Rihanna scored her 32nd top 10 single — and her first in five years — with “Lift Me Up,” the first track to emerge from Marvel’s hit sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” The song debuts at No. 2 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100.
Taylor Swift didn’t give up the top spot, as “Anti-Hero” held on at No. 1 for a second week in a row. She loosened her grip on the entire top 10, however. Last week, Swift set a record by claiming the Hot 100’s top 10 songs, featuring tunes from her album “Midnights”; this week, it is only four in the top 10.
The last time Rihanna held a top 10 spot on the chart was in 2017, when a song she and Bryson Tiller had guest appearances on, DJ Khaled’s “Wild Thoughts,” took No. 2. for seven weeks. The last time the artist had a top 10 solo hit was 2016’s “Love on the Brain” — a discrepancy that has nothing to do with a decline in popularity, just the fact that she hasn’t released any material in the meantime.
After its premiere on October 28, “Lift Me Up” scored 26.2 million streams and sold 23,000 downloads; more impressively, it made its mark on radio, garnering 48.1 million viewership impressions in its first week.
The song has been described as a tribute to the life and legacy of Chadwick Boseman; it was written by Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems, film composer Ludwig Göransson and director Ryan Coogler starring Rihanna.
The superstar has made few musical appearances in the years since her last album, 2016’s ‘Anti’ – notably on NERD’s ‘Lemon’, Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Loyalty’ and Future’s ‘Selfish’ – but in February she will be the halftime performer on the biggest stage in the world for a musician, the Super Bowl.
Swift’s “Anti-Hero” kept “Lift Me Up” from becoming Rihanna’s 15th No. 1 single, which stood well ahead of “Lift Me Up” in streaming, despite Rihanna taking the lead in radio airplay .
In week two for “Anti-Hero,” Swift had 35.6 million streams (down 40%), 37.6 million radio audience impressions (up 17%) and 17,000 downloads ( up 28%, led by the November 3 sale of a version instrument). Swift’s other three songs remain in the top 10 this week: “Lavender Haze” (#6), “Midnight Rain” (#7) and “Bejeweled” (#9).
“25” in 2015).
The top 10 on the Billboard 200 chart mostly included the same albums as the previous week. The only debut was Kodak Black, entering at No. 8 with “Kutthroat Bill: Vol. 1”, with 37,000 units earned.
There was also an unexpected bounce back up those higher ranks. Baby Keem’s “The Melodic Blue,” a September 2021 release, drops from #105 to #7 (37,000 units) after its deluxe re-release on October 28 and its vinyl debut. Ten additional tracks were added to the album, although the vinyl LP did not include these bonus tracks.
As for albums remaining in the top 10: Lil Baby’s “It’s Only Me” sits at No. 2, with 81,000 equivalent album units (down 26%), while “Un Verano Sin Ti Bad Bunny’s is also stationary at No. 3 (62,000 units; 7% decline). The Beatles’ “Revolver” re-enters the chart at No. 4, fueled by the October 28 release of its special deluxe edition which snagged 54,000 units. The majority of these units (46,000 to be exact) come from sales.
Morgan Wallen’s ‘Dangerous: The Double Album’ slips a spot at No. 5 (41,000 units); The Weeknd’s “The Highlights” also falls one spot, to No. 6 (41,000); Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House” drops one position to No. 9 (31,000 units); and Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” remains in place at No. 10 (with 26,000 units).
Back on the song charts, where Swift dropped six of the top 10 spots she held last week: Styles’ “As It Was” claims its 30th week in the top 10, surging 16-5; Steve Lacy’s “Bad Habits” climbs back to No. 4, after spending the last week at No. 12; while Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ “Unholy” jumps from No. 11 to No. 3. Just two weeks ago, “Unholy” made a triumphant rise to No. 1, recording an impressive increase in airplay at radio (up 40%) and sales (60%, driven by a sale price of 69 cents). This week, it has 40.8 million stream viewership (up 53%), 25.1 million streams (up 3%) and 12,000 sold (up 3%).
To top off the survey: Post Malone’s “I Like You (A Happier Song)” featuring Doja Cat, at No. 8, and Nicki Minaj’s “Super Freaky Girl” at No. 10.
