way he knows how — trolling. Whether he was posting a fake acceptance letter to Liberty University or declaring that his new music would be released independently, the singer made sure that his name was on everyone’s lips throughout the week.

Check out the official video for “J CHRIST” below:

12 Jan 2024

Alesso Joins Lil Wayne & T-Pain As Michelob Ultra Super Bowl Party Performer

Alesso‘s caught a gig. The Swedish DJ and music producer is set to perform at Michelob Ultra’s Super Bowl party on Jan. 10 in Las Vegas, Billboard can exclusively report. The “Words” artist joins previously announced headliners Lil Wayne and T-Pain.

“I’m so excited to be a part of this legendary lineup of performers with Lil Wayne and T-Pain at the Michelob ULTRA Country Club in Las Vegas next month,” Alesso tells Billboard. “Michelob ULTRA always throws one of the biggest Super Bowl parties every year, so you won’t want to miss it.”

Billboard can also announce that the event will be hosted by soccer player Alex Morgan and former NFL quarterback Dan Marino. The shindig — called the Michelob Ultra Country Club — will be held at the Topgolf in Sin City, and goes from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

The party will combine — what else! — golf, entertainment, and food and drinks. In addition to live performances by Alesso, Lil Wayne and T-Pain across two stages, the Country Club will feature an “all-star celebrity golf shoot-out,” giveaways and appearances by celebrities and athletes.

Super Bowl Party Coverage

Courtesy Photo

“We’re thrilled to bring the much-anticipated Michelob ULTRA Country Club to Topgolf Las Vegas during the biggest weekend of the year,” Ricardo Marques, Michelob ULTRA’s VP of marketing, previously said in a statement. “By combining the perfect setting with an incredible line-up of artists, hosts and special guest appearances, we’ll create what will truly be a unique experience that seamlessly blends being active with enjoyment, which is something only Michelob ULTRA could deliver.”

All-inclusive “Early Birdie” tickets to the event — which include food and beverages — are on sale now for $269 via Michelob Ultra’s website. Advance and regular tickets will go on sale “soon,” according to the website. VIP table service tickets are also available now, with prices ranging from $7,500 to $15,000.

While the teams for Super Bowl 2024 have not yet been determined, the halftime show performer has been set. Usher will headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show presented by Apple Music on Jan. 11 from Allegiant Stadium in Vegas.

“When I got the call, I was like, ‘Man, I’ve been working really hard my entire career,’” he told Extra in November of his upcoming gig for the big game. “The preparation didn’t start within the last two years of performing in Las Vegas. It really started 30 years ago, and my commitment to it and the journey that I’ve taken musically is why I think I’m given that moment.”

12 Jan 2024

Peso Pluma Headlining Slot at 2024 Viña del Mar Festival Confirmed Despite Call For Cancellation

Despite controversy early this week, Mexican star Peso Pluma will indeed perform at the 2024 Viña del Mar International Festival as previously announced. His participation was confirmed in an official press release sent by festival organizers on Thursday night (Jan. 11).

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“Following the controversy generated in reference to Peso Pluma’s participation in the upcoming edition of the festival, organizers of Viña del Mar International Festival state the festival will not censure or discriminate,” read the release; a festival representative also confirmed to Billboard that Pluma’s performance will go on as scheduled.

The “controversy” the press release refers to is a letter written by René Lues, a Viña del Mar council member, to Viña Mayor Macarena Ripamonti Serrano, asking to cancel Peso Pluma’s performance at the festival during the last week of February. In the letter — published in several media outlets in Chile — Lues says a column written by scholar Alberto Mayol made him, “reflect very much about the music and lyrics of the so-called corridos tumbados, where artists explicitly exult the violence and confrontations of organized crime and corruption, drug dealing and drug cartels: all this together with the ostentation and ambition for money, jewelry, luxury, cars, guns, a life that particularly seduces young people into believing they can easily and quickly achieve everything by ignoring the law.”

It continued, “It’s the so-called narco culture that artists like Peso Pluma put a sound to and validate from their place of great privilege. For this reason, and despite the fame of this musician, considered one of the most popular in the music industry, and his millions of followers, I believe it’s not appropriate to use the channels, resources and public spaces to promote this genre of music and songs linked to drug dealers […] Drug dealing is the biggest tragedy we have in Chile and Viña del Mar and it’s the generator of all forms of delinquency that today overwhelm our country and city.”

However, festival organizers resisted the call to take Peso Pluma out of the lineup, explaining in their statement that, “The biggest Latin festival in the world celebrates the diversity of all artists who step on this stage. Music is universal and describes different realities.”

The release also ticked-off Pluma’s many recent achievements, including winning Artist of the year at the Billboard Latin Music Awards in October. “Viña del Mar also recognizes new musical genres and is expecting a successful close to its six nights where music and talent from different artists will continue to be the pillar of the biggest Latin music festival in the world,” organizers said.

