Music

03 Nov 2022

‘A Strange Loop’ Creator Michael R. Jackson Presented With ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award

The ASCAP Foundation recognized playwright, composer and lyricist Michael R. Jackson, creator of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical A Strange Loop, with The ASCAP Foundation Richard Rodgers New Horizons Award.

The award was presented to Jackson by ASCAP Foundation president Paul Williams, composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, The Prince of Egypt) and composer/lyricist Adam Guettel (The Light in the Piazza) at a private luncheon in New York City. Also on hand to honor Jackson were Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land) and ASCAP chief executive officer Elizabeth Matthews.

The annual award is given to encourage promising young ASCAP composers of musical theater and is funded by Mary Rodgers and the Rodgers Family Foundation. Previous recipients include Lin-Manuel Miranda; Pasek & Paul; and David Hein & Irene Sankoff (Come From Away).

“Michael R. Jackson is a fearless storyteller whose stellar work is a gift to audiences and the creative community,” Williams said in a statement. “We love having him as part of our ASCAP family and are excited for him to receive this well-deserved award.”

“In a cultural climate when so many have confused activism and/or being a savvy businessperson with artistry, it has been a brutal, lonely time to believe in making art for art’s sake,” Jackson said in a statement. “And yet, making art for art’s sake is the one life raft I’ve had since 23-year-old me first put pen to paper to begin writing A Strange Loop. Receiving the Richard Rodgers Award from ASCAP is deeply meaningful to me and gives me a much needed second wind to keep paddling the stormy high seas,” said Jackson.

A Strange Loop, which was billed as “the big, Black, and queer Great American Musical for all,” received 11 Tony nominations and won two – best musical and best book of a musical for Jackson.

In 2020, Jackson joined The ASCAP Experience for “The Making of a Groundbreaking Black Queer Musical.” The discussion about the creation of A Strange Loop with Kobalt Music’s Sue Drew is available on demand on @ASCAP YouTube.

Founded in 1975, The ASCAP Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting American music creators and encouraging their development through music education, talent development and humanitarian programs.

03 Nov 2022

Drake & 21 Savage Unveiled the ‘Her Loss’ Album Cover … Or Did They?

Drake and 21 Savage just revealed the cover artwork for their upcoming joint album Her Loss … maybe?The two rappers debuted the cover — a portrait of model Qui Yasuka, or Suki Baby — on Instagram Wednesday night (Nov. 2), though it could actually be just another fake piece of promo for the record.

Confused? Join the club. Drake and 21 Savage have spent the past few days hyping their album, slated to drop Friday (Nov. 4) after a one-week delay, by trolling fans and the media with everything from a faux Vogue cover to an imitation “interview” with Howard Stern. They even recreated the set of NPR’s hit Tiny Desk series and filmed a counterfeit introduction, pretending like they were about to perform live, acoustic versions of their music — which NPR afterward confirmed never actually happened.

Now, they may have continued their prankster antics with the Her Loss artwork. The supposed cover features a photo taken by Paris Aden, a headshot of Yasuka with multicolor eyelashes, a Chanel earring and a small Band-Aid taped under her right eye. A white “Parental Advisory” label sits at the bottom right corner of the photo.

“Her Loss ?? Front Cover,” Drake captioned the photo, which 21 Savage also shared in a separate post on his account.

The two hip-hop titans first announced Her Loss in late October via their music video for “Jimmy Cooks,” their No. 1 single off Drizzy’s June album Honestly, Nevermind. Savage was the only guest artist on the record, and has previously collaborated with Drake on songs such as “Knife Talk” in 2021, “Mr. Right Now” in 2020 and “Sneakin’” in 2016.

Just a few days after the initial album news, however, the pair announced that Her Loss would drop Nov. 4 instead of its original release date of Oct. 28. This was because producer Noah “40” Shebib had caught COVID-19, delaying the mixing and mastering process of the record, according to a statement posted on Drake’s Instagram story.

