News

14 Jul 2023

Executive Turntable: New President of Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame; Sony Music Hires Middle East MD

Marti Cuevas is the new president of the The Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame (LSHOF), Billboard can exclusively announce. Additionally, the organization said Mauricio Abaroa will serve as the chairman of the newly-established ‘Latin Angels’ La Musa Capital Funding Committee. The company’s former president, Delia Orjuela, will continue in her role of president emeritus. According to the LSHOF, the new additions and re-alignment “reflect the expansion of responsibilities commensurate with the continuing growth of the Latin Songwriters Hall Of Fame in membership, activities and stature.” The LSHOF’s main event each year is the La Musa Awards, which honors the world’s greatest Latin music creators and their memorable songs.

“[Marti and Mauricio] will help us continue to build and expand the world’s first organization that truly honors and celebrates the lives and music of Latin music’s greatest songwriters and composers,” added Rudy Pérez chairman and CEO of LSHOF — which he co-founded in 2012 with Desmond Child. –Griselda Flores

Rami Mohsen was appointed managing director of Sony Music Middle East, where he’ll drive the label’s overall strategy and operations across the fast-growing market. Mohsen arrives at Sony following a brief stint as Spotify’s head of music for the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia — but for the bulk of the last 20 years he worked his way up to oversee operations at Cairo-based Nogoum FM, the first private radio station in Egypt and one of the largest in the Middle East. In a statement, Sony executive Shridhar Subramaniam said “Rami is well-positioned to take [SMME] to new heights,” and the company has good reason to be optimistic. A surge in recorded music revenues in the MENA market made it last year’s fastest growing region, rising by almost 24% and driven almost entirely — a 95.5% chunk — by streaming, reports the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

Primary Wave Music promoted veteran creative specialist Marty Silverstone to president of global sync. Based out of their new Beachwood Canyon office in Los Angeles, Silverstone will continue to oversee a crack synch licensing department responsible for placing a number of roster songs across TV (Stranger Things, Ted Lasso), film (Elvis and The Fabelmans) and this thing called the Super Bowl (nine commercials in the three years, the company says). Silverstone is 13 years into his PWM tenure — having joined senior creative director before stepping up to svp/head of sync in 2014. Prior to Primary Wave, Marty was head of creative licensing at independent publisher North Star Media. “[Marty’s] vision for how our catalog of music can be reimagined has no bounds,” commented founder and CEO Larry Mestel. “He and his team have brought new life to our iconic and classic songs helping to usher them into the modern era.”

Veteran artist manager Christian Stavros just revived Little Operation, the Los Angeles-based agency he originally founded in 2010, bringing with him an artist roster headlined by Angel Olsen, Devendra Banhart, Best Coast, Morgan Nagler and King Tuff. Stavros’ right hand is McKenzie Rice, who’ll handle day-to-day operations while also managing Little Op client Jack Van Cleaf. The two managers previously worked together at Other Operation, the creative house Stavros co-built and launched in 2021. You can reach Stavros and Rice at info@littleoperation.com.

Other Operation’s other co-founder, Heather Kolker, announced the formation of her management company this week as well. At Dreamshop Management, she’ll continue to represent Icelandic indie folk rockers Of Monsters and Men, queer indie-pop band MUNA, and the solo projects of OMaM singer-guitarist Nanna and MUNA member Naomi MacPherson. Joining Kolker as day-to-day manager at Dreamshop is Megan Manowitz, who previously worked in booking and tour management at Ground Control Touring and most recently project managed at Mondo Mondo, a luxe brand. Kolker can be reached at heather@dreamshopmgmt.com.

ICYMI: A flurry of senior executives and staff members have left posts at Hipgnosis Song Management in recent months … The board of directors at Gibson Brands confirmed Cesar Gueikian as president and CEO.

Sony Music Nashville named Fred Rubenstein as vp of digital marketing, to be responsible for overseeing the digital marketing team and leading the strategy, execution and implementation of social media and digital marketing campaigns across the Sony Nashville roster. Rubenstein will also focus on new partner/platform opportunities to advance digital discovery, enhance artists’ brands and drive consumption. Rubenstein was most recently senior. manager of creator acquisitions & development for Amazon’s live streaming service Twitch. Prior to his role at Twitch, Rubenstein was a member of digital marketing teams at Elektra Music Group and Roadrunner Records. –Jessica Nicholson

Kobalt Music appointed Teresa Romo as senior creative director for Latin America, responsible for overseeing the independent music services company’s expansion in Mexico. She’ll remain based in Los Angeles and report to Nestor Casonu, president of Latin America, who remarked the “market is in need of someone that not only has a deep understanding of the genre but also the vibrant and fascinating Mexican culture.” Prior to joining Kobalt, Romo served as Latin head of creative for BMI, where she signed and developed a songwriter roster including Edgar Barrera, Ana Barbara, Geovani Cabrera, Kuinvi, Alemán and Carla Morrison. Earlier in her career, Romo held senior publicity and communications roles at The Recording Academy, NBCUniversal, Universal Music Latin Entertainment and Warner Music.

UTA promoted Brandi Brammer to senior vice president of global music operations, an upgrade from her previous role as vp of people and business partnerships at the mega-agency. She’ll continue to be based out of Nashville. In her new role, Brammer will lead the day-to-day operational work of UTA Music, spanning human resources, legal and business affairs, finance, facilities and technology initiatives. Before joining UTA in 2021, Brammer served as vp of human resources at WME, leading HR for the agency’s music division.

