Innholdsfortegnelse for May 11, 2013 i Billboard Magazine

RAP GENIUS EXPANDS Rap Genius, the startup that found success by becoming the dominant source for rap lyric translations online, announced May 1 that it will launch a spinoff for news analysis. News Genius will annotate news articles with deeper explanations of key issues provided by voluntary expert users. An expansion beyond lyrics had been expected from Rap Genius following a $15 million investment from the venture capital firm Andreesen Horowitz last year. MASTERCARD TAPS TIMBERLAKE MasterCard and Justin Timberlake have entered a two-year agreement that will include a series of exclusive concerts, events and consumer engagement experiences. The first show under the agreement will take place May 5 at New York’s Roseland Ballroom as an exclusive for MasterCard cardholders. Like other credit card companies, including American Express, MasterCard has…

Lana Del Rey. The first single from “Gatsby” is Del Rey’s “Young and Beautiful,” which sold 48,000 downloads in the week ending April 28, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The track complements the promotion of her November release, Paradise, much in the way Pitbull’s “Men in Black 3” song extended his stay in public view. Summer movies. Any time a film is pushed back on a schedule, the assumption is there are problems with the film or its production. “Gatsby” apparently tested well with males, the crucial audience determining box office in the summer, when Warner Bros. tentpoles are “Man of Steel” and “The Hangover Part III.” Trailers. Debuting three unreleased songs in trailers, Interscope’s Seyler says, “is something I consider groundbreaking.” It also delivers a bonus payday to copyright holders…

Looking to expand its pop and dance music repertoire, Sony Music Entertainment has turned to one of the genre’s biggest meccas—Scandinavia. In an exclusive multiple-year partnership signed in April, Sony has teamed with Sweden’s TEN Music Group, an independent label, management, publishing and production company behind crossover acts including Icona Pop and Niki & the Dove. The deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, grants Sony exclusive first-look rights to all recordings by TEN artists in addition to rights to other ancillary revenue streams. The Stockholm-based company, which will continue to operate independently, will expand into Sony offices in Los Angeles, New York and London. “The team at TEN Music understands artist development and they have proven they know how to successfully identify talent with global appeal,” Sony chairman/CEO…

As a part-time A&R rep for labels like Epic Records and Universal Republic, Sean Glass often found his hands tied when he was ready to get behind a potential signing. “I was working in film at the time and whenever I’d work to break artists in-market, people would say, ‘Why don’t you just put them out yourself?’ And I’d say I couldn’t because I didn’t have a label.” Since then, Glass has spent the better part of the last three years scouting artists and sourcing remixes for his father Daniel’s Glassnote Records by day, honing his chops as a DJ by night in the New York dance scene, testing out new artists and deep house tracks on crowds at SoHo House, the Boom Boom Room and warehouse parties in the…

RECORD COMPANIES Universal Music Group has launched Capitol Records U.K., marking the first time Capitol has had a stand-alone presence in the United Kingdom. Nick Raphael, who is currently president of Universal imprint London Records, has been named president of Capitol Records U.K., reporting to Universal Music U.K. chairman/CEO David Joseph. “We have our current London roster, which will be integrated into Capitol U.K. Then we will sign the best acts that become available in the months and years to come,” Raphael says. London Records senior VP of A&R Jo Charrington and head of marketing Tom Paul will be joining Raphael in the new label setup, with further staff appointments to be made in the coming weeks. UMG acquired Capitol Music Group when it purchased EMI Recorded Music last fall.…

Microsoft’s imminent unveiling of its new Xbox game console and Amazon’s planned set-top box may seem far afield for the music industry. They’re not. Here’s why. Microsoft and Amazon are going after the same holy grail that Apple and Google are pursuing—a universal media platform that can form the backbone of everyone’s digital entertainment needs. It’s a platform war that’s being fought across devices, software and hardware—even in cars. The music industry needs to keep an eye on the bigger picture to ensure placing the right bets. Let’s evaluate the two players’ most recent developments to see how music fits into their plans for digital world domination. Microsoft: The Redmond, Wash., technology giant will show off a new game console on May 21, presumably to hit stores in time for…

What did you wake up thinking this morning? And what keeps you up at night? I woke up thinking about new ways to get that first sip of coffee to my lips faster. Thinking doesn’t really begin until that happens. What keeps me up at night is our biggest challenge right now: maintaining our company culture while growing at such a rapid pace. INgrooves has averaged 70% annual sales growth over the past five years and has truly become a global company. It’s important to try and aim for 100% buy-in to a shared vision within the company, at least at a high level, but that becomes increasingly difficult. We can achieve this through constant communication, openness with senior management and occasional waterboarding—just kidding. Making our employees feel like it…

