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11 Aug 2023

Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Tove Lo, Chappell Roan, G Flip & More

Beat the summer heat with these cool new jams from some of your favorite queer artists! Billboard Pride is proud to present the latest edition of Queer Jams of the Week, our roundup of some of the best new music releases from LGBTQ artists.

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From Tove Lo’s latest dance anthem to Chappell Roan’s campy new summer single, check out just a few of our favorite releases from this week below:

Tove Lo, “Elevator Eyes”

If you give Tove Lo the good ‘ol up-down, rest assured that she will be writing a sultry single all about you. “Elevator Eyes,” the latest track to come from the Swedish pop star’s Dirt Femme era, sees Lo embracing a moodier, more pared-down production style to her last few singles. Don’t fret, though — the song’s lyrics and the singer’s performance bring plenty of heat all on their own, as the star evaluates an interested party and looks to make her next move.

Chappell Roan, “HOT TO GO!”

If you’re an adult in need of your own personal cheerleader, Chappell Roan has got you covered. With her new single “HOT TO GO!” the rising star offers up a great impression of a cheer captain as she instructs you on how to dance to the new track while also letting her future lovers know that she is ready and waiting. It’s fun, it’s camp, and it’s exactly the kind of jam that will have you dancing along in no time.

G Flip, Drummer

If you’re wondering what to expect from an album titled Drummer, it’s literally right there in the title. Throughout Australian upstart G Flip’s debut album, the singer-songwriter embraces her instrument of choice, leading this pop-rock project with slamming drums leading the way. Ranging from heartbroken pop songs (“The Worst Person Alive”) to uplifting love anthems (“Good Enough”), Drummer makes good on the promise of its title, soundtracking the rising star’s love life over a killer beat.

Allison Russell, “Snakelife”

It bears repeating that the world is currently a hard place to be for Black queer and trans folks — but that’s not the future that Allison Russell sees for her community. On “Snakelife,” the folk singer’s stirring new single, Russell conjures up a vision of transformation and evolution, envisioning and even conceiving a future in which “every child is safe and loved, and Black is beautiful and good.” With a voice that is simultaneously gorgeous and haunting, Russell makes certain that you feel as strongly as she does that this new world is coming, whether you like it or not.

Mykki Blanco, “Holidays in the Sun”

Get ready to rave your way into Mykki Blanco’s self-described “Italian cowboy era.” The star is back with “Holidays in the Sun,” their first single off of the forthcoming EP Postcards from Italia, and they are ready to rave. Over a relentless beat and some delicious bass hooks, Blanco extolls the virtues of simply vibing in the sunshine while you can. It’s a delectable cut from the often-elusive talent, proving yet again that Mykki knows how to write a banger you can dance to.

HoneyLuv feat. Cakes da Killa, “Bring It Back”

Speaking of a banger you can dance to, we simply must talk about DJ-producer extraordinaire HoneyLuv’s latest team-up with rapper Cakes da Killa on “Bring it Back.” Dripping with Cakes’ laid-back confidence and HoneyLuv’s razor-sharp prodcution, “Bring it Back” is exactly the kind of homerun you think it’s going to be, moving you to get up out of your seat and start grooving to the fiery new song ASAP.

Check out all of our picks on Billboard’s Queer Jams of the Week playlist below:

11 Aug 2023

Jelly Roll’s ‘Need a Favor’ Is 6th Straight Multi-Week Country Airplay No. 1: ‘Radio Is Reflecting Demand’

Jelly Roll’s “Need a Favor” leads Billboard’s Country Airplay chart (dated Aug. 19) for a second week. His second No. 1, following “Son of a Sinner” for a week in January, drew 32.8 million impressions (down less than 1%) Aug. 4-10, according to Luminate.

