Anyone notice how difficult it is these days to cross a Top 5 Rhythm/Urban/Hip-Hop track from Rhythm to Pop? A quick look at the Top 40 chart shows that if your name isn’t Drake, only a very small handful of these “hits” make it past the top 25. Our format sells iTunes, definitely Shazams, and certainly streams big numbers. So where is the disconnect?

I understand music is cyclical, but I always assumed Top 40 took the very best from multiple formats (Rhythm, Alternative, Modern A/C, etc.) Most of the crossover songs coming from Rhythm are night records at best for a vast majority of the Top 40s these days. There seems to be quite a void, and I can’t help but think labels are missing a big chunk of revenue and exposure from not pushing these records through, never mind breaking and exposing the format to a new artist.

One artist that has been able to bridge the gap is Republic’s The Weeknd. “Starboy” f/Daft Punk (XO) jumps #7-3 this week, stockpiling another 1,000-plus spins. Gary Spangler, Davey Dee and Stef Cole have made quick work of this track, and it is on track to be #1 next week. They also have Ariana Grande f/Nicki Minaj’s “Side to Side” at #20, which sees an increase of nearly 400 spins. Amine’s “Caroline” continues to grow and develop, as it moves to #29. It had its best week ever, up 275 spins. Post Malone f/Justin Bieber’s “Déjà vu” climbs #38-32, up 120 spins, while Hailee Steinfeld & Grey f/Zedd’s “Starving” is at #47. Belly’s “Ballerina” is at #62. Justine Skye f/Wizkid’s “U Don’t Know” is just starting out.

Epic’s Sujit Kundu has DJ Khaled ” f/Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown’s “Do You Mind” (We The Best) inside the Top 10, with his sights set on the Top 5. It saw a 320-spin increase this week. Young Thug & Travis Scott’s “Pick Up The Phone” (Grand Hustle) gains another 215 spins, good enough for #21 this week. Jidenna’s “Long Live The Chief” (Wondaland) scores an increase of 110 spins, and is at #77, while Zara Larsson’s “Ain’t My Fault” is at #86. Make sure you check out the Lil Yachty’s remix!

Def Jam’s Rick Sackheim, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness are on fire with Kanye West. “Father Stretch My Hands” (G.O.O.D.) moves to #8, up 260 spins, with “Fade” seeing a 350-spin jump and landing at #22. They debut Rihanna’s “Love On The Brain” (Westbury Road/Roc Nation) this week at #31. It gains 240 spins. Up next for the crew is 2 Chainz f/Drake’s “Big Amount.”

Columbia’s Ayelet Schiffman and James White tack on another 350 spins to The Chainsmokers f/Halsey’s “Closer” (Disruptor), which is at #4. Russ’ “What They Want” gains another 125 spins, good enough for the #18 slot. John Legend’s “Love Me Now” just misses the chart at #42, but had an amazing increase of over 350 spins. It is on the building chart at #35 already.

RCA’s Inca and Lori G have an amazing record with Rob $tone’s “Chill Bill.” It is up 210 spins this week, and climbs to #28. New stations continue to come on board, and this record will be top 25 next week. They also debut Afrojack f/Ty Dolla $ign’s “Gone” at #40. It grew by 80 spins. Usher f/Future’s “Rivals” increases by 150 spins, which puts him at #45 on this week’s chart.

Capitol’s Dixie Tipton has Lil Yachty’s “1 Night” (QC/Motown) climbs its way into the top 25, thanks to an increase of 100 spins. This is another record that continues to find new believers and has solid streaming numbers.

MOST INCREASED:

The Weeknd f/Daft Punk “Starboy” (XO/Republic)
Ariana Grande f/Nicki Minaj “Side To Side” (Republic)
John Legend “Love Me Know” (Columbia)
Kanye West “Fade” (G.O.O.D./Def Jam)
The Chainsmokers f/Halsey “Closer” (Columbia)

BUZZ RECORDS:
Rihanna “Love On The Brain” (Westbury Road/Roc Nation)
Jidenna “Long Live The Chief” (Wondaland/Epic)
Usher f/Future “Rivals” (RCA)
Rob $tone “Chill Bill” (RCA)
Amine “Caroline” (Republic)

The Chainsmokers f/Halsey's “Closer” (Disruptor/Columbia) climbs up to #3, with The Weeknd's “Starboy” f/ Daft Punk (XO/Republic) right on their tail by rocketing to #4 with an 800+ spin gain. DJ Khaled's “Do You Mind” (We The Best/Epic) cracks the Top 10, while Kanye West's “Fade” (G.O.O.D./Def Jam) slides inside the Top 25. Def Jam has also secured a debut for Rihanna's ballad “Love On The Brain” (Westbury Road/Roc Nation) this week. And although John Legend's “Love Me Now” (Columbia) will just miss charting, the song experienced a very healthy 300+ spin increase!

