It’s been an extremely slow start to the year in terms of releases. In fact, it started this past October. It was gradual, but there were definitely not as many fourth quarter releases. You’d think this would affect the top of the chart and that there would be fewer #1 records, but that doesn’t seem to be true as there have already been six new #1 records this year!

In my conversations with Interscope and Columbia—to name a few—both labels said they plan to have a much busier March and April, so let’s hope that comes to fruition. Despite a lack of new records, the pressure falls equally on the label (to be diligent in picking the right singles) and radio (to make sure they have a balance of power recurrents and proven hits to blend with the new, more unfamiliar songs).

Lately, it feels like the two entities are going in different directions. In this constantly changing landscape, it’s up to both radio and record labels to cohabitate and work together to continue to make each other stronger. I think this will be a very telling year for both sides.

One label that continues to pick the right singles is RCA. Lori G and Inca just took SZA’s “Shirt” (TDE) to #1, and they are looking to do the same thing with “Kill Bill,” which ended the week at #3 but is building to #1 as I write this. They also just impacted Latto’s newly released “Lottery” f/LU KALA (Streamcut) and it was the Most Added track on the add board. Look for this one to debut this coming week and be off to the races.

Davey Dee and Republic have Coi Leray’s “Players” in position to reach the top in a few short weeks. Up over 415 spins, this one ended the week at #5. Metro Boomin’s “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” f/Future & Chris Brown adds 475 spins to its total and climbs to #12, while Drake & 21 Savage’s “Spin Bout U” continues to roll and gains over 1100 spins as it makes its way into the Top 15 in just three weeks.

Nino Cuccinello and Interscope continue to build the story on Rema & Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down.” It is up 280 spins and sits at #13 this week. Nino also debuts GloRilla’s “Internet Trolls” at #40. Gaining 225 spins, the next goal for this is Top 25.

Over at Warner, B Dot Scales holds NLE Choppa’s “Do It Again” f/2Rare at #9 this week.

Columbia’s Strazz and James White have Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” at #20. It enjoys an increase of 280 spins, and just went to #1 at Top 40!

Capitol’s Dixie Tipton has Lil Baby’s “Forever” f/Fridayy gaining an impressive 355 spins as it comes in at #26 this week and continues to build momentum. She also just impacted Ice Spice’s “In Ha Mood” (10K Projects). Picking up over 25 adds, it was at #42 on the printed chart and is already Top 35 on the building chart.

And at Def Jam, Noah Sheer holds Hitkidd’s “Shabooya” at #37 this week. It is up 155 spins as it makes it way inside the Top 25.

Biggest Increase:
Drake & 21 Savage “Spin Bout U” (OVO/Epic-Republic)
SZA “Kill Bill” (TDE/RCA)
Metro Boomin “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” f/Future & Chris Brown (Boominati/RCA-Republic)
Coi Leray “Players” (Uptown/Republic)
Lil Baby “Forever” f/Fridayy (QC/Motown/Capitol)

Buzz Records:
Latto “Lottery” f/LU KALA (Streamcut/RCA)
Tyla “Been Thinking” (FAX/Epic)
Ice Spice “In Ha Mood” (10K Projects/Capitol)
Big Boss Vette “Pretty Girls Walk” (Republic)
GloRilla “Internet Trolls” (CMG/Interscope)