For the first time since 2006-07, six consecutive songs have led Country Airplay for multiple weeks each, starting in February with Morgan Wallen’s “Thought You Should Know” (three weeks) and continuing with Luke Combs’ “Going, Going, Gone” (two), Bailey Zimmerman’s “Rock and a Hard Place” (six); Wallen’s “Last Night” (eight); Combs’ “Fast Car” (five); and “Favor” (two).

The last run of six such leaders began in December 2006 with Sugarland’s “Want To” and ran through March 2007, via Kenny Chesney’s “Beer in Mexico.”

So why now, 16 years later? Streaming – where country has surged this year – is key, say programmers.

“It’s clear that massive hits recently have been and continue to be massively consumed. Listeners want to hear them a lot and aren’t tired of them at all,” muses Audacy vp of programming Tim Roberts. “Fans are consuming these artists and songs, with [multiple] cuts from each of them getting streamed [and] being requested, and radio is reflecting that demand. Thus, the crossover onto pop, as we’ve also seen.”

“Mostly what I want from the chart is real data,” says Pamal Broadcasting vp of programming Kevin Callahan. “If a song deserves a multi-week No. 1, then it should have one. It raises the bar for great music. I’m also seeing the chart being more representative of what we see in research, with hit songs hanging out a lot longer. That makes the chart more in line with our listeners’ expectations. We want our format to have longevity, and for that to happen we want as many chart-toppers to also be audience favorites that transition into library cuts and songs on the radio for years to come.”

11 Aug 2023

Olivia Rodrigo, V, Karol G & More: What’s Your Favorite New Music Release of the Week? Vote!

This week’s New Music Friday includes tunes ready for an angst-filled dance party, thanks to new track and album releases from Olivia Rodrigo, Karol G, Trippie Redd and more.

Rodrigo continues to dial up the heat with the release of her new single “bad idea right?,” which serves as the second taste of her sophomore studio album GUTS. “bad idea right?” speaks directly to twentysomethings who have found themselves in a cyclical situationship, as well as people outside that age range who can look back at their messy behavior with a knowing smile. Rodrigo mixes riot-grrrl rock and new wave into a compact call-and-response that provides an equal parts fun and intoxicating listen.

According to Karol G, it’s officially Bichota Season: The Latin pop star released the expanded version of Mañana Será Bonito, which features high-profile and infectious collaborations with Kali Uchis and Peso Pluma, as well as an expended version of her previously released single “S91” that sounds even more grand with more material added to its length.

Trippie Redd also returned with an album on Friday, finally releasing A Love Letter to You 5 after delaying its arrival by a week. The setback was worth the wait, as Lil Wayne, Roddy Ricch and The Kid LAROI step up to the plate for a series of guest features on the 19-track record, but the album particularly shines where Redd’s ex-girlfriend, Skye Morales, is involved.

BTS’ V, DJ Khaled and The Hives also return with new music this week, but which release is your favorite? Vote in our poll below.

11 Aug 2023

Friday Dance Music Guide: The Week’s Best New Tracks From Anna Lunoe, Fred again.., HoneyLuv & More

This week in dance music: deadmau5 mourned the passing of his iconic cat Meowingtons, Transylvania festival UNTOLD collected thousands of pints of blood in exchange for free tickets and we talked to the author of a new academic study exploring why dancefloors foster such physical intimacy among strangers.

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And now, the week’s best new music to get intimate with your earholes.

Anna Lunoe, “Real Love”

The Label: NLV Records

The Spiel: Anna Lunoe’s first release of 2023 shifts gears seamlessly between house and garage, a foundation upon which the Australian fav layers up piano, siren-like synth stabs and — as the cherry on top — her own voice. These elements build to a tight three minutes of joyous fervor and fun that still demonstrate the depth suggested by the title.

The Vibe: 5 p.m. on a Friday bliss.

