Drake may have just secured his place as the new king of pop.
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The Toronto superstar officially broke Michael Jackson’s longtime record for the most Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits by a solo male artist after his latest single, “Janice STFU,” debuted at the top of the charts following the release of his recent album trilogy.
ICEMAN's celebration last night after Drake broke Michael Jackson’s record and made history.
Drake is now the first artist to ever break an MJ record for the most number-one songs on the Billboard Hot 100 by a solo male artist. pic.twitter.com/CpjymM6vSm
According to Billboard, the No. 1 debut gives Drake 14 chart-topping singles in his career, tying him with Taylor Swift and Rihanna for the most among solo artists. Only Mariah Carey, with 19, and The Beatles, with 20, remain ahead of him on the all-time list.
Drake also made Billboard history by setting a new record for the most Hot 100 entries in a single week, landing 42 songs on the chart. The milestone surpasses Morgan Wallen’s previous record of 37 songs set earlier this year, which itself had broken his earlier mark of 36.
In recent years, the “Hotline Bling” rapper has frequently referenced Michael Jackson throughout his music and visuals, often comparing his own run to the late pop legend’s legacy. Drake’s latest album, Iceman, continues that theme, with cover art featuring a rhinestone-covered glove that appears to pay tribute to Jackson’s iconic fashion staple.
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Drake added another historic achievement to his resume by becoming the first artist ever to occupy the top three spots on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart simultaneously.
His album trilogy, Iceman, Habibti, and Maid of Honour, all debuted at No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 on the May 30 chart, further cementing his dominance in the music industry.
The projects also mark Drake’s first solo releases since his highly publicized feud with Kendrick Lamar in 2024, with several songs across the trilogy appearing to reference the rivalry.