Music and culture agency Premier Music Group promoted Winslow Bright and Aaron Mercer to co-president roles in charge of its music supervision and strategy teams across advertising, film, TV, and podcasts. They’ll both report to CEO Josh Deutsch and creative director Randall Poster. Bright joined PMG in 2020 from Search Party, the music supervision company acquired by Deutsch, and Mercer arrived in 2019 after Premier snatched up Wool & Tusk. Premiere also elevated longtime music supervisor — and former Search Party-er — Meghan Currier to executive producer. “Each of them brings a new perspective to the work we do,” commented Deutsch.

The Academy of Country Music announced a round of new hires and promotions. Kris Reyes has been hired as director, finance and operations; Kortney Toney has been hired as manager, programming & community engagement; Libby Gardner has been promoted to senior manager, content & editorial; Jesse Knutson has been promoted to senior manager, publicity & media relations; Haley Montgomery has been promoted to senior manager, awards & membership; Taylor Wolf has been promoted to senior manager, ACM Lifting Lives; and Alexis Bingham has been promoted to coordinator, events. Reyes has previous experience in operations accounting at TravelCenters of America. Toney previously worked at Opry Entertainment Group and Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Knutson is a multiple Emmy winner, having served as a TV reporter in Nashville, Seattle and Harrisburg, PA, and as a producer at Los Angeles’ KNBC. Montgomery joined the Academy in 2020 as manager of awards & membership after holding a variety of multi-discipline roles across the industry. –JN

Women in Music, a nonprofit founded in 1985 that works to empower and advance women in the music industry, recently welcomed new ambassadors and advisory board members. This year’s ambassadors include: rapper Rapsody, CD Baby executive Faryal Khan-Thompson, veteran booking agent Amy Davidman, Atlanta agency owner Dina Marto, and REBEL vp Adriana Arce. WIM 2023 advisory board is: Lauren Apolito, Nikisha Bailey, Erin Barra, Cindy Charles, Liz Cimarelli, Alex Flores, Maureen Ford, Ali Harnell, Ariel Hyatt, Lauren Iossa, Sari Kohen, Bea Koramblyum, Linda Lorence-Critelli, Molly Neuman, Mayna Nevarez, Jennifer Newman Sharpe, Jessica Sobhraj, and Monika Tashman.

Former TikTok creative licensing executive Rich Sica and commercial music industry veterans Jack Bradley and Aleena Bissett have teamed up to launch Juice, a new music company focused on “speed and the ear-worm ethos” to produce short-form social and other online content for brands and creators. Sica, Juice’s advising creative director, oversaw creative music licensing across North America and LATAM during his two-plus years at TikTok. Managing director Bradley and head of production Bissett arrive from commercial music shop HiFi Project, which they’ll continue to run.

Cade Price was promoted to general manager at Play It Again Entertainment, the label and management company founded by singer-songwriter Dallas Davidson. In his new role, Price will oversee daily operations of PIAE and its roster of artists, including rising singer Dylan Marlowe, whom Price manages. The Missouri native, who is now based in Nashville, joined Play It Again five years ago and has worn many hats across publishing, marketing and A&R. “Cade Price thinks outside of the box,” said Davidson. “I love that about him. Just look at what he did with Dylan Marlowe. He took his talent and the music Dylan was making and made sure that millions of people got to hear it.”

PR firm Shore Fire Media promoted Taylor Perry to senior account executive. The Brooklyn-based publicist joined Shore Fire in 2020 as a publicity assistant and since then was upped to account executive, leading campaigns for Samara Joy, Jewel, Rhino Records and other clients.

Blue Raincoat Artists has hired veteran artist manager Amy Frenchum, who brings along her clients Ezra Collective and Yazmin Lacey to the London-based agency. BRA is the artist management arm of Blue Raincoat Music, a Reservoir company, and has a roster including Arlo Parks, The Nova Twins, Skunk Anansie, The Mysterines, Cigarettes After Sex and Phoebe Bridgers.

Nashville Bites: Ruth Todd was appointed Bonneville executive vp/chief content officer. A former TV news anchor, she was most recently senior vp/chief reputation officer for beauty and wellness company Nu Skin. Bonneville’s country stations include KNCI Sacramento, Calif., and KYGO Denver… The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. established a Music City Host Committee to assist in booking events and raise funds for the city’s newly approved stadium. Eric Church is the lone artist on the 16-member panel, chaired by former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. –Tom Roland

14 Jul 2023

Demi Lovato Prepping ‘Revamped’ Album With Rock Versions of Her Hits

Demi Lovato is ready to rock. On the heels of releasing a rocking version of her 2017 hit “Sorry Not Sorry” featuring Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash on Friday (July 14), the singer also announced that she’s prepping an entire album featuring amped-up versions of some of her biggest hits.

REVAMPED is slated for release on Sept. 15 and it will feature the reimagined guitar-heavy versions of “Sorry,” as well as the previously released “Heart Attack (Rock Version)” and “Cool For the Summer (Rock Version).” The news was accompanied by a grungy 40-second video cued to the new “Sorry,” as well as the near-metal “Summer” revamp and the relentless version of “Heart Attack.”

In a message accompanying the teaser, Lovato wrote, “Breathing new life into the songs that played such a huge role in my career has allowed me to feel so much closer to my music than ever before. I can’t wait for you to hear REVAMPED.” At press time Lovato had not revealed the full track listing for the 10-song album, which a release promised would feature all new vocals and production on tracks that find Demi reimagining her “career-defining songs with a fresh perspective that reflects her current artistic vision.”

She also weighed in on teaming up with legendary GNR guitarists Slash on “Sorry,” which was originally released six years ago as the lead single from Demi’s sixth studio album, Tell Me You Love Me. “Slash is an iconic artist who I’ve been a fan of for years, it’s an absolute honor to have such a legend like him on the rock version of ‘Sorry not Sorry,’” she said in a statement.

