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Facebook Unveils Plan to Build Metaverse

LONDON (AP) — Facebook said it plans to hire 10,000 workers in the European Union over the next five years to work on a new computing platform that promises to connect people virtually but could raise concerns about privacy and the social platform gaining more control over people’s online lives.

The company said in a blog post Sunday that those high-skilled workers will help build “the metaverse,” a futuristic notion for connecting online that uses augmented and virtual reality.

Facebook executives have been touting the metaverse as the next big thing after the mobile internet, though their track record is spotty on predicting future trends. Expectations that CEO Mark Zuckerberg made four years ago of taking virtual vacations with faraway loved ones via a headset or using a smartphone camera to improve an apartment virtually have not materialized so far.

The company also is contending with antitrust crackdowns, the testimony of whistleblowing former employees and concerns about how it handles vaccine-related and political misinformation.

“As we begin the journey of bringing the metaverse to life, the need for highly specialized engineers is one of Facebook’s most pressing priorities,” according to the blog post from Nick Clegg, vice president of global affairs, and Javier Olivan, vice president of central products.

Facebook’s recruiters are targeting Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands and Ireland for the hiring drive. The company as of June reported having more than 63,000 employees worldwide, up 21% from the same time last year.

The metaverse essentially is a massive virtual world that can be accessed in real time by millions of people using avatars, who can use it to hold virtual meetings or buy virtual land and clothing or other digital assets, often paying with cryptocurrencies.

The social network isn’t the only one working on the metaverse, and Facebook acknowledged that no single company will own and operate it. Other players include Fortnite maker Epic Games, which has raised $1 billion from investors to help with its long-term plans for building the metaverse.

“There’s not going to be specific metaverses to specific companies. There’s only going to be one metaverse,” said Tuong Nguyen, an analyst who tracks immersive technologies for research firm Gartner.

But there are concerns Facebook and a handful of other Silicon Valley giants would end up monopolizing the metaverse and use it to collect and profit from personal data, mirroring the situation now with the internet.

Facebook last month announced a $50 million investment to fund global research and partnerships with civil rights groups, nonprofits, governments and universities to develop products responsibly for the metaverse. But the company added that it would probably take 10 to 15 years to “fully realize” many of those products.

The term metaverse was coined by writer Neal Stephenson for his 1992 science fiction novel “Snow Crash” but has recently found new life in the tech business world as startups and tech giants try to stake their claim on an emerging trend.

Some of that involves a “little bit of metaverse-washing,” or applying the term to existing initiatives in augmented reality and other technologies to take advantage of the hype around it, Nguyen said.

“It will help raise their profile, at least for the moment, as one of the leaders in metaverse initiatives,” he said of Facebook’s latest push. “But like any big technology trend, there will be competing ideas and competing standards.”

In a separate blog post Sunday, Facebook defended its approach to combating hate speech, in response to a Wall Street Journal article that examined the company’s inability to detect and remove hateful and excessively violent posts.

A British parliamentary committee that’s working on online safety legislation was set to hear from two Facebook whistleblowers. The bill proposes big fines or other penalties for internet companies that don’t remove and limit the spread of harmful material such as child sexual abuse or terrorist content.

Sophie Zhang, a data scientist who raised the alarm after finding evidence of online political manipulation in countries such as Honduras and Azerbaijan before she was fired, appeared before the committee Monday. She said social media companies should be required to apply policies consistently, adding that it’s not what happened at Facebook.

Fake accounts that weren’t directly tied to a political figure were easier to take down than those that weren’t, she said.

This resulted in a “perverse effect in that it creates an incentive for major political figures to essentially commit a crime openly,” Zhang said. She compared it to police taking a year to arrest a burglar who was a member of Parliament and didn’t wear a mask.

“That’s an analogy of what is going on at Facebook,” Zhang said.

Next week, the committee will hear from Frances Haugen, who went public with internal Facebook research that she copied before leaving her job earlier this year. Haugen testified before a U.S. Senate panel this month about her accusations Facebook’s platforms harm children and incite political violence, and her British appearance will be the start of a tour to meet European lawmakers and regulators.

