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

It’s been quite the week with folks around the world chiming in on Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show and of course, that bump! I honestly feel like the pregnancy announcement outshined the artist and her creative vision (or lack thereof). Will it go down as one of the best halftime shows? Likely not. But folks will definitely remember it, and in this day and age, that matters.

While new music is still a far cry away for the superstar, many others are vying for attention this week with new releases from everyone from Lana Del Rey with “A&W,” BebeRexha with “Heart Wants What It Wants” and Polo G with Future on “No Time Wasted.” Beyond these three likely chart contenders, we finally see the official release of Skrillex and Missy Elliott’s brilliant “RATATA,” the exact single Missy needed to return to the top of the charts.

It’s a busy week, so a few picks below may seem surprising but I promise they all deserve a push as HITS OF TOMORROW because with so much out there, I just want to make sure even some of the better known artists don’t get lost amidst all the new music out there.

“Still” – bbno$

When the Canadian rapper bbno$ promised a change in musical direction with his latest release, I didn’t think many were expecting this. Sadness and vulnerability are not something we’ve seen from the artist and this is where “Still” shines. The evocative single is a step in the right direction for the very talented artist who seemingly had found a niche, but is now expanding his emotions and his artistry with hopefully this hit single. Programmers take note. 

“Heaven” – Niall Horan

Speaking of direction, former One Directioner Niall Horan returns with “Heaven.” The singer has been a steady chart-maker and garnered a number of hit singles, but for some reason, despite a huge following, he’s never achieved the same level of attention or appreciation as other members. Something tells me that it’s likely to change this time around. This is the perfect single to get his upcoming The Show LP era going. While there is a bit of exhaustion on the Harry Styles front at the moment, the single couldn’t come at a better time, and here’s hoping it becomes the global crossover hit the Irish singer needs to move from all these associations to being just a bonafide certified solo superstar.

“Sugar Ddive” – Wesley Joseph, DEAN

First of all, Wesley Joseph’s Glow LP that just released is fantastic. Probably one of the great highlights from the album is “Sugar Dive,” a collaboration with South Korea’s DEAN. The British artist seems to know exactly how to get the attention he rightly deserves since the single is sultry and catchy. DEAN’s feature fits perfectly, not seeming out of place at all. In fact, it only further enhances the vibe created by the single. If radio is smart, they’ll take this offbeat single and make it a mainstream staple!

“Yesterday” – Jay Park

One of the greatest achievements in the last couple of years has been the growing acceptance by the global market that K-pop is far more than a genre, it’s a movement. One of the most talented and multi-hyphenated stars has been Jay Park. Here, the rapper-singer-music executive gives us an acoustic arrangement for the tender “Yesterday,” a single that stands up to any Ed Sheeran track of late. One of two songs he dropped (the other being “Love Is Ugly” with Hwa Sa of MAMAMOO), this is the track that has crossover appeal like no other. There is zero reason for the track to stall at global radio and it would be unjust if the single doesn’t become a genuine Top 40 hit.

“Can We do This?” – Speakers Corner Quartet, Sampha

Criminally  underrated Samphagives us emotion and then some as he shares his vocals for “Can We Do This?” by Speakers  Corner Quartet. The London-based group that brings together elements of electronica, hip-hop and jazz have really stepped it up with their first 2023 outing, and Sampha’s inclusion just elevates the track to levels that only Sampha features can do! The single is screaming for countless remixes, but the original is itself a work of angelic art. I really do hope more risk-taking programmers give this ethereal release a chance because it sounds so good when blasted from the car speakers, as it does while sitting quietly with your headphones on. With so many talented musicians coming together, can we just do this and make this a hit!

Even More Hits!

BIG SMOKE – Matt Corby

CYNICAL – Bea Miller

TELL ME – Eliott

WIDOW DREAMS FOREVER – Silly Boy Blue

FEVER – Alison Goldfrapp, Paul Woolford

Listen To #HITSOFTOMORROW Playlist on Spotify!