The Vina del Mar International Festival will take place from February 25 through March first in Viña del Mar, Chile. The festival — the longest-running in the Spanish-speaking world — will feature Peso Pluma as its closing act.

See the full lineup here. Headlining performances will stream live on Billboard.com in the U.S.

12 Jan 2024

Black Crowes Prepping First New Album in 15 Years, ‘Happiness Bastards’

The Black Crowes are back at it. The once battling Robinson brothers go back to their dirty southern blooze roots on their upcoming 10th studio album, Happiness Bastards, due out on March 15. The first new studio record from singer Chris Robinson and guitarist Rich Robinson in 15 years comes after the siblings reunited in 2019 for a string of more than 150 shows in 20 countries in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough 1990 album Shake Your Money Maker.

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“Call it brotherly love or music destiny that brought them back together, the highly anticipated record consecrating the reunion of this legendary band just may be the thing that saves rock & roll,” read a statement announcing the project. “In a time where the art form is buried beneath the corporate sheen of its successors, The Black Crowes are biting back with the angst of words left unsaid penned on paper and electrified by guitar strings, revealing stripped, bare-boned rock & roll. No gloss, no glitter, just rhythm and blues at it’s very best – gritty, loud, and in your face.”

The follow-up to 2009’s Before the Frost… Until the Freeze was recorded with producer Jay Joyce in early 2023 by the Robinson brothers along with longtime bassist Sven Pipien.

The group previewed the album slated for release on their own Silver Arrow Records on Friday morning (Jan. 12) with raucous first single “Wanting and Waiting.” The classic slice of hip-shimmy boogie blues finds Chris Robinson singing, “It’s been a month of Sundays since I could fake a smile/ Trying to lose my lonely in self-imposed exile/ Trying to stay friendly but feeling so hostile/ It’s like I’m cold to touch, mortuary style,” before busting into the stomping, hand-clapping, gospel-assisted chorus, “I’m nothing but lonely/ Waiting and wanting/ Wanting and waiting for you/ Ohh, it’s true.”

The 10-track album also features a duet with country singer Lainey Wilson on the fiery Southern gothic ballad “Wilted Rose.”

In a statement, Chris said, “Happiness Bastards is our love letter to rock ‘n’ roll. Rich and I are always writing and creating music; that has never stopped for us, and it is always where we find harmony together. This record represents that.” Brother Rich added, “This album is a continuation of our story as a band. Our years of experience writing and making music and touring the world are represented in this record, and we were brilliantly guided by one of the best producers in the business, Jay Joyce. I am incredibly proud of what we put together.”

The band will hit the road this spring for dates in North America, the U.K. and Europe, with dates to be announced soon.

Listen to “Wanting and Waiting” and see the Happiness Bastards track list below.

Happiness Bastards track list:

  1. “Bedside Manners”
  2. “Rats and Clowns”
  3. “Cross Your Fingers”
  4. “Wanting and Waiting”
  5. “Wilted Rose” (feat. Lainey Wilson)
  6. “Dirty Cold Sun”
  7. “Bleed It Dry”
  8. “Flesh Wound”
  9. “Follow the Moon”
  10. “Kindred Friend”

12 Jan 2024

Zayn Joins Pakistani Group Aur on Remix of Their Single ‘Tu Hai Kahan’

Zayn Malik has hopped on a remake of “Tu Hai Kahan,” the 2023 No. 1 hit from Pakistani trio AUR. The song was re-released on Friday (Jan. 12) with additional Hindi-language vocals on the mesmerizing ballad’s chorus from Malik.

“I was incredibly humbled when AUR reached out and asked me to collaborate on their song ‘Tu Hai Kahan,’” Malik said in a statement about the song that rolled up hundreds of millions of streams and reached No. 1 on Spotify in India, Pakistan and the Global Viral charts, according to the release. “I love the song and have brought some of myself to it, I hope people love what we’ve done.”

The new version of the song was accompanied by a fresh video that juxtaposes images of AUR in the studio with Malik separately recording his vocals alone in a booth.

“We are super excited for this collaboration as it shows that music has no boundaries,” said group members Ahad, Usama and Raffey in the statement. “‘Tu hai kahan’ is such a special song to us, and it’s hard to describe how amazed we were when we first heard ZAYN’s voice on the track. We’re taking Pakistani music global, and we can’t wait for the world to vibe to our music.”

The release is a joint effort between U.S.-based indie D36 & Sony Music Entertainment, Middle East and represents Zayn’s first new music since his one-off single, “Love Like This,” released last summer; the singer’s most recent album was 2021’s Nobody Is Listening.

Watch the new video for “Tu Hai Kahan” featuring Zayn below.