Paramore controversy sparks Social 50 chart climb

Paramore controversy sparks Social 50 chart climb

As the soap opera-worthy drama of Paramore`s recent lineup change continues to create headlines, the rock band sees a corresponding upsurge in social network buzz, as it re-enters Billboard`s Social 50 chart at No. 36.

On Tuesday, Paramore spoke out for the start time since a scathing blog post by departing member Josh Farro fired off accusations toward the set and its management.

For the week, Paramore is up 10 percent in MySpace fans, 39 percent in Facebook fans and 13 percent in YouTube channel subscribers.

The lot is noticeably one of just two acts in the top 50 that lost Twitter followers in the week over week comparison (down 7 percent), however. (Akon is the other Twitter loser, with a 24 percent slump in followers.)

The Social 50 chart ranks the most active artists on the world`s leading social networking sites - YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and iLike - using a formula blending weekly additions of friends/fans/followers along with weekly artist page views and weekly song plays.

Making a big jump up the view is Avril Lavigne, who vaults from No. 26 to No. 16 in the heat of the loss of her new single, "What The Hell," on December 31.

She rallies with a 76 percent growth in new Facebook fans, a whopping 131 percent rise in Twitter followers and a 98 percent rise in YouTube fans.

Chris Brown also motors up the list, rising from No. 33 to No. 21 after he was mired in an incendiary Twitter war with B2K`s Raz-B.

As a result, Brown is up 375 percent in Twitter followers, the largest growth in that segment on the chart. Additionally, Brown`s "Yeah 3x" single continues to see success on our charts. This week, the line holds at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 for a second week and steps 14-13 on the Pop Songs radio airplay tally.

Meanwhile, Rihanna simply won`t hold up the No. 1 point on the Social 50 chart, as she locks up the peak for a fourth non-consecutive frame.

She isn`t the only non-mover on the list - the entire top five refuse to budge. Justin Bieber holds at No. 2, followed by Lady Gaga, the Black Eyed Peas and Eminem. Michael Jackson moves up two rungs to No. 6, Katy Perry climbs three to No. 7, Linkin Park rises one to No. 8 and Akon drops three to No. 9. Shakira finishes out the top 10 at No. 10, ascending three steps.

Taking a tumble this week is Enrique Iglesias, who dives from No. 7 to No. 22. Last week, he flew up the ranking from No. 21 to No. 7 in the heat of the Web premiere of his picture for the racy "Tonight (I`m F*****` You)." However, he was ineffectual to keep the impulse from last week`s gains in friends/fans/followers, so he slides back down the list.

P!nk re-enters the chart (No. 27) as her new single "F**kin` Perfect" is finding ground at top 40 radio. The cross might debut on the Pop Songs run in the following few weeks.

Joining the chart`s re-entries are Bob Marley (No. 43), Nelly (No. 44) and Britney Spears (No. 49). Two new entries grace the chart this week, as Muse and Miley Cyrus bow at Nos. 41 and 48, respectively.

Falling out of the top 50 this week: Pomplamoose (of Hyundai`s near-inescapable holiday TV commercials), Keri Hilson, Dr. Dre, Flo Rida, Cascada, Demi Lovato, Trey Songz and Avenged Sevenfold.