Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music A gold or platinum record doesn’t just happen: Even if an album, single or EP passes 500,000 (gold) or 1,000,000 (platinum) sales or their streaming-age equivalent, it must be certified by the Recording Industry Association of America, which is a whole process that involves submissions and research and certification and other bureaucratic official-ness. It’s something most commonly associated with chart-topping acts, but as years and sales and streams accumulate, some unexpected artists and albums pass that threshold… including an album and a group that were hardly met with open arms by the record industry establishment when they debuted in 1979: the influential and controversial San Francisco-based punk quartet the Dead Kennedys and their debut album, “Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables,” which was certified gold by the RIAA on Friday, some 43-plus years after its October 1980 release.
Why the Weeknd’s ‘Die for You’ Took Six Years to Hit No. 1
30.11.2023 - 21:47 / variety.com
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music How does a six-year-old song become a hit? In 2023, of course the short answer is TikTok, but it takes a lot more than that to make a song into a genuine hit single — let alone take the longest climb to No. 1 for a non-holiday song in the history of the Billboard Hot 100. That’s the story of the Weeknd’s “Die for You” — No.
8 on Variety‘s 2023 Top 25 — which was originally released in November of 2016 on his “Starboy” album. The song’s origin story actually goes back even farther than that, as “Starboy” saw the Weeknd (real name: Abel Tesfaye) reuniting with some collaborators from back in the day. “Being from Toronto, I’ve known Abel since almost the beginning of his career,” says Cirkut, who cowrote and coproduced “Die for You.” “I did a song called ‘High for This’ on his first mixtape, [2011’s] ‘House of Balloons.’ I guess he was sort of looking to reconnect with some of the crew from the early days for ‘Starboy,’ people like [cowriter] Doc McKinney and myself.” “Starboy” cemented the Weeknd as a superstar artist, and it speaks to the album’s depth that “Die for You” was the fifth single to be released from it, originally in September of 2017, peaking at No.
43 on the Hot 100, and appeared in the HBO series “Insecure” around the same time. He performed it on the tour behind the album, but the song did not see much further action until it started getting activity on TikTok in Southeast Asia in the summer of 2021. Republic’s streaming team quickly sprang into action.
“We focus on catalog as we would a newly released project,” says Kevin Lipson. Republic executive VP of global commerce and digital strategy. “Being a relatively young company, it’s in our DNA to hit what moves in [social
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Nicole Kidman Revisits Retro Skirt Suits—and the Results Are to Die For
has perfected her fashion formula for red-carpet appearances. Her choices span with daring cut-outs and dangerously high thigh-slits, and impeccable tailoring worn with sleek accessories.
Billie Eilish Lights Up ‘SNL’ With ‘What Was I Made For?’
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music The last “Saturday Night Live” of the year is always a special occasion, and 2023 was no exception: Billie Eilish performed the television debut of “What Was I Made For?,” written and recorded for Greta Gerwig’s summer blockbuster “Barbie.” Eilish was accompanied by her brother/ collaborator Finneas and jazz bassist Christian McBride, as well as a six-piece string ensemble. “What Was I Made For?” was introduced by Gerwig who appeared on stage alongside this week’s host (and “Barbie” costar) Kate McKinnon in a joyful embrace.
‘Battle in the Box’ Korean Game Show Format Unpacks Further International Deals – ATF
Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Something Special, the Seoul-based international format agency founded by format specialists Jin Woo Hwang (president and executive producer) and Kim In Soon (EVP & head of content) announce that ITV Studios has optioned the hit Korean celebrity format “Battle in the Box” for France, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel. The deal was unveiled on Wednewday, the first full day of the Asia Television Forum and Market (ATF) in Singapore. “Battle in the Box,” created by Korea’s NMedia and represented globally by Something Special, has previously seen deals announced with Fremantle for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal.
Denny Laine, Longtime Member of Paul McCartney’s Wings and Moody Blues Cofounder, Dies at 79
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Denny Laine, the British singer-guitarist best known for his work with Paul McCartney & Wings and the Moody Blues, has died after a long battle with interstitial lung disease, according to a social media post from his wife. He was 79.
Music Attorney Donald Passman on AI, Streaming’s Future, Catalog Sales and the State of the Industry
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music If there is a bible for the music industry, it’s Donald Passman’s book, “All You Need to Know About the Music Business.” Since the first edition came out more than 30 years ago, it has guided countless musicians and executives, and has prevented many of them from making decisions they’d later regret. Considering the deep detail Passman gets into about contracts, royalties and other complicated business arrangements, his tone is remarkably conversational, and he makes sure readers don’t miss the important stuff: The section on business managers begins with him saying “Listen to me!!!” in italics with several exclamation marks.
Bruce Springsteen Presents Darlene Love With Platinum Award for Phil Spector Christmas Album and ‘Baby Please Come Home’
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music While it includes some of the most iconic Christmas songs of the past 60 years — most notably Darlene Love’s “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) — if there was ever an album with a problematic history, it’s “A Christmas Gift for You From Phil Spector.” Spector was the hottest producer in the world at the time of the album’s release, but it dropped on Nov. 22, 1963 — yes, the day President John F.
The Weeknd Donates $2.5 Million to Support Emergency Humanitarian Efforts in Gaza
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye will direct $2.5 million toward emergency humanitarian efforts in Gaza, which equates to 4 million emergency meals that could feed more than 173,000 Palestinians for two weeks, according to the announcement. Tesfaye, a United Nations World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador, will contribute the money from his XO Humanitarian Fund. Since the Israel-Hamas violence launched on Oct.
