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.

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.

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.

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.

ROSÉ and Bruno Mars' "APT." tops the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart for a 12th week. In November, the song debuted as the stars' second leader on each list. Plus, Bad Bunny charts five Global Excl.

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 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.

As the music community grapples with the enormous devastation wrought by the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles, the industry's power dynamics - which we examine every year in this issue - are the last thing on anyone's mind.

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

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” notches a fourth total and consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart.

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