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Even among the many riches of the 1990s R&B boom – ripe with legendary male and female vocal groups, a wave of solo superstars and endless, now-classic crossover hits – Usher’s rise stands out as bringing forth one of the era’s most impactful careers. Shortly after his 1997 breakthrough, Usher had become a near-automatic hitmaker, culminating in a catalog that has led many critic and cultural commentators to position him as a frontrunner for the “King of R&B” title.
The hits, however, didn’t automatically flow. Usher’s self-titled debut, executive produced by Puff Daddy, arrived in 1994 when the singer was just aged 15, and though it sent two songs onto the Billboard Hot 100 – “Can U Get Wit It” and “Think of You” – neither cracked the top 50. For his sophomore effort, My Way, in 1997, the singer switched to another crew of proven hitmakers, collaborating mostly with Jermaine Dupri and Babyface, which started his path to the top of the charts. The album’s lead single, “You Make Me Wanna…” and title track both reached No. 2, while “Nice & Slow” went one further, becoming the first of Usher’s nine Hot 100 champs.
And they just kept coming. 2001’s 8701 sparked two more No. 1s – “U Remind Me” and “U Got It Bad,” and the blockbuster Confessions launched four leaders – “Yeah!,” featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris, “Burn,” “Confessions Part II” and “My Boo,” a duet with Alicia Keys – from its standard and deluxe editions in 2004. Usher continued to pump out more hits in the ensuing years, and proving his longevity, became the first artist to top the Hot 100 in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, thanks to “OMG,” featuring will.i.am, in 2010.
As the superstar prepares to headline the Super Bowl XLV halftime show and mark 30 years in the business, Billboard recaps Usher’s biggest Hot 100 hits. Like the multi-talented singer, actor and dancer himself, his top 30 hits illustrates his range, with uptempo dancefloor jams, searing ballads and guest spots on pop, dance and hip-hop hits all in the mix.
Usher’s biggest Hot 100 hits are based on actual performance on the weekly Billboard Hot 100 (through Feb. 3, 2024). Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at No. 100 earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted to account for different chart turnover rates over various periods.
“Love in This Club Part II” (feat. Beyoncé & Lil Wayne)
Benson Boone is about to complete the jump from viral star to the U.K. top 10.
The 21-year-old Washington native has three appearances on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, the standout with “Beautiful Things” (via Warner Records), which last week reached No. 11.
Prior to its release, Boone built buzz for the song by teasing it on TikTok and Instagram. Now, Boone is on the brink of his first top tier hit, as “Beautiful Things” lifts to No. 8 on the midweek tally.
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Boone recently announced his forthcoming album, Fireworks and Rollerblades, and its namesake world tour, and performed the single last week on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Also on the rise is of Bob Marley’s grandson YG Marley, whose debut “Praise Jah In The Moonlight” (YG Marley Music) vaults 24-12 on the chart blast. “Praise Jah In The Moonlight” is co-written with Marley’s mom, Ms. Lauryn Hill.
Critically-lauded British newcomers The Last Dinner Party are heading for the U.K. albums chart title with Prelude to Ecstasy (Island), their debut album. And a new chart peak awaits for their single “Nothing Matters,” which last week entered the top 40 for the first time and is predicted to climb further, to No. 19.
At the top of the Official Chart Update is Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” (Republic Records), which is cruising to a sixth consecutive week at No. 1.
Finally, Cat Janice is expected to make an impact on the Official U.K. Singles Chart with “Dance You Outta My Head.”
Behind the upbeat dance tune is a touching story.
The 31-year-old singer, from Washington, D.C., was diagnosed with sarcoma, a type of rare malignant tumor, in 2021. After going through chemotherapy and radiation treatment, the cancer returned, and she released this song as a final tune for her 7-year-old son, just after entering hospice care. “Dance You Outta My Head” (Cat Janice) debuts at No. 74 on the chart blast. All proceeds from the song will go to her son.
The Official U.K. Singles Chart will be published late Friday, Feb. 9.
Madonna justifies her Queen of Pop status once again, as “Popular,” her collaboration with the Weeknd and Playboi Carti, creates an impressive piece of U.K. chart history.
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“Popular” (via Interscope/Republic Records/XO) rises 14-10, a new high on the Official U.K. Singles Chart, published Friday, Feb. 2, for Madonna’s 64th top 10 single, extending her lead as the female artist with the most top 10s in Official Chart history.
Only the late Elvis Presley (with 76) and legendary English singer Cliff Richard (with 68) have more.
Fifteen years have passed since Madonna’s last cracked the top tier on the U.K. chart. The last time was with “Celebration” in 2009, which peaked at No. 3.