See Drake and 21 Savage’s (possibly fake) Her Loss album cover reveal below:

03 Nov 2022

12 Lesser-Known Latin Grammy Nominees You Should Know Beyond the Best New Artist Category

There are a handful of achievements that many musicians dream of: obtaining a Platinum-certified record, entering the “Billions Club” on a streaming platform, topping the Billboard charts, and of course, winning a Grammy. For the Bad Bunnys, Karol Gs, and Ozunas of the world, those feats come in abundance, especially as música urbana continues to increasingly gain momentum worldwide. 

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While the urbano greats continue to dominate with some of these achievements, Billboard below highlights a dozen lesser-known Latin Grammy nominees, beyond the best new artist category. Whether it’s Mireya and Roman Rojas competing for best regional song against musical monoliths like Christian Nodal, Christina Aguilera, Grupo Firme and Maluma, or giving indie artists more shine in categories not aired during the telecast — like flamenco newcomer Carmen Doorá, or tango revivalists Spinettango (who channel their love for Argentine rock legend Luis Alberto Spinetta) — we got you covered. 

Here are 12 lesser-known artists you should know in the running for a Latin Grammy, in alphabetical order.

Afro-Andean Funk

Nominated for: The Sacred Leaf (Best Alternative Album) 

Perú is celebrated for its vibrant Andean roots music, colorful indigenous art, and sacred medicinal rituals. Mix these elements with hints of psychedelia, and the result is Afro-Andean Funk’s debut, the Sacred Leaf. Comprised of singer Araceli Poma and producer/bassist Matt Geraphty, the Spanish- and Quechua-language duo embrace these traditional trademarks, all the while paying respect to millennia-old practices — like healing through coca leaves, shamanism and sacred water. The album is experimental and introspective, but above all, it’s a love letter to the ancient Andean culture.

Bala Desejo 

Nominated for: Sim Sim Sim (Best Portuguese Language Contemporary Pop Album)

Composed of Julia Maestre, Dora Morelenbaum, Zé Ibarra and Lucas Nunes, Brazilian band Bala Desejo bring a carefree spirit and warmth to Sim Sim Sim. The Rio de Janeiro four-piece moved in together during quarantine to unite their artistic abilities and concoct this poptimistic delight. Combining jubilant choruses, groovy beachside ballads, and a dash of experimentation, their debut full-length album is a refreshing continuation of the feel-good and forward-thinking vibe of late-‘60s tropicalia. 

Bruses

Nominated for: Monstruos (Best Pop/Rock Album) and “Qué voy a hacer conmigo???” (Best Pop/Rock Song) 

Mixing goth rock, rawness and lyrical introspection, Bruses’ Monstruos intrigues. The Tijuanense singer-songwriter tackles delicate themes with grit against a propulsive, glimmering sound that combines contradictory elements that pair well together (think Nightmare Before Christmas, or BABYMETAL). “For me, these songs represent 13 of my monsters, which I also know are not only mine, they are everyone’s monsters — and we have somehow learned to survive with them,” said the artist in a statement. 

C4 Trío

Nominated for: Back to 4 (Best Instrumental Album)

Back to 4 equals cuatro virtuosity, where C4 Trío’s nylon dexterity takes a front row seat. Consisting of cuatro masters Edward Ramírez, Héctor Molina, Jorge Glem, and bassist Rodner Padilla — who are all producers and songwriters — all navigate through jazzy experimentation, Caribbean and joropo rhythms. Ultimately, the quartet showcases the various facets of the native Venezuelan instrument at its peak. 

CA7RIEL 

Nominated for: El Disko (Best Alternative Album) and “Bad Bitch” (Best Alternative Song)

Formerly of cloud rap duo CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso, the eccentric Buenos Aires artist has been wreaking havoc in the crossover Argentinian trap scene as a charming goofball with a sinister edge. Since he launched his solo career with two EPs in 2018, the quirky trap star has been building a loyal following. But his debut album El Disko sees him expanding his sonic palette in abstract ways filled with thrilling complexity. Funky grooves (“Bad B–ch”), old school hip-hop-meets-ominous distortions (“Polvo”), and glowing synths (“Chanel Maconha”) collide against lo-fi minimalism. It’s half an hour of unpredictable excitement.