“With REVAMPED, I wanted to pay homage to the songs that resonated the most with fans and played a big role in my career by breathing an exciting new life into them. Creating this project has been incredibly fun and allowed me to express my passion for rock music in a new way, and I feel so much closer to my older music because of it. I can’t wait for everyone to hear more!”

The singer began performing the rocked-up versions of her songs featured on REVAMPED on her 2022 tour in support of the HOLY FVCK album. That collection marked a return to Demi’s rock and pop-punk beginnings thanks to assists from Yungblud, Royal & the Serpent and Dead Sara; the tour also featured an all-female band led by acclaimed rock guitarist Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper).

Watch the REVAMPED video teaser below.

14 Jul 2023

Grammys 2024 Big Four Predictions: Who Could Score a Nomination?

When the nominations for the 66th annual Grammy Awards are announced Nov. 10, Taylor Swift and SZA are each likely to receive nods for album, record and song of the year. It will be a bit harder to crack the Big Four categories than it was the last two years: The Recording Academy is cutting the number of nominees in each of those categories from a bloated 10 to eight, which was the magic number from 2018 to 2020. (Before that, it was generally five.)

And this year’s eligibility period closes two weeks earlier than usual, running from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 15, 2023. Following are Billboard’s best bets for who will be in contention.

In a welcome change, the academy reinstituted a baseline of involvement needed to receive a nomination in this category. Credited and featured artists, songwriters, producers, engineers, mixers and mastering engineers must have worked on at least 20% of an album’s playing time to receive a nod. This is up from no baseline the last two years, when the academy handed out nominations in this category like they were Halloween candy.

Boygenius, The Record

The trio, consisting of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, co-produced its long-awaited debut album with Catherine Marks. Previous “supergroup” collaborations to be nominated in this category include Crosby, Stills & Nash; the all-star Trio consisting of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris; Traveling Wilburys; and The Three Tenors. Billboard 200 peak: No. 4.

Drake & 21 Savage, Her Loss

This year’s 50th anniversary of hip-hop has received yearlong coverage, which boosts the already good chance that at least one rap album will make the finals. Her Loss was up for album of the year at the BET Awards in June. This would be the third album of the year nomination as a lead or co-lead artist for Drake (following Views and Scorpion) and the first for 21 Savage. Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (one week).

Lana Del Rey, Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd

Del Rey’s ninth studio album could yield her second nod in this category, following Norman F–king Rockwell! four years ago. Del Rey co-produced the album with Jack Antonoff, Benji, Zach Dawes, Drew Erickson and Mike Hermosa. Billboard 200 peak: No. 3.

Foo Fighters, But Here We Are

One of the Grammys’ favorite bands collaborated with one of the Grammys’ favorite producers, Greg Kurstin, a two-time winner for producer of the year, non-classical. The Foo Fighters’ 11th studio album — their first since the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins in March 2022 — could yield their third nod in this category. Billboard 200 peak: No. 8.

Olivia Rodrigo, Guts

Rodrigo’s upcoming second album could very well follow her debut, Sour, to an album of the year nod. It was produced by Dan Nigro, who also did the honors on Sour. This would be the second time Rodrigo has been nominated alongside one of her idols, Taylor Swift, in this category. Sour competed with Swift’s evermore two years ago.

SZA, SOS

This tied for album of the year at the BET Awards with Beyoncé’s Renaissance (a Grammy nominee in this category last year). SZA’s second studio album had multiple producers, including Babyface, Jeff Bhasker, Benny Blanco and Shellback. Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (10 weeks).

Taylor Swift, Midnights

This would be Swift’s sixth nomination in this category, which would put her in a tie with Barbra Streisand for the most nods by a woman in Grammy history. Swift co-produced Midnights with Jack Antonoff, Sounwave, Jahaan Sweet and Keanu. She could make history when the Grammys are presented Feb. 4, 2024, becoming the first person to win album of the year four times. She’s currently tied with Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon with three wins each. Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (six weeks).

Morgan Wallen, One Thing at a Time

This would be the first country album to be nominated in this category since Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour five years ago (which won) and the first by a male country artist since Chris Stapleton’s Traveller eight years ago. Joey Moi, Cameron Montgomery, Charlie Handsome and Jacob Durrett co-produced the collection, which is Wallen’s third studio album. Billboard 200 peak: No. 1 (15 weeks — longer than any other album since Adele’s 2011 release, 21).

Within Reach: Luke Combs, Gettin’ Old; Miley Cyrus, Endless Summer Vacation; Jelly Roll, Whitsitt Chapel; Noah Kahan, Stick Season; Karol G, Mañana Será Bonito; Lil Baby, It’s Only Me; Metro Boomin, Heroes & Villains; Janelle Monáe, The Age of Pleasure; Paramore, This Is Why; Ed Sheeran, – (Subtract); Sam Smith, Gloria; Tanya Tucker, Sweet Western Sound; Lainey Wilson, Bell Bottom Country

Sound, Big Four, Grammy First Look, Luke Combs, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Rihanna

Clockwise: Luke Combs, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift and Rihanna.

Illustration by Andrei Cojocaru. Jeremy Cowart; Brianna Capozzi; Christopher Polk for PMC; Ezra Shaw/Getty Images.

Swift is still looking for her first win in this category, as are past contenders such as SZA and Rihanna. “Calm Down” by Rema & Selena Gomez, which would have been a strong contender, was released before the start of the eligibility year. Rema’s solo recording of the song was entered, but not nominated, for best global music performance last year.