Fred again.. & Obongjayer, “adore u”

The Label: Warner Music

The Spiel: Our lowercase prince returns with some late summer sunshine in “adore u.” A collaboration with Obongjayer, “adore” samples a song the Nigeria-born, London-based singer wrote about his little brother (“I’m so proud, proud of all that you are,” he sings), with Fred’s take starting light before taking quick sharp turn into more percussive territory. The ever-prolific producer debuted the track during his set last weekend at Lollapalooza.

The Artist Says: “This is the first song of a whole new world to me,” says Fred. “One that I cant wait to show you more of. Very very much. Obongjayar made this song for his lil brother. I made it for my lil sister without knowing this. So to me it’s for siblings, in any way that manifests. Like, it doesn’t have to be blood brothers to me.”

The Vibe: Drunken dance party at your next family reunion.

HoneyLuv & Cakes da Killa, “Bring It Back”

The Label: Insomniac Records

The Spiel: “This thing is out of control,” New York City rapper Cakes da Killa declares on “Bring It Back” — and while the mood on HoneyLuv‘s latest certainly engenders a certain sort of dancefloor looseness, the producer herself keeps the production extremely tight. She layers in loads of percussion, smooth synths and Cakes’ rapidfire flow into a tech-forward heater that’s equally sophisticated and fun. Listen for it at HoneyLuv’s upcoming tour dates at Hï and Amnesia in Ibiza, Elements Music Festival, Life Is Beautiful in Las Vegas, EDC Orlando and many more.

The Vibe: Wild, but never messy.

FISHER & Kita Alexander “Atmosphere”

The Label: Catch & Release

The Spiel: FISHER once again demonstrates that he’s just got this thing figured out, delivering another undeniably infectious tech house anthem written in conjunction with the song’s vocalist, Australian singer/songwriter Kita Alexander. Together the pair deliver a song that swirls like its titular layers of gas themselves, creating an earworm tune both celestial and heavy like a black hole.

The Artist Says: “[This is] a song that I was really proud of because it sounded most like me”, says Alexander. “Luckily enough, Fisher agreed and loved the track. Turns out the fans also love it. I’m so excited to be featuring on a track with a friend and Aussie legend.”

The Vibe: Entering the orbit of someone you’re into.

Muzi, “EMTUNZINI”

The Label: Fool’s Gold Records

The Spiel: “Tell me, what’s the secret of looking so fly?” Muzi asks on his latest, “EMTUNZINI” –although the question feels largely rhetorical, given how insanely fly the South African producer/singer sounds on the track and looks in its corresponding video. A breezy four minutes of slick, effervescent house music, with a breezy melody sung in both English and Zulu, the song recounts the love story of Muzi’s parents and functions as the lead single from the artist’s forthcoming studio LP uMUZI, coming October 13th via Fool’s Gold Records.

The Vibe: May we all be even just slightly as fly.

COBRAH, “MANIC”

The Label: Atlantic

The Spiel: “I’m not dramatic; I just get a little manic,” Swedish experimental electronic artist COBRAH announces on her latest single. She nonetheless keeps the track at a low simmer, with an insistent kickdrum and waves of rumbling synth creating the foundation for COBRAH to deliver rapid-fire lyrics about “getting into the frantic” in her unmistakable baby voice, which juxtaposes the heaviness of the lyrics with the purr with which she delivers them. The pristinely shot and slightly NSFW video finds the artist relishing in the BDSM realm that’s a signature of her general aesthetic. The song comes from her forthcoming EP, SUCCUBUS, coming October 13.

The Vibe: Yes, maybe slightly deranged — but also delicious.

11 Aug 2023

New Music Latin: Listen to Releases From Banda MS, Karol G, Rauw Alejandro & More

New Music Latin is a compilation of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard Latin and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week’s picks below.

