Kenya Grace Leads With ‘Strangers’ – Billboard

After being denied by Doja Cat on several occasions, Kenya Grace’s appears ready for her coronation on the U.K. singles chart.

The South Africa-born, U.K.-raised artist leads the midweek chart with “Strangers” (FFRR), her major label debut and first trans-Atlantic hit.

Also contending for the crown is Casso, RAYE, D-Block Europe’s “Prada” (Ministry of Sound) up 4-2 on the Official Chart Update, and Tate McRae’s “Greedy” (Ministry of Sound), up 5-3.

It’s tightly bunched at the top. Fewer than 600 chart units separated the top three, based on sales and streaming data for the first 48 hours of the chart week, published by the Official Charts Company.

Drake’s new release For All The Dogs (via OVO/Republic Records) is flying high on the midweek U.K. albums survey, and is likely to earn the Canadian hip-hop star his sixth No. 1. The impact of For All The Dogs can also be felt on the midweek U.K. singles survey, as album tracks “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole (at No. 4), “Virginia Beach” (No. 5) and “IDGAF” featuring Yeat (No. 6) are predicted to crash the top 10. If that trio of tracks hold firm, Drake will boast 44 U.K. top 10s when the weekly chart is published late Friday, Oct. 13.

Meanwhile, Doja Cat’s five-week reign is set to end, as “Paint the Town Red” (Ministry of Sound) tumbles 1-12 on the chart blast.

Brighton, England formed alt-pop band Lovejoy should snag a second U.K. top 40 single with “Normal People Things” (Anvil Cat/AWAL), new at No. 22 on the chart blast. It’s the followup to “Call Me What You Like” which peaked at No. 32 in February of this year.

Finally, BlackPink’s Jennie is eyeing a maiden solo top 40 appearance with “You & Me” (Interscope). It’s new at No. 27 on the U.K. chart blast. Jennie does have an earlier appearance on the Official Singles Chart, with 2018’s “Solo,” which topped out at No. 73.