Carmen Doorá

Nominated for: Orgánica (Best Flamenco Album)

The charm of Orgánica lies in its bewitching simplicity. Carmen Doorá’s dynamic rasp and Paco Hereida’s riveting guitar fretwork make a powerful pair. Together, they revitalize the essence of flamenco with utmost respect for the centuries-old tradition. With original material and beautiful renditions by Nina Simone, Spain’s nueva canción singer Joan Manuel Serrat, and Argentine tango singer Carlos Gardel, the Murcia-basad singer performs ten tracks live in the studio with gut-wrenching delivery — like agony and ecstasy.  

Isabel Marie 

Nominated for: Una ilusión (Best Tejano Album)

Isabel Marie is a promising new voice pushing tejano forward. Born in Chicago and based in Texas, the 19-year-old singer entered the music business as a child competing for La Voz Kids, and since 2014, she’s been busy releasing a steady stream of rancheras, tejano songs, and mariachi. With her 2022 Latin Grammy-nominated EP, Una Ilusión, the sultry-voiced singer adds co-producer to her title, and claims inspiration from Selena, Vicente Fernández, and Mariah Carey.

KURT

Nominated for: La Vida (Best Traditional Vocal Pop Album) 

KURT knows how to craft a dazzling pop ballad. With his poetic prowess and guitar plucking skills, the Mexican musician is making a name as a compelling singer-songwriter to know. On his Latin Grammy-nominated album, La Vida (2021), his second studio album, the Sinaloa native, born Kurt Schmidt Ramos, displays the perfect mix of open-hearted wordplay and catchy melodies. “KURT’s songs are not dedicated to just anyone,” writes one of his twitter followers in Spanish. 

Marilina Bertoldi 

Nominated for: Mojigata (Best Rock Album)

Dissonant piano stabs, screeching guitar melodies, and drum syncopation collide throughout Marilina Bertoldi’s 2022 release Mojigata. Although her confidence and attitude pours out of her, her voice is as cutting as ever, shouting verses like “I spent my time sharping knives” (Spanish lyrics of “La Cena”). She enlists Chilean electro-pop artist Javiera Mena on the dazzling “Amuleto”, and distorts the mood with reved-up power chords on “Beso Beso Beso.” In 2019, Bertoldi became the first female rock artist to win the Premio Gardel de Oro in the history of the award ceremony. 

Mireya & Roman Rojas

Nominated for: “Nunca te voy a olvidar” (Best Regional Song)

It begins with a riveting joropo rhythm in the hands of Jorge Glem’s cuatro (also of C4 Trío), and transitions into a fierce mariachi anthem. Led by a pulsing guitarrón and a dense vihuela, the song marks Mireya Ramos’ first nomination as a solo artist — she usually co-fronts and plays violin for the New York mariachi ensemble Flor de Toloache. Produced by Venezuelan alchemist Román Rojas, and co-written by Ramos and Rojas, this is Mexican tradition-meets-Venezuelan folk at its finest. 

Nico Cotton

Nominated for: Producer of the Year; Ya no somos lo mismo by Elsa y Elmar (Album of the Year and Best Engineered Album)

Nico Cotton is one of the most sought-after beatmakers behind many booming tracks coming out of the Argentine trap scene. A movement that began to accelerate just a few years ago, it has seen acts like Cazzu, María Becerra, and Tiago PZK break into global prominence, partly thanks to the producer’s darkly compelling beats. Catapulted by dissonant trap and Latin drill configurations — like on Cazzu’s Trampa Nena (2022) — the three-time nominee has also lent his craft to Colombian pop singer-songwriter Elsa y Elmar and Conociendo Rusia’s indie-rock splendor, showcasing his impressive versatility. This year, he competes against Tainy, Eduardo Cabra, last year’s winner Edgar Barrera, and Julio Reyes Copello for producer of the year.

