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30 Oct 2023

Taylor Swift’s ‘Cruel Summer’ Tops Hot 100 for Second Week, Hits No. 1 on Streaming Songs Chart

Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer” adds a second week atop the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, a week after it became her 10th career No. 1. The song – originally released on Swift’s 2019 Republic Records album Lover before being promoted as a single and gaining new prominence as the superstar has performed it on her The Eras Tour this year – concurrently hits No. 1 on the Streaming Songs chart and returns to the top of the Radio Songs survey.

The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data, the lattermost metric reflecting purchases of physical singles and digital tracks from full-service digital music retailers; digital singles sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites are excluded from chart calculations. All charts (dated Nov. 4, 2023) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 31). For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram.

In the Oct. 20-26 tracking week, “Cruel Summer,” according to Luminate, drew 80.1 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 3%) and 21.3 million streams (up 14%) and sold 7,000 downloads (down 83%, a week after it benefited from the release of two new mixes).

The single surges 5-1 on Streaming Songs, becoming Swift’s seventh career leader on the list. It follows “Anti-Hero” (two weeks at No. 1, in 2022); “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” (one week, 2021); “Cardigan” (one, 2020); “Look What You Made Me Do” (two, 2017); “Blank Space” (seven, 2014-15); and “Shake It Off” (two, 2014-15). Swift breaks out of a tie with Justin Bieber for the second-most Streaming Songs No. 1s and trails only Drake, the leader with 20.

Over four years after its release, “Cruel Summer” completes the longest route, from a title’s release, to No. 1 on Streaming Songs among non-holiday hits. Only two songs, both seasonal standards, have taken longer: Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” jingled to No. 1 for the first time last holiday season following its 1958 release, while Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” spent the first of its 18 weeks at No. 1 to date in the 2018 holiday season, after it was released in 1994.

“Cruel Summer” simultaneously rebounds for a second week atop Radio Songs. Notably, it’s the first song this year to crown the Hot 100 while reigning as both the most-streamed title and most-heard hit on radio. It’s the third song to achieve the feat this decade, following Harry Syles’ “As It Was” (for one week in June 2022) and Adele’s “Easy On Me” (one, November 2021).

On the Digital Song Sales chart, “Cruel Summer” drops to No. 2, a week after it became Swift’s record-extending 27th No. 1.

As previously reported, Swift is set to storm next week’s Billboard 200 albums chart with the arrival of her latest rerecorded set, 1989 (Taylor’s Version).

Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” holds at No. 2 on the Hot 100, following three nonconsecutive weeks at No. 1 beginning in September. It adds an eighth and ninth week, respectively, atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts, which use the same multi-metric methodology as the Hot 100.

SZA’s “Snooze” is steady at No. 3 on the Hot 100, after reaching No. 2. It posts a 13th week atop the multi-metric Hot R&B Songs chart.

Zach Bryan’s “I Remember Everything,” featuring Kacey Musgraves, bumps 6-4 on the Hot 100, after it led for a week upon its debut in September. It commands the multi-metric Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Hot Rock Songs charts for a ninth week each and Hot Country Songs for a fifth frame.

Luke Combs’ “Fast Car” rolls 7-5 on the Hot 100, following eight weeks at its No. 2 high; Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” lifts 9-6, following 16 weeks at No. 1 starting in March, the most ever for a non-collaboration; and Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” advances 10-7 for a new high, as it logs a second week at No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.

Rounding out the Hot 100’s top 10, Drake’s “IDGAF,” featuring Yeat, slides 4-8, two weeks after it debuted at No. 2; Bad Bunny’s “Monaco” drops 5-9 in its second week on the chart, as it claims a second week atop the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs ranking; and Gunna’s “Fukumean” rises 11-10 on the Hot 100, after reaching No. 4.

Again, for all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated Nov. 4), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 31).

Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Luminate reviews and authenticates data. In partnership with Billboard, data deemed suspicious or unverifiable is removed, using established criteria, before final chart calculations are made and published.

30 Oct 2023

23-Year-Old Woman Found Dead After Being Kidnapped by Hamas at Israeli Music Festival

Israel has reported that Shani Louk, a 23-year-old German-Israeli woman kidnapped by Hamas at the Nova Music Festival, has been found dead.