Miley Cyrus, “Flowers”

Cyrus’ father, Billy Ray Cyrus, has received two record of the year nods — for “Achy Breaky Heart” and “Old Town Road,” his collaboration with Lil Nas X. The Cyruses would become just the third parent and child to each receive record of the year nods, following the Sinatras (Frank and Nancy) and the Coles (Nat “King” and Natalie). Billboard Hot 100 peak: No. 1 (eight weeks).

Luke Combs, “Fast Car”

Tracy Chapman’s original version of this song was a 1988 record of the year nominee. This would become only the second song in Grammy history to be the basis of two singles that received record of the year nods. The first was “Mack the Knife.” (Bobby Darin’s recording was the 1959 winner, while Ella Fitzgerald’s was a 1960 nominee.) Hot 100 peak: No. 2 (so far).

Lil Durk & J. Cole, “All My Life”

The melodic chorus on this hip-hop smash gives it broad-based appeal. This would be the first collaboration by two rappers to receive a nod in this category since DaBaby’s “Rockstar” (featuring Roddy Ricch) three years ago. J. Cole finally won his first Grammy (after amassing 12 nominations) four years ago for “A Lot.” Lil Durk is still looking for his first win. Hot 100 peak: No. 2.

PinkPantheress & Ice Spice, “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2”

This is vying to become the third collaboration by two women in the past four years to land a nod in this category. Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” (featuring Beyoncé) was nominated three years ago, and Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More” (featuring SZA) was a contender two years ago. Hot 100 peak: No. 3.

Rihanna, “Lift Me Up”

This soulful ballad from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrived at the start of the eligibility year. This would be Rihanna’s fourth record of the year nominee, and her first on her own. She was previously nominated for collaborations with Jay-Z (“Umbrella”), Eminem (“Love the Way You Lie”) and Drake (“Work”). Hot 100 peak: No. 2.

SZA, “Kill Bill”

This would be SZA’s third record of the year nominee, and her first on her own. She was previously nominated for collaborations with Kendrick Lamar (“All the Stars”) and Doja Cat (“Kiss Me More”). Hot 100 peak: No. 1 (one week).

Taylor Swift, “Anti-Hero”

This would be Swift’s fifth nod in this category. She was previously nominated for “You Belong With Me,” “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” “Shake It Off” and “Blank Space.” Swift would be the first artist whose first five nominations in this category were for solo recordings (and not collaborations or group/duo recordings) since Frank Sinatra in the ’50s and ’60s. Hot 100 peak: No. 1 (eight weeks).

Morgan Wallen, “Last Night”

This single and/or Combs’ “Fast Car” would be the first country single (going by Grammy performance category placements) to receive a record of the year nod since Lady A’s “Need You Now” 13 years ago (which won). Taylor Swift’s subsequent “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” topped Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, but vied for a performance nod in the pop field at the Grammys. Hot 100 peak: No. 1 (13 weeks).

Within Reach: Zach Bryan featuring Maggie Rogers, “Dawns”; Lana Del Rey, “A&W”; Jelly Roll, “Need a Favor”; Labrinth, “Never Felt So Alone”; Coi Leray, “Players”; Lil Uzi Vert, “Just Wanna Rock”; Dua Lipa, “Dance the Night”; Janelle Monáe, “Lipstick Lover”; Paramore, “This Is Why”; P!nk, “Trustfall”; Olivia Rodrigo, “Vampire”; Ed Sheeran, “Eyes Closed”; Toosii, “Favorite Song”; Tanya Tucker & Brandi Carlile, “Ready As I’ll Never Be”

Sound, Big Four, Grammy First Look, Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile, Jelly Roll, Lil Durk

From left: Tanya Tucker & Brandi Carlile, Jelly Roll & Lil Durk.

Illustration by Andrei Cojocaru. Gary Miller/WireImage; Chum Daddy; Katie Jones for WWD.

Last year, six of the 10 record of the year nominees were also nominated for this songwriter’s award. This year, five out of eight could double up. Luke Combs’ “Fast Car” won’t be eligible because it was already well-known. Tracy Chapman was nominated in this category in 1988 for writing it.

“A&W”
Songwriters: Lana Del Rey, Jack Antonoff, Sam Dew

Del Rey and Antonoff were nominated in this category four years ago for co-writing “Norman F–king Rockwell.” He won this honor 11 years ago for co-writing fun.’s “We Are Young” (featuring Janelle Monáe). This would be Dew’s first nomination in the category.

“All My Life”
Songwriters: Lil Durk, J. Cole, Dr. Luke, Rocco Did It Again!, Ryan OG, LunchMoney Lewis, Theron “Uptown AP” Thomas

This would be Dr. Luke’s third nomination in this category following nods for Katy Perry’s “Roar” and the Doja Cat-SZA collaboration “Kiss Me More.”

“Anti-Hero”
Songwriters: Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff

“Anti-Hero” could give Swift a record seventh nomination for song of the year, which would surpass Paul McCartney and Lionel Richie for the most nods in the history of the category. Surprisingly, this would be the first Swift-Antonoff collaboration to be nominated for this award.

“Flowers”
Songwriters: Miley Cyrus, Gregory “Aldae” Hein, Michael Pollack

This would be the first nod in this category for all three co-writers. The song is a modern twist on such hits as “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” a nominee in this category 45 years ago, and Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man,” a nominee for best pop solo performance 10 years ago.

“Kill Bill”
Songwriters: SZA, Carter Lang, Rob Bisel

This would be SZA’s third nod in this category; she was among the co-writers of “All the Stars” and “Kiss Me More.” Lang was also nominated in this category for co-writing the latter. Bisel was nominated for record of the year as an engineer-mixer on the irresistible pop smash.