I am not someone who enjoys discussing or debating politics, be it on my social media accounts or in person. But I will say whoever coined the phrase “Anyone can grow up to be the President” surely didn’t have this in mind. On to the more important things, like who is running the chart. And the simple answer is still Drake.

Republic’s Gary Spangler, Davey Dee and Stef Cole hold Drake f/Rihanna’s “Too Good” (YMCMB) at the top for a fourth week. I wonder what his next single will be? The Weeknd f/Daft Punk’s “Starboy” (XO) is a rocket ship who’s course is set for #1. It jumps an astounding #18-7, gaining 1,340 spins this week. It could easily be in the top three next week. Ariana Grande f/Nicki Minaj’s “Side To Side” makes its way into the top 20, tacking on 365 spins. Amine’s “Caroline” leaps #40-31, thanks to a healthy 180-spin increase. They also debut Post Malone f/Justin Bieber’s “Déjà vu” at #38 this week. Hailee Steinfeld f/Zedd’s “Starving” makes its way to #48, and was up 120 spins. They are impacting Justine Skye f/Wizkid’s “You Don’t Know” this week.

Columbia’s Ayelet Schiffman and James White see The Chainsmokers f/Halsey’s “Closer” (Disruptor) move inside the top 5. They picked up an additional 255 spins this week, and have a DJ Mike D Rhythm radio mix that is helping with the more Urban leaners. Make sure you check it out. Beyonce’s “Hold Up” is at #17, and Russ’ “What They Want” has another impressive week, gaining 255 spins, moving him to #18. They are impacting John Legend’s “Love Me Now” this week. This is a positive, thought-provoking song that this generation needs right now. As I write this, they have 22 commitments!

Def Jam’s Rick Sackheim, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness have Kanye West’s “Father Stretch My Hands” (G.O.O.D.) at #9, with a goal to get into the Top 5. Kanye’s second single, “Fade,” is also rolling up the chart. It comes in at #24, up 350 spins. Desiinger “Tiimmy Turner” climbs #37-32 this week.

Dixie Tipton and Capitol see another triple digit increase on Lil Yachty “1 Night” (QC/Motown). It moves to #26. She is also impacting Kevin “Chocolate Droppa” Hart f/ Trey Songz “Push It On Me” in a few short weeks.

Over at RCA, Inca and Lori G continue to grow Rob $tone’s “Chill Bill.” It climbs to #29, thanks to a 180-spin increase. This record is starting to really connect, if you are not supporting, you need to listen again. It continues to grab a handful of new stations each week. Afrojack f/Ty Dolla $ign’s “Gone” comes in at #45, while Usher gains 145 spins and is at #60 after one week.

Sujit Kundu and Epic are busy with DJ Khaled f/Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown’s “Do You Mind” (We The Best). It is at #11, gaining 385 spins. It is eyeing Top 10 next week. Young Thug & Travis $cott’s “Pick Up The Phone” (Grand Hustle) continue their amazing run. It is up 210 spins this week, as they move #25-22. Kent Jones “Alright” (We The Best) continues to develop, as does Zara Larsson’s “Ain’t My Fault.” They are impacting the new Jidenna this week, “Long Live The Chief.”

MOST INCREASED:

The Weeknd f/Daft Punk “Starboy” (XO/Republic)
DJ Khaled f/Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown “Do You Mind” (We The Best/Epic)
Ariana Grande f/Nicki Minaj “Side To Side” (Republic)
Kanye West “Fade” (G.O.O.D./Def Jam)
The Chainsmokers f/Halsey “Closer” (Columbia)
Russ “What They Want” Columbia

BUZZ RECORDS:
Rihanna “Love On The Brain” (Westbury Road/Roc Nation)
John Legend “Love Me Know” (Columbia)
Usher f/Future “Rivals” (RCA)
Rob $tone “Chill Bill” (RCA)
Amine “Caroline” (Republic)

Columbia secures 20 adds for John Legend's "Love Me Now" on their impact week, while Team Republic continues to grow Amine's "Caroline" with 11 new stations. Meanwhile, Epic's Jidenna has a solid impact week with "Long Live The Chief." Rihanna's ballad "Love On The Brain" (Westbury Road/Roc Nation/Def Jam) and Rob $tone's "Chill Bill" (RCA) continue to develop with six adds each.