I grew up a huge fan of George Jones. I was familiar with the legends, the hard-luck stories, the accounts of missed gigs and drunken riding-mower notoriety. I was mesmerized by his voice, like almost anyone with the ability to hear. So I was ecstatic when I got to open shows for him a few times in West Virginia, as a young performer. I remember one gig in particular: Aug. 22, 1993, in Parkersburg, W.Va. It stands out because it was my last show as a resident of that state. Sure enough, the very next day, with ringing in my ears from the night before and a tear in my eye as I loaded the trunk, I packed my car and drove to Nashville. I had no idea how well…

Perhaps no female Latin act has managed to stay as relevant through the years— and in two languages, no less—than Gloria Estefan. The original crossover diva made her first appearance at the Billboard Latin Music Conference for a Star Q&A with Billboard executive director of content and programming for Latin music and entertainment Leila Cobo. On her standards album, due out this fall on Sony: “All my life I’ve loved standards. I grew up listening to Johnny Mathis, Javier Solís. I chose songs that were very special to me, like ‘El Dia Que Me Quieras,’ which was Emilio’s and my wedding song. It was the first song we danced to as husband and wife, and I got the big honor to write it in English. It’s never been done. And…

The Billboard Bash, celebrating the albums, imprints, publishers and producers of the year, took place at the Cameo Nightclub in Miami and featured performances by Billboard Latin Music Awards finalists America Sierra, Akwid and reggaetón acts Plan B and Grupo Treo. It was also a night to highlight such emerging acts as Almas Band from Puerto Rico, Banda la Leyenda and Banda Yurirense from Mexico, U.S.-based pop artist Sophi and Viajero from Nicaragua. Universal Music Latin Entertainment swept with seven awards, including Latin airplay label and top Latin albums label of the year. UMLE posted 47 top 10s, which included 13 No. 1s on Top Latin Albums. In addition, UMLE imprint Machete won the Latin rhythm airplay and Latin rhythm albums label of the year awards, while regional Mexican imprint…

SOME OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL players in the history of the touring industry filled Irving Plaza in New York on April 25 to pay tribute to pioneering agent Frank Barsalona, who died last November. “Remembering Frank” lived up to its billing of “an evening of great conversation and stories,” as a long list of live music industry greats regaled those in attendance with stories about Barsalona, whose Premier Talent Agency was far and away the most dominant rock music agency in the world in the ’70s and ’80s. Among those offering up stories on Barsalona were music journalist Dave Marsh, famed Philadelphia promoter Larry Magid, U2 manager Paul McGuinness, Creative Artists Agency managing partner Rob Light, British manager Peter Rudge, legendary New York promoter Ron Delsener, Canadian promoter Donald K.…

ARTIST: Beth Hart ALBUM: Seesaw (with Joe Bonamassa) LABEL: J&R Adventures MANAGER: David Wolff PRODUCER: Kevin Shirley PUBLISHER: Jezebel Blues (BMI) BOOKING AGENT: John Branigan, William Morris Endeavor CHART HISTORY: Bang Bang Boom Boom (2013), No. 3 Blues Albums, No. 6 Heatseekers Albums, 5,000; Don’t Explain (with Joe Bonamassa) (2011), No. 120 Billboard 200, No. 32 Rock Albums, 46,000 TWITTER: @bethhart Though she’s continued to live in her hometown of Los Angeles, Beth Hart hadn’t toured or released an album of original material in the United States in 10 years until very recently—having worked the better part of the last decade in Europe and New Zealand. It was a self-imposed disconnect that eventually began to bother the 41-year-old singer/songwriter. “There was a long time where I thought I didn’t deserve…

ARTIST: Quadron ALBUM: Avalanche LABEL: Vested in Culture/Epic MANAGERS: Anthony Demby and Jenn Sartory, JV/HumbleRIOT/Rocketpop PRODUCER: Robin Hannibal PUBLISHER: self-published TWITTER: @quadronmusic Danish pop-soul duo Quadron worshipped at the altar of Michael Jackson every day while crafting its major-label debut, Avalanche—literally. “We recorded at Westlake Studios in Hollywood, which is where Michael did Thriller,” vocalist Coco O says. “Which was amazing,” says her bandmate, producer/multi-instrumentalist Robin Hannibal. (The two have a habit of finishing each other’s thoughts.) “There was a little shrine to him with his gold records and memorabilia. It was incredible to be in some of the same rooms as him and take in that history.” The sounds of Jackson and Thriller producer Quincy Jones are all over Quadron’s album, the inaugural full-length from Sylvia Rhone’s new imprint,…

ELECTRONIC DAFT PUNK EATURING PHARRELL “Get Lucky” (4:07) PRODUCER: Daft Punk WRITERS: various PUBLISHERS: various Ultra/Columbia “Get Lucky,” already Daft Punk’s biggest hit in its 16-year career, has all the elements of a timeless, if overly familiar, dance track. Featuring soulful vocals from Pharrell Williams and signature guitar licks from co-writer Nile Rodgers, the disco throwback is the most human-sounding song from a duo synonymous with robot helmets. Even if the track becomes repetitive in its four-minute radio edit, its instant success signifies its early contention for song of the summer. —AH R& RAY J FEATURING BOBBY BRACKINS “I Hit It First” (3:26) PRODUCER: not listed WRITER: not listed PUBLISHER: not listed Knockout/Fifth Amendment This Kim Kardashian diss track, disguised as a club jam, is an understandable play for contemporary…

