#HitsOfTomorrow – A Weekly Rundown of the ‘Should-Be’ Hits

We’re midway through October and just two-and-a-half months remain before the end of 2022. This week sees a series of big new releases from artists including Lil’ Baby, who has managed in just a few short years to rise up fairly easily to the big leagues. With his new album It’s Only Me, the rapper gives us what’s likely the Fall season’s biggest hip-hop record. With big-name guest stars from Young Thug to Future, this is a commercial hit. Beyond the hip-hop world, rock fans – in particular punk rock fans – will rejoice with the comeback of Blink-182 and their first single “Edging.” With Travis Barker now a household name (thank you Kourtney Kardashian!), the band stands the chance a big breakthrough, not always possible with aging acts. With that said, here are this week’s Hits Of Tomorrow – the should-be hits of the current week and some younger artists that deserve that extra little bit of attention.

“Showed Me (How I Fell In Love With You)” – Madison Beer

Madison Beer does not need any help on the social media side of things, she’s a pro. But nearly a decade into her music career, the artist hasn’t always had the best of luck translating her personality into hit songs. Something tells me that’s about to change with this umpteenth cover of The Turtles’ 60s hit “You Showed Me.” While everyone from Salt-N-Pepa to The Lightning Seeds (still one of the most underrated bands of the 90s in my opinion) have made this a hit again, Beer somehow manages to make the cover feel like it’s brand new. The single has gotten the 2022 makeover with additional new lyrics and a slightly altered title, “Showed Me (How I Fell In Love With You),” making it not only perfect for TikTok and YouTube but also for Top 40 radio. We’ve not had a great cover on the radio for a while now, and maybe this can finally be the song that gets Beer a much-deserved hit.

“Illella” – Mamamoo

Speaking of not needing any help on social media, K-pop girl group Mamamoo perfectly fit that bill as well. Of course, that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve recognition or push in other markets because here’s the thing – “Illella” is a funky pop anthem that would fit like a glove on Top 40 radio right now, sandwiched between Lizzo and Harry Styles. Much of the attention is spent on many K-pop acts on those initial few days and the number of streams and views for their music videos. It would be a shame if this single gets lost in the shuffle or is just a one-week hit, because the track has the legs to be a real breakout for the band, across the globe!

“Only You” – Stany, Remy, Offset

Producer Stany brings together Nigerian hitmaker Remy (riding high from his recent collab with Selena Gomez on his own “Calm Down”) and rapper Offset for the Afrobeat-infused “Only You,” perhaps one of the strongest collabs from the genre in recent times. The single sounds glorious on radio and if given the proper push, can become a multi-format smash. Rema has this ability to be true to himself but also exude a pop-star sensibility, which makes him a stand out, and Offset adds the additional fuel necessary to make the track a hit in the US and beyond.

“OMW” – Ashe

Ashlyn Willson aka Ashe just released her second album, Rae, a most confident album that finds the artist reflecting on her youth and her freedom and feeling unapologetic about it all. This makes for a magical listen as the singer seemingly hops genres without ever feeling like pandering. Standouts include “Hope You’re Not Happy” and the first single, “Another Man’s Jeans.” However, I’d actually put my money on “OMW,” a 1970s-tinged single that is sassy, incredibly endearing and most importantly, a super-catchy track that must be released as a single. It’s an instant hit that makes you ask, if Elton John can still have a Top 10 hit, why can’t Ashe!

“What A Shame” – Tone Sekelius

First things first, “What A Shame” by Swedish singer Tone Sekelius is catch AF. But I have to be honest and say that I did not know much about the artist until this column, and upon learning that Sekelius came out as transgender last year, a part of me was thrilled to hear such a commercial hit from the singer. After sharing last week my discomfort with the music trajectory of Kim Petras, I’m happy that there is a growing world of diversity where no artist has to “represent” their group/identity. Ultimately, these things shouldn’t matter and I really hope it doesn’t here because the single is genuinely Swedish pop gold. I do hope there’s a music video soon, and here’s hoping that like Petras, Sekelius becomes a global household name, because this song deserves the attention!

Even More Hits!

DON’T WANNA BE YOUR FRIEND – Joan

IMPOSTER SYNDROME – Darla Jade

XO – lozeak

FAR AWAY – Cristale

WAITING FOR YOU – EwamMainwood