The sky’s the limit for Coldplay and BTS, as their collaborative new single “My Universe” debuts at No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts.
Plus, Elton John and Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)” reaches the Global Excl. U.S. top 10, climbing 11-9.
Billboard’s two global charts (the latest of which are dated Oct. 9) began in September 2020 and rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by MRC Data. The Billboard Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the U.S.
Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.
‘Universe’ Rules the World
Britain’s Coldplay and South Korea’s BTS blast off at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 with “My Universe.” Released Sept. 24, the single, sung mostly in English with some lyrics in Korean, starts with 95.4 million streams and 142,400 downloads sold worldwide in the Sept. 24-30 tracking week. It’s BTS’ record-extending sixth leader on the list and Coldplay’s first over the chart’s year-plus archives.
The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” slips to No. 2 on the Global 200 after nine weeks on top, the most for any song so far. The track drew 106.2 million streams (down 8%) and sold 17,200 downloads (down 17%) and, notably, pushes its unprecedented run to eight consecutive weeks with over 100 million global streams, after tallying 115.6 million (Oct. 2), 115.7 million (Sept. 25), 119.8 million (Sept. 18), 125.7 million (Sept. 11), 124.9 million (Sept. 4), 123.7 million (Aug. 28) and 108.5 million (Aug. 21).
Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” backtracks to No. 3 on the Global 200, from its No. 2 high.
Nigeria’s CKay surges 8-4 on the Global 200 with “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah).” In its third week on the chart, the Afrobeat song sports gains of 36% to 68.9 million streams and 76% to 4,500 sold worldwide. It’s the first entry by an artist from Africa to hit the top five (after becoming the first such top 10) on the chart.
Rounding out the Global 200’s top five, Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” drops 3-5, following a week at No. 1.
Collabs Likewise Top Two on Global Excl. U.S.; John & Lipa Hit Top 10
Coldplay and BTS’ “My Universe” bounds onto the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart at No. 1 with 84.4 million streams and 90,500 downloads sold in territories outside the U.S. in the Sept. 24-30 tracking week. BTS earns its fifth No. 1 on the tally and Coldplay achieves its first.
The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” descends to No. 2 after seven weeks atop the Global Excl. U.S. chart, with 84.2 million streams (down 8%) and 8,800 sold (down 13%).
CKay’s “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)” rises 4-3 for a new high on the Global Excl. U.S. ranking; Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” dips 3-4, after five weeks at No. 1; and Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” retreats to No. 5 from its No. 2 best.
Elsewhere in the Global Excl. U.S. chart’s top 10, Elton John and Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)” ascends to the tier, climbing 11-9 with 25.9 million streams (up 10%) and 17,900 sold (up 1%) beyond the U.S. John logs his first top on the ranking and Lipa lands her third.
In the mash-up, John sings part of his 1990 hit “Sacrifice” and Lipa reprises his 1972 classic “Rocket Man,” as well as his 1983 single “Kiss the Bride” (while the single’s coda interpolates John’s 1976 track “Where’s the Shoorah?”) Joining the two British stars, Australian trio Pnau sports co-writing and co-production credit on “Cold Heart.”
The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated Oct. 9) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 5). For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.
Additional reporting by Eric Frankenberg
Six years after Next Big Sound was acquired by Pandora, the music analytics platform is going quiet. In a blog post published Friday, the brand said it will be shutting down effective Nov. 1.
“It’s been a wild ride,” reads the post, signed by “The Next Big Sound Team.” “After 12 years of tracking music data across hundreds of thousands of artists and hundreds of billions of streams, it’s time to say goodbye.”
The post characterizes the platform’s closure as “the final step of a multi-year transition,” adding that the Next Big Sound team “is excited to focus on improving and expanding” Pandora’s Artist Marketing Platform (AMP), which provides artists with streaming data around their music on the service. The AMP tools have been a focus for Next Big Sound since shortly after Pandora’s acquisition of the company in 2015. Moving forward, AMP will continue sharing Pandora streaming data with Next Big Sound partners including Billboard, MRC Data and Chartmetric.
Next Big Sound adds it is working to ensure that the integration process “is as seamless as possible for all of our users and partners,” noting that full track-level reporting is already available in Pandora’s AMP dashboard. That said, there will be some changes once the brand fully shutters at the start of November. In perhaps the biggest news on that front, Next Big Sound will not be moving its trove of social media data over to AMP. This means that the Pandora Predictions chart – which harnessed both social and streaming data to highlight artists on the rise – will be discontinued. Notably, the post points Next Big Sound’s current users to Chartmetric, another music analytics service where artists can track their social media data.
