2015 hit fills dancefloors and screens from Europe to the US
Savage is the first New Zealand rapper to receive the award
Timothy Smith (aka Timmy Trumpet) and Demetrius Savelio (aka Savage) are the latest songwriters to be honoured with a place on APRA AMCOS’s 1,000,000,000 List for their global hit “Freaks”.
The ‘Billions Award’ is given to APRA AMCOS songwriter members and their publishers in recognition of a song surpassing one billion streams, taking into account streaming numbers from major services Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. It’s the first award of its kind to recognise a songwriter’s achievement on streaming platforms.
Smith is published by Universal Music Publishing and Savelio by 120 Publishing. They co-wrote the hit with Ivan Gough (Sony Music Publishing Australia), Jeremy Bunawan and Mathieu Valton (both Universal Music Publishing).
“Freaks” is the 12th single release by Timmy Trumpet, which propelled him to international fame charting in Australia, New Zealand and across Europe on its release in 2015. It’s sold over one million copies worldwide and reached number three in the ARIA chart and number one in New Zealand.
It was certified gold by the RIAA, six times platinum by ARIA and triple platinum by Recorded Music NZ and has also featured in a number of Hollywood TV shows and films including American Ultra, Collide, Santa Clarita Diet, Teen Wolf and Training Day.
On receiving the award, Smith took to Instagram to say: “FREAKS has hit 1 BILLION STREAMS!! Cheers fam, this is all thanks to you.”
Savelio, who is the first New Zealand rapper to receive the award, added: “First Kiwi Rapper to enter the Billi club!! APRA AMCOS certified 100%...Salute to my Brother Timmy Trumpet, what a journey and blessing this has been!! Grateful!!”
Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, adds: “Reaching one billion streams is no mean feat, and we applaud Timothy, Demetrius and their co-writers for this outstanding achievement in songwriting. “Freaks” is an absolute earworm, so it’s no surprise that it’s reached such international and longstanding success.”
"Freaks" - Timmy Trumpet feat. Savage