AMERICANA STEVE MARTIN & EDIE BRICKELL Love Has Come for You PRODUCER: Peter Asher Rounder Records RELEASE DATE: April 23 Martin’s surprisingly potent musical career takes another turn on this album of rootsy ballads and character songs co-written with Brickell. The set’s front-porch charm is propelled by Martin’s lyrical five-string banjo and dressed up with subtle touches from producer Asher and guests like Esperanza Spalding and Waddy Wachtel. —GG ELECTRONIC KASTLE Kastle PRODUCER: Barrett Richards Symbols Recordings RELEASE DATE: April 23 The self-released debut from Barrett Richards fits the genre-agnostic ethic of today’s crop of millennial electronic producers. But Kastle’s songs lean more heavily toward R&B and hip-hop (“Red Light,” “Timeless”), adapting the spacey rhythms of the current West Coast beats movement. Pop stars will be blowing up Richards’ phone…

.biz The International Songwriting Competition has bestowed its highest honor, the Grand Prize, to Idaho native Joshua Hanson for his song “Monsters With Misdemeanors.” The judges “loved the song for its sparse honesty and achingly tender lyrics.” For his 2012 victory, the Yellow Red Sparks frontman will receive $25,000 in cash and a prize package. As the “American Idol” final four tuned up for another showdown recently, season-three winner Fan tasia found herself back in the spotlight as well. That’s because her fourth album, Side Effects of You (19 Recordings/ RCA), debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The debut positions of Fantasia’s latest album resemble the performance of 2010’s Back to Me, which has sold 490,000 copies, according to…

In high school, Chance the Rapper was the kid with the backpack full of CDs, foisting his latest mixtape on unsuspecting classmates. Now he plays coy in meetings with major labels, biding his time while big numbers and grand schemes are discussed casually over pizza. On April 30, his newest release Acid Rap was downloaded 50,000 times overnight, according to his team. But even before then, the emergent rapper from Chicago had already flown to New York and Los Angeles at the behest of Columbia, Republic, Def Jam, RCA, Atlantic, Interscope, Shady and Capitol, among others. In Austin during South by Southwest (SXSW), Lyor Cohen reached out. “I don’t really like meetings. I like recording and performing music,” says 20-yearold Chance, born Chancelor Bennett. “But I need to set myself…

LEGEND Bullets indicate titles with greatest weekly gains. Album Charts ● Recording Industry Assn. of America (RIAA) certification for physical shipments & digital downloads of 500,000 albums (Gold). △ RIAA certification for physical shipments & digital downloads of 1 million units (Platinum). Numeral noted with Platinum symbol indicates album’s multiplatinum level. ♦ RIAA certification for physical shipments & digital downloads of 10 million units (Diamond). Numeral noted with Diamond symbol indicates album’s multiplatinum level. ● Latin albums certification for physical shipments & digital downloads of 50,000 units (Oro). △ Latin albums certification for physical shipments & digital downloads of 100,000 units (Platino). Numeral noted with Platinum symbol indicates album’s multi-platinum level. Digital Songs Charts ● RIAA certification for 500,000 paid downloads (Gold). △ RIAA certification for 1 million paid downloads…

Anheuser-Busch InBev is prepping its largest portfolio-wide push yet in support of music this summer—an even bigger power play for music’s most powerful sponsor. A series of new initiatives for Budweiser, Bud Light, Landshark lager and Beck’s pilsner will see A-B brands everywhere, from festivals to record stores and all sorts of places in between. ¶ Leading A-B InBev’s 2013 programs are Bud Light Music First and the ambitious 50/50/1, a series of 50 concerts to be held in all 50 states on Aug. 1. The events will be created in partnership with Live Nation, Myspace and Universal Music Group, and the program will be supported by promotions on 80 million packages of Bud Light products, as well as a national ad campaign created by Translation. Of the 50 acts…

In Internet radio, Pandora dominates, Apple looms and Songza continues to grow and roll out innovative features. Songza has surpassed 6 million app installations and attracted 4.7 million active users in March alone, up from 2 million active monthly users at the end of last summer. Although the service is far behind Pandora’s 70 million active users, it has proved to be a formidable competitor. While recent gains are likely due to Songza’s unique take on Web radio, version 3.0 shows that the company has more good ideas up its sleeve. “It’s prettier, it’s more powerful, and it’s easier to use,” CEO Elias Roman says. The new app is available only for Apple iOS devices, since iOS accounts for most of the Songza app’s installations, Roman says. Songza has added…

