The Best Actor in the Vase of Meiyu

Chapter 1786 Taking Over the Front Row
On Friday, before Billboard unveiled its weekly charts, the music video and live performances of "Dawn Breaks" swept across the United States.

The physical reach is overwhelming, with outdoor and indoor screens of all sizes providing complete coverage, attracting all attention and focus with overwhelming force.

Then came behind-the-scenes glimpses, a buying frenzy, rainbow sunflowers, and stock shortages—one wave of excitement after another, leaving no time to catch one's breath. Billboard squeezed in the latest singles and album charts, but the media and netizens had no time to pay attention.

For once, Billboard was neglected. The news of "Sunflower's" sixteenth consecutive championship had just appeared and hadn't even had a chance to stand firm on the top spot before it was pulled down by the fierce propaganda offensive of "Dawn Breaks". The vast news pages were completely dominated by Anson. Mixed in with the dazzling news, another news item belonging to Anson seemed less eye-catching and could be easily overlooked if you weren't paying attention.

This is... truly both laughable and infuriating.

Strictly speaking, the reason why Rainbow Sunflower was able to attract attention is mainly due to the single "Sunflower," but now the merchandise has overshadowed the original artist.

The explosive reaction, though a few beats slower, still happened. People joked that since "Sunflower" tying the historical record was something everyone predicted, there was no need to make a fuss. What really matters is whether "Sunflower" can go further and break the record.
From sixteen weeks at number one to seventeen weeks at number one, it may seem like just a change in numbers, but in the context of fierce competition in the North American music market, such a small step is like an insurmountable chasm. The further you go, the more difficult it becomes. Starting from ten weeks at number one, every step and every breakthrough after that is as difficult as climbing to the sky.

Originally, judging from all the circumstances, "Sunflower" still has a very high chance. Whether it is digital music downloads, radio broadcasts, or other data, it has always maintained strong competitiveness. There are no competitors in the short term, and the possibility of continuing to hold the number one spot on the singles chart is very high. Not to mention seventeen weeks, some people are even looking forward to a full twenty weeks at number one. Everyone is waiting to witness a historic moment.

However, an unexpected variable appeared out of nowhere—

Anson himself.

With the sudden emergence of "Dawn Breaks" and the grand debut of "Voyage," all the hype and excitement converged on Anson in the following week.

In other words, the biggest, and perhaps only, opponent standing in the way of the "Sunflower's" seventeenth consecutive championship is Anson himself.

Is this really good?

People are complaining that while the entire North American market is focused on Sunflower making history, Anson is perhaps the only one who doesn't care, carelessly ruining his own chance to create history and write a glorious chapter. Is it really okay to be so swaggering and disdainful of other competitors?
But why didn't Warner Music stop Anson?

Perhaps Anson is just a pretty face with no brains, completely unaware of the value of these historical records, but how could Warner Bros. not know?
Records are more than just records; they have promotional value, market value, and represent an honor and status. They are a recognition that everyone in the industry desires and pursues. It's far more than just a record or a set of numbers.

If "Breaking Dawn" is delayed by a week, "Sunflower" will undoubtedly make history, with no significant competitors in sight.

It's all Warner Music's fault!
Overnight, Warner Music became universally condemned and attacked.

Warner Music: ? ? ?
Unexpectedly, news media, industry peers, enthusiastic fans, and casual observers were all more proactive and eager to see history made, with a constant stream of voices condemning Warner Music.

Warner Music had no way of explaining their predicament.

On the one hand, they really did not expect the "Sunflower" to have such a fierce momentum, and to be able to maintain its vitality after sixteen consecutive championships.

It's not that they lack confidence, but the facts before them cannot be ignored. Just look at the sudden emergence of Fifty Cent last year and other hip-hop artists:
Despite the widespread popularity of hip-hop, which is ubiquitous, it remains confined to niche circles and lacks mainstream appeal. While some singles may top the Billboard Hot 100, their staying power is generally limited.

"Sunflower" is a hip-hop track. Warner Music was already full of confidence and high hopes, even spending a lot of effort to persuade Anson to include "Sunflower" in the album. The management believed that this single was undoubtedly a highlight and a key piece. However, the reality was that, watching the single climb the Billboard Hot 100 chart and continue its strong performance week after week, the management was overjoyed but also dumbfounded, more surprised than anyone else.

On the other hand, they certainly did not expect that "Dawn Break" would be able to unleash such energy.

Generally speaking, it is very difficult for a new album or single to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. "Sunflower" debuted thanks to the huge effect of the movie premiere and the existing market base of "Spider-Man". Normally, a brand new single usually takes six to eight weeks to slowly climb the charts.

Another factor to consider is that when people request songs on the radio, they are more familiar with the band August 31, not the solo artist Anson.

As a solo artist, Anson is still a newcomer, which means that the charting period for his new single may need to be extended.

The North American music market values ​​a steady, long-term approach, whether it's albums or singles.

In other words, Warner Music gave "Sailing" enough time to climb the charts, while also giving "Sunflower" enough space to continue its presence on the charts.

Everything was planned. How could Warner Music possibly shoot itself in the foot?

however!
An unexpected event still occurred; and it was not a minor one, nor a slight deviation from the course, but a cataclysmic event that shocked the entire North American continent, leaving it stunned and bewildered.

Even more outrageous, "Sunflower" experienced an "unexpected" event; "Dawn Breaks" also experienced an "unexpected" event, truly turning the market upside down.

Warner Music was also a "victim".

Now, facing a situation where "Sunflower" and "Sailing" are fighting each other, and watching the opportunity to make history slip through their fingers like a cooked duck taking flight, Warner Music is almost in tears.

We can't blame them, really.

Only God knows that Warner Music's management has been pinching their inner thighs until they're bruised.

Then, amidst this bustling noise and excitement, the billboard returned to the spotlight, drawing the attention of countless eyes.

Thump thump thump, thump thump thump, my heart was pounding like a drum, my blood was boiling. I've never felt so nervous and excited about announcing a list before. Even Billboard itself has never experienced anything like it.

The Billboard Hot 100 chart was officially released in the fourth week of October.

First, "Sunflower," Anson Wood.

Second, “Sailing”, Anson Wood.

(End of this chapter)