The ministry confirmed Louk’s death in a Monday (Oct. 30) statement on X, formerly Twitter. “We are devastated to share that [Louk’s] body,” it read, “was found and identified.” 

The statement alleged that the young woman, prior to her death, was “tortured and paraded around Gaza by Hamas terrorists.”

Louk was one of thousands of festival-goers attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7, when the terrorist group surrounded and gunned down Nova attendants that morning and throughout the day. Earlier this month, Louk’s mother, Ricarda, told CNN that she last spoke to her daughter after hearing rockets and alarms sounding in southern Israel. Shani told her mother she was at the festival, but there were few places to hide.

“She was going to her car and they had military people standing by the cars and were shooting so people couldn’t reach their cars, even to go away,” Ricarda said at the time. “And that’s when they took her.”

Per CNN, Louk’s body was captured on video prior to her death, seemingly unconscious in the back of a Hamas truck after the festival attack.

Hundreds of bodies were found onsite after the massacre, which was part of a wider Hamas attack on Israel that claimed approximately 1,400 lives. Around 200 people remain hostages of Hamas.

In retaliation, Israel has since declared war against the terrorist group, launching airstrikes on Hamas-controlled Gaza in Palestine. As of Monday (Oct. 30), the estimated death toll in Gaza stands at more than 8,000, with civilians constituting most of the dead.

As citizens across the world have called for a ceasefire in the Middle East, 120 countries voted last week for a United Nations resolution and “sustained humanitarian truce” in Gaza; meanwhile, Israel’s military announced plans to expand ground operations. On Friday (Oct. 27), two survivors of the festival attack — 27-year-old Maya Parizer and 28-year-old Jonathan Diller — spoke about their experiences to a crowd of mostly students at New York University, with Diller describing how “the missiles kept coming and coming.”

30 Oct 2023

6 Must-Hear New Country Songs: ERNEST, Alexandra Kay, Shaboozey & More

This week’s batch of new music includes ERNEST’s bluegrass-tinged latest, a promising debut from Alexandra Kay, a heartfelt, timely song from Frank Ray and Shy Carter, as well as a pair of songs from Red Clay Strays and Shaboozey that are surging on streaming platforms.

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Also, Texas music mainstay Aaron Watson pairs with several female artists, including Kylie Frey and Jenna Paulette, to honor songs from women artists in various decades.

ERNEST, “Kiss of Death”

On his breakthrough hit “Flower Shops,” the mononymed singer-songwriter drew upon traditional country influences, while his Flower Shops (The Album) was chock-full of twangy songs about heartbreak and alcohol. Here, ERNEST launches his “new era” by wrapping himself in bluegrass harmonies on “Kiss of Death,” with lyrics that find him willingly walking a fine line, willing to accept the inevitable heartbreak his “angel in a fire-red dress will bring,” if it means he gets a single evening of lust-fueled passion. “I think I like the pain/ And if it ends tonight, that’ll be okay,” he sings, on this track he co-wrote with Andy Albert and Ryan Vojtesak.

Alexandra Kay, “Everleave”

Kay follows her breakthrough 2021 hit “That’s What Love Is” with the 11-song debut album All I’ve Ever Known — featuring this vulnerable, solo-penned ballad that traces a woman’s decade spent languishing in an unfulfilling relationship and honors the notion of her resolve to leave. “I can’t keep pouring from a cup so empty/ Then turn my back and try to sleep at night,” Kay sings with both stunning intimacy and verve, underscoring the portrait of someone always giving to a lover who refuses to reciprocate the same kindness. The glossy, piano-led “Everleave,” like the rest of the album, presents Kay as an adept, propitious singer-songwriter.

Aaron Watson, Cover Girl



Texas music circuit mainstay Watson helps spotlight the mighty talents of numerous women artists on his latest project, Cover Girl, filled with duets on many female-fronted, classic country songs (and a pop song or two), spanning different decades. Watson and Jenna Paulette pair up on Rosanne Cash’s “Seven Year Ache,” while he teams with Kylie Frey for Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” Bri Bagwell for a take on Sheryl Crow’s “Can’t Cry Anymore,” Kimberly Kelly for “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma” and with Morgan Myles for Lady Gaga’s “Million Reasons.” The album closes with a familial collaboration, with Watson teaming with his daughter Jolee Kate for a rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Never Grow Up.”

