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02 Feb 2023

Saweetie Scores Virtual Super Bowl Concert on Roblox

Saweetie has scored here very own touchdown, by fronting an NFL metaverse concert during Super Bowl week. The “Best Friend” rapper is the headline performer at the Saweetie Super Bowl Concert, a free virtual show presented by Intuit on Roblox and set to premiere Feb. 10.

The Warner Records artist will step into the metaverse on the heels of the launch of WMG’s Rhythm City, for what’s said to be a first-of-its-kind “music-themed social roleplay experience” on the Roblox gaming platform.  

According to WMG, which partnered with NFL on the latest initiative, Saweetie will perform a “family-friendly, fully motion-captured” set featuring her hit singles and presented as official part of the Super Bowl LVII event lineup.

The virtual concert will drop next Friday at 7:00pm ET and will re-air every hour, on the hour, until Sunday, Feb. 12.

“As our ecosystem evolves,” comments Oana Ruxandra, chief digital officer & executive vp of business development at WMG, the music major “is focused on building open, interactive and dynamic virtual experiences that deeply connect artists with their fans. It doesn’t get more iconic than the Saweetie Super Bowl Concert Presented by Intuit on Roblox. We are so thrilled to be working in support of this event and incredibly excited to kick off our first concert in Rhythm City.”

Saweetie is the latest WMG artist to make the crossover into the Roblox world, namely Twenty One Pilots, Why Don’t We, Ava Max, David Guetta and Royal Blood.

This year, she’s on a mission to expand her creative horizons. Saweetie is reportedly stepping back onto the small screen with a guest starring role on Peacock’s Bel-Air, the streaming platform’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air spin-off. The 29-year-old previously appeared in several episodes of Freeform’s Black-ish spinoff show Grown-ish, as rapper Indigo.

As for music, Saweetie most recently released her six-track EP The Single Life in November 2022. And she has hit No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Triller U.S. chart with three numbers: “Tap In” in mid-2020, followed by “Fast (Motion)” in mid-2021, and “Closer,” featuring H.E.R., in February 2022.

With the Rhythm City project, WMG is the latest music company to partner with Roblox, which boasts more than 61 million daily active users and exploded in popularity with young gamers during the pandemic.

Sony Music and BMG announced partnerships with Roblox in 2021. Spotify became “the first music-streaming brand to have a presence on Roblox” last year. 

02 Feb 2023

Publishing Briefs: Zaytoven Sells Catalog; SOFI TUKKER Extends With Third Side

Ultra International Music Publishing (UIMP) has acquired the catalog of Grammy-winning songwriter and producer Zaytoven. In addition, the hitmaker — whose catalog includes tracks by Migos, Drake, 21 Savage, and more — has signed a co-publishing agreement with Ultra to further foster his career moving forward.

Yonatan Watts has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Position Music and Tommy “TB Hits” Brown‘s Chapagne Therapy Music Group (CTMG). A Grammy-nominated hitmater, Watts has already penned hits for Chris Brown, Ariana Grande, Ari Lennox, Coi Leray and more, including “main thing” by Grande which he co-wrote alongside Brown for the singer’s album Positions.

SOFI TUKKER has extended their publishing deal with Third Side Music. The independent publisher will continue to act as the administrator of the electronic pop group’s catalog, as they have since 2017. “Signing with [Third Side] has been one of the best decisions we’ve made in our career,” says SOFI TUKKER about extending their deal.

Warner Chappell Production Music has expanded its operations into São Paulo, Brazil. Helmed by Renato Moraes, the WCPM team in Brazil will focus on building out a local repertoire of music and service Brazil’s film, tv, radio and advertising clients with custom music services and a wide-reaching catalog of songs and sound design. Moraes will reported to Sinéad Hartmann, vp of licensing and music creative.

Ocha Media Inc. has launched its new publishing administration and music synchronization service, Ocha Publishing. The new company will focus on aiding underground house music — including afro house, deep house, soulful house, techno and other subgenres — makers and will help the genre reach music supervisors, producers and creative directors. Its first signing is Osunlade’s Yoruba Records.

Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Droptine have jointly signed country hitmakers Russell Sutton and Tommy Karlas to global publishing deals. Sutton got his start as part of Grassroots Revival, and as a songwriter he has made cuts with Elvie Shane, Drew Green, and Nate Smith. Karlas has written songs for Blake Shelton, Warren Zeiders, Old Dominion, Randy Travis, and Montgomery Gentry.

Shirin David, one of Germany’s most popular female hip hop artists, has signed a deal with Warner Chappell Music. Natascha Augustin, vp of a&r, Warner Chappell Music Germany, adds, “Warner Chappell Music is known for its diverse roster, and we’re delighted to welcome Shirin who has been pushing boundaries as a female hip-hop artist.”

