Peso Pluma, Rompe La Dompe (Latin- Trap Corrido)- Congrats to Mr. Pluma- as this was the winner of last week’s contest, so his song is carried over to this week’s playlist.  “Rompe La Dompe” is now one of the most streamed songs in Mexico and SoCal.  For those of you who are new to the list, the translation of this song title is:

Rompe (Break)      La (The)      Dompe (Dom Perignon)

Remember, if you’re able to weave in the phrase “Rompe La Dompe” at a party, you will get major respect from the hipsters……..

Ariana Grande, yes and? (Pop)- This is the Florida hitmaker’s first release in 3 years- and is the 1st single off her forthcoming album “Eternal Sunshine”.  Conjuring a late 80’s Madonna sound, Grande is hoping “yes and?” will be her 15th top 10 single.

Asake, Only Me (AfroBeats)- Asake, Africa’s most streamed artist in 2023 is back with another single.  “Only Me” features Asake’s deft vocals, traditional African chorus backing vocals and a hint of saxophone over an Afrobeat.  This is likely to be another big hit on the African continent.

Joey Bada$$, Passports & Suitcases (Hip-Hop/Rap)- Bada$$ raps/sings over a simmering soulful backing on “Passports & Suitcases”, while accompanied by the Kenyan singer KayCyy.  For those of you unfamiliar with Bada$$, he is a critically acclaimed underground hip-hop artist whose first 2 albums were each #1 on the US R&B charts.

21 Savage, redrum (Hip-Hop/Rap)- Even though just released, this song is already the #1 most-streamed song in the World.  Featuring a seductive sample from 1960’s Brazilian singer, Elza Laranjeira’s “Serenata do Adeus” against a reductive downbeat and a streetwise rap, “redrum” is an intriguing track.  Note that this song is off of 21 Savage’s “American Dream”, which is also by far the most streamed global album presently.

Noah Kahan & Sam Fender, Homesick (Pop/Folk)- This is the follow up single to American Kahan’s surprising smash hit “Stick Season”, which is presently #1 or #2 in UK/Ireland/Australia and moving rapidly up the US Charts. “Homesick” was written by Kahan- but this version adds Brit Sam Fender’s more urgent vocals to Kahan’s softer folk-style vocal.   

MGMT, Nothing to Declare (Alternative)- The veteran NY/Connecticut-based cult favorites, MGMT are back with “Nothing to Declare” which downplays MGMT’s usual experimental sound, in favor of well-constructed melodic folkish pop song.  While the sound is pop-ish, the lyrics follow a theme of uncertainty, disconnection and disinterest.

EKKSTACY & The Kid Laroi, alright (Alternative/Pop)- The post-punk “alright” is the featured single off the 21-year-old Canadian EKKSTACY’s newly-released, eponymously-titled 2nd album.  On “alright”, EKKSTACY teams with the 20-year-old Australian EMO singer/rapper, The Kid Laroi, who is coming off his #1 Global hits, “Stay” and “Without You”, which has certainly given this song a popularity boost. 

Benson Boone, Beautiful Things (Alternative/Pop)- The newly released “Beautiful Things” is already the most-streamed song in Canada.  The song starts off softly with an EMO vocal, but crescendos into a 90’s grunge chorus which seems to have caught listeners’ attention.  The 21-year-old Boone first gained popularity through TikTok, before garnering a record contract.

Eladio Carrion, Bendecido (Latin/Rap)- “Bendecido” is from the Puerto Rican Carrion’s brand-new album “Sol Maria”, which is currently dominating the Caribbean and Central American streaming charts.   Carrion’s last two albums topped the Latin music charts and his song “Coco Chanel” won the 2023 Best Song award at the Latin Grammys.  Bendecido means blessed in English- and this lyric indicates although the singer is leading a dangerous lifestyle, he is still blessed.

Kali Uchis & Peso Pluma, Igual Que Un Angel (Latin)- This newly released song is presently the most-streamed song in Mexico, is #1 on the Latin charts- and is featured on the Colombian American, Uchis’, first Spanish-language release, “Orquideas”.  The popularity of “Igual Que Un Angel” is certainly not hurt by it featuring the Trap Corrido sensation, Peso Pluma.

Venbee & Marshmello, No Man’s Land (Pop/Alternative)- This is a follow up to the British Venbee’s 2022 debut, the drum & bass influenced surprise #3 UK single “Messy in Heaven”.  The mega DJ/Producer Marshmello was tapped to give “No Man’s Land” a well-produced sheen, but much less dance oriented than Marshmello’s usual fare.

Alok & Bebe Rexha, Deep In Your Love (Dance)- For those of you EuroTrash and Trance lovers, this should deliver the goods.  This song is presently the fastest riser on the Global Dance Charts and is by Alok, a Portuguese-based DJ featuring Bebe Rexha on vocals.  For those unfamiliar with Rexha, she is one of the current big 4 Albanian-British pop singers along with Dua Lipa, Rita Ora and Ava Max, but remained neutral during the Dua Lipa/Rita Ora feud that the UK press tried to stir up…….

Best regards from Portugal!