Welcome back to another edition of Chart Check! Each week, Rated R&B provides detailed insight to the chart movements of your favorite R&B artists and R&B songs. In this updated format, we will discuss Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs (Urban AC) and Nielsen’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop National Airplay (Urban) charts extensively. Read below for more information on the week of November 25, 2017:
Urban Radio
Cassie has officially returned with her new single “Love a Loser.” The song, which features rapper G-Eazy, received 14 adds on urban radio formats in the latest tracking week. This is Cassie’s first single since “The Boys” with Nicki Minaj, which was released in 2012.
Married musicians and Love and Hip Hop: Hollywood” stars Lyrica Anderson and Floyd “A1” Bentley have been working behind the scenes writing and producing songs for other artists for years, but 2017 is looking to be the year for their own work to finally take off. This week, A1’s SWV-sampled single “Always” landed on the official urban radio chart at No. 40. The song, which features Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign, gained a 213 spin increase since last week. Meanwhile, Lyrica is floating four spots under with her tune “Don’t Take it Personal,” which is the lead single from her recently released album Adia. The song was spun 496 times and picked up one add at urban radio in the latest tracking week.
N.E.R.D. and Rihanna are two of the music industry’s most elusive acts, but they may have a hit on their hands with their new collaboration “Lemon.” After being released just a few short weeks ago, the bouncy banger has officially landed on the Urban radio chart at No. 39. The song garnered a whopping 420 spin increase at urban formats, the third-most in the latest tracking week.
Urban AC Radio
dvsn is ready to multiply their recent success by sending their first single to radio. That’s right: “Mood” has been selected as the first radio single from their latest album Morning After, which was released on Oct. 13. The single received eight adds on R&B radio formats, which is the most for the latest tracking week.
MAJOR. has returned to the R&B scene with his new single “Honest,” which leapt onto the Urban AC chart at No. 17 last week. The momentum continues this week as the piano driven ballad skips 17-16, garnering a 60 spin increase since last week. The song also received six more adds at R&B radio formats.
With her first charting single, K. Michelle’s new era has officially begun! This week, “Make This Song Cry” landed at No. 27 on Billboard’s Adult R&B chart, thanks to a 51 spin increase since last week. This is the first radio single from the Memphis-bred singer’s upcoming fourth studio album Kimberly: The People I Used to Know, which is set for a Dec. 8 release date.
Quick Notes
And in quick notes: Miguel’s War & Leisure lead single “Sky Walker” is picking up speed as it rises 16-14 on this week’s Urban radio chart. The single received a 282 spin increase and has crossed the 10 million mark in urban radio audience; Rapper DeJ Loaf and singer Jacquees’ new single “At The Club” continues to rise on urban radio, sitting just 3 spots below the official chart. The song received four adds in the latest tracking week; John Legend’s newest Darkness & Light single “Penthouse Floor” debuts at No. 26 on this week’s Urban AC chart. The song, which features Chance the Rapper, was the highest debut of the week; and finally, Kenny Lattimore has finally made a “Push” right onto the Urban AC chart, as he is the last of the three debuts this week. His new single, from his new album Vulnerable, landed at No. 28 with a total of 211 spins at R&B radio and formats.
What about you? Are you feeling Lyrica and A1’s new singles? How well do you think Cassie’s new song will do? Did you enjoy this week’s Chart Check? Let us know how you feel in the comment section below!
Welcome back to another edition of Chart Check! Each Friday, Rated R&B provides detailed insight to the weekly chart movements of your favorite R&B artists and R&B songs. In this updated format, we will discuss Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs (Urban AC) and Nielsen’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop National Airplay (Urban) charts extensively. Read below for more information on the week of October 6, 2017:
Single Selections
Trey Songz’s Tremaine the Album era continues with the selection of his second single “Songs Goes Off.” The Atlantic Records signee received 12 adds at R&B radio in the latest tracking week. If the song charts, it will be Trey’s first Urban AC charter since 2015’s “Slow Motion.” Tremaine the Album debuted at No. 1 on the R&B albums chart and No. 3 overall upon its release in March.
