Doechii’s ‘Denial is a River’ Rises to No. 1 on Rhythmic Airplay Chart
Written by djfrosty on March 28, 2025
Doechii banks her second No. 1 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart as “Denial Is a River” storms to the summit of the list dated April 5. The new champ jumps from No. 5 to crown the list as the most-played song on U.S. panel-contributing rhythmic radio stations for the tracking week of March 21-27, according to Luminate, and improved 13% in plays for the latest tracking period compared to the week prior.
Before “Denial is a River,” released and promoted to radio through Top Dawg/Capitol Records/ICLG, Doechii ruled Rhythmic Airplay with “What It Is (Block Boy).” The single, which features Kodak Black, reigned for one week in June 2023.
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As “Denial” takes the throne, it ousts GELO’s “Tweaker” after a one-week stay in the penthouse. The former leader slips to No. 2 following a 7% decline in plays for the tracking week.
Doechii’s latest coronation arrives just one day before the Grammy Award-winning rapper/singer is set to receive another honor: officially accepting the coveted Woman of the Year title at Billboard’s 2025 Women in Music event. The ceremony will occur tomorrow night (March 29) in Los Angeles, with other honorees including Rising Star winner Muni Long and Icon Award recipient Erykah Badu.
Beyond its Rhythmic Airplay crown, “Denial Is a River” continues to make waves across other radio formats. It repeats its No. 12 best on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay, where, despite no change in rank, the song earned 6% more plays in the latest tracking week. Meanwhile, it pushes 26-23 on Pop Airplay thanks to a 4% boost in plays at mainstream top-40 radio stations. The concurrent improvements from different sectors spark its 28-27 gain on the all-genre, audience-based Radio Songs chart, where the single leaps 10% in weekly audience to 24.4 million.
While “Denial is a River” builds its radio results, Doechii’s latest single, “Anxiety,” is generating favorable momentum. The Gotye-sampling single, which had a nearly six-year journey from initial recording to release, drives 33-21 on Rhythmic Airplay in its second week on the chart from a 181% surge in plays, winning it the weekly Greatest Gainer honor for the largest increase in plays among all tracks. Similarly, “Anxiety” races 36-28 on Pop Airplay thanks to a 199% vault in plays (snagging another Greatest Gainer prize) and debuts at No. 32 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay.
All charts dated April 5 will update on Billboard‘s website this Tuesday, April 1.