Peermusic U.K. has signed The Reytons to an exclusive global publishing deal via their joint venture with Max Music Publishing. The British indie rock outfit comprises of Jonny Yerrell, Lee Holland, Joe O’Brien, and Jamie Todd, and their new deal arrives on the heels of their record What’s Rock and Roll, reaching a new U.K. chart high.

Warner Chappell and Truth or Dare Publishing have signed country singer/songwriter Abbey Cone to a joint publishing deal. A CMT Next Women of Country inductee, Cone released her debut EP, Hate Me, last year. In 2023, she will perform at Stagecoach.

On Jan. 29, the Brooklyn Variety Ramble debuted in New York City. The city’s first ongoing music variety show showcasing country, bluegrass, Americana, American Roots and more, Brooklyn Variety Ramble series, hosted by comedian Ali Clayton, will also hold shows on Feb. 26, March 26, April 30, May 28, and June 25. Tickets are available for purchase online.

02 Feb 2023

Taylor Hawkins’ Son, Shane, Won the 2022 Drumeo Award For Performance of the Year

If you saw Taylor Hawkins’ 17-year-old son crush the Foo Fighter‘s “My Hero” at September’s all-star tribute concert to his late father at Wembley Stadium (and a few weeks later at Kia Forum in Los Angeles), then you know the high schooler has some daunting drum skills.

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Now Shane has some hardware to prove it. At January’s 2022 percussion-focused Drumeo Awards, Hawkins took home the Drum Performance of the Year honors. “The winner of this award put on a legendary, must-watch performance during 2022, either with a full band at an event or in a solo studio video,” read the description of the prize.

“16-year-old Shane Hawkins did just that, pouring his heart and soul into a live performance of ‘My Hero’ at a tribute concert dedicated to his late father and Foo Fighters drummer, Taylor Hawkins. It touched millions of people and showed how much love, energy, and spirit can come out on the drum kit.”

The performances — which also included “I’ll Stick Around” at the L.A. show — touched hearts and blew minds across the globe thanks to Hawkins’ furious skills and the emotional resonance of watching the second-generation drummer channel the vibrancy and joy of his beloved dad; Taylor Hawkins, 50, was found dead in his hotel room in Bogotá, Colombia on the eve of the Foos’ planned headlining set at the Festival Estéreo Picnic.

In addition to veteran timekeepers Josh Freese, Omar Hakim and Travis Barker, the Foos were joined by a number of other drummers at the shows, including teen sensation Nandi Bushell and another amazing second generation skinsman, the Darkness’ Rufus Taylor. Introducing Shane at the London show, Foos singer/guitarist Dave Grohl said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone hit the drums as hard as this person … He’s a member of our family, and he needs to be here tonight with all of us.” A photo of Hawkins with Shane was shown on a big screen before the teen thrashed the kit for a moving “My Hero.”

Among the other winners at last month’s Drumeo’s (you can watch the whole thing here) were the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith (drummer of the year), Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg (drum recording of the year), Harry Styles live drummer Sarah Jones (pop drummer of the year), Terri Lyne Carrington (jazz drummer of the year), Fred Eltringham (country drummer of the year), Giulliana Merello (R&B/hip-hop drummer of the year), Nate Smith (soul/funk drummer of the year),Travis Barker (rock drummer of the year) and Genesis’ Phil Collins, who took home the prestigious lifetime achievement Buddy Rich Award.

Relive Shane Hawkins’ performance below.

02 Feb 2023

Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Glass Animals & More Earn iHeartRadio Titanium Awards for 1 Billion Spins

These 12 radio mainstays have all earned iHeartRadio Titanium Awards for their songs that reached 1 billion spins across iHeart stations in 2022, Billboard can exclusively reveal.

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iHeartMedia revealed the Titanium Award-winning songs on Thursday (Feb. 2), including Adele‘s “Easy on Me”; Ava Max‘s “Kings & Queens”; Drake‘s “Laugh Now Cry Later,” featuring Lil Durk; Doja Cat‘s “Need to Know”; Ed Sheeran‘s “Bad Habits”; Glass Animals‘ “Heat Waves”; Harry Styles‘ “As It Was”; Justin Bieber‘s “Ghost”; Lil Nas X‘s “THATS WHAT I WANT” as well as “Industry Baby,” featuring Jack Harlow; and late rapper Pop Smoke‘s “What You Know Bout Love.”

In a video celebrating her Titanium Award, Doja Cat expressed gratitude for her fans who have been supporting “Need to Know” — a Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit — and the rest of her 2021 album, Planet Her. “I wanted to thank all of my fans and all of the team at iHeartRadio for this award. I have earned 1 billion total iHeartRadio audience spins for ‘Need to Know,’” she shared in the selfie-style clip. “That’s one of my favorite songs, so I like that we’re all on the same page here. But, seriously, I’m very thankful and I’m glad that you guys are are enjoying what’s going on, and I have more coming.”

