NBC has renewed songwriting competition series “Songland” for a second season.
The series has produced iTunes chart-topping singles for artists including Leona Lewis, Macklemore, The Jonas Brothers, John Legend, The Black Eyed Peas and Kelsea Ballerini in its first season, which premiered on May 28.
Each week, one guest recording artist comes to “Songland” to hear unknown songwriters pitch their original material. Four songwriters perform their original tracks in front of the guest artist and producer-mentors Ryan Tedder, Ester Dean and Shane McAnally, and at the end of the episode one song is chosen to be released as the guest artist’s next single.
Lewis’ latest song “Solo Quiero (Somebody to Love)” featuring Cali y El Dandee and Juan Magán, was written by “Songland” contestant Rozee and producer Ryan Tedder. The track rose to the No. 1 spot on the iTunes Latin chart following her episode.
As a result of past episodes, Macklemore’s “Shadow” written by “Songland” songwriter Iro made it to No. 1 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap chart. The Jonas Brothers also landed a hit with “Greenlight” by Able Heart, which made it all the way to No. 1 on the iTunes Overall Chart. Ballerini’s “Better Luck Next Time” written by Darius Coleman rose to the top of the iTunes Pop Chart and made it to No. 2 on the iTunes Overall chart. The Black Eyed Peas’ “Be Nice” by Adam Friedman hit No. 1 on the iTunes Rock chart, and Legend’s “We Need Love” by Tebby Burrows made it to No. 1 on the iTunes R&B chart.
The 11-episode series is produced by “The Voice” producer Audrey Morrissey, Eurythmics co-founder and producer Dave Stewart, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and Tedder. The concept for the series comes from Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart, Audrey Morrissey and Ivan Dudynsky.
The first season finale of “Songland” airs Wednesday at 9 p.m. on NBC.