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Doja Cat’s ‘Say So’ Success & A Brief History of Remix-Boosted No. 1s
“Say So” is the latest hit to get a lift to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 thanks in part to a remix. When Doja Cat’s “Say So” jumped to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it not only gave the rising star her first chart-topper, but it also marked the latest in a line of singles that got a boost to the top thanks in part to a fresh remix. Nicki Minaj joined Doja Cat for a new reworking of “Say So,” which was released on May 1, and the combined forces of the original version and the remix helped lift the song to No. 1. And, because of the power of the remix, Minaj got credit on the chart as the tune’s featured artist — giving Minaj her first No. 1 on the Hot 100. Considering the news of the “Say So” remix aiding in the No. 1 rise, the Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is taking a stroll d...
Broadway Shutdown Extended Until at Least Labor Day
The shutdown on Broadway has been extended again — until at least early September. Although an exact date for performances to resume has yet to be determined, Broadway producers are now offering refunds and exchanges for tickets purchased for shows through Sept. 6. “While all Broadway shows would love to resume performances as soon as possible, we need to ensure the health and well-being of everyone who comes to the theater — behind the curtain and in front of it — before shows can return,” said Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, which represents producers. Broadway theaters abruptly closed on March 12, knocking out all shows — including 16 that were still scheduled to open — and postponing indefinitely the Tony Award schedule. Producers, citing health and city authori...
Brockhampton Announces Two New Albums in 2020, Drops Surprise Singles
Brockhampton hit only a number of fans with quite the double whammy Friday night (May 8) during their secret, password-protected live stream titled “Technical Difficulties Radio.” Frontman Kevin Abstract announced the LA-based boy group would release two albums in 2020 and dropped two new singles “N.S.T.” and “things can’t stay the same” on YouTube later on. But while Abstract and the clan tie loose ends on both of their full-length projects, he revealed they’ll be dropping new non-album tracks every Friday. The latest batch of roughly mixed two-minute songs gives fans the first taste of Brockhampton’s new music since their album Ginger from August 2019, consisting of Abstract and Matt Champion’s nostalgic vocals about gr...
Time for a Comeback? Fans Want RBD to Do a Virtual Concert
The quarantine and social distancing life caused by the novel coronavirus outbreak has sparked a new way music lovers are enjoying live music in 2020: virtual concerts. Many Latin artists have already jumped on the bandwagon, with artists such as Reik, Juanes, Sech, and Karol G entertaining fans with their at-home livestreams. Because of this new trend, Billboard was curious to know which Latin artist or group from the early 2000s should host a virtual show next? After a two-week poll that made the rounds on social media, fans picked RBD as their winner. The former Latin pop group, composed of Alfonso Herrera, Anahí, Dulce María, Christian Chávez, Christopher von Uckermann, and Maite Perroni, nabbed a whopping nearly 87 percent of the votes, proving that maybe this is a good time for a com...
Universal Music Publishing Group Names Joe Fang Managing Director In China
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has named Joe Fang — a longtime media executive with a focus on global markets — its first-ever managing director, China. Based in UMPG China’s new Beijing headquarters, Fang reports to Andrew Jenkins, UMPG president, Australia and Asia Pacific Region. In his new role, Fang will oversee the publishing giant’s Chinese language roster, and lead the development of UMPG Hong Kong, working closely with Universal Music Group in China as well as local partners. UMPG recently joined the Music Copyright Society of China, and is deepening its cooperation with Chinese DSPs, tech companies and content providers. “Continuing with our efforts to be best-in-class around the world, we have put a strong and strategic emphasis on UMPG’s gr...
Bryan Adams Blasts ‘Wet Markets’ for COVID-19, Faces Accusations of Racism
Bryan Adams posted an acoustic quarantine video performance of his 1983 hit “Cuts Like a Knife” on Monday (May 11) on the day that he was slated to kick off a run of shows at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London. But it was his angry rant about the COVID-19 pandemic that really caught people’s attention. “Tonight was supposed to be the beginning of a tenancy of gigs at the @royalalberthall, but thanks to some f—ing bat eating, wet market animal selling, virus making greedy bastards, the whole world is now on hold, not to mention the thousands that have suffered or died from this virus,” Adams wrote, along with the hashtag #banwetmarkets, the latest in a series of wet market criticisms from the vegan musician. “My message to them other than &...