Frank Ray and Shy Carter, “Jesus at the Taco Truck”

Shy Carter and Frank Ray posted a snippet of this song on TikTok last month and the song has quickly amassed over two million views, thanks to a vivid storyline. “Jesus at the Taco Truck” is heartfelt, timely and bridge-building. The lyrics detail meeting a man who made a harrowing journey, walking across the Rio Grande into Texas, and working long hours at a taco truck to help provide for family members still living in Mexico. Crafted by Ray, Carter, Ben Burgess and Nathan Chapman, this is a tender, compassionate tribute to the hardships so many face in a quest for freedom and a better life. This marks a crucial new release from Carter and Ray.

Red Clay Strays, “Wondering Why”

Known for their soul-meets-southern rock stylings, The Red Clay Strays have been on the road over the past year opening shows for Eric Church and Elle King. The quintet’s soulful Alabama roots and fiery live performance style permeate this song. “Wondering Why” was included on the group’s 2022 debut album A Moment of Truth, but it has been surging on streaming platforms of late, landing on Spotify’s all-genre Viral 50 chart. Written by the group’s Brandon Coleman and Drew Nix with songwriter Dan Couch (Kip Moore, Cody Johnson), the song details a highbrow-meets-hardscrabble romance that, on paper, shouldn’t work–but does. Lead singer Coleman’s gruff, impassioned vocal shines here as always, bolstered by the group’s exemplary musicianship.

Shaboozey, “Let It Burn”

“Grab the matches/ start a fire,” Shaboozey sings on this aptly-titled track, as it has been a red-hot track on streaming platforms as of late, appearing on Spotify’s all-genre Viral 50 chart. The song is a heady marriage of guitar-driven country, R&B and hip-hop elements, meshing into a distinct blend of pop melody and empowering message, as the singer-songwriter urges someone to leave bad memories and experiences behind and embrace the courage to seek a brighter future.

30 Oct 2023

HHW Gaming: Microsoft Is Blocking “Unauthorized” Third-Party Controllers & Accessories

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Xbox Series X

Source: picture alliance / Getty / Xbox / Microsoft

Microsoft is cracking down on “unauthorized” controllers and accessories on Xbox consoles.

Xbox console owners were hit with a rude awakening last week.

Posters on Resetera began sharing last week that they were being greeted with a warning informing them their third-party controller would be blocked, with the message “connected accessory is not authorized.”

The Verge reports it is unclear if Xbox’s intention with this move is to target cheaters or push Xbox console owners to use accessories that are a part of its official partner program.

“From the moment you connect an unauthorized accessory and receive error code 0x82d60002, you’ll have two weeks to use the accessory, after which time it will then be blocked from use with the console,” Microsoft said in a support note about the warning message gamers are receiving.

Microsoft continues, “At that time, you’ll receive error code 0x82d60003. We encourage you to contact the store or manufacturer where you obtained the accessory to get help with returning it.”

Specific Devices That Could Be Affected

Third-party accessories that have a “designed for Xbox” label on the box are not affected by the block. Any devices not authorized by Xbox could see the message and be blocked.

Gamers using third-party cheat devices like XIM, Cronus Zen, and ReaSnow S1 could also be affected.

The above devices are used mainly by PC players to imitate controller inputs, allowing mouse and keyboard users to utilize aim assist and reduced recoil from controllers combined with the fast movement mouse and keyboard fans enjoy.

Before Xbox made this move, Activision, Bungie, and Ubisoft had worked diligently to block these devices from being used in first-person shooters like Call of Duty, Destiny 2, and Rainbow Six Siege.

Brooks Gaming, which makes an adapter that allows users to use PlayStation controllers on Xbox, warns of “functional disruptions in the near future” for a number of its products, including the fighting board, steering wheel, and Wingman XB 2 converter in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Reactions From The Gaming Community

Of course, news like this is already getting reactions from the video game community and the implications of who this block will hurt.

Fight video game enthusiast Maximillian Dood directly hit Xbox chief Phil Spencer and Matt Booty on X, begging them to have a change of heart by pointing out how this could be extremely harmful to local fighting game events that use Xbox consoles.