On a sleepy Monday afternoon, a music fan who goes by the handle “sexycharizma37” shelled out somewhere between $12.50 and $25 to be an “Instant VIP” in an online fan club for Trey Songz, the R&B singer who’s had a host of No. 1s on Billboard’s R&B/hip-hop charts with songs like “I Invented Sex” and “Heart Attack.” .biz Guy Oseary’s A-Grade, a fund he launched in partnership with actor Ashton Kutcher and billionaire Ron Burkle in 2010, announced a $100 million valuation. “We’re bundling our current investments and then taking our new capital to invest in new investments with the same strategy. We’re somewhat formalizing what we’ve been doing,” Kutcher says. Sexycharizma37 isn’t alone. More than 45,300 people have downloaded Songz’ app for tablets and smartphones since it launched in…

From the middle of April until the end of the month, everyone involved in cable TV programming is preparing presentations for shows that will premiere in the fall. Doyle is at the forefront of engaging music with programming, leading MTV’s music strategy as well as label and artist relations. She also produces the Video Music Awards, among other shows. “There’s a lot of brainstorming” this time of year, she says, noting that part of her day is connecting with a grass-roots arts organization to enhance the Brooklyn feel of the VMAs when they’re held there later this year. 8.30 AM Breakfast meeting with Chris McCarthy, general manager and executive VP of MTV2 and mtvU, to discuss the 2014 Woodies and the second season of Mac Miller’s show, “Most Dope Family.”…

CBS Radio is throwing its hat in the EDM ring, teaming with Astralwerks— home to Swedish House Mafia, Empire of the Sun and sister duo Nervo—to launch a national talent search for the next great female DJ/producer. The program, dubbed “She Can DJ,” will launch in major markets in July, after a successful debut in Australia (through EMI) last year. “Seeing how successful ‘She Can DJ’ was in discovering top female DJ/producers in overseas markets, it’s the perfect time to launch stateside,” Astralwerks GM Glenn Medlinger said in a statement. “The United States is the hottest place on Earth for dance music right now, but the industry is largely male-dominated. We’re thrilled to be a part of a program that will help discover and develop top female talent in the…

Since the infancy of the live music business, Los Angeles has been one of the most competitive markets in the world, both from a venue perspective and in terms of promoters seeking to book talent into those venues. Similar to how the opening of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn changed the face of the New York metropolitan market, the dynamic of L.A.’s live scene is rapidly evolving, highlighted by news that the venerable Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal Studios would be shuttered in September to make way for a new Harry Potter attraction at the theme park (Billboard.biz, April 24). In terms of competition, Gibson’s demise will only affect the market in the short term, and for a specific venue type. It’s true that when Gibson closes its doors, the Greek…

Nowhere will George Jones be mourned as soberly, effusively and proudly as in Nashville, and this is as it should be. The Texasborn singer, who died at 81 in Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center on April 26, was more widely admired in country music than anyone this side of Hank Williams himself, and he was single-minded in his devotion to its idiom and audience. He complained like all the old-timers about the muscle-bound boom-boom of modern country radio, and in 1999 boycotted a Country Music Assn. show that wouldn’t let him perform the entirety of his great, late hit “Choices.” He could be a stubborn cuss, too. But unlike such heroic contemporaries as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and the late Johnny Cash, he had no outlaw in him, and on…

From his first chart entry with “Why Baby Why” in October 1955 until his final appearance on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs as a featured artist on Aaron Lewis’ “Country Boy” two years ago, George Jones distinguished himself as a peerless force with 166 charted songs—Eddy Arnold has the second-most with 144. Jones has the third-most top 10s (78), outpaced only by Arnold’s 92 and George Strait’s 85. Jones’ top 10 count includes 13 No. 1s, among those “He Stopped Loving Her Today” (1980), which re-enters Hot Country Songs at No. 21 (see page 58). Jones was also present and accounted for on the inaugural Top Country Albums chart in 1964, placing a total of 97 titles on that list including 32 top 10s and a pair of No. 1s. Released…

Band Of Bitches Their bio claims that they’re aliens, though under their latex hoods are members of Plastilina Mosh and other Latin alternative bands. BOB brought the fusion-fueled energy of Northern Mexico—mixing rock, hip-hop and regional Mexican rhythms— to the stage of the BMI/peermusic/Sony showcase at Grand Central. Mariana Vega The Venezuelan-born singer/songwriter proved her place among the new wave of female Latin artists with a personal approach to pop, previewing her upcoming third album, produced by Cachorro Lopez, at the ASCAP showcase at Yuca Lounge. Kat Dahlia Signed to Vested in Culture, Sylvia Rhone’s new label, Cuban-American Dahlia sings and raps a sultry mix of blues, R&B and reggae with sharply honed lyrics and a smattering of Spanish. She’s preparing for the release of her debut album as her…