“Lift Me Up”
Songwriters: Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, Tems, Ryan Coogler

This would be the first nomination in this category for Rihanna, Tems and director Coogler. Göransson won this award five years ago for co-writing Childish Gambino’s “This Is America.” “Lift Me Up” would be the first Academy Award nominee for best original song to also be nominated for the top songwriting Grammy since “Fight for You” from Judas and the Black Messiah two years ago.

“Need a Favor”
Songwriters: Jelly Roll, Rob Ragosta, Joe Ragosta, Austin Nivarel

This song, released as the lead single from Jelly Roll’s breakthrough album, Whitsitt Chapel, has a refreshingly honest and affecting chorus, which begins: “I only talk to God when I need a favor/And I only pray when I ain’t got a prayer.”

“Ready As I’ll Never Be”
Songwriters: Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker

This would be Carlile’s fifth nomination in this category and Tucker’s second. They previously collaborated on “Bring My Flowers Now,” a nominee here two years ago. “Ready As I’ll Never Be,” which was featured in the 2022 documentary The Return of Tanya Tucker, could also receive a nod for best song written for visual media.

Within Reach: “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2,” PinkPantheress & Ice Spice; “Dance the Night,” Dua Lipa; “Dawns,” Zach Bryan featuring Maggie Rogers; “Eyes Closed,” Ed Sheeran; “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old,” Luke Combs; “Last Night,” Morgan Wallen; “Lipstick Lover,” Janelle Monáe; “Never Felt So Alone,” Labrinth; “Players,” Coi Leray; “Thank God,” Kane Brown & Kaitlyn Brown; “This Is Why,” Paramore; “Trustfall,” P!nk; “Vampire,” Olivia Rodrigo

Sound, Big Four, Grammy First Look, Gracie Abrams, Ice Spice, Peso Pluma, PinkPantheress

Clockwise: Gracie Abrams, Ice Spice, Peso Pluma and PinkPantheress.

Illustration by Andrei Cojocaru. Mark Horton/Getty Images; Mike Coppola/Getty Images; Jerry Budar; Mia Teresa.

Though The Record is boygenius’ first album, the trio won’t be eligible here because one of its members, Phoebe Bridgers, is a previous Grammy nominee. She received four nods, including best new artist, three years ago.

Zach Bryan and GloRilla probably won’t be eligible because they were nominated in performance categories last year. The Grammy rulebook makes an exception for such artists, provided they hadn’t at the time of those nominations released enough material to be “eligible in this category for the first time.” Bryan and GloRilla were both eligible and entered for best new artist last year.

The Grammy screening committee will have the final say on whether Coi Leray and Jelly Roll are eligible. Neither has been nominated before, but both have been around awhile. Leray was nominated for best new artist at the BET Awards two years ago, and Jelly Roll has been releasing records since 2011.

Gracie Abrams

Aaron Dessner and Matias Tellez co-produced the singer-songwriter’s first studio album, Good Riddance. Abrams has served as an opening act on Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour tour and Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour. Fun fact: Abrams’ father, J.J. Abrams, won two Primetime Emmy Awards as executive producer/director of Lost.

Ice Spice

The rapper, born Isis Naija Gaston, has landed four top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023 thanks to collaborations with PinkPantheress (“Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2”) and past best new artist nominees Taylor Swift (“Karma”) and Nicki Minaj (“Princess Diana,” “Barbie World”). Ice Spice was nominated for best new artist at the 2023 BET Awards.

Jelly Roll

The rapper turned country artist had a star-making night in April at the CMT Music Awards, where he performed “Need a Favor” and won three trophies. Jelly Roll, born Jason Bradley DeFord, will turn 39 in December, which would make him the oldest individual nominee in this category since Andrea Bocelli, who was 40 when he was nominated 25 years ago.

Coco Jones

Jones won best new artist at the BET Awards, beating GloRilla and Ice Spice. The former child star was featured on Radio Disney’s The Next Big Thing in 2010-11 and starred in the Disney Channel film Let It Shine in 2012. Her breakthrough track, “ICU,” reached No. 63 on the Hot 100 in May. Jones was also featured on a track on Babyface’s 2022 album, Girls Night Out.

Noah Kahan

The singer-songwriter’s third album, Stick Season, vaulted to No. 3 on the Billboard 200 following the release of an expanded edition in June. It will probably be nominated for best Americana album or best folk album.

PinkPantheress

The British singer-songwriter was nominated for the rising star award at the Ivor Novello Awards in 2022. She won the BBC’s Sound of 2022 poll and has been nominated for three NME Awards. “Boy’s a Liar, Pt. 2” reached No. 3 on the Hot 100.

Peso Pluma

The Mexican singer-songwriter-rapper born Hassan Emilio Kabande Laija is vying to become the third Latin artist to be nominated in this category in the past five years, following Rosalía and Anitta. Génesis, his third studio album, entered the Billboard 200 at No. 3, becoming the highest-charting regional Mexican album to date.

Bailey Zimmerman

The singer-songwriter’s first studio album, Religiously. The Album, reached No. 7 on the Billboard 200. Zimmerman was nominated for new male artist of the year at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May.

Within Reach: Lola Brooke, Doechii, Fifty Fifty, FLO, HARDY, JVKE, Kelela, RAYE, Rema, Toosii, The War and Treaty, Hailey Whitters

This story will appear in the July 15, 2023, issue of Billboard.

14 Jul 2023

Jay-Z’s New Exhibition ‘The Book of Hov’ Set to Light up Brooklyn & the Hearts of Hip-Hop Fans

On Thursday night (July 13), Jay-Z watched another one of his manifestations come to life when the Brooklyn Public Library unveiled an honorary exhibition for the billionaire polymath. 

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Aptly titled “The Book of HOV” — based on his song lyric in DJ Khaled’s 2022 Grammy-nominated anthem “God Did” — the exhibition includes “archived objects, including original recording masters, never-before-seen photos, iconic stagewear, prestigious awards, and recognitions, as well as videos and artifacts from every facet of Jay-Z’s professional life.”