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Banda MS & Yahritza y Su Esencia, “Solo Que Lo Dudes” (Lizos Music)

It’s the first time Yahritza Y Su Esencia has recorded a song with Banda MS — but it’s not the first time the two acts have united forces. Back in June, the sibling trio joined the legendary band onstage in Los Angeles to sing “Mi Mayor Anhelo,” which is around when they teased they were working on a collab. “Solo Que Lo Dudes” is a rhythmic tuba-powered cumbia that puts both Yahritza’s and Alan’s (from Banda MS) powerful and distinctive vocals at the forefront, as they sing about an “amor bonito,” or genuine love. “More than I could’ve ever imagined, stay with me, stay by my side. No one can stop this pretty love, let’s love each other slowly … I need you,” they declare. This new cumbia song comes on the heels of Yahritza Y Su Esencia’s other cumbia single, the Grupo Frontera-assisted “Frágil,” peaking at No. 1 on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart. It’s the trio’s first leader on any Billboard ranking. — GRISELDA FLORES

Rauw Alejandro, “Hayami Hana by Raúl”



Rauw Alejandro pens a heart-wrenching love letter to Rosalía in “Hayami Hana,” a ballad set over keyboards, where he raps and croons about the difficulties of their breakup, revealing that he never thought they would part ways. The track — whose title in Japanese could be translated as “flower of rare beauty,” and for now is only available on Rauw’s YouTube and SoundCloud accounts — comes less than a month after the couple announced that they’d ended their relationship after nearly four years together. Its moving lyrics are a testament of Rauw’s deep love and respect for his ex-fiancée, both as a person and as an artist. “What will come next? I don’t know/ But I know that for you it will be all the Grammys, hey/ They will study your art over time/ When they plan, I know that they always take you as an example,” sings Rauw. And in one of the most heartbreaking moments he laments, “I’ll finish our little house in case you feel like coming back/ Today I stop writing you, not loving you.” It made me tear up without realizing it. — SIGAL RATNER-ARIAS

Estevie & Cuco, “El Paso” (Nice Life Recording Company/Interscope Records)

Wearing her heart on her sleeve, Mexican-American singer Estevie (born Sarah Silva) is reviving the spirit of vintage borderland cumbia. On her latest single “El Paso” — already an irresistible cut punctuated by a gripping accordion riff over a savory güiro rhythm — the SoCal star delivers a heartwarming romance, described as “A Chicano love story,” alongside indie pop sensation Cuco, who comes in a minute and a half later to offer his bu tender croon. In the visual, Cuco shines like the sun (literally), while Estevie travels far and wide in search of her soulmate. “El Paso” is the final single leading to Estevie’s debut EP, Cumbialicious, out at the end of September. — ISABELA RAYGOZA

Karol G, Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) (Bichota Records/Interscope Records)

Karol G is so excited about making history with her 2023 album Mañana Será Bonito, and kicking off her first-ever stadium tour this week, that she has released even more new music. Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season) is not a deluxe or remix album, but rather a sequel to February’s Mañana — one that shows a more experimental Karol, and one who’s healed and matured, and is both in love and empowered as ever.

The set kicks off with the hard-hitting drill/rap fusion “BICHOTAG,” where she chants about being the ultimate bichota — no ifs, ands, or buts. It then navigates to tracks such as “OKI DOKI” and “Mi Ex Tenía Razón,” the set’s focus track, where the Colombian artist delivers a dulcet cumbia/Tex-Mex track à la Selena Quintanilla (one of Karol’s favorite artists). The set also includes several high-profile collaborations, with Karol reeling in fellow Colombiana Kali Uchis (“Me Tengo Que Ir”) as well as newcomers Peso Pluma (“QLONA”), Dei V (“Gatita Gangster”), and Young Miko (“Dispo”).

To everyone’s surprise, Bichota Season is also home to “Una Noche en Medellín (Remix,)” alongside rising Chilean artist Cris MJ and Ryan Castro (the remix was slated for a 2022 release). The track, about enjoying the night life in Medellín, was originally released by Cris MJ last year, and performed live for the first time during Karol’s set at the 2022 Viña del Mar festival. The album closes with the previously released “Provenza (Remix)” by Tiesto, which debuted at the 2022 Tomorrowland Festival. — JESSICA ROIZ

Check out more editor’s picks in the weekly playlist below!

