Hip-hop fans spent the past two weeks begrudgingly accepting that Desiigner’s “Panda” was the No. 1 song in the country, but this week, the Future knockoff finally got dethroned by the hero of the North, Drake. Billboard reports today that “One Dance” is the rapper’s first No. 1 song as a lead artist.
Drake had visited the top of the charts twice before thanks to appearances on Rihanna’s “What’s My Name” and “Work,” the single that “Panda” had originally knocked from the top spot. But his first No. 1 as a lead artist consistently hovered just above his reach. Some expected “Hotline Bling” to be the Drake hit to do it, especially after the instantly viral video. Adele’s “Hello” ended up stealing Drake’s thunder.
The release of Views was enough to push Drake to the top this time. The album, Drake’s fourth solo, sold 1.04 million equivalent album units in its first week to debut atop the Billboard 200.
We’ll be hearing more Drake talk this weekend, too. The 6 God will take over hosting duties on Saturday Night Live.
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Update: Drake also has a whopping 20 hits on the Hot 100 this week, 18 of which appear on Views. Rihanna’s “Work” rests at No. 6 and “Summer Sixteen” hangs back at No. 89. This breaks the record for most simultaneous Hot 100. Justin Bieber previously held the record with Purpose’s 17.