“Brooklyn Public Library, including the Center for Brooklyn History, is home to the most expansive collection of Brooklyn history in the world, and Jay-Z is an important part of the borough’s story,” the CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library Linda Johnson told Billboard. “We are proud to celebrate his mastery of music, poetry, the written word, and the oral tradition, and we hope the exhibit will inspire visitors to bet on themselves and pursue their own dreams, musical or otherwise.”

A throng of supporters huddled behind the barricades and watched the 37-year-old library become a playground for the hometown kid who used to throw paper planes from his Marcy Projects window. Song lyrics ranging from Jay-Z’s “Sweet” to “Encore” grace the building’s exterior like an open-paged book. At the same time, a live band serenaded the attendees with a medley of Jay-Z classics, including “Roc Boys,” “Allure,” “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” and “Where I’m From.” 

“The design of the exterior plays with the building facade, which was built to symbolize an open book while paying homage to Jay’s words,” The Book of HOV co-creative director Ken Tokunaga told Billboard. There’s also a blue LED cube outside the library that plays the content of Jay’s career to greet people on their way inside the building. “The classical type contrasts with the contemporary aesthetic of the LED cube that sits at the promenade center. We always aimed for this tension between classic and modernity,” added Book of HOV co-creative director Ian Schatzberg. 

Jay-Z and Beyoncé attended the prestigious honor and used the celebration as a much-needed break from the singer’s Renaissance Tour as she looks to head back on the road this Saturday (July 15). Jay-Z’s superstar friends, including DJ Khaled, Babyface, Fat Joe, and Steve Stoute, also stopped by to enjoy the festivities and relish the feats of the Brooklyn icon. 

Inside the 40,000-square-foot exhibition, artifacts dating back to Jay’s 1996 introduction make up the iconic showing. Spanning eight sections, rooms such as “Hov Did That” contain his 2008 Glastonbury Festival guitar, a 2009 hand-written letter from the daughter of Frank Sinatra, and his 2021 Rock and Roll of Fame Award. In addition, “Baseline Studios” is a re-imagination of where Hov recorded some of his most famed works, such as 2000’s The Dynasty: Roc La Familia, 2001’s The Blueprint, and 2003’s The Black Album. One more notable section inside the exhibit is titled “Business, Man,” as it highlights his most significant wins on the business front, mainly the birth of his clothing brand Rocawear, his management company Roc Nation, and his streaming company, TIDAL.

The exhibition will be free for the public beginning Friday (July 14), and no library cards are needed to get inside. There will be 13 limited-edition library cards that fans can collect, as each one features the cover of Jay-Z’s solo albums dating back to 1996’s Reasonable Doubt. Those who don’t live in New York can also experience the exhibition online, as famed radio host Angie Martinez narrates the story behind each of the eight sections.

“It’s not every day that an exhibit of this scope is housed in a public, actively used space. Typically, visitors would have to pay museum fees to access this type of immersive experience, and we’re thrilled to make it available free of charge to every New Yorker, from every walk of life, as part of their visit to our Central Library,” explained Johnson.

She added: “The exhibit is a labor of love by Roc Nation and was created by people who have worked closely with JAY-Z and know him best. It was important to all of us that The Book of HOV be an enhanced library experience in which the public is able to attend programming, spend time browsing our collections, and check-out books and vinyl records, all while learning about this Brooklyn-born icon’s extraordinary and inspiring contributions.”

Central Library Building, Brooklyn Public Library

A view of the Central Library Building of the Brooklyn Public Library in Grand Army Plaza as it’s being covered with lyrics by artist Jay-Z in celebration of 50 years of Hip-Hop on July 10, 2023 in New York City.

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

14 Jul 2023

Selena Gomez Asks ‘Why Am I Single?’ In TikTok Video and Says the Answer Is Just ‘Rude’

Selena Gomez was just trying to have some fun with a silly TikTok dating challenge on Thursday (July 13) when the results turned out to be, well, kind of rude. The singer posted a video cued to Bonnie Tyler’s Footloose soundtrack classic “Holding Out For a Hero” in which she appeared with a red bubble over her head asking “Why Am I Single?”

The red circle then began to flash with a series of suggestions for the 30-year-old singer/actress, including: “You’re materialistic,” “You don’t believe in online dating,” “You’re relying on luck,” “You are holding on to the past,” “You have unhealed wounds,” “You need to rest your parts,” You’re relying on luck,” “You have trust issues” and “You are focused on your career,” among other messages.

But when the roulette of possibilities stopped spinning and landed on “You have bad taste,” well, Gomez was shocked. She gasped open-mouthed in mock horror at someone off-camera and made her feelings perfectly clear in the caption to the clip, which read, “Well that’s rude tik tok.”

The Only Murders in the Building star who has dated Justin Bieber and the Weeknd in the past shot down rumors that she was dating the Chainsmokers’ Drew Taggart earlier this year, saying “I like being alone too much.”

Back in March, the Rare Beauty founder shared some of her feelings on dating in a TikTok. “I hate it when girls are like ‘My crush doesn’t even know I exist,’” Gomez mouthed along to a popular sound. “I’m like ‘Girl, my crush doesn’t even exist.” She captioned the post: “Still out here lookin for him lol.”

She was at it again last month in another TikTok in which she poked fun at the ups and downs of dating while watching a soccer game with some friends. “I’m single. I’m just a little high-maintenance. But I’ll love you soooo much,” she said in the clip.

Watch Gomez’s video below.

14 Jul 2023

Latto Threatens to Put Unruly Fan on the Floor For Throwing Object At Her on Stage: ‘Want Your A– Beat?’

