Written for music industry professionals and fans. Contents provide news, reviews and statistics for all genres of music, including radio play, music video, related internet activity and retail updates.
Billboard US
Oliver Anthony Music Makes Historic Debut
72 “Johnny Dang” That Mexican OT, Paul Wall & DRODi
BILLBOARD 200
ARTIST 100
THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD • Beyoncé’s 11 shows in July add up to the biggest one-month gross in the history of Billboard Boxscore
Top Venues
Fans Take Charge Of The Charts • Music fans are using sophisticated strategies and funds from anonymous donors in attempts to keep their favorite artists at No. 1
Clarence Avant (1931-2023)
Jerry Moss (1935-2023)
Sony Scores Another Double Win In Q2 • Luke Combs’ cover of “Fast Car” gives Tracy Chapman 2.32% of the Hot 100 publishing market
From The Desk Of... Tom Windish • HEAD OF A&R AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, WASSERMAN MUSIC
2023 Fall PREVIEW • As the weather cools down, these upcoming releases from Holly Humberstone, Dolly Parton, Jorja Smith and more promise to bring the heat
BROAD STROKES • After being heralded as a surefire star by the industry, Holly Humberstone chose to embrace uncertainty on her debut album
Pressing Pause • As the writers and actors strikes continue, the music world feels the reverberations
HOZIER’S ‘UNREAL’ OUTING
A (ROCK) STAR IS BORN • Dolly Parton reveals what, and who, inspired her to rock out
GEEKING OUT WITH... J Balvin • While J Balvin still hasn’t shared the name of his upcoming album, he notes that he had decided on the title before he recorded a note. “My albums have always started with their names,” the Colombian star says. “That way, we let ourselves be guided by the vibe.” In the past, he has mostly used one-word titles: Jose (2021), Colores (2020), Oasis (2019), Vibras (2018) and Energía (2017). He says that the mood of his latest, arriving this fall, was sheer joy. Recorded at RAK Studios and Abbey Road during a monthlong stay in London, Balvin’s first full-length album in nearly two years features a variety of producers, including Tainy, Mura Masa, Michaël Brun, Hear This Music/DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz and Súbelo NEO. The project also boasts “precisely” curated collaborations, including tracks with Stormzy and Anuel AA. “I like to explore other cultures and genres,” he says. “But as far as my DNA and my essence, I represent Medellín, Colombia.”
BEN GIBBARD’S DOUBLE FEATURE
FLY AWAY HOME • After a whirlwind career launch, Jorja Smith had to move back to where she feels most inspired
LET THE MUSIC PAY • JKBX wants to open the exclusive world of song investment to the public. Will fans and the music industry buy in?
Music PR’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith • For years, publicists Ambrosia Healy and Dennis Dennehy have vied for coveted press hits — from under the same roof as husband and wife
Power Publicists
Representing For: Publishers • For the trio of top publicists at the major publishing companies, supporting songwriters and executives is just the start of a complex job
The ‘Master Communicator’ • That’s what Bruce Springsteen’s manager calls Marilyn Laverty, the Shore Fire Media founder — and indie PR legend — who has repped The Boss for decades
The PR Pivot • Patrick Confrey and John Vlautin on making the switch from repping artists to major managers, music-tech companies and labels
Even Flacks Have Fans • Whom do Taylor Swift’s and Beyoncé’s legions of fans love almost as much as their idols? Their respective longtime publicists, Tree Paine and Yvette Noel-Schure, whose supreme skills have earned them their own social media stans
THE $10 BILLION TARGET •...