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Music News: Billboard Releases Letter Regarding Chart Changes
Member Since: 8/31/2011
Posts: 18,529
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Billboard Releases Letter Regarding Chart Changes
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I've been watching the feedback online regarding the Billboard chart policy changes that went into affect today.
While we discussed these changes at length with the music industry, and the feedback from that quarter has been supportive, there is some confusion -- and yes, occasional foaming-at-the-mouth outrage -- from fan camps who have seen some of their favorite stars drop down the charts. I hear you, fans, and I'm really gratified that our charts are so very meaningful to you. I wanted to take a few minutes to engage on your points, which seem to fall into a couple of baskets. If you'd like we could schedule a Google Hangout to discuss this further. I really love the dialogue.
Basket 1: I really like Brandy, and she just dropped from no. 3 to no. 16 on your Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Chart
Obviously, this isn't just about Brandy. And if it is, for you, let me assure you, I really like Brandy too! I had a chance to speak with her at the Billboard Music Awards afterparty in May, and I assure you, I walked away thinking there couldn't possibly be a more lovely person.
But here's the way I think about this: the former R&B/Hip-Hop Chart was effectively 100 percent based on radio. And basing the primary chart on radio play only feels out of touch with what's actually happening with music. The fans have no direct voice with radio. It's a push format -- someone else decides what you're going to listen to, and with what frequency. Are those of you upset about this rule change suggesting that what fans are streaming on Spotify or buying at iTunes shouldn't count? Fans have the power today -- more than they have ever had in the history of the recorded music business -- and these chart changes honor that reality, above all else.
Basket 2: Now the country chart will only ever be topped by Tay Tay
Alternate Basket 2: Now the R&B chart will only ever be topped by Ri Ri
I have empathy for fans of deeper genre cuts that will likely slide down the charts a bit, to make room for the juggernaut digital-track sales of more mainstream stars. This week, for example, Taylor Swift's "Red" debuts at no. 2 on the Country Songs chart, based largely on the strength of her digital downloads.
Truth? A hit doesn't just look like one thing anymore. Mumford and Sons are getting some nice Triple A and Alt Rock radio play, but they are setting streaming records on Spotify. That's a hit. Psy - like Cee-Lo before him -- launched a song that was viewed more than 100 million times on YouTube before radio ever touched it. That's a hit. And if an established country act like Taylor Swift releases a song like "Red" that sounds like a country song, and that becomes the no. 2 selling digital track in the U.S., well that song is a hit, and yes, by our standards, a country hit, also. Radio remains an important part of the equation, but it's no longer the only part. A song isn't a genre hit ONLY if that genre's radio stations decide or are incentivized to play it.
3. But I love Carrie Underwood so much that it makes me hate anything that's good for Taylor Swift, even if it's only good for Taylor Swift in the short term and, at some point, will almost certainly be good for Carrie Underwood also.
I suggest a deep breath and some therapy. I like chocolate (vegan) ice cream. It's never once made me launch a campaign against vanilla. Why can't we all just get along?
4. Psy as the top rap track?! You are a racist who is trying to gentrify the rap charts.
I'll spare you my rap cred, and say this: every week, Billboard makes dozens of calls about the various charts a song should be eligible for. Take dance: what makes a track a dance track? Is it the BPM? Is it "electronic sounds"? Is it "I don't know, man, this just sounds like a dance track"? What is a song that is a ballad but then has an electro chorus? The point is: We make these calls. We've been doing it for 50+ years. We'll make a bunch more next week. We take it very seriously. We work at codifying the process, so that anyone who assumes the job of a genre chart manager can inherit guidelines for making these decisions.
As for Psy, if you Google "Psy" and "rapper" you get millions of hits. No less an authority than Wikipedia identifies him this way: " en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psy_ (rapper)". So we're not going out on a limb here. In fact, I'd ask this: how is it anything but racist to exclude Psy from the rap chart?
I'm always happy to engage further. Let me know in the comments if you'd like to take part in a Google Hangout on the topic. If there's demand, we'll get one scheduled. Thanks for reading!
Read more at http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/indus...xLv2GYJtwdR.99
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Member Since: 6/1/2010
Posts: 65,177
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AP.
And yeah, the letter goes nowhere really.
