From Harry Styles’ record-breaking vinyl sales to Pepsi’s surprising halftime show decision, we’re bringing you the need-to-know music news of the week.
If you’re reading this, congratulate yourself. You are less than four full days from the end of May, which means you’re nearly halfway through 2022. There are probably moments in your life when you doubt yourself, your direction, and your goals, but that time is not today. We are celebrating existence. After two years of a global pandemic, countless gun-related tragedies, and more personal challenges than anyone will understand, you made it to this day, time, and place. You’re still here, kicking ass and taking names. Take pride in that.
We cannot ease your workload or give you more hours in the day, but we can help you stay informed. Below you’ll find the biggest stories of the week, all covered by the best outlets in tech and entertainment. Click around, learn what’s happening, and use the weekend to prepare for the end of the month.
But let’s be honest. There is no way we can hope to cover everything that happens. If you see a headline we missed that people need to know, please do not hesitate to send james@haulix.com an email. We’ll include your links in the next update.
THE BIGGEST MUSIC NEWS OF THE WEEK
Harry Styles third studio album shatters first-week vinyl sales records
Harry Styles continues to fly on vinyl.
The pop star’s third solo album, the eponymously-titled “Harry’s House,” has set a record for the largest sales week for a vinyl album in the U.S. The LP sold more than 146,000 copies within three days of its May 20 release. Styles takes the crown from Taylor Swift, whose vinyl version of “Red” (Taylor’s Version)” had broken previous single-week sales records when it debuted last year.
Styles’ vinyl success doesn’t come as a huge surprise. The 28 year-old singer’s 2019 album “Fine Line” was a No. 1 seller on vinyl in 2020 and continued through 2021 as the No. 4-selling vinyl album. His self-titled debut record also found success on the old-school format, selling 236,000 copies on vinyl when it debuted in 2017.
Pepsi Will No Longer Sponsor The Super Bowl Halftime Show, Ending A Decade-Long Sponsorship
Pepsi is bowing out of its association with the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
After a decade as the presenting sponsor of the Big Game’s star-studded entertainment break, Pepsi has decided this year’s performance featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will be its last.
The soft drink giant plans to concentrate more of its media spend in digital as traditional broadcast TV audiences continue to dwindle. While the Super Bowl may be one of the last vestiges of appointment television, its halftime show faces myriad challenges from social media, streaming and other mediums.
In a statement, Pepsi said ending the partnership reflects a “larger strategic shift to bring unprecedented music and entertainment experiences” to consumers “where they are now, and where they will be in the future.”
Justin Timberlake Sells 100% of Song Catalog To Hipgnosis
Hipgnosis Song Management has acquired the song catalogue of Justin Timberlake.
Financial details of the deal weren’t disclosed. Hipgnosis, the Notting Hill, London-based company founded in 2018 by former music manager Merck Mercuriadis, called Timberlake “the iconic American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor who is one of the most influential artists of the last 20 years and named by Billboard as the best performing male solo artist in Top 40/Contemporary Hit Radio history.”
Hipgnosis said Friday that it has bought 100 percent “of all of Justin Timberlake’s copyright, ownership and financial interests of the writer and publisher’s share of public performance income, and the catalog of musical compositions written by Justin Timberlake.” Also included in the sale are “the worldwide administration rights to the compositions, subject to the remaining term of Universal Music’s administration rights, which expire in 2025.”
Oologah country music artist Zach Bryan’s Warner Records debut album, “American Heartbreak,” smashed the 2022 record for most streams by a country album in one day on Spotify and Apple Music.
The album was released Friday, May 20. “American Heartbreak” is available here via Warner Records.
A news release said the record-setting album has garnered critical applause. “Part of the reason why the Oklahoma native has become one of the genre’s most visible rising stars of the year is his ability to tackle different themes and moods with aplomb,” Billboard said. “Another reason is his voice — sturdy but with an approachable lightness.”
Bryan, who has surpassed one billion global streams, shared the music video for the single “Whiskey Fever” on the day the album was released. Watch it here.
TikTok Introduces Live Subscriptions
From beauty tutorials to watching your favorite recipes being prepared, learning new gaming tips and everything in between, TikTok LIVE allows creators to inspire, entertain and connect with engaged communities in real-time. And as we continue to connect creators with a global community, we’re always exploring new ways to reward creators for their creativity.
Today we’re introducing LIVE Subscription, a monthly subscription on TikTok for people to show their appreciation for their favorite LIVE creators. LIVE Subscription will initially be available to invite-only creators this month and will then become available globally over the coming months.
Bringing creators and viewers closer together with LIVE
LIVE Subscription is an extension of our efforts to build diversified creator monetization opportunities that suit a range of creator needs. LIVE Subscription gives creators the opportunity to increase their earnings while continuing to grow their community and also provides engaged communities an opportunity to thank their favorite creators on a regular basis.
At launch, subscriber perks will include:
- Subscriber Badges: Subscribers receive badges that are displayed next to their name on their profile and upgraded over time.
- Custom Emotes: Subscribers get access to exclusive emotes custom-designed by the creators to use during LIVE sessions to bring the community together and make your sessions more spirited.
- Subscriber-Only Chat: When the subscriber-only chat is turned on, creators and their subscribers have exclusive access to one another, enhancing an even more personal connection between creator and viewer.
