Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna attend The 57th Annual Grammy Awards at STAPLES Center on February 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
The ascent gives McCartney a new chart record: longest span between No. 1s.
Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney’s “FourFiveSeconds” makes big news on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, as the song steps 2-1, taking both Airplay and Streaming Gainer honors. The climb gives Rihanna her fourth chart-topper, while West achieves his seventh.
Listen to This Gorgeous A Cappella ‘FourFiveSeconds’ Cover
As for McCartney, it’s his second No. 1 on the list, following his duet with Michael Jackson on “The Girl Is Mine” (it led the list for three weeks in 1983: Jan. 15-29). McCartney’s long gap between No. 1s (32 years) is the lengthiest wait between No. 1s in the history of the chart. It surpasses the previous record gap, held by Ray Charles, who went 23 years between his last two No. 1s: “I’ll Be Good to You” (Quincy Jones featuring Charles and Chaka Khan, which hit No. 1 on Jan. 20, 1990) and “Let’s Go Get Stoned” (topping the list for one week on July 23, 1966).
“FourFiveSeconds” — which earned its live-performance debut on the 57th Grammy Awards (Feb. 8) — also enters Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay at No. 38, increasing 66 percent in plays in the week ending Feb. 8, according to Nielsen Music. The song’s sales continue to sizzle as well, holding at No. 1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs for a second week, selling 181,000 downloads (up 31 percent). Streaming catapults to 3.8 million views on YouTube and Vevo on YouTube. (Audio streaming platforms such as Spotify and Rhapsody have yet to be serviced with the song, therefore clicks currently solely stem from the official music video.) As previously reported, “FourFiveSeconds” blasts 15-6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Kid Ink Claims No. 1 Album: Rapper Kid Ink scores his first No. 1 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums as Full Speed debuts atop the list with 29,000 copies sold. It’s the fourth top five entrance for the Los Angeles-based MC, following his 2014 set My Own Lane, which debuted at No. 2 on the list (50,000 first-week units). Prior to its release, the new album spawned a hit with “Body Language,” featuring Usher & Tinashe, reaching No. 15 on Hot Rap Songs (chart dated Jan. 24). The track continues to climb on the Billboard Hot 100, jumping 94-85 in its 18th week on the chart.
Meanwhile, Kid Ink’s new singles see gains on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, led by “Hotel” featuring Chris Brown (31-30), and “Be Real” featuring DeJ Loaf (39-31). Kid Ink concurrently makes his debut on the Billboard Artist 100 at No. 27.
Kem’s R&B No. 1: At radio, singer Kem climbs 2-1 on Adult R&B Songs with “Nobody” (up 12 percent in plays, according to Nielsen), earning his fifth chart-topping track. It’s the second No. 1 from his 2014 set Promise to Love, first having reached the peak with “Its You,” spending four weeks at the top in September.
Nicki Minaj Earns Fourth Rap Airplay No. 1: Elsewhere on the airwaves, Nicki Minaj also attains a new chart-crowning song on Rap Airplay — her fourth — as “Only” featuring Drake, Lil Wayne and Chris Brown rises 2-1 in its 15th week. The track reaches the top despite a one percent dip in audience, to 38.9 million impressions. Minaj’s latest single to enter Rap Airplay, “Truffle Butter,” featuring Drake and Lil Wayne, takes the Greatest Gainer tag for a second consecutive week – continuing at No. 3 with a 21 percent gain (to 26.4 million audience impressions).
Big Sean Bounds With “Blessings”: Lastly, over on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, Big Sean rockets to No. 16 with “Blessings,” featuring Drake, in its second week, following a No. 42 debut. The song earns Digital Gainer honors, shooting 249 percent to 56,000 downloads (a 20-6 leap on Rap Digital Songs). Meanwhile, his hit song “I Don’t F**k With You,” featuring E-40, continues in the top 10, spending a second week at No. 4 (down eight percent in plays) following a nonconsecutive eight-week stint at No. 1.