ROSÉ & Bruno Mars Just Crushed Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” — And Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers” Is Next

If you thought the global charts were predictable, you haven’t been paying attention. In just 9 months, ROSÉ & Bruno Mars have managed something most artists dream about—and many secretly fear.

Their smash collaboration “APT” has officially surpassed Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” to become the 10th biggest global chart hit of the 2020s.

And if the projections hold, it will blow past Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” by next week.

That’s not just success. That’s a hostile takeover.

The Ruthless Efficiency of a Global Hit

Let’s not mince words: “APT” didn’t stumble into these numbers.

This wasn’t a slow-burn, indie darling with critical praise and no streams. It was engineered, marketed, and executed like a precision strike.

Because Bruno Mars and ROSÉ know exactly what they’re doing.

✅ Bruno Mars has spent years studying the anatomy of chart-topping singles.
✅ ROSÉ brings a global fanbase that doesn’t just stream—they evangelize.

Together? They made a song with no intention of leaving the charts anytime soon.

Breaking Down the Numbers

This isn’t just about one-week hype. It’s about sustained dominance.

“APT” didn’t hover around for a couple of months before fading into playlist filler.

It went on a record-breaking tear that’s making label execs reexamine their entire strategy.

Keyword: Chart performance

✅ Surpassed Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” in total global chart points.
✅ Became the 10th biggest hit of the 2020s within 9 months.
✅ On pace to beat Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” next week—a song considered untouchable not long ago.

These are the brutal facts the industry is grappling with.

Why “APT” Is Such a Threat to the Status Quo

Music fans love to romanticize the idea of a song “organically” blowing up.

But the modern pop industry doesn’t work that way anymore.

“APT” is a masterclass in targeted strategy:

✅ Streaming optimization: Hooks designed for replay.
✅ Global marketing: Simultaneous rollouts across continents.
✅ Viral tactics: Carefully timed drops, teasers, and remixes.
✅ Fanbase mobilization: Turning casual listeners into brand ambassadors.

Keyword: Streaming domination

This isn’t cheating. It’s evolution.

And that’s what’s scaring everyone.

The ROSÉ Effect: Fanbases as Marketing Machines

If you think ROSÉ is just a feature on this track, you haven’t been watching her career.

She’s not a supporting act—she’s a force multiplier.

Her fans aren’t passive consumers. They’re an army.

✅ They share every update.
✅ They stream relentlessly.
✅ They crash platforms with demand.

Keyword: Fan loyalty

When you partner ROSÉ with someone like Bruno Mars, you don’t just get her voice—you get an unstoppable promotional machine that operates 24/7 without a marketing budget.

The Bruno Mars Formula: Pop Perfection, No Apologies

Let’s be clear: Bruno Mars didn’t luck into being one of the biggest artists on the planet.

He’s one of the most calculated, disciplined, relentlessly polished hitmakers of the past 20 years.

✅ He knows how to craft a hook that gets stuck in your head for weeks.
✅ He understands pacing, production, and radio appeal like few others.
✅ He’s unafraid to lean into “mainstream” at a time when others run from it.

Keyword: Hit-making formula

He’s not chasing the underground scene. He’s chasing maximum reach.

And with “APT,” he nailed it.

How the Industry Is Reacting (Spoiler: Not Well)

Let’s talk about the music industry’s dirty little secret.

While executives love success stories, they hate songs that dominate too long.

✅ Playlists get stale.
✅ New artists struggle to break through.
✅ Radio programmers complain about repetitive rotations.

But they can’t just drop “APT” from the rotation.

It’s too big. Too popular. Too… effective.

The Data Doesn’t Lie

Look at the raw performance indicators:

Streaming: Off-the-charts replay value. The song was practically engineered for algorithmic playlists.

Sales: Still solid in an era where people “don’t buy music anymore.” That indicates loyalty, not just curiosity.

Airplay: Programmers love it because audiences don’t change the station when it plays.

✅ Keyword: Ubiquity

You don’t get those kinds of numbers without near-total saturation.

Why It’s Polarizing

Not everyone is cheering.

Some call “APT” overproduced, formulaic, and calculated.

Fans of artists getting blocked from the top 10 are furious.

Music critics are split:

✅ “It’s brilliant marketing.”
✅ “It’s killing creativity.”
✅ “It’s proof pop is more business than art.”

But here’s the thing: It’s working.

ROSÉ and Bruno Mars Don’t Care About the Rules

If there’s one thing “APT.” proves, it’s that rules are for other people.

✅ ROSÉ didn’t get here by playing safe.
✅ Bruno Mars didn’t stay here by following trends—he made them.

Together, they’ve delivered a product so slick, so calculated, and so irresistible that it’s making everyone else rethink their strategy.

Will It Beat Miley’s “Flowers”?

The projections say yes.

Keyword: Chart projections

Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” is one of the most dominant hits of the decade so far. But even it is showing signs of slowing.

Meanwhile, “APT” is surging.

✅ It’s got momentum.
✅ It’s got fresh remixes dropping.
✅ It’s still climbing in secondary markets.

By next week? It might not just be #10 of the decade. It might be #9.

The Streaming Era’s New Reality

This is the future the industry built:

✅ Streaming platforms reward repeat listening.
✅ Playlists promote what people are already playing.
✅ Global marketing breaks regional barriers instantly.

Keyword: Streaming strategy

“APT” is the perfect case study.

It didn’t just release. It invaded.

Is That Good for Music?

Let’s get controversial.

✅ Some say yes: it’s proof fans decide, not critics.
✅ Others say no: It crowds out innovation.

But one thing’s certain: you can’t ignore it.

“APT” is the blueprint.

✅ Make it catchy enough for radio.
✅ Make it viral enough for TikTok.
✅ Make it global enough for playlists.

It’s not art vs. commerce. It’s art as commerce.

What Makes “APT.” So Addictive?

Musicologists will tell you it’s the hook structure.

✅ Simplicity for singalongs.
✅ Repetitive motifs that reward replays.
✅ Familiar but modern production.

But fans will tell you something simpler:

✅ It just feels good.

Keyword: Pop appeal

It’s a Bruno Mars specialty. Paired with ROSÉ’s instantly recognizable voice, you have a song that transcends markets and demographics.

How Long Can This Last?

That’s the big question.

✅ Can it stay in the top 10 of the decade? Almost guaranteed.
✅ Can it keep climbing? Very likely.
✅ Can anyone stop it? That’s the billion-dollar mystery.

There’s no rule that says a song can’t dominate this long.

The only limit is audience fatigue.

And so far?

There’s no sign of it.

What Other Artists Can Learn

✅ Build loyal fans who will do your marketing for you.
✅ Don’t be afraid of “mainstream.”
✅ Embrace streaming algorithms.
✅ Don’t just drop music—build moments.

Keyword: Pop strategy

Because “APT.” isn’t just a song. It’s a case study in chart warfare.

Conclusion: A Warning Shot to the Industry

When you look at what ROSÉ & Bruno Mars have done, it’s hard not to feel a little uneasy—if you’re their competition.

✅ They didn’t reinvent the wheel.
✅ They just built a better car.

And they’re driving it straight to the top of every chart that matters.

“APT” isn’t just a hit.

It’s a message:

Adapt or get left behind.