The highly anticipated Drake track, “Slime You Out” f/SZA (OVO/Republic), dropped on Friday and it was met with mixed reviews from Rhythm radio. As I write this on Monday (9/18), Davey Dee and Republic are not sure if this will be an official single yet. It’s long, has a bit of a slow tempo and clocks in at more than five minutes. However, it’s also #1 on every DSP I looked at, as well as Top 5 Shazam U.S. Considering the track features two of the most-talked about artists at our format, the question is, will it be a “hit” or is it just a “set up” track for his album arriving early October? One thing is for sure, everyone has an opinion about it. What does it say about the Rhythm format to not support a song from two of the biggest multiformat artists? I guess this will be the litmus test for whether radio and records can hold each other’s hands, provided Republic decides to work the record. Stay tuned!

Davey also has Nicki Minaj’s “Last Time I Saw You,” which debuts at #31 this week. He also debuts Big Boss Vette’s “Get It" at #39, thanks to an increase of more than 150 spins. Lil Tecca’s “HVN on Earth” is still developing and looks to be a few weeks from a debut. The track is currently at #49 and climbing.

Meanwhile, it’s shaping up to be a two-horse race for #1 next week as Gunna’s “fukumean” (Young Stoner Life/300) and Doja Cat’s “Paint the Town Red” (Kemosabe/RCA) duke it out for the top spot. RCA’s Lori G and Inca are red hot with Doja, who is up more than 670 spins this week. The track is a sure fire #1, whether that happens this coming week or next. It’s also currently #1 on Shazam U.S. and Spotify Top Songs Global.

Michael Williams and team gamma. continue to hammer the throttle on Usher x Summer Walker x 21 Savage’s “Good Good” (mega). The single is currently up a whopping 760 spins and ends the week at #11. It’s already at #8 on the building chart. Williams also welcomes Sexyy Red’s “SkeeYee” (Open Shift) to the Top 30. She continues to pull in new believers each week.

Noah Sheer and Def Jam have DJ Khaled’s “SUPPOSED TO BE LOVED” f/Lil Baby, Future & Lil Uzi Vert (We the Best) at #13. He enjoys a triple digit increase of 130 spins and is looking to break into the Top 10. Timbaland’s “Keep Going Up” f/Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake (RCA) scores a 285-spin boost and is currently climbing the charts at Top 40 as well.

Nino Cuccinello and Interscope have Byron Messia’s “Talibans” climbing two spots to #18. The goal here is to cross this to the West Coast as they continue to pick up new stations each week. They’ve also got That Mexican OT’s “Johnny Dang” w/Paul Wall & DRODi securing an increase of 150 spins again this week as the track moves to #32.

Warner’s B Dot Scales puts Saweetie’s “BIRTHDAY” w/YG & Tyga inside the Top 15. She is up more than 200 spins with a target to move into the Top 10 in the next two weeks. He also has NLE Choppa’s “It’s Getting Hot” adding another 125 spins to his total and holds at #23. Additionally, Warner is impacting TeeJay & DJ MAC’s “Drift” this week.

Over at Epic, Rick Sackheim and Dontay see Travis Scott’s “MELTDOWN” f/Drake (Cactus Jack) jump three positions to #16. The single gains 215 spins along the way and looks to enter the Top 15 by next week. Mario x Lil Wayne’s “Main One” f/Tyga enjoys a 50-spin increase and ends the week at #22.

Nick P and Arista officially debut Paul Russell’s “Lil Boo Thang.” The track—which has 155k+ TikTok video creations and is featured on the platform’s Viral 50 chart—comes in at #33 after an increase of 240 spins. It is also creating a big buzz at Top 40.

Biggest Increase:
Usher x Summer Walker x 21 Savage's “Good Good” (mega/gamma.)
Doja Cat's “Paint the Town Red” (Kemosabe/RCA)
Travis Scott's “I KNOW?” (Cactus Jack/Epic)
Nicki Minaj's “Last Time I Saw You” (Republic)
Timbaland f/Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake's “Keep Going Up” (RCA-Def Jam)

Buzz Records:
Drake f/SZA's “Slime You Out” (OVO/Republic)
Paul Russell's “Lil Boo Thang” (Arista)
Sexyy Red's “SkeeYee” (Open Shift/gamma.)
41's “Bent” (Republic)
TeeJay & DJ MAC's “Drift” (Warner)