I’d like to start off my column this week, celebrating the life Vince Pellegrino. We were technically “competitors,” providing the same services to the labels. With that being said, Vince welcomed me to his office, allowed me to be a part of his showcases, etc. I knew that every time I saw him, I would get the most uncomfortable pinch on my neck, and a ridiculously hard hand shake. What Vince did for the Rhythm format was second to none. He had an unwavering passion for new music and was always positive and ready to tackle any hurdle. Vince’s S.I.N. Awards provided the ONLY time for many in the record and radio world to see each other, every December. The outpouring of support, love and respect for him is a true testament to the man he was. In a business where we’re quick to be labeled as “fake,” “a typical promotion person” or “jaded,” Vince Pellegrino never wavered in his passion and love for the industry, his family and music. I know we can ALL take something from the way he lived his life. He was one of a kind, and will be deeply missed. Rest in peace, Vince.

(L-R: Joe Riccitelli, Michelle Santosuosso, Lori Rischer, Frankie Blue, Vince Pellegrino)

The Grammys took place Sunday night, and the big winners in the Rhythm world were Sam Smith, Beyonce, Eminem, Kendrick and Pharrell Williams. And, of course, there was the mandatory moment of Kayne West coming on stage to protest that Beyonce didn’t win. All in all, the performances were very good.

I’m starting to sound like a broken record, but RCA is once again in the top slot. They flip-flop Usher f/Juicy J’s “I Don’t Mind” with Mark Ronson f/Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk.” This is the fourth week this year that they hold down the #1 position. And not far behind it, they have Pitbull f/Ne-Yo’s “Time of our Lives” moving inside the Top 5, up 635 spins. They also move Chris Brown & Tyga’s “Ayo” inside the Top 10, up 640 spins. Prince Royce f/Snoop Dogg’s “Stuck on a Feeling” moves to #16, gaining 210 spins, while Kid Ink f/Chris Brown’s “Hotel” moves to #33 and increases 240 spins.

Ayelet Schiffman and James White at Columbia, fresh off their Grammy wins with Beyonce, have “7/11” moving to #7, adding nearly 300 spins. J. Cole’s “Apparently” moves inside the Top 15 and gains 415 spins. They also debut Calvin Harris f/Big Sean’s “Open Wide” at #39 this week; it’s already starting to Shazam in some markets and it just started playing. Make sure to listen to T.I. f/Chris Brown’s “Private Show.” They’re impacting next week!

Gary Spangler and Davey Dee at Republic also have a full plate, as Nick Jonas’ “Jealous” (Island) moves to #4 and Nicki Minaj f/Drake, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown’s “Only” (YMCMB) hits #6. Nicki’s other track, “Truffle Butter,” which also features Drake and Lil Wayne, climbs to #11 and gains 475 spins. Natalie La Rose f/Jeremih’s “Somebody” (IMG) moves inside the Top 15 with a massive 565 spin increase. The Weeknd’s “Earned It” also has a tremendous week, leaping 10 spots to #24, increasing 555 spins. They debut Kaylin & Myles’ “Trampoline” this week at #37, along with Taylor Swift’s “Style” (Big Machine), which they’re impacting now. They’re also impacting Ariana Grande’s “One Last Time,” which is sure to be in the Most Added column.


Rick Sackhiem, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness at Def Jam have their A-list artists making plenty of noise. Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney’s “FourFiveSeconds” (Roc Nation) vaults to #20 this week, adding 570 spins. Meanwhile, Kanye West f/Paul McCartney’s “Only One” moves to #26, while Ludacris’ “Good Lovin” slides up to #29. Logic’s “Buried Alive” is at #49, and Big Sean f/Drake & Kanye West’s “Blessings” (G.O.O.D.) increases over 300 spins and looks to debut this week. Iggy Azalea f/Jennifer Hudson’s “Trouble” (Grand Hustle) is just getting started with buzz developing. Jeremih’s “Planes” impacts this week.

Sujit Kundu and Epic debut Meghan Trainor’s “Lips Are Movin” at #38 this week, gaining triple-digits. Casey Veggies’ “Backflip” is at #43 and should debut this coming week. Ciara’s “I Bet” is at #45 and should also make its appearance on the chart next week; it was up 180 spins.

Largest Increases:

1) Chris Brown & Tyga “Ayo” RCA
2) Pitbull f/Ne-Yo “Time Of Our Lives” RCA
3) Mark Ronson f/Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” RCA
4) Rihanna, Kanye West & Paul McCartney “FourFiveSeconds” Roc Nation
5) Natalie La Rose f/Jeremih “Somebody” IMG/Republic

The Pulse:

1) Iggy Azalea f/Jennifer Hudson “Trouble” Grand Hustle/Def Jam
2) Ariana Grande “One Last Time” Republic
3) Big Sean f/Drake & Kanye West “Blessings” G.O.O.D./Def Jam
4) Calvin Harris f/Big Sean “Open Wide” Columbia
5) Kid Ink f/Chris Brown “Hotel” RCA