Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea lead historic race to Number 1

Problem by Ariana Grande and Iggy Azalea takes an early lead in historic chart race, while Metallica, Dolly Parton and Ed Sheeran feel Glastonbury effect.

US singer/songwriter Ariana Grande has taken a commanding lead in this week’s historic Official Singles Chart Number 1 race - the first to include on-demand audio streams from services such as Spotify, Deezer, Napster and O2 Tracks as well as sales data.

The 21-year-old’s new single, Problem FT Iggy Azalea, is in pole position on today’s Official Charts Company early sales flash, largely due to strong opening download sales.

Early data indicates that Problem has already accumulated a total combined ‘chart sales’ figure of 55,000 copies toward this coming Sunday’s chart, with only 1% of those being attributed to streams. As revealed last week, 100 streams will be equivalent to one single purchase (whether download, CD or vinyl) for chart purposes.

Problem will not only mark newcomer Ariana Grande’s Top 40 chart debut, if it maintains its lead through to Sunday, would land both Ariana and Australian rapper Iggy their first UK chart topper.

Ghost by former X Factor contestant Ella Henderson holds firm at Number 2 today with 21,000 ‘chart sales’ (with a contribution of approximately 8% from audio streams). Meanwhile Australian singer/songwriter Sia is new in at Number 3 with solo release, Chandelier, while Sing by Ed Sheeran (4) and Budapest by George Ezra (5) complete today’s Top 5.

Waves by Mr Probz (Number 9 today) has been given a boost by the inclusion of streaming data, with 17% of its ‘chart sales’ figure attributed to streams, while 15% of All Of Me by John Legend (Number 10).

Today’s Top 10 is as follows:

© 2014 Official Charts Company. All rights reserved.

The Glasonbury Effect

Following Sunday’s Glastonbury Pyramid stage set, Ed Sheeran’s Sing is also shaping up to be the most streamed track of the week, based on early audio streaming data showing 13% of the track’s contribution coming from streams since the weekend.

Further down the first glance sales flash, both Metallica and Dolly Parton have seen a boost since their triumphant Glastonbury performances – Dolly’s Jolene has seen the biggest chart climb, up 116 places since last week and on course to hit Number 40, with crowd pleaser 9 To 5 at 57 and Islands In The Stream (with Kenny Rogers) at 58. In turn, Metallica’s Enter Sandman is due to enter at 43, with Nothing Else Matters at 47. In the cases of both Dolly and Metallica, the chart surges are driven by download sales.

Today’s tallies are based on early data up to midnight last night, with the full picture becoming clearer as the week progresses. The first Official Singles Chart Top 40 to incorporate streams will be unveiled from 4-7pm on Sunday, July 6 by BBC Radio 1, with the full Top 100 published on OfficialCharts.com at 7pm that evening.