Music News for Thursday

Feb 1, 2018 | 5:30 AM

LORDE’S ‘ROYALS’ CERTIFIED DIAMOND: Lorde’s 2013 breakthrough single “Royals” has been certified diamond by the RIAA for sales of 10 million units. She’s only one of five female artists to earn a diamond song certification, along with Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Carly Rae Jepsen and Meghan Trainor. The single actually earned diamond status in December 2017, but Lorde just received her plaque during this past week’s Grammy festivities. “Royals” was the lead single from Lorde’s debut album, Pure Heroine. It won Song of the Year at the 2014 Grammys. Lorde released her sophomore album, Melodrama, last June. She’ll kick off a North American tour in support of the record – which was nominated for Album of the Year at this year’s Grammys – March 1st in Milwaukee.

JASON MRAZ PARTICIPATING IN ASCAP’S 2018 ‘I CREATE MUSIC’ EXPO: Jason Mraz has joined the lineup for 2018 “I Create Music” Expo, hosted by ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. It’s not yet clear how the singer will be participating, but the three-day expo features panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes and one-on-one sessions. Jason serves as a board member of the ASCAP Foundation. Singer-songwriter Marc Cohn, songwriter-producer Darrell Brown and Dan Wilson – who co-wrote “Someone Like You” with Adele – are also set to appear at the event, along with up-and-coming pop star Billie Eilish. The ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo will take place May 7-9, at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.

SAM SMITH DROPS NEW SPOTIFY SINGLES STREAM: Sam Smith stepped out in New York City yesterday after releasing his new Spotify Singles collection. The 25-year-old singer was seen making his way out of his hotel and greeting fans. Yesterday morning, Sam dropped his two-song Spotify Singles stream, featuring a piano-and-vocal version of his The Thrill of It All song “Burning” and a cover of singer Oleta Adams’ “Get Here.”

CHECK IT OUT

Sam Smith’s New Spotify Stream: