Both songs should surge driven in part by high-profile remixes.
Will a stallion gallop to No. 1 on next week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart? Or, will a cat pounce to the highest perch?
According to projections based on building Nielsen Music/MRC Data figures, Megan Thee Stallion‘s “Savage” and Doja Cat‘s “Say So” should both challenge for the summit of the May 16-dated Hot 100, thanks to notable gains. On the most recently published chart, dated May 9, the former ranks at No. 4, a new high, and the latter places at No. 6, after reaching No. 5.
The tracks are aiming to dethrone “The Scotts,” by The Scotts, Travis Scott and Kid Cudi, as the collaboration is likely to depart the top spot after it launched at No. 1 on the May 9-dated chart.
The Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming, radio airplay and digital sales data. The top 10 of the May 16-dated chart is scheduled to be revealed Monday (May 11), with all surveys updating on Billboard.com Tuesday (May 12). The May 16-dated Hot 100 will reflect the streaming and sales tracking week ending May 7 and the airplay week ending May 10.
Per preliminary data, “Savage” and “Say So” appear set for a tight battle for No. 1. “Savage” (released on 1501 Certified/300) could draw over 40 million U.S. streams and 40 million in radio airplay audience and sell over 50,000 downloads in the tracking week. “Say So” (on Kemosabe/RCA) could sport over 90 million in radio reach, 25 million streams and 80,000 sold in the same span.
Both tracks have benefited from high-profile remixes. A version of “Savage” adding Beyoncé arrived April 29, in time for its first two days of activity to meet the April 30 streaming and sales cutoff for the May 9-dated Hot 100, and to fuel its jump from No. 14 to No. 4. Thus, the May 16-dated Hot 100 will encompass the first full tracking frame for the Beyoncé remix. Plus, a second “Savage” remix, with Major Lazer, was released yesterday (May 7).
Similarly, Nicki Minaj joined on a remix of “Say So,” released at midnight ET May 1, and its first full week of availability will be tracked on the May 16-dated Hot 100. Additionally, an official dance video for the song and a live clip premiered May 2 and 4, respectively.
Both songs were also on sale in physical/digital combination offerings during the tracking week. Consumers could purchase any of three vinyl singles of “Savage” and one of “Say So,” each with a digital download; the download would be sent to consumers upon purchase, with vinyl versions due to arrive at a later date.
Megan Thee Stallion and Doja Cat have been further stoking fan interest in the songs via social media blitzes.
Notably, Beyoncé is not credited on the May 9-dated Hot 100 as a featured artist on “Savage,” as the total chart points for its remix did not outweigh those of the original in the tracking week. Artist credit for both “Savage” and “Say So” will be reevaluated next week, following, as noted above, the first full tracking week for the songs’ respective Beyoncé, Major Lazer and Minaj remixes.
If Megan Thee Stallion or Doja Cat crown the Hot 100 next week, each would earn a first No. 1. “Savage” and “Say So” mark each artist’s first Hot 100 top 10.
