News Summary:
Billboard recently revealed its 2026 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list on August 20, with Above Ground Entertainment CEO David Ali leading the executives recognized for advancing these genres across multiple industry sectors. This follows an August 19 article that explored the history of music counting, tracing its evolution from Billboard to Luminate and its foundational role in artist compensation amidst contemporary discussions around streaming numbers, AI training data, and listening habits. On August 17, Stray Kids secured their ninth Billboard 200 No. 1 album with "THIS & THAT," matching The Rolling Stones' record. The eight-track release garnered 369,000 equivalent album units in the United States during the week ending August 13, as reported by Billboard and Luminate. Earlier on August 13, Billboard Brasil announced its inaugural national Power Players list, recognizing 50 industry professionals and naming Luiz Oscar Niemeyer as Executive of the Year, continuing a decade-long tradition of highlighting global music industry drivers. On the same day, Billboard also unveiled the lineup for its R&B Hip-Hop Live concert, scheduled for September 10, 2026, at Brooklyn Steel in New York City, which will feature artists such as Lucky Daye, Yung Miami, Destin Conrad, Samara Cyn, and Skippa.
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