Slovak pop singer ADÉLA has made history as the first artist from her country to reach the upper tiers of the US charts. Her hit "Ain't in LA" surged in popularity following her appearances on Demi Lovato's "It's Not That Deep" arena tour.
The 23.8 million streams fueling a #68 US chart position
The track "Ain't in LA" has accumulated over 23.8 million official on-demand streams in the United States, according to the report. This digital momentum has pushed the song to number 68 on the American charts, marking a milestone for Slovak music. The song's reach extends beyond streaming, having sparked a social media trend with more than 4.1 million accompanying TikTok videos.
This visibility was amplified by ADÉLA's role as a support act for Demi Lovato. By performing high-energy, choreographed sets during the "It's Not That Deep" tour, ADÉLA was able to capture a massive live audience before the single transitioned into a viral summer anthem for 2026. The song's appeal has even reached A-list circles, with Academy Award-winner Nicole Kidman expressing interest in seeing ADÉLA perform live in Nashville.
Theron Thomas and the Houston-inspired 'chopped and screwed' sound
The collaboration between ADÉLA and Grammy-winning songwriter Theron Thomas was facilitated by producer Blake Slatkin. As the source reported, the creative process involved studio sessions that also included British R&B singer Sekou. The resulting track features a "chopped and screwed" intro, a sonic signature that has led many to compare the song to Miley Cyrus's 2013 hit "We Can't Stop."
Theron Thomas clarified that the similarity to the Miley Cyrus track was not a deliberate attempt to mimic a hit. Instead, the porduction choice reflects Thomas's fascination with the musical culture of Houston. By integrating these regional American elements with ADÉLA's pop sensibilities, the team created a sound that feels simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary.
From Slovakia and St. Thomas: A manifesto for the global outsider
The emotional core of "Ain't in LA" reflects a shared experience of marginalization. ADÉLA views herself as the first pop star to emerge from Slovakia, while Theron Thomas draws on his upbringing in extreme poverty in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, where he lived without electricity or running water. Together, they have framed the song as a manifesto for anyone fighting against the status quo.
Theron Thomas has previously bridged cultural gaps in his professional portfolio,including his work on the "Eurosummer" remix for Shakira and Zara Larsson.. This pattern of blendng diverse global identities suggests that the success of ADÉLA is part of a broader trend where artists from small towns or marginalized backgrounds use specific, rebellious energy to connect with a global generation of listeners.
What happened to the other concepts from the Blake Slatkin sessions?
Despite the massive success of "Ain't in LA," the report notes that it was the only concept that fully materialized into a complete song during the sessions with Blake Slatkin and Theron Thomas. This leaves a significant question regarding the fate of the other ideas explored during those recordings; it remains unknown if those sketches will be revisited for a future album or if they were discarded entirely.
Furthermore, while the source highlights the song's current chart position and viral status, it does not specify if ADÉLA has a full-length project slated for release to capitalize on this momentum. The industry is left to wonder if this single is a standalone phenomenon or the lead-off for a more comprehensive Slovak pop invasion of the US market.
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