The Contenders column serves as a midweek analysis focusing on artists striving to ascend to the pinnacle of the Billboard charts, and delves into the strategies fueling their ambitions. This week, as we gear up for the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated August 9, we examine the potential of the standout track from the sensational KPop Demon Hunters phenomenon to dethrone Alex Warren’s chart-topping hit. We also explore the timeline and dynamics that may determine how long it will take for this change to occur.
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HUNTR/X, EJAE, Audrey Nuna & Rei Ami, “Golden” (Visva/Republic): As we are now five weeks into the incredible cultural impact of the Netflix animated music series KPop Demon Hunters, the soundtrack has remarkably placed nine songs on the Hot 100. This includes not only the fictional hits from made-up K-pop groups such as HUNTR/X and Saja Boys, but also tracks from the renowned real-life group TWICE. Among these, HUNTR/X’s infectious track “Golden” stands out as the soundtrack’s undeniable breakout hit, captivating audiences and climbing the charts with impressive momentum.
This week, “Golden” has surged up the Billboard Hot 100, ascending two additional spots to claim the No. 2 position. Notably, “Your Idol” by Saja Boys, which ranks as the second-highest KPDH song, has also made significant gains, now holding the No. 12 spot. Having surpassed notable artists such as Justin Bieber and Morgan Wallen (with Tate McRae), “Golden” now faces its last major competition: Alex Warren, whose pop-folk anthem “Ordinary” has maintained its reign atop the chart for an impressive eight weeks.
“Golden” has captured the hearts of listeners on digital streaming platforms, achieving a milestone by topping the Streaming Songs chart for the first time this week. Furthermore, the release of a new remix by David Guetta, which debuted on July 25, has provided an additional boost to its popularity. However, to successfully navigate the final challenge of overtaking “Ordinary” on the Hot 100, “Golden” will require substantial support from radio, an area where Warren has been dominant for the past six weeks. Currently, “Golden” is making strides on the airwaves, debuting at No. 35 on Pop Airplay this week, with a remarkable 24% increase in plays from July 25-28 compared to the previous week (as reported by Luminate). Despite this progress, it still faces significant hurdles to reach Warren’s level, as it remains absent from the Radio Songs chart, and the gap between the two songs continues to be a considerable challenge.
Alex Warren, “Ordinary” (Atlantic): The track “Ordinary” has solidified its position on the Hot 100 for two months now, showcasing a remarkable level of dominance across various metrics. In addition to reigning atop the Radio Songs chart for six consecutive weeks, it remains firmly within the top five of the Streaming Songs and is ranked No. 9 as the leading non-Ozzy Osbourne-related entry on Digital Song Sales. Much like the previous hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, “Ordinary” exhibits a strong and steady cross-platform presence, making it unlikely to simply fade from the Hot 100 without a formidable contender actively claiming the crown.
While the song is not expected to quickly diminish in popularity in the upcoming weeks—especially with a recent boost from the July 18 release of its parent album, You’ll Be Alright, Kid—it appears to have finally plateaued in its growth. After enjoying a surge in radio plays over the past couple of months, its figures there are beginning to stabilize. Nevertheless, it is projected to retain its top position on the Radio Songs chart for a seventh week next week. The pressing question remains whether “Golden” can maintain its cross-platform momentum long enough to capitalize on any potential decline of “Ordinary” and seize its moment, which could still take several weeks to materialize.
Justin Bieber, “Daisies” (ILH/Republic): Justin Bieber’s “Daisies” has made an impressive debut within the pop music landscape, showcasing a unique, organically warm sound for a 2025 single. After starting strong at No. 2 on the Hot 100 due to a robust initial performance that led it to top the Streaming Songs chart, it has slipped to No. 4 after experiencing some expected decline in its second week. However, it is gaining traction on radio, with a remarkable 58% increase in plays from July 25-28, making it the top gainer on pop radio. It is also poised to break into the top 20 on both Adult Pop Airplay and Pop Airplay. While “Daisies” has some ground to cover before it becomes a serious contender against “Ordinary,” its solid radio performance suggests it is likely to remain a fixture in the top 10 for the foreseeable future.
Morgan Wallen feat. Tate McRae, “What I Want” (Mercury/Big Loud/Republic): “What I Want” has maintained a top five position on the Hot 100 for all 10 weeks since its debut, and it is beginning to gain traction on radio after a brief waiting period during which previous Wallen singles dominated airplay. It is expected to reach the top 10 on both Pop Airplay and Adult Pop Airplay within the next week or two. Although it is gradually establishing its presence on Country Airplay, it still has some competition to overcome, as “Just in Case” currently leads that chart while “I Got Better” climbs from 25-22, serving as the next single from Wallen’s album, I’m the Problem.
Drake feat. Central Cee, “Which One” (OVO Sound/Republic): Drake’s “What Did I Miss,” the anticipated lead single from his forthcoming album Iceman, has unfortunately dropped out of the top 20 on the Hot 100 within just three weeks. However, it is likely to be replaced soon by “Which One,” featuring U.K. rap sensation Central Cee. This new track is receiving some early radio support but is primarily expected to perform well based on streaming numbers, having debuted at No. 2 on Spotify’s Daily Top Songs USA and having ruled the real-time charts on Apple Music for several days. If it can debut at No. 17 or higher, it will become Cee’s highest-charting single on the Hot 100, surpassing last year’s No. 18 peak achieved with his collaboration on “Band 4 Band” with Lil Baby.