Sam Smith is back and bigger with his new single “Too Good at Goodbyes.” Thanks to rising popularity and the release of the song’s music video, Smith has shot up the Urban AC chart, rising 22-12 on this week’s chart. The track saw a 255 spin increase since last week, making it the most spin increased song of the week on R&B radio. It also received an additional nine adds on R&B radio formats.
Like little sister, like big sister, and vice versa! Toni Braxton is starting her new era in the right direction with her new single “Deadwood.” The song continues to rise, jumping 30-23 on the Urban AC chart thanks to a 148 spin increase in the latest tracking week. The song also received 12 adds on R&B formats, making her the second most-added R&B song of the week. The first? Her younger sister, Tamar.
Leaps and Bounds
Tank has been building momentum in preparation for his new album Savage which was just released last night, Sept. 29. Lead single “When We” is the shining star of the week, as it rose to the No. 5 spot on the Urban AC Chart this week. The bedroom banger saw an increase of 124 spins on R&B radio station, the fourth-highest increase this week.
Here’s some chart superstition: every time Tank has a song enter the top 5 on this chart, it eventually becomes a No. 1 hit. Tank notched No. 1 songs in 2007 with “Please Don’t Go” and again in 2012 with “Next Breath.” As you can tell, his chart toppers are five years apart, which would continue if “When We” ever reaches the top spot in the year of 2017. Does “When We” have the potential to further this interesting trend? Tank has some stiff competition against the rising force of Khalid’s “Location,” the slight resurgence of Childish Gambino’s “Redbone,” and the staying power of Sevyn Streeter’s breezy jam “Before I Do” which logs a fifth week at No. 1 this week. Competition aside, Tank has a shot, but only time will tell.
SZA has brought the heat this summer and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon with her latest single “The Weekend.” In the latest tracking week, the song leapt 10 spots, rising 40-30 on the urban radio chart. Fueled by a 249 spin increase, the Ctrl cut was the fifth-most spin increased song of the week. If that wasn’t enough, the song has also received 18 more adds on urban radio formats. If this type of success is any indication, “The Weekend” is on it’s way to becoming a solid radio hit.
R&B Albums Chart Update
Billboard’s R&B album had a couple of notable chart movements in the last week. First up, Musiq Soulchild debuted at No. 16 on the chart this week with her double-disc set Feel the Real. The album is lead by his single “Start Over,” which now sits at No. 15 on the Urban AC chart. A little higher up on the chart sits Beyoncé’s 2016 album Lemonade, which leapt 24-8 in the latest tracking week. Lemonade is Beyoncé’s latest album, which featured singles such as the impactful “Formation,” whimsical “Hold Up,” and Just Blaze-produced “Sorry.” In other Beyoncé news, the songstress has hopped on the remix to J Balvin and Willy William’s latin banger “Mi Gente.” As previously reported, the sales from the song will be donated as relief funds for Puerto Rico, Mexico, and other Caribbean Islands and is already the No. 1 song on iTunes Worldwide. Expect for this track to make a splash in the next couple of weeks.
Quick Notes
And in quick notes: Rising artist Izzy Bizu is getting her first shot at radio success with her song “Diamond.” The song received 10 adds at R&B radio, the fourth-most for the week; Khalid’s “Location” proves to be the hit that just won’t go away. The song, sitting at on the Urban AC chart at the No. 4 spot, saw a 131 spin increase this week. With the decline of Bruno Mars’ “That’s What I Like,” the song is definitely on the trajectory for a top 3 finish within he next couple of weeks; And finally, Jazmine Sullivan and Bryson Tiller’s “Insecure” duet is beginning to find real chart success as it double debuts on both the Urban and Urban AC chart this week. The song sits at No. 30 on Urban AC and No. 37 on the urban radio chart.