Since taking over as president of Telemundo a little more than a year ago, Emilio Romano (above right) has already put his imprint on the network and its bilingual channel, mun2, as well as on Telemundo digital media. The new Telemundo is highly sensitive to the changing U.S. Latin demographic and increasingly interested in music, as evidenced by multiple new Telemundo ventures. They include “La Voz Kids,” a partnership with Warner Music Latin America to develop new musical talent; the rise of music-themed programming on mun2; and the increasing use of Latin acts within original Telemundo productions. Some thoughts from Romano during his business Q&A with Billboard editorial director Bill Werde (above left). On the challenges of entertaining today’s Hispanic market: “The Hispanic market is actually two markets: English-language and…

Team Chesney ALBUM:Life on a Rock LABEL: BNA RELEASE DATE: April 30 MANAGEMENT: Clint Higham, Morris Management Group PRODUCERS: Buddy Cannon, Kenny Chesney ENGINEER: Tony Castle STUDIOS: Blackbird, Ocean Way (Nashville) PUBLISHING: Sony/ATV BIG DEALS: Corona Light, Costa del Mar Sunglasses, Takamine Guitars, No Shoes Radio, Blue Chair Bay Rum TOURING: No Shoes Nation tour (May-August) BOOKING AGENT: Louis Messina, TMG-AEG Live UPCOMING TV: “Katie” (May 13) ATTORNEY: Jess Rosen, Greenberg Traurig SITES:KennyChesney.com, Facebook.com/kennychesney TWEETS: @kennychesney On this sunny day in Sony Music’s Nashville offices, Kenny Chesney is handed a printout of his chart history on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs tally, which boasts 45 top 10s and 1,169 chart weeks— and counting. “I’ve never seen this,” he says, shaking his head. “Man, I had a mullet when ‘Whatever It Takes’…

VARIOUS CRUELTIES Jewelry retailer Zales has become an unlikely launch pad for rock songs, with recent ads featuring tracks from Alabama Shakes and the Black Keys. Unsigned British mod rockers Various Cruelties became the latest benefactors in late 2012 when their song “If It Wasn’t for You” was selected for Zales’ holiday campaign. Originally intended to run through Valentine’s Day, it has been twice extended due to the song’s viral popularity. “The timeless simplicity of the track and the raw vocals resonate with a wide audience,” says music supervisor Susan Stone, who placed the track for ad agency GSD&M. The campaign has resulted in 42,000 downloads for the song, along with 4,000 sales of the band’s self-titled, self-released album, according to Nielsen SoundScan. “The ad has had amazing reach and…

DANCING SHELL: Brooklynbased dream-pop outfit Wild Nothing has announced plans for a tour supporting folk hero and Fleet Foxes alum Father John Misty on select dates, ahead of its Empty Estate EP, out May 14. Booked by John Chavez at Ground Control Touring (United States) and Rob Challice at the Coda Agency (United Kingdom/Europe), the band will make stops this summer at Primavera Sound in Barcelona (May 23), Field Day in London (May 25), Terminal 5 in New York (July 24) and House of Blues in Boston (July 25). FROM THE SUN: Singer/songwriter Cat Power, aka Chan Marshall, has been riding high off the buzz from her 2012 LP Sun (Matador), and will set out this month on a world tour. Booked by Jim Romeo at Ground Control Touring, the…

Black Sabbath “God Is Dead?” (8:54) PRODUCER: Rick Rubin WRITERS: Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler PUBLISHERS: Blizzard Music/Valallen Music/Aston Music (ASCAP) Vertigo/Republic METAL Sabbath Tackles The ‘God’ Question Friedrich Nietzsche declared that God is dead—but Black Sabbath isn’t so sure. That’s the tact, at least, on “God Is Dead?,” the first release from the group’s forthcoming 13, which reunites Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler. (Rage Against the Machine’s Brad Wilk is sitting in for drummer Bill Ward.) The question mark makes all the difference to the nine-minute epic, a prototypical Sabbath doom anthem propelled by Iommi’s descending guitar chords, Butler’s leaden basslines and Osbourne’s sneering yet plaintive vocals. It’s a trip through philosophical hell, and it’s hard to imagine a more characteristic Sabbath lyric than “Blood on…

Twitter’s #music arrives to the iPhone with the potential to streamline music consumption within the Twitter ecosystem by focusing on habits that have slowly developed during the service’s seven-year existence. In this regard, the much-ballyhooed app succeeds by taking a simple, list-based approach to song selection, while simultaneously giving fans both instant access to artists on Twitter and the ability to discover new music through those artists. But Twitter’s #music is as much about listening as it is discovery. There aren’t any libraries or albums to browse or playlists to build—all commonplace features on Spotify and Rdio. By authorizing their Twitter account, however, users can quickly find more artists to follow and receive new music recommendations directly from their favorite performers. By authorizing Spotify or Rdio, users can then listen…