“Heyo @XboxP3 @Xbox @mattbooty This is essentially a death sentence for local fighting game events that run on Xbox, much less, others that can only afford one arcade stick. The @brookgamingfans converters are not cheat devices. They’re a huge boon to the FGC. Please reconsider!” Dood wrote.

Phil Spencer, Matt Booty, or Xbox have yet to issue a statement on the block, but we do expect some comments to arrive very soon.

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Photo: picture alliance / Getty

30 Oct 2023

Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band Plans to ‘Party On’ Following Singer’s Death

One of Jimmy Buffett’s last messages to his family and friends before his Sept. 1 death from skin cancer was “keep the party going,” and his longtime backing musicians in the Coral Reefer Band now say they plan to do just that. 

“The Coral Reefer Band is second family to all of us. We are a family. And Jimmy wants us to continue and we want to continue,” Mac McAnally, longtime Coral Reefer Band singer/guitarist tells Billboard.  How that will look is still being determined, but McAnally says, “there’s ongoing discussions about the best way to do that, the most practical way to do that and how to do it in a way that is worthy of the legacy that we’re part of.” 

The Coral Reefer Band, which has had a rotating cast of musicians — some of whom had played with Buffett for nearly 50 years — began backing the singer-songwriter in concert and in the studio in the ‘70s.

Deciding the best way forward is taking some time. “We’re going to figure it out and we’re going to do something,” McAnally says. “Whatever the best equation arrives from those discussions is what we’re going to do,” he says. “I can’t wait until we [figure it out] because we miss being out there, playing his songs to people and feeling that alternating current go back and forth from the stage to the crowd. I don’t know who’s got more energy, them or us.”

The current members, in addition to McAnally include keyboardist Michael Utley (who has played with Buffett since the ‘70s), steel drummer Robert Greenidge, guitarist/vocalist Peter Mayer, bassist Jim Mayer, drummer Roger Guth, steel pedal guitarist Doyle Grisham, trumpeter John Lovell, percussionist Eric Darken and vocalists Tina Gullickson and Nadirah Shakoor.

The Coral Reefer Band played its last full concert with Buffett on May 6 at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium. Buffett’s last time on stage was McAnally’s July 2 show  in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, when Buffett joined him for eight songs, including signature tunes “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” and “Margaritaville.”

Though Buffett was undergoing treatment, he still craved being on stage. “He had been calling through the summertime when the treatments were going,” McAnally says. “I didn’t know how far up or down he was. I hadn’t seen him [in person], though he never called without Facetiming me and I could tell he was losing weight. He couldn’t do a full show, but he kept calling saying, ‘Where are you playing? I’m gonna come sit in.’”

McAnally’s Rhode Island date was a quick flight from Buffett’s house in Sag Harbor, N.Y. and easy for him to fly in for. “We played ‘5 O’Clock Somewhere’ and when it got to [the line], ‘What would Jimmy Buffett do?,’ nobody knew that he was there. Nobody knew and he walked out from behind the stage. It was maybe 400 people there and they all came up out of their seat. It was like somebody hit them with 220 volts,” McAnally remembers. 

But no one was more pleased than Buffett. “I looked back around at him because he was coming up behind me and he was 100% the happiest person on earth because I don’t think he knew if he was going to feel it again and I don’t think he knew that he was never gonna feel it again after that,” McAnally says. “Buffett called McAnally two days later asking if he had other shows that weren’t on his website yet so he could join him again. “He was ready to tour as a guest singer on these little singer-songwriter shows,” McAnally says, but unfortunately, his time ran out.

30 Oct 2023

Diddy Releases Trailer For ‘Off The Grid’ Movie Inspired By ‘The Love Album’

After releasing his new album, The Love Album: Off The Grid, last month, Diddy is upping the ante with his forthcoming film, Off The Grid. 

The first trailer for the film — powered by the sonics off The Love Album — dropped on Monday morning (Oct. 30) and features Diddy and budding actress Eva Apio in a romantic whirlwind anchored by passion and drama. The chemistry between the two is entrancing as they share moments of vulnerability, endure a high-speed car chase with the cops, and more. 

“Working with Eva Apio was an incredible experience. Her talent and energy brought my vision to life,” Diddy said in a press release. 