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10 Cool Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week: Camilo & Evaluna Montaner, Benson Boone & More

Ready for some help to get you through another work week? We got you covered with this week’s 10 Cool New Pop Songs playlist, which features new songs from FINNEAS, Benson Boone, Camilo and Evaluna Montaner, Kacy Hill and more.

Slide any of these 10 songs into your personal playlist to get energized to take on the week – or scroll to the end for a custom playlist of all 10.

Benson Boone, “Ghost Town”

The latest entry in the grand tradition of pop music ghost towns (Adam Lambert, Kanye West, blackbear, Madonna and the Specials have all cruised down those abandoned streets before) comes from Benson Boone, who stepped down from competing on American Idol earlier this year and recently signed to Dan Reynolds’ Night Street Records label (in a partnership with Warner Records). The 19-year-old’s “Ghost Town” is an elegant, lonely piano ballad that shows off his robust yet restrained vocals and knack for melodic detail. – Joe Lynch

Billy Porter, “Children”

Trailblazer Billy Porter has always been a man ahead of his time. While the Pose star harks back to the swirling strings, funky bass lines and unstoppable grooves of the soulful ’70s on his new single, the singer – one Oscar short of an EGOT – is ultimately teaching a lesson for the next generation on “Children,” a lush, muscle-y throwback where he lets “these children know what time it is.” – J. Lynch

AURORA, “Giving In To The Love”

Norwegian singer-songwriter AURORA makes a return that’s decisively dramatic on new single “Giving In To The Love,” where the drums slam against the vocals and the chorus opens into an enveloping chant. AURORA has seen “Runaway” pop on TikTok since her last album cycle, but the first taste of her 2022 LP is made for arenas instead of an app. – Jason Lipshutz

BIBI, “The Weekend”

On her buoyant new single via 88rising, BIBI makes the line “you only call me on the weekend” sting, an accusation of unbalanced romance delivered over a kick drum and funk guitar. The South Korean R&B singer demonstrates her versatility on the track, with words of confusion tumbling out of her mouth on the verses and concise, biting phrases on the hook. – J. Lipshutz

Bebe Wood, “21st Century Hippie”

You might know Bebe Wood as a budding actress, most recently on the Hulu series Love Victor, but her just released EP 21st Century Hippie impresses with a free-spirit approach to pop-rock that’s true to its title. Its title track makes for a good sample, a five-minute sway-along that sounds like Sheryl Crow by way of Kacey Musgraves. – J. Lipshutz

Kacy Hill, “Simple, Sweet, and Smiling”

Singer-songwriter Kacy Hill independently released her third album last week called Simple Sweet and Smiling. Its title track stands out for the way in which Hill’s firm yet delicate vocals float over the song’s intricately built backbone, co-produced by Jim-E Stack, which seamlessly changes at each turn. – Lyndsey Havens

Barrie, “Frankie”

Barrie Lindsay is a producer-songwriter who fronts the band Barrie, which in 2019 released its debut album Happy To Be Here. Now, the act is back with the hypnotic synth-heavy, riff-driven single “Frankie” that Lindsay said was inspired by Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” — and in case the inspiration isn’t immediately clear, she even gives the track a shout-out. – L. Havens

Camilo and Evaluna Montaner, “Índigo”

Columbian pop star Camilo and Evaluna Montaner have a long history of collaborating in their careers and personal lives (the pair is married), but their latest team-up is perhaps their most joyful yet. In the music video for “Índigo,” an uptempo and cheery pop tune, the couple reveal they’re pregnant with their first child. If that’s not a selling point enough, the infectious hand claps will surely draw you in. – L. Havens

FINNEAS, “Love Is Pain”

FINNEAS’ sophomore effort, Optimist, sees him taking risks that differentiate him from his sister, Billie Eilish, and her signature sound. Though bits of FINNEAS’ work on Eilish’s records shine through on certain tracks, “Love is Pain” is wholly unique and shows the singer’s attempt at creating a perfect piano-driven ballad that expertly tugs at the heartstrings, tissue optional. – Starr Bowenbank

Jordana and TV Girl’s “Summer’s Over”