11 Aug 2023

Words, Beats & Life Hosts DMV HIP HOP 50 Show Featuring Oddisee, Adé, Nonchalant & More

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WBL DMV HIP HOP 50

The DMV, the acronym for the region comprising Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, boasts some of the strongest Hip-Hop talent in the nation and across the globe. e Words, Beats & Life Inc. (WBL), the longest-running Hip-Hop educational nonprofit organization, is hosting the DMV HIP HOP 50 concert featuring homegrown acts such as Oddisee, Adé, Nonchalant, and more.

The DMV’s Hip-Hop history is a rich one, dating back to the 1980s and exploding in the 1990s with the likes of Opus Akoben, the AMPHBNS crew, graffiti crew EBO, the Soul Controllers mix show at the University of Maryland College Park campus and venues such as State of The Union and Kaffa House, and more.

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Acts such as Questionmark Asylum, D.C. Scorpio, Stinky Dink, and the aforementioned Nonchalant helped to expand much of the region’s sound beyond its familiar Go-Go sound and introduced the nation and the world to another side of the Nation’s Capital and its bordering lands.

WBL DMV HIP HOP 50

This Saturday (August 12) at the Lincoln Theater, WBL will kick off its DMV HIP HOP show with the globe-trotting Oddisee, now based in Brooklyn, N.Y. but never losing sight of his roots. He’ll be rocking with his band Good Company, and his Diamond District cohorts, yU, and Uptown XO are also on the bill. Adé, formerly known as Phil Adé, is still crafting music at the major label level and Nonchalant is keeping her feet in the game working both as an artist and DJ.

WBL DMV HIP HOP 50

The stacked lineup includes the likes of the talented Dior Ashley Brown, longtime crew Meridian with Dimes, Noyeek, Theory, El Beta, ane BenOfficial, Prowess The Testament, Asheru, Substantial, Priest Da Nomad, and the legendary DJ Kool. On the wheels will be area mainstay DJ RBI, and attendees can expect performances from Enoch, Flex Matthews, Odd Mojo, Sub Z, and a homecoming for Freestyle Union founder, Toni Blackman.

In other WBL area happenings, WHINO, a dazzling art and dining space in Arlington, Va., is hosting a Hip-Hop Karaoke event TONIGHT (August 11) on Hip-Hop’s 50th and invites attendees to show off their rapping skills with all of the heavy lyrical lifting done for you. All you have to do is read along and spit those bars with conviction. Find out more about the event here.

WBL DMV HIP HOP 50

If you can’t make either event, WBL has its Fine Lines Graffiti and Paint Jam on Sunday (August 13) for a live session of graffiti art and the like. Learn more here.

To get your tickets for WBL’s DMV HIP HOP 50 concert, click here.

Learn more about WBL here.

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Photo: WBL

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11 Aug 2023

Lizzo’s Streaming & Social Numbers Fall After Lawsuit – But By How Much?

It didn’t take long for news of a lawsuit against Lizzo to put a dent in her sales and streaming activity. Multiple metrics — such as on-demand audio streams and Instagram followers — reveal a small but noticeable fan backlash in the week following news that the singer was sued in a Los Angeles court by three tour dancers who claimed the “Special” singer subjected them to sexual harassment and a hostile work environment.

From August 1 — the day the lawsuit became public — to August 8, Lizzo’s daily U.S. on-demand audio streams fell 21.7% while her daily U.S. track sales have declined 35%, according to Luminate.

Almost half of the decline in U.S. track sales appears to be the result of a drop-off in sales of “Pink,” Lizzo’s contribution to the Barbie: The Album soundtrack. Excluding “Pink,” Lizzo’s track sales declined 19.3% from August 1 to August 8. The decline in her on-demand audio streams excluding “Pink” was unchanged at 21.7%.

