1 COACHELLA: Jay Marciano’s in a sunny mood as he launches AEG’s festival season with the granddaddy of them all. The desert’s never been hotter. | |
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2 J. COLE: Interscope rapper’s Delete button gives him a high chart berth and the week’s top debut in wake of surprise drop, blazing answer record. This is not a “Drill.” | |
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3 BILLIE EILISH: Darkroom/Interscope superstar schedules 5/17 drop for third full-length as Rukasin and Goodman prepare to Hit it Hard. Incidentally, this mention is carbon-neutral. | |
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4 RCA: House Nipper is diva central—and hot—thanks to Lisa inking, Doja deluxe/Coachella headline spot, SZA, Tate, more. Edge, Fleck and company need more sunscreen. | |
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5 FUTURE & METRO: Hip-hop’s dynamic duo, having knocked it out of the park with their TRUST exercise, prepare to drop part two. Teams Epic and Republic really enjoy this “Type” of thing. | |
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6 TAYLOR SWIFT: Here’s a TORTURED POETS haiku: Tay will rule the world / With another huge album. / Monte is smiling. | |
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7 JELLY ROLL: Having helped transform the country landscape—and racked up four ACM noms—Nashville phenom and his Broken Bow team shop a deal with a big label partner. Loba says this is his kind of jam. | |
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8 ACMs: Country trophyfest’s latest noms aptly reflect an evolving musical culture, rewarding some of the genre’s biggest change agents. Damon Whiteside has earned a tip of the Stetson. | |
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9 BRYSON TILLER: “Whatever” Trapsoul/RCA star is doing, it’s working; he earns a strong chart bow with self-titled set as single streams on. Nipper has that Tiller instinct. | |
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10 AARON BAY-SCHUCK & TOM CORSON: Warner co-chiefs, on crazy hot streak with three records in the Top 10 and more hits on the way, agree to a HITS interview/cover shoot. We’re sure they’ll get over it. | |
