5 First-Timers on Billboard’s Charts This Week: Lady London, Redferrin, Glass Beams & More
Billboard has more than 200 different weekly charts, encompassing numerous genres and formats.
While established artists often compete for a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and Billboard 200 albums ranking, which track the most popular songs and albums of the week, respectively, up-and-coming talents typically start off on genre-specific lists.
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Here’s a look at five artists who appear on surveys for the first time on the March 9, 2024-dated charts.
Lady London
The New York City-based rapper, from the Bronx, is officially a Billboard---charting artist for the first time thanks to her collaboration with Jeremih, “Do Something.” The song, released in November on her zodiac-themed debut LP S.O.U.L, debuts at No. 37 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (up 15% in plays Feb. 23-29, according to Luminate). The song samples Mya’s 2000 hit “Best of Me,” featuring Jadakiss.
In a November interview with Billboard, London explained that S.O.U.L. is a concept album detailing her love for astrology. “Do Something” is a Cancer track, she said, and in keeping with the theme, London ensured that Jeremih was a Cancer before recruiting him to appear on the song. Along with Jeremih, the album features collaborations with Capella Grey, Dreezy, Tink and Brooke Valentine, among others.
Before pursuing music, London planned on becoming an orthopedic surgeon. She graduated from Howard University with a bachelor’s degree before attaining her master’s from the University of Southern California. She told Billboard that graduating was one of her proudest accomplishments: “I was the first in my family to go to college. It was really a big deal. My father didn’t even finish high school. I handed my mom my degree both times when I got my degree. I think that’s why she supports so much — because ‘you said what you were gonna do’.”
London made inroads with “Lisa’s Story,” which samples Foxy Brown’s 1996 single “Get Me Home,” and her 2023 track “Pop Ya Shit,” a viral freestyle (produced by The Neptunes) that samples Birdman and Clipse’s 2002 song “What Happened to That Boy.”
London signed to High Standardz/Def Jam Recordings in March 2023. In a statement following her signing, Def Jam chairman/CEO Tunji Balogun said, “There are artists who challenge you to disregard everything you know and just follow them into the future. Lady London is one of those artists.” Ahead of her signing, Billboard named London one of the Hip-Hop/R&B Artists to Watch in 2022.
Redferrin
Redferrin (full name: Blake Redferrin), from White House, Tenn., notched his first entry on Billboard’s charts with his debut seven-track EP, Old No. 7. Released Feb. 16 on Warner Music Nashville/WMN, the set entered the March 2-dated Heatseekers Albums chart (which ranks the most popular albums of the week by new or developing acts) at No. 24 with 3,000 equivalent album units earned Feb. 16-22. The set garnered 2,000 units in the latest tracking week.
While the project marks Redferrin’s first chart entry as a recording artist, he has already charted as a songwriter, notably having co-penned Nelly and Florida Georgia Line’s “Lil Bit,” which reached No. 3 on Hot Country Songs in 2020 and No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021. He has also written songs for Dean Brody, Kidd G and the Reklaws.
Redferrin – who before beginning his music career was a motocross racer – has a string of dates lined up through August, including supporting roles on Billy Currington, Kip Moore and Niko Moon’s tours.
Glass Beams
The masked trio, from Melbourne, Australia, reached Billboard’s charts for the first time with its 2021 debut four-song EP Mirage. Released via Research Records, the set opened at No. 14 on the March 2-dated Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. The all-instrumental set blends elements of psychedelic jazz, classical, disco and pop. Glass Beams is led by Rajan Silva, who was influenced by Western musical styles and traditional Indian music.
The group’s follow-up EP, the five-track Mahal, is due March 22. The act released its first single from the set, “Mahal,” Feb. 20. The band has a run of European and North American tour dates scheduled through June.
ATARASHII GAKKO!
The Japanese group lands its first Billboard chart appearance with its single “Hello.” Released Feb. 9 on 88rising Records, the song debuts at No. 37 on Pop Airplay (up 58% in plays). It appears on the soundtrack to the new animated fantasy film The Tiger’s Apprentice, which premiered on Paramount+ Feb. 2. The film stars Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Michelle Yeoh, Henry Golding and Bowen Yang.
ATARASHII GAKKO! (which translates in English to “new school”) has been releasing music since 2015, including two studio LPs: Maenarawanai (マエナラワナイ) in 2018 and Wakage Gaitaru (若気ガイタル) in 2019. The group comprises members Kanon, Mizyu, Rin and Suzuka.
Jet Trouble
The singer-songwriter achieves his first entry on Billboard’s charts with his single “I Need You.” Released in July 2023 on TroubleHasbun Publishing, the track debuts at No. 27 on Hot Christian Songs with 472,000 official U.S. streams.
The artist, from Dallas, has been releasing music since 2017, including three studio albums: Warren Park (2017), Son of ’61 (2018) and Though None Go (2022).
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