Drake's 'Hotline Bling' Ties Hot Rap Songs Chart Record

Drake's 'Hotline Bling' Ties Hot Rap Songs Chart Record

  

Drake matches the Hot Rap Songs record for most weeks at No. 1, as “Hotline Bling” remains persistent at the top for an 18th week (on the chart dated Feb. 6). It ties Missy Elliott’s “Hot Boyz,” featuring Nas, Eve and Q-Tip (which ruled at No. 1 for 18 straight weeks in 1999 and 2000) and Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy,” featuring Charli XCX (18 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in 2014).

 

“Hotline Bling” hit No. 1 in its eighth charting week (dated Oct. 10) and became Drake's 15th No. 1, furthering his lead for most chart-toppers on the nearly 27-year-old chart.

Most Weeks at No. 1 on Hot Rap Songs:
Weeks at No. 1, Title, Artist (Year)
18, “Hotline Bling,” Drake (2015-16)
18, “Fancy,” Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX (2014)
18, “Hot Boyz,” Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott featuring Nas, Eve and Q-Tip (1999-2000)
15, “See You Again,” Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth (2015)
15, “Timber,” Pitbull featuring Ke$ha (2014)
15, “Thrift Shop,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz (2013)
15, “Best I Ever Had,” Drake (2009)
14, “Can’t Hold Us,” Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton (2013)
14, “The Motto,” Drake featuring Lil Wayne (2012)
14, “Lollipop,” Lil Wayne featuring Static Major (2008)
14, “Flava In Ya Ear,” Craig Mack (1994)
 
“Hotline Bling’s" trek to the top came a few weeks before its now infamous music video was released -- with streams from the clip aiding in its extended stay. To date, the video has over 400 million global views. It most recently gathered 5.6 million weekly U.S. views in the frame ending Jan. 21, on Vevo on YouTube (according to Nielsen Music).

Digital sales have similarly kept the song hot, with no less than 29,000 weekly downloads logged every single week since its release in August. At its height, the track sold 154,000 downloads on the chart dated Nov. 14, 2015. “Hotline” has been in the top 10 on Rap Digital Songs since its Aug. 22 entry, and currently stands at No. 2.

Radio has also been a big supporting factor in its triumph on the chart. The track spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, tying with Mary J. Blige’s “Be Without You” for the second-longest crowning run (Miguel’s “Adorn” leads with 23 weeks). It falls 6-7 on its 21st charting week, dipping 6 percent in spins.