I’d like to pat myself on the back this week, as I 've achieved a monumental milestone. This is my 100th column for HITS Magazine. That’s 100 weeks of singlehandedly carrying some of the laziest, underachievers in this industry. I’ve managed to survive ridicule, sweatshop-like conditions and minimum wage. No worries; I’m I'll be rewarded handsomely — maybewith a Starbucks gift card. As the editors work bankers’ hours and take three-hour liquid lunches, I manage to keep this place afloat. I am the quintessential one-man HITS army.
Big congrats to Gary Spangler, Davey Dee and Stef Cole for taking brand new artist Natalie La Rose's debut single, “Somebody” f/Jeremih (IMG/Republic) to #1 this week. It’s not easy to break an artist these days, and to have this much early success is very impressive. Sticking with Republic, it looks as though they’ll take The Weeknd’s “Earned It” to #1 next week. It’s currently sitting at #2, and was up over 1000 spins this week, making it the Most Increased record. Ariana Grande’s “One Last Time” holds at #11 and increases 350 spins. Nick Jonas’ “Chains” (Island) moves to #23 and Tove Lo’s “Talking Body” (Island) climbs to #45, gaining 120 spins. They’re just getting up and running with Charles Hamilton f/Rita Ora’s “New York Raining.”
Epic’s Sujit Kundu has his game on point as they have Ciara’s “I Bet” moving #34-29, up triple digits, and Fifth Harmony f/Kid Ink’s “Worth It” (SYCO) climbing #35-31, also up 100 spins. Jidenna’s “Classic Man” debuts this week at #36, while adding 140 spins. And just outside the chart, Future’s “Commas” is at #44; it’s currently climbing the Urban charts, moving to #16. Meanwhile, Tink’s “Rachet Commandments” is developing each week.
The debut of the week belongs to Def Jam’s Rick Sackhiem, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness, as Rihanna’s “BBHMM” (Roc Nation) blasts onto the chart at #24, gaining 835 spins. Big Sean f/Drake & Kanye West’s “Blessings” (G.O.O.D.) goes to #12, tacking on 250 spins, and Kanye West f/T. London’s “All Day” moves inside the Top 15, increasing 260 spins. Ludacris f/Miguel’s “Good Lovin” slides to #16 and continues to develop.
John Strazza, Inca and Lori G at RCA have Kid Ink f/Chris Brown’s “Hotel” at #15, as well as Tinashe f/Iggy Azalea’s “All Hands on Deck” at #21, up 135 spins. They’re impacting Martin Garrix f/Usher’s “Don’t Look Down” this week, and have a number of new releases in the pipeline, including songs from Chris Brown & Tyga and Mark Ronson.
Ayelet Schiffman and James White at Columbia are hard at work as T.I. f/Chris Brown’s “Private Show” vaults #30-22, adding 225 spins. Snoop Dogg’s “Peaches N Cream” (Doggystyle/i Am Other) goes #33-25, also gaining 225 spins. They just impacted the Empire cast’s “You’re So Beautiful” last week; it moves to #73. They’re impacting Dillon Francis & DJ Snake’s “Get Low” this week. The latter is featured in Furious 7, and the iTunes sales are now Top 25! A new edit featuring Rae Sremmurd adds still more spark. Next week, they’re impacting J. Cole’s “Wet Dreamz,” which already has a solid base and will be charting in the next few weeks.
Lee L’Heureux and Warner Bros. continue to build Jason Derulo’s “Want to Want Me,” which is now #13, up 450 spins. The track’s also flying at Pop and shows no signs of slowing down.
Bob Weil and RAL enjoy a great debut for Jordin Sparks f/2 Chainz’s “Double Tap.” It comes in at #38 this week, up 55 spins.
Largest Increases:
1) The Weeknd “Earned It” XO/Republic
2) Rihanna “BBHMM” Roc Nation
3) Jason Derulo “Want to Want Me” Beluga Heights/Warner Bros.
4) Rae Sremmurd f/Nicki Minaj “Throw Sum Mo” Ear Drummer/Interscope
5) Natalie La Rose f/Jeremih “Somebody” IMG/Republic
The Pulse:
1) Rihanna “BBHMM” Roc Nation
2) Kendrick Lamar “King Kunta” TDE/Aftermath/Interscope
3) Jidenna “Classic Man” Wondaland/Epic
4) Snoop Dogg “Peaches N Cream” Columbia
5) Tinashe f/Iggy Azalea “All Hands on Deck” RCA
