Megan Thee Stallion locks up the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart as “Savage,” featuring Beyoncé, rises from the runner-up rank on the list dated May 23. The duo takes over thanks to a 5 percent boost to 27.3 million in audience in the week ending May 17, according to Nielsen Music/MRC Data.
With their ascent, the Houston natives return female artists to the chart summit for the first time in nearly a year. The last woman at No. 1 was Cardi B, who posted the last of 20 straight weeks in charge through “Money” (nine weeks) and then “Please Me,” (11) a collaboration with Bruno Mars, on the June 15, 2019, list.
“Savage” gives Megan Thee Stallion her first leader on the chart, after a trio of prior top five showings. Her debut hit, “Big Ole Freak,” reached No. 5 in May 2019, while two later hits both went to No. 3: “Cash S–t,” featuring DaBaby last September, and “Hot Girl Summer,” a collaboration with Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign, in November.
Beyoncé nabs her eighth visit to the penthouse to tie Alicia Keys for the most No. 1s among women since the chart began in 1993. The superstar also ends a five-year drought from the summit, having last topped R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay with “7/11” in February 2015. Between the two chart champs, Bey logged eight other entries, with six entering the top 10. Lemonade single “Sorry” was the most successful, climbing to No. 3 in July 2016.
Here’s a full count of Beyoncé’s eight leaders:
Song Title, Additional Artists (if any), Weeks at No. 1, Peak Date
“Crazy in Love,” featuring Jay-Z, four, July 19, 2003
“Baby Boy,” featuring Sean Paul, five, Sept. 27, 2003
“Irreplaceable,” nine, Dec. 2, 2006
“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” 12, Nov. 29, 2008
“Love on Top,” seven, March 10, 2012
“Drunk in Love,” featuring Jay-Z, eight, Feb. 1, 2014
“7/11,” five, Feb. 14, 2015
“Savage,” Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé, one to date, May 23, 2020
As mentioned, Beyoncé ties Keys’ record for the most R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart-toppers among female acts with an eighth No. 1. On the overall list, the artists land in a five-way tie for fourth place since the chart began in 1993. Here’s the refreshed standings:
26, Drake
15, Usher
12, Lil Wayne
8, Alicia Keys
8, Beyoncé
8, Chris Brown
8, Jay-Z
8, R. Kelly