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The Love Album: Off The Grid features appearances by Justin Bieber, Abel Tesfaye (formerly known as The Weeknd), Mary J. Blige, Summer Walker, H.E.R., Jazmine Sullivan, and more. Touted as Diddy’s comeback effort, The Love Album became his sixth top 10 project on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums last month and debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard 200. It also peaked at No. 2 on the Top R&B Albums chart. 

“This isn’t just an R&B album; it’s an R&B movie [about love],” he said of his project during his cover story conversation with Billboard last month. “It’s probably one of the biggest collections of talent ever, all unified on one album. And I happen to be blessed to have The Weeknd’s last feature. The song talks about being unique, in a sense — telling your ex-girl that another one of me won’t come around.”

The Off The Grid film has yet to have a release date but will hit theaters soon. Watch the trailer below. 

30 Oct 2023

Legendary Rapper Nikki D Says Female Rap Is In A “Prostitution Era”

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Gumbo Presents Midnight Brunch To Kickoff Rolling Loud

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More critiques about the substance in female rap lyrics are pouring in after Ice Spice performed at Power 105’s Powerhouse concert this weekend. 

The Bronx rapper was dressed in a Halloween costume styled as Betty Boop in a short red dress that kept rising over her ample bottom. 

The 23-year-old star pulled uncomfortably at the dress as she performed her hit songs to a lackluster crowd. The performance made the rounds on social media as fans either cheered on the “Munch” rapper or detractors took another opportunity to blast the current state of female rap. 

Nikki D—who was the first woman rapper signed to Def Jam Records in 1989—took to Instagram to rip into the performance. 

“Oh come TF on!!! You mean to tell me, this is true talent.. the Female genre of hip hop today is the ‘prostitution era’, fight me!! [two boxing glove emojis],” Nikki wrote in a caption while sharing a clip of Ice Spice’s performance. “Notice the ONLY 2x’s the crowd reacts.. during the familiar ‘munch line’ and when she turns around to show her ass!!”

“She’s one of the top female rappers out at the ‘moment’.. where’s her show production, rehearsal, and for god sake PLEASE STOP singing over those studio vocals it’s not a live show at that point,” Nikki D added. 

The “Lettin’ Off Steam” rapper then implored Spice’s management to reach out to her, claiming, “this girl got 5 minutes left, and y’all gone blow it!!!” 

The post garnered a ton of engagement—including from other legendary female rapper Sweet LD of Oaktown’s 357 who wrote, “Oh wow! (with a shocked face emoji).” 

Pete Rock commented on the post warning that many would write off Nikki D’s comments as “hating,” but, he added, “No we are not. We telling yall learn how to rap and make music period. Simple as that.

“I come from an era of absolute real talent. Yall love money not music or lyrics yall love money and drugs smfh. im tired of these corny ass artist.”

The debate about the quality of lyrics by female rap artists is ongoing. While it is undeniable that women are having an unprecedented season of success, many wonder if the lyrical content is too sexual in nature. 

A Reddit thread on “honest opinions on modern female rap ?”  has nearly 750 comments that vary from praising the genre to lamenting the female artists who are underrated and still overlooked. One fan wrote, that female rap has “As much variety and creativity as male rap. Great artists in the mainstream and in the underground, clowns in both too. But with men, the labels love selling the image of a criminal and for women they love selling the overtly sexual stuff. And ofc the consumers eat up both.” 

Earlier this summer, Fabolous chimed in on the debate seeking more perspectives from “strong” women, writing in an Instastory, “I love hearing female rappers talking some real shit,” Fab wrote on his Instagram Story, according to HipHopDX. “Women are so strong. Have so many stories and perspectives that we need to hear in pure form.

“No disrespect to any female rappers out there but I think there’s only one style of female rap/Hip Hop being promoted, programmed and looked at as successful now.”

The conversation continues. 

30 Oct 2023

Flavor Flav Belted Out National Anthem Ahead Of Bucks-Hawks Game, X Had Thoughts

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Flavor Flav is known as the longstanding hype man as part of the legendary Hip-Hop collective Public Enemy, but he’s also an accomplished musician. Flavor Flav showed another side of his musical talents by singing the National Anthem ahead of an NBA game over the weekend that had X sharing thoughts.

Flavor Flav was invited to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks contest on Sunday (October 29), decked out in a Bucks jersey with the number 59 to note the year he was born.

