Does failing to reach #1 at the Rhythm format make a record less successful? I don't think it should be considered the true indicator, at least in the case of Rhythm. As a format (in relation to the chart), we have at least seven stations that lean heavily towards Urban music and about six that lean pretty pop. This can really limit an Urban/R&B record and vice versa with a Pop-leaning song. Records like Rema x Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down” and RAYE’s “Escapism.” certainly have the metrics, research, multiformat success and the “cool factor,” but because of those six to seven stations that’ll never play it in a meaningful rotation, they will likely never make it past the Top 5.

It feels like there are always one or two records that deserve to be #1 that can’t get full support from the entire format and fall just short of the top. But that certainly wasn’t the case with Republic’s Coi Leray and her hit, “Players” (Uptown), which Davey Dee has held at #1 for four weeks. Next up is Drake & 21 Savage’s “Spin Bout U,” which sits at #2 on the building chart. They’ve also got Metro Boomin’s “Superhero (Heroes & Villains)” f/Future & Chris Brown holding at #6 this week, Nicki Minaj’s “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” moving to #12 with an increase of over 550 spins and Big Boss Vette’s “Pretty Girls Walk” gaining 140 spins as it climbs to #33.

Dixie Tipton and Capitol have a few records that are red hot. Ice Spice’s “In Ha Mood” (10K Projects) sees a 350-spin increase and is now at #14. Toosii’s “Favorite Song” rockets to the Top 20 and is up over 530 spins. And Doechii x Kodak Black’s “What It Is” (TDE) tacks on another 520 spins as it comes in at #29, which is the highest debut this week.

RCA’s Lori G and Inca have Latto’s “Lottery” f/LU KALA (Streamcut) rise one spot to #9. She is up triple digits and eyes the Top 5.

Over at Epic, Rick Sackheim and Dontay are impacting BIA’s “I’M THAT BITCH” this week. It’s already on the building chart and will have a solid debut next week.

Nino and Interscope continue to grow Rema x Selena Gomez’s “Calm Down.” It’s up 235 spins and holds at #7. He also has a few records that will be impacting in the next couple weeks from Rae Sremmurd and Kali Uchis.

John Strazza and Columbia have The Kid LAROI’s “Love Again” moving two spots to #30. He just misses a debut with Miley Cyrus’ “River” as it ends the week at #41, up 180 spins. Columbia dropped a few new songs on Friday from Chloe, Tyler, The Creator and Marshmello & Polo G. They will be monitoring the streams and growth over the next seven to 10 days to decide if they will impact.

B Dot Scales and Warner impacted NLE Choppa x Lil Wayne’s “AIN’T GONNA ANSWER” last week, and it’s off to the races! It was the most increased record of the week and debuts at #35. Look for this one to enter the Top 20 in the next few weeks.

Noah Sheer and Def Jam are taking airplay on Coco Jones’ “ICU” (High Standardz) this week. It has nearly 5m streams a week and is a Top 10 Shazam record in the U.S. It’s an R&B record, so it will likely be a slow build at the format.

And it’s finally official, KSFM has hired Complex as its new PD. After multiple interviews and meetings with top brass, he will be starting in late April. KSFM has a very strong heritage going back to the Byron Kennedy and Short-e days, and Complex is the perfect fit to bring it back to prominence.

Biggest Increase:
NLE Choppa x Lil Wayne “AIN’T GONNA ANSWER” (Warner)
Nicki Minaj “Red Ruby Da Sleeze” (Republic)
Toosii “Favorite Song” (SCMG/Capitol)
Doechii x Kodak Black “What It Is” (TDE/Capitol)
Drake & 21 Savage “Spin Bout U” (OVO/Epic-Republic)

Buzz Records:
BIA “I’M THAT BITCH” (Epic)
Big Boss Vette “Pretty Girls Walk” (Republic)
Coco Jones “ICU” (High Standardz/Def Jam)
FLO “Fly Girl” f/ Missy Elliott (Uptown/Republic)
Miley Cyrus “River” (Columbia)