The cumulative loss over the seven-day period is relatively minor: about 6 million on-demand audio streams with a royalty value of roughly $10,000 to her record label, according to Billboard’s estimate. Smaller yet is the cumulative decline in royalties from track sales of roughly $1,000 over the same period.

The financial damage would be far greater if Lizzo’s streams and sales continue to be impacted by the controversy. The lawsuit could remain in the public spotlight for some time: The attorney representing the three plaintiffs claims to have received “at least six other inquiries” from people with similar stories regarding their employment by Lizzo. If her U.S. sales and streams continued at the current rate, the cumulative decline in U.S. royalties from streams and track sales would amount to about $89,000 over the first 30-day period and $320,000 over a 90-day, three-month period.

Although her streaming numbers dropped considerably, Lizzo lost just 0.1% of her Spotify followers, amounting to roughly 6,000 of her 5.6 million followers, in the seven days after news of the lawsuit broke. But the singer took a bigger hit on social media. In the week after the lawsuit, Lizzo’s Instagram followers fell 1.7% to 13.4 million while her TikTok followers declined 0.7% to 26.8 million, according to Chartmetric.

Social media numbers fall when services occasionally remove fake followers, but “it is highly unusual to see these simultaneous declines in follower accounts on multiple services,” says Chaz Jenkins, Chartmetric’s chief commercial officer. Artists’ followers tend to increase steadily over time. In fact, before the lawsuit, Lizzo’s Instagram never declined more than 0.1% over any seven-day period in 2023. .

Seeing some fans’ reaction to Lizzo’s lawsuit recalls how Doja Cat lost about 600,000 Instagram followers in roughly two and a half weeks, according to Chartmetric, after the rapper traded barbs with her fans. She received none of the groundswell of support that Jason Aldean experienced after CMT’s decision to pull the video for his song “Try That in a Small Town” sparked a national conversation. From July 1 to August 10, Aldean’s YouTube subscribers grew by 10.9% to 2.7 million, his Instagram followers increased 5.9% to 4.3 million and the track went to No. 1 on the Hot 100. But, as Kanye West’s rebounding music consumption suggests, listeners may not stay mad for long.

11 Aug 2023

Remy Ma, Busta Rhymes, Fat Joe & Bia Celebrate 50 Years of Hip-Hop With Jam-Packed Performance

It was the 50th anniversary of hip-hop on Friday (Aug. 11), and Good Morning America celebrated the milestone during its Summer Concert Series.

Fat Joe and Remy Ma took the stage together to perform their smash hit “All the Way Up,” before Busta Rhymes took over to deliver a medley of fan-favorite tracks, including “I Know What You Want,” “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” and “Look at Me Now” — as well as his new song “Beach Ball” featuring BIA.

The live broadcast in Central Park also featured a fashion show hosted by senior vice president of fashion for Bustle Digital Group Tiffany Reid and journalist and stylist Joe Zee. The two discussed looks worn by hip-hop tastemakers Missy Elliott, Run-DMC, Lil Kim and Busta Rhymes over the years that ultimately influenced fashion for years to come.

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Later in the evening, New York City will continue its celebration of the genre with Hip-Hop 50 Live, where a slew of the genre’s most decorated stars, including Run-D.M.C., Lil Wayne, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube, will take center stage inside the legendary Yankee Stadium to celebrate hip-hop’s origin. Emmy Award-winner, BASSic Black Entertainment CEO Adam Blackstone and producer and keyboardist Omar Edwards will be the concert’s creative music directors. 

Watch the Summer Concert Series performances below.

11 Aug 2023

Round Hill Music Acquires Remainder of Big Loud Shirt Catalog

Round Hill Music has acquired the remaining share of Big Loud Shirt’s catalog of music publishing rights, bringing Round Hill Music’s ownership of Big Loud Shirt’s music catalog to 100%. Round Hill previously acquired a share of the Big Loud Shirt catalog in 2014.