“Popular” is the Weeknd’s 16th U.K. top 10 single, and Playboi Carti’s first.
Madonna sets chart records for fun. According to the Official Charts Company, the U.S. pop superstar has racked-up 12 U.K. No. 1 albums — a record for a female solo artist. Taylor Swift is close behind with 10, a figure that will likely lift to 11 when she releases her next album The Tortured Poets Department, announced during the 2024 Grammys broadcast.
At the top of the latest U.K. tally, Noah Kahan sticks a fifth week at No. 1.
The Vermont singer and songwriter’s folky hit “Stick Season” (via Republic Records) reigns over the Official U.K. Singles Chart, and is the most-streamed song in the U.K. over the chart cycle with 8.8 million plays, the OCC reports. The leader at the midweek stage, “Stick Season” completes the longest consecutive run at No. 1 since Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red” also logged five weeks at the summit in 2023.
Meanwhile, U.S. singer-songwriter Teddy Swims nabs a new career peak with “Lose Control” (Atlantic), up 6-3.
The highest climber this week belongs to YG Marley, with his debut single “Praise Jah in the Moonlight,” (YG Marley Music) up 51-20. Marley is the son of Ms. Lauryn Hill (who is credited as co-writer of the song) and the grandson of the late reggae hero Bob Marley.
Also nabbing a first U.K. top 40 appearance is the Last Dinner Party, winner of the BRITs Rising Star award and BBC Sound of 2024 Poll. The quintet’s “Nothing Matters” (Island) flies 41-22 on the tally, for their first top 40 appearance. The Last Dinner Party made their American late night TV debut last month with a performance of “Nothing Matters” on The Late Show. “Nothing Matters” appears on the debut LP Prelude To Ecstasy, released last Friday.
The highest new entry on the latest list belongs to Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion with “Hiss” (Hot Girl Productions), new at No. 31, for her sixth top 40 hit. Close behind is British hip-hop artist Skepta, with “Gas Me Up (Diligent)” (Big Smoke/Epic), new at No. 32 for his 22nd U.K. top 40 single.
Finally, Justin Timberlake marks his return as a recording artist with his 27th top 40 appearance on the U.K. singles tally. Timberlake’s “Selfish” (RCA) bows at No. 37, and is the first track lifted from his sixth solo album, titled Everything I Thought It Was. EITIW is slated for release on March 15.
As the calendar flips over to February, Australia finds itself in stick season.
Noah Kahan earns his first No. 1 single in Australia as “Stick Season” (via Universal) climbs 2-1 on the ARIA Chart, published Friday, Feb. 2. “Stick Season” gets there in its 15th week on the tally.
Last month, Kahan completed his We’ll All Be Here Forever Tour, which included dates across Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Perth — his first Australia trek since 2019. According to reps from Universal Music Australia, Kahan performed to more than 50,000 people on the jaunt, produced by Live Nation, and made his breakfast TV debut on Channel 7’s free-to-air Sunrise, for an in-studio performance of the hit single.
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Kahan has more to come. Next Friday, Feb. 9 sees the release of Stick Season (Forever), the “final pieces” of his release strategy, says a UMG rep, following the rollout of the Stick Season album in 2022 and, in late July 2023, Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever).
It’s mid-summer in Australia, another scorcher where heatwaves or storms are the forecast for any given day. The hottest months here never pass without an edition of Triple J’s Hottest 100 poll, which was counted down last week, and saw Doja Cat’s “Paint The Town Red” (RCA/Sony) crowned the winner.
A string of entries in the Hottest 100 enjoy bumps on the ARIA Chart, led by “Paint The Town Red,” up 10-6.
Also, Aussie EDM producer Dom Dolla’s flashes the cash with “Saving Up” (Sony), which vaults 44-11 on the ARIA Chart. “Saving Up” came in at No. 3 on the triple j poll, which raked in 2,355,870 votes. That result is easily Dom’s highest-charting single in Australia, eclipsing the No. 32 best for “Rhyme Dust.” After blasting in at No. 4 on the Hottest 100 poll, “Rhyme Dust” reenters the ARIA Chart this week at No. 41.
G Flip had a record-breaking result as seven of their songs appeared on the Hottest 100. Less than a week later, G Flip’s former No. 1 LP Drummer (Future Classic/Universal) returns at No. 42.
There’s no moving Taylor Swift from the top of the ARIA Albums Chart, as Taylor’s 1989 (Taylor’s Version) (via Universal) holds at No. 1 for a 13th non-consecutive week. If it logs one more week at No. 1, the latest Taylor’s Version would tie with Midnights as her longest reigning album in Australia, at 14 weeks.
According to ARIA, Swift chalks up 55 total number of weeks at No. 1 across 12 albums, starting with Speak Now in 2010.
