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 200 dated Nov. 29, as Taylor Swift and KPop Demon Hunters continue to reign on the chart, a flurry of new albums looks to get in just behind them.

Summer Walker, Finally Over It (LVRN/Interscope): It’s been four years since R&B star Summer Walker’s previous album Still Over It – twice the time it took in between that set and predecessor Over It – so her new album certainly rates as one of 2025’s most-anticipated. Finally Over It finally arrived on Friday (Nov. 12), with an 18-track, two-disc streaming edition that includes big-name features from Chris Brown, 21 Savage, Doja Cat, Teddy Swims and many more.

The s

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