I came up to Atlantic City for Sunday and Monday to attend the Promo Only Summer Sessions. It’s a three day event showcasing new and established talent to the mixshow/DJ/Pop and Rhythm world, and Cary Vance was nice enough to invite me up to partake in the festivities. Represented stations included WKTU N.Y., KOPW Omaha (Hotboy), KHXT Lafayette (DJ Digital), WLLD Tampa (Orlando) and WOCQ Ocean City (MD Albie D.). Meanwhile, on the label side of things, appearances were made by Ayelet Schiffman on behalf of Columbia, RCA’s Strazza and Inca, Warner Bros.’ Lee L’Heureux and Epic’s Sujit Kundu.

As for radio, Republic’s Gary Spangler, Davey Dee and Stef Cole are still the owners of the #1 record with The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” (XO). Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood” (Big Machine) peaked last week at #6, giving her the biggest Rhythm track of her career by far. The Weeknd’s “The Hills” (XO) continues to be among the biggest records at the format; it’s up 800 spins this week, and moves #19-13. Natalie La Rose f/Fetty Wap’s “Around the World” (IMG) is at #14, up 85 spins. Demi Lovato’s “Cool for the Summer” (Island/Safehouse/Hollywood), up 150 spins, climbs to #32. Drake has a number of heaters floating out there. “Back to Back” is up 250 spins, but the track they’re focusing on is “Hotline Bling.” Make sure to check it out. And Davey Dee is particularly excited about his new artist Post Malone’s first single, “White Iverson”; they impact next week.


Ayelet Schiffman and James White at Columbia have targeted this week as the time to get OMI’s “Cheerleader” (Ultra) to #1. A lot of blood, sweat and tears have been put into this, and for that to culminate into a #1 would be spectacular. It’s #2 at this point. They also have Dej Loaf f/Big Sean’s “Back Up” at #47, up 175 spins. J. Cole’s “No Role Modelz” is up 140 spins, and it continues to grab new stations each week. This week, they’re impacting Rita Ora f/Chris Brown’s “Body on Me” (Roc Nation), which is expected to be Most Added. It’s currently iHeart’s On The Verge track for Rhythm. That should really help catapult this up the chart. Make sure you watch the video.


Def Jam’s Rick Sackheim, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness continue to do a great job with Big Sean f/Kanye West & John Legend’s “One Man Can Change the World” (G.O.O.D.); it moves to #17 and gains 190 spins. They also have Jeremih f/J. Cole’s “Planes” vaulting to #23, up 195 spins. This is another superb promotion job, as the record’s been around for nearly six months. YG’s “Twist My Fingaz” debuts this week at #39 and adds 190 spins. Alessia Cara’s “Here,” meanwhile, slides up to #54 and adds an additional 95 spins.

RCA’s John Strazza, Inca and Lori G have R. City f/Adam Levine’s “Locked Away” at #42, up 145 spins. It should debut next week, as it’s off to the races at Pop. Chris Brown’s “Liquor” continues to build; now at #45, it’s up 200 spins. Another week like the last and this will chart as well.

Epic’s Sujit Kundu debuts Future f/Drake’s “Where Ya At,” which was up 110 spins. He’s impacting Travi$ Scott’s “Antidote” this week as well.

Lee L’Heureux and Warner Bros. continue to climb the chart with Jason Derulo’s “Cheyenne” (Beluga Heights). It makes its way inside the Top 20 with an increase of 215 spins. Nico & Vinz’s “That’s How You Know” is at #46, gaining 90 spins.

iHeart’s Dylan Sprague, Rita Ora, Columbia’s Ayelet Schiffman

Largest increases:
1) The Weeknd “The Hills” XO/Republic
2) Major Lazer f/DJ Snake “Lean On” Mad Decent
3) Silento “Watch Me” Bolo Productions/Capitol
4) Drake “Back To Back” YMCMB/Republic
5) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/Ed Sheeran “Growing Up” Macklemore

The Pulse:
1) Drake “Back to Back” YMCMB/Republic
2) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/Ed Sheeran “Growing Up” Macklemore
3) Dej Loaf f/Big Sean “Back Up” Columbia
4) YG “Twist My Fingaz” CTE/Def Jam
5) Alessia Cara “Here” Def Jam