SZA, Mimi Webb and Miley Cyrus battle it out in the Top 10

Three major pop players battle it out inside my personal Top 10 this week: R&B’s princess SZA, British newcomer Mimi Webb and pop-rock icon Miley Cyrus. Despite the incredible debut streaming figures and hype surrounding these artists, only one can come out on top, and this week that honour belongs to Miley Cyrus, who debuts at Number 1 with her break-up anthem “Flowers”. It is the lead single to Cyrus her upcoming eighth studio album, set to be released March, and a response song directed to her ex Liam Hemsworth. The music video and lyrics make several references to their relationship and Hemsworth’s cheating allegations. “Flowers” paraphrases Bruno Mars his hit single “When I Was Your Man”, which Hemsworth had previously dedicated to Cyrus. As “Flowers” debuts atop my list, the American popstar earns her fifth Number 1-hit. It is preceded by the platinum “We Can’t Stop” and, most recently, 2020’s “Midnight Sky”.

Only a few places down, Mimi Webb debuts at #7 with her new single “Red Flags”. The single promotes Webb her upcoming debut album Amelia, which has previously spawned the Number 1-hit “House On Fire”, and most recently, the Top 3-release “Ghost of You”. Her newest single is another fierce kiss-off anthem, detailing how she continuously fails to notice her dates’ red flags. The song is boosted by major streaming numbers and playlisting. As “Red Flags” debuts at #7, Mimi Webb earns her fifth Top 10-hit on my personal list.

Meanwhile, R&B royalty SZA debuts at #9 with “Kill Bill”, the fifth official single from her sophomore album SOS, which was released earlier last year. Upon the album’s release, the single immediately went viral on TikTok and became a breakout hit, topping Spotify streaming charts across the globe. However, the song was unable to initially chart, since only official or promotional singles are eligible to chart on my list. So, a few weeks late, SZA her “Kill Bill” makes its glorious debut, earning the American singer-songwriter her ninth Top 10-hit. The album’s previous singles – “Good Days”, “I Hate U”, “Shirt” and “Nobody Gets Me” – also all peaked inside the Top 10, continuing SZA’s successful streak.

Inside the Top 20, Suzan & Freek their 80s-inspired “Slapeloosheid” moves up four places to #12. The single has been steadily increasing in streams, promising the Dutch couple another potential Top 10-hit. RAYE her “The Thrill Is Gone” steadily remains at #15, while Dutch-French newcomer Claude reaches a new chart peak at #17 with his breakout song “Ladada (Mon Dernier Mot)”. Trobi his collaboration with Ronnie Flex & Bilal Wahib “Love Song” rounds out the Top 20 this week, earning the Dutch producer his second Top 20-peak.

Further down, Shakira debuts at #26 with “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”, a collaboration with Argentinian producer Bizarrap, which sees Shakira savagely dealing with her ex Gerard Piqué. The song quickly went viral on TikTok and became an immediate streaming success. Måneskin their cross-over “Gossip” with American guitarist Tom Morello debuts at #36, earning the Italian pop-rock group their sixth Top 40-entry. London-based girl group FLO make their first Top 40 debut with “Cardboard Box” at #38. The girls have recently won the Rising Star Award at the Brits, becoming the first ever girl group to win this prize.

Newly certified songs

“Delilah (Pull Me Out of This)” – Fred Again… GOLD