These are the hottest 10 pop songs of the week as determined by About Top 40. This chart is compiled consulting data from various music industry charts and sources. It is intended to indicate the hottest rising hits. Recordings that have reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart are disqualified from this chart.
1. Justin Bieber - "Beauty and a Beat" featuring Nicki Minaj
Courtesy Schoolboy Records
Justin Bieber set a record with the music video for "Beauty and a Beat." It had the most views in its initial 24 hour period of any video with 10.6 million. The song has become Justin Bieber's fifth top 20 pop hit single in the UK as a lead artist.
2. One Direction - "Little Things"
Courtesy Syco
"Little Things" was co-written by singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. The song debuted at #1 on the UK pop singles chart becoming the group's second #1 hit. It has also already reached the top 10 on the pop singles chart in Australia and New Zealand.
3. Nicki Minaj - "Va Va Voom"
Courtesy Cash Money
Nicki Minaj is on the top of the weekly chart as a featured artist on Justin Bieber's swift climber "Beauty and a Beat." At the same time, she is quickly climbing charts with her new solo hit "Va Va Voom." It is Nicki Minaj's ninth top 40 pop hit in the US as lead artist in the past three years.
4. Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin - "Don't You Worry Child"
Courtesy Astralwerks
Swedish House Mafia is made up of a trio of three top Swedish dance music DJs / producers. They are Axwell, Steve Angelo, and Sebastian Ingrosso. They have climbed to the top ranks of the world's dance pop artists. "Don't You Worry Child" is their farewell single after having reached the top 3 on the US dance chart with five consecutive singles.
5. 50 Cent - "My Life" featuring Eminem and Adam Levine
Courtesy Interscope
In the years 2003-2005 rapper 50 Cent reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 seven times. He also released two multi-platinum #1 hit albums. Since then he has only reached the top 10 one more time as lead artist. His superstar collaboration with Eminem and Adam Levine of Maroon 5 is an effort at a major pop comeback. The song debuted with a live performance by 50 Cent and Adam Levine on The Voice.
6. will.i.am - "Scream and Shout" featuring Britney Spears
Courtesy Interscope
will.i.am and Britney Spears collaborated on X Factor when he assisted her on the judges' house segment of the show. Now she pays back the favor providing featured vocals on the single that helps introduce his upcoming album #willpower. The pair introduce the music video for the song this week on X Factor.
7. Pink - "Try"
Courtesy RCA
Pink's is a pop ballad climbing the charts in an era in which ballads are rare on the charts. A stunning dance performance of the song at the American Music Awards has given the song a boost. It is a top 10 pop hit single in countries around the world including Australia, Germany, and Switzerland.
8. Alicia Keys - "Girl On Fire" featuring Nicki Minaj
Courtesy RCA
Alicia Keys' album Girl On Fire hits stores this week. Her first three studio albums all reached #1 and were certified multi-platinum. The Element Of Freedom, the fourth and most recent, reached #2 and was certified one time platinum. Alicia Keys has said she ignored current trends in pop music while recording the album and focused simply on creating great songs.
9. Hunter Hayes - "Wanted"
Courtesy Atlantic Nashville
21 year old Hunter Hayes is one of the hottest new country singers. His self-titled debut album was released in October of 2011 and reached #4 on the country album chart. It has been certified gold for sales. The single "Wanted" topped the country chart and has already been certified platinum for sales.
10. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis - "Thrift Shop" featuring Wanz
Courtesy Macklemore
The duo of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are among the hottest rising artists of the fall of 2012. Their critically acclaimed album The Heist reached #2 on the album chart in October and topped the rap and R&B album charts. "Thrift Shop" is a top 10 R&B hit and has crossed over into alternative radio. It is already a #1 pop hit single in New Zealand.