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Member Since: 1/23/2011
Posts: 4,434
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3. But I love Carrie Underwood so much that it makes me hate anything that's good for Taylor Swift, even if it's only good for Taylor Swift in the short term and, at some point, will almost certainly be good for Carrie Underwood also.
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Mess. 
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Member Since: 12/12/2008
Posts: 12,791
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Quote:
Basket 2: Now the country chart will only ever be topped by Tay Tay
Alternate Basket 2: Now the R&B chart will only ever be topped by Ri Ri
I have empathy for fans of deeper genre cuts that will likely slide down the charts a bit, to make room for the juggernaut digital-track sales of more mainstream stars. This week, for example, Taylor Swift's "Red" debuts at no. 2 on the Country Songs chart, based largely on the strength of her digital downloads.
Truth? A hit doesn't just look like one thing anymore. Mumford and Sons are getting some nice Triple A and Alt Rock radio play, but they are setting streaming records on Spotify. That's a hit. Psy - like Cee-Lo before him -- launched a song that was viewed more than 100 million times on YouTube before radio ever touched it. That's a hit. And if an established country act like Taylor Swift releases a song like "Red" that sounds like a country song, and that becomes the no. 2 selling digital track in the U.S., well that song is a hit, and yes, by our standards, a country hit, also. Radio remains an important part of the equation, but it's no longer the only part. A song isn't a genre hit ONLY if that genre's radio stations decide or are incentivized to play it.
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LOL, they don't get the point here
No one denies that those songs are big hits, but the fact that they represent the genre is cringe-worthy and hurt the feelings of the lovers of those genres 
And they consider Psy as rapper lkfdjgkldfjl and using wikipedia as a source jkwjkwjkeawjkdjska 
edit: they use google as a source as well
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As for Psy, if you Google "Psy" and "rapper" you get millions of hits
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well, i just google "billboard" and "bull sh!t" and i get millions of hits as well
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Member Since: 12/12/2008
Posts: 12,791
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And is this letter really written by the director of billboard?
it seems so unprofessional, like a child feeling hurt because everyone else don't agree with them
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Member Since: 4/30/2012
Posts: 2,327
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I've been watching the feedback online regarding the Billboard chart policy changes that went into affect today.
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I believe the word they were looking for is effect. 
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Member Since: 8/31/2011
Posts: 18,529
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Quote:
Originally posted by Sept
And they consider Psy as rapper lkfdjgkldfjl and using wikipedia as a source jkwjkwjkeawjkdjska |
 Why don't they just admit a label boss paid them
This is horrible
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Member Since: 7/18/2010
Posts: 29,717
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Quote:
But I love Carrie Underwood so much that it makes me hate anything that's good for Taylor Swift, even if it's only good for Taylor Swift in the short term and, at some point, will almost certainly be good for Carrie Underwood also.
I suggest a deep breath and some therapy. I like chocolate (vegan) ice cream. It's never once made me launch a campaign against vanilla. Why can't we all just get along?
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THEY WENT IN ON THE CARRIE STANS! 
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Member Since: 10/17/2011
Posts: 8,965
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NO!!  So this means Brandy will never get that #1 R&B/Hip-Hop single because of the new changes? Damm you Billboard, this could've been Brandy's epic comeback!
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Member Since: 8/31/2011
Posts: 18,529
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Reba Mccentire and George Strait will never get a #1 on the Country chart again
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Member Since: 8/16/2012
Posts: 438
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They dont get it, we arent pissed that the songs are hits but we r pissed because they are "hits" on the genres that they are flopping at
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Member Since: 4/21/2009
Posts: 1,472
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Come on guys!!! You should have been pissed off before the change!!! When 3-4 radio giants had 100% control of the chart!
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Member Since: 8/3/2012
Posts: 19,910
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Originally posted by jason_z89
Come on guys!!! You should have been pissed off before the change!!! When 3-4 radio giants had 100% control of the chart!
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At least with the old model true country music was reaching the top of country charts, not some bubblegum pop mess.
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 11/5/2011
Posts: 100,491
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I've been watching the feedback online regarding the Billboard chart policy changes that went into affect today.
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And this was written by a professional staff member?
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Member Since: 12/7/2011
Posts: 21,578
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