The top debut on the albums tally is the Smile’s Wall Of Eyes (XL/Inertia), new at No. 7. It’s the second album from the Radiohead side project, following 2022’s A Light For Attracting Attention, which peaked at No. 15 on the ARIA Chart.
And just like that, James Arthur is the frontrunner in the race for the U.K. albums chart crown.
Arthur, the former X Factor U.K. champion, enters the lead with Bitter Sweet Love (Columbia), his fifth studio album, following the release of a “Digital Deluxe” version on Saturday (Jan. 27), including three live recordings cut in Hamburg with the Lufthansa Orchestra, and four bonus tracks.
The pop singer promoted his new release on the weekend, performing the title track for Michael McIntyre’s Big Show on BBC One.
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What a difference a day makes. Prior to the Official Chart Company’s latest update, Radiohead spin-off the Smile was in pole position with Wall of Eyes (XL Recordings), which held a lead of just 200 chart units over indie rockers the Reytons’ Ballad of a Bystander (The Reytons), in second spot.
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Now, Arthur’s Bitter Sweet Love roars ahead with an additional 5,000 chart units collected overnight, mostly physical sales, the OCC reports. With its rocket boosters on full blast, Bitter Sweet Love moves 4,000 chart units ahead of its nearest competition, the Smile’s Wall of Eyes.
The winner of X Factor back in 2012, Arthur has cracked the top 3 with all his previous releases including a leader with 2016’s Back From the Edge, a collection that featured his No. 1 single “Say You Won’t Let Go.”Arthur also entered the U.K. top 10 with his 2013 self-titled debut (at No. 2), 2019’s You (No. 2) and his most recent LP, 2021’s It’ll All Make Sense In The End (No. 3).
As it stands, a slew of new releases are on track for top 10 berths, including Future Islands‘ People Who Aren’t There Anymore (at No. 6 via 4AD), Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes‘ Dark Rainbow (No. 8 via International Death Cult), New Model Army’s Unbroken (No. 9 via Ear Music), and Super Furry Animal Gruff Rhys‘s Sadness Sets Me Free (No. 10 via Rough Trade).
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published Friday, Feb. 2.
Noah Kahan season isn’t winding down anytime soon in the United Kingdom. Based on sales and streaming data published by the Official Charts Company, Kahan’s “Stick Season” (via Republic Records) is on track for a fifth straight week at No. 1. Should the Vermont singer and songwriter’s standout single hang on for another week at […]
It’s tight, and it’s early days, but the members of the Smile can afford a grin. The Radiohead spin-off leads the midweek U.K. chart with Wall Of Eyes (XL Recordings), their sophomore album. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news There’s not much in it. Just 200 combined units separate […]
Noah Kahan extends his winning season in the U.K., as the American artist logs a fourth consecutive week at No. 1, and nabs the top debut.
The Vermont singer and songwriter’s “Stick Season” (via Republic Records) enters a full month atop of the Official U.K. Singles Chart, raking-in a market-leading 8.7 million streams, the OCC reports.
Kahan sticks another top 10, his second, as “Homesick” (Polydor/Republic Records) featuring Sam Fender debuts at No. 5.
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“Homesick” is also Fender’s second U.K. top 10 hit, following “Seventeen Going Under,” which this week vaults back into the top 40 following the release of the new collaboration. “Seventeen Going Under” returns at No. 32, having peaked at No. 3 in 2022.
Meanwhile, the parent to “Stick Season” and “Homesick,” Stick Season, lifts 4-2 for a new high on the Official U.K. Albums Chart.
Saltburn continues to light a flame under Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 2001 hit “Murder on the Dancefloor” (Polydor). The British pop singer’s disco number lifts 3-2, its peak position from 23 years ago. Emerald Fennell’s dark drama is in the hunt for five BAFTAs, including best British film.
Another British pop nugget from the noughts is riding high on the U.K. chart, thanks to a sync to the silver screen. Natasha Bedingfield’s international breakthrough “Unwritten” (Phonogenic) improves 18-13. Originally released in 2004, “Unwritten” catches flight after its inclusion in the romcom “Anyone But You.”
Meanwhile, Benson Boone, the U.S.-born singer, multi-instrumentalist and TikTok star, who was named as MTV’s Global PUSH Artist for October 2023, is on target for his first U.K. top 20 appearance with “Beautiful Things” (Warner Records). It’s new at No. 18.
English singer Becky Hill and Australian producer Sonny Fodera enter the top tier with “Never Be Alone” (Polydor), new at No. 34. It becomes Becky’s 19th top 40, a tally that includes a No. 1 with Oliver Heldens on 2014’s “Gecko (Overdrive)”; and Fodera’s second overall.
