GLOBAL GAINS: ELTON & BRITNEY, KAROL G, VMAs

Elton John & Britney Spears' new collab, Karol G's return to reggaeton and VMA boosts for Taylor Swift, BLACKPINK and Nicki Minaj saw these acts climbing DSP charts last weekend.

Elton John & Britney Spears, "Hold Me Closer" (Interscope): John connected with Spears on this track—which, as its title would suggest, interpolates his classic "Tiny Dancer"—for the pop princess' first new release since the end of her conservatorship. "Hold Me Closer" was Spotify's #1 debut last weekend, reaching a peak of #14 on the global chart on Friday. It also ascended to #1 at iTunes.

Karol G, "Gatúbela" (UMLE): Latin streaming queen Karol G's second single of 2022, "Gatúbela" ("Catwoman"), marks a return to her reggaeton roots. She tapped OG urbano star Maldy for a rap verse on the steamy track, the scorching-hot visual incarnation of which trended #1 on YouTube. Following "Provenza" and "MAMIII," Karol's new single is Top 50 at both Apple Music and Spotify. Ms. G kicks off her sold-out U.S. arena tour next week.

VMAs Bump: Enjoying a lift from Sunday's VMAs were BLACKPINK, Nicki Minaj and Video of the Year winner Taylor Swift. BLACKPINK's "Pink Venom" (YG/Interscope) moved 11 slots to #14 at Spotify U.S. Monday thanks to the K-pop group's electrifying performance. Minaj's "Super Freaky Girl" (Republic)—Nicki also singed the VMAs stage—returned to the Top 20 at Apple Music and Spotify's global chart while moving to #4 Spot U.S. And Swift's catalog got a streaming enhancement after she unexpectedly announced the arrival of her album Midnights, due 10/21, on the show; "August" (Republic) was the greatest gainer Monday at Spotify global, followed by double-digit increases for "Don't Blame Me" and "Blank Space." On the platform's U.S. chart, "Cruel Summer" and "All Too Well (Taylor's Version)" re-entered the Top 200.