5 First-Timers on Billboard’s Charts This Week: The Bites, Whitney Wren, TML Vibez & More

Billboard has more than 200 different weekly charts, encompassing numerous genres and formats.

While established artists often compete for a spot on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart and Billboard 200 albums ranking, which track the most popular songs and albums of the week, respectively, up-and-coming talents typically start off on genre-specific lists.

Here’s a look at five artists who appear on surveys for the first time on the Dec. 16-dated charts:

The Bites

The Los Angeles-based rock group scores its first Billboard chart entry with its single “Knockin on the Door.” The track, released in April on Earache Records, debuts at No. 40 on Mainstream Rock Airplay (up 8% in plays, according to Luminate).

The song, which takes influence from 1970s and ‘80s rock ‘n’ roll groups (Van Halen, Guns N Roses, Def Leppard), appears on the act’s debut studio album Squeeze, released Dec. 1. The group comprises Jordan Tyler (vocals), Dustin Coon (guitar), Jono Richer (guitar), Zack Currier (bass) and Mark Hylander (drums/production).

Whitney Wren

The singer-songwriter arrives on Billboard’s charts with “Whiskey Over Wine.” The song, released Dec. 1 on Josh Bright Productions, debuts at No. 11 on Country Digital Song Sales with 2,000 downloads sold in its opening week. It also sparks her debut at No. 29 on the Emerging Artists chart.

While “Whiskey Over Wine” is Wren’s first solo release, the Florida native has already forged a successful career outside of music. She’s an online content creator and co-hosts the C&Whit Podcast with Christen Whitman. She’s particularly active on TikTok, where she boasts over 2 million followers.

TML Vibez

The Nigerian artist reaches Billboard’s charts for the first time with “Goated,” featuring Seyi Vibez. The track debuts at No. 33 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. It’s from TML Vibez’s five-track EP Timileyin, released Dec. 1 via Vibez Inc/Dapper Music & Ent.

TML Vibez is a newcomer to not just Billboard’s charts but music as a whole. Outside of the new EP, he’s released one additional song, “Grateful Sinner,” in March.

Nasboi

The singer, from Nigeria, earns his first Billboard chart appearance with “Umbrella,” featuring Wande Coal. The song, released, Nov. 24 on ETRSL/Explo Music, debuts at No. 37 on Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs.

TikTok has been a central factor in the song’s growing profile, as the track has soundtracked over 300,000 clips on the platform to date. On Instagram Reels, the song has been used in over 80,000 clips.

Beyond “Umbrella,” Nasboi has released one other song: “Lover Boy,” in February.

Rosaly Rubio

The singer-songwriter, from the Dominican Republic, achieves her first Billboard chart hit, thanks to “Culpa Mia,” with Chimbala, The collaboration, released Nov. 8 via Vulcano Music Entertainment, debuts at No. 3 on Latin Digital Song Sales. Rosaly Rubio has released over two dozen songs, all since 2019.

As for Chimbala, the fellow Dominican artist lands his third entry on Latin Digital Song Sales, after 2021’s “Loco,” with Justin Quiles and Zion & Lennox, and 2022’s “!Wow BB!,” with Natti Natasha and El Alfa.