Next Big Sound’s programming notification emails, which update artists on where their music is being programmed on Pandora, will be making the transition over to AMP, albeit “with a new look and feel.” Lastly, its Pandora charts — Top Spins, Trendsetters and the recently-launched Top Thumb Hundred — will also be continued, albeit with “a facelift and some tweaks.” All three charts will continue to be curated weekly, with chart emails to resume once the development of AMP’s new email system is completed in a few months.
Launched in 2009, Next Big Sound was a trailblazer in the music analytics space, compiling data from multiple streaming services into a single dashboard. In May 2015, it was snapped up by Pandora in the wake of Spotify and Apple’s acquisitions of two of Next Big Sound’s music data competitors: The Echo Nest and Musicmetric’s parent company Semetric, respectively. Following Pandora’s purchase, the DSP’s rivals ceased providing data to Next Big Sound, which pivoted its efforts to working on projects within the Pandora ecosystem.
Nick Cannon says he’s taking a break from sex.
After welcoming four children in less than a year, the dad of seven revealed that he’s practicing celibacy.
“I’m celibate right now,” The Masked Singer host told DJ EFN and N.O.R.E. during an interview on Revolt’s Drink Champs that aired Friday. “I’m going to see if I could make it to 2022.
“I’m trying to chill out,” he said. “I’m kind of stepping away, getting focused, going within, getting my celibacy on. I have enough children, enough frolicking, I’m good right now.”
When the hosts joked that Cannon isn’t really celibate, he responded, “Nah, y’all said I ain’t really. I’m saying I’m going in.”
Last month, the actor told TMZ that he’s open to having more children. When asked if he wants to continue expanding his family, he said, “God willing. If God sees it that way, then that’s what I’m going to keep doing.”
Cannon welcomed his eldest children, twins Monroe and Moroccan, with ex-wife Mariah Carey in 2011. He shares 3-year-old son Golden “Sagon” with Brittany Belland and the pair welcomed a daughter, named Powerful Queen, in December. Cannon became dad to another set of twins on June 17, when Abby de la Rosa gave birth to boys Zion and Zillion. One week later, Alyssa Scott birthed his youngest child, son Zen.
Coldplay and BTS rocket onto the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart at No. 1 with their collaborative new single “My Universe.” Coldplay earns its second Hot 100 No. 1, and first since 2008, while BTS adds its sixth leader, all since September 2020, among several other notable achievements.
The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data. All charts (dated Oct. 9) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 5). For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.
“My Universe” was released Sept. 24 on Parlophone/Atlantic Records and previews Coldplay’s album Music of the Spheres, due Oct. 15. Sung in mostly English with some lyrics in Korean, it’s the 1,129th No. 1 in the Hot 100’s 63-year history, and the 57th to enter on top.
Let’s focus our telescope for a sharper look at its chart launch.
Streams, airplay & sales: “My Universe” drew 11.5 million U.S. streams and 5.5 million radio airplay audience impressions and sold 127,000 downloads and physical singles combined in its first week, ending Sept. 30, according to MRC Data.
The track debuts atop the Digital Song Sales chart, where it’s BTS’ ninth No. 1, extending the septet’s record for the most among groups, and Coldplay’s second. It also begins at No. 21 on Streaming Songs and, while not on the all-format Radio Songs chart, soars 38-23 on Alternative Airplay and debuts at No. 29 on Adult Pop Airplay and No. 33 on Pop Airplay.
“My Universe” was on sale during the tracking week for 69 cents as a digital download for its original version; the original version with alternate artwork showing its lyrics; an instrumental version; an acoustic version; and a “Supernova 7″ mix, the latter two released Sept. 27. A CD single and an “Epiphane Edition” CD single were also available for purchase for $2.50 and $3.50, respectively. The song’s official video premiered Sept. 30.
Coldplay’s 2nd Hot 100 No. 1: Coldplay claims its second Hot 100 No. 1, after “Viva La Vida” ruled the June 28, 2008, chart. The group waited 13 years, three months and two weeks between No. 1s, and ends the longest gap between leaders since Cher, whose “Believe” ascended to the top of the chart dated March 13, 1999, a record 10 days shy of 25 years since she’d last led with “Dark Lady” in 1974.