3 MONTHS AGO With the album’s release announced Jan. 30, Zombie himself was unfazed by the multiple-project workload. “The creative process is similar, but what they fulfill for me is different,” he says. “They really kind of counterbalance each other well.” His management firm, Spectacle Entertainment Group, sought a different kind of balance. “We’ve done our best to make all these moving parts work together to really establish the Rob Zombie brand, without the music getting lost amongst his other careers,” day-to-day manager Sarah Martin McIvor says, adding that detailed spreadsheets were used. 2 MONTHS AGO On Feb. 12, an online puzzle game launched, gradually revealing the album’s cover art. Two days later, the Zombie team started a “Spread the Venom” contest to allow one fan each in North America…

Martin, Brickell Blast Back Steve martin and edie brickell make impressive returns to the billboard 200, as their love Has come for You debuts at no. 21 (with 16,000 copies sold, according to nielsen soundscan). the set marks martin’s highest rank since 1978’s a Wild and crazy Guy peaked at no. 2 for six weeks. his 1977 album let’s Get Small is his only other title to chart higher than his new entry (no. 10). meanwhile, brickell achieves her best placement since debut album Shooting rubberbands at the Stars, with her backing band the new bohemians, rose to no. 4 in 1989. —Gary Trust THE BIG NUMBER 22 Michael bublé has charted 22 entries on the adult contemporary airplay tally– his home radio format. that stands in stark contrast to…

THIS WEEK WE LOOK AT THREE WEEKS’ WORTH OF DATA, HIGHLIGHTING TOP % GAINERS OF THE WEEK THAT ALSO GAINED THE PREVIOUS TWO WEEKS. 1 IMAGINE DRAGONS This week: 56 (24 million) Last week: 64 (19 million) 2 weeks ago: 68 (16 million) While it continues to rule Alternative, where it racks an 11th week at No. 1, its crossover success is also aiding its advance on Hot 100 Airplay. The song jumps 29-25 on Adult Top 40 with a 25% spike and 36-32 on Mainstream Top 40 (up 63%). 2 JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE This week: 5 (97 million) Last week: 9 (70 million) 2 weeks ago: 18 (51 million) Reaching No. 5 in its fifth week, the song is Timberlake’s fastest top five hit on Hot 100 Airplay. Of his…

The high-profile soundtrack, an artifact of the ’80s and ’90s largely dormant during the last five years, is being revived by “The Great Gatsby,” Baz Luhrmann’s $100 million-plus adaptation of the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel. With Jay-Z onboard as executive music producer and a roster of artists from across Universal Music Group’s labels, the soundtrack is both star-laden and a gamble: Can a hit film that isn’t a musical generate a smash soundtrack? If the soundtrack succeeds commercially it’ll reinforce the idea that soundtracks need to take listeners on a journey reminiscent of the film, a driver in two of last year’s soundtrack successes, “Pitch Perfect” and “Les Misérables.” The Interscope “Gatsby” release mirrors the film exactly in its running order: “The razzle dazzle upfront,” music supervisor Anton Monsted says,…

Even though TV has become incredibly fragmented in the cable era, no other medium delivers such a large group of consumers to an artist or songwriter in a single shot. Those large audiences equal money, from synchronizations to increased awareness. It takes many mobile apps to replicate TV’s audience. Data from Flurry, which measures app use on more than 1 billion smartphones and tablets each month, shows that apps’ total audience matches that of TV only in the aggregate. Flurry tracked the top 500 apps—250 each for iOS and Android devices—in February and found peak app usage was about 52 million consumers during the prime-time TV window. The top three TV shows—in a good week, Flurry says—get about 52 million viewers. Newspapers, another medium that has gradually become more fragmented,…

Some of the most powerful touring artists in the world will unite behind the Global Poverty Project (GPP) through the Global Citizen Tickets Initiative, a new program launched May 2 designed to incentivize social activism with concert tickets. Given that artists routinely unite for philanthropic causes, the impressive list of names involved isn’t a shocker. What is intriguing for industry watchers is the power and diversity of those behind the acts, with a group of industry power brokers, many of them fierce competitors, joining forces in a way the live music industry has rarely seen. Committee members include Pearl Jam manager Kelly Curtis; 7H Entertainment’s Michele Anthony, chairwoman of the initiative; Live Nation’s Mark Campana; ICM Partners’ Marsha Vlasic; William Morris Endeavor’s Marc Geiger; Creative Artists Agency’s Rob Light; and…

