The global music landscape continues to be dominated by a diverse array of artists, with Karol G, Judeline, and rusowsky’s infectious track "BbY WOW" holding firm at the No. 1 position on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts for a remarkable fourth consecutive week. This enduring popularity underscores the widespread appeal of the song, which has solidified its status as a worldwide phenomenon. The tracking period from September 18th to 24th saw "BbY WOW" accumulate an impressive 51.5 million streams globally, despite a slight 3% decrease from the previous week. Sales also saw a modest dip of 5%, totaling 1,000 units. Outside of the United States, the song garnered 38.8 million streams, also experiencing a 3% decline week-over-week.
This latest chart performance marks a significant milestone for Karol G, as "BbY WOW" becomes her first multi-week No. 1 on these global rankings. Her previous chart-topping success came with "TQG," a collaboration with Shakira, which debuted at No. 1 in March 2023. For emerging artists Judeline and rusowsky, "BbY WOW" represents their inaugural No. 1 hit on these prestigious charts, signaling a bright future for their musical careers.
ADÉLA Makes a Powerful Chart Entry
Amidst the continued success of "BbY WOW," rising artist ADÉLA has made a spectacular entrance onto the global charts, securing two spots within the top five of both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. tallies. Her track "Nicole Kidman" has surged an impressive 11-3 on the Global 200, while "Ain’t in LA" maintains its strong position at No. 5. On the Global Excl. U.S. chart, "Ain’t in LA" climbs to a new personal best of No. 4 from its previous No. 6 position, and "Nicole Kidman" makes a dramatic leap from No. 26 to No. 5.
The success of these two singles is attributed to robust streaming numbers. "Nicole Kidman" garnered 32.5 million streams, experiencing a substantial 41% increase during the tracking week, while "Ain’t in LA" attracted 30 million streams, a 14% rise. These figures highlight the growing momentum behind ADÉLA’s artistry and the significant impact her music is having on a global scale.
Both of these chart-topping songs are featured on ADÉLA’s debut album, PRIMA. The Slovak singer, songwriter, and dancer has been steadily building her profile in the music industry. In 2023, she gained exposure by competing on the reality show Dream Academy, an experience that also led to the formation of the group KATSEYE. More recently, in April and May of this year, ADÉLA had the opportunity to open for pop superstar Demi Lovato on her "It’s Not That Deep Tour," further expanding her reach to new audiences.
ADÉLA’s achievement of simultaneously charting two initial top five hits on both global rankings is a rare feat. She is the first artist to accomplish this in the current year. This level of early chart success is particularly noteworthy, drawing parallels to past achievements by artists like HUNTR/X and Saja Boys, who similarly landed multiple top five hits on the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts in 2025, as part of the KPop Demon Hunters project.
A Competitive Week on the Global Charts
The competitive nature of the global music market is further evident in the performances of other notable tracks. Ella Langley’s "Choosin’ Texas" holds its ground at No. 2 on the Billboard Global 200, demonstrating consistent listener engagement. Meanwhile, Dua Lipa’s popular 2024 hit "Training Season" has seen a resurgence, currently sitting at No. 4 on the Global 200, a slight dip from its previous peak at No. 3.
On the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, "Training Season" continues to perform strongly, maintaining its No. 2 position. Shakira and Burna Boy’s "Dai Dai (FIFA World Cup Official Song 2026)" remains a consistent presence, holding steady at No. 3. This track has enjoyed a remarkable 10-week reign at the top of the charts since July, underscoring its enduring appeal and association with a major global event.
Understanding the Billboard Global Charts
The Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts are comprehensive rankings that measure song performance based on a combination of streaming and sales data from over 200 territories worldwide. These charts are meticulously compiled by Luminate, an independent data provider. The Global 200 incorporates all available global data, while the Global Excl. U.S. chart specifically excludes data from the United States.
The methodology employed in determining chart positions is rigorous. It utilizes a weighted formula that accounts for official streams from both subscription and ad-supported audio and video music services. Download sales from authorized digital music retailers globally are also factored in. Importantly, sales data from direct-to-consumer (D2C) websites are excluded from these calculations to ensure a standardized and objective measurement.
The latest chart rankings, dated October 3, 2026, are scheduled to be updated on Billboard.com tomorrow, September 29th. The top 100 songs from both charts are accessible to all readers on Billboard.com. For access to the complete 200-title rankings, a subscription to Billboard Pro, the publication’s premium service, is required. Music industry professionals and enthusiasts can stay updated on all chart news by following @billboard and @billboardcharts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Luminate’s commitment to data integrity is paramount. The company conducts thorough reviews of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings. Through a partnership with Billboard, any data identified as suspicious or unverifiable is removed based on established criteria before the final chart calculations are made and published. This ensures the accuracy and credibility of the Billboard charts, providing a true reflection of global music consumption trends. The continued success of artists like Karol G and the emergence of new talents like ADÉLA on these global platforms highlight the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the international music industry. The ability of artists to capture the attention of listeners across diverse cultural landscapes, as demonstrated by the widespread appeal of "BbY WOW" and ADÉLA’s dual top-five hits, signifies a powerful interconnectedness in the modern music ecosystem. The strategic use of social media and reality television platforms, as seen with ADÉLA’s journey, continues to play a crucial role in artist development and fan engagement, paving the way for unprecedented global reach and chart success. As the industry navigates new technological advancements and consumption patterns, the Billboard Global charts remain a vital barometer of artistic impact and commercial viability on a worldwide scale.