Indie pop darlings TV Girl joined forces with Jordana, the 19-year-old budding star in the bedroom pop movement, for their newest joint EP, Summer’s Over. The title track kicks off the EP beautifully; with ’70s-inspired guitar instrumentation and syrupy sweet vocals to boot, the song provides a happy sayonara to sunnier times, much like the song title suggests. – S. Bowenbank

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Miley Cyrus Jokes She & Machine Gun Kelly Are ‘The Same Person’

Miley Cyrus, much like the rest of the internet, is still obsessed with Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox’s first fateful encounter, which saw the rapper-turned-rocker telling the actress “I am weed.” Chiming in on the fun, Cyrus posted a photo shoot to her Twitter feed on Sunday that referenced the now-iconic moment from the couple’s recent British GQ Style interview.

The photos show the Plastic Hearts singer posing in a ruffled green dress and silver platform heels, which she captioned, “I AM WEED,” along with a heart emoji. MGK saw Cyrus’ tweet and cheekily replied, “See, I’m not the only one.”

“We may actually be the same person,” Cyrus replied to MGK. “Have we ever been seen at the same place @ the same time? & yes that means Megan Fox is my gf too.”

The former Disney Channel star shared the photos — in addition to a series of other Studio 54-inspired shots — to tease her new era to fans. Last week, Billboard reported that the singer is currently working hard on her ninth studio album via her new label home, Columbia Records.

Cyrus’ previous album, Plastic Hearts, achieved success on the Billboard charts following its November 2020 release. The classic-rock-inspired album debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums chart and netted a No. 2 debut on the Billboard 200.

See Cyrus and MGK’s Twitter interaction below.

see, i’m not the only one. https://t.co/YUlK7WHzlZ

— blonde don (@machinegunkelly) October 17, 2021

We may actually be the same person. Have we ever been seen at the same place @ the same time? & yes that means Megan Fox is my gf too. https://t.co/LkNGqX8lMg

— Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) October 18, 2021

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Sting & His Son Joe Sumner Perform ‘Message in a Bottle’ at UCLA Environmental Benefit: Exclusive Video

Sting and his son Joe Sumner performed The Police hit “Message in the Bottle” at UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability gala last week, and Billboard has exclusive video from the event.

The father-son duo virtually performed at the annual benefit, which honored Jaden Smith and Amariyanna Copeny, aka “Little Miss Flint,” for their “environmental justice advocacy and tireless efforts to provide clean, safe drinking water to vulnerable communities,” according to a post-event press release.

“Me and my dad would love to support you by singing this song,” Sumner announced in a pre-recorded video filmed at a studio, where he and his father broke out into an acoustic rendition of the 1979 classic.

“Message in the Bottle” was written by Sting and released as the lead single from The Police’s sophomore album Reggatta de Blanc in 1979. It reached No. 1 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart and peaked at No. 74 Stateside on the Billboard Hot 100.

Courteney Cox and her daughter Coco Arquette as well as Leslie Odom Jr. and his wife (and UCLA alum) Nicolette Robinson also performed at the charity event, which raised more than $600,000 for graduate students at UCLA’s IoES.

Watch Sting and his son’s performance of “Message in a Bottle” above.

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John Legend Surprises Street Musician as She Sings His Song

A street musician who performed a rendition of John Legend’s hit “All of Me” in Boston over the weekend had one particularly appreciative audience member: John Legend.

The Grammy Award-winning singer was visiting Faneuil Hall with his family before his show Sunday night in Boston when he came across Radha Rao performing the hit song, The Boston Globe reported.

Legend was impressed. He gave Rao a hug and a tip.

Rao, 22, didn’t recognize him at first. He was wearing a mask and she didn’t even know he was in town. Then he took it off.

“What are the odds that John Legend is in town, in the area you’re performing, as you’re singing his song? Beyond believable,” she said.

She admitted to being nervous, but finished the song, a regular part of her two-hour set at Faneuil Hall, where she has been performing since August.

“A lot of people tend to ask, ‘Did you play it because he was there?’ And the answer is no,” Rao said. “I was playing it, and then he happened to appear after I started the song, so it was quite a shocking experience.”