Warner’s Plans For Parlophone WHAT: Warner Music Group will expand its front-line label presence beyond Atlantic and Warner Bros. by keeping Parlophone Label Group an operating entity, according to company insiders. Parlophone’s roster includes Coldplay, Tinie Tempah, Kylie Minogue, Danger Mouse and David Guetta, while its catalog includes albums by Deep Purple, Jethro Tull, Tina Turner, David Bowie and Pink Floyd. In the trailing 12 months ended Sept. 30, 2012, it had nearly $500 million in revenue, while WMG estimates it’ll produce about $100 million in earnings before interest, taxes, amortization and depreciation. In order to finance the £487 million ($755 million) acquisition, it’ll obtain a new $820 million secured term loan, bringing its total debt to $2.9 billion. WHY: The acquisition should give WMG annualized revenue of about $3.2…

Fighting Hunger Patrick Sullivan, founder of licensing and royalty service provider RightsFlow, grew up in a lower-middle-class family in the Bronx where a decent meal was sometimes difficult to come by. “There was no such thing as going out to dinner growing up, so we always took food very seriously,” says Sullivan, who is now strategic partner development manager at Google, which acquired RightsFlow in 2011. Sullivan will speak about his personal struggle with hunger and his contributions to fighting hunger and poverty during the annual WhyHunger Chapin Awards Dinner on June 3 at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York. WhyHunger, an organization that supports grass-roots efforts to end hunger around the world, is honoring Sullivan with the award for his philanthropic work with the group during the…

When NBC announced the renewal of “Parenthood” and the CW OK’d a third season of “Hart of Dixie” on the heels of Fox committing to “Glee” for two more seasons, the only thing that could make song pitchers and publishers happier would be ABC signing up for season two of “Nashville.” Collectively, those four shows are markedly the biggest players in network TV when it comes to music, just about the only series left that lay out cash and license songs in bulk. Others may pay more here and there, but these are the last vestiges of shows that fit the now clichéd adage “TV is the new radio.” The Big Four—ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox—roll out their 2013-14 schedules May 13-15 with the musically significant CW following on the…

George Jones—the singer who defined an era of country music and along the way influenced almost every artist in the format who followed—was born Sept. 12, 1931, in Saratoga, Texas. Music took a hold early, as Jones recalled asking his mother to wake him on Saturday nights if he was asleep when Roy Acuff came on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry broadcast. Before he was even 10 years old, he was playing his guitar for tips on the streets of nearby Beaumont. By age 19, Jones—newly married—enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps. He was stationed in California for his entire length of service, and it was after his discharge that his music career really began to blossom, signing with Starday Records in 1953. His first recording for the label, “Ain’t No…

No matter who you talked to at the 24th annual Billboard Latin Music Conference, one thing was clear: The rapidly changing industry is riding an exciting wave driven by innovative platforms that are reshaping how music is distributed and sold in the Americas and beyond. The marketplace will continue to transition, but there are new strategic ways to navigate the same old business. In conversations with key industry executives and such artists as singer/songwriter Gloria Estefan, Colombian crooner Carlos Vives and panelist Memo Ibarra of youthful regional Mexican band Alerta Zero, all pointed to an industry still finding consumers hungry for good music but moving to new platforms from mobile devices to streaming campaigns to hook them. The Billboard Latin Music Awards, aired live on Telemundo (April 25), topped off…

The third annual Billboard Latin Music Marketing Awards—the only music and marketing honors in the industry—showcased multitiered campaigns that were heavy on social interaction and experiential platforms. Long gone are the days of simply using a face or a song to promote a brand—today ambitious programs promote fan participation and reinvent the artist and musical experience. The winners were voted upon by a panel of judges that included Billboard editors and members of the Assn. of Hispanic Advertising Agencies. 1 Best Online/Social Campaign BRANDSBS Radio NetworkAgencySBSCampaignLive Chat SeriesArtistsvariousLabelvarious SBS launched its radio network’s live chat series on March 22, 2012. Combining radio and digital pushes, the chats succeed in promoting artists and driving traffic to SBS stations and sponsors while building up databases. 2 Best TV Campaign BrandCoca-ColaCampaignCoca-Cola OlympicsArtistBelanovaLabelUniversal Mexican…

A: Drive hits, artist development, more Pepsi The beverage giant has partnered with up-and-coming DJ trio 3BallMTY to spread the gospel in the U.S. Latin and Latin-American market. Pepsi’s desire to reach a young Latin market also compelled it to partner with Universal Music Latin Entertainment to develop new talent. Fender The venerable brand is working to expand its presence in the Latin market through a growing roster of major Latin names, including Maná guitarist Sergio Vallín. The brand is looking to “establish a real and meaningful connection” with its artists, Fender senior VP of global manufacturing Sergio Villanueva said. Zumba The No. 1 and No. 2 tracks on Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart this week are Don Omar’s “Zumba” and Daddy Yankee’s “Limbo,” songs written expressly for Zumba Fitness. The…

