Rickey Smiley

Rickey Smiley

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Song Of The Summer 2017: Luis Fonsi, Rihanna & Justin Bieber Face Off

Grab your sunglasses and rejoice, folks! We braved our way out of winter and welcomed the season of sunshine on Wednesday (June 21). As we jumpstart another scorching summer, it's only natural to wonder which track will prove to be the defining song over the next few months, invading radio airwaves, dance floors and pool-side barbecues.

With the lingering question in mind, iHeartRadio looked to New York City's Z100 Program Director Mark Medina for predictions on the conquering cut of the summer. As the tastemaker for the biggest pop station in the country, his responsibilities are quite important. First, he sits down with labels, managers, and artists to help craft their marketing plans surrounding single releases. Paired with their pitches, he then looks to research to cultivate a set of songs that will appeal to the masses. It's something he likes to refer to as the "human algorithm."

As for the two key ingredients necessary for the Songs of the Summer, Medina explained that it boils down to tempo and vibe. Both of those components are appealing qualities in cuts like Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's "Despacito" and the DJ Khaled-helmed "Wild Thoughts" featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, but will one of their sultry sounds overpower the other to claim the summer season? Take a look below!

Luis Fonsi - "Despacito" featuring Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber

"I think 'Despacito' has probably already locked up Song of the Summer even though it's still early, early in the summer. . . .When we're starting to put that record on in markets like Salt Lake City, which is a very not Hispanic market, and it's testing well there and Shazaaming and streaming and everything, that's a big sign to me that it's broken through to sort of the mainstreamest of the mainstreamest audiences — not to mention all over the world. I think it still has a lot of life left in it."

DJ Khaled - "Wild Thoughts" featuring Rihanna & Bryson Tiller

"It's going to be hard to unseat ['Despacito'] as the top Song of the Summer, so with that context around it, I would say that the Khaled/Rihanna track would probably be top five."

David Guetta - "2U" featuring Justin Bieber

"Anything with Justin [Bieber] on it right now is just [great]. Whether it's 'Despacito,' Khaled and Justin or David Guetta and Justin, I think David and Justin could be another contender. Again, I say that with the caveat that I think 'Despacito' [is going to rule]. But there's also a lot of music being made today that we haven't even heard yet. You know what I mean?"

Calvin Harris - "Feels" featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean

"I think Calvin Harris is somebody to watch over the summer. 'Slide' did really well and this track that dropped last week with Katy [Perry] and Pharrell and Big Sean could be good."

Photo: Getty Images


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