Jasmine Song, special to wtop.com
WASHINGTON — While hit songs such as “Blurred Lines” and “Call Me Maybe” have permeated pop culture in past years, new artists are quickly climbing the Billboard music charts this summer with catchy tunes.
Billboard has compiled this year’s popular songs on its Hot 100 list, sparking debate about which song will take the No. 1 spot.
Putting herself on the pop-culture map and dominating radio this summer is Iggy Azalea with her No. 1 song “Fancy,” featuring Charlie XCX.
“It’s been No. 1 on our Hot 100 chart for quite sometime,” says Billboard Magazine Associate Editor Jason Lipshutz.
“A lot of people have fallen in love with not only the song, but Iggy Azalea — she’s been trying to break through for a couple years now.”
With about 10 songs in the running for this year’s song of the summer, it seems music genre is not a key ingredient for Billboard chart success.
“You never really quite know what the blueprint is. It can be something really dance-y, like ‘Party Rock Anthem’ from LMFAO three years ago. Then you have something a little more soulful, like ‘Blurred Lines’ last year.”
Young Nickelodeon star Ariana Grande has become a top contender, taking the No. 2 spot with “Problem.”
“She’s bumping up into the pop stratosphere,” Lipshutz says.
Singer Sam Smith is also steadily climbing the Billboard charts.
“I really love the new Sam Smith song ‘Stay With Me,'” Lipshutz says. “That’s No. 10 on the Hot 100 now. We’ll see if it moves up.”
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