Latto threatened to put an unruly fan on the floor after they threw an object at her on stage during the rapper’s set at Rolling Loud Germany in Munich last weekend. It was the latest example of a disturbing trend in which concertgoers have been hurling things at performers during concerts, and Latto made it clear she is not interested in joining that list.

“Want your ass beat? Throw it again,” the Atlanta rapper said during a performance of her hit “Put It On Da Floor” in a fan video of the incident in which Latto barely broke her flow while making it clear that she was not playing around as she stared down the offender; it was unknown at press time what object was tossed or if it hit the performer. “Throw it again, I’mma beat your ass,” Latto added in a cadence so casual it seemed like part of the song.

While Latto treated the moment with some levity, the recent spate of similar episodes has caused some concern about performer safety after several singers have been injured by fan-launched projectiles. Though fellow MC  Lil Nas X reacted with a joke when he dodged an anatomical bedroom aid launched at him during his Lollapalooza Stockholm set earlier this month, other artists have not been as lucky.

Bebe Rexha was hit in the face by a phone during a New York show last month, while Kelsea Ballerini was struck in the face with a bracelet, with both acts leaving the stage briefly following the incidents; Rexha was taken to the hospital after her June 18 phone episode, which opened up a cut above her eye and required stitches. In addition, Harry Styles was hit in the eye by an unknown object during as show in Vienna last week and Drake was hit in the leg by a tossed cellphone at his tour kick-off in Chicago on July 5.

Latto has some company in issuing warnings about violating the air space around the stage. Adele also had a stern warning for anyone considering such an assault during one of her recent Las Vegas residency shows. “Have you noticed how people are, like, forgetting f–king show etiquette at the moment, people are throwing s–t on stage? Have you seen that?” she said. And then, while walking across the stage holding a t-shirt gun, she added, “F–king dare you. I dare you to throw something at me.”

14 Jul 2023

Federal Reserve Says Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Is So Massive It’s Boosting the Economy

If you’ve seen Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour, you know that when it rolls into town it absolutely takes over. The massive outing that is doubling (or tripling) down in cities across the nation every weekend has provided a shot in the arm to local economies thanks to Swifties freely spending their hard-earned cash.

But now the Philadelphia Federal Reserve has announced that Swift is, literally, hoisting the hotel industry on her back and boosting revenues in that sector for the first time since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

The central bank released its Beige Book on Wednesday in which officials said hotel bookings had their strongest growth in years thanks to Swifties. “Despite the slowing recovery in tourism in the region overall, one contact highlighted that May was the strongest month for hotel revenue in Philadelphia since the onset of the pandemic, in large part due to an influx of guests for the Taylor Swift concerts in the city,” officials wrote.

The Book is released eight times a year and summarizes how the economy is holding up in cities throughout the country. The Philly bump isn’t the only example of the Swift tide lifting a local economy. NBC News reported that when Swift touched down in Cincinnati on June 30 and July 1, the surge of Swifties brought more than $2.6 million into downtown hotels, as well as $5.3 million to hotels in the surrounding area.

“Taylor Swift is a force to be reckoned with,” president/CEO of tourism agency Visit Cincinnati Julie Calvert said in a statement at the time. “The economic impact Swift creates is staggering, as fans travel from far and wide to attend her concerts, filling hotels, restaurants, and local attractions. Swift’s influence on tourism is a testament to her ability to captivate audiences and drive economic growth.”

The Swift Effect is doing the same in pretty much every town it visits, with Chicago tourism officials saying last month that the city broke hotel occupancy records during the first weekend of June thanks to Swift’s shows at Soldier Field, with more than 44,000 hotel rooms occupied each night and $39 million in total hotel revenue.

The Eras Tour touches down at Denver’s Empower Field on Friday (July 14) and Saturday (July 15).

14 Jul 2023

Taylor Swift Replaces Herself At No. 1 In Australia With ‘Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)’

After completed the Swift Sweep last week on the ARIA Chart, Taylor Swift has retaken the chart throne with Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (via Universal), setting another record in the process.

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Swift’s third and latest “Version” release debuts at No. 1, for her 11th leader in Australia, a feat that includes three rerecorded titles.

By replacing herself at No. 1 on the latest tally, published July 14, Swift becomes the first artist to do so since the ARIA Charts began in 1983, according to ARIA.

For the previous week, Taylor locked up the entire top five on the ARIA Albums Chart, a level of dominance never seen before on the national survey. Swift continues to swamp the top tier, with four of the top five titles, and six of the top 10. It’s a similar story on the national singles tally, where Taylor takes nine of the top 20 spots.

It takes a little heavy metal magic to disrupt Swift’s dominance on the ARIA Albums Chart.

King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard prevents another sweep, as the Aussie act bows at No. 2 with possibly the longest album title of the year: PetroDragonic Apocalypse; or, Dawn of Eternal Night: An Annihilation of Planet Earth and the Beginning of Merciless Damnation (via KGLW)

PetroDragonic Apocalypse equals King Gizz’s career peak of No. 2, achieved with four previous albums: Flying Microtonal Banana (2017), Infest The Rats’ Nest (2019), Chunky Shrapnel (2020) and Butterfly 3000 (2021)

The prolific band has released 24th studio album (including five in one year), 15 live albums, three compilations, a remix album, three EPs and snared two ARIA Awards.

Over on the ARIA Singles Chart, “Sprinter” (Virgin Music/Universal) by U.K. rappers Dave and Central Cee races to a fifth week at No. 1.

Finally, South Korean K-pop girl group NewJeans enjoys a top 40 berth with “Super Shy” (ING/Universal), which drops at No. 27. NewJeans has an Aussie connection; Danielle Marsh was born-and-raised in Newcastle, and her bandmate Hanni Pham calls Melbourne home.