Spinettango 

Nominated for: Spinettango (Best Tango Album)

Spinettango’s eponymous debut is a charming reimagining of Luis Alberto Spinetta’s songs with a deep affinity for tango. Arriving ten years after the passing of the late influential Argentine rocker, the band sets out to explore the tango side of El Flaco. For example, “Muchacha (Ojos de Papel)” and “Seguir Viviendo Sin Tu Amor” are captivating reworkings. The album also features legendary Argentines such as Litto Nebia and Daniel Melingo, as well as the Uruguayan murga troupe Falta y Resto. Spinettango is the creation of the Los Altiyeros collective, formed by Hernán “Don Camel” Sforzini together with Damián Torres Quintet and Santiago Muñiz.

03 Nov 2022

Reba McEntire Is on ‘Vocal Rest,’ Postpones Upcoming Shows

Reba McEntire has been placed on vocal rest by her doctor and is rescheduling three upcoming shows, the Country Music Hall of Fame member told fans via social media on Wednesday (Nov. 2).

“My doctor has advised me to go on vocal rest, so I have made the difficult decision to reschedule this weekend’s shows,” McEntire said in a statement on Instagram. “Thank you for understanding.”

She was set to bring her Reba: Live in Concert tour — featuring Terri Clark — to Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday (Nov. 3), Friday (Nov. 4) in Columbus, Ohio, and Saturday (Nov. 5) in Indianapolis, Ind.

Those shows have been rescheduled for December, with the Columbus and Raleigh shows taking place Dec. 2 and 3, and the Indianapolis show set for Dec. 16.

The tour had also previously been extended into 2023, including a stop at the Hollywood Bowl on April 1, and New York’s Madison Square Garden on April 15.

McEntire recently told Billboard that the Madison Square Garden show will be a special one.

“My dad roped there in 1946 and ‘47, maybe more years than that,” she said. “And my grandpa [1934 PRCA World Champion steer roper John Wesley McEntire] did, too. I have two pictures in my living room in Nashville of my daddy being there with all the contestants competing at the Madison Square Garden rodeo.”

McEntire headlined her first solo show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in October, thrilling fans with a string of hits including “Fancy,” “The Greatest Man I Never Knew,” and a collaboration with Clark on a medley of Linda Ronstadt hits.

Meanwhile, the star can be seen in the ABC series Big Sky, which also features her boyfriend and actor Rex Linn.

“When [Big Sky writer and executive producer] Elwood Reid came to me and said, ‘We’d love to have you on Big Sky,’ I said, ‘Doing what?’ And he said, ‘Playing the villain,’” McEntire told Billboard. “I immediately wanted to do it and Rex was sitting at the table and said, ‘That’s what she’s been waiting for.’ He said, ‘Is that Rex? We want you on this, too.’ It’s so much fun that we are in these together.”

See her announcement about her postponed shows below:

03 Nov 2022

Thomas Rhett Welcomes Cole Swindell, Nate Smith for Home Team Tour 23

Thomas Rhett will bring his Home Team Tour 23 to 40 cities next year, launching May 4 in Des Moines, Iowa. “She Had Me at Heads Carolina” hitmaker Cole Swindell and newcomer Nate Smith will open shows on the tour, which will wrap in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 29.

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“Being on the road is one of my favorite places to be,” said Thomas Rhett, who won entertainer of the year at the 2020 ACM Awards, alongside Carrie Underwood. “I can’t wait to see the joy on y’alls faces next year and with my buddies Cole Swindell and Nate Smith. We’re definitely gonna have a good time.”

Thomas Rhett announced the tour via a humorous video that finds the “Half of Me” singer and company wearing sports jerseys representing teams from cities on the tour. The clip comes complete with a mock press conference.

Pre-sale tickets first go on sale to members of Thomas Rhett’s fan club (also named Home Team) and Citi cardmembers on Tuesday, Nov. 8, while general public tickets will go on sale beginning Friday, Nov. 11 at 10 a.m. local time at ThomasRhett.com. 

Thomas Rhett previously embarked on a Home Team Tour in 2017. That same year, he partnered with Roc Nation, his longtime manager Virginia Bunetta and his father and fellow songwriter Rhett Akins to launch his own publishing company, Home Team Publishing.

