ROSÉ and Bruno Mars ’ “APT.” tops the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart for a 12th week. In November, the song debuted as the stars’ second leader on each list.

The Contenders is a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts. This week, for the upcoming Billboard Hot 100 chart dated Feb. 1, we look at whether the surging quasi-title track from Bad Bunny’s latest will be able to get over the top on the chart.

Blackpink's Rosé and Bruno Mars' "Apt." ties Justin Bieber and The Kid Laroi’s “Stay” for the fourth-most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200.

BLACKPINK’s Rosé and Bruno Mars’ track ‘APT’ becomes the fastest K-pop track to cross 900M views, dethroning PSY's 'Gangnam Style.'

Rosé, a global star most known for her position in K-Pop girl group BLACKPINK, stars in a flirty Valentine's Day campaign from Kim Kardashian's SKIMS. The pop star's ad comes on the heels of her debut album,

If Bruno Mars was in NBA Jam, he’d be on fire. The “Leave the Door Open” singer’s last two singles, “Die With A Smile” with Lady Gaga and “APT.” by Rose, each reached the top five of the Billboard Hot 100;

BLACKPINK’s Rosé's APT. featuring Bruno Mars has been achieving one milestone after another since its release. It recently became the quickest K-pop music video to achieve 900 million views on YouTube.

Rosé and Bruno Mars ’ are making chart history with their duet “APT.,” which continues its reign at No. 1 on the ARIA Singles Charts for its ninth non-consecutive week. The track now holds the title of the longest-running No. 1 duet since Elton John and Dua Lipa’s “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” dominated for 10 weeks back in 2020-21.

Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man” returns to both the Billboard Global 200 and the Billboard Global Excl. US, joining several other smashes from the crooner.

Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” scores a third week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Plus, Bad Bunny banks three new top 10s.

Bad Bunny, who had the most-streamed album of both 2022 and 2023, seems to have another potential juggernaut on his hands. But to top the chart this week he had to hold off an unlikely challenger.