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.
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Billboard US
Guts & Glory: Olivia Rodrigo Debuts Atop Billboard 200
68 “Qué Onda” Calle 24 x Chino Pacas x Fuerza Regida
23 Laufey Bewitched
GLOBAL 200 1 “Paint the Town Red” Doja Cat
ARTIST 100 9 TYLER CHILDERS WEEKS ON CHART 50
1 “SkeeYee” Sexyy Red
NO. 1 ‘Angels’ Flies To No. 1 Spot
NO. 1 Buffett’s Newest No. 1
Compensation Consternation • Billboard’s 2022 Executive Money Makers ranking shows music’s top executives were paid handsomely post-pandemic — and some shareholders are not happy
DEMBOW DOGFIGHT • A copyright case claims that virtually every reggaetón song was illegally copied from a 1989 single
From The Desk Of... Randall Poster • MUSIC SUPERVISOR; CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PREMIER MUSIC
Undeniable Forces • Amid Latin music’s latest explosion — powered by a concoction of sounds and styles — Carin León, Nicki Nicole and Maria Becerra have emerged as three of the industry’s vanguards. Over the last few years, these artists have risen to the top of their respective genres, becoming Billboard chart staples and achieving global success. With León leading música Mexicana , Nicole Argentine trap and Becerra urban pop, all have taken new, more experimental paths while staying true to their essence. And now, they are ending the year at the top of their game — and setting the stage for the next crop of stars to follow.
Marshmello’s Sweet Surprise
BEHIND THE HIT • Myke Towers’ ‘LALA’
Hits Don’t Lie • When SHAKIRA’s personal life blew up, she processed her pain the only way she knew how: through her art. The result was her most successful music in years — and with a new album and a global tour coming, she’s “pressing on the accelerator — hard”
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR NELSON ALBAREDA CEO, LOUD AND LIVE • His wide-ranging experience across the music industry helped him build a multipronged business that now goes way beyond promotion
MAJOR MUSIC GROUPS
LABELS & DISTRIBUTORS
MULTISECTOR
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR YOUNG MIKO • From the tattoo parlor to SoundCloud to the Billboard charts, the rapper has blasted from Puerto Rico’s underground to global stages
MANAGEMENT
GROUNDBREAKER EDGAR BARRERA • The Mexican American songwriter-producer’s versatility has made him one of the most in-demand hit-makers in Latin — and beyond
Billboard ’s First Latin Power Players Choice Award Goes To Walter Kolm
STREAMING
PUBLISHING
THE COMEBACK KINGS • As a fresh generation of artists elevates música urbana to new heights, two influential genre legends are reasserting their dominance
MEDIA
AGENCIES
U P CLOSE WITH FONSECA
A Billion And Beyond
HONORING KAROL G’S HEART
THE SHOW GOES ON
LIVE
BUSINESSES & ASSOCIATIONS
RIGHTS GROUPS
THE LAST DINNER PARTY • How the rock band’s “Nothing Matters” came from an all-hands effort in the act’s local scene