Billboard Launches New Uncharted Music Chart

Launched today on Billboard.com, Uncharted gives a vast market of emerging talent the opportunity to be ranked and discovered. Billboard’s Uncharted is part of its new Dreamseekers initiative that will include not only the Uncharted ranking but also Billboard Pro, a comprehensive tool to help artists manage and grow their online fan base.

Occupying the No. 1 slot on the inaugural Uncharted ranking is hip-hop solo artist Traphik, a Long Beach, California-based Thai-American rapper known for his comedic YouTube videos and rhymes. Other artists in the top five include DJ BL3ND, Colette Carr, Javier Jofre and the Deadlies.

With a universe of millions of artists creating and sharing their music on digital platforms to amass an audience, many are serious about a career but have not arrived on the mainstream music scene. They may not have a retail story or a radio story, but they have leveraged the Internet’s powerful role in music consumption and have a noteworthy following. Uncharted is an artist discovery tool for the music industry’s ecosystem of recording labels, talent management, concert promoters, music publishers, radio, film, television and advertising executives as well as passionate music fans.

“Uncharted is about launching careers. We want to serve as a conduit for artists to step onto a broader stage, ultimately topping one of the major Billboard charts,” said Billboard Editorial Director Bill Werde. “Record labels, publishers and other music companies are always looking for ways to make smarter bets on emerging talent, and we think the Uncharted ranking will be a significant tool for those who would invest in music.” Read more

Lady Gaga Is The Most Listened To Artist Online

According to the music site, Last.fm is reporting that Lady Gaga is the “most listened to artist on the web,”

Music Tracks from Lady Gaga’s 2008 debut album “The Fame” were played more than 18.5 million times by the site’s 35 million-strong community. Lady Gaga’s songs were played six million times more than “The Killer’s” which were the second most listened to Artists.

Everyone seems to go Goo Goo over GAGA!