U.S. viral artist David Kushner scores a second U.K. top 40 appearance with “Skin and Bones” (Miserable Music), new at No. 36. It’s the followup to “Daylight,” which last year climbed the ladder to No. 2.
Finally, Norwegian EDM star Kygo and “Sweet But Psycho” singer Ava Max bag a top 40 on debut with “Whatever” (Columbia/Kygo). “Whatever,” which lifts its chorus from Shakira’s English-language breakout single “Wherever, Whenever” from 2001, is new at No. 39. It’s Kygo’s 10th and Ava’s sixth U.K. top 40.
Green Day is on top in the U.K. with Saviors (Reprise), the U.S. pop-punk trio’s 14th studio album.
Opening at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Friday, Jan. 26, Saviors is the Rock Hall-inducted band’s fifth leader in the U.K., after American Idiot (2004), 21st Century Breakdown (2009), Revolution Radio (2016) and Father of All… (2020).
The outright leader at the midweek stage, when it was the outselling the rest of the top 10 combined, Green Day draws level with the Foo Fighters, Prince and Celine Dion and other acts with five U.K. leaders.
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Saviors finishes the cycle as the best-seller on wax, according to the Official Charts Company, with vinyl generating one-third of its first-total tally.
The Bay Area trio of Billie Joe Armstrong, Mike Dirnt and Tré Cool will reward their legion of British fans this summer with a run of dates on The Saviors Tour, a stretch that includes concerts at Manchester’s Old Trafford Stadium, Isle of Wight Festival, and London’s Wembley Stadium.
The only way is up for Noah Kahan, whose breakthrough third studio album Stick Season (Island) rises 4-2 for a new peak position. Meanwhile, the title track from the Vermont, U.S. singer-songwriter leads the U.K. singles chart for a fourth successive week.
Completing the podium on the albums tally is The Weeknd’s The Highlights (via Republic Records/XO), up 5-3.
Also new to the latest U.K. chart is Neck Deep’s eponymously titled fifth studio LP. Neck Deep (via Hopeless) bows at No. 11, for the Welsh pop-punk outfit’s fourth U.K. top 40, after 2015’s Life’s Not Out to Get You (No. 8), 2015’s The Peace and the Panic (No. 4) and 2020’s All Distortions are Intentional (No. 4).
Finally, British heavy metal veterans Saxon snag an 11th U.K. top 40 album with Hell, Fire and Damnation (Militia Guard Music), new at No. 19.
Taylor Swift is back on Australia‘s chart throne, as 1989 (Taylor’s Version) returns to the summit.
The best-selling album for 2023 in Australia, according to trade body ARIA, 1989 (Taylor’s Version) racks up its 12th non-consecutive week at the summit of the ARIA Albums Chart, published Friday, Jan. 26.
21 Savage’s American Dream last week bumped Swift’s re-recorded LP from top spot. But the dream didn’t last. Savage’s set dips 1-7, as Swift moves back to the top, 2-1 on the latest tally.
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1989 (Taylor’s Version) is one of four TayTay albums in the top 10. With the start of the U.S. pop superstar’s The Eras Tour of Australia less than a month away, expect Swifties to keep her music at or near the top of the albums chart.
The top debut this week belongs to Green Day with Saviors, arriving at No. 2. The U.S. pop-punk trio’s 14th and latest studio album becomes their 12th top 10 album in these parts. The Rock Hall-inducted Bay Area band has topped the ARIA Chart on three occasions, with Dookie (1994), American Idiot (2004) and Father Of All Motherf—ers (2020).
Noah Kahan makes a move on both main Australian charts with Stick Season and its title track. The U.S. singer and songwriter’s album lifts 10-6, for a new peak, while “Stick Season” improves 3-2, also a new high, on the ARIA Singles Chart. Further down the singles tally, a new version of the album track “Homesick,” featuring English singer Sam Fender, bows at No. 57.
At the top of the ARIA Singles Chart is Jack Harlow’s “Lovin On Me,” which enters a 10th non-consecutive week at No. 1, ahead of “Stick Season” and Tate McRae’s “Greedy” (up 4-3), respectively.
The Saltburn bump can be felt on the singles chart as Sophie Ellis-Bextor‘s 2001 hit “Murder On The Dancefloor” gains 12-7. The single, which is synced to the dark drama, peaked at No. 3 following its initial release.
U.S. singer and TikTok star Benson Boone bags a career high with “Beautiful Things,” new at No. 18, besting the “34” peak for his 2022 single “In The Stars.”
Finally, homegrown EDM DJ and producer Dom Dolla cracks the top 50 with “Saving Up.” The reigning ARIA Award-winner for best dance release, Dolla’s latest release starts at No. 44.