Michael Jackson owns the entire top four on two Billboard charts, and nearly the full top 10 on several lists with many of his most-streamed tracks. LOS ANGELES, CA: Michael Jackson performs during the “Bad” Tour at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena on January 1989 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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After the release of his biopic, Michael, consumption of Michael Jackson’s music skyrocketed all around the world. His name returned to various charts, surged up many important tallies, and quite a few of his decades-old singles suddenly became hits on lists that did not exist, or which were compiled in very different manners, when he was a current hitmaker. Sales of many of his albums and songs jumped, but it is on streaming charts where Jackson’s presence has been felt like never before.
Of course, streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, iHeartRadio and others did not exist during the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s – Jackson’s heyday – and by the time many of them became the go-to way for millions of people to consume the music they love, the King of Pop had already passed away. The masses have turned to these websites and apps to consume Jackson’s most beloved works in the past month or so, and the singer manages a very impressive feat (especially for a legacy act) on multiple tallies in America.
Michael Jackson Claims the Entire Top Four
This week, Jackson occupies the top four spaces on a pair of closely-related rankings published by Billboard. He sits at Nos. 1 through 4 on both the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs and R&B Streaming Songs charts. The first includes not only R&B music but also hip-hop and rap, while the latter is focused entirely on the one genre.
Jackson’s “Billie Jean” is steady at No. 1. In fact, his highest-ranking three wins don’t move an inch from where they sat just days ago. “Human Nature” and “Beat It” are comfortable once again at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively. Those mark the all-time highs for those generation-defining singles.
“Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” Rises to No. 4
Jackson adds to that list by pushing “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” up one space to No. 4. The track reaches a new all-time peak as it ascends. Last frame, “I Just Might” by Bruno Mars came in behind only “Billie Jean,” “Human Nature” and “Beat It,” but now the hitmaker’s lead single from The Romantic drops to fifth place.
Michael Jackson Fills Eight of the Top 10 Spots
On the R&B Streaming Songs chart, Jackson fills eight of the spaces within the top 10. While “Billie Jean,” “Human Nature” and “Beat It” keep at their previously established peaks, every other track establishes a new high.
Landing behind Mars’s “I Just Might” are “Dirty Diana,” “Rock With You,” “Chicago” and “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” which come in at Nos. 6, 7, 8 and 9, respectively. Justin Bieber’s “Yukon,” which is still enjoying a post-Coachella bump, drops from sixth place to tenth. It blocks Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal,” which is steady at No. 11, from becoming another top 10 for the late powerhouse.
Michael Jackson Lands Seven Top 10s on Another Tally
Jackson is not quite as successful on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs ranking, though that’s not entirely surprising, given the fact that it is more competitive than the R&B-only tally. In addition to his top four, another three tunes by Jackson land within the highest tier. “Dirty Diana,” “Rock With You” and “Chicago” ascend to Nos. 8, 9 and 10, respectively, landing in more impressive positions than ever before.
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