Billboard News - music

Astroworld Concert Deaths Spur Calls For Independent Review The Houston police and fire departments were deeply involved in safety measures for the Astroworld music festival where a surging crowd killed eight people, playing key roles in crowd control measures, on-site security staffing and the emergency response. The police chief even says he met with the headlining performer before the show. Now the city’s police department is leading the criminal investigation into how the deadly chaos erupted during Friday night’s performance by rapper Travis Scott . While a prominent local official is calling for a separate, independent review of the tragedy, experts in crowd safety say … Join us for fresh music news @billboard_news --- @billboard_news

Twitch Launches Livestreaming Music Incubator Program Twitch is launching a livestreaming incubator program called The Collective to help train and support musicians on the platform, the company tells Billboard . The program will group musicians into invite-only groups called collectives designed to help artists learn how to use and maximize the platform, with support from Twitch staff and industry partners including Amazon Music, United Masters, DistroKid, and TuneCore, among others. “There’s a bunch of things that can make musicians successful on Twitch, but we’ve heard from a lot of musicians that it can be perceived to be difficult to get started on Twitch.” Tracy Chan, Twitch’s vp, head of music says in … Join us for fresh music news @billboard_news --- @billboard_news

Maxwell and His Musze Enter New Label Partnership With BMG Maxwell , the artist behind such hits as “Pretty Wings,” “Fortunate” and “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder),” has signed a multi-album global recording agreement between his Musze label and BMG. The move marks the award-winning singer-songwriter-producer’s first new label partnership after his 25-year career with Columbia Records. “I’m looking forward to this next chapter and new partnership with my label Musze/BMG and all that we can accomplish together,” said Maxwell in a release announcing the news. “The sky is the limit!” Tim Reid , BMG senior vp, repertoire & marketing, recorded music, added, “Maxwell is an iconic creator of culture, and we’re pleased to … Join us for fresh music news @billboard_news --- @billboard_news

Walker Hayes’ ‘Fancy Like’ Tops Country Airplay Chart: ‘The Impossible Can Happen’ Walker Hayes ’ “Fancy Like” rises to No. 1 on Billboard ’s Country Airplay chart (dated Nov. 13), marking his first leader on the survey. The viral hit increased by 6% to 28.6 million impressions in the week ending Nov. 7, according to MRC Data. The Nashville-based Hayes, originally from Mobile, Ala., co-wrote “Fancy Like” with Cameron Bartolini, Josh Jenkins and Shane Stevens. “One of my favorite things about this business is that the impossible can happen,” Hayes tells Billboard . “You never know when it will, and we definitely didn’t know it was about to happen when we wrote ‘Fancy … Join us for fresh music news @billboard_news --- @billboard_news

Black Pumas, Jack Johnson & Sara Bareilles to Perform at Peace Through Music Event Black Pumas , Jack Johnson , Rodrigo y Gabriela and more are lending their talents to a greater cause. Playing for Change and the United Nations Population Fund will welcome the talent along with another 200 artists for Peace Through Music: A Global Event for the Environment. The online event and fundraiser seeks to unite the world in taking action for a sustainable future and advance progress towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Additional performers for the global event will include Sara Bareilles, Slash, The Lumineers, Ben Harper, Rosanne Cash, Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Tephen Perkins of Jane’s … Join us for fresh music news @billboard_news --- @billboard_news

Sony Music Taps Elvis Adidiema to Lead In French-Speaking Africa As the music business in Africa continues to heat up – both as a growing part of the business and a more important source of talent for a global market – new Sony Music France managing director Marie-Anne Robert has hired a new executive to run its business in French-speaking Africa. On Nov. 8, Robert shared with staff that she had appointed Elvis Adidiema as director of Sony Music French Speaking Africa. Adidiema, who will report to Robert, will be based between Paris and Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Adidiema will oversee Sony’s music business operations in French-speaking Africa, with responsibility for both overseeing growth in the streaming … Join us for fresh music news @billboard_news --- @billboard_news

Drake Reacts to Astroworld Tragedy: ‘My Heart Is Broken’ Drake has broken his silence on Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival and the “devastating tragedy” that took place. The Canadian hip-hop star made a guest appearance on stage during Scott’s headline performance Friday night in Houston (Nov. 5), at a hip-hop concert that ended in chaotic scenes with eight dead and 300 injured. When Drizzy stepped into the spotlight, according to multiple reports from the night, the crowd surged, crushing folks up front. Now, after digesting the situation, Drake has summed up his thoughts. “I’ve spent the past few days trying to wrap my mind around this devastating tragedy,” he writes on Instagram. “I hate resorting to … Join us for fresh music news @billboard_news --- @billboard_news

Ed Sheeran and Elton John Wrote Three Christmas Songs It’s close, that moment when it begins to feel a lot like Christmas. Give it a month, five-weeks max. It’s that precious time when the days are shorter, but somehow easier. The holidays draw nearer. And the Christmas songs climb the charts. Expect Ed Sheeran and Elton John to mount a serious challenge. Sheeran stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday (Nov. 8) for a chat about life, parenthood, and his new album = (Equals) , which is currently at No. 1 on sales charts around the globe. Conversation, however, swiftly moved to Christmas and Sheeran’s good mate Elton. The pair speak every day, apparently. And John, fresh off his own … Join us for fresh music news @billboard_news --- @billboard_news

Missy Elliott Shines With Her Own Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Missy Elliott now has her own special piece of Hollywood real estate. The “Work It” singer and rapper is enshrined in the Hollywood Walk of Fame with her very own star. The 50-year-old icon was on hand for a special ceremony Monday (Nov. 8) on Hollywood Boulevard in front of Amoeba Music, where she was presented with a star in the category of “Recording.” Elliott later admitted her many fans would say “Missy, it’s ’bout time,” she wrote in a social media post. Better late than never. “This is a moment that I shall never forget and all the people who have been on this journey with me, I thank you,” she enthused. VA I love you 757And I know a lot … Join us for fresh music news @billboard_news --- @billboard_news