14 Jul 2023

Disclosure Forge Fourth Album ‘Alchemy’: Stream It Now

From their creative laboratory, Disclosure issues Alchemy, their fourth album which had remained a secret until recent days.

Despite the title’s allure of precious metal, Alchemy is also something of a reset. There are no guest features, no samples, it’s independently released and Disclosure “don’t intend to tour it straight away,” reads a statement.

What is does have is energy and bangers, including the previously-released lead track “Looking For Love,” and the kind of no-nonsense floor-stomping house numbers that are big part of Disclosure’s armoury.

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But wait, there’s more. Album track “Higher Than Ever Before” is an atmosphere drum ‘n’ bass dynamo, “Sun Showers” a throwback trance gem, and “Talk On the Phone” is a perfectly-produced pop song.

Comprised of brothers Guy and Howard Lawrence, Disclosure is a heavyweight pair in the electronic music scene. In their homeland, two of their three albums have led the national survey — 2013’s Settle and 2015’s Caracal. Alchemy is the followup to 2020’s Energy, which peaked at No. 4 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart.

Released through the act’s own label Apollo Records, Alchemy is “a celebration of us feeling liberated right now,” explains Guy. “We’re no longer signed to a major record label. We’re not going to tour this record. We can do whatever we like and be super creative.”

The LP was reportedly written when the pair were at different stages in their lives, Guy, recently married and settling down in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, while Howard “was reeling from heartbreak and exhausted from a 150-date tour,” reads a statement accompanying the release.

Its creation was a type of alchemy. “There was this combination of deep heartbreak and sadness, but also deep admiration and appreciation,” Howard recounts. “Let’s turn this horrible feeling into something beautiful. The whole idea was to channel pain into beauty—which, in hindsight, is always the aim.”

Stream Alchemy below.

14 Jul 2023

Friends of Mine: Duran Duran Set Cancer Benefit Concert For Andy Taylor

Duran Duran’s forthcoming North America tour will include a one-off benefit concert for the Cancer Awareness Trust, a special fundraising tribute to guitarist Andy Taylor, who is battling stage-4 prostate cancer.

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The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame-inducted British band announces the event for Aug. 19 at The Guild Theatre in Menlo Park, CA.

Speaking about the intimate show, Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon says, “We are heading to Northern California, to play many of the songs that we wrote together with our dear friend, Andy Taylor, to help him and others in their fight against prostate cancer. It is the right thing to do.”

Those songs are a collection of gold-standard hits, from “A View to a Kill,” to “Planet Earth,” “Rio,” “Girls on Film,” The Reflex,” “Wild Boys,” “Hungry Like the Wolf,” “Is There Something I Should Know,” “Save a Prayer,” and others.

News of Taylor’s diagnosis reached the band just days before their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last November. His ongoing treatment forced Taylor to miss the ceremony, though members of the band used the platform of the ceremony to read a letter from Taylor, addressing for the first time his illness.

Since then, the bandmates “been made aware of a revolutionary life-extending treatment that they will be funding for cancer patients such as Andy,” reads a statement from the band.

Adds drummer Roger Taylor: “We would like to thank our fans and the organizers of this benefit who have given us the chance to help our longtime friend and colleague Andy Taylor. We have always described ourselves as a ‘band of brothers,’ and that has never been more true than in this very moment.”

Taylor was lead guitarist for Duran Duran during their heyday in the early-to-mid 1980s, during which time the new wave stars became, without argument, one of the most popular bands on the planet. Now 62, the English rocker performed on DD’s first three studio albums, the self-titled debut from 1981, Rio from 1982, Seven and the Ragged Tiger from 1983, live album Arena from 1984, contributed to the band’s 1986 album Notorious, then split to pursue a solo career.

Taylor reunited with bandmates Le Bon, John Taylor, Nick Rhodes and Roger Taylor in the early 2000s. With the old band back together, Duran Duran released the 2004 album Astronaut, toured, and collected a slew of awards, including the Brit Award for outstanding contribution to British music, the BPI’s equivalent of the lifetime achievement award.

Andy Taylor has discussed his health battles, which he described as “a death sentence,” for a U.K. TV interview earlier in the year.

Playing guitar has had an unexpected benefit. “It’s really helped me to live with the pessimism of an incurable disease,” he notes, “but the optimism of creating music.”

Following the benefit concert, Duran Duran will embark on the second leg of their North American Future Past Tour, in support of their 15th studio LP Future Past, which peaked at No. 3 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart in 2021.

Another album is already in the works, and it’ll feature the talents of Andy Taylor. A statement issued by the band in March reads, “Duran Duran are thrilled to confirm a special new music project is in the works, set for release later this year on BMG. The new recordings will feature extended Duran Duran family and friends, old and new, including our former bandmate Andy Taylor who will join us on guitar on a few tracks.”

Ticket pre-sales for the benefit concert go on sale Monday, July 17 for members of the Duran Duran VIP Fan Community, with the general on-sale beginning Wednesday, July 19 at GuildTheatre.com.

In the meantime, Andy Taylor is in good hands. “I am delighted that we have been able to help turn Andy’s life around, and with the support of Duran Duran and their incredible fanbase, the revolutionary new treatment could well both improve Andy’s quality of life and extend it significantly,” comments professor Sir Chris Evans, founder of The U.K.’s Cancer Awareness Trust. “Andy will receive the latest precision medical treatment, emanating from some recently successful clinical trials, along with the ongoing support that the Cancer Awareness Trust is providing. The incredible support of Duran Duran will mean many more people will benefit just like Andy has”.