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Kanye West’s petition to legally change his name to Ye has been approved

Kanye West‘s petition to legally change his name to his nickname, Ye, has been approved in a Los Angeles court.

READ MORE: Kanye West – ‘DONDA’ review: some gems among lots – and lots – of filler

Back in August, the rapper and producer filed documents to change his full name – Kanye Omari West – to the mononym.

According to TMZ, West has now been granted his name change, which means he will be referred to simply as Ye moving forward, and he will no longer have a middle name.

The ‘Jesus Walks’ rapper spoke of the planned change during a radio interview in 2018, explaining: “I believe ‘ye’ is the most commonly used word in the Bible, and in the Bible it means you. So I’m you, I’m us, it’s us.”

West went on to say that his name “went from Kanye, which means the only one, to just Ye – just being a reflection of our good, our bad, our confused, everything.”

Back in 2019, West considered changing his name to ‘Christian Genius Billionaire Kanye West’, but didn’t follow through with the idea.

Kanye West. CREDIT: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

West’s name change follows the arrival of his long-teased album, ‘DONDA’. In a three-star review, NME‘s Rhian Daly said of the album: “The rapper’s 10th album follows an odyssey of delays and bizarre not-quite-release parties, the result merely punctuated with moments of brilliance.”

Earlier this month, the rapper’s manager Bu Thiam confirmed the album would be released following the third listening event in Chicago on Thursday (August 26). The event will also be live-streamed on Apple Music.

Earlier this month, West earned his first ever Diamond certification, with ‘Stronger’ surpassing the 10 million sales mark.

Released in 2007 from West’s third album ‘Graduation’, the track has reached the milestone 14 years later.

Meanwhile, it’s been announced that an “intimate” new documentary about West, titled jeen-yuhs, is coming to Netflix next year.

jeen-yus was directed by Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah and will capture two decades of the rapper’s life and career. It promises to showcase “both his formative days trying to break through and his life today as a global brand and artist”.

The post Kanye West’s petition to legally change his name to Ye has been approved appeared first on NME.

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Nike LeBron 19 Gets Tropical With Dutch Blue, Pomegranate, And Lime Glow

Joining the ever-growing assortment of Nike LeBron 19 colorways is this multi-colored take that ushers in Dutch Blue, Pomegranate, and Lime Glow. Certainly among the more vividly presented LeBron 19s yet, this upcoming release has just a bit of a South Beach flair due to the blue structure and the accents of pomegranate on the lining, logos, and internal Flywire cables. Lime Glow on the laces and outsole adds in a brand new element, as does the white exoskeleton that covers the interior bootie. Hinting at a tropical theme is the small illustration at the heel that depicts what appears to be a palm tree under the sun.

Although some retailers have a release date marked at October 22nd (in full family sizes, no less), it’s likely that these are dropping at a later, indefinite date as the Nike LeBron 19 has yet to touch down on US soil with an Asia release likely going down first. In the meantime, enjoy this gallery of official images and stay tuned for release updates.

Where to Buy

Make sure to follow @kicksfinder for live tweets during the release date.

Nike LeBron 19
Release Date: Oct 22nd, 2021 (Friday)
Color: Dutch Blue/Pomegranate/Lime Glow/White

Mens: N/A
Style Code: DC9339-400
Grade School: N/A
Style Code: DD0418-400
Little Kids: N/A
Style Code: DD0421-400
Infant & Toddler: N/A
Style Code: DD0417-400

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Official Images Of The Nike Kyrie 8 N7

Kyrie Irving’s never been one to shy away from what he feels is true to himself. While we applaud anyone of Kyrie’s status and stature for sticking up for what one feels is right, the 2021 offseason has undoubtedly been a rocky one for the Nets star. Aside from his stance of vaccinations and his potential absence from the entire 2021-2022 season, he stirred up a lot of controversy and criticism for openly deriding his own upcoming signature shoe – the Nike Kyrie 8. Claiming to have no involvement with the design or marketing of his upcoming shoe, Kyrie dragged his own product, only to issue a PR-friendly follow-up statement days later.

