On the most recent Billboard 200 chart (dated Sept. 5), Luke Bryan’s Kill the Lights held on to the No. 1 slot for a second week, as the album shifted another 99,000 equivalent album units in the week ending Aug. 20 (according to Nielsen Music)….

Fifteen years ago, a record label would pitch its new releases to a record store or chain like Tower Records. Ten years ago, they were pitching their priority releases to digital download stores like iTunes. Now they pitch streaming services….

Has the digital age brought about a decline in artisticand creative careers? A recent times article says no, but the creative economy is complex and creative work itself can be difficult to define….

While new products and services are constantly being introduced to the music industry, few of these are truly “disruptive.” This article examines some telling signs that can allow artists to identify game-changing technologies early on….

Hip-hop megastar Nicki Minaj’s angry mid-July tweet was manna from heaven for tabloid entertainment commenters everywhere. Minaj’s ass-wiggling, masculinity-skewering video for hit single Anaconda had not been nominated for the main prize at the MTV Video Music Awards 2015. Evidently, she wasn’t happy….

Ian Rogers, current Apple executive and former CEO of Beats Music (before its acquisition and transition by Apple), is leaving the Cupertino, Ca.-based tech giant. The news was first reported by the Financial Times early this morning (Aug. 28). Apple confirmed the move to Billboard. The jump is a surprising transition for a lifelong fan and music technology innovator — Financial Times reports…

Vine has announced a new music-based initiative with a number of new music functions that will take affect Friday, allowing users an improved interface posting and experiencing music content. In a blog post Thursday, the 6-second video sharing app outlined “Music on Vine” with the new additions and their benefits. …

It’s a Wednesday in August, ­backstage at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo., and Fetty Wap can’t believe he’s here to kick off a monthlong arena tour, opening for Chris Brown. “It still feels like November to me,” says the 25-year-old, shaking his blonde ­dreadlocks in wonder….

Using tagging data from Shazam, as well as sales and streaming information tracked by Nielsen Music, Billboard partners with Clio Music each month to present a chart ranking the top songs in commercials. Rankings exclude any song that has recently charted within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100….

  Although debates over music streaming generally revolve around the meager incomes which they often earn for artists and songwriters, there may be a larger issue at stake concerning the overall commercial sustainability of these services….