Kenya Grace Challenges Doja Cat For U.K. Chart Crown

Doja Cat is still top cat on the U.K. singles chart, but she’s facing stiff competition.

The U.S. singer, rapper and producer’s hit “Paint the Town Red” (via Ministry of Sound) leads the midweek chart, and is on track for a fourth consecutive week at No. 1.

Victory is not guaranteed.

Based on sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Kenya Grace’s “Stranger” (FFRR) is close behind, lifting 3-2, ahead of Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” (Geffen), down 2-3.

Born in South Africa, based in Britain, Grace’s breakthrough drum ‘n’ bass leaning number is her first through a major label. And she’s posing a real challenge to the leadership, blasting 20-2 in less than a month.

Further down the chart blast, another track from Doja Cat’s fourth and latest album, Scarlet, is set to enter the top 40; “Agora Hills” is forecast to arrive at No. 35.

English singer and songwriter Tom Odell could have the week’s highest new entry with “Black Friday” (Urok). It’s new at No. 17 on the Official Chart Update, for what should be his fourth U.K. top 40 (Odell has a U.K. No. 1 album to his name, with his 2013 debut Long Way Down).

U.S. pop-punk heroes Blink-182 are back, and they’re heading for a highest-charting single in two decades. The title track from the trio’s forthcoming ninth studio album is set to start at No. 21 on the chart, based on midweek data. ONE MORE TIME (via Columbia) is due out on Oct. 20 via Columbia Records, and sees the classic lineup reunite with singer/guitarist Tom DeLonge for the first time since 2011.

“One More Time” should be the trio’s 12th U.K. top 40 single, and best performer since “I Miss You” hit No. 8 back in 2004.

Also, new singles from Nines (“Daily Duppy” featuring GRM Daily at No. 25 via Zino) and a hip-hop team-up of Headie One, K-Trap and Clavish (“Triple Threat” at No. 31 via One Thousand8) are eyeing top frame berths.

All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Singles Chart is published late Friday, Sept. 29.