French Sweep: January 29, 2013...

It's time to head across the ocean to check out the latest music making its way on to the official singles chart in France this week, as will.i.am and Britney Spears' "Scream & Shout" climb to the #1 spot, making his first solo #1 and Brit's third after "Baby One More Time" and "Womanizer".

The top debut at #8 is the return of Britney's ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, whose biggest hit as a lead artist so far was 2007's "What Comes Around Goes Around" which went to #5 (he also went to #2 as a featured artist on Madonna's "4 Minutes"). The latest, "Suit & Tie", features rapper Jay-Z. Grade: C

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Jumping in at #40 is American R&B singer Anthony Hamilton with newcomer Elayna Boynton with the Oscar-overlooked song from Django Unchained, "Freedom". It's his first shot in the French charts.

French rapper Leck arrives at #63 with his first hit, "XPDTR" (probably short for expediteur, or "sender"), featuring Mr. V. Grade: B-

One rung below that at #64 is Trappes native Shy'm with "Et Si" ("And If"). She has sent two singles to #2 in her homeland, "Si Tu Savais" in 2008 and "Et Alors" last year. She's one of my fave current French singers. Grade: B

French singer/songwriter Brice Conrad scores his first Top-100 hit in French with "Oh La". Grade: C-

Canadian superstar Celine Dion arrives at #77 with "Le Miracle". It follows her top-10 single "Parler A Mon Pere"; she has topped the chart here five times - once with the English-language "My Heart Will Go On" and four with French releases. Grade: C-

American rapper Flo Rida returns at #86 with "Let It Roll", the fifth single from his Wild Ones album. He has taken two singles to #2 here, "Right Round" and "Whistle"... Grade: B

The final debut of the week is by German dance artist Manian, who is also one-third of Cascada, who went to #1 in France with "Miracle" in 2004. He's now in at #99 with his first solo hit, "Don't Stop The Dancing" featuring Zimbabwean/German rapper Carlprit, who made the top-40 in France last year with "Fiesta". Grade: C+

That does it for this installment, I'll cross the border and return later today with the latest in Germany. Au Revoir!