As we edge ever closer to the battle for the coveted Christmas number one, the scene ends another week on a high; with each passing week seems to bring another success story for a different artist. We’ve had the likes of Skrapz, Dave and next week we’re sure to have Not3s’s name all over the chart, with the release of his debut EP Take Not3s.
However the story this week is most certainly “Man’s Not Hot” making it into the top ten! Michael Dapaah’s character Big Shaq is currently sitting at number eight, with the likes of Eminem, Beyonce and Ed Sheeran for company; “Man’s Not Hot” Christmas number one campaign anyone?
Kojo Funds and Mabel hold onto the number 10 spot with “Finders Keepers”, but hot on their heels is Stormzy with his latest single from GSAP featuring MNEK “Blinded By Your Grace Pt 2” which has leapfrogged 10 spaces and lands firmly at number 12; undoubtedly great timing for the release of a tune with religious connotations to come out around Christmas time, the Kaylum Dennis treatment may well give it the push it needs to continue to ascend the chart.
Last week was undoubtedly Dave’s week as Game Over dominated the chart with almost the entire EP entering. Lead single “No Words” is still doing damage, moving just under 50k units despite dropping to number 22 on the singles chart. After more than two months floating around the top ten, Stefflon Don & French Montana catchy banger “Hurtin Me” looks like it’s finally letting up its relentless pace, but it still remains firmly inside the top 40, currently placed at number 34.
Gang Signs & Prayer continues its nine month long chart run which genuinely is showing no signs of slowing down. Stormzy’s number one album currently finds itself slightly lower than last week, sitting at number 25. Game Over which is certainly going to receive substantial critical acclaim in the coming months is still inside the top 40 for the second week running, although placing lower down this week at number 37.
Game Over’s success has proven that you don’t need to fill your project with bastardised forms of rap in order to chart. Almost half of the tracks on the EP are over the seven minute mark, bucking the trend of quick easily consumable bubblegum rap. Game Over is undoubtedly an EP that you have to listen to, not just hear; the streaming numbers alone go a long way to allaying worries about the notoriously short attention span of the millennials.
The Hustler’s award winning Common Sense has just dropped out of the top 40, although we’re sure to see it climb back up with the release of the incredible visuals for “Bouf Daddy”. Be sure to check back next week for the definitive chart round up.