I made my way up to NYC this past week to see a showcase for RCA’s new artist Grace. She’s an Australian-born singer/songwriter with an amazing, soulful voice and thought-provoking lyrics, and the label is very excited about what she has in store. Her set spanned 10 songs in a small, yet packed venue with a three-piece band. A number of radio folk were there to check her out, including WZMX Hartford’s DJ Buck, the gang from WKTU New York and WRQX D.C.’s Gillette. Her music and style cannot be categorized into one format, but current single “You Don’t Own Me” f/G Eazy is a great example of who she is. It’s hook-heavy, haunting track that is uniquely Grace. Keep your eye out for her.

Staying with RCA, John Strazza, Inca and Lori G continue to build Tinashe’s “All Hands on Deck.” They just sent out a remix, which features Dej Loaf and freshens it up for those who have been on the front end; it’s at #12, up 225 spins this week and on its way to the Top 10. Kid Ink f/Dej Loaf’s “Be Real” (Alumni/88Classic) is at #13 this week, gaining 480 spins; this one’s been on fire since it dropped, and shows no signs of slowing down. Pitbull f/Chris Brown’s “Fun” (Mr.305/Polo Grounds) is also climbing the charts each week; it moves inside the Top 20, up 225 spins. Deorro X Chris Brown’s “Five More Hours” sits at #45, and Miguel f/Wale’s “Coffee” – a personal favorite of mine – leaps to #51, adding 110 spins. They’re doing a double impact this week, as Mark Ronson f/Mystikal’s “Feel Right” and Prince Royce f/Pitbull’s “Back It Up” both go for adds.


Republic continues their torrid hot streak as Nicki Minaj’s “The Night Is Still Young” (YMCMB) climbs into the Top 15, tacking on 335 spins, and Taylor Swift f/Kendrick Lamar’s “Bad Blood” (Big Machine) moves to #23 this week with a 500 spin increase. Tove Lo’s “Talking Body” (Island) sits at #29, while Sage The Gemini f/Nick Jonas’ “Good Thing” (Empire) explodes on the chart; it’s the biggest debut this week, coming in at #31, up 420 spins. There’s a new track from The Weeknd, “I Can’t Feel My Face,” as well as one from Natalie La Rose, “Around The World” f/Fetty Wap, that will be impacting soon. It’s looking like another hot summer for these guys.

Ayelet Schiffman and James White at Columbia also have hits of their own. J. Cole’s “Wet Dreamz” (Roc Nation) surges to #16 this week, gaining 340 spins; it continues to close out new stations each week. Omi’s “Cheerleader” (Ultra) has been everything the label said it would be and more. It’s selling, Shazaming and making new believers each week; this week, it vaults #27-19, up 450 spins. It’s doing the same at Pop, so the market airplay is making this familiar quickly. Snoop Dogg’s “California Roll” is just getting started, and is at #72 on the chart. They’re impacting Samantha J f/Dej Loaf’s “League of My Own” this week. The early mix show activity has been very impressive, and they’re targeting 10 new believers this week.

Def Jam’s Rick Sackheim, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness have Rihanna’s “BBHMM” (Roc Nation) at #7, with a 355 spin increase this week. Jeremih f/Flo Rida’s “Tonight Belongs to U!” moves to #32, gaining 110 spins. Big Sean’s “One Man Can Change the World” (G.O.O.D.) was up 80 spins and is starting to build a profile.

Congrats to Epic’s Sujit Kundu for taking Jidenna’s “Classic Man” (Wondaland) Top 10 this week; it was up 425 spins and shows no signs of slowing down. Fifth Harmony’s “Worth It” (SYCO) jumps #26-21, gaining 160 spins this week. Future’s “Commas” moves to #30, and Janelle Monae & Jidenna’s “Yoga” (Wondaland) goes to #49, while gaining 80 spins. Tink’s “Million” is still developing and is at #52. They’re impacting Casey Veggies f/Dej Loaf’s “Tied Up” this week.


Largest increases:
1) Taylor Swift f/Kendrick Lamar “Bad Blood” Big Machine/Republic
2) Kid Ink f/Dej Loaf “Be Real” Alumni/88Classic/RCA
3) Omi “Cheerleader” Ultra/Columbia
4) Jidenna “Classic Man” Wondaland/Epic
5) Sage The Gemini f/Nick Jonas “Good Thing” Empire/Republic

The Pulse:
1) Taylor Swift f/Kendrick Lamar “Bad Blood” Big Machine/Republic
2) Sage The Gemini f/Nick Jonas “Good Thing” Empire/Republic
3) Kid Ink f/Dej Loaf “Be Real” Alumni/88Classic/RCA
4) Omi “Cheerleader” Ultra/Columbia
5) Miguel f/Wale “Coffee” RCA

(L-R: iHeartMedia's Tom Poleman, Chris Brown, Big Boy at this weekend's iHeartRadio Summer Pool Party)