This week I am in lovely Atlantic City for the 2016 Promo Only convention, surrounded by some of the best rhythmic and top 40 programmers in the country. I just had the honor of being on a panel with E-Man from KPWR L.A., Orlando from WLLD Tampa, Hotboy from KOPW Omaha, DJ Digital from KHXT Lafayette, La., Albie D of Maryland’s WOCQ. Noah Sheer of Def Jam moderated. It was quite a lively conversation regarding the state of the Rhythm format, how to break artists, and what matrix programmers are using to find the new hits. It was very well received. I am going to make this a shortened version of my column this week, so that I can get back to the various panels and see old friends.

Epic’s Sujit Kundu grabs the #1 spot with DJ Khaled f/Drake’s “For Free” (We The Best). It was up 350 spins, and looks to hold on for at least another week. Fifth Harmony’s “All In My Head (Flex)” (SYCO) is at #11, up triple digits, and DJ Khaled f/Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown’s “Do You Mind” (We The Best) lands at #41. It has an amazing buzz, and is already inside the top 35 on the building chart. Young Thug & Travis Scott “Pick Up The Phone” is at #43, and still developing.

Republic’s Gary Spangler, Davey Dee and Stef Cole continue to fire Drake bombs at radio. His newest track, “Too Good” f/Rihanna (YMCMB), is already at #10, up 950 spins, and shows no signs of slowing down. To say that Drake is the biggest artist in the world is an understatement. Marc E. Bassy f/G-Eazy’s “You & Me” slides to #13, and they are gearing up to hit it hard at top 40. Ariana Grande’s “Into You” comes in at #19, gaining 190 spins. Kungs vs. Cookin On Three Burners “This Girl” (Casablanca) lands at #31, adding 150 spins. This is another record that really has a strong buzz. Nick Jonas f/Ty Dolla $ign’s “Bacon” (Island) climbs to #35 this week, and Belly f/Kehlani’s “You” (Roc Nation) just misses charting at #47.

Def Jam’s Rick Sackheim, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness (who is a terrible blackjack player I may add!) have the #15 and #16 songs with YG f/ Drake “Why You Always Hatin” and Kanye West f/Kid Cudi’s “Father Stretch My Hands” (G.O.O.D.). Both records were up 240 spins. DJ Mustard f/Nicki Minaj and Jeremih’s “Don’t Hurt Me” (Roc Nation) comes in at #42, and should debut this week.

Columbia’s Ayelet Schiffman, who put an amazing dinner together for us moocher trade guys and PDs,)and James White have Calvin Harris f/Rihanna’s “This Is What You Came For” (Westbury Road) at #4. They also debut The Chainsmokers f/Halsey’s “Closer” (Disruptor) this week at #38. It was up over 300 spins, and is still gaining momentum. They are impacting the new Beyonce “Hold Up” this week, and it is looking to be among the most added.

RCA’s Inca and Lori G continue to build Usher’s “No Limit.” It is now at #8, up 300 spins. Sia’s “Cheap Thrills” (Monkey Puzzle) was up 390 spins, good enough for the #12 spot this week. Bryson Tiller’s “Sorry Not Sorry” takes a nice leap this week, going #36-29. It was up 200 spins. Kid Ink “Promise” is up 110 spins, and moves to #32. Tinashe’s “Superlove” looks to debut this coming week. It was up 170 spins, at #46. There is a very good buzz on Lil’ Yachty’s “1 night” on Quality Control/Capitol. Dixie Tipton is impacting next week.

MOST INCREASED:
Drake f/Rihanna “Too Good” (YMCMB/Republic)
Major Lazer f/Justin Bieber and MO “Cold Water” (Mad Decent/Def Jam)
Sia “Cheap Thrills” (Monkey Puzzle/RCA)
DJ Khaled f/Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown “Do You Mind” (YMCMB/Epic-Republic)
DJ Khaled f/Drake “For Free” (YMCMB/Epic-Republic)

BUZZ RECORDS:
Major Lazer f/Justin Bieber and MO “Cold Water” (Mad Decent/Def Jam)
Tinashe “Superlove” (RCA)
Kungs & Cookin’ On 3 Burners “This Girl” (New Casablanca/Republic)
Tinie Tempah f/Zara Larsson “Girls Like” (Disturbing London/Def Jam)
Logic “Flexicution” (Def Jam)

Beyoncé, “Hold Up” (Columbia)

Epic climbs the mountain and lands at #1 this week with DJ Khaled's “For Free” f/ Drake (We The Best). Usher's “No Limit” (RCA) and Drake's “Too Good” f/ Rihanna (YMCMB/Republic) join the Top 10. Sia's “Cheap Thrills” (RCA) and Major Lazer's “Cold Water” f/ Justin Bieber and MØ (Mad Decent/Def Jam) have impressive gains inside the Top 20, while Bryson Tiller's “Sorry Not Sorry” (RCA) enters the Top 30. Look for The Chainsmokers' “Closer” f/ Halsey (Disruptor/Columbia) and Tinie Tempah's “Girls Like” f/ Zara Larrson (Warner Bros.) to debut this week.

During a slow mid-summer week, DJ Khaled's "Do You Mind" f/ Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown (We The Best/Epic) grabs 16 stations to be crowned Most Added at Rhythm. Drake's "Too Good" f/ Rihanna (YMCMB/Republic) continues to build by getting double digit adds, while Major Lazer f/Justin Bieber's "Cold Water" (Mad Decent/Def Jam), Tinashe's "Superlove" (RCA) and Sia's "Cheap Thrills" (RCA) all get 8 new commitments each.