Regardless of how Kyrie feels about his shoes, or about vaccines in general, it appears that Nike is moving forward as scheduled with Nike Kyrie 8 releases. While a few colorways have already revealed themselves, today we’re getting a first look at official images of the model in the annual N7 colorway. Featuring a largely monochromatic tan upper with both leather and mesh-like uppers, this special edition honors the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and calls out the hoopster’s Lakota name of Hela. The N7 logo appears on both the heel and the insoles of the shoes as well.

A further look at the outsole reveals a figure-8 cut-out at the heel that reveals the Zoom Air cushioning within. The updated traction sees an arrangement similar to that of the Kyrie 7, while his insignia sits right at the midfoot.

Currently, inline colorway of the Nike Kyrie 8 are scheduled to release on October 28th, although those dates are likely postponed. A release for the Kyrie 8 N7 has not yet been confirmed either. An official announcement for the Kyrie 8 is likely to come soon, or given the controversy around Kyrie’s anti-vaxx positions as well as his own criticisms of the shoes, Nike could possibly let a release happen quietly without any official press announcements.

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Adele’s ‘Easy on Me’ Debuts on Billboard Hot 100 From Its First Five Hours of Release

Adele’s “Easy on Me” debuts at No. 68 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart dated Oct. 23, thanks solely to its first five hours of availability. It’s expected to vault up the list dated Oct. 30 following its first full week of tracking.

The ballad also soars onto four individual-format radio airplay charts.

Released at 7 p.m. ET Thursday (Oct. 14), “Easy” enters the Hot 100 thanks to its activity from its premiere through midnight that night. The Oct. 23-dated chart’s tracking week for radio airplay, streaming and sales in the U.S. covers Oct. 8-14.

“Easy” debuts on the Hot 100 with 3.1 million U.S. streams, 3.1 million airplay audience impressions and 14,800 sold in its first five hours, according to MRC Data, the lattermost figure also good for a No. 4 opening on the Digital Song Sales chart.

The song is primed to challenge for the summit of the Oct. 30-dated Hot 100, following its first full tracking week, covering Oct. 15-21. The Oct. 23-dated Hot 100, and all charts, will update Tuesday (Oct. 19) on Billboard.com. Highlights of the Oct. 30-dated Hot 100 are due to post Oct. 25, with all charts updating the following day (Oct. 26).

“Easy” is Adele’s 14th Hot 100 entry, and first since April 2017. She boasts four No. 1s on the chart: “Rolling in the Deep” (for seven weeks beginning in May 2011); “Someone Like You” (five, beginning September 2011); “Set Fire to the Rain” (two, February 2017); and “Hello” (10, beginning November 2015).

“Easy” is the lead single from 30, the U.K. singer-songwriter’s fourth studio album, and first in six years, due Nov. 19. It follows 25, which houses “Hello” and topped the Billboard 200 for 10 weeks beginning in December 2015. 21, which includes her first three Hot 100 No. 1s, led the Billboard 200 for 24 weeks starting in March 2011 and reigns as the top title in the chart’s entire history. Her debut LP, 19, entered the Billboard 200 in June 2008 and reached a No. 4 high in March 2012.

“Easy” concurrently makes a record-setting radio-chart start, rocketing in at No. 6 on the Adult Contemporary survey. It marks the first top 10 entrance for a non-holiday song since the chart adopted MRC Data information in 1993.

The track also debuts at No. 14 on Adult Pop Airplay, No. 21 on Pop Airplay and No. 33 on Adult Alternative Airplay, with pop and adult pop stations in multiple chains having played it hourly Oct. 14 and 15.

The four charts measure songs’ plays on respective panels of adult contemporary, adult pop, mainstream pop and adult alternative radio stations in the U.S., with the Oct. 23 tallies reflecting airplay covering Oct. 11-17. “Easy,” thus, debuts on the rankings from airplay over its first three full days, plus its first five hours of availability.

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Lil Nas X & Jack Harlow Celebrate ‘Industry Baby’ Hitting No. 1 on Hot 100: ‘Buckle Up’

Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow talked about needing “a couple number ones” on their collaboration “Industry Baby,” and they’re stoked to have finally earned one together.

