Olivia Rodrigo Chases Doja Cat For U.K. Singles Chart Crown

Doja Cat is on pace for a second week at No. 1 on the U.K. singles chart with “Paint The Town Red” (via Ministry of Sound), though she faces a real challenge from Olivia Rodrigo.

Last Friday, Sept. 8, Doja Cat’s latest hit leaped to the top of the Official U.K. Singles Chart, for her first-ever leader in that territory.

According to the Official Charts Company, “Paint The Town Red” maintains a slim advantage at the midweek point – a little over 1,000 chart units.

Rodrigo’s collects positions No. 2 and No. 3 on the chart blast with “Vampire” and “Bad Idea Right”, respectively. Another, third track from her sophomore album is set to enter the top 10, “All American Bitch”. The Guts (Geffen) cut starts at No. 9 on the Official Chart Update, and is set to become the week’s highest debut. If it holds its spot, “All American Bitch” will give Rodrigo a seventh top tier effort in the U.K.

Guts, meanwhile, is streaking to No. 1 on national albums survey. As previously reported, the new release crushes the midweek U.K. albums chart with more sales and streams than the rest of the top 10 combined.

Based on sales and streaming data published by the OCC, Fred Again and Obongjayar’s “Adore U” (Atlantic) could climb 10-6, for a new high.

Kenya Grace cracked the U.K. chart for the first time last week with her viral number “Strangers” (FFRR), which entered at No. 20. “Strangers” is on the up, rising to No. 14 on the midweek survey.

Finally, Leigh-Anne should nab her second top 40 with the Afrobeats-influenced single “My Love” (Warner Records) featuring Ayra Starr. It’s new at No. 21 on the chart blast.

As a member of Little Mix, Leigh-Anne landed five U.K. No. 1 singles and a chart-topping album. Her debut solo single “Don’t Say Love” peaked at No. 11 on the national tally earlier this year.