The Contenders is a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts. This week, for the upcoming Billboard Hot 100 chart dated Feb. 1, we look at whether the surging quasi-title track from Bad Bunny’s latest will be able to get over the top on the chart.

Plus, Bad Bunny again charts five top 10s from his new album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.

Bad Bunny, who had the most-streamed album of both 2022 and 2023, seems to have another potential juggernaut on his hands. But to top the chart this week he had to hold off an unlikely challenger.

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” scores a third week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Plus, Bad Bunny banks three new top 10s.

Coming in at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart dated Saturday are Taylor Swift 's Lover: Live From Paris, followed by SZA's SOS at No. 3, Kendrick Lamar 's GNX at No. 4 and Lil Baby's Wham at No. 5.

Bad Bunny's "DTMF" and "Baile Inolvidable" are riding high off a post-release streaming surge that's bound to subside in the days to come. Let's close out with one more note about Bruno Mars ...

This is the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 for the week dated Feb. 1. Morgan Wallen is back up to 10. Bad Bunny slides to nine. Gracie is up to No. 8. Teddy Swims rises to seven, as does Billie to six. And Kendrick and

Timothée Chalamet, Jack Harlow, and Dua Lipa are the most recent celebs to take on the double-duty challenge at "Saturday Night Live."

Timothée Chalamet performed two lesser-known Bob Dylan songs, in his own voice, as the musical guest as well as host of 'Saturday Night Live.'

Bad Bunny fears Puerto Rico will become the new Hawaii. He's not alone. Scientists Baffled After Recovering 1.7-Mile-Long Ice Samples Dating Back 1.2 Million Years, Call It a ‘Time Machine’

Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Singer-songwriter SZA has signed on to join rapper Kendrick Lamar for next month's Super Bowl Halftime Show. The NFL game will be played on Feb. 9 at Caesars Stadium in New Orleans. It will air live on FOX. Grammy winner SZA released a deluxe edition of her blockbuster SOS album in December.

This week's Trending Up looks at the inauguration's impact on consumption for its biggest performers, as well as newly viral older songs for Hozier and Julie Doiron.