“Industry Baby” hits No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (dated Oct. 23), as it drew 64 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 10%) and 23.2 million U.S. streams (down 1%) and sold 34,300 downloads (soaring 564%) in the week ending Oct. 14, according to MRC Data. The song earns Lil Nas X his third Hot 100 leader, following his record 19-week No. 1 “Old Town Road,” featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, and “Montero (Call Me by Your Name),” while Harlow notches his first.

“My first number one. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t see this coming while I was writing my verse,” Harlow wrote on his socials while sharing the Billboard chart graphics as well as behind-the-scenes pictures from the “Industry Baby” music video. “Thank you for having me @lilnasx. This song is something I am gonna be proud to be a part of for the rest of my life. As for what’s next…buckle up…”

Meanwhile, Lil Nas X couldn’t contain his excitement about his latest chart achievement after sharing an NSFW tweet as well as a snippet from their 2021 MTV Video Music Awards performance of the two artists smacking each other’s hands as if they were high-fiving each other over this very moment.

“IT TOOK A FEW MONTHS BUT WE HERE! THANK U EVERYBODY! INDUSTRY BABY IS THE NUMBER 1 SONG IN THE WORLD! LESSSSSGOOOOOO!” Lil Nas X wrote.

Check out their celebratory posts below.

IM CUMMMINGGGGGG AHHHHHHHHHHH https://t.co/bP5b4RgTGM

— MONTERO (@LilNasX) October 18, 2021

ITS OFFICIAL! INDUSTRY BABY IS THE NUMBER ONE SONG IN THE WORLD!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ZeMFOoNytG

— MONTERO (@LilNasX) October 18, 2021

IT TOOK A FEW MONTHS BUT WE HERE! THANK U EVERYBODY! INDUSTRY BABY IS THE NUMBER 1 SONG IN THE WORLD! LESSSSSGOOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/Ns3DZFh1ZV

— MONTERO (@LilNasX) October 18, 2021

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The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber’s ‘Stay’ Keeps Atop Global Charts, Lisa’s ‘Money’ Hits Top 10

The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” continues as the biggest song in the world, as it logs an 11th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart and a ninth frame atop the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. survey (both dated Oct. 23).

Plus, “Money” by BLACKPINK’s Lisa reaches the top 10 of both the Global 200, where it jumps 19-10, and the Global Excl. U.S. chart (11-7).

Billboard’s two global charts, which began in September 2020 and recently finished their first year, rank songs based on streaming and sales activity culled from more than 200 territories around the world, as compiled by MRC Data. The Billboard Global 200 is inclusive of worldwide data and the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart comprises data from territories excluding the U.S.

Chart ranks are based on a weighted formula incorporating official-only streams on both subscription and ad-supported tiers of audio and video music services, as well as download sales, the latter of which reflect purchases from full-service digital music retailers from around the world, with sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites excluded from the charts’ calculations.

‘Stay’ No. 1, ‘Shivers’ Top 5 on Global 200

“Stay” by The Kid LAROI, from Australia, and Justin Bieber, from Canada, posts an 11th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200. The song drew 91.4 million streams (down 9%) and sold 19,300 downloads (up 23%, helped by its placement in the iTunes Store’s “69¢ Pop Hits” promotion) worldwide in the Oct. 8-14 tracking week.

Nigeria’s CKay holds at his No. 2 high on the Global 200 with “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)”; Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” keeps at No. 3, after reaching No. 2; and Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” rebounds 5-4, following a week at No. 1, and his “Shivers” hits a new No. 5 best, up from No. 6.

Elsewhere in the Global 200 top 10, “Money” by BLACKPINK’s Lisa soars 19-10. Following the Oct. 10 premiere of its “dance practice” video, building upon the momentum of its “exclusive performance” clip released Sept. 23, the song sports gains of 28% to 66.3 million and 6% to 4,400 sold in the latest tracking week.

Lisa earns her second Global 200 top 10, after “Lalisa” debuted at its No. 2 peak on the Sept. 25 chart. South Korea’s BLACKPINK, with Lisa, born in Thailand, as a member, also boasts two top 10s on the survey, as “Ice Cream,” with Selena Gomez, hit No. 8 in September 2020 and “Lovesick Girls” reached No. 2 the following month.

