Billboard Magazine

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.

‘Watermelon Sugar’ High: Harry Styles Hits No. 1

BILLBOARD 200

Billboard

Old Man, Take A Look At My Rights • Creators often object to the use of their songs at campaign events. But songwriters’ disdain for Trump — and the online nature of this campaign — could lead to a new level of legal wrangling

MARKET WATCH

Minor Issues, Major Problems • Recorded music is faring better than the concert business — but it’s hardly immune to the pandemic

SONY/ATV TOPS HOT 100, RADIO RANKINGS • The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” rules both charts, and Roddy gets Riccher

Europe’s Last Stand For Summer Shows • As the pandemic continues, some promoters are experimenting with seated concerts, restrictions on alcohol and other safety measures — and still bracing for losses

MONIQUE BLAKE • GM, Swizz Beatz Productions

TURN AROUND, BRIGHT EYES • Why after nearly a decade away, Conor Oberst came back to his comfort zone — with help from a new label

NEW LIFE AT DEAD OCEANS • HOW LABEL FOUNDER PHIL WALDORF BROUGHT BRIGHT EYES INTO ITS FUTURE

The Rhythm Returns • Gloria Estefan’s first studio album in seven years is an ode to Brazil, where samba is “very political music” in a socially charged time

Flo Milli

“ROCKSTAR” • BEHIND THE HIT: SONG OF THE SUMMER EDITION

Disclosure

HARDY • SONGWRITER

NICKI NICOLE

DREAMER-IN-CHIEF • THAT’S DOLLY PARTON’S OFFICIAL TITLE AT HER DOLLYWOOD THEME PARK — AND IT’S THAT WAY OF LOOKING AT THE WORLD THAT HAS MADE HER GROWING BUSINESS EMPIRE AS ICONIC AS HER MUSIC

BEN VAUGHN PRESIDENT/CEO, WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC NASHVILLE • With a passion for finding and developing new talent, Vaughn is leading the publishing company to historic wins — and uplifting some of the genre’s most vital writers

DeFord Bailey • 1899-1982

AMAZON MUSIC

‘COUNTRY NIGHT FEVER’ • Forty years ago, Urban Cowboy’s soundtrack made the genre a pop phenomenon — and paved the way for its modern hitmakers

Lesley Riddle • 1905-1979

A STREAMING SURGE

SHANE McANALLY • He’s behind a slew of No. 1 hits for Nashville’s biggest stars, but for the prolific songwriter, success means something more: championing the voices that push country forward

‘TIMES ARE CHANGING. WE HAVE TO CORRECT THIS’ • Black artists and executives like Warner Music Nashville’s JAMES MARSH and Big Loud Records’ CANDICE WATKINS know the genre is becoming more inclusive — but is Music City taking enough action to help them thrive?

Henry Glover • 1921-1991

Country Today Means…

THE NEXT STAGE • After a COVID-19 case spike, Nashville’s most vaunted rooms eye safe ways to reopen — while the city’s indie venues struggle with a tough road ahead

Linda Martell • Born 1941

Janet Weir • MANAGER, RED LIGHT MANAGEMENT; OWNER, HOUSE OF 42

Charley Pride • Born 1934

jxdn • Why Travis Barker’s first signee embraces his TikTok fandom — which is helping “Angels & Demons” take off