How Flav did is a matter of personal opinion as some online found his performance to be emotional and spirited, while others compared the showing to the infamous Fergie and Carl Lewis National Anthem moments.

Flavor Flav, realizing that folks would have something to say, issued his own statement via X.

“The anthem was a long time bucket list item, that was fun!” Flav began in his reply on X.

He added, “I can’t live my life worried about what people might say about me. I won’t let that stop me from trying new things and doing things I wanna do. Some people might not like that. But a sure failure is if you stop trying.”

Salute to that.

As it stands, the Bucks lost against the Hawks at a score of 127-110 with new Bucks superstar Dame Lillard not having his best showing. The season is still young so the team is still working out the kinks.

Check out the reactions from X below.

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Photo: Getty

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30 Oct 2023

Calculate Your Streaming Payouts With This Free Tool

As part of our continuing efforts to serve the music industry and its creators, Billboard now features a royalty calculator for Spotify and Apple Music for readers.

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Created by Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, a legal and consulting firm that specializes in the music industry, the calculator is based on its analysis of U.S. data collected from direct source payers.

“Gone are the days where artists cannot fathom the value of a stream,” said Manett entertainment group leader Jordan Bromley in a statement. “Knowledge is power, data is paramount, and simple answers and insights are now available for all. This offering is just one of many coming to help every creator and rights holder understand the true value of what they own.”

The calculator is easy to use. Simply plug in the number of streams generated by a song or album, and the app will provide:

  • The total payout for that number of streams
  • The sound recording payout to the copyright owner
  • Mechanical royalties paid to the music publisher (which then pays the songwriter)
  • Performance royalties paid to performance rights organizations (PROs) ASCAP, BMI, GMR and SESAC, who in turn pay songwriters and publishers

The amount calculated will represents a blended rate of all the tiers offered by the services. So in the case of Spotify, the resulting amount calculated will be based on a blended rate from its paid tier; ad-supported tier; and other tiers; while the Apple rate is also a blend from its various tiers.

The payout totals are based on the subscriber fees that Spotify and Apple collect from subscribers each month and the numbers of plays. Because those numbers fluctuate, the calculator will be updated on a monthly basis, but usually with a three-month lag, due to when the services information becomes available.

At a glance, Apple generates higher per play rates than Spotify, but due to the latter platform’s larger subscriber base, it paid more collectively to U.S. labels and publishers in the first six months of 2023— $1.84 billion to Apple Music’s $1.68 billion, according to data supplied to Billboard by industry sources. Consequently, Spotify’s lower per play rate is due to its tiers collectively having more than twice as many plays as the combined total streams generated by the tiers in the Apple system for the first six months of 2023.

Access the royalty calculator here.

30 Oct 2023

Billboard Presents the Royalty Calculator: See What Your Streams Are Worth

As part of our continuing efforts to serve the music industry and its creators, Billboard now features a royalty calculator for Spotify and Apple Music for readers.

The calculator below was created by Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, a legal and consulting firm that specializes in music industry law; and is based on the firm’s analysis of U.S. data collected from direct source payors.

The calculator is easy to use. Simply plug in the number of streams generated by a song or album, and the app will provide:

  • The total payout for that figure number of streams
  • The sound recording payout to the copyright owner
  • Mechanical royalties paid to the music publisher (which then pays the songwriter)
  • Performance royalties paid to performance rights organizations (PROs) ASCAP, BMI, GMR and SESAC

The amount calculated will represent a blended rate of all the tiers offered by the services. So, in the case of Spotify, the rate shown is a blend of its paid tier rate, its ad-supported tier rate, and other tiers; while the Apple rate is also a blend of its various tiers.

The payout totals are based on the subscriber fees that Spotify and Apple collect from subscribers each month and the number of plays. Because those numbers fluctuate, the calculator will be updated on a monthly basis, but usually with a three-month lag, due to when the services information becomes available. Currently, the rates shown are based on reported data from June.

At a glance, Apple generates higher per play rates than Spotify, but Spotify paid more overall to labels and publishers in the first six months of 2023 because of its larger subscriber base — $1.84 billion to Apple Music’s $1.68 billion, according to data supplied to Billboard by sources. Consequently, Spotify’s lower per play rate is due to its tiers collectively having more than twice as many plays as the combined total streams generated by the tiers in the Apple system for the first six months of 2023.