Drake becomes the first artist to debut 10 songs at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as new Iceman single “Janice STFU” launches atop the tally. LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 30: Drake speaks onstage during Drake’s Till Death Do Us Part rap battle on October 30, 2021 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
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Drake is once again the king of the Billboard charts, a title he has earned many times before. The hip-hop superstar dominates both the Billboard 200 and the Billboard Hot 100, which rank the most-consumed albums and songs, respectively.
The Grammy winner doesn’t only appear at No. 1, but fills several of the loftiest spaces as three full-lengths, Iceman, Maid of Honor and Habibti, launch simultaneously. Of the 42 tracks Drake places on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, “Janice STFU,” tops the most competitive singles list in the nation. That cut’s arrival helps the rapper rewrite history in several ways, and it makes him the first musician to earn double-digit No. 1 launches.
Drake Debuts “Janice STFU” at No. 1
As “Janice STFU” begins its time on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 1, it becomes Drake’s tenth song to do so. It was only a few decades ago that Michael Jackson became the first artist to launch a track at the summit when his single “You Are Not Alone” managed the previously unseen feat.
In the 30-plus years since then, the showing has become far more common, especially when it comes to the biggest names in the music industry, thanks to a change in how the chart is compiled. Drake has now debuted 10 smashes in first place.
Here is the full list of his immediate champions on the Billboard Hot 100.
- “First Person Shooter” with J. Cole
- “God’s Plan”
- “Janice STFU”
- “Jimmy Cooks” with 21 Savage
- “Nice for What”
- “Slime You Out” with SZA
- “Toosie Slide”
- “Wait for U” with Future and Tems
- “Way 2 Sexy” with Future and Young Thug
- “What’s Next”
Drake Furthers His Lead Over Taylor Swift
Before “Janice STFU,” Drake already claimed the record for the most No. 1 debuts in the more than half-century-long history of the Billboard Hot 100. Taylor Swift sits in second place with eight instant leaders.
As “Janice STFU” hits the tally, Drake furthers his lead over the pop singer-songwriter, though she will almost certainly add to her regularly growing figure whenever she wants to begin a new era. Last year, Swift scored her eighth No. 1 start on the ranking with “The Fate of Ophelia,” the lead single from her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl.
Drake Has Averaged More Than One No. 1 Debut a Year
Drake has amazingly managed his historic showing in less than a decade. “God’s Plan” became his first No. 1 debut, but not his first leader on the Billboard Hot 100, when it kicked off its time in first place in 2018. Since then, the hip-hop powerhouse has managed an average of more than one quick ruler per year.
Drake Claims His Fourteenth No. 1 Hit
“Janice STFU” is Drake’s fourteenth No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Incredibly, just four of his chart-toppers have had to climb to the peak position instead of arriving in that space. Only “In My Feelings,” “Work” with Rihanna, “One Dance” with both Wizkid and Kyla, and “What’s My Name?,” another team-up with Rihanna, had to climb to the top spot the traditional way.
Drake Ties Rihanna and Taylor Swift
With one more leader on the Billboard Hot 100 now included in his discography, Drake passes Michael Jackson and ties Rihanna and Swift for the third-most No. 1s of all time. The Beatles continue to hold in first place with 20, while Mariah Carey sits just one ruler behind the band.
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