As we reported here, The Weeknd‘s recently released duo of singles – ‘Heartless’ and ‘Blinding Lights’ – were out of the box successes.
Zooming to the top of real-time iTunes sales and Spotify streaming charts, the songs respectively dominated competition on the tallies ahead of the release of their accompanying visuals. The former saw that dominance cemented courtesy of a boost from its Anton Tammi-directed music video and mind-bending live performance last week on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ (click here to read).
Now, thanks to the aforementioned (alongside a warm reception from radio), the Metro Boomin-produced track has become the singer’s fourth Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper. Details inside:
As Nicki Minaj celebrates her 37th birthday, what better time than the present to salute the hit song responsible for turbo-charging the success of the prolific Rap Queen.
Today’s From The Vault pick is the ever-booming ‘Super Bass.’
Released in 2011, the tune was penned by Minaj alongside Ester Dean – who also sings its catchy chorus.
The Hip-Pop number helped shape the career of the rapper as a crossover artist.
‘Super Bass’ was Nicki’s first of many worldwide Top 10’s – peaking at #3 in the US, #8 in the UK and #6 in both Canada and Australia.
The track’s video was directed by Sanaa Hamri. A colorful affair, it saw Onika and her girls engaging in playful choreography and eyeing up muscled eye-candy. The glow-in-the-dark scene remains one of Minaj’s most memorable visuals moments to date.
‘Bass’ bagged an MTV Video Music Award for Best Hip-Hop Video during that year’s ceremony and as of today has been viewed over 800 million times on YouTube.
Following co-signs from Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez, this song was inescapable to the masses and really put Ms Maraj on the map. While many have criticised its pop leanings, it undoubtedly elevated Nicki to a level not many (if any) femcees had reached before and was the beginning of a new era for the genre.
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No matter how it’s diced or sliced, Nicki’s influence on the music industry this decade has been undeniable. From her sound to her aesthetic, she has served a key player in the Pop cultural landscape and single handedly brought the female rap game back to life on mainstream scale.
Hopefully her current time off helps her recenter so she can go back to doing what she does best: crafting music’s most delicious bops akin to this.
‘Commander’ singer Kelly Rowland commanded yet another solid viewing audience for Lifetime, this time courtesy of her starring role in the holiday film, ‘Merry Liddle Christmas.’
Airing last Saturday, the movie – loosely based on a true story from one of the Grammy-winner’s past Christmas hosting experiences gone wrong – tells the story of a successful single tech entrepreneur [portrayed by Rowland] who hosts her dysfunctional family in her new home over the holiday.
Executive produced by Kelly and husband Tim Weatherspoon, ‘Christmas’ went to ratings battle against the likes of highly anticipated Hallmark holiday films, “must see” college football, and more on November 30.
While most of the recent attention afforded 2000’s boyband B2K has been centered around Omarion and the romantic dealings of his ex, Apryl Jones, with bandmate Lil Fizz (as we reported here), the group’s 2019 narrative certainly spells of more – namely their successful reunion trek, ‘The Millennium Tour.’
Pulling in over $5 million earlier this year, the success of the outing prompted calls for new music and a subsequent tour from the quartet. In response, Omarion sent fans into frenzy earlier this week when he teased the possibility of a 2020 revamp of the nationwide jaunt.
Yet, almost just as quickly as excitement for the news went up, fellow group member – J-Boog – brought it back down when he took to social media to adamantly deny B2K’s involvement in any 2020 touring venture.
Thanks to content found aboard his latest effort, ‘INDIGO,’ R&B singer Chris Brown is seeing his name colored across Billboard charts in ways like never before.
As we reported here, the June-released set entered the Billboard 200 at #1, coming as his first title in seven years to do so (third overall). Powered by a whopping 37 tracks (many of which charted upon the set’s debut), ‘INDIGO’s songs – as well as a slew of his features from the year – helped him reach 98 Hot 100 career entries. The feat makes him the most charted male R&B artist in history.