Among groups, Coldplay ends the longest No. 1 drought on the Hot 100 since The Beach Boys took “Kokomo” to the top of the Nov. 5, 1988, chart, a month short of 22 years since they’d last led with “Good Vibrations” in 1966. (“Resurgent Beach Boys Still Get Around,” read the headline above Paul Grein’s Chart Beat column that issue.)
Meanwhile, “My Universe” is Coldplay’s fifth Hot 100 top 10 and first since another collaboration, “Something Just Like This,” with The Chainsmokers, a No. 3 hit in April 2017. Coldplay first reached the tier with “Speed of Sound,” which debuted and peaked at No. 8 in May 2005.
BTS’ 6th Hot 100 No. 1: BTS scores its sixth Hot 100 No. 1. Here’s a recap of its leaders:
“Dynamite,” three weeks at No. 1, beginning Sept. 5, 2020
“Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat),” with Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo, one, Oct. 17, 2020
“Life Goes On,” one, Dec. 5, 2020
“Butter,” 10, June 5, 2021
“Permission to Dance,” one, July 24, 2021
“My Universe,” one to-date, Oct. 9, 2021
“My Universe” is BTS’ ninth Hot 100 top 10, dating to its first, “Fake Love” (No. 10 debut and peak, June 2018).
Fastest 6 No. 1s since …: BTS has achieved its Hot 100 No. 1s over a span of a year and just over a month. That’s the quickest accumulation of six leaders since The Beatles scored six over a year and two weeks, in 1964-66: “I Feel Fine,” “Eight Days a Week,” “Ticket to Ride,” “Help!,” “Yesterday” and “We Can Work It Out.”
The Beatles hold the mark for the shortest span of six Hot 100 No. 1s, having earned their first six over 10 months and three weeks in 1964: “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “She Loves You,” “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “Love Me Do,” “A Hard Day’s Night” and “I Feel Fine.”
(Another fab tie-in: “My Universe” is now the highest-charting Hot 100 hit with the word “universe” in its title. It passes the various artists-credited “Across the Universe,” a No. 22 cover in 2005 after Velvet Revolver performed it at the Grammy Awards that year with Billie Joe Armstrong, Bono, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Alison Krauss, Tim McGraw, Slash, Steven Tyler, Brian Wilson and Stevie Wonder; The Beatles released their original version in 1969.)
5th No. 1 debut: As “Dynamite,” “Life Goes On,” “Butter,” “Permission to Dance” and “My Universe” have all debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100, BTS ties for the most first-place arrivals. The group now shares the mark with Drake and Ariana Grande. (Drake notched his fifth No. 1 start on the Sept. 18 chart with “Way 2 Sexy,” featuring Future and Young Thug.)
2 groups at No. 1: “My Universe” is the first Hot 100 No. 1 by two groups each sporting lead billing on a song. The previous best? “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me,” by Diana Ross and The Supremes and The Temptations, hit No. 2 in 1969.
(Two No. 1s are collaborations by groups/duos in lead and featured roles, respectively: “Like a G6″ by Far*East Movement featuring Cataracs [and Dev], in 2010, and “Maria Maria” by Santana featuring The Product G&B, in 2000.)
Max Martin Ties George Martin: Max Martin is one of the credited co-writers and co-producers of “My Universe” and the Swedish pop powerhouse earns his 25th Hot 100 No. 1 as a writer and record-tying 23rd as a producer. Only Paul McCartney (32) and John Lennon (26) (encompassing their hits in The Beatles and solo) have written more Hot 100 No. 1s, while Max Martin matches George Martin’s 23 for the most among producers.
Most Hot 100 No. 1s by Writers:
32, Paul McCartney
26, John Lennon
25, Max Martin
18, Mariah Carey
17, Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald
Most Hot 100 No. 1s by Producers:
23, George Martin
23, Max Martin
17, Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald/Tyson Trax
16, James “Jimmy Jam” Harris III
16, Terry Lewis
(The above list was compiled via Billboard charts department research and Fred Bronson’s The Billboard Book of Number One Hits.)
Max Martin had last topped the Hot 100 as a writer and producer thanks to The Weeknd and Ariana Grande’s “Save Your Tears,” for two weeks in May. He first led in both roles via Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” on the chart dated Jan. 30, 1999.
