The Industry

Over the past couple days I’ve searched the interwebs for more of my sure shots and this is what I came up with for week two. Remember, you can click on the title, and other song names to hear the song for yourself in a new window. In addition to listing the songs, I’m going to make a bet (yes, I bet with myself so what?) on how long I think it will take for the songs to hit the airwaves. If you want to place your own bets leave them in the comments below, or reply to me on twitter (@mitchhawes). 

1. Chris Willis - Louder (Put Your Hands Up) Radio Edit
Chris is still a fairly new artist. I discovered him a little while back when David Guetta first came on the scene. Chris is featured on several of his tracks like “Love is Gone”, but most recently in “Gettin’ Over You” which hit the airwaves after it was remixed with Fergie and LMFAO. However, he clearly can stand on his own. He started off as a gospel singer and now easily fits in with the Top 40 sound of today. Stations should hurry up and add him (hint hint)

Countdown to Air: 3-4 Weeks (Hopefully)

 2.  Far East Movement - Rocketeer ft. Ryan Tedder
F.E.M. is here to stay. Although it pains me to say it, their first single “Like a G6” is incredibly catchy. Even though I have no idea what a G6 is, or if saying “gettin’ slizzard” is the cool way to say “getting drunk”, these guys make interesting tracks. However, it’s unusual to see a hip-hop group turn to a ballad-esque song so soon. Usually an artist will try to define their sound before blending. However, when you don’t turn down an offer to collaborate with Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic fame. He is one of the top song writers right now writing for Jordan Sparks, Beyonce and Leona Lewis to name a few.  This song shares no comparison to “Like a G6” and maybe that’s the point, but we will hear it soon once “flyin’ like a G6” isn’t so high anymore.

Countdown to Air: 2-3 Weeks before “Like a G6” is out, or low on rotation, another 2-3 Weeks before this song is added (if at all).

3. Nelly - Move That Body ft. Akon & T-Pain
HA! Who would’ve thought that the band-aid wearing rapper from the early 2000’s would make a comeback? He flashed back on the scene recently with his song “Just a Dream” to wild success. It was a new sound, nowhere near “classic Nelly”. It’s more of a modern day rapper vibe, which in my mind means more RnB. But… “Move That Body” is Nelly from 2002, you know like “Air Force Ones” days (yes kids, before raps were strictly about sex and money, it was all about shoes). Add Akon and T-Pain into the mix and this song is a shoe-in… get it? Damn, I’m funny.

Countdown to Air: Unfortunately with “Just a Dream” being a hit song on the way to number one on charts (mark my words), it will be at least 5-6 weeks before it’s put in low rotation. I give “Move that Body” 7-8 weeks, unless they double up, which happens in a case of a re-launch.

4. Duck Sauce - Barbara Streisand
Unfortunately, I would be naive to think that this one will ever get onto the radio unless there is an electronic/dance station in your city. However, I have this on the list because this song is going to be a sure shot on people’s iPods. It’s too ridiculously catchy for it not to be. Duck Sauce is the new DJ combo consisting of Armand Van Helden and more recognizable here in Canada, local boy, A-Trak. A couple cool things about A-Trak:

• His brother is David Macklovitch, lead singer of Chromeo. 
• He has worked/mixed songs for Kid Sister, Lupe Fiasco, Kid Cudi’s first big hit Day ‘N’ Nite and was Kanye West’s official tour DJ.
• He was the first DJ to win all three major DJ competitions (DMC, ITF and Vestax) and the first to win 5 world championships.

Countdown to Air: Not a chance on most radio stations, but you can buy it here and add it to your iPod.

Countdown to iPod: RIGHT NOW! 

Those are my picks for this week. What do you think? What are your sure shots for this week. Let me know.

-Mitch