HOME TEAM TOUR 23 Dates Include: 
5/4/2023 – Des Moines, IA – Wells Fargo Arena
5/5/2023 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center Arena
5/6/2023 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
5/18/2023 – Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
5/19/2023 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
5/20/2023 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
6/8/2023 – Albany, NY – MVP Arena
6/9/2023 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
6/10/2023 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
6/15/2023 – Tupelo, MS – Cadence Bank Arena
6/16/2023 – Lafayette, LA – CAJUNDOME
6/17/2023 – Bossier City, LA – Brookshire Grocery Arena
6/22/2023 -Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
6/23/2023 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Coliseum
7/6/2023 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
7/7/2023 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – Mohegan Sun Arena
7/8/2023 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
7/13/2023 – Biloxi, MS – Mississippi Coast Coliseum
7/14/2023 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
7/15/2023 – Knoxville, TN – Thompson-Boling Arena
7/20/2023 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum 
7/21/2023 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
7/22/2023 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena
7/27/2023 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
7/28/2023 – Chicago, IL – United Center
7/29/2023 – Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena
8/3/2023 – Dallas, TX – American Airlines Center
8/4/2023 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
8/5/2023 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
8/17/2023 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
8/18/2023 – Wichita, KS – INTRUST Bank Arena
8/19/2023 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
9/14/2023 – Estero, FL – Hertz Arena
9/15/2023 – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
9/16/2023 – Orlando, FL – Amway Center
9/21/2023 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena
9/22/2023 – State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center
9/23/2023 – Toledo, OH – Huntington Center
9/28/2023 – Birmingham, AL – The Legacy Arena at The BJCC
9/29/2023 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
 

03 Nov 2022

Kanye West Tweets Pic of Kyrie Irving Amid NBA Player’s Antisemitism Controversy

After getting locked out of Instagram again earlier this week for violating the site’s policies, Kanye West re-posted an image from his suspended IG on Twitter early Thursday morning (Nov. 3) of controversial Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving in what appears to be the embattled rapper’s latest provocation.

The timing of the tweet by West (who now goes by Ye) came after Irving released a joint statement with the Anti-Defamation League and his team in which the point guard and the Nets each pledged to donate $500,000 to “causes and organizations that work to eradicate hate and intolerance” after Irving was widely criticized last week for sharing a link to an antisemitic movie on his social feeds.

The since-deleted tweet linked to a video posted by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones which promoted the antisemitic 2018 movie Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America. The post by Irving drew widespread condemnation at a time when Ye has been deplatformed and seen his once-formidable fashion and music empire greatly diminished after repeatedly spreading antisemitic hate speech.

Like Ye, Irving steadfastly defending his right to spread such rhetoric in a post-game press conference on Saturday at which he said, “In terms of the backlash, we’re in 2022, history is not supposed to be hidden from anybody and I’m not a divisive person when it comes to religion, I embrace all walks of life. So the claims of antisemitism and who are the original chosen people of God and we go into these religious conversations and it’s a big no, no, I don’t live my life that way.”

The NBA, Nets owner Joe Tsai and the ADL strongly condemned Irving for spreading antisemitic speech, with ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeting, “The book and film he promotes trade in deeply #antisemitic themes, including those promoted by dangerous sects of the Black Hebrew Israelites movement. Irving should clarify now.”

After initially defending his right to post on his personal accounts and vowing now to “stand down on anything I believe,” Irving reversed course and said in the statement, “I oppose all forms of hatred and oppression and stand strong with communities that are marginalized and impacted every day. I am aware of the negative impact of my post towards the Jewish community, and I take responsibility.”

Before his latest Instagram suspension, West posted a smiling pic of Irving on Sunday with the caption, “There’s some real ones still here.” Ye posted a different snap of Irving on Twitter Thursday with no comment just hours after the athlete’s mea culpa. In the wake of the Irving controversy, the Ye post was the latest provocation in a month-long spree in which the rapper has repeatedly made antisemitic remarks that Forbes reported has resulted in him losing his billionaire status as most of his high-profile fashion, music and sports marketing clients have fled his now-radioactive brand.

