Kenneth Glad
The latest U.S. music rankings produced an unusually crowded week near the summit. Several releases from one catalog changed the shape of both major Billboard lists.
Drake has moved past Michael Jackson for the most No. 1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 by a male solo artist, after “Janice STFU” debuted in first place.
Billboard says the single gives Drake his 14th Hot 100 leader. Jackson had 13. The all-time record remains with The Beatles, who have 20 No. 1 singles.
The track appears on Iceman, one of three albums Drake released on May 15 together with Habibti and Maid of Honour.
Drake landed 42 songs on the Hot 100 in the same week, pushing his career total beyond 400 entries.
Nine of the top 10 songs were his. The only exception was Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” at No. 5.
CBC cited Billboard data showing “Janice STFU” drew more than 40.7 million U.S. streams, 2.1 million radio airplay audience impressions and 3,000 sales from May 15 to May 21.
Three albums take over
Drake also became the first artist to hold the top three positions on the Billboard 200 at the same time, DR said.
Iceman opened at No. 1, followed by Habibti and Maid of Honour. Luminate figures cited by Billboard put Iceman at 463,000 equivalent album units, while the two companion releases each passed 100,000.
The result gave Drake his 15th No. 1 album, moving him ahead of Jay-Z among male solo artists and level with Taylor Swift. The Beatles still lead with 19.
DR said Drake promoted Iceman with a large ice sculpture in Toronto, while the two other albums arrived as surprises.
The commercial sweep lands after a period in which Drake was often discussed through his feud with Kendrick Lamar rather than his sales figures.
Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 song “Not Like Us” included allegations against Drake. Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show later became another defining public moment in the rivalry.
Drake marked the Michael Jackson record on Instagram with the caption: “Neck broke from carrying the chain Back broke from carrying the game Records broken carry on my name Carry on carry on.”
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Sources: Billboard, CBC, DR
