#HitsOfTomorrow: A Weekly Rundown Of The ‘Should-Be’ Hits

September begins with a reunion we weren’t sure we wanted but then again, now that everything early to mid-2000s is in — maybe, just maybe this is what we needed. Timbaland reunites with Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake on “Keep Going Up.” Their first collab was 16 years ago and resulted in the #1 Billboard smash “Give It To Me.” While age has all the more seemed to have added appreciation for Timbaland as one of the eras most prolific producers, Timberlake has seemingly lost some of his midas touch and not to mention his persona back then is finally seeing some greater level of scrutiny (those documentaries about Janet Jackson and Britney Spears didn’t help). As for Nelly Furtado, she’s basically disappeared from the mainstream for more than a decade despite some independent releases sprinkled in there. Thanks to TikTok, Furtado has seen a resurgence of love and appreciation for her “Loose” era and she comes back to attempt to slay again.

The single as a whole is enjoyable even if it sort of feels throwaway. Lyrically actually kind of reflective, will nostalgia be enough for the single to bank on, will it have legs? It seems that will solely rest on the social media world, who seem to make or break careers every day of the week. I’ll be honest, I was excited to hear Furtado again and had hoped the single would easily place in my column below but truth be told, I’m more excited for a true Timbaland and Furtado reunion aka an actual album. This feels like a predictable tease and not an artistic step in any direction for the three artists. Sometimes having fun isn’t enough.

Speaking of artists from the previous decade, Nicki Minaj finally drops a single without a sample! “Last Time I Saw You” is a pensive turn for the rapper who returns to singing after quite the long break. The single is a positive step towards her upcoming Pink Friday 2 LP but truth be told a lot of the “attention” is going to go to Doja Cat this weekend who dropped perhaps this year’s most demonic single and music video! “Demons” feels like the absolute right next best step after her instantly memorable (and still climbing the charts and TikTok) hit “Paint The Town Red.” While Minaj is in a league of her own, Doja Cat is making it very hard for any other female rapper to even remotely feel artistic.

Beyond these singles, there are plenty of songs that deserve a little more attention – the SHOULD-BE hits if you will. Here are this week’s HITS OF TOMORROW. 

“Both” – Tiesto, 21 Savage, BIA

The dance/rap combo felt like it was gone for a minute but it seems to be resurfacing again and it’s a pleasant surprise to see Tiesto behind the booth this time with 21 Savage and BIA. “Both” is kind of the perfect blend of both worlds and the track is likely to instantly become a club hit. What would be unfortunate is if this doesn’t crossover to mainstream and become a Top 40 hit. All the artists have had success individually or part of other collabs that have done well on the charts but collectively this would be an awesome project that could easily become a global top 10 hit. Programmers take note!

“Tension” – Kylie Minogue

I’m breaking my own rules this time around not with one but with two artists this week. After “Padam Padam” it would seem like Kylie Minogue doesn’t need any push from anywhere as she’s “back.” But the truth is most younger artists and programmers don’t really know her and this dance icon also happens to often drop the stronger single from any era as the second single. Such is the case for the

Tension LP era as the title track is as infectious as “Padam Padam” but perhaps an even more ready for mainstream Top 40 domination. It’s not easy at any age to create not just a club banger but a massive hit and a complementing music video that takes the track to the next level. Minogue never really has left our radar but she’s having a big moment right now – this deserves to go to #1!

“Housewife” – Qveen Herby

Understated queen Qveen Herby has been slaying it for years and countless EPs so it came as a small surprise when she dropped her latest as “Housewife” felt a little more like Karmin (her ex-band) track with Qveen guest rapping on the song. But we’re not hating it. In fact, this could be absolutely the right step required to get this woman back on the radio! I’m still in denial about the fact that “Sugar Daddy” never became a Top 40 hit (though it’s a streaming and TikTok smash) but with lyrics this clever, a voice so strong and rhymes that actually have something to say, there unequivocally no reason why this should not be a hit – she is underrated beyond comprehension!

“Happy To See You Sad” – ROZES

“Happy To See You Sad” is exactly what pop radio is missing right now. ROZES has continually been giving us bops that really should have become major hits over the past few years but this single seems to conform very aptly to the new standard to both Top 40 and TikTok. Buzzworthy lyrical content, a catchy hook that’s easy to create videos to and a full single length of just over two minutes – she’s playing the game but actually has something to say. Her emotions are real, and her wishes, albeit dark, are so 2023! There is zero reason this single should not get played on radio and become a staple on mainstream charts. Nothing would make me happier than to see whoever she’s singing about be sad about the success of this song!

“Alife” – Slowdive

First of all, Slowdive’s new album everything is alive is excellent. Hands down the album release of the week for me. But here we highlight singles and I have to tell you that I instantly fell in love with the last single they’ve released prior to the album, “alife.” The atmospheric uptempto track feels like the perfect late summer sonic breeze we needed – a great break from all the other music we’ve been listening to. There’s something magical when a production is able to make you pause and at the same time wish to stay in that moment and after a summer of bangers and the occasional surprise, I’m happy September brings in a bit of lushness we were missing. Top 40 is desperately in need of some versatility – let’s give that spot to Slowdrive!

Even More Hits!

“Vertigo” – Griff

“WE NEVER KNEW” – Beharie

“YES WE CAN” – Ruelle

“FIRE KEEPS BURNING” – John Dahlbäck, Sneaky Sound System

Listen To #HITSOFTOMORROW Playlist on Spotify!