Cody Johnson Hits Country Top 10 as e.l.f. Cosmetics Boosts New Music Talents

The current music scene is bustling with news, from established artists reaching new milestones to innovative platforms supporting fresh voices. Cody Johnson, a prominent country music artist, has climbed into the Top 10 of Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with his track "Take Me Back (Leave Me There)." Simultaneously, the cosmetics brand e.l.f. Cosmetics is releasing its second compilation album, "Mirror Mix," aiming to boost a new generation of artists across various genres. Both developments highlight how music continues to evolve, both in chart performance and in the ways new talent is discovered.

Cody Johnson Shines on Country Charts

Singer Cody Johnson is enjoying significant success. His song "Take Me Back (Leave Me There)" has reached the No. 10 spot on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart, as reported by the magazine on September 19. This marks his sixth track to enter the Top 10 of this prestigious ranking. The song garnered 7.5 million official U.S. streams between September 4 and 10 alone, a 19% increase in one week, according to Luminate.

The success of "Take Me Back" comes as no surprise to those following music trends. The song gained traction on TikTok over the summer, fueled by Johnson's a cappella performance clips and a trend where couples used the song to reflect on their time together. Billboard had already noted this surge on August 19, when the track's on-demand U.S. streams jumped 150% over five weeks.

This achievement coincides with Johnson's four CMA Awards nominations, announced on September 10. He is nominated for entertainer of the year, male artist, single, and video, the latter two for his song "The Fall." That track reached No. 7 on Hot Country Songs in April and topped Country Airplay for a week in May, becoming his third No. 1 in that format, as we covered in this note about Jim Diamond.

New Offerings in Country Music

The Hot Country Songs chart also welcomed other notable collaborations. "Boots," Kane Brown's song featuring Shania Twain, debuted at No. 36. It registered 2.5 million first-week streams and sold 1,000 copies, marking Brown's 47th entry and Twain's 35th, as Billboard reported. This track is presented as a male response to Twain's 1995 breakthrough hit "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under."

Additionally, Mumford & Sons, making their first appearance on Hot Country Songs, and Chris Stapleton, bowed at No. 45 with "Here." The song, part of Mumford & Sons' sixth studio album, "Prizefighter," released in February, accumulated 2.2 million streams and is now being promoted to country radio. In July, it had already topped Billboard's Adult Alternative Airplay chart for two weeks.

e.l.f. Cosmetics Backs Music with 'Mirror Mix'

The worlds of beauty and music converge once again thanks to e.l.f. Cosmetics. The brand, part of e.l.f. Beauty, has released "Mirror Mix," its second original music compilation album. Billboard exclusively announced on September 25 that this project features seven rising artists across genres like pop, R&B, Latin music, and rock. The aim is to blend beauty and music to support the next generation of talent.

The album includes Joaquina, the Latin Grammy-winning Venezuelan singer-songwriter and e.l.f.'s newest ambassador, with her Spanish song "Ya No Estoy." Also featured are independent Grammy-winning artist Mamii with "Transitions," and WNBA basketball star, rapper, and entrepreneur Flau’jae Johnson with "What Can’t I Do." Joaquina told Billboard that releasing this song with e.l.f. "feels like a dream come true," as makeup has always been a form of self-expression for her.

Other talents on the album include rocker Brasko with "Look Don’t Touch"; pop-rock trio Hello Sister with "Girlhood Is Forever"; Colombian-Dominican singer-songwriter NEZZA with "Bésame," and power vocalist Sadie Rose Van with "Kiss."

Democratizing Access for Independent Artists

Through its entertainment arm, e.l.f. Made, e.l.f. Cosmetics aims to provide a platform for talents who might otherwise struggle to gain recognition. Patrick O’Keefe, chief integrated marketing officer at e.l.f. Brands, explained that the goal was to "democratize access," passing the mic to the next generation of artists, as you can read in our article on Nina. The company states in a press release that many independent artists face challenges: 1 in 3 cite lack of exposure, 78% earn less than $15,000 annually from their music, and 82% cannot afford to tour.

To celebrate this release, e.l.f. has partnered with Genius, the world’s largest music knowledge and lyrics platform, to create an "Open Mic" content series for a live audience on September 30. This event seeks to connect fans with artists and their music on a deeper level. The "Mirror Mix" album will be available on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, and its tracks will also be found in e.l.f. UP! on Roblox.

Why it matters

These developments paint a picture of a constantly evolving music landscape. While established artists like Cody Johnson find new ways to connect with fans and achieve success, consumer brands are opening doors for emerging talents. Initiatives like e.l.f. Cosmetics' project remind us that the industry isn't solely sustained by big names, but also by new voices that, with the right support, can find their place in the public's heart. This is good news for musical diversity and for fans who are always looking for something new to listen to.