Now, after seeing the album’s Drake-assisted cut, ‘No Guidance,’ guided all the way to top 5 glory on the same tally (as we reported here), Breezy is enjoying reports its follow-up – ‘Heat’ – is bringing the heat. Cracking the top 40 on this week’s refreshed chart, the song’s entry into Billboard’s upper rankings comes as the 48th of his career.
Look inside to find out where it landed and see who joins him in the top 40 on this week’s ‘TGJ Chart Check.’
After springing a successful spinoff to Freeform in the form of the Yara Shahidi-led ‘Grown-ish,’ ABC’s hit series ‘Black-ish’ attempts to prove itself evergreen by sprouting a prequel in the form of the Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tika Sumpter-toplined ‘Mixed-ish.’
Executive produced by creator Kenya Barris and Tracee Ellis Ross (who portrays ‘Rainbow Johnson’ on ‘Black-ish’), ‘Mixed-ish’ tells the story of Ross’ character growing up as a biracial child in the 1980’s. Loosely based on the early life of Dr. Rania Barris (co-creator Kenya’s soon-to-be former wife), the comedy series also chronicles the dilemmas her family faces trying to adjust from “hippie life” to suburbia.
Despite being given an extra promotional push by securing biracial Pop icon Mariah Carey to sing its theme song (as we reported here), the series premiered on September 24 to a moderate audience. Details inside:
Thanks to the ongoing success of his sophomore single, ‘Panini,’ rapper/singer Lil Nas X continues to disappoint critics who’d written him off as a “one hit wonder.”
The follow-up to the colossal hit, ‘Old Town Road’ (which shattered Billboard records for longest reigning #1 single), ‘Panini’ – much like its predecessor – is enjoying a run in Billboard’s upper rankings thanks to multiple music videos, a number of remixes, and performances on top tier outlets and award shows in its support. Being armed with a futuristic, Mike Diva-directed music video hasn’t hurt either as the most refreshed charts reveal the tune’s bounced right into the Hot 100’s top 10.
As if that’s not enough, the new peak is accompanied by news the song has been certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Despite boasting show-stopping performances from the likes of some of today’s biggest hitmakers including Lizzo, Normani, Taylor Swift, and more (click here to watch), the 2019 MTV VMAs’ Video Vanguard Winner – Missy Elliott – was the one who walked away with the biggest sales and streaming boost among the night’s performers.
American fashion retailer Forever 21 announcing their intent to file bankruptcy last week is just one of many financial problems in its foreseeable future if ‘Problem’ singer Ariana Grande has anything to say about it.
The Grammy-winner is making headlines for reportedly filing a trademark infringement lawsuit against the ailing brand in the amount of a whopping $10 million.
From The Vault is back this week with a classic that taught music industry’s tastemakers an important lesson. Notably that when the music is undeniable, age really ain’t nothing but a number.
Today’s pick is Tina Turner’s iconic ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’
Released in 1984 as the third single from comeback album ‘Private Dancer,’ ‘Love’ stands as the artist’s signature song and is among pop culture’s most celebrated tunes.
Written by Terry Britten and Graham Lyle, the track was sent to many artists such as Donna Summer and Phyllis Hyman before landing on Turner’s lap.
Exactly 35 years ago, the track hit #1 on the US Hot 100, her first and only chart topper to this day. It also managed to land inside the Top 3 of the Australian, German and British charts.
The song’s equally memorable video was directed by Mark Robinson and follows a striking Tina around New York City as she engages with the various street dancers she meets along the way.
It was also one of the premier outings of her trademark legs and “that” rockstar hair-do.
With this very song, Turner defied all the odds and became one of Pop’s hottest commodities… aged 44.
Which goes to show: with the right material, the right team, and perhaps the right alignment of luck – mature acts can secure a seat at the Pop table.
Thanks to this song and its parent album, Tina went on to become a legend in her own right.
If there’s a potent take-away for some of the older acts of today it’s that: rebranding is key. Turner managed to update her artistic narrative, making way for a contextually relevant sound – which still felt like “her” – and a more refined look that never saw her lose her flair.
Obviously, a million names pop in our heads when thinking about which veteran artists we’d like to see enjoy a chart resurgence akin to this one, but we’d like to know:
Who do YOU think is more deserving of a comeback like this?