West had his Twitter account temporarily restricted after posting in early October that he was going to go “Death Con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” The Irving post marked Ye’s return to the platform a week after self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist” Tesla/SpaceX CEO Elon Musk bought the site; a new study reported that homophobic, racist and antisemitic hate speech on Twitter dramatically spiked in the hours and days following Musk’s takeover.

The amplification of anti-Jewish tropes by such high-profile figures also comes just months after the Anti-Defamation League — which tracks anti-Semitic behavior nationwide — reported a 34% rise in anti-Semitic incidents in 2021 (to 2,717), which averaged out to more than seven such incidents per day.

Check out Ye’s tweet and the Nets and Irving’s statements below.

03 Nov 2022

Selena Gomez Drops Vulnerable ‘My Mind & Me’ Song and Lyric Video: Listen Here

Selena Gomez just dropped one of her most vulnerable songs ever. Gearing up for the release of her Apple TV+ documentary My Mind & Me, the 30-year-old pop star unveiled an emotional new song and lyric video of the same name — before teasing that more new music will soon follow.

Gomez’s first solo release since 2021’s Revelación, “My Mind & Me” hit streaming services at 8 a.m. ET one day prior to the documentary’s Friday (Nov. 4) premiere on Apple TV. “My mind and me, we don’t get along sometimes / And it gets hard to breathe,” she sings on the track, a sprawling piano ballad written by the Only Murders in the Building star, Amy Allen, Jonathan Bellion, Michal Pollack, Stefan Johnson and Jordan K. Johnson.

“But I wouldn’t change my life / And all of the crashing and burning and breaking, I know now / If somеbody sees me like this, then thеy won’t feel alone now.”

Directed by Alek Keshishian, Gomez’s raw My Mind & Me film follows the singer-actress over the course of six years as she deals with lupus, depression, anxiety and other mental health struggles. One particularly devastating time in her life was marked by an episode of psychosis in 2018, something she opened up about in a Thursday (Nov. 3) cover story interview with Rolling Stone.

The Grammy nominee told the publication that she heard voices and experienced severe long-term paranoia during the episode and was eventually diagnosed as bipolar. “It took a lot of hard work for me to (a) accept that I was bipolar, but (b) learn how to deal with it because it wasn’t going to go away,” she said.

Gomez also shared in the interview that she’s written 24 songs or so for her next album, something she also talked about at her documentary’s Wednesday (Nov. 2) premiere at the AFI Festival. Speaking to Variety, the former Disney star shared that new music is coming “hopefully next year,” potentially followed by a tour.

“Maybe!” she said about possibly hitting the road. “I know. I should, right?”

Listen to Selena Gomez’s new song “My Mind & Me” and watch the lyric video below.

03 Nov 2022

Rihanna Takes Fans Behind the Scenes of ‘Lift Me Up’ Music Video: Watch

On Thursday (Nov. 3), Rihanna gave fans an inside look of the filming of her newest video, “Life Me Up,” which offers an experience as serene and relaxing as the original.

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The 34-year-old’s rich and airy vocals soundtrack the video. It features her alongside Black Panther: Wakanda Forever film crew members setting up scenes, including her posing on the beach at dusk and shots of billowing smoke, makeshift snow and a bonfire on the sand.

At the end of the video, Rih poses with one of the crew members and makes an X across her chest with her arms, the official salute from the Black Panther movies.

“Lift Me Up” — which serves as a tribute to the late Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020 at 43 after a battle with colon cancer — sees the pop star going the ballad route, accompanied by an acoustic guitar as she sings “Lift me up/ Hold me down/ Keep me close/ Safe and sound” on the chorus. The track was released as the first single from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.

Following the Oct. 28 release of “Lift Me Up,” the track landed at No. 1 on Billboard’s relaunched Hot Trending Songs chart, powered by Twitter and sponsored by Xfinity Mobile, dated Nov. 5.

While more new music from Rihanna is still TBD, the singer — who is slated to headline next year’s Super Bowl halftime show — has her fans excited for the return of her upcoming Savage x Fenty fashion show, which will arrive on Amazon Prime on Nov. 9.

03 Nov 2022

MercyMe’s ‘Always Only Jesus’ Debuts at No. 1 on Top Christian Albums Chart

MercyMe banks its 12th No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Christian Albums survey as its new studio album, Always Only Jesus, blasts in atop the chart dated Nov. 5.

