Representatives from most labels and many of the top iHeart programmers are converging in L.A. this week for the semi-annual ‘meeting of the minds’ and listening sessions. Each label has a set amount of time to play songs from new and upcoming artists for a select group of PDs and MDs from around the country. It’s a great way for them to expose new music to the tastemakers of iHeartMedia. And speaking of iHeart, they’ve announced their line-up for this year's upcoming festival. The Who, Kanye West, Sam Smith, Lil Wayne, Jason Derulo, Coldplay and The Weeknd are some of the big names slated to perform 9/18 & 19 at the MGM Grand.


The timing is perfect for The Weeknd to hit the big stage, as “Can’t Feel My Face” (Republic/XO) sits at #1 and “The Hills” (Republic/XO) moves #31-19, adding 933 spins. The sales and Shazam numbers are most certainly there, both of which seem to be the barometer of a hit song. Gary Spangler, Davey Dee and Stef Cole also have Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” (Big Machine) at #6, up 120 spins. They’re trying to give her the first Top 5 record of her career at this format. Sage The Gemini f/Nick Jonas’ “Good Thing” is at #12, and Natalie La Rose f/Fetty Wap’s “Around the World” climbs to #13, gaining 170 spins.

Def Jam’s Rick Sackheim, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness take Big Sean f/Kanye West & John Legend’s “One Man Can Change the World” inside the Top 20 this week, grabbing 140 new spins. Jeremih f/J. Cole’s “Planes” slides into the #27 slot, up 110 spins. Meanwhile, YG’s “Twist My Fingaz” climbs to #43, and will chart next week; it was up 215 spins. Alessia Cara’s “Here,” up 90 spins, is starting to pick up some steam. The label has started a countdown to the release of Justin Bieber’s “What Do You Mean?” It’s been a minute since we’ve had a Bieber song (excluding the Skrillex and Diplo track); it’ll be interesting to see how the Rhythm audience reacts.


Columbia’s Ayelet Schiffman and James White are pushing to take the #1 slot this coming week with OMI’s “Cheerleader” (Ultra); it’s at #2, up 310 spins, and about 700 spins away. Samantha J’s “League of My Own” is at #31, up 75 spins. Dej Loaf f/Big Sean’s “Back Up” moves to #59, up 140 spins; there’s a good buzz on this track. They’re impacting J. Cole’s new “No Role Modelz” this week, as well as a new track from Rita Ora, featuring Chris Brown, which is due out later this week.

The crew of John Strazza, Inca and Lori G at RCA debut Miguel’s “Coffee” this week at #40. R. City f/Adam Levine’s “Locked Away” climbs to #44, up 85 spins, and Prince Royce f/Pitbull & Jennifer Lopez’s “Back It Up” slides to #47, also up 85 spins. Chris Brown’s “Liquor,” meanwhile, is up 125 spins, and has already charted at Urban. New to the party, Pitbull f/Jason Derulo & Juicy J’s “Drive You Crazy” is just now being serviced to mix show.

Epic’s Sujit Kundu has Future f/Drake’s “Where Ya At” at #42, up 270 spins. That one’s sure to debut next week. Casey Veggies f/Dej Loaf’s “Tied Up” sits at #45 this week, while Ciara’s “Dance Like We’re Making Love” climbs to #64, up 50 spins.


Lee L’Heureux and Warner Bros. have Jason Derulo’s “Cheyenne” (Beluga Heights) leaping #26-22 and increasing 250 spins; the sales are picking up as well. Nico & Vinz’s “That’s How You Know” also has a great week, as it gains 200 spins and moves to #46.

Largest increases:
1) The Weeknd “The Hills” XO/Republic
2) Silento “Watch Me” Bolo Productions/Capitol
3) Major Lazer f/DJ Snake “Lean On” Mad Decent
4) OMI “Cheerleader” Ultra/Columbia
5) Drake “Back to Back” YMCMB/Republic

The Pulse:
1) Dej Loaf f/Big Sean “Back Up” Columbia
2) YG “Twist My Fingaz” CTE/Def Jam
3) Nico & Vinz “That’s How You Know” Warner Bros.
4) Drake “Back To Back” YMCMB/Republic
5) Alessia Cara “Here” Def Jam