Billie Eilish and Finneas Wowed by Bernie Taupin’s Tribute at Variety’s Hitmakers: ‘You’re the F—ing Man, Dawg!’
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Billie Eilish and her brother and collaborator Finneas O’Connell have received Grammys, an Oscar and just about every award and honor and tribute and kudo young recording artists can imagine in the six years since her debut EP in 2017, but even they can still be awed by a tribute from a respected influence. That happened at Variety’s Hitmakers celebration in Los Angeles on Saturday, when Elton John’s lyricist of 56 years, Bernie Taupin — who has written the lyrics for everything from “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” to “Bennie and the Jets” and “Candle in the Wind” — paid tribute to their songwriting partnership when rewarding them with the Film Song of the Year honor for “What Was I Made For?,” their song from the summer blockbuster film “Barbie.” Before an audience that included Boygenius, Joan Baez, Olivia Rodrigo, Victoria Monet and many others (SZA hadn’t arrived yet), the following exchange took place: Taupin’s tribute and Eilish’s response (Finneas just said “Thanks guys!”) follows in full.
Michelle Williams On Returning To Work With FX Series ‘Dying For Sex’ & Why Cinema Was Her “Teacher” As A Teenager — Red Sea Studio
Five-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams joined us at our Deadline Red Sea Film Festival studio this week to discuss regional change, the role cinema played in her education as an actress and her next project: FX limited series Dying For Sex, which we detailed yesterday.
SZA wants more respect for Creed and Nickelback
SZA spoke to Variety for a new cover story published on Thursday and talk turned to the music she likes to listen to. SZA reeled off an eclectic list of her favorite artists, naming everyone from Stevie Wonder to King Krule via Fever Ray.
Judge Temporarily Blocks John Oates’ Sale of His Share of Hall & Oates Partnership
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music A Nashville judge has temporarily blocked John Oates’ proposed sale of his share of the Hall & Oates business partnership to Primary Wave until a private arbitrator hears the case, according to a Billboard report on Thursday. The move is the latest in the ongoing, rather mysterious legal battle between the estranged longtime musical partners.
‘Dying For Sex’: Michelle Williams To Star In FX’s Limited Series From ‘The Dropout’ Creator Liz Meriwether & Director Leslye Headland
Michelle Williams hasn’t been up to much since “The Fabelmans” last year, but that’s about to change. Deadline reports that the actress will star in and produce “Dying For Sex,” an upcoming limited series for FX.
What’s on SZA’s Playlists? ‘Kill Bill’ Singer Talks Inspiration From Ella Fitzgerald and Her Love for Creed and Nickelback
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music It’s obvious from SZA’s music that she has a wide range of influences, from classic R&B to Joni Mitchell, jazz to pop-punk and beyond. But just how far those influences range becomes dramatically clear when she talks about the music in her house and at school growing up, and best of all, when starts looking at the playlists in her phone. For much more from this remarkable interview, see our “SZA: Variety’s Hitmaker of the Year” article. What kinds of music were playing in your house when you were growing up? My mom has a lot of church music; my dad has a lot of jazz and abstract music; my sister plays a lot of melodic hip-hop and rap. And I love classical music, I love jazz, I love music with color.
Jodie Foster Explains Why She's Tired of Superhero Movies, Shares Her Advice for Younger Actresses
Jodie Foster is opening up about her experience in Hollywood.
‘The Tinder Swindler’ Producer Behind ‘Dead In The Water’ True Crime Series For Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video is delving deeper into the true crime mystery game.
Henry Kissinger Dies: Former Nixon Secretary Of State & Influential Advisor To World Leaders Was 100
Henry Kissinger, the former secretary of state and national security advisor under Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford and advisor to George W. Bush, has died, according to a release from his Kissinger Associates. He was TK.
In the Pink: Super-Producer Mark Ronson on Making the Music for ‘Barbie,’ and How Dua Lipa’s Song Changed to Fit the Film
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Whether it’s a soundtrack, a score or a song placement, there are countless wrong ways to do music for film and so few ways to make it feel right. There’s very little leeway, which is why it can be so challenging for even the most successful hitmakers to make the transition to film music — especially with a major film event like “Barbie.” To say that the music for the summer blockbuster has been a success is a vast understatement: Not only is the film’s companion album Variety’s Hitmakers Soundtrack of the Year, the music from the film scored a whopping 11 Grammy nominations across seven categories — including song and record of the year — and four of the five entries nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
You Me At Six announce ‘Cavalier Youth’ 10th anniversary tour with Deaf Havana
You Me At Six have announced a headlining tour in celebration of the 10th anniversary of ‘Cavalier Youth’.The tour is set to kick off on February 9, 2024, at Wolverhampton KK’s Steel Mill. From there, Josh Franceschi and Co.
Phil Quartararo, Former Head of Warner Bros. and Virgin Records, Dies at 67
Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Phil Quartararo, the veteran record executive who played a major role in the success of the Spice Girls, Linkin Park and many others, has died, Variety has confirmed. Billboard reported that the cause of death was pancreatic cancer; he was 67. A familiar and friendly presence at countless concerts across the decades, “Phil Q.” — pictured above with Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks in 2001 — was renowned for his warm personality and firm handshake.