The 10-song set released on Oct. 21 earned 9,000 equivalent album units with 7,000 in sales during the tracking week ending Oct. 27 according to Luminate.

On Top Christian Albums Always Only Jesus follows Inhale (Exhale) which entered at No. 3 in May 2021 with 11,000 units, granting the group with its 14th of 15 career top 10s.

Prior to Inhale, I Can Only Imagine: The Very Best of Mercy Me opened at No. 3 in March 2018 then hit No. 1 in its second week, dominating for 19 frames. That set included two versions of “I Can Only Imagine,” the 1999 original and 2018’s “I Can Only Imagine (The Movie Session).”

The LP was released in conjunction with the movie I Can Only Imagine which starred J. Michael Finley as MercyMe frontman Bart Millard with Dennis Quaid as his father. The film chronicled the story of the band from its inception in the mid 1990s.

MercyMe’s run of 12 leaders began in 2001 with its first entry Almost There which debuted at No. 12 prior to its nine-week reign beginning in August 2003.

With a dozen No. 1s on Top Christian Albums MercyMe has the most of all duos and groups with Passion second (nine); then Casting Crowns and Hillsong United are next with eight leaders each. Currently on tour, MercyMe’s next stop will be at Boston’s Wang Theatre on Nov. 4.

STRYPER’S ‘FINAL BATTLE’

Also on Top Christian Albums the iconic Christian hard rock outfit Stryper’s new LP The Final Battle rockets onto the tally at No. 3. It earned 7,000 units in its first week and 6,000 in sales.

Stryper first reached Top Christian Albums with The Yellow and Black Attack which debuted in November 1984 and reached No. 10 the following June, marking the foursome’s first of 12 top 10s.

Battle, which sports 11 songs, follows the group’s first No. 1, Even the Devil Believes, which started atop the ranking with 10,000 units in September 2020.

The California based Stryper is fronted by founding member Michael Sweet (lead vocals, guitar); his brother Robert Sweet (drums); Oz Fox (guitar, vocals); and Perry Richardson (bass, vocals).

03 Nov 2022

Colton Dixon’s ‘Boat’ Docks at No. 1 on Hot Christian Songs and Christian AC Airplay

Singer-songwriter Colton Dixon scores his first No. 1 on Billboard’s streaming-, airplay and sales based Hot Christian Songs survey as well as Christian AC Airplay (both charts dated Nov. 5).

The 31-year-old Murfreesboro, Tenn. native’s latest single “Build a Boat” ascends 2-1 on both lists. The song hits the Hot Christian Songs summit as it drew 1.2 million U.S. streams and sold 1,000 downloads in the Oct. 21-27 tracking week, according to Luminate.

“Boat” rebounds 2-1 on Christian Digital Song Sales for a sixth frame at No. 1 after first reaching the apex on Sept. 17, becoming his third leader.

On Christian Airplay “Boat” floats 4-2 for a new best. It increased by less than 1% to 6.6 million impressions in the week ending Oct. 30. On Christian AC Airplay the single climbs 2-1 with a 3% increase in plays. Dixon earns his first No. 1 on both Hot Christian Songs and Christian AC Airplay. It’s his 14th Hot Christian Songs entry which includes two additional top 10s. His first appearance “You Are” reached No. 10 in 2013 and 2014’s “More of You” hit No. 9 that September. On Christian AC Airplay “Boat” follows “Miracles” which reached No. 8 in October 2020, giving Dixon his third of four top 10s.

“Boat” was co-written by Dixon, Pete Becker, Mikey Gormley, Johan Linbrandt and Seth Mosley.

“To anyone who had anything to do with this song, thank you,” Dixon tells Billboard. “Even more than having my No. 1 across these formats, I’m so grateful that so many people have applied the meaning of this song to their own story. Faith looks crazy sometimes, but the reward waiting on the other side far outweighs the sacrifice.”

Dixon, who competed during season 11 of American Idol in 2012, performed “Build a Boat” during his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry on Oct. 24.