NEAR TRUTHS: REALIGNMENT AND RECOGNITION
Underscoring the year's biggest stories (11/19a)
NEAR TRUTHS: THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Nervous time in the music biz and beyond. (11/16a)
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NOW WHAT?
We have no fucking idea.
COUNTRY'S NEWEST DISRUPTOR
Three chords and some truth you may not be ready for.
AI IS ALREADY EATING YOUR LUNCH
The kids can tell the difference... for now.
WHO'S BUYING THE DRINKS?
That's what we'd like to know.
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Republic’s The Weeknd (XO) has quickly become a household name. For many stations, it started with “Earned It,” from the 50 Shades of Grey soundtrack. Then came “Can’t Feel My Face,” which just this week, became the new #1 record at Rhythm (up another 1000 spins); it’s also steamrolling up the Pop and Hot A/C charts. His new record, “The Hills,” is up over 200 spins and is at #47 at the format this week. Amazingly, sales are over 138k a week, and that’s in addition to the incredible sales on “Can’t Feel My Face.” A record that wasn’t even a “radio record” until this week has earned over 530k at iTunes. That really shows how rabid and passionate his fan base is. His upcoming LP Beauty Behind the Madness is set to drop 8/28, and “The Hills” impacts this week. Gary Spangler, Davey Dee and Stef Cole also have Taylor Swift f/Kendrick Lamar’s “Bad Blood” (Big Machine), which is up an additional 310 spins, and moves to #8. Sage The Gemini f/Nick Jonas’ “Good Thing” slides into the #13 position, adding 330 spins, while Natalie La Rose f/Fetty Wap’s “Around the World” (IMG) climbs inside the Top 20, gaining 380 spins.
Columbia’s Ayelet Schiffman and James White have OMI’s “Cheerleader” (Ultra) dancing its way into the Top 5; it was up another 850 spins this week, good enough for the #2 biggest increase this week. Samantha J’s “League of My Own” moves to #31, with an increase of 115 spins. And next week, they debut Dej Loaf f/Big Sean’s “Back Up.” Expect new tracks from Juicy J and J. Cole in the near future as well.
Def Jam’s Rick Sackhiem, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness take Big Sean f/Kanye West & John Legend’s “One Man Can Change the World” inside the Top 25. It was up 325 spins, and continues to gain new believers each week. Jeremih f/J. Cole’s “Planes” climbs #33-29 this week, up 170 spins. They dropped a brand new YG track, “Twist My Fingaz,” last week, and it already has major market airplay from the West Coast. Alessia Cara’s “Here” is ramping up at Rhythm, with WPGC D.C. and WZMX Hartford among the early believers.
John Strazza, Inca and Lori G at RCA deliver another Top 5 record from Kid Ink. “Be Real,” featuring Dej Loaf, moves #6-5 and increases 340 spins. Pitbull f/Chris Brown’s “Fun” (Mr. 305/Polo Grounds) sits at #17, up 70 spins, while Miguel f/Wale’s “Coffee” is at #43 this week. R. City f/Adam Levine’s “Locked Away” had a very impressive week, adding 140 spins and moving #80-56. Chris Brown’s “Liquor,” meanwhile, is just getting started, and it’s gaining traction at Urban radio.
Epic’s Sujit Kundu has Fifth Harmony f/Kid Ink’s “Worth It” at #19 this week, having had one of its best weeks to date; it was up 260 spins and has been on the chart for 18 weeks now. Casey Veggies f/Dej Loaf’s “Tied Up” climbs to #46, and Future f/Drake’s “Where Ya At” impacts this week. Speaking of Future, early album sales are being projected at 130k+ first week.
Warner Bros.’ Lee L’Heureux impacts Nico & Vinz f/Kid Ink’s “That’s How You Know” this week. He also has Jason Derulo’s “Cheyenne” (Beluga Heights) going to #28, posting an additional 260 spins.
Largest increases:
1) The Weeknd “Can’t Feel My Face” XO/Republic
2) OMI “Cheerleader” Ultra/Columbia
3) Major Lazer f/DJ Snake “Lean On” Mad Decent
4) Silento “Watch Me” Bolo Productions/Capitol
5) Natalie La Rose f/Fetty Wap “Around The World” IMG/Republic
The Pulse:
1) Dej Loaf f/Big Sean “Back Up” Columbia
2) The Weeknd “The Hills” XO/Republic
3) Nico & Vinz “That’s How You Know” Warner Bros.
4) Samantha J “League of My Own” Columbia
5) Alessia Cara “Here” Def Jam