Doja Cat previously won a Titanium Award for her 2021 SZA collaboration “Kiss Me More.”

Glass Animals frontman Dave Bayley also shared a selfie reaction video, thanking iHeart and all the listeners for bringing the song around the world. “I’m sure you all know that this song came out in the pandemic,” he says in the video. “It was a time when we were all trapped here on this little island in the U.K. and we couldn’t travel anywhere, but you guys allowed this song to travel. You did the traveling for us. And I can’t thank you enough. This song is so personal to me. It’s like my favorite child.”

“Heat Waves” spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 and is the longest-charting hit in the Hot 100‘s 64-year history, surpassing the 90-week run of The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” in October.

“This is a really heavy award — which means all the listens are all in here,” Ava Max jokes in her reaction video, marveling at the “insane” number of 1 billion spins. Max’s “Kings & Queens” was a top 20 hit on the Hot 100, peaking at No. 13.

Total audience spins for the iHeartRadio Titanium Awards are based on Mediabase airplay and are multiplied by the number of persons listening to the radio at the time of those plays, delivering total audience impressions, which is the broadcast equivalent of the number of streams on a streaming service.

Artists who received Titanium Awards in 2022 included Olivia Rodrigo for “good 4 u,” The Weeknd for “Save Your Tears,” Lil Nas X for “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” and The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber for “Stay.”

02 Feb 2023

Sheryl Crow Is ‘BLOWN AWAY’ By Her 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination

Sheryl Crow had no words for her excitement about being on the list of 2023 nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Okay, she had a few. “I am BLOWN AWAY by the nomination,” the singer tweeted Wednesday night (Feb. 1). “It really means so much to me. Thank for your support, and for being a part of the voting process! Love you all! [heart emoji],” she added.

Crow joined an eclectic list of nominees for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023, including: Art rock auteur Kate Bush; hip-hop iconoclast Missy Elliott; metal legends Iron Maiden; post-punk-turned-dance-rock pioneers Joy Division/New Order; eccentric pop icon Cyndi Lauper; pop titan George Michael; country GOAT Willie Nelson; rap-metal firebrands Rage Against the Machine; grunge trailblazers Soundgarden; soul vocal pros The Spinners; alt hip-hop progenitors A Tribe Called Quest; garage blues revivalists The White Stripes; and caustic singer-songwriter Warren Zevon.

The rootsy rocker joins other first-time nominees Elliot, Joy Division/New Order, Lauper, Michael, Nelson, the Stripes and Zevon. To be eligible for the RRHOF, an artist’s first commercial release must have come out at least 25 years prior to the nomination year.

After starting her career as a backup singer on Michael Jackson’s Bad tour in 1987 and recoding backing vocals for everyone from Jimmy Buffett to Stevie Wonder, Crow dropped her smash Grammy-winning 1994 debut Tuesday Night Music Club, which spawned the hits “Leaving Las Vegas,” “All I Wanna Do,” “Strong Enough” and “Can’t Cry Anymore.” Her self-titled 1996 follow-up continued the hot streak, landing more Grammy wins for the single “If It Makes You Happy,” and spawning the radio staples “A Change Would Do You Good” and “Everyday Is a Winding Road.”

Inductees will be revealed in May, with the induction ceremony taking place this fall. The top five artists selected through fan voting will be tallied along with the ballots from the Rock Hall’s international voting body to determine the Class of 2023. Fans can vote online every day through April 28 at vote.rockhall.com or IRL at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland.

Check out Crow’s tweet below.

02 Feb 2023

P!nk Reveals ‘Trustfall’ Tracklist, Featuring First Aid Kit, Lumineers and Chris Stapleton

P!nk is bringing some friends along on her upcoming ninth album, Trustfall. On Wednesday (Feb. 1) the singer excitedly revealed the tracklist for the 13-song collection, which she said will feature guest spots from First Aid Kit, The Lumineers and Chris Stapleton.

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“I am so in love with this new album and CANNOT WAIT for you to hear every single song! I’m also honored that my friends @FirstAidKitBand, @thelumineers and @ChrisStapleton came to play with me on this record,” she tweeted. According to the run-down she shared, in addition to the singles “Never Gonna Not Dance Again” and the title track, the Lumineers lend a hand on “Long Way to Go,” First Aid Kit join her on “Kids in Love” and Stapleton helps to close things out with final track “Just Say I’m Sorry.”

A number of arenas around the U.S. got in on the tracklist news by posting images of the album cover, as well as a 1-888-262-PINK hotline that features the singer teasing “another announcement” on the day of the album’s release. Though she doesn’t offer any hints, P!nk does encourage fans to “stay tuned.”

