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

The year keeps getting sweeter for SZA as she finally collaborates with the one and only Drake for “Slime You Out.” The single dropped a bit later than the week’s other new releases, just a sign of how big the two acts are right now that they just don’t need to conform to any industry standards cause they are the industry right now. The single finally gives Drake a great record to be a part of while SZA proves this is her year.

Of course, her “Kill Bill” remix partner Doja Cat might disagree as she releases the fourth track from her upcoming Scarlet LP. “Balut” is the first to not release with an accompanying music video simultaneously and that’s a good thing – we just get to hear the artist and frankly, she’s given us so much already, it’s kind of nice to hear the track and visualize what the video would be like even without her prompts.

The week also sees a good number of new album releases from the likes of Mitski’s The Land Is Inhospitable And So Are We, Dan + Shay Bigger Houses and Diddy’s The Love Album: Off The Grid. All three are likely to impact the charts, with Diddy’s album stacked with many potential hit singles (albeit most without Diddy actually on them).

As far as new singles, we have Offset giving us “Fan,” Tate McRae giving us “Greedy” and J Balvin giving us “Dientes” courtesy of DJ Khaled and “Yeah!” superstar himself, Usher. All three of these singles are going to be big this fall but beyond these records, there are plenty of new releases that deserve a little more attention – the SHOULD-BE hits if you will. Here are this week’s #HitsOfTomorrow. 

“Back For More” – TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Anitta

Hot off their MTV VMA win and performance with Anitta, TOMORROW X TOGETHER give us perhaps their most Top 40-ready single “Back For More.” It also happens to be following a row of singles Anitta has released in English that have failed to become the major hits they deserved to be. It’s likely this odd pairing might actually work. While the YouTube views and streaming numbers are globally all but guaranteed, it would be a great opportunity for both artists to find success in the mainstream on this one, outside the genres where they are both superstars respectively. Smash!

“Somebody” – TSHA, Ellie Goulding, Gregory Porter

Speaking of out-of-nowhere collabs, this track might possibly be my favorite of the week. Rising electronic artist TSHA teams up with Ellie Goulding and Gregory Porter for an eclectic electro pop/soul single “Somebody” that is as catchy as it is moody, cinematic and well, proof that TSHA is one of the brightest up and comers today, across any genre. The fact that Goulding and Porter are supporting the talent – and easily, their contributions outshine even their recent personal outings – showcases the fact that this single is special. I really hope programmers take note because we need to have this on Top 40 radio!

“When The Rain Comes” – Sugababes

One of my favorite British acts return (finally!) with a new single that’s worthy of their greatness. Sugababes gives us “When The Rain Comes” just before they perform at the O2 Arena for their “One Night Only” performance. It’s great the Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan have gotten their name back and what’s even more delightful is that the song doesn’t feel like a throwback. This works in 2023 and from melodic buildup to the final anthemic chorus – we are reminded why these three ladies (and the many ladies that followed under the name) were so successful so for so long. A welcome return!

“Shayo” – Darkoo, Tion Wayne

If you keep striking gold together, why not keep doing it over and over again, right? That seems to be the case with Darkoo and Tion Wayne, who come together a fourth time after giving us hits like “Gangsta (Remix),” “Body 2” and “Slow Down.” This time around they give us the very fun “Shayo” – an Afrobeat jam that instantly makes you wanna move (and smile!). The choir adds a layer of celebratory feel to the song that offers very little lyrically but that’s not the point – we’re here for a good time and melodically and musically – these two know exactly how to keep the party going. Perfect summer hit in any season.

“ANXIETY” – Sleepy Hallow, Doechii

With his new album Boy Meets World out, Sleepy Hallow is proving that there isn’t just life in the New York drill scene but there’s a world of healing possible too. “Anxiety” is the highlight of the album for me as the artist speaks his truth over Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used To Know” while Doechii gives us a haunting Kimbra-like level of support as the song isn’t just a vibe, it’s a treatment. I know hip-hop for the most part has lost its focus lately but there are bright stars amidst the nonsense and Sleepy Hallow is shining bright amongst them. I really hope the rapper gets the level of mainstream success he deserves and this album has many single-worthy hits to boot! But for me, this is the instant hit!

“Tell It To My Heart” – Cash Cash, Taylor Dayne

Speaking of instant hits, more than thirty-five years ago, Taylor Dayne scored a massive crossover Top 40 hit with her club smash “Tell It To My Heart.” The single has amassed such love over the past four decades, it was touching to hear that Cash Cash reached out to the artist and got her to record new vocals for an updated mix of the smash hit. I must highlight the fact that so often, many of the biggest hits of the Eighties and Nineties that keep getting remixed, interpolated, sampled etc – they often don’t benefit the original recording artist unless they were songwriters on the track. One of Dayne’s biggest hits was not actually written by her so here, her involvement with the new single actually gives her the hit she deserves to have her name all over, once again. We’ve got so many former dance hits giving newer artists big hits again, here’s hoping Top 40 gives Dayne one more chance like Kylie Minogue and even Madonna have gotten over the last few months! 

Even More Hits!

“Waiting For You” – Majid Jordan, Naomi Sharon

“DID I CALL AT A BAD TIME?” – Asha Imuno, Rizz Capolatti

“Good Ex” – Ayanna

Listen To #HITSOFTOMORROW Playlist on Spotify!