Kanye West Becomes The First Rapper to Top The Hot 100 in Three Different Decades

Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign’s track ‘Carnival,’ featuring Rich the Kid and Playboi Carti, has climbed to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, moving up from No. 2. This achievement marks Ye’s fifth chart-topper and Ty Dolla $ign’s second, while it serves as the first No. 1 for both Rich the Kid and Playboi Carti.

In a remarkable milestone, Ye has extended his reign of career Hot 100 No. 1s to over 20 years, making him the first rap artist to accomplish this feat. Furthermore, he has become the first rapper ever to achieve Hot 100 chart-toppers in three distinct decades – the 2000s, ’10s and ’20s.

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The Billboard Hot 100 incorporates a blend of all-genre U.S. streaming, radio airplay and sales data. ‘Carnival’ garnered 33.7 million streams (up 4%), 3.9 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 85%), and 3,000 downloads (up 15%) during the tracking week of March, according to Luminate.

The single also secured its third week atop the Streaming Songs chart and climbed from 19 to 13, achieving a new high on Digital Song Sales.

Released on 10th February as part of Ye and Ty Dolla $ign’s collaborative album ‘Vultures 1,’ under Ye’s YZY label, ‘Carnival’ has seen significant success. The album, Ye’s first following a series of hate speech and antisemitic remarks, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart on 24th February and maintained its position for two weeks. Currently, it sits at No. 3 in its fourth week on the chart.

With his chart-topping success in the 2000s, ’10s, and ’20s, Ye has become the only male artist to achieve this milestone. He joins the ranks of Beyoncé, Mariah Carey and Lady Gaga, who have also achieved chart-toppers over three decades.