‘Money’ Also Cashes on Global Excl. U.S.

The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber’s “Stay” adds a ninth week atop the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, with 72.1 million streams (down 9%) and 7,100 sold (down 17%) in territories outside the U.S. in the Oct. 8-14 tracking week.

CKay’s “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)” repeats at its No. 2 Global Excl. U.S. best; Ed Sheeran’s “Bad Habits” lifts 4-3, after five weeks at No. 1; Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” climbs 5-4, following its No. 2 peak; and Sheeran’s “Shivers” reaches the top five (6-5).

Plus, Lisa’s “Money” ascends 11-7 on the Global Excl. U.S. chart with 61.5 million streams (up 28%) and 3,000 sold (down 3%) beyond the U.S. As on the Global 200, she achieves her second Global Excl. U.S. top 10, after “Lalisa” (No. 2, Sept. 25). With Lisa as a member, BLACKPINK has also tallied two Global Excl. U.S. top 10s: “Ice Cream” (No. 6, September 2020) and “Lovesick Girls” (No. 1, upon its debut, October 2020).

The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts (dated Oct. 23) will update on Billboard.com tomorrow (Oct. 19). For both charts, the top 100 titles are available to all readers on Billboard.com, while the complete 200-title rankings are visible on Billboard Pro, Billboard’s subscription-based service. For all chart news, you can follow @billboard and @billboardcharts on both Twitter and Instagram.

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For The Next Two Weekends, You Can Rave for a Good Cause Without Going to the Club

For the final two weekends of October, electronic music fans can dance — or walk, or run, or bike, or swim — for a good cause.

On Oct. 22-24 and 29-31, mark the final two weekends for Around the World in 80 Raves, a fundraising initiative being supported by an all-star group of artists including Sasha, Sofi Tukker, Bicep, Adam Beyer, Ida Engberg, Peter Hook, Sama’ Abdulhadi, Ellen Allien and many more.

Sets from these acts are being streamed via the project’s website over all weekends in October as part of this global fundraiser, for which participants can choose to walk, run, cycle, swim or dance their own chosen distance goal. This distance can be completed at each participant’s own pace during October.

The project works by participants getting sponsored for this physical exertion, with participants then sending the money they raise to Around the World in 80 Raves, via the JustGiving platform. All proceeds go to a pair of charitable projects in São Paulo, Brazil, and Cape Town, South Africa. The overall goal is to have all participants contribute to a distance of 7,200 miles, which marks the distance between the 26 countries where the organization behind this initiative, the UK-based In Place of War, supports projects.

“The DJ sets are a kind of soundtrack to keep our activity challenge participants motivated, a way to celebrate their efforts every week, and also include a donate function so the audience can support from wherever they’re watching,” says Project Manager Lucy Evans.

In Place of War works with a global network of artists to use art, and especially music, to affect positive change in high conflict areas.  The 80 Raves initiative aims to raise $50,000, with $7,000 having been raised over the first two weekends. This money will be used to fund the creation of music studios in São Paulo and in the Lavender Hill neighborhood of Cape Town.

In São Paulo, donated funds will enable the creation of a Music Operating System with infrastructure for rehearsals and recording, live shows, online presentations, along with as a Music University center with career planning and digital distribution consultancy for young artists. It will also help renovate and prepare the building for events, including offering a free program of artistic and cultural events for young people who live in areas with high crime and unemployment rates. The funds will also help sustain weekly food donations to the street population of São Paulo.

In Lavender Hill, funding will support the development of a music studio and performance space constructed from repurposed shipping containers. The space will house a state of the art studio, a music computer room and a live performance area. This facility is intended to offer a safe, positive space for young people and to steer them away from gangs.

So far this month, industrious dance fans from the U.S., to Iceland, to Scotland to South Africa and beyond have participated in Around The World In 80 Raves.

Since launching 16 years ago, In Place Of War has created an international network of more than 100 grassroots change-makers in music, theater and beyond to affect change in violent areas in 26 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. Their project include the creation of the female singing group GRRRL, featuring women of color from international conflict zones. Organization Fellows include Run The Jewels and Laurie Anderson. Learn more about In Place Of War below.

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