‘Rise Up New York!’ Telethon: The 10 Best Moments
“We care about our neighbors, and that’s why we want to help.” New York native and acting legend Robert De Niro kicked off Robin Hood and iHeartMedia’s Rise Up New York! telethon on Monday (May 11) with that simple reasoning about why the benefit show was happening. Since the coronavirus began spreading across the nation earlier this year, New York City has been the hardest hit, becoming the epicenter of the pandemic with more than 26,000 deaths to date and too many jobs lost. The telethon, hosted by Tina Fey from 30 Rockefeller Plaza, featured numerous famous faces with New York ties, from musicians to Broadway stars to chefs and beyond. Each offered messages of hope and urged viewers to donate to help the people of New York get back on their feet after the devasta...
‘The Voice’ Contestant Joanna Serenko Spreads the Love With Uplifting ‘Lean on Me’ Performance
Joanna Serenko has had a tough journey on The Voice, most recently escaping elimination last week as the instant-save contestant. Now, in the semifinals and on Team Blake, the 19-year-old stepped up to plate with a performance of the late Bill Withers‘ classic, “Lean on Me.” Like last week, to follow precautions amid the coronavirus pandemic, Serenko performed the tune at home. The scenery fit perfectly with the loving, supportive tone of the song, as the singer was surrounded by lush woodlands and bohemian furniture. After former coach Nick Jonas told Serenko that he “totally believes in the artist that [she] is,” Blake Shelton couldn’t help but dig the knife of losing such a talented contestant a little deeper. “Nick I hate to be such a stic...
Bon Iver’s New Release ‘Please Don’t Live in Fear’ Raises Funds for Coronavirus Relief: Stream It Now
Justin Vernon’s Bon Iver is throwing its support behind COVID-19 relief efforts with “PDLIF (Please Don’t Live in Fear),” which premiered Monday (May 11) on the Direct Relief website. “PDLIF” was cut in self-isolation and “serves as a subtle reminder that, though apart, we’re never alone; the importance of collaboration and community remains as strong as ever,” a statement from the band reads. The chilled-out Bon Iver release marks the first time a music video has premiered on the site for Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization that’s working to protect workers and patients and is active in all 50 U.S. states and more than 80 countries. The Grammy-winning indie outfit is donating 100% of all proceeds of the track to Direct Relief‘s COVID-19 response. Like every other to...
On the Heels of ‘Level of Concern,’ Twenty One Pilots’ Tyler Joseph Says a New Album Is Coming Soon
Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots curated an “At Home With” playlist for Apple Music today (May 11) and dissected his picks with Zane Lowe while discussing what’s cued up next for him. Before the Ohio-based duo hit No. 1 again on Billboard‘s Alternative Songs airplay chart (dated May 9) with “Level of Concern,” Joseph disclosed there was a do-or-die pressure to put it out. “We really tasked everyone, all of our partners and everyone that helped us release this with, ‘Hey this needs to come out right now or it’s not coming out,'” he told Lowe in the interview. “I can’t tell you how many emails I got just from the Atlantic office that were saying, ‘Thank you for this because this is a reason for...
Uptown Records’ Biggest Billboard Hits: ‘Forever My Lady,’ ‘Real Love,’ ‘Candy Rain’ & More
Jodeci and Mary J. Blige, among others, gave the imprint its most successful singles. As both fans and leading industry figures mourn Andre Harrell, best known for founding the Uptown Records imprint, Billboard reveals and ranks the biggest hits from the label’s roster. Many of the tunes, from acts such as Mary J. Blige, Guy and Jodeci, bridged the gap between R&B and hip-hop as the genres surged in popularity in the 1990s. Harrell died at age 59 of an apparent cardiac arrest episode. The mogul founded Uptown in 1986, and it quickly became a home for some of the hottest emerging R&B and hip-hop artists. In addition to Blige, Guy and Jodeci, Uptown counted Heavy D & The Boyz, Soul For Real and Monifah as key players in its heyday. The organization kept its eye on industry talent...
Here Are the Lyrics to Doja Cat’s ‘Say So’ Remix, Feat. Nicki Minaj
The Barbz celebrated the end of Minaj’s 10-year odyssey to reach the top after giving Doja’s groovy disco-tinged hit more liftoff than TikTok (which first sparked the song’s popularity) with her signature bars that bow down to her status as a hip-hop icon. Check out the lyrics and pretty-in-pink dance visual below. Yeah, you know itMhm, this the remixDoja, rrr Day to night to morning, keep with me in the momentI’d let you had I known it, why don’t you say so?Didn’t even notice, no punches left to roll withYou got to keep me focused, you want it? Say so (uh) Every time I take a break, the game be so boringPretty like Naomi, Cassie, plus LaurenSpittin’ like Weezy, Foxy, plus LaurynBall like the ram, see, now that’s GordonThey don’t unders...
