The reception of After Hours by The Weeknd is subjective but the numbers don’t lie. This week’s iTunes SA Top 100 saw the Canadian singer’s lead single Blinding Lights move to the number one spot, previously occupied by Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa.
The Weeknd commands first place
The Amapiano duo, who have yet to formally postpone the sold-out Scorpion Kings live concert taking place in April, hung on to the top spot for weeks.
However, no sonic strength or persuasive percussion formed against Abel shall prosper. Eight days since the release of his fourth studio album, The Weeknd has held a firm hold on streaming and digital purchases.
This is how iTunes ranks SA’s most popular songs
The proof of this is in the numbers. You see, iTunes constantly tracks the streaming and sales of songs in its database in real-time.
This means that in a few hours from now, things could look a little different. For all we know, The Weeknd garnering more streams and sales in South Africa is an indirect response to the hype around PARTYNEXTDOOR’s debut release, PARTYMOBILE.
It is a far-fetched possibility if one considers the brewing rivalry between the two and their respective hives.
iTunes SA Top 100 for week ending Saturday 28 March
Nonetheless, The Starboy is bossing South Africa’s charts right now and outside of the Amapiano duo and Elaine, who sits confidently at number five, there isn’t much contestation from local competition.
This is what the iTunes Top 100’s main 10 entrants for the week ending Saturday 28 March:
- The Weeknd – Blinding Lights
- Kabza and DJ Maphorisa – eMcimbini feat Aymos, Samthing Soweto, Mas Musiq and Myztro
- Tones and I – Dance Monkey
- Billie Eilish – _Everything I Wanted
- Elaine – You’re the One
- Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes and Elevation Worship – The Blessing (Live)
- Billie Eilish – Ilomilo
- Maroon 5 – Memories
- Justin Bieber – Intentions feat Quavo
- Dua Lipa – Break My Heart