No. 1 on rock, alt charts: Additionally, “My Universe” premieres atop the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs and Hot Alternative Songs charts, which use the same multi-metric methodology as the Hot 100. Coldplay earns its second No. 1 on the former tally, after the similarly celestial “A Sky Full of Stars” led for six weeks in 2014. The band notches its first leader on the latter list, which launched in 2020.
BTS achieves its first No. 1 on each ranking, a week after “My Universe” became the group’s first entry on any Billboard rock/alternative charts.
Below “My Universe” on the Hot 100, The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” slips to No. 2 after six weeks at No. 1, while leading Radio Songs for a third week (81.4 million, up 2%).
Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” drops to No. 3 on the Hot 100 from its No. 2 high, as it adds a sixth week atop both the multi-metric Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts.
Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy” descends 3-4 on the Hot 100, following its opening at No. 1 three weeks earlier, as it posts a fourth week atop Streaming Songs (27.6 million, down 15%).
Rounding out the Hot 100’s top five, Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like” keeps at its No. 5 best, while ruling the multi-metric Hot Country Songs chart for a 12th week. It also wins the Hot 100’s top Airplay Gainer award and jumps into the Radio Songs top 10 (16-8; 43.2 million, up 34%). The song, which is also benefiting from its sync in an Applebee’s commercial that premiered Aug. 23, concurrently pushes 9-4 on Country Airplay, 17-14 Adult Pop Airplay, 20-17 on Pop Airplay and 28-22 on Adult Contemporary.
Elsewhere in the Hot 100’s top 10, Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” falls 4-6, after reaching No. 2; Olivia Rodrigo’s “Good 4 U” retreats 6-7, after it led in its first week in May; Doja Cat’s “Kiss Me More,” featuring SZA, slides 7-8, after hitting No. 3, Drake’s “Knife Talk,” featuring 21 Savage and Project Pat, drops 8-9, after rising to No. 4; and Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” returns to the tier, up 11-10, after rising to No. 2.
Again, for all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram and all charts (dated Oct. 9), including the Hot 100 in its entirety, will refresh on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 5).
Singer-songwriter HARDY opened up recently about his friend and fellow artist Morgan Wallen not being invited to attend the Nov. 10 Country Music Association Awards, despite Wallen’s album Dangerous: The Double Album receiving a nomination for album of the year. Not surprisingly, HARDY is not happy about it.
“I think it sucks,” HARDY told Alek on the Radio during an interview over the weekend at ACL Fest. “If you’re going to allow the guy to be able to be voted for, and to be able to be nominated, he should at least be invited.”
In a story published by the Los Angeles Times on Thursday, CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said that Wallen is not allowed to attend the upcoming ceremony, including performing, accepting an award or walking the red carpet.
“This is the first time in the history of the CMA, to my knowledge, anyone has ever been disqualified for conduct,” Trahern told the publication. “Honoring him as an individual this year is not right, and he will not be allowed on the red carpet, on our stage, or be celebrated in any way.”
The news follows an earlier announcement from the CMA in May, stating that Wallen would be eligible for CMA Awards categories that recognize collaborative works (such as single, song, and album of the year), “so as not to limit opportunity for other credited collaborators.” However, Wallen would not be eligible in individual artist categories (such as entertainer and male vocalist of the year). Wallen is the reigning CMA new artist of the year.
After Wallen released Dangerous: The Double Album on Jan. 8, 2021, it debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. Just weeks later, TMZ released a video of Wallen uttering a racial slur outside of his Nashville home. His music was pulled from country radio airwaves and from top streaming playlists. He was temporarily suspended from his label home Big Loud Records, and disqualified from other awards shows including the Academy of Country Music Awards and the CMT Music Awards. Still, the album remained entrenched atop the Billboard 200 for 10 weeks.
HARDY is a co-writer on several tracks on Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album, including Wallen’s current country radio single “Sand in My Boots.”
HARDY is also a co-writer on previous Wallen hits including “More Than My Hometown” and “Up Down.” Wallen also appears on HARDY’s 2019 release Hixtape, Vol. 1. Last year, HARDY earned his first No. 1 as an artist on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart with “One Beer,” featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson.
While Wallen is nominated for album of the year, HARDY is nominated for new artist of the year heading into the November CMA awards show.”It’s an honor just to be considered,” HARDY told Alek on Radio of his own nomination.