Kenny Chesney’s launch of the Blue Chair Bay line of rums in 32 markets this month is far more than just putting his name on a product. Blue Chair Bay is a lifestyle brand extension for the artist in the truest sense of the term, with Chesney in effect servicing as Blue Chair Bay’s chief creative officer, according to Mark Montgomery, co-founder of FLO {thinkery}, Chesney’s partner in launching the brand. Blue Chair Bay Rum isn’t an endorsement—it’s Chesney’s personal brand, crafted as a distillation of his island lifestyle. Simply put, Chesney has created his “drink of choice,” a premium-blended rum, made at one of the oldest, most-respected distilleries in the Caribbean. Chesney says he “can’t do anything halfway,” and dove head first into the launch of Blue Chair Bay.…

Lauren MacLeash, triple A KTCZ Minneapolis. Michael Franti & Spearhead, “I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like).” Much of the great music out there right now will surface first at triple A. This song embodies everything a feel-good summertime hit should. The positivity of this band is infectious. Alpha Rev, “Sing Loud.” One of the most reactionary tracks—“Who/what was that song?”—via emails and posts, that we’re playing right now. It has good build and tempo. I can totally hear this one crossing over to pop and/or adult. Kopecky Family Band, “Heartbeat.” This song has such a great groove. It absolutely gets your attention when it comes on the air. The hook and vibe are fantastic. I don’t think it’s an automatic crossover, but a year ago, neither was the Lumineers’ “Ho Hey.”…

ARTIST: Portugal. The Man ALBUM: Evil Friends LABEL: Atlantic MANAGER: Rich Holtzman, the Artists Organization PRODUCER: Danger Mouse PUBLISHER: Warner/Chappell BOOKING AGENT: Matt Hickey, High Road Touring CHART HISTORY: In the Mountain in the Cloud (2010), No. 42 Billboard 200, No. 12 Rock Albums, 48,000 TWITTER: @portugaltheman After touring extensively for its 2011 album, In the Mountain in the Cloud, produced by John Hill, Portland, Ore., band Portugal. The Man hoped to take total control of its next release. The group decamped to Sonic Ranch in El Paso, Texas, in February 2012, aiming to craft an entirely insular record for its eighth studio LP. “We were just going to make the record ourselves,” frontman John Gourley says, seated at a picnic table in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park a few days…

Vampire Weekend Modern Vampires of the City PRODUCERS: Ariel Rechtshaid, Rostam Batmanglij XL Recordings RELEASE DATE: May 14 Vampire Weekend frontman Ezra Koenig has described Modern Vampires of the City as “very much the last of a trilogy.” If a reinvention is under way for the Brooklyn quartet, then its third offering is a fitting finale to a ride that began with the band’s critically acclaimed 2008 self-titled debut. The new set is the group’s most accomplished work to date and features a couple of firsts for the act, including a truly dark song in “Hudson” and a spoken-word interlude. Koenig offers his usual intricate lyrics and willingness to contort his vocals into whatever howl, yelp or squall is necessary to sell a hook. Keyboardist/producer Rostam Batmanglij, meanwhile, has the…

Billboard Latin Music Awards The 2013 Billboard Latin Music Awards, presented by State Farm and broadcast live on Telemundo on April 25, had a surge in ratings compared with last year, and generated record social activity. The show aired from Miami’s BankUnited Center with performances from acts like Maná, Daddy Yankee and Carlos Vives (see story, page 26). 70% 1.2M According to real-time data gathering company Trendrr, the awards’ red carpet and show that followed generated more than 1.2 million social interactions—up 70% from last year. 3% 3.2 M The awards had a 3% gain in viewership among 18- to 49-year-olds compared with last year, with 3.2 million watching this year’s show, according to Nielsen. 60% 1K The tie-in compilation album, Billboard Latin Music 2013 Awards Finalists, shifted 1,000 copies…

Emblem3 Rises At Radio Emblem3, which finished fourth on Fox’s “The X Factor” last year, is approaching the Mainstream Top 40 chart (up 64%, according to Nielsen BDS) with its debut Syco/Columbia single, “Chloe (You’re the One That I Want).” The song has sold 35,000 downloads in its first two weeks, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The trio is touring through the summer, with a performance scheduled for June 7 on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Croll’s ‘Nowhere’ Going Places British singer/songwriter Dan Croll, 22, is nearing his first chart ink with “From Nowhere” (Republic), which surges by 29% in airplay as it nears Alternative. While Croll attended the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, he won the national songwriter of the year award from the Musicians Benevolent Fund (and was one of…

Two acts arrive in the top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart this week that are a study in chart contrasts. First, there’s Michael Bublé, who achieves his fourth No. 1 album with the debut of To Be Loved. The set sold 195,000 in its first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. It’s his fourth straight full-length album release, and his fourth consecutive No. 1. Bublé grabs his latest chart-topper without the benefit of ever having a top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100, nor on the Mainstream top 40 airplay chart. Instead, his sales are powered by TV-driven promotion, word-of-mouth and an older core fan base that still wants to purchase albums (instead of tracks). Then, towards the bottom of the top 10 on the Billboard 200, there’s producer/Black…