Billboard Crowns Rihanna as Top Pop Star

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, The Charts, Hip-Hop & Rap, Pop, R&B / Soul,

Rihanna has been named Billboard's Top Pop Artist of the last 20 years.

The "Diamonds" hitmaker tops the music magazine's list of the most successful artists in the history of its Pop Songs chart, which started on October 3, 1992. The magazine awarded her top spot for her achievements on the chart, which include 34 appearances with 21 top ten hits, and nine number one songs, an accolade she shares with Katy Perry, placed at sixth on the list.

The top ten was dominated by solo women singers, with Usher the only male, and Black eyed Peas the only group. Pink is in second place, followed by Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson and Mariah Carey.

Katy comes in next, and New York based radio program director Sharon Dastur, reminisced about the first time she worked with her: "Katy's very first single, 'I Kissed a Girl,' had just recently come out and we were playing it on [radio station] Z100. We started to feel an early buzz on the song, but the masses still weren't that familiar with who Katy was. We invited her to come on-stage at our Jingle Ball to help introduce one of the acts performing. We weren't sure if the crowd would be familiar with her by name, so we suggested that when she went out there, she should sing the hook of 'I Kissed a Girl' a capella. As soon as the crowd heard that, they sang every word along with her. Katy has told us that she'll always remember that moment."

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Katy Perry Named Billboard Magazine’s Woman of the Year

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Artist News, Awards, Pop,

Katy Perry has been named Billboard's Woman of the Year.

The "Firework" singer was hailed as "one of the most exciting and inspiring artists in the industry" by the publication's editorial director as he announced her selection, which sees Katy follow in the footsteps of stars including Taylor Swift, Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas and Beyonce Knowles.

"Katy Perry broke into the industry not even five years ago, and has already accomplished more than most artists can hope for in an entire career. We are thrilled to celebrate these incredible achievements and her amazing past 12 months by presenting her with the Billboard Woman of the Year Award. With what seems like a never-ending supply of record-breaking, chart-topping hits, coupled with her unique and fresh style, Katy Perry is hands-down one of the most exciting and inspiring artists in the industry today," said Billboard's Bill Werde.

The annual event, now in its seventh year, celebrates the most powerful and talented women in the music business, coinciding with the publication of Billboard's Women in Music Power Players list. This year's event will take place in New York City on November 30 where Katy will receive her award.

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Quote of the Day: Bret Michaels on Getting Naked for Billboard

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Gossip, Rock,

“I said, ‘Listen, I have two requests—good lighting and a warm room. That’s all I’m asking for. If I’m walking out with it all f**king hanging out there for the world to see then, well, I need good lighting and a warm room ... I didn’t eat for a day and I did about 2,000 sit-ups.”

-Rocker Bret Michaels on the behind-the-scenes preparations for his nude Billboard cover shoot.

(Make sure to check out our other notable quotes.)

Read More | E! Online

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Can You Guess, Guess, Guess Michael Jackson’s Biggest Hit?

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Collaborations, Music Videos, The Charts, Videos, Pop,

“Thriller” may have been the Michael Jackson video most fans wanted to watch, but it surprisingly wasn’t the song most people wanted to play, play, play.

According to Billboard, it was a tune that Jackson did with Paul McCartney that ranks as the late singer’s best hit. “Say, Say, Say” topped a list of 50 tracks followed by “Billie Jean” and “I’ll Be There.”

The list, which was compiled to help commemorate the upcoming anniversary of Michael’s death (June 25), took a number of factors into consideration to determine a track’s performance in the Hot 100. (You can read the full explanation behind the inverse point system here.) Although “Billie Jean” spent more weeks at #1, the Jackson/McCartney collaboration lasted longer on the charts.

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Read More | Billboard

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Mix Tape: Garth Brooks Hits Vegas, Def Leppard is Sued

Posted by Veronica Santiago Categories: Artist News, Concerts / Tours, Gossip, Performances, The Charts, Country, Dance, Pop, R&B / Soul, Rock,

-Apparently retirement didn’t sit with Garth Brooks very well. The country singer began a lengthy stay as the Wynn Hotel’s headliner this weekend.

-Can Jennifer Lopez stay on her feet this time? Find out when the “Louboutins” singer and Mary J. Blige perform on So You Think You Can Dance’s season finale this Wednesday.

-Def Leppard’s former manager, Trudy Green, is suing the band and their accountant for non-payment. Love hurts.

-Billboard recently charted the top One-Hit Wonders of the decade. Somebody out there is having a really “Bad Day.”

-Speaking of the decade, Newsweek chose their Best Albums of the past ten years. Anyone else surprised by the Kelly Clarkson mention?

-Although they already have two children together, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and his girlfriend, Jill McCormick, are finally getting around to that wedding thing. The longtime couple became engaged a week ago.

Gallery: Mix Tape: Garth Brooks Hits Vegas, Def Leppard is Sued