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Rauw Alejandro
90thshooterRauw Alejandro blasts from No. 31 to No. 3 on the June 12-dated Billboard Global 200 with "Todo de Ti" (and 18-3 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart). It's the Puerto Rican rapper, singer-songwriter and producer's first top three (or even top 20) hit on the worldwide ranking. More rare, it's only the third all-Spanish-language song to hit the top three since the chart premiered in September 2020.
Since the list launched, 35 songs have graced the top three. Most of those are sung entirely in English.
Six top-three hits break the mold, however, and can be split into two categories. The first is for songs in a mix of languages, one of which is English. The second is for songs written and performed entirely in languages other than English.
The former category includes three Korean/English-language songs, two of which held the top two positions on the Oct. 17, 2020, chart. That week, Jawsh 685, Jason Derulo and BTS ruled the ranking with "Savage Love – Laxed (Siren Beat)." The then-new BTS remix of the track added lyrics in Korean in addition to the song's original English blueprint. Directly beneath was BLACKPINK with a No. 2 debut for "Lovesick Girls," with verses trading off between the two languages.
In December, BTS was back atop the list with "Life Goes On," a primarily Korean-language song that features some prominent English lyrics in its chorus.
The second category, for songs with no English, includes three hits, all in Spanish.
Again, two of those songs charted in the top three simultaneously. Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez's "Dakiti" ruled the Nov. 21-dated ranking, while Maluma's "Hawái" rose to No. 3. Ultimately, "Dakiti" scored three weeks at No. 1 in November-December and stretched to a total of 10 nonconsecutive weeks in the top three, becoming the only song with non-English vocals to rank in the top three for more than one week so far.
While holding the same position on the Global Excl. U.S. chart, the song performed better internationally, with 91% of its streams and 54% of its sales from outside the U.S., compared to the week's respective averages of 75% and 46%.
And while the track's streams split 55% vs. 45% in terms of audio vs. video, that breakdown slants closer toward video than the average song on the Global 200 this week, which derived 78% of all streams from audio services. The song's giddy roller-rink themed (and Shaquille O'Neal-featuring) official video drew 45.7 million streams worldwide in the tracking week, helping the song, which Alejandro teased on social media ahead of its official May 21 release, further cut through the competition on the global stage.
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The multi-hyphenate entertainer has scored five new certifications, including a platinum plaque for “Issues/Hold On,” which has sold over one million equivalent units in the U.S. The Kanye West-produced track is lifted from her 2018 album, K.T.S.E., which has been crowned gold for selling over 500,000 equivalent units.
Taylor’s third LP, The Album, has also reached gold status, tallying her second project to become RIAA certified. The King Combs-assisted “How You Want It,” a single from The Album, has been certified platinum.
Last, but not least, Taylor’s “Do Not Disturb” featuring Chris Brown is now gold. The steamy jam appears on her 2014 debut album, VII.
Taylor took to social media to celebrate her new RIAA updates. “Father God I thank you and I praise you in the name of Jesus. Thank You for showing patience with me, your kindness, grace & mercy every day. Your mercies never cease,” she wrote in a caption for her photo of her with her new plaques.
She continued, “Father God, please continue to instruct and teach me as I continue my faith walk. Thank you for keeping my head high to keep my crown from falling. I love you. Thank you for reminding me the wait is not punishment, it was preparation. Thank you to everyone involved with helping me bring these albums and songs to life. I am filled with much gratitude! WE PLATINUM & GOLD YALL.”
In other news, Taylor just released her new single “Long Time.” It’s the first offering from her upcoming album Escape Room, which will be accompanied by a short film. Taylor directed and produced the visual under her production company, The Aunties. It co-stars LaKeith Stanfield and Aaron Pierre, who appear in the video for “Long Time” as well.
Further, Taylor joined Ciara on her “Ecstasy (Remix)” alongside Normani. “When Ci hit me about jumping on this remix, it was an automatic yes,” Taylor said. “To be a part of this moment with two queens I love so much! Not only do I get to call Ciara and Normani my friends I get to call them my sisters! That’s black girl magic. We bringing the sensual, the sisterhood, and the soul. Let’s go!”
Taylor stars in Tyler Perry’s new drama Straw, now streaming on Netflix, alongside Taraji P. Henson and Sherri Shepherd.