What about you? Are you feeling Tamar and Trey Songz’s new singles? Do you think Khalid will go No. 1 on Urban AC? Did you enjoy this week’s Chart Check? Let us know how you feel in the comment section below!
Welcome back to another edition of Chart Check! Each Friday, Rated R&B provides detailed insight to the weekly chart movements of your favorite R&B artists and R&B songs. In this updated format, we will discuss Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs (Urban AC) and Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop National Airplay (Urban) charts extensively. Read below for more information on the week of September 30, 2017:
R&B Vets on the Rise
The living legend herself Toni Braxton is back on the R&B scene with her new single “Deadwood.” The bluesy tune received a whopping 26 adds on R&B radio, making it the most added song of the week on R&B formats and the second most added song across all urban radio formats. In an interview with the co-hosts from E!’s Daily Pop, Braxton cites singer and “musical husband” Babyface as the catalyst for “getting her mojo back,” as “Deadwood” is her first solo single release in seven years. This song is the first offering from Braxton’s Sex and Cigarettes album, which will be her eighth solo studio album. The album is set to be released in early 2018.
Speaking of living legends, Mary J. Blige proves to be a consistent hit-maker as her current single “Set Me Free” bumps up 11-10 on the Adult R&B chart in the latest tracking week. This is her 22nd top 10 on the chart, tying R&B legend Gerald Levert for most top 10s on the Adult R&B chart. Her reign began in 1994 with her My Life cut “Be Happy,” which peaked at the No. 8 spot. Blige has already announced that “Glow Up,” featuring Missy Elliott, DJ Khaled, and rapper Quavo, will be the next single from her album Strength of a Woman, which was released in April.
Second Singles: SZA & Childish Gambino
Are you the 9-5, the weekend, or both? SZA has selected fan-favorite “The Weekend” as the official second single from her breakout album Ctrl. SZA has been working hard as of late between her headlining tour,original music for the Insecure soundtrack, and her feature on Maroon 5’s “What Lovers Do.” It’s also been reported that Solange Knowles will be directing the music video for “The Weekend,” which sits at the No. 40 spot on urban radio this week. Her lead single “Love Galore” rose 25-23 on the Urban AC chart, garnering a 40 spin increase in the latest tracking week.
Childish Gambino has finally selected a new single! “Terrified” was sent to R&B radio this week, racking up five adds. This is the second single from his 2016 album Awaken! My Love. Lead single “Redbone” made gains in its 40th week on the urban AC chart, increasing 63 spins since last week’s tally. The song holds at No. 3. Elsewhere, congratulations are in order for Gambino, who is known as Donald Glover professionally, for winning two Emmy awards this past week: the win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and for directing a comedy series for FX’s Atlanta, which he created, directs, and stars in.
Quick Notes
And in quick notes: The Weeknd has sent “Die For You” to urban radio, receiving 15 adds in the latest tracking week. The Starboy cut now sits at No. 28 on the Urban AC chart; Will Downing’s collaboration with Avery*Sunshine “I’m Feeling the Love” sits just two slots below the official Urban AC chart this week. It’s the lead single from his brand new album Soul Survivor, which released today; Jhené Aiko’s breezy jam “While We’re Young” has finally landed on the urban charts at No. 39 this week. It’s the lead single for her new, surprise album Trip, which includes features from Brandy, Chris Brown, and more; Chris Brown is riding high on iTunes and on the charts with his new single “Pills and Automobiles.” The song had the biggest increases in spins at urban radio (395) and now sits at No. 23, rising seven spots since last week; Lastly, Rihanna continues to make chart moves as Kendrick Lamar’s “LOYALTY,” which she is featured on, rises 5-4 on the urban radio chart. The song is making unprecedented gains in its 13th week on the chart, and will be looking to overtake DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts” at the No. 3 spot next week.
What about you? Do you like Toni Braxton’s new single? Will you be purchasing Jhené Aiko’s surprise album? Did you enjoy this week’s Chart Check? Leave all of your comments in the designated section below!
