It looks as if ever-increasing download sales are finally beginning to 
break the urban/airplay dominance, especially in the US singles chart, 
with 'only' 5 of this week's top 10 being of that genre.

To me, it's almost inconceivable how anyone could run a chart largely 
based on what radio stations tell people they should hear - it wouldn't 
be quite so bad, though hardly ideal, if the airplay element was based 
purely on listener requests. At least that way it'd be more in the hands 
of music fans, rather than station managers/DJ's who may have been 
'influenced' in their choice of music.

AIUI, the basis of the US chart calculation was changed in the early 
90's as a form of 'affirmative action' to help correct a perceived 
under-representation of non-white music. ISTM that that aid is now no 
longer needed, and should be phased out, leaving a chart based on 
musical merit -who could argue with that.
-- 
Paul Hyett (change 'invalid' to 'blueyonder' to email me)