I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing Labor Day Weekend. The kids are now officially back in school, summer is over and it’s time to focus on the fourth quarter. Days are getting shorter, and college football has begun (NFL starts Thursday). Even if you’re a Browns, Niners or Bears fan, you’re not out of the playoffs (yet).

Republic, on the other hand, is one team that’s definitely winning right now. Gary Spangler and Davey Dee (pictured right with The Weeknd) have had quite an impressive year, and it continues as The Weeknd’s “The Hills” (XO) goes #1 this week. It jumps from #5, adding 980 spins. This is his third #1 record in a row. His LP, Beauty Behind the Madness, meanwhile, was the #1 album this week, selling north of 325k. At #3, lead single “Can’t Feel My Face” remains positive on the chart as well. Another red-hot artist, Drake, has the highest debuting track at the format this week with “Hotline Bling” (YMCMB). It lands at #21, up 875 spins. Demi Lovato’s “Cool for the Summer” (Safehouse/Island/Hollywood) is at #30, and Post Malone’s “White Iverson” moves to #35, up 145 spins. Nicki Minaj f/LunchMoney Lewis’ “Trini Dem Girls” (YMCMB) comes in at #48, gaining a cool 280 spins this week. Nick Jonas’ “Levels” (Safehouse/Island) is a big record at Pop, and it’ll be crossing here in the next few weeks. They’re impacting Avicii’s “Pure Grinding” (PRMD/Island) today. And based on the success of Taylor Swift’s last track, “Bad Blood,” it’ll be interesting to see how she fares with “Wildest Dreams” (Big Machine). It’s a monster at Top 40, and was up 110 spins this week at Rhythm.


At Def Jam, Rick Sackhiem, Noah Sheer and Scott Maness are really ramping things up as well. Jeremih f/J. Cole’s “Planes” moves to #12, adding an additional 265 spins, and Alessia Cara’s “Here” moves into the Top 25 with an increase of 150 spins, while YG’s “Twist My Fingaz” comes in at #29, up 75 spins. After one week of airplay, Justin Bieber’s “What Do You Mean?” (RBMG) debuts at #32. On the heels of his Skrillex/Diplo collaboration, radio fully embraces him to the tune of a 760-spin increase!

RCA’s John Strazza, Inca and Lori G rocket R. City f/Adam Levine’s “Locked Away” into the Top 15 this week, up 385 spins. Chris Brown’s “Liquor” was up 210 spins and moves to #31. Nicky Jam’s “Forgiveness” moves to #48, while Pitbull f/Jason Derulo’s “Drive You Crazy” climbs to #50. Shy Carter f/Aleon Craft’s “Bring It Back” (Latium) is just getting started, and moves to #61 this week.


Columbia’s Ayelet Schiffman and James White have Rita Ora f/Chris Brown’s “Body on Me” leaping #24-18, up a whopping 400 spins. They also get a double debut this week, as Dej Loaf f/Big Sean’s “Back Up” lands at #37 and J. Cole’s “No Role Modelz” is right behind at #38, gaining 85 spins. They impact Calvin Harris & Disciples’ “How Deep Is Your Love” this week; it’s already got 285 spins at the format, and is Top 30 at Pop. Next week, OMI’s “Hula Hoop” (Ultra) impacts, so be ready.

Epic’s Sujit Kundu has Future f/Drake’s “Where Ya At” moving to #33, up 45 spins. Travi$ Scott’s “Antidote” adds 65 spins, and the sales projections look very impressive.


Warner Bros.’ Lee L’Heureux makes quite a splash with Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Downtown,” which debuts at #22, up 937 spins. That was the #2 Most Increased record this week.

RECORDS’ Christine Chiappetta and Paula Tuggey continue the upward ascent on Nelly f/Jeremih’s “The Fix,” as it bounds #31-23, gaining another 410 spins. This one’s really looking and feeling real.

Largest increases:
1) The Weeknd “The Hills” XO/Republic
2) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis “Downtown” Warner Bros.
3) Drake “Hotline Bling” YMCMB/Republic
4) Justin Bieber “What Do You Mean?” RBMG/Def Jam
5) Nelly f/Jeremih “The Fix” RECORDS

The Pulse:
1) Justin Bieber “What Do You Mean?” RBMG/Def Jam
2) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis “Downtown” Warner Bros.
3) Drake “Hotline Bling” YMCMB/Republic
4) Rita Ora f/Chris Brown “Body On Me” Roc Nation/Columbia
5) R. City f/Adam Levine “Locked Away” Kemosabe/RCA