Last week, P!nk dropped the dramatic video for the title track, a dance-heavy clip that leans into the song’s lyrics about matching fear with hope. P!nk has also announced the dates for her massive 21-city “Summer Carnival 2023” stadium tour featuring Brandi Carlile and new Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Pat Benatar & Neil Girlado on select dates and Grouplove and KidCutUp on all the shows.

Check out P!nk’s tweets below.

02 Feb 2023

Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘The World Is A Vampire’ Fest Is Heading Down Under

Smashing Pumpkins will rock Australia this April for a 10-date festival run, dubbed The World Is A Vampire and featuring touring buddies Jane’s Addiction.

Takings its name from the opening line of “Bullet with Butterfly Wings,” from the Pumpkins’ Grammy Award-winning third studio LP Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Vampire is the brainchild of founder and frontman Billy Corgan.

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Set to kick off April 15 at Stuart Park, Wollongong, Vampire criss-crosses four state and comes to a halt April 30 at Broadwater Parklands, on the Gold Coast.

The trek reunites Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction, which joined forces for a major U.S. tour in 2022, Spirits on Fire.

Also on the bill are ARIA Award-winning punk rock heroes Amyl And The Sniffers, alongside Sydney rockers RedHook and seven-piece guitar band Battlesnake, plus local acts.

The alternative music fest promises a break from traditional programming by pitching wrestling matches from Corgan’s NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) with WAOA (Wrestling Alliance of Australia) as part the daily activities.

One World Entertainment is producing the Australian jaunt. General tickets are released midday local time on Friday (Feb. 3).

The World Is A Vampire Festival 2023 Australia tour dates:

April 15 — Stuart Park, Wollongong NSW

April 16 — Sandstone Point, Bribie Island QLD

April 18 — Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW *

April 19 — Newcastle Entertainment Centre NSW *

April 22 — Hastings Foreshore, Mornington Peninsula VIC

April 23 — Kryal Castle, Ballarat VIC

April 26 — Adelaide Entertainment Centre SA *

April 27 — PICA, Port Melbourne VIC *

April 29 — Nepean Aerospace Park – Penrith NSW

April 30 — Broadwater Parklands, Gold Coast QLD

02 Feb 2023

Sony Music’s Quarterly Revenue Hit $2.6 Billion on Streaming and Publishing Gains

Harry Styles, Mariah Carey and big streaming gains helped Sony Music Entertainment finish 2022 with a bang. Styles’ album Harry’s House and Carey’s typically strong holiday performance drove SME’s revenues up 22.9% to 363.7 billion yen ($2.57 billion at quarter’s average exchange rate) in its fiscal third quarter ended Dec. 31, 2022.

Styles’ 2022 release Harry’s House and 2019 album Fine Lines were among SME’s top performing titles of the quarter. Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” topped the U.S. Hot 100 chart for four weeks (chart dates of Dec. 17, Dec. 24, Dec. 31 and Jan. 7). The company also pointed to strong sales and streams by Steve Lacy’s Gemini Rights, SZA’s SOS, Future’s I Never Liked You, Chris Brown’s Indigo, Beyonce’s Renaissance and Bruce Springsteen’s Only the Strong Survive.

Quarterly operating income improved 14.3% to 63 billion yen ($445 million). Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization were 80 billion yen ($565 million).

The recorded music division’s revenues improved 30.1% to 239 billion yen ($1.69 billion). Streaming revenue grew 33.2% to 159.1 billion yen ($1.12 billion) and accounted for 66.6% of recorded music revenue, up from 65% in the prior-year period. Download revenue, up 14.3%, accounted for just 4.7% of digital revenues compared to 5.5% a year earlier. Physical sales declined 6% to 31.1 billion yen ($219.1 million) and accounted for 13% of total recorded music revenue, down from 18%.

Publishing revenues increased 42.9% to 74.2 billion yen ($523.4 million) in the quarter. Within publishing, streaming revenue improved 59.8% to 41.6 billion yen ($293.3 million). Streaming’s share of publishing revenue grew to 56% from 50.1% in the prior-year period. Other publishing income rose 25.9% to 32.6 billion yen ($230.1 million).

Excluding foreign exchange and the visual media and platform segment, SME’s recorded music and publishing divisions grew 10% in the quarter. That is a smaller improvement because changes in foreign exchange rates helped SME’s yen-denominated results. From the end of 2021 to 2022, the value of the yen declined against the three main foreign currencies: -10% against the U.S. dollar, -6.9% against the euro and -1.8% against the pound.

The visual media and platform segment was a drag on earnings due to lower anime sales, however. The segment’s revenue fell 16.3% to 47.4 billion yen ($334.7 million).

Looking ahead, the company maintained its forecast for full-year revenue at 1.37 billion yen (approximately $9.7 billion) at operating income at 265 billion yen (approximately $1.87 billion).