Most songs to debut at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100

As of 21 October 2023, nine of Drake’s (Canada, b. Aubrey Drake Graham) 13 US No.1 singles had debuted at the top of the chart: “God’s Plan” (3 February 2018), “Nice for What” (21 April 2018), “Toosie Slide” (18 April 2020), “What’s Next” (20 March 2021), “Way 2 Sexy” (feat. Future & Young Thug; 18 September 2021), “Wait for U” (feat. Future & Tems; 14 May 2022), “Jimmy Cooks” (feat. 21 Savage; 2 July 2022), “Slime You Out” (feat. SZA; 30 September 2023) and “First Person Shooter” (feat. J. Cole; 21 October 2023).

The female version of this record belongs to Ariana Grande (USA). As of 23 March 2024, seven of her nine US No.1 singles had debuted at the top of the chart: “Thank U, Next” (17 November 2018), “7 Rings” (2 February 2019), “Stuck with U” (with Justin Bieber; 23 May 2020), “Rain on Me” (with Lady Gaga; 6 June 2020), “Positions” (7 November 2020), “Yes, And?” (27 January 2024) and “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” (23 March 2024). Grande nudged ahead of Taylor Swift’s six No.1 debuts (2014-23) with the latest release from her No.1 album Eternal Sunshine.

The Billboard Hot 100 was first published on 4 August 1958 and had facilitated 77 No.1 debuts as of 20 April 2024. Michael Jackson’s “You Are Not Alone” was the first song to go straight to the top on 2 September 1995. BTS (five, in 2020-21) and Justin Bieber (four, in 2015-21) trailed Drake, Grande and Swift for the number of chart-topping debuts.

Drake had made the Hot 100 with 329 different tracks as of the chart dated 20 April 2024, 77 of which had reached the Top 10. Both of these figures are unrivalled in the history of the Hot 100.

“What’s My Name?” and “Work”, both featuring Rihanna, “One Dance” (feat. Wizkid & Kyla) and “In My Feelings” are the four No.1 tracks that failed to take the Canadian superstar to the top of the Hot 100 in their debut weeks.