Round Hill has also acquired 50% of the writer’s income streams from songwriter/producer Craig Wiseman, the founder/owner of Big Loud Shirt.

The Big Loud Shirt catalog comprises more than 1,200 songs recorded by artists including Blake Shelton, Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, Luke Bryan and Tim McGraw. The majority date prior to 2015, with 75% of them at least seven years old.

According to a press release announcing the deal, streaming income generated from Big Loud Shirt’s catalog increased approximately 200% from 2017 to 2021.

The deal brings new rights into Round Hill’s portfolio and expands its existing interests in songs including McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying” (co-written by Wiseman), Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” and “Blown Away” and Strait’s “I Saw God Today.”

According to a release, this acquisition also increases Round Hill’s exposure to the country music market, which as of December 31, 2022, comprised 11% of their portfolio.

Round Hill Music CEO Josh Gruss said in a statement, “Craig Wiseman and his publishing company, Big Loud Shirt, have produced some of the highest profile, most recognizable and enduring country music hits of the last three decades, bringing them firmly in line with the song profile of the Company’s portfolio. We have a terrific working relationship with Craig, who we have known for many years, and are deeply familiar with these songs. This investment not only enables us to further increase Round Hill Music’s exposure to the fast-growing Country music genre but also provides an exciting opportunity for us to leverage our in-house platform to manage these incredible songs, maximizing their income streams and further growing their value.”

Wiseman added, “I have known and been working with Round Hill for a decade and I’m thrilled to be expanding our relationship by sharing these incredible pieces of art with them. I know they will manage these songs carefully and effectively, identifying creative opportunities to bring them to new audiences worldwide.”

11 Aug 2023

Post Malone’s ‘Austin’ Arrives at No. 1 on Top Rock & Alternative Albums Chart

Post Malone’s alternative-leaning new album Austin becomes his first to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rock & Alternative Albums and Top Alternative Albums charts, debuting atop both lists dated Aug. 12.

Austin bows with 113,000 equivalent album units earned July 28-Aug. 3, according to Luminate. Of that sum, 34,000 units are via album sales, with the bulk from streaming equivalent units (78,000).

That 113,000-unit count is the fourth-biggest on Top Rock & Alternative Albums in 2023 (and the most for a solo male), behind, among all acts, only Metallica’s 72 Seasons (146,000, April 29), Melanie Martinez’s Portals (142,000, April 15) and Lana Del Rey’s Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd (115,000, April 8). It’s also the third-largest on Top Alternative Albums this year, trailing only the aforementioned Martinez and Del Rey LPs.

Post Malone makes his first appearance on both charts; although he has logged hits in a featured role on multiple rock- and alternative-focused song charts, none of his albums was classified fully as alternative before Austin.

Concurrently, Austin begins at No. 2 on the all-genre Billboard 200. It’s his second straight title to debut at No. 2, following Twelve Carat Toothache in 2022, and his fourth total within the top two (following Beerbongs & Bentleys in 2018 and Hollywood’s Bleeding in 2019, both No. 1s).

Ten songs from Austin appear on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs survey, paced by “Enough Is Enough,” which debuts at No. 5 with 9.9 million official U.S. streams, 80,000 airplay audience impressions and 2,000 downloads sold. The song also leads a collection of Austin tracks on Alternative Streaming Songs, bounding in at No. 3.

The album’s lead single, “Chemical,” peaked at No. 13 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 dated April 29 (and concurrently ranks at No. 35 on the latest list). It reached Nos. 6 and 8 on Pop Airplay and Adult Pop Airplay, respectively, in June, while also achieving highs of No. 16 on Adult Contemporary, No. 24 on Alternative Airplay and No. 25 on Rhythmic Airplay. Latest radio single “Mourning” this week places at No. 11 on Rhythmic Airplay, after hitting No. 8, and rises to No. 18 on Pop Airplay.