Pop Sweep: May 7, 2016...

It's time to roll out the first of this week's "music sweeps", sampling some of the notable songs making their way on to the singles charts in Billboard magazine. As usual, I'll start off on the pop side of things, then later on move on to the newest in rock, R&B, country, and dance....

On the "big" chart, Billboard's Hot 100, which combines tallies of internet streaming (like Spotify and YouTube), radio airplay from all formats, and sales (like iTunes and Amazon MP3), Brooklyn rapper Desiigner (aka Brooklynite Sidney Selby) lands his first #1 hit with "Panda"...

With the sad death of Prince last week, a mad dash to reconnect to anything Prince-related followed, especially with the Purple One not available on any "streaming" services save Tidal. People went to buy songs and albums by the truckload, and as a result six of his most iconic singles make it back on to the pop Hot 100 (which allowed older records that would rank higher than #50 back in). Not surprisingly, the highest of the bunch was the title track from his movie Purple Rain, which originally peaked at #2 in 1984. This time, the song re-enters at #17. Grade: A+

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P!nk, who claimed by "Pop Pick of the Week" last week with her contribution to the Alice Through The Looking Glass Movie, makes the big chart at #42. "Just Like Fire" also leaps to #14 on the Adult Top-40 list and #27 on the Mainstream Top-40 chart. Grade: C

L.A.-based rapper and producer Gnash comes in at #93 with "I Hate U, I Love U". The single, which features Olivia O'Brien on vocals, was the #1 song in Australia last week (replaced by "Just Like Fire" this time out...) Grade: C

Another #1 hit from Down Under makes the Hot 100 this week as Australian singer Grace (Sewell) lands at #95 with her cover of Lesley Gore's 60s hit "You Don't Own Me" featuring American white-boy rapper G-Eazy. Like the original, this version was produced by legend Quincy Jones. It's up to #28 on the Mainstream Top-40 chart. Grade: B-

Another track from Ariana Grande's upcoming Dangerous Woman, "Let Me Love You" featuring rapper Lil' Wayne, arrives at #99. The title track sits at #15. Grade: C-

And now on to the pop radio format charts....

On the Mainstream Top-40 radio panel, former One Directioner Zayn climbs to the top with "Pillowtalk"...

 twenty-one pilots drive in at #35 with "Ride". The #1 alternative rock hit follows their single "Stressed Out" which topped this format for a week earlier this year. Grade: B

Meanwhile, on the older-skewing Adult Top-40 format, Charlie Puth holds at #1 with "One Call Away"...

The Strumbellas take their top ten rock hit "Spirits" to this list at #37. Grade: B

Justin Bieber has done especially well at this format, considering his younger fanbase, and the fourth radio single from his Purpose album, "Company", joins three former top ten hits at #38. The most recent, "Love Yourself", topped the chart for five weeks. Grade: D+

Adele is back at #40 with this week's "Pop Pick of the Week", "Send My Love (To Your New Lover)". It's the third radio offering from her multi-platinum set 25, following "When We Were Young", which spent five weeks at #3. Grade: B+

Lastly, on the Adult Contemporary, or "easy listening", radio chart, Shawn Mendes reigns for a second week with "Stitches", while the aforementioned "Just Like Fire" from Pink leaps in at #27...

Elle King smooches in at #28 with "America's Sweetheart", which is currently at #16 on the Adult Top